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09/03/2003: New Article: THE UNICRON TOYYYAH.

I’m very very tired and it’s very very late, but finally, here’s your review of the new Unicron toy — a part of the Transformers Armada collection. We, of course, remember him better as the holy-shit-big thing that kicked ass in Transformers: The Movie. The figure costs fifty bucks. Steep, but remember — he’s got light-up eyes. I’m not usually an advocate of the particularly indulgent new toys, but this might be one you can’t miss out on.

Posted by Matt. E-mail me!

Discussion Thread: 103 comments

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I’m with Erin – I watched "Transformers" occasionally as a kid, and my brother loves "Armada," but I’m not really into it now. However, I simply could not pass up the chance to gawk at a huge, expensive toy, especially one that’s not likely to show up in the few department stores in South Jersey any time soon.

It may not be that gigantic, but it does still have some amazing features – and Matt, the pic you got of the flashing hand was really good. I congradulate you on your patience.

Ghosted by starwenn @ 09/03/2003 9:42 PM EDT

This really has nothing to do with Unicron, although that was a very enlightening review. It’s good to see that they finally figured out how to make the big guy. Anyway, do you like the Super Mario Bros Super Show? Do you also like Shabadoo? Well here they are, together at last. But the thing is this link doesn’t work very well. If you can figure out how to watch the movie, go nuts!

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze73swu/mariodance.wmv

Ghosted by David S @ 09/03/2003 9:59 PM EDT

Articulation in EACH finger and we didn’t get a shot of him flipping us off? :O

Ghosted by marril159 @ 09/03/2003 10:00 PM EDT

Hmmm, maybe Matt was spent after getting the glowing hand picture. I mean, I would have loved a glowing bird flipping extravaganza, but I don’t mind too much.

Ghosted by Ian, Just Ian @ 09/03/2003 10:14 PM EDT

I thought the McDonald’s song was from an old Skee-Lo song. Remember Skee-Lo? He had one hit about being short and tall people picking on him?

Big Mac, McDLT, Quarter Pounder with some cheese, fillet-o-fish, cheeseburger, hamburger, happy meal, milk shake, diet coke – big or large or smaller size, and chicken oriental with salad on the side.

Ghosted by Jake @ 09/03/2003 10:15 PM EDT

Actually, I’d already seen pics of the big boy online with the finger salute, so I figured I’d skip on it. He really can do it, though. And how!

Ghosted by Matt @ 09/03/2003 10:18 PM EDT

First off, the Unicron toy is a must have IF you are a fan of the old or new series.
Second, as cool as the Japanese Grey Unicron prototype looks, there’s a reason some people call him "Teenage Mutant Ninja Unicron". Half of his planet mode hangs off his back, much like shell of those green skinned heroes.

Ghosted by Steve @ 09/03/2003 11:06 PM EDT

The fact that I know the guy who made that Unicron sprite edit at the top (Neroman) makes this a great article

Ghosted by Gavok @ 09/03/2003 11:45 PM EDT

Hah, Google Image Search: a small world.

Ghosted by Matt @ 09/03/2003 11:47 PM EDT

Hey, The movie and Chris Claremont’s run aside, Fantastic Four is a damn good book! I’ve got every issue. Every. God. Damned. Issue. I hunted ‘em for YEARS.

And I’d put my money on Big O in that fight. When faced with a falling satellite, most giant robots would try to catch it. Not Big O. Big O punched the freaking hell out of it. THAT’S my kinda robot.

Ghosted by Aaron @ 09/03/2003 11:47 PM EDT

HOLY SHIT THAT TOY IS NIFTY. I’ve been drooling for that thing to come out ever since I was a wee one back in 1987, and finally, FINALLY it comes out.
I’m convinced that there is indeed a God and a Devil. God made this happen, the Devil’s priced it to be $50.
*Runs out to buy the toy that contains the lost spirit of Orson Welles.*

Ghosted by King Sprocket @ 09/03/2003 11:53 PM EDT

TF Geek time

The unmade japanese Unicron prototype from Beast Wars Neo, was never meant to be produced at that level of detail or complexity to the public. It was more of a figure Takara’s engineers would have done if cost wasn’t an issue. IF the toy had made it into production, its detail and complexity would have to be vastly altered so that it would be reasonable cost to produce and have a reasonable retail price.

