Malwave's TF reviews

YOUTUBE CHANNEL!

2009-09-28T06:12:00.000-07:00

hey there folks, this is Malwave. Yes, my username has changed slightly. For all who9 are interested, I am using my review blog as a place to give updates on upcoming reviews, my life and other items. Feel free to take a look at my old reviews here if you are interested. ^^

Upcoming Figure Reviews: (not necessarily in this order)
- Generation One Soundwave
- Universe Hound with Ravage
- MP-04 Convoy
- Universe Springer and Ratbat 2-pack (two part)
- Universe Ironhide

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

2009-06-29T14:57:00.000-07:00

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.

Review #14 - Target-Excluse Universe Springer (The Dark Ages 2-Pack)

2009-06-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

In the world of the Transformers, there are numerous alternate modes that are shared by many warriors in disguise; Cliffjumper and Jazz share Porsche, every Optimus Prime nowadays (not counting movie Prime) are fire-trucks, and etcetera. But in terms of the helicopter, there can only be one true Autobot who deserves this form.

Springer.

(art by Dan-the-artguy; http://dan-the-artguy.deviantart.com/art/Springer-126471378 )

Not much is really known about Springer's past prior to the events of the 1986 film, but it is safe to assume that he - like many of the new characters that make their debut sduch as Hot Rod and Kup - was only stationed at Autobot City. According to the storyline of the IDW and Dreanware comics, he is the leader of the Wreckers; a sub-group of the Autobots who took on Ratbat and his Ultracons. As for his personality, Springer is the stereotypicial macho-man hero; he's the type who is effective in any battle scenario, and isn't afraid to let you know it. Another interesting note is that he was named to be Rodimus Prime's successor for leadership of the Autobots (yeah, because Springerous Prime is such a great name for a leader ).

The Universe toy version of Springer (which is a repaint of the Cybertron Evac mold) does away with Springer's original gimmick of being a triple-changer, but does keep his most used form from the G1 cartoon; his helicopter form. And I must say that this remake does do his character justice in the fact that it is a very accurate representation of a rescue chopper, and matches the colour scheme of G1 cartoon Springer quite well. Also, he has his swords; what more do you want?

VEHICLE:

The first thing you notice about this mode is that it's bigger than normal two-pack vehicle modes. This is because Evac was a Voyager-class figure in the Cybertron line, and as such Springer is a "Voyager-class" figure as well. To add to this mode, there is a button that - when pushed - spins the rotor blades for a few seconds. (it is possible to get the blades spinning fast enough for it to mimic a real helicopter should you wish to do that.) There is also a recovery crane that can be pulled out and retracted with the push of a button. Finally, using any cyber-key, the vehicle mode is given a set of two missile launchers. In total, I am quite impressed with this mode and this rank will reflect it.

Vehicle: 25/25

ROBOT:

This robot mode fits Springer's character so well it's scary. He's tall, strong and just generally appears like he could beat you to a pulp without actually needing to prove it. He has replaced his rotor swords from his G1 figure with a spinning arm-mounted weapon, which can double as a shield is need be. The colour scheme is also well done, making your believe that this is an original mold for Springer and not a repaint.

ARTICULATION:

Head: 360 degree rotation
Shoulders: ~360 degree rotation, 180 degree pivot
Elbows: 360 degree rotation, 90 degree pivot
Hands: n/a
Wasit: 360 degree rotation
Thighs: 180 degree pivot (forward/backward), 90 degree pivot (outward)
Knees: 360 degree rotation, 90 degree pivot
Feet: n/a
Other: Tail pieces can rotate 90 degrees, grappling hook rotates 360 degrees.

Articulation: 22.5/25

GIMMICK:

Universe Springer has a lot of nice gimmicks available, and I shall start with the most simplistic first. Like in vehicle mode, Springer possesses a rescue crane, but this can be turned into a grappling hook that can rotate to suit (rotating 180 degrees to store away). It contains an internal mechanism that allows the user to pull out the rope and retract it quickly with the push of a button.

The second gimmick is the same one that allows his rotor blades to spin in vehicle mode. By pressing the yellow button on the side of his arm, you can make Springer's dual-bladed weapon rotate quite fast; this can make it into both an offensive and defensive weapon, deflecting blows while dealing out serious damage at the exact same time. The only drawback is that you have to constantly push the button to make the blades spin.

The final - and by far most "advanced" - gimmick has to do with the cyber-planet key. As Springer is a repaint of a Cybertron figure, he possesses the same cyber-key gimmick, which also works in vehicle mode. By pushing in the cyber-key, you unlock the two missile launchers, which swing forward by means of springs. (Springer having springs....wow, how totally not funny.) The missiles themselves do have a bit of power behind them, but using them in this mode, unless you have them facing forward at any point is about as useful as the Fan in Super Smash Bros. Points go off because of this; I want missile launchers that I can actually use.

Gimmick: 22/25

FUN FACTOR:

Springer is firstly a helicopter, which uses to his advantage a child's love of flight. Planes, jets, helicopters; all of these things are fascinating to a child and as such they would at least over Springer's vehicle mode with the spinning blades and rescue crane. However, the blades have a tendency to pop off, and could hurt if going at a high speed and hitting a child in the face. The hook and cyber-key are also dangerous, but not as much. I would advice telling your children to be careful with the crane as it is a thin rope and plastic gearing, all of which can easily break.

Fun factor: 20/25

OVERVIEW:

For a repaint, this is definity worthy in my books. Hasbro made a good choice of the Evac mold for Springer (they also made Protectorbot Blades out of Evac, but that's aside from the point.) He has a lot of cool and nifty gimmicks, a kick-ass vehicle mode, a robot mode that isn't that half-bad either and truly is a nice upgrade from his one and only other toy. (the green face....why.....)

My score for Universe Springer: 89.5/100

Universe Springer has firstly achieved the highest score of all the figures I've reviewed, including my favourite figure Soundwave (guess it's true what they say; expect the unexpected.) But being truthful, Springer deserves the score. It is a real shame that he is simply labelled as a repaint and not given the time of day. If it were me, I'd buy the Springer and Evac molds (Blades can suck it). If you can still find it, pick up the Springer and Ratbat two-pack as both figures are worth it.

Nostalgia Chick, Transform and Roll Out!

2009-06-27T07:36:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone, Todd here with a small video plug.

If you know of the Nostalgia Critic (Thatguywiththeglasses.com), you'll also know of the Nostalgia Chick. Well, the following link is to her newly-released review of not only the G1 cartoon, but the 1986 animated Transformers movie.

Trust me when I say this; you will laugh so hard your head will explode.

http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/thedudette/nostalgia-chick/8881-transformers

Review #13 - ROTF Leader Class Optimus Prime

2009-06-21T19:15:00.000-07:00

If you asked any Transformers fan who Optimus Prime was, the first thing they'd say would usually be "which one?" And they're technically right as every Transformers universe has had its own version of the valiant Autobot leader. But today I shall be focusing on the Leader class toy for the new Revenge of the Fallen movie, which comes out this Wednesday. Hang on folks, this is going to be a good review I swear.

Now, like most of the character who have bared the name "Optimus Prime", the live-action movie version's main objective is to protect all sentient beings of all planets from the evil Decepticons. The difference with him starts before the Great War, when he and his brother Megatron (yes, Optimus and Megatron are brothers....seriously....so that makes the bad guy Ultra Magnus?) were co-leaders of Cybertron. But due to his greed and lust for power, Megatron soon was stripped of his title and started waging war against the Autobots. After the events of the 2007 movie, Prime is now charged with keeping Earth safe. What he's doing I won't say as it will spoil the ROTF review I have cooking.

This toy is - by all accounts - freaking massive. He's firstly tall, as should be expected of all leader-class figures, but it's to the right scale of the film. He's got his slender legs, wide chest and signature head, which is a plus if you are spending upwards of 70 bucks for a Leader-class figure.

VEHICLE:

Hasbro has truly outdone themselves with this figure's vehicle mode. Prime resembles the customised Peterbilt semi-truck cab from the first film, and compared to the 2007 Leader-class version, this is a truly better form all-around. Firstly, the back of the cab is more filled in, getting rid of the gaps that the '07 model possessed. Secondly, this mode rolls quite well for plastic wheels, and has no trouble moving from carpet to wood or laminate floors, while figures like Shockwave would have an issue with it. Finally, this mode has a small button which activates Prime's vehicle mode sound gimmick; the sound of a diesel engine at idle. It's not terribly necessary, but it does add to the figure as a whole. Basically, I am utterly flabbergasted at this mode, and this is only the VEHICLE mode.

Vehicle: 25/25 (seriously, scoring it any lower would see criminal)

ROBOT:

I must admit, what an improvement from the '07 movie's Prime, with this toy resembling Optimus' movie self a lot more closely than his predessecor. This mode is also quite articulate and sports the flaming paint job that most fans seem to hate. (Hey, I think it makes Prime look modern.) I love how the sixe of this version of Prime (there is a ROTF Voyager class as well) matches the scale he is in the film as well, with the majority of the other Autobots and Decepticons being smaller than he is. Prime also is quite stable with his huge feet and strong thigh and knees joints, so he can be put into various poses (personaly favourite; dual-sword battle stance.)

ARTICULATION:

Head: 360 degree rotation, ~90 degree pivot
Shoulders: 360 degree rotation, ~180 degree pivot
Elbows: 360 degree rotation, 90 degree pivot
Hands: 360 degree rotation
Waist: n/a
Thighs: 180 degree rotation, 90 degree pivot
Knees: 90 degree pivot
Feet: Ball joints
Other: various bits of kibble, such as the shoulder guards and thigh guards can pivot up to 90 degrees.

Articutlation: 20/25

GIMMICK:

Obviously, since Leader Prime is a Leader-class figure - and cost me a cool 70 bucks - it's a given that he'd have some gimmicks to him, otherwise he'd be worth less. First off, let me get the his most annoying gimmick out of the way; Prime's lights and sounds. Now, usually this wouldn't be much of an issue if it weren't for the fact that it tends to be quite touchy. How touchy you ask? During the transformation sequence, Prime stated he was Optimus Prime more times than all others of the same name combined. Along with the sounds are the light-up eyes and windshields, which blink for the length of the sound clip. Finally, Prime possesses two flip-out energon swords under his arms that flip out when a button is pressed on the side of each corresponding forearm. The one problem with this gimmick is that the sword tips seem to get caught on the shoulder guards and limit the articulation of the forearm. Still, having dual energy swords isn't exactly a bad thing.

Gimmick: 21/25

FUN FACTOR:

This is really hit and miss in Leader Prime's case as it is his weakest area. First off, let me say that his transformation is insane; in fact I had to watch a video review on Youtube after giving up three times to put Prime into vehicle mode. THREE TRIES. This isn't a toy for a kid who isn't very good with Transformers as it will frustrate the hell of out him/her and make them move onto others they can morph. Second is the price: yes, I'm quite aware that fun doesn't have a price tag, but I am sure most will agree that when buying a toy for your son or daughter, you would want it to be a tad less expensive, and at a cost of 59.99 CDN at Toys R Us, you would more than likely buy a deluxe-class figure. (the child won't care however as they got a Transformer anyway.) But to his credit, Prime is a fun toy when you have him in robot mode, and I can see kids messing around with him a lot during play.

Fun Factor: 14/25

OVERVIEW:

Leader-class Optimus Prime is a great figure to possess in one's collection, despite the high retail price. His vehicle mode is quite well made, reflecting the look and attitude of the on-screen version. He's also got nice articulation and is loaded with gimmicks, but don't expect the transformation to be a breeze. (I would suggest watching peaugh's Leader Prime review as it helped me with some parts I got stuck on. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZC8qb-R6yjI&feature=channel).

My score for ROTF Leader-Class Optimus Prime: 80/100

Despite the bad score in the Fun Factor department, Leader Prime still deserves the score he has recieved. The articulation and gimmicks (although cliched), along with the robot and vehicle modes themselves make this figure worth the asking price. If you have the cash and want a nice movie version of Prime for your collection, I would recommend this figure over the '07 version.

