TF Views

Okay, time to start getting caught up on toy reviews.

We have already hashed over Perceptor pretty well, so on to Wreckgar.


Wreckgar: (robot/motorcycle)
Like most of the other figures based on characters from the '86 movie, Wreckgar has a "realistic" alternate mode and a robot mode that looks more like the original movie than the then contemporary figures did. Any deviations between the character models can be easily reconciled by the fact that the new figure is not necessarily supposed to resemble the character as presented in '86.

The robot mode stands, (by my reckoning and recollection), about 5 to 6 inches tall. While the motorcycle form is too large for most action figures, it is about the right size for Wreckgar's robot form. (Given how difficult it is to find Wreckgar, it is a safe bet that many people are buying multiple copies to take advantage of this.) Complimentary tabs on both forms indicate that this sort of compatibility is intended. There is also a Japanese exclusive retooling that some people are hoping will be released in the US.

In mechanical terms, Wreckgar is mixed. There are several clever elements to the transformation steps, as well as some nice touches. However, the toy is hindered by a few steps that feem more complicated than necessary. (Getting the feet to become the seat of the motorcycle is an excercise in anger management.)

Grade: B
All things considered, this is worth picking up if you find it. But, do not make yourself crazy/broke trying to find/buy one. Unfortunately, odds are that it will be difficult to find a copy without a bit of insanity and/or insolvency.

Yeah, I was IMing on fb with Scourge while trying to transform Wreck Gar back into motorcycle mode and it was taking an hour. The other thing that makes this figure hard to find is that everyone is hoarding them to army build Junkions.

Like I said above, that is what I think is happening. People are army building, with or without customizing.

Dominic wrote:Complimentary tabs on both forms indicate that this sort of compatibility is intended. There is also a Japanese exclusive retooling that some people are hoping will be released in the US.

The tabs are deliberate and it was actually designed to have other pressings of that mold as a rider. There was a recent interview in the TFCC magazine with the designer where he actually said that was what was intended. He also designed 3 other Junkion heads and hopes to get them released if only Hasbro will go for it.

Shockwave
-Is also casting the Japanese Junkion head.

I can confirm the deliberate design of the tabs, having (finally) gotten both Wreckgar and the e-hobby Scrapheap.

The lower tip of the robot's triangular crotch piece and the corresponding pice at its rear peg firmly into the square holes in the bike's seat. So, it's not just a case of proportional size and balancing one toy on another; they do connect very securely.

And, dang if it isn't a compelling feature to encourage troop bulding.