All of Armada’s toys are designed by Hasbro, and engineered by Takara. Because Takara is in financial difficulty, they are now doing joint toylines from now on. The head of Hasbro’s TF design says BW Neo Unicron is smaller and rather unstable compared to Armada Unicron. Also, due to the planet parts all over him, he can’t do very much.

Ian Just Ian – The partnered minicons are part of the larger figure’s mold/tooling, so if they wanted to swap minicons, they would have to make a copy of the Master tooling and work from that. Toolings cost alot of money to make.
Armada Skywarp is Starscream Super Mode (japanese kids cartoons don’t allow repaints as brand new characters, as that means less screen time and less lines to go around).
Skywarp is 20% retooled (redesigned), with a new minicon. He was made due to fan demand. He is not in the show.

Ghosted by FFN @ 09/03/2003 11:59 PM EDT

Matt, I am completely in love with you. You are the man of my dreams in every way.

Ghosted by BillyPeltzer @ 09/04/2003 12:19 PM EDT

Thanks, Bill. You should’ve banged Haviland Morris, tho.

Ghosted by Matt @ 09/04/2003 12:21 PM EDT

Hey. That big Unicron sprite at the top was yanked from my site. Tanx 2 Gavok 4 Heds Up yo. This is both most station that it was uesd, and yet at the same time it most heinous that I was not ax’d permission for it to be used. I am most torn.

(Sprite made from SFA Zangief, I’ve improved a lot since then and it could be a lot better. Also, it was the first sprite I used PSP to help construct.)

That said. Excellent article, excellent toy. Too bad you don’t have all the minicons like I do. They turn him from Fucking Awesome. Into Fucking Awesome With An Army Of Midgets.

And the Beast Wars Neo Mold is not that great, really. If mass produced it wouldn’t be released over here because it doesn’t pass safety laws. And It’s a damn turtle. Less of a transformer, so much it’s just a robot inside a planet-shaped shell. Pure Turtle.

Ghosted by NeroMan @ 09/04/2003 12:44 PM EDT

Hasbro sucks. They have been cutting costs on all their toys recently.

Compare the Japanese and American releases of the Armada toys. Which toys have better paint application, tighter joints, and missles that fire farther? The Japanese versions.

Don’t get me started in ranting about the G1 Tranformers reissues. The Toys R Us versions are absolute crap. Horrible plastic quality, no chrome weapons, and THE MISSLES DON’T FRIGGIN FIRE!

Now that’s stupid. No firing missles. I’ll stick to buying the Japanese versions of the rereleases, since they only run me about $5-10 more, and are about 500.7% cooler.

Oh yeah, TRU won’t be carrying the reissues of Megatron or Soundwave. But Japan gets them. One more complaint against Hasbro.

Ghosted by DarkPrimus @ 09/04/2003 12:47 PM EDT

Sorry about that Nero — just came up on a GIS for "Unicron." I’ll plug ya on the next blogdate.

I’m definitely gonna hunt down some mini-cons for ol’ Uni. The pictures I’ve seen of him with the full lot on deck looked incredible.

Ghosted by Matt @ 09/04/2003 12:51 PM EDT

"Come to think of it…

Are you going to be reviewing any part of the TMNT revival on the site, Matt? Maybe just sit down and watch an episode of the new series or something. X-Entertainment could always use more Turtles.

Posted by Paul @ 09/03/2003 06:09 AM EST"

The new Turtles series is actually pretty good. Nowhere near as good as the original though… you just can’t beat the originality and coolness factor of Krang and the Technodrome.

Ghosted by Sheep @ 09/04/2003 2:03 AM EDT

DarkPrimus – Why is it that people who have very little contact with Japan and Takara assume that its a Transformers mecca?

Hasbro cannot reissue G1 Megatron because it looks FAR TOO MUCH like a real gun. Its against the law, plain and simple. AMERICAN LAW. If you want to complain, go complain to your senator or something. Don’t blame hasbro!

