Review: #196
Name: X-Brawn
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Robots in Disguise
Year of Release: 2001
Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 5)
Variations: repaint of the normal release X-Brawn; the Japanese version has more accurate headlights
VEHICLE MODE:
X-Brawn transforms into a vehicle that is inspired by a Mercedes-Benz ML320 SUV but with some elements changed to avoid the need for licensing. The most obvious of which is the headlights being molded into small circles (which looks weird and odd).
Of note, I call him "Super X-Brawn" even though he was released as only "X-Brawn" to avoid confusion with the regular release. Anyway, X-Brawn features a rally car deco which is striking. Too bad the back is completely painted over, so no windows or rear lights.
This is a well formed vehicle and it is not immediately obvious that he can transform. He can roll on his wheels but that's not his only play value.
However, while we're on the topic of his tires, they are rubber! They also have "Transformers" molded onto them.
A really cool thing is that both the front doors can open.
Not to mention that the hood can open too to reveal a gold chromed engine block. Very cool, even though opening the front doors means you expose his robot kibble (including his robot head in the driver's seat, something that was shown in the cartoon).
X-Brawn has a good amount of chrome on him including the front grill, brush bar, hubcaps and both side running rails.
There are various tampographs such as "Cybertron Wild", "24", "Wild 24" and "Cybertron". Yeah, mostly just Cybertron. "Wild" references his Japanese name of Wildrider and "24" is his Japanese toy's designated number.
On the underside, you can see that it is a packed vehicle with not much empty space.
X-Brawn feels hefty in your hands and is just slightly bigger than your recent Deluxes.
A shot of the Car Brothers, X-Brawn has a good vehicle mode and is an example of a redeco done right. It's different enough to the original yet still retains the feel of the character.
TRANSFORMATION:
The transformation can only be described as unique. It is asymmetrical and very interesting. The legs form as you would expect, just by unfolding the back but the twists and turns needed for his arms and torso are complex enough to be satisfying and feeling like a puzzle, but not to the point of frustration.
ROBOT MODE:
The thing that jumps out at you in robot mode is the gigantic left forearm. It is comprised of the whole car hood. Surprisingly, this actually works although since so much of the car goes into that part, the rest of the robot can feel slightly too skinny.
There are plenty of kibble but they don't get in the way and I love the way the car doors are placed, giving X-Brawn so much personality and such a distinctive look.
The head is on a balljoint but it is placed in such a way that it can really only look up.
Despite the whole car shell being painted, the dedicated robot parts also have plenty of paint applications. The teal used cements the fact that this is X-Brawn.
The side railings as well as the brush bar detach into weapons for robot mode.
His left fist is a spring loaded missile launcher (which is impressive considering the small size), you can use either of the railing weapons as the missile. Doing so, the other missile can attach to his right arm to bulk up the bot. His left fist is can hold the any of the weapons.
His weapons include a missile, a saw blade and a knuckle duster type of weapon.
Unfortunately, his right arm is molded in such a way that the fist faces upwards but it actually works quite well in this situation for some reason, probably because it looks like he is readying his missile weapon.
In terms of height, he can a little bit short but makes up for this in his bulkiness of his left arm. Proportions might urk some people such as the long legs, small torso and of course, the giant arm.
He looks great with Prowl and Sideburn. Also, if you didn't already know, in the cartoon, this color scheme represented the power up mode of X-Brawn.
You can swap the weapons around, giving X-Brawn a lot of versatility in terms of what you wanted to do.
His arms are also articulated enough to dual wield some of the weapons.
X-Brawn can hold the missiles with the chromed bits to use them as handheld weapons.
Articulation is fantastic. He has double jointed knees which really helps. You would have thought the giant arm to be a liability but the range you can from it is amazing.
Due to the way his feet is designed, you might need to fiddle around with him a bit more in order to get him to stay standing up in certain poses.
The detailing of the paint applications is amazing, just take a look at the torso and see the different amount of color and tiny splashes. You just don't get that anymore nowadays.
His left fist is slightly articulation, only his thumb is movable.
A great robot mode. It's rare to find something this ambitious which works as well as X-Brawn.
OVERALL:
X-Brawn is a really nice mold. He has an accurate vehicle mode with a vibrant color scheme. His robot mode is daring and it manages to blend all the ideas gone into him really well. This is an amazing toy and one that is highly recommended, so get him if you have the means!
-----------------------------------------
Have a look at other Transformers toy reviews from this page.