Bios: Ramulus

Function: Scout, Survivalist

Ramulus' stasis pod crashed in a mountainous region of prehistoric Earth during the onset of the quantum surge. Isolated, damaged and forced to develop his own survival tactics, Ramulus trusts neither Maximal nor Predacon alike. He is reluctant to fight, but rash and impulsive once provoked. Characteristically calm and reliable when venturing through unexplored territory on his own. Relished adventure and argues that the Maximals' success depends on their continual repositioning and relocation. Longs to see Cybertron. Ramulus wields a double slagmaker cannon in robot mode and his fractured spark crystal generates disruptive ion pulses.

 

Strength: 7.2 Intelligence : 8.3 Speed: 5.7 Endurance: 8.2

Rank: 5 Courage: 7.8 Firepower: 6.3 Skill: 8.1

Star Wish

McDonald's, 1986

Bumblebee (EarthSpark/1-Step Flipchanger)

It's not secret around here that I'm a Bumblebee fan. So obviously I've got a high opinion on his 1-Step Flipchanger figure. Real Talk- If you don't like these, you're not going to like this. He's got the same amount of articulation (none), the same simple color palate, and the same gimmick as the others. I'm taking a look at these as a fun and simple way to look at EarthSpark characters and to give spotlight to some figures that are probably not getting a lot of attention. Not to mention, they kinda remind me of Gobots for some reason. Mostly for the similar overall look as Gobots have articulation (a decent amount all things considered) and generally involved transformations. You know, I could see these coming in a little box with individual numbers for each toy. That'd be great.

Bumblebee is Bumblebee and he looks as he should. Of course this is the EarthSpark version of the character, so there's that. Despite the simplicity of the toy, it has a pretty decent sculpt. The Tomy Takara version does have a better paint deco and that brings out the toys looks a bit better. You know, this toy would look great in translucent plastic. It looks like these figures do have the ability to hold 5mm accessories. While the lack of articulation obviously wouldn't allow for any dynamic poses, a gun or two would add some visual flair. I can see Bumblebee packing some heat. Bee transforms via the 'switchblade' configuration most common in 1 step style toys. I've yet to tire of it personally. Of course being a Flipchanger, you either flip him in the air on just push him over in robot mode and Bumbleee is now a cool sports car! I really like the EarthSpark design for BB, it just looks cool. If these toys aren't your thing, Bumblebee won't be either. If they are... he will be. I should have made all those be's a pun.

Monday, destroyer of hope

Unfortunately the holiday weekend is over. Fortunately that means a new week here on Planet Zone! Thank you for coming back after that long break! I certainly enjoyed my mini vacation, but I'm so tired from all the Christmas shopping. Fortunately we got almost all ours done! Now just to finish up at our leisure. That's nice. I did pick up some Botbots from Ross while out, got quite a bit actually. I don't like to spend alot on myself this time of the year. However, something small is ok and little things started this site.

We're kicking off the Christmas season this week with more robots, monsters, and misadventure! I've got some fun stuff planned for you all. Thanksgiving was last week, but I'm still thankful for all of you reading Zone Base. I know there's bigger and flashier sites out there, so seeing you all here is really flattering. Thank you for supporting independent thought and content. Unlike those big and flashier sites,  I'm not here asking for a hand out either. Nope, none of that nonsense. Just some honest fun with our hobbies. All I ask is that you share the site with your friends. Thanks for reading and let's have some fun!

Thanksgiving Break

Happy Thanksgiving Zone Base readers! I'll be on holiday for the rest of the week enjoying the holiday with my family and getting some much needed rest. See you all next week with more robots, monsters, and misadventure!

Dinobot Swoop (Legacy: Evolution/Core Class)

Swoop is one of the Dinobots that everybody loves. It's hard not to like him, he's just neat. Not to mention, I love Dinobots. This Swoop of course is another member of the Core Class Dinobots from Legacy: Evolution and forms the right arm of Volcanicus. Unlike the other members of the team, Swoop is much more like a standard Core Class figure with the standard amount of articulation you'd expect from the size. I guess that Pteranodon alt mode is more beneficial than you'd assume. Swoop isn't as blocky as the others. I don't mind that at all on them as they're members of a combiner team. However, it's refreshing here to have a figure that you'd never know was a combiner limb unless told otherwise. Swoop just feels like your standard Core Class figure.