No chrome on hasbro reissue weapons? When chrome is applied to plastic, it makes the plastic more brittle, easier to break, and when it does break, VERY sharp. Now, say a kid pokes his eyes out and the parents sue Hasbro.

G1 Prowl, Silverstreak (Bluestreak) and some others cannot shoot because under US LAW missiles have to be at least 3 inches long if they fire. IF Hasbro lengthened the missiles, then fans would complain. So they removed the fire mechanisms to maintain the toy’s classic look, while OBEYING THE LAW.

I don’t know if you have the originals with you, but the plastic quality on the Japanese reissues are equally inferior to the originals., as nobody can get the plastic formula exactly right after 20 years.

SOUNDWAVE – The mold was extensively damaged after the early 1990s. Takara/Hasbro recently rebuilt the tooling, costing alot of money. As a consequence, Takara is charging over FOURTY US DOLLARS for it to recoup the cost. Why is Hasbro not releasing it?
A. To not fuck up Takara’s own release
B. Toys R Us sets the price based on Ebay/internet prices for the japanese reissues. Hasbro doesn’t set the price of reissues. If TRU had their way, Soundwave would cost SEVENTY US DOLLARS.
So Hasbro will wait until it becomes reasonable to release it. Hey, they don’t exist solely to please the fans. They have to make money back on their investments.

A friend of mine is an english teacher in Yokohama, and he’s been buying the recent Micron Densetsu toys, and guess what? Some of them are INFERIOR to Hasbro’s Armada.

INFERIOR.

1. Grapple Super Mode (aka Hoist in Armada) – Badly applied paint on his windows (you can see the bright white plastic underneath), overall bad colour scheme compared to the Armada version. Cheaper plastic, too.

2. Micron Sea Team – Takara, for reasons unknown, decided to make them in different colours. However, when compared with the Armada Sea Team, they are shoddily made and poorly painted.

3. Shock Wave (aka Tidal Wave) – In no way does SW resemble the colours of his show version. The paint on mine was badly applied and you get less extras when compared to the Armada version. Less paint apps overall, too. Same goes for my buddy in JP and my friends here in Oz.

4. Convoy Super Base (Super Optimus Prime) – Back in 2001, when fans first saw the prototype, they complained about the bright yellow paint that Takara applied. Hasbro announced that the bright yellow was only for the japanese version, as Takara follows the cartoon colours. Hasbro’s was going to be gold (as gold doesn’t animate).
2003 – Takara’s Super Convoy is released, bright yellow paint and all, and fans complain that gold sucks. Geez, complain about not getting something you thought you WERE getting a year earlier. No logic!

So,DarkPrimus, think before you say each word, next time. If you posted that G1 tirade in a popular non-biased TF forum, the well-read folk would eat you alive.

Ghosted by FFN @ 09/04/2003 3:10 AM EDT

It took me over two weeks to find a spot to put Unicron. During that two weeks he was giving the ‘devil horns’ and protecting my stereo. Damn those articulate hands and fingers are a selling point. So far this is the only Armada figure I’ve picked up. Why? Its freakin’ Unicron! C’mon!

Ghosted by Nick @ 09/04/2003 4:52 AM EDT

I have to say Matt, way to go by makeing the commitment to buy the toy. I’ve succumbed to a type of psychosis where I tell myself that I enjoy looking at toys more than buying them. That being said I still break down and waste my money sometimes (between anime and Kung-Fu movies that is). Still afraid to open the blinds in my room durring the day because I’m afraid I might fade one of my precious finds. Who knows, I might yet break down and buy Uni.

Where was I going with this, oh yeah. You can sleep when you’re dead. Look at the time on my post (I’m on the West Side so don’t be too impressed). I actualy stayed up tonight, by choice no less, and learned that the "Clerks" cartoon sucked (sorry Josh).

Anyway, sombody already mentioned you can use nail clipers to make quick work of the twisty ties. I use my modeling snips, makeing me feel beter that I bought them with out even doing too much modeling.

On a final note, will I yet Buy Unicron. Who knows? My last 50$ purchase was a Kilt (pretty cheap for those in the know, http://www.sportskilt.com ), and I don’t have to wear underware with that! Getting Uni any time soon is pretty unlikely. In the future, torrmorow only knows?

