Another Mixmaster will shortly be available to Transformer collectors, and this time out he may be the best one yet!
Video Preview
If you have not already watched our video preview of Generation Toy's GT-01B, we highly recommend taking just a few minutes of your time to see this excellent figure in action. The short video is only 8 minutes long.In an effort to focus on the toy's transformation, I kept my video coverage of this preview figure brief and mostly silent. I chose to skip the commentary with this first video, and this may change in future videos. However, you can clearly see that the engineering on display with GT-01B is solid and intuitive. I quickly became very fond of this figure after handling him for a few minutes.
Expanded Thoughts
|
|
It is immediately apparent from the outset that this version of Mixmaster is the best we've seen to date. The Constructicon looks great in all three of his modes. The robot mode is solid with lots of posing options. The cement mixer truck looks like an actual construction vehicle this time too. Finally his leg mode is sturdy with a great range in the tilt motion.
Individual Details
It was hard to capture the true colors of the sample GT-01B figure, but the base purple on the toy is a bit more vibrant than the photos and video seem to show. It is not as red in hand, but it is a warmer color overall. It is still distinctly Constructicon purple. The green is a bit pale and is very similar to the green used on Maketoys Green Giant.
The use of color across GT-01B evokes an updated G1 style. The headsculpt and overall design are distinctly Mixmaster as well. The subtle use of clear purple on his chest is another striking detail.
As far as the build quality, the plastic used in this sample is solid. He is very hefty in hand. We believe there is diecast metal in his legs and waist. Joints are either ratcheted or decently tight. Panels and pegs tab in securely in most spots, holding him together well in all modes. There are satisfying clicks when transforming GT-01B.
His six tires appear to be a rubber-like plastic, but not a super soft rubber like old G1. It feels a bit sturdier. In addition, the rubberized tires help with stability when Mixmaster is in leg mode and limits how much the foot can slide.
There appears to be multiple options when positioning the piece above his head in robot mode, as it can both twist and tilt backwards. His hands can rotate, and the long heel spurs on his feet allow him to stand solidly. Finally, it looks like there is a hidden weapon or feature within his cement drum in robot mode.
The block containing the guns above his head attach via a set of pegs. I believe this part is removable due to how the connector port behind it will connect to the torso. This piece is only one of a few things a bit loose on this sample, and most likely will be improved for the final release.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparisons
When compared to previous attempts at updating Mixmaster, the older independent figures definitely show signs of weakness. When put side-by-side with Maketoys Giant (Mixer 61) and TFC Toys Mad Blender; Gravity Builder GT-01B truly shines. A lot of lessons have been learned by Generation Toy and it shows. Even on this preview figure, the paint and details are amazing.
Unfortunately in our rush to produce the video and capture initial photos, we did not have the recent Combiner Wars Devastator readily available for comparison photos. However, with the upcoming preview of GT-01A Scraper; we will have the Hasbro combiner on hand. At that time, we will revisit GT-01B and provide updated comparison photos.
Also in comparison you can see how large GT-01B is. He is easily voyager-class scaled or bigger. The future combined Devastator from Generation Toy is going to be utterly massive once the full team of six Constructicons are available. That leads into...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Where He Fits in Your Collection
Is is fairly obvious to me that GT-01B is destined for Masterpiece shelves. The the size of each Gravity Builder bot makes these third-party Constructicons a good fit alongside other MP Decepticons. Their complexity and well thought-out designs look to be a good match with other official product.
Most of our Masterpiece Decepticon teams are relatively thin when compared to the deluge of Autobot cars. Adding a squad of six excellently designed green and purple Decepticons would help even the odds.
As seen below, this Mixmaster stands in a good scale with X-Transbots Apollyon (Megatron), and therefore MP Soundwave as well.
|
|
If you're ready to add this Mixmaster figure to your collection, GT-01B and the rest of the Gravity Builder team are currently up for pre-order at TCP right now.
In addition, if you pre-order the full set you will also get the bonus item GT-01G Tyrant!
No comments:
Post a Comment