History Toys / Mini4WD

* ''Bakusou Kyoudai Let's & Go!! WGP Hyper Heat'' (1997) (UsefulNotes/PlayStation, published by {{Creator/Jaleco}}.)

* ShoddyKnockoffProduct: The toys' popularity led to countless imitators who cashed in on the craze especially in Asia, where it isn't uncommon in the early 2000s to see a toy stall selling bootlegs from Diamond, Jiada, Gokey and Heipao to name a few[[note]]This is happening because the toys target grade school children in markets where kids were not given much in terms of allowances for savings.[[/note]]. Most of those who produce pirated Tamiyas adopted a variation of the company's twin-star logo, often substituting the stars with diamonds, crosses or other random symbols, and would use artwork ripped from the original packaging. Auldey was a unique case in that while they too made blatant bootlegs of various Tamiya Mini 4WD cars, they were of decent quality as opposed to lower-tier counterfeits which had weaker plastic and hard tyres compared to the more rubbery ones used by Tamiya and Auldey, not to mention that the electric motors that came with their kits are said to give Tamiya's stock motors a run for their money. However some Tamiya purists still do not think highly of the Audley models, since after all's said and done, ''they are still bootlegs''. Though later (as of 2003) most Auldey models were built from the ground up instead of copying Tamiya's.

* ''[=Mini4King=]'' (2021 - on-going) (Original concept by Hiroyuki Takei, written by Yuki Imada, serialized on Shogakukan's ''[=CoroCoro Comic=]'' and later moved to ''Weekly [=CoroCoro Comic=]''.)

* GameBreaker: For some reason, likely due to performance or handling advantage, race tournaments in places like the Philippines segregate FM and FM-A cars into a separate class from non-FM chassis cars.

* ''[=Mini4King=]'' (2021 - on-going) (Original concept by Hiroyuki Takei, written by Yuki Imada, serialized on Shogakukan's ''[=CoroCoro Comic=]''.)

Tamiya's Mini 4WD line later spawned numerous manga serials in various Japanese manga magazines, all of which served as MerchandiseDriven tie-ins to the toys. Only two series that were serialized in Creator/{{Shogakukan}}'s ''Magazine/CoroCoroComic'' (and later, ''[=CoroCoro Aniki=]'') stands out -- ''Manga/DashYonkuro'' and ''Manga/BakusouKyoudaiLetsAndGo'', both of which were adapted into their respective anime series. While both ''Dash! Yonkuro'' and ''Let's & Go'' did not see a Western release, they were credited for spawning a cult following from children and hobbyists alike especially in East Asia, UsefulNotes/{{Malaysia}}, UsefulNotes/{{Indonesia}}, UsefulNotes/{{Italy}} and the UsefulNotes/{{Philippines}}, where the toy line experienced an immense surge of popularity in the early 2000s [[note]]Malaysia was a special case however, since the toy surged in popularity in the mid-90s when ''Manga/DashYonkuro'' first premiered on local terrestrial TV, sponsored by Tamiya's local distributor, who also aggressively marketed the models, and the toys were already popular in the country when the other markets finally caught up in the early 2000s[[/note]]. Tamiya commemorated this by producing special editions of the Shadow Shark, Gun Bluster XTO and Cyclone Magnum along with the Trairong, a car based on a winning design in a contest held by Tamiya in Thailand, and the Dyipne, which as the name implies, is based on the iconic Jeepney -- a minibus commonly used as a form of public transport in the Philippines, which in turn was originally based on the Willys jeeps left by American forces right after UsefulNotes/WorldWarII.

