Staff(s):
Brian Sommer - Voice Actor of Jerry Pearl
Jeff Bruneau - Product Line Manager
Discontinued In: 2010
 
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
Ace
Mattel ID: P8935
Name: Berger
Series: 4 – Dream State
Set: Daydream Oasis
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Berger
Common
Mattel ID: N2940
Rare
Mattel ID: N7330
Very Rare
Mattel ID: N7340
Name: Boggle
Series: 1 – Funkeystown
Set: Laputta Station
Released: 2007
Discontinued: 2010
Boggle
Common
Mattel ID: M1628
Rare
Mattel ID: M1642
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M1656
Name: Bones
Series: 1 – Funkeystown
Set: Magma Gorge
Released: 2007
Discontinued: 2010
Bones
Common
Mattel ID: M1624
Rare
Mattel ID: M1638
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M1652
Name: Cannonball Taylor
Series: 3 – Speed Racer
Set: Speed Racer
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2009
Cannonball Taylor
Common
Mattel ID: M6795
Rare
Mattel ID: N1785
Very Rare
Mattel ID: N1789
Name: Chim Chim
Series: Speed Racer
Set: Speed Racer
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2009
Chim Chim
Mattel ID: M6793
Name: Deuce
Series: 1 – Funkeystown
Set: Laputta Station
Released: 2007
Discontinued: 2010
Deuce
Common
Mattel ID: M1625
Rare
Mattel ID: M1639
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M1653
Name: Dot
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2008
Exclusive to San Diego Comic Con 2008;
Only the common variation has been released;
Only 2000 were made;
Dot
Extremely Rare
Name: Drift
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Funkeystown
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Drift
Common
Mattel ID: N2935
Rare
Mattel ID: N7325
Very Rare
Mattel ID: N7335
Name: Dyer
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Daydream Oasis
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Dyer
Common
Mattel ID: N2942
Rare
Mattel ID: N7332
Very Rare
Mattel ID: N7342
Name: Fallout
Series: 1 – Funkeystown
Set: Laputta Station
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Fallout
Common
Mattel ID: N2942
Rare
Mattel ID: N7332
Very Rare
Mattel ID: N7342
Name: Flurry
Series: 2 – Funkiki Island
Set: Funkiki Island
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Flurry
Common
Mattel ID: M5538
Rare
Mattel ID: M5542
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M5546
Name: Gabby
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Funkeystown
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Only released as part of a Chat Pack;
Gabby
Mattel ID: N7344
Name: Glub
Series: 1 – Funkeystown
Set: Kelpy Basin
Released: 2007
Discontinued: 2010
Glub
Common
Mattel ID: M1633
Rare
Mattel ID: M1647
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M1661
Name: Henchman
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Funkeystown
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Only released as part of the Funkeystown Adventure Pack;
Was exclusive to K-Mart;
Henchman
Mattel ID: ?
Mattel ID: N7351
Name: Holler
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Funkeystown
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Only released as part of a Chat Pack;
Holler
Mattel ID: N7346
Name: Jerry
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Funkiki Island
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Only released as part of the Funkiki Island Adventure Pack;
Was exclusive to Target;
Mattel ID for the Adventure Pack : N7352
Jerry
Mattel ID: ?
Name: Kali (aka Singe)
Series: 4 – Hidden Realm
Set: Hidden Realm
Released: 2009
Discontinued: 2010
Kali
Common
Mattel ID: N9508
Rare
Mattel ID: N9512
Very Rare
Mattel ID: N9516
Name: Lotus
Series: 1 – Funkeystown
Set: Funkeystown
Released: 2007
Discontinued: 2010
Lotus
Common
Mattel ID: M1621
Rare
Mattel ID: M1635
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M1649
Name: Lucky
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Daydream Oasis
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Lucky
Common
Mattel ID: N2939
Rare
Mattel ID: N7329
Very Rare
Mattel ID: N7339
Name: Maul
Series: 5 – Paradox Green
Set: Hidden Realm
Released: 2009
Discontinued: 2010
Maul
Common
Mattel ID: P9009 Unreleased
Rare
Mattel ID: P9011 Unreleased
Very Rare
Mattel ID: P9013
Name: Mayor Sayso
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Funkeystown
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Only released as part of the Funkeystown Adventure Pack;
Was exclusive to K-Mart;
Mayor Sayso
Mattel ID: ?
Mattel ID: N7351
Name: MasterLox
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Funkeystown
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Only released as part of the Funkeystown Adventure Pack;
Was exclusive to K-Mart;
Mayor Sayso
Mattel ID: ?
Mattel ID: N7351
Name: Mulch
Series: 4 – Hidden Realm
Set: Game Creator Funkeys
Released: 2009
Discontinued: 2010
Mulch
Mattel ID: ?
Name: Native
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Funkiki Island
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Only released as part of the Funkiki Island Adventure Pack;
Was exclusive to Target;
Mattel ID for the Adventure Pack : N7352
Native
Mattel ID: ?
Name: Nectar
Series: 5 – Paradox Green
Set: Hidden Realm
Released: 2009
Discontinued: 2010
Nectar
Common
Mattel ID: P9008 Unreleased
Rare
Mattel ID: P9010 Unreleased
Very Rare
Mattel ID: P9012
Name: Nibble
Series: 2 – Funkiki Island
Set: Funkiki Island
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Nibble
Common
Mattel ID: M5540
Rare
Mattel ID: M5536
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M5544
Name: Pineapple King
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Funkiki Island
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Only released as part of the Funkiki Island Adventure Pack;
Was exclusive to Target;
Mattel ID for the Adventure Pack : N7352
Pineapple King
Mattel ID: ?
