Hot Wheels Skate Freaks is a collection of skateboard toys that looks like it was designed in the 80’s. The figures appear to based on some Sizzler type technology they resurrected in some time around 2000 for skateboard toys. Watch this commercial with an Extreme™ voiceover and more Skate Freaks action after the jump.
Hot Wheels Skate Freaks
“Ha ha! Denied!” is the best line. You too will be denied if you actually talk like the guy in the voiceover. Apparently, the backdrop is left over from a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles photo shoot. It must be the go-to “urban-hip” film set.
Fakie Rock!
Looks like they had a marketing tie in with Woodward. Someone in the Woodward family must have gotten a degree in marketing because they seem to be trying to build a brand out of their name. How long till we see “skate” shoes at Target with the Woodward name?
Near as I can tell, this is a lawn jockey with a mohawk growing out of his cap. I see guys like this at the skate park all the time. Now I know where they got the idea.
From the Hot Wheels Skate Freaks web site.
The Rock and Roll Half Pipe. Looks like that “Big Air” metal target slides up and down on the pole so you can have big air contests. Kids don’t care about half pipes man. Why don’t they make a skateboard toy that can ollie? Can you trademark a name of a toy based on pre-existing trick names and the equipment it is performed on? Seems like I could trademark a toy named the “tic-tack sidewalk.” Make that the Exreme™ Tic-Tack Sidewalk!™
Hey, it’s a Street Pack. Use the blister pack as a launch ramp to perform endless stunts? I have the feeling that means endless variations of the skater flying off the ramp and falling over, assuming you tape it down first.
The Stunt Set seems to involve a lot of rolling down the sidewalk past graffiti.
This is the Quick Trick Skate Park, except it’s not the same one they show in the commercial. This one has a Fat Albert’s junk yard vibe to it, but isn’t nearly as cluttered. Now that’s a play set I could get into. The nice clean Woodward ramp has been replaced by a D.I.Y. affair that is clearly made from materials procured from the Midnight Lumberyard. Note the Vans and Toy Machine logos. So which version is in the stores?
If YouTube pulls our video for copyright infringement, you can watch the commercial on the Hot Wheels Skate freaks video page. Man, this guy looks mad. Perhaps he’s upset that he has lost all of his hair? Maybe I’m confusing angry with Exreme!™ Then again he could actually be screaming “Get me out of here!”
Finally, if you are looking for another way to play skateboards with out actually skating, you can try the Skate Freaks online game Stunt Frenzy, which is free. Come to think of it, as soon as I get done writing this I am going to go outside and work myself into a stunt frenzy.
5 comments
Kilwag
My kids (1.5 and 3.5 yrs) loved this toy for a short while, but they always go back to the tech deck dudes with the magnetic feet.
I’m not a cynic about children’s skateboarding related toys, I love them. I’m just a cynic about the marketing behind them.
SoCal Dad
As a “Too Cool For School” teenage skate rat, I can see why you may be such a cynic about childrens skateboarding related toys. Perhaps you feel your sport is being exploited?
Whatever.
I’m a dad who skates street, vert, and downhill; and my 3.5 yr old son LOVES these toys.
The skaters themselves are a huge hit. The stunts are kind of cheap plastic items, but little dudes don’t care, they have a blast.
The mega-ramp launcher with adjustable landing ramp is the most solid of the bunch.
Skip the half-pipe and get a tech-deck scale halfpipe.
I recommend these toys for little kids.
Tracy
PS: We found the half-pipe, we are still looking for the poppin rail grind to complete the set. Thanks!
Tracy
These toys are cool! My little guy(6 years old) loves them! We are trying to find the half-pipe and the poppin rail grind. He just got the other sets for Christmas.
Conahan
The Rock N Skate Half-Pipe looks like an athletic supporter or some sort of feminine hygiene product. Why is that other thing the