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Official Review Thread

Post your reviews of Transformers toys in this topic. Videos can be posted in a topic as well as text reviews and images.
Please keep each topic dedicated to one specific toy (i.e. DOTM Deluxe Class Optimus Prime") that has actually been released.

Re: Official Review Thread

Postby Autobot032 » Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:56 pm

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Rial Vestro wrote:*snip*


*claps* I agree.

Though I do plan on buying future Human Alliance figures if they start shaping up like Bumblebee. He is without a doubt, the best of the line so far.

I'm hoping Skids impresses me. I know Barricade will.

As for the rest of what's possibly coming...eh. I'll get to them when I can. I won't rush out, out of my way to get 'em.
NOTE: Realize that I am not a perfect Christian, nor do I profess to be. I apologize if anyone's ever offended by me, I'm not perfect. Don't hold my posts and opinions against other Christians.
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby Rial Vestro » Mon Oct 12, 2009 6:22 pm

Autobot032 wrote:I know Barricade will.


I don't understand why they would include any Decepticons in a TF line called "Human Alliance" they have no human alliance. :P Unless all of them come with an Alice figure or the hologramed mustach man who appeared in the first movie.
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby Gauntlet101010 » Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:07 am

Just got my MP Grimlock and the crown add-on accessory. For kicks I'll review the crown add-on. I'm gonna go from worst to best accessory here.

Starting things off, there's the mug. Referencing Maccadam's Old Oil house ... I dunno if Grimmy's been there or not. It has clear blue ... "oil"? Energon? Who knows? It helps the illusion, but it has imperfections in mine that spoil the illusion. To make things worse the silver paint on this isn't even in one area and the very plain "M" "logo" (and I use the term loosely) is slightly off center. All in all though, Grimlock comes witha sword and a gun, so I dunno why I'd ever use the mug in my display.

Next up is Thrust. the scult is the best out of the three (dum dum DUM ... ominous music). It's just chalk full of details. However, the paint job is even worse than the mug. There's no clean edges on anything. And the underside reveals a very hastily sprayed torso. It's just not very good. I wish they had just left it unpainted, to be honest, because the wings and the red thrusters give it the right feel. Still, thrust is more useful than the mug. I put him in Grimmy's mouth and it gets the job done. Probably cheaper than the WSTF Thrust too.

And now .... the crown. The only reason you'll be buying this set.Easily the worst sculpting of the three, a lot of the crown really looks blotchy. Also, just looking at Grimlock I can see that the real crown probably pegs into the hole on his head (it's near the front on his "hemlet"). This crown doesn't peg into that slot. Nor does it merely slide on he rectangular head. Instead it's *slightly* bendable and fits around that raised part of the helmet witht he hole and around his head. Unfortunately the sculpting is uneven and it doesn't immediately sit flat on his head! It can be done, but it requires some work. And, although the molding was obviously flawed, the points are VERY sharp. Maybe that's the real reason the official crown was omitted?

The crown sits securely enough and they did a really good job on matching the color. However, City Commander this ain't. While CC showed us all what fan made add-ons can do, this isn't not in the same league. It's like a mirage: good at a glance, but fails upon inspection.

Even with every item pretty much failing the quality test, I can't say I totally regret getting this set with Grimmy. I felt really PO'ed that they left that crown out and even now my Grimlock is standing with his crown on. BTW: it does fit inside of Grimmy's Dino-mode when he transforms.

So, no regrets here. Although if there was another crown made by another company, I'd definately get Grims a replacement. Especially if it was a "clone" of the official one. So, if you wanna buy this enter into it with your eyes wide open.
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby DMSL » Sat Oct 24, 2009 5:39 am

Weapon: Electro-Laser Cannon
Transformers Classic Henkei Inferno Video Review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNx853tuv1Q

Transformers G1 Encore 17 Cassettes Volume 2 Video Review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9fZs4gmTHU

Transformers ROTF Deluxe Class Mudflap Video Review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b7Aefrxdrc

Transformers ROTF Deluxe Class Sideways Video Review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyIMfAmU_Uc

Transformers ROTF Deluxe Class Skids Video Review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKLJjPRaWKg
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby Rial Vestro » Fri Nov 27, 2009 12:56 am

So I finally got the Legacy of Bumblebee 3 pack. Before I got these guys I heard alot of reviews complaining about the horrible paint jobs so I just wanted to get this out of the way. The paint jobs on mine are actully not that bad. The only one I have any major gripe with is Animated. Even to my color blind eyes he appears to have 2 different shades of Yellow. One being a more bright color on the head, chest, arms, feet and @$$ as well as his back bumper. However his vehicle mode roof not to be confused with the fake roof on his chest, just between the back bumper and back window, and the pices that hold his rocket bosters are all a dull shade of yellow. This is allso present on Classics Bumblebee but it's only on the roof and just makes him look like he could have a convertable top so it doesn't bother me quite as much.

For vehicle modes...

Classic Bumblebee I didn't really like the first time I saw it because I kinda wish he looked more like the original. The black doesn't really help him not that it's painted badly just that the original didn't have black stripes. Now I've found that his spoiler is detachable which makes him look a little more classic in my opinion. One kind of pointless feature he has seats but nothing can actully sit in them. It's just the backs that show threw the windows, there's nothing to really sit in.

Movie Bumblebee I compaired with his Human Alliance counterpart and there is verry little difference between them. I was exspecting that being a smaller toy they would of skipped some his smaller details but I've taken a close look at this thing compairing him to all the details on the larger Human Alliance version and the only differences I've found are in his front grill but this differences aren't in the paint but rather in the molding. Human Alliance Bumblebee has extra lights and they're molded in different shapes. Even the Chevy and Camaro logos on this guy are panted.

Animated Bumblebee aside from the aformentioned paint job the only thing that dissapoints about this mode and the mold in general is that the doors don't open in the right direction to get Bumblebee to use his arms in vehicle mode like he does in the cartoon. The lack of a removeable siren is a little more forgivable because I'd just loose the damn thing if it did come off.

Now onto robot modes...

