Fighting Dynowarz

Dynowarz: Destruction of Spondylus is a game by Bandai for the NES from 1990. Back then I loved it. I haven't played it in 30 years, I don't know if I'd love it now. But I still think it's pretty awesome. You play as Professor Proteus and the Cyborasaurus. Levels swap between Proteus running and jumping and shooting and piloting Cyborasaurus. Who then runs, jumps, and shoots things. Cyborasaurus is a Robosaur and you'll spend his levels fighting other Robosaurs. If you're keeping score, that's a space dude driving a robot dinosaur fighting bad guys who also have robot dinosaurs. What's not to love?

Unfortunately there's not much info on the game out there. It wasn't a big hit. Most sites that bother to talk about it are basic reference sites or much bigger sites than this making fun of a weird old game. Part of me wants to believe it was part of a bigger series or was planned to be. I tried looking up a Japanese or other versions just to see what else there was and... nothing. It just feels like it was bigger than it was, like there's more to it. Guess not. At least I can remember it fondly.

I mean, dude, giant robot dinosaur.

Scary Monsters, Frozen Treats

Summer is a Spooky Season ....and hot as crap. Depending on where you live, sometimes the floor literally is lava. Where I live it's around 100 degrees this time of year, and that's not adding in the humidity. Know what's scary? Chaffing. One way everybody likes to stay cool is a pop sickle, ice cold and delicious. There's no better way to beat the heat. But man... it's a Spooky Season, right? 

Monster Pops and Vampire's Secret served up the summer chills back in the day. Monster themed frozen treats don't haunt the freezer section at Kroger anymore, but when they did, it was awesome. While Monster Pops came flavored orange, cherry, and grape in a variety of monster shapes! Though there was a disproportionate amount of grape as opposed to the other flavors in each box. It wasn't much of a surprise to find a freezer burnt grape misshapen vampire behind the tombstones in my family freezer.

Vampire's Secret wasn't just awesomely themed, it was a fucking delicacy. A black cherry pop sickle filled with this amazingly delicious cherry sauce. When it comes to frozen novelties, it was the creme of the crop and a box generally lasted only minutes. It's surprising that the flavor isn't still around. They could re-theme it into anything else and it'd still be the best tasting thing in the store. But... they should keep Dracula on the box.

Star Wars NES

I've been yearning to revisit the NES version of Star Wars for a while now. I've got a new copy of it to play thanks to my AtGames Star Flashback Blast!, just finding the time to play it hasn't been on my side. I've always vastly preferred the Super Star Wars games to the 8-bit Star Wars games, they're still pretty fun. I'm mentally taken back to those weekends spent with a rental copy of the game, one of those giant cans of Ecto Cooler, and a pizza. While that's still my preferred way to spend a weekend, they don't make those big ass cans of Hi-C anymore. Maybe I'll try to squeeze in one of those weekends soon. Man, that would be awesome.

unfortunately Darth Vader's transformations aren't in this version

Masters Of The Mall

Mattel took it upon themselves in 1986 to set up a mall display in Indiana. This display was nothing short of amazing and maybe a little crazy. To start off, you've got a meet and greet with Hordak. One of the bad guys. There he is, just shaking hands with small children. Scary demon monster kissing babies. He-Man was a pretty big target of the satanic panic of the 80's and sometimes when looking back... you kinda see where those folks were coming from.

I can't mention Masters of the Universe without comparing it to a bunch of Halloween decorations, so I'll just point out the obvious spookiness of a skull faced mountain in the middle of a mall courtyard. A skull faced mountain that you enter through it's mouth. I can't say that without picturing a Castle Grayskull haunted attraction. Dang.

Inside the attraction a mountain scene with many of the 1986 MOTU toys on display, complete with narration and lights showcasing each one! This is pretty darn cool, especially with the Eternia play set on display. That thing was always amazing and looks fancier than the rest of the display. What takes it to another level is the projections of He-Man and Skeletor fighting it out on the mountain. That's theme park level stuff in a mall food court.

He-Man's Power Sword is off model though. They'll have He-Man appear and I'll usually make sure the sword looks right. If Hordak's outside recruiting new members of the Evil Horde at Panda Express, the sword is the least of our problems. The least of yours anyway, I'm nonsensically specific about a few things and that's the wrong fucking sword.

Neon Alien Syndrome

Great news, everyone. Earlier today news broke of upcoming Alien toys by Lanard! Lanard, best known as the makers of the Corps! line of action figures has been making some really great licensed toy lines. From Kong to Rampage, and now with Jumanji, Lanard has been really knocking it out of the park with their great toys at really low prices. This year I've been a big fan of their Primal Clash line of figures myself. They're just good toys at a great price despite the snorts of toy snobs online (how does that even happen?).

