Hot Wheels: AcceleRacers AcceleDrome Playset

by Hot Wheels

Product Features

• Dual rotating loops
• 2 Power boosters
• Blast-apart wheel of power
• Lots of crashing action
• Includes 1 car

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.5 x 24 x 15 inches ; 0.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0007V632Q
• Item model number: H3618
• Manufacturer recommended age: 36 months - 12 years
• Batteries: 3 C batteries required.
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,657 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)

Product Description

Hot Wheels AcceleRacers sets feature futuristic themes, time-tested races and fast-paced driving challenges like those faced by the drivers in the AcceleRacers series. Re-create your favorite scenes over and over again.

The AcceleDrome playset features two high-speed motorized loops and a revolving turntable for challenging action. With base stations for four AcceleRacers teams, the teams can play and interact with the HyperPods for non-stop thrills and action. Also features two car launchers and a motorized booster. Requires 4 "D" and 3 "C" batteries (not included). Measures approximately 49.5"L x 28"W x 18.5"H when set up.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The greatest hot wheels set ever, September 18, 2005

By 

D. Scardino (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Hot Wheels: AcceleRacers AcceleDrome Playset (Toy)

This is a review from my seven year-old son, who loves Hot Wheels and has been collecting and playing with them for 4 years. He says: "It's very safe, and very fun. The most fun is competing with the two cars at once, and having two cars in the ring. I also like the movie, so it makes it fun, too." My review would be: it's fun, it's easy to assemble (Dads), and it teaches your child how to judge timing and hand-eye co-ordination. All in all, a blast.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Huge fun for an Acceleracers fan!!, April 30, 2006

By 

Mark Nemec (Wheaton, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Hot Wheels: AcceleRacers AcceleDrome Playset (Toy)

Ok...I found this track on eBay for a ridiculously low price, so I had to splurge since my 5 year-old son is a HUGE fan of the Acceleracers series. Here are my thoughts.

Yes, it is quite involved putting it together, but I found the only hard step was the actual portal. The diagram isnt the greatest for that step, but finally figured it out and got the cars to make it "explode" the right way. Most of the track is on the motorized base, so putting it away just means separating the two launchers and the portal track. Every piece is well marked ("A1", "A2", etc.) and it matches up with markings on the base of the same symbol.

Once you get it going...yes, it is loud. It has two separate motors and the cars REALLY move fast on the inner tracks. My son actually likes to try and launch them occasionally, but usually just plays with it with the motors off. He is ecstatic about this track and hasn't stopped playing with it.

The thing does make me shake my head at times and smile...who comes up with this stuff? But the set is now coming way down in price and if you have a little fan of the Acceleracers at home, this is worth picking up.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent toy, despite other reviews, June 24, 2006

By 

D. Holm (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Hot Wheels: AcceleRacers AcceleDrome Playset (Toy)

This is a very cool and fun playset. I must comment about some of the poor reviews based on my own experience. The funny thing about the reviewers who disagree is I feel they just don't get a key hot wheels "concept"- namely there is tremendous variability in cars- performance characterstics, body shape, center of gravity etc. Certain cars work great on the track, others aren't ideal. Its just like other great sets of the past like Thundershift 500. Like all great hotwheels playsets, they encourage experimentation while developing a child's understanding of physical concepts and cause and effect. There is a recommended list of cars for the set, and it is easy to see the pattern if you just look for it... whatever. Loud? Who cares, no louder than an ipod or an office copy machine.

The launcher issue is in fact an issue, IF you don't have the wherewithal to actually figure out how the launcher works. On a hard floor, the launcher will work perfectly every time, on carpet may work, and may work intermittantly, or may not work at all. You see, there is a plastic mechanical "catch" underneath each launcher that enages the "trigger". Just put a piece of cardboard on it or push the launcher down slightly into the carpet as you pull back the rubber banded launcher. The negative reviews on this point are valid, buy they are not show stoppers. I'm not sure why Mattel put this locking mechanism in place, safety? Who knows.

Bottomline, if you are impatient and have have not internalized or are not interested in teaching the concepts of variability and experimentation, then you might be frustrated with this toy. You can always buy a "screen" toy for your child like a gameboy. For all the rest of you, enjoy!