Remove ads

The Grand Transformers Thread

Might be something to do with the multi-series crossover that Legacy was going for, though my initial thought was a TFTM remake. I mean, everything else keeps getting recycled and it's the G1 characters who've been driving the toy line since at least Combiner Wars... Still, I hope it'll be something a little more adventurous than that, to go with Trigger's usually top-tier visuals.
 
I said:
Earthspark Deluxe Aftermath
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
... is it just me, or does he have Galvatron design cues? Not so much in the head. but in color layout, build, general rounded off look, and having a pointy thing sticking up from the middle of his back, even the arm mounted gun in the promo picture, I can't unsee it after noticing.
 
It's Tuesday, so time for me to go through my toys and pick one to review. Except this week you're kinda/sorta getting two toys. Here is...

Universe 1.0 and Tenth Anniversary Optimus Primal


Here is Ultra-class Optimus Primal. On the left is his Universe 1.0 version, released in 2003. It's a straight redeco of the original toy from 1996. On the right is the tenth anniversary version. It's got a new deco, robot head, robot chest and gorilla face that's more show-accurate. He's a big chonkster! And despite the TRUKK NOT MUNKY!!!! meme, he transforms into a gorilla. There's not a whole lot to this mode. There's a lever on the back that can either have his arms spin about, or have them move back and forth in 'chest-pounding' action.

Transformation is... limited, but it's not 'just' straightening him out. Shoulder armor folds out. Lower body rotates and feet deploy on nifty little pistons. But yeah, it's pretty simple.



Here they are in robot mode. Their transformations might be simple, but they do have some cool gimmicks and play features. Missile launchers deploy over-the-shoulder. The left forearm flips open to reveal another missile launcher. He's got two swords, and his right forearm opens to reveal a skull-shaped mace. Articulation isn't too bad, either. The head can rotate. He's got universal shoulders, albeit limited thanks to the pauldrons and arm gimmick. He's got waist rotation, universal hips, a deep knee bend, and some toe and heel play. Tenth anniversary has a new robot head and remolded chest, as said earlier. Universe 1.0 being a straight redeco of the original toy, that means he's got the mutant head gimmick.



Overall he's a big, fun toy I've had a lot of fun messing with. If you can get it fairly cheap, I recommend it.

Optimus Primal was, of course, introduced in Beast Wars. He's one of the main characters and one of the best, too. His subsequent appearances in Beast Machines and IDW... the less said about those, the better!

Tune in next week for another review. Also, an announcement. For the month of October, which is not only my birthday month, but the spooky and scaaary month, I'll be doing as many reviews as I can of the WORST toys I own. Energon Hot Shot, Cybertron thunderblast, FOC Ruination and all his component limbs, live-action movie toys, and more!

And in a first for me, the grand finale... MP-05 Masterpiece Megatron. And I will attempt, for the first time in my life, try to transform my toy of him! I'll probably break him in half, but dammit I'm gonna try! Tune in, folks!
 
Ugh, I hate that that's the theme track we're probably going to be hearing for at least a year and possibly a decade+ if the movie turns out to be really popular. Not that it being a smash hit and putting the franchise back into general popularity like Beasties and bayformers 2007 wouldn't be worth it, I just think music oughtta have a melody.
 
Czlyydwr Llrngwl said:
Ugh, I hate that that's the theme track we're probably going to be hearing for at least a year and possibly a decade+ if the movie turns out to be really popular. Not that it being a smash hit and putting the franchise back into general popularity like Beasties and bayformers 2007 wouldn't be worth it, I just think music oughtta have a melody.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Me too, but I prefer to accept that I'm an old fogey who used to be with it and now they've changed what "it" is and "it" frightens and confuses me, i.e, that the music is aimed at kids and not me, rather than stew in old man resent of changing youth tastes. As long as the rest is fun it should be fine (and we'll always have youtube AMVs setting key scenes to Stan Busch).
 
Oh, no question - me personally not liking something is not the same as lacking artistic merit, nor is it a count against anyone who does like it. There's plenty of new music I do like as well -- my first thought when I saw that the new theme was "If I Fall" was that it was awesome Five Finger Death Punch would get a spotlight like that. Then I wondered why a Megatron song would be the title theme... then I saw it was a collaboration between people with stereotypical rapper stage names. and...



(image originally created because there is no VNR OP with the G2 Hero OP white cab. but I never hot around to posting that rant)
 
Last edited:
It's Tuesday, so time for another Transformers review. I'm going to the rather overlooked RID 2001 and starting with the Autobot Brothers. Sorta. Here is...

