Toy review roundup
Corey Tincher reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Ocean Warrior Aquaman figure. Excerpt: “This is just an ugly costume, and they matched it quite well, meaning it’s an ugly figure too.”
Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Ocean Warrior Aquaman figure. Excerpt: “… because of the odd way Aquaman is hunched in the package, my Aquaman’s head was completely locked in a ‘looking up” position.”
Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Booster Gold (modern variant) figure. Excerpt: “… one of the best-looking DCUC figures to date.”
Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Kid Flash figure. Excerpt: “More than anything, the small size of this figure disappoints me.”
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Captain Atom figure. Excerpt: “It took me three tries to get a really good Captain Atom.” (See also.)
Artemis reviews the Sideshow Collectibles Tomb Raider Legend Lara Croft 1/6-scale figure. Excerpt: “The bottom line is that this isn’t a cheap figure – but it feels like one, because there are just too many annoyances …” (Related.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Ghost H.A.W.K. with Lift Ticket set. Excerpt: “It’s a good-lookin’ vehicle, inside and out.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Bandai Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Super Legends Gold Ranger figure from Power Rangers Zeo. Excerpt: “The figure is very nicely made.”
Michael Crawford reviews the DC Direct Watchmen The Comedian (flashback variant) and Dr. Manhattan (translucent variant) Diamond Comics exclusive figures. Excerpt: “… when it comes to Manhattan, if you can only have one, get the variant.”
Retro reviews
Josh Larimer reviews the Bandai Machine Robo BH-02 Mach Blaster figure from Machine Robo Battle Hackers. Excerpt: “I just can’t get excited about it …” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Signature Series Mr. Fantastic figure. Excerpt: “Demonstrating the stretching powers of Mister Fantastic on a CLOTH-COSTUMED figure is a first.”
Toy links
Prime Module.
Transformers Henkei Convoy gets a custom trailer and a transforming Roller. (Click on the images for a better look.)
Bumblebee.
This neat frenzy_rumble custom features clever use of magnets to facilitate the battle mode helmet. (More.)
Assemble Titan Thunder Blade.
A super robot Assemble Borg fanmode consisting of parts from Mr. Assemble, Baron and Cyber and three Barrels Speeder sets. (Click on the image for a better look.)
Felix the Cat.
A Lego MOC by Johnny Tang.
Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-chan.
An anime-inspired Busou Shinki creation by Gullwing.
Organic toys a little too organic.
“Debbie Fitzgerald discovered an infestation of worms in the pet toy after purchasing the item from a Meijer store.”
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.
(Please do not hotlink images on these sites.)
Gamu reviews the Bandai Saint Myth Cloth Pegasus Seiya (broken Final Bronze Cloth version) Figure Ou exclusive figure from Saint Seiya. (See also.)
Mondo reviews the Hasbro The Incredible Hulk Gamma Charged Abomination figure.
Taoo reviews the Beagle Mospeada Armor Cycle VR-052F Variable Type (Stick Bernard version) 1/10-scale set. (See also: 1, 2, 3.)
Damien Sancho (part 2) reviews the Bandai DX Chogokin GE-45 RVF-25 Messiah Valkyrie Luca Angelloni Custom from Macross Frontier. (See also.)
Natsume reviews the Volks Muv-Luv Alternative A3 Takemikaduchi Type-00C (2009 release version) figure. (See also.)
Gamu reviews the Medicos Entertainment JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Silver Chariot figure. (See also.)
Soh-dr reviews the Bandai S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Kuuga (Titan Form) figure. (See also.)
Mojya and Tom review the Bandai S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Kuuga (Mighty Form) figure. (See also.)
Tom reviews the Bandai S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider New Den-O (Strike Form) Yahoo! Japan limited figure from Saraba Kamen Rider Den-O The Movie: Final Countdown. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Bandai S.H. Figuarts Momotaros Imagin DX Set from Kamen Rider Den-O. (See also.)
Gamu reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech SP XAN Dengeki Hobby Magazine 10th anniversary exclusive figure from Super Robot Wars Z. (See also.)
Koshihara Hitoshi reviews the FansProject Transformers Classics TFX-01 City Commander Ultra Magnus upgrade kit. (See also.)
Onbashira reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-16 Dinobot figure from Beast Wars. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-10 Streak figure. (See also.)
Yuki Bune reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-17 Hot Rod figure from Transformers Micron Densetsu. (See also.)
Yuki Bune reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-19 Minibot Spy Team set. (See also.)
Hinatatiki reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Disney Label Mickey Mouse Trailer Monochrome figure. (See also.)
Kanon reviews the Banpresto Gundam Series Humable Model God Gundam prize figure.
