Tag Archives: Legends

Toys Review – LG61 Decepticon Clones: Pounce & Wingspan

The short-lived Season 4 of the US Transformers cartoon introduced (or perhaps jammed in is a more accurate term) a slew of new characters in its 3 episodes.  Notably very few of these characters had Earth modes and most of the new Decepticons were weird space animals, showing the direction the brand was heading in.  Also new concepts were introduced in these episodes such as Clones.

Two of these characters were the Decepticon Clones Pounce and Wingspan, two of the few Western on-screen G1 toys I have yet to obtain.  These characters got a far greater outing in the Japanese cartoon and it’s from Japan that I have obtained the new toy versions of them.  So let’s have a look at the LG61 Clones Pounce and Wingspan.

 

Pounce – Robot Mode

‘Thundercats Ho!’

Now this is what a Clone should look like – not a hint of kibble anywhere to hint at what his alt-mode is (besides the big sticker which we will address later).  Nicely proportioned, good colour scheme – quite nice really. Shame he has no guns.

 

Pounce – Puma Mode

Protoform bearing hips

Like many Transformers with a quadruped alt-mode, Pounce suffers from having oversized upper hind legs.  Don’t know why this is – you can trace it all the way back to the G1 Predacons.  Due to his arms adding a lot of bulk on the underside of his animal mode, he does not look particularly streamlined.  I think his legs on the whole are an improvement on the sticks the G1 toy had though.  His colour scheme is based on his Headmasters appearance rather than his G1S4 appearance, personally I think the Hasbro colour scheme is a bit better than this.

 

Wingspan – Robot Mode

‘Am I wearing a Klingon insignia?’

The only kibble in evidence here is his alt-modes wings on the sides of his calves.  However they are very thin and sit snug against the body so at least the kibble is very minimal.  Like Pounce he looks pretty good as a robot overall.

 

Wingspan – Hawk Mode

Living up to his name

There is a good wingspan on the hawk mode, which I guess one would expect considering his name, and the darker purple on them works well.  The claws underneath have got decent detail and make it easy for him to balance, even if not very far off the ground.

 

The Clone Concept

‘Wow – we actually DO look alike!’

One of the things that irritated me with the LG58 Autobot Clones was that with all the extra kibble that Fastlane was sporting they looked too dissimilar.  The Decepticon Clones have done much better here, with only a tiny amount of kibble visible on Wingspan’s legs which you can ignore pretty easily if you try.  However like the Autobot Clones, these two sport big stickers which show what their alt-modes are, kinda defeating the purpose of ‘the enemy doesn’t know which is which’ concept.  The rubsigns on the original G1 toys was much better.

And thus the mystique is blown

 

Overall

I am far more impressed with these two than I am their Autobot counterparts.  They are good representations of the original characters and whilst I think Pounce’s Puma mode could have been better, it’s still an improvement on the original.  These two will make fine additions to your Generations/Legends collection.

Got anything to add? Would love to read it in the comments section below!

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LG55 Slugslunger & LG58 Autobot Clones

LG60 Overlord

Video: LG43 Trypticon vs Hasbro Trypticon comparison

Toys Review: LG55 Slugslinger & LG58 Autobot Clones

The short-lived Season 4 of the US Transformers cartoon introduced (or perhaps jammed in is a more accurate term) a slew of new characters in its 3 episodes.  Notably very few of these characters had Earth modes, showing the direction the brand was heading in.  Also new concepts were introduced in these episodes such as Targetmasters and Clones.

Three (or should I say four) of these characters were the Autobot Clones Fastlane and Cloudraker and the Decepticon Targetmaster Slugslinger with his diminutive partner Caliburst. Lucky for these characters, the G1 cartoon continuity in Japan continued with the series Headmasters, in which these guys got a far greater outing.

As the characters were more prominent in Japan, I decided to get the Legends versions of all these guys, so today we will be looking at LG55 Slugslinger with Caluburst and LG58 Autobot Clones Fastlane & Cloudraker.

 

 Slugslinger

Robot Mode

As can be expected with most Takara Tomy versions of Hasbro figures, Slugslinger comes with a rich vibrant painjob that looks fantastic.  They really have done a marvellous job of making Slugslinger very G1 comic/cartoon accurate, right down to the shape of the legs, the chest adornments and the dual cockpits sticking up over his shoulders.  The Headmaster figure looks great with a smooth rounded forehead, settting it apart from most ‘blockheads’.

