Mudbuster (1993)
As the RAH line wore on into the 90’s, the vehicle molds changed from multi-part model kits to simpler, one piece bodies with a few snap-on wheels, etc. The general style also changed to a chunkier and more sci-fi oriented style. If the original focus of the line’s aesthetic was 10 minutes into the future, the later vehicles mashed the fast forward button on the design time machine. The Mudbuster looks like it could have been in a background shot in The Road Warrior, or a plastic version of Tonka’s Steel Monsters post-apocalyptic toy truck line.
Many times the later series molds are viewed as decent, but stuck with poor colors. I don’t think that’s totally the case here. Though it’s bright green, I can still dig it. The color doesn’t make the Mudbuster scream too badly for a repaint, though it could be done up in any number of colors and look good. The design could also suit it for arctic and desert operations, or even as a Dreadnok vehicle. The goofy 90’s paper stickers are here as well, with an incredibly cutesy “No Mud” logo on the hood. Oh, I get it–Mudbuster. Ha ha.
Action features are where the Mudbuster really impresses me. Though it shares many of its parts with the Cobra Ice Snake, mainly the wheels, launcher and roll cage, the end product doesn’t look rehashed. The cage is an interestingly different feature in that it tilts down to open, and is connected to the vehicle’s hood. The spring-loaded missile launcher functions well, and isn’t too obtrusive. The Mudbuster also answers the question of what to do with all those extra missiles waiting to be fired. Three of them can be helpfully plugged into storage tubes at the tailgate. The features don’t end there, as the rear wheels have a nice built-in suspension effect, a simple but effective leaf spring type design. The “Smash ‘n Bash” action bumper is my favorite extra. A rubber band connects under the truck bed, and when a button in the bed is pressed, the front bumper springs forward, knocking over figures or anything else in its path. Simple, but effective and tons of fun.
This vehicle is not only a cool unsung and overlooked mold from late in the RAH era, but also a fun toy with some nicely done and well integrated action features. I think the color and features give the vehicle character, something that a few of the late line vehicles had. Some, like the Rat, are lovable losers, and others like this one, are truly excellent toys.
Had the glorious ice-Snake but not this beauty. WIsh I had one now.
My brother and I only ever had two vehicles: this one and the Manta-Ray. This one is really solid and underrated and I’m glad you covered it here. I recently found the bumper after all these years and shipped it across country to a guy who was missing it.
Yeah, this thing is a gem. I had kinda gotten out of the vehicles by the end for some reason (I think it was because they were about the same price but so many of them didn’t come with drivers). But this is a nice piece that I overlooked back in the day.
I wouldn’t mind seeing a different color, but that blueish green really isn’t that bad…and I think someone at Hasbro agrees because it seems awfully similar to one of the shades used on the Ninja Combat Cruiser.
I think you were a little hasty in your idea of the vehicle’s color–it’s more of a turquoise than green (you were probably thinking of the Badger).
Like the rest of you guys, I would like to own this particular gem of a jeep. As I said before of the Eco-Striker, I put this with vehicles that are sort of prototypes they occasionally bring out for missions.
I do not like it…
The simple “sandbox-truck-for-3-year-olds”-mold used for many of the vehicles during the 90s are just awful and cheap. And those bright neon colors suck as well.
However, When Rob mentioned that it would work as a Dreadnok Vehicle a lightbulb went off in my head. That´s a great idea and I think that this vehicle would be really cool after a custom paintjob.
The sculpted details on this era of vehicles was really good. The lack of paint on them was not. This is one of those vehicles I think about chasing occasionally, but there’s not much there that another vehicle isn’t already doing better. But if I needed a Joe monster truck, this would be the one.
This is a better toy than most collectors realize. Done in military green this would be a $30 vehicle easily. But this thing is still roomy and nicely detailed. I’m glad I have one.
Design isn’t bad, but suffered from excessive cheapness. Needed a steering wheel. A truck with no steering wheel. Also, it shares roll cage and launcher with the Ice Snake. Cobra and Joe have the same suppliers! Destro is probably making a fortune off of them both.
Any Joe truck that can have at least 5 figures crammed into it is a winner in my book. The more foot pegs, the better!
Not a bad vehicle at all, but I do like the idea of using it for the Dreadnoks. The overall design looks like it would suit them much better than the Joes.