Saturday, February 28, 2015

IronFactory IF-EX04 Fortress Commander, updated pictures!

http://www.thechosenprime.com/IronFactoryEX04

Some updated images of Iron Factory's IF-EX04 Fortress Commander. As you can see it can easily interact and connect with the other IF-EX series figures. Lots of play value, and really enhances your collection, together with Generations Metroplex. We also see the colored version of the alt mode. If you haven't pre-ordered, go ahead and click on the main image above or use the form at the bottom. These are really hot items, so get yours reserved early. Take advantage of the Prime Directives, and Shop Smart with the Chosen Prime!







Friday, February 27, 2015

Prime Spotlight: Planet X PX-04 Summanus

Prime Spotlight presents: 

Planet X PX-04 Summanus


http://www.thechosenprime.com/PlanetXSummanus


Bottom Line (**** stars- <out of 5>)

By Stygian360


Introduction:
Dinobots of any kind have my attention right from the start.  I’m a huge fan and when any news of a company planning to produce one or more members of this group hits the internet my eyes are affixed to the screen- patrolling pictures and trying to discern if what I see matches the beatific vision that I have of them in my mind’s eye.  However, being a fan doesn’t mean that I buy all of them simply because they transform into cool dinosaurs.  I do have standards after all and obviously money doesn’t grow on trees.  A buyer must be discerning and carefully consider his or her choices before making a purchase.  For my money Planet X has been consistently handling the Fall of Cybertron video game versions of the Dinobots with aplomb.  They seem to get exactly what’s right (and wrong) about the game aesthetic, how to translate this to plastic, and fortunately each subsequent release seems to incorporate new elements that make it better than what came before it.  So we come to Summanus, the third but fortunately not last FOC Dinobot that Planet X will be producing as part of this line.  So, does Summanus deliver?  Let’s find out.


Articulation:
As I’ve stated in past reviews, plentiful articulation on third party action figures is fairly standard these days, so any release that doesn’t include; ball-jointed head, shoulder, hips and swivel biceps, thighs, ankles and etc, is an exception .  Regarding all of these points Summanus does not disappoint.  Okay, so he doesn’t include wrist swivels, but honestly when you have a bicep swivel (which Summanus does) it hardly matters.  Fans seem to place a premium on wrist swivels these days - with entire message board threads hijacked to discuss how horrible it is when a figure doesn’t include this feature- but this is all so much noise in my personal assessment.  As long as the figure can accommodate swinging a sword or wielding a gun I could care less.  So for those who continue to labor over the loss of a wrist swivel, perhaps it’s time to let that particular argument go, hmm?  Anyway, as regards the rest of Summanus’ articulation, he’s got more than enough to satisfy any collector.

The one area that feels like a glaring issue is the lack of a heel spur.  You can’t have a fairly back heavy action figure- as this one is- without it.  It severely limits stances and because you have to get the position just right I can’t help but ding him for it.  To his credit the foot is fairly long and acts as a decent stabilizer, but it could have been better and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention it in passing.  Fortunately it’s not as if he’ll be toppling at the slightest breath or table bump, but this aspect could have been better and Planet X deserves to be called out for it.


Paint:
Planet X goes for utter minimalism when it comes to paint on their FOC Dinobots but it still works.  Slight hints of the trademark glowing red that seemed ubiquitous throughout the video game are properly placed, but the bulk of the figure is a mix of translucent plastic (which works excellent and evokes the game quite well) and plastic molded in color.  As someone who isn’t partial either way- colored plastic or straight up paint- I think what’s here looks fantastic.  Minimalism works when there’s a method to the madness and here it appears there definitely is a meaning to it all.


Transformation:
Where Caelus was simple and Neptune was perhaps even simpler than that, Summanus is actually a bit involved.  Fortunately he’s also a truly satisfying mix of activities that will keep your mind whirling as you transform this figure and grow to learn his various aspects.  Do be careful with the spiky bits of transparent plastic as they could break if you aren’t careful, but that should be fairly evident right out of the box.   Fortunately Planet X designs their figures with an understanding eye towards intuitive engineering and Summanus uses the best aspects of common sense coupled with more than a few bells and whistles.  In other words you’re going to get your mileage when it comes to ‘fun’ with this figure!


Bottom Line:
Dinobots, Dinobots everywhere you look these days!  But when it comes to which Dinobot styling’s to spend your money on you can always count on Planet X.  Summanus is gorgeous, substantial and a more than worthy addition to any collection.  If you’ve bought Caelus and Neptune then you’ve already drank the Planet X Kool-aid and I’m preaching to the choir, but if this is your first time reading a review for one of these Dinobot-like figures then know that what you’re buying is truly an excellent figure worthy of any collector display.





















Thursday, February 26, 2015

Back on Pre-order. Summanus, Troll, Alberich, and Invisible

http://www.thechosenprime.com/LatestPre-Orders


These figures are so popular! We've gone back and re-ordered them. So, for those waiting on Planet X PX-04 Summanus, UniqueToys O-02 Troll / O-03 Alberich, and DX9Toys D-03 Invisible, here's your chance to get them. Go ahead and pre-order them. Just click on the main image or use the form below to navigate to the figure's product page. Save more by adding it to your Roller's Stash. Remember that you'll earn points for every $150 purchase towards Prime Points for future purchases. Shop Smart with the Chosen Prime, when you take advantage of the Prime Directives!



