G3 Magnetic Action Series (2004-2006) & Dude Rides (2005-2006)

In G3 (2004-2006), X-concepts went Beyond Bendy Arms

In 2004, at the start of Generation 3 (G3) - Tech Deck Dudes saw the expansion of BlastBoards and Magnetic Action Series— both introduced a cool new play feature to TDD.

Additionally, atop having multiple color variants for the dudes in the "secondary/play-feature lines"(like Hot Feet and Deluxe Series did in G1), G3 allowed dudes to have multiple molds at the same time. 

This allowed the designers to make molds that fit the tone of a given series. Evolution figures were the main/regular design of a character. Magnetic Action figures would have more magnets on their backs and hands to hold a slew of accessories. BlastBoard/Blast Series molds were typically seen with tongues out, striking crazy poses, or screaming as they raced at high speeds. 

Ex: Whiplash had a regular crash test dummy mold in the Evolution Crews, a wide-eyes blast board mold with a magnetic bum, and a space explorer mold in Magnetic Action Crew. 

G3 would continue this tradition with Whiplash's playset and the Aztec Cluckers/Bull variants. 

As mentioned above, the whole gimmick of Magnetic Action was to give the dudes tons of accessories, two or three extra magnetic parts aside from their feet, and just add more ACTION to the line (going from totally tubular to total testosterone).

Dudes got active across 3 teams

• Scuba Squad
• Special Ops
• Astron-Nots

Series 1 Cardback (2004):

Series One (left to right): Erik, Brad—Cluckers, Lenny—Bonz, Tek

You could also save a little cash by buying 2-packs: 

Series 2 Cardback (2004):

Dude Rides (2005):

The Magnetic Action Series 1-2 were a hit and stayed in production throughout 2005.

The Dude Rides were added to the Spec Ops/Scuba Squad/Astro-Nots sub-themes. 

All three rides have new molds for established dudes.

They fit the different sub-themes of the Magnetic Action teams, but they did not come with personal accessories, magnetic hands, or magnetic backs (much like the Evolution molds). 

These new molds of Norman, Dr. Digit P.I. (now Dr. Digit G.I.), and Booger (Boog Rogers) came with the same truck painted in a different color. 

Each truck also came with unique magnetic attachments which reflect their faction: 

Norman (Scuba Squad) 
Scuba Squad truck includes pirate ship parts

Booger (Astro-Nots) [Boog Rogers]
Astro-Nots truck includes a robotic claw, rockets, and space satellites

Dr. Digit P.I. (Spec-Ops) [Dr. Digit G.I.]

Special Ops truck has guns, missiles, and a hard bumper  

Magnetic Action Dudes got new variants in a set of 3-packs in 2006.

   These new variants were more vibrant, but their accessories are the same color (except for the helmets of Whiplash and Cluckers). 

  

  

  

Atop the Magnetic Action molds returning, two of the Dude Rides were re-released with more features and accessories in 2006. 

Each came with a different colored variant of the truck and new blue variants of Booger & Norman. Interestingly, these deluxe rides had all the magnetic attachments once exclusive to 1 of the 3 2005 rides. 

Booger (Now with Blue skin and a black space suit)

Norman (Now with a blue mask and black scuba suit)

New variants for the Dude Rides Dr. Digit and Booger were released in Clash Crew 3. 

SPIN MASTER strips magnets and kills the theme

When Spin Master took over in late 2006, they stopped putting extra magnets on the MAGNETIC ACTION single-pack dudes line that had been a hit for two consecutive years. 

So, now the dudes came with regular hands, had jetbacks and backpacks that didn't connect since the magnets were removed from the packs and their backs, and their companions had no more magnets and couldn't ride with them. accessories 

This sucked and sales slumped. If you ever see these with no hand magnets, it's a Spin Master-era reprint. 

Spin Master also removed magnetic feet from the Zoods Crew 3 reprints and in Zoods Crew 4-7.

Look for a magnet on their hands before buying, so you get the good X-Concepts era originals. 

  

 

 Reprints have the Spin Master logo in place of the X-Concepts LLC logo and are copyrighted in 2006.

The good OG ones with all magnetic components have the X-Concepts logo and a 2004 copyright.

New Variants in Generation 4 (G4)

In Generation 4, Spin Master reused the G3 Magnetic Action Series molds in new variants without their magnetic backs/hands.

They don't even have accessories or helmets anymore, so what's the appeal? 

In 2008 we got a single-pack Green version of the Medic Frank N. Finger. 

There was also a single-pack mash-up of Brad's two G3 versions. Brad has the green skin/orange suit variant while wearing the white hazmat suit of the red variant. I guess they swapped outfits. Like Frank, Brad is missing his helmet and accessories from the original line in 2004-2006. 

In late 2008, we got a re-issue of Booger's purple Clash Crew purple variant. 

This is the only time we got a new version of Booger in Generation 4, and his overall quality compared to the original Clash Crew release of this purple variant is significantly cheaper. 

One interesting change is that Booger in G4 was no longer just "Booger" 

Now, he is named "Boog Rogers" on the box.

Erik was re-issued in the same crew renamed as "Space Erik".

In 2009, a slightly different Frank N Finger was released in the final set of 6-Packs. 

He has a helmet again, but he has accessories. 

Also, in true G4 fashion, Spin Master cut corners with fewer deco paint details 

(His shirt no longer has a Red Cross and his brain is painted the black paint as his hair. 

 . 

Compare this to his original blue variant which had multi-colored brains, accents/details, magnetic feet, a magnetic back, and a magnetic hand for his fun magnetic accessories.

Spin Master cut costs by penny-pinching magnets or maybe saw them as a potential lawsuit, but this arguably killed the toy line in the process.