With the technological world expanding and developing in the late 1980s, the awesome world of Computer Warriors came into view. These toys by Mattel released to capitalize the fascinating world of technology and computers through an epic storyline with fierce characters. Have you ever wished everyday objects could turn into a powerful battle zone as your favorite heroes and villains emerge from flashlights and books within your own home? Mattel’s short-lived Computer Warriors toyline made this possible, giving children unique transforming toys. Also, with the surge of transformative toys at the time, these created a special design unlike any of the other toylines. With the Computer Warriors video, fans got to see the background behind the toys with their creative storyline. Follow along in our blog with us as we mention the short-lived world of these hidden cyber heroes.
Join Us in Seeing the Short-Lived Genius of Computer Warriors:
Join us in exploring the technological world of Computer Warriors. We will mention the background of the franchise including the video and action figures released. Along with this, we will mention the different transforming everyday objects released that transform into epic cyber heroes and villains. Then, we will mention why Computer Warriors didn’t last. The short lived story of Computer Warriors still lives on in the hearts of many.
Computer Warriors Background
First up on our short-lived Computer Warriors blog we will dive into the background. In 1989, Mattel came out with this technological world of fun play opportunities. The toyline released from 1989 to 1990 and an animated pilot episode released also. The pilot episode never picked up, however, and the only storyline for these characters on screen takes place in the 22 minute long video. Computer Warriors toys feature the transforming everyday object toys as well as the small action figures following the characters from the episode.
Computer Warriors: The Adventure Begins Pilot Episode
Computer Warriors: The Adventure Begins tells the incredible story of technological heroes and villains. Bill Kroyer directed this film and also co-wrote it alongside Carl Macek. This 22 minute episode featured the recognizable work of Kroyer Films, with computer animation combined with hand-drawn techniques. These animation techniques make the 22 minute long pilot episode, later released as a short film on VHS, easily recognizable. However, with such a short-lived toyline and episode, many people never got to experience the world of Computer Warriors.
The plot of the episode begins with the test-run government supercomputer, Parallax, undergoing a rough power surge. This power surge caused a core dump accident that released four evil virus creatures. Megahert, Indexx, Null, and Minus take the scene as the virus creatures who begin to cause havoc within the computer. In defense to this, Parallax releases a group of anti-virus creatures to defend the viruses. Romm, Gridd, Micron, and Scanner now take the scene as the heroic computer warriors, fighting through the computer system to stop the viruses. In an attempt to escape the tactics of the computer warriors, the four villains decide to “go beyond the bistream”. This causes the characters to launch out of the computer through a disc drive and into a child’s bedroom.
With the villains and heroes now taking on a physical appearance, they begin to take over objects in the child’s room and turn them into battle vehicles. They fought against each other using these everyday items until the viruses got trapped onto CD-ROMs. The kid took the disk to a friend’s house before the computer warriors could bring out their captured enemies, leaving the episode on an unanswered cliffhanger.
Computer Warriors Action Figures
Now, on our blog of the short-lived Computer Warriors, we will mention the action figures by Mattel. These figures stand at only 2 inches tall and feature the loved characters from the pilot episode. The toyline also featured more characters and vehicles than appeared in the episode. This expanded toyline resulted in more play opportunities and cool items. Each small figure showed great detail and unique designs to match the computer creature appearance. Four characters, two heroic and two villainous characters, appeared in Mattel’s toyline along with PC boards that transform into the characters’ own vehicles. Also, Mattel’s everyday object transforming toys came with their own characters to control the awesome vehicles and defense bases.
The four individual figures with their PC boards include Debugg, Romm, Megahert, and Asynk. Romm and Debugg, part of the heroic Computer Warriors team, come with their PC boards that transform into rocket planes. Megahert and Asynk then come with their attack flight interceptor PC boards, both a part of the evil virus team. The other evil characters featured with vehicles and playsets include Null, Minus, Indexx, and Cursor. The other heroic computer warriors characters featured include Chip, Micronn, Gridd, Dekodar, and Skannar. The awesome figures come in bubble packaging with descriptions of the characters on the back along with a short recap of the Computer Warriors story from the episode. The back of the cardboard packaging also includes images of how to transform the PC board into the character’s flying transportation.
A Look into The Awesome Transforming Everyday Object Toys
Now we will mention the awesome toys that hid cyber heroes and villains within everyday objects. A total of eight different vehicles and playsets released through the 2 year short-lived Mattel toyline. Each vehicle and playset came with at least one heroic or villainous action figure to defend against the opposing team. These genius transforming toys remain rare and forgotten by some, leaving them as gems among the vintage toy market. Continue following along with us as we experience the technological world of Computer Warriors through the unique toyline.