With this new Alien line, Lanard is following their formula of new sculpt monster packaged with reused Corps! figure molds. These toys are bright colored and neat looking. The sculpting of the Corps! figures with the colorful Aliens make me mentally think of various video games like Alien Syndrome by Sega or the Konami arcade game (among others). Not to mention by making the Xenomorphs colorful, they make me draw mental comparisons to recent Reaction figures and the classic Kenner line. I also like bright colors on toys and man just LOOK at that neon nightmare packaging.

So far details are scarce. They've been spotted on Smyths Toy Stores site and I sent Lanard an email this morning asking for any details they could give me. Usually Lanard action figures are exclusive to Walmart stores here in the US (for the past few years with a few exceptions here and there), so I already know where to look. I'm hoping they'll take the place of Jumanji toys and replace this years selection sometime after Christmas. As much as I loved Primal Clash, this would make one awesome replacement.

*edit* I just got a reply from Lanard,  the Alien toys will be in US Walmart stores shortly after Christmas with even more Alien product due halfway into the year.

EARTHRISE IS COMING (AND I CAN'T WAIT)

Build the ultimate battlefield with the WAR FOR CYBERTRON: EARTHRISE figures (each sold separately, subject to availability). The siege is over, but the War for Cybertron has just begun. The AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS have left CYBERTRON, but their battle rages on as they speed through space in pursuit of the ALLSPARK. Adult fans nostalgic for the original TRANSFORMERS animation and kids discovering classic characters for the first time can share and experience exciting play patterns for all generations. Available for pre-order starting 10/03/2019 at 5:00PM EST on Hasbropulse.com and select online fan retailers.

Deluxe WFC-E8 Ironworks (Ages 8 and Up/ Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/ Available: 3/1/2020) IRONWORKS, the eccentric AUTOBOT communications expert, Deluxe figure stands at 5.5 inches in robot mode, converts into a Modular Battle Station mode and comes with 1 accessory. IRONWORKS disassembles in 10 steps and reassembles into Station mode in another 10 steps. Disassembled parts can be used to armor up and modify other figures. This ecosystem of collectible figures allows fans to build out epic space battle scenes and connect figures together to expand and customize the battlefield!Every pack includes a piece of the TRANSFORMERS Universe Map and a red decoder to unlock the map's hidden paths! Collect other EARTHRISE figures to piece together the full map.

The Tower of POWER

To say I'm waiting for the Genesis Mini with high anticipation is an understatement. I already have a few different AT Games Sega models and they're readily available still, but as cool as those are this is an official Genesis by SEGA and I care about that sort of thing. While I'm not holding my breath... ok I am... but that's a term of speech... the Mega Drive Tower Mini add on kits for the Japanese version are the exact kind of amazing accessory I need in my life. The games are pre-loaded on the console like other mini systems and there's no upgrading going on here. This is a purely cosmetic thing that's silly and I want it. A mini cartridge, a mini SEGA CD, and a mini 32X can all connect to the mini console to give it the full appearance of a decked out Genesis/Mega Drive. That's so freaking awesome. I don't expect to see it at Target, but in my dreams I already have it.

Megatron's Neutro-Fusion Tank

Conquest of the universe rests upon the immediate termination of all Autobots!

Cybertron and Earth are not enough for this power-hungry Decepticon! Now he wants the whole galaxy! More ferocious and powerful than ever, this living engine of evil seeks the worlds throughout the cosmos and utterly crushes all those who dare defy him, especially the Autobots. In pursuit of these grisly goals, he drives the Neutro-Fusion Tank, a high-impact battle tank armed with fusion cannon, corrosive smoke shells, anti-aircraft photon machine guns, and heat-seeking mechano-sensors. The tank converts into a ground-to-air, wire-guided missile launcher, and search and destroy jet throne.

Warduke is everything

I'm not a Dungeons and Dragons guy. I've tried to play it, it seems awesome, I'm just not a role player. I've certainly enjoyed D&D in other forms. The cartoon (which was awesome), the old toy line, various books and the occasional video game. You know, stuff. The stuff is great. One character that I've always loved and held in high regard is Warduke. Warduke is good stuff.

I was first introduced to Mr. Duke by getting his action figure, then he'd pop up on the cartoon and other outlets (odd children's book via weekly reader and other stuff). Just pure bad ass. One day I'm going to replace my old action figure of him (his parts lay in memorial at my Mom's house). Though despite only getting that one action figure, I've kinda gotten him in other forms. It's a stretch, but work with me here, I'm going somewhere with this. Somewhere bad ass.

