Breakdown (EarthSpark/1-Step Flip Changer)

Getting back to our ongoing look at the EarthSpark 1-Step Flip Changer toys (and realizing I've skipped over Megatron and Twitch) is Breakdown. Breakdown is a rather odd entry in the figures as you can see that he's a straight repaint of the Wheeljack 1-Step Flip Changer toy. Of course this doesn't leave us with a very screen accurate depiction of the character... but you know what? It looks really good in these colors. Like, this didn't have to be Breakdown. They could have used these colors and called the toy Wheeljack GT or something. I legitimately want a regular Wheeljack toy in Breakdown colors now. Aside from how nice the toy looks... it's still the same toy mold as Wheeljack (whom I've talked about before).

So there's nothing new here. Fortunately it's a good figure (if you like Flip Changers like I do) and man that Gobots comparison I've made with these guys rings through even more so with Breakdown. Wheeljack already reminded me of Major Mo, this one does as well... but with these colors I can't help but to compare it to the white version of Crasher. Part of me wishes they'd outright make Gobots characters in these molds. That'd be neat.

Optimus Prime (EarthSpark/1-Step Flipchanger)

Continuing our look at the 1-Step Flip Changers from EarthSpark is Optimus Prime.  You've probably noticed from the pics that he's pretty similar to Swindle. The two share engineering and transformation schemes, but have individual molded parts. This isn't uncommon for these smaller gimmick toys. Optimus did come before Swindle in the series 1st wave while Swindle was in wave 2. I'm obviously not covering these in any particular order. Think of it as a playlist set on random. Optimus turns from robot to semi truck by flipping in the air or pushing over face first in robot mode.

While simple, it's a pretty satisfying process. Like the other Flip Changers, he isn't articulated unfortunately. However he could hold a 5mm weapon if desired. I'd like to see this toy in Machine Wars colors holding that particular version of Optimus Prime's gun. I wish there was more to say, but Optimus looks like Optimus. The EarthSpark version of Optimus, of course, but it's still Optimus Prime tried and true. His colors are simple like the others, and the Takara Tomy version has a better paint deco like others. These Flip Changers are a fun and simple way to collect the characters from EarthSpark and you need Optimus Prime!

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.

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.

Today's Special, tomorrow's Halloween!

Tomorrow may be the spookiest day of the year, but today is the most evil day of the week. Monday! I hope everyone had a fun Halloweekend, I sure did. We carved pumpkins, had spooky spaghetti, and watched creepy TV including the new Five Nights at Freddy's movie. It's hard to believe the spooky season is almost over, but let's end it with a bang! 

I found some fun stuff while doing our weekly shopping. I went to Ross hoping to luck up on some of the Transformers finds folks have been having. While no Generations were there I needed, there was some Autobots Unite packs! I'd hoped to find these and got Bumblebee, Megatron, and Battletrap. Hopefully I can find the rest. Long time readers know how much fun I had with the Energon Igniters toys from the Bumblebee movie and these are those same molds!

Not to be outdone by returning favorites is another bit of older Zone Base favorites! I got some Botbots! Clearly Ross had some fun in store for me! Hopefully future visits will provide more of that fun. Still no Troop Builder box set at Target, but I did find a One Step Flipchanger Twitch. Now the Flipchanger ranks are complete until a new wave is unleashed upon the world and my wallet. I also grabbed The Bandai Ultimate Legends HD Zenitsu figure. I needed him to complete my set of Demon Slayer figures from that line.

Did everyone enjoy the new episode of Transform Squadron? Monster Gobots seemed like a fun way to round out the spooky season! There's a little more Pumpkin Spiced Mayhem in store before it's all over. Thanks for coming back for another new week and be sure to share with your friends. There's plenty of Zone Base Halloween to go around!

Wheeljack (1 Step Flip Changers/EarthSpark)

Getting back to the 1 Step Flip Changers from EarthSpark (because I like them) is today's look at Wheeljack. While I've always I enjoyed 1 Step Transformers for various reasons, it's taken me a minute to figure out what it is about these newer Flip Changer versions that I like. I think for the most part, it's because they remind me of Gobots in a way. Certainly not all of them, but a good bit of them have similar proportions. Obviously Gobots had articulation and had to be manually transformed, this is just a slight similarity. With Wheeljack, I'm reminded of the Machine Robo version of Major Mo a little. Similar car, similar robot (the head obviously isn't the same).

Wheeljack of course transforms automatically, however does so with the "butterfly knife" transformation so many 1 Step Transformers use. It's been almost 10 years of this and I've yet to tire of this simple transformation. Wheeljack, like the other Flip Changers doesn't have any articulation (boo), is pretty pleasant regardless. He's just a likable little toy. I will say some more colors would be great as the little bit looks nice on the mostly all white toy... but also the mostly all white could use some more. I understand that these are inexpensive toys and there's some budgetary trimming... but that's bullshit. Core Class costs the same and are fully functional and colored. These should be cheaper. Aside from that, Wheeljack is a very pleasant little robot. I see that a recolor of this mold as Breakdown is on the way and... while it doesn't look like Breakdown, I do find it pleasant looking. Maybe a Major Mo version could come along just to make me happy.

Soundwave (EarthSpark/1 Step Flip Changers)

I've been a fan of 1 Step Changers/Turbochangers since they were introduced, so it's no surprise that I jumped on the new EarthSpark versions. There's a difference with this new type. Despite the extremely simple transformations, the prior ones required manual change. These new toys do not. You simply push the robot over or flip it in the air and it will self convert into alt mode. It's a super neat gimmick and fun to play with. Unfortunately, they don't have any articulation (so far). The older Turbochangers had very limited articulation, but it was still there. That's probably my only complaint about these going in.

I like Soundwave a lot and tend to get as many of his toys as I can. Given that and his super cool design in EarthSpark... this was a must have. Soundwave's design is a mixture of his Cybertron toy and Armada Thunderwing with some super robot flair. With the right colors, he'd blend right on in on  a shelf with late Takara G1 or Brave toys. I like this little bot and want to get more toys of his design. I mentioned Armada Thunderwing above, which is funny as I'd really like a Tacticon version. This design just looks like it'd work well in a tiny toy. As is, Soundwave is a pleasant Flip Changer. I do wish there was arm articulation, but it's not a deal breaker in a low price gimmick toy. These make good desk bots to occasionally play with and clear out some mental fudge. Man, he looks like a 16 bit game character.