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Car loving kids who love monsters and lean towards delighting in all things terrifying will love the new Monster 500 line of vehicles and play sets. Monster 500 is a unique line of collectible cars that feature monsters behind the wheel. Combine these fiends and ghouls with play sets that feature straightaways and twists for real life racing fun amid a freaky backdrop or use the free Monster 500 app and collectible cards that come with each of the 10 different monsters to unlock virtual racing on iOS and Android devices.
We recently received the Monster 500 Graveyard Gauntlet Track Set, Toxic Terror Trap Playset, and two vehicles— a large vehicle featuring Flattop Frank and small vehicle with CrocPot Croc behind the wheel- plus the vehicles that came in the playsets. We immediately got to work opening the play sets and assembling them to try them out.
Monster 500 Play Sets
The Graveyard Gauntlet Track Set ($19.99) is designed for racing with a tricky flame gauntlet with a swinging skull in the middle that racing monsters must get through in order to be declared the winner. The first car to pass through the skull activates an automatic flag to declare the winner. While kids could use this for independent play, it would be better with another friend. It’s better if there are two sets of hands- one to start the gauntlet’s pendulum action and another pair of hands to release the cars at the top of the inclined track.
The Toxic Terror Trap Playset ($34.99) is better suited for more independent play. Drive the ghoul up the ramp and on to the platform before depressing the character at the top of the elevator shaft for a quick ride up that will launch the car around the spiral track and through the swinging doors before being eaten by the purple gator waiting at the bottom. This set comes with Evil Clownevil and requires batteries for sound effects.
While it’s fun to depress the yellow character at the top of the elevator to send cars up to the top of the Terror Trap and send them down the Graveyard Gauntlet Track, I wish there was a more open-ended way to play with these set. We tried thinking of ways to combine the two to make a mega Monster 500 set that would incorporate all elements but have come up short so far. My concern is that the monetary investment in these play sets will only capture a child’s interest for so long.
If I were a parent whose child loved fiendish characters and cars, I’d be more interested in buying them the various Monster 500 vehicles for independent and creative play. Now about those vehicles….
Monster 500 Vehicles
The Monster 500 Small Vehicle line includes 10 characters. Measuring 3” tall, they’re available in flexible arrangements of single or triple packs so kids can collect the entire line. Thank goodness for no hidden or mystery packs either! Clear packaging allows you to know exactly what you’re getting with each purchase unlike some toys these days. And no batteries are required! Monster 500 Small Vehicles are $4.99 each or sold in triple packs for $14.99.
Four different cars make up the 4” Large Vehicle line ($11.95 each) that feature lights and sound effects that are activated at the touch of a button. A whopping 3 AA batteries are required for fun effects for Zoom Zombie, CrocPot, Lead Foot, and Flattop Frank.
Monster 500 Trading Cards and App
With each purchase of a Monster 500 car, a trading card featuring one of the characters comes in the package to bring favorite characters to life via the Monster 500 racing app for iOS and Android mobile devices. An illustration, facts about each character including their Evilometer rating, motive, strength, weakness, vehicle, and a quote on the back of each card makes these fun collectibles. Because of the collectible nature, young Monster 500 fans will want to collect all the vehicles to unlock more virtual character cars when using the app.
Each card also features a code that can be redeemed for the virtual character of the same name for virtual racing play. The Monster 500 app functions like many racing apps with cars, ability to customize to make your vehicle faster, and use of your smartphone’s accelerometer for tilt-and-turn play.
Compared to other racing apps, the Monster 500 app seemed much slower to load on the iPhone 5. Frustratingly slow that Captain Computer (almost 8 years old) almost gave up on it. Once we were into the app, we immediately attempted to redeem the codes for our cars. He tried on his own with no success. I’d recommend helping young ages because it’s a lengthy 12 alpha-numeric code. Even with me typing in the code, it took us a few tries to enter each one due a combination of user and app error.
I wish there was an easier way to redeem trading card codes through the app for young ages. Perhaps a QR code could be built into future cards and versions of the app for easier redemption and more immediate play.
Summary
The Monster 500 vehicles and play sets are perfect for kids who love cars and monsters. It’s not for children who scare easily or have aversions to clowns and monsters. The toys are designed for ages 3 and up but I encourage parents to consider how well their child handles scary because the characters in the cars could be nightmare inducing for some.
The Monster 500 line is available at Toys R Us, Amazon, or through the Monster500.com website.
I received compensation and product to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own.
