Toy review roundup
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Star Wars R2-KT San Diego Comic Con exclusive figure. Excerpt: “It’s not often that I review a toy that has a very poignant story behind it.” A very thoughtful review.
Swftoys reviews the Tomy Direct Real Action Doll Collection Die-cast Darth Vader figure. Excerpt: “I do find the price of Tomy Direct’s Vader rather dear after reviewing its quality.”
Dave Van Domelen reviews the Lego Exo-Force 8107 Fight for the Golden Tower set. Excerpt: “Decent piece of low-footprint scenery and an okay vehicle, but the lack of a mech is a big part of why I didn’t buy it until it had dropped to 75% off.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Transformers Minicon Predator Attack Team set. Excerpt: “This is a fun little trio, even if the budget changes axed some of their paint apps.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Fantastic Four Mr. Fantastic figure. Excerpt: “The ‘stretched out’ look is going to turn a lot of people off, but that’s their loss.”
Adam Pawlus reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Duke figure from the 5-figure box set. Excerpt: “Depending on what floats your boat, Duke could be either the best thing to happen to you or a real turkey.”
Ben Yee reviews the Hasbro Transformers Movie Deluxe Dropkick figure. Excerpt: “Dropkick is one of my favorite deluxe sized figures in this line.”
Scott Rubin reviews the Stikfas Dark Samurai and Samurai with Stallion kits (part 2). Excerpt: “The sides of the newer boxes show off customizers’ creations (the results of the website promotion) and other available varieties.”
Scott Rubin reviews the Bandai Dragonball Z Hybrid Action Super Saiyan Son Gohan, Cell and Trunks figures. Excerpt: “These three figures represent the best of Dragonball Z and the Hybrid Action line.”
CJ Stunkard reviews the Jakks Rocky VI Michael Buffer, Mason Dixon, Mike Tyson and Rocky Balboa figures. Excerpt: “They are great toys, both playable and displayable.”
EVA Unit 4A reviews the Hasbro Transformers Movie Scout Skyblast Target exclusive figure. Excerpt: “So, more because it is a repaint that I agree with … I recommend getting Skyblast.” He also reviewed the Air Raid version.
Rob Braun reviews the 2003 Bandai Master Grade Strike Gundam with Aile Striker kit from the Gundam SEED series. Excerpt: “… the Strike Gundam is another welcome addition to the Master Grade collection.”
Toy links
“Breakfast of champions.” A Creative Commons-licensed photo of a Zoids Hammer Rock by greefus groinks.
Asakura Ryoko.
Take a trip to the uncanny valley with more brilliant digirama from Tamaki’s Little Treasure. This is based on the 1/8 Max Factory PVC figure.
Dragonar 1 in action.
An impressive digirama by WalkerMachine starring the Bandai Soul of Chogokin Spec Dragonar 1 from Opening Silhouete figure.
Mugencrab.
A nice Mugenbine fanmode by T-Kinu.
Spider-Man (with Lipgloss). [via]
A Spider-Man 3 movie tie-in.
Eight wacky action figures.
(See also.)
Japanese toy review roundup
The following reviews are in Japanese but they include a generous amount of photos so they’re well worth checking out.
Ken Murasame reviews the Miracle House Shinseiki Gokin Legioss Eta figure from the Mospeada series.
SR../Blood Zwei reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Super Valkyrie VF-1A (movie version) figure.
SR../Blood Zwei also reviews the Bandai Gundam Standart Wing Gundam 0 candy toy.
taku1 reviews the Mattel Cars Gear Up ‘n’ Go Lightning McQueen toy.
Goe does a two-part review of the Bandai Master Grade 1/100 Destiny Gundam kit (part 2).
Mojya reviews the Bandai BB Senshi 305 Sonken Gundam kit.
Blast from the past
Ganhoo does a two-part review of the 2000 reissue of the 1991 Tomy Zettai Muteki Raijin-Oh set (part 2).
Gamu reviews the 2006 Bandai Lord of Byston Well Gedo figure from the Aura Battler Dunbine series.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the 2004 Takara Transformers Robot Masters Burning Beast Convoy figure.
Takanishi reviews the 2005 Takara Transformers Galaxy Force Dino Shout figure.
Toy links
Lego Super Robots. [via]
Incredible Lego creations based on super robots old and new.
Panthro custom. [via]
Rateeg has photos showing various stages of this Thundercats custom’s creation.
25 most baffling toys.
A Cracked list.
“MUSCLE IS FOR MAKING MODEL KITS!!”
“When you spray to model kits, deltoid muscle must be active mode. This means this action (spraing) needs to deltoid muscle!”
Jazz through the years.
Blitzwing takes a look at different toys of the Transformers character. Takara Tomy will reissue the original toy in March 2008 under the Transformers Encore imprint.
Palisades Muppets flashback.
Jon Clarke reminisces about the 2002-2005 line.
In Optimus Prime We Trust
Toy links
Lego Front Loader.
An IR-controlled MOC by searme. (See also.)
Super Link.
Improbable combinations of Transformers Movie Deluxe figures.
Biker boy.
A nice digirama by hock featuring that classic bike from Akira.
G. Aaaeeee Joe.
An amusing photo by TCM Hitchhiker.
Pit Stop.
AT-AT number one.
Blodwen.
A classy portrait of a Volks Super Dollfie doll by Lunasan.
ROBO-ONE Grand Prix 2007 gallery.
