Universe Hardhead Pictorial Review

Universe Hardhead came hammering on my door this afternoon. I haven’t seen any reviews or picture galleries and thought I’d take a few.
His bio and stats:
Hardhead lives to fight-so much so that life without a war seems pointless to him. He would be the perfect soldier if only he could just take orders. Unfortunately, he’s too stubborn to follow any command he doesn’t agree with, and too dense to appreciate the subtlety of strategy. Why engage in a flanking maneuver, he reasons, when there’s perfectly good open ground over which to mount a charge? More than a few battles have started because he couldn’t wait for the commanders to make their plans, and simply charged is, guns blazing.
Stregnth-9
Intelligence-6
Speed-5
Endurance-9
Rank-5
Courage-10
Fireblast-8
Skill-7




G1 style Starscream, Smokescreen, and Dinobot are advertised on the bottom of the box. I wonder if that means they plan on offering more of this particular wave when Hardhead becomes widely available? There’s also an ad for the red Powerglide. Do want.



I’m digging the tank mode, the colors really work. But please note, Hardhead becomes even more entertaining if you listen to the original Ninja Turtles cartoon opener while fiddling with him. We couldn’t have asked for a better update to the turtle tank




The shield rocks, perfectly in line with Hardhead’s mentality. I forgot though, wasn’t there a Decepticon that had Autobot notches stamped on him… am I thinking of Movie Brawl?




The new colors really do a good job distinguishing him from the Onslaught mold. Unlike the box art and pics though, the autobot insignia is not on the left shoulder, but the right. I kind of prefer this, it helps make him stand out from Onslaught. Also, the front windows and his visor are not green tinted, I’m presuming that was an effect of whatever photoshopping they did to alter the original box art and pics.



My timing is terrible, I couldn’t grab a pic of him with the eyes lit. But they’re red like Onslaught’s. It’s almost too bad they didn’t replace his red LED with a blue or green one, but I’m sure someone in Radicons will probably make that swap. He also had the same sounds as far as I can tell.
A new head would have done wonders, but technically speaking, the current one is pretty close to the original G1 model.

Of course people are more familiar with the cartoon and comic version, but, just sayin’

Some other minor things I noticed. Differing from the box art/pictures, Hardhead’s mini-cannons are beige and not black as advertised. I also noticed that (on mine anyway) they do not fit snugly in the sockets like Onslaught’s. Just as a test I plucked one out of Onslaught and tried to fit it into Hardhead’s port with the same result. I think it might be the wiring pushing forward a bit and preventing a snug fit. Again, something that might have just happened with mine, but when these come out you might want to check and see if they’re jutting a bit out of their holdings before you buy.



A personal ARG here: As a Roadbuster enthusiast, it still bothers me that this is not Universe Roadbuster. I (and I’m sure many others) pegged Onslaught as a shoe-in for a repaint of the guy as soon as pics surfaced! But we’ve had two other incarnations of him that are pretty close, they just miss the mark-Animated Magnus would be perfect with a new head if you ask me, and for the love of pete, why haven’t the KO people scaled *up* the Roadbuster recolor of Cyberton Defense Hot Shot?

Anyway, I give Universe Hardhead an 8 out of 10. Outside of a totally unique mold, this is as good as it gets.

I cannot wait to get this. Sweet review!

Great review.

Awesome!

Damnit, I LOVE those colors. Looks like I'll have to chuck Onslaught into the bin in favor of this guy.

Do the legs peg together tightly?

Might have to pick this up. I love that sheild.

the shield is a nice touch, and i really like the mold, will get this when it comes out

[quote=Giga Leo;4128856]



This elicits an "O RLY!?" reaction from me.

I'm torn on this guy. It doesn't reall evoke hard head to me at all. It looks like Onslaught with a new paint job. This mold looks far too much like onslaught to be someone else like Cyclonus.

I think the head colour distinguishes it enough from Onslaught, though pity they couldn't have changed the LED in the eyes to a blue one.

Still think the shield looks a bit too childish for the realistic look they have given the other figures. Looks too 'G2'.

