Review: #359
Name: Mindwipe
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Legends
Year of Release: 2016
Size Class: Deluxe with Vehicle
Mold Status: new
PACKAGING AND CONTENTS:
Like the rest of the Legends line, Mindwipe comes in alternate mode and in a fancy box.
The stock photos are great as per normal and shows off the multiple gimmicks of the figure.
The artwork is unique for the Japanese release and is striking.
The instructions booklet also has a two-page comic, naturally starring Mindwipe.
VORATH:
While not specifically named, the Headmaster shall be referred to as Vorath, after the G1 incarnation. He is mainly black ad purple and the contrasting colors help break it up.
Mindwipe's head is visible from behind as expected. Articulation is limited to shoulders and head.
Interestingly enough, the head is similar to Mindwipe's head.
SERVANT:
Mindwipe's mini-vehicle is Servant, which is a repaint of the one that came with Titans Return Crashbash.
It's dragon/bird mode isn't too bad although the main flaws are the wings and the long tail.
Servant is approximately the size of a Legion classed figure, but is definitely smaller. Above is RiD Legion Bumblebee.
Vorath can climb onto Servant's back, there are two pegs corresponding to the pegholes on Vorath's (or any other Headmaster/Titan Master) legs.
It's a shame that they couldn't have used another mold for the mini-vehicle since we already had experience with this from Skullcruncher.
It's an okay mode and clearly not the strongest mode.
The dinosaur mode is where Servant will blow you away. It combine's with Vorath, forming the lower jaw and arms.
It looks good from all angles and the transformation is so clever and intuitive.
Once again, he's approximately the size of a Legion-classed figure.
The colors are supposed to be similar to Mindwipe but the excess red clashes with the purple arms.
While disappointing that TakaraTomy reused the mold so quickly, Servant is still fun and clever.
BAT MODE:
Mindwipe, naturally, transforms into a bat. However, he is more of a mechanic bat with organic elements rather than a straight-off bat-in-disguise.
He has additional faux wings on his back that is used for robot mode but otherwise, the wingspan is impressive especially when you consider that the wings itself are thin like you'd expect.
The wingspan helps make Mindwipe seem bigger but it doesn't eliminate the fact that the wings are thin pieces of plastic and the torso is hollow (Generations Kup is used for comparison above).
The bat head is very detailed but unfortunately is made of soft plastic. The mouth can open and it is impressive to see his teeth painted white and the insides of his mouth being red.
His torso can open up to review a space to place Vorath into and pilot Mindwipe.
The other interactivity is to detach the tail assembly (which was awkward anyway), being the robot's gun and shield, and let Vorath sit in it as a type of sled armament.
Mindwipe's wings have multiple joints for transformation which coincidentally also allows him to fold his wings like a real bat, which is pretty cool.
A decent bat mode and while you may think he is static, Mindwipe is actually fairly versatile.
TRANSFORMATION:
The only surprise about Mindwipe's transformation is folding his wings together to form the robot's shins. Other than that, there is nothing else remarkable about the figure, since you turn the bat upside down, rearrange the legs to form the arms and then plonk Vorath as the head.
ROBOT MODE:
Mindwipe's robot mode on the whole is pretty good but the proportions, in particularly, his huge shins, throws it off a bit.
He is fairly clean and devoid of kibble. The faux wings on his back are made of soft plastic and warp easily (especially when first out of the bubble).
The headsculpt has some interesting angular lines, you cannot mistake his face for that of an Autobot.
He is standard height for a Deluxe.
Poseability is solid although the short thighs and large shins can work against Mindwipe.
His feet are huge as well. They're attached in such a way that it is designed for his legs to be flat when they are slightly sprayed apart (like in an "A" shape).
Mindwipe's main weapons are his gun and a shield with flip out claws.
He has ports on both his arms such that the shield can be attached to either. Unfortunately, the post is a tad bit too long so it sticks out a bit.
The color scheme is very nice with the burgundy regulated to only his rear wings, the purple and black can stand out and shine.
Mindwipe's legs hold together better than expected considering that the tips of the bat wings are soft plastic and so doesn't peg securely like it is supposed to. The tightness of the joints help in this aspect.
Mindwipe's last weapon is Servant in its gun mode.
There are three clearly defined barrels but it still looks too much like a dinosaur lying on its back.
A decent robot mode with only aesthetics issues and even that is down to your tastes.
OVERALL:
Mindwipe is a strong figure and is another winner in the Titans Return / Legends line. While Mindwipe isn't the best that the line has offered, he still offers plenty of fun. The bat mode is fantastic with the multi-jointed wings and the robot mode isn't half bad either. Mindwipe is worth your purchase.
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