Review #12 - Purple Ver. Transformers Animated Longarm Prime/ Shockwave

2009-06-14T18:34:00.000-07:00

There has never been an Autobot who has been true to his cause, indomitable to the very end, all while stabbing everyone he knows and "cares" for in the back. This character has got to be the first who I have both genuinely rooted for and hated all at once. It is time for me to do my first in a line of Animated figures.

Transformers Voyager class Longarm Prime/Shockwave.

Shockwave's main purpose in the Decepticon army is to infiltrate and sabotage, and his ability to change his appearance makes him quite good at his trade. So, when Megatron concocted a plan to destroy the Autobot Elite Guard from within, Shockwave was selected to become a new recruit codenamed LONGARM. Longarm was nearly found out early on, but using some quick thinking and manipulating the easily manipulatible mind of Bumblebee, he managed to divert the attention to the unfortunate recruit Wasp. Graduating and becoming a Prime, Shockwave was put in charge of Intelligence; right where he wanted to be. I could tell more, but frankly it'd ruin the show for you if I did.

The toy for Shockwave is unique in that it is the only Transformer to have four modes (Sixshot has six, so it doesn't count. Nice try though.) It possesses two modes for each character; Shockwave and his tank mode, and Longarm with his rough-terrain crane mode. This toy also features a gimmick that is quite unique, but I shall cover that later.

VEHICLE:

Mode #1: Rough Terrain Crane;

This is the first of Shockwave's two vehicle modes, and it does quite well at immitating the show version. This crane mode has a crane that can rotate 360 degree and pivots about 45 degree from level. The tip of the crane can extend out a bit and a hook that can be adjusted to fit the need. One strike against this mode is that it doesn't roll very well as the treads have only small plastic wheels under them. Basically, it's a crane....not really much that's spectacular...but at least it's more exciting than Ravage's vehicle mode.

Vehicle Mode #1: 7.5/12.5

Mode #2 - Cybertronian Tank:

This is the truly devastating mode of Shockwave, and sweet Jesus does this mode reflect that. Just like Longarm's crane, the tank turret does rotate and pivot, but now it has two added laser blasters that fold out. Just like the crane mode however, the tank's ability to roll is restricted due to the small plastic wheels under the treads. This mode is a lot more aesthetically pleasing than the crane, and is what I usually display Shockwave in when not in robot mode.

Vehicle Mode #2: 10/12.5

ROBOT:

As you can tell by these two photos, these are the two robot modes for Shockwave, with Longarm Prime being the top mode and Shockwave himself below that. Aesthetically, they are both unique and as cartoon accurate as a toy could be. Again, I prefer the Shockwave robot mode as he's taller and looks more "natural" of a shape than Longarm, who is short and fat. Both head scuplts are well designed, with Shockwave's single red optic sensor possessing its own light piping. These modes also share a few good gimmicks, but I shall get into those later; first comes the articulation.

ARTICULATION:

Longarm:
Head: n/a
Shoulders: 360 degree rotation, 45 degree pivot
Elbows: 360 degree rotation, 90 degree pivot out
Hands: ball joints, 90 degree pivot (wrist)
Waist: n/a
Thighs: ~360 degree rotation, 90 degree pivot out
Knees: 360 degree rotation, ~45 degree pivot
Feet: n/a

Shockwave:
Head: 360 degree rotation,
Shoulders: 360 degree rotation, 45 degree pivot
Elbows: 360 degree rotation, 90 degree pivot out
Hands: claw; ball jointed bottom claw, 180 degree pivoting top claws, 90 degree pivot (wrist)
Waist: n/a
Thighs: ~360 degree rotation, 90 degree pivot out
Knees: 360 degree rotation, ~45 degree pivot
Feet: n/a

Articulation: 21/25

GIMMICK:

Shockwave has a lot of gimmicks to name, but I shall start with the simplest of the bunch; his switchable logo. As his job requires, Shockwave can't really go around being an Autobot without having a damn Autobot symbol on his chest, hence the need for a symbol that can change sides. What is cool is that this isn't automatic, so if you really wish to, you can have an Autobot Shockwave or Decepticon Longarm. The second gimmick involves his crane/tank turret.

In its normal mode, the crane isn't very special, but if you look at the top, you will see a purple tab. When this is pulled back, it activates the gun's gimmick, flipping forward the spring-loaded gun barrel, and changing a harmless crane into a tank turret. This is a very nice gimmick asit gives the figure a lot of options. The final gimmick is that - in gun mode - Shockwave can hold the gun in either hand (a toy reference to G1 Shockwave, who had a gun for a hand as this turret is bigger than the hand and thus gives the appearance of this.) This gun can also be mounted on the figure's back (where it would normally tab into as the turret/crane. In total, all three gimmicks are quite fun and are a nice touch to this figure.

Gimmick: 20/25

FUN FACTOR:

Let's review what Shockwave has to offer here folks; he's basically four forms in one, he has great articulation, he has a great tank mode, and a nice alt robot and crane mode, and finally he can be transformed from crane to Shockwave just as smoothly and easily as from tank to Shockwave or crane to Longarm. I'd say he gives kids a lot to fiddle around with, and won't leave them grumbling about the figure's lack of this or difficult with that.

Fun factor: 22/25

OVERVIEW:

Animated Shockwave is one of those Animated-line figures that you really should at least look into, if not purchase. The robot modes are very well designed, as are the vehicle modes, and the fact that you are getting two Voyager-class figures for the price of one is just as good of a deal as the Universe Hound and Ravage/Cyclonus and Nightstick figures, if not a better one.

My score for Animated Longarm Prime/Shockwave: 80.5/100

Buying either version of this figure will set you back at least 40 bucks CDN, but the purple variant comes with a little extra figure: Activators Bumblebee. But that is a figure for another day (assuming I seriously want to review a figure where the transformation is pressing a god damned button.) I would personally recommend Shockwave to anyone who likes Transformers as he is both a great homage to his G1 self and an awesome stand-alone figure as well. Still, he'll never be forgiven for what he did to Blurr...

...slaggin' scrapheap lol

Review #11 - Toys 'R' Us Encore G1 Jazz

2009-06-09T18:28:00.000-07:00

Every army needs the light-hearted, improvisational soldier, and the Autobots are blessed with one individual who is both cool, kind-hearted, and is able to go with the flow. Ladies and gents, today's review is on the Toys 'R' Us Encore series Generation One Jazz.

Jazz is - by all accounts - cool. He's into everything that has to do with television or music, absorbing as much of human culture as he possibly can. His upbeat personality and friendly demeanor make him a very well-liked member of the Autobots, and it is quite hard to find one Autobot in the ranks who dislikes him. He even has the time to put his own flare on anything he does; either at HQ or in the heat of battle. And as the head of Special Operations, this helps him a lot as - unlike Prowl - Jazz can bend with the wind and take things as they come.

This figure is a 95% exact copy of the 1984 mold; Hasbro and Takara have made a few slight changes to the figure (I'd say probably so it wouldn't get marketed as a fake '84 figure or something). The materials used to mold are different, with the plastic being of a higher quality (the original Jazz is really delicate, as I found out. I'm sorry I broke your windshield Fox T_T). Finally, this figure was created in 2002, marking almost 18 years since an "exact" remold (not counting Generation Two.....god...) was made, and for the price of a deluxe class figure too.

VEHICLE:

Jazz's vehicle mode - a Porsche 935 Turbo race car - has got to rank in the top 10 of my favourite G1 alt modes (I'd say at least 5, right behind Grimlock). The first thing you notice is that this is a pretty good representation of a Porsche of any kind, all-be-it with an oversized rear spoiler. Underneath there is very little kibble, aside from up front where the arms are "stored" in vehicle mode. The tires are rubber, and Jazz rolls remarkably well for a Transformer (in that he rolls better than 25th Optimus, over carpet or laminate flooring). One final nice touch is the fact that the doors do open and close, adding extra roleplay value to this mode.

Vehicle: 23/25

ROBOT:

I'll be honest: this was the main reason why I decided to purchase my version of this figure in the first place. This robot mode is stylish, and is one of the better cartoon-to-figure adaptions in the 84 line (G1 Ironhide >_<). He also comes with the array of addons such as his missile launcher (which has a backpack that plugs into his bacvk, and the the launcher connects to that), three missiles (the Encore edition's missile are different for some reason) and his blaster. His head sculpt is also quite nice, with the smirk of the Generation 2 version quite visible. One minor note I wish they could have done was given him a blue visor, but that's only a minor detail. The feet also look slightly weird, but again, this is only a small item to worry about.

ARTICULATION:

Head: 45 degree pivot
Shoulders: ~360 degree rotation, 180 degree pivot
Elbows: 180 degree pivot
Hands: 360 degree rotation
Waist: n/a
Thighs: n/a
Knees: n/a
Feet: n/a
Other: Jazz's doors - like in vehicle mode - do swing.

Articulation: 17/25

GIMMICK:

Jazz's only real gimmick is his missile launcher, and this is where the differences start. On the original figure, the missile was something like you would have found on G1 Ironhide; a short, chrome missile. This Encore reissue's missile is more of a Classics/Universe seeker-style missile. This is very unnatural for a toy of Jazz's size as it is basically like attaching an RPG to your shoulder. The missile also does have a tendency to misfire on occasion; this could be due to the amount of force needed to put the missile into the launcher, or the design of the tracks that help center it once inside. In any case, be prepared to search for missiles if you are not careful. (my suggestion, leave the missile off him or buy a G1 Jazz launcher and missile(s) off eBay).

Gimmick: 13/25

FUN FACTOR:

Jazz's real fun factor is really limited because of the missile launcher, which was a disappointment for me when I actually tried it out. While the missile does fly far, it's usually not due to pushing the button, and I don't know about you, but looking for parts of toys is a lot less fun than playing with them. On the plus side, Jazz's arm articulation is quite good for the mold (and the genre actually), and the fact that the doors do open in vehicle mode is also a nice touch. Personally, I feel this figure is more of a show-piece than an actual toy, but again why would Hasbro have made it with stronger plastic other than to be played with hard?

Fun Factor: 18.5/25

OVERVIEW:

This is truly a figure that I wish could have scored higher in terms of Gimmick, Articulation and Fun factor, but this is 1980s technology and design we're dealing with here. It is hard to expect a lot from a figure from the 1984 line, but at least it does have great articulation in the arms. The missile launcher could have stayed the way it was, but I don't really have a right to complain as I'm not the head of design at Hasbro, now am I?

My score for Encore G1 Jazz: 71.5/100

This is a must for any collector of G1-style figures as it is basically a cheaper version of the Jazz mold, which can easily fetch upwards of 60 USD online. It is also more durable and can stand up to more transformations than the original '84 figure could ever have. I am really glad that hasbro brought Jazz back in this modern age as - aside from Animated - he has had no real revisits. This is not necessarily a bad thing as revisits seem to slowly make the character lose its lusture, but you have to remember that this is Jazz we're talking about here. He's got enough cool stored away to keep his popularity going for a long time to come.

Review #10 - Universe G1 Twins - Sunstreaker and Sideswipe

2009-06-03T19:57:00.001-07:00

During the first few waves of the Transformers toy line in the 80s, the usual method for creating characters was to spam a specific mold to make multiple coloured version of a single figure, and sell them as separate characters. While these two did have the same reason for coming into being, at least Hasbro and Takara did give them a good back story.

Ladies and gentlemen, here is the review for Transformers Universe Sunstreaker and Sideswipe.

Now, this review will be a tad different than most of mine as the two are basically the same figure with minor changes to each. So I'll first give a short bio of each character, then rate the gimmick, fun factor, articulation and vehicle modes as if it were one figure.

First, let's start with Sunstreaker...

Sunstreaker is unlike the majority of the Autobots in that he is only about one person; Sunstreaker. He believe that he was created by the mighty Primus (god of all Transformers) as the best there was and will ever be (lol Autobot Bret Hart?) He is so self-centered in fact, that the only Autobot who truly can get along with him is his brother Sideswipe, which says quite a lot.

The single reason why he is still under the command of Prime - and not on a asteroid repairing a space bridge - is because of his knack for being a ruthless warrior. He can take just about anything the Decepticons can dish out and yet can still whip some tailgate with the best of them. He is a true asset to the Autobots, despite his ability to annoy every bot around him.

