Eric's Yard

Star Wars Galactic Heroes: Escape From Kamino

2012-01-29T19:26:00.000-05:00

The original Fett now molded with a face - of course his helmet is included

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Transformers Prime: Bulkhead First Edition Voyager Review

2012-01-23T23:36:00.000-05:00

"If you think I'm going to beg for mercy... forget it!"

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Transformers Prime: Optimus Prime First Edition Voyager Review

2012-01-20T00:02:00.004-05:00

"Every sentient being deserves an opportunity for redemption"

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Macross Frontier: Bandai VF-25F Messiah Alto Custom Renewal Version 1/60

2011-12-28T02:51:00.001-05:00

Alto Saotome's VF-25F Custom is back in 1/60 form and better than ever

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Transformers Prime: Cliffjumper First Edition Deluxe Review

2011-12-25T15:35:00.003-05:00

You want the horns?

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Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF) Takara Buster Optimus Prime from Asian Exclusive 2-pack with Jetfire

2011-11-29T22:30:00.000-05:00

Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.

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Star Wars Galactic Heroes: Jabba's Skiff

2011-11-28T00:12:00.000-05:00

Poor Boba Fett gets tangled up

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Transformers Prime: Bumblebee First Edition Deluxe Review

2011-11-23T23:07:00.000-05:00

Everyone's favorite non-speaking Transformer is back with beeps for his voice

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Transformers Prime: Arcee First Edition Deluxe Review

2011-11-20T17:30:00.000-05:00

Tell it to someone who cares.

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Transformers Prime: Starscream First Edition Deluxe Review

2011-11-16T00:27:00.001-05:00

I have gained a clear understanding of my place in the universe. Of who I am. Aligned with no side; servant, to no one.

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Gundam Wing Mobile Suit OZ-13 MSX2 Mercurius 1/144 Scale Review

2011-10-31T00:56:00.000-04:00

I bet you're seeing red.

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Transformers Music Label Soundwave Review

2011-10-17T04:51:00.001-04:00

Soundwave, Superior. Everything else, inferior

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) Mutations Mutatin' Michaelangelo Review

2011-10-03T15:46:00.002-04:00

Cowabunga! Mutatin' Michaelangelo now transforms from gigantic turtle to ninja turtle and back!

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Star Wars Galactic Heroes: Endor Celebration

2011-09-26T10:08:00.000-04:00

After blowing up the biggest darn weapon, again, our heroes celebrate on Endor

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Gundam Wing Mobile Suit MMS-01 Serpent Custom 1/144 Scale Review

2011-09-23T16:02:00.001-04:00

Do you remember this mech from Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz?

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Takara Transformers Device Label Broad Blast (Blaster) Review

2011-09-12T13:26:00.004-04:00

When the music is blastin', I'm rollin'

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iGear MGT-01 Custom Arcee (Delicate Warrior) Review

2011-09-04T21:35:00.000-04:00

The fembot Transformers fans have been waiting years for

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Takara eHobby Kup with iGear Kup Head Review

2011-08-23T01:19:00.001-04:00

Turbo roddin' young punk! I'll straighten you out yet.

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Transformers Masterpiece Rodimus Prime (Toys R Us (TRU) Exclusive) Review

2011-08-15T16:57:00.013-04:00

The Autobot leader that always lived in the shadow of Optimus Prime finally gets his Masterpiece treatment

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Transformers G1 Devastator with CrazyDevy.com parts Review

2011-08-08T01:33:00.005-04:00

The most famous Transformers combiner deserves more than just lightpiping

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Henkei / KO Version 1 / KO Version 2 CHSM Seeker Comparison

2011-03-29T01:22:00.010-04:00

When you're this good, you're bound to have copies

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Star Wars Galactic Heroes: Obi-Wan Kenobi's Jedi Starfighter

2010-08-16T18:11:00.005-04:00

"I have a bad feeling about this"
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Star Wars Galactic Heroes: AT-AT Walker

2010-08-15T22:30:00.003-04:00

Hasbro has finally taken on the overwhelming Imperial AT-AT Walker
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Transformers Masterpiece Grimlock (Toys R Us (TRU) Exclusive) Review

2010-08-12T03:28:00.009-04:00

Me, Grimlock, no bozo. Me king!

