The release of the very different Crazy Style Mr. Potato Head in 1994 must have gotten Hasbro thinking. Because not long after that, special “theme sets” began to appear. The first 3 showed up in 1996. They were the Tool Belt Tator...a pumped-up hard working construction worker, the Prima Spuderina Ballerina, and that law abiding defender of the toy box, the Sheriff Spud. Each of these collector sets came with about 15 related accessories. Although they weren't described as officially being “limited editions”, they weren't sold for very long and soon disappeared from shelves.
    In 1997, Hasbro released a parrot toting peg leg Pirate, and a long haired Mermaid princess. These newer sets were labeled “collectors editions”, though no specific number of sets was ever released. That same year, Target stores sold an exclusive Cottontail Tator Potato Head that featured a real cloth outfit. Target was the outlet for another collector set with cloth accessories... the Santa Spud!  But the most sought after limited edition spud is the Chicago Cubs Mr. Potato Head. Only 10,000 of these were made, and given away at the May 21st, 2000 Cubs game! Each box had a Wrigley Field sticker on the front.

(left to right)
Set # 2276-Sheriff Spud, ca. 1996
Set # 2277-Tool Belt Tater, ca. 1996
Set # 2278-Prima Spuderina Ballerina, ca. 1996

Set # 2285-Pirate Potato, ca. 1997
Canadian multi-lingual version of the Pirate Potato Head box
 

Set # 2286-Spud of the Sea, ca. 1997
Canadian multi-lingual version of the Spud of the Sea box
 
 

The 1997 Santa Spud (#2284) and the
Cottontail Tater (#2282) were both Target store exclusives. Each came with cloth outfits, and about 15 accessories
 

Item # 2050-Wrigley Field Chicago Cubs Mr. Potato Head , ca. 2000

    Here's a whole new idea in theme sets. The Doctor, Fisherman, and Golfer are licensed special edition Mr.  Potato Heads by USAopoly. USAopoly is a toy company that made a name for itself creating custom versions of Monopoly for Hasbro. They make everything from Monopoly games based on cities, to car buff versions of the game.
    Due to the success of the custom USAopoly  games, Hasbro granted them the exclusive rights to create and distribute these limited edition gift sets of Mr. Potato Head. The quality of the accessories is unmatched in any other Potato Head items. They were sold in exclusive gift boxes with very detailed plastic and metal tools, expertly stitched clothing, and an original gift card. But if you were expecting to play with them, there was a surprise waiting for you. They were obviously designed to be given as adult gifts, because all of the pieces were permanently glued in place!

(left to right)
Gift edition Fisherman Mr. Potato Head-USAopoly , ca. 1998
Gift edition Doctor Mr. Potato Head-USAopoly , ca. 1998
Gift edition Golfer Mr. Potato Head-USAopoly , ca. 1998

    Another new set for the late 1990s was the Mr. Potato Head Silly Suitcase. This was essentially a new release of the earlier Silly Mr. Potato Head, but in a new hard plastic case. The first 2 variations have the same parts. The third set adds some of the parts from the Toy Story 2 Mrs. Potato Head. The last version includes one of the kids and parts from the 1990's Potato Head Pals game.
(left to right)
Item # 2279-Mr. Potato Head Silly Suitcase, ca. 1999
Item # 2279-Mr. Potato Head Silly Suitcase w/Playskool Banner, ca. 1999
Item # 2279-Mr. Potato Head Silly Suitcase w/ Mr. & Mrs. Picture, ca. 2000
Item # 2279-Mr. Potato Head & his Lil' Potato Kid Silly Suitcase, ca. 2002