Schizophrenia – Cybertron style

Cybertronian Dual-Cockpit Fighter Jet Mode

‘Didn’t Starscream blow me up in Season 2?’

As Sluslinger transformers into dual-cockpit jet he does not even try to conform to earth standards.  Once again, a great job of replicating (and dare I say improving) on the original toy design and concept.  His Headmaster  fits snugly and easily into the cockpit (a bit odd he already had two and they had to put in a 3rd) and Caliburst can be put under either wing.  However I find that makes the alt-mode look off balance so I tend to place him on top of the jet like the G1 cartoon and toy.

Noice! Just not aerodynamic

 

Caliburst

Robot Mode

“Go on, spend the extra money – you know you want me!”

Wow – this little guy really makes me wish I had shelled out the extra money to get the Tak/Tom versions of the other TR Targemaster characters.  Well proportioned, nicely coloured and lots of detail in the little face – very good!

Gun Mode

Engine or Gun?

It’s a cool looking gun and is well scaled to Slugslinger in robot mode.  However I would say that with the flats of the robots feet joining up at the front makes the gun look like it would be a major airflow impediment when attached to Slugslingers jet mode, creating a lot of drag.

 

The Clones

Cloudraker

Robot Mode

‘No kibble here pal!’

Looks exactly like the G1 version, though the JP G1 rather than the US G1 due to the more pinkish body. In my opinion he is how the clones should look, as in no hint of alt-mode so you can’t tell what they are going to turn into (except for that damn big sticker on the chest of course).

Cybertronian Space Jet Mode

Snug

Much more compact than the original toy, which I was quite the fan of.  He actually looks like he was designed for space which works well for him, though I do miss the yellow on the nosecone and longer black wings of the G1 figure.

 

Fastlane

Robot Mode

“I’ve got no kibble either”
“LIAR!”

Though I loved the original toys when I had them as a kid, one thing that bugged me was that you could always tell Fastlane was the ground vehicle clone because of the wheels and spoiler obvious over his shoulderblades.  Not only have they not rectified this but have made it worse with wheels visible on the legs as well.

Cybertronian Dragster Mode

No awards for the ‘best alt mode’ here

I think the front wheels on the side are an improvement rather than the old single one underneath.  Something I felt that the G1 toy could have benefitted from was some colour to show the grill and headlight details on the front of the vehicle that were made up of the tips of the robot modes feet.  Those details aren’t even present here which was a letdown.  With wheels on the side he looks a bit better than the G1 toy but it’s still a pretty weak vehicle mode.

 

Cloudraker and Fastlane – The Clone Concept

‘One of these kids is not like the other’

As mentioned Fastlane’s obvious kibble really detracts from the ‘you can’t tell which clone is which’ concept.  When I saw their little jet and car symbols  on their chests I thought ‘Oh cool!  Rubsigns!’, figuring that since it was a hot day they must already be heated.  Imagine my disappointment when I found they were just stickers, which means you can permanently tell one from the other.

Stuff ya clone concept!

The other disappointment here is that neither bot comes with his dual hand weapons.   Given the cost of the figures, I think it’s a bit lousy for them to not come with their guns, especially since they could be used in either mode by the original figures.

 

Overall

Slugslinger is fantastic and as stated, really makes me wish I’d gone the Tak/Tom route with his compatriots.  If you don’t have the Hasbro version go online and grab him – Caliburst makes it well worth the few extra bucks.  As for the clones, I ordered these from Japan since the Hasbro versions of both clones were only available at US stores and I live in Australia.  Cloudraker is OK but Fastlane is fairly weak, so unless you are like me and want every Classicsverse version of every G1 character you can get, these two are an easy pass.

 

Got anything to add to this review?  Would love to read it in the comments section below!

 

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Toy Review: LG60 Overlord

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Toy Review: LG60 Overlord

Overlord – a gigantic Decepticon despot!  From the Japanese G1 continuity, he was the staunch foe of Ginrai and was manned by both a male and female Powermaster.  A cool character with an even cooler toy!  This character has become very popular with Western TF fans of recent with his outings in the IDW comics where he has been portrayed as a truly unstoppable psychopath.

This rise in notoriety has facilitated Overlord getting his first toy in a long time in the Titans Return line, and like most toys from Hasbro he has also cropped up in the Takara Tomy line.  So today we look at the Legends toy –  LG 60 Overlord.

