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"One lonely turncoat, battling on against impossible odds. I'm almost touched!... Fortunately such moments pass quickly. Quickstrike, scrap him." - Megatron
 
The Axalon
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Toy Reviews

Armada
2003
02/22 - Optimus Prime (SC)
2002
02/10 - Initial Thoughts

Robots in Disguise
2002
06/05 - Scourge
06/05 - Megatron Megabolt
06/05 - Autobot 3 Pack
05/21 - Sideways/Axer
05/14 - Obsidian
05/09 - Storm Jet
03/07 - Bruticus
03/04 - Wave 1 Spychangers
03/02 - Side Burn (repaint)
02/17 - Sky Byte
02/07 - Scourge/X-Brawn
02/07 - Ultra Magnus (basic)
02/07 - Optimus Prime (basic)
01/30 - Prowl (repaint)
01/18 - Skid-Z/Wind Sheer
01/18 - Tow-Line/Skyfire
01/12 - Cryotek
01/05 - Ruination
2001
12/17 - Galvatron
12/14 - Rail Racer
12/14 - Predacon 3-Pack
12/14 - Prowl
12/07 - X-Brawn
12/07 - Side Burn
12/01 - Landfill
11/27 - Omega Prime

Beast Machines
2002
05/09 - Silverbolt
04/13 - Mirage
04/13 - Obsidian
04/13 - Sonic Attack Jet
04/13 - Scavenger
04/04 - NS Cheetor
03/07 - Strika
02/22 - Savage/Noble
02/08 - Blackarachnia
02/06 - Optimus Primal
02/01 - Night Viper
01/24 - Nightscream
01/07 - Thrust
2001
12/23 - Blast Charge
12/15 - Tank Drone
12/07 - Megatron
11/29 - Optimus Primal (BP)
11/23 - Jetstorm
11/23 - Rattrap
11/21 - Buzzsaw
11/21 - Tankor

Dinobots
2002
05/09 - Striker
02/17 - Airraptor
2001
12/18 - Rapticon
12/07 - Triceradon

Beast Wars
2002
05/09 - Optimus Primal (TM)
04/16 - Terrorsaur (TM)
03/14 - B'Boom
03/14 - Transquito
03/06 - Cheetor (TM)
02/25 - Sonar
02/22 - Tigerhawk
02/17 - Blackarachnia (TM2)
02/04 - Cybershark (TM2)
02/04 - Waspinator (repaint)
02/02 - Bantor
02/02 - Optimus Minor
02/02 - Scarem
01/30 - Iguanus (TM2)
01/30 - Ramulus
01/30 - Scourge
01/16 - Rattrap (TM)
01/16 - Cheetor (bootleg)
01/06 - Depth Charge
2001
12/25 - Prowl
12/21 - Megatron (TM)
12/15 - Tarantulas (TM)
12/06 - Megatron (TM2)
12/05 - Rampage
12/01 - Tarantulas (bootleg)
12/01 - Airazor (repaint)
11/27 - Silverbolt
11/26 - Terrorsaur (bootleg)
11/25 - Scorponok
11/25 - Rhinox (repaint)
11/25 - Optimal Optimus
11/24 - Inferno
11/24 - Quickstrike
11/17 - Rattrap (bootleg)
11/17 - Dinobot (repaint)
11/14 - Megatron

Other Lines
2002
05/09 - Sharp Edge
04/30 - Galvatron (BW2)
04/18 - Prowl (MW)
04/16 - Big Convoy
04/04 - Minibot Keychains
02/22 - Starscream & BB
02/13 - Bazooka
02/09 - Mach Kick
02/08 - Stampy
01/16 - Shadow Panther
01/14 - Choro Q Toys

Beast Machines Savage/Noble

Officially called Beast Changer (due to some copyright issues), this is the toy version of Savage/Noble from the show we love to hate or hate to love or just love or hate (or something), Beast Machines. Of course the character behind the toy brought forward a lot of controversy and speculation due to his completely organic composition.

But we aren't here to talk about the controversy behind the toy, now are we? No, we are here to review this bitch. And by we, I mean me. Yeah.

Anyways, ol' Beast Changer is packaged in Noble mode, so we shall review that first. Actually, Noble mode is really more like robot mode because there's some kibble, though surprisingly little of it considering what he changes into. He also stands on some really cool legs, kinda like TM2 Scourge, only they don't hinder anything and they're tight enough so he won't flop on his face. Actually, considering the fact that the feet (even with the heel spurs) are pretty small, I'm amazed this guy can stand without any problems at all in this mode. Kudos to the designers on that one.

Also more kudos are in order for the show accuracy. While this toy is red unlike the blueish color of the Noble in the show, the relative look of of the toy is nearly dead on with the show, aside from the aforementioned kibble (mainly Savage's head which sits on Noble's shoulders).

The wings of this bugger also can be detached (as you can probably figure out) for a more show-accurate look. However, leaving them on, coupled with the huge ankle protrusions (which become Savage's tails) makes for a pretty cool demon-dog look.

Articulation is not a problem on this dog either. He has all the joints every Transformer should have, and then some. Even his gimmick arm is not hindered by the gimmick, though it is bulkier than the other arm. Even his ears and mouth move, and he has a little tail as well.

Ah yes, the gimmick. What you do is lift up a panel on his back (it's under the one his wings attach to) and his arm will spin 'round and 'round. Not very threatening looking, but it beats the hell out of Punch Monkey's gimmick any day of the week. You can also shift his spark up and down to toggle the gimmick. Pushing it up will disable it, and, amazingly, his arm is not made limp or extra tight or anything. Very cool.

Transformation isn't complicated by any means, but there is a lot to do and you may leave something off if you aren't careful. I know I did. There's some folding and a lot of rotating, which is all fun and very satisfying in the end. The only Beast Machine toy with a better transformation is deluxe Jetstorm, and that's saying something.

End result, Savage. To a tee (or is it 'to a T'? I forget). Actually I haven't seen an episode with Savage in it in a while, but checking a few screen grabs on BWTF.com, I see that he is, indeed, very accurate. He doesn't appear to have any eyes on the toy, and none of the screen grabs are at the right angle, but either way that annoys me.

The spinning leg (well, it's a leg now, on Noble it's an arm) gimmick still works fine, though he can't do it unless he's flying (in theory of course). However, there's a button on the side of his head that opens his mouth. Not quite as satisfying or fun as the spinning hand thing, but it's something.

Overall, this is an excellent toy. Yes indeed. I'm going to go out on a limb and even give this guy a 9, which is a score only deluxe Jetstorm has attained (speaking of only Beast Machines toys here, mind you), though I will say that deluxe Jetstorm is the best Transformer ever, and this is not, though it's pretty darn close. For the $10 - $15 it'll cost you (BBTS has them for $12 I believe), it's well worth the price tag. Add this to the list of must have Beast Machine toys.


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