So this evening, before going home, I decided to drop by a local toy store specializing in cheap stuff. This is where I got my bootleg Perceptor, Soundblaster, and Hotrod. I was hoping to get lucky, and true enough, they do have some new stuff.
What I saw were bootleg Energon Transformers, and better yet, two robots combined in one package! Among these is a Rodimus/Optimus Prime combo, which I picked up.
Ever since I saw the Energon Rodimus design, I've been wanting one. And now, I have a bootleg version, and it came with Fatimus Prime!
Now, while I love Energon Rodimus, I loathe Energon Optimus, or as people call him, Fatimus Prime.
The problem with Fatimus is that the designers obviously intended him to be "Superlinked" first above all the other modes.
So, in non-Superlinked mode, you get a fat optimus Prime with skinny legs that make him look like a Turkey. The truck mode design looks like an after thought, and I'm not a fan of the Power Rangers gimmick. Sure, give him the Superlink mode, but at least give the extensions a single color!
Anyway, moving on with the review...
PACKAGING
Sorry, forgot to take a pic with the toy inside. Both robots were combined into a hideous mish-mash of limbs. I'm not sure if it's because this is a bootleg, but I'm guessing no. Most of the Energon designing team were probably high on crack.
The back portion of the package shows the other available sets. One notable thing I observed in this card is that all of the images were of bootlegs, not the real original toys, or stolen pictures of teh original toys.
HOT ROD / RODIMUS - TRUCK MODE
Yeah, as stated earlier, I love Energon Rodimus's design mainly because he's a badass truck now! Usually Rodimus would be a sportscar, or that crazy camper whatchamacallit mode. But this time he's a mean-looking Cybertronian race truck!
Oh yeah, the toy never came with instructions. I had to research some pictures and figure out how to transform these robots to their alt modes.
Plastic quality is typical bootleg semi-brittle stuff.
Truck mode looks good and solid. Not all wheels roll on the surface, however, because of some parts dragging on the floor.
Attack mode looks good, shame about the gun...
HOT ROD / RODIMUS - ROBOT MODE
The robot mode design is a bit clunky for Rodimus. Transformation is a bit puzzling specially if you're working with your instincts.
While articulation is present, poseability is still not that good. Also, robot mode feels a bit on the flimsy side.
Rodimus comes equipped with an orange gun with a missile.
What's worse than a gun with missile-action? Well, the bootleg version. The missile won't lock into place. It's a good thing the gun looks good without the missile itself.
But what about the missile? Makes a cool club weapon...
You know how people often complain about bootlegs having loose joints? Well, this toy had the tightest joints I've ever seen in a bootleg! Use caution when moving the joints for the first time.
ROBOT OR TRUCK?
I'd say truck. Looks more solid, and it looks pretty badass! This is one Rodimus that I'd respect.
PROS
- very faithful copy of the original
- stable and solid truck mode
CONS
- very tight joints + bootleg semi-brittle plastic = transform with caution
- robot mode feels flimsy
- lousy missile-action weapon
- no instructions included
RATING AT THE END
FATIMUS PRIME
Yes, Fatimus. Aside from the gripes I wrote earlier, I'm still disturbed by the white truck cab. What's up with that?
FATIMUS PRIME TRUCK MODE
The first time I saw this design, I thought that it was a custom made from broken robots. To say that this truck is the Frankenstein of trucks is an understatement.
Exposed obvious arms? The overall look is cluttered and flimsy. Surprisingly, the bootleg truck mode is solid. Wheels wiggle in different directions, and only 3 of the 6 wheels roll because of parts dragging on the surface.
The original toy has a smaller head that can fold in somewhere. This bootleg utilizes the "Superlink" head, which is larger. So you can't hide the head. The picture on the card even shows the head on top of the cab, which is actually okay since the truck design is ridiculous already.
The good news is that the exposed head flows with the stupid aesthetics of truck mode.
The bad news is that the exposed head flows with the stupid aesthetics of truck mode.
FATIMUS PRIME ROBOT MODE
Fat torso, skinny legs, loose head joint. I really can't believe Takara/Hasbro approved this horrible design. Looks like something slapped together from the parts bin. I hate it. Passionately.
Again, transforming this from robot to truck and back without instructions is a big PITA. Of curse, you don't even know if you're doing thinsg right because of the screwed up design of the toy.
But then, the bootleg is surprisingly solid and stable in both truck and robot modes. Joints are also tight and breaking a part off is easy if you're not careful.
ROBOT OR TRUCK?
Either way, the design is an abomination, so go either way.
PROS
- Faithful copy of the original toy
- solid and stable in both modes
CONS
- crappy wheels
- semi-brittle plastic
- tight joints
- no instructions included
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COMBINED MODE
Primus, no. I won't even combine these two robots again. Why? Because it looks stupid at best, obscene at worst.
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RATINGS
Rodimus / Hot Rod - 3 out of 5
Fatimus Prime - 3 out of 5
These are decent bootlegs, but you won't really miss anything if you don't pick this up.
And yeah, you know something is wrong when Hot Rod looks cooler than Optimus.
[ Click to attempt signal recovery... ]