G.S.R. reviews the Kabaya Linebarrel Model Linebarrel candy kit. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Bandai Minipla Samurai Gattai Shinken Oh candy kits from Shinkenger. (See also.)
Retro reviews
Misodrill reviews the Takara Microman Death King figure. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Beast Wars C-3 Cheetas (green eyes version) figure.
Yo reviews the Takara Transformers Beast Wars C-5 Rattle and Hasbro Transformers Beast Wars Transmetal Rattrap figures. (See also.)
Red reviews the Takara Transformers C-64 Seaspray figure.
Gun0826 (part 2) reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Valor vs. Venom Ninja Battles Collection Snake Eyes and Swamp Rat set. (See also.)
Toy links
Cobr-aargh!
Oooh, ahhh, that’s how it always starts. Then later there’s running and screaming.
Look upon Eternity.
A very cool fastfreddie custom.
The baddest man in the world.
“Jakks did a 6" version of Clubber that I love but I wanted a 12" version to hang with my vintage Mr. T 12" figures.”
“… pretty good-looking, if I do say so myself.”
“Totally repainted Voyager Class Starscream, with custom made blasters.”
Colossus and Big Foot.
Two Assemble Borg fanmodes using parts from Revoltech figures.
I know Kung Fu.
A photo by BAM POP!
Here’s Joe.
A photo by Harry Hendriks.
Minimate Factory. [via]
“… a resource for fans of Art Asylum’s Minimate block figures who would like to add something to their collection through the work of their own two hands.”
Retro fanmodes
Fanmode the site takes its name from fanmodes — creative, cool or goofy fan-created looks for toys. While some toys were deliberately designed to facilitate fanmodes (e.g. construction block toys, Mugenbine, Assemble Borg, etc.), some fanmodes are the result of creative fans ignoring the instructions and designer intentions, and simply thinking outside the box. This site was created in part to call attention to the ingenuity of these toy fans.
Here are five older toy sites with fanmodes still worth checking out.
Fumi.
It’s a good thing navigating through this expansive Japanese fan site is a cinch thanks to the English text because there’s a lot to take in. Be sure to see his clever use of Transformers Car Robot figures as Henshin Cyborg power-up armour.
Katchy.
At its height, Katchy’s site featured some of the cleverer fanmodes around for Transformers Car Robot figures (with a few dozen fanmodes for Gigatron alone!) and Gaoranger mechas. Sadly, most of the content is missing now but you can get an idea of his over-the-top creativity from his Perfect Mode God Fire Convoy which incorporates every single part from Fire Convoy and God Magnus.
Bryan “MicroBry” Wilkinson.
Unlike the other fans featured here, MicroBry is still coming up with creative Microman-related fanmodes and toyjackings. See his LiveJournal for his newer stuff.
ZaRas.
The Freestyle section has some inventive mix-and-matches from different toylines.
Sakio.
The Machine Robo Rescue combinations on display here are nothing short of audacious. (More.)
Toy links
Skeletor is totally metal.
It appears this custom was based on Rescue Heroes Spider-Man.
Luke Porter’s Minimate customs. [via]
Check out the Big Daddy.
Justin Manny’s Windcharger.
“Did some more minibots to make up for the ones that Hasbro missed …” (He’s got a Tailgate custom as well.)
Vader’s Fist in Levi’s pants.
(See also.)
Scopedog.
“I made a little diorama for my 1/48 Votoms toys.” (More.)
Cobra-a-a-a!
Cosplay at Megacon 2009. (See also.)
Toy review roundup
Corey Tincher reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Captain Cold figure. Excerpt: “… an interesting figure that will spice up your shelf or make those battle just a little bit cooler …” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Nightwing and Robin figures. Excerpt: “Mattel — fix the assembly matter and then ship these things a bit more, okay?” (See also.)
Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Blue Beetle figure. Excerpt: “… the great paint applications …. make an otherwise average figure into an exemplary one.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Ares Series Build-A-Figure Ares Wal-Mart exclusive figure. Excerpt: “At last, the immortal god of war has been immortalized in plastic!” (See also.)
Dave Van Domelen reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe Generation 1 Series Ratchet and Armada Series Hot Shot figures. Excerpt: “(Re: Hot Shot) … the corners that got cut (especially on Jolt) are painfully obvious. ”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe Classic Ironhide figure. Excerpt: “… if you can live with a few minor bothers, he’s worth your time.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Star Wars Droid Factory Darth Vader and K-3PX Wal-Mart exclusive set. Excerpt: “… one of the weaker pairs, but it’s not the droid’s fault: Vader is the suckfest in this set.” (See also.)