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Macross: Yamato DYRL VF-1S Valkyrie Hikaru Ichijo 1/60 V2 Review

2010-07-19T23:31:00.007-04:00

After 25 years, Hikaru Ichijo's VF-1S is back and perfectly transforms between battroid, fighter, and gerwalk mode.
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Star Wars Galactic Heroes: Millennium Falcon

2010-05-02T02:32:00.000-04:00

One of the most famous starships in the galaxy is back in cute form
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Macross Frontier: Bandai VF-27 Lucifer Valkyrie Brena Stern Custom 1/60 Review

2010-03-31T12:49:00.024-04:00

Confident villians paint their robots purple.
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Bravo Team / Forces of Valor (FOV) US M1A1 Abrams 1:32 Review

2010-02-27T21:58:00.016-05:00

When you're sick of fantasy vehicles from GI Joes and want something more realistic.
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Gobots Leader-1 (MR-25) Review

2009-12-20T16:30:00.002-05:00

"Renegades! I don't know what you Renegades are after to but you'll have to come through me to get it"
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Star Wars Galactic Heroes: Slave 1 & Boba Fett

2009-12-16T22:11:00.001-05:00

One of the strongest bounty hunters, Boba Fett is out to get Han Solo for Jabba the Hutt.
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Tomy Dingbot

2009-12-12T18:00:00.003-05:00

Adorable Dingbot moves about the house hitting into walls.
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Gundam Wing Deathscythe Hell Custom 1/144 Scale Review

2009-12-02T20:00:00.000-05:00

Sneaking around with a beam scythe is serious business
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McDonald's Happy Meal: Tomy R-2 Review

2009-11-20T14:21:00.006-05:00

Bring me to your leader!
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Star Wars Galactic Heroes: Yavin 4 Medal Ceremony

2009-11-04T08:02:00.001-05:00

After blowing up the biggest darn weapon, our heroes deserve some heavy medal
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Gobots Loco (MR-05) Review

2009-11-01T17:03:00.010-05:00

Although he's relatively unknown, Loco of the Renegades is one of the best looking Gobots
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Transformers Masterpiece Skywarp (Walmart Exclusive) Review

2009-10-28T18:45:00.012-04:00

Skywarp gets the proper masterpiece treatment to help build your seeker collection because you can't build an army of just Starscream. Black is more cool anyways.
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Star Wars Galactic Heroes: Jabba's Sail Barge

2009-10-24T18:00:00.007-04:00

Skywalker and Fett are still at it on Jabba's Sail Barge. Now in cute form!
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Gundam Wing Zero Custom 1/144 Scale Review

2009-10-21T15:38:00.017-04:00

One of the most popular Gundams comes in small form for easy construction and playability.
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Macross Frontier: Bandai VF-25S Armored Messiah Ozma Custom 1/60 Review

2009-08-30T20:48:00.014-04:00

The Skull squadron leader returns with his heavily armed armored Messiah to finish off all the vajra.
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Transformers Alternity A-01 Nissan GT-R / Convoy Review

2009-06-06T09:45:00.010-04:00

It's not your childhood prime. Optimus Prime has been reformatted as a slick silver sports car.
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Star Wars Galactic Heroes: Hoth Snowspeeder Assault

2009-05-14T17:56:00.010-04:00

Alongside Hasbro's Galactic Heroes Assault on the Death Star playset, they have released the Hoth Snowspeeder Assault playset to recreate one of the trilogy's most memorable battles:

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Macross Frontier: Bandai VF-25G Messiah Michael (Mikhail) Custom 1/60

2009-04-22T21:52:00.038-04:00

Although Alto's been out for some time, Michael won't be letting him have all the fun.
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Star Wars Galactic Heroes: Assault on the Death Star

2009-04-15T22:35:00.020-04:00

Over the years, many manufacturers have given their take of the Star Wars universe in the form of toys or collectables. Most have gone with the realistic look such as the Hasbro line of Star Wars action figures but this time Star Wars comes to us non-proportional and super cute in Hasbro's (formerly released by Playskool) line of Galactic Heroes:

Jek Porkins and his X-Wing
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Mobile Suit Gundam Epyon (MSIA)

2009-04-05T20:39:00.013-04:00

The bad guys rarely get the cool hardware in Gundam but this time it's different with Treize Khushrenada's Gundam Epyon from Gundam Wing:

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Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (MSIA)

2009-03-26T23:36:00.011-04:00

From one of the most popular Gundam series ever and possibly the first to land on an American TV station, Gundam Wing:

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Macross Frontier: Bandai VF-25F Messiah Alto Custom 1/60