Name: Ptep
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Nigthmare Rift
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Ptep
Common
Mattel ID: N2934
Rare
Mattel ID: N7324
Very Rare
Mattel ID: N7334
Name: Racer X
Series: Speed Racer
Set: Speed Racer
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2009
Racer X
Common
Mattel ID: M6792
Rare
Mattel ID: N1783
Very Rare
Mattel ID: N1787
Name: Raj
Series: 4 – Hidden Realm
Set: Hidden Realm
Released: 2009
Discontinued: 2010
Raj
Common
Mattel ID: N9509
Rare
Mattel ID: N9513
Very Rare
Mattel ID: N9517
Name: Rastro
Series: 5 – Paradox Green
Set: Paradox Green
Released: 2009
Discontinued: 2010
Rastro
Common
Mattel ID: ? Unreleased
Rare
Mattel ID: P8930 Unreleased
Very Rare
Mattel ID: P8932
Name: Rewind
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Funkiki Island
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Only released as part of a Chat Pack;
Rewind
Mattel ID: N7345
Name: Rom
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Laputta Station
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Only released as part of a Chat Pack;
Rom
Mattel ID: N7347
Name: Scratch
Series: 1 – Funkeystown
Set: Funkeystown
Released: 2007
Discontinued: 2010
Scratch
Common
Mattel ID: M1622
Rare
Mattel ID: M1636
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M1650
Name: Snake Oiler
Series: Speed Racer
Set: Speed Racer
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2009
Snake Oiler
Common
Mattel ID: N1786
Rare
Mattel ID: N1790
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M6796
Name: Snipe
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Nigthmare Rift
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Snipe
Common
Mattel ID: N2941
Rare
Mattel ID: N7331
Very Rare
Mattel ID: N7341
Name: Sol
Series: 2 – Funkiki Island
Set: Funkiki Island
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Sol
Common
Mattel ID: M5537
Rare
Mattel ID: M5541
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M5545
Name: Speed Racer
Series: Speed Racer
Set: Speed Racer
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2009
Speed Racer
Mattel ID: M6791
Name: Sprocket
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Nigthmare Rift
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Black
Sprocket
Common
Mattel ID: N2938
Rare
Mattel ID: N7328
Very Rare
Mattel ID: N7338
Name: Sprout
Series: 1 – Funkeystown
Set: Kelpy Basin
Released: 2007
Discontinued: 2010
Sprout
Common
Mattel ID: M1630
Rare
Mattel ID: M1644
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M1658
Name: Stitch
Series: 1 – Funkeystown
Set: Magma Gorge
Released: 2007
Discontinued: 2010
Stitch
Common
Mattel ID: M1632
Rare
Mattel ID: M1646
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M1660
Name: Tadd
Series: 5 – Paradox Green
Set: Paradox Green
Released: 2009
Discontinued: 2010
Tadd
Common
Mattel ID: P8929 Unreleased
Rare
Mattel ID: P8931 Unreleased
Very Rare
Mattel ID: P8933
Name: Tank
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Daydream Oasis
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Tank
Common
Mattel ID: N2936
Rare
Mattel ID: N7326
Very Rare
Mattel ID: N7336
Name: Tiki
Series: 1 – Funkeystown
Set: Kelpy Basin
Released: 2007
Discontinued: 2010
Purple
Tiki
Common
Mattel ID: M1629
Rare
Mattel ID: M1643
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M1657
Name: Trixie
Series: Speed Racer
Set: Speed Racer
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2009
Trixie
Common
Mattel ID: M6794
Rare
Mattel ID: N1784
Very Rare
Mattel ID: N1788
Name: Twinx
Series: 1 – Funkeystown
Set: Kelpy Basin
Released: 2007
Discontinued: 2010
Twinx
Common
Mattel ID: M1623
Rare
Mattel ID: M1637
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M1651
Name: Vlurp
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Nigthmare Rift
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Vlurp
Common
Mattel ID: N2937
Rare
Mattel ID: N7327
Very Rare
Mattel ID: N7337
Name: Vroom
Series: 1 – Funkeystown
Set: Laputta Station
Released: 2007
Discontinued: 2010
Black
Vroom
Common
Mattel ID: M1655
Rare
Mattel ID: M1641
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M1627
Name: Waggs
Series: 3 – Dream State
Set: Funkeystown
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Waggs
Common
Mattel ID: N2943
Rare
Mattel ID: N7333
Very Rare
Mattel ID: N7343
Name: Wasabi
Series: 1 – Funkeystown
Set: Magma Gorge
Released: 2007
Discontinued: 2010
Wasabi
Common
Mattel ID: M1634
Rare
Mattel ID: M1648
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M1634
Name: Webley
Series: 2 – Funkiki Island
Set: Funkiki Island
Released: 2008
Discontinued: 2010
Webley
Common
Mattel ID: M5535
Rare
Mattel ID: M5539
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M5543
Name: Xener
Series: 1 – Funkeystown
Set: Laputta Station
Released: 2007
Discontinued: 2010
Xener
Common
Mattel ID: M1626
Rare
Mattel ID: M1640
Very Rare
Mattel ID: M1654
Name: Yang
Series: 4 – Hidden Realm
Set: Hidden Realm
Released: 2009
Discontinued: 2010
Yang
Common
Mattel ID: N9510
Rare
Mattel ID: N9514
Very Rare
Mattel ID: N9518
Name: Yeti (aka Bomble)
Series: 4 – Hidden Realm
Set: Hidden Realm
Released: 2009
Discontinued: 2010
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.
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
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
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.
Funkeys Very Rare Specialty Pack 1
Mattel ID: N7354
Original Price: $25.99
Target Exclusive
Limited to 12,000 units