Classics Bumblebee unlike his vehicle mode the robot mode actully does a terrific job of replicating G1 Bumblebee. In robot mode he's by far my favorite out of the three. Again I don't really like the innaccurate additions not just for G1 recreations sake but because they just don't work. Namely the "jet pack" which in no way looks like a jet pack but rather shoulder cannons. They should have just had them listed as shoulder cannons. Anyway it dosen't clip into place properly and just kinda sits there. I did a search and found out the original version fits better but I don't have any other Classic toys so I don't know first hand if this is true or not. I'd allso like to point out the return of the rub sign that all G1 and some Beast Wars toys had.

For Movie Bumblebee I again compaired him to Human Alliance Bumblebee and this just furthers my dissapointment in Human Alliance. In many ways this smaller version is actully more screen accurate than the Human Alliance version. His feet are actully painted yellow as they should be. The lower legs don't look like the rear of his car with holes in them. The upper legs are more accurate on Human Alliance so he's not completly more accureate but there are some ways he is. Neither of them have accurate arms but I like that the smaller one has cleaner arm kibble. Rather than his vehicle mode seats which the smaller toy doesn't have anyway his roof is on the arms and it's flat and doesn't show up unless you're looking at it from the back. Both do a fairly good job with the back kibble even though it folds up completly different. The smaller toy doesn't even have his regular lack-of-face which I hate and the Human Alliance version the battle mask fits too loose and doesn't look good. The smaller toy has the added bonus of haveing TWO hands and a transforming weapon. Granted the sword is never used in the movie but it's just kinda cool that he has a transforming weapon. The only issue I have is that his shoulder pieces are not molded on, constantly fall off, and are even smaller than Animated Bumblebee's siren. His head likewise is constantly falling off but that is an issue with Human Alliance Bumblebee as well so I guess Movie Bumblebees in general have trouble keeping their heads on.

Animated Bumblebee as if the vehicle mode wasn't bad enough the screen innaccuracys just get worse here. The feet I'll forgive because there's no way to make it accurate in both modes and still transform. Now this could be another of the painting issues people talk about but his Autobot decal is the wrong color. It's silver and increatably hard to see under most lighting conditions on the yellow backround. It should be red. The main inaccuracy I have issues with is again with the arms. His stingers just look retarded when used individually and they didn't even get the transformation right. The toy can actully have his stingers and hands out at the same time but on the cartoon that was not possible as the stingers were attached to oppisite sides of his rotating hands and did not fold into the sides of his arm. I useually just keep his stingers combined because that's the only way they look good. You can't even get rid of them because they don't fold away all the way so even when not deployed they're still visable. Might as well have them out all the time if you can't hide them.

Now this is a three pack so what I'm going to do is rate them all individually and then give an over all rateing of the pack. Allso rather than doing my usual star or 5 bot rateing I'm going to rate on a scale of 1-10 as well as my useual Bot rateing.

Classics 6 :BOT: :BOT: :BOT: :CON: :CON:

Movie 5 :BOT: :BOT: :CON: :CON: :CON:

Animated 4 :BOT: :BOT: :CON: :CON: :CON:

Overall 8 :BOT: :BOT: :BOT: :BOT: :CON:

So do I reccomend the Legacy of Bumblebee 3 pack. Yes, disspite their flaws and my own personal gripes I still love these guys.
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby Rial Vestro » Fri Nov 27, 2009 2:31 am

I allso picked up Movie Fallen.

Now of course I've allready said several times how much I hate movie designs but I got this guy because... well... He's kinda like the Rodimus Prime of the Decepticons in the movie, that is he was leader of the Decepticons and the only other real leader besides Megatron/Galvatron. Ultra Magnus and Cheetor have taken over a few times for the good guys but Ultra Magnus was the only other Autobot to be really appointed leader on screen and he turned out to either not be the real leader or wasn't the main focus of the series, IE G1 Leadership went to Rodimus Prime not Ultra Magnus and Animated focused on Optimus Prime's team makeing him the leader of the series rather than watching Ultra Magnus' leadership for the series.

I kinda feel the same way about the Fallen. Others have appointed themselfs leader before but never really did anything as leader and the Fallen managed to retain leadership even after Megatron was revived. So The Fallen is sitting verry out of place on my shelf of Primes and Megatrons.

As for the toy itself there are times when I think the toys look better than their movie designs and this is no acception. I thought Bay screwed up the character as his fire effect was never defined on screen except in a few close ups but the toy actully has a few red paint aps that could be fire where the movie version should of had fire seeping out from.

One thing I'd like to point out. I normally don't talk about packageing but the Target exsculsive Burning Fallen repaint seems to be packaged in a box that better accomidates his robot mode where as the stand version was packaged in the standard Vayager class box in robot mode and because of that he was squatting down in his box looking like he was takeing a dump inside of his box. Who's idea was it to package him in that undignifed position? It would of been better if they packaged him sideways (that is sideways in the box not with the Decepticon Sideways) or in vehicle mode he would fit better and not look so awkward.

Anyway... going back to the toy...

The vehicle mode looks like some of the more early concept art for Megatron's vehicle mode from the first movie, in other words... a thorn bush. His hands are allso blantantly visable in vehicle mode the way the instructions so to transform him but he has part on his for arms to cover them and the instructions never say anything about how to use them. Besides that the instructions threwout the entire process seemed to skip steps in the transformation that resulted in parts falling off or not fitting properly. So basically they're good only to give you a general idea on how to transform him and can be usefull if you get stuck but should not be followed step by step.

Now this could be a result of the abouve but I've noticed when other people show him in robot mode he's allways misstransformed and he's even packaged this way. Part of it someone exsplained he did intentionally because the correct transformation hinders his articulation but it's movie accurate so I do it anyway. That is the odd muscule tissue (that's what it looks like) that connects his lower arms to his waist. It does connect, I didn't think it did till I got him but it does if you want the movie accurateness. The other thing is his shoulders. There are large spikes in each shoulder that are pointed outward normally but they're actully on a hinge and are supose to move closer to the head.

Fallen allso has a 3rd mode with involves folding out red "energy absorbtion pannels" but he looks rather dumb and some of the pannels don't work properly.

Now on the positive side of all this the toy has features that were never used in the movie and should have been. A Transformer who never Transforms is just stupid. On the negitive side he lost some of the features he did have in the movie. While the toy added the red detailing the movie lost, the toy lost allmost all of the face details. The toy has an out of place awkward looking red clear plastic like going down the middle of what should be his face. The rest of the toy is verry well detailed but that face is annoying the hell out of me. While he gains a robot mode he looses his main weapon which Optimus Prime used agenst him to rip his face off. That's something no one really talks about but alot of people ask about when ever I found a review but now I'm talking about it. No he doesn't come with his staff.

