Desert
Tracker Ratchet (RotF)
(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 the original TF1 voyager Ratchet. For a review on the mold itself, read the review of the original TF1 voyager Ratchet here.)
Desert Tracker Ratchet
isn't really different from the original release in any way that matters.
His general color scheme of dull pea green and gray is still there, with
most of the same paint apps. Most of the differences between this version
and the original are actually minor knocks against THIS version. For one,
there's no black, just more of the gray, which doesn't go nearly as well
against the pea green as the black did on the original. There also appears
to be overall fewer paint apps on this version, though the absolutely necessary
ones like the "heartbeat" sign on the side are still there, of course.
The one thing Desert Tracker Ratchet has in his favor is the "sand spray"
paint apps on the sides of his vehicle mode and his front bumper. They
give him a bit more of a "worn" feeling, and certainly fits in with many
of the scenes in Revenge of the Fallen. They also contrast fairly well
with the bumper, though it's noting outstanding or anything.
No mold changes have
been made to Desert Tracker Ratchet.
Desert Tracker Ratchet
is a mildly recommended pickup if you missed the first releases of this
mold and really want to have the character in a show-accurate color scheme
in a fairly large size. Otherwise, either get one of the other versions
of this mold-- all of which have better color schemes than this guy as
of this writing (1/11)-- or get a smaller version of the character instead.
This repaint is just bleh all over, pretty much.
Review by Beastbot
(Images from Hasbro.)
(NOTE: Desert Tracker Ratchet was also released in identical colors along with RotF voyager Grindor as part of a CostCo Exclusive "Surface to Air Showdown" 2-pack.)