Transformers Review: G2 Megatron (United Deluxe)

Intro:

            Throughout history, Megatron have had a variety of alternates modes – race car, Cybertronian fighter jets, trucks, weird creatures (i.e. RiD series), dragons & dinosaurs (i.e. Beast Wars/ Machines, although technically, it’s a totally unrelated Megatron), tanks and of course, the iconic gun.

            No matter how many reincarnations of Megatron that we may had, or will have, to me, Megatron will always be synonymous with the gun, just like how I will always associate Optimus with a truck; Starscream with a jet; and Soundwave as that mini-cassette deck, however so obsolete that may be. 

            When you think about it though, it makes more sense for Megatron to be a power-packed tank rather than a small time hand gun. Still, being a tank still means that he is technically still a gun-esque contraption – a ginormous gun that moves.

            In line with the release of G2 Laser Optimus Prime in the United line, it makes sense that his counterpart is released as well , hence here we are with the review of this figure.

Alternate Mode:

            G2 Megatron transforms into a deep-purple-colored tank, instead of the overall green-colored jungle theme that he sported back in the 80’s. 

            Typically of all Takara-Tomy releases, the color applications are bright and eye-catching. The details are good – you could see all the small details carved straight onto the body of the vehicle. 

            The main gun moves up (and I do mean REAL up) and back down. The small gun attached to the turret can rotate, while the entire turret itself can rotate, albeit very loosely. Finally, the entire tank rolls quite smoothly. 

            While I am kinda okay with the overall design, as well as still trying to get used to the color scheme, the main gun itself doesn’t fit in snuggly onto the turret, thus causing the main gun to detach from the turret if certain pressure is applied.

            Overall, it is a neat little tank mode.

Robot Mode:

 

            The transformation from tank mode to robot mode is insultingly easy – you’d probably be able to transform him in less than 1 minute!

            The head sculpt is dead on – definitely Megatron. 

            Articulation-wise: the head rotates; the shoulders rotate and swing outward; the elbows bend and rotate; there is also an existing waist joint and also what looks like an abs crunch; the hips are ball-jointed, and a very loose one at that; the knees bend; the legs rotate slightly below the hips; and finally the ankles pivot.

            Overall, I’m really not too impressed with the articulations and I think based on Takara-Tomy’s own standard, they definitely could do much better, especially with the loose joints and all.

I love to say that this figure is good, since he is the Emperor of Destruction, but I just can’t due to several issues plaguing this him.

            For one, the right arm is awkwardly designed. That arm was meant to have a rotating arm from the elbow downward. There is a small peg on the upper arm, triggering of which will cause the lower arm to rotate in a helicopter rotor motion. I don’t have that much issue with the gimmick (though I don’t necessarily have to like it either), the elbow joint is a bit too low compared to his left arm. So while the left arm bends naturally, the right arm bends awkwardly.

            Also, that same lower arm detaches way too easily for my liking, especially when you try to bend the elbows.

            And also the gun – while I think it’s good that the blaster in tank mode can be wielded as a gun in robot mode, you’d probably ask: why on Earth does Megatron, who already has a freaking powerful fusion cannon at his disposable, ever need another pipsqueak gun anyway? It just seems so redundant.

            I really think that Takara-Tomy could’ve done way better did than this. Loose joints and bad designs really plague this figure.

Overall:

            Tank-formers are cool – most of the time, and so far, the Top 3 best tank –former that I ever have, in my opinion are 2007-movie Leader-class Brawl, United Warpath, and ROTF Voyager Bludgeon. This G2 Megatron is not even close.

            It’s such a shame that this figure fails to deliver its promises and I would’ve loved to love and recommend this figure, but I can’t.

            Final verdict: 4.5/10.

                                                                                          

Transformers Review: Frenzy and Rumble (United Scout)

Intro:

            First of all, I have to admit, at this time of writing, apart from the previously review Music Label Frenzy and Rumble; I do not have any other versions of the figures. I wanted to get the original cassette version of the characters, but so far my searches haven’t brought me to them.       

            While I do have the 2007 Movie Fast Action Battlers Frenzy, I don’t really consider him to be the Frenzy of old. Then, when Takara-Tomy announced that they were releasing re-imagined versions of the G1 characters in the United line, I kept my fingers crossed, since I expected these guys to be imported into this country in limited quantities. 

            Early photos on the internet showed that the two characters have now been reformatted into tanks instead of mini-cassettes – a sign of evolution. They actually look good.

            So needless to say, I jumped at the first opportunity to get them. Alas, here I am with the review…

Alternate Mode:

            Normally, in the case of reviewing a two-figure set like this, I would separate them into either 2 reviews, or at least 2 sections. 

            In this case however, I decided not to, since the two figures are literally the same figures, colored differently. They share the same pros, as well as the same cons. 

            Now before we begin, let me clarify something, despite that in the original G1 series, Rumble was depicted as the blue one, Frenzy was the red one, the reversal is true. 

            Anyways, compared between the two, I prefer Rumble to Frenzy. The red and black combination on Rumble seems to make him look more menacing compared to Frenzy. However, that doesn’t mean in any way at all that Frenzy’s color scheme is any inferior. 

