We at the Block love our orange repaints. Here's a quick look at the appallingly-named new Grapple figure!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
MP-09 Rodimus Convoy...Version 2?!
This listing is for the Recent Masterpiece Rodimus...or is it?
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11264&mode=retail
Actually, it's for Version 2 of the mould, so anyone who bought this beast is probably going to be fuming right now. Why? Well, MP09 Version 2 apparently fixes the numerous Quality Control issues which appeared on the original toy, oh and it's more expensive to boot.
The moral? That new Prime...well, I'd hold off until all the 'bugs' are ironed out!
-Mattersmasher
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11264&mode=retail
Actually, it's for Version 2 of the mould, so anyone who bought this beast is probably going to be fuming right now. Why? Well, MP09 Version 2 apparently fixes the numerous Quality Control issues which appeared on the original toy, oh and it's more expensive to boot.
The moral? That new Prime...well, I'd hold off until all the 'bugs' are ironed out!
-Mattersmasher
Sky-Banana
My kids never call me. Wait, do I have kids?
Sky-Banana is actually HFTD Sunspot, which is a stupid name that should hate itself. Nothing about him involves any fire or light and there isn't a spot to be found. He is, however, a flyer, yellow, and vaguely shaped like a banana. So henceforth I shall be referring to him as Sky-Banana. A much better name, don't you agree?
Dark of the Moon Video Game Preview
Dudes! GameSpot just put up an exclusive preview of the DOTM Xbox 360 game.
Click for vid!
High Moon Studios did a fantastic job on War For Cybertron, and this snippet of the next game looks promising - a far cry from the slow, turgid cack of the previous movie games. Much as I enjoyed WFC, I felt the samey robotic landscapes dragged it down a notch, so it'll be fun to scorch through some Earth-based missions. Let's hope we get to play as some 'Cons too!
Click for vid!
High Moon Studios did a fantastic job on War For Cybertron, and this snippet of the next game looks promising - a far cry from the slow, turgid cack of the previous movie games. Much as I enjoyed WFC, I felt the samey robotic landscapes dragged it down a notch, so it'll be fun to scorch through some Earth-based missions. Let's hope we get to play as some 'Cons too!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Lightpiping champion: Mattersmasher is CHEATING!
PCC Smoulder's modified noggin now has split-window lightpiping!
...no?
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Orange Slice
"It's orange, only twisted."
I just picked up this sexy orange HFTD Oil Pan on clearance at Target. He was hidden behind a swarm of Insecticons. Oil Pan is a repaint of ROTF Brakedown and he is quite obviously meant to be a homage to Micromaster Skystalker.
LEGO Hero Factory: Recon Team
Well, I received a pleasant surprise in the mail this afternoon! I was finally delivered my Hero Factory Recon Team figure which I ordered maybe a few weeks ago. For those of you who may not be familiar with LEGO Hero Factory, it is the action figure line of toys that LEGO has replaced the aging Bionicle line with. Hero Factory figures are built on a highly poseable ball-joint skeleton, which you then clip armor, cladding and weaponry to. The HF Recon Team (link below) is a unique program that enables you to create your own custom Hero Factory figure through LEGO's website and then purchase the figure you have created to be delivered right to your door. Hero Factory and the custom Recon Team figure are definately on my to-do list for reviews and I will go more in depth.
http://herorecon.lego.com/
May I present to you, the latest Recon Team hero, Rick Mercury Thunder!! (Yes, the names are chosen by you as well.)
You can create and save as many HF Recon Team heroes as you like to the public gallery, and save your designs for later purchase. I definitely recommend trying this out, it's quite entertaining!
http://herorecon.lego.com/
May I present to you, the latest Recon Team hero, Rick Mercury Thunder!! (Yes, the names are chosen by you as well.)
You can create and save as many HF Recon Team heroes as you like to the public gallery, and save your designs for later purchase. I definitely recommend trying this out, it's quite entertaining!