Tamiya's Mini 4WD line later spawned numerous manga serials in various Japanese manga magazines, all of which served as MerchandiseDriven tie-ins to the toys. Only two series that were serialized in Creator/{{Shogakukan}}'s ''Magazine/CoroCoroComic'' (and later, ''[=CoroCoro Aniki=]'') stands out -- ''Manga/DashYonkuro'' and ''Manga/BakusouKyoudaiLetsAndGo'', both of which were adapted into their respective anime series. While both ''Dash! Yonkuro'' and ''Let's & Go'' did not see a Western release, they were credited for spawning a cult following from children and hobbyists alike especially in UsefulNotes/{{Malaysia}}, UsefulNotes/{{Indonesia}}, UsefulNotes/{{Italy}} and the UsefulNotes/{{Philippines}}, where the toy line experienced an immense surge of popularity in the early 2000s [[note]]Malaysia was a special case however, since the toy surged in popularity in the mid-90s when ''Manga/DashYonkuro'' first premiered on local terrestrial TV, sponsored by Tamiya's local distributor, who also aggressively marketed the models, and the toys were already popular in the country when the other markets finally caught up in the early 2000s[[/note]]. Tamiya commemorated this by producing special editions of the Shadow Shark, Gun Bluster XTO and Cyclone Magnum along with the Trairong, a car based on a winning design in a contest held by Tamiya in Thailand, and the Dyipne, which as the name implies, is based on the iconic Jeepney -- a minibus commonly used as a form of public transport in the Philippines, which in turn was originally based on the Willys jeeps left by American forces right after UsefulNotes/WorldWarII.

* GottaCatchThemAll: Counting special/limited editions, premium variants and such, there's roughly about 800-1200 kits which Tamiya has produced, at least some of which are still being sold to this day. Most collectors would just settle for those that suit their racing needs.

* ''[=Mini4King=]'' (2021 - on-going) (Original concept by Hiroyuki Takei, written by Yuki Imada, serialized on Shogakukan's ''[=CoroCoro Comic=]''. Focusi)

[[caption-width-right:350:A "Gun Bluster XTO", as used by Rion Cusco in the anime.]]
Mini 4WD cars refer to a battery-powered scale model car made in a scale of between 1:20 to 1:48, though the term is mostly associated with 1:32 plastic AA battery powered plastic model race cars without remote control, which are commonly run on circuit tracks similar to slot cars but with separate lanes for each car instead of electrified rails. All four wheels are driven by a small brushed DC motor, one axle being driven through a small gear set and the other through a propeller shaft; the MS and MA chassis utilise a longitudinally-mounted motor with two driveshafts, making a propeller shaft unnecessary and allowing for more even power distribution as both axles are directly driven by the motor.

While Adolph Eddy Goldfarb is credited by some sources to have invented the Mini 4WD line through the Stompers line of miniature 4x4 trucks based on real-world trucks and pickups in 1980, a precursor line called the Quick Racer was released by Tamiya in 1968. The Quick Racer was rear-wheel drive only and used a different motor form factor, but it had a similar mechanical layout to modern Mini 4WD cars, thus [[UrExample setting the template]] for future models. Then-Tamiya president Shunsaku Tamiya made it a point "to make a model product that can be assembled easily," simplifying the internals by reducing the number of parts--eliminating wiring through the use of stamped-metal terminals connected directly to the motor and using as few moving parts as possible--and utilising a snap-together construction, as the company feared that the use of adhesives in a scale model line marketed towards children wasn't worth the bad press owing to [[DrugsAreBad inhalant abuse]].[[note]]Since Japanese society has a much more negative perception towards narcotics and substance abuse, to the point that a number of notable individuals' works have been [[UnPerson purged]] due to their drug-related indiscretions, this doesn't come as a surprise. Not that Tamiya hasn't sold paints, glues and other fluids with toluene and other similarly noxious solvents though.[[/note]] In 1982, Tamiya produced Mini 4WD variants of their remote-control and static model kits, spawning a new hobby and various imitators from the likes of Hasbro's Record Breakers endorsed by Wrestling/JesseVentura (yes, ''that'' Jesse Ventura), [[Creator/AlphaGroupCoLtd Auldey]] and countless [[ShoddyKnockoffProduct bootleg]] factories in China and elsewhere.