Sideswipe is like the polar opposite of Sunstreaker, as it is common with most identical twins. Unlike his sociopathical brother, Sideswipe is more of a team player, and takes into account the efforts of all who battle with him. However, he is a tad more reckless than his brother. Now, when I say reckless, I mean "charging headlong into battle, ignoring everything that opposes him, all with the risk of perminent deactivation" reckless. In short, he tends to get himself into many bad situations. But this is in the name of victory.

Victory for Sideswipe is not just the first solution, but the ONLY one. If he has to put his spark in danger to ensure victory, he will. If cheating is required, he'll cheat. This makes him something of a mechanical jock, but he does also have a humourous side, attaining the title of the Ark's resident prankster.

VEHICLE:

The vehicle modes of Sunstreaker and Sideswipe have got to be the most streaklined and slickest of all the Universe line, hands down. Both seem to be a combination of a Meclerin M1 and a Lamborgini (their original modes), with the generic sports-car additives thrown in for good measure. Both figures possess dual-vent turbo chargers on their roofs, and have their own custom license plates.

While Sideswipe's plate simply reads "SWIPE", Sunstreaker's is a tad more interesting, saying "WE R 84" (a nod to the fact that they are both G1 characters obviously)

One final note about both figures is that there is no kibble. Yes, I said it; NO KIBBLE. If it wasn't for the fact that Sunstreaker has a huge ass Autobot symbol on his roof, and both came in Transformers Universe packagaing, you would honestly have a hard time believing these figures are Transformers. That in itself is a major note to take into consideration.

Vehicle: 24/25

ROBOT:

As you can tell, like their G1 counterparts, the Universe releases of the twins are relatively the same mold. The main differences are the head sculpt, the body and the paint scheme. Both look extremely nice side by side, and are designed to give their G1 selves a major makeover. The head sculpts are quite well done, with Sunstreaker having his signature fins and Sideswipe possessing light piping. (finally I get a crystal clear picture of something!)

For transformation, the two start off about the same, turning into what is seen in the first photo below...

This is about where the similarities end. For Sideswipe, you must rotate the entire body 180 degrees on his waist joint. You then perform one of the best head reveals of all the Universe line. By turning the entire roof section 180 degrees, the head raises up from the body section by means of a gear system. This is epic; serious props go to Hasbro for this gimmick. One thing to note about Sunstreaker is that - as an early Universe figure - his plastic is different from Sideswipe and wears out easy with frequent "play". (My figure's feet, shoulders and head are a lot looser than Sideswipe's).

ARTICULATION:
Head: Ball jointed
Shoulders: ball jointed, ~270 degree rotation (due to transformation)
Elbows: 360 degree rotation, 180 degree pivot (two places)
Hands: 360 degree rotation
Waist: 360 degree rotation
Thighs: Ball jointed
Knees: 360 degree rotation, 90 degree pivot back
Feet: Ball jointed
Other: The knee guards are on ball joints

Both Sunstreaker and Sideswipe are quite posable, although you have to watch Sunstreaker as his joints tend to become slightly looser as you transform and play with him.

Articulation: 24/25

GIMMICK:

This is the one thing that these two figures seem to lack, and sadly will hurt their overall score greatly. Both figures only have two gimmicks, and unfortunately, both are quite weak depending on what you consider a "good gimmick". First off is their head reveals. Okay, I did say before that these head reveals are epic, but it isn't that strong of a gimmick compared to some of the others out there. The other gimmick is the shoulder-mount for the laser cannon. There is a small hole one either side of both figures' heads, and it takes a bit to get them inserted.

Gimmick: 16/25

FUN FACTOR:

On their own, both figures are quite a treat to play with. Both figures do take a bit of force to pull apart and a bit more time to transform, but not much in the grand scheme. The vehicle modes of both figures are quite well made however, and the robot modes are very articulate, which gives kids many options for poses. Finally, the turbo-charges can be considered as jet packs. Why this would add to the fun, who knows; only Sideswipe had a "jet pack" anyway. But still, these figures are quite fun, ignoring the hard transformation.

Fun Factor: 19.5/25

OVERVIEW:

Universe Sunstreaker and Sideswipe are very intriguing figures in that both were made from the same mold, and yet are unique. Not many remolded figures can say that, which means that the G1 Brothers are in a league of their own. The overall lack of gimmicks does hurt the figures' score, but the epic head reveal, the great articulation and the vehicle modes do compensate slightly for this weak score.

My score for Universe Sunstreaker and Sideswipe: 83.5/100

When I saw Sideswipe in the stores, I initially skipped over him due to the fact that I hated Sunstreaker as a figure and felt I didn't want something that was a remold. But then I finally bought him and now I love both figures equally; equally good that it. If anything, get Sideswipe, as his plastic is a lot better quality and he has the light-piping. But if you are a completist, you still may have a chance to purchase Sunstreaker at your local retailer. (or check eBay as well).

Review #9 - Toys 'R' Us Exclusive Universe (Autobot) Countdown

2009-05-29T20:02:00.001-07:00

This is a figure I saw in the store and instantly knew I wanted to add it to my collection. The pirce was a tad steep, but for an exclusive Ultra-class figure, it isn't bad. I am talking about the TRU Exclusive Universe Countdown.

According to his Universe release bio, Countdown was an Autobot who - before the war between both factions started - was already liberating the residents of threatened worlds from the tyranny of evil. This is not far off his Generation bio, which states that "Countdown's mission is to roam the universe, find planets threatened by Decepticon activity, and meddle to the Autobots' benefit. He looks forward to the day when the Decepticons are defeated, and he can start toppling other tyrannical regimes." He also possesses a rocket to do so.

The figure created from this Micromaster is one of my first Ultra-class figures, and one of the best as well. He is a repaint of Cybertron Defense Red Alert (this guy). He also features the biggest damn missile I've ever seen on a Transformer.

Here it is beside TRU Exlusive RUD Scourge. Damn, that is big (and phalic). It also has a gimmick, but I'll leave that for the Gimmick section.

VEHICLE:

As you can tell, Countdown is an armoured missile-launching vehicle; basically the same type of vehicle as Onslaught, but with a missile rather than two mounted rocket-launchers. The first thing that jumps out at you is how big this mode is; compared beside a deluxe class, it's nearly twice as long and high respectively. This mode rolls quite nicely despite the wheels being very thin, and the missile launcher can pivot to about 45 degrees (however, it can't turn sadly). This mode also has a small two-barreled gun that can lift up. Other than that, there is not much else to this mode.

Vehicle: 19.5/25

ROBOT:

Wow. This robot mode is spectacular. It is very big, very stable in numerous positions and has the biggest cannon on any Ultra-class figure. This is also a much needed upgrade from the Micromaster version of this character. Think about it...would you rather play with this guy or a Mini-con-style figure? One thing I have to note is the light-piping on Countdown's head is useless; the back half of the vehicle mode stands just high enough that it blocks the light from actually activating the purple visor. I feel this was a waste of light-piping and would have been better as a paint app instead.

ARTICULATION:

Head: 360 degree rotation
Shoulders: 360 degree rotation, 90 degree (backward) pivot
Elbows: 360 degree rotation, 90 degree (forward) pivot
Hands: 360 degree rotation
Waist: 360 degree rotation
Thighs: ~135 degree rotation either way, 90 degree outward pivot
Knees: 360 degree rotation, 90 degree bend
Feet: n/a
Other: Countdown's missile/shoulder cannon can pivot ~45 degree upward, but this is a weak joint, so don't expect it to stay like that for very long.

Articulation: 23.5/25

GIMMICK:

Countdown's main gimmick is his cyber-key. The cyber key was the main feature of the toys for the Transformers: Cybertron line from 2005. They usually were used to unlock special features of a toy, such as hidden missile launchers or other assorted goodies. In Countdown's case, his cyber unlocks two items. Firstly, his missile, which is also a shoulder-mounted cannon.

The other activates Countdown's utility arm, which is another one of his features.

The second gimmick is something that most Ultra-class figures usually have. Countdown - being an Ultra-class figure - has lights and sounds; all contained within the missile. Firstly when you detach the missile from its launcher, you hear the standard missile rocket engines. The second is activated when you plug in the cyber-key into the missile launcher, the sides flip out amid lights and the sound of a medley of computer beeps. It also requires to AAA batteries to run. This is cool to have, but can be annoying if you hate sound effects.

The final gimmick is Countdown's utility arm attachment. As mentioned, Countdown's cyber key activates this gimmick. This is activated by the cyber key as well, and attaches to either arm by means of two pegs. The end of the arm has a hole where two attachments can plug in; a hammer and a claw aperture.

Both ends store in behind the legs, and are inter-changeable depending on the "situation" that Countdown is required to deal with. Combined, these gimmicks are both very interesting and unique to Countdown's mold, which is a lot more than what can be said about other figures.

Gimmick: 23/25

FUN FACTOR:

First and foremost, Countdown is an armoured vehicle, which has a freaking missile. This alone can be used for hours of entertainment...heck, he could be used as a portable rocket base and his missile is a rocket. Secondly, his robot mode is very articulate, allowing for various poses, his cyber key and his utility arm gimmicks and his sheer size are all factors that will attract the attention of any child that gets their hands on this figure. (Assuming the collectors leave some.)

Fun factor: 22.5/25

OVERVIEW:

When I first saw this figure, I simply wished to purchase it as a collectible and nothing more. But after I opened him up and played around with him, I started to enjoy what he had to offer more and more. Countdown is one of the better Ultra-class figures out today, despite
being a repaint of a Cybertron-line figure.

My score for TRU Exclusive Universe Countdown: 88.5/100

Countdown offers many gimmicks and options in both vehicle and robot mode, and is a worthy addition to your collection. However, it may be hard to find him as mine was the only one of all the Ultra-class figures at our local Toys 'R' Us, so expect to search at a few stores or on eBay to find him if your truly wish to purchase him. Still, if you do search and find him, the reward is well worth the time you used.

Review #8 - Beast Wars Transmetals Fuzor Silverbolt

2009-05-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

This is a review I have waiting to do for a long time (about three weeks actually); the figure of my favourite character from Beast Wars.

Silverbolt

Silverbolt is a Maximal who - while being a capable and cunning warrior - is a whore to his code of honour and chivalry. In fact, he's so noble that it tends to be more annoying than charming. He is also one of the two fuzors featured in the show. What is a fuzor you may ask? A fuzor is a protoform who - upon scanning for a new vehicle mode - scans more than one "skin" at once. The other main fuzor in the show is Quickstrike, who is a combination of a scorpian and a cobra. In his first appearance, Silverbolt (along with Quickstrike) are drafted into the Predicons, and are shown the activation code for their new robot modes. (To which Silverbolt states that "terrorise" doesn't quite fit his personality.) Eventually, he joins the Maximals after saving Optimus Primal from a Megatron sneak attack.

Another plot point worth mentioning is the relationship with Silverbolt and the Maximal-turned-Predicon Blackaracnia. I commend Mainframe for creating this plot line as not only does it lead to some very interesting moments in the show, but is a breath of fresh air when compared to the plotlines of Generation One. (aka non-existant). This small relationship turns into something quite strong once Beast Machines (the sequel to Beast Wars) was created.

The Silverbolt figure is something I'm sure would give any self-respecting admirer of his character a fangasm. Not only is the figure quite show accurate to the vehicle and robot modes featured on the show, but the paint apps are just as spectacular. I shall cover those in the vehicle mode review.

VEHICLE:

Wow...just wow. This is one of the main reasons why Silverbolt is my favourite Beast Wars character. As stated before, the paint apps that are given to Mr. Bolt here are a feast for the eyes; the wings contains a mixture of golds, browns and blacks, mimicking the colours of a real eagle's down.

The wolf head and front talons are just as awesome; detailed and painted appropriately. His vehicle mode is quite stable, having the standard articulation for a four-legged Transformer (all legs on ball joints). One thing I would like to mention is that the face is a tad too black and the fur is too gray for the character, but otherwise a top-notch wolf/eagle mode. So wait, is he an.....eaolf? Or a wolgle?