 

Mega & Giga

The two Headmaster partners here are Mega and Giga respectively and each turns Overlord into the Mega or Giga version of himself.  Each is slightly different coloured and sports a different expression for Overlord when becoming the face.  I’ve found the left arm on Giga keeps popping off so you may want to watch this so you don’t lose it.

 

Mega Jet

Stealthy (bar the lavender highlights)

I don’t know why but I really like the little landing struts that come out of the bottom.  It’s a fairly sleek looking jet and the subdued colours makes it look like it could be streaking silently across the night sky to bomb some Bots.  No visible weapons except for two very tiny lasers in the nosecone.  The cockpit can open up for Mega to sit in, though mine sticks a bit so requires application of a fingernail to open.

 

Overlord Mega

In this mode I’m a grinner and a leftie

What a big bloody robot – awesome!  This character deserved a big build and that is what they got!  The 6 cannons on one side like the G1 toy are represented but sadly the corresponding panel on the right does not fold out into lasers.  In ‘Mega’ mode the chest panels are closed, revealing the shoulders more.  The nose of the jet becomes detached and attaches to the left shoulder like the G1 toy to serve as a quasi-shield.  Overlord Mega has a great smirk going and is by far my favoured of the two faces.

 

Giga Tank

The paint store was out of black

Despite the garish colour scheme, quite a good looking tank.  Bulky yet compact, it feels a very solid toy to play with.  Big cannon on the front, detailed tank tracks on the sides and a cockpit at the top that Giga can either fully sit inside or otherwise stand up in to survey the carnage being dished out.  Very good!

Overlord Giga

In this mode I’m a serious rightie

In this mode Giga becomes the serious looking face and the chest panels open to reveal some detailed Powermaster components.  However I personally would have preferred for one of these spots to be empty like both were on the Hasbro version, so that the current Headmaster not in use could reside in the hole.   Some detailing on the back of their legs could have made them look like a Powermaster engine like the original G1 toy.  As it is I put the spare Headmaster in the jets cockpit.

 

 

Combined Vehicle Mode

‘I ripped off the idea from Flywheels cameo in the S4 opening credits’

I’m not surprised that this mode doesn’t have a specific name as it doesn’t make any sense!  The best you could say is it is designed for the jet component to whisk the tank component off to drop at the site of a new battle.

 

Fortress Base Mode

Not remotely phallic

In this instance the original toy (which is on my ‘grail’ list) is far superior.  This is a more compact version with no ramps and one central elongated structure.  The cannon in the middle works well and I like how there are spots for both Headmasters to stand. Connector joins come out at the front so that you can affix ramps from the likes of Titans Return Soundwave or even Overlords sworn enemy, Legends Ginrai.

 

Overall

I’ve never even touched the G1 toy (though by gods I’d love one!) and did not pick up the Titans Return Skyshadow or Overlord.  I even bypassed the 3rd party Carnifex so this is my first time playing with both this character and this toy mould.    I must say I am quite impressed all up!  Sure the transformations are a tad simplistic but with a multitude of modes and two Headmasters this toy has a LOT of play value.  If you have not picked up one of the aforementioned toys then I heartily recommend you give this figure a go – well worth both your money and your time.

Got anything to add to the review above?  Would love to read it in the comments section below!

 

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Video: Comparison of LG43 Trypticon and Titans Return Trypticon

Due to people really enjoying the written review I did showcasing the differences (were there any?) between the Legends and Titans Return versions of Trypticon, I have followed it up with a short video comparison of the two – enjoy!

 

 

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Toy Review – LG43 Trypticon vs Titans Return Trypticon

When I wrote the comparison blog between Takra Tomys Unite Warriors Computron and Hasbro’s Combiner Wars Computron it took me about two days to take all the pictures, write up all the subtle differences and overall decide which set was better.

With Legends Trypticon and Titans Return Trypticon?  I should be done by the end of the commercial break.

 

Here is a comparison of the boxes, the boxes are indeed different.

 

Here are the instructions for the Legends version that have a comic on the back.  That’s kinda different.

To read the English translation of this comic – check it out on Tets Toys HERE.

Here are the sticker sheets.  The stickers are exactly the same, though I suppose the size of the sheet they come on is different, I guess.

Kinda like getting the exact same meal but on two different types of plate.

The way the Legends version and the Titans Return version have been strapped in their boxes is different in layout I suppose.

