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Preface
We don’t usually document computer accessories, but since the U.B. Funkeys are the first successful Toys-to-life, a genre that would have a great impact on the video game console industries, we felt this needed to be part of our site hopefully helping to preserve the rich history behind it.
History
Radica Games Limited was founded in 1983 and was mainly known for producing electronic souvenir games for casinos. In the late 1990s, the company added more electronic games to its portfolio and by 2005, they decided to release Cube World, a series of handheld games that could interact with one another. By 2005, Radica had over $160 million in revenues and employed over 6,000 people worldwide.
The success of Cube World shown to Radica that collectible electronic games had a lot of potential. So in 2005, Radica was ready to work on their next project. They decided to partner up with Arkadium, a small studio that developed fun and simple games. The initial thought bank on the massively multiplayer online (MMO) popularity and create a world where users could go and play multiple mini games. To access this virtual world you would be done with collectible USB key. Each key would give the player access to different mini games. But, when the idea was tested in focus groups, the result showed that kids had little to no interest with the games themselves, but showed instead that they were really interested by the character onscreen. Radica quickly release that this could be an opportunity and started to give background to the characters. With each iteration of the focus group, Radica would enhance the games and the world, but it wasn’t until one of the groups mentions the lack of sense of purpose that Radica finally understood the missing pieces. The teams quickly return to the drawing board to create a world with an immersive backstory. The team also realized that they needed a protagonist to guide the players and an antagonist to rally the player against. The next focus group confirms that Radica had just struck gold. The idea for the character was for itself based on urban vinyl, a type of collectible toys, featuring action figures made of vinyl. They settled on a style for the U.B. Funkeys and ran with it. With both ingredients in hand (the figurines and virtual world), Radica started working on piecing everything together, getting ready for the first release.
It’s during that time period, on October 3, 2006, that Mattel acquired Radica Games for total consideration of approximately $230 million, both in cash and common stocks. This acquisition was a deal made in heaven for the U.B. Funkeys which could benefit from Mattel connection and distribution. Aside from that Mattel didn’t really interfere in the Radica’s team creative process and let steer this project the way they wanted.
Release
Released in August 2007, the first series of U.B. Funkeys was a huge success. Radica quickly followed with its first expansion called Funkiki Island, which was very successful. At that point the brand worth around 30 million which was considerable for a new toy line. At this point, Radica had their first opportunity to produce a licence line of U.B. Funkeys. While Radica was pursuing a licensing deal with D.C., it’s a licence from Speed Racer that they landed first. Mattel had just gotten the licence to produce toys for the release of the upcoming Speed Racer movie that was set to release May 2008. They then ask their division, including Radica, to produce Speed Racer toys. As Radica was focused on the U.B. Funkeys, the request was to create a line of U.B. Funkeys around the Speed Racer franchise. Radica knew that they had they the licence for a limited amount of time, so they didn’t bother creating a deep storyline around this release, as they knew that they would eventually need to pull the plug on this part of the game. Radica had their first experience with dealing with a licence holder had numerous demands that hinder the creativity of the team. On top of that, as the movie turned out to be a major disappointment, the demand for Speed Racers’ toys plummeted, so the planned expansion to add more Funkeys to the Speed Racer series was canceled.
After the Speed Racer disaster, Radica returned to their root with the release of the official third installment in the game: Dream State. The series was well received and while the 2008 recession was in full effect, it hadn’t affect the profitability of the U.B. Funkeys too much. It was around that time that Radica did obtain the rights to produce D.C. characters based U.B. Funkeys. A first wave consisting of Batman, SuperMan, Joker and the Flash were in the work, but D.C. proved impossible to work with will all the rules Radica had to abide with. While it was their dream to release D.C. U.B. Funkeys, the Radica’s team decided to pull the plug and to concentrate on the new release. Based on the idea first though for the D.C. licence, the fourth installment in the Funkeys franchise would be the Hidden Realm series. This series, unlike the previous one which consisted of multiple mini games, was a single fighting game.
