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New Planet Cybertron featured on Catablox

Well, this is probably long overdue, but heck, it's better late than never. All of us here at New Planet Cybertron would like to give a BIG Shoutout to the good people at Catablox -- a network of community classifieds, who featured one of our articles back in late 2011.

The article featured was that of the Malaysian International Toy Fair 2011, which has since became our all tine 6th most read articles on New Planet Cybertron weblog.

We really appreciate the mention, and this definitely would inspire us to make further improvements, as well providing you, our fellow Cybertronians with more news and reviews.

Thank you again Catablox.



Here is the featured article:
New Planet Cybertron on Catablox

Transformers Review – Encore Optimus Prime


Intro:

            This character probably needs no introduction. He is by far the face of the entire Transformers franchise as a whole. The newer generations of Transfans may identify Optimus Prime as the fiery Peterbilt truck from the movie trilogy, but for us long time fans, no disrespect to the movie designs, Optimus Prime will always be that flat-fronted truck.
            Originated from the earlier Diaclone figure named Battle Convoy, Optimus Prime was arguably the best figure of its time – it was super-articulated.
            Optimus Prime was so embedded into the hearts of children at the time, that when HasTak decided to kill off Optimus Prime during the events of the 1986 movie to make way for Rodimus Prime to become the new leader of the Autobots, the fans reactions were out of this world!!!
            Children cried. Parents wrote letters to the show producers. It was like a tragedy worse than anything else. 
            Yeah, ladies and gentlemen, Optimus Prime is that big.
            And it was because of the flaks that they got from this that Hasbro decided to do it differently with the character Duke from GI Joe in their animated movie. Initially wanted to kill off Duke, they ended up altering the storyline by having Duke under a coma rather than being killed by Serpentor.
            So, for such an iconic character, it was only a matter of time that New Planet Cybertron would review this wonderful figure.

Alternate Mode:
            Unless you’ve been living on Pluto all this while, then probably I do not need to tell you that Optimus transforms into a flat-head truck complete with trailer.
            He looks absolutely fantastic and very screen-accurate.
            The red is very deep and vibrantly delicious. The wheels, instead of being mere plastic, are made from rubber with chromed rims. The smokestacks and the front grill are chrome as well.
            The truck just looked very delicate and detailed. 
            According to fiction, Optimus’s consciousness is divided between 3 components, i.e. the main robot itself, the trailer and Roller. So technically, when anything happens to any one of the components, the rest would feel it as well. 
            Roller is a little six-wheel buggy, who first appeared in Part 2 of the Pilot series 3-parter. Roller is normally called upon to go to places where Prime himself can’t. He’s sort of like Prime very own small assistant. 
 
            In normal circumstances, Roller can be stored inside the trailer itself. There are two protrusions at the back of Roller which would snugly fit into two holes on a black block of plastic within the trailer. That black block of plastic is literally a spring-loaded catalyst that would propel Roller out of the trailer when the trigger in front is pushed. 
Top: Unloaded Propellar; Bottom: Loaded
Trigger
            The magnitude of the propelling is quite good, I must say. Roller can go quite far after being ejected. 

            Optimus’s alternate is truly detailed and definitely a robot in disguise in every sense of the word.

Trailer:
            From the naked eye, the trailer looks like just a normal trailer. But at close inspection, the trailer is more than meets the eyes. 
            The trailer opens up to become the battle deck, armed with a firing pod with a mechanical arm. Oddly, there is a cockpit on the pod, supposedly meant for a mini figurine to be placed inside. In fact, back in the figure’s Diaclone’s days, that was exactly the case. 
 
 
            Also, you may also choose to convert the battle deck to Optimus’s personal repair bay, by simply standing the deck vertically. At least now, the existence of the mechanical arm makes more sense. 
            The firing pod can also be used in vehicle mode, by transforming the deck back into his trailer mode, and also by extending the pod beyond the roof of the trailer. Now, it would seem that Optimus Prime would have some sort of a defense system available to him in truck mode.
            The trailer is definitely an integral part of the set that definitely completes the set.  

Robot Mode:
            Standing at 6 ¼-inches tall, Optimus is slightly taller than your average Deluxe-class figures. He is very stout and has a certain commanding look to him.
            In this mode, he is armed with his iconic ion blaster, which is black in color. The combination of colors – vibrant red, deep blue and chrome makes the figure looks extremely exquisite. 
            Articulation-wise, he can be considered as one of the best in G1 standards: the arms swings back and forth (due to transformation joints); the elbows bend; the wrists rotate (mainly because the fists are plugged-in pieces); the hips swings backward; the knees bend (and this was a phenomenal thing back in the days); and finally the toe pieces move down and back up. 
            The chest piece has a hollow internal, which may make the robot seem a bit awkward, especially from the back. Optimus also, unfortunately, does not come with the Autobot’s Matrix of Leadership, which is ashamed really.
            All things considered though, I think the figure is just superb.

Overall:
            No collection is complete without the original, the one and only G1 Optimus Prime. For most part of the G1 era, Optimus Prime, along with Megatron was the centerpiece of the franchise.
            Optimus is a must have for three obvious reasons – he is Optimus Prime; he is the leader of the Autobots; and he was undoubtedly one of the best figures of its time.
            For those like me, who had missed out on the original 80’s G1 Optimus Prime figure, this Encore release is the next best thing to salvation. Go out and get it while you still can.
            Highly recommended.

            Final verdict: 9.5/10.

*Please leave your comments below.

Transformers Review – Sixshot (G1 2002)

Intro:
            Many reviews ago, I’ve mentioned about some of the Holy Grails of Transformers collecting. Each collector may have his or her own specific list of Holy Grails, but chances are, you’d find some recurring names in those list. Generally, figures like G1 Megatron, G1 Optimus Prime, G1 Reflector, G1 Shockwave, G1 Predaking, G1 Omega Supreme, G1 Scorponok, G1 Fortress Maximus, G1 Metroplex, G1 Trypticon, G1 Abominus, Victory Road Caesar set, Victory Leokaiser Set, Victory Deathsaurus (Deszaras), Masterforce Overlord, Masterforce God Ginrai combo, Masterforce Piranacon set, Victory’s Star Saber/Victory Leo combo, and of course, Sixshot as Halo Grail – level figures.
            A figure is generally considered as a Holy Grail figures based on combination of several factors, i.e. character popularity vs. availability. Generally, most of those mentioned characters are quite popular, even until now, and their action figures, for most part, are difficult to get. Hence, when demands are exceeds availability, they become Holy Grails – treasured figures among collector-dome.
            In recent years, I found myself beginning to hunt down of these Holy Grails one-by-one. Getting the original releases are quite impossible, so for most cases, I had to rely on reissues, hence, you might know by now that I am a huge fan of Encore and Commemorative sets. 
Stickers
            Sixshot was one of those figures that really captured my imaginations back in those days. He first appeared in Part 1 of the Rebirth 3-parters, and made his mark by singlehandedly thrashing the entire Aerialbots team to scrap. I mean, the Aerialbots are literally one of the Autobots toughest special teams, and Sixshot made them look like junior cadets! 

Collector Cards
            In the Headmaster series, Sixshot received much more focus and screen time. He was depicted as a Decepticon ninja who had mutual enmity with Ultra Magnus, and had personal issues with Chromedome. Sixshot was involved in several key events in the series, such as being Ultra Magnus’s killer, and had a hand in the final battle at the North Pole for the Autobot’s cause. Although Sixshot was a Decepticon, he had a strong sense of honor that was mostly lacking from the Decepticons. After defeating and eventually killing Magnus, he showed respect to his fallen opponent. During a misadventure, Sixshot found himself aiding the human Daniel Witwicky, and the two developed a somewhat awkward friendship bond.
            Sixshot eventually found himself no longer believes in the Decepticon’s cause, and left the faction during the final battle of the series’ finale.
            In Transformers: Victory, a new Autobot character named Greatshot was introduced. Apparently, although with the difference in colors and finishing, the two basically used the same mould, and had the same transformation sequences and modes, leading many to belief that Greatshot could well be a reformatted Sixshot. 
Bubble Packaging
            Here we have a character that officially transforms into 6 different modes!!! How cool is that?! For most of us, Triple Changers such as Blitzwing, Astrotrain, Octane and Springer are quite amazing already, and to have a figure that have not FOUR, not FIVE, but SIX official modes, that is almost unimaginable!!!
            Of all Transformers figures that I have ever wanted, this was one of those that I never thought of ever getting. Then when the chance presented itself, you know as well as I do that I would never let it pass. Although it wasn’t the original 1987 release, I got the next best thing – the 2002 re-released version.
Oh man, I am really hyped up for this, so here we go…

Jet Mode:
            Since Sixshot comes packed in this Jet fighter mode, it is only natural that we start off this review with this mode.
The jet mode looks absolutely fantastic. It looks very believable for a Cybertronian/ extraterrestrial spacecraft. 
            The designers of modern Transformers may want to learn one thing or two from the guys behind the designs of Sixshot as the jet mode really doesn’t have too visible kibbles, unlike most jet modes that we get nowadays. 
            At 11 ½-inches of width and length, he is monstrous. The wheels below also roll quite smoothly.
            Simply fantastic.        

Car Mode:
            This is probably one of his weaker modes, if you can even put it that way. It looks nice and heavily armed, and with that chrome pieces revealing itself, he looks gorgeous. 
            It’s just that the concentration of wheels are mostly from the middle of the figure, all the way to the back end, while the cockpit and all the front part of the car seems to hang there without anything to support them except for the figure’s very own engineered balance.        
   

Tank Mode:
            The tank mode is a mixed baggage really – it’s visually striking and not really something that you would want to go up against on the battlefield. The one major issue that plagues this mode is his back-heaviness.
            The back portion of the tank does not possess any wheels at all, thus lack that much needed support at the back. It is not to say that the tank mode can’t stand upward, he can, it’s just that a slight touch at the back may tilt him backward.

Gun Mode:
            Surprisingly, I kinda dig the gun mode. The large size makes the gun looks super-imposing.
            Looking at the barrel tip of the gun, you’ll instantly know that you are done for if that gun was firing in your direction. 
            The best part of this gun – the spring-loaded trigger! It is these attention to the smallest details that makes this set such a wonderful piece of engineering.

Wolf Mode: 
            Now this is one of the frequently debated topics for this figure – what is this mode really is. According to his packaging, as well as in various fictions, he is billed as a Wolf.
            My question is, does he look like a wolf to you? Seriously?
            Is that a wolf’s head for you?
            I don’t know about you, that looks like a feline head to me. A leopard or a puma, maybe. A tiger, probably by a long shot. A wolf? Hell no.
            Anyways, this mode may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it looks darn good nonetheless. Also, it is worth to take note that this is the only mode where Sixshot does not utilize his Sonic Concussion blasters.

Robot Mode:
            Sixshot is a monster! He stands at about 9 ½-inches to the tip of the head (12 ½-inches to the tip of his wings), which makes him approximately a Leader-class figure. 
Sixshot with ROTF Leader-class Optimus Prime
            He looks tantalizingly delicious, and the robot itself is very well-proportionate, better than a lot others of his G1 brethrens. He looks very slick and smooth, and pretty much how a Transformer ninja should look like.

            Predominantly green, grey, purple and black, the colors are quite accurate to the show.
            Articulation-wise: he is an absolute brick. Shoulders rotate on ratcheting joints; although the elbows do not bend, they do, however, rotate, as if giving Sixshot an illusionary wrist joints; both legs are joined together, thus moving in tandem; and finally each leg have somewhat of a knee joint – it’s more of a transformation joint, if you ask me. 
            The chest wings, due to its design and placement will hinder the movement of the arms, although it does make him look good.
Sixshot with G1 Quickswitch
            The robot mode alone may not give him very high points, but with all things considered, he is absolutely fantastic!
           
            Wait… have I got a surprise for you… if you think that this review is done, you are dead wrong… there is one more mode to be reviewed…
            Hold on! You might say. Sixshot is a six-changer – jet, car, tank, gun, winged wolf and the robot modes – all those equals to 6 already, isn’t it?
            Technically, the answer is a resounding yes, but if you recall the Headmaster series, where Sixshot delivered the final blow to Ultra Magnus, he revealed to the world his final and ultimate mode…

Wingwolf Mode:
            Well, this mode was officially named as such in the Japanese animated series, Headmaster. It was never mentioned in the instructions. It is said that this mode possesses all the powers of his other modes and consolidate them into one cohesive form.
            The Wingwolf mode is virtually the amalgamation of all of his other modes.

Overall:
            I love Sixshot, there’s no other word for it. I would gladly call him as the absolute best the G1 series had to offer. He was a Transformer like none other. With 7 different modes, this is one aspect of this figure that even with the current technology that we have, that is still difficult to match.
            This was the Transformers that everyone wanted, but many couldn’t get.
            As far as Transformers collecting dreams go, this is one dream came true for me. Never had I believed that I will ever touch a Sixshot, much less owning him. After missing out on the original 1987 and the re-released 2002 figures, my only salvation would have been the Encore version, if I could ever get my hands on him that is; which won’t be easy – since he is a fan favorite.
            He is definitely an engineering marvel, in every sense of the word and is an absolute must in every Transformers collection.
            Absolutely and exceptionally recommended.

            Final verdict: 10+/10. 

P.s.: For your viewing pleasure, this is the original figure commercial from the 80's featuring to Ultimate Transformers challenge. (Courtesy of Youtube's Cossieboy2007)

* Please leave your comments below.