Takara Tomy packing method
Hasbro packing method

 

Now to Trypticon himself, the differences are…. they are…. um….

‘One of these Cons is not like the other one…. oh wait’

The differences are non-existent!

 

That’s right kiddies – there is absolutely no difference between the two versions – none!  All the things you may have previously been lead to believe, such as the teal was darker and the purple richer in the Legends version are not correct.  That the paint apps are built in and you don’t have to apply stickers like the Hasbro version – false.  The only way I could keep the two from getting mixed up when taking photographs was that I had already applied some of the stickers to the Titans Return version.  The same goes for their smaller partners.

Full-Tilt vs Full-Tilt. No difference
Necro vs Titan Master: Difference in name only

 

In the end I didn’t even bother transforming the Legends version.  I packed it straight back in its box and am going to carefully store it for a decade so hopefully I can in the future sell it (and make back the extra $80 I paid getting it shipped from Japan) as relatively MIB.  In a day and age where toy producers are conscious that some collectors will shell out big money for multiple versions of an expensive toy for even the slightest difference, I was honestly surprised there was none here.  Not even an extra gun like Metroplex or a new hat like Malibu Stacy!

Is one worth getting over the other?  Nope.  The only thing is that some of the Titans Return versions have the dodgy hips (for an excellent way to fix that see HERE) whereas none of the LG43 versions have had that problem reported as yet.  So if the fact you don’t have to worry about this possible defect is worth the extra costs of shipping to you then grab that one.  Otherwise, unless you are rolling in cash and want to have both types of box to display, go down to your local toy store and grab the Hasbro one.

 

‘I’m Trypticon’
‘No, I’m Trypticon!’

 

Got something to add?  Would love to read it in the comments section below!

 

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Legends ‘LG35 Super Ginrai’ vs Titans Return ‘Powermaster Optimus Prime’

Super Ginrai.  Not just the Japanese version of Powermaster Optimus Prime but a character unto his own right.  Finding himself to be not just an ordinary human but to be an actual Autobot Godmaster (how’s that for a bitchin subgroup name!) who could bond with a Transector in order to don the visage of legendary Autobot leader Optimus Prime and fight the evil Destrons…

… or so the story goes.  It may be a different character technically but in reality it’s pretty much the same damn toy.  The G1 Super Ginrai and Powermaster Optimus had very few differences, even if one was a little Japanese dude obsessed with his big hair in a mech suit and the other was Optimus Prime on steroids.

Here we are 30 years later and we have a similar thing happening.  The (US) Titans Return toy is ‘Powermaster Optimus Prime’ whilst the retooled (JP) Legends version is ‘LG35 Super Ginrai’.  Both toys have their pro’s and cons.  Six months ago I reviewed the Optimus toy (which can be read HERE); today I’m going to give a quick overview of the Legends Super Ginrai version and then most importantly engage in a comparison.  This way you, my loyal readers, will know which to shell out your hard-earned money on.

 

First off – Super Ginrai!

I’m not Optimus Prime, I swear!

Truck Mode

No, I’m not Optimus I said!

Very nice and solid.  Unbeknown to most there is a small screw between the cab wheels you can loosen so that the cab does not have to sit flush with the trailer.  The trailer is very reminiscent of the original toy and the trailer has all the armament that the G1 version did.  The end result is a Mad Max’esque tractor trailer in a world gone mad – nice!

 

Robot Mode

Look, I’m not f*cking Optimus Prime OK!?!

Instead of Ginrai turning into the engine of his Optimus (but not Optimus) mech he now turns into the head. While still a cool concept I liked the engine gimmick better simply as it was that bit rarer.  Very nice proportions, decently articulated and a nice paintjob.  Good overall.

 

Base Mode

And no, I’m not ‘Optimus who got stuck in a particularly challenging yoga pose’ either you f*cking smartass!

Really does not stand up to the original G1 toys base mode.  There are some gun turrets that Ginrai can sit in and all the guns from the other two modes are useable here.  But it looks sparse and everything looks a bit flimsy – like he got stuck in mid-transformation.

 

Comparison between Legends LG-35 Super Ginrai and Titans Return Powermaster Optimus Prime

Vehicle Mode

Ginrai looks a lot more similar to the original toy whereas Optimus looks like an updated version, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  The black guns on the top of trailer work a lot better on Ginrai and his robot feet sit a lot more flush at the back.  I have to give points to Optimus for a new style and Ginrai for a more balanced look.