Photos from the first round of the robot competition.
Toy review roundup
Dave Van Domelen reviews the Hasbro Transformers Masterpiece Starscream figure. Excerpt: “Starscream, appropriately enough, is two-faced.” (See also.)
Dan Wakerhauser reviews the Konami Busou Shinki Angel Arnval, Dog Howling, Cat Maochao, Samurai Benio and WaffeBunny figures. Excerpt: “In general they are very nice sets and a nice idea. But they don’t quite justify those kind of prices.”
Michael Crawford reviews the BibleQuest Moses figure. Excerpt: “If you’re hoping that having your kid play with these instead of Spider-man or Star Wars is more likely to set him on the road to righteousness, I think you’re likely to be disappointed a few years down the road.”
Artemis reviews the Art Asylum Battlestar Galactica Minimates Vice President Baltar and Number Six Gina variant figures. Excerpt: “They’re a neat little set, though as a variant, you may find them marked up.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Fantastic Four Thing figure. Excerpt: “Hasbro Legends Thing only has one flaw, but it’s a doozy: he’s the wrong size.”
yo go re also reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Fantastic Four Human Torch figure. Excerpt: “… we get Super Saiyan Human Torch, and it looks stupid.”
Jess Horsley reviews the Sideshow Collectibles Dress Blues R. Lee Ermey exclusive talking figure. Excerpt: “… it’s hard NOT to look at a Marine in Dress Blues and it’s impossible to ignore Gunnery Sergeant R. Lee Ermey in Dress Blues when he’s yelling at YOU!” (Photo gallery.)
Dr. Nightmare reviews the DC Direct JSA Hawkgirl figure. Excerpt: “I’m impressed with the paint apps on this one, it looks exactly like it did in DC’s promotional pictures.”
Ken Denmead reviews the Johnny Lightining Battle Wheels toys. Excerpt: “I can honestly say that these are toys that will provide a good time for your kids at a equitable price.”
John Biggs reviews the Johnny Lightning V_Bot remote controlled transforming vehicle. Excerpt: “… you can have your own freaky transforming robot that actually transforms — and does the Hustle — by itself.”
Toy links
OS-tan customs.
thunder_storm used Pinky Street and Stikfas figures for these personifications of Windows 2000, ME and XP.
Bishoujo.
Excellent digiramas by Tamaki’s Little Treasure based on moe figures.
Penance custom. [via]
Ingredients: Bullseye head, Red Skull body, epoxy, metal spikes … and human blood.
Xiphos Kai.
Yuu-Yui modified his Busou Shinki Xiphos by transplanting Tsugaru’s face, improving the pauldrons and the hilt of the lance.
Duel Gundam power up.
damien sancho upgraded his 2004 Bandai Mobile Suits in Action Duel Gundam figure from the Gundam SEED series with parts from the Advanced Mobile Suits in Action Duel Gundam Assault Shroud figure.
Danbo: big and small.
Kaiyodo’s upcoming Revoltech Danbo figures were packed appropriately.
Plastic Soldier review.
News and reviews of 1:72 plastic soldiers.
Japanese toy review roundup
The following reviews are in Japanese but they include a generous amount of photos so they’re well worth checking out.
Yone reviews the Hasbro Transformers Masterpiece Starscream Wal-Mart exclusive figure. [via]
Ebi reviews the Bandai Talking Imajin DX Momotaros Imajin figure.
C-Zone:A reviews the Bandai Kururu Robo Mk. II kit from the Keroro Gunsou series.
Both Goe and momodani review the Banpresto Special Creative Model Z Gundam 2nd and Z Gundam 2nd (Green Divers version) prize item figures.
Ebi does a two–part review of the Bandai Souchaku Henshin Kamen Rider Zeronos set from the Kamen Rider Den-O series. (See also.)
k2o looks at the Bandai 1/100 Gundam Exia kit from the Gundam 00 series.
yuki bune reviews the Hasbro Transformers Movie Deluxe Payload figure.
Retro reviews
sousuke reviews the 2003 Bandai Kahen Senshi ZZ Gundam figure.
acro_characin reviews the 2005 Bandai Dinobreaker Knight Rex set. It’s Microman-compatible. (See also) [via]
Gamu reviews the 2003 Bandai Gundam Fix Figuration Deep Striker figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the 1985 Takara Transformers Inferno figure.
SR../Blood Zwei reviews the 2003 Yujin Master Action Galient figure from the Panzer World Galient OVA series.
Toy links
Energon goodie dispenser.
Donocropolis used a Powermaster Optimus Prime head for this Pez dispenser.
“I’ll drive, you shoot.” [via]
A Transformers movie-inspired diorama. (See also.)
Super Mari-… nu.
misodrill has some fun with his Nintendo-inspired custom Microman figure. There’s also a special appearance by Momotaros. (In drag.)
Cha-a-ange Getta … Alter.
GARAMumasara has fun with the interchangeable parts of the Revoltech figures. (See also.)
Muscling in.
nekonekokoara’s Microman Kinnikuman figures go wild with the Hasbro Star Wars Episode 1 Underwater and Sith accessory sets.
Gobon.
The figure’s parts are interchangeable with other Onell Designs figures.
Classic toys upgraded.
“The Cabbage Patch Kids are skate punks. Strawberry Shortcake is wearing fitted jeans. And your Monopoly game piece might be a Starbucks cup.”