Vehicle: 24/25

ROBOT:

Talk about show accuracy at its finest. The Beast Wars line (and the future toy lines as well) definitely kept the concept of show-accuracy-and-functionality in mind. Silverbolt's robot mode looks almost identical to his show self; the reason I say almost is because some things that were done in the show aren't mechanically possible and thus had to be solved, resulting in some changes to the show model.) But otherwise, this robot mode is such a great design, and it about the size of the standard Deluxe-class figure in the Transformers Universe line. The head sculpt is a tad off, and Silverbolt's teeth should have had a slight white paint app to make them stand out, but that is a small gripe on my behalf. Finally, due to the eagle talons becoming his feet, Silverbolt is very tipsy and does tend to fall over if not positioned right.

ARTICULATION:
Head: n/a
Shoulders: ball jointed
Elbows: ball jointed
Hands: n/a
Waist: n/a
Thighs: ball jointed
Knees: 180 degree pivot
Feet: 90 degree pivot (note, the feet and heel are separate and both pivot at 90 degrees.
Others to note; The wings do pivot 90 degrees from flat to straight upwards.

Articulation: 19/25

GIMMICK:

Can I count the amount he has? Let's start with the most basic gimmick of all. Silverbolt's feather missiles (I shall get to those in a second) can be help in his hands as twin swords. That's cool in itself. Silverbolt's secon gimmick also revolves around these swords/missiles.

As you can see in this image here, the trigger is that small peg near his body. It would have been nicer if Hasbro had coloured the missile tips to match the wings, but that can easily fixed. This gimmick is also very touchy if you aren't careful, and the missile do shoot far. The final gimmick involves Solverbolt's eagle tail.

It is hard to see in this photo (especially since my camerawork sucks at points. Note to self; use a tripod), but I am pulling up on the eagle tail. This makes Silverbolt's wings flap forward. This gimmick works best when the wings are flat, and when the figure is in vehicle mode. However, it is also possible to do it in robot mode, but again the wings must be flat.

Gimmick: 23/25

FUN FACTOR:

Silverbolt is a true array of great articulation, nice gimmicks and a great overall design, which would appeal to kids both during that time and in our present day. Although he isn't all that posable, his transformation is simple and due to his show accuracy, can be used to re-enact a favourite scene from the show in great detail.

Fun factor: 20/25

OVERALL:

Fuzor Silverbolt is a real treasure to have, and something I didn't have any quams about spending upwards of sixty US dollars for. (luckily I got mine for 27 USD. Deal hunting powers GO!) He is a great edition to your Beast Wars/Transformers collection at any rate, and while he is tispy, and he does lack the articulation of some of the figures in the current Universe and Animated lines, he does still stand up against them nicely.

My score for Beast Wars Transmetals Fuzor Silverbolt: 86/100

As I said, Silverbolt is a great representation of how well the Beast Wars figures were made in comparison to the toys of today. I feel he was worth the 27 US bucks I spent for him, of course I'd have said the exact same thing if I had spent 60 USD. He is a real treat to have and I am sure if you bought one yourself, you'd fall in love with the figure as much as I have.

Review Schedule and New Figs 1

2009-05-26T18:32:00.000-07:00

Okay folks, a tiny side post here to mention what reviews are coming up and whatnot.

Please note the list is subject to change dependent on figures.

Beast wars Transmetal Fuzor Silverbolt
Toys 'R' Us Exclusive Universe (Autobot) Countdown
Universe Twins Sunstreaker and Sideswipe
Encore G1 Jazz
Universe Tankor (Octane)
Transformers Animated Dinobots (Three-Part Review)

I received Silverbolt i9n the mail today, so he's priority to review, followed by Countdown as I have photos of his already taken. Jazz should be here soon as well, so it's really a race to see who gets done in what order.

Review #7 - Classics Rodimus

2009-05-23T14:11:00.000-07:00

The Classics line of figures was probably one of - if not THE best - Transformers toy line of 2006 (if it was the only line, my point still stands lol). Out of this line, we were given figures such as Classics Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and the infamous Starscream-Seeker mold, but I am going to be reviewing a character that is not only a short-run figure, but is one of the better of the entire line.

Classics Rodimus.

Now, before I get too far into this review, I shall make note of one thing. I shall be referring to him as Hot Rod and not Rodimus, as Rodimus is his new name due to Hasbro not acquiring the copyright to Hot Rod. With this out of the way, I shall continue.

Hot Rod first makes his debut in the 1986 movie, and quickly becomes similar to Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars IV-VI trilogy. He's brash, cocky, and not someone you'd give a leadership role to at the very beginning of the film, but eventually, with his friend Kup at his side, Hot Rod gains some experience, and is eventually revealed as the sole Autobot to recieved the Matrix of Leadership and use its power to "light our darkest hour". Once he has acquired the Matrix, Hot Rod becomes the Autobot leader Rodimus Prime (who is not as loved by fans as Optimus was. Go figure.) However during Season 3, he returns to being Hot Rod after giving back the Matrix to a newly reborn (zombie) Optimus Prime.

The figure itself is not only a nice update for the character, but it's also one that doesn't seem to have changed very much. Aside from the over-sized tail fin on the back and his arms; he is still essentially Hot Rod. This is great as it gives the kids of this generation a chance to own a Hot Rod, all while giving those who have or have had one a figure they can display proudly beside it.

VEHICLE:

If his name doesn't already indicate what Hot Rod is all about, the design of his vehicle mode surely does. He is about speed; nothing is faster than he is. According to his box information, his vehicle mode is able to hits speeds over 250 mph. As I said, this figure just screams "Generation One Hot Rod" with its aerodynamic design, cockpit-style windshields and signature tailfin. In fact, ReProLabels (http://www.reprolabels.com/Classics/hotrod.asp) has come up with a decals/sticker set that gives Classics Hot Rod that extra G1 feel. (only recommended if a) you don't care that your figure is a short-run or b) you have a spare.) The vehicle mode is also very seemless, with the occassional break due to the arm joints not fully connecting. Finally, if one were to turn Hot Rod over, you would see that very little of the actual robot mode is visible; aside from the giant gaping space where his jet turbine goes, his true form is well hidden.

Vehicle: 24/25

ROBOT:

What else can I say about this mode other than absolutely awesome? This definitively proves that if Hasbro does put their minds to designing brand-new molds, they can actually do it right. Not only does this mode reflect the Hot Rod we know and love, but also does a great job of updating his style to something more modern (because his 2005 model was so four years ago). The over-sized tail fin from vehicle mode is nicely compensated for in robot mode due in part to a genius transformation sequence involving the front seats, and while the feet are much bulkier than his G1 self, this does give him some more stability.

ARTICULATION:

Head: 360 degree rotation
Shoulders: Ball joints; 360 degree rotation
Elbows: 90 degree bend
Waist: n/a
Thighs: 45 degrees forward (the cockpit kibble prevents an motion backward), 90 degrees out
Knees: 90 degree bend, 360 degree rotation
Feet: n/a

Other Notes: Sadly, due to Hot Rod's vehicle mode, his elbows are the worst-designed in all the Classics line. In order to hold his weapon straight forward, you would need to bend the whole arm backward as the forearm is too short for the gun. Also, his thighs tend to shift outward if you pose them too much.

Articulation: 19/25

GIMMICK:

Hot Rod has three gimmicks, which is quite good for a deluxe-class toy. Firstly is his communicator (or his arm-mounted saw as seen in the 1986 movie) which flips out of his left arm. Either interpretation add to the fun of the toy as a whole.

The second gimmick is the Autobot rub symbol that was used on every Generation One figure in since 1984. To activate the rub symbol, you have to simply rub your thumb over it several times. The symbol also changes colours from orange to a deep violet depending on how long you rub it for.

The last gimmick is a third mode, which - if you wish Classics Hot Rod a triple-changer. And, it follows the "Rule of Triple-Changers" to a tie; it is a horrible third mode.

What did I say? Does this mode just scream "last-minute feature"? Basically to get to this mode, you have to detach the tail-fin and flip it forward. That's it. To a child playing with this toy, it's an interesting and cool feature, but for people like me, it's just stupid. However, I have to rank the gimmicks based off how a child might react, not myself.

Gimmick: 20/25

FUN FACTOR:

Hot Rod is a race-car; plain and simple. It's exactly the same reason why I'm sure kinds loved him back in the 80s; kids love speed. His design and gimmicks are both worthy of a child's toy box or a collector's shelf. Not much else I can really say sadly; that's all there is.

Fun Factor: 20/25

OVERVIEW:

Classics Hot Rod is part of one of the best Transformers toy lines of the new millennium, proving that redesigning old figures can and does work. That isn't to say, however, that this formula works twice, as while the Universe line did provide us with some amazing figures, it didn't wuite stand up to its predecessor. Hot Rod himself is also quite the update, and I'm glad I bought him when I did.

My score for Classics Rodimus (Hot Rod): 83/100

Hot Rod's design and fun factor scores helped keep him from becoming like G1 Ironhide, however the weak third mode and the bad design of some pivot points did hurt his score a lot. If Hasbro had designed Hot Rod a tad differently, he would have definitely been scored at 80+ easily. I still highly recommend you get him, so search eBay if you feel the need to own this amazing Classics figure.

Review #6 - ROTF Surprise Figure

2009-05-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

Hey there everyone! Now, I was supposed to be doing a review of Classics Rodimus for review #5, but I was at the mall a few days ago, and decided I'd pop into Toys 'R' Us to see what was new there. Why was I at the mall? To buy a new wallet. Why? Because I ran my old one over with a riding lawnmower. (seriously, don't ask.) But I digress, the point is, I looked at the Transformers section and found that they had in the first wave of the new Revenge of the Fallen toys. And I decided right then to purchase my first of only a few.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you....Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe Class...

Preview Soundwave. (aka, one of three preview figures available before the May 30th line release date. The other two are Sideways and Bumblebee)

I am proud to say I'm part of the Soundwave fan bandwagon, so when I heard that he was not only appearing in the sequel to the 2007 live action film, but was the MAIN VILLAIN, I nearly suffered three heart attacks at once. I wanted a figure of his new movie form despite it not being like good old 80s Soundwave. In fact, that picture definitely shows his evolution quite vividly. (he gained more neon and lost height).

Now, I have not kept up on the roles of each character that is appearing in the new Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF for short because I am a lazy bugger), and to an extent his role has not yet been clarified. However, according to his tech description (on the instructions), Soundwave is a satellite that "hacks" into Earth's satellite networks, absorbing data so that way he can known all and see all. This gives him the power to decide Earth's fate; he's basically God.

Damn.

This figure itself is about the same size and the majority of deluxe class figures, but is a lot wider. His head sculpt is also a very nice update of Soundwave's G1 face; it isn't too bland, and yet it doesn't make him look like a mutated chipmunk who ran into a glass window. The colour scheme also reflected the Soundwave of yesteryear with its navy blues, golds and silvers. Finally, instead of his missile being anonymous, it's freaking Ravage!

I'm sure this maybe or may not be much more than a footnote for some of you, but when your missile has a god damned name, it is epic. This does explain how Ravage is able to get to Earth; Soundwave must fire him into the atmosphere, Ravage transforms into his vehicle mode, splashes down into the ocean and crawls ashore as a robotic feline killing machine. But this is a review of ROTF Soundwave, so let's get back on topic.

VEHICLE:

The first thing that is surprising about this figure is that it marks the first time any Soundwave toy has been a triple-changer. That's right, Soundwave has not one, but TWO vehicle modes. I shall give a tiny explanation of the triple-changer in a post following this one. Now, one thing that should be mentioned when talking about triple-changers is the "Rule of Triple-Changers", which states that "of the three modes, one will always be horrible or simply a thrown-together mode." This is also the case with Soundwave, however the mode that appears to have been "slapped-together" is actually quite good by comparison to other triple-changers.

Mode One - Cybertronian Jet mode

This is Soundwave's alternative mode to his satellite self, and this is his usually mode of transportation when either in space or on the surface of a planet. The overall appearance of this vehicle is amazing; I seriously think he looks more bad-ass than movie Megatron ever did. One thing that does strike against this form is that it is just like the majority of the movie figures in that they are increasingly harder to transform than the Universe of Animated lines. Still, it is a nice mode regardless.

