What insanely nice packaging. I mean, I'd expect that for how expensive this guy was, but... It is still appreciated. It just feels premium. For reference, this was around $180, similar in price to the HasLab Victory Saber and the typical price of Transformers Titans (though Metroplex was $200).
Again.. the Astro Megaship itself is extremely large. When I was a teenager, my bros got this particular Zord, but I always loved the idea... and I swear it was smaller than this.
First and foremost: Articulation! While not perfect (especially in the shoulders and ankles), it is very accurate to its TV self. I'd like it to do more, but.. already it is easily my most expressive Zord. The hands and head are made of softer materials to allow them to work with the ball joints, but the main body is extremely solid plastic. The ratchets are super tight. And he has waist articulation! That's kind of a big deal! You can get some wider poses by unplugging some parts, and of course the hands are swappable. It feels like there might be some more joints/articulation I'm missing, especially with said ankles, but I don't want to risk damaging anything.
But how does he stack up to what came before? Well.. getting out my Legacy Ultrazord would be a little bit of a challenge right now, so I'll just put him next to my Tiger Megazord, and...
There were some complaints about the materials, floppiness, and overall design of the original ZAP Dino Megazord. But frankly? This is just another level. I know the ship doesn't combine with any others or do some of the more advanced gimmicks, so they could leave it pretty simple... but that has also resulted in just a wonderful figure. I'm so happy I jumped on this.
Sooo... um... I just played a bit more with this (after a bit of time doing some other things), and found... that I was wrong.
First, the shoulders are essentially butterfly joints, so they can pose inwards and outwards. It doesn't have shoulder lift (to do a true T pose), but the butterfly joint does allow a TON of expressive articulation.
Second... The ankles absolutely are on ball joints. You just have to pull them out. One fully pulled out, the square sockets release and the feet become completely poseable, with ankle tilt and swivel.
And Third? I discovered that there is an ab crunch. I found this while investigating how to open the Megaship bridge section (which is hidden under the M on the chest). And while it doesn't allow bending backwards, it is very well done to allow leaning forward.
Soo... yeah. This solid chunk of plastic is even more articulated than I realized. I am QUITE happy. I cannot wait to see what they do with the Zord Ascension Project from here.
He/Him | "We who believe in freedom cannot rest." - Dr. Johnetta Cole, 7/22/2024
Posts
Sooo... um... I just played a bit more with this (after a bit of time doing some other things), and found... that I was wrong.
First, the shoulders are essentially butterfly joints, so they can pose inwards and outwards. It doesn't have shoulder lift (to do a true T pose), but the butterfly joint does allow a TON of expressive articulation.
Second... The ankles absolutely are on ball joints. You just have to pull them out. One fully pulled out, the square sockets release and the feet become completely poseable, with ankle tilt and swivel.
And Third? I discovered that there is an ab crunch. I found this while investigating how to open the Megaship bridge section (which is hidden under the M on the chest). And while it doesn't allow bending backwards, it is very well done to allow leaning forward.
Soo... yeah. This solid chunk of plastic is even more articulated than I realized. I am QUITE happy. I cannot wait to see what they do with the Zord Ascension Project from here.
https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/247250/mint-in-sealed-box-action-figures-and-other-toys-thread-nsf56k/p1?new=1
Steam: betsuni7