Transformers Toy Reviews

[Godmaster]

Recently bought a transformer toy and like it alot?Share it wif us by doing a toy review of it!This thread will serve as an informative read to everyone regarding the transformer that is being reviewed.

[[soundwave]]

Transformers Cybertron: Hardtop
Planet Allegiance: Earth
Faction: Decepticon
Size: Scout
Planet Key Code: s4mm
Skill Level: 2
Key Gimmick: Rifle changes to Sniper Rifle

Tech Specs:
Strength - 5
Intelligence - 6
Speed - 6
Endurance - 7
Rank - 4
Courage - 4.5
Fireblast - 6
Skill - 7

Hardtop has been left on Earth to serve as a spy, tracker and ground-based spotter for the aerial team of Starscream and Thundercracker. He uses his impressive array of sensors not only to pinpoint Autobot targets up to 7000 miles away, but also to listen to and record the tresonous whining of Starscream. Though he generally prefers to hang back from the front line of a fight, he finds a certain pleasure in taking pot shots at Autobots with his super-precise, long range laser rifle.

Alternate Mode
The very first thing i noticed about the alternate mode was that it reminds me of G1 Beachcomber. It spots the same roof-less 4 wheel drive.

The alternate mode is mainly made up of dark green with a little pale green. Yellow and silver details were present and surprisingly the paint application is superb. No paint bleeding on mine. A huge rifle is mounted at the back of the vehicle. The colors and weaponry on this mode trys to depict that it is some sort of military vehicle.

It rolls on four wheels and interestingly has details of a seat in the passenger area. A Decepticon faction symbol can be found on the hood of the vehicle.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/CIMG5059.jpg

Nothing much to add about the alternate mode except that it is a common four wheeled vehicle. Not much playabilty in this mode. Least it pays a little homage to G1 Beachcomber. :P

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/CIMG5057.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/CIMG5058.jpg

Robot Mode
This is where it scores for Hardtop. With 10 points of articulation, it probably makes Hardtop one of the best Scout/Basic figures. Articulation can be found at the neck, 2 shoulders, 2 elbows, waist, 2 hips and 2 knee articulation.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/CIMG5062.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/CIMG5063.jpg

The dark green is mainly translated to the arms and legs in robot modes. Gold application is present at the arms and knee caps. Pale green and purple make up most of the body. Once again the paint application is very good. The head is made up of pale green and a yellow visor. The face area is in silver and has very very minal bleeding in such a small area. Hasbro has improved on their painting skills.

Once again, the face looks very similar to G1 cartoon Beachcomber's face. With a visor, a nose and a mouth.

Hardtop is very well-balanced, thou from time to time he does topple. But when you get the hang of it, you can pose him in many dynamic poses. Personally i find the waist articulation scores a lot for him compared to the other scout/basic figures with only Clocker/Skids being the only other basic with waist articulation. Out of the 10 points of articulation, 6 of which are ball joints, 2 hinges and 2 rotary joints.

Hardtop's weapon is a normal rifle. There are little details on such a slim weapon. When inserted the planet key, a spring mechanism is activated and flips out a sniper barrel. The rifle is extended and becomes a sniper rifle. Personally I like this gimmick. It changes a mid range weapon to a long range weapon. Ensuring Hardtop to have a suitable weapon at any place of the battle field.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/CIMG5065.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/CIMG5066.jpg

Verdict
I give Hardtop a solod 8/10 for being such a great figure though with an average vehicle mode. If for any reason, the basic figure to get to date would definately be hardtop. It scores a lot on the robot mode. Highly recommended for people who plays with their Transformers.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/CIMG5064.jpg


Clement aka [Soundwave]

[[soundwave]]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/altnprime01.jpg

Alternators Nemesis Prime is a repaint of Alternators Optimus Prime. I must say that this is another excellent repaint of Optimus Prime. Nemesis Prime is packaged in the new Alternators bubble box.

