Biker Mice From Mars Toys: More Than Just TMNT Cash-Ins!

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) dominated the 1990s, becoming one of the most influential cartoon franchises not just of its time, but of all time. Of course, the Turtles inspired their fair share of copycats hoping to cash in on the craze, and Rick Ungar’s Biker Mice From Mars was undoubtedly one of the most successful. While Biker Mice From Mars may not have had the same staying power as everyone’s favorite crime-fighting, pizza-devouring turtles (the show only ran for three seasons), they did leave a mark on 1990s pop culture history, and spawned a range of memorable merchandise that will make any 90’s kid nostalgic.

And if you didn’t have any of these, boy did you miss out!

The Backstory

Biker Mice From Mars is known as one of the more successful TMNT clones, with creator Rick Ungar striking a unique chord between heavy metal motifs and classic 1990s kids’ cartoon action.

The story follows three anthropomorphic mice motorcyclists from outer space named Throttle, Modo, and Vinnie. One less than the Ninja Turtles, but we guess fours a crowd.

Our heroes escape their home planet of Mars before crash landing in Chicago and pledging to defend Earth from the same evil beings that destroyed their homeland (the Plutarkians). The Plutarkians are an alien race of obese, foul-smelling, worm-eating, fish-like humanoids who attempt to disguise themselves as humans. These villains are led by Lawrence Lactavius Limburger, the Plutarkian overlord and main antagonist of the show. And hey, if you think this sounds like it was inspired by the Transformers backstory, you’re definitely not alone.

With a close-knit squad of gadget-equipped heroes, flashy vehicles, and plenty of despicable adversaries, Biker Mice From Mars had all the ingredients for a great toy range.

Biker Mice From Mars Action Figures

The Biker Mice From Mars toys from the early 90s perfectly portray the buff mice, disturbing villains, and their allies. The original toys were created by San Francisco-based toy company Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc, which was also responsible for the ultra-popular Micro Machines.

The Biker Mice From Mars action figures, vehicles, and playsets became very popular, causing kids of the time to want to collect all three leading mice motorcyclists. Each action figure came equipped with the respective character’s signature weapon, such as Throttle’s sprocket launcher, Vinne’s grip claw, and Modo’s bionic arm.

But, what about the bikes?

Luckily for kids, each biker’s action figure also came with their motorcycle helmet to use with their iconic vehicles. Some toy sets included both the action figure and their motorcycle, allowing kids to assemble the whole squad and recreate all the fast-paced action they loved from the show.

Apart from the first wave of original Biker Mice toys, Galoob also released several other toy series through 1996. Some introduced new characters like Napoleon Brie (one of Lawrence Limburger’s fellow Plutarkians), while others were variations on the core cast of Biker Mice like “Rad Rebel Vinnie” and “Totalizer Throttle” (1994) and came with additional weapons and gadgets. Other toys included the “Super Bendable” versions of Throttle, Modo, and Vinnie as well as the crossover Micro Machine sets (1993).

Here’s a look at some of the most popular Biker Mice toys that were released from 1993 to 1996.

5.5″ Biker Mice Action Figures (1993)

In 1993, Galoob released their first wave of Biker Mice From Mars action figures. The main cast of heroes and villains had their own individual figures that included their signature weapons and gadgets. As we mentioned before, almost all of the action figures in that first wave had some kind of action feature built into the figure itself or their accessories, which gave them extra play functionality.

Throttle

The fearless and level-headed leader of the Biker Mice, Throttle comes equipped with his arm-mounted sprocket launcher, three fireable sprockets, and motorcycle helmet.

Modo

Another action figure with the ability to fire projectiles. The group’s muscle – Modo – comes ready to brawl with his signature bionic arm and “real firing” rocket gun. However, unlike the Throttle figure, Modo’s weapon only comes with one plastic missile (but let’s be honest, this tough guy only needs the one).

Vinnie

The “mouse with a cool attitude,” Vinnie, is the thrill-seeking loose cannon of the group and goes into battle with his grip claw and spinning crowbar. While he lacks a projectile-firing weapon like his comrades, he was still one of the most popular Biker Mice toys.

Probably because bionic arms are radical.

Charlene “Charley” Davidson

Part Harley Davidson reference and part April O’Neil equivalent, Charlene “Charley” Davidson is the Biker Mice’s expert human mechanic and a reliable ally throughout the show. Charley comes with her light-up laser welder that can be cranked to produce a sparking effect.