Warduke has a very distinct looking design. Know how you see a skeleton warrior and Skeletor just pops in your mind? A red and blue robot, that's nobody else than Optimus Prime. Warduke has that kind of design for me. Death Adder, Sideways, Powers of Pain... the list could go on, but I've made my point. If not, look I don't know what to tell you. I totally made it, ok? You fucking know I did.

I don't know if Warduke's design is based on an older thing, and really I don't care. Warduke is just my general name for that look. Every gelatin is Jello, every tissue is Kleenex, every kinda mid evil/bat wing head heavy metal looking dude is Warduke. I feel like every air brushed carnival ride has featured Warduke in some way. I know I've seen variations of his design on haunted houses in the shady parking lot carnivals a million times. That's how the old cartoon started, so you might want to be careful riding one of those. You'll either be transported to the world of Dungeons & Dragons, or catch some weird disease. The seats on those things man... what are those stains even from?

Is it poop?

ECTO-1 TRANSFORMER IS HAPPENING

HASBRO REVEALS TRANSFORMERS-GHOSTBUSTERS ECTO-1

COLLABORATIVE FIGURE AND IDW COMIC SERIES

‘More than Meets the Eye’ Collides with ‘Who You Gonna Call?’

For Transformers & Ghostbusters™ 35^th Anniversaries

PAWTUCKET, RI – Feb. 15, 2019 – Autobots, Decepticons and ghosts?! Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) and Sony Pictures Consumer Products today revealed the first-ever TRANSFORMERS-Ghostbusters Collaborative figure, the ECTO-1 ECTOTRON, available at GameStop summer of 2019 and for pre-order starting February 15 at HasbroPulse.com, GameStop and EB Games Canada. This year marks the 35^th anniversary of both the TRANSFORMERS brand & the original Ghostbusters film.

When fans of the iconic Ecto-1 from the 1984 Ghostbusters movie look a little closer at this nostalgic interpretation of the car, they will be treated with a new “robot in disguise” named ECTOTRON, a converting Paranormal Investigator. The figure is packed in a G1-inspired box featuring classic tech specs and comes with its own proton pack and Slimer accessory, and converts between two modes in 22 steps – a seven inch Ecto-1 vehicle and a TRANSFORMERS robot.

TRANSFORMERS robots have always been more than meets the eye, but now, through the TRANSFORMERS Collaborative, fans can experience these larger than life characters as they team-up, mash-up and meet up with other characters, teams and people. It is a world of constant change where things are not what they seem. A combined world of TRANSFORMERS and Ghostbusters where heroic Autobots, evil Decepticons and now ghosts can be discovered!

The Ghostbusters have a new, out of this world teammate and fans will be able to meet the all new TRANSFORMERS character ECTOTRON in his epic origin story by IDW Publishing. A brand new 5-part series from creative team Erik Burnham & Dan Schoening begins in June 2019.

The ECTO-1 ECTOTRON figure is available at GameStop starting Summer of 2019 and for pre-order starting February 15 at HasbroPulse.com, GameStop and EB Games Canada. And be on the lookout for other possible TRANSFORMERS and Ghostbusters items. When these two iconic franchises come together – anything is possible!

About Hasbro

Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World's Best Play Experiences. From toys and games to television, movies, digital gaming and consumer products, Hasbro offers a variety of ways for audiences to experience its iconic brands, including NERF, MY LITTLE PONY, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH, MONOPOLY, BABY ALIVE and MAGIC: THE GATHERING, as well as premier partner brands. Through its entertainment labels, Allspark Pictures and Allspark Animation, the Company is building its brands globally through great storytelling and content on all screens. Hasbro is committed to making the world a better place for children and their families through corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. Hasbro ranked No. 5 on the 2018 100 Best Corporate Citizens list by CR Magazine, and has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies^® by Ethisphere Institute for the past seven years. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro) and Instagram (@Hasbro).

About Sony Pictures Entertainment:

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., which is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. SPE’s Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional information, visit http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html.

 

About Ghost Corps

Ghost Corps, Inc., a subsidiary of Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc., is focused on expanding the Ghostbusters brand with live-action feature films, animated motion pictures, television, merchandise, and other new entertainment products.  Ghost Corps is headquartered on the Sony Pictures Studios lot in Culver City, Calif.

Thanks to Hasbro and Rogers & Cowan for providing Zone Base with this news

Cyberverse season 2-Power of the Spark trailer!

