Strange it may seemed that after getting the Gears of War set (as per previous entry), TakaraTomy's Buster Prime hits the shelves. A whammy for those who had paid for the GOW set. However all is forgiven as the quality of RA-24 is so awesome, it puts the regular ROTF prime to shame.

It camed boxed in robot mode with the Buster cannon already attached. The silver and chrome on the feet and collar is simply amazing. 

The difference between this and the regular version is the non- faceplate, the detailed energy swords, extra pin-stripings on the flames of the truck and also the buster rifle. All are detailed and colored to perfection to command the premium price it so requires.

if you ask my opinion, if at all you need only 1 ROTF Prime, go for the Buster version, not only it is chocked with good paint apps that TakaraTomy is famous for but also loads of character.

Here is a comparison with the custom regular Prime.

You would probably have read multitude reviews and youtube videos on this figure before, so I will trim the review and provide a concise summary.

As you all TF fans will know, Alternity is basically a subset line that came out of the Binaltech storyline from the early 2004. The Binaltech (BT) story revolves around an alternate reality created when the GT system is pioneered to facilitate TF technology and also to prevent the cosmic rust that plague the Cybertronians at one time. It was meant to be a small sidestrack story wise but it became a full blown saga by itself and the toyline churned out wave after wave of quality figures with licensed cars as the alternate modes.

After the BT line ceased with the final character, Arcee (BT-23), it opened up an opportunity to introduce a story which branched out from the Binaltech saga and eventually tied in with the Alternity storyline.

The figures that on review today carried on the tradition of the Binaltech line which introduced licensed realistic cars. Previously the line boasted cars that are 1:24 scaled, but the Alternity line somewhat scaled down the cars to 1:32. However it does not deter any hardcore TF fan from these masterpieces. Even at a scaled down size, the quality is top notch and there are very little to fault. 

To carry on the spirit of the Binaltech line, the figures came with die cast metal parts and the heft of the toy is a joy to hold. With the recent rubbish that we get for all plastic, it is nice to see again some metal parts in our collectibles. Perhaps it is fitting as the Alternity line is actually a collectors line. They toys are never meant to be manhandled at the first place.

This time, Nissan had the spotlight of showcasing their cars, particularly the new Skyline GTR and the Fairlady 350Z (a review later)

The details of the car is fantastic. Even with the breakup lines that are essentially part of the transformation, the cars still looked excellent overall.

Even the dooes, hood and trunk pops open.

Details of the dashboard

The A-01 Convoy came in 3 flavours - Vibrant Red, Silver and Super Black. All are basically the same mold but the repaint is distinct enough to warrant repeated purchases.

Vibrant RED

Silver

Super Black

However if you are low on funds, ask yourself what suits you best. If you are into cool black, go for the Super Black version, if you are are a GTR enthusiast, go for the Silver and conservative colors and if you like the classic Convoy colors, you cannot go wrong with the Vibrant Red version. 

But they all looked absolutely awesome lined up together. 

The robot modes have the usual range of articulation like any deluxe figures, but the die cast parts, (mostly from the spine area) contributes to the heft and quality. Make no mistake, you might argue that it is only a size of a deluxe and do not justify the USD50 price tag. But once you have it at hand, you will understand and at awe at the quality of the product.

Many purist argued that Convoy should never be a car as he has always been depicted as a semi, cab or a firetruck. Something big, worthy as his status as the Cybertronian leader. But I guess that TakaraTomy wanted to push for the mainstream cars and who better to represent the GTR line other than Convoy. According to many TF sites, other characters should have been chosen, but I am glad that they went ahead with Convoy. It is not so right just by way of thought but when you look at it, it kinds of fall into place.

Overall, the Alternity line is something collectors should look out for. The next 2 figures coming this december would be the Suzuki Swift starring Bumblebee and Cliffjumper and from the pics, they look promising. 

Next review, we will look at A-02 Alternity Megatron. Until then.

Before we begin, this figure came to me as a collateral. My boss was visiting the US and knew that I was a mecha and TF nut, so she bought me this. Usually I would STAY AWAY from the robot replica line after I had a few from the 1st TF movie, but hey, beggars cannot be choosers.Furthermore, it's free. So, yeah.

On to the review. The first thing you will notice is that the so-called 'Revoltech' joints are no longer here. Hasbro incorporated the Revolver joints, patented by Kaiyodo Corp for their Revoltech Yamaguchi action figure series for the 1st movie. Probably due to some legal wrangling, the revolver joints are missing from the latest Robot Replica's.

Why Robot Replicas? The idea was to make movie accurate figures and to a certain extent it succeeds. However because of that, the line does not have any transformation scheme built in. It is your standard figure with basic articulation.

Yup...that is as bad ass as he can get with those limiting joints.

Speaking of basic, the box touted that it is fully poseable. I disagree. Unlike the Marvel Legends or even the Revoltech, the figure only came with 14 points of articulation. I would say that it is in par with the NECA toys out there (with the exception of Ryu Hayabusha from the Ninja Gaiden game - that figure has an insane 42 points of articulation).

One thing I noticed was the head, it is wonderfully accurate to the 'T'. I loved the sculpt and the details. Probably one of the best things that even had it going for this figure. To top it up, it is ball jointed and it gives Ironhide multitude range of head movement.

Yes...the head rocks.

