Marvel Gets Small With Super Hero Masher Micros

At least one other GeekParent would maim me for this toy. NOT A JOKE. Image via Hasbro

Confession: I was not originally impressed by the Marvel Super Hero Masher line by Hasbro. I found the toys big and bulky and the play factor was lacking. It could be argued that I was just way too old, but my son also showed no interest any time we were in a toy aisle. Then came ToyFair 2016. There I was shown the Super Hero Masher Micro line and they finally grabbed me. Maybe it was the hyper-stylized versions of the characters or the interesting available range (Anti-Venom? Really?), but there was something different. Hasbro was kind enough to send me an assortment.

Using my son and his friends as a test-audience, I have to say the results were interesting. There were three “standard” Mashers (Hulk, Wolverine, and Winter Solider), plus several Micros and two of the three Micro Vehicles (the Spider-Speedster and Captain America Racer. Firstly, the toys all include a catalogue of the available toys and there was an instant inventory taken. That’s always a good sign for a toyline – desire for more. In terms of play, I noticed that Wolverine was generally used intact, but Winter Solider and Hulk were used as parts for the Micros.

"Why does the Hulk come with a burger and pizza?" "Better question: Why don't the others?" — “Why does the Hulk come with a burger and pizza?”
Better question: “Why don’t the others?” image via Hasbro.

Which is an important point – the standard Mashers and the Micros have the same dimension ports. So you can put a tiny Captain America head on Winter Solider, or massive arms on Iron Man. My son’s favorite thing to do was make Captain Spider-Merica. Because with great patriotism comes great responsibility, I suppose. Once he assembled a toy, it would go everywhere with him. The small size made them much easier to be carried around.

Except the Masher Action Wolverine. He had to go everywhere. — Although the large Masher Action Wolverine goes EVERYWHERE.

I was also very impressed by the range of villains in the Micro line. Generally, you mostly see good guys. With Micros you get Ultron, the Red Skull, The Lizard, Rhino, Loki, and the Green Goblin. That’s just in what’s out now – more waves are coming.

There's Natasha, in case you were wondering. Source: Hasbro. — The answer to “Where’s Natasha” is now “Fall 2016”
Source: Hasbro.

As much as a hit as the Mashers have been in general, I think the Micros are going to be even more popular. There’s just something about them that “pops” – and I don’t just mean the sound it makes when you swap a part.

Hasbro provided a random assortment of Masher Micros for review purposes. As I type now, they are watching me with their plastic eyes. They never blink. Always. Watching.