And his is where everything started to crumble. Mattel, which had started cost reducing measures, decided not to adequately promote the new series, cutting the ads budget and run time to all time low. The Hidden Realm series was also a departure from the original concept and while it was planned to be expanded to support all the other U.B. Funkeys, Radica decided to abandon this series as the sales of the Hidden Realm series were too low. They instead start working on the next series which would turn out to be the last one : Paradox Green.
Demise
At this point the effect of recession was forcing companies to take drastic cost-reducing measure. Mattel used the low sales number form Hidden Realm to move the development of U.B. Funkeys from Dallas to Los Angeles, to continuing the development internally, basically shutting down Radica. As the team saw this coming, they rushed the last series out to market, releasing only the very rare variant of each figure.
As few Radica’s designers were transferred to Mattel and the next wave was already ready, Mattel could have easily decided to continue releasing U.B. Funkeys. But in the end, Mattel decided to kill the product line and it never saw the lights of day again.
U.B. funkey
There are 55 characters to collect, with most of them being available in different rarities (common, rare, very rare). The rarity of a particular figurine can be determined by looking at the chart below. Starting with Series 3, the rarity of the figurine would appear on the packaging for rare and very rare variation. Including all variations, there are 127 total different figurines.
| Name: Ace
Series: 5 – Hidden Realm Set: Game Creator Funkeys Released: ? Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Ace | Mattel ID: P8935 | ||
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Name: Berger Series: 4 – Dream State Set: Daydream Oasis Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Berger | Common Mattel ID: N2940 |
Rare Mattel ID: N7330 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N7340 |
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Name: Boggle Series: 1 – Funkeystown Set: Laputta Station Released: 2007 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Boggle | Common Mattel ID: M1628 |
Rare Mattel ID: M1642 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M1656 |
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Name: Bones Series: 1 – Funkeystown Set: Magma Gorge Released: 2007 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Bones | Common Mattel ID: M1624 |
Rare Mattel ID: M1638 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M1652 |
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Name: Cannonball Taylor Series: 3 – Speed Racer Set: Speed Racer Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2009 |
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| Cannonball Taylor | Common Mattel ID: M6795 |
Rare Mattel ID: N1785 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N1789 |
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Name: Chim Chim Series: Speed Racer Set: Speed Racer Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2009 |
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| Chim Chim | Mattel ID: M6793 | ||
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Name: Deuce Series: 1 – Funkeystown Set: Laputta Station Released: 2007 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Deuce | Common Mattel ID: M1625 |
Rare Mattel ID: M1639 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M1653 |
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Name: Dot Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2008 |
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| Dot | Extremely Rare | ||
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Name: Drift Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Funkeystown Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Drift | Common Mattel ID: N2935 |
Rare Mattel ID: N7325 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N7335 |
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Name: Dyer Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Daydream Oasis Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Dyer | Common Mattel ID: N2942 |
Rare Mattel ID: N7332 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N7342 |
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Name: Fallout Series: 1 – Funkeystown Set: Laputta Station Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Fallout | Common Mattel ID: N2942 |
Rare Mattel ID: N7332 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N7342 |
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Name: Flurry Series: 2 – Funkiki Island Set: Funkiki Island Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Flurry | Common Mattel ID: M5538 |
Rare Mattel ID: M5542 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M5546 |
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Name: Gabby Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Funkeystown Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Gabby | Mattel ID: N7344 | ||
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Name: Glub Series: 1 – Funkeystown Set: Kelpy Basin Released: 2007 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Glub | Common Mattel ID: M1633 |
Rare Mattel ID: M1647 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M1661 |
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Name: Henchman Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Funkeystown Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Henchman | Mattel ID: ? | Mattel ID: N7351 | |
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Name: Holler Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Funkeystown Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Holler | Mattel ID: N7346 | ||
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Name: Jerry Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Funkiki Island Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Jerry | Mattel ID: ? | ||