Dark of the Moon Theatrical Trailer
This certainly looks spectacular, but it was a little too focused on the humans. I'm not allowing myself to get excited since I'm already thoroughly disappointed with the toy line and I thought ROTF looked spectacular too.
Well hello!
Oh, hi there! My name's Thew, and I suppose I'll go next. I mean... last. Huh. So I'm a stumpy, bearded goon from the middle of England: fairly overweight, constantly late and unreasonably enthusiastic about robots. I started collecting Transformers in earnest about four years ago and almost immediately started putting them in stupid Youtube videos overloaded with obnoxious metal, sped-up sections and jump cuts. It's the most fun I've ever had in my life and I never, ever intend to stop. Can I get a witness?
So listen, this blog/website thing you're looking at is going to be awesome. I'm chuffed as all Hell to be working alongside my BW mentor Brentomentosaur and singular RL Transfag buddy Mattersmasher. We got GAME. Time for some questions!
What interests you in Transformers?
Oh man! ALL OF IT. I just think they're the greatest. I find the toys fascinating, endlessly entertaining and totally endearing. They just scratch that itch, y'know? I'm sure you do. Transformers are beautiful things and should be revered as such.
Who was your first Transformer?
The first one I had as my very own was G1 Drag Strip. My brother Alex and I initially had a Seaspray to share but annihilated him before too long - I remember Alex got Slingshot at the same time as I got Drag Strip, and he was convinced that Slingshot's gun shot wine out of it. Now he's doing a PhD!
Who are your top five characters?
In order of me thinking of them:
1. Astrotrain (G1)
2. Skywarp (G1)
3. Lugnut (Animated)
4. Ironhide (G1)
5. Grimlock (all of them)
Autobots or Decepticons?
Decepticons, obviously. They're bigger and badder, they have cooler names, sweeter colours, and they're awesome.
What is your favourite gimmick?
It kills me to say it, but... light piping. It's just a touch of clear plastic, right - the simplest, cheapest thing in the world, but it can bring such life to a toy. Light piping is the goddamned Pope.
Which show is your favourite?
Honestly there are many I haven't seen, but having dabbled in a few, I can say with some confidence that it's Animated all the way, baby. It was refreshing, sharp, and utterly dodecabodacious. Shame they had to cut it short.
That's just about all you're gettin' out of me for now. Peace, etc!
Sky Striker Details have been revealed.
ToyNewsi has posted the most recent Question and Answer session with Hasbro's GI Joe Team. They cover the SkyStriker set and pricing within the interview as well. Hasbro states in the interview with ToyNewsi "The Sky Striker will be sold at $49.99. Most of our SDCC exclusives will be available on HTS the monday after close of the convention. However, there will be limited quantities so act fast!"
For the full article please visit ToyNewsi.com
For the full article please visit ToyNewsi.com
Beast Wars Neo Longrack Review
Hey! I just noticed that this review of mine was lying around in the archive, so I thought I'd better stick it up on the front page. It's nearly a month old, but it's still my latest one. For SHAME.
LEGO News - New Alien Conquest Sets Appear
Until I find myself a proper camera to start doing some reviews I have in mind, I will join in posting some news that perks my interest! Word got out quickly that LEGO's new foray into the spacey sci-fi theme, dubbed Alien Conquest, has started to appear on the Toys R Us website here in the States. While these aren't the first images we have seen of the upcoming sets, we do get firm pricing and some details about each new set.
http://www.toysrus.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=11513179
In my opinion, Alien Conquest a good change in the right direction after the ailing Space Police theme that LEGO has phased out. Just from looking at some of the preliminary images of the new sets, it looks like we can expect some new and interesting building techniques with Alien Conquest. The box art looks funky enough to sway me into picking up a few of these!
http://www.toysrus.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=11513179
In my opinion, Alien Conquest a good change in the right direction after the ailing Space Police theme that LEGO has phased out. Just from looking at some of the preliminary images of the new sets, it looks like we can expect some new and interesting building techniques with Alien Conquest. The box art looks funky enough to sway me into picking up a few of these!
