It’s been nice to see Takara revert to form in the last few years regarding minor changes and upgraded paint jobs. And this is most certainly evident in the latest Optimus Prime toy from Earthspark when compared to its Hasbro counterpart. So without further ado lets take a look at DX Battle Station Optimus Prime.
Robot Mode
Optimus is redeco of the Warrior-class version of the toy from last year, sporting a bright colour scheme and that signature Earthspark large mouthplate. The articulation is good and the flip-out battle axe is a nice touch. Just a shame he’s got the nose of the truck hanging off him like an oversized bum-bag.
Truck Mode
Nice looking, and the bright colour scheme will really appeal to younger fans. The arms are the letdown here. Not only does it leave a gap between the shoulders on the back of the truck cab, but they are a total pain in the arse during transformation as they need to clip into the cab, the nose and the tail of the truck, and often when doing one tab you cause another to come loose or accidentally jostle the opposing arm free. This makes what is otherwise a simplistic transformation quite fiddly and irritating.
Base Mode
The paintjob on this really sets it apart from its Hasbro counterpart as well as the Cyberverse versions this was lifted from. It’s a pretty cool looking base with lots of 5mm ports you can attach extra guns to and will accomodate a deluxe sized vehicle. It’s a shame that the big spring-loaded cannons come out the back of the base but this is necessary for the Battle Trailer Mode.
Trailer/Battle Trailer
It’s a good looking and well proportioned trailer. The ramp at the back folds down to allow deluxe-sized vehicles to enter the trailer cavity.
A spring-loaded mechanism allows to big guns to flip out at the front of the trailer, and the roof folds over to not only allow for a turret gun but also another transformer to stand in the trailer to operate it, giving it a lot of play value!
Overall
This figure is realitively cheap for its size and its abundance in Japan makes it easy to find and import. The only let downs are the transformation from robot to truck and overall it feels like the plastic is realitvely weak and cheaply made. However this is a really fun figure and is highly recommended!
Unboxing Video!
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The short-lived Season 4 of the US Transformers cartoon introduced (or perhaps jammed in is a more accurate term) a slew of new characters in its 3 episodes. Notably very few of these characters had Earth modes and most of the new Decepticons were weird space animals, showing the direction the brand was heading in. Also new concepts were introduced in these episodes such as Clones.
Two of these characters were the Decepticon Clones Pounce and Wingspan, two of the few Western on-screen G1 toys I have yet to obtain. These characters got a far greater outing in the Japanese cartoon and it’s from Japan that I have obtained the new toy versions of them. So let’s have a look at the LG61 Clones – Pounce and Wingspan.
Pounce – Robot Mode
‘Thundercats Ho!’
Now this is what a Clone should look like – not a hint of kibble anywhere to hint at what his alt-mode is (besides the big sticker which we will address later). Nicely proportioned, good colour scheme – quite nice really. Shame he has no guns.
Pounce – Puma Mode
Protoform bearing hips
Like many Transformers with a quadruped alt-mode, Pounce suffers from having oversized upper hind legs. Don’t know why this is – you can trace it all the way back to the G1 Predacons. Due to his arms adding a lot of bulk on the underside of his animal mode, he does not look particularly streamlined. I think his legs on the whole are an improvement on the sticks the G1 toy had though. His colour scheme is based on his Headmasters appearance rather than his G1S4 appearance, personally I think the Hasbro colour scheme is a bit better than this.
Wingspan – Robot Mode
‘Am I wearing a Klingon insignia?’
The only kibble in evidence here is his alt-modes wings on the sides of his calves. However they are very thin and sit snug against the body so at least the kibble is very minimal. Like Pounce he looks pretty good as a robot overall.
Wingspan – Hawk Mode
Living up to his name
There is a good wingspan on the hawk mode, which I guess one would expect considering his name, and the darker purple on them works well. The claws underneath have got decent detail and make it easy for him to balance, even if not very far off the ground.
The Clone Concept
‘Wow – we actually DO look alike!’
One of the things that irritated me with the LG58 Autobot Clones was that with all the extra kibble that Fastlane was sporting they looked too dissimilar. The Decepticon Clones have done much better here, with only a tiny amount of kibble visible on Wingspan’s legs which you can ignore pretty easily if you try. However like the Autobot Clones, these two sport big stickers which show what their alt-modes are, kinda defeating the purpose of ‘the enemy doesn’t know which is which’ concept. The rubsigns on the original G1 toys was much better.
