Toy Fair catalogs have been essential in determining the release order for the assortments. The initial "nine" represented a huge return for super heroes in toy form!

8 of the 9 figures saw at least one repaint in either the 4900 assortment or future assortments. The only figure not to have a variant was the original Apocalypse.

However, the packaging saw at least 11 different combinations! While it is doubtful every figure is available in every packaging combination, the hunt goes on to try to find them all!

1991 Toy Fair Catalog

1992 Toy Fair Catalog

Understanding the Combinations

The first nine were released with simple Item #'s for each figure; continuing from the assortment number, 4900.

Assortment #: 4900

4901 Wolverine

4902 Archangel

4903 Colossus

4904 Nightcrawler

4905 Storm

4906 Cyclops

4907 Apocalypse

4908 Magneto

4909 Juggernaut

This number was repeated on the backside in the UPC code.

Changing the Item Numbers

As multiple releases progressed, changes in the packaging started. One of the most noticeable changes was the revision of the current item number to an updated item number for each figure.

I have not found an example for the first Nightcrawler (thin tail) or Storm (black costume) with the new item number, but looking at the numbering order they are likely 4942 and 4941 if they exist.

4901 became 4946 Wolverine
4902 became 4947 Archangel
4903 became 4949 Colossus
4904 became unknown Nightcrawler
4905 became unknown Storm
4906 became 4944 Cyclops
4907 became 4948 Apocalypse
4908 became 4945 Magneto
4909 became 4943 Juggernaut

Transition Cards: Old Number to New

Until the new cards were printed with the updated item numbers, transition packages were released. These packages took a small sticker with the new item number and placed it over the old item number.

This was also reflected on the back of the package with a new UPC sticker placed over the old one.

For some reason, Colossus seems to have the back UPC sticker but not the item number sticker on the front.

Packaging Combinations

Three core categories of cards exist for Asst. 4900:

First Item #
Transition Item #
New Item #

Beyond the three categories, there are additional combinations based on the following:

subscription offer inserts or no insert
card inserts (MU/X-Men Series 2)
sticker type on bubble (stickerless bubble/Marvel Universe card enclosed sticker/Home Video series sticker)

Category 1 of 3

First Item # Combinations

There are 4 known combinations with the original item # printed on the card.
The very first combination has a clear bubble and a Marvel subscription offer inserted in bubble. This is the only release with this insert.

The second, third, and fourth combinations have either a stickerless bubble, a "SPECIAL EDITION MARVEL UNIVERSE TRADING CARD ENCLOSED!" sticker, or a Home Video sticker.
All four combinations come with a Marvel Universe card enclosed.

Category 2 of 3

Transition Item # Combinations

There are 3 known combinations with the transitional sticker on the item #.
The combinations have either a stickerless bubble, a "SPECIAL EDITION MARVEL UNIVERSE TRADING CARD ENCLOSED!" sticker, or a Home Video sticker.
All three combinations come with a Marvel Universe card enclosed.
Colossus doesn't appear to have the front item number sticker but does have the UPC sticker on the back.

Category 3 of 3

New Item # Combinations

There are 4 known combinations with the printed new Item #.
Two combinations include a Marvel Universe card enclosed with either a stickerless bubble or a Home Video sticker.

The other two combinations include an X-Men Series 2 card enclosed with either a stickerless bubble or a Home Video sticker.

All 11 Combinations and Known Examples:

Year: 1992 Asst. #: 4900 B THE UNCANNY X-MEN

KNOWN PACKAGE VARIATIONS

1992 Toy Fair Catalog

1993 Toy Fair Catalog

Wolverine

Iceman

Forge

Sabretooth

Mr. SInister

Year: 1992 Asst. #: 4900 C THE UNCANNY X-MEN

KNOWN PACKAGE VARIATIONS

1992 Toy Fair Catalog

1993 Toy Fair Catalog

1994 Toy Fair Catalog

Note that the 1994 catalog replaces Wolverine III with Wolverine II.