Modding: How to remove a pin.
This video should help anyone fixing, modding or just dismantling a Transformer toy. Let me know what you think in the comments below!
Transformers Masterpiece MP-10 Arrives September 2011
Big Bad Toy Store Announced at the beginning of the week that they have recieved information from Japan that the 'New Figure' will arrive in September. They gave no other information regarding size, paint scheme, name or anything else that would reveal who our newest Masterpiece will be.
According to BBTS however they feel it will not be a repaint, because within the information supplied to them it stated 'New Figure'. The price tag on the new masterpiece will be $249.99. I'm sure there is a ton of speculations out there. But honestly.. this reviewer hopes it's a G1 Jazz or maybe even the Long Awaited Galvatron! Post your speculations on who YOU think it might be in the comments below. Who would you like it to be!?
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
It's 2:30am, Do you know who your bloggers are?
Hello!
So it's my turn, right? Ok, I'll introduce myself; I'm Mattersmasher (no, really, my parents are that cruel) and I'm a reviewer from the land of warm beer, bad teeth and rain. I've been collecting Transformers toys off and on since I bought RID Prowl and was astounded to find that Transformers were actually still really good toys and on the recommendation of Thew, I started posting my reviews on Youtube.
I shall now follow in the kleptomania of my fellows:
What interests you in Transformers?
Well for me it's a mix of aesthetic and engineering. I love how the toys work and the cleverness of the designs, I also really enjoy the character and personality of the toys.
Who was your first Transformer?
That's a tricky one, but I think the first one that was mine and mine alone might have been Powermaster Optimus Prime. I sadly don't have him any more, but I vividly remember him being a total brick, albeit a brick covered with guns!
Who are your top five characters?
In no order:
1. Depth Charge (BW)
2. Soundwave (G1)
3. Bulkhead (Animated)
4. Rattrap (BW)
5. Lockdown (Animated)
Autobots or Decepticons?
Decepticons because the bad guys are always better!
What is your favourite gimmick?
I really love the simplicity of the G2 Laser Rods - light up swords!
Which show is your favourite?
Well the only one I can remember clearly is Beast Wars, so it wins by default.
So there you go, but enough of my secrets! It is never prudent to reveal too much at once - any stripper will tell you the same.
-Mattersmasher
BuddhaCon / Xebachae
So.. My fellow reviewers have beat me to the punch at introductions I see! Well Where to start, where to start? Well I'm also a yankee across the pond from Thew and MatterSmasher. I've been a fan of transformers since the early days of Generation One. I loved them dearly and yes, I was one of those teary eyed children walking out of the theater in 1986 when Optimus Prime drew his last breathe. Ah the memories.
I had a ton of transformers as a child ranging from G1 up until the end of the Headmasters line. As with any youth, I grew away from transformers for a spell and went off into the world of Music, Skating and other extracurricular activities. But then I came upon the 2007 Movie figures and the love affair began once more for a time, then I spotted Masterpiece Optimus Prime. The my wallet and girlfriend sighed and I haven't looked back since!
Upon recommendation from MontanaVista I began watching reviews online, and none of them really caught my eye until I found Thew's Reviews. I was instantly drawn in and thought to myself I need to so something like this! I love transformers, I'm an Internet nerd (Yes, I'm a Redditor) and well I have a bunch of toys!
In keeping with the wonderful Format presented by my colleague Brentosaur I will do as he did at the end of his wonderful Brentroduction!
What Interests You About Transformers?
Well I'd have to agree with him 100% Nothing compares in fun , frustration and pure enjoyment of breaking one of these little baddies out of it's plastic prison and fumbling through your first transformation of said little robot! They are great conversation pieces and well look great transformed on the shelf or on a desk! Plus it brings me back to my childhood with each new Autobot or Decepticon that arrives at my door!
Who Was Your First Transformer?
