Alien and Fantasy Toys

Ampzilla

Hailed by some as the holy grail of Micro collecting, denegrated by others as a worthless pile of crap. No matter how you consider Ampzilla, it is a rarity and frequently sells for over $500 on eBay. There is at least one known US Ampzilla, but the majority are imported from Italy and are part of the I Micronauti line.

Prepare for the invasion. Ampzilla is armed vehicle to attack. This menacing reptile from the far off planet of Saurian measures a big 7 1/2 inches high and features two head mounted ray gun vaporizers, grizzly teeth and powerful claws for squeezing its victims. Large enough to carry a Micronaut Fantasy Figure inside its ugly torso.


Antron

The six-limbed invader from the faraway galaxy of Thoraxid

This is one of the U.S. only Micronaut figures that Mego released late in the Micronauts’ life span. Antrons come in three variations. The most common variation has a light green, glow in the dark brain. Less common is the variation with a dark orange brain. The least common comes with the light green brain, but none of the red accessories that attach to the ends of Antron’s arms. This third variation was released as Mego approached bankruptcy with a unique, though low quality, card.


Centaurus

The evil centaur like alien invader. Of all the import aliens I like this one best. There is an elegance of design to it that I really like. In one hand, a shield, in the other, a laser crossbow. Kind of fitting for Centaurus. His glow in the dark green brains is often missing in loose ones. His legs also have a tendency to crack.


Equestron

An unproduced steed for the alien invaders. According to the catalog: He’s Equestron, the realistic motorized galloping armored stallion and chariot. Just place a Micronaut in the stallion’s saddle or behind the chariot and go. Requires 2 “C” batteries. Look out Quo Vadis!

Larger view


Hornetroid

Antron’s alien vehicle. The Hornetroid, a US only release, is one of the coolest vehicles in the toy line. A lever makes the wings move up and down and there is another lever between the pincers that causes them to close on any unsuspecting Time Traveler.

The Hornetroid has an intresting quirk to it, there is a purple bulb that comes with the toy that fits in two places, the tail (like a stinger) and below the top gun. Although it seems like there should be two items, the toy only shipped with one. Go figure.

Striking terror into the hearts of defending Micronauts is this new and fantastic android invader – half insect, half mechanical vehicle. Large enough to carry a Micronaut Fantasy Figure behind its transparent eye case, this incredible alien flyer grabs unsuspecting Micronauts in its spring loaded jaws, and flaps its large, transparent wings at the touch of a special button.


Iguanos

Another unproduced prototype that has shown up in a number of Micro catalogs. Here’s what one has to say about our dino looking friend: A realistic radio controled lizard, Iquanos walks forward and reverse while moving its head from side to side. Its eyes light up as its ferocious jaw opens and closes. 2 9 volt and 2 “C” cell batteries required.

I don’t know if realistic is exactly the term I would use to describe this toy, but it does bear a fair resemblance to a triceratops. Towards the end of the Micronauts line the toys started to take a fantasy turn and this is the least micro of all the Micronaut toys you’re likely to find.


Kronos

The clawed carrier of destruction from the forbidden world of Udanax.

Kronos is most commonly found as an I Micronauti import but he was sold in US packaging. Kronos comes with a semi-transparent set of wings and blaster that fits between his two claws.


Lobros

The scaly creature from the deepest oceans of Zenon.

Meet Lobros, the weirdest looking of all the Micronaut aliens and one of the best armed. He totes a big black shield and blaster to go into battle with. In a weird twist of evolution, Lobros’ brain is in his mouth and sits right behind a very forked orange tongue…

Lobstros

An I Micronauti vehicle for, you guessed it, Lobros. Two claws, two guns, six wheels and a cockpit, that’s pretty much all there is to Lobstros, although it is quite a prize for Micronaut collectors as it is fairly scarce, though probaly not as hard to find as Red Falcon or Ampzilla. I’m not aware of any US versions of Lobstros but it is pretty easy to find (for a price) the Italian model of this aquatic terror.

From the Micronauts catalog:

The awesome creature from the distant planet of Hydra features two grasping spring loaded claws and an opening canopy that holds a Micronaut figure. 9″ in length, Lobstros has six wheels and accepts all interchangable Micronaut figures. No batteries are needed.


Membros

The slithery skinned invader from the remote world of Visceros.

Just gotta love that card copy! On Membros’ back is a pack with an often lost hydro-pipe that connects to his hyrdo-blaster. There are three variations of Membros, orange brain, light green glow in the dark brain, and a Membros without weapons.


Repto

Half man half reptile from the distant planet of Sauria

Easily one of the cooler Aliens, Repto has large bat wings, a vicious saw blade and a blaster. Can’t ask for much more in a villain! Again, three varieties, green and orange brain, and the accessories free version.

Sharkos

To be honest, I’ve never seen a Sharkos up close and don’t know much about it, so here is what the catalog says:

Silently, but swiftly, your Micronaut Fantasy Figure is transported through the murky water. Sharkos, the silent predator from the undersea world of Isaurus propels a Micronaut to his amphibious destinatin. Sharkos accepts all interchaneable Micronaut figures and accessories. One AA battery required.


Terraphant

The elephantine water squirting vehicle of Membros. While the Hornetroid is a vicious black and red, Terraphant is purple, black and green (ugh.) There is also a water reservoir and pump that turns Terraphant into a Micro style fire truck.

The new incredible alien invasion vehicle – half elephant, half mechanical bulldozer. Protecting its controlling Micronaut fantasy Figure beneath its rotating armored ear panels, this android beast shoots jets of water from its trunk to subdue the defending good guys.

 

11 thoughts on “Alien and Fantasy Toys”

  1. You say that Hornetroid was a US only release, but I had one when I was a kid, bought in the UK. (Chemist shop next door to northwich medical centre to be precise).

    I.

    1. Hi Ian,
      Do you know if it had UK specific packaging? I have never seen, nor do I know anyone, with packaging that wasn’t North American. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, just never seen it. Was there any variation in the box that you recall?

    2. Ditto, I remember my own Hornetroid fondly. Bought in Grimsby, UK in the 70s. From what I recall as a 6 year old, the box was similar to the US version, thought I suppose it would be marked Airfix.

  2. I have Terraphant in a plain brown box with Mego written on it. I got it 10 years ago from a guy who also had Micronaut jewelry and prototype Force Commander plastic masks. I really never checked it to see if it were different. It is Mint Boxed and has unused stickers in it. Any idea as to what it is?

    1. Towards the end of Mego, they did a lot of cost cutting measures. What you have is probably a unit that was provided either to a catalog or closeout vendor. There is a chance it might be different than a normally boxed unit, but if so, the changes would likely be fewer parts. There were close out units I have seen of other micro toys, like pharoid, that were packaged without the chamber for example. I would love a picture though!

  3. Just a few bits of info that may be of interest. You state that Antron came with a few variations including an orange brain. I assume though that this is a cut and paste error from Membros. From what I understand there are only two brain colours, light green and dark green.

    Also the first threee aliens of Membros, Antron and Repto were released on both US (English) cards and Canadian (English and French) cards.

    Hope that helps 🙂

  4. Was it common for lobros to have more than one brain color? I had come across one that had a blue brain instead of a light green. I’m pretty sure it was a vintage character but I have never heard of them having other colors. Is it possible it could have become discolored somehow or was it actually available in a wider range than light green?

    1. That’s a good question. And I don’t actually know the answer. I’ve only seen lobros with one color of brain, but the first three aliens did have alternative colors so it possible.

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Classic toys and ephemera from the 70s