Roll Out Review
A review that is filled with Transformers.
First, we have sort of a return visit. Smokescreen GT is the culprit. A slightly different version of the previously reviewed Alternator Smokescreen, as seen here.
This one is a Binal Tech, from Takara, so it’s primarily die-cast in construction. Front end, hood, roof, doors and quarter panels are all metal. The paint job is also different, with it being dark blue metallic, so he appears much darker and shinier than the all plastic Alternator version. In addition to the difference in material used and in paint color, Smokescreen GT features a 2004 sponsor decal package, unlike the original Smokescreen with 2003 livery. Other changes included a new nose with modified air dam and grills and new wheels.
The biggest difference, however, comes from an addition: A shoulder mounted missile launcher. In robot mode, the missile launcher can clip onto either shoulder.
Transformation is the same, obviously as Smokescreen and Silverstreak.
With a much slicker looking paint job and die-cast construction, Smokescreen GT is considerably better looking then the older Alternator Smokescreen(The Binal Tech Smokescreen lacks only the new graphics and missile launcher, so it’s really the same as the GT version). Coming in around $50, it’s pricy for a Transformer, but, since I used to buy 1/24 die-cast race cars and they averaged $50 and did nothing but sit there, he’s worth it to me.
Up next we have a few Transformers from Energon.
First up is Bulkhead.
Coming in one of the new Powerlinx Battles boxes, Bulkhead is a helicopter that comes with a clip on weapon unit.
In vehicle mode, Bulkhead resembles an AH-64 Apache gunship(which reminds me of an old Deluxe Go-Bot that also was based on the Apache). His main color is green, with two shades being used: dark green and bright green. He also has some off-white in his body. He features retractable front landing wheels and by pushing back on his rear wheel, you turn his rotor blades(which can get up to speed with a few pushes). Mounted on his winglets are four missile launchers(two on either winglet).
His add-on unit can fit onto the bottom of the helicopter. This features two forward facing weapons and two folded up arms that can double as booster rockets or landing legs. It’s primary color is light blue, with some grey, black and green thrown in. It features three sounds: A weapon fire sound and two ratchetting transformation sounds.
Transforming is a tad complex, but not overly hard. Mostly the problems come with getting the rotor assembly out of the body for use as a weapon. It requires some tugging after you depress the rear wheel.
In robot mode, Bulkhead has good stability and articulation. The rotor assembly features a fold down handle that allows him to use it as a weapon of sorts.
The add-on unit can be turned into a stationary weapon platform or slotted onto his back as shown here.
Coming in at $25, he’s one of the more pricy of the Energon Transformers, and most of this is because of the electronics. However; he’s got a nice size and with the backpack unit on, he’s even larger.
Next up, we have Cliffjumper.
Borrowing an old Generation 1 name, Cliffjumper literally is a cliff jumper. Based on a dune buggy in vehicle mode, Cliffjumper has an odd assortment of colors. The front is brown, the cockpit is yellow with red windows and the back is green. They do clash quite a bit, needless to say. In vehicle mode, it must be said that Cliffjumper is quite large. He’s close to a foot in length, though not very wide in body. In front of the windshield, there are two missile launchers. He does have a port for batteries in the engine area, but I didn’t put any batteries in him. A button on the top of the engine block activates the sounds.
Transforming is relatively easy for his size, with no real trouble spots.
In robot mode he’s smaller than you’d think, with most of the vehicle’s bulk being found in superfluous additions. He can use the two missile launchers as hand held weapons, but other than those, he has no other weapons.
As with other Transformers of his size, he can link up with them and form a more powerful combined form.
At $20, he’s nicely priced for his size.
Lastly we have the smallest of the bunch, Towline.
Towline is a small van, coming in primarily blues(light and dark) and white, with red striping and windows. He’s pretty detailed in van mode, with ladders on either side and windows molded onto the sides and back. Mounted on top is the Energon weapons, which in his case form radar equipment.
Transformation is simple, which is not unusual for his size.
In robot mode he forms two separate units. This makes him much like the old Ironhide/Ratchet mold from Generation 1. The base of the van forms a small sled that can hold the weapon block. The front wheels can fold back, while two treaded wheels fold forward, bringing the sled off the ground. Towline in robot mode has nice articulation for his size
At around $10, he is quite worth the price, with many little features that set him above some of the other similar classed Transformers.