Wolverine

Gambit

Banshee

Sauron

Magneto

YEAR: 1992 ASST. #: 854885 ITEM #: 4933 THE UNCANNY X-MEN

This variant of Wolverine 4th Edition "Weapon X" was released around the same time as the original and was a K.B. Toys exclusive. This was the only figure in the case.

KNOWN PACKAGE VARIATIONS

Wolverine

Year: 1993 Asst. #: 4900 E THE UNCANNY X-MEN

The X-Men is the world's premier mutant super hero team. Gathered by Professor X, they have pledged their lives to protecting mankind from the threat posed by evil mutants.

KNOWN PACKAGE VARIATIONS

1993 Toy Fair Catalog

1994 Toy Fair Catalog

Wolverine

10a

Bishop

Strong Guy

Apocalypse

Tusk

Omega Red

Year: 1993 Asst. #: 854893 Item #: 4910 THE UNCANNY X-MEN

This variant of Wolverine 5th Edition was released around the same time as the original and was a K.B. Toys exclusive. This was the only figure in the case.

KNOWN PACKAGE VARIATIONS

Wolverine

10c

Year: 1993 Asst. #: 4900 F THE UNCANNY X-MEN

KNOWN PACKAGE VARIATIONS

1993 Toy Fair Catalog

1994 Toy Fair Catalog

Note that the 1994 catalog removes Maverick from the assortment. He was never released on a small card.

Cyclops

Professor X

Longshot

Sabretooth

Ahab

Brood

Year: 1993 Asst. #: 4900 G THE UNCANNY X-MEN (reissue wave/new package)

KNOWN PACKAGE VARIATIONS

1994 Toy Fair Catalog

Juggernaut

Cyclops

Magneto

Wolverine

Archangel

Apocalypse

Year: 1993 Asst. #: 4900 H THE UNCANNY X-MEN

The X-Men is the world's premier mutant super hero team. Gathered by Professor X, they have pledged their lives to protecting mankind from the threat posed by evil mutants.

KNOWN PACKAGE VARIATIONS

1994 Toy Fair Catalog

Colossus

Wolverine

Gambit

Juggernaut

Cyclops

Archangel

Year: 1994 Asst. #: 4900 I THE UNCANNY X-MEN

KNOWN PACKAGE VARIATIONS

1994 Toy Fair Catalog

Note that once again, Maverick is pictured to have been a part of this wave. Maverick wasn't released on a small card.

Beast

Albert

Random

Silver Samurai

Trevor Fitzroy

Morph

Year: 1994 Asst. #: 4900 J X-MEN

KNOWN PACKAGE VARIATIONS

1994 Toy Fair Catalog

Note that Senyaka is pictured in the 1994 catalog but is missing from the 1995 catalog. At least in the US market, Senyaka on a small card was originally exclusive to Toys 'R Us.

1995 Toy Fair Catalog

Rogue

Kylun

Raza

Ch'od

Wolverine

11a

Bonebreaker

Senyaka

Year: 1993 Asst. #: 4900 K X-MEN

The X-Men is the world's premier mutant super hero team. Gathered by Professor X, they have pledged their lives to protecting mankind from the threat posed by evil mutants.

KNOWN PACKAGE VARIATIONS

1994 Toy Fair Catalog

Note that Sauron is pictures with red and white shorts. This version of him was never released.

Nightcrawler

Storm

Magneto

Mr. Sinister

Wolverine

Sauron

Iceman

Year: 1994 Asst. #: 4900 L X-MEN PHOENIX SAGA

This is the final assortment that uses the smaller card format...until one more wave in 1996! This is also the transition series where Toybiz phased out metal rivets for plastic ones.

KNOWN PACKAGE VARIATIONS

1995 Toy Fair Catalog

Corsair

Gladiator

Wolverine

12a

Warstar

Phoenix

Year: 1995 Asst. #: 49009 X-MEN PHOENIX SAGA SERIES

This is the first assortment to use the larger card proportions. Each one of these figures are reissued from 4900 L but with larger cards. Several come with different or additional accessories. This is also the transition series where Toybiz began using plastic rivets rather than metal ones.