One last odd design detail I wanted to point out... If you've ever read, watched, or had a toy of Animorphs you've probly seen the hands of the alien "andorian centar" (not it's offican name, just what it looks like.) and his extra thumb. Well if you thought it was weird to have 1 thumb on each side of your hand Fallen makes them seem normal. He has 2 thumbs on each side of his hands giveing him an equil number of thumbs and fingers. His hands are allso verry flat which reminds me of BM Strika.

Over all I give him :CON: :CON: :BOT: :BOT: :BOT:

Would I reccomend getting him? I'd rather have Titanium Fallen. Movie Fallen is better as a display item for hard core collectors and for that purpus you might as well just get the Robot Replica version.
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby Valandar » Wed Dec 02, 2009 4:21 pm

Motto: "It doesn't matter if the glass is half full or half empty, only that you work to make it full."
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Okay, here's an overview review of... the Iron Man / Spider-Man two-pack!

First, the packaging. Both are packaged in vehicle modes. Iron Man's jet mode looks like a slightly chunky shuttle, with hugely wide wings, while Spider-Man is a helicopter with two huge jets on the side. Neither one looks TOO bad in vehicle mode, even with the semi-random color scheme needed for the robot modes to look correct. Spider-Man's rotors are the most annoyiing bit of the packaging, and getting them out is not TOO difficult, but not simple, either. On the other hand, Iron Man has his wingtips folded up, and is held in only by two little twist-ties. The missiles for Iron Man's launchers are held on to the packaging by rubber bands, and are easy to remove.

Vehicle modes:

The plastic is the first thing I notice. It's not up to the standards of usual TF figures, though not as bad as the typical KO, either. Most of it is molded red for both figures, with blue (and a touch of silver and black) paint apps on Spider-Man with a few molded blue pieces, and yellow (and white ) paint apps with a few molded yellow parts on Iron Man. They did a VERY good job of mayching the blue paint apps to the blue shade of plastic, and the few red paint apps they have on blue also match quite well to the red plastic. However, the paint matching on Iron Man is quite poor - the plastic is almost a golden yellow, while the paint apps are a brighter yellow.

Iron Man's jet mode is broad and short, and despite being rather thick actually looks streamlined, and like it could fly, with very little robot kibble visible at all. It doesn't really have any moving parts (unless you count the wingtips that can fold flat, up, or down) and doesn't even have any landing gear, meaning that the only play value here comes from the wing missile launchers, and just swooping around a fancy sci-fi jet. All in all, a nice, solid jet mode with no huge flaws other than some paint / plastic mismatches.

Spider-Man's copter mode as a few more flaws. From above, it's an excellent light, probably one-man helicopter, with a pair of huge jets on either side of the fuselage. However, the underside of the cockpit is hollow, and the 'jets' are very visibly held on by robot thighs. It does have a spinning rotor, and rear landing gear, however. Vehicle mode is thus a bit weaker than Iron Man's.

The transforms are both moderately simple, yet actually slightly ingenious. I won't go into them here, but neither one is either too tricky for young fingers, or too boring for older collectors.

Iron man's robot mode is a SEVERE disappointment. Remarkably blocky, his shins are narrower front to back than side to side, he lacks much articulation on the upper arms and thighs, and much of what articulation he DOES have is limited by extremely restrictive ratcheted joints. He has lots of smooth panels that, combined with the bright yellow and red coloration, makes him look very simplistic and un-detailed, especially for his size. Finally, the weight of his winged backpack and his comparatively small feet means he usually has to be standing leaning slightly forwards, or he'll fall over backwards.

Spider-Man trades places with Shellhead here, as his robot mode is MUCH better than his vehicle mode. Quite articulated in comparison, the ratchet joints aren't as restrictive, he's a lot more detailed than Iron Man, and simultaneously not as blocky yet with better heft, especially in the torso and lower legs. His only real kibble are the tail of copter mode split apart on the backs of his arms, and the cockpit and rotors combined into a backpack that actually looks like a mecha powerplant, not part of a vehicle hanging off his back. He has much more surface detailing as well, and the slightly darker red plus rich blue do well to make that detail stand out better than the colors of his compatriot.

I will NOT review the combined modes, either robot or jet, as I actually find them quite silly - combined jet mode looks like sex between sentient vehicles, while combined robot mode is Spider-Man with a jet for a hat.

Overall, the single biggest flaw is the low quality plastic (again, not as bad as a Big Lots knockoff toy but worse than Classics (Armada) Hot Shot), combined with joints that are either remarkably tight, or ratcheted too broadly for decent poses. Iron Man's vehicle mode wins out, while Spider-Man's robot mode trumps him handily. All things considered the Spider-Man figure is the better of the two, and I'm almost tempted to see if I can get ahold of a second one, and repaint him as Whirl to go with my Marvel TF Captain America Hummer repainted as Roadbuster.
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby fowlowl2626 » Thu Dec 10, 2009 4:44 pm

Speaking of reviews.....GO TO MY CHANNEL ON YOUTUBE!

please... :|
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby Lord Grimlock » Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:08 pm

i have finally decided to buy the fabs i sort of like these better than the deluxe class i just like how basic they are they are sort of like how the g1 transformers were easy to transform
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby Rial Vestro » Sun Dec 20, 2009 3:14 am

I was woken up by Fed Ex makeing a delivery this morning. Turned out to be an early Christmas present my dad ordered. ROTF Optimus Prime.

I allready had a Movie Prime from the first toy line but I wanted this version and Jetfire (still no Jetfire yet so he will not be featured in this review.) so I could combine the two. My opinion of him is somewhat corrupted by the option of the original toy but I'll do my best to keep this fair.