Alternate Mode

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/altnprime06.jpg

Nemesis Prime is a Dodge Ram SRT-10 pick-up truck. It is mainly in black with red tinted windshield. As most Alternators, the vehicle mode is modeled very closely to the actual car. One minor problem is the ‘emptiness’ under the bonnet. Though it reveals the engine, it reveals a whole lot of the ground too. Also, the mechanism that moves the 2 front wheels at the same time is a little faulty on my side. It could be just my case.

Transformation

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/altnprime14.jpg

Transformation wise it is at the usual alternators standard. Nothing too tough but nothing too simple either. The engine then transforms into a handgun pistol.

Robot Mode

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/altnprime20.jpg

In robot mode, as like many Nemesis Primes, the usual teal linings all start to appear here. These details are mainly painted at the legs as well as the forearms. Though Nemesis Prime has decent articulation points, there is a whole lot of kibble that hinders the poses made.

Nemesis Prime has red tinted eyes and two tiny Decepticon symbols at each shoulder. The head sculpt is quite similar to God Ginrai/Powermaster Optimus Prime. One could always claim this as Nucleon Quest Convoy if not for the Decepticon symbol.

Nemesis Prime’s chest is too wide and also the waist armor really hinders the waist articulation. The two screws at the waist armor actually spoils the overall look. Thighs of Nemesis Prime are too small, thus limiting the number of poses that it could actually achieve. My Nemesis Prime’s knees were actually quite loose, causing it to lean backwards from time to time.

Personally I feel that the weapon is too small compared to the bulk of Nemesis Prime. A larger weapon would do it good. At the region around the fists, the connection pin can act as a little cannon for use in battle.

With all the complaints, Nemesis Prime still shines as a very menacing opponent to any who opposes. A sparkling gem for the eyes.

Overall

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/altnprime26.jpg

Personally, I feel that this a much better figure then Alternators Optimus Prime. The new color scheme covers up most gaps that Optimus Prime couldn’t. Overall, a very nice figure with sufficient details, definitely fitting to any collectors display. Recommended to all!

More pics here:
http://soundwave-fortress.fotopic.net/c1020765.html:yeah:

[[soundwave]]

Tech Specs

DECEPTICON BRAWL is built for one thing, and on thing alone - destruction. His programming has been gripped for as long as he can remember by a rage so deep and so hot that he feels little else. The only thing that allows him a few moments of happiness is the fury of combat. There is nothing so sweet to him as the thunderous noise of his shells bursting against the armor of a faltering AUTOBOT.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/IMG_1978.jpg

Alternate Mode

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/IMG_1951.jpg

Brawl's Alternate mode is based on the Abrams Tanks with some slight modifications. Some modifications include an 2 additional turrets above the main turret. Technically, this cannot be done in real-life unless the top turrets are automatics. Being able to turn in 2 different directions is not something that can be done yet. Brawl rolls on 4 wheels built within the tank treads. A pity would be that the turrets don't face up, only sideways.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/IMG_1956.jpg

Above the main turrent sports a grey Decepticon symbol. Strangely, this Decepticon symbol is flipped vertically upside down. It doesn't make sense for it to be upside down. Even when Brawl is in robot mode, the symbol is not upright still.

Comparing the final product with the image on the back of the card, you can notice that a lot of camouflage paintwork are actually removed and simplified on the final product. Still it doesn't detract much from the alternate mode. The overall feel for the alternate mode definately spells destruction anyway you see it.

Automorph/Gimmick

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/brawlautomorph.gif

Brawl's Automorph feature requires the front of the tank to be pushed in a downwards motion. As this is done, the head and tank treads by the side flip up. The treads flip up above the shoulders. The head flips up but requires to be turned around to face front.

