Maketoys - RM-07 Visualizers Review

Maketoys Visualizers - hangin tough

Maketoys Visualizers - who are they? (that was my best impression of the old 1980's Milk advert)

Well, they are Reflector, or more specifically Maketoys crack at a Masterpiece Relfector. In case you don't recall, Reflector was a character in the original Transformers cartoon who merged from 3 robots into one handily sized camera.
A character largely ignored by everyone for the last 30 years, it seems third party outfits have cast their lovelorn eyes in his direction and intend to make it a summer of Reflector love.

Maketoys RE:Master line continues with its follow up to the incredible Cupola, but can Visualizers live up to the high standards that toy set?

Hit the button below to see the review.

Transformers Combiner Wars Prowl Review

Combiner Wars Prowl

Look, we have a Combiner Wars Prowl! Just like the comics...sort of...not really.

Before Devastator landed at Castle Soapbox, I was starting to suffer a bit from Combiner Wars fatigue. It is not that the figures are coming out at such a rapid pace, or boredom with the line - but it has become so repaint/remold heavy.

Prowl, for example, is the 4th use of this mold and is a straight repaint of Streetwise but with a lovely new noggin planted on his shoulders.

This line is like an addictive drug, that is the only way I can explain why I continue to buy so many repaints with a grin that the Cheshire Cat would wince at.


Hit the button below to see the Toybox Soapbox review of Combiner Wars Prowl

Transformers Combiner Wars Devastator Review

Combiner Wars Devastator - vintage giftset style

Combiner Wars Devastator then - it is actually a real thing. In my hands.

Originally I intended to split this review into two parts, but thought I'd walk on the wild side and just do it all in one go.
So many words and pictures, this will be the longest article I ever write - but it was so much fun playing with these figures.

Hit the button below to see the full Toybox Soapbox Combiner Wars Devastator review

Transformers RID 2015 Sideswipe Review

I like the idea of the new RID TV show, much more than I like the actual show. It is not bad, and I love that they have produced a lighter, more fun show where most of the episodes are fairly self contained.
That is a very G1 approach, and I am glad they have gone that way for the kids.

But I am not big into the show, or the toyline. This is only my second figure from the line, with Takaras Nemesis Prime being the other, and neither has been great.

This review is only happening because I was so taken with the alt mode, as otherwise it was not planned.

So yeah, read on

Maketoys RM01 Cupola Review (Masterpiece Chromedome)

The third party trend for weird names continues, this time with Maketoys Cup holder. Cuckold. Cupola...even.

According to Radio Free Cybertron it means "Dome" which is an interesting a way of getting around not actually being able to call him Chromedome for fear of Hasbros dusty legal hammer (seriously, at this point third party companies may as just well call them their legit names and whack the badges on there).

This is my first Maketoys product, as their other offerings have been a bit too stylised for my tastes and have not floated my boat. But this, as a childhood fan of the original Chromedome toy, I saw this and knew like Wayne Campbell, that she will be mine.
Or he.

Here we have their first figure in their RE:Master series, which is effectively them hoping onto the Transformers Masterpiece bandwagon and making themselves comfortable.

Click below to see if Maketoys Cupola lives up to the considerable hype

Combiner Wars Ultra Magnus Review

Hasbro have continued to whack out toys influenced by IDW with perhaps the strongest example so far - Ultra Magnus. A leader class figure, not only is his design lifted straight from the pages of More Than Meets The Eye ,but it is the first time since Generation 1 that Hasbro have produced an Ultra Magnus toy the way it should be - a car carrier that turns into a giant armoured robot.

Read on to see if Combiner Wars Ultra Magnus can live up to the hopes and dreams of millions of fanbots (like me)

Combiner Wars Legends Rodimus Review

Careering out of left field, here before us we have a Combiner Wars Hot Rod Rodimus figure. But instead of being a Deluxe limb, or a Voyager combiner torso (as his ego would demand) Hasbro have distilled his essence into a legends class figure.
Well, if by distilling they mean giving Blackjack a new head and paint job.