Swoop does have the cool blaster that doubles as Volcanicus's fist like Scaar had. In this case though, it's a dual set of blasters that connect to form the hand. The smaller guns are more fitting for Swoop and also meld well into alt mode. This is a great little figure and hard to find anything to complain about. The Dinoking comparisons are impossible to ignore as Swoop would make a good Yokuryu. That blue and white color scheme would really pop on this toy, though I'd hope for a little remolding of parts. I'm having a fun time with this set. Volcanicus is a combiner I've grown quite fond of since his introduction despite my younger days of getting annoyed whenever someone would mistake the Dinobots for a combiner team. Volcanicus just has a certain super robot flair that makes him undeniable. A smaller version is definitely welcome and frankly quite fitting. It just feels right.

It's Monday, pass the Cranberry Sauce

It's the start of a new week here on Zone Base, but not just any week... it's a holiday week! Thanksgiving is here and with it is my regular long holiday break. I'm pretty happy about it as I could really use the mini vacation. I do have a post coming, but regular posting will resume next week. Thanks for understanding. However this is normally the "What I did this weekend" post of the week and let me tell you about this weekend I had. Well, for one... it was a pretty short one. Being that I work overnight and there's a holiday this week, I'm working Sunday night to offset the short work week. But the amount of weekend I had was pretty good!

The Mrs and I normally have our groceries delivered, but picked them out in person instead while doing out weekly shopping. That's something I rarely do anymore, so it's kinda fun. Extra food for our Thanksgiving dinner was picked out and man I'm looking forward to it! We also went to Target and while there I picked up Detritus and Core Class Thundercracker from Legacy: Evolution. I'm starting to feel like that Buzzworthy Bumblebee Troop Builder set is an urban legend. Hopefully I can find Beast Battlemaster Air Razor soon. Speaking of Beast Battlemasters, hope you all are enjoying the newest episode of Transform Squadron! Well, it's time I got back to work. Thanks everyone for reading Zone Base. If you like what I'm doing, thanks! If you could, please share the site with your friends. That'd be super awesome.

Transform Squadron 50- Cat Guns and Roses

LISTEN NOW!

This month, Rob takes a look at Beast Battle Masters. There's a whole lotta fun to be had when a wolf turns into a chainsaw.

Swindle (EarthSpark/1- Step Flip Changers)

Swindle is a fun addition to the EarthSpark series. Not just because Swindle is a generally fun character, but they homage an often forgotten about version of him. In Cybertron, Swindle and Hardtop were toys that shared a mold. Taking note of this, the characters were brothers. In EarthSpark, both characters are brothers again. I'd like to think that was an intentional homage. While the characters aren't twins, they've got similar colors to their Cybertron selves. Not to mention... I'm pretty sure they'd repaint this toy for a future Hardtop judging by other incidents. Not going to lie, this  toy would look great in those colors. Another neat thing about Swindle is, in the EarthSpark Expedition video game, the generic Mercenary enemy uses his CGI model. I'm also hoping for another repaint as that.

I should talk about this toy though, huh? It's a pretty good little figure of Swindle in Flipchanger form. Swindle transforms from robot to armored truck mode in a simple one step. Just push him forward and he'll spring loaded convert quickly. Or you can flip him in the air as the name would suggest. It's a simple toy meant for simple fun. Like other Flipchangers, Swindle has no articulation. The toy itself is it's gimmick. I like EarthSpark, but so far my plan for it's toy line has been to buy all the Flipchangers and Tacticons with the occasional Warrior or Deluxe Class. Legacy and Studio Series is the bulk of the Transformers toys where my attention is mainly focused currently. This is a good way to get the characters from EarthSpark and also feed into my love of these types of toys. I like Swindle's stockiness and colors (though the Takara version is more show accurate). This is just a neat little figure in a neat little sub-line from a neat little show. Neat little things are neat.

Transformers Coaster coming to Saudi Arabia

Bios: Moon

What's this in his chest? Twelve moon reports are in there! Transform Moon!

I'm Moon, the rabbit shaped robot! Usually, my friend Artemis and I are up on a little planet circling the planet Gaia. And in upcoming "Second News" segments on TV, I'll be telling everyone the secrets of the Beast Warriors we've seen, so be sure to root for me!

(Hmph, trying to hog the spotlight all to yourself! Hey all you good kids, don't forget to root for me, Artemis too!)

Meteorbs- Watch the Battle Unfold!

Masters of the Universe Meteorbs, 1987

Dinobot Scarr (Legacy: Evolution/Core Class

Getting back to the Core Class Dinobots I started talking about a little while back with Grimlock is Scarr, whom we'll be looking at today. In the IDW comics, Scarr (spelled Skar there) is the Tactical Medic of the Dynobots. I'd like to think this set represents another version of the team as a combiner team. Scarr transforms into an Ankylosaurus and the left arm of Volcanicus. For many of us, there was an instant comparison to Gairyu when Scarr's images first got out. It's almost impossible not to make that comparison.