My first transformer was G1 Optimus Prime. I had been watching the Gen 1 show for a good while and always wanted my very own figures to reenact the epic battles that I saw on the Television. Being the quiet well mannered child I was, I never pressed my father or mother for one. Well one day my father took me to Caldor (the 1980's walmart) and we happened to come upon the toy aisle. I asked if we could look, and well there he was... Optimus in all his Prime Glory! I picked up the box and felt the light of jacob's ladder shoot down from the sky in through a hole in the ceiling of that ghetto 1980's Caldor. I placed him back down on the shelf. And sure enough Pop picks him up and says you like Optimus? Of course! I exclaimed! Well he picked him up along with megatron and put them in the cart. I was dumb founded, over joyed and in shock! Well ladies and gents, my father created this monster that day! Thanks Dad!
Who are your top 5 favorite characters?
1. Optimus Prime (G1)
2. Megatron (G1)
3. Sideswipe (ROTF)
4. Jazz (G1)
5. Starscream (G1)
Autobots or Decepticons?
Autobots, Because they're so good natured and well they just Rock!
What is your favorite gimmick?
The Transformers that don't have any! I'm not a big fan of gimmicks but one never knows. There may be one out there to change my mind!
Which show is your favorite?
My favorite show would of course be Generation One. I mean it's epic, it's the foundation for all things transformers. A close second would have to be the new Prime series. I don't know why but i really dig the mix up of G1 and Movie-verse characters.. And wheeljack was just the MAN!
Well my fellow Robot lovers... I hope this enlightened you a bit more on why I love transformers! I look forward to learning and playing with transformers for you! (wow that sounded wrong)
-Buddhacon
I had a ton of transformers as a child ranging from G1 up until the end of the Headmasters line. As with any youth, I grew away from transformers for a spell and went off into the world of Music, Skating and other extracurricular activities. But then I came upon the 2007 Movie figures and the love affair began once more for a time, then I spotted Masterpiece Optimus Prime. The my wallet and girlfriend sighed and I haven't looked back since!
Upon recommendation from MontanaVista I began watching reviews online, and none of them really caught my eye until I found Thew's Reviews. I was instantly drawn in and thought to myself I need to so something like this! I love transformers, I'm an Internet nerd (Yes, I'm a Redditor) and well I have a bunch of toys!
In keeping with the wonderful Format presented by my colleague Brentosaur I will do as he did at the end of his wonderful Brentroduction!
What Interests You About Transformers?
Well I'd have to agree with him 100% Nothing compares in fun , frustration and pure enjoyment of breaking one of these little baddies out of it's plastic prison and fumbling through your first transformation of said little robot! They are great conversation pieces and well look great transformed on the shelf or on a desk! Plus it brings me back to my childhood with each new Autobot or Decepticon that arrives at my door!
Who Was Your First Transformer?
My first transformer was G1 Optimus Prime. I had been watching the Gen 1 show for a good while and always wanted my very own figures to reenact the epic battles that I saw on the Television. Being the quiet well mannered child I was, I never pressed my father or mother for one. Well one day my father took me to Caldor (the 1980's walmart) and we happened to come upon the toy aisle. I asked if we could look, and well there he was... Optimus in all his Prime Glory! I picked up the box and felt the light of jacob's ladder shoot down from the sky in through a hole in the ceiling of that ghetto 1980's Caldor. I placed him back down on the shelf. And sure enough Pop picks him up and says you like Optimus? Of course! I exclaimed! Well he picked him up along with megatron and put them in the cart. I was dumb founded, over joyed and in shock! Well ladies and gents, my father created this monster that day! Thanks Dad!
Who are your top 5 favorite characters?
1. Optimus Prime (G1)
2. Megatron (G1)
3. Sideswipe (ROTF)
4. Jazz (G1)
5. Starscream (G1)
Autobots or Decepticons?
Autobots, Because they're so good natured and well they just Rock!
What is your favorite gimmick?
