Matchbox Monday works its way to the final 2025 creations

So, this is it. My final blog report. Oh wait, final report of 2025 items. I will be back next week to start rolling through 2026 stuff. I had just these final few items from the 2025 ranges to run through. What we have here is the final Working Rigs batch of 2025, batch D, along with the final Mattel Creations of the year as well. So, as you will have likely figured out, Wheel Collectors shipped over the 2025 Working Rigs model for me to ramble on about, but the Mattel Creations issue is from, well, Mattel Creations. Obviously. So, without further adieu, let's get on with the report. 

We begin with the RW051 Garbage King XL, which takes the number 9 slot in the series. If this model looks familiar, it is. Very familiar.

This is because it is a repeat of the 2021 debut version of the casting. The same blue and white look we have seen before. 

But, not just in 2021. It returned only last year. Yes, they have released the same model in the same look 2 years in a row. That is not good. 

Last year was the first time that a look had carried forward on this casting, and I did note at the time that there was a minor variation. The white cab was a different shade. The 2024 release is on the left, with the 2021 debut on the right above. It was notably more creamy white when it debuted to how it changed when it returned in batch B of 2024 in the number 7 slot. 

I do think this is a cool model with lots of play value. But, with the model now on the third outing in the same look, I could not see a variation of note, and will keep just the 2. The only people who might get this new release (aside from those who had not seen it before, or are new to collecting), will be those who like packaging art. The 2025 packaging is different to the 2024 packaging and 2021 packaging. But, as we know they do a lot of carrying forward in this range, why did they do this one for a third time, especially as the second outing was only last year? It gets a big fat 0 from me for seeing last year's model again. 

When they could have at least given us one of the other 2 outings in unique looks for a second run. For 2022 it came in red. 

And then 2023 gave us this white and green release. 

After all, unique year 1, followed by unique year 2 and unique year 3, then carry forward year 1. Shouldn't the next step have been carry forward year 2? Not year 1 again. I am not a huge fan of having so many carry forwards. We know that new items will sell better than carry forwards. But, with Working Rigs, they continue to release only a handful of new items along with more that are simply in new packages. I had high hopes that 2026 might see a change with Working Rigs. After all, the Walmart exclusive singles are moving to a no-repeat batch system. Brilliant. I thought that Working Rigs would see the same. But, having seen the new 2026 items (the first batch will be discussed in a month or so), I see they are continuing to limp along like this. I do feel like the Working Rigs series is simply not getting the love, even within the Matchbox portfolio. 

Next up, we get a new casting. Yay! The RW055 MBX Backhoe. It takes the number 10 slot in the series, and debuts in the recurring Matchbox Construction theme. 

I am starting off with the base shot. It didn't actually have the model's name on it. But, as we just had the Garbage King XL above, this leads me to question the name. MBX Backhoe. Not MBX Backhoe XL. We have the MB1176 MBX Backhoe in the basic range. I think it would have been better to have added the XL to the model's name here, simply so that they are easier to understand which is which. People are not going to be quoting MAN numbers all the time. They are simply going to be calling it the MBX Backhoe, and the basic range issue the exact same. I do feel that simply adding XL would have been all that was required to distinguish this as the bigger brother. But, that quirk aside, let's look at the model itself. 

Aesthetically, this model looks fantastic. When you see it in picture, you can imagine this being the exact type of backhoe that you would see on a construction site. It has been very well designed. 

You can see that we have a number of points of rotation to the model. There are a number of metal pins sticking out at convenient points to denote places where it will pivot. It does look the part. But, shall we get closer in?

For starters, something you can't see in pictures, this is a very light model. The reason? It is nearly all plastic. There is just simple metal pieces running through the middle. The front end has a metal hood to the engine bay. The rear has metal on the upper half of the section coming out from the cab. Everything else is plastic. It does feel like it in hand as well. Sure, the Garbage King XL is also a lot of plastic, but it still feels heavy and solid. This model doesn't. That can be quite a turn off to some. I am not against the use of plastics in models. I do think the moving parts themselves are fine in plastic, but there should have been a bit more metal in the main body. Either the roof or base should have been cast in metal, giving it a bit more weight. Thus making it feel more solid. 

The model is also very thin. Which I think doesn't help as well. Perhaps they could have made it a tad wider. 