Robot Mode

Brawl is a bulky robot covered in green and black with gold trimmings. It retains all the colours it has in tank mode. Armor plates are constantly covering all of his body.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/IMG_1974.jpg

Brawl's head sports red light piping eyes. The headsculpt is done extremely well. Paint application of gold and silver are done in excellent shape, no paint bleeding whatsoever.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/IMG_1975.jpg

Brawl has tons of weaponries. He sports 2 turrets on his back, 2 missle launchers on each side of his shoulders, a large cannon mounted on his right arm as well as a claw on his left arm. Brawl's hands are sculpted as a 3 finger claw

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/IMG_1981.jpg

Articulation wise, Brawl has all of it in the right places. My only grip would be the clip connectors at the shoulders. The clips are loose! Everytime you move the arms, it drops off from the clips. Requiring you to clip it back again. It's really troublesome but nothing a little clear nail polish cannot save.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/IMG_1982.jpg

Verdict

At the end of the day, I say get it. Other then the clips at the shoulders, Brawl is an excellent figure. Heard a leader class Brawl is releasing in the future, how true is that I am not sure. A strong 9/10.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/IMG_1980.jpg


More pics here:
http://thesoundwavegalleria.blogspot.com/2007/06/transformers-movie-deluxe-decepticon_14.html

[[soundwave]]

Tech Specs

BLACKOUT is the largest of the DECEPTICONS. Most often seen looming silently over the right shoulder of MEGATRON, he is his leader's hound. He pursues relentless efficiency, allowing nothing to stop him in his task. Those who defy him beware: his rage knows no bounds. He will fill the air with fire and burn the land clear to take his revenge. Paired with his minion SCORPONOK, he is a dangerous and a deadly foe.

Alternate Mode

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/IMG_2000.jpg

Blackout’s alternate mode is a MH53 Helicopter. One that is currently being used by the US army. The sculpt on the alternate mode is spot on to the real deal. Every tip from head to toe is précised and detailed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/IMG_2002.jpg

At the rear of Blackout, there’s a drop cage with a mini Scorponok figure in it. Scopornok is primarily in pearl white with a dap of black wash above it. Details are present and the wash brings it out. Instead of being an entire plastic piece, the tail is moulded separately with a spring loaded action to it. It jumps out of Blackout cage instead of just being dropped. Looks better this way IMO.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/IMG_2003.jpg

At the tail of Blackout is a button that you can push. When this is done, the rotors would spin in an anti-clockwise direction. This feature is normally present in all the recent helicopter transformers but Blackout’s motion is more menacing due to 6 blades instead of the usual 4.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/IMG_2025.jpg

Automorph/Gimmick

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/blackoutmorph.gif

Blackout’s automorph requires to push the back in resulting in the spinning of the cockpit, thus revealing the head of Blackout. Hasbro’s instructions are crap and could damage the toy. Wonder how many parents transforming Blackout for their kids have already got it damaged.

Robot Mode

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/IMG_2012.jpg

Blackout’s robot mode spots the same colours as in alternate mode. A Decepticon symbol can be found on his chest. Though on the Tech Specs it states Blackout is the largest of the Decepticons, I guess that only applies to the movie as Blackout is just a little taller then an average deluxe sized transformer.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/IMG_2014.jpg

Blackout’s head is very detailed with a blackwash over it. The head is swiveled and can turn 360 degrees, but that is quite useless as his body has many parts blocking his view other then his front. His legs and arms have articulation in all the right areas. Definitely have no problem trying to pose him in dynamic poses.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/IMG_2019.jpg

Blackout has no accessories whatsoever (other then scorpy of course). His only weapon is his big friggin’ rotor. Bend the rotor section down and hook the main section of the weapon on Blackout’s shoulders. Place the peg into his hands and viola. The spinning action can also be used in this mode. My only complaint is that the weapon is seriously oversized. A removable rotor would really be nice.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/soundwave3387/IMG_2021.jpg

Verdict
Overall, Blackout is a nice voyager. Sexy alternate mode, robot mode is nice too (other then the small size of course). The weapon doesn’t really do much for me. The pack-in Scorponok is a nice touch. Personally, I like it a lot and would recommend to everyone interested in getting Blackout.

8/10

Full review here:
http://thesoundwavegalleria.blogspot.com/2007/06/transformers-movie-voyager-blackout.html