The Transformers that don't have any! I'm not a big fan of gimmicks but one never knows. There may be one out there to change my mind!
Which show is your favorite?
My favorite show would of course be Generation One. I mean it's epic, it's the foundation for all things transformers. A close second would have to be the new Prime series. I don't know why but i really dig the mix up of G1 and Movie-verse characters.. And wheeljack was just the MAN!
Well my fellow Robot lovers... I hope this enlightened you a bit more on why I love transformers! I look forward to learning and playing with transformers for you! (wow that sounded wrong)
-Buddhacon
Brentroduction
So hey, this is a thing that is happening now!
I'm not as well known as my fellow contributors because I'm just a bizarre American who decided to throw a bunch of Beast Wars figures at Thew, who then started reviewing them and linking his viewers to my channel, which is how I came into contact with the others.
Remember, the first rule of Beast Wars Club is to convert non-believers!
The best method to introduce one's self to other fans is to answer the most basic of questions. Nobody has the same answers and it allows us to understand who we are as fans. For instance, you can probably guess how long someone has been into Transformers if you ask them what was their first figure. You can get an idea of which shows were their favorites by knowing which characters standout to them personally.
Getting to know a fellow fan is an awkward session of speed dating. With that in mind, I apologize for my attire. My friends didn't tell me we were coming here tonight.
What interests you about Transformers?
If I were to look at a Transformers figure objectively and asked to pick one word to describe it, then the answer would be puzzle. These figures are puzzles. Most of us don't bother with instructions because we enjoy the mental stimulation that comes with solving the transformation. That was what got me hooked on Beast Wars figures when I was younger. Sure the toys themselves looked cool, but purchasing the next challenge was always exciting! They're the greatest puzzle games of all time because they turn into robots instead of portraits of horses and rainbows.
Who was your first Transformer?
G1 Headmasters Fangry. I remember when my mother bought him for me as plain as day and when I finally found a replacement just recently it was like picking up a lost shard of childhood innocence. You can never look at your first Transformer objectively, it is impossible. Your first Transformer is the only flawless figure you will ever own and Fangry is just that.
Who are your top 5 favorite characters?
1. Fangry
2. Rampage (BW)
3. Ratchet
4. Prowl
5. Waspinator
Autobots or Decepticons?
Autobots, because they tend to have more variety with their alt-modes.
What is your favorite gimmick?
Headmasters, because it's just so unique and different. Nothing about it makes any sense of course, but I cannot resist them.
Which show is your favorite?
Beast Wars is what got me collecting Transformers and I will forever champion that series as what set the modern standards for the franchise.
Do you think you have a better understanding of who I am as a fan now? I bet you do and I look forward to sharing our mutual addiction to awkwardly hunting for plastic crack in children's toy aisles.
I'm not as well known as my fellow contributors because I'm just a bizarre American who decided to throw a bunch of Beast Wars figures at Thew, who then started reviewing them and linking his viewers to my channel, which is how I came into contact with the others.
Remember, the first rule of Beast Wars Club is to convert non-believers!
The best method to introduce one's self to other fans is to answer the most basic of questions. Nobody has the same answers and it allows us to understand who we are as fans. For instance, you can probably guess how long someone has been into Transformers if you ask them what was their first figure. You can get an idea of which shows were their favorites by knowing which characters standout to them personally.
Getting to know a fellow fan is an awkward session of speed dating. With that in mind, I apologize for my attire. My friends didn't tell me we were coming here tonight.
What interests you about Transformers?
If I were to look at a Transformers figure objectively and asked to pick one word to describe it, then the answer would be puzzle. These figures are puzzles. Most of us don't bother with instructions because we enjoy the mental stimulation that comes with solving the transformation. That was what got me hooked on Beast Wars figures when I was younger. Sure the toys themselves looked cool, but purchasing the next challenge was always exciting! They're the greatest puzzle games of all time because they turn into robots instead of portraits of horses and rainbows.
Who was your first Transformer?