Base Mode

6 of 1, a half dozen of the other.  Both don’t look flash to me.  There are a few differences with the different chest pieces that come up to be the central seat for the Headmaster. The towers on Ginrai work being put higher due to you being able to place the black guns half way up, something you cant do with Optimus due to his robots hands not rotating.

 

Robot Mode

‘One of these bots is not like the other…’

One of the most significant differences are the ankles.  Ginrai’s have been extensively retooled in order that they pivot better and provide more height.  This makes Ginrai slightly taller than Optimus overall.  Optimus’ hand guns look that bit more impressive but Ginrai is able to hold his better due to maneuverable wrists.  The chest armor is slightly different as well.  Overall I think Ginrai does look that bit better than Optimus here.

 

Apex vs Ginrai

Two heads are…. no, wait, too obvious a joke. I’ll come back.

Apex is the name of Optimus’ Titan Master partner whereas Ginrai is, well, Ginrai but as stated turns into a head instead of an engine.  When comparing the two, Apex transforms into a head which looks a lot like Orion Pax, with the Optimus helmet going over the top.  Ginrai turns into an Optimus head with… er… an Optimus helmet going over the top (the definition of redundant).  So Apex wins the alt-mode race but the robot/human mode race is no race at all.  Ginrai has lots of detail and (even though you probably cant tell with my bad camera) even has a little human face. Apex by comparison has bland colours and a featureless head.

Ones a robot, ones a human in a mech suit. Both have absolutely screwed torsos

 

So who to choose?

Look, I got both because of the displays I wanted to create.  One display is of Optimus Prime figures which turn into trucks and have a trailer so Powermaster Optimus Prime goes there.  The other is robot modes of all the different Generations (and Generations subsets) characters and while I have plenty of Generations Optimus figures I didn’t have a Ginrai one so he goes there.  That said, I still feel like I wasted my money a bit by getting both.  They are just too similar to warrant the expenditure on two Leader-class figures.

If I was to pick one I’d pick Ginrai.  The robot mode is better and the Headmaster partner is a lot better.  Ginrai wins.  But then I guess, if you get both, you can at least join them up in to one super base like I have below!

 

Got something you would like to add to this ‘comparison of toys’ review?  Would love to read it in the comments section below!

Toy Review – LG39 Brainstorm

Brainstorm, a character that has gone from relative obscurity to a fan favorite in recent years, thanks mainly to the More than Meets the Eye comic series.  Now gone from being a bit player in the short lived season 4 of the US he is everyone’s favorite amoral weapons designer.  However the version we are looking at today is an homage to his much larger television outing in the Japanese Headmasters series.  So without further ado, from the Legends series let’s have a look at LG39 Brainstorm.

Japanese TF boxes, so plain but with such great artwork!

Vehicle Mode

It wasn’t until I took the gun out of the box and realized that it was a match for Titans Return Blurr’s (for a review of TR Blurr see HERE) that I had a better look at Brainstorms Cybertronian jetfighter mode and realized the whole figure is a retooled Blurr.  And once you can imagine the wings being gone it becomes quite obvious.  That said, it’s a very nice looking version of Brainstorms alt-mode with the twin guns at the front, sleek nose and slim wings.  The orange cockpit makes a nice counterpoint to the rest of the colour scheme and Brainstorms Headmaster partner Cana fits nicely inside.

 

Robot Mode

A bit small for my liking but it means that he scales well with the rest of the Legends/Titans Return figures.  You can remove the nosecone and add it to the arm for extra firepower or leave it attached to his back where it is only noticeable when looking through the legs.  The figure has good articulation and once again that lovely Tak/Tom paintjob.

Somebody messed with the wrong Wang today!

 

Cana and Synapse.

Pimp Daddy Cana’s a bit spoiled for choice!

Synapse is actually the name of the drone vehicle that comes with Brainstorm.  This can either be in a jeep mode for Cana to drive or turn into a double-barelled blaster for Brainstorm to weild.  Given the colour scheme one could almost mistake it for a mini-Kup.

Cana has been based on Brainstorms JP Headmaster appearance with the removal of the faceplate.  He is nicely detailed in both his modes.  When compared with Arcana from the Thrilling 30 version of Brainstorm you can see the difference in size between the two figures, its just a shame you cant swap them over from one body to the other (trust me, I tried).  Given the differences in size and facial structure, it makes Legends Brainstorm look like Generations Brainstorm’s younger brother.