Lawrence Limburger

Of course, your Biker Mice figures need a baddie to fight, and who better than the big cheese himself, Lawrence Limburger? Lawrence is unique in that apart from coming equipped with a working plastic mousetrap, his figure also features a plastic human mask that can be used to disguise his extra-terrestrial origins.

Greasepit

Limburger’s oafish right-hand man – Greasepit – is your standard steroidal henchman and the perfect punching bag for the Biker Mice. While looking pretty basic at first glance, Greasepaint comes with an oil canister and gun that could fire real water.

Dr. Karbunkle and Fred the Mutant

Limburger’s own Dr. Frankenstien equivalent – textbook mad scientist Dr. Karbunkle – is the diabolical genius who successfully teleports each villain of the week to Earth. Dr. Karbunkle comes packaged with his sidekick Igor Fred The Mutant with an action feature that causes his brain to pop out.

Lectromag

One of the reinforcing henchmen that Dr. Karbunkle manages to teleport to Earth – Lectromag – is described as a “magnetic maniac energized for evil”. Apart from coming equipped with his gun from the show, one of Lectromag’s octopus-like appendages had a real working magnet on the end of it.

Evil Eye Weevil

Another bad guy teleported to Earth by Dr. Karbunkle, Evil Eye Weevil is an undead guitar player notable for his rocker mentality and crazy eyeball, and his figure has a surprising level of interactivity. His eyeball glows when you shine a light through the back of it, and he has a button on his back that makes all his skeletal limbs limp. Also, the creepy eye on his signature Eyeball Guitar can be rolled around.

Biker Mice Vehicles (1994)

The range of Biker Mice From Mars toys also included five motorcycles featured on the show. Each bike had its own action feature.

• Modo’s Mondo Chopper with Double-Barrell Launchers.
• Throttle’s Martian Monster Bike with Firing Tailpipe Missles.
• Throttle’s Blazin Cycle With Glowing Wheel
• Vinne’s Radical Rocket Sled with Secret Pop-Up Weapon
• Greasepit’s Grunge Cycle with Pumpin’ and Dumpin’ Barrels

Biker Mice Playsets (1994)

Galoob also released two Biker Mice from Mars playsets.

• The Scoreboard Hideout – The Scoreboard Hideout is the secret pad where the Biker Mice hang out, repair their bikes, shoot hoops, and pump iron in between adventures. This playset featured a large scoreboard that opened up, allowing the Biker Mice to make a quick escape.
• Dr. Karbunkle’s Transporter and Secret Lab – This playset features Dr. Karbunkle’s greatest invention, the teleporter he uses to bring villains like Lectromag and Evil Eye Weevil to confront the Biker Mice. The playset has lots of eerie scientific gadgets attached to it, and has a mechanical feature that can make an action figure appear and disappear. Appropriately, the playset comes with a pared-down Fred The Mutant figure you can use to test the contraption before you try it with more valuable characters.

12” Mega Mice Figures (1994)

In 1994, Galoob released 12” “Mega Mice” action figures for Throttle, Modo, and Vinnie.

• Throttle 12” Mega Mice Figure
• Modo 12” Mega Mice Figure
• Vinnie 12” Mega Mice Figure

These were just like the Giant Turtle figures we covered in our Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toy rundown.

Biker Mice from Mars Characters

Here’s a breakdown of the Biker Mice, their friends, and the villains they had to go up against.

Throttle – Throttle is the mouse pack’s rational and ultra-buff leader. Throttle action figures show him wearing sunglasses because he lost his sight in an incident on Mars and was left with malfunctioning bionic eyes. His green sunglasses are fitted with field spec capabilities that allow him to see clearly.

He rides a black cruiser-type motorcycle, sports a leather biker vest, and wears a cestus on his right hand, called “Nuke Knucks,” which increases the strength of his punches.

Modo – Modo is the gray-furred gentle giant who is the strongest of the bunch, but often shows more empathy than the others. Modo lost his right arm and left eye in the same incident that destroyed Throttle’s eyes. His arm was replaced with a robotic arm that has a built-in laser cannon and excellent strength.

Modo action figures feature him with his futuristic-looking blue spacesuit and purple Command Cruiser.

Vinnie – Vinnie is the thrill-seeker and self-proclaimed lady-killer of the bunch. The right side of Vinnie’s face was burned off in the same explosion where Throttle lost sight and Modo lost his right arm. He wears a flex-plate shielded mask and rides a red sports bike called the Radical Rocket Sled, unlike the others’ cruisers.

Vinnie wears a green X-cross bandoleer on his bare chest, his Biker Mice signature belt, dark blue jeans, and the usual shin guards and black boots.