Ghosted by Rogue-13 @ 09/04/2003 6:14 AM EDT

http://sportkilt.com actualy, for those of you that care

Ghosted by Rogue-13 @ 09/04/2003 6:26 AM EDT

It’s the same old story. Revivals of 80’s toys are cheap. I can’t beleive how light the toys are now,
this goes for transformers armada and tmnt and gi joes. Havn’t checked out the new he mans, but I’m sure I’ll be disappointed when I go to TRU this morn. The old TF had metal parts and hard plastic, not this lightweight softer than shit stuff they use to make the new ones. With your old toys they would be well worth your parents hard earned cash. Sure they would eventually come apart, but only after they’ve faught battles with dollar store imposters, your sister’s naked barbies (c’mon addmit it), or a death drop from your 17th story balcony. I might pick up the ocassional rerealesed toy nowadys but only for curiousity. No, I don’t care if it’s unicron himself. Hasbro, playmates and the others take no pride in there work. Charge 50$ (US) for a toy that’s going to have loose joints, pokeman looking faces, and overall cheapness? Forget it.
Transformers jumped the shark a long time ago, and they’ll never recover. As far as us original fans go.

Ghosted by turkey's can't fly? @ 09/04/2003 9:39 AM EDT

Jesus that thing looks big; reminds me of the lioned-up and assembled Voltron–a toy you didn’t just play with but hung out around and introduced to guests. And he lights up all over, good god

Matt, I just listened to the MP3 song on the Mini-spies review page; that was really kinda cool–you just wanna keep listening to it. was that yours?

Ghosted by Krappy Kat @ 09/04/2003 11:06 AM EDT

As for G1 and Armada and all that razzmatazz; I confess to being a purist for the originals for just about any cartoon or toy; I miss them dammit; I miss their packaging. I LOVED the original 3 3/4 Joe figures, but New GI Joe just plain sucks, period; a really shitty product. New He-man looks cool, but I really liked OLD He-man so much more. And I loved my old G1 ‘formers, but I just decided one day to splurge some $ and buy Armada Galvatron. Now that’s one cool motherfucker. And after he and I discussed it, we decided to go out and adopt some Mini-cons to form the Dark Saber; we’re so glad we did!

Ghosted by Krappy Kat @ 09/04/2003 11:15 AM EDT

YEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! Unicron has returned! I was just thinkin’ the other day that we need more gigantic purely evil robots around, and look what I get, Citizen Kane himself. Yeehaw. Now I know just the playmate for my new Armada Optimus Prime!

Ghosted by Steve @ 09/04/2003 10:08 PM EDT

Man, I was looking in the sears catalogue the other day, and that bastard is 99.99 Canadian.

My TI-83 Plus was only fourty bucks more. As ultra rad Unicron is, the fact that it’s 100 bucks where I saw it, makes me poop mah pants.

Ghosted by Fuzzy Logic @ 09/05/2003 10:43 PM EDT

I got mine awhile back. He went about a week before he got transformed. He sits next to my living room door, giving me the finger. He’s soo badass.

Ghosted by Bansheex @ 09/05/2003 11:10 PM EDT

turkey’s can’t fly?:
Actually, metal increases the risk of damage to a figure. Metal parts rubbing against plastic parts can eventually wear down the joint, which isn’t practical these days, given that TFs are much more complex.
Also, in drop tests, metal acts like an anvil against plastic, increasing the likelyhood of shattering. (Drop tests are literally drops done at various heights to test the toy’s sturdiness. Yes they are real.)

TFs today are designed specifically for punishment from a younger child. Eg, ball joints can pop off and be reattached.

Hasbro conducted drop tests on G1 Fortress Maximus and G1 Metroplex for possible reissue. Both failed under US toy safety laws, because they either snapped in half (Metro) or broke into parts that were dangerous to children. It doesn’t matter if these are reissues meant for older collectors. The law is the law.

If you want a G1 revival, wait for TF: Alternators, real world, officially licensed 1/24 scale accurate cars that turn into G1 Autobots. Jap version will have metal, but will cost twice as much as the US version (without import shipping). Coming late 2003/early 2004.

