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Post by machsabre on Dec 30, 2021 22:55:44 GMT -5
Kingdom Core Optimus Prime: This one was kind of a Christmas present and thus I don't really regret it, but after Starscream and Soundwave, it was a little disappointing. His robot mode's fine, articulated and all, but the truck mode cab looks like it needs to eat a sandwich, and the way the pegs plug into the thighs to hold it in truck mode are kinda finicky. Not a bad toy, and perfect for a low price gift, but probably the weakest Core class I've messed around with so far. He's not bad. Merely.... fine. The Legends class Optimus we got back a while ago (that got repainted into Pipes and Huffer) did the job better than this one did, overall. 6/10 I *GENUNELY* do not understand how OG G1 Prime is still the best version of that design we've gotten as far as truck mode goes. There's been better (and obviously much better articulated) versions of the evergreen/G1 Prime robot mode, but outside of the MP level figures, every one of the trucks is trash unless I'm blanking on one that isn't terrible. But honestly, wtf. The toy is 40 years old. It's a truck. FFS. I dunno man, I thought Earthrise Prime looked pretty good.
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Post by Optimal Megatron on Dec 30, 2021 23:12:33 GMT -5
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Post by iacon45 on Dec 31, 2021 16:27:25 GMT -5
Kingdom Core Optimus Prime: This one was kind of a Christmas present and thus I don't really regret it, but after Starscream and Soundwave, it was a little disappointing. His robot mode's fine, articulated and all, but the truck mode cab looks like it needs to eat a sandwich, and the way the pegs plug into the thighs to hold it in truck mode are kinda finicky. Not a bad toy, and perfect for a low price gift, but probably the weakest Core class I've messed around with so far. He's not bad. Merely.... fine. The Legends class Optimus we got back a while ago (that got repainted into Pipes and Huffer) did the job better than this one did, overall. 6/10 I *GENUNELY* do not understand how OG G1 Prime is still the best version of that design we've gotten as far as truck mode goes. There's been better (and obviously much better articulated) versions of the evergreen/G1 Prime robot mode, but outside of the MP level figures, every one of the trucks is trash unless I'm blanking on one that isn't terrible. But honestly, wtf. The toy is 40 years old. It's a truck. FFS. Except for the scale of the trailer, I dont think Earthrise Optimus Prime is so bad compared to others. Granted, it's no G1 Prime, but at least I don't have to worry about losing the fists.
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Post by Greatshot on Dec 31, 2021 19:41:35 GMT -5
Yeah, the trailer for Earthrise is worse than the original for sure. I do really like the cab, but the bit of ugly kibble on the back of it is a bit of a negative for me. It's a really good G1 style prime. but there's enough off about it that I don't feel it's a *great* truck. I'll give you that Bumblebee one looks pretty good though! But yeah, I'll *readily* admit the original's robot mode has been surpassed many times over (missing fists among other reasons ), but I just feel like truck-wise, the OG is still, inexplicably, the best. If the Bee one came with a (good) trailer, I think he'd be the one to surpass it though.
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Post by machsabre on Jan 2, 2022 0:11:55 GMT -5
Yeah, the trailer for Earthrise is worse than the original for sure. The funny thing is, at this point with all the add-ons and accessories I've given the dang thing... The trailer NOW holds it's own against the original. But the blue metallic paint, the Toyhax sticker sets, the Roller accessory that came with the Centurion robot, the custom rails to give the trailer sides/floors support and the little battle station ports... I ended up spending almost double the original toy cost. But I AM happy with it now.
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Post by Greatshot on Jan 2, 2022 16:33:48 GMT -5
Yeah, the trailer for Earthrise is worse than the original for sure. The funny thing is, at this point with all the add-ons and accessories I've given the dang thing... The trailer NOW holds it's own against the original. But the blue metallic paint, the Toyhax sticker sets, the Roller accessory that came with the Centurion robot, the custom rails to give the trailer sides/floors support and the little battle station ports... I ended up spending almost double the original toy cost. But I AM happy with it now. That it requires all that work and extra cost to surpass something from 4 decades ago (When did we get so old?) is kinda sad though, but it sounds like it looks pretty awesome now. Pics?
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Post by triumshockwave on Jan 2, 2022 21:20:28 GMT -5
I checked and Diaclone Battle Convoy came out in 1982 so... yeah 40 years ago. Holy shit.
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Post by machsabre on Jan 2, 2022 23:46:45 GMT -5
The funny thing is, at this point with all the add-ons and accessories I've given the dang thing... The trailer NOW holds it's own against the original. But the blue metallic paint, the Toyhax sticker sets, the Roller accessory that came with the Centurion robot, the custom rails to give the trailer sides/floors support and the little battle station ports... I ended up spending almost double the original toy cost. But I AM happy with it now. That it requires all that work and extra cost to surpass something from 4 decades ago (When did we get so old?) is kinda sad though, but it sounds like it looks pretty awesome now. Pics? Totally. I just gotta grab it from the closet... The room here is a bit of a mess and it required actually CLEANING to easily get to it.
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Post by Greatshot on Jan 2, 2022 23:57:38 GMT -5
Oh screw that then, I ain't making you do actual work!
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Post by Optimal Megatron on Jan 7, 2022 18:53:20 GMT -5
Kingdom Pipes: So we've reviewed Huffer, Puffer, and Road Ranger that all use this basic mold. Puffer is the big comparison here since he's a Pipes repaint (with a head retool). The torso blocking the wheel clearance in truck mode is pretty similar. Colors wise, he's pretty nice. The head retool is interesting, in that I'm usually fine with eyes over faceplate (hello, Optimus?) but Pipes' head sculpt here seems kinda dopey looking. The biggest comparison I can figure is that the line above his eyes is a flat line --- whereas most eyes over faceplate toys I've got have a very slight indentation ( V ) which may make them look a little more dynamic. The red visor on Puffer doesn't have eyes to look doofy and looks more mechanical as a result. Overall, Pipes isn't bad, though if you wanted to pick a set number of these molds, I'd recommend the Puffer/Road Ranger set over buying Pipes and Huffer specifically. Now give me my IDW colors Pipes, Hasbro, goddammit. Kingdom Core Megatron: So I think of the Kingdom toys, the Core class feels a lot like they put in some G1ers to fill space rather than give more beasts or something. Megatron is a pretty decent downsizing of Siege/Earthrise Megatron, even transforming almost the same way, aside from the treads not having a hinge to fold behind his back. The Sword/cannon is just a handgun here, which amusingly means Megatron can wield his own pistol mode or plug it into his back to replicate the G1 shoulder barrel. The turret spins 360 degrees and elevates, which is unexpected in a toy this small, but sometimes the tank mode can feel a little wobbly in holding together if you exert too much pressure holding it on either side. A minor thing that bugs me though is that while his pistol works with larger figures, the smaller peg inside the 5mm peg fits his fist but not Core Starscream's. Overall, I'd say that Megs inches out Starscream as the best G1 Core Class (if I remove Soundwave, which isn't fair since all he has to do is transform into a box). Both of them do far better than Core Optimus, though Rattrap and the other Fossilizer Core figure probably do better overall. But that's the last of the Core for Kingdom. Now we look forward to Legacy.
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