Timeltel Syncro-Blaster Alarm Clock
The first toy we will mention for the short-lived computer warriors vehicles and playsets is the alarm clock. This blue and grey Timeltel alarm clock incredibly turns into a Syncro-Blaster for the heroic master strategist, Micronn. The toy even features a real working clock, making the item easy to camouflage in any child’s room. When transformed, this ordinary clock turns into an epic rolling attack vehicle. Micronn, the super intelligent warrior travels around in his Syncro-Blaster to help defend the Computer Warriors against the evil virus creatures.
Released in 1989, the Syncro-Blaster Alarm Clock opens up to see computer circuitry stickers on the top of the Syncro-Blaster vehicle. The figure sits in between these computer circuitry decals and views the battle scene through the radar beam shield. Since the toy holds the ability to move around on the bottom wheels, the hyperhowitzer weapon swings out of the bottom of the vehicle. With the character on the top controlling the vehicle, the hyperhowitzer cannon/mortar weapon causes damage to the evil viruses, further keeping the heroic computer warriors from harm.
Flash Craft Flashlight
Next up, the flashlight toy then uniquely transforms into a Flash Craft vehicle. Like the alarm clock, this toy also features the very practical purpose and ability of a real working flashlight. This toy also comes with the character, Skannar, the heroic explorer. As told on the back of the box packaging, Skannar prefers to work solo but contributes greatly to his heroic team of computer warriors. His super quick and observant abilities to crack any code from the messages sent by viruses proves his important standing within the other cyber heroes. This toy, also released in 1989 by Mattel, transforms into the flying Flash Craft with just a few removable and movable pieces. The button on the side of the flashlight also turns on the flashlight for practical everyday use and extra fun play opportunities.
When removing the bottom piece of the flashlight, the toy opens up to a cockpit for the action figure, Skannar, to control his flying vehicle. Then, the middle of the flashlight turns into a vaporizing stun raygun. This middle weapon causes the perfect flying defense tactics for Skannar and the rest of the computer warriors team. The sides of the flashlight also open up to wings, displaying computer circuitry sticker decals on the top. This gives the toy it’s technological appearance as well as the unique transforming ability from everyday objects to awesome flying transportation. The back of the Flash craft opens up to back wings, providing more gliding through the air and a cooler appearance for the transforming toy.
Radar Rover Soccer Trophy
The Radar Rover Soccer Trophy comes next when mentioning these incredible disguised transformative toys. Also, as a part of the 1989 release, this toy appears as a soccer trophy but opens up to a detailed Radar Rover vehicle for the character, Null. The soccer ball sits on a base to give it the trophy appearance, along with the “MVP” placed stickers. This then makes it easy to blend into anything else on display. Once the soccer ball is opened, it reveals the inside of the Radar Rover. The vehicle travels around on its free-rolling wheels while the base turns into a radar dish. The vehicle also features computer circuitry and a multiplex mortar that telescopes out. Synchronized blaster weapons swivel around to fight against the heroic computer warriors. Along with this, the Radar Rover includes two seats, allowing another computer warriors character to assist in fighting the dreaded viruses.
The action figure included with this vehicle, Null, takes his place on the evil virus side. This evil combatant character uses his defensive skills to fight the computer warriors, not holding anything back. The figure appears ready to take on anything with his armor and crooked smile. Null’s dark blue paint with green and yellow technological accents gives him this evil, but cool look.
Hyper Hoverjet Pepsi Can
The Hyper Hoverjet Pepsi Can takes the next spot on our short-lived Computer Warriors blog. This everyday item stands upright, hidden of its real abilities, until it opens up to reveal the Hyper Hoverjet. The Pepsi can splits down the middle, opening up to the hoverjet that flies around, defending the computer warriors from evil. When the can opens, the hoverjet can be removed from the can base. The bottom of the hoverjet then shows a beast module launcher to fire at enemies. The figure sits under the blast module launch lever for the character to control the battle zone. Then, on the wings of the jet, quantizer weapons move around for ultimate defensive accuracy. With the sides of the can open, the two spaces utilize as storage for the blast module.
The small 2 inch figure, Gridd, comes with this toy. As the mechanic specialist and electrical engineer for the computer warriors, Gridd plays a crucial role in the heroes defense. Since Gridd takes form as a clone from a quantum mechanics program, he knows everything about the mechanics behind objects. Gridd takes on a powerful appearance with his gold, yellow, purple, and grey colored armor.
Techno-Jet Pencil Sharpener
This next toy, released in 1990, the Techno-Jet Pencil Sharpener also features a useable sharpener, comparable to the working clock and flashlight on the other toys. The black and red pencil sharpener opens up as the sides now become wings for the jet. On the front of the jet, blast modules take place, ready to use in battle at any moment. The fuselage, main body of the aircraft, shows great detail in shiny gold and silver. Another gun weapon rests at the back of the aircraft base with the security of the aircraft sitting on the ground or flying up in battle. This Techno-Jet also seats two figures, similar to the soccer ball trophy. With this, the owner can place two figures next to each other to work together and defend the evil viruses.
