Well... if this huge Darth Vader mech was in the movies, let's just say the end result would probably have been very different, that's for sure. Darth Vader's alternate mode this time is the freaking DEATH STAR, and surprisingly, it's absolutely flawless. The thing's pretty much a perfect sphere, with little fold-on stands on the bottom to keep it from rolling around. No Mech mode extras whatsoever. There's tons of detailing-- as you'd expect on a toy that's supposed to represent something as big as a moon-- with intricate white paint in all the little cracks and crevices, and gray paint on all the raised parts. Of course, having just a ball for an alternate mode wouldn't be all that fun, even if it WAS the Death Star, so Vader comes with three miniature TIE Fighters that are stored in one of the Death Star's two compartments in this mode (the other holds his cape for Mech mode). The TIE Fighters themselves are pretty sad, though, since their "transformation" consists of lifting up a small part of the top of the cockpit to reveal a cyborg-like eye. Oooo. They're also horribly out of scale compared to the Death Star, but hey, they pretty much have to be if you don't want them to be the size of a molecule. The Death Star's main weapon hasn't been forgotten, however-- by opening up a small hatch and pushing down on Vader's head inside, the missile inside the big blaster on the Death Star (which is actually attached to a gun in Mech mode-- pretty impressive engineering, that) will fire. There's also a few sound effects you can activate, such as Darth Vader's voice saying "You may fire when ready", then power-up sounds (accompanied by parts around the gun sequentially lighting up before it actually fires-- VERY cool), and then a firing sound.
    A word about Vader's transformation before I get to the Mech mode-- it's not too much of problem to get him from Death Star mode to Mech mode, but it's a MAJOR paint to get him back into his alternate mode. That's because you have to pushing in on many, MANY pieces at the same time to get them to all finally click into place at the final step, and everything has to line up just right. It's probably the biggest complaint I have about the toy, and something to keep in mind.
    Darth Vader's Mech mode is so incredibly awesome it's easily worth the troublesome transformation, however. Yeah, he has some Death Star "kibble", but most of it either tucks out of the way well-- such as on his arms, the back of his legs, and his back-- or actually complements the mode, such as the partial spheres behind his shoulders. (The only notable exception to this rule is the pieces on the sides of his lower legs, which stick out a bit but otherwise don't get in the way of movement.) And speaking of movement, Darth Vader has quite a lot of it-- he can move at the head, shoulders (at two points), elbows (at two points), wrists, waist, hips (at two points), knees (at two points), and a bit of movement at the ankles, so you can get a TON of good poses out of him. Also, unlike many Star Wars Transformers in their Mech modes, Darth Vader has nearly perfect proportions, with thicker appendages than most SWTFs. Unfortunately, since SO MANY paint details were used on his alternate mode, he doesn't have many visible in his robot mode (just a few on his face or chest), although he still has tons of intricate mold detailing. As far as special features, Vader has plenty, as you'd expect from a $50 toy. Press on a button on his stomach, and he'll say a few phrases, with a bright green light (BLINDINGLY bright) emanating from his chest as he says them. "Join me on the Dark Side", "The Force is strong with you", that sorta stuff (and these sounds, like the ones from his alternate mode, are always followed by a few of Vader's characteristic breaths, as well). As mentioned before, he's got a handheld spring-loaded missile launcher, and a cape made of actual cloth that can be partially stuffed into the alcove behind his head so that it flows down his back. VERY cool. He also comes with a lightsaber (NOT storable in his alternate mode, unfortunately) which, when pressed into his right fists, activates a "lightsaber-turning-on" sound, followed by a "humming" sound that persists for a few seconds (and, if you swing his arm quickly, some "clashing" sounds will emanate as well). If pressure isn't continuously applied to the lightsaber, though, a "lightsaber-turning-off" sound will emanate, and the effect will end. (It's AWFULLY loud, though-- geez, Hasbro, what speakers did you hook this think up with?) Also as expected, Vader comes with miniature Star Wars figures (which are, of course, horribly out of scale on this toy, but that's to be expected). Not just a miniature Vader's included, though, but three miniature Stormtroopers to help control this behemoth Mecha-- one can fit in the lower part of each leg, and one can fit in each of the shoulder planet cockpits.
    Even if you don't like the idea of Star Wars Transformers, I strongly recommend you give this dude a try. It's an AWESOME toy for $50, has great articulation, proportions, and features, and is truly a feat of engineering. He's easily the best SWTF to date as of this writing (8/08). Just be aware of the complicated transformation.

Review by Beastbot

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