2009-03-18T22:08:00.006-04:00

After a long hiatus from Macross mecha products, Bandai has released the VF-25 Messiah from the very popular Macross Frontier Japanese animation:

This is the VF-25F variant flown by Alto. It has a simple and classy red and black paint scheme and visor like head mold. The other VF-25 variants differ in head mold, paint scheme, and specialized equipment load (like radome on the RVF-25).
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Macross DYRL VF-1S with Super & Strike Parts Roy Focker 1/60 by Yamato

2009-03-15T23:00:00.005-04:00

After acquiring my Jetfire, I went online to look for comparison photos of Jetfire to the original robot he was based on, the Bandai 1/55 VF-1S. That's when i ran across a VF-1 Toy Super Comparison on Scorched Earth that covered all the latest transforming macross vf-1s toys. Having grown up with Transformers, GI Joe, and Ninja Turtles, the whole idea that one anime show had toys from various manufacturers was confusing at best. But having more than one manufacturer is a good thing as it gives buyers a choice which usually means a better toy as each maker competes to make the best.

From Scorched Earth's reviews, the best VF-1S is Yamato's second rendition of it and it puts my Jetfire to shame:

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Transformers G1: Jetfire

2009-03-11T22:32:00.006-04:00

Back in 1985 when I was a little child, Transformers and Robotech were the premier cartoons featuring huge transforming robots from/in space. Most of Hasbro's Transformers line of toys and characters were designed by Takara for their diaclone line. However Hasbro wanted to capitalize on the popularity so they bought licenses for toys from other manufacturers such as Shockwave and Sky Lynx from ToyCo. One such toy of interest is Jetfire who comes from Takatoku's Macross VF-1 design.

Unfortunately Takatoku went under soon after producing the VF-1 so the VF-1 design got bought up by Bandai. Bandai was a competitor to Takara so this caused a problem with the Jetfire character so he was only sold outside of Japan.

For me, I didn't know any of that when I was young but I saw a great looking big shiny red and white robot in the Transformers toy brochure. And I wanted it. Unfortunately he was fairly hard to find in stores and carried a high price tag.

So almost 25 years after Jetfire came out, I bought a used one from eBay - new ones go for over $300. I got mine for $23. It is a second run so it was produced by Bandai.

Find out if G1 Jetfire was worth buying for me.
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World's Smallest Transformers (WST): Prowl

2009-02-26T00:34:00.009-05:00

Alternator Prowl is holding up the World's Smallest Transformer Prowl

It's the first World's Smallest Transformer for my collection.
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Transformers Alternators: Mirage

2009-02-17T20:55:00.000-05:00

Another highly sought after Alternator is Mirage.

A highly attractive mold of the Ford GT

This mold is also available as another Alternator Hot Rod and a Binaltech clear version of Mirage (BT-18). Unlike other Binaltechs, no diecast is present in BT-18. But I find this version the best with its striking dark blue.

I think this is going to be the last mold I'm going to get. I'm still missing the Dodge Ram, Dodge Viper, Toyota xB, and Honda Civic but those four don't appeal to me for various reasons.

Transformers Alternators: Ravage 2.0

2009-02-10T23:54:00.000-05:00

The first time Ravage was made for the Binaltech/Alternator line he was a remold of Tracks. It was a upright robot with a cat head. Fans were not impressed and voiced their opinions. To right things, Hasbro put out a second version that better represents Ravage's cat form:

This time he even comes in a car that better suits him too, the Jaguar XK.

He's fairly scarce so a new unopened box fetches prices over MSRP.

Transformers Alternators: Laserwave and Prowl

2009-02-09T21:09:00.000-05:00

I've added more Alternators to my collection!

Purple MazdaSpeed RX-8

The interior is very detailed. Even the seats feature the little triangles from the actual car.

Shockwave/Laserwave looks just as menacing in car form.

One of the most sought after Binaltech/Alternator. Why would any police force use an inline-4 powered Acura RSX as a police car?

The baby blue interior doesn't look good even when it is detailed. The steering wheel retains the Japanese mold so you can faintly see the Honda H in the center even though the car is suppose to be an Acura.

Prowl with his baton looks menacing. The pearly white plastic used for the face and arms doesn't look good compared to the flat white paint of the car.

The gang.

Transformers Binaltech: Overdrive (BT-12)

2009-02-03T00:30:00.000-05:00

A pretty good mold but wasted on a robot that not many people remember from Transformers G1.