Mode Two - Satellite

This is the "slapped-together" mode of Soundwave that I spoke of. Now, I use that term loosely as this is also a really nicely-made mode. This is - fans speculate - the main form of Soundwave, and the three wings add to the futuristic and Cybertronian design of his satellite form. The reason I say it looks thrown together at the last minute is due to the transformation from vehicle to satellite modes, where all you need to do and turn a few things around and pull out the wings (in fact the instructions only have three panels that show how to get from jet to satellite modes.) However, both vehicular forms of Soundwave are quite stylish and - while falling under the triple-changer rule - both seem to be creative and interesting modes to play around with.

Vehicle: 22/25

ROBOT:

Soundwave's robot mode is one of the most awesome things I have seen in a while (and when you play Super Smash Bros Brawl, that is saying something.) He's very futuristic, and looks as though he could kick the hell out of the original Soundwave, but since I am a fan of G1 Soundwave, I think it's best I don't think about that as I want to sleep tonight. But I shall move right along. This new styling does give Soundwave a very menacing appearance, and allows him to fit quite nicely into the role of main film villain. His is also quite stable with long feet and heel spirs. One thing that is an eyesore about ROTF Soundwave is the amount of kibble that hangs off the back; sure the two wings from satellite and jet mode look okay, but that giant metal piece hanging off his back? That looks rather unappealing from my point of view.

ARTICULATION:

Like most of the movie line figures from Transformers 2007, ROTF toys have a lot of articulation despite having the "physical" parameters that go along with actual cars. Soundwave follows in this tradition with having a lot of good and bad articulation points. His head does rotate approximetly 90 degrees either way, but it is very tight. His shoulders are on ball joints, and can bend at two points on the elbow. His legs are on ball joints at the thighs, and can bend at the knees. Finally, his feet can rotate 180 degrees, which allows you to pose Soundwave into many positions and still retain its great stability. One other interesting note is that the kibble I mentioned earlier are also on ball joints, allowing you to position them in any way you choose to keep them out of the way.

Articulation: 20/25

GIMMICK:

Soundwave's gimmicks are quite weak for a brand new ROTF figure. Firstly, his missile launcher, which only works the way it's intended to when in satellite and jet modes; not in robot mode. This makes Soundwave a tad less interesting to play with if you don't even have a way to shoot a missile. The second - and thankfully better gimmick - is the fact that Soundwave is a triple-changer. The reason I call this a "gimmick" is due to the fact that very few Transformers are triple-changers, so it stands to reason that since you have a third mode, it's an added item to the toy. Unfortunately, this still doesn't mean that both gimmicks are the greatest ever concieved. (Sorry Soundwave.)

Gimmick: 16.5/20

FUN FACTOR:

This toy can go either way when it comes to the fun factor. It IS fun to play with due to its three modes (as opposed to just two alone), his articulation, awesome mode designs and the sheer fact he is the main villain of the new movie. The reason the toy isn't fun is because of the detailed transformation and the lack of a missile launcher in robot mode (which really hurts playability).

Fun Factor: 15/25

OVERVIEW:

This figure is a great remake of Soundwave for the new generation of fans, and his triple changer gimmick is also a nice touch as well. However, he suffers a bit in terms of transformation and missile launcher issues do hurt his play factor a bit.

My score for ROTF Deluxe Soundwave: 73.5/100

Soundwave is still an awesome figure to buy for the sheer fact that he is very easy to find and is designed to be aesthetically pleasing to look at and play with. He is a must-have for the live-action Transformers fan, the die-hard collector or the child looking for a cool toy to play with.

Review #5 - Universe Ironhide

2009-05-14T15:54:00.000-07:00

The Universe incarnation of Ironhide is a quantum leap from his Generation One version, with the biggest addition being HE ACTUALLY HAS A HEAD THIS TIME! But being serious here, Hasbro has taken what the G1 toy had and amplified it to create a much more articulate and aesthetically-pleasing toy. But what makes this version of the Autobot tough-guy so great?

VEHICLE:

Ironhide's Universe vehicle mode does conjure up memories of the Chevrolet Vanette mode from Generation One; this version however is modeled after a modern SUV of some fashion, as unlike G1, Universe (as well as Classics to a point) figures do not have a specific model of car body (such as Prowl as a Datsun Z or Ironhide's Chevy Vanette). This mode is a great design, rolls really well and definately fits the attitude of the robot within. However, there is one tiny flaw I hate about it.

Take a good look at these photos and see if there is anything peculiar. Give up? Ironhide's vehicle mode has 32 (yes, I counted) dividing lines. What is a dividing line you ask? I define it as a place where two pieces of the Transformer connects. (like for example, where a foot tabs into a body piece.) This is a major flaw in the design as it makes Ironhide look like he was in a horrific crash and was pulled back into shape. I will admit it does also fit Ironhide's personality, it is a horrible cosmetic flaw to have.

Ironhide also has windows of two different hues. This is a minor peev, and if it were me designing this toy, I'd have at least made the back windows a blue that is a little closer to the translucent plastic windshield. But again, this is a minor detail. Otherwise, Ironhide's vehicle mode is quite good and worth picking up in itself.

One final note to make is his license plate...

As you can tell, it reads "OREGON". This is a reference to a small factoid from the G1 show; when the Autobots crashed into a volcano on pre-historic Earth, it was in what would become the state of Oregon. It is also where the Witwitchy family resides. (Thank you Teletran I1: The Transformers wiki!)

Vehicle: 22/25

ROBOT:

What more can I really say about this mode other than "HELL YEAH". Not only does he have a god damned head, but he is articulate, stands quite well and is a great overall design; I really like how this new and improved Ironhide looks! One thing I must point out is his face...

The things are wrong with it. Firstly, the light piping for the eyes is blocked by the back panel, and only work when his head is turned to the left or right. I'm sure that if Hasbro had known of this design mistake, they'd have made the eyes opaque (however this is Hasbro, so you never know.). The other thing I feel was done wrong was the face colour. I'm pretty sure in Generation One, Ironhide's face wasn't a nice shade of sky blue. The Japanese Henkai Ironhide has fixed this, but yet again we in North America seem to get shafted. Still, both are ignorable unless you are a nit-pick like myself.

ARTICULATION:

Ironhide has a great deal of articulation, which would - I suppose - give him a partial excuse for the huge amount of dividing lines in his vehicle mode. First off, his head can rotate 90 degrees to the left or right. His shoulders can rotate 90 degrees forward and back, as well as 90 degrees up due to transformation. His arms can bend at the elbow and his hands are on ball joints (which is helpful with the gimmick I shall explain in a minute). As for his legs, he can rotate 360 degrees at the waist, move his leg 90 degrees (or until he's doing the splits basically), can bend and rotate at the knee, and his feet are on ball joints to allow for added stability in awkward and/or epic battle poses. This adds up to a very articulate toy that one can put in a variety of poses for all occassionas.

Articulation: 20/25

GIMMICK:

Ironhide's one gimmick involves his weapon, which is a very unique one (not counting remolds...damn Universe Ratchet.) When you first get the weapon, it is a six-barreled cannon, and seems pretty solid. However, this is not the case as you are able to choose whether the weapon is the cannon, or an energon "sword". (I put sword in quotations as one could consider an energon scalpel in the hands of Ratchet.)

To attach said weapon (on either side), there are two methods. The first way is to fold back one of the hands as they were when you transform Ironhide to robot mode. There is a small set of two grooves on his forearm, so all you need to do is slip the weapon into those grooves. This works, but it is quite loose and prone to falling off. The other way to put the weapon into the hands of Ironhide is to careful slip it over one of his hands and then lock it into the grooves; this makes the fit a lot tighter.

In truth, this gimmick is cool, but isn't all that spactacular. However, Hasbro is trying, and like I said many times before, that does count in my books.

Gimmick: 18/25

FUN FACTOR:

If we were to compare old and new Ironhide's fun factors using a child, he'd more than likely play with new Ironhide as he isn't a brick. Universe Ironhide is able to be put into numerous positions and also doesn't have any small pieces to him, which is an added safety feature when used about younger children. Sadly, his transformation is a tad finiky, which might frustrate some kids. So it is really a toss-up here; Ironhide is a great toy, but not overally easy to change from mode to mode.

Fun Factor: 19/25

OVERVIEW:

Universe Ironhide is a great update of the figure that had little-to-no features in the 1980s. It also is a "chase figure", which means that with each shipment of Wave 3 Universe figures, there is one to two Ironhide figures. So if you want to add Universe Ironhide to your collection, you can either check your local toy store or eBay (ah eBay, you are such a life-saver).

My Score for Universe Ironhide: 79/100

Universe Ironhide is a nice toy to add to your collection or to give to a child to play with. However, due to its slightly finiky transformation, there may be a bit of frustration that goes along with it. But he is still a worthy addition to your Universe collection, and is a fitting tribute to how Hasbro can - in fact - fix some of the issues caused by purchasing molds from other toy lines.

Review #4 - Generation One Soundwave

2009-05-07T18:09:00.001-07:00

In every army there is always the one soldier who is always saying "Yes sir!" or "As you command sir!", and the Transformers universe is no exception. Within the Decepticons, there is such a soldier; he is one of the most well-known and beloved evil robots in existance. He is...

Soundwave, and this is the review of his 1984 figure release; one of my most treasured figures in my collection as well.

Now, Soundwave is, as mentioned earlier, an eternal loyalist to Megatron and the Decepticon cause; in fact he would go out of his way to support his allies if it meant certain victory. Soundwave also relies on his team of cassettes to do everything from scouting missions to demolition jobs. Soundwave speaks in a very computerised voice, which instantly could identify him in a crowded room. Soundwave is the Decepticon communications officer, which gives him the ability to blackmail any of his fellow soldiers as he hears all and knows all.

VEHICLE:

Soundwave has had two vehicle modes in the history of Generation One; he was a lamppost in the first episode (More Than Meets the Eye Part 1), but his main series mode was this; a cassette player. Soundwave's alternate mode is also one of the many examples of mass-shifting in the G1 cartoon (other examples are Megatron's gun mode, and Optimus' trailer. I shall probably post an explanation of mass-shifting in a future post.) This toy is a great representation of Soundwave's cartoon persona, including details sticker aps that add to the mode.

The back of the figure has a belt clip for kids to roleplay (because LARPing was big back then?), and this was also how Soundwave's robot mode weapons were stored (essentially his batteries.)

Soundwave also has three gimmicks in this mode that are also available in robot mode. Firstly, his cassette door opens and can hold one of the many cassette robots designed for him (Ravage, Laserbeak, Frenzy, Ratbat, Rumble, etc.). He also has two functioning features on each leg.

On his left side is a volume dial (mine does rotate, but yours may not) and...

On his right leg is a power switch (again, mine does move, but yours may not).

I personally love this mode and I feel that if it wasn't as show accurate as it is, it'd take away from the figure as a whole.

Vehicle: 24/25

ROBOT:

The first thing you notice is that Soundwave's robot form....is tall. He's taller than G1 Optimus Prime, and the majority of the Universe and Classics deluxe class figures I current own. Again, show accuracy is really great on this mode, with the sticker apps not taking away from his robot form, but not really overpowering it either. One thing you have to be careful of is that unless the figu was not heavily played with, his knee joints will be loose and you will have to angle his legs to allow him to stand. (This is due to a small plastic piece inside that is part of the leg ratchet system. After years of heavy transformation, it tends to wear down and thus makes the knee joint loose.)

ARTICULATION:

Like most of the early Transformers, most of Soundwave's articulation comes due to the transformation sequence. For example, his legs can rotate 90 degrees inward and can bend forward at the knee. His head is able to spin 360 degrees and can pivot backward 90 degrees. Finally, his arms can pivot 90 degrees inward, rotate 360 degrees at the shoulder and bend at the arm 90 degrees either way. This is, however, much better in terms of "possability" than most G1 figures such as Prime and Ironhide. Still, it isn't very great articulation, and the only poses he can really do are "stand and aim" shots.

Articulation: 18.5/25

GIMMICK:

Soundwave's gimmicks are the same as they were in vehicle mode, which does score major points for me. As mentioned, his cassette door does pop open, BUT only if his legs are either flat to the front or the side; it will not open if his legs are on an angle. He also had a volume dial and ON/OF switch on either leg. Finally, his batteries change into his iconic shoulder cannon and a blaster that fires one missile. Truly, Soundwave is a loaded figure in terms of gimmicks, and is one of the better G1 Decepticons due to this.