Artemis reviews the ToyQuest Monsters vs. Aliens Ginormica figure. Excerpt: “I’ve got plenty of figures that cost more and delivered less.” (See also.)
Retro reviews
Ben Mininberg reviews the Bandai DX Chogokin GC-06 Space Sheriff Sharivan figure. Excerpt: “… an engineering marvel way better than most of its action-figure contemporaries.” (See also.)
Philip Reed reviews the Select Convertors Motorized Defender Neptune figure. Excerpt: “… a cheap plastic robot that transforms into an ugly battleship. ”
Darren Cilenti reviews the Takara Transformers Convoy (black version) JAFcon 2000 exclusive figure. Excerpt: “… I can’t really recommend him – but this is an appealing repaint …”
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Cybertron Legends class Soundwave figure. Excerpt: “With an awful jet mode and a detailed but limited robot mode, Soundwave is mediocre.” (See also.)
Artemis reviews the Lego Bionicle Barraki 8921 Pridak set. Excerpt: “… this guy is a freak, and anyone who likes their bad guys good and monstrous ought to love him.”
Toy links
Ways to die on the Millennium Falcon.
“Winning that darn game of dejarik.” (More.)
Ms. Marvel.
Fine work by K&L Customs.
Tyr and Hoder.
God-like customs by jazz04porche.
Big Boaner.
There must surely be a better name for a custom combining parts from Dr. Mindbender and Big Boa.
“I’ve been a lot of things in a lot of places …”
A photo by Kenny Batallones.
Crashing through the sky, comes the fearful cry …
Cool digirama by cradea2.
For a future without fear.
A photo by Edward Lee.
“I have a whole bag of ‘sh!’ with your name on it.”
No talking when viewing this Flickr group, please. (Related.)
Fixing Universe Classic Ironhide. [via]
“I would consider this mod to be of intermediate difficulty only because of how much plastic you’re actually getting rid of. It’s more time consuming than anything.”
Checklist (Titan Form)
Added Kamen Rider Kuuga (Titan Form) and Oujasama Nagi review links to the S.H.Figuarts and Busou Shinki checklists.
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.
(Please do not hotlink images on these sites.)
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai Gundam Fix Figuration (G.F.F.) Metal Composite Psycho Gundam (Hong Kong Night version) Tamashii Nation 2009 exclusive figure. (See also.)
Shishioh and Mojya review the Medicos Entertainment JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Silver Chariot figure.
Yo reviews the Medicos Entertainment Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Kujo Jotaro figure. (See also.)
Tom reviews the Bandai S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Kuuga (Titan Form) figure.
Gamu and Soh-dr review the Bandai S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Kuuga (Mighty Form) figure. (See also.)
Mojya, Ken Murasame and G.S.R. review the Bandai S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider New Den-O (Strike Form) Yahoo! Japan limited figure from Saraba Kamen Rider Den-O The Movie: Final Countdown. (See also.)
Gamu reviews the Bandai Saint Myth Cloth Gemini Saga (surplice version) figure from the Saint Seiya Hades Chapter Sanctuary OVA.
Shishioh reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Hokuto No Ken Revolution Rei (white hair version) figure.
Damien Sancho and Yuu-yui review the Kaiyodo Revoltech SP XAN Dengeki Hobby Magazine 10th anniversary exclusive figure from Super Robot Wars Z. (See also.)
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Turn X (clear version) Tamashii Nation 2009 exclusive figure.
Gamu and Tom review the Bandai Robot Tamashii Gadessa (Revive type) figure from Gundam 00. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Bandai Final Form Ride Kamen Rider Decade and Kuuga Gouram figures. (See also.)
Kanon reviews the Banpresto Special Creative Model (S.C.M.) EX (Special Assort.) Gundam, GM, Gouf and Zaku prize figures.
Red reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-19 Minibot Spy Team set.
Koshihara Hitoshi reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Jetstorm and Jetfire set. (See also.)
Hinatatiki reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Waspinator figure. (See also.)
Mondo reviews the Diamond Select Toys Marvel Select Iron Man figure. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Clone Wars Captain Rex (dirty version) figure. (See also.)
G.S.R. reviews the Bandai Shinkenger Samurai Gattai Series Kabuto Origami figure. (See also.)
Retro reviews
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Beast Wars II C-13 Big Horn figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers 09 Prowl figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Car Robot C-008 X-Car figure from the C-011 Spychanger DX6 set.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers C-96 Runway figure.
Yo reviews the Konami Busou Shinki Dog Howling figure. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Valor vs. Venom Sting Raider with Electric Eel set. (See also.)