 

Overall

To be honest, I actually still kinda like Generations Brainstorm better.  He is bigger, bulkier and his removable vehicle weapons to use as pistols is very G1-toy accurate.  However Legends Brainstorm scales well with the current series of toys, has a great colour scheme and comes with not only a Headmaster partner but a drone as well.  Depends if you are a fan of the HM cartoon or MTMTE as to which one you may decide to get – or if you are an obsessive fan like me you can just get both!

 

“I’m Brainstorm”
“No, I’m Brainstorm”

Toy Review – LG40 Astrotrain

Astrotrain – truly a mainstay of the Decepticons in fiction since he first turned up in the G1 cartoon waaay back in 1985.  And why not – he is a Giant Robot that turns into a Space Shuttle and a Train!  I’m sorry but things don’t get much cooler than that!  Despite being immensely popular in the cartoon and there rarely having been a G1 comic in the last decade that hasn’t featured him extensively (always the troop transport aren’t ya, ya poor bugger!  To think back in the cartoon you became god of a moon!) Astrotrain has received very few toys over the years.  I suppose it’s not the easiest to design, a train and shuttle in one.  But now we have one again and he is a Headmaster no less!  So let’s get on with the review of the Legends series LG40 Astrotrain!

Gotta love Japanese box artwork

Please note: Legends Astrotrain is a tweaking of Titans Return Sentinel Prime so I will be making several references.  For my review of TR Sentinel Prime please read HERE.

 

Space Shuttle Mode

You can finally see the windows!

Quite flat but certainly a nicely shaped shuttle.  There are several options as to where you can place the guns, either on the sides or on the top (I go for the sides personally).  Astrotrain’s Headmaster can sit in either the little cockpit at the back between the tailfins or can sit in one of the gun turrets on the side.  Despite the great Tak/Tom colour scheme designed to make him look a lot like the G1 cartoon, he still looks a little bland in this mode.  However they have at least coloured the windows of the cockpit, something that the Sentinel Prime figure was sorely lacking and from photos I’ve seen the TR version of Astrotrain suffers from this as well.

Surely one of them will make it to Cybertron

 

Train Mode

Realism – 2%, Utter Coolness – 98%

It’s a damn weird train!  Looks like a Cybertronian train of some kind because I don’t think we have trains like this on earth, even in Japan.  Like the shuttle version, the train’s windows have added colour here in order to highlight them and the gun ports on the top of the train have been coloured differently to the section (Astrotrains robot arms) that they protrude from.  That and the overall colour scheme make this a far superior looking train to Sentinel Prime who looked like a bright red and orange stick.    Given you can now make out the train wheels and the trains cabin, it really gives a sense of scale to the toy, that this is a big-arse Cybertronian transport!

A JNR Class D51 Steam Locomotive from 1936. A Tsubame 800 Bullet Train from 2004. Does that mean we will see the new Astrotrain on the tracks in Japan around the year 2090?

 

Robot Mode

Space Beefcake!

What a butch looking Astrotrain!  In fact I think probably the best looking official Astrotrain toy we have ever had!  No chest boobs and static arms like the G1 toy, no giant back fins like the Timelines version and he certainly stands quite literally head and shoulders above the Classics version.  Good articulation on all extremities, nicely poseable and a good paint job.  I like how both his hand guns can join together to become one long rifle much like the G1 toy was sporting.  He is of course a Headmaster and his Headmaster partner (whose name is actually Head Master – no points for originality there) can come off and be replaced with any other Headmaster.  A great gimmick for little kids and my son loves it, but for myself as a grown up fan I just want Astrotrain himself.

Sentinel is a reminder to Astrotrain to always wear sunscreen

 

Overall

This is a great Astrotrain!  Yes the shuttle mode is a tiny bit flat and bland and the train mode is a bit alien in appearance but taken as a whole all three modes work and work well.  We needed a Voyager-sized Astrotrain for the Generations lineup and he makes a great buddy for Blitzwing.  The Tak/Tom version with the cartoon-homaging paintjob puts this toy far beyond the Titans Return version in my opinion and I heartily recommend this figure to all fans of great characters who get stuck carrying their mates around all day.  This guy will definitely make it to Cybertron!

I gotta catch a train. I gotta catch’em all!