• Season 2, titled CYBERVERSE: POWER OF THE SPARK, is set to release fall 2019 with Cartoon Network USA.

• In CYBERVERSE: POWER OF THE SPARK, the AUTOBOTS are closer than ever to finding the ALLSPARK, but completing their quest will be tougher than they could have imagined. They’ll face new enemies and be challenged by Earth’s roughest terrain, and along the way they’ll discover that, when near the ALLSPARK, they are imbued with incredible new powers.

• Using one of these mysterious new abilities, the AUTOBOTS will convert Earth vehicles into Spark Armor: the battle-ready gear they need to defeat the DECEPTICONS and continue their mission. They’ll convert boats into mech suits to battle Sharkticons in the water. They’ll change planes into jetpacks to take on the Seeker Squadron in the sky. Any Earth vehicle is a chance to instantly level the playing field, turn the tables, and win the day. With the power of the spark in their circuits, the AUTOBOTS will complete their mission on Earth and begin the perilous journey back home, where that same power holds the key to returning life to their planet.

Oh my BotBot

News broke today of all the new and upcoming Botbots on the way and every single one of them is amazingly amazing. But that's not why we're here. Well, I guess it is, but there's one particular bit from the news as to my excitement. Other than all the other cool stuff... 

*sigh*

Know how I've been hoping for holiday BotBots? Well gosh dand and holy crap it happened. Just look at that. 

LOOK AT THAT.

 

Sounds like a Blast

This is awesome. I'm a fan of AtGames products and seeing this news has my heart filled with hopes of seeing some really cool editions of their consoles themed around Star Wars and Marvel. Though not just those, there's some really great older Disney games I'd love to see as well. I can really picture those neato Blast micro consoles themed around a character or specific theme selling fast. I love playing old Data East games on their Legends Flashback console, really hope this means that old awesome Avengers arcade game gets released.

Universal Studios Cool Japan 2019

USJ really stepped up the annual Cool Japan event this year. While I'll probably never be fortunate enough to attend, it's a lot of fun watching videos of the various attractions and goodies for sale.

Ghostbusters 3 trailer

OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN

Meikyuu Hunter G attract mode

I talked about this great crazy game on this months Transform Squadron. Like I said, it was converted into The Real Ghostbusters in the US, which watching the game play here you can probably see why. In the game you play a guy with a gun fighting ghosts, monsters, demons, and all sorts of crazy evil spirits. It's super fun, and a little bizarre. I totally love it.

Ultraman in the US ultra news!

Multi-Platform Reboot of the Ultraman Brand Coming to US & International Markets https://t.co/uFA6ZOgsvx pic.twitter.com/b72vyMkJvB

— TokuNation (@TokuNation) December 11, 2018

I had been hoping this would eventually happen!

Transformers Ramen Resturant

I've made my love for ramen known here before, so when I randomly decided to enter Transformers and ramen into a search at the same time... I had no clue this would pop up (I was hoping for neat licensed instant lunch cups). This news completely passed me by last year when The Last Knight was in theaters (sadly, because this is the kind of thing I go crazy over). Apparently a ramen restaurant in Hong Kong called Ramen Iroha had a promotion for The Last Night featuring Transformers theming all over their restaurant. I found this video and this TFW2005 post showcasing the promotion and the sadness I'm feeling over missing out on this is absolutely ridiculous. Completely ludicrous. For starters, I live in Georgia. There isn't a Ramen Iroha here. We had that rad Sonic promotion (sadly, doesn't seem like anything for Bumblebee), but this puts those excellent slush cups to shame. I would love to get some of that neat stuff they were selling with the logos on it. Sure, I can grab a set of chopsticks easily, but I'd stockpile Transformers branded ones.

You think I'm joking?

I've found myself recently wondering what kind of cool set up could feature Transformers somewhere like Gatlinburg or Myrtle Beach. Somewhere that's a touristy place that would make sense. There's that neat Simpsons attraction at Myrtle Beach that makes me wonder if a Transformers themed similar thing would be a hit. Some sort of attraction like a museum or a 4D movie, a store, maybe a cool restaurant. Maybe have some of the SEGA arcade games set up. I'm sure it's be great.

Good lord I'm practically in tears just looking at the menu. Forget MP44, THIS IS SPECIFICALLY MY JAM.

MY SPECIFIC JAM.

Ultraman Netflix movie

It seems just as Voltron is ending, I'll have something new to watch on Netflix. Doesn't hurt that it looks great either. Here's hoping for Ultraman stuff at Walmart!

GI JOE Street Fighter 2 commercial

It's been over 20 years since this happened and I'm still excited.