Fresh off the 30th Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Convention in Los Angeles, we take a look at one of the many Hot Wheels cars that I actually picked up at the show. All my area Walmarts got in the Star Wars Planets dump bins so I didn’t see the #Walmart Exclusive Super Mario Series prior to the convention.

While at the convention, I got a chance to have a little chat with the designer of the Cruise Bruiser, Dmitriy Shakhmatov. Upon greeting him, I told him about Orange Track Diecast and how the #Cruise Bruiser was my #1 2016 New Model — he was taken back as it seemed he didn’t expect to hear that from a collector. Upon hitting him with my ranking, he decided to share a juicy tidbit — the name he had originally named his design. Wait for it … “Mama’s Little Stinker”. While Mattel marketing and/or legal changed the name to Cruise Bruiser, what remained was this great casting.

Hot Wheels Cruise Bruiser from the 2016 Super Mario Series that was Exclusive to Walmart (rear)

With Walmart seemingly releasing a new exclusive series once a month in their dump bin promotions, its been a great year for fans of pop culture. More specifically, fans of #Super Mario have been treated to a nice serving of Hot Wheels over the last couple years in the Pop Culture line, Mainline, Character Cars and now this series.

Hot Wheels Cruise Bruiser from the 2016 Super Mario Series that was Exclusive to Walmart (in package)

Fans feeling nostalgic for the older, side-scrolling Super Mario days should look no further than the packaging for this series. All eight vehicles, when lined side-to-side, create a mural of the Super Mario character family.

For being a #2016 New Model, this is the third Hot Wheels #Cruise Bruiser, with this #Super Mario Series release being its first outside of the mainline. Being that it is a #Demolition Derby Vehicle, the flames are prevalent and also have that hand-drawn kind of look to them. The Super Mario character that goes best with the flames? Bowser. He rears his evil face along the sides, and his sinister looking logo adorns the front of the hood.

RELEASE DETAILS: Metalflake Light Green Body (metal). No Windows. Chrome Engine/Roll Bars/Interior. Yellow Open-Hole 5-Spoke (OH5) Wheels. Metalflake Gray Base (plastic). Made in Malaysia. Toy# DJK73. Released in 2016 as #4 of 8 in the Walmart Exclusive, Super Mario Series.