Choro Q Robo

Released in Japan, these guys are pretty small deformed versions of their larger counterparts. They're smaller than a basic Beast Wars toy, but bigger than a spy changer from RID, with very simple transformations and a pull-back and go feature. Each one will run you around $15, though that price varies (I got all mine for $10), which may or may not be worth it depending on how much you like Transformers and how much you're willing to pay for an import. Also there are two versions of each one. One is a show accurate version (as far as colors go) and the other is harder to find and has a few color changes. As they are released (and when I get them, obviously), I will add new reviews to this page.

Optimus Prime
I got the metallic version (the red plastic has red flake in it, making him sparkle a bit) which is the same as the show version except the windows are black instead of blue and the plastic change above.

As with all Choros, Optimus comes packaged in robot mode. He's roughly 2.5 inches tall and 2 inches wide at the wheels that will become his rear trailer wheels. He's not much on articulation, he's pretty much a G1esq brick as only his arms move, but he's still fun to play with, and he even comes with a scaled down version of Optimus' gun. He also resembles his TV counterpart pretty well, though his head is kind of fat, but I guess that's why he's deformed.

Transformation is simple, just make his arms point out, fold up the top half of his body, fold his arms back, snap the trailer panels into position and push his head down. He can't store his gun in his hand in this mode, but there's a small screw hole on the top of his trailer that fits his gun perfectly.

Truck mode is very cute looking, though it isn't really anything like his show truck mode. It's more like if Optimus were a U-Haul. The cab only has two wheels (as opposed to six) and there's no distance between it and the trailer. But then again the real Optimus' trailer magically disappeared and this one folds up, so a little give and take is what you get. Also you can pull back and watch Optimus roll along on his own. Neato.

Overall, Choro Q Optimus is quite neat, and a lot of fun to goof off with (especially if you have Choro Megatron and act out the movie scene). For $10 or $15, it's worth the cash.

Megatron
Megatron comes in regular flavored show version and reissue flavored black. As you can see by the pictures, I have the show colored version.

Megatron's robot mode is actually quite humorous. His legs are made of the handle of the gun, so they are curved in such a way that gives Megatron the appearance of a Transformer with a beer gut. Add to that his blocky chest, complete lack of a neck and low set head and you have a pretty funny looking robot. Of course the massive fusion cannon that is larger than his arm might keep you from making fun of him. If you were 2.75 inches tall that is. As with Optimus, Megatron is pretty much a brick, though his arms are on double swivels (making it seem like a ball joint) so he can also move them in and out, not just up and down. Megs also has a swivel at his waist, but it just adds to the comic look if you use it as articulation.

Transformation is actually pretty complicated for something of this side. His head folds down and his arms become the barrel and safety on the gun, but then you need to unfold his legs and swivel his waist to make him a gun. Okay, so maybe complicated was a bad choice of words.

The end result is a little funny looking gun that resembles the original toy's alt mode. It's actually pretty nifty looking, though don't expect to see it released in the US since realistic gun toys aren't allowed (if you want to call this realistic). Also the gun is meant to be laid on one side for two reasons. First is that the opposite side (the side without the Decepticon symbol has a lot of open spaces and gaps and stuff. It looks weird. And the other reason is Megs has the same action feature as Optimus, despite him being a gun. That's right, pull back on Megs and he rolls just like Optimus. Further comedy added to it all by watching a gun roll across the table.

Overall Megatron is pretty comical, and since it's not supposed to be a serious toy (unlike the original Megatron toy which was supposed to be serious, but looked comical), it gets a good score for that. Well worth the $10 I paid and then some.

Rodimus Prime
I can't read Japanese, but presumably the second version of Rodimus is a metallic version much like Optimus has. I have the show version which has regular solid plastic with no metal flake in it.

Rodimus actually has much bigger packaging that the other Choros. All the boxes are the same height, but Rodimus' is considerably fatter, which is to accommodate the fatness of the toy. Indeed, Rodimus, like Megatron, gives off the appearance of being overweight. However, it doesn't look comical on Rodimus for some reason. He looks kind of annoyed, probably because he lacks the smirk on his face that Megatron has. Ah well. As with all Choros, he's a brick, up there with Optimus in terms of movement. Arms go up, arms go down. Whee.

Transformation is pretty much the same as Optimus', except it's a bit harder to get his arms into the right position due to their amazing tightness and the fact that there's not a lot of room for them in vehicle mode. Rodimus also has a gun, but it's pretty tiny and probably easily lost. There is a hole at the top of his truck mode that is meant to store it, and he can even put it there in robot mode if you don't want him to hold it. Rodimus stands at a respectable 2.5 inches, just like Optimus.

Vehicle mode is really stout looking. It's taller that Optimus' but the same length. Add to that the futuristic truck look that all the new Transformers had (the ones added in or after the movie) and vehicle mode is kind of a let down, though it still has the pull and go action feature to it.

All all Rodimus is so far the loser of the Choro Q bunch. If you can find one for $10 or less it's a good deal (if only for the fact that it's a Japanese import), but paying any more that that if you're not a big Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime fan or a completist, I wouldn't recommend.