Thanks for the kind words everyone! I'd definitely recommend him, he fits in with the other classics better than I thought he would.

I had some issues getting the gate that folds to hold the extra leg wheel in robot mode snapped in tight, but that may vary from figure to figure. Aside from that and the mini cannons, he seems pretty close to the original in terms of quality. No mold degradation yet

See I'm on the opposite end of that thought. I've never really seen Classics Onslaught as Onslaught... I accept that this is how he's been updated, but to me this mold (like Classics Grimlock) is one of those molds that works better as almost anyone except the character it was originally intended for. To me this is a much better Hardhead than it is an Onslaught.
As for Cyclonus, I think the only thing that really holds him back is the distinctive head. WhiteMocha's Botcon 2010 ideas thread does a pretty good job showing how Cyclonus can believably be made into other characters with a quick head swap.

Hardhead looks great, I'm looking forward to him; I never got Onslaught.

I love that shield!

I hope they do release more of Starscream, since I never picked him up.

That shield looks awesome! I have Onslaught though, and I'm not likely to get an identical Autobot unless he's on some kind of huge clearance. (Also got white Powerglide...would have slightly preferred the red but the white is fine and for half off I shan't complain.)

The old Universe toys on his box are an interesting touch. I got a slightly used SS off EBay...it was a good price but I may be kicking myself if the shelves suddenly o'erflow with new ones. Kinda doubt it though.

That guy's work is so full of win it made my head spin.

Good review of Hardhead... Makes me wish I'd picked him up rather than Onslaught, and left that character to the ROTF/Classics Bruticus set I hope to be able to get ahold of at some point.

This is the same cross-sell from previous Universe Ultras. I'd imagine they just didn't bother changing it.

Thank you so much for the review. I like a good recolor, especially when it's enough to distinguish itself into another character. Onslaught is a tough cookie to do, but when done right, it's really worth it.


As for WhiteMocha's thread..............he needs to send some of that brain power to Hasbro......I mean really.

Heh, thanks for the compliments about my other thread, guys! I just came to see the Hardhead pics, I didn't expect to make a cameo!

Anyhow, for the most part I like Hardhead. I can buy that the head looks enough like the toy version to pass (though I do miss the little cat-ear wings that his G1 helmet had). It does seem fairly distinct from Onslaught, even if, objectively speaking, his color layout is a bit weird. I don't think I like the black shield.... it's such a big overpowering shape, and Hardhead never really had such a big swath of black in his design. I think I would have preferred a green or tan shield.

Still, overall I'm digging him, and will definitely be buying him. Thanks for the review, these are the best and clearest images I've seen of him yet!

Does he have the "fixed" siren sound of the Japanese and later release?

for some reason if he had a red head it would almost be like a cosmo paint job.

He's just screaming for an upgrade kit. New head, hand guns and maybe a barrel attachment that can fit in where the two cannons detach in vehicle mode. I'm gettin' him, but he might remain in the box for awhile

Looks good, but without a new head I'll pass.

Definitely getting Powerglide though.

Maybe a pass, maybe.

Congrats on the News-Credit there my brother

Great review too! Love the shield

I can't see him as HardHead, but I've been warped by all those years with JTF into being very fussy about these things...

OTOH I'm anxiously looking forward to getting him, as with a head-swap (or maybe just a little paint) he'll be becoming my Classics Bulkhead

I think the hand-painted-shield-art even really works for Bulky and his love of handi-craft.

D/L

Great review.

I'm tempted, very tempted, but I still just see Onslaught in bright colors when I look at it. Hard to shake that and fully accept it as Hardhead.

Well it could be worse.......it could've been G2 Onslaught.

That shield is the Chuck Norris of shields.

I love the shield. Tis awesome! Can't wait to find this guy.

I've never heard of Hardhead, but I like this guy 'cause he looks like Animated Bulkhead.

GRRR...... that sheild makes me angry!!!

nice mold and nice colors though.

Thanks for the kind words WM! I think your thread definitely proves what a lot of repaint and remold enthusiasts like myself have been saying for years-that with the right color scheme and minor remold here and there, there's practically no end to the amount of mileage that can come from the last few incarnations of Transformers. granted Has/Tomy/Tak is pulling in mucho cash with the current stuff, but there's still a world of stuff they can offer that people will go gaga over.

