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Post by Optimal Megatron on Dec 2, 2021 3:01:39 GMT -5
Crossover Draculus So, first off, this is the first packaging I haven't junked in less than 24 hours in probably two years. The VHS cassette gimmick is great, and you can also have Draculus sitting up out of it like a coffin, it's just really really good compared to the bare tan boxes. Toy-wise, it's 90% Mindwipe, though with a hinge for his robot mode that allows the normal head rather than a Titan Master. This also gives a plug for the blade weapon/gun to attach to in beast mode. The cape really benefits the robot mode and the holes in it allow it to mount pretty firmly and pose well. I did some messing about with classic poses earlier. cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/166409996613976064/915442856653631488/20211130_192240.jpgcdn.discordapp.com/attachments/813846132396392551/915486751831752724/20211130_221634.jpgcdn.discordapp.com/attachments/813846132396392551/915487857622286356/20211130_222132.jpg(Lifeline has that bit there because mine was missing a knee pin, so I have a small nail that fits through the joint to hold her leg together. Need some clippers to cut it down to size so it's not sticking all the way out though) The beast mode looks good in these colors but it's basically just Mindwipe. Both modes kind of need the cape to cover the head of other mode from where it just sits on the back. Amusingly, the Titan Master cockpit is still there, and the coloring makes the center cockpit glass look like a vaguely coffin shape. Overall, this is a really nice dress up of an old toy, and I really look forward to more of these. Here's hoping for Frankenstein's monster. 9/10
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Post by Greatshot on Dec 2, 2021 19:59:16 GMT -5
As a lifelong fan of the old Universal Studios Monster movies I love the pics
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Post by iacon45 on Dec 2, 2021 20:08:59 GMT -5
As a lifelong fan of the old Universal Studios Monster movies I love the pics 100% agree. I hope Hasbro does some more. I could see TR Wierdwolf getting the mummy treatment. You could easily pass his alt mode as a Jackal.
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Post by triumshockwave on Dec 2, 2021 20:34:07 GMT -5
How do I keep missing this stuff? I've loved the Dracula novel since I was a kid, and I own like 5 different movie adaptations. This is right up my alley.
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Post by iacon45 on Dec 2, 2021 20:38:10 GMT -5
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Post by triumshockwave on Dec 2, 2021 20:40:52 GMT -5
Yeah, I found it. All good. I just don't track TF news sites anymore, so if I don't see it in a BBTS newsletter, and nobody mentions it here, I never know.
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Post by iacon45 on Dec 4, 2021 14:29:40 GMT -5
Crossover Draculus So, first off, this is the first packaging I haven't junked in less than 24 hours in probably two years. The VHS cassette gimmick is great, and you can also have Draculus sitting up out of it like a coffin, it's just really really good compared to the bare tan boxes. Toy-wise, it's 90% Mindwipe, though with a hinge for his robot mode that allows the normal head rather than a Titan Master. This also gives a plug for the blade weapon/gun to attach to in beast mode. The cape really benefits the robot mode and the holes in it allow it to mount pretty firmly and pose well. I did some messing about with classic poses earlier. cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/166409996613976064/915442856653631488/20211130_192240.jpgcdn.discordapp.com/attachments/813846132396392551/915486751831752724/20211130_221634.jpgcdn.discordapp.com/attachments/813846132396392551/915487857622286356/20211130_222132.jpg(Lifeline has that bit there because mine was missing a knee pin, so I have a small nail that fits through the joint to hold her leg together. Need some clippers to cut it down to size so it's not sticking all the way out though) The beast mode looks good in these colors but it's basically just Mindwipe. Both modes kind of need the cape to cover the head of other mode from where it just sits on the back. Amusingly, the Titan Master cockpit is still there, and the coloring makes the center cockpit glass look like a vaguely coffin shape. Overall, this is a really nice dress up of an old toy, and I really look forward to more of these. Here's hoping for Frankenstein's monster. 9/10 I opened up mine this morning before heading into work. I didn't want to tear up the box either but my snips broke so I had to open the box and slide the tray out and I had a hell of time getting it open without damaging the rest since the main box that slid out didn't feel like it would come out all the way. Didn't transform him yet but I did get him out and arm him up and put on his cape. I like the Mindwipe shield but feel like the gun is a bit unnecessary This guy rocks with an awesome shelf presence just from that cape alone. Haven't transformed him yet though. I'm really digging him. Out of curiosity, are some of the limbs loose on yours? The hips and ankles are loose on mine but it's not deal breaker bad.
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Post by machsabre on Dec 5, 2021 13:45:32 GMT -5
Mine are pretty tight. I did accidentally tear the red backing on the inside of the box, where he was tied too, because those new paper straps were pretty hard to free... But I kept the entire box and it's on a shelf now with Gigawatt and Ectotron.
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Post by Optimal Megatron on Dec 5, 2021 14:31:31 GMT -5
Yeah my Draculus' joints are pretty firm as well. Not rock solid, but not wobbly like, say, Kingdom Tracks.
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Post by Optimal Megatron on Dec 7, 2021 1:09:33 GMT -5
Kingdom Rodimus Prime: So, straight up, the first element of this was the cost. I'm not a huge trailer fan in most Prime toys, and the $85 Commander price tag was a bit much for me on a toy where I felt 75% of it would be sitting off to the side or in storage unless I had him in alt mode. However, a sale price of $54 brought it down to Leader prices which I could swallow a bit better. By the same token, I've pre-ordered SG Jetfire which is a Commander at even more cost, as well as got the Jurassic Park set, so my opinions on cost are naturally a bit subjective. That said, the alt mode of this is superb. The best version of the Battlewagon we've ever gotten. Also, I love the underside shelf that slides out to store several of the effect parts in the undercarriage. Little bits like that are just nice. You can kinda use the battlestation turret in this mode, either by shoving it through the hatch above Rodimus's cab, or by pulling it out and pegging it into the top, which doesn't feel super secure, I admit. The car mode works well even without the trailer as well, even if the gun storage is an awkward spot, I think. Robot mode, the battlestation is...what you expect. Split the trailer down the middle, turret, it's an excellent mechanical update of the G1 toy's trailer mode. I find it a little boring, but we got the super mode combiner Rodimus in PotP, so I can't protest too much at this existing. The cab robot is a well done Rodimus. Slightly more grizzled features, Hot Rod with leg extensions. Articulated fingers basically allow the "End of the road, Galvatron!" pose just fine. He also has a sword in addition to his guns, which is only useable by articulated hand Transformers as the pommel prevents sliding into 5mm pegs. Conveniently, this means it's compatible with ER Prime, a bit I find funny. Transformation is interesting, but there's some bits (getting the wheels into the back of calves) that don't feel like they have enough clearance, and unless you look up a video review, it's entirely possible to miss a part about how the torso pegs together that makes the back of it line up properly with the windshield and the backpack. I'm also unsure how I feel about the stress put on the clear windshield by transformation. The shoulder wheels sinking in and pegging in is a nice touch but I'm unsure it's necessary. The end resulting figure is great, but the transformation just has a few bits that I'm unsure of. Overall, this is a very solid Rodimus, especially for people that were fans of the original G1 toy. I don't think it was quite worth the original price tag, but I'm not disappointed with it on sale price. 7/10.
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