He even has that ridiculous axe....sort of thing.

Just before I get on with reviewing this fella, I haven't updated this blog much lately, as I have been busy writing two articles for the good folks over at Masterforce....and also socialising a little too much.

You can read my reviews of Boldforms Lonewolf here and Combiner Wars Cyclonus here if you want to pass some time.

Please do. Pretty please.

Continue on to the review

Combiner Wars Legends Reviews - Powerglide, Bombshell, Blackjack, Viper and Groove

One of the best things to come out of Combiner Wars, has been the rebirth of the Legends class figures. More akin to the old scout class in terms of size and complexity, though sadly not pricing, we have gotten updated versions of old favourites in some new and interesting ways.

I am going to take a look at my 5 favourite so far, in one rolled up all inclusive super post.

Hit the jump to read the review

*Soundtrack - Dusty Rhodes WWF theme - Common Man Boogie

Warbotron WB-03-A Turbo Ejector (Afterburner) Review

Hasbro may be knocking it out of the park with Combiner Wars, but that has not slowed the 3rd party combiner onslaught down even slightly.

Turbo Ejector then, it is Warbotrons take on a Masterpiece scaled Technobot Afterburner, and is the first release from what will eventually form their Computron.

I will admit now that I had no plans to buy this until it showed in Masterforces sale, but the price they had it on offer for was far too tempting.

Hit the button below to read the review, unless I have died under an avalanche of combiner themed toys.

(I haven't, so please hit the button)

Perfect Effect Perfect Combiner PC-01 & PC-02 Review (Combiner Wars Upgrades)

With Combiner Wars fever pitch running wild, it was inevitable that a 3rd party company would take on the task of improving the two things that Hasbro did not get completely right.
The hands, and particularly the feet.

Perfect Effect have beaten everybody else to the punch, and created a set that is transforms into weapons, so you don't have to just move them off to the side, or break your brain wondering where these bits go in a fictional world.

At £25 a pop (that number rockets up when converted into dollars), the price is not cheap, especially if you plan on buying multiple sets for each combiner.

Do they do a good job? Hit the button below to read on.

Transformers MP-21 Masterpiece Bumblebee Review

I started writing this review in the week before Christmas and New Year, and never got round to actually finishing it.
There have been so many other toys, especially with Combiner Wars ploughing ever onwards, that it kinda just got pushed further and further backwards.

It has always been in the back of my mind to finish, especially each time I login in and see "DRAFT!" screaming at me (it's not the only one), so I thought what the heck, lets get it done....5 months later.

Some time ago Takara released Masterpiece Bumble, or as we better know him - Bumblebee. This is his story (review).

Hit the button below to see the Masterpiece Bumblebee review.

Combiner Wars Streetwise and Blades Review

The final pair of deluxe figures from Wave 3 of Combiner Wars are Streetwise and Blades. One is an almost complete remold, whilst the other is straight repaint with a shiny new head plonked on top like an angry faced Angel upon the top of a Christmas tree.


To see the reviews of Combiner Wars Streetwise and Blades, hit the button below.

Transformers Adventure TAV13 Nemesis Prime Review

Not one to usually care for Black repaints of Transformers, I am not sure how I ended up purchasing this figure.
Well maybe I am, I like the new Optimus Prime design from RID as it looks futuristic and Star Convoy like. Then the teal hit me like a time bullet from 1992 with G2 etched onto the side.

A redeco of RID 2015 Optimus Prime in RID..whenever it was...Scourge colours- we have Nemesis Prime.

Hit the button below to continue with the review.

Combiner Wars Quickslinger and Brake-Neck Review

Even more Combiner Wars stuff, and this time it is the missing members of the Aerialbots of the Stunticons - Quickslinger and Brake-Neck!

