Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Twinstrike (Cyberverse)

I recently decided to purge 99% of the various Cyberverse toys from my collection, but there are few I'm keeping and this is one of them.

For long time Transformers fans it's easy to see that Twinstrike here is really the G1 Terrorcon, Sinnertwin. I'm guessing Hasbro has lost the rights to yet another G1 name, this the new name. Twinstrike however fits the character so no complaints here. I had heard that the Terrorcons would be released in a Target exclusive gift set as Abominus, but I had no idea they would also be released individually. Later I saw that the Target set featured translucent plastic...which on these guys I just don't care for, so that makes me even happier to have this stand alone version.

I gotta say this is one cool little toy. Hasbro absolutely nailed the colors when it comes to matching his G1 self.  The updated look makes him look even fiercer than before. Now I just need to find a little Decepticon symbol sticker to fit over that Predacon symbol and his look will be complete!

It it just me or do a lot of the new Transformers come with melee type weapons instead of guns? I grew up playing with toy guns and I turned out normal...well kind of. Anyhow, Sinnertwin Twinstrike comes with his trusty Piston Hammer. It's not bad, but it's not a gun either.

Before we get to his beast mode, let's see how he compares to his G1 self. Shorter, check. Less screw holes on the front, check. Spot on colors check. More articulation, check plus. As much as I love G1, I also love seeing these classic characters from my childhood re-imagined and upgraded with today's toy making technology.

I know the whole Predacon theme in Beast Hunters is dragons, but I refuse to call Twinstrike a dragon.  e looks more like a cerberus in my opinion, albeit a mean and evil robotic cerberus. There is a good bit of poseability in this small figure. Hinge joints comprise the "elbows and knees" and the back feet are attached via ball joints. Sadly the 2 necks aren't articulated, but I imagine it to be possible if this was a deluxe sized figure.

I can't wait to find the other 4 Beast Hunter versions of the Terrorcons and merge them all together to form Abominus. Twinstrike on all accounts is an excellent Cyberverse figure and one that I just couldn't part with.

Transformers G1 - Butto D-83

It's hard for me to pass up offers when it comes to vintage Japanese G1 Transformers figures. Thanks to the popularity of the Transformers brand these sort of items don't always come cheap so I don't find myself buying many these days. A month or so ago I was made an offer for an extra TF that I had. In return I received two ramps I needed to complete my Skyhyper figure. The guy also tossed in a complete, boxed Japanese Blot to round off the deal.

I love the vintage Japanese packaging, especially the Scramble City 'bots. When I first got back into collecting one of the goals I had was to assemble all of the individually boxed Scramble City combiners. At one time I had all of the Terrorcons, but sold them off when I was made a ridiculously high offer.

This box has seen better days as you can tell. There is a generous amount of wear to the boxes' edges and the plastic window is a little discolored and fragile. There is even a small hole punched in the plastic.  Bummer.

I know a lot of the G1 toys had simplified transformations, but this guy's toy is a joke. What is Blot's alt mode exactly anyhow?

I have always loved this particular battle scene art.  Too bad there is such a bad flap crease going on here.

When it comes to translating names some of the Japanese names didn't easily translate into English. Blot's Japanese name is often referred to as Butto, but going by his included tech spec card it's Butt. Oh how his momma must be proud! I know it may sound odd, but these little tech spec cards are a huge plus to me. In the past I've been known to buy Japanese TFs just for their card!

Another thing I love about the vintage Japanese packaging is the presentation. I really wish toys still came packaged in styrofoam trays such as this, but no...they are bad for the ecology of the world. Since I already own Hasbro's version of Blot I don't plan on doing much else with Butt other than displaying him in his box. Besides, I don't think there are any differences between Hasbro and Takara's version.