And TF not recovering? Armada is the most sucessful Transformers line since G1 and is the third best-selling toyline in the US.

Ghosted by FFN @ 09/06/2003 11:13 AM EDT

Oh forgot pics of TF: Alternators/Binartech Smokescreen Subaru WRX. Yes, all doors, bonnet and boot open. Rubber tires, seats, steering wheel ect. Engine becomes his rifle.
Yet another fruit of the joint Hasbro-Takara alliance.

http://tfkenkon.com/g/?mode=view&album=Events%2FHobby+Expo+2003&pic=tf_show1.jpg&dispsize=800&start=0

Vehicle Mode
http://tfkenkon.com/g/?mode=view&album=Events%2FSuper+Character+Festival+2003&pic=bt02.jpg&dispsize=800&start=0

Robot Mode
http://tfkenkon.com/g/?mode=view&album=Events%2FSuper+Character+Festival+2003&pic=bt01.jpg&dispsize=800&start=0

Ghosted by FFN @ 09/06/2003 11:31 AM EDT

Matt, you forgot the best part of the Unicron toy!

It’s the first Transformer that you can have shoot a bird. Mine is posed high on my bookcase, giving a Stone Cold Salute to anyone who walks in the door.

Ghosted by Kevin K. @ 09/08/2003 11:47 AM EDT

Dear Super_Sexy_Matt,
This was a very good article, I’ve read it twice now, you sexy bastard.

Sincerely,
Ham Bone

Ghosted by Ham Bone @ 09/08/2003 10:36 PM EDT

Thanks for those Smokescreen Pics FFN, way cool. realllove that "no pictures" icon in that first one too.

Ghosted by Rogue-13 @ 09/09/2003 5:12 AM EDT

Kevin K-

Actually, there was a Supreme Optimus Primal figure that could shoot the bird too.

Ghosted by DarkPrimus @ 09/09/2003 12:11 PM EDT

I must have missed out on that figure DarkPrimus, but now we have a ‘GLOWING’ bird.

Ghosted by Kevin K. @ 09/10/2003 10:54 AM EDT

awesome artical! I was laughing so hard at the sarcastic remarks that were meant to slide by, but I caught them all, and boy does my stomach hurt now! Shame on you!

Anyway, I am in Japan now, and let me say that I bought a re-issue Megatron, Starscream, Jazz, Tracks, and am going to get Soundwave and Unicron as soon as they are available. Alas, I cannot find my beloved Hot Rod re-issue to save myself… I wish they would re-issue Galvatron too, he is awesome, without that kiddy Armada repaint crap…

I am just grateful to get A UNICRON, no matter what kind it is…By the way, all of my re-issues Do fire their missles Caio!

Ghosted by GacktWingZero @ 09/11/2003 6:25 AM EDT

Articla* Should have previewed my post hahahahaha

Ghosted by GacktWingZero @ 09/11/2003 6:26 AM EDT

*Article hahahahaha My bad.

Ghosted by GacktWingZero @ 09/11/2003 6:27 AM EDT

Rogue-13: Yeah, Remy (the guy who took the pic) is a sneaky bastard

It should be released in Japan at the end of September, with a RRP of roughly $40US, plus shipping.

However, Hasbro will release its equivalent version, sans die-cast metal for $20, in Jan-Feb 2004.

Ghosted by FFN @ 09/12/2003 8:21 AM EDT

Kevin K: There’s going to be ANOTHER bird flipping figure soon: 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime

http://www.wizarduniverse.com/_gfx_/magazines/toyfare/TF75-prime.gif

I think they got rid of the yellow, though. The price? Seventy-five US dollars. Again, die cast, rubber wheels, and as accurate to the cartoon as you can get, given Prime looked very different in truck mode to robot mode.

GacktWingZero: Takara probably won’t reissue Galvatron until they get through the year 1 and year 2 toys that still survive. They just announced the Minibots and Astrotrain.

But, the new Megatron figure in the Energon line will be 80% like an updated G1 Galvatron, except modern looking. Its purple and grey, like the original Galvatron, too.

Ghosted by FFN @ 09/12/2003 8:26 AM EDT

I want the REAL GALVATRON!!!
Thanks for the info. 20th Aniiversary Prime will be mine as well hahahahahahaha…. Ciao!

Ghosted by GacktWingZero @ 09/13/2003 2:35 AM EDT

more Prime pics http://toynewsi.com/index.php?itemid=1812

re: reissues. My bad. Minibots and Astrotrain were a rumour, apparently.

Go here for a comic pic of Energon Megatron http://www.cosmicrust.com

The head Hasbro TF designer said he made the Megatron release of this toy primarily in grey, but will probably have it molded in purple when its repainted as Galvatron.

Ghosted by FFN @ 09/13/2003 10:01 AM EDT

Contrary to popular belief, Unicron was not Orson Welles’ final role. His final role was in a Jaglom film about Valentine’s day. Of course, as a die-hard Transformers fan, *I* consider playing a Transformer to be an honourable crown for Welles’ legendary career, but middle-aged movie critics find the idea repulsive. But then middle-aged movie critics suck.

I wish I’d asked Leonard Nimoy about Galvatron when he did that Q&A at a Star Trek convention in 1991.

Ghosted by Morbius @ 09/15/2003 12:08 PM EDT

Didn’t he disavow his role in TF?

But writing in his second autobiography that he speaks with Spock in his mind is perfectly acceptable…

Ghosted by FFN @ 09/15/2003 11:04 AM EDT

"Armada Skywarp is Starscream Super Mode (japanese kids cartoons don’t allow repaints as brand new characters, as that means less screen time and less lines to go around)."

You mean Thundercracker.

"G1 Prowl, Silverstreak (Bluestreak) and some others cannot shoot because under US LAW missiles have to be at least 3 inches long if they fire."

Two, actually…

Ghosted by Onslaught Six @ 09/17/2003 9:15 PM EDT

I’ve seen the toy sitting in our Toys R Us the past few trips I’ve gone out there, and I look at Unicron, and I keep thinking ‘do I really need a giant transforming robot?’ .. ..and after reading this, it has answered my question. …Yes… .Yes, I do need a giant transforming robot. Thank you for all your hard work and swearing to help me spend more money

Ghosted by Peirrot @ 09/19/2003 12:54 PM EDT

Just got my Unicron today….wow. Amazing likeness to the movie Unicron. Not perfect, but definitely Unicron. Hasbro/Takara did the seemingly impossible…… They made a Unicron that did not look like it needed to be on a fatty Weight-Watchers program…Very sweet. Have not transformed it yet, but who cares? As Matt so wisely and poignantly stated; “Of Unicron’s two modes, I’m digging this robot shit a lot more” Well said!

This thing can flip the other transformers off! lol I love this guy, and he is sooooo big! Not as big as my Brave Maximus (24 in/55cm tall) mind you, but still, 16 inches of plastic heft, designed to annihilate planets….Anyway, well worth a paltry $50….Guess you think that way when you have a job…. lol Anyway, this the ONLY Armada toy I like. I hate the rest. They look childish and crappy to me, especially the way they butchered Optimus and Megatron, which is a true shame to the TransFans all over the world. All I know is that the Toys “R” Us in Saitima, Tokyo has like 20 Armada Super Optiums Primes that have been collecting dust for months. Says a lot to me. Later.

Ghosted by GacktWingZero @ 09/22/2003 7:28 AM EDT

i got unicron coz my sisters bf got me all psyced about transformers and i was like fuck that im getting it…

84 bux canadain later…

the feet are mt biggest problen ther not as sturdy as the leg joints the kinda kikc but lsip eh…

its posable and i love makeinge the hands go all kung fu…

and im thinking of taking it apart and replcing the springs so the miscles have some real force…

but then agian i prolly wont as i dont have springs…

hummm

also note the tenticles/wings really fucking suck… in robot mode…. ther falling off if you keep mbing them or move an arm the wrong way..

golly…

Ghosted by allpro @ 09/28/2003 11:06 PM EDT

out of complete curiosity

Ghosted by Matt @ 11/15/2003 5:32 AM EST

Christ allpro, who taught you how to type?

Ghosted by Mwargh @ 11/17/2003 9:36 PM EST

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