Wait, that isn't their names, we are talking about Slingshot and Wildrider....right? Throughout this review, I will switch between their names-hopefully that will not confuse you too much.

Originally excluded from the Combiner teams line up, both were replaced with new characters who homaged them in some way. In Slingshots case, Alpha Bravo had a very Slingshot looking head, and in Wildriders case - Off Roads alt mode was in Wilderiders colour scheme.

Hasbro have finally relented to the demands of thousands of fanboys with repaints we all saw coming in some form, albeit most expected them to be from 3rd parties.
Relief.

These reviews will focus more on the differences to original versions of these molds. You can read Fireflys review here and Dead Ends here

Hit the button below to read the reviews of Quickslinger and Brake-neck.

Combiner Wars First Aid and Rook Review

Continuing my Combiner Wars wave 3 reviews, this time I am not just focusing on one figure - but two.

Here we have perennial Protectobot pacifist Ambulance type First Aid, and APC Hulk hand wielding newcomer - Rook.

Hit the button below to read the reviews

Transformers Combiner Wars Hot Spot Review

Rolling in to deal with the flames caused by the craziness of the Transformers Combiner Wars we have Voyager Protectobot Hot Spot.
As the combiner torso for Defensor, Hot Spot is one of the original Generation 1 gestalts, and a toy I believe most children of the 80's probably had.

Hasbro have finally relented, and for the first time since the 1980's issued a true, combining, update to the Lenor loving leader of the Protectobots - as a Voayger as part of Combiner Wars wave 3.

Hit the button below to see the full Combiner Wars Hot Spot review

Transformers MP-24 Masterpiece Star Saber Review

V!V!VIC-O-TORY!

Star Saber is of course, the star of Transformer Victory, one of the Japanese series that followed on from the Western G1 cartoon...sort of.
It featured some of the later toys that we got in the west like the Micomasters, but the Autobot leader, instead of being a Red truck, was a curiously Gundam-esque bright Red.White and Blue bot called Star Saber - who's toy did not get released in the west.

So here we are in the Back to Future 2 year of 2015. and Takara have deviated from the usual routine of keeping the Masterpiece line confined to characters from the first 3 seasons of the cartoon, and as a result of a fans vote we have got the incredible Masterpiece Star Saber.

You can probably gauge some of my opinions by the use of the word "incredible", but hit the button below to read the Masterpiece Star Saber review and see loads of pictures.

Transformers Combiner Wars Megatron Review

                 

Combiner Wars Megatron

For a character as important as Megatron, it is perhaps surprising that the Generation One incarnation of the character has had so few toys based on him.
Optimus Prime is iconic, as in virtually every iteration he is some form of Red and Blue truck.

Due to modern gun laws dictating that we will never see a replica hand gun version of Megatron again (Nerf gun style not included), Megatron has been everything from a hand gun, a tank, a stealth bomber, various alien jets & tanks to a flying hand.

So here we finally have a G1 style Megatron figure, with a Tank alt mode just like IDW or G2.

Is it all that we dreamed it would be? Hit the button below to see the full review and find out.

Transformers MP-23 Masterpiece Exhaust Review

Probably the most obscure Transformers character I have ever dipped into my wallet to purchase, Exhaust is a repaint of Masterpiece Wheeljack.

This time we have something a little bit more special though, as Masterpiece Exhaust is modern update of a Diaclone figure, based on the Marlboro version of the Lancia - previously know as "Marlboor" in Transformers fandom.

Exhaust has had a bit of rough time, with Phillip Morris Tobacco Company shutting down all sales by retailers outside of Japan, so it is quite lucky that I ordered mine from a Japanese store as soon as it was listed.

So now he has an official name, and a new toy which managed to avoid the clutches of the Tobacco industry - is it any good?

Hit the jump to behold the glory of Masterpiece MP023 Exhaust, or click here if you want a more in depth view review of the mold as Wheeljack

Transformers Combiner Wars Breakdown Review

Rolling in as part of the next wave of Combiner Wars figures we have Breakdown. Most people on Earth probably had the original G1 Breakdown toy, and I imagine that there are millions down the backs of peoples sofas as we speak.