Warbotron WB-03A Turbo Ejector Video Review





Check the video review for Warbotron WB-03A Turbo Ejector, and then order it at our store. Available and in-stock now. Check out the link below.


Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Phoenix Comicon - May 28th - 31st.

http://www.phoenixcomicon.com/



We just confirmation that The Chosen Prime will be at the upcoming Phoenix Comicon 2015 event at the University of Phoenix Stadium, starting on May 28th through the 31st. Come drop by at the dealer room and say Hi!  We'll see you there. For any other upcoming schedules, check out our Events Calendar.


Prime Spotlight: MegaSteel MS-03 Buster

Prime Spotlight presents: 

MegaSteel MS-03 Buster

http://www.thechosenprime.com/MegaSteelMS-03


Bottom Line (** 1/2 stars (out of a possible 5)


By Stygian360


Introduction:
MegaSteel Buster had several tough acts to follow going into this review- KFC Transistor and an earlier although quite noble attempt at Blaster from Unique Toys called Soundmixer.  Both were stellar figures in their own right; plenty of articulation and G1 pizzazz and quite evocative of the original character.  That said, Buster isn’t quite as good as either of those and once I get into the actual details of this review it will be made clearer as to why.

Articulation:
Starting off with articulation.  Everything that’s here is more than adequate and is fairly standard for what we’re seeing on third party releases these days.  Swivel neck due to a great ball-joint, swivel and hinged shoulders (due to transformation).  As an aside, I find that hinged shoulders are quite useful for arm positions that might not be achievable normally- say for gripping the barrel from underneath or holding a sword, etc.  Every collector is going to have a different angle on whether the figure still looks right when he’s essentially over reaching at that joint, but for me it works fine.  Anyway, Buster also has swivel hips, knees and ankles.  In other words everything here is standard, useful and works great.  It seems odd to use the word “standard” when describing such voluminous articulation, especially when so many early third party releases struggled with basic articulation, but what’s old is now old and it’s pretty “standard” to give these figures every bit of articulation possible.  In this regard Buster will not let you down at all.


Paint:
For an action figure that comes in a box fit for high-end jewelry or a silk shirt it seems odd that there would be overspray and paint chips on Buster straight out of the box, but alas there are both.  It’s almost like MegaSteel said; “Let’s dazzle them with presentation and then fall short on paint.”  Obviously I jest and apologies to MegaSteel, but it’s difficult to see why so much effort went into making sure this release was as solid as possible before putting it on shelves, only to fall short on something as key as paint.  Regardless, what isn’t as already described is solid if not mind-blowing.  After all Blaster wasn’t known for his intricate paint color.  But the chipping- particularly on his front leg speakers- really dings this release.  Also of note; paint overspray on several knobs on his shoulders and the colors chosen seem a tad muted as well.  For instance; the blacks on his speakers could have been darker and I’m not sure the orange works in place of what should truly have been red.


Transformation:
This is the point of the review where I feel MegaSteel truly let down this release.  Buster can practically be transformed blind-folded and that’s right out of the box.  Yes he’s that simple and with zero attempt at egregious hyperbole here.  True, some collectors like simple because it means they don’t have to dig out instructions or hop on youtube and go through recent video reviews for help, but the truth of the matter is with third party prices as high as they are- granted the quality is generally there to match- there needs to be as much value add as possible.  For many this ‘value add’ means an intricate if not confounding transformation.  Unfortunately here Buster is going to let you down.  Essentially you swing his arms back, fold the legs up (after swinging the feet panels back), tuck a few panels into place, and then swing the two pieces that form his handle into position and you’re done.  That’s in competition with recent Hasbro releases for least number of steps!  I’m not sure why MegaSteel chose to make him so simple, but I can frankly admit it was over so quick that- like a father putting his child’s toy together on Christmas Eve and digging around to make sure he didn’t miss any screws- I was looking around to make sure I’d done it all.  Not just done it correctly, but had done it all period!  Okay, I’m beating a dead horse here, but you get the point.  He’s not going to blow any collectors mind as to intricacy of engineering.  But as I’m often fond of saying in my reviews, what’s here works.

He also includes a nice hand-held weapon that fits easily in either hand and also tears down for easy storage.  And his last accessory is an additional head.  Although both expressions are roughly the same- as is the style of head- so I’m not sure of the benefit of one over the other.  I suppose it’s left to the buyer to decide.


Bottom Line:
Honestly I was let down by Buster.  He seems like he’d make a great Classics version of Blaster, but since he lacks any in-scale tapes, doesn’t have a working spring-loaded tape door, and his transformation is dirt simple I’m not really sure how much of a value add he is in that regard.  If looks alone work for you then you’re going to be pleased.  One plus is that his heft (he includes diecast in the legs and a few other places) is substantial and makes him at least feel worth the money, but personally other recent Blaster third party releases better fulfill all of these categories.  Overall I like what MegaSteel attempted here and perhaps after tuning in better with what fans really expect from a release at this price point they will be doing better, but as it stands I don’t feel this release hits enough sweet spots.