Like Grimlock before... there's no ignoring the fact that Skarr is a combiner component. I can look past it seeing the larger picture, but I know others can't. He's a smaller toy at a lower price who's one part of a bigger thing. There's going to be some compromises, the Real World is more than a long running TV show. Scarr is pretty neat though, he's this chonky little fellow that's hard to dislike. Scarr's gun is one of Volcanicus's fists. That's a fun way of using the combiner parts in the individual robot modes that's been done before. I personally couldn't stop comparing it to toys like the Micromaster Combiners or Landcross. I really liked those so the comparisons made it impossible for me to dislike. Your mileage may vary. It's worth noting that Monstructor and Dinoking had the same type of weapon/parts. Hrm. Scarr is a great addition to the Dinobots and one I could see being a member of the original gang. So far this set is pretty great and the similarities to older combiner teams is awesome. 

Ultra New Week Revolution

Monday has reared it's ugly head once again, I have no jokes... ugh. Fortunately it's also the start of a new week here on Planet Zone! I enjoyed my weekend, we did some shopping and decorated the inside of our house for Christmas. I'll be waiting for Thanksgiving break to hang some lights up on the outside of the house, but the tree sure is pretty in the living room. With Christmas coming up, I'm trying to limit purchases for myself to smaller items like blind boxes. So it was a good time to grab 2 Micro Galaxy Squadron boxes while out. There's something just so perfect about those little sets. 

I'm planning on recording a new Transform Squadron this week. It's a little soon after the last episode, but the holidays do create a little havoc in my schedule. I'm sure you all will understand holiday programming interruptions in the next few weeks. I'm sure many of you will also be busy enjoying the holidays as well. Thank you all for coming back for another week here on Zone Base. I've got some great content on the way. Since the holidays are about giving and sharing, I'd appreciate it if you'd share the site with your friends!

Walmart's 'Great Value' Transformers

Christmas is around the corner. Like many of you, I've been checking out various sales. I've been noticing most stores have been sending out toy catalogs with QR codes for the products on each page. Noticing the Walmart books Transformers page, I scanned and checked it out. That's when I caught the 'sales prices'. Many 'original' prices are wrong, leaving the sales price as the normal regular price. Some just wrong prices in general. Or in a few special places... the original price was cheaper. Ok then. For your amusement, I've screen capped the pages and uploaded the images here. I guess this is a Great Value sale. Watch out y'all, companies aren't your friends.

Prowl (Legacy Evolution/Deluxe Class)

Neatly enough, the Legacy Evolution Deluxe Class Prowl is his incarnation from Transformers Animated. Animated was a very fun show that had the misfortune of airing between the 2007 movie and it's 2009 sequel when the Transformers world was full on live action movie focused. The show certainly garnered a large following, but I've always felt got a little lost in all the attention the movies were getting at the time. In Animated, Prowl's character was quite different from the Prowl we're used to. He became more of a martial artist warrior as did Jazz. Instead of a Police car, he transformed into a Police motorcycle and featured mostly black color scheme as opposed to the traditional white and black. To my understanding, this design was based heavily on a California Highway Patrol motorcycle ala CHiPs. Like the Transformers Prime based toy in Legacy Prior, this Prowl toy is more traditional looking to fit in with other Generations figures while still homaging his Animated design. I like the results.

Like I said, Prowl transforms into a motorcycle. With recent motorcycle Transformers, I haven't particularly enjoyed the transformation much. Specifically the Legacy Prime Arcee mold that has gotten a lot of reuse lately (I've gotten them all but Flamewar). This time, however, it's no sweat. I just put everything where it was supposed to go and didn't curse once. Your mileage may vary. Prowl's throwing stars return and still store in vehicle mode as hubcaps. They of course unfold into the stars and can be easily held. This is his 'Evo-Fusion' according to the box... yeah. Prowl has quite a bit of articulation as he'd need a great deal of flexibility for martial arts. This is a really likable toy of a cool design and character. Animated is on regular rotation on the Transformers channel. I can imagine people recently discovering the show appreciating a version of the character more easily accessible. With the Animated Bumblebee and Optimus Prime on their way in Legacy Evolution, they'll have even more chances.

Bios: Vamp

From the depths of the Antares Star System, Vamp emerges to join forces with the Renegades. Black-hearted and evil, this monster fits right in! She drains her opponents' power, then shoots energy blasts at these helpless victims. With her sinister red eyes, Vamp is ready to destroy the Guardians!

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

Woo!

Terminator (Mega Drive/Genesis)

The Terminator for the SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis in 1992 by Virgin Games.

