G1 Variants by Pack-Type

Tech Deck Dudes of the first generation were available with as many as three different versions marketed within single-packs.  Additionally, G1 variants were made available in 3-packs, deluxe packs, and as special repaints in the Hot Feet series.  This post will explore these pack-type variants.

Three-Packs

There were six series of G1 3-packs made.  They had six packs each, for a total of 108 G1 figures.

Some figure variants that were available in the 3-packs were also available in other packs.  However, most variants are indeed unique to the 3-packs. The versions in the 3-packs are almost always the most common versions available for each figure.  This is because many more of them were produced and sold, due to a cheaper per-figure price in the 3-packs.  The exception is the first and last set shown.

These were the very first 3-packs.  These came out before the introduction of magnets and rolling boards. (They have "plug feet" instead of magnetic feet.)  These seem to be the rarest variants of each sculpt.

Here is the first set of  3-packs that had magnets and rolling wheels.  These are the most common versions of each featured sculpt.  In fact, these are probably the 18 most common G1 figures of all.   Draco was called "Incubus" only on this checklist. 

Here is the second set of 3-packs released with magnetic feet and rolling wheels.  For the most part, these are the most common versions of each sculpt.  Frank's most common figure is his Hot Feet variant.

Here is the third set of 3-packs released with magnets. These are easily the most common versions of each figure's sculpt. 

Here is another series of 3-packs.  Some of these were alternatively packaged with one variant Hot Feet figure replacing one of the existing variants.  The variant figure is always the center figure in the illustrations. In other words, Slam, Tank, Norman, Fu Man, Henry, and Lenny all have Hot Feet variants in alternate 3-packs that otherwise feature the exact same versions of the other figures. These six figures are quite rare, whereas the other twelve are not. 

The next 3-pack series feature one of the three figures and boards as a Hot Feet variant.  The "hot" character is an exclusive variant.  The other two regular figures are found in alternate 3-packs (shown above).

31. Shik - Lenny - Tek
Neither Shik nor Tek is exclusive.   Lenny is also in the Hot Feet single packs, but his version there is yet another variant.


32. Rap Masta - Fu Man - Petey
Notice that they brought back the original Petey sculpt (not the backpack version which was also in a 3-pack). Fu Man is definitely unique and also not in the Hot Feet single-packs at all.


33. Rex - Tank - Bruce
This Hot Feet version of Tank is not very "hot" at all, but it is the only exclusive here. 


34. Brad - Henry - Sumo San
Hot Feet Henry in yellow is the only exclusive here.


35. Nick - Slam - Mort
Slam is the Hot Feet exclusive variant.  He is green in this pack.

36. Rick - Norman - Ralph
Norman is the Hot Feet exclusive variant.  He is blue and yellow in this pack.
Norman is also in the Hot Feet single packs.  He has two more versions there (see below).
 
It seems that there were a total of 6 different series of G1 3-packs in all.  That would be a total of 36 different 3-packs.  If you have any different checklists (from cardbacks), please let us know. 

Deluxe Packs

The "deluxe packs" were the accessory-packs released for Generation One TDD.  They came with ramps and obstacles such as benches and barrels.  I am working with the assumption that all of these color variants are indeed exclusive to the deluxe packs.  The deluxe packs must have had a very limited distribution, since these are some of the hardest to find variants for each sculpt.

Deluxe Series 1

1. Bruce
2. Cosmo
3. Dakota
4. Duke
5. Fred
6. Fu Man
7. John
8. Manga
9. Phinger Tut
10. Rap Masta
11. Rusty
12. Sergei

Deluxe Series 2

13. Dave
14. Crystal
15. E.N. Stein
16. Homer
17. Rex
18. Rick
19. Roger
20. Sludge
21. Splinter
22. Syd
23. Willy
24. Andie (not shown)

Someone finally put a S2 Deluxe pack on eBay.  Here is the checklist from the cardback.  Notice that some are shown in either the S1 or S2 image above, and some are not shown at all.  I can confirm that these specific versions of Draco, Frank, and Scott actually exist in real life. 

Hot Feet

Hands down, the most interesting variants for G1 come from the "Hot Feet" series.  There were two gimmicks at play:  First, the figures were variants released in odd colors tending to be a bit extreme -- usually (but not always) neon hues.  Second, the boards were made of a red translucent plastic and had LED lights inside.  The boards would light up when the magnets in a figure's feet activated them.  Two Crews were released with 12 figures each.  Furthermore some figures had two versions made within each Hot Feet series.  So, it seems that 24 characters got the "hot" treatment, but a few additional variants can be found.  Crew 2 actually had variant packaging for each wave.  I don't know if this was the case for Series 1, but there are definitely a couple more "hot" versions for Series 1 that exist.

Hot Feet Crew 1



Is there an image of the Crew 1 "alternate wave"? Email me if you have it!

Hot Feet Crew 2



Hot Feet Crew 2 - alternate wave
Notice that Norman, Duke, Cosmo, Sergei, and Rex are different!
Even though the artwork does not reflect it, I think there might even be small differences found between the others too.