Review #15 - Target-Exclusive Universe Ratbat (The Dark Ages 2-pack)

The Transformers have never been subjected only to the television show; they have also appeared in numerous comic storylines. One such story revolves around the Ultracons, and their leader. This is the review for a character who has be relegated to being a mindless servant cassette. This is a review for...

Ultracon Ratbat.



The Ultracons firstly were a sub-group of the Decepticons, put in charge after Optimus and Megatron disappear in a space-bridge experiment. Their main rivals are the Autobot group known as the Wreckers, led by Springer. Ratbat (in this continuity) is a brilliant strategist and a ruthless leader, even acquiring the aid of the mighty gesalt Devastator to defeat his enemies. It is hard to believe that this mighty warrior and military strategist would become a cassette for Soundwave, but fate has a strange way of messing with us.

The toy of this Ratbat is probably one of the best choices of the Cybertron line since he is a repaint of the Sideways figure. However again, this is a nice choice as it is both the closest resemblance to his comic self and a very cool figure by itself. The colour scheme also is indiciative of the Ratbat we all know and love: magenta with gold and black. There is no other "Decepticon" who can pull that colour scheme off as well as Ratbat can. He is also very stable and tends not to fall over as easily as some figures of his size (deluxe-class).


VEHICLE:



The vehicle mode for Ratbat can be described as both awesome and aethetically pleasing. The spaceship mode does fit with his comic character and is really cool to display him in. Now granted, we are all used to seeing Mr. Rattybat in his cassette mode, but I'm sure that you will learn to love this style. Sadly, this mode has been rehashed into characters such as the Sweeps (you can kinda consider them the Seekers of G1 Season 3 and 4), Scourge himself, and numerous others, so this style isn't that uncommon and does take away from Ratbat's design a bit. One nice feature is that his weapon in robot mode can also be used in vehicle mode, because if you can't defend yourself in battle, you aren't gonna survive for very long (as seen in Photo #2 of vehicle mode.)

Vehicle: 19/25


ROBOT:



This is seriously a robot you do NOT want to tangle with folks. Ratbat not only looks threatening, but has the equipment that allows him to not only talk the talk, but walk the walk as it were. Ratbat is about the size of a deluxe-class figure, but possess some big feet, which makes him one of the more stable deluxes I've seen in the Universe line. This also allows him to be put into some crazy poses, but I shall get into that later. One thing I dislike is the lack of gold on this mode rather than the vehicle mode. Ratbat has too much of the base colour to make him really stand out, now granted I know that he's supposed to resemble the "comic book version", but at least you could have made his toy a tiny bit more flashy. In any case, this is a minor gripe.


ARTICULATION:

Head: 360 degree rotation
Shoulders: 90 degree pivot, 360 degree rotation
Elbows: 360 degree rotation, 180 degree pivot
Hands: 360 degree rotation
Waist: n/a
Thighs: Ball jointed (NOTE: ball joints come off easily.)
Knees: 360 degree rotation, 90 degree pivot
Feet: ~45 degree pivot
Other: His shield/crossbow can rotate 360 degree and pivots 180 degrees at two point to extend it.

Articulation: 21/25


GIMMICK:

Like Springer, Ratbat possesses a Cyber-key gimmick (proving once again that Hasbro is willing to totally cheap out in the name of money.) His key - however - does little in the way of anything interesting. When plugged into his only cyber-key plug, Ratbat's arm-cannon becomes something like an energon crossbow, in ways like the RID Arcee's weapon.



One thing that is cool about this gimmick is that the Decepticon logo that is normally seen on the cannon/crossbow changes into Ratbat's Ultracon sign, which is a nice touch.



The only other gimmick is that his wings detach during transformation and can either become shin guards or a double-bladed sword. I have yet to try it where he has one blade in each hand, but I am confident it can be done as well. To conclude however, Ratbat's gimmicks are lack-luster to say the very least.

Gimmick: 18/25


FUN FACTOR:

Ratbat - I've found - is a really fun figure to fiddle around with, and offers some nice options for the user. However, his legs due tend to pop off easily and thus makes separating the hip a nightmare at times. Also, the crossbow arms are both pointed and are weak, so rough play will sever them off. But aside from this small hiccup in the transformation sequence, Ratbat is still a very decent figure.

Fun factor: 19/25


OVERVIEW:

Universe Ratbat is one of the better repaint I have seen since I started collecting a few years ago, and is definitely fitting to his comic persona. His articulation is excellent for a deluxe class figure, but points are subtracted due to the weak gimmicks and reused vehicle mode. Still, it could have been worse; Hasbro could have made Ratbat into a tape again.


My score for Universe Ratbat; 77/100


Sadly, Ratbat did not score as high as expected, but being a B-ranked figure isn't always a bad thing. Since he is not a unique figure and is basically rehashed from the Cybertron Sideways mold, most general collectors look past it as that and nothing more. But I seriously would recommend picking up this 2-pack if you can, not only for Springer (see previous review), but for Mr. Rattybat as well.