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Name: Kali (aka Singe) Series: 4 – Hidden Realm Set: Hidden Realm Released: 2009 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Kali | Common Mattel ID: N9508 |
Rare Mattel ID: N9512 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N9516 |
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Name: Lotus Series: 1 – Funkeystown Set: Funkeystown Released: 2007 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Lotus | Common Mattel ID: M1621 |
Rare Mattel ID: M1635 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M1649 |
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Name: Lucky Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Daydream Oasis Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Lucky | Common Mattel ID: N2939 |
Rare Mattel ID: N7329 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N7339 |
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Name: Maul Series: 5 – Paradox Green Set: Hidden Realm Released: 2009 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Maul | Common Mattel ID: P9009 Unreleased |
Rare Mattel ID: P9011 Unreleased |
Very Rare Mattel ID: P9013 |
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Name: Mayor Sayso Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Funkeystown Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Mayor Sayso | Mattel ID: ? | Mattel ID: N7351 | |
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Name: MasterLox Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Funkeystown Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Mayor Sayso | Mattel ID: ? | Mattel ID: N7351 | |
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Name: Mulch Series: 4 – Hidden Realm Set: Game Creator Funkeys Released: 2009 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Mulch | Mattel ID: ? | ||
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Name: Native Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Funkiki Island Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Native | Mattel ID: ? | ||
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Name: Nectar Series: 5 – Paradox Green Set: Hidden Realm Released: 2009 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Nectar | Common Mattel ID: P9008 Unreleased |
Rare Mattel ID: P9010 Unreleased |
Very Rare Mattel ID: P9012 |
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Name: Nibble Series: 2 – Funkiki Island Set: Funkiki Island Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Nibble | Common Mattel ID: M5540 |
Rare Mattel ID: M5536 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M5544 |
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Name: Pineapple King Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Funkiki Island Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Pineapple King | Mattel ID: ? | ||
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Name: Ptep Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Nigthmare Rift Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Ptep | Common Mattel ID: N2934 |
Rare Mattel ID: N7324 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N7334 |
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Name: Racer X Series: Speed Racer Set: Speed Racer Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2009 |
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| Racer X | Common Mattel ID: M6792 |
Rare Mattel ID: N1783 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N1787 |
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Name: Raj Series: 4 – Hidden Realm Set: Hidden Realm Released: 2009 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Raj | Common Mattel ID: N9509 |
Rare Mattel ID: N9513 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N9517 |
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Name: Rastro Series: 5 – Paradox Green Set: Paradox Green Released: 2009 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Rastro | Common Mattel ID: ? Unreleased |
Rare Mattel ID: P8930 Unreleased |
Very Rare Mattel ID: P8932 |
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Name: Rewind Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Funkiki Island Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Rewind | Mattel ID: N7345 | ||
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Name: Rom Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Laputta Station Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Rom | Mattel ID: N7347 | ||
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Name: Scratch Series: 1 – Funkeystown Set: Funkeystown Released: 2007 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Scratch | Common Mattel ID: M1622 |
Rare Mattel ID: M1636 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M1650 |
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Name: Snake Oiler Series: Speed Racer Set: Speed Racer Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2009 |
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| Snake Oiler | Common Mattel ID: N1786 |
Rare Mattel ID: N1790 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M6796 |
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Name: Snipe Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Nigthmare Rift Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Snipe | Common Mattel ID: N2941 |
Rare Mattel ID: N7331 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N7341 |
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Name: Sol Series: 2 – Funkiki Island Set: Funkiki Island Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Sol | Common Mattel ID: M5537 |
Rare Mattel ID: M5541 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M5545 |
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Name: Speed Racer Series: Speed Racer Set: Speed Racer Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2009 |
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| Speed Racer | Mattel ID: M6791 | ||
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Name: Sprocket Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Nigthmare Rift Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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Black |
