Matchbox Haunted House Adventure Set

by Mattel

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• ASIN: B0000E5U5O
• Item model number: MMA026
• Manufacturer recommended age: 3 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,529 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)

Product Description

Editorial Review

The worlds of toy racetracks and haunted houses have never exactly begged to be placed together but it's an interesting and highly entertaining match in this unique set from Matchbox. Part of the ever-expanding "Hero City" line, the haunted house features various secret traps and tricks such as a skeleton that launches cars with a good shove, a "Bones and Moans Bridge" full of scary sounds, and various other classic spooky bits. One car is included although the two required AA batteries are not. Classic racetrack fans will likely not be overly impressed by this simple and fairly corny setup but it's not really meant for the aficionado, rather for the younger children who love a gentle scare and an unlimited supply of trips through a haunted house. --Charlie Williams

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A HAUNTING MATCHBOX PLAYSET, February 14, 2005

By 

Tim Janson (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Matchbox Haunted House Adventure Set (Toy)

I have a 2 1/2 year old who is just a nut about anything scary. He loves Halloween, ghosts, pumpkins, skeletons, bats...it's amazing. He's not the least bit scared. When my wife and I saw this matchbox set discounted at a toys-r-us before Christmas we knew he'd love it.

This is part of Matchbox's Hero City line and features a neat haunted house set-up as a car is elevated to the top, travels across a bridge held by a skeletal hand, then rotates inside the house and down a platform, then pivots and travels along it's way with a helpful shove from a ghost, all with spooky sounds playing. My son just loves it. It's eay to assemble and the only problem I found is that when it has to rotate in the upper room of the house, the mechanism sometimes becomes jammed but it's easily corrected.

A fun toy!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spooky fun for your matchbox fan!, October 3, 2005

By 

Rosemary A. Bertinelli "Freelance Writer" (Carbondale, PA United States) - See all my reviews

= Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Matchbox Haunted House Adventure Set (Toy)

I am not a fan of these car play sets. As a parent, they are so frustrating! The cheap plastic that is impossible to keep together needs constant parental attention throughout the play period. This often leads to the children being frustrated and the attending parent vowing to never purchase another! BUT...my 7 year old LOVES these toys. He plays with them constantly. This one in particular is one of his favorites.

The set-up is simple and it doesn't require much parental intervention. It has proven to be better quality than the typical set. I like the fact that there are not hundreds of pieces of track to assemble, and also that it is not a monstrosity that needs sit assembled in my parlor for months on end collecting dust. When play time is finished, it fits neatly in the window seat until next time.

The spooky theme is catchy and always prompts many imaginary situations for Nicholas' cars to find themeselves.

Not such a great toy in terms of quality but well worth the money for the play time it receives.

If your child loves "spooky" themes, this is perfect and will draw his/her attention on a regular basis.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A gift received for a 5 and 2 year old, October 15, 2004

By 

Kelli Fisher - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Matchbox Haunted House Adventure Set (Toy)

My 5 and 2 year old boys received this as a gift for their birthday. We did not realize that it needed batteries and the boys had a blast playing with it before we knew it had sounds.
The car does get stuck before heading down the stairs.
My 2 year old does have some difficulty playing due to dexterity and age. My 5 year old has no problem with this toy and loves the sounds along with my 2 year old.
Matchbox toys hold up SO much better than HotWheels !!!