Yes they have, I just plucked mine off the shelf and double-checked the sounds. Whereas the U.S edition of Onslaught(the ones I own anywho) give out a single 'Whoop", Hardhead gives a full siren noise like the Japanese release. But those mini cannons are killing me, they fell right out when I brushed them lightly. Double-check yours in the package before you buy! I wouldn't keep stressing that, but I received mine mint in a sealed box, so I'm presuming this is something that's a minor QC issue, but easily spotted in the package.

I hadn't thought of that! You know, I think you're onto something there, especially if you could somehow remove the wheels and put in a believable hover-system. This guy is more and more becoming ripe for Radicon pickings I think!

News credit? Hey, that's pretty neat, I didn't know until I read your post DL! Ain't I special?
It's funny that you and Bumblejazz mention how much he looks like Bulkhead, I thought that as well, I can easily imagine Bulkhead kind of becoming like Hardhead after exposure to a few centuries of war. He'd be all guns blazing, but still not above singing Karaoke after getting jazzed on energon

Eat your heart out Rosanna!

great repaint just dont want to get another onslaught mold...

That's a pretty neat looking shield. I may have to make one like it, but with an Autobot symbol crossed out instead.

As much as I love Onslaught, I won't be picking up this toy, as I don't really like the colors. Plus with a shield like that he wouldn't last five minute in my room anyway.

looks good. prob pass though.

Eh, looks okay. But I REALLY like that Powerglide on the box.

he looks a whole bunch better than I imagined.... the shield is very G2 Comic : )
which is nice, can't remember if he was in the G2 Comic but if he was then thats ace!

Looks pretty cool but my money is way too low right now to buy a repaint...however my veiws on repaints are changing some.

i like ur review, its more than just a bunch of pics
and dammit, another ultra class repaint that im gonna have to buy ;p i thought im gonna be done with universe for a while.. gotta admit, this looks pretty cool.. and that red powerglide is gonna be another ultra repaint im gonna get .. looks great.. better than henkei version? maybe

Should someone make a new G1/old IDW head and replacement cannon for this guy I'll buy it pretty fast.

My thoughts exactly. Yeah, this is probably gonna be a pass.

Wow, that really does hardhead justice.
I plan on removing the old head entirely and doing a headmaster slot so I can use his G1 head.
Will solve a lot of probs.
And as cool as the shield is, makes him look too much like Onslaught.
I'll be selling it on here when I pick one up.

-Viper 486 out.

negligible variant in my book. ill take a series of inferno repaints though.

I was torn on this guy - I have not bought Onslaught yet as I prefer the Henkei version, but could not afford 40$+shipping for him - at first he looked like a repainted Onslaught...

But after seeing your review, he's a must-have. Apart from the head, he's spot-on Hardhead, especially harking back to his IDW comics version.

I think one of the Roadbot heads will do fine for Hardhead, I'll ask Movie Prime to start ripping of faces for spare parts...

i have already Onslaught so yeh Hardehead would be fine

Will forever be Classiverse Bulkhead to me.

He's on clearance at BBTS for $27.50 before shipping.

Ultra Onslaught Japan Version - G1 Accurate Paintjob - Transformers Universe - 2008 - 2009 Japan Editions at BigBadToyStore

Thanks, he was sold for the same on Robotkingdom, but both BBTS and Robotkingdom ship in company boxes, which are 100% guaranteed to get taxed in my country. doesn't matter if they ship it as Gift, customs will open the package and see the receipt they always include... Thanks anyway though! I'll continue to hunt Onslaught and Silverbolt on Ebay...

Awesome, a bit of orange and he'll make a wonderful Mega-Octane

Something will have to be done about the shield for that to work though...

There actually was a running change for the US Onslaught in which the siren, and leg cage issue was fixed. Here's my thread on it w/ a little video.
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transf...fixed-him.html

Looks good , will buy, still wish Hasbro sprung for a new or modified head other than paint.