| Sprocket | Common Mattel ID: N2938 |
Rare Mattel ID: N7328 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N7338 |
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Name: Sprout Series: 1 – Funkeystown Set: Kelpy Basin Released: 2007 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Sprout | Common Mattel ID: M1630 |
Rare Mattel ID: M1644 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M1658 |
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Name: Stitch Series: 1 – Funkeystown Set: Magma Gorge Released: 2007 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Stitch | Common Mattel ID: M1632 |
Rare Mattel ID: M1646 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M1660 |
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Name: Tadd Series: 5 – Paradox Green Set: Paradox Green Released: 2009 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Tadd | Common Mattel ID: P8929 Unreleased |
Rare Mattel ID: P8931 Unreleased |
Very Rare Mattel ID: P8933 |
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Name: Tank Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Daydream Oasis Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Tank | Common Mattel ID: N2936 |
Rare Mattel ID: N7326 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N7336 |
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Name: Tiki Series: 1 – Funkeystown Set: Kelpy Basin Released: 2007 Discontinued: 2010 |
Purple |  |
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| Tiki | Common Mattel ID: M1629 |
Rare Mattel ID: M1643 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M1657 |
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Name: Trixie Series: Speed Racer Set: Speed Racer Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2009 |
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| Trixie | Common Mattel ID: M6794 |
Rare Mattel ID: N1784 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N1788 |
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Name: Twinx Series: 1 – Funkeystown Set: Kelpy Basin Released: 2007 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Twinx | Common Mattel ID: M1623 |
Rare Mattel ID: M1637 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M1651 |
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Name: Vlurp Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Nigthmare Rift Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Vlurp | Common Mattel ID: N2937 |
Rare Mattel ID: N7327 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N7337 |
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Name: Vroom Series: 1 – Funkeystown Set: Laputta Station Released: 2007 Discontinued: 2010 |
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Black |
| Vroom | Common Mattel ID: M1655 |
Rare Mattel ID: M1641 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M1627 |
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Name: Waggs Series: 3 – Dream State Set: Funkeystown Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Waggs | Common Mattel ID: N2943 |
Rare Mattel ID: N7333 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N7343 |
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Name: Wasabi Series: 1 – Funkeystown Set: Magma Gorge Released: 2007 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Wasabi | Common Mattel ID: M1634 |
Rare Mattel ID: M1648 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M1634 |
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Name: Webley Series: 2 – Funkiki Island Set: Funkiki Island Released: 2008 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Webley | Common Mattel ID: M5535 |
Rare Mattel ID: M5539 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M5543 |
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Name: Xener Series: 1 – Funkeystown Set: Laputta Station Released: 2007 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Xener | Common Mattel ID: M1626 |
Rare Mattel ID: M1640 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: M1654 |
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Name: Yang Series: 4 – Hidden Realm Set: Hidden Realm Released: 2009 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Yang | Common Mattel ID: N9510 |
Rare Mattel ID: N9514 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N9518 |
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Name: Yeti (aka Bomble) Series: 4 – Hidden Realm Set: Hidden Realm Released: 2009 Discontinued: 2010 |
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| Yeti | Common Mattel ID: N9511 |
Rare Mattel ID: N9515 |
Very Rare Mattel ID: N9519 |
Starter Sets
To be able to play the game, the player would need two things, at least one U.B. funkeys and a hub that serve as an interface between the computer and the U.B. funkeys. The hub was only ever available as part of Starter Set. There are twelves Starter Sets are known to exist with some being limited in quantity.
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| Funkeys Starter Set 1 Mattel ID: L7288 |
Funkeys Starter Set 1 – Limited Edition Mattel ID: M4193 |
Funkeys Starter Set 2 Mattel ID: M0728 |
Funkeys Starter Set 2 – Limited Edition Mattel ID: M0861 |
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| Funkeys Town Specialty Starter Kit Mattel ID: M0861 |
Funkiki Island Specialty Starter Kit Mattel ID: N7348 |
Funkeys Speed Racer Starter Kit Mattel ID: M6789 |
Funkeys Dream State Starter Kit Mattel ID: N2931 |
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| Dream State Specialty Starter Kit Mattel ID: N7350 |
Multiplayer Starter Kit Mattel ID: N7356 |
Pink Starter Set Mattel ID: P3286 Original Price: $21.96 Toys R Us Exclusive |
Funkeys Hidden Realm Starter Kit Mattel ID: P8035 |
Limited Edition
Aside Dot and some Starter Sets, Radica released at least one other pack in limited quantities. While the pack itself was limited, the U.B. funkeys inside were also available through other means.
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| Funkeys Very Rare Specialty Pack 1 Mattel ID: N7354 Original Price: $25.99 Target Exclusive Limited to 12,000 units |