They're both packaged in robot mode so I'll start there and so you don't get confused latter on I'll be refering to the 2007 version simply as "Movie Prime" while the new one will be refered to as "ROTF Prime". So in robot mode I'm rather impressed with ROTF Prime. He's vastly more screen accurate than Movie Prime. The first thing I did was compair them and there's about the same size. A couple dissapointments though are that Movie Prime actully has posable fists while ROTF Prime does not. He has the same wrist articulation but non of the finger articulation that the original had. Another thing while looking at the sword(s) ROTF Prime are more secured to his arms where as the original was detatchable and would constantly fall off. But the swords themselfs, Movie Prime's sword was far more detailed than ROTF Prime's which are both one solid color. I find it hard to belive that they went threw all that trouble to make the molding more screen accurate and then skimped on the paint job.

Over all though I do prefer the robot mode of ROTF Prime.

Now onto Transformation. Now while Movie Megatron was harder to Transform than ROTF Megatron Optimus desided to go the exact oppisite. Despite the fact that I haven't Transformed him in a while I did it just to see how long it would take me and it was aproximatly 2 min. to get Movie Prime to Robot mode and back. ROTF Prime subtracting the time that I left him on my bed in "car wreck" mode while I had to go to work, it still took about 2 hours just to get from robot to vehicle and most of that time was trying to get pegs into place. There are about 14 pegs that hold just the nose of the truck togeather and I was constantly 1 peg away from getting it done. Every time I got whatever peg I was working on into place 2 more would come undone and it didn't help that his swords kept comming out durring all of it sence on this version the nose holds his arms not his legs as the original did. At this point when I do get Jetfire I'm allmost afraid to get him back to robot mode so I can combine them.

Now in vehicle mode I again have some points where I like Movie Prime better and some points where I like ROTF Prime better but before I get into that... It's not by much but ROTF Prime in vehicle mode is actully slightly SMALLER than Movie Prime allthough that's his overall scale. There are spicific parts such as gas tanks and smoke stacks which have significant size differences. Not having a real rig to compair with right now I have no idea which one is more accurate but I could probly spend all night going over each little detail if I did. Now one part of ROTF Prime that I see as an improvement on the original design is that in the back of the rig he has translucent plastic where his tail lights would be, his trailer riging which he never actully uses but it's still nice that he has it, and there's no robot kibble showing like Movie Prime has. As I've allready stated Movie Prime's arms are in a different part of his vehicle mode, the back, and his sword is clearly visable there. ROTF Prime actully looks like a rig, not like a toy that turns into a robot from the back. Another area where I like ROTF Prime better is that they used a lighter shade of Blue. Movie Prime is dark enough that to my color blind eyes had I not known he was blue I would think he was purple because that's how he looks to me. My liking for ROTF Prime kinda stops there though because I again have a complaint about skimping on the paint job. Movie Prime has silver paint apps and blue headlights. ROTF Prime is GREY with colorless headlights. The tail lights I mentioned earlier are allso made from the same colorless translucent plastic. The Autobot Hood Ordiment was painted red which is kinda cool that they painted something that small but verry unnessisary. It's not even screen accurate for him to have that autobot symbol painted red. The only part of his paint job that I like is the lighter color blue everything else is crap.

ROTF Prime has the better molding. Movie Prime has the better paint job and Transformation.

My overall view is that the toy has suffered and sadly it's suffered from the two gimics I wanted him for in the first place. His Combineing with Jetfire and the fact that he now has TWO swords. Of course if he didn't have thoughs two features I never would of bought him desipite being more screen accurate. I was perfectly satisfied with Movie Prime untill I found out about Jetfire as such despite the fact I like Movie Prime I don't need two Bay Primes and I do want the ability to combine with Jetfire when I get him so I am willing to sell Movie Prime. Hopefully I'll get more enjoyment out of ROTF Prime once I have Jetfire.

For now I'm giveing ROTF Prime...

:BOT: :BOT: :CON: :CON: :CON:

But that Rating may change once I have Jetfire allthough he won't help much just maybe give one more star.
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby sto_vo_kor_2000 » Sun Dec 20, 2009 11:25 am

Motto: "Today is a good day to die......but the day is not yet over!"
Rial Vestro wrote:(still no Jetfire yet so he will not be featured in this review.)


They discounted him at my local Wally world.

If you need help getting him let me know.
Predaprince wrote:I am very thankful to have posters like sto_vo_kor_2000 who is so energetic about improving others' understanding and enjoyment of the TF universe
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T-Macksimus wrote:I consider you and editor to be amongst the most "scholarly" in terms of your knowledge, demeanor and general approach

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Supreme Devastator Ko Review(Detailed)

Postby blurrprime » Thu Dec 24, 2009 10:18 am

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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby fowlowl2626 » Thu Dec 24, 2009 1:21 pm

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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby Rial Vestro » Thu Dec 24, 2009 9:25 pm

Well in my family we open presents on Christmas Eve and I just got ROTF Jetfire! And spent most of the day trying to transform him into a Jet but I'll get to that later.

Robot mode: As I was takeing him out of the package and getting all the clear rubberbands off him parts started to just come out of place more so than I'm use to but that's OK because they were all fairly easy to put back into place after I had him completly out of the packageing. Pluse it seems to be true to the character that parts would just randomly fall off or partally switch to vehicle mode. One of the pieces that came off is detachable for the combined form. The only real issue I have that isn't true to the character is that he can't grip his cane properly. Sence his supose to be an old man and that cane is there as an extra suport to hold him up it should be more secure.

Of course I did notice where there are some cheats such as the fake cockpit on his head but they did a nice job of hideing the REAL cockpit so that it isn't too noticeable in robot mode. And sadly there aren't quite as many segmented sections going down his spine as there were in the movie but it's still a fairly decent representation.

The Transformation: I don't know why movie toys have to be so damn complicated but they are. Most of my frustration has to do with the segmented sections that are on the toy so in that respect I'm glad he didn't have all of the segmented sections from the movie. There are 5 segments down his spine all of which have multiple conections to eachother. You'd think more conecters would help hold things togeather better but it doesn't seem to and insted just makes it harder to get everything lined up properly.

After all of that I just realized while typeing this that I had his hands positioned wrong which exsplains why I never got his front landing gear to hook in properly. The palms sound be faceing down not up. :)

Anyway getting all the segmented sections to line up properly I discovered is easier allthough the instuctions don't say to do this I'm recommending you do if you're haveing problems. Any piece that's made to come off go ahead and take it off so that you're only working with the segmented sections and not Jetfire's actual body. This gives you only 2 pegs to line up insted of 8 or however many go between the segmented sections (I never bothered to count them and I'd have to take him apart to do it now.) There's really only 1 section you can do this with the rest are attached but that 1 section is where I had the most problems so it's worth it to try this short cut.

