Honestly the originals kinda sucks, even by G1 standards. I got my Big Powered giftset back in 97 from Tony Preto and was super hyped. When I got them in hand I almost sold the set. I literally ended up putting them back in the box after transforming them into each mode once. Flash forward about 6 or 7 years later I ended up getting junkers of all three and fiddled with them a bit over time as I completed them. They ended up growing on but it took a long time to be honest. My biggest guess is I had no nostalgia toward them like other G1 toys, because I wasn't exposed to them, so I didn't look past their flaws. To be honest, most of the G1 Japanese figures after Masterforce I found to be kinda lack luster compared to the earlier figures. Overlord I still find fantastic, and I like the Micromaster six teams, but I really find a lot of the figures to be over hyped. Out of the three, I like Roadfire the best, mostly due to just appearance, but the figure seems really light in hand compared to how big he is. Dai Atlas, while he has a good heft to him (and ratchety joints), just looks meh in most modes. Sonic Bomber is probably the best overral as far as looks, transformation, build, etc. If you like the originals, fantastic, but I think the rarity of the originals causes people to seek them out and put them on a pedestal. I just don't recommend them to people unless you have an attachment to the character or a completest.

 

Guilty...

 

I also own a knockoff. For the longest time, I thought it'd be the only version of Dai Atlas I'd ever own, besides King Atlas which barely counts. I honestly almost prefer the KO to this version if only because of that stupid chain hinge.

 

Eh... The hinge doesn't make me feel that badly about it, but it definitely needed more design time and refinement. It almost feels as if they rushed this entire thing. Kind of like the heads at Takara Tomy threw together an image, made it public and THEN turned to the team and said "Make it happen. You have... until April. Get crackin'." and so they did and this is what we got. (I'm sure it wasn't that way, actually, but it feels like it, for sure.)

 

Had them for a week from TCP but finally got around to playing around with them. I've no attachment from G1 like Headmasters and before, but these guys are pretty fun. A fun break from the MP transformations.

Robot modes look fantastic sans Dai Atlas' hollow calves.

Not sure what to make of the "base" modes, but like their G1 versions, they're bases bc the instructions say so. Glad I got them though.

 

Now that I've had a few minutes with my Big Powered set, I can say it's a very mixed bag. On the plus side, the likenesses are mostly good, the amount of remolding makes them stand out quite a bit from their mold-mates, and Road Fire is unambiguously awesome. On the "meh" side, Road Fire's cannon is pretty unwieldy for him in robot mode and the "chain" attachment for Dai's pants and shirt is not well executed. Large parts of Sonic Bomber are straight bad, though - the headsculpt doesn't quite do it for me, the transformation is the least fun of the four mold-mates, and it's the floppiest of the three for me.

I think my biggest problems with the set go to Takara's priorities in terms of which part of G1-accuracy are worth keeping (I have the same complaint with the upcoming Star Convoy). The chain-waist just isn't better than Overlord's attachment and only meets the bare-minimum for saying "we're not partsforming!" which, hey, we have to do that with the wings, so . . . Sonic Bomber's feet technically have an ankle-tilt, but it's mostly unusable, the wings are almost-non-existent (which is a fair criticism of the original, as well), and the cockpit not being a cockpit is kind of weird.

All that being said, I don't regret the purchase. It's a good enough toy and representation, and it's not like I expect they'll be toys I replace with new versions anytime soon. We all often say "vote with your wallet," and I am quite certain the only way to get Metrotitan is to keep buying these late-JG1 figures

 

For what it's worth, the original Dai Atlas also required part-forming regarding the wings as well. So that is accurate.

 

Got the trio today after they spent about 2 weeks in customs. I like them! They are much better than I expected, since my expectations were very low (khm Godbomber khm). Dai Atlas is pretty fun and doesn't look bad except for lower legs, and even they are not tragic. Roadfire might be my favorite, if not for the gun (would have been great if gun somehow transformed to become less unwieldy). I haven't attempted the combined mode yet, but just wondering - is there an "official" combined robot mode, or just vehicles?

 

Dis

 

Just a combined vehicle mode. Unless someone can come up with a fan mode of them combined in bot mode.

 

I've plugged Road Fire's big gun into his back and bent the barrel forward so it's pointing over his head. It reminds me of some sort of anti-aircraft gun. Also, it gives him a 'backpack' just like his buddies.

But I still can't stand Dai Atlas's hollow legs.

 

How do they connect?

 

I'm guessing the 5mm peg sticking out of Dia Atlas's arms. One connects to his side to hold the arms in place, the other one faces outward. Just rotate the arm and use the peg holes on the sides of the Jumpstarters to attach them. Probably makes the arms less stable in vehicle mode, but it can be done. (NOTE: I haven't done it on my personal copy, yet. I'm just assuming, here.)

 

Yeah that’s how it’s done. Be warned, it’s not the most stable as his arms become heavier and no longer are attached to the sides. I’d love to find another way... I have some nonnef 90 degree adapters I might use..

 

Finally got my Overlord in the mail and swapped out heads.







Head finally looks right.

 

Just opened these guys last night and I gotta say I'm pretty disappointed. Lots of QC issues with loose screws on the titan masters and floppy joints abound. The plastic quality on the new parts feel flimsy and a lot of sections don't tab in well, specifically Roadfire's waist and Dai Atlas' legs in vehicle mode. On a positive note the Big Powerd mode is more solid than I thought so good on that.

Overall I just don't think this release is on par with the majority of the Legends line. At least it's better than the atrocity that was Godbomber!  

 

I recognize that there are some issues, but I find the characters fascinating (I always dig the more obscure ciphers) and it's not like I'll ever have their G1 toys. Plus I just adored Titanmasters... Are these toys perfect? Hell no. Am I glad I have them? HELL YES.

 

Outdoor pictures are a lot better.

 

Dat TR Overlord face on Dai Atlas.. so beautiful.