RID 2001 X-BRAWN/UNIVERSE 1.0 RATCHET



This mold was originally released as X-Brawn in the Car Robots/RID 2001 line in 20001 and then redecoed and released as Ratchet in the Universe 1.0 line in 2003. For the purposes of this review, I'm gonna treat him as X-Brawn. His alternate mode is a Mercedes-Benz ML320 SUV. Here it's been redecoed into an ambulance. Because that's how it works! It's a nice car, all accessories have some place to go. It's got a good and bad thing about it.



The good thing is a molded, chromed engine. I love it when this is possible and they do this. It's a nice little touch. They didn't have to, but they did.



This is the bad. I hate it when the head is visible inside the car mode like this. So damned creepy! What's worse is this is show-accurate. Koji gets into X-Brawn in the series premiere and his cranium is right there! NO!

Transformation is basically stretch out the back to form the legs, then fiddle with the front to form the upper body and arms. There's some neat tricks that I don't think I've ever seen in a Carformer before.



Here's robot mode. It's good... but odd. And has some flaws. Articulation is pretty good. Rotating head, universal albeit restricted shoulders, elbow rotation and bend. Universal hips, and knee joints with deep knee bends. The right 'hand' can fire off his two melee weapons, and his left hand holds his bumper as another weapon. The main thing that bugs me about X-Brawn is his left arm.



As you can see, it's just one big chunk. No transformation to it, or gimmick to justify it. The engine inside kinda excuses it.... but not enough. The doors hanging off at haphazard angles really mess with him, too.

Overall X-Brawn is a good toy for his day... but it hasn't aged well. The vehicle mode is nice, the transformation is pretty cool, and the robot mode has some nice stuff. But the left arm really hinders him, and the knees are kinda messed up too.

So this time, I know what I['m doing next week. It'll be RID 2001's Prowl, followed by Side Burn. Although truth be told... Side Burn feels like he belongs in October with the other worst toys. What do you folks think?
 
I really liked Side Burn's Robot Hunter Casshern EMP pistol, and how it stored away like a back holster holdout or tucked away well inside the car mode instead of barely clinging to the underside by a little tab or two, eager to gall out and skitter down a hearing vent or under the refrigerator. If they'd included that with the LGC remake, I'd have had to think pretty hard before skipping it.
 
Last edited:
X-Brawn was the first Transformer I had (that wasn't those little hot wheel sized guys can't remember if I might have gotten one of those first). I've a huge soft spot for that toy (plus I just like asymmetry in designs in general) so the arm doesn't much bother me. The two opening doors are the weak points in the figure though for sure, the one I had as a little RoboRenee lost those over the years.
 
Czlyydwr Llrngwl said:
I really liked Side Burn's Robot Hunter Casshern EMP pistol, and how it stored away like a back holster holdout or tucked away well inside the car mode instead of barely clinging to the underside by a little tab or two, eager to gall out and skitter down a hearing vent or under the refrigerator. If they'd included that with the LGC remake, I'd have had to think pretty hard before skipping it.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Yeah, the original looks cool. A shame it's a shellformer with a horrifically complex transformation for its size. I think I actually prefer the new one.

RoboRenee said:
X-Brawn was the first Transformer I had (that wasn't those little hot wheel sized guys can't remember if I might have gotten one of those first). I've a huge soft spot for that toy (plus I just like asymmetry in designs in general) so the arm doesn't much bother me. The two opening doors are the weak points in the figure though for sure, the one I had as a little RoboRenee lost those over the years.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Yeah, it's not bad. Overall it's a good toy. I do love the transformation. And I like asymmetry, too. Just the left arm... just not good for me.
 
RK_Striker_JK_5 said:
Yeah, the original looks cool. A shame it's a shellformer with a horrifically complex transformation for its size. I think I actually prefer the new one.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
I can understand not wanting to pay for the Viper license on the new one, especially at the DX price point, but the lack of his signature white-outlined flame deco was absolutely unforgiveable. I got a copy as Shadow Striker because it's her only mainl ine toy, she was one of the better parts of Cyberversee, and the way the transformaiton works she can at least be hand painted to have her patchwork look and still get the less patchy car to look right, but as Side Burn it holds negative appeal when I still have both versions of the original. Alas, such custom projects are probably beyond me now, with how my vision has failed suddenly.
 
Last edited:
The thing Studio Trigger was making is now out. Unfortunately I can only find it split up into two videos because of Tritter video length. Hopefully an official english release of it will be out by the morning (it's 2 AM where I am)
 
... was that 86 dead OP being revived in the ridiculous Bump of Chicken special edition colors around 2/3 of the way through there? Sure looked like orange arms and green legs, but it flashed by really fast and I can't see very well these days.

edit: Yes, yes it fucking was.


 
Last edited:
You must login or register to reply here.
Remove ads
Back
Top