Review: #345
Name: Blaster
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Legends
Year of Release: 2016
Size Class: Leader
Mold Status: new
PACKAGING AND CONTENTS:
The Japanese version of Titans Return Blaster was released as part of the Legends line and comes in a very nice box, with the renaming of the Titan Master as a Head Master.
The back shows off the official shots and gimmicks of the figure as well as a nice piece of cover artwork.
The instructions fold-out also includes four pages of comics. Unlike some other figures in the line, Legends Blaster doesn't come with anything new compared to the Hasbro release.
HEAD MASTER:
Let's get the Head Master out of the way first. He doesn't have a separate name so he's really still just Blaster.
He wears the bigger robot's face on his back in plain sight. The colors are based off Twincast.
Interestingly, he has red paints hands, as well as three separate colors of paint for his head. Articulation is limited as expected and not really different to the other Head Masters of the line.
DEVICE DECK MODE:
Device deck mode, otherwise known as the boombox mode, looks good. The main difference with the Legends version is the paint applications and generally speaking, this version is leaps and bounds better.
The back is relatively smooth although the gun awkwardly plugs there. You can point the gun upwards like an antenna but it's an awkward placement for sure.
Being a Leader classed figure, Blaster is fairly large. He compares well to Combiner Wars Megatron but note that Blaster is more hollow and not life-sized compared to a real boombox.
The cover of the tape deck can open via a blue button revealing the white tape inside. The cover is springloaded and closes with a satisfying click.
The tape thing is weird as you don't really know what it is supposed to be. It does have a play/pause button molded so it looks like it may be a MP3 player without a screen?
Nevertheless, this becomes a rocket-powered sled or some such but plugging the gun onto the side and situating the Head Master onto the seat.
If you have one of the Legends-classed figures of the line like Rewind, they also fit into the tape deck in tape mode. This is a really neat element of interactivity.
Truth be told, yes, this mode is basically a folded up robot with no attempt to hide the robot torso and waist but it is still recognizable and works well.
A solid alternate mode and rare for a contemporary line where most turn into jets and sports cars.
TRANSFORMATION (BASE MODE):
Transformation into base mode is very simple, you unfold everything. It is at this point that you realize that the figure has many panels in order to accommodate this third mode, which is a shame. Therefore, Blaster also relies heavily on pegs to keep hold everything together. In this configuration, you have half-transformed Blaster into robot mode.
BATTLE STATION BASE MODE:
All Leader-classed figures in the Titans Return line (and so by extension, the redecoes within the Legends line) have the gimmick of third-modes being bases. Blaster's works better than expected but at the end of the day, it still boils down to an unfolded robot.
There are some neat painted details such as on the pads to give it some extra visual flair than just the inside of a robot leg.
There's a few areas for Head Masters to interact, the first of which is the targeting cockpit area for the gun.
The second is the rocket-sled / tape thingie at the top of the base. Situating a Head Master there makes it look like they are controlling the three missile launchers below.
Having a bunch of Titans Return vehicles as well as Head Masters makes the base much livelier and working better as the scale is okay. The base needs to be bigger for it to actually work as a base, because right now it's more of an enhanced armament. Also note that if you have Fortress Maximus, Blaster's base mode can attach to the side although it's nothing special.
TRANSFORMATION (ROBOT MODE):
Going to robot mode is fun. Overall, he is very basic to convert but it works well. The folding the legs together can be a bit tricky the first time around as you try and get the clearance right but everything pegs together so perfectly that it is elegant. The blocky nature of the toy helps too in manipulating the pieces.
ROBOT MODE:
Robot mode is truly where Blaster shines as he is a perfect update to the original G1 toy, but now with better proportions and articulation.
He doesn't have much kibble, the only significant piece is the handle but even then, it doesn't get in the way of anything.
The Titan Master's head is kind of weird and looks off with the squinty eyes and grimace.
Due to being such a large figure that the normal head would be too small, Blaster has a helmet that adds the iconic visor and bulks it up while still retaining full head articulation. A neat element is that the visor is clear plastic which lines up with the blue painted crest of the smaller head, making it seem like he is looking out.
As you may have picked up, Blaster is bulky looking, and in terms of height, he doesn't lose at all to other Leaders. Granted, he is a little bit more hollow due to how he transforms and then inclusion of the third-mode but Blaster feels good in your hands.
Despite his chunky exterior, Blaster's articulation is fantastic. Unfortunately, he has no waist swivel due to transformation but otherwise, hardly any restrictions at all.
The ankles also have hinges and tilts to help him keep his balance in a variety of poses.
His weapon is a single gun which seems a bit too thin compared to the bulkiest of his body.
The gun when not in use can be pegged on his back, the same spot as in boombox mode.
He can hold the gun in either hand but doesn't have wrist articulation, however, Blaster can still pull off some neat poses.
The benefit of the Legends version of this figure is that much better paint applications and also the plastic used (i.e. none of that ugly "Hasbro grey" that makes the figure look like a prototype or a cheap knock-off). This alone manages to make the figure twice as nice.
The tape deck is still fully functioning in this mode and helps create the illusion of missile launchers from his chest.
Naturally, this means that his "tapes" Rewind and Stripes can also fit in robot mode.
At this large size, most of Blaster's joints are ratchets which helps with the stability and the more solid feel of the figure.
A fantastic robot mode and the clear winner of this figure.
OVERALL:
Blaster is a great figure and good update to the G1 toy. While the mold itself is solid, this Japanese Legends version has superior paint applications that puts the figure closer to perfection. Of course, whether the price premium is worth it is up to you but Blaster is definitely a figure to recommend.
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