thoughts on the "Encore" tapes

[Dominic]

Posting a detailed review of toys based on designs that are nearly as old as I am, and not much less for the US market, is a bit absurd. On the other hand, there is more going on with these sets than might initially, (dare I say it?), meets they eye. I ordered these a while back, and have the first two. I may order the 3rd.

-set 1: Buzzsaw, Eject, Ravage, Rewind.
-set 2: Ramhorn, Ratbat, Steeljaw, Slugfest.

The third set will have Frenzy, Laserbeak, Overkill and Rumble. This set will complete the first 4 years worth of US released tape packs.

Even with the redundant molding, (there are several recolors, 6 toys cast from 3 molds across the 3 sets), there is a good amount of variation between the toy.

All of them unfold from a similar compact shape, a micro cassette of the sort used in dictaphones. (I used to work in a law office, and was suprised to see how much this archaic technology is still used.) Even taking into consideration the age of the moldind and the fact that all of these have extra kible bits that need to be attached when transforming them, there is an admirable degree of engineering involved in these toys.

(The second set is the best example of this, having 4 distinctly molded toys. But its lack of iconic characters may well make it the least purchased.)

It is ironic that toys designs made to represent mostly secondary (even tertiary) characters, and made to resemble dated technology that many adults (never mind kids) are unfamiliar with, have aged as well as they have, especially when so many of the more iconic "Transformers toys have not.

It is definetely worth getting at least one of the "Encore" tape sets. .

Side notes. The San Diego release of Soundwave lists the tapes as "deployers", totally avoiding the question of what the alternate modes are. And, the San Diego Ravage figure (packaged with the Soundwave) has a different sticker, (similar to a late run Japanese release), than the "Encore" release.

Dom
-might come back and post another review later today.

[Mirage]

I definitely need to get these guys, especially since they finally dug out the Frenzy/Rumble mold. Plus, now I can finally have a Ratbat with ears...

[Dominic]

I like when dealers try to sell busted Ratbat's as if they are complete. Missing ears should cap the price at $5, tops.

These are definitely worth getting.

Dom
-hoping for a set including the rare dinos.

[138 Scourge]

Dom
-hoping for a set including the rare dinos.

Oh, lord, me too. Though I'd feel a lil' bad for the people that shelled out huge moneys for 'em, I love lil' dinosaur robots. And those two just have really cool lil' dino modes.

[Dominic]

The "Encores" would not devalue the originals too much. So, people could just sell the originals and get the "Encores" if they wanted. Pleny of hard-core collectors would still prefer the originals.

Dom
-has seen the dinos, but never held them.

[Shockwave]

Recently nabbed that SDCC set. I've had all of these except Ratbat. This is the first time I've ever held one and I really like it. I particularly like how they took such a compact alt mode and unfolded it into a fairly decent looking bat. The soundwave that came with the set is the single door version unlike the Toys R Us reissue, even though that's what's on the box.

[Dominic]

I have been meaning to get an SDCC Soundwave. The redundant tapes discourage me though.

Dom

[Dominic]

Encore Act #19 (3rd set of tapes):

This 3rd set of "Encore" tape re-issues completes the tapes released up to 1987.

-Rumble (co-sold with Ravage from 1984-86)
-Frenzy (co-sold with Lazerbeak from 1984-85, and Ratbat from 1986-87)
-Lazerbeak (co-sold with Frenzy from 1984-85)
-Overkill (co-sold with Slugfest from 1987-88)


If there are any more "Encore" tape sets, they will likely consist of the combiners from 1988, and possibly later (Japanese exclusive) sets.


Given how long it has taken for Takara-Tomy to release toys based on the old Rumbe and Frenzy figures, many people, (myself included), have speculated that the original molding was lost. "Encore" Rumble and Frenzy, (recolors that share a mold), seem to be based on either rotted molds or molds based on castings from old figures. Either way, there is a subtle wrongness in the molding. Neither figure can hold their rifles in their hands. (The rifles plug in well enough on the robots' backs however.) Additionally, while some of the figures' stickers have been replaced with painted details, the upper legs on both are left blank.

Putting aside attachments to the characters, these are terrible toys. There is no reason that these figures should not be able to hold their signature weapons. And, the missing paint/stickers make these toys feel like knock-offs.
(Note: Both Frenzy and Rumble have silver weapons, making the Frenzy figure in this set more consistent with the '84 release.)


Lazerbeak: Lazerbeak is possibly the most famous of the original cassettes, (though Ravage comes close), and is one of the most re-issued. If you have a previous iteration of Lazerbeak, it is probably not worth buying this set to get another. If one considers that this is a re-issue of a toy that is about as old as I am, it is not bad. But, most people, (especially the collectors who would be interested in "Encores" to begin with), probably already have one.


Overkill:
While Lazerbeak is arguably the most recognizable tape, Overkill is one of the most obscure tapes. In fact, most of his appearances in context have been in stories published long after the original series ended. Overkill is a ceratosaurus, and was originally sold with Slugfest, a stegosaurus. Overkill is probably the best thing in this set.


Grade (for the set): C/D
The two most desirable figures in this set, Rumble and Frenzy, are terrible. Lazerbeak has not manifest flaws, but it arguably redundant. And, Overkill, while a nice touch, is simply an obscure character. Unless you need Lazerbeak and/or Overkill, skip this set.



Dom
-FIBRIR