And thus the mystique is blown
Overall
I am far more impressed with these two than I am their Autobot counterparts. They are good representations of the original characters and whilst I think Pounce’s Puma mode could have been better, it’s still an improvement on the original. These two will make fine additions to your Generations/Legends collection.
Got anything to add? Would love to read it in the comments section below!
The short-lived Season 4 of the US Transformers cartoon introduced (or perhaps jammed in is a more accurate term) a slew of new characters in its 3 episodes. Notably very few of these characters had Earth modes, showing the direction the brand was heading in. Also new concepts were introduced in these episodes such as Targetmasters and Clones.
Three (or should I say four) of these characters were the Autobot ClonesFastlane and Cloudraker and the Decepticon TargetmasterSlugslinger with his diminutive partner Caliburst. Lucky for these characters, the G1 cartoon continuity in Japan continued with the series Headmasters, in which these guys got a far greater outing.
As the characters were more prominent in Japan, I decided to get the Legends versions of all these guys, so today we will be looking at LG55 Slugslinger with Caluburst and LG58 Autobot Clones Fastlane & Cloudraker.
Slugslinger
Robot Mode
As can be expected with most Takara Tomy versions of Hasbro figures, Slugslinger comes with a rich vibrant painjob that looks fantastic. They really have done a marvellous job of making Slugslinger very G1 comic/cartoon accurate, right down to the shape of the legs, the chest adornments and the dual cockpits sticking up over his shoulders. The Headmaster figure looks great with a smooth rounded forehead, settting it apart from most ‘blockheads’.
Schizophrenia – Cybertron style
Cybertronian Dual-Cockpit Fighter Jet Mode
‘Didn’t Starscream blow me up in Season 2?’
As Sluslinger transformers into dual-cockpit jet he does not even try to conform to earth standards. Once again, a great job of replicating (and dare I say improving) on the original toy design and concept. His Headmaster fits snugly and easily into the cockpit (a bit odd he already had two and they had to put in a 3rd) and Caliburst can be put under either wing. However I find that makes the alt-mode look off balance so I tend to place him on top of the jet like the G1 cartoon and toy.
Noice! Just not aerodynamic
Caliburst
Robot Mode
“Go on, spend the extra money – you know you want me!”
Wow – this little guy really makes me wish I had shelled out the extra money to get the Tak/Tom versions of the other TR Targemaster characters. Well proportioned, nicely coloured and lots of detail in the little face – very good!
Gun Mode
Engine or Gun?
It’s a cool looking gun and is well scaled to Slugslinger in robot mode. However I would say that with the flats of the robots feet joining up at the front makes the gun look like it would be a major airflow impediment when attached to Slugslingers jet mode, creating a lot of drag.
The Clones
Cloudraker
Robot Mode
‘No kibble here pal!’
Looks exactly like the G1 version, though the JP G1 rather than the US G1 due to the more pinkish body. In my opinion he is how the clones should look, as in no hint of alt-mode so you can’t tell what they are going to turn into (except for that damn big sticker on the chest of course).
Cybertronian Space Jet Mode
Snug
Much more compact than the original toy, which I was quite the fan of. He actually looks like he was designed for space which works well for him, though I do miss the yellow on the nosecone and longer black wings of the G1 figure.
Fastlane
Robot Mode
“I’ve got no kibble either” “LIAR!”
Though I loved the original toys when I had them as a kid, one thing that bugged me was that you could always tell Fastlane was the ground vehicle clone because of the wheels and spoiler obvious over his shoulderblades. Not only have they not rectified this but have made it worse with wheels visible on the legs as well.
Cybertronian Dragster Mode
No awards for the ‘best alt mode’ here
I think the front wheels on the side are an improvement rather than the old single one underneath. Something I felt that the G1 toy could have benefitted from was some colour to show the grill and headlight details on the front of the vehicle that were made up of the tips of the robot modes feet. Those details aren’t even present here which was a letdown. With wheels on the side he looks a bit better than the G1 toy but it’s still a pretty weak vehicle mode.
Cloudraker and Fastlane – The Clone Concept
‘One of these kids is not like the other’
As mentioned Fastlane’s obvious kibble really detracts from the ‘you can’t tell which clone is which’ concept. When I saw their little jet and car symbols on their chests I thought ‘Oh cool! Rubsigns!’, figuring that since it was a hot day they must already be heated. Imagine my disappointment when I found they were just stickers, which means you can permanently tell one from the other.
Stuff ya clone concept!
