Editorial Review

As kids move their Matchbox cars along this circular snowy mountain road, the cars hit the hazards along the way. This playset lets your child control the rescue mission. Easy-to-work knobs operate the motorized lift, which rescues cars that have crashed or sunken into the pool of thin ice in the center of Ice Mountain. An included rescue vehicle assists cars that have been buried under the avalanche on the lower level of the roadway. Kids can use this set on its own or combine it with other Hero City vehicles and play centers to create a bigger city. This set requires three C batteries (not included) to operate. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Must be COMPLETELY & SECURELY assembled to work
I bought this for my 3 year old for Christmas. I spent an hour putting it together with all the stickers. It didn't work. I changed the batteries to be sure. I braved the lines the day after Christmas to exchange it. The first thing I did was put batteries in the control part to see if it worked. I did NOT. I was EXTREMELY frustrated. I came online to see if others were having problems. I found I was not alone. One review said to make sure that all the connections were secure. So I put the new one together checking all the connections. Still it did not work. I then got on my knees beside the toy and put my body weight on it at each joint. I finally got it to work. My son absolutely loves playing with it. My advice is even when you have "snapped and clicked" it together and it still doesn't work, put your weight into it and make sure it's really together. I found that there was one connection that I had heard click together, but the toy didn't work until I pressed down on it REALLY HARD.

Our 4 year old loves this
Ice Mountain has been our son's favorite toy since the moment he opened it 4 months ago. He plays with it by himself, with his 2-year-old sister, with his friends, and even proudly shows it off to any visitor who happens by. We like the noises that it makes, unlike other battery operated toys, these sounds have not yet gotten under our skin.

Not Boy Proof
My 4 year old received Ice Mountain as a Christmas gift. By the next day it was already running sluggishly on a new set of batteries. The gears that run the "ice ring" slipped and made a terrible grinding noise. The problems persisted even after a change of batteries. It totally stopped working, noises and all, about a month after Christmas. Although he continues to play with it and enjoy it, as a parent I was extremely dissapointed with the durability and longivity of the toy especailly for the price.

Bummer for a 3 year old
Hero City Ice mountain was the only toy my 3 year old wanted, We got it for him,put it together with no help from the instructions because they were very hard to understand.The darn thing would not work, wish I new about the secret reset button!
I sent it back to Walmart.com. got credit because I thought I could buy another. Not. It is impossible to find one in stock or have to pay a fortune .Mattel was of no help. ...

Neat
As the other reviewers have pointed out, the instructions are very poor. The poor written instructions don't help with the not to scale diagrams. However, we got it together and it worked! Then a few hours later it wouldn't work. I took it apart with no luck. We wanted to return/replace it finding out like the other reviewers that it can't be replaced. My wife called Mattel and they revealed the secret reset button underneath the crane which solved our problem. Why isn't this in the instructions? Anyway our 3 year old likes it but not as much as his Dad. ... Read more

Editorial Review

In this sweet and gentle amusement park themed play set from Matchbox, it seems like the cars are having just as much fun as the people have. After all, it's not often that cars get to go on a Ferris wheel or get shot out from a cannon to knock over pretend space aliens and win prizes. With bright colors and soft designs, it's a silly, non-violent toy option for younger kids. One car is included with this particular set but it's compatible with other Hero City gear from Matchbox, affording the possibility of creating a vast and sprawling Hero City empire. Three C batteries are required but not included. A DVD with two Hero City cartoons is included.  --Charlie Williams ... Read more

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 ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Fabulous!!
I bought this toy for my son who finally got to pick out a toy after potty training. It's now the first thing he goes to get in the morning and he plays with it for hours. The only bad thing was, no play mat was included and you can't buy it at the store, it must be ordered from matchbox.com. Highly recomended!!

Great for the Scooby Doo fans!
My 3 year old is a big Scooby Doo fan and just had to have the Matchbox Haunted House. He loves it. It is sturdy and easy for him to play with. The only complaint I would have is when the van goes down the staircase it tends to sometimes get stuck or come down on it's side. This doesn't seem to bother my 3 year old, but it may bother a child who is a bit older. Overall I think it is a pretty good toy.

Haunted fun!
My kids ages 3 & 5 just received this and it's great. It holds together fine. In fact it hasn't even come apart since I put it together. They are usually rough on most toys and this one is no exception. The noises are great also. I would recommend this for any child. Mine love it and I'm going to get another as a gift!

Spooky Fun for the Little Ones
This toy was a big hit with my 4 year old. He loves playing with his "spooky house" and I have to say no other toy has ever held his attention for so long. He too is a Scooby Doo fan so he spends hours pretending he and the "gang" are out solving mysteries. The toy seems very durable and holds together well considering how much he plays with it. Definately a keeper!

Neat-o
I bought thistand it was loads of fun.
Since I was 5 i've waited for a toy like this to come out! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Kids always aspire to be just like their heroes and firefighters are a popular favorite. This rescue mission kit with firefighter figures and vehicles lets kids emulate their heroes by pretending to put out a gigantic forest fire. The kit comes with all the components to build any of 50 possible combinations of rescue vehicles. Moving parts include several truck bodies and trailers, a truck cab, regular and all-terrain tires, a ladder, a spotlight, and a mini fire truck--all of which slide together easily via magnets. A button on the roof of the fire truck flashes lights and plays siren sounds for more realistic play. Two action figures make up the firefighting team and a blazing backdrop represents the fire that needs your expertise. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Awesome
I have been so impressed. I have 4 boys that are 6,5,4,2 and I watch extra 4,3,2 year olds. It is amazing to me to watch the kids all take turns and have a blast with this set. The set is big enough for multiple kids to play and share, and will grow with their skills and creativity! I am an educator and I can see real potential with this system.

Favorite item at Christmas this year
My four-year old got this for Christmas this year and he loves it. He enjoys putting the little car in the launcher and sending it down the ramp (ladder) into the fire to put it out and additionally putting it together differently. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Not very durable
My son received this toy as a birthday present. It was broken before the guests left the party. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Chase down criminals as a heroic police officer or battle blazes as a daring firefighter. Turn your siren on and watch traffic pull aside as you speed through Matchbox County. Watch for shortcuts as you complete 24 different missions to become the fire or police chief. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Just like the toys, Great!
My litte brother can sitt for hourers with this title, it is hit best birthdaygift ever hi says.

Good luck with Emergency Patrol. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Really, can you have enough Matchbox cars? I mean, think about all the places in your life that could be livened up with a few of these fit-in-your-fist wonders. If you're a kid, they can be raced down driveways, around bathtubs, across kitchen floors, or along hastily constructed ramps. Grownups will find that when placed on almost any desk, countertop, or in a coat pocket, they make life younger and more fun. This 20-car set contains five cars each from four randomly selected themed boxes. Themes include: 5 Alarms, Cars Cars Cars, Dude Ranch, Car Wash, Sea Explorer, Emergency Rescue, Canyon Base, and Wilderness Road Trip. Most have some variety of vehicles in them and include non-car vehicles like trucks, ATVs, and jeeps. Except for the Cars Cars Cars set. That one is all cars. --Charlie Williams ... Read more