Monster Trucks
One of the most popular lines for Micro Machines are the monster trucks. The earlier Super 4x4 vehicles starting in 1989 with solid larger wheels were an introduction to these big tread trucks that became the defined style shown below. The first release was in the fall of 1990 when Galoob swapped the Super 4x4 sets with Tuff Trax, but kept the 1990 numbering in place. Collection #57 was added to the series. The 1990-numbered sets were revised in 1991 to their own line using the same collections as 1990, but adding 3 more to the series. The theme continued until 1994. Afterwards, monster trucks were added to the mainline series including Hasbro collections as well as a testament to the unwavering popularity of the vehicles.
One of the most popular lines for Micro Machines are the monster trucks. The earlier Super 4x4 vehicles starting in 1989 with solid larger wheels were an introduction to these big tread trucks that became the defined style shown below. The first release was in the fall of 1990 when Galoob swapped the Super 4x4 sets with Tuff Trax, but kept the 1990 numbering in place. Collection #57 was added to the series. The 1990-numbered sets were revised in 1991 to their own line using the same collections as 1990, but adding 3 more to the series. The theme continued until 1994. Afterwards, monster trucks were added to the mainline series including Hasbro collections as well as a testament to the unwavering popularity of the vehicles.
1990 Monster Truck Collections
While actually a part of the 1990 mainline release, 1990 monster trucks effectively started the theme with Tuff Trax branding. The 1990 numbered monster trucks are very rare sealed since limited to a lower production year as well as quickly revised for the larger 1991 production release. The vehicles are generally the same as the 1991 sets, however, the Clydesdale II truck (collection #20) and sled (collection #57) are different and a focus by loose collectors. The Carolina Crusher deco from collection #32 planned in the fall 1990 catalog is shown below, but was removed for final production.
While actually a part of the 1990 mainline release, 1990 monster trucks effectively started the theme with Tuff Trax branding. The 1990 numbered monster trucks are very rare sealed since limited to a lower production year as well as quickly revised for the larger 1991 production release. The vehicles are generally the same as the 1991 sets, however, the Clydesdale II truck (collection #20) and sled (collection #57) are different and a focus by loose collectors. The Carolina Crusher deco from collection #32 planned in the fall 1990 catalog is shown below, but was removed for final production.
1991 Monster Truck Collections
Effectively kicking off the monster truck theme, 1991 ushered in 8 Tuff Trax collections that were an immediate hit. While 1991 mainline collections were reduced in offered options, this line expanded in the same year. Two styles of packaging are known including 1990 card backs (no text on blister insert) and 1991 card-backs presumably released in the fall (text included on blister insert). Both versions of packaging are shown below for comparison for various sets. Signed collections are found for sale, but as with all autographs, authenticity is suspect. However, efforts like this show how popular the series was. Italian, French, Canadian, and Spanish examples are shown as well as two error collections with incorrect trucks and package numbering. These errors appear to be recurring since similar collections with the same arrangements have been found, but are incredibly rare. The large Main Event collections included 10 trucks from the series. A Super Monsters (1992 card-back), Tuff Trax (1991 card back), and Spanish version (1992 card back) of the Main Event set are shown for comparison. The USA-1 deco is shown below originally planned for Collection #7 in the 1991 spring catalog.
Effectively kicking off the monster truck theme, 1991 ushered in 8 Tuff Trax collections that were an immediate hit. While 1991 mainline collections were reduced in offered options, this line expanded in the same year. Two styles of packaging are known including 1990 card backs (no text on blister insert) and 1991 card-backs presumably released in the fall (text included on blister insert). Both versions of packaging are shown below for comparison for various sets. Signed collections are found for sale, but as with all autographs, authenticity is suspect. However, efforts like this show how popular the series was. Italian, French, Canadian, and Spanish examples are shown as well as two error collections with incorrect trucks and package numbering. These errors appear to be recurring since similar collections with the same arrangements have been found, but are incredibly rare. The large Main Event collections included 10 trucks from the series. A Super Monsters (1992 card-back), Tuff Trax (1991 card back), and Spanish version (1992 card back) of the Main Event set are shown for comparison. The USA-1 deco is shown below originally planned for Collection #7 in the 1991 spring catalog.
1992 Monster Truck Collections
With the removal of the Tuff Trax logo for 1992, the series was rebranded as Monster Tredz with 3 different collections released. The Spring and Steer collections were released the same year and grouped together here. A full Spanish collection of all 7 sets are shown below for reference. Notice how the collections are not separated for Spain, but are numbered 1 through 7. Loose images for collections #1 through #3 are shown below using unreleased and production vehicles that match those indicated in the spring 1992 catalog. The sealed collections match the fall 1992 catalog.