Hasbro have updated him in a more modern form, ready to be a leg for the discerning Menasor fan of 2015.

Hit the button below to read the rest of the review

Takara Transformers Generations Legends Arcee

This was supposed to be a Combiner Wars Breakdown review, but then the Postman bought Arcee to my door much sooner than I was expecting.

Boy, is she pretty in  Pink. Ha, right now that one is finally out of my system, ahem, here we go with Takaras take on Generations Arcee,
Whilst Arcee has had copious figures over the years, non of them were of her Generation incarnation which despite featuring prominently in the Movie and 3rd season of the cartoon, never received an toy.

When Hasbro announced this toy, it felt like a near 30 itch had finally been scratched, so why did I go for the Takara version and not the much cheaper Hasbro toy?
Any time someone buys a Takara figure it always comes back to the paint job, right?

The Hasbro figure had some extra black bits, to try and tie it in with IDW (I think?), and the ones on her side made he look like she was carrying a walkman with the headphone cable running up her side.

Arcees figure is so G1 it hurts, so when pictures of Takaras try surfaced, complete with super accurate G1 colour scheme - I knew that was the version I was buying.

But was it worth breaking my own strict rules on how much I will spend on a deluxe figure? Hit the button below to see the full Transformers Legends Arcee review.

Combiner Wars Dead End Review

When Combiner Wars was first announced, and the individual figures shown, Dead End was not the one I thought looked the best - but it was the one I most wanted in my hands.

Sounds creepy.

His first real update since the original Generation 1 toy, it comes as part of the hit Combiner Wars line, but does it live up to the standards set by the first wave?

To see the Dead End review, hit the button below.

Full disclosure: I am writing this review listening to Omar's "There's Nothing Like this". Wonder what happened to that guy? That is a wikipedia research project for a day at work next week....

MECH iDEAS - Demolition Crue DC03 - Gauntlet Review

This started as an article about figures that slipped under the radar, and never got the attention they really deserved. Whilst writing the original article, a chance posting on Facebook reminded this toy existed and then I managed to get hold of one a couple of days later.

Gauntlet started out as a design by a new 3rd party group called Mach 5, who then ironically went bust before releasing a product. An onslaught of repaints of this guy were announced, then the company went under and Mech Ideas took over and released it under their Demolitions Crue brand following on from their Topspin and Twin Twist homages.

Errr...so yeah, somewhere along the line it actually made it out into the world but didn't seem to generate much of a buzz, which is unusual for a figure based on such a popular character as Ironfist from the IDW Transformers comics.

Enough of my rambling, hit the button below to see the full Mech Ideas Gauntlet review

DC Collectibles The New Batman Adventures - Batman Review

I have always said, that if DC make updated figures based on Batman the Animated Series, with better articulation - I would buy them all. It is my favourite cartoon series of all time, and I love every facet of it, I adore it and wish I could climb through the TV and live in that world.

So DC Collectibles called my bluff, and announced a large looking line of characters from the show, who look just like they do on the screen.

The first wave featured mostly figures based on the redesigns from the New Batman Adventures, so I decided to skip them as I prefer the original designs and figured I would save some money. In fact, I didn't realise this line was even out until I saw that amazing looking Batmobile at New York Toyfair.

Fate conspired for me to find this figure in a comic shop at the weekend, where I buckled whilst my wallet wept for me tumbling down the Rabbit hole.

Click the button below to read the review.

Transformers Generations Brainstorm Review

With Brainstorm being such a central part of the recent Transformers comics, I figured I would go back and review the Voyager figure Hasbro put out late last year.

Based on his appearances in the IDW comic series, but retaining the Headmaster gimmick of the original toy it looked like it was going to be a special toy.

Well is it? Click the button to see the review.