G1-G4 Playsets (2002-2008)

G1 Playsets (2002):

Playset Promo in the X-Concepts LLC Catalog from 2003:

G1 Carrying Cases (2002):

X-Concepts LLC/Tech Deck released a Carrying Case with a possibility of either Petey and Stevie J or Billy & Eddie in 2002. All four of these figures are reprints from single packs and 3-packs.

The final release included Andie with pink hair and Billy with a yellow cap and blue sneakers.

These carrying cases were KB Toys store exclusives, retailing at $24.

There was also sample boxes for a Funbox Experience set, Handrail Hustle, and Sliderail Shuffle playset (packaged for moc-up with already released Hot Feet figures). The figures inserted are G1, but the art if each dude is G2 Sumo San, Stevie J, and Billy. 

G2 Playsets (2003): 

DownHill Dude (2 versions)

The first Dude playset to be promoted on TV was the DownHill Dude set, which came with playset-exclusive molds of Sumo San and Lenny rocking helmets. 

This is where playset-exclusive figures started not just being exclusive color variants, but having their own molds entirely. Of course, there were still G2 and G3 playsets that recycled molds from other lines. 

Lenny and Sumo San came first, hence the commercial, the G1 Dude art on the box, and the older art style compared to the more G2-brand-specific AlPine/Fred one. 

The Downhill Dude playset was re-released with Al Pine and Fred. You can tell these were made later because now the "DownHill Dude art" on this box is more consistent with the art style of G2/G3 and the logo has now been updated to include the Evolution Billy with arms and a red cap. 

The Original Promo in a 2002 X-Concepts Catalog showed two random dudes in helmets standing in the same stances as Sumo San and Lenny. I REALLY wish they eventually released these. 

The Launch A Dude 

This Hot Feet board playset was also released in early 2003 with a TV ad.

This set came with an all-red G2 version of Tek with arms OR a G2 version of Dave. 

Dragstrip Race Set Version 1 with Stevie J (2003)

 

Dragstrip Race Set V2 with Moto (2003)

Dragstrip Race Set Version 3 with Jack (2003)

Daredevil Race Set Version 2 (V1 was G1 set with Tank)

Early in 2003, they dropped a re-release of the G1 Tank playset, now with a hand-standing Billy with a magnetic construction helmet.

Daredevil Race Set Version 3 (Blue Whiplash)

Daredevil Race Set Version 4 (Yellow Barney) 

Loop & Grind Race Ser with Orange Tek (2003)

 

RC DUDES (These RC's were made by X-Concepts, no longer in partnership with Toy Island)

G2 also saw the release of 2 RC Dudes (Billy with a red hat and Eddie with a green mohawk)

They were re-released the same year in 2-Packs with re-releases of one of the dudes from the Downhill playset. I'm unsure why? Maybe they had leftover inventory? 

UNRELEASED G2 Petey PLAYSET MOLD!!!

A seller on eBay listed this original sculpt and the painted master for an unreleased Petey. You can tell this is his second G1 version with arms, which was eventually released with bendy arms in G3.

The seller had a close friend who worked at X-Concepts LLC (the company that made everything Tech Deck from 1998-2006 until they were acquired by Spin Master). 

For more angles, check out the #014-Petey page on our blog! 

G3 Playsets

2004: 

2004 saw the release of the Blast Series, dudes came with new molds and pull-back Blastboards. There was an obstacle course playset released, which included a reprint of the Blast Crew 1 Timbo (in a clear Bruce Lee parody costume, with accurate Asics on his feet). 

NOTE: the box shows a blonde Timbo with a black jumpsuit and sneakers, this variant DOES NOT EXIST. As we can see, the playset includes the same Timbo in the single packs.

A closer look at the variant of Timbo on the box cover (which wasn't actually used for the playset):


Last Dude Standing (2004) Sparks More Play-Based Playsets:
The first playset that was not simply a Hot Wheels-Esque loop ramp or skatepark with rails/barrels came in the form of the Last Dude Standing set.
I think X-Concepts was now aware nobody cared about the boards, and more bought the line for the fun characters, their quirks, and of course, their magnetic feet and accessories.
The Last Dude Standing playset included warrior versions of Cluckers (wearing a chicken skull with a chicken spear and mace) and Bull (yielding a staff and a mace).
These dudes would be reprinted in Clash Crew Series 3 & the G4 single-packs.


Fun Fact: The Last Dude Standing playset has Rodney etched into it like some sort of Aztec god.

2005 Playsets (now called Action Sets):

The Big Bounce Action Set is clearly inspired by the board game Rat Trap and includes an exclusive mold/variant for Whiplash, with a target on his head and butt. 

The Bowl-a-Dude Action Set went back to sets just to being a mold with a new color variant, unlike the new molds we saw in many G2-G3 sets. But, they changed Crash's helmet to look like a bowling bowl rather than his usual Evel Knievel-Esque stars and stripes.

The Dude Rides:

I find these so interesting, taking away the skater concept, these dudes didn't even have boards and  just stick to a Ferris-strip in the truck
Notice how Norman is in a scuba suit, Dr. Digit is a Spec Ops/GI Joe type, and Booger is dressed like Buck Rogers? That's because they tied into the Scuba Squad, Spec Ops, and Astro-Nots lines from the 2004-2006 Magnetic Action Series.
In true archivist fashion, we have an article on these Dude Rides and their relationship to the Magnetic Action Series!

2006: 

In 2006 the line reused the Dude Rides truck and dude molds with new colors were released,

Norman and Booger are now in blue variants, and each set came with all 3 of the previous year's sets' accessories. However, Dr. Digit didn't get a deluxe ride. 

G4 Playsets:

The Vanformer Action Set (2007): 

Clobber was a Mr. T parody in the G4 packs, but for his playset (a parody of the A-Team's van) he is wearing a hotdog suit.
The set also included a head mold of Sturgeon, which popped out of a port-a-potty. On the box art, Sturgeon is green, but the one you get is a shiny metallic blue, like his 3-pack variant.

The original ad is pretty great, and VERY 2000's and is still on Tech Deck's Youtube channel. 

Design Specs for the action set also show a clear Mystery Machine color variant. Unfortunately, this never saw the light of day:

Here are the control drawings and cardboard models from the designer of the van, and some Tech Deck fingerboard playsets and cases during the Spin Master era, Paul Wilson.

The Serpent of Doom (2008):

This Toys R Us exclusive came with Art in his Kratos parody mold, interestingly this was the first and only time since G2 in 2003 that a dude came with non-bendable static arms.


That's every playset/action set, RC, ramp, or ride. Thanks for reading!