With the removal of the Tuff Trax logo for 1992, the series was rebranded as Monster Tredz with 3 different collections released. The Spring and Steer collections were released the same year and grouped together here. A full Spanish collection of all 7 sets are shown below for reference. Notice how the collections are not separated for Spain, but are numbered 1 through 7. Loose images for collections #1 through #3 are shown below using unreleased and production vehicles that match those indicated in the spring 1992 catalog. The sealed collections match the fall 1992 catalog.
1993 Monster Truck Collections
5 Super Monster collections were offered in 1993 with the same lower quality card backing as found with other series from the same year. Additionally, 5 Spring and Steer collections were also sold in 1993. Italian versions of both types of releases are shown below for reference. A Main Event set was planned for this series, but appears to have been unreleased. A signed sample is included below using the same packaging as found in 1991. Super Monsters collection #1 vehicles were modified from the planned release vehicles. Loose images for collection #1 are shown below using unreleased vehicles that match those indicated in the spring 1993 catalog. The sealed collection #1 matches the fall 1993 catalog.
5 Super Monster collections were offered in 1993 with the same lower quality card backing as found with other series from the same year. Additionally, 5 Spring and Steer collections were also sold in 1993. Italian versions of both types of releases are shown below for reference. A Main Event set was planned for this series, but appears to have been unreleased. A signed sample is included below using the same packaging as found in 1991. Super Monsters collection #1 vehicles were modified from the planned release vehicles. Loose images for collection #1 are shown below using unreleased vehicles that match those indicated in the spring 1993 catalog. The sealed collection #1 matches the fall 1993 catalog.
1994 Monster Truck Collections
In the USA market, the monster truck-themed separated style was not offered as in earlier years. Galoob chose to use a mainline release instead specifically for the USA. However, 8 collections of Super Monsters/Spring & Steer were sold exclusively in Europe. Since some of the vehicles for this year were only found in these collections, they are extremely difficult to locate such as "Midnight Express" and "Ouch". This has caused a lot of collector interest in this series and serious competition for vehicles as a result. Some of the European only vehicles, however, are more common that others due to the paired release of the Main Event collections for this year as well. A full set of 8 collections on Spanish cards are shown below as well as 2 from Italy which separate out the Super Monsters and Spring & Steer collections onto different card types unlike the Spanish cards which are all "Monster Competicion" cards similar to how the 1992 sets were released for Spain. Main Event collections are shown below with a 1991 packaging style (1992 card-back; likely pre-production), an Italian collection called, "Super Gara", and a Canadian example. Pre-production examples of the first 6 collections are shown below on 1993 cards. The USA 1994 release including collection #'s #43, #44, and #45 shown below from the mainline. The matching pre-production sets on 1993 cards are also included.
In the USA market, the monster truck-themed separated style was not offered as in earlier years. Galoob chose to use a mainline release instead specifically for the USA. However, 8 collections of Super Monsters/Spring & Steer were sold exclusively in Europe. Since some of the vehicles for this year were only found in these collections, they are extremely difficult to locate such as "Midnight Express" and "Ouch". This has caused a lot of collector interest in this series and serious competition for vehicles as a result. Some of the European only vehicles, however, are more common that others due to the paired release of the Main Event collections for this year as well. A full set of 8 collections on Spanish cards are shown below as well as 2 from Italy which separate out the Super Monsters and Spring & Steer collections onto different card types unlike the Spanish cards which are all "Monster Competicion" cards similar to how the 1992 sets were released for Spain. Main Event collections are shown below with a 1991 packaging style (1992 card-back; likely pre-production), an Italian collection called, "Super Gara", and a Canadian example. Pre-production examples of the first 6 collections are shown below on 1993 cards. The USA 1994 release including collection #'s #43, #44, and #45 shown below from the mainline. The matching pre-production sets on 1993 cards are also included.
1995 - 2007 Later Release Monster Truck Collections
The mainline releases for later years included a few more monster trucks, so they are captured here for easier reference. Two collections for 1995 and 1996 included monster trucks, and a playset from 1996 had 2 unique vehicles as well. Computer games included some of the monster trucks too from 1996, but these were repeats of the mainline releases. 1997 included a single collection which was the last inclusion of monster trucks form Galoob. For Hasbro, the 2001 Ultra Rallye Racing collection had 2 monster trucks, and in 2003, three of the European sets had them. In 2007, in Italy, there were 4 collections with monster trucks, but one of the collections has not been found sealed yet.
The mainline releases for later years included a few more monster trucks, so they are captured here for easier reference. Two collections for 1995 and 1996 included monster trucks, and a playset from 1996 had 2 unique vehicles as well. Computer games included some of the monster trucks too from 1996, but these were repeats of the mainline releases. 1997 included a single collection which was the last inclusion of monster trucks form Galoob. For Hasbro, the 2001 Ultra Rallye Racing collection had 2 monster trucks, and in 2003, three of the European sets had them. In 2007, in Italy, there were 4 collections with monster trucks, but one of the collections has not been found sealed yet.