1995 Toy Fair Catalog

Corsair

Gladiator

Wolverine

12b

Warstar

Phoenix

Year: 1995 Asst. #: 49010 X-MEN MUTANT GENESIS SERIES

1995 Toy Fair Catalog

Note Senyaka's re-release on a large card and Maverick was finally released on a single card, despite planned appearances in past assortments.

Cameron Hodge

X-Cutioner

Maverick

Senyaka

Wolverine

13a

Sunfire

Year: 1995 Asst. #: 49011 X-MEN INVASION SERIES

1995 Toy Fair Catalog

Sabretooth

Wolverine

14a

Havok

Iceman

Archangel

Spiral

Eric The Red

Year: 1995 Asst. #: 49012 X-MEN AFTER XAVIER: THE AGE OF APOCALYPSE

1996 Toy Fair Catalog

Note the original planned inclusion of Age of Apocalypse Gambit. Though he was not released on a single card, he was released in a 2 pack box set with Rogue.

Wolverine

16a

Sabretooth

Magneto

Apocalypse

Cyclops

Year: 1995 Asst. #: 43125 X-MEN from the ANIMATED SERIES!

This refresh assortment of reissues and repaints includes some new accessory combinations. This is the first time the term "Classics" is used in an assortment. This series also focuses on the animated series that was popular at the time, but barely attempts to actually represent the characters as they are portrayed in the cartoon.

1995 Toy Fair Catalog

Note there were changes to the some of the accessories that were finally released with this assortment. The biggest change was the release of Storm in white rather than the pictured silver.

Wolverine

Gambit

Cyclops

Storm

Beast

Magneto

Year: 1996 Asst. #: 43150 X-MEN FEATURING LIGHT UP WEAPON

1996 Toy Fair Catalog

Wolverine

15a

Psylocke

Gambit

Nightcrawler

Juggernaut

Year: 1996 Asst. #: 43150 X-MEN FEATURING LIGHT UP WEAPON (repaint wave)

This assortment is a repaint wave of Asst. # 43150. The character of Elektra replaces Psylocke and uses the same mold. These assortment can be easily confused with a future re-release assortment of these figures. All were reissued years later except for the Elektra figure.

Wolverine

15b

Gambit

Nightcrawler

Juggernaut

Elektra

Year: 1996 Asst. #: 43170 X-MEN BATTLE BRIGADE

1996 Toy Fair Catalog

Archangel

Wolverine

18a

Colossus

Beast

Lady Deathstrike

Year: 1996 Asst. #: 43170 X-MEN BATTLE BRIGADE (repaint wave)

Archangel

Wolverine

18b

Colossus

Beast

Lady Deathstrike

Year: 1996 Asst. #: 43190 X-MEN MUTANT MONSTERS

This assortment is a boxed wave rather than a carded one.

1996 Toy Fair Catalog

Wolverine

17a

Sugarman

Beast

Year: 1996 Asst. #: 43200 X-MEN MUTANT ARMOR SERIES

Iceman

Quicksilver

Wolverine

Beast

Professor X

Year: 1996 Asst. #: 43210 X-MEN FLASHBACK SERIES

Omega Red

Polaris

Bishop

Wolverine

13b

Year: 1996 Asst. #: 43215 X-MEN NINJA FORCE

X-MEN TEAM UP WITH SPACE NINJA DEATHBIRD TO BECOME THE NINJA FORCE AND BATTLE TO SAVE JAPAN!

1997 Toy Fair Catalog

Wolverine

24a

Psylocke

Deathbird

Sabretooth

Dark Nemesis

Year: 1996 Asst. #: 229872 THE UNCANNY X-MEN (reissue/repaint wave)

This reissue/repaint assortment is a return to the smaller card design; a first since 1994! Easily missed, these have an updated manufacturing year of 1996. Extremely easy to misidentify, identifying marks include:

"WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years." in the top right corner (on the front)
A wide white rectangle below the UPC (on the back).
This rectangle has the updated manufacturing year of 1996.
For Mr. Sinister, the front of his card once again removed "THE UNCANNY" from the line title.

The assortment number is pulled from the code of the K.B. Toys price tag that figures from this assortment all shared.

