(NOTE: Because this is a repaint, this is not a full-blown review. This mainly covers any changes made to the mold and the color scheme, and merely compares it to Classics Mirage. For a review on the mold itself, read the review of Classics Mirage here.)

    Given that the original Machine Wars Mirage toy was one of the few toys in the line that actually LOOKED like its G1 version, it only makes sense that FunPub would redeco the excellent Classics Mirage mold in his Machine Wars color scheme. Like with most of their Machine Wars "updates", though, FunPub enhanced the color scheme a bit for this version and added in more details. The original had a rather dark shade of teal, whereas this version has an absolutely WONDERFUL shade of seafoam green that seems like it would fit right in on some Seacons. It contrasts and complements all the white on him exceptionally well, and given the large white stripe down the center of the vehicle mode, there's plenty of interaction between the two colors-- and this is in addition to minor connector parts in his robot mode also being white, like his waist, middle arms, and part of the chest. There's also a bit of black-- not only on the expected wheels, but on a bit of his robot knees, part of his robot shoulders and chest, and part of his (otherwise transparent) cockpit window, to give Mirage at least a bit of dark coloration on him. (That said, the downside of having a completely clear cockpit window is that the robot head inside is REALLY easy to see in vehicle mode.) The head itself is nicely done, being mostly painted white but with a bit of seafoam green detailing on the forehead vents. There's also a bit of bronze on Mirage's wheel hubs, and a bit of red here and there-- such as along the sides of his robot chest, the top of his robot lower arms, and on some of his insignias-- including the bronze "7s" encircled by the color and a black outline both on the front and on the sides of his vehicle mode, in a nod to his original MW toy. Also in a nod to original MW toy are some of his fake sponsor decals, like the style of his "lamb shocks" decal on the left side and "MOBILE PISTONS" on the right. In place of the rather plain "MIRAGE" logo on his original MW toy, this one has the more inventive "Illusions Motorsports" on the spoiler, in a rather nifty font, too.
    No mold changes have been made to this version of Mirage.
    Even if he's not particularly inventive-- he IS just Mirage as Mirage in a new color scheme, after all-- Botcon 2013 Mirage is my favorite convention exclusive in terms of the actual rating (when you combine both the mold and color scheme and leave out any attachment to the character and inspiration). The seafoam green, white, and black color scheme is just GREAT, and all the little red, bronze, and the like details on him are just icing on the cake that is this color scheme and still one of the best Transformers molds ever. Highly recommended-- especially since this set was in pretty low demand, so it's not uncommon to actually find him at about what you would have paid for the mold if it had been released at mass retail!

Review by Beastbot

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