Vehicle mode: Well the top of the vehicle mode looks amazing. He's got the JTFR tag on the side of the plane. On his main wings is a faded silver Decepticon logo allthough I'm not sure why they made that faded when nothing else on the jet has faded paint. On the stabilizer wings is another RED Decepticon logo (I thought only Shattered Mirror Decepticons had red emblems?) with wings around it and the number 17972 under it all in red. And for some unknown reason a white circle with a picture of a cartoon skunk inside, possibly ment to represent Peppy Le Pu but I'm not sure.

The bottom of the vehicle mode however, if you hate seeing robot kibble on toys you're going to hate this because the only part of his robot mode you can't see is his head. His chest, arms, and legs are all clearly visable.

So I'm giveing him, on his own...

:BOT: :BOT: :CON: :CON: :CON:

But this may change.

I have not combined him with Optimus yet because as late as it is right now and as long as I spent transforming both of them the first time I'm thinking I could be up all night trying to get the combined mode before I can even do a review on it so I'll do that seperately.

On a side not I do have a concern regarding this figure. There are two rubber parts to him that so far don't appear to be of any use in vehicle or robot but being made of soft rubber and where they're currently placed in vehicle mode I'm largely concerned about them breaking in the future. RID Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus used the same material for their tires and to put it simply I can't touch either of them anymore because there's nothing holding their tires on. And thoughs guys don't have any parts smashing down on them that could of caused the breaking of their tires but Jetfire has two rubber... I don't know what to call them... that while in vehicle mode are being crushed under his legs. If anyone knows what I'm talking about and has any ideas to try and prevent these parts from breaking please PM me.

- = edit = -

I allmost forgot to mention as I took him off the shelf.

All my transformers are displayed in their alt modes because I've learned it's verry dangerous to keep them in robot mode as they fall over every time someone does laundry. (which is on the oppisite end of the house) Anyway, even though I have some of them pressed up agenst the wall to make them fit in vehicle mode Jetfire is the longest vehicle I have from front to back. Omega Supreme would be longer in the combined vehicle mode but then he wouldn't fit on the shelf so in his two halfs he's now dealing with being the second longest TF on my shelf. :lol:
Last edited by Rial Vestro on Thu Dec 24, 2009 10:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby sto_vo_kor_2000 » Thu Dec 24, 2009 9:27 pm

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Pretty kool
Predaprince wrote:I am very thankful to have posters like sto_vo_kor_2000 who is so energetic about improving others' understanding and enjoyment of the TF universe
Stormrider wrote:You often add interesting insights to conversations that makes the fledglings think and challenges even the sharpest minds

T-Macksimus wrote:I consider you and editor to be amongst the most "scholarly" in terms of your knowledge, demeanor and general approach

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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby Rial Vestro » Fri Dec 25, 2009 2:58 am

OK so it didn't take me all night after all.

Transformation: The actual transforming them part wasn't that hard but the combineing part was. It's rather difficult to get all the damn little pegs lined up and I'm still not sure I have done correctly. (his crotch keeps comming out and really why is there even a peg there.)

The aformentioned slots near Optimus' trailer rigging go to holding in place the hard plastic pieces on the ends of the aformentioned rubber bits from Jetfire. Optimus Prime's smoke stacks still don't seem to have any reason to move as they're in the same position for all 3 modes.

Combined mode: While it is an excilent looking combined form it's not verry practicle. I feel as if he's going to fall apart at any moment as I'm wrighting this but I am amazed at the balance. I would think he'd fall on his face because the back pack is makeing him lean forward but he seems to be staying preddy still on my desk.

One major I have with this one is that because of the way Jetfire combines with Optimus they both just lost all leg articulation. I supose if you tried hard enough you actully could get the legs to move but it seems highly difficult if not impossible.

Updated overall rateing for both figures in all 3 modes.

:BOT: :BOT: :CON: :CON: :CON:
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby medabotsoundwave676 » Wed Dec 30, 2009 12:11 pm

I'd like to share my review of G1 topspin


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m12CgXHN5Kc

cant believe he hasnt broken yet! :D
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby The Fallen Prime » Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:27 am

Motto: "I, now, claim your sun!"
Wow, I've purchased so many figures in the last week I don't know where to start...

All are RotF:

Bludgeon- A really cool-looking figure that is simple enough to transform (except for connecting the chest to the abdomen). The color scheme is really appropriate. What I dislike about the figure, though, are the feet. Not the look of them, but the positioning. I can understand having them rotated a bit more inwards can give the collector more posable looks but, at first, I wondered if it was a manufacturing mistake until I looked over a number of pics on various websites. And another gripe, and this goes for all RotF figures, the instructions are really bad. The pictures are helpful only part of the time, but with no text, I didn't realize I needed to snap Bludgeon's waist with his chest. I had to come online for that. The same went for Dead End (I didn't know I needed to press the button down all the way to fold in the front wheels on that figure. Damn near broke it attempting to get the arms out until I came online again for further instructions). Bludgeon is still an awesome figure! 10/10

Long Haul- This is one of the few figures I haven't transformed due to me eventually displaying these figures in their robot form. So Hasbro did me a favor with him. The detail of the figure is phenomenal and, from the few Constructicons I've seen, he's the best-looking one by far. Sadly, like with most of the figures in this line, the plastic is thin and lightweight. I don't feel like, when it comes to the material, that my $22 was well spent in that department. 10/10

Grindor- The detail of this figure is also extremely wonderful! The transformation is a bit difficult at about the middle point, but, overall, it's not as bad as some of the other Voyager figures in this line. My biggest gripe with this figure is that the propellers don't seem to successfully fold and stay back like in the film. They tend to get a bit in the way. Also, I wish the paint job were a bit darker. At least a deeper shade of gray or a lighter black. The addition of the mini Skorponock figure was a really nice touch too. 9/10

Dead End- Probably one of the most difficult Deluxe figures I've had to transform...maybe even the most difficult out of the RotF line I've encountered thus far for the reasons I stated above in the Bludgeon review. But this figure is still one awesome toy! The Mech Alive gimmick should have been done with all of the RotF figures as it adds a nice touch to the detail of the figures. The black and burgundy color scheme is beautiful to look at and, in my opinion, goes well with the personality of the character. Despite the difficult, and frustrating, transformation process, Dead End is a great figure. 9.5/10

