Yes, Case H just shipped – and its “twin/cousin” case R is scheduled next.

First, the easy notes. Yes, this is out of order – CASE J should be next but will probably arrive around the time of the Fall retail shelf reset.

Next, when it was first announced, its contents essentially mirrored CASE H – making it a “twin” case much like a lot of Super Chase cases of 2012.

It is confusing to newbies – normally, singles CASE assortments are IDed by it’s letter code such as CASE A, CASE B, or CASE H. There are 24 CARS in each case and there is a mix of new releases and re-releases. Naturally, some case assortments are better than others.

In 2012, Mattel announced a Super Chase program where special vehicle productions were capped at a low production numbers. Ultimately, it was more of a stumbling, bumbling kind of a thing. And unlike most Super Chase/Treasure Hunts programs, this was limited to a case that was ONLY available online at the time of release so if you bought a case, you got a Super Chase – and now for 2013, it looks like this scenario will repeat itself. The first Super Chase of 2013 (Yukio) looks like it will be only available in CASE R – NOT available to retail (who gets CASE H).

Of course, things could change but as of now, that is the scenario.

The other oddity is that unlike the cases of 2012 where they removed a re-release to put in a Super Chase, in the CASE R, they removed the CHASE, Francesca – maybe this was to placate retailers? Who knows? So, of course, instead of CASE with a CHASE and a SUPER CHASE, you get one or the other. CHASE (CASE H), SUPER CHASE (Case R).

Of a much more minor note, they also seems to have replaced Vern with Donna Pitts in CASE H. Presumably, this was carried through in CASE R but as of now, we’re unsure but as noted, fairy minor.

So, still a nice case but would obviously be much nicer with both a CHASE & SUPER CHASE plus Rip Clutchgoneski & Snot Rod with Flames.

If you’re interested in either, drop ChildrensToyCloset a line.