KNOWN PACKAGE VARIATIONS

Wolverine

10d

Apocalypse

Wolverine

Sabretooth

Mr. Sinister

Year: 1997 Asst. #: 43235 X-MEN ROBOT FIGHTERS

Training in the X-Men's Danger Room is not only hard work, it's dangerous too, because the X-Men's toughest opponents are re-created with the X-Men Robot Fighters! Built to fight as skillfully as the actual villains, the Robot Fighters push the X-Men to their limits and beyond. Using alien Shi'ar technology, these specifically built drones get better with each attack and present greater and greater challenges to whatever X-Men they face!

1997 Toy Fair Catalog

Cyclops

Storm

Jubilee

Wolverine

20a

Gambit

Year: 1997 Asst. #: 43245 X-MEN MONSTER ARMOR

Forming a plot to take over the world, Mister Sinister uses his scientific knowledge to transform the X-Men into powerful mutant monsters! Along with Mystique to help him control the beasts, Sinister plans on using the mutated monsters as his army against the remaining heroes. Capturing the X-Men's Wolverine, Rogue and Cyclops, Sinister prepares for his greatest battle against mutantkind!

1997 Toy Fair Catalog

Wolverine

19A

Rogue

Cyclops

Mr. Sinister

Mystique

Year: 1997 Asst. #: 43260 X-MEN WATER WARS

Wolverine

21a

Wolverine

22a

Sentinel Test Robot

Storm

Iceman

Nightcrawler

Year: 1997 Asst. #: 43270 X-MEN SPACE RIDERS

This assortment is a boxed wave rather than a carded one.

Wolverine

28a

Professor X

Jean Grey

Cyclops

Beast

Year: 1997 Asst. #: 43280 X-MEN MISSILE FLYERS

Wolverine

26a

Wolverine

26b

Bishop

Apocalypse

Shard

Year: 1997 Asst. #: 43290 X-MEN SAVAGE LAND

This assortment is a boxed wave rather than a carded one.

Storm

Wolverine

25a

Ka-Zar

Joseph

Angel

Year: 1997 Asst. #: 43325 X-MEN SECRET WEAPON FORCE SUPER SHOOTER

Year: 1997 Asst. #: 43325 X-MEN SECRET WEAPON FORCE SUPER SHOOTERS

The most powerful and evil force the world has ever seen has seized control of the earth's most sinister villains. It is manipulating them to carry out its' diabolical scheme for world domination. The only heroes standing in the way are the X-Men. It will take their unique powers and weapons to defeat the Masters of Evil and save the earth from total annihilation. Only you can help the "X-Men" team win! Bonus "Secret Weapon Force" sticker badge enclosed! Now you're a part of the team!

This assortment was either released twice or had a running change. Keeping the same identifying numbers on the packages, the graphics and layouts of the card remained the same. However, the bubble sticker is completely different...even changing the sub-line title by pluralizing it! The figures are identical.

Apocalypse

Beast

Colossus

Wolverine

29a

Year: 1997 Asst. #: 43390 X-MEN SECRET WEAPON FORCE BATTLE BASE

This assortment is a boxed wave rather than a carded one.

Wolverine

Magneto

Year: 1997 Asst. #: 43490 X-MEN BATTLE BLASTERS

Storm

Wolverine

16c

Beast

Sabretooth

Year: 1998 Asst. #: 43305 X-MEN SECRET WEAPON FORCE POWER SLAMMERS

Master Mold

Gambit

Rogue

Wolverine

31a

Year: 1998 Asst. #: 43315 X-MEN SECRET WEAPON FORCE BATTLE BLASTER

Jean Grey

Cyclops

10A

Omega

Wolverine

30a

Year: 1999 Asst. #: 47175 X-MEN (reissue of repaint Asst. 43150)

This assortment is a reissue of Asst. # 43150 (repaints), minus minus the Elektra repaint of Psylocke. The packages have gotten a refresh to distinguish them from the first release. I have not confirmed the existence of all four figures as this release is incredibly rare.

Gambit

Juggernaut

Wolverine

15b

Nightcrawler