As of 2020, Tamiya has produced 28 different chassis platforms for their Mini 4WD line, a few of which are still being produced with the more recent ones sporting carbon reinforced composites and mid-mounted motors in stark contrast to the simpler and less mechanically complex ones from the 80s and 90s.

* ''[=Mini4King=]'' (2021 - on-going) (Original concept by Hiroyuki Takei, written by Yuki Imada, serialized on Shogakukan's ''[=CoroCoro Comic=]''.)

While Adolph Eddy Goldfarb is credited by some sources to have invented the Mini 4WD line through the Stompers line of miniature 4x4 trucks based on real-world trucks and pickups in 1980, a precursor line called the Quick Racer was released by Tamiya in 1968. The Quick Racer was rear-wheel drive only and used a different motor form factor, but it had a similar mechanical layout to modern Mini 4WD cars, thus [[UrExample setting the template]] for future models. Then-Tamiya president Shunsaku Tamiya made it a point "to make a model product that can be assembled easily," simplifying the internals by reducing the number of parts--eliminating wiring through the use of stamped-metal terminals connected directly to the motor and using as few moving parts as possible--and utilising a snap-together construction, as the company feared that the use of adhesives in a scale model line marketed towards children wasn't worth the bad press owing to [[DrugsAreBad inhalant abuse]].[[note]]Since Japanese society has a much more negative perception towards narcotics and substance abuse, to the point that a number of notable individuals' works have been [[UnPerson purged]] due to their drug-related indiscretions, this doesn't come as a surprise.[[/note]] In 1982, Tamiya produced Mini 4WD variants of their remote-control and static model kits, spawning a new hobby and various imitators from the likes of Hasbro's Record Breakers endorsed by Wrestling/JesseVentura (yes, ''that'' Jesse Ventura), [[Creator/AlphaGroupCoLtd Auldey]] and countless [[ShoddyKnockoffProduct bootleg]] factories in China and elsewhere.

While Adolph Eddy Goldfarb is credited by some sources to have invented the Mini 4WD line through the Stompers line of miniature 4x4 trucks based on real-world trucks and pickups in 1980, a precursor line called the Quick Racer was released by Tamiya in 1968. The Quick Racer was rear-wheel drive only and used a different motor form factor, but it had a similar mechanical layout to modern Mini 4WD cars, thus [[UrExample setting the template]] for future models. Then-Tamiya president Shunsaku Tamiya made it a point "to make a model product that can be assembled easily," simplifying the internals by reducing the number of parts--eliminating wiring through the use of stamped-metal terminals connected directly to the motor and using as few moving parts as possible--and utilising a snap-together construction, as the company feared that the use of adhesives in a scale model line marketed towards children wasn't worth the bad press owing to [[DrugsAreBad inhalant abuse]].[[note]]Since Japanese society has a much more negative perception towards narcotics and substance abuse, to the point that a number of notable individuals' works have been [[UnPerson purged]] due to their drug-related indiscretions, this doesn't come as a surprise.[[/note]] In 1982, Tamiya produced Mini 4WD variants of their remote-control and static model kits, spawning a new hobby and various imitators from the likes of Hasbro's Record Breakers endorsed by Wrestling/JesseVentura (yes, ''that'' Jesse Ventura), Auldey and countless [[ShoddyKnockoffProduct bootleg]] factories in China and elsewhere.