G1 Headmasters Fangry. I remember when my mother bought him for me as plain as day and when I finally found a replacement just recently it was like picking up a lost shard of childhood innocence. You can never look at your first Transformer objectively, it is impossible. Your first Transformer is the only flawless figure you will ever own and Fangry is just that.
Who are your top 5 favorite characters?
1. Fangry
2. Rampage (BW)
3. Ratchet
4. Prowl
5. Waspinator
Autobots or Decepticons?
Autobots, because they tend to have more variety with their alt-modes.
What is your favorite gimmick?
Headmasters, because it's just so unique and different. Nothing about it makes any sense of course, but I cannot resist them.
Which show is your favorite?
Beast Wars is what got me collecting Transformers and I will forever champion that series as what set the modern standards for the franchise.
Do you think you have a better understanding of who I am as a fan now? I bet you do and I look forward to sharing our mutual addiction to awkwardly hunting for plastic crack in children's toy aisles.
MontanaVista - An Introduction
Hello Folks - I just wanted to give everyone a quick introduction as to who I am and why I am here! I started collecting Transformers again after Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF) was in theatres here in the States. As I perused YouTube and found people in my age group doing video reviews of these figures, I realized I wasn't the only one intrigued by these new toys. I grew up watching G1 Transformers, and as mostly everyone who did, I stopped buying and collecting in my teens. But the new molds and designs just caught my interest, I felt as if I was missing out and yearned to collect again.
After collecting most of the ROTF line of figures, and then some, I needed to take a break! There was a lot of time until the next movie would come out and I had lost some interest in the between-film lines that Hasbro was putting out there. My attention then turned to LEGO. LEGO has proved to be an amazing distraction from the TF world until Dark of the Moon (DOTM) comes out. To me this means, that by collecting and building LEGO sets I will return to collecting DOTM Transformers with a new vigor!
My current goal is to start reviewing and offering my opinion on some LEGO sets, like the new Pirates of the Carribean, Ninjago, and Pharaoh's Quest sets. I'd also like to go back and review some of my favorite ROTF Transformers. And, once the DOTM sets hit stores I plan on diving into collecting Transformers again and reviewing them as well.
I look forward to adding to the community. Until next time, cheers!
After collecting most of the ROTF line of figures, and then some, I needed to take a break! There was a lot of time until the next movie would come out and I had lost some interest in the between-film lines that Hasbro was putting out there. My attention then turned to LEGO. LEGO has proved to be an amazing distraction from the TF world until Dark of the Moon (DOTM) comes out. To me this means, that by collecting and building LEGO sets I will return to collecting DOTM Transformers with a new vigor!
My current goal is to start reviewing and offering my opinion on some LEGO sets, like the new Pirates of the Carribean, Ninjago, and Pharaoh's Quest sets. I'd also like to go back and review some of my favorite ROTF Transformers. And, once the DOTM sets hit stores I plan on diving into collecting Transformers again and reviewing them as well.
I look forward to adding to the community. Until next time, cheers!
New DOTM Screenshot
A new screenshot has been floating around from the new DOTM trailer that is set to debut tomorrow on Apple Trailers. With one look at this screenshot you'll be stoked to see the trailer! I know I was pretty set back by what I saw.
It appears that it's some sort of Assault Ship invading the city, needless to say the words that first came to mind are not family friendly words. Thing looks sick and I'm excited to see what this trailer has in store for us! Once the trailer posts i will do my best to post a copy of it on the blog for all to see!
Source for Screenshots and Trailers
Welcome to two new Writer / Reviewers
I would like to extend a welcome to our newest writer / reviewers Mattersmasher who hails from across the pond! And BusterBrenton from the Southern US Welcome my friends!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Review to Do List...
So I have been way to busy as of late to do any new reviews, but I will be doing a review of the Custom Animated Thundercracker (Voyager) that Zeltrax milennium did for me. The work was amazing and you'll all see soon enough! Thanks again Zeltrax!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)