Hot Wheels Heads into 2005 at Full Speed With AcceleRacers

Hot Wheels Heads into 2005 at Full Speed With AcceleRacers

    Business Editors/Toy Industry Writers/TV/Cable Writers

    EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 10, 2005--

Entertainment-Inspired Product Line and Online Activities Bring Newest Hot Wheels Movie Series to Life for Added Play Value
    Ready, set, race! This year, Hot Wheels(R) fuses a futuristic, fantasy story and real-life racing stunts to bring boys enhanced ways to play, with a new line of highly-detailed vehicles, challenging sets and a card-collecting game inspired by AcceleRacers(TM) -- the latest Hot Wheels(R) entertainment franchise. The AcceleRacers(TM) animated television shows will run quarterly on Cartoon Network, and a series of micro-episodes and AcceleRacers(TM) activities will be available on the Cartoon Network website, www.cartoonnetwork.com, year-round.
    This exciting new four-part animated special takes place at the conclusion of the World Race(TM), where the ultimate prize of Highway 35 was discovered: The Wheel of Power. In the AcceleRacers(TM) movies, the Wheel of Power's secret racing realms (worlds) are uncovered, and three distinct driving teams -- slick, young and brash Teku(TM), the former test robot Racing Drones(TM) and the burly, brawling Metal Maniacs(TM) -- must compete in the "ultimate race" -- a series of driving challenges that take them across daunting courses located in 13 environments including under water, through lava, into a dark cavern, over a cliffside and more. Successfully navigating all realms equates to total mastery of all possible driving skills, under all possible driving conditions, using all types of cars.
    As the drivers compete, a rich storyline unfolds to reveal themes of teamwork, overcoming adversity, friendship and forgiveness, weaved into a fast-paced, action-packed adventure boys can tune in to see quarterly on Cartoon Network. The first movie premiered in January 2005, with the remaining movies airing in March, June and October, 2005.
    "AcceleRacers(TM) offers boys a new fully integrated story and product line with the chance to bring the on-screen excitement right into their own homes," said Mark Sullivan, senior vice president of Mattel Brands. "By creating a complete world of fun and engaging toys, games and online activities, AcceleRacers(TM) ignites the imagination and captures boys in all of the ways they love to play."
    In support of the television specials, 16 micro-episodes can be viewed between each show on www.cartoonnetwork.com. Micro-episodes are available to enhance the overall story and offer kids a deeper look into the AcceleRacers(TM) teams and their adventures.
    While visiting www.cartoonnetwork.com, kids can play interactive racing games and read all about the competing teams, skilled drivers and cool cars featured in the AcceleRacers(TM) specials. Kids also can enter special game codes that "unlock" bonus Realm Champion Game features and downloadable screensavers, icons and more. Codes can be obtained by watching the AcceleRacers(TM) television specials and micro-episodes, on www.hotwheels.com and on AcceleRacers(TM) toys. The website content will be continually refreshed to provide kids with added play value and new features all year.
    For even more AcceleRacers(TM) action, kids can visit www.hotwheels.com to play different racing games, watch upcoming movie trailers, learn to play the AcceleRacers(TM) card-collecting game and check out the Hot Wheels(R) AcceleRacers(TM) vehicles line-up.

    The extensive line of authentic Hot Wheels(R) AcceleRacers(TM) products includes toys inspired by the series' colorful characters and stylish vehicles such as:

--	Hot Wheels(R) AcceleRacers(TM) Assortment: Thirty six 1:64-scale die-cast track-performing vehicles, all with translucent wheels; each vehicle comes with foil-packed collectible trading cards and a special code for interactive play on www.cartoonnetwork.com
--	Hot Wheels(R) AcceleRacers(TM) Swamp Beast(TM) Track Set, Acceledrome(TM) Track Set and Cliffhanger Stunt Set(a): Track sets that incorporate futuristic themes, time-tested races and fast-paced driving challenges like those faced by the AcceleRacers(TM) drivers in the series
--	Hot Wheels(R) AcceleRacers(TM) HyperPod DLX(TM) Assortment, HyperPod(TM) with DVD Assortment and Deluxe Sweeper Vehicle(a) : Vehicles that turn 1:64-scale cars into large, motorized high-performance vehicles; the HyperPod(TM) vehicles also are available for purchase with a 20-minute AcceleRacers(TM) DVD
--	Hot Wheels(R) AcceleRacers(TM) Starter Set Game: The first-ever vehicle card game that lets kids extend their car portfolio and expand their "powers" by collecting more cards (based on the four-part series), when they purchase the actual 1:64-scale Hot Wheels(R) AcceleRacers(TM) vehicles or booster packs of 15 cards

    Hot Wheels(R) AcceleRacers(TM) vehicles, HyperPod DLX(TM) Assortment, HyperPod(TM) with DVD Assortment, Swamp Beast(TM) Track Set and Starter Set Game are available now at mass retail stores nationwide. Approximate retail prices range from $1.99 - $26.99. The Hot Wheels(R) AcceleRacers(TM) Acceledrome(TM) Track Set, Cliffhanger Stunt Set* and the Deluxe Sweeper Vehicle* will be available nationwide this summer at approximate retail prices ranging from $18.99 - $58.99.

    (a)Names subject to change.

    About Mattel

    Mattel, Inc., (NYSE:MAT) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie(R), the most popular fashion doll ever introduced. The Mattel family of toys and games is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels(R), Matchbox(R), UNO(R), American Girl(R) and Fisher-Price(R), which also includes Little People(R), Rescue Heroes(TM), Power Wheels(R), as well as a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than 25,000 people in 36 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world. The Mattel vision is to be the world's premier toy brands -- today and tomorrow.

    About Cartoon Network

    Cartoon Network, currently seen in 87.1 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in animated entertainment.

    HOT WHEELS and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by Mattel, Inc. (C) 2005 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

--30--CB/la*

CONTACT: MATTEL Tami Cole, 310-252-3921 or GOLINHARRIS Alisa Feinstein, 213-623-4200

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION/RADIO CABLE RETAIL PRODUCT SOURCE: Mattel, Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005