A beautifully modelled Honda S2000.

He's not in demand in plastic Alternators form so you can easily pick him up for under $10 USD. The Binaltech version is more difficult to find but is selling for around MSRP.

Transformers Alternators: Sideswipe, Smokescreen, and Grimlock

2009-02-01T16:19:00.000-05:00

All three together

The Dodge Viper Convertible is a pretty boring looking car. The doors don't open properly as it pops the entire door from the car.

The interior is fairly impressive and much of the robot parts are hidden in car mold.

Sideswipe is one of the weaker looking robot molds in the binaltech/alternator line.

Some people felt this mold was too riceboy racer-ish. But the binaltech version is the most sought after and really fits the Subaru Impreza WRX STi WRC look.

The first alternator that sets the standard for the whole line.

Smokescreen is one of the best robot molds in the binaltech/alternator line. That's why they made 4 different binaltech versions and 4 other robots share the same mold (silverstreak, bluestreak, richochet, and red alert)

A great mold that does the real Ford Mustang justice. Too bad the hands hang out at the front.

The interior is a little weak compared to other molds in the line. The steering wheel doesn't even tilt or easily turn. I always worry about breaking off the hand break while transforming from robot to car mode.

Grimlock's neck looks a bit awkward but overall it's a good robot model that isn't getting a lot of attention.

Transformers Binaltech: Meister (BT-20)

2009-01-16T00:24:00.000-05:00

Meister has been a popular Binaltech with 3 versions, the white and red BT-08 versions and now they've re-done Meister in silver format and updated the mold to the MazdaSpeed RX-08:

It's a great way to pick up Meister for a lot lower price than the original BT-08.

Transformers Binaltech: Tracks (BT-06)

2009-01-14T00:12:00.000-05:00

When Takara first made released Tracks, he came in yellow since it was more true to the colors the real Corvette came in. A number of fans were upset so a blue version was released shortly after.

The blue version is in much more demand compared to the yellow version but I didn't care which version I got so I got the easier to find version as me second Binaltech:

He looks fairly accurate to the G1 version in both car and robot form.

Transformers Binaltech: Swindle (BT-09)

2009-01-11T23:45:00.000-05:00

My first Binaltech to start my collection:

I'm just itching to open this one. It looks really accurate. Every time I see a Jeep Wrangler on the streets I'm reminded of this toy.

Transformers Masterpiece: Optimus Prime and Megatron

2008-12-26T01:10:00.000-05:00

Front of MP1 and MP5 boxes

Back of MP1 and MP5 boxes

Now I have both Transformers G1 leaders. Do you think I need to get Grimlock too?

Transformers G1: Constructicons KO (Big Lots)

2008-11-24T02:49:00.000-05:00

When I was young, Transformers were all the rage. A favorite amongst Transformers fans has been the Constructicons:

They were originally green for Transformers but here they come back yellow in KO form. I couldn't afford them when I was young but now I can buy all of them for the same price of 2 when they came out in 1985. The KO version makes a number of cost cutting measures compared to the originals such as plastic replacing where diecast use to be, pieces don't quite line up, and rusty nails for holding the tires in place.

Dump Truck:

Long Haul:

His head isn't molded properly so it doesn't stay up

Bulldozer:

Bonecrusher:

Cement Truck:

This was my favorite of the Constructicons because it was like a truck. For my KO, the sticker keeps coming off and I already broke off the mixer

Mixmaster:

Digger:

Scavenger:

Crane:

Hook:

Plow:

Scrapper:

All 6 robots will combine...

... to form Devastator:

The top and bottom part of Devastator keeps breaking in two since Long Haul wasn't molded properly so it would always lift up.

He looks almost exactly like the original one but lacking the stickers and very weak build quality.

When transforming each individual toy, you'll immediately notice the cheaper plastic used compared to the original G1 toys. The pieces aren't molded perfectly so pieces don't slide smoothly and some don't stay in position like Long Haul. I've had Devastator on my desk for quite some time and he's held together fairly well even though I randomly take a swipe at him or knock my laptop screen on it. Is it worth picking up? If you just want a re-live a little G1 Transformers then it's worth picking up as a novelty. If you're a collector and looking for something to pose in your collections then I suggest the higher quality KO or wait for the Takara encore release of Devastator.

Eric Toy Score: 2 out of 5

Publisher: Big Lots
Year: 2007
Price: $9.99