The Energon Pub

News Credits: 387 · by **Nekoman** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 12:50 am

TF08.net’s Yizhi521 has posted these new images of the upcoming Henkei and Universe Ratchet, as well as Universe Hotshot. This is great for those who have been desiring a side by side comparison of the Takara and Hasbro versions of Ratchet. To see the images click here, or see them mirrored below.

News Credits: 387 · by **Nekoman** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 1:01 am

I think I'll go for Universe on Ratchet. Henkei does look better, but I don't think the mold is good enough, nor is it different enough to warrant paying import costs.

Meanwhile, Universe Hotshot is undoubtedly making me consider his Henkei version more... That yellow color isn't at all pleasing, kind of like his original toy.

News Credits: 1 · by **Bumblebeast** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 1:06 am

Neither for me. Ironhide was very dissapointing (the cracked look isn't good) and i've never been fond of Hotshot.

by **Baha08** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 1:26 am

What I don't get is who decides sets? Like we got Ironhide and now Ratchet. so why in some lines we'll get something like Starscream and Skywarp (animated) but the next is something other then Thundercracker.

Whicvh is making me wonder why we do have a Universe Scourge to go with Galvatron and Cyclnus.

News Credits: 5 · by **Barrelass** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 1:56 am

The painted on windows on Hotshot are gonna be holding me back from this guy. Much like the 74 (I think that was the year) Bumblebee, I don't know why they don't give us clear windows when it doesn't look like it will affect the Transformation. I may be wrong on that with this guy, but it doesn't appear to be in the way of anything at first glance.

News Credits: 1 · by **Gauntlet101010** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 1:59 am

Henkei Ratched looks a few degrees better than Universe. But ... Universe Ironhide was just so bad compared tot he Henkei version that I splurged and got the Henkei version of him. I like Ironhide more than Ratchet, so the purchase was worth it, this time though ... Universe Ratchet just isn't crummy enough to warrant a Henkei buy.

Now if Universe Ratchet had a blue face, this would put me over the top.

by **Shadowstream** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 2:41 am

Ironic that in this case the henkei Ratchet has less paint aps than this american release... well, in the way of decals, which I guess doesn't count. You'd think by now though that hasbro might have learned where they went wrong from last time before slapping some of these new figures together, seeing as how both Ratchet and Hot Shot seem to suffer from off window colorizations. Either way I am likely gonna get the new Hot Shot mold just for the sake of upgrading from 'WhY mY ShOuLdErS hUrT' to 'JaAm!'

unless of course his shoulders still hurt, in which case hasbro can go **** themselves

News Credits: 11 · by **kirbenvost** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 3:17 am

I thought Henkei Ratchet was going to have a crome bar on the bumper.

Really the only thing better is the color of the painted windows in vehicle mode. Hmm, well I guess I'll wait to see final pics of the bot modes.

by **8 bit** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 5:21 am

I'm not one to complain much, but the painted windows on Hot Shot don't look very good. It must be a cost thing, because the prototype pics we saw a while back showed the side windows as clear plastic.

News Credits: 1 · by **Solrac333** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:20 am

Henkei all the way. I just got Henkei Hound after I bought Universe Hound and never again will I buy both. Henkei is usually better.

by **JaZzTaStIc** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 12:05 pm

now i prefer the hasbro version with the red on bonnet and the different light bar from red alert. shame his gun is all red tho, may have to change that.

News Credits: 8 · by **Megatron Wolf** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 3:19 pm

Think ill stick to universe Ratchet. I like silver parts and all but it just doesnt look that great. As for hot shot ill have to see more before i decide to buy. But im sure ill pick him up.