            The main gun turret rotates The main gun turret rotates 360°, and the front portion of the turret turns left and right. The two guns on the sides are on ball-jointed clip-on, so they have all range of motions.

            There are four wheels underneath that provide smooth motions, and the overall details of the figures are just wonderful.

Frenzy and Rumble going up (KAPOW) again (BABOOM) Warpath (ZING)

            The one major drawback for both of these moulds is obviously the side buttons that would release the spring-loaded pile-drivers (in robot mode) at the slightest of touch. This can be very irritating especially when you repeatedly tapped on the buttons accidentally. This is even worse when you are transforming both of the into their respective robot modes.

            Generally, they have pretty good looking tank modes.

Robot Mode:

From left: Frenzy and Rumble

            The robot modes, by some strange optical illusions, looks pretty much like the original cassette-bots, down to its cassette-esque chest. However, when viewing from the back, you could clearly make out the apparent tank kibbles.

 

            Between the two, I tend to have a soft spot for Frenzy, as this was the color of Rumble in the original series, which received the most airtime on the series.  

            Articulation-wise: head is on ball joint; shoulders are on hinged and ball joints that provide all around motions; the arms rotate slightly above the bendable elbows; the wrists tilt up and back down; ball-jointed hips and knees; and finally, the ankles flip forward, mainly due to transformations. 

Rumble

            The figures themselves are kinda neat, although just like their tank modes, they aren’t devoid of flaws.

            The same apparent weakness in the tank modes is still prevalent here. Also, the shoulder pegs doesn’t really lock in all that well against the main body. Most often than not, the joints would dislodge that the arms will end up sagging. 

Frenzy

            Also, due to the size of the arms (as the result of its other gimmick), the movement of the arms can be a bit hindered.

            Another issue would be the hips joints, which are rather loose. Then again, it might only be an isolated quality issue with mine.

Pile-driver Mode:

            Pardon me for saying this, but I just got to say this, just for the sake of nostalgia…

            You wanna rumble with Rumble!!!

            Well, just in case if you don’t know, that’s exactly the same line that Rumble used to say in one of the G1 episodes.

            The pile driver mode doesn’t look exactly like the original G1 version, but it’s obvious enough. I think it’s kinda neat that they did them this way.

            The obvious problems here are again, the loose shoulder locks, and the oversensitive pile driver trigger. Also, as per official instructions, you are supposed to mount the two guns that used to be on his back, onto the top of both pile drivers. Honestly, I think they look kinda silly, and I would prefer them to stay just the way they were.

            Overall, they are a very accurate representation of the original G1 characters.

Overall:

            I wish I could tell you that these figures are perfect, and I wished they were, but their flaws just irk me to no end. The oversensitive triggers can be quite irritating, not just when you are in the midst of transforming them, or just by fiddling with them.

            If the points were given just based on nostalgia, I would’ve given it a perfect 10, or at least a 9, but I have to be professional here.

            While he is definitely a must have for any collectors, the figures are just ain’t perfect.

            Final verdict: 7/10.

Transformers Review: Warpath (United Deluxe)

Intro:

            When the Generations line was first launched in 2010, most Transformers fans were extremely excited, because as far as the pre-released photos go, they look extremely promising. Apart from the normal suspects such as Optimus Prime and Megatron, almost all other characters shown, such as Soundwave, Drift, Darkmount, Bumblebee and a horde of others look extremely good.

            In fact, it was so good that this line could well possibly be the best Transformers line ever.

            One of the figures that really caught the eyes of fans was Warpath.

            KAPOW!!! KA-BLAM!!! KABLOOEY!!!

            Sorry, I really couldn’t help it, hehe…

            Anyways, back to business, Warpath was a character from the original G1 series. Back then, he was one of the Mini Bots, along with the likes of Brawn, Bumblebee and Beachcomber. One of the reasons why fans were looking forward to this figure is that ever since the days of G1, we haven’t had a good Warpath figure and early photos of him on the internet looks extremely good.

            However for some reason, the quantity Hasbro brought in to these parts were quite limited. Fans stammered to get this figure. However, in most shops, they were either sold out, or they were never able to get him in the first place.

            Since 2010, I’ve managed to get almost all Generations figures that I had wanted, except for Warpath, who had remained elusive.

            So when Takara-Tomy announced that they would be releasing him in the United series, I knew it was make or break, and oh boy, was I darn ecstatic when I finally managed to grab him.

            As far as first impression goes, he looks awesome.

Alternate Mode:

            Just in case if you don’t know, Warpath transforms into a tank – KAPOW!!! Well, it’s actually an H-tank, to be exact, reminiscence of Armada Megatron.

            For those who already have the Generations version, you may have noticed that the United version doesn’t have the wordings “K4-90W” and “ZOW-333” on both sides of the tank. Now puh-lease don’t tell me you don’t know what those mean…

            Now just in case you don’t already know, I do not have the Generations Warpath, so as far as I could tell from numerous photos on the internet, he looks a little bit brownish-red. Now compared that to the United version, this version has a richer red to it.