Gears- I never realized the mold was used from the 2007 Stockade figure. Nevertheless, I love the design and color scheme! The gear Autobot logo on the hood and on the front sides of the vehicle are a really nice aesthetic touch! The transformation was extremely simple with him. I found Gears to be the easiest Transformer to transform. 10/10

Jolt- A really nice figure! The vehicle mode is snapped together tightly, if not too tight to the point where I nearly broke the peg on the back end that makes up his right foot. I love the blue color scheme and feel it's appropriate for the type of job Jolt is designed to do. The details on the face are amazing and the transformation was relatively simple for the most part. His electro-whips are a nice touch but are a bit too short and look a bit odd. But that is just a minor gripe. 10/10

Swerve- I bought this figure due to the tremendous detail of the figure and how much he resembled the move Transformers. Boy I love this figure! The vehicle mode is exactly like that of Sideswipe's just with a different paint scheme. The Mech Alive gimmick, once again, scores major points here. The transformation is not too tough and the robot mode is beautiful! 10/10

NEST Deluxe Bumblebee- I would have preferred the original Bumblebee design, but with that being a part of an older wave, I figured I'd be spending and arm and a leg buying it. So I went with this one and am not disappointed. The attention to detail with this Bumblebee is astounding and breathtaking! I love this figure and everything about it! The NEST logo adorns both door panels and the cannon is molded very well. 10/10

Deep Desert Brawl- This figure is really neat and fairly simple to transform. I like the robot mode of this character and am using, also, as sort of a Devastator figure from the first movie as well. The attention to detail, once again, is really top-notch here. 10/10

Dirge- I went back and forth on whether or not I was going to buy this figure, but I decided that it was too cool to pass up. The figure, in robot mode, for some reason, reminds me of a Japanese kaiju (monster). It's kind of neat actually. The transformation is pretty simple and the color scheme fits. I like how the cockpit is a part of one of Dirge's arms and that the missile launchers fit onto both arms in robot mode. I really like the head on this figure too! 10/10

Interrogator Barricade- I missed out on buying any Transformers figures with the 2007 line and really wanted a Barricade. I was afraid I'd have to hunt down, and pay a lot of money, for the 2007 figure if I were to find one on eBay... Until I found this guy! The transformation is simple and I have, somewhat, mixed feelings on the gold maw. Nevertheless, I finally have a Barricade figure! 10/10
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Transformers Device Label - Tigatron review

Postby blurrprime » Thu Jan 14, 2010 9:31 am

Transformers Device Label - Tigatron review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu3IiZL-hqE
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Sam's Kabaya Gum + Convoy set reviews: Part one is up!

Postby Samsonator » Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:32 pm

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Weapon: Sword of Fury
I got all three yesterday, built and painted one already. Began my review thread over in the repaints forum today. I figured I'd post a link in the toys forum to get a few more viewers.
viewtopic.php?f=159&t=62694

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Samsonator: I swear I'm still here! Yes, I know it's been fourteen years...
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby fenrir72 » Mon Jan 25, 2010 9:03 am

Motto: "Power to the strong and the right!"
Weapon: Plasma Cannon
G1 Cybertron Spy: MIrage

Beginning of my walk through nostalgia..................G1 series really is something else. Blocky, zero articulation and down right expensive.

Quote:" Who and what I am I hide from the enemy"

Transforms into: F-1 Race car

Accessories: Electro disruptor shoulder gun and armor piercing dart gun + 3 missiles

Note: Posting only robot mode images due to fragility of my 20 years + old figs.


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(see the rub symbol)

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Pose at all angles

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Mirage's bling

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Takara logo


The Rant:

Remember the fight in Hoover Dam?(oopsie wrong generation) Sherman dam where this kick @ss bot fought 2 seekers and won?

What about the way he sabotaged Nemesis 2? Or got the Insecticons bashing the Decepticons for the electro cell?

Or even his faking "Dragstrip's appearance in "Masquerade"?

Anyway enough of the P.R. Mirage is one of the fan fav bots of G1 who had a very complex characterization (which we rarely see now in todays shows) More like the "Green Arrow" of the Autobots. He comes from a rich background, loves the good life and somewhat unsure of the cause he fights in. But fight for the cause he does...............

Transforming into an F-1 racer (even sporting it's Cigar themed sponsor logo...............poor Malbor Wheeljack hehehe) we get to see him first in the G1 shows opening credits.

Coming in navy blue and white with a face sculpt looking like an Egyptian warrior and decked with every tf collectors' nightmare..........chrome and white plastic (btw thank Primus mine hasn't shown any yellowing yet)

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plus with an uber heavy die-cast metal base. That hold over btw from the "diaclone series" allowed Mirage to interface with Convoy's/Optimus Prime Roller/Buggy launcher.

Speaking of which, need I mention that the 1984 Season one deluxe cars were all rolling on rubber tires? Who makes ruber tires thses days? Binaltech/Alternators, Masterpiece and Alternity. Besides that...........nothing anymore :'( (if you don't include Encore :P

Anyway one design flaw I have to warn about for Mirage owners is the swivel connector at his hip. Said to be easily breakable and all that.

Rating: Throw out all references of articulation okay

Fun Factor: 5/5
Nostalgia: 5/5
Fragility: 4/5 (Meaning very fragile at his hips)
Availability:Good luck finding an original (Mine btw seems to be the Euro version by MB as in Milton Bradley)
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby fenrir72 » Mon Jan 25, 2010 9:05 am

Motto: "Power to the strong and the right!"
Weapon: Plasma Cannon
Destron Communicator: Soundwave

Quote: "Cries and Screams are Music to my Ears"

Designed by: Shinji Aramaki

Content:

#1 Soundwave "micro cassette" player
#2 "batteries" (one is spring powered)
#1 back cover/clip
#3 harpoon like missiles
#1 Buzzsaw or Rumble (depending on where you got him)
#1 label sheet

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Poses:

The Rant:

Scientist(a retcon), blackmailer, opportunist, boot licker and nerd. Said to be the power behind the Decepticon throne. This guy ranks about second to the most famous G1 characters of all time. Great characterization by Sunbow/Marvel. Especially the vocoder effect (which Michael Bay flagrantly omitted Image )

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Back to the fig. My review is based on the 1985 Euro version. As in the one with a slightly different face sculpt from the Soundblaster mold.

