The Other X-Concepts Toys (Non Tech Deck lines)

 

X-Concepts didn't just make Tech Decks

Anything else X-Concepts LLC produced (non-Tech Deck/skating/biking/kart-related) is here!

I have a full page on Micro Icons (2004). Micro Icons were likely made to compete with Homie figures, but had a competitive edge with their magnetic feet. They were sold in toy stores and retailers instead of quarter vending machines. 

In 1999 X-Concepts got into making die-cast cars with...

Modifiers (1999-2003)

This line used Toyota, Honda, GM/Chevy, Acura, and Mitsubishi cars and featured official parts from many of the top car parts brands (a la Tech Deck using skate brands and wheels brands).

Promo Ad (2001)

Modifiers were die-cast, modifiable, and accurate cars based on various popular cars. They had play sets, sticker packs with product logos in 2000 (a la Tech Deck sticker packs), and multi-packs. But, like Tech Decks, they primarily came in single packs. 

Basically, the X-Concepts team took what worked about the Tech Deck boards and bikes (extra sets of wheels, a little tool, solid metallic parts) and added in extra bumpers for good measure. 

These could be taken apart piece by piece, swapped out with other cars, and came with tons of goodies. 

 

Towards the end they came with an ARSENAL of parts check out this Chevy Cavalier from 2002:

This 2000 Acura, which came with inter-changeable bodies, rims, wheel sizes, and parts. 

Tech Wheels (2002)

Hot off the success of Tech Deck Dudes and Tech Deck Skate Crew (plus their multiple Tech Deck, Bike, Kart lines)- X-Concepts LLC began adding the word Tech in their car toys. 

The Tech Wheels were a one-and-done series of die-cast replicas of Dirt Pilots and Quads, rather than the replica cars in the Modifiers toy line. 

I believe these may have sold poorly as they were quickly abandoned within a year.

Ranger Boats Prop Master (2000-2001)

X-Concepts made die-cast replicas of professional fishing tournament boats, these were definitely too niche and did not last long. 

Again, likely sold poorly as they were quickly abandoned within a year.

NANO SPEED (2006)

Hot off being bought by Spin Master, X-Concepts made a toy line of cars called "NANO SPEED". 

Unlike the super-accurate die-cast metal cars from Modifiers, this X-Concepts line was more smash and race-friendly. They weren't much of a hit, maybe lasting a year or two?

Urban Icon (2004)

As art toys began to become huge in the early-to-mid 2000s (think Kid Robot), X-Concepts combined art toy features with street wear brands. These Urban Icons articulation points and each wears a popular mid-2000's skate brand shirt. 

These are meant for an older demo (11-14), but kids that age wouldn't buy a toy wearing an Obey t-shirt, they'd just buy an Obey t-shirt, hat, hoodie, jeans. These likely did not sell well at the time since these were abandoned by 2005. 

Promotional ad from the 2004 X-Concepts Catalog

Urban Icons was kinda ahead of its time. Nowadays, streetwear brands have Bear Bricks, soft vinyl collectibles, and plush toys (i.e KAWS replicas or BAPE plushies). 

These Urban Icons don't resell for much and most of these brands (DC, Ecko Unltd, Elwood, etc.) hit their peak in the mid-2000s and are now passe´in the fashion and streetwear world. 

But, there's an audience for them. I've even seen them at Toy Tokyo in the East Village in NYC.

Water Worm (2003-2004)

These super soaker-Esque monster toys were around for maybe a year.

X-Concepts also had a kite division called "X-Kites"

They had the rights to make kites of Transformers, Yu-Gi-Oh, Barbie, and FlipFlop: 

 

 

X-Kites also had the license to make TMNT 2003 4-Kids/Fox kites. 

This makes sense since X-Concepts had their first Tech Deck line in the form of Pee-Wee, which was sold under license with PlayMates, who own the TMNT toys. 

 

Even though X-Concepts and Tech Deck were bought out by Spin Master in 2006, X-Kites and its logo are still used today.  

X-Kites was not bought by Spin Master when they acquired the X-Concepts Tech Deck subsidiaries and toy car brands in 2006. But, X-Kites merged into Brainstorm Products LLC. They still have a website and produce kites to this day. 

None of the other X-Concepts toys came close to matching the success of Tech Deck lines, and I believe these lesser lines likely served as a catalyst for them being acquired by Spin Master. 

My theory is the success of fingerboards and dudes were overshadowed by one-and-done failed lines like Micro Icons, Citizen/Urban Icon, Tech Wheels, and more. 

The X-Concepts website (Circa 2004):