While Adolph Eddy Goldfarb is credited by some sources to have invented the Mini 4WD line through the Stompers line of miniature 4x4 trucks based on real-world trucks and pickups in 1980, a precursor line called the Quick Racer was released by Tamiya in 1968. The Quick Racer was rear-wheel drive only and used a different motor form factor, but it had a similar mechanical layout to modern Mini 4WD cars, thus [[UrExample setting the template]] for future models. Then-Tamiya president Shunsaku Tamiya made it a point "to make a model product that can be assembled easily," simplifying the internals by reducing the number of parts--eliminating wiring through the use of stamped-metal terminals connected directly to the motor and using as few moving parts as possible--and utilising a snap-together construction, as the company feared that the use of adhesives in a scale model line marketed towards children wasn't worth the bad press owing to [[DrugsAreBad inhalant abuse]].[[note]]Since Japanese society has a much more negative perception towards narcotics and substance abuse, to the point that a number of notable individuals' works have been [[UnPerson purged]] due to their [[RoleEndingMisdemeanor drug-related indiscretions]], this doesn't come as a surprise.[[/note]] In 1982, Tamiya produced Mini 4WD variants of their remote-control and static model kits, spawning a new hobby and various imitators from the likes of Hasbro's Record Breakers endorsed by Wrestling/JesseVentura (yes, ''that'' Jesse Ventura), Auldey and countless [[ShoddyKnockoffProduct bootleg]] factories in China and elsewhere.

** ''Bakusou Kyoudai Let's & Go!! Return Racers''(2014-Ongoing)(Written by Tetsuhiro Koshita, serialized on Shogakukan's ''[=CoroCoro Aniki=]''.)

** ''Hyper Dash! Yonkuro'' (2015-Ongoing) (Written by Hiroyuki Takei, serialized on Shogakukan's ''[=CoroCoro Aniki=]''.)

* ''Mini4King'' (2021 - on-going) (Original concept by Hiroyuki Takei, written by Yuki Imada, serialized on Shogakukan's ''[=CoroCoro Comic=]''.)

* ''Mini 4 King'' (2021 - on-going) (Original concept by Hiroyuki Takei, written by Yuki Imada, serialized on Shogakukan's ''[=CoroCoro Comic=]''.)

* ShoddyKnockoffProduct: The toys' popularity led to countless imitators who cashed in on the craze especially in Asia, where it isn't uncommon in the early 2000s to see a toy stall selling bootlegs from Diamond, Jiada, Gokey and Heipao to name a few[[note]]This is happening because the toys target grade school children in markets where kids were not given much in terms of allowances for savings.[[/note]]. Most of those who produce pirated Tamiyas adopted a variation of the company's twin-star logo, often substituting the stars with diamonds, crosses or other random symbols, and would use artwork ripped from the original packaging. Auldey was a unique case in that while they too made blatant bootlegs of various Tamiya Mini 4WD cars, they were of decent quality as opposed to lower-tier counterfeits which had weaker plastic and hard tyres compared to the more rubbery ones used by Tamiya and Auldey, not to mention that the electric motors that came with their kits are said to give Tamiya's stock motors a run for their money. However some Tamiya purists still do not think highly of the Audley models, since after all's said and done, ''they are still bootlegs''. Though later Auldey models were built from the ground up instead of copying Tamiya's.

* ShoddyKnockoffProduct: The toys' popularity led to countless imitators who cashed in on the craze especially in Asia, where it isn't uncommon in the early 2000s to see a toy stall selling bootlegs from Diamond, Jiada, Gokey and Heipao to name a few[[note]]This is happening because the toys target grade school children in markets where kids were not given much in terms of allowances for savings.[[/note]]. Most of those who produce pirated Tamiyas adopted a variation of the company's twin-star logo, often substituting the stars with diamonds, crosses or other random symbols, and would use artwork ripped from the original packaging. Auldey was a unique case in that while they too made blatant bootlegs of various Tamiya Mini 4WD cars, they were of decent quality as opposed to lower-tier counterfeits which had weaker plastic and hard tyres compared to the more rubbery ones used by Tamiya and Auldey, not to mention that the electric motors that came with their kits are said to give Tamiya's stock motors a run for their money. However some Tamiya purists still do not think highly of the Audley models, since after all's said and done, ''they are still bootlegs''.

** ''Let's & Go! Tsubasa'' (2017-Ongoing) (Written by Tetsuhiro Koshita, serialized on Shogakukan's ''[=CoroCoro Ichiban!=]''.)