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[Honkimus Prime]

I just got this Takara Encore Sounblaster couple of days ago and here is a short review of him.

This is actually the very first Soundblaster/Soundwave toy I have ever had. I would have wanted this guy when I was a kid but never had him. I thought that all those little casettes were really cool, and as a character Soundwave was also quite awesome. Obviously this is not Soundwave, but I think he is basically same character for headmasters universe.

Soundblaster figure comes with his two minion, Enemy and Wingthing. He obviously has his trademark launcher and also a handgun that can actually shoot those silver missiles. Apparently japanese don't mind their children so much, for they are giving rather dangerous toys to them. This set also comes with two clear plastic cases for casette minions which is a rather nice idea. Stickers are all applied to the toys, so you don't have to stick them up. (I'm sorry. Are there actually people who like this kind of activity ).

Transformation is really simple. I mean really. Not that you would expect these to be like modern alternators or masterpiece line. It's from the era, when things were more simple (well, at least toys were). But then again, this is not necessarily a bad thing. At least you don't spend like 1,5 hours trying to transform him only to realize that some of these bits probably shouldn't come off.

It is also really cool how nice this toy still looks after all these years, even though there are some minor changes. Though I think that the original Sounblaster also had the chest door retooled like in this one. Sure, there is not very much articulation and it is a bit blocky. But I dare to say, that this old mold is still the best official transforming version of this character. Enemy and Wighthing are also rather nifty little bots but like all casettes, they tend to look a bit flat and their altmode also somewhat limits their articulation. Although they don't suffer so much about this thing like for example Ravage does.

The biggest problem with these Encore remakes is the mold deterioration (no, it is not anything contagious). However, I haven't noticed anything with this one and everything seems to work as it should (knock wood). So qualitywise there shouldn't be any problems.

So, is this set worth buying. Simple answer; yes. Especially if you don't have the original version of Soundblaster. For some people* these guys may look a bit silly compared to some modern toys, but then there are collectors who are happy to see their favourite toys goming back as new remakes. And this is a good way to get yourself MISB version of him, without paying sh*tloads of money. It is not the original, but it is not a bad remake.



*Yes, in some cases I'm one of those people. But not in this case


Points: 9+/10





This post has been edited by Honkimus Prime: 25 March 2012, 14:48

[Thunderclash]

I just got this Takara Encore Sounblaster couple of days ago and here is a short review of him.

This is actually the very first Soundblaster/Soundwave toy I have ever had. I would have wanted this guy when I was a kid but never had him. I thought that all those little casettes were really cool, and as a character Soundwave was also quite awesome. Obviously this is not Soundwave, but I think he is basically same character for headmasters universe.

Soundblaster figure comes with his two minion, Enemy and Wingthing. He obviously has his trademark launcher and also a handgun that can actually shoot those silver missiles. Apparently japanese don't mind their children so much, for they are giving rather dangerous toys to them. This set also comes with two clear plastic cases for casette minions which is a rather nice idea. Stickers are all applied to the toys, so you don't have to stick them up. (I'm sorry. Are there actually people who like this kind of activity ).

Transformation is really simple. I mean really. Not that you would expect these to be like modern alternators or masterpiece line. It's from the era, when things were more simple (well, at least toys were). But then again, this is not necessarily a bad thing. At least you don't spend like 1,5 hours trying to transform him only to realize that some of these bits probably shouldn't come off.

It is also really cool how nice this toy still looks after all these years, even though there are some minor changes. Though I think that the original Sounblaster also had the chest door retooled like in this one. Sure, there is not very much articulation and it is a bit blocky. But I dare to say, that this old mold is still the best official transforming version of this character. Enemy and Wighthing are also rather nifty little bots but like all casettes, they tend to look a bit flat and their altmode also somewhat limits their articulation. Although they don't suffer so much about this thing like for example Ravage does.

The biggest problem with these Encore remakes is the mold deterioration (not, it is not anything contagious). However, I haven't noticed anything with this one and everything seems to work as it should (knock wood). So qualitywise there shouldn't be any problems.

So, is this set worth buying. Simple answer; yes. Especially if you don't have the original version of Soundblaster. For some people* these guys may look a bit silly compared to some modern toys, but then there are collectors who are happy to see their favourite toys goming back as new remakes. And this is a good way to get yourself MISB version of him, without paying sh*tloads of money. It is not the original, but it is not a bad remake.



*Yes, in some cases I'm one of those people. But not in this case


Points: 9+/10

Apart from the cassettes, is there anything that differentiates this Encore release from the Japanese Transformers Collection #18 that came out in 2005? Does anyone know?

[Fighbird]

Actually, I like putting on stickers... I guess it's only fun for us older guys...

Encore Soundblaster has tampographed details, whereas the TFC reissue had sticker details. The "tech details" in his door seem new to me, but I'm not completely sure about that...

[DkConvoy]

Its a solid buy for "Enemy" and "Wing-Thing" alone.
Cant go wrong with such names

This post has been edited by DkConvoy: 26 March 2012, 00:18