Next we look at the moving parts to the model. The front end lifts up and down, with the scoop that also pivots. The rear has multiple moving points as well. 

This is the front of the model from a sideways viewing position when the model is fully down. You can see that the lift arm is sitting at rest, and the bucket in front is not flat on the ground. It is pivoted slightly forward. The reason?

The bucket has a tab on the back area that stops it from going so far without using a lot of pressure. It stops it from laying flat at rest. I don't know, but it just feels wrong. 

The inside of the bucket is curved slightly which means that it will not keep items at rest unless you lift it up. 

Obviously you can pivot it. Turn it upwards and it will roll along with items inside. So, yes, there is play value. I just feel like, at rest, the bucket should have been able to lay flat. 

Then we get the rear. This has multiple moving parts as well. 

Now, it does have a swing frame. You can move it left and right, just like a real one does. However, where it slots in, it is between the metal body and the plastic base section. And it is extremely loose. Honestly, You pick the model up, and the whole rear end swings around wildly. There is no resistance at all. It really needs to have something there that would just give it some resistance, meaning you do have to move it. Not just tap it and it swings around like a pendulum. Plus, do you notice there is no pin at the bottom? There is a plastic marker for one. But, the rear half of the boom simply goes straight up. Which means that the rear bucket simply cannot reach the floor. It is tantalisingly close in the picture, but it just does not get there. 

The dipper arm does pivot. 

And the bucket itself does also pivot. 

But, not reaching the floor? I do think that is a major design flaw. 

So we are getting play value. But, I still feel both parts fall short of being great. Plus, the front end of the casting itself is too plain. Honestly, I think they should have created an M logo to add to castings on the front. That front grille area that is formed from the interior section is just too plain. I know some real ones could be quite plain, but I think a few horizontal lines around it and a small M logo in the Matchbox font could have added a pop to the front end. 

It's not all bad. The end design is fantastic. As you know, I do love a recurring theme. And this Matchbox Construction one blasted out of the gate in 2023, and works so well on construction vehicles. Michael Heralda did a great job creating this look. And the attention to detail on the window section. Black posts and the MBX Unit 36 is wonderfully done. 

And we also see the dipper arm is also detailed. I don't see the need for adding to the side of the metal engine cover. Most of the time it will be hidden behind the arm. Perhaps over the top? No, I don't think that was really necessary either. The orangey yellow are great. The wheel hubs suit as well, as these also match other vehicles in the Matchbox Construction theme. 

So, let's score this. Inclusion? Hmm! With the same vehicle in the basic range, do we really need big brother? Well, I would say yes. There is a lot more they can do with a Working Rigs model over and above what a basic can do. So, I am giving it a 9. It was not a no-brainer, hence the slight reduction in score. Casting? It looks realistic, so the design itself of the casting is spot on. But, the execution leaves a lot to be designed. Too much plastic, and such a lightweight, not great. A front bucket that doesn't sit flat, also not good. A rear that flails around like a flailing tube man along with a lack of a pivot point to the main boom, meaning it can't reach the floor is also a sticking point. I am giving it a 4. It is not that impressive. The front bucket needs better alignment, or a tab that needs to go. The rear end needs tightening, and the main boom an addition pivot point. And the model needs to be heavier. This model is lighter than some miniatures, even though it is quite a bit larger. It is not great. Design. Well, that is. I cannot fault the end look. A perfect 10. That gives it a final score of 23 out of 30. It is not the best of new castings. A lot of room form improvement in my eyes. 

Next up sees another construction vehicle, with the RW046 MBX Road Scraper returning in another recurring theme. INC!

Now, this model is actually a repeat of the debut. It first appeared back in 2019, before I started talking about Working Rigs. So, I never got it at the time. So, I am happy to have it now. I have often said that anything over 5 years could be good for a return. Too new, like last year, is too quick a turnaround. I know, I have said this before, back in the day, a model would run for many years unchanged. A certain MB129 Chevy Blazer ran from 1984 through 1994 in the same Sheriff scheme. That was 11 years. Unchanged. Save for smaller variations, like chrome bases turning black, production switching countries, and the roof light section being retooled. But, since Mattel took over the brand, we have started getting used to the batch system, and models not being around that long. Unless they were a Radar Truck and sat on pegs for years. But, we have started seeing carry forwards. And, in this case, it works. This was the only one I missed before. Of course, the front end has an additional INC logo added at the top of the radiator grille, that looks cool because it has grooves to it. That is how the MBX Backhoe should have been at the front. And we get the recurring theme with INC blue and yellow. I cannot fault this. 

