Post by fenrir72 on Apr 13, 2009 16:09:38 GMT 8
There was an old cigar commercial in the USA, to quote:"You've come a longggggggg way baby......"
This is how I describe both Ironhide and Ratchet. Beginning from the Diaclone Nissan Onebox Cherry Vanette now they're.......well an SUV. Back then we used to complain where are their heads? Then blah blah blah, Floro Dery was commissioned to humanize them hence the heads. Later a Botcon exclusive of Towline was retooled to make them look like their animated appearance. IMHO, it would have been great except the price.
Then an indie custom headset was released by Besttoys........a noble effort, at least giving them a semblance appearance of their animated self (hear that Takara, don't scrimp on the "cardboard heads hehehe):silly:
Now we learned that HasTak would be releasing a modern re-imaging of both ppopular characters and what have we got........overall a fine masterpiece, if you discount the drooping head.
I'm not going into how stable the guys stand 'cause those who own him know already. Is it faithful to the G1 animation, well almost, heck life ain't fair. Could it have been better? Not for the price they are charging:woohoo: . Which one is better? Personnal preference. So here goes my mini review of the TF bruisers............
Content:
Ironhide/Ratchet SUV
removable engine/weapon
Bio card
Instruction manual
Blister card resealable
Appearance: personal preference but almost animation accurate (henkei version) which is both good and bad(Ratchet's anyway 'cause in ambulance mode, Universe has more red stripes and the extra license plate symbols) Ratchet also has the black crest. Universe is red. Ironhide hopefully (universe version has his face "unsmurfed":blink:)
Gimmicks: light piping? None, painted optics
Points of Articulation: 16
Bling: well the engine blocks/energon weapon cannon/blade is chromed and Ratchet's siren lights are just plain transluscent plastic(Universe has a blue application I believe)
Paint apps: prefer the simulated blue of henkei and the gray on Ironhides' hips.Wish Ratchet had a Red Cross or "emergency tampogaph or something, at least to denote his "E" status.
Plastic quality: well the white used by Takara looks a bit cheap unlike the white of the G1 figures(same with Encore Ratchet, same cheap white quality but smoother than the KO's)
Overall a near accurate representation and affordable version of the 'bots we all have grown to love years back. Droop head aside...:kiss: and like maybe chromed his roll bar like that of Brawn-X.
I give Ironhide: 4.8 out of 5, while Ratchet gets a 4.5 (I like the extra red apps on universe)
Btw here are some comparison shots of both G1 versions and the henkei(G1 has the custom heads)
Old and new:
Ratchet
Ratchet 2
IH and G1
G1
Ratchet Gallery
Ironhide gallery
I used only one shot 'cause well basically they're the same mold.
Ironhide and Ratchet
Vehicle mode
This is how I describe both Ironhide and Ratchet. Beginning from the Diaclone Nissan Onebox Cherry Vanette now they're.......well an SUV. Back then we used to complain where are their heads? Then blah blah blah, Floro Dery was commissioned to humanize them hence the heads. Later a Botcon exclusive of Towline was retooled to make them look like their animated appearance. IMHO, it would have been great except the price.
Then an indie custom headset was released by Besttoys........a noble effort, at least giving them a semblance appearance of their animated self (hear that Takara, don't scrimp on the "cardboard heads hehehe):silly:
Now we learned that HasTak would be releasing a modern re-imaging of both ppopular characters and what have we got........overall a fine masterpiece, if you discount the drooping head.
I'm not going into how stable the guys stand 'cause those who own him know already. Is it faithful to the G1 animation, well almost, heck life ain't fair. Could it have been better? Not for the price they are charging:woohoo: . Which one is better? Personnal preference. So here goes my mini review of the TF bruisers............
Content:
Ironhide/Ratchet SUV
removable engine/weapon
Bio card
Instruction manual
Blister card resealable
Appearance: personal preference but almost animation accurate (henkei version) which is both good and bad(Ratchet's anyway 'cause in ambulance mode, Universe has more red stripes and the extra license plate symbols) Ratchet also has the black crest. Universe is red. Ironhide hopefully (universe version has his face "unsmurfed":blink:)
Gimmicks: light piping? None, painted optics
Points of Articulation: 16
Bling: well the engine blocks/energon weapon cannon/blade is chromed and Ratchet's siren lights are just plain transluscent plastic(Universe has a blue application I believe)
Paint apps: prefer the simulated blue of henkei and the gray on Ironhides' hips.Wish Ratchet had a Red Cross or "emergency tampogaph or something, at least to denote his "E" status.
Plastic quality: well the white used by Takara looks a bit cheap unlike the white of the G1 figures(same with Encore Ratchet, same cheap white quality but smoother than the KO's)
Overall a near accurate representation and affordable version of the 'bots we all have grown to love years back. Droop head aside...:kiss: and like maybe chromed his roll bar like that of Brawn-X.
I give Ironhide: 4.8 out of 5, while Ratchet gets a 4.5 (I like the extra red apps on universe)
Btw here are some comparison shots of both G1 versions and the henkei(G1 has the custom heads)
Old and new:
Ratchet
Ratchet 2
IH and G1
G1
Ratchet Gallery
Ironhide gallery
I used only one shot 'cause well basically they're the same mold.
Ironhide and Ratchet
Vehicle mode
keeping the site active as a place to dump info for easier backtracking. 