UofMUSCLE.com – M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures from Mattel

Stereo Cassette King
by Professor Terry

Stereo Cassette King is one of the Kinkeshi sculpts that was not transferred over to the M.U.S.C.L.E. line and that has always been a mystery to me. He is in Part 2 of the Kinkeshi series so it’s not like he’s a later sculpt that could not have been made. In fact, from Part 2 had 20 M.U.S.C.L.E. figures – of which, 18 are in M.U.S.C.L.E Thug Busters 28 pack.

So why was Stereo Cassette King left out? It’s a cool looking figure that looks like an old Walkman. Everyone had a Walkman in the 80’s. It’s not like that concept wasn’t popular. Take a look at the Transformers figure Soundwave – it’s one of the most popular Transformers of all time (and my personal favorite). I think the folks at Mattel made a mistake when they left this figure out of the M.U.S.C.L.E. series.

There just isn’t much available in this figure so onto my small collection. I have the four standard Kinkeshi colors, one from the painted Kinkeshi series, a slightly larger one from 1991, and the Romando figure. I have to give my fellow collectors a warning. If you are looking to add a Romando Stereo Cassette King to your collection, then know that he isn’t particularly easy to find. It is cool that the Romando comes with four different facial expressions to change his face and an assortment of black cassette tapes to throw at opponents (I guess).

However, he DOES NOT STAND UP! No matter how you distribute his weight he does not stand up. This happens because his feet are like headphones and therefore are convex – they aren’t flat at all. It’s quite annoying, I must display him at the back so he leans against the wall.

So in summary, this figure is Soundwave’s poor cousin but very 80’s looking and would have made a great M.U.S.C.L.E. figure. If someone had the foresight to include him in the line.

See you next week!