The evil pilot of his Techno-Jet Pencil Sharpener, Minus, became a creature fused from a hi-jacked flight simulator. This character holds the evil personality, showing his views of mischief, destruction, and misery as a way of life. His twisted brain and ability to self-replicate makes him seem indestructible and a real threat to the heroic computer warriors. Minus, covered in dark green and bright yellow paint, appears mischievous with his tilted smile and oozing eye.
Techno-Tank Calculator
Covered in bright blue, gold, orange, and yellow, Dekodar takes the scene as a heroic genius controlling the hefty Techno-Tank. Dekodar, the incredibly intellegent mathematical computer warrior, uses his mastermind to lure the enemy into the databases with coding strategies. When Dekodar finds a lurking enemy, his regular looking calculator transforms into the amazing Techno-Tank.
The calculator portion of the tank comes off to reveal a detail top to the tank. This includes weaponry and control detailing for the figure. Also on the top of the tank, a seat for Dekodar rests in the middle for the character to drive all around. Like the other vehicles, this tank also features free-rolling wheels and cool weapons. The front of the tank shows transistorized turret guns that stick out to aim at enemies. The Techno-Tank turret also turns to create the best motion for the figure to fight his best battles. The bright colors of the figure and calculator/tank add to the overall heroic cyber appearance.
Evil Rocket Base Invasion of the Viruses Book
Now, on our short-lived Computer Warriors blog, we will mention the Invasion of the Viruses book that turns into an evil rocket base. The viruses utilize this rocket base to come up with master plans to defeat the heroic computer warriors. This playset, when closed, takes the appearance of a book titled Invasion of the Viruses. On the front of the playset, we see the cover of the book which shows the title as well as a picture of a few favorite computer warriors along with an evil virus flying on PC boards out of a computer screen. The spine of the book then shows the publisher’s name and title of the book again, giving the appearance of a real book. Also causing the book appearance, white stickers are part of the design on the sides to give the appearance of pages.
When the book opens up, an evil rocket base shows up with many cool features for the viruses. The rocket base includes three stories for the virus creatures to plot their next attack. Computer circuitry sticker decals on each level, along with the wire detailing on the plastic “walls” makes the playset seem like they remain in the computer base. With high technology, weaponry, and a rocket, these viruses fight strategically and powerfully against the computer warriors. Also, the dark blue and purple with neon green accents fit right in with the virus characters and evil theme of the characters. The virus character that comes with this set, Indexx, takes the role as the mastermind behind the evil virus creatures. Indexx’s expanded memory leaves him weaker than the other viruses, yet he remains as still the most dangerous.
Strategic Weapons Base Computer Playset
Last up for the incredible transforming Computer Warriors toys, we have the Parallax computer that turns into a strategic weapons base. This playset, before opened up to the strategic weapons base, just appears to be a normal computer. The name on the side of the computer, Parallax, takes the name from the pilot episode as the original computer the characters came from. The computer screen and keyboard hide the hidden base well. When the computer opens up, the multi-leveled strategic weapons base allows for computer warriors or viruses to utilize the many awesome features to seek their enemies and fight against them.
The left side of the playset on the inside features awesome weaponry on the top with a ladder to a loft and main level. The computer circuit stickers again add to the “inside the computer” appearance. The middle section of the base includes a long grappling hook to capture any lurking enemies. Along with this, a giant weapon comes out of the top part with the action figures able to sit and control it. Then, on the lower portion, another weapon sits, controlled by another figure. Lastly, on the right side of the playset weapons base, a large target screen area lets characters aim and see their enemies lurking around from far away. Another lofted platform and ladders also appear on the right side. The heroic character, Chip, and evil virus character, Cursor, also come with this awesome playset.
Why Computer Warriors Didn’t Last
Mattel’s toyline and pilot episode result as the only look we have into the genius world of Computer Warriors. Although this franchise only lasted 2 years, many toy collectors today search for these short-lived Computer Warriors toys. Since these items released for such a short amount of time, some people don’t remember the toyline and these items are rare to find. Some toy collectors search out these items they remember from their childhood or see the unique factors of these short-lived transforming toys. With only 12 toy sets released in this toyline, some toy collectors search to acquire the whole collection.
The Computer Warriors franchise released during the growth of interest in computers. However, it launched before the mass eruption of personal computing. Along with this, Computer Warriors released at a time of other transforming toys which showed great popularity. Transformers, for instance, hit the market in 1984, just a few years before Computer Warriors. However, for many, the short-lived Computer Warriors franchise still lives on through memories and collecting these creative transforming toys.
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About the Author
Chris Ingledue is the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab pop Culture and Toy Shop. His vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day he works in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year; scouring the internet – like we did the Sears Catalog of yesteryear – for the next great treasure, awaiting the arrival of the postman as if he was Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their own versions of Christmas. For Chris, every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!