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Not to mention his buttons are also molded differently, plus a different mechanism on his chest chamber.

His face design is so bad@ss. That being said, Hasbro used it as the basis for the Decepticon sigil.

One more thing, you will notice that I have also applied some custom labels on Soundwave to make him a bit "anime" accurate so

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please don't be surprised to have a slightly differently looking product.

Soundwave was advanced for his time. For a standing brick, I count 9 points of articulation (except that his knees do it in reverse).

You want bling? Well he's got them. His simulated batteries turn to one concussion shoulder canon and a harpoon launcher (the launch mechanism of the recent Hasbro versions have been gutted) and a clip holder/back cover if you want to simulate the "walkman effect".

Early Japanese versions had a simulated earphone accessory ( oh the Japanese...........it all boils down to presentation Image )

Aside from that did I mention he's got die-cast parts? 2 on his shoulders, 2 on his thighs and 2 more on his black feet.

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My version hasn't aged smoothly though (the black paint has gotten a lot of chipping :sad: ). Again, the recent Universe and Hasbro release aren't painted so well and good.

Over all Soundwave is a real treasure lo this past 2 decades. Shinji Aramaki really did number on him. As in bad@ss in badness. Or should that honor be given to the writers of the show?

Rating:

Fun Factor: 5/5 (especially when used in conjunction with his casseticons.)
Fragility: 1 being uber fragile with 5 being tough, he is surprisingly tough so 5/5
Availability: Good luck again.............he's always sold out regardless of whatever version you get.

Coming next: Rumble is Black and Frenzy is Blue............... Image

No Transformer was ever harmed in the making of this review (that's why they're all presented in robot mode)
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby fenrir72 » Tue Jan 26, 2010 4:37 am

Motto: "Power to the strong and the right!"
Weapon: Plasma Cannon
Bumble B/Bumble
Function: espionage

Quote:: "The least likely can be the most dangerous"

The rant:

Who couldn't forget the first two transformers ever to be exposed to our young and innocent minds back in 1984? Remember.............Wheeljack and Bumble B scrounging for energon in the most hard to find places?

And boy was I disappointed when I first purchase my Bumble B because................. Image he didn't look at all like his animated version

Image

Ever since then it was a great mystery until the advent of the Internet where all the explanation about how Floro Dery "humanized" their faces etc.

Who wouldn't like Bumble B? He was cute, friendly, always clumsy(he sucked at espionage his current function) but had an X-factor that clicked with all of us (heck even now, in Bay's movie, Bumble B almost eclipse Optimus in screen time).

This review btw is based on the original 1985 G1 version (which also includes Takara's TFC edition and Encore)

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Beginning from his design, this "fender bending beetle" to quote "Buster" Witwicky was based on one of Takara's pre TF line Microchange series. More in synch with Choro-Q (their wheels are compatible btw), all he lacks are the motorized pull back action.

Anyway back to the face design. It took Don Figueroa to "explain" that the original face is actually a "battle mask"that he puts on prior to battle (See War Within #6 and MTMTE#4 and #6)

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Thankfully, Takara released the "anime" face sculpt back in 2004 for the TFC mini-bot set.

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* Please note: I applied my own "blue" color optics, added black paint applications on the rear fender and reprolabels' recreation of Bumble B's chest patterns on his box pic.

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Aside from that, he is virtually identical to his 1984 release (The 1984 and G2 chrome release btw had "Dunlop" rubber tires)

Also note that the two latest incarnation of Bumble B, his rub symbol is located on the back of the head with the propeller like pattern removed.

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See the difference? (the TFC version is prone to paint chipping) :'(

The latest version of the G1 Bumble B as presented in the Encore version, he looks more "realistic" in a sense that he's got chromed fenders, painted headlights and this time stamp graphed blue optics.

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His autobot symbol too is stamped graphed.

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Overall, even for his time, he was very high tech Image . A very simple transformation sequence (why IDW changed his transform mode is beyond me :P ) of a Volkwagon bug to a robot........priceless. One thing I noticed though, my G1 1985 version is as loose as heck. It was like that way back then when I purchased him so maybe the mold was already degrading(?)

Bumble B need not be high tech to enjoy. His design though simple is really well kid friendly. Maybe that's why we all love him. Maybe once I get Alternity Bumble I might change my mind .........get him now as in the Encore version(and don't throw away his other mini-bot colleagues, they also have feelings you know Image )

Rating:

Fun factor: 5/5
Nostalgia: 5/5 (Rotf, eat your heart out!)
Fragility: 3/5 (arms are the weak point and his die-cast back paint is prone to chipping
Availability: Anime face version is really HTF, beware of K.O's of the 1984 version
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby fenrir72 » Wed Jan 27, 2010 8:22 am

Motto: "Power to the strong and the right!"
Weapon: Plasma Cannon
Destron Bad Boys Rumble and Frenzy

Rumble is black while Frenzy is blue or is it the other way around?

This review is in honor of Encore#19. I thank Primus with all my spark for even considering the release of this HTF figs.

Quote:

"Sow panic and surrender will bloom" Frenzy

"Destroy what's below and what's above will follow" Rumble

Contents:

# 2 micro cassette Rumble and Frenzy
# 2 clear cassette case
# 2 pairs of winged laser rifles

Background:

Two of the most meanest, baddest punks in the destron army. Fiercely loyal to the Emperor of Destruction, these two have harmed many an autobot who underestimated them for their short stature.

In this review I will refer to their figure name/color reference and not to the switcheroo in the anime.

Fyi my figs actually represent two generations............my Frenzy is a Takara vintage while Rumble is the latest "re-issue"

the figs:

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Rumble is the one on the right while Frenzy is to the left


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Frenzy full body shot

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Rumble full body shot

The transition of the past two decades have been very kind to the casseticon mold. Unlike Eject/Rewind/Rosanna/Flipside which have uber defects, this one is null. Though the gloss finish of Frenzy isn't as evident as that of Rumble, the molding is fine and smooth

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Rumble's torso

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Frenzy's torso


*please note, I have applied some custom "gold" labels on frenzy to make him look like his box photos

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The original Frenzy didn't have any sigils on him.