Leviathan (BB-14RT)

Leviathan is a really cool entry in the BeastBox ranks. Instead of the usual robotic animal that transforms into a box, you've got a robotic vehicle that turns into a box. In the past when I've talked about BeastBox toys I've often compared them to Zoids. This just might be the most Zoid like of all the ones I have (quite a few at this point). Leviathan is a robotic whale submarine at a seemingly miniature scale.

It comes with a mini Jojo pilot and some tiny companions. Sting ray and a fish submarines can connect to Leviathan or swim along side in a undersea adventure. Personally, I find it impossible to not like this toy. It just so cool! The blue colors are so pretty and the whole concept is awesome. I haven't swapped the mini Jojo pilot out with any other Inchman style figure, but I'd wager two similar sized figures could fit in the cockpit.  Leviathan transforms very easy compared to other BeastBox toys. It fold up quite nicely and fits into the box charger without any trouble. There's even room to stick it's little friends in as well. I could see Leviathan fitting in nicely with Diaclone or other small scale science fiction toys. It's a really cool release and a fun toy overall.

Combine into New Week

Gang, another week has begun. Like you, I'm not a fan of Mondays, but that also means another week of fun here on Planet Zone! I had a pretty good weekend. Did some weekly shopping and picked up Studio Series Game Edition Megatron while out. Ate some great salad and my favorite grocery store sushi. We watched The Nun 2 and took down the Halloween decorations in the yard (boo). The Mrs made us an excellent chicken dinner Sunday night and I got an errand for Christmas done. In all a productive weekend, but still fun. Right now I'm enjoying some coffee and watching Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla. I've noticed my company has some commercials playing on the Godzilla Channel. I know it's probably part of an advertising program, but it still makes me happy. Thank you for continuing to support Zone Base. I've got a fun week planned, so please be sure to share it with your friends. 

Cosmos (Velocitron Speedia 500/Deluxe Class)

Like Override, Cosmos was one of the harder to find toys in the Velocitron Spedia 500 Collection. Thankfully, Shawn had sent me both when I was having problems finding them. Fortunately for others, it seems leftovers are popping up at liquidation stores. Giving fans another chance to get their hands on these really cool figures. That's one of the problems with all these recent exclusives. It's really hard to get them because the stores don't stock them well. Pre orders sell out within seconds bought by seemingly ninjas and the whole deal is incredibly frustrating for someone who works for a living. I was fortunate to complete the Velocitron and even the Toxitron sets... and now seems like a good time to start taking a look at these really cool toys. 

Cosmos is one of the bigger surprises in the Velocitron Speedia 500, because he's a flying saucer... not exactly what one would think of in a race. However thanks to the manga, we learn that he's serving an official roll. That's cool, it's fun that not every figure in the set is a participant. Who'd thought a company would consider the people who help make the event possible? Cosmos comes with a blaster (in case a fight breaks out at the race) and a little flag that can snap onto the blaster for officiating. The blaster can be held by the barrel so it can be waved in flag mode. One side of the flag is checkered, Cosmos will wave it around at the end of the race. The other side is plain white due to budget for when cars need to slow down or they've reached the final lap. Fun fact, my dad used to be a race car driver. When Days of Thunder came out, he was pissed off because Tom Cruise's car had the same number as his (46). He still bought a little toy of the car from Hardee's.

Cosmos transforms really easily. This is due to the pretty clever engineering from his design. Originally he was planned to be a retool of Origins Bumblebee. The designers were able to work out a brand new toy from three sets of new tooling (which would have been the amount needed for the retool most likely). Part of me wonders if Cosmos could have been a Core Class, but it's nice having him at a Deluxe size. The simplicity doesn't take away from the figure either, he's decently articulated and an all around pleasant version of Cosmos. You know, Cosmos should be simple to transform. Just look at him... making him complicated just wouldn't feel right. This is a great figure of Cosmos and I'm glad to see more people getting a chance to get one now that he's hitting the discount circuit. It's hard not to like Cosmos and good to see him get great toys.

Godzilla vs Megalon 2023 Godzilla Day 2023

Godzilla vs Jet Jaguar Godzilla Day 2023 Stream

Happy Godzilla Day Zone Base Readers!

Bios: Inferno

"Always look before you leap."

Inferno is a true Autobot, always looking out for the safety and well being of those around him. In vehicle mode, he is a powerful firetruck capable of heroic, and often dangerous, search and rescue missions. In robot mode, he is a skilled targetmaster and sniper. Inferno thinks before he acts, aware of the consequences of his actions. He is able to powerlinx with Hot Shot and always provides a well thought-out approach before battle.

 

Strength: 8 Intelligence: 7 Speed: 8 Endurance: 10

 Rank: 8 Courage: 10 Fireblast: 10 Skill: 10

Metroid (Disk System)

Metroid for the Famicom Disk System in 1986 by Nintendo