And the cannons, faithfully recreated in PVC. Looks just like the movie, unlike the oversized cannons in his Voyager incarnation (Transformable toy, for those uninformed)

Although the knees are double jointed, poseability is hampered by the extra plastic bits that forms a part of the design. So, if you are looking to pose Ironhide in dynamic ways, you are out of luck. The pics here are the best poses I can muster out of him. (Unless you can do better). The foot is ball jointed, but sadly, ALSO hampered by the extra bit of PVC.

Limited joint foot is limited...:P

Frontal shot and just showing off his cannons...

"You feel lucky punk?"

So overall? For its price point, it's seemed OK. If you just want a statute with some basic articulation, but detailed representation of the movie character, go for it. I heard Sideswipe and Starscream are pretty good too. For me, being an articulation freak I am, I rather stick with Revoltechs. And I do hope that Revoltech Yamaguchi would take a stab at the ROTF characters the coming future. They have already done, Optimus Prime, Megatron, Hot Rod and Starscream (G1 designs) and I don't see why not they should stop there.  

After finishing the marathon of Gundam OO series, I was psyched up to get a hold of the latest Robot Damashii line featuring the abovementioned mecha.

First thing that you will notice about the Robot Damashii compared to MSIA or EMSIA, is that the plastic or ABS quality is way better than both MSIA and EMSIA. While the former sculpt is more akin to kiddy motives, Robot Damashii is perhaps aimed to those we wants to have accurate line arts as envisioned by the mecha designers.

The review will cover both the Gundam OO and also his add on, the O Raiser. Both of these are sold seperately and good luck finding any one of them here in Malaysia. I got my OO Gundam from my wife who visited Akihabara a week back and did me a ginormous favour by picking him up for me. As for the O Raiser, I snagged the last box from a local toy store so if you want to hunt for him locally, best of luck, but there are some still available in ebay, but unless you want to pay inflated prices, you are better off getting him at Hobby LInk Japan.

The Gundam OO does not come with a display stand, but thankfully, the O Raiser accomodates that and it saves me alot from trying to get a stand from the Tamashii Nation stand which basically difficult to find here.

Bare bones Gundam OO.

Frontal shot. The details on this figure is to be praised.

The figure comes with 3 extra hands, 2 are for holding the beam weapons and 1 is the open hand for dynamic and expressive posings. Personally i find that hand satisfyingly aggresive.

In addition to that, it also includes the standard  Gundam 2 beam sabers and 2 shoulder guards that converts into a shield once put together. There are a total of 6 extra pair of handles which you can swap on the GN Sword for different holding configurations.

On to the O Raiser. Nothing much about this one except it forms the backpack of the Gundam OO. The wings split and snap on each side of the Gundam OO Twin GN Drives. By doing that, it increases the wingspan and kind of bulk the figure up. Aesthetically, I find it very pleasing and acceptable compared to Strike Freedom Gundam (from the Gundam Seed Destiny series). The toy also comes with extra beam effect plastics to complement the GN Sword.

The display stand is nothing much to shout at but it is utilitarian and it serves its purpose nicely.

Articulation wise, you can not go wrong with the Robot Damashii series, this figure has loads of it, up to 40 points of articulation, counting in the shoulder / bicep swiwel added when he is docked with O Raiser. And that in my books in sweet and scores much on the playability value.

Without O Raiser attachment.

Pics above are with the O Raiser attachment.

Overall I find that th Robot Damashii line is something to look out for, It addresses the problems in the MSIA and EMSIA line with higher quality materials and better play value. I certainly recommend this line particularly Gundam OO. If you can find the rest - Arios, Cherudim and Seravee, they will complement the Gundam OO foursome nicely. 

PS: For those who cannot get the normal color version, there is the Trans Am version available. This set comes with the Gundam OO and the O Raiser. You will only have to contend with the Trans Am colors.

This set is still widely available locally and it is the exact same figire safe for the colors.

And if there is any beef I have with this figure? Yes. He is missing the ever so pivotal weaponry, the GN Sword III. The weapon that Gundam OO uses ALL the time is not available in this package. I forsee Bandai re-releasing the Gundam OO with the GN Sword II like how they milked the plamo line.

Still, if given a chance, I would buy it again. The mold, the sculpt and most importantly the quality is top notch. Very highly recommended.

ROTF scout class Depthcharge, he is an updated PT boat.

Here are the obligatory boring boat pics...

Ho-hum. Yeah, he is like a boat and woo-pee how fun...:P

Ok! The boring part is over and done with...Let's move on!

Now here is the good part, the bot mode. Shitloads of poseability and probably one of the definitive scout figures in the ROTF line.

While his face is not errr.....pleasing to look at, he makes way for more articulation compared to bigger voyagers out there,

 He can strike any dynamic and heroic poses. His leg configuration might be unorthodox, 

 But his insectiod legs allowed multiple configurations and play value.

Doing the Hadoken, eat your heart out Ryu!

Overall I give him a thumbs up. If there are any scout class figures you need to get for the ROTF line, make it him. Commander Boat shoes will not disappoint.

Note: Noticed that the figs are already touched up. Here are the stock photos of him before painting.

By the way, TRU have him by the boat loads. Apparently the most underestimated scout class figure. If you have the cash to spare, he is choke full of goodness. There, I said it again. Just buy him already.