Rob Lammle
Lunchtime Quiz: M.A.S.K.
by Rob Lammle - May 19, 2009 - 11:30 AM

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As a kid growing up in the ‘80s, I was susceptible to the marketing one-two-punch of afternoon cartoons built around toys. One such cartoon/toy series that I loved was M.A.S.K., a toyline that combined the shape-changing properties of Transformers and the super secret military action of G.I. Joe. M.A.S.K.‘s hook was that normal-looking cars and trucks could transform into full-on assault vehicles, complete with machineguns, rocket launchers, and other surprises. While the cartoon only ran for two seasons from 1985 to 1986, the toys were available until 1988.

Never reaching the household name status of Transformers, He-Man or G.I. Joe, M.A.S.K. was always a little bit of a cult phenomenon. But that doesn’t mean they weren’t a whole lot of fun for a 10-year old kid in 1985. While it has been a few years, let’s see how much you remember about the world of Matt Trakker, Miles Mayhem, and the wonderful machines of M.A.S.K.

Take the Quiz: M.A.S.K.

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Comments (10)

  1. I haven’t seen MASK since 1986, but I got 50%. My friend’s little brother watched this show, and one day my friend and I got the bright idea that the show needed a little romance. We were in fourth grade and worked really hard to turn MASK into a dramatic soap opera. Fan fiction before the internet. Beautiful.

    posted by Shasta on 5-19-2009 at 12:07 pm

  2. Holy crap! I had most of those toys. I loved M.A.S.K. I had the Rhino, Condor, Thunderhawk and Pirhana and quite a few of the others.

    There was another cartoon/toy series where the characters rode in little car things on ziplines. I can’t remember the name of it, but I think the lines were day-glo orange and green. My room would be booby trapped with the lines going all over the place.

    Great quiz!

    posted by grant on 5-19-2009 at 12:10 pm

  3. Oh man, MASK was the best. My two nephews have been playing with the crate of MASK toys in my parents’ attic, so I got them the entire series on DVD for their birthdays. MASK: the choice of a new generation.

    posted by thesabinkid on 5-19-2009 at 12:35 pm

  4. 13/14

    MASK was one of my all-time favorite shows growing up, so I’m a little disappointed that I got one wrong. But in my defense, the 4th series (as seen on Albert Panello’s website) wasn’t even on my radar. I didn’t know that any of that ever existed.

    But going through his list, I’m proud (or maybe ashamed) to admit that I have every single vehicle (and the original box) in the first three series. Or at least I did. Jackhammer didn’t survive an episode of mischief/boredom…

    But taking the quiz and browsing his website really brought back the memories of being a kid. My parents still have my entire collection (although there’s waaaay to much use to be of any value). I’ll just have to wait until Thanksgiving before I can pull them out again!

    posted by John on 5-19-2009 at 1:54 pm

  5. I had so many of these toys, but not Rhino, I was so jealous when my friend got it for his birthday.

    posted by Adam on 5-19-2009 at 2:22 pm

  6. I only had a few but I loved that Condor. Luckily I had a buddy who had everything and he trusted me enough to let me play with them whenever I came over, so even though I didn’t HAVE them, he was only a couple houses away.

    God, that makes me nostalgic. Not just for the toys, but getting to hang out with him.

    posted by Shadow on 5-19-2009 at 3:25 pm

  7. 12/14

    Awesome quiz!! I had almost all those toys–including the highly-coveted Rhino–and LOVED M.A.S.K. growing up (that is, before Transformers whisked me away…)

    Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

    posted by Bob on 5-19-2009 at 4:59 pm

  8. 79% – I got three wrong (and one of those was the Sonic Command one).

    The cartoon wasn’t half bad (I had a crush on that Gloria chick – who never got made into a toy!). But, we were more into G.I. Joe and Transformers, though we did get a couple of hand-me-down MASK toys (Switchblade and Condor).

    And, the G.I. Joe line paid tribute to M.A.S.K. by releasing a “Specialist Trakker” figure – Matt Trakker in his classic outfit! (I don’t have it – yet!)

    posted by Steve In San Diego on 5-19-2009 at 5:32 pm

  9. I like the part of the movie where the dog put on the mask and bit the bad guy in the butt and also when Jim Carey said SMOKIN’. BTW, I failed the quiz.

    posted by Hunter on 5-19-2009 at 6:29 pm

  10. Man I loved that show, I still have all my toys in a box in the basement. Occasionally on rainy day I still bust those out. Yes I know nerd… I have a bunch Condor, Switchblade, Thunderhawk,The RV, Hurricane-that 57 chevy, and a few others. The most prized one Rhino, manI remember when my grandfather got me that one. Damn I was happy.

    posted by Ben on 5-20-2009 at 12:25 am

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