   
The
Episode I MicroMachine line held a wide variety of micro-toys - ranging
from Vehicle/Figure Collections to Podracing 2-packs and Die Cast Metal
ships. Below are examples from each of these lines that, despite having
made it as far as the test package stage, never managed to see full line
production. In each case, tooling for the toys was finished - just waiting
for that second chance... 
  
Not seen since Hasbro's Pre-Toy Fair 2000 showing, MicroMachines
collections XIV, XV, and XVI were the last of the Episode I vehicle/figure
sets to see any kind of development before the San Francisco toy maker was
shut down. Shown here on test packaging, the three sets would have
consisted of: XIV: Mawhonic, Mawhonics Podracer, Yoda, and Opee Sea
Killer. XV: C-3PO, Trade Federation Battleship, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Sando
Agua Monster. XVI: Gungan Warrior, Trade Federation Droid Fighter, Queen
Amidala, and Trade Federation Droid Transport.
While some items were available in other sets, these sets would have
offered the first release of Mawhonics Podracer, Trade Federation
Battleship, and the Trade Federation Droid Transport. According to the
source of the images, tooling for these items was completed, but the sets
were stopped just short of production.
  
The packaging for each of the mock-ups includes the standard Episode I card
design found on later releases here in the U.S., with no new hints at future
product. As test packages, these three collections were likely fashioned out of
what was on hand. However, the bubble insert cards are black and white copies of
the cards that would have designated each set's collection number.
 
Originally conceived as a MicroMachines/Hotwheels hybrid, Galoob's Podracing
line of Episode I racers offered lightning fast speed and classic Star Wars
styling. The line consisted of eight movie-based Podracers sold in four
individual sets, three editions of the "Build Your Own Podracer"
collections with numerous color variations, and three exciting track sets. Late
in the line, Hasbro showed signs of continuing the Podracer collection by
revealing these pods in their Pre Toy Fair 2000 catalog. Unfortunately, an
uncertain market and cost cutting measures stalled the next two installments.
While these sets never made it to production, sample copies were created for
quality control purposes. What would have been collections V and VI, are shown
here for the first time in mock-up packaging with Collection I inserts on
European cardbacks.
 
The cardbacks themselves also show no new product and are likely the same cards
used for previously released items overseas. Had they been released, sets V and
VI would have featured Mawhonic, Aldar Beedo, Wan Sandage, and Ody Mandrell's
podracers, completing 12 of the 18 pods from the film. Despite having reached
this stage of development, it is highly unlikely Hasbro will ever continue this
part of the line.
   
When asked recently about Die-Cast in general, Hasbro replied that they liked
the look and feel of metal vehicles and hoped to continue offering them.
Unfortunately that sentiment couldn't hold up to the tough times following The
Phantom Menace. While Galoob had several ships planned and waiting for the green
light, cut backs in the line forced their cancellation. Shown above, these
carded samples of the next round of Episode I Die-Cast vehicles at least made it
this far. So far there has been no official word on the future of these toys, or
other Die-Cast offerings, but the Die-Cast MicroMachine line holds the most
potential of all Galoob lines for Star Wars vehicle that have not yet been
released. Other Galoob lines, like the Action Fleet and MicroMachines, have
nearly exhausted their resource for new vehicles other than those from the new
films. A resurgence of the Die-Cast line holds the promise of some great Classic
vehicles as well as new Prequel era ships, but to date there has been no
indication Hasbro has any plans in this area.
   
As samples, the artwork for these sets remained largely unfinished. Three of the
above cardbacks feature black and white photocopies of the artwork planned for
this generation of vehicles. Of particular interest, these mock backings show
updated numbers for several of the MicroMachine collections. The cardback for
the Naboo Fighter shows updated numbers for the Die-Cast (13), Vehicle/Figure
(16), and Podracing (6) lines along with images of the unreleased Transforming
Anakin Head Playset. In addition to the four vehicles pictured above, Galoob
also had plans to release a Die-Cast version of the Trade Federation Landing
Craft. Pictured below, this piece obviously made it to the same sample stage,
though the card was intentionally destroyed.
 
According to our sources, tooling for each of these vehicles was completed, and
could be put back into production. So far there's been no word if Hasbro intends
to revive this line, or these five vehicles, but it certainly remains an option
for the future. Hopefully, the broadening of the Star Wars line will include
their release at some point. Star Wars has a history of providing Die-Cast Metal
ships dating back to the original Kenner line, it would be a shame to leave
these as nothing more than some of the line's great lost toys.
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