(First, I hope it's ok I put this here. These figures are not exactly third party TFs but they are based on toys that are technically the basis for (now) TF characters (Gobots).)

General thoughts about this line:

All I can say is...wow. I know there's been some debate whether these are "masterpiece" Machine Robos/Gobots and I think that's probably the wrong term. However, I only really say that based on their size; if they were twice their size and just a little more elaborate they'd totally fit in a MP TF display. As is, they're somewhere between Classics-ish versions of the characters and Hybrid Style TFs.

Now, on their size: You definitely have to go into these knowing they're not huge. They range from Rod Drill, who's about scout sized, to Eagle Robo, who's maybe a smallish deluxe. They remind me a lot of Maketoys' Swerve/Gears and Tailgate, except, and this surprised me a lot, they totally have diecast parts!

The diecast is used really well. All three of the ones that have been released have it mainly in their lower legs and a bit in their chests. I guess this could lend weight to the "masterpiece" label for these guys or maybe it's more like how "geewuners" often complain about modern toys having no diecast.

However, I don't think of them as either. What they are is upgraded versions of the original Gobots (or at least my idea of them, I've only owned/handled a few). You're probably thinking "duh, that's what they are" but I mean something different that a classics or masterpiece Machine Robo/Gobot line. They...just feel like Gobots. I don't know how else to put it. It's like if the original line never stopped and everything that makes Gobots Gobots carried through to the present and these're just redos of the originals. I dunno what it is, but I really like these guys.

tl;dr: they're really neat.

ACTUAL REVIEW

Robot Mode:



Look at that guy. He looks so good.



The chest piece and part of the lower leg (the light grey part the fins/wings are attached to) are diecast. The gun is really cool-it's made up of the alt mode missiles and a couple parts that attach under the wings and it totally looks like a quintuple-barrelled shotgun. He can hold it normally in his hand, but you can also plug the stock into the top of his forearm which helps keep the gun together a bit. It holds together fine but it's a little more stable when it's attached his forearm.



The stand attaches to the back of his waistpiece. While the arms are standard across the line, each figure has a unique adapter that plugs into the waist and the end of the stand.



From the back you can better see a couple of his less-great bits. The nosecone just chills on his back (which I think is accurate to the original?) and doesn't really peg in. I think that's on purpose though, so it doesn't get in the way of his waist. Kinda like Planet X's Grimlock, but without using gravity to keep it down.

Also, at first the transformation joint to extend his legs is a little loose at first so sometimes it bends instead of his knee, but luckily you can tighten a screw on his calf to fix it. You can use this joint to get some more range out of his knees (the main joint only goes about 90 degrees) but you have to move his wingtips out of the way.



Some size comparisons. He's about a small deluxe size, maybe about the same as the Fall of Cybertron figures.



Articulation is great. Double elbows, almost double knees if you untransform a bit, waist swivel, good shoulders and hips. His head is on a ball joint with huge range (he can look straight up with his chin parallel with the ground). His neck stalk is attached on a hinge for transformation but you can use it to move his head forward and back so he can look down over his chestplate.



With his wavemates. I like how he's bigger since he's the leader (and also has a much bigger alt mode vehicle) but not so big that he should be in another size class.

ALT MODE:



Pure sex.



I mean, seriously.



NO undercarriage junk. Not even a little fat, just none. I think he might be sleeker than the MP seekers. Plus, retractable landing gear.



Since his thrusters are his feet, you can use the ankle ball joint to point the nozzles up/down and side to side, sorta like the mp seekers.



Size comparison.

It is a little tricky to get him into alt mode at first. He's by far the most intricate of the line so far, but that's by necessity. The other two kinda just fold up into a block. He feels maybe a little fragile just because some of the armatures are kinda small but they used really great plastic and I haven't noticed any stress marks. I don't think you need to be especially worried about snapping anything as long as you don't throw him across the room or something.



FINAL THOUGHTS:

He's so good guys and gals. Not my favorite of the line, but that's mainly just due to him being just the tiniest bit finicky. Which is only due to how much work they did to pull off that robot mode with such a sleek jet at this scale.

Would I like it if they didn't use diecast and didn't include the stand and reduced the price accordingly? I think maybe more people would be into him. However, as is I think he's totally a lot of bang for your buck. I don't feel like I overpaid at all.

I'm really looking forward to what this line has to offer next.

(p.s. for more on the modular base, see my Rod Drill review)

 

I've been waiting with baited breath for a review of these guys; thanks!
I'm SO relieved to hear that they are indeed as amazing as they look. Frankly, I think a big part of my toy budget will be going to this series from the looks of it; shelf-friendly size, fun transformations, and, finally, DECENT PRICE! I'm so tired of 3P prices I've really given up on a lot of them. Yes, I know this isn't a 3P company, so it's a bit of an unfair comparison, but still, I think there's some truth to it.
This is one fun looking series! Thanks again for the review!

 

I'd call them CHUG GoBots.

 

Nice review man - thanks.

Waiting for mine from Kapow.

 

Thanks for the review. Awesome. Gonna pick these dudes up for sure

 

You're welcome! I agree, the price is really nice!

That's basically what I'll use them for too but I guess I feel like that's not exactly what they are, if that makes any sense. Closer to the Hybrid Style line. But, I'm really splitting hairs here  

You're welcome!

 

Great Review!!!!!
This looks like a really cool figure.
Mine is waiting on other figures to come in then it ships.
I got him free with my points from TFS.

 

Man, he really does look good but I wish at least Eagle robo was Voyager scale. I feel kinda bad that I'm hoping to see a KO OS version of this guy.

 

Thanks for the excellent review. I am now even more stoked about this line. Can you imagine an R-Jetan build to this level of engineering...

 

Do I post my own review under this same thread, or do I start a new one? I have my full review on my blog here:
Action Toys Machine Robo MR-03 Eagle Robo – Spiff-O-Matic's Transformer Pics and Reviews

 

god I wish Master piece was done in this scale instead

 

Chuggobots.  

 

Thanks for the awesome review...I need to get ahold of a few of those...

 

I got my tracking # for these guys yesterday.  

 

Here is the review for Eagle Robo, the others will be up today for Battle Robo and Drill Rod.

All 3 are available now!

Action Toys Eagle Robo Video Review

 

Nice review! I look forward to the other two reviews.

 

So far Peaugh's video review on Eagle Robo is the only review that compared the toys to the GoBots toys, so I took screen grabs... He at least had a broken Leader-1 toy to stand next to it.

 

Eagle Robo and Fracture measure up pretty well.

 

Robot Mode: very nice, strongest mode IMO. Poseable, though a bit of adjustment may be needed to keep transform joints from going when moving the legs/knees. Wish the jet nosecone locked in place somehow.

Transformation: easier with practice, but the torso remains an Alternators-ish pain, and aspects seem more complicated than they needed to be.

Jet mode: It's a nice clean jet mode, much like the original Machine Robo/GoBots toy (which ironically is a bit cleaner) Though I'm personally a tiny bit annoyed that this mode is a direct update of the original toy and its details rather than an actual F-15, and it's kinda squatty in proportion for it. It serves the purposes of robot mode though.

Overall: Yeah, it's pretty kewl - not super kewl, but pretty kewl.

 

I've had this guy for about a week now, and think he's great, all the fun of an MP in half the size / price / and BS. I had a hard time getting him transformed the first few times but once the tollerances relaxed it was fine. The price could be just a tad better, but you get a generous helping of dicast and a really well done, interlocking stand, so I'm cool with it. I also really dig the box art / layout. I'm definitely in for the whole set, as long as they stay around the same price and availability.