The other disappointment here is that neither bot comes with his dual hand weapons. Given the cost of the figures, I think it’s a bit lousy for them to not come with their guns, especially since they could be used in either mode by the original figures.
Overall
Slugslinger is fantastic and as stated, really makes me wish I’d gone the Tak/Tom route with his compatriots. If you don’t have the Hasbro version go online and grab him – Caliburst makes it well worth the few extra bucks. As for the clones, I ordered these from Japan since the Hasbro versions of both clones were only available at US stores and I live in Australia. Cloudraker is OK but Fastlane is fairly weak, so unless you are like me and want every Classicsverse version of every G1 character you can get, these two are an easy pass.
Got anything to add to this review? Would love to read it in the comments section below!
Overlord – a gigantic Decepticon despot! From the Japanese G1 continuity, he was the staunch foe of Ginrai and was manned by both a male and female Powermaster. A cool character with an even cooler toy! This character has become very popular with Western TF fans of recent with his outings in the IDW comics where he has been portrayed as a truly unstoppable psychopath.
This rise in notoriety has facilitated Overlord getting his first toy in a long time in the Titans Return line, and like most toys from Hasbro he has also cropped up in the Takara Tomy line. So today we look at the Legends toy – LG 60 Overlord.
Mega & Giga
The two Headmaster partners here are Mega and Giga respectively and each turns Overlord into the Mega or Giga version of himself. Each is slightly different coloured and sports a different expression for Overlord when becoming the face. I’ve found the left arm on Giga keeps popping off so you may want to watch this so you don’t lose it.
Mega Jet
Stealthy (bar the lavender highlights)
I don’t know why but I really like the little landing struts that come out of the bottom. It’s a fairly sleek looking jet and the subdued colours makes it look like it could be streaking silently across the night sky to bomb some Bots. No visible weapons except for two very tiny lasers in the nosecone. The cockpit can open up for Mega to sit in, though mine sticks a bit so requires application of a fingernail to open.
Overlord Mega
In this mode I’m a grinner and a leftie
What a big bloody robot – awesome! This character deserved a big build and that is what they got! The 6 cannons on one side like the G1 toy are represented but sadly the corresponding panel on the right does not fold out into lasers. In ‘Mega’ mode the chest panels are closed, revealing the shoulders more. The nose of the jet becomes detached and attaches to the left shoulder like the G1 toy to serve as a quasi-shield. Overlord Mega has a great smirk going and is by far my favoured of the two faces.
Giga Tank
The paint store was out of black
Despite the garish colour scheme, quite a good looking tank. Bulky yet compact, it feels a very solid toy to play with. Big cannon on the front, detailed tank tracks on the sides and a cockpit at the top that Giga can either fully sit inside or otherwise stand up in to survey the carnage being dished out. Very good!
Overlord Giga
In this mode I’m a serious rightie
In this mode Giga becomes the serious looking face and the chest panels open to reveal some detailed Powermaster components. However I personally would have preferred for one of these spots to be empty like both were on the Hasbro version, so that the current Headmaster not in use could reside in the hole. Some detailing on the back of their legs could have made them look like a Powermaster engine like the original G1 toy. As it is I put the spare Headmaster in the jets cockpit.
Combined Vehicle Mode
‘I ripped off the idea from Flywheels cameo in the S4 opening credits’
I’m not surprised that this mode doesn’t have a specific name as it doesn’t make any sense! The best you could say is it is designed for the jet component to whisk the tank component off to drop at the site of a new battle.
Fortress Base Mode
Not remotely phallic
In this instance the original toy (which is on my ‘grail’ list) is far superior. This is a more compact version with no ramps and one central elongated structure. The cannon in the middle works well and I like how there are spots for both Headmasters to stand. Connector joins come out at the front so that you can affix ramps from the likes of Titans Return Soundwave or even Overlords sworn enemy, Legends Ginrai.
Overall
I’ve never even touched the G1 toy (though by gods I’d love one!) and did not pick up the Titans Return Skyshadow or Overlord. I even bypassed the 3rd party Carnifex so this is my first time playing with both this character and this toy mould. I must say I am quite impressed all up! Sure the transformations are a tad simplistic but with a multitude of modes and two Headmasters this toy has a LOT of play value. If you have not picked up one of the aforementioned toys then I heartily recommend you give this figure a go – well worth both your money and your time.
Got anything to add to the review above? Would love to read it in the comments section below!
Here are the sticker sheets. The stickers are exactly the same, though I suppose the size of the sheet they come on is different, I guess.
Kinda like getting the exact same meal but on two different types of plate.
The way the Legends version and the Titans Return version have been strapped in their boxes is different in layout I suppose.
Takara Tomy packing methodHasbro packing method
Now to Trypticon himself, the differences are…. they are…. um….
‘One of these Cons is not like the other one…. oh wait’
The differences are non-existent!
That’s right kiddies – there is absolutely no difference between the two versions – none! All the things you may have previously been lead to believe, such as the teal was darker and the purple richer in the Legends version are not correct. That the paint apps are built in and you don’t have to apply stickers like the Hasbro version – false. The only way I could keep the two from getting mixed up when taking photographs was that I had already applied some of the stickers to the Titans Return version. The same goes for their smaller partners.
Full-Tilt vs Full-Tilt. No differenceNecro vs Titan Master: Difference in name only
In the end I didn’t even bother transforming the Legends version. I packed it straight back in its box and am going to carefully store it for a decade so hopefully I can in the future sell it (and make back the extra $80 I paid getting it shipped from Japan) as relatively MIB. In a day and age where toy producers are conscious that some collectors will shell out big money for multiple versions of an expensive toy for even the slightest difference, I was honestly surprised there was none here. Not even an extra gun like Metroplex or a new hat like Malibu Stacy!
Is one worth getting over the other? Nope. The only thing is that some of the Titans Return versions have the dodgy hips (for an excellent way to fix that see HERE)whereas none of the LG43 versions have had that problem reported as yet. So if the fact you don’t have to worry about this possible defect is worth the extra costs of shipping to you then grab that one. Otherwise, unless you are rolling in cash and want to have both types of box to display, go down to your local toy store and grab the Hasbro one.
‘I’m Trypticon’ ‘No, I’m Trypticon!’
Got something to add? Would love to read it in the comments section below!
Most of you young kids will be going “Hey! Big Angry Trev! That’s not Ratchet! Ratchet is a green emergency response vehicle that got killed in TF4! Who is this white dude that turns into a van?!”
Well shame! Shame on you! Fie I say! THIS BE RATCHET! This is the Ratchet of old, the Ratchet your fathers loved, the Ratchet who turned into an old fashioned Ambulance and fixed bots. Ratchet, after being absent for a half dozen TF cartoon series, has been a mainstay of the main cast in previous years appearing in all four live action movies, the TF Animated & TFPrime cartoons and has a toy coming up in the latest TF RID(15) cartoon toyline. However this toy is based on the G1 character, and if you are a fan of that then you are in for a treat!
Series – Masterpiece
New/remould/redeco – Remould of MP Ironhide
Wave – n/a (MP-30)
Released here – released in Japan April 2016
Approximate Retail Price – 80,000 yen
Approximate Size – 16cm
Allegiance – Autobot
Alt-mode – Nissan Cherry Vanette Ambulance
Main Features/Gimmicks – Weapons sled
Main Colours – White, Red
Main Accessories – Weapons Sled, various guns, tools, replacement face
Vehicle Mode
Like Ironhide, this is such a blast from the past – some of us actually remember when this is what an Ambulance looked like! The paintjob is crisp, if somewhat plain looking with a palette of whitebroken up with bits of red and of course the blue tinted windows. There are extra stickers you can apply to break it up more but frankly I couldn’t wait to play with him so I’ll apply them later.
Robot Mode
A nice big stocky robot which is a good head above most of the MP Autobot Cars in height. Once again you are looking at a lot of white here so the included stickers are your friend. Usually stickers with MP’s irritate me, I feel all the paint details should be built it in but these feel very sticky and secure when applied. A lot of little things you can change such as attaching different weapons, faces and he comes with some actual medical tools (which considering we are dealing with robots means wrenches much like the Animated Ratchet toy). Whilst some may complain he still looks a tad plain, go rewatch some G1 – this is what he looked like on the cartoon and that is what the MP line strives for.
Transformation
The same as MP Ironhide but I dunno, he just seemed to go smoother somehow in a way I can’t attribute to previous experience. Whether they have made the joints a tiny bit looser or they bevelled those edges a tiny but I don’t know but it seems to be a smoother transformation. If you own Ironhide you don’t need the instructions for this – a very good level for an MP toy.
Overall
He looks like G1 Ratchet more than any toy (including the original) ever has so Takara have hit their mark. He’s not a green emergency vehicle, he’s not an updated version, this is G1 Ratchet at his best! You young kids go online and order this toy right now so you can learn what the proper Ratchet is all about – your elder has spoken!