Gimmick: 25/25

FUN FACTOR:

Soundwave's tape deck mode is a great way for kids to put themselves into the action and role play with their toys firstly. Secondly, he has an army of cassettes that are themselves Transformers, which adds to the fun. Finally, it's Soundwave; how can you NOT have fun with him?

Fun Factor: 21/25

OVERVIEW:

Soundwave's Generation One figure is bar-none one of my favourites, and I spent a great deal of money just to have him. He is show-accurate, full of gimmicks, and best of all, a child's dream toy. Truly he is one of the best in the 84' line.

My score for Generation One Soundwave: 88.5/100

In terms of Articulation, Soundwave did suffer a bit, but his gimmicks, fun factor and vehicle modes all worked together to bump his score up nicely. Soundwave is a pop culture icon and one of those Transformers you can't really hate or forget, and I am sure that later on down the road, he will still be placed in the ranks of Megatron, Starscream and Optimus Prime.

Review #3.4 - Universe Cyclonus (with Nightstick)

2009-05-05T13:21:00.000-07:00

We've touched onto the first three Universe figures of the 25th Anniversary wave, and all did pretty well in retrospect. But now it is time to review the figure that the majority of the Transformers fanbase has said is the best figure released under the Universe line.

it is...Transformers Universe Cyclonus with Nightstick.

Cyclonus was - for a lack of a better term - Galvatron's punching bag. You see, Cyclonus is one of those Decepticons who are as loyal and trustworthy as the Autobots; making his a rare breed among his rank, but due to Galvatron's insanity, he seems to get a robotic bitch-slap for every mishap, mess-up and shenanigan. Normally, any Decepticon would have slagged the wiseguy who gave them a slap, but with Galvatron it is a totally different situation.

He's a TAD paranoid, no showing any signs of agression is the best and fastest way to join the Matrix.

But I digress. Cyclonus came into being after a mass of damaged Decepticons were thrown from Astrotrain in the 1986 movie, and were reformated into new troops for Galvatron by Unicron. This is about where I will stop this part as there is a major debate regarding Cyclonus.

Now, to be fair, I'll describe the basic argument and leave it at that as I honestly don't what answer is the truth.

Okay, in the movie, two of the damaged Decepticons (Bombsheel and Skywarp) can be seen in the scene below...

Now, in the scene right afterward shows not one, but TWO Cyclonus figures, to which Unicron addresses as "Cyclonus; the warrior, and his armada."

See what I mean? There's Cyclonus in the foreground (that's right Cyclonus, the camera loves you.), and there is the "second Cyclonus" (dubbed Armada by fans). No one has ever been able to prove or disprove which Cyclonus is the one we end up seeing in the series, but again, I'm not going to get too much into it as I haven't the proof or the will power to make opinions. So let's move on to the toy review.

First off I shall review Cyclonus' Targetmaster pal Nightstick.

VEHICLE:

Nightstick's vehicle mode is just like Ravage; it isn't a very mobile mode. It is very reminiscent of G1 Megatron or G1 Soundwave; both were objects that were both immobile without some aid. However, this mode looks very good and is a nice small addition for the Universe line despite not having any mobile capabilities.

Vehicle: 7/12.5

ROBOT:

Nightstick's small size is made up for by the great little figure that he becomes when transformed into robot mode. He is about as tall as Ravage, but matches his master Cyclonus' colour scheme almost to a tee. He also has a nice shape for such a small figure, which is proof of the constant innovations put into improving the look of mini-bots since the days of G1 Bumblebee and Brawn.

ARTICULATION:

Nightstick beats out Ravage as the most articulate "mini-con" of the Universe line; his arms are able to rotate 360 degrees at the shoulder and bend at the elbow. He can also move his legs 90 degrees in either direction, and his waist can pivot forward until it touches his chest piece. His head - unfortunately - does not move at all. However, that is a minor note in comparison.

Articulation: 10/12.5

GIMMICK:

Again, Nightstick beats out Ravage in his gimmick as well. He actually sports two gimmicks, but one is shared with Cyclonus, so to be fair, I shall count it as one of Cyclonus' gimmicks. Anyways, Nightstick's main gimmick is the fact that once he is transformed, he is able to fit into the hand of most deluxe class figures. A few I have tried and succeeded with are 25th Anniversary Optimus Prime, Universe Prowl, Classics Cliffjumper, Universe Sideswipe, and many others. This gives him a certain advantage over other mini-con in that he can be used by more than just one specific Autobot or Decepticon.

Gimmick: 11/12.5

FUN FACTOR:

Nightstick is a gun....and for some reason, guns are a lot more fun that tape cassettes. Also, since he is able to be placed into the hands of most Transformers in existance today, it adds to the amount of stories and plots a child can think up. Another plus is he is easy to transform and has no small pieces that are hazardous to children. This makes Nightstick both a great toy and a great time to be had.

Fun factor: 10.5/12.5

Now that his little friend has been dealt with, time to focus in on the real meat of this post; Cyclonus.

VEHICLE:

Cyclonus's Cybertronian jet mode is very nicely designed and a great update of his Generation One version. The colour is also a refreshing change, changing from a faded purple and red to a much nicer dark violet and red-brown. This mode also features landing gear in the nose and on both bottom panels that will become the fronts of Cyclonus' legs, and a hole to mount Nightstick (in gun mode). Two strikes I have to give this figure are that, firstly, mounting Nightstick on top of Cyclonus looks really stupid and weird; it'd be the equivilant of putting a water cannon on the roof of Jazz. Secondly, Cyclonus' vehicle mode has a lot of gaps in the back structure, which isn't a very safe design feature for any jet that is supposed to fly in the mach range. But, aside from that, it is one of the better vehicle modes I own.

Vehicle: 10/12.5

ROBOT:

This robot mode is by far one of the taller (if not the tallest) of the Universe line, and Cyclonus definately deserves that title as he is both tall and lanky. His robot mode is quite the engineering marvel and is one of the better remoldings of Generation One characters on the market. One of the more ingenius aspects of his robot mode is how the legs are formed. Instead of having legs that fold down or split apart, Cyclonus' legs snap together.

As this picture clearly shows, Cyclonus' leg is formed by the top and bottom half of the rear half of his jet mode. These snap together to form one leg. This is very unique in that this is the first time this has ever been done on a transformer of any kind. So Cyclonus has that fact going for him as well.

ARTICULATION:

Cyclonus' articulation is a slight weakness for him, but only in certain areas. Firstly, his hips are on ball joints and are double jointed; but not in the way that is normally done. His legs rotate at a point between the knee and hip,a dn bend at the knee. This allows for a few different poses than what are normally possible. His head can also rotate 360 degrees. It's his arms that are an issue. His arms do rotate 360 degrees at the shoulder, and do bend at the elbow, but due to the way his shoulder armour is designed, it obstructs the motion of his arm outwards, only allowing it to rotate approximately 75 degrees outward. This is a tiny flaw that might annoy some collectors, but isn't really a big deal.

Articulation: 10.5/12.5

GIMMICK:

This is one of the best and worst gimmicks in all of the Universe line. By flipping in either one of Cyclonus' hands, you reveal the jet thruster on the back. This is not only a thruster, but a slot to plug in Nightstick in vehicle mode. Yes, you heard me right....plug in Nightstick.

This is a nod to a feature available on Japanese Transformers Targetmaster figures, called "Target On!". It is unique to Universe Cyclonus nowadays, and it has got to be one of the most fiddly gimmicks in existance. Nightstick does plug in, it's just getting him to remain so is a slight challenge as any nudge will dislodge him. However, it looks awesome if you do manage to make him stick.

Gimmick: 9.5/12.5

FUN FACTOR:

Cyclonus is both posable and designed to look cool. With Nightstick as his weapon, kids can make many stories involving the two of them, or about each separately. Cyclonus' gimmick might frustrate kids, so it isn't the best idea to put on, but it proves Hasbro is willing to try different things, and that's a good thing. Now if only they could get their quality control regulated.

Fun factor: 10.5/12.5

OVERVIEW:

Universe Cyclonus and Nightstick are both an excellent addition to your Transformers collection, and at the price of a deluxe-class figure, there is a lot of economical value to the package too. Just like Hound and Ravage, these two have done well in revamping their old styles, while creating one all their own.

My score for Universe Cyclonus with Nightstick: 79/100

I am actually surprised that the figure the majority of the community marked as the best of this line thus far scored less than Cheetor, but I am basing these scores off of performance, and not off popularity. Granted, when I first saw Cyclonus, I honestly thought it was a stupid design; horrible colouring, bad vehicle mode, and a mini-con to boot. Then I saw some videos and decided to give him a try, and I have since warmed up to the figure so much I display him with pride. He is certainly one of the better figures to come out of the Universe line, and if this is any indication, the Transformers of the future are bound to improve.

Review #3.3 - Universe Starscream

2009-05-04T14:12:00.000-07:00

Who's the most traitorous Decepticon around? Who tries to dethrone Megatron at every given opportunity? Who's voice is so iconic I can immitate it? If at least two of these three questions have stumped you, you have much to learn young one. This review is of the latest molding of the one and only Starscream.

(Isn't that picture just awesome?)

Starscream could be described the best as a role model for every usurper to follow; he's sneaky, he's devious and at times, he's even won. But usually, he's just cowardly and to some degree Megatron's robotic bitch. Despite this, Starscream's charismatic attitude and constant appearance beside his leader has made him one of the most recognisable Transformers in history. He's so good, he's got not one, but TWO Classics models in North America alone.

Starscream is also a seeker. What is a seeker? Basically, seekers (as they were dubbed by fans) were the Decepticon Cybertronian air force. There are two main known groups of seekers that are seen throughout the Transformers series (Starscream, Skywarp and Thundercracker = Seekers; Dirge, Ramjet and Thrust = Coneheads). There are also numerous other seekers that make small cameos in the show, but back to the topic at hand.

Since the 2006 Classics line release of the mold, Starscream's body has been used for other seekers; Classics Skywarp and Ramjet, Botcon Thundercracker, Thrust and Dirge, as well as Henkai (Japanese toy line) of all major seekers. There has even been a Universe release of an little known Decepticon known as "Acid Storm". But let's focus on the newest remold from this Starscream mold.

VEHICLE:

Starscream's vehicle mode doesn't have much to really say that has been already. He's firstly a combat jet that is painted bright white, with red and blue splashes here and there (because Starscream is about as subtle and stealthy as Darth Vader on Hoth). This does give him a different look among your other Transformers, and makes him stand out. He also has a spring-loaded missile on either wing, which can launch the missile at least a good 2 feet. Finally, there are two landing gear that flip out of the chest area, which is a nice little touch. For a remold, this mode definately doesn't disappoint.

Vehicle: 21/25

ROBOT:

Starscream's robot mode shares a similar robot mode the the majority of Classics/Universe line seekers currently on the market or in households everywhere. It is a nice update from the Generation One style, fixing certain problems such as the fact that most of the pieces had to be attached after transformation, all the while creating a totally different Starscream. The paint scheme is also very G1-ish and isn't super crazy like his Classics version. The onyl major issue is that he is looser than most of the other seeker remolds as this is the fifth or sixth use of the mold, so the tools might be a tad worn.

ARTICULATION:

Starscream is quite posable with ball jointed legs, bendable and rotatable knees and pivoting feet. His arms are double jointed at the shoulder and can bend at the elbow. Finally, his head can rotate side to side, but this is only within a 90 degree angle due to the two ventilation ducts beside it. Basically, Starscream suffers from both physical and mental tunnelvision.

Articulation: 18/25

GIMMICK:

Starscream's gimmick is similar to Hound's as his weapons can be held in two different ways. Firstly, his hands are designed to hold the photon cannons as though they were rifles. This is okay, but come on; this is Starscream. There can be no other way he can use his weapons other than by attaching them to his arms. And Hasbro has encorporated that option into each remold. So basically, you can either have rifles or shoulder cannons that both fire missiles. Not a bad deal if I do say so myself.

