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Where to buy micro vehicles

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Mon, 10/16/2017 - 23:50
WinsmithGames
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I'm looking for the following vehicles for my new racing game prototype: (I know they are pretty specific and probably won't get them exactly, but if you know anything remotely similar, please let me know.)

  • Plastic, lightweight motorcycle
  • Plastic, racing car
  • Wooden, Jeep or limo
  • Wooden, Truck
  • Metal, Bulldozer or other construction vehicle
  • Metal, Tank

Ideally, I'd like all of these to be an inch or so in length. They are for flicking down the race track (ie dexterity game), and the different materials are on purpose.

The toughest ones to find are the metal bulldozer and tank. If you know where I could find those, I would appreciate it.

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Tue, 10/17/2017 - 18:52
#1
let-off studios
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3D Printing

For something so specific, I suggest you find someone who can do some 3D printing for you. You can develop models of the size you want, made of specific materials (including metal) that will give you the different comparative weights you're seeking.

Barring that, I recommend you buy bulk lots of old matchbox cars and stuff from CraigsList or something like that. Good luck on your search. :)

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Tue, 10/17/2017 - 19:42
#2
questccg
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Search for Matchbox on Google/Amazon

Just wanted to say, you could probably use "Hot Wheels" or "Matchbox" vehicles ... but then they would be made of BOTH Metal and Plastic... I'm sure the Bulldozer weight comparatively more than a car since there is more Metal used to make it...

I would probably go for Matchbox vehicles, because those look to be realistic like - whereas Hot Wheels are just flashier but are mostly cars and not so much realistic vehicle like a Bulldozer.

I've seen sets with a Cadillac, Motorcycle, Double-decker Bus, etc. Here is the Amazon link:

https://www.amazon.ca/2016-Set-BEST-Matchbox-Collectible/dp/B01LW5NU14

Granted I'm not sure how AFFORDABLE it would be to add a $200+ dollar component to your game... But they are "1:64 Scale" which is kinda cool too... Hehehe.

These could be for the prototype - you can figure out what to do with the versions for the game...

Just an idea... (I know it sounds crazy spending $200 for a component - but I've done much crazier things with my own game - believe me!)

Here's a Tank for only $5.99 + shipping:

https://www.amazon.com/Matchbox-Heroic-Rescue-Blockade-Buster/dp/B0149OSFUY

And a bulldozer for only $5.99 + shipping too:

https://www.amazon.com/Bulldozer-Matchbox-Super-Fast-64/dp/B009AGJR18

A bulldozer that's a bit more expensive (but YELLOW - mostly):

https://www.amazon.com/matchbox-yellow-red-bulldozer-1993/dp/B004QWIQSQ

Only 1 of those left... So if you want it... You should buy it soon!

Just Google "Amazon ??? matchbox" and you should find anything you need.

Enjoy!

The motorcycle (a BMW):

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Matchbox-Bmw-R1200-Motorcycle/dp/B01BLOX3E8

Again only 1 left in stock... Plus it's almost $10... (Whoa cheap compared to $200+!)

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Tue, 10/17/2017 - 20:39
#3
let-off studios
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Micro Machines

Based on the original post, Matchbox cars are too large. They average like 3 inches long or something similar.

If you don't make them yourself - or have them made for you - then consider Micro Machines. Although all are made primarily of plastic, these are more along the size that you want. I have seen motorcycles in this product line in the past, though I'm not sure how functionally they roll on their two wheels.

https://www.amazon.com/Nitro-Micro-Machine-Assorted-Styles/dp/B00E6ACIOQ

I reckon you'll need to do something to weigh down the Tank and Construction vehicle you refer to in your original post, however. I don't recall any metal-bodied Micro Machines.

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Tue, 10/17/2017 - 20:45
#4
questccg
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Yeah - I was thinking Micro Machines...

But for a DIFFERENT reason:

https://www.amazon.com/Vehicles-Construction-Excavator-Preschool-Learnin...

These "construction" Micro Machines are "Pull-Back" which means if you "pull-back" you will proper the vehicle forwards...

Now that's starting to sound interesting ... for a "dexterity" game.

I agree with @let-off Micro Machines may be a better option... I can't think of anything else. But for dexterity, would be cool "pulling-back" and then releasing forwards... It may often result in a wipe-out because you travel too far. But I kinda thought the idea was cool.

Cheers!

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Tue, 10/17/2017 - 21:00
#5
WinsmithGames
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Holy crap! I can't tell you

Holy crap! I can't tell you how many searches for countless combinations of "tiny", "small", "mini", "car", "tank", etc etc etc that I did.

I knew I wouldn't find anything that met all my wants. And I'm sure there are some small tweaks I can make to them so they probably have the more obvious weight/density differences.

But some of these are way better than what I found.

Yeah, the matchbox ones are too large, but I can do the ones under 1.5 inches. If anything, they'll help me narrow the size down even more.

Thank you so much!!! You all seriously rock.

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Tue, 10/17/2017 - 21:39
#6
questccg
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Here are some MOTORCYCLES

Again "Amazon motorcycle Micro Machines"

https://www.amazon.com/Micro-Machines-Riders-Motorcycle-Collection/dp/B014G7XL7Q

They are 1.5 inches big and there are four (4) of them. I don't know if they have the "Pull-Back" mechanism. But anyways you should be able to find more realistic vehicles using the "Micro Machines"...

I believe the Matchbox vehicles are 2" in size. I think 3" is too big. From memory (I had like 3 cases of matchbox vehicles). But the Micro Machines are a bit smaller...

I also have been thinking about something else: ALL PLASTIC VEHICLES with no wheels. Like in this GAME:

It's called RUSH HOUR. And there are Trucks and Cars. The vehicles are HOLLOW and makes them relatively LIGHT... So DEXTERITY would be very good.

They are also VERY STABLE since they rest on all FOUR SIDES.

Check this CONCEPT out - because it may be of MORE VALUE to you.

Cheers!

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Tue, 10/17/2017 - 21:45
#7
questccg
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Maybe not "motorcycles"...

But you can definitely get the "ANGLE" I'm going for. Sure you can have a 3D modeler create custom vehicles in a "similar" manner.

It's a question of "designing" and I'm sure you can get other shapes such as another car maybe larger than the car and smaller than the truck...

There's a lot the imagination can think up - once you SEE the concept AT WORK!

This might also give you inspiration on how you can design your OWN models.

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Tue, 10/17/2017 - 22:19
#8
WinsmithGames
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Yeah, the Rush Hour vehicles

Yeah, the Rush Hour vehicles are great too. Good size! (And looks like a fun puzzle/logic game, too.)

This is still the earliest stage of prototype and playtesting, so I definitely want to test different sizes, shapes, weights, and materials. I'm began flicking around some smaller tracks, but need to make a rough prototype of a larger track (like 4-6 inches wide).

Also prototypes the Power-Up cards, which do provide an interesting decision. But the game is still tough to playtest as a whole, when the track isn't the right size.

Thank you again for all of your input.

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Tue, 10/17/2017 - 23:15
#9
FrankM
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For a prototype

For a rough prototype, just use blocks of the materials of about the correct size... start with LEGO bricks for plastic, and size the wood and metal bits accordingly.

Don't spend all your coin on 3D models until you have some idea what you'll actually use. For example, you might find out that you need a base to stabilize them, or flat bottoms to accommodate for felt, or who knows what else might come up in playtesting.

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