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Encore Rumble on the other hand has metalized sigils (Eject/Rewind were stamp graphed)


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One horror for us vintage owners of the casseticon bad boys were the "cassette" label sheets applied, post transformation, they just fall apart

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Encore did away with that

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See the shin labels? Frenzy had labels, Rumble...stamp graphed (Btw, both have die-cast feet)

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So this time no danger of the labels getting ripped

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One nasty wrinkle on that shift is that Rumble's thigh labels were removed (I applied custom labels)

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Frenzy's on the other hand.........

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Both share the "silver "colored wing laser rifles. Wished it was gold for frenzy though, to distinguish him from his brother as seen in his box art.

The Rant:

In this day and age, them microcassetes seem obsolete but waaaaaaay back in the 80's, everyone was pining for one. Heck we had to be thankful to be able to purchase the K.O. Micros version.

Enjoyable as they were, constant transformation made them all loose and woobly (my frenzy in fact is quite loose despite my transforming him only twice in it's lifetime). The Encore version on the other hand is veryyyyyyyy tight (both the head and legs).

And of course, those d@mn labels kept on falling off. Now, the labels don't fall but Takara dropped the thigh labels la...........well you win some and you loose some.

Just like their Cybertron foes, both are back heavy and prone to falling, what was nice with Eject/Rewind, you could adjust their feet outward for more balance, this one....nadahhh.

Mass shifting aside, these two are one of my fan faves, especially how they massacred the english language ("unchrasimatic" hehehe) Chalk it to Marvel/Sunbow's excellent character development for the show). I highly recommend getting them while supply lasts. IIRC The Eject/Rewind combo is all sold out and every fence sitter are now banging their sorry heads on the wall.

Rating:

Fun Factor: 5/5
Nostalgia: 5/5 (these guys can kick ROTF's robo@ss anytime
Fragility: 2/5 for the vintage......3/5 for Encore
Availability:: 5/5 while supply last (Encore that is)
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Re: Official Review Thread

Postby fenrir72 » Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:08 am

Motto: "Power to the strong and the right!"
Weapon: Plasma Cannon
Cybertron Bad boys

Quote:

Sideswipe:"I don't break rules;I bend them...a lot"

Sunstreaker:"You can't beat the best"

Contents:

Sideswipe aka Lambor (Sideswipe sounds better....SS as initials in their "twins" nature.)
: Lamborghini Countach "Super car" Sideswipe
: #3 "Flare" missiles
: #1 shoulder mounted flare gun launcher
: #1 photon rifle

Sunstreaker
: Lamborghini Countach custom super car Sunstreaker
:#2 shoulder missiles
:#2 fists
:#3 electron pulse missiles

Background:

If Rumble and Frenzy are the Destron bad boys, well the Cybertrons too have their own "Bad boys". Their bio indicated they were twins......as in unidentical twins (at least in robot mode) In the anime, I remember seeing the two recklessly charging up against the Destrons with their "jet judo". What about their brush against the Insectrons? Or how Sunstreaker knocked out one of the Seeker pursuers of Trailbreaker in the MTMTE pilot episode?


Anyway enough of the nostalgia.....................Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. (Please note: Sidesipe is the Takara version while Sunstreaker is the USA version...........the Japanese version was released as a versus pack with Skids and Buzzsaw)

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Side by side

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At all sides: Sideswipe the good natured trouble seeker

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Face shot

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Flare missile

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His chest (note the copyright infringing logo)

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Lamborghini radials

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His shins

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His soles (copyright infr....you get my point)


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Sunstreaker The egoistic/sociopath at all angles


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Face shot (He is handsome for a 'bot)

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Chest shot


Details:

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"shoulder missiles"

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his "matrix chamber"...........diaclone influences


Shoulders

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Pulse missiles (the Japanese version could actually launch)

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his shins

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his feet

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Brother's fight together!

The Rant:


G1 Season one deluxe cars were just that, 'bots with car parts sticking out. But boy, do they kick @ss or what? Die-cast and copyright infringing labels notwithstanding........the details were outstanding by 80's standards. Transformation were simple , a twist here, pivot there and voila instant robot warrior.

In Sideswipe's case though, he looked kind of weird with the rear part of his legs looking like well the back of a car. Sunstreaker on the other hand, despite the foot basically the front part of the car looked more, well robotic.....proportioned.

Another thing that kind of bothered me were their bios. Sideswipe was said to have "pile drivers" for hands and is equipped with a "rocket pack". Well, he don't look like he had any on. ???

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"rocket pack?"

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Sunstreaker on the other hand is said to be equipped with a pulse rifle. Well, no rifle here.

Just as the great tech spec switcheroo on Starscream and Skywarp and the never ending debate of Rumble and Frenzy, some quarters indicate that there was another mix up between these two. (Take a look at Sunstreakers' shoulders. It's red, a hold over from his diaclone incarnation (another was a black and white fire chief custom Countach).............he could have been red for all we know...........

Anyway it must have been for the best that is. I just can't imagine Sunstreaker looking otherwise, same as Sideswipe, again I blame Marvel/Sunbow for their excellent character development of the two (for it's time bro's for it's time...... Image )

Despite being stellar pieces of mid 80's pop culture, this figs are really showing their age. Sideswipe and Sunstreakers' paint has started to chip and the horror Image yellow plastic syndrome on Sideswipe(same with Red Alert but that is for another review)
The rubber tires though are still whole thank Primus.

Fault's aside (they can't change their nature of die-cast, white ABS/PVC plastic ) these boys really gave me many an enjoyable time in recreating their classic fight scenes. Who would have know, the transform mode already was great, their robot mode was even more awesome!

Rating:

Nostalgia: 5/5
Fun factor: 5/5
Fragility: 5/5 (tough alright but paint chipping and yellowing is a nightmare
Availability: 2/5 (TFC series anyway....originals are HTF)
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Alt Mode: Mobile Ground Fortress
Strength: 9
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 6
Endurance: 10+
Rank: 9
Courage: 10
Firepower: 8
Skill: 9

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Transformers Podcast: Twincast / Podcast #346 - Gas Station Jamboree
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