And I do love the play value. A front cab area that pivots from the rest of the model. 

Plus an injector in the middle that slides back and forth, helping to push various items out of the large hold in the bottom. This is a fun model. 

So, this one gets a perfect 10 from me. It may be a carry forward, but it is 6 years old, and rotates through nicely for those who venture in and out of getting Matchbox. And it a recurring theme. 

This one appears to get a release every 2 years. After a 2019 debut, it returned in 2021 in the Ranec theme. 

And then popped up in 2023 in the Matchbox Construction theme. 

Did they add INC to the top of the grille to match the others? Ha ha! The best part with this is that each release has been a recurring theme. Do you think this model will get a National Parks outing?

Which brings us to the final model of the batch. The RW048 GMC 3500 Attenuator Truck. It takes the number 15 slot in the series in a very familiar orange. 

I can't believe this one. Remember when I spoke of the Garbage King XL being a carry forward for a 3rd time, and being a repeat of a model that came out in batch B of 2024? Guess what else was in that batch? This one. Yes, half of batch B 2024 is the same as half of batch D 2025. But, this one? This is not the 3rd time we have seen it. This is the 4th! And, yet, it has 2 other outings that have technically not seen more than 1 year. I will get to the technically bit shortly. But, I am completely shocked that they have released this look for a 4th time. 

I really want to see a new look to this one. It is a fun model, with the roof piece that comes off and can be switched around to point arrows whichever way you want. And the rear that comes down. 

But, as a 4th outing, this is getting a 1 from me. Not a 0 like with the Garbage King XL. Well, did you notice that I have opened the new one? 

But, not having the 2019 to gauge, I start with the 2021 issue. The second outing is a significantly lighter orange than this release. 

But, last year was significantly darker. 

So, yeah, I do now have 3. Light, medium and dark oranges. But, if they really had to do a carry forward again, why this one?

Orange has now been used 4 times, but the 2020 release in white and blue has not been seen since. 

Where the yellow 2021 release has not been seen since 2021. However, remember my "technically" bit earlier. Well, this one was a little unusual as it appeared in the first batch of 2021, and returned in the final batch alongside the orange one for some reason. It may have been a factory mix up, where they started producing the wrong one, and just did the correct one and threw both in so as not to waste it. But, it has not been seen since 2021. 

And this does mean we are still on 3 releases overall. The 2020, the 2021 and the 2019/2021/2024/2025 one. I really hope we don't see orange again. I know I like shades, but light, medium and dark? I think we have covered bases. We don't need a home run!

And with that, the last 2025 regular issue is finished. However, there is one more model to peruse. Mattel Creations has been very quiet on the Matchbox front. After building up to what was roughly a monthly release by the end of 2024, the 2025 model year has been almost dead. This is the 4th and final Creation from the Matchbox brand for 2025. 

We saw the MB1332 '75 Range Rover in National Parks livery in February, which also involved a steering wheel variant, and me going to Dirk Schleuer for help with that. May saw the debut of the MB1483 '96 Audi A4 Super Touring, which also appeared later when Dirk used it as a Leipzig promotion in another livery. In August, we saw a new casting of a North American P-51 Mustang. I never reviewed it as I do not do Skybusters. But, I do know it was a new casting. Not the same SB-153 that debuted in 2020 as part of the Top Gun Maverick sub-series within Skybusters. And finally, we see the MB1482 '87 Nissan Skyline GTS-R (R31). 

As we are used to, the model comes in an orange outer box that also has a little blurb about the real car on the back.

And when you open that up, the package does come wrapped. It's almost like Christmas all over again. 

And then we get to the model itself. Yes, what a beauty. I do need to get it out of there. 

But, before we do, a quick proof reading of the rear shows no errors. Woohoo! Always good. 

You can also see the legal stuff on the bottom. Right, enough faffing about with the packaging, let's get the model out. 

Sliding the plexicase out will leave the background of the racetrack inside, as it is printed on the inside of the sleeve.

With the model attached to another race track corner. 

