Mario Kart 8 Diddy Kong/Pipe Frame

       

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Made By:
Hot Wheels
Scale:
1/64
MSRP:
US$8.99
Overview:
Packaging (Design):9/10
Packaging (Durability):8/10
Casting (Body):N/A
Casting (Interior):N/A
Casting (Chassis):8/10
Casting (Engine):9/10
Paint (Exterior):9/10
Paint (Interior):8/10
Paint (Trim/Graphics):8/10
Overall Panel Fit:9/10
Total Score:8.6/10

 
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Hot Wheels Mario Kart Diddy Kong Pipe Frame
Mario Kart Diddy Kong Pipe Frame packaging Mario Kart Diddy Kong Pipe Frame engine detail Mario Kart Diddy Kong Pipe Frame side detail Mario Kart Diddy Kong Pipe Frame figure Mario Kart Diddy Kong Pipe Frame front detail Mario Kart Diddy Kong Pipe Frame rear

 
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Background

The Pipe Frame is the original Kart, first debuting in Mario Kart for the Super Nintendo before being redesigned for Mario Kart 64. It disappeared for a full decade between Mario Kart and Mario Kart, before returning as an unlockable vehicle.

 

Packaging

This card is identical to the one for Koopa Troopa, with the portrait, name, and color band changed for Diddy Kong.

 

Casting/Paint

Unlike most vehicles in Mattel's Mario Kart series, there is no aerodynamic cowling so the bulk of what you see here is diecast. The chassis is a single piece, with the pedals and steering pedestal up front and engine in the rear holding the axles in place. These details are done in plastic, and while an effort was made to match the plastic to the painted metal, its not quite there. The detail work is excellent, though, with individual pedals, a finned cylinder head, and a nicely detailed manifold.

Paint is pretty basic: orange for the frame; black for the engine; and gold, gray, and orange for the muffler. The only decoration is his symbol, printed nicely in a circular medallion at the front of the Kart. We get to see the whole seat here, which is done in a dark indigo. The wheels are gold dished with black slicks.

Diddy Kong is far and away the highlight here. His casting is arguably the best we've seen, with only minimal parting lines, and there's a fine "fuzzy" texture on his head, arms, and legs. His face, hands, and feet are a bright smooth plastic, while his vest and hat are painted to give them just a hint of texture to split the difference. The paint work is just as good, with the color breaks being near perfect and some sharp work for his eyes and the tiny "Nintendo" logo on his cap.

 

Features/Accessories

Nada.

 

Accuracy

The one place this falls short is accuracy. To work best on a Hot Wheels track, the wheels have to be "inside" the body. Not a problem for most vehicles, but the Pipe Frame has fully exposed wheels at all four corners. Mattel's solution was to add extra bumpers, and while they integrated them as best they could it does throw off the overall look a little. The other problem is that Diddy Kong only appeared in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Mario Kart Arcade GP/GP 2, and Mario Kart Wii - all games released during the Pipe Frame's hiatus.

 

Overall

I like the look of this one, and the Diddy Kong figure is as good as it gets. I get why they modified the frame, and it's a little strange that they went with a Kart that he never drove in the series, but neither of which detract too much from what's an otherwise excellent little diecast.

 

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