            Warpath rolls quite well on all his four wheels, which are located at the tank threads. The tank turret turns 360° and the tip of the gun moves up and down. 

            Warpath is also armed with a missile launcher on its right turret, while there is a type of bomb launcher on his left. Both of these launchers can be adjusted up or down.

            As with most Generations figures, Warpath too has several universal clip-on weapons slots – 4 in total, to be exact. 

            Overall, I absolutely love this mode and this could possibly be one of the best tank modes in recent memory.

Robot Mode:

            This is truly the icing on the cake – the robot mode is absolutely awesome!!! I mean, as far as I could make out, he looks exactly like his on-screen counterpart. Heck, this was the Warpath that we never had. 

            The head sculpt; the threaded feet; the arms; and gun tip on his chest – he is absolutely gorgeous. 

            Articulation-wise: the head rotates 360°; the shoulders rotate and swings outward; the elbows bend and rotate; ball-jointed hips; the legs rotate slightly below the hips; and finally the knees bend.

            The two launchers on each sides of the turret now becomes Warpath’s shoulder canon, and armed to the teeth, he looks absolutely menacing. 

            Still, I really wished that he would’ve come with ball-jointed head and rotatable waist. I think having those points of articulations would’ve put him in the realm of perfect 10. However, that was not to be, but he still manages, in my opinion, to score as one of the best figures from the Generations line, and in this case, the United line.

Overall:

            I love this guy, there’s no doubt about it. Maybe, I’m being influenced by emotions, then so be it. It took me more than 1 year of waiting to get my hands on this particular figure, and I am darn happy to have him.

            Do get him whenever you get the opportunity, you won’t be disappointed. I guaran-damn-tee it…

            Highly recommended.

            Final verdict: 9.5/10. 

Ps.: It's probably worth to mention that Generations Warpath was voted as 2011 Toy of the Year OAFE (Online Action Figure Entertainment), read more via clicking on this link.

Transformers Review – United Bumblebee

Intro:

I have to be honest with you; I haven’t bought a Transformers figure from Takara-Tomy for quite some time now. I think the last time; I actually bought any Takara-Tomy figures were the ROTF Leader Class Optimus & Jetfire. No disrespect here, but Takara-Tomy’s stuffs are just too expensive for my budget. In these parts, the price difference that range between 10 to 20 bucks, to even more than 100 bucks!!! That’s just too much.

However, to Takara-Tomy’s credit, their product, although they share a common mould, tends to have much better finishing quality than Hasbro’s. Still, whenever possible, I’ll still go for the lower budget options. And now that we got that out of the way, let’s continue on.

Years back, when Hasbro released the updated Bumblebee figure via their Classics line in 2006, I thought it looked great. I thought of getting my hands on it, but could not quite do so due to the limited quantities in these shores. So disappointingly, I had to wait. Then came the Henkei’s version, which I missed out yet again. After these two bouts with fate, I was beginning to relent to fate that I was never gonna get this version of Bumblebee.

Then came the news of Takara-Tomy’s Transformers United. I was ecstatic, but I didn’t know how it would look like in real life. Then when I finally saw it with my own eyes, all of a sudden, I felt glad that I missed out on the previous two. This version was way cooler.

Anyhow, let’s get on with the review.

Robot mode:

This is the mode that Bumblebee came packed in. I have to say, the colors are just brilliant. Bumblebee is no longer yellow in color, but golden – I mean really sparkling GOLD!!! I could imagine the Japanese releasing a 24-carat gold-plated limited edition Bumblebee someday. Who knows? But I know I won’t be buying ‘em.

Anyways, the figure also comes with a jetpack, formed by his Jet Ski trailer – the Wave Crusher.

The head can only turn left and right. The shoulders and elbows are on universal ball joint, while the wrists don’t turn. The hips too are on ball joints. The legs bend and turn at the knee, and lastly, Bumblebee also has a sort of ankle movements, but most likely due to its transformation. The joints are all very tight which in turn offers a lot of pose-ability.

Finally, the specs of the character are as follows: 10 for Courage; 9 for Speed; 8 for Intelligence & Skill; 6 for Fireblast; & 5 for Strength, Endurance & Rank. It’s worth to note that while the specs are evenly given, the 6 for Fireblast is a bit contentious since Bumblebee doesn’t come with any sorts of weaponry at all.

Alternate Mode:

Honestly, I think they should have named him Goldbug instead. His metallic gold coloring suits him very nice. He looks exquisite and very striking – very nice. The small Jet Ski trailer that he lugs around doesn’t really disturb the entire look, but very nice indeed. While I am not sure what car model he is exactly, I could actually see traces of Volkswagen Beetle and the Suzuki Swift in it. But regardless of anything, his alternated looks and feels realistic.

Overall:

Bumblebee is a nice little figure, which I didn’t believe that I could ever get it in the first place. He is truly a pleasure to the eyes and looks truthfully to his G1 origin. He is definitely a figure worth having, and I suggest that you go out and get him if you don’t already have any of the previous releases or even his mould brother, Cliffjumper.

Final verdict, 9/10.

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