Charlie – Their best friend, Charley Davidson, helps the mice by servicing their bikes and opposing their enemies in any way she can. She is the only female character who was turned into an action figure.

The Biker Mice From Mars Bad Guys

No early 1990s toy series marketed toward young boys was complete without a few resident ‘bad guys.’

Lawrence Lactavius Limburger – He’s the bloated alien from Plutarch and the archenemy of the Biker Mice. The Lawrence Limburger action figure perfectly represents his smug demure with a bright business suit and a rubber mask so he can disguise himself as human.

Fred the Mutant – a squat, masochistic mutant with three pink eyes and is often the unfortunate subject of many of Dr.Karbunkle’s experiments.

Greasepit – the muscle behind most of Lawrence Limburger’s schemes. He wears gardening shorts and rides a motorized tricycle into battle against the Biker Mice.

Dr. Karbunkle – Dr. Karbunkle is the Biker Mice From Mars villain in charge of developing machines and robots to either battle the Biker Mice or gather resources from Earth. The mad scientist is featured in the Biker Mice toy range sporting his white lab coat, high-heeled boots, and green goggles that he never takes off.

Finally, you have the Plutarkians, a race of fish-like aliens that either plan to conquer Earth or drain the planet of its resources. Each Plutarkian is named after a cheese, like Lord Camembert, Gerald Gruyere, Romana Parmesan, Gautama Gouda, and Jack Monterey.

Biker Mice From Mars 2006 Toys

While the series ended in 1995 after airing 65 episodes, Ungar revived Biker Mice From Mars with a brand-new series in 2006. However, this last series is more of a continuation of the story rather than a complete reboot.

The 28-episode series aired from 2006 to 2009 and gave way for another major toy line release. But this time, it wasn’t Gabloob in charge of creating the toys.

Italian giant Giochi Preziosi was selected as the worldwide toy licensee for the new generation of Biker Mice toys. GP worked closely with Rick, who remained the executive producer of the new series, to develop the modern toys featuring the beloved Biker Mice From Mars characters, vehicles, and weapons used in the series.

The Biker Mice From Mars 2006 toys were slimmer and more detailed than the originals. Still, the new line needed to maintain consistency with the intellectual property and the execution of the primary toy range.

Where to Buy Biker Mice From Mars Toys

Vintage Biker Mice toys from the early 90s are sold on resale sites like Etsy, Amazon, and eBay. Original action figures still in the box can go from $50 to $150.

If you’re in the market for 2006 Biker Mice From Mars toys, you’ll be happy to know that our affiliate partner Entertainment Earth has you covered!

You can pick up the new versions of Throttle, Vinnie, Modo, and each of their motorcycles from their online store. You could be back to riding and kicking butt like it’s the 90s (or at least the early 2000s) in no time!

For more Biker Mice, Ninja Turtles, and more toys from the 90s, you can follow Rediscover 90s Toys on Instagram, Pinterest, and all our other social media pages.

This article may contain affiliate links. If you use one of our links to make a purchase, we may earn a commission.

Peeps Asked!

What were the Biker Mice From Mars called?

The original Biker Mice from Mars were called Throttle, Modo, and Vinnie.

How old are the Biker Mice From Mars?

The ages of the Biker Mice are never revealed, but it’s safe to assume they’re in their early to mid-twenties. However, since they’re aliens, there’s no telling how they age compared to humans.

Who owns Biker Mice From Mars?

Currently, the Walt Disney Corporation owns the rights to the Biker Mice from Mars. Unfortunately for fans of the series, Disney hasn’t flagged any interest in doing anything with the property, for now at least.

How many Biker Mice were on Mars?

In terms of the show’s lore, we don’t know how many other Biker Mice there were. It’s revealed that members of Martian Mice society particularly enjoyed motorsports, so we can assume that Throttle, Modo, and Vinnie weren’t the only motorcycle enthusiasts on Mars.

Will there be a Biker Mice From Mars movie?

There have been many rumors of a Biker Mice From Mars movie in recent years, with speculation that director Micheal Bay and actors like Chris Hemsworth and Jack Black would be involved. However, these rumors have no solid foundation, so Biker Mice fans can only cross their fingers and wait.

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Lee Davey

Lee is curator of nostalgia and a long-time collector of loveable junk. An 80s baby, 90s kid, he knows he had it good when it came to Saturday morning cartoons. Spends his life trying to recapture the dopamine hit of playing Game Boy for the first time and believes Beanie Babies will make a fortuitous comeback. Obsessed with everything (and anything) retro, he is your trusted guide to a world of 90s toys, games and collectables.

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