Overdrive Clearance

(1) DX DualDrive Megazord



Kiddy Palace has this one clearing at S$35.00 (other places are still selling at S$45.00), so I went ahead to buy it without waiting further for a price drop.

The incentive to get this first is higher since it can fit in nicely, as it can combine with the DX DriveMax Megazord to form the DX DriveMax Ultrazord.

Well, the plastic quality is similar to the DriveMax Megazord. However, the joints for the arms and legs are super tight, and I used a great amount of force trying to separate them. I strongly believed that even a 8-year old kid can't do this. Stupid Bandai America.

Putting the most disturbing issue aside, the silver paint on the DualDrive Megazord is super easy to scratch off. Again, horrible quality!

Forming the DriveMax Ultrazord is the most irritating part because the Sub Driver kept falling off as it competes with Gyro Driver for space. The result is quite massive though, and is mildly interesting to play.

Just have to wait for the not-so-high priority DX Super DriveMax Megazord to get the Super DriveMax Megazord head and functional Drill and Shovel Drivers.



(2) Mission Response Kamdor

I didn't wait for the figures to clear at S$5.00 as well, so I got this together with the DX DualDrive Megazord at S$8.00