I admit, there is a lot of effort afforded to the packaging on these models. Completely wasted on me, but I appreciate the effort. 

Because I pay out a chunk of money, plus shipping, just to rip it all apart ang a single toy car. Although, I doubt any of these will be used as a toy. Would you give this particular one to a 4 year old and let them play with it with their other toys? Yeah, right. This is a collector vehicle. 

And you can tell. This is full diecast. Body and base. It is very heavy. 

Noticeably heavier than the MBX Backhoe I spoke about earlier. I did say how light that was, and when you bring in a solid, hefty model like this, it really brings that home. 

Now, this model is pretty cool. Nissan first unveiled the Skyline way back in 1958. Well, actually, the Prince Motor Company in Japan launched the Skyline in 1958. Prince was bought by Toyota in 1966. The 3rd generation (C10) Skyline was the first proper Nissan. And Matchbox has a casting of that one. The MB1022 '71 Nissan Skyline 2000GTX. The 7th generation (R31) originally appeared in 1985, although the GTS-R did not appear until 1987. Hence this being a 1987. Only 823 were made for homologation use. This was developed as a racing vehicle. We already know that it was successful in Japanese Touring Car Championships from the blurb on the package, but they also entered the Australian Touring Car Championship with this. It won the 1989 Sandown 500, and then Jim Richards won the 1990 season using this for all but the last 2 rounds, at which time the R32 was ready, stopping the Ford Sierra RS500 domination at the time. So, this had Australian success as well. 

Now, when it comes to the model, this has been so well done. The attention to detail in the casting is all there. Rear lights beautifully cast. A window that appears to slot in seamlessly with the surrounding pillars. I am impressed. We even get a window wiper in the back. Real ones did have one. 

The model also comes with an opening hood (or bonnet). It fits snugly in place, and raises smoothly, staying nicely open for people to inspect the engine inside. 

And, as we know, they really do go all out with detailing the engine bay. I love that it even has Skyline written across it. I assume that is how real ones were done. Phenomenal work. 

Now, when it comes to the design, I think this is actually more akin to a certain R32 that was used in the Australian Touring Championship in 1991/92. Which I do find a little unusual. Make a casting of a 7th generation R31, then create a design for it that pays homage to the later 8th generation R32. The R31 would race in all white, except the upper rear was painted blue and upper front was painted white. Not that it is overly important. Others may know whether this look was actually used at any time during the R31's racing life. But, from what I can see, both Japanese and Australian Touring Car Championships used the all white with red upper front and blue upper rear look on factory teams. Maybe that look will appear later. But, I still like it. Red upper, white middle, blue lower. Simple, yet effective. We also see a little Japanese writing on the side. 

The attention to detail is top notch. The detailed hooks on the corner of the hood are amazing. The lights look so realistic like that. 

So, while the look may appear to be from the wrong generation, the end result still loos phenomenal. We even get 2-colour red rear lights. I am loving this one. 

I am extremely impressed with how much Matchbox is now allowed to do. I think a few years back, we would not have seen this as a Matchbox. Assigned to their other brand. But, now, we are getting some racier vehicles, and some really cool classics. The Matchbox brand is finally being allowed to compete. I am happy. Which is why I am slapping with this a big fat 10 for inclusion. In your face, blue team! Ha ha! Casting? I can see literally nothing that could have been done better. It is heavy, solid, rolls wonderfully, opens fantastically, and looks the part. Again, a perfect 10. Design. I love the design. I think it is fantastic. I cannot fault it per se. But, I am going to shave off half a point simply because I think they were modelling the final look on the wrong generation. A 9.5. That's not a bad thing. But, for a debut, they should have paid closer attention to the real ones for inspiration. Knowing this has a metal base, it means we will not see any more, except in the Collectors series or as a promotional tool. Which does mean we will not get very many. But, they will be very eagerly anticipated. As to Mattel Creations? I am worried. Down to just 4 in 2025. I wonder if we will see much in 2026? Surely there has to be something tied in with the Matchbox Movie coming out in the summer. 

Which means that I am done with another report. The end of 2025. 2 brand new castings. 

And 3 carry forwards. 

So, as these head off into the collection, I guess I can 'basic'ally get going with the 2026 series. In February. Well, I rarely get a chance to write about anything the minute it arrives. I am always running a few years behind. But, in the meantime, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.