Gimmick: 19/25

FUN FACTOR:

Starscream's mold is firstly a jet. I can't think of many youngsters you hate planes in general, let alone a supersonic fighter jet. And he has pretty colours as well. (hey, I'm trying to find an overall appeal here.) And then there's those missile launchers; if little kids are entertained by the missile launchers at least, this toy has done its job. And plus being extra posable does allow for more playability.

Fun factor: 20/25

OVERVIEW:

For being a remold, Universe Starscream was still worth the deluxe class price. His joints are looser than those of Universe Acid Storm, and if you are a stickler for that, then this might not be the best figure to buy. But if you are not, and you are looking for a good Starscream toy for a cheap price, look no further. This figure has good possability, good vehicle mode, great gimmick and a famous name to tie it all together. What a great Transformer!

My score for Universe Starscream: 78/100

This mold is still a remold, but if I had to chose between Classics Starscream and this version, if Hasbro had tightened up the joints a bit more, this one would be mine in a heartbeat.

Review #3.2 - Universe Hound (with Ravage)

2009-05-03T20:27:00.000-07:00

I personally went nuts when I heard that Hound was getting a Universe line remake, and I spent many weeks in advance searching Toys R Us to actually find one. But when I finally got my figure he was well worth the wait.

Now, this review will be a tad different as Hound came with an additional "mini-con" (for all your readers out there, I count Soundwave's cassettes, and all Targetmasters and Headmasters as mini-cons. These ones are just not as stupid). So this review will cover both Hound and Ravage.

First, I shall cover Hound.

The Autobots are mechanical; we all know this. If you didn't, you are officially a moron, but let's move right along here. The Autobots are mechanical, but Hound thinks differently, both wishing he could be human and enjoying the planet's natural beauty all the while. I guess since he grew up on Cybertron, nature was unheard of. Hound also forms a friendship with Spike Witwichy, but is soon replaced by Bumblebee as Spike's number one bestest best friend. I can just imagine how much spite Hound has toward that little yellow bastard (no offence in any way, shape or form to Bumblebee. I actually an a fan myself lol)

Hound's main special ability was creating holograms with his shoulder-mounted hologram projector. This has helped him in the past, and on scouting missions where distractions were necessary. Sadly, we do not see Hound after the events of the 1986 movie, so it is widely assumed his fate was the same as Ironhide, Prowl, Ratchet and Brawn; which is such a shame truly.

VEHICLE:

In a word, this vehicle mode is PERFECT. Hasbro has proven with this that they can actually make a few cool Transformers without repainting the crap out of molds. (I am sorry...I had to get that out. But let's move on). This is firstly a great leap ahead for Hound, who's 1940s Jeep didn't exactly scream exciting. This ultra-modern "Jeep" design not only looks cool, but is very detailed for a deluxe class figure. Sure, fake shocks behind the wheels and a fake dashboard aren't very realistic, but it is better than Hasbro leaving the entire interior bare; they put a bit of effort into it.

I also love the fact that you can tab in Hound's hologram projector behind the seat, which is very reminiscent of G1 Hound. Finally, if I had the money, I'd god damn commission the guys from American Hot Rod to built me a working version of this bad boy; I love it that much.

Vehicle: 12.5/12.5 (hells yeah baby!)

ROBOT:

Hound's robot mode does just as good of a job filling in his G1 self's shoes as his vehicle mode did. This mode is off the god damned chain. (and now I will go stab myself in the eyes repeatedly with Ironhide's blaster for saying "off the chain.") This is one of those figures that just blows you away once you play around with it. I personally wish this is the quality of some of the other molds out there, but again, let's see how he stacks up in the three categories below.

ARTICULATION:

Hound has a variety of articulation to choose from. His head can rotate 360 degrees and is on a ball joint, his arms are on ball joints and can pivot at the elbow. his thighs are on ball joints and can rotate 180 degrees due to the body. He can bend 90 degrees at the knee and just a little over 90 at the foot due to the transformation. Finally, his feet can flatten out to give Hound a very stable base to stand on. All in all, a very good selection of movement points, though not as impressive as other figures I have seen.

Articulation: 10.5/12.5

GIMMICK:

Hound's one and only real gimmick is his hologram projector. Basically, it looks like a hand-drill that Wheeljack got his digits on, but I won't go there. This "gun" can either be held (as a sort of throw back to the Alternators Hound and G1 Hound) or pinned to his body by the front wheels. Hound also has two pegs that flip out in robot mode to carry Ravage. But other than that, this figure relies on its posability and Ravage to make up for it. Still, I suppose a dual mountable weapon isn't horrible.

Gimmick: 9/12.5

FUN FACTOR:

Hound is as fun as most of the Transformers Universe deluxe class figures. He can be put into various action poses, can transform into a vehicle that can trek carpet as well as floors and comes with a second figure. The one little con; no spring-loaded missile. But that isn't really a major big deal in the long run as Hound was never really noted for having one in the first place.

Fun Factor: 10.5/12.5

And now onto everyone's favourite cassette bot and Soundwave's feline friend Ravage.

Ravage was one of those few Decepticons who places his full loyalty in the hands of his leader Megatron; only taking orders from him and snarls at everyone else. He is also one of the more famous of Soundwave's "cassetticons". (wonder if they fuse to make a CD)

Ravage's main use is for stealth missions, retrieving data like his fellow cassettes Lazerbeak and Buzzsaw, but he is just as good at fighting as Frenzy or Rumble . He can also talk apparently.

This Universe remold does pay great homage to the original Ravage cassette while improving one tiny design flaw. The original Ravage looked great from the side, but fron the front or back...he was un-naturally thin (if you count transformering cassettes as natural I suppose). This new Ravage is a tad more chuncky, giving him a more realistic appearance. The onyl downside is he doesn't fit into Generation One Soundwave (sad face D:)

Vehicle Mode:

Ravage is....a tape. Nothing much else to say really. He doesn't move, he doesn't shoot missiles. He....is a tape. Yeah...

Vehicle: 5/12.5

ROBOT:

This is truly Ravage's more versatile mode as he can actually move around in it. Well okay, since he does plug onto the back of Hound, technically that's how he gets around. The only one minor flaw I can find is his head, which looks slightly like a beak rather than a mouth, but again, it's only from certain angles and easily missed. Course, I shouldn't complain as I was looking as forward to Ravage as I was Hound.

ARTICULATION:

Ravage has some nice motion for such a small figure. His front legs can pivot out at the shoulder due to transformation and his legs can rotate nearly 180 degrees. His back legs can pivot at the knees and could possibly rotate 360 degrees if the front legs weren't obstructing them. Finally, his tail can pivot as well as his head. This is quite comparable to his G1 self, and then some.

Articulation: 10.5/12.5

GIMMICK:

Ravage doesn't really have much of a gimmick aside from being able to be carried on Hound's back as shown in this image.

Of course, one can also call the fact his G1 blasters can fit into this Ravage a gimmick as well. So, Ravage does have a few, they just aren't very stellar.

Gimmick: 6.5/12.5

FUN FACTOR:

First off, Ravage is easy to transform. This may not seem like much, but think of it this way. Easy transformation = less time to fiddle = more time to play. Ergo, if Ravage = easy to transform and easy to transform = more time to play, Ravage = more time to play. It's that simple.

And just to simplify it even more as my attempt failed miserably, since Ravage is a easy to transform figure, kids can spend more time playing with him rather than transforming him. And that, folks, if one of the major considerations I have when it comes to if a figure if fun to play with or not; because spending thirty seconds on a figure is fun, while spending twenty minutes isn't.

Fun Factor: 11/12.5

OVERVIEW:

Universe Hound and Ravage have both done a great job of reinventing themselves in a new century while carving a place of their own among Transformers fans. The fact that both came in one package that was both counted as a deluxe class "figure" and was sold at the deluxe class price makes this a sweet deal for any collector of Universe figures or Transformers in general. It is a clear sign that the Universe line has improved. (*cough* Universe Galvatron *cough*)

My score for Universe Hound with Ravage: 75.5/100

Hound was the better of the two figures, but in truth both figures are great. yes, I scored Ravage very low, but this was on his own; he is really a nice little addition to the Soundwave family. Both are still available in stores, so get them while you still have a chance.

Review #3.1 - Universe Cheetor

2009-05-02T12:54:00.000-07:00

To start off our four-part look at the 3rd wave of the Universe line, we will focus on everybody's favourite feline from Beast Wars.....no, not Tigertron....Cheetor.

I don't think I really need to explain much in terms of who Cheetor is and why he is so popular, as most of us new Transformers fans basically grew up with him. He is - essentially - the Bumblebee of the late 90s. But for those who don't know him, I shall give a brief synopsis.

Cheetor, who named himself after his newly acquired cheetah alt mode, is a hot-headed and cocky rookie to the Maximals (the future descendants of the Autobots). If he was not kept in line by his leader Optimus Primal, Cheetor would be content with running into danger head on with little to no regard for his own safety just to prove his worth to the team.

He's that overconfident.

This, in turn, usually gets him into scraps that his friends have to get him out of. But as the series progresses, Cheetor proves himself to be a capable and compident warrior, even a good leader during the time Primal is absent from the show.

By the end of Beast Wars, his character has made almost a 360 degree flip from young and arrogant to mature and wise. It is sort of a throwback to how Hot Rod changes from being his overconfident self to becoming the Autobot leader Rodimus Prime. But enough of his character bio, let's get onto the actual toy review, starting with his "vehicle" mode.

VEHICLE:

If you were to say this looks nothing like Cheetor's show mode, you'd probably be given a swift smack to the head. This is an extraordinary representation of the character, and a much needed change. Don't believe me? Look at the original toy...

Yeah...I'd take the Universe version over this one.

In any case, this spotted cat has a ton of articulation. All four paws pivot up and down, his front forearms can move up and the whole leg assembly can turn 45 degrees. The back legs have a 90 degree turn radius and have the same range of motion as the front legs. His tail also can move up and down.

There is also a gimmick involving his head. Back in the early toy line, there were two Cheetors; one with red eyes, the other with green ones. The fanbase could never decide which eyes were his actual colour as both do appear in the show, so for the Universe toy, Hasbro created a small lever that - when pressed - makes the top half of the head pivot up to reveal red eyes and fangs.

The only real issue with this mode is that some Cheetor toys have a lanky left front paw, making his ability to stand in vehicle mode limited. But aside from that, this vehicle mode gets top marks in my books.

Vehicle: 24/25

ROBOT:

It seemed that Hasbro was trying to immitate Cheetor's cartoon personality when they created this toy. The cheetah mode is great, however the robot mode leaves something to be desired. Firstly, the figure oes not tend to stand very well in robot mode due to his huge back half, and I have actually had to make his legs leans backward just to keep him upright. His back is another issue; it is unnecessarily big. It is literally the entire chest area and head of the cheetah mode with legs and arms and head on it. But still, it isn't that bad once you get used to it.

ARTICULATION:

Cheetor is just as articulate as he was in cheetah mode (thank god); his arms can rotate 360 degrees and can bend at the forearm. His head can rotate nearly 180 degrees, however it gets hung up due to some kibble (leftover pieces) from the transformation. His legs are on ball-joints and have a wide range of movement, and his feet can pivot as well. So if you can balance him, Cheetor can be put into numerous action poses.

Articulation: 20/25

GIMMICK:

Cheetor has a few of them actually. Firstly, when he transforms, his tail detaches to make a sword. This would be cool it is wasn't for the fact that the sword still looks like a tail. Some fans will remember that his original toy had the tail as a gun. So...why change that? It was awesome as is....just modify the original design to fit with the new mold.

Cheetor also has - of all things - ninja stars. NINJA STARS?! Is Hasbro seriously trying to ruin Cheetor's character or what? I mean come on...Cheetor doesn't exactly scream "ninja" when you see him. Yes, I can see the whole "cheetah = speed = ninja" thing, but this is Cheetor people. He's fast, but he's also loud. Still, it is good to see Hasbro trying new things, even if those things make no god damned sense whatsoever.

Gimmick: 19/25

FUN FACTOR:

It seems that if you are an animal transformer, you will get a bit more play use out of you. I can imagine giving Cheetor to a kid and them using it like his or her other animal toys. That would be fun enough, but add in the fact he transforms and you got yourself a truly awesome toy. The ninja stars and sword might be a bit dicey when it comes to younger children, but even without, Cheets is a great toy to have, and I'm sure any kid would love him to death.

Fun Factor: 22/25

OVERVIEW:

Universe Cheetor is not only a better mold than his previous Beast Wars era incarnation, but a great toy for any collector or child alike. He also has the notoriety of being the first Maximal and Beast Wars figures to be featured in the Universe line. The hump-back kibble and his gimp paw are only minor errors and can be overlooked after a while. This toy is worth every penny you will spend on it.

My score for Universe Cheetor: 85/100

This is a figure I saw and instantly wanted; no questions asked. I loved him in Beast Wars and now I can have him as a physical entity to transform and play around with. And I am sure any Beast Wars fan will come to love this remold, despite its shortcomings.

Review #3 - Wave 3 of Transformers Universe (aka the main 25th anniversary deluxe line)

2009-05-02T11:36:00.000-07:00

As the majority of you are quite aware, 2009 marked the 25th anniversary of everyone's favourite robots in disguise: The Transformers.

To celebrate this, Hasbro and Tomy (Takara merged with Tomy in 2001) released a 25th anniversary wave of the Universe (Classics 2.0) line. This main release - along with its secondary wave (consisting of Smokescreen and Dinobot), contains four deluxe class figures;

Cheetor, Starscream, Hound (with Ravage) and Cyclonus (with Nightstick)

Since I am such a whore, I have purchased all four, so this gives me the opportunity to do an entire Wave review of each figure. And I shall start off by doing Cheetor.

Stay tuned later tonight for the review.

Review #2 - Generation One Ironhide

2009-05-01T21:55:00.000-07:00

When you think of a hard-assed, tough-guy rough-and-mean Autobot, few can argue you mean only one individual.

That's right folks, I'm talking about Ironhide; the Autobots' weapons specialist and all-around tough guy. He was built at a time when armour was tougher and transforming into a van was accepted. Of course, this didn't prevent him from dying in the movie....what the hell Hasbro. Way to contradict your own plotline.

In any case, what you see for a character picture is not what I am reviewing....OH no.....what I am about to review is arguably the worst transformer in the 84 line, equalled only to Ratchet. Folks, if you have a weak heart or you cannot take the disappointment of seeing this toy, I would suggest looking away from the blog right now....

The toy I am reviewing is none other than....

Generation One Ironhide.

Yes everyone, the bastard child of the 84 line is in my collection. Why? Because he was $10 US and I am a whore for good deals....so sue me. But in all honesty, this figure is a horrible attempt to market the name of a character. And Ratchet was no different. But what makes this figure horrible? Let us explore this shall we?

VEHICLE:

Ironhide's vehicle mode is surprisingly both quite aesthetically pleasing and also rolls quite well. The design is based off a Chevolent Vanette (lol Vanette....Van.....lame), and the main colour scheme is a deep red with a yellow stripe going along the middle of the doors. As mentioned, he does roll quite well on rubber tires, and he can be shot from Optimus Prime's trailer, which is kinda cool. However, this ability to roll well is removed when Ironhide's blaster is attached. You see, it attachs under the car chassis...and due to the poor design, drags on the ground and basically renders the toy useless as a car.

Other than that, Ironhide's vehicle mode is quite a good mode, despite the demonic face staring at you through the windshield.

Vehicle: 23/25

ROBOT:

Now we get into the interesting aspect of the review. This is where I get to butcher the crap out of his all-mighty robot mode. At first glance, I had no idea this was the toy for Ironhide; then someone tole me and I thought they were pulling a fast one. But no, it turned out that this abomination is the official toy for Ironhide. The toy was originally part of the Microman line from the late 70s and early 80s (in fact Ironhide was from 80-82 line). This basically makes him a battle suit and not a transformer, and explained where there is a seat in his battle roller and no head.

But enough of the brief introduction. Let's move right along to...

ARTICULATION:

Ironhide is surprisingly articulate for a windshield with arms and legs. His arms can rotate 360 degrees, and can swivel 180 degrees. The feet can rotate nearly 360 degrees, but are prevented from doing so because of the legs. The hand can rotate 360 degrees as well, and the head can tip back due to transformation. His legs, however, don't move at all. But all-in-all, not bad....not bad at all for articulation.

Articulation: 15/25

GIMMICK:

For his gimmick, Ironhide possesses - get this - a rolling battle sled.

Yes, it is as ludacris as it sounded.

Basically, half of Ironhide comes off to form this battle sled...thing....and Ironhide fits on the back (as shown in the picture below)

This sled also came with a peg to mount Ironhide's blaster, and a missile launcher.

What do I think about this gimmick? Eh...to be truly honest, it isn't all that bad, but it isn't all that good either. It's sorta medeocker, and that is what hurts the score. And seriously though....a battle sled. God Hasbro.

Gimmick: 16/25

FUN FACTOR:

Being realistic here, as a child, I can see myself purchasing Ironhide and opening him up, playing with him for five seconds and getting bored of him. The vehicle mode is durable enough that it could be used to play with, and the battle sled might also give some added replay value, but Ironhide himself....

like playing with a brick.

Fun Factor: 12.5/25

Overview:

Okay so, now that the total ripping of Ironhide is complete, let me start off by saying I did not do this review to rip him. I simply wished to do it because of one reason; I bought Ironhide not ONLY because he was cheap, but because I wanted him in my collection. At first, his design wasn't very good and I wasn't sure about him. But now that I have him and I have fiddled with him...it is actually starting to grow on me. Sure, I still hate Hasbro for selling out with this figure, but still it is still an interesting addition to any collection.

My Score for Generation One Ironhide: 66.5/100

Ironhide's figure was a total cope-out by Hasbro and Takara, and personally I feel they carried the weight of this up till the Universe release of Ironhide, which actually got a head.(Such a thing is the work of witches! Burn the heretics!) However, the vehicle mode, the so-so gimmick and the infamous windshield face give this figure a sort of presence, and you know what figure it is when you see it.

And that, my friends, is why people still buy it, even with its flaws.

Review #1 - 25th Anniversary Reissue Optimus Prime

2009-04-30T09:42:00.000-07:00

How fitting that my first review is of the robot that made Transformers, and what an iconic figure to start with as well.

Yes folks, this is a review of G1 Optimus Prime. But this is the 25th Anniversary Reissue of the mold. (sarcasm) Yes, I'm just as shocked as you are that Hasbro would reissue another figure from the same mold. (/sarcasm)

Anyways, this character is one of those that your collection cannot exist without; it isn't a true Transformers collection without at least ONE Optimus Prime.

This figure is definitely a good version to add as your first Prime or another of many you already possess. But why exactly?

Well first off, it's a remold of the G1 Optimus......nuff said there. I mean, this toy is as iconic and recognizable as the Transformers come, and the figure is not that half bad for Generation One. I mean this with the utmost respect of course, as this was the 1980s and toys weren't as articulate and show accurate as they are now. (G1 Ironhide -_-)

But I digress, let us get on with the actual review of the figure. First, to the vehicle mode.

VEHICLE:

As mentioned earlier, the red, white and blue semi cab truck is bar-none one of the more well known in all the Transformers universe, followed closely by Megatron, Soundwave, Bumblebee and Starscream. Hasbro has tried their very best to recreate the exact Prime they sold in the 80s. The reason "exact" is in italics is because a) they used different metals due to the new "lead poisoning" issues (lead was used in G1 toys) and b) Prime's famous smokestacks have been shortened to deter and idiot child who gets their hands on this figure from poking out their eyes.

Firstly, Prime has both metal and plastic aspects to him, such as the upper legs, feet, front windshield and smokestacks being made of die cast metal. This makes this toy a lot heavier than most figures his size (aka deluxe class). The figure also rolls exceptionally well for a design that is - essentially - 25 to 30 years old, and is on rubber tires which was common for Transformers at that time period. When attached to his just-as-famous trailer, Optimus is able to turn just like a real convoy.

This is, however, as much as the cab has to offer. I don't count the trailer as part of the vehicle mode as all it is....is a trailer. Its mobile base mode does technically count as a "transformation". But I guess since it does allow you to deploy Roller, this counts as Prime's one and only gimmick in vehicle mode.

Vehicle Mode: 16/25

ROBOT:

This is truly where the review takes off. Tranformed from semi-track mode, Optimus Prime's true form is revealed as the stedfast and tough-as-nails leader that he is. I will say that Hasbro has done an excellent job of remaking the figure exactly as he was back in the 80s; blocky and unarticulate.

Now, don't get me wrong, I bought this 25th anniversary figure just so I could have this Prime, and I was perfectly aware of the blockiness of it. I just am pointing out the facts.

OK...on we go then.

The Pros;
1) This figure is quite stable. His legs are steady and support his heavy upper chest well, and the feet add a bit of weight at the bottom too.
2) He actually has a tad more articulation and defined features than many of the original 84 line of Transformers. For example, Starscream's original arms were just side panels from the "jet", and Ironhide was basically a windshield with arms and legs....if you can even call them legs.
3) Prime has the combat base. This base not only opened up to reveal an Autobot command center (complete with control tower and a place to put Prime's blaster, but the Roller eject system was actually quite strong. (I managed to send Ironhide rolling just as far as Roller would normally)

Cons;
1) This 25th anniversary reissue of the mold has a tendency to have its arms snap off at the joint. Not the arm; the JOINT. This basically mean that your Prime, if heavy transformation is what you do, will eventually be an amputee. To combat this, either rarely transform him, leave him mint in box, or rotate out the arm with your fingers as close to the joint as possible to relieve some stress.
2) Prime's blaster never wants to sit properly in his hand; it is either pointed at an angle to the left or right, but never ahead. This is both a useless error that could have been fixed by removing the blaster's trigger and handgrip and a sign of laziness. There is no-one in the world that can tell me it would be too much money to remold the blaster without a trigger and handgrip. I study Mechanical Engineering; I know how this shit works.
3) Articulation is a major issue. I won't go into much detail here as I discuss that in the next section.

ARTICULATION:
Prime is, as mentioned earlier, a tad more articulate than other figures of this time period. Both arms can rotate 360 degrees, which is normal....but that is about as normal as it gets. The arm does straighten out (rotates 90 degrees down) and his legs do fold back, but that is about all you can expect.

Articulation: 19/25

GIMMICK:

Prime's robot mode gimmick is his trailer control center. This is, however, a lot cooler than one can expect. I mean firstly, it's a trailer that folds out into a base.

How the hell can you not say this is not cool? The base does not offer very much in terms of features, but that is what imagination is for. This base can also fit up to three - count em': THREE - G1 delxue class figures inside as well. This makes up for the lack-luster robot mode.

Edit (May 3rd): I forgot to mention one extra gimmick of Prime's trailer. When tipped onto its end, it acts as a repair bay for Optimus. Sorry bout that folks.
Gimmick: 23/25

FUN FACTOR:

Fun wise, this mold is not really intended for what the new Universe and Transformers Animated figures are; this is purely made for collectors and those who will display it as a display piece. Optimus' arms can not - and will not - survive heavy play as his original self did, and for this reason he is not very fun to play with. However, in vehicle mode he can be played with, so I'd say it is half and half in this department. But paying 80 bucks for a Transformer that won't be played with seems a bit too much to ask for the average consumer.

Course how else did Hasbro survive this long without whoring out to the fans once in a while right?

Fun factor: 17/25

Overview:

All in all, it is a toss up as to whether this figure is truly worth the high price tag it is sold for. But I guess Hasbro can sell it at that price as it comes with a comic book and belt clip that plays sounds. But still, this figure was designed with collectors in mind as the average mother or father will not purchase an $80 dollar toy for their kid if it looks as small as Optimus. A bike maybe, but not a Transformer.

My score for 25th Anniversary Optimus Prime; 75/100

Optimus Prime's trailer base made up for this figure's lack of articulation and playability, but considering it's god damned Optimus Prime, I'd say he did rather well despite everything.

Countdown to Insanity

2009-04-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone; my name is Brent Johnston (aka Todd Hakusho as I am more well known), and I have created this blog to not only showcase my collection of Transformers figures, but to write up reviews for each new and old figure that I currently possess and will possess in the near future.

hopefully you enjoy ^^