First, we have sort of a return visit. Smokescreen GT is the culprit. A slightly different version of the previously reviewed Alternator Smokescreen, as seen here.
This one is a Binal Tech, from Takara, so it’s primarily die-cast in construction. Front end, hood, roof, doors and quarter panels are all metal. The paint job is also different, with it being dark blue metallic, so he appears much darker and shinier than the all plastic Alternator version. In addition to the difference in material used and in paint color, Smokescreen GT features a 2004 sponsor decal package, unlike the original Smokescreen with 2003 livery. Other changes included a new nose with modified air dam and grills and new wheels.
The biggest difference, however, comes from an addition: A shoulder mounted missile launcher. In robot mode, the missile launcher can clip onto either shoulder.
Transformation is the same, obviously as Smokescreen and Silverstreak.
With a much slicker looking paint job and die-cast construction, Smokescreen GT is considerably better looking then the older Alternator Smokescreen(The Binal Tech Smokescreen lacks only the new graphics and missile launcher, so it’s really the same as the GT version). Coming in around $50, it’s pricy for a Transformer, but, since I used to buy 1/24 die-cast race cars and they averaged $50 and did nothing but sit there, he’s worth it to me.
Up next we have a few Transformers from Energon.
First up is Bulkhead.
Coming in one of the new Powerlinx Battles boxes, Bulkhead is a helicopter that comes with a clip on weapon unit.
In vehicle mode, Bulkhead resembles an AH-64 Apache gunship(which reminds me of an old Deluxe Go-Bot that also was based on the Apache). His main color is green, with two shades being used: dark green and bright green. He also has some off-white in his body. He features retractable front landing wheels and by pushing back on his rear wheel, you turn his rotor blades(which can get up to speed with a few pushes). Mounted on his winglets are four missile launchers(two on either winglet).
His add-on unit can fit onto the bottom of the helicopter. This features two forward facing weapons and two folded up arms that can double as booster rockets or landing legs. It’s primary color is light blue, with some grey, black and green thrown in. It features three sounds: A weapon fire sound and two ratchetting transformation sounds.
Transforming is a tad complex, but not overly hard. Mostly the problems come with getting the rotor assembly out of the body for use as a weapon. It requires some tugging after you depress the rear wheel.
In robot mode, Bulkhead has good stability and articulation. The rotor assembly features a fold down handle that allows him to use it as a weapon of sorts.
The add-on unit can be turned into a stationary weapon platform or slotted onto his back as shown here.
Coming in at $25, he’s one of the more pricy of the Energon Transformers, and most of this is because of the electronics. However; he’s got a nice size and with the backpack unit on, he’s even larger.
Next up, we have Cliffjumper.
Borrowing an old Generation 1 name, Cliffjumper literally is a cliff jumper. Based on a dune buggy in vehicle mode, Cliffjumper has an odd assortment of colors. The front is brown, the cockpit is yellow with red windows and the back is green. They do clash quite a bit, needless to say. In vehicle mode, it must be said that Cliffjumper is quite large. He’s close to a foot in length, though not very wide in body. In front of the windshield, there are two missile launchers. He does have a port for batteries in the engine area, but I didn’t put any batteries in him. A button on the top of the engine block activates the sounds.
Transforming is relatively easy for his size, with no real trouble spots.
In robot mode he’s smaller than you’d think, with most of the vehicle’s bulk being found in superfluous additions. He can use the two missile launchers as hand held weapons, but other than those, he has no other weapons.
As with other Transformers of his size, he can link up with them and form a more powerful combined form.
At $20, he’s nicely priced for his size.
Lastly we have the smallest of the bunch, Towline.
Towline is a small van, coming in primarily blues(light and dark) and white, with red striping and windows. He’s pretty detailed in van mode, with ladders on either side and windows molded onto the sides and back. Mounted on top is the Energon weapons, which in his case form radar equipment.
Transformation is simple, which is not unusual for his size.
In robot mode he forms two separate units. This makes him much like the old Ironhide/Ratchet mold from Generation 1. The base of the van forms a small sled that can hold the weapon block. The front wheels can fold back, while two treaded wheels fold forward, bringing the sled off the ground. Towline in robot mode has nice articulation for his size
At around $10, he is quite worth the price, with many little features that set him above some of the other similar classed Transformers.