Transformers Review - Device Label Broad Blast a.k.a. Blaster

Hi there folks,

Welcome to New Planet Cybertron Reviews, and today, we are going to take a look at Device Label Blaster.

Enjoy the review.

Transformers Review – Broad Blast (Device Label)

Intro:

I gotta admit, I’ve been a huge fan the Device/ Music Label range of products. I think the idea of having an actual functioning Transformer is just awesome. 

 

So far, I have bought Music Label Soundwave, Frenzy & Rumble; as well as Device Label Ravage and Trypticon, and each one of them has been absolutely awesome. So it was only a matter of time I would have to go out and get the Device Label Broad Blast.

Despite the differing name, Broad Blast is actually the reimagining of the G1 Blaster. I don’t know why Takara-Tomy always has such issues with names, can’t they just name him Blaster?

            After having Soundwave released in the Music Label, it’s inevitable that they had to do something with Blaster, hence, here we are.

Alternate Mode:

            Blaster (yeah, I’m still gonna call him that) transforms into a small-sized Toshiba notebook or laptop. 

            Based on the designs, the notebook in question looks like notebooks from the early Noughties, where bulk is still noticeable. 

            Despite the alternate mode, Blaster is not a functioning notebook – that would be just outrageous – instead, he is a functioning USB hub that’s made to look like a notebook.

           I think it’s just so darn awesome. Blaster also comes with a set of input cable, which I think is a tad too short. I wished it could’ve been just a little bit longer. 

           Still, being a collector, I doubt that any one of us would be using him on daily basis. For such an expensive and intricate product, he is definitely meant as a display piece.

Robot Mode:

            After a fairly simple transformations, we get Blaster is all of his glory. 

            The head sculpt is darn accurate to his G1 depiction and the cassette deck on his chest means he is unmistakably Blaster of the G1 era.

Blaster with Eject in his chest compartment

            Although he doesn’t come with any of his Cassettebots, those cassettes can readily fit into his chest compartment. So for those who has those cassettes ready, you have a field day with it. 

 

Comparing to his old G1 self he is very small and diminutive, so I’m quite surprised that he could take in those cassettes.

            Articulation-wise: the light-piped head can rotate 360°; the shoulders and elbows are on ball joints; the wrists rotate; the hips are on combinational joints that provides all around motions; and finally, the double-jointed knees bend deliciously.

            So yeah, Blaster can do quite a variety of poses, definitely a huge plus points for him.

Overall:

            It’s always a pleasure to see an actual functioning Transformer and as I have mentioned so many times in the past, this is actually a step in the right direction. I think that should be the ultimate goal of this franchise, to produce Transformers action figures, with fully functioning alternate modes.

            Blaster gets a thumb up from me.

            Final verdict: 9/10.

Transformers Review – Trypticon (Device Label)

Intro:

            Trypticon – a name that will strike fear to the sparks of many Autobots out there – is one of the powerhouses of the Decepticon army. He is probably one of the strongest and most powerful Decepticon warriors and is a constant sparring partner for his Autobot counterpart, Metroplex.

            I never had a Trypticon figure in my collection, and the original G1 figure has remained in my wanted list ever since I started collecting professionally. So when Takara-Tomy decided to release the Device Label the two operational computer mouse variants, I knew I just had to get the Trypticon variant, also known as Dinosaurer in Japanese. 

Alternate mode:

 

            As mentioned earlier, Trypticon transforms into an operational computer mouse. The size of a normal computer mouse, it fits snugly into my average-sized palm. 

Virtually no Kibbles

            There aren’t any visible kibbles on the anywhere on the mouse at all. Predominantly dark grey and stripes of orange in color, it will pass as a normal mouse to any untrained eyes.

Trypticon in Use

Robot Mode:

           

            The robot mode doesn’t look like a Tyrannosaurus Rex at all, let alone resembling the original Trypticon. In fact, he looks like a pint-sized raptor instead. This however does not mean that it’s not good looking. The colors, for one, are meant to resemble Trypticon. 

            Articulation-wise: the neck moves up and down; lower jaw opens and closes; the chest bends up and down; inner and outer shoulders are on rotational joints, but their movements are severely hindered due to various mouse parts; the hands opens and closes, and the wrists moves upward and down; the hips rotate; knees bend and the feet moves up and down.

 

            Generally, all movements are severely limited by some other parts. It would’ve been great if Takara-Tomy decided to add it a ball joint to the neck. 

 

Overall:

            What can I say; I am sucker for both the Device Label and Music Label line. It’s the magic of a usable alternate mode that captivates me. I’ve used the mouse on a couple of occasion, and it works just fine. I think so far, it has been a move in to right direction for Takara-Tomy. Who knows, one of these days we could really have a Blaster that transforms into a real radio (not a USB hub that looks like notebook); a real usable camera and more.

            Of course, so far the prices of these Transformers have been expensive at best, and hopefully Takara-Tomy could really look into that section and make ‘em a little bit cheaper. So far, I’ve already seen a 3^rd Party rendition of the Device Label Ravage that transforms into a higher capacity USB drive at less than half the price. So that means, there’s still hope for a cheaper and more affordable Device and Music Label Transformers.

           So far, it has been approximately a couple of years since Takara-Tomy issued their last figures from both lines, and hopefully it won’t just end there. Let’s pray that there’s more to come.

           

            Highly recommended.

            Final verdict: 9.5/ 10

*Please leave constructive ideas, valuable thoughts and more at the Comments section.