In 1989, Mattel toy company released a transforming toy line representing the storyline of the Computer Warriors. These toys released from 1989 to 1990 when an animated pilot episode of the characters also released. The pilot episode unfortunately never picked up but later came out as just one 22 minute film on VHS. These toys and animated video of the late 80s to early 90s showed significant importance. With the rising development and curiosity of computers and technology, Mattel’s toys tapped into this technological world with incredible creativity. Follow along with us through this Retrospective of Computer Warriors to learn more about the characters, toys released, and creative storyline.
Join Us in a Retrospective of Computer Warriors
Join us in this Retrospective of Computer Warriors as we go through the storyline of the characters in the animated pilot as well as the transforming toys released. Follow along as we also mention the value and impact of these toys during the years of its release to modern day.
Computer Warriors Toys (1989-1990)
First up on this Retrospective of Computer Warriors, we have the toys. Mattel released both figures and playsets for Computer Warriors from 1989 to 1990. These transforming toys showed epic creativity through typical looking items that turned into and released warrior characters. Items typically found in a child’s bedroom took the inspiration for the outside of the toys. Flashlights and books, along with many other objects, transform to reveal fun playsets and characters.
Computer Warriors Action Figures
Beginning in 1989, Mattel released four 2 inch action figures for their toy line of Computer Warriors. Two of these figures represented the evil computer virus characters, while the other two represented the good Computer Warrior characters.
The two “computer virus” figures, Asynk and Megahert, also come with a PC (Personal Computer) board which turns into a flight interceptor. The Evil Expert Booby-trapper figure, Asynk, originally came in bubble packaging with a cardboard back. This figure appears painted with bright purple paint. It also appears with an abstract design resembling computer software as well as the “virus” characteristics. The PC board clearly shows detail through it’s designs in the groves and pieces attached. Megahert, the Evil Virus Commander, comes with it’s purple PC board that also turns into an attack flight interceptor. With it’s electronic eye and intricate fierce design, Megahert clearly fights hard.
The two Computer Warriors, Romm and Debugg, also come with a PC board that turns into a flying vehicle. The Leader of the Heroic Computer Warriors, Romm, comes with his tan colored PC board that becomes an Ariel Assault Bomber. The figure itself, painted bright blue, also has gold and red accents. The Heroic Super-sleuth, Debugg, takes position as the second in command of the Computer Warriors. This figure comes with it’s grey PC board that turns into a rocket plane. Debugg is painted almost entirely bright orange on the front and shiny silver on the back. The figures clearly show creativity from the detailed designs on the figure as well as the PC board that transforms into unique vehicles for the different characters.
Computer Warriors Playsets and Vehicles
Along with the figures, Mattel also released transforming playsets and vehicles. These toys resembled everyday objects and items typically found in a child’s bedroom. The playsets and vehicles released included a computer playset that turns into a weapons base, a clock that turns into a sybcro-blaster, a Pepsi can that reveals a hyper hoverjet, a book that becomes an evil rocket base, a calculator that turns into a tank, a pencil sharpener that becomes a jet, a flashlight that becomes a flash craft, and a soccer trophy that becomes radar rover.
Both the Computer Warriors and viruses take shelter in these objects to make sure their activities don’t appear in the real world. Each playset holds a figure as well, showing how they disguise within these objects. The evil virus figures featured within these sets include: Null (soccer trophy), Minus (pencil sharpener), Indexx (book), and Cursor (computer). The heroic Computer Warrior figures featured in these sets include: Skannar (flashlight), Dekodar (calculator), Gridd (Pepsi can), Micronn (clock), and Chip (computer). These toys certainly bring the world of Computer Warriors to life through their disguised objects.
Computer Warriors: The Adventure Begins (1990)
Next up on out Retrospective of Computer warriors, we have the Computer Warriors: The Adventure Begins animated film pilot episode. Although this special originally intended to become a series, it still stands as the only Computer Warriors episode. Film and animation director, Bill Kroyer, directed this film and also co-wrote it along side Carl Macek. Computer Warriors: The Adventure Begins later released on VHS and featured Bill Kroyer’s signature style CGI along with hand drawn animation.
The Computer Warriors storyline begins with Parallax, an experimental government computer that suffered a power surge. Because of this, the computer released evil virus creatures through the unexpected core dump. The computer, Parallax, then created anti-virus beings to defend against the viruses. However, the leader of the viruses made a plan to “go beyond the bistream” which led them out of a disc drive and into a kid’s house.
These virus and anti-virus creatures then took a physical form which led them to decide to hide within objects in the kid’s room and turn them into combat vehicles so humans don’t end up learning of their existence. By the end of the film, the anti-virus creatures capture the viruses onto CDs. Unfortunately, the kid in the story picks up the CDs to take to his friend’s house and the anti-virus Computer Warriors have to email themselves to the friend’s computer in hopes of recovering the viruses.
Final Thoughts
At the end of this Retrospective of Computer Warriors we wrap up this technological world of evil viruses and transforming objects. Although the film was short lived and the toys only released for a couple years, these transforming toys appeared in many kid’s hands and still hold nostalgia and value today.
Do You Have Old Computer Warriors Toys?
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Made in Collaboration with:
Chris Ingledue
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Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab Pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!