The Tyco Mini Rebound is a 1/20 scale radio control vehicle manufactured by Taiyo (Japan) and released in the US, UK, and global markets by Tyco in 1992.
A variant of the 1996 Tyco Rebound 4x4 and original 1994 Taiyo Rebound, the Mini Rebound was lower cost, smaller, and slightly less powerful than it's bigger brothers, with the only real limitation being in the reduced control scheme.
A perfect design that's pure fun
The Rebound series is one of the few post "golden age" Tyco R/C models that were perfect in every way.
While there may have been 4 wheeled 'tank steer' radio control cars before the 1994 original, it was the details which made the Rebound so enjoyable to drive.
- Wheels: On all Rebound variants you'll notice the wheels are cut in a spring-like shape.
- Tires: Together with the wheels, the over-sized high quality rubber tires combine to give the Rebound a decent suspension system, and the ability to reach out and grip onto walls to perform a flip.
- Double-Sided Design: Once flipped, the body is slim enough that it allows the tires to work on both sides, making it almost impossible to 'crash'! It always has traction.
Features and Performance
The key features of the Mini Rebound are largely the same as the original...
- 4WD performance, able to drive over most obstacles
- 360 degree Super Spins and 'Sidewinder' Side Spins
- Double-Sided Body, can flip over and keep on driving!
- Oversized rubber wheels that are air-filled and satisfying to squeeze!
- Hidden internal antenna to avoid it getting caught during a flip or spin
- Appears to have shipped in 27Mhz only (both Blue and Red)
As a 'Mini' version, nobody was buying a Mini Rebound thinking it was going to be as fast as the original, but it's fast enough with its 4xAA batteries, especially indoors with alkalines and for younger children.
Control Limitations
As with many of Taiyo / Tyco's "Micro" range, both the Mini Rebound and Mini Traxx try to reduce cost and complexity by reducing the turn ability to only one direction - clockwise spins - and while this can be a deal killer with traditionally designed R/C cars (rear wheel drive, front steering), the Mini Rebound gets away with it because spinning in one direction isn't so bad with a tank-style drive mode.
Recommendation
The Mini Rebound is a small, simple toy that successfully tries to reproduce the fun of the original, just in a bite-sized package with minor control annoyances that aren't enough to spoil the fun of this classic design.
With the original Rebound starting to get quite expensive, the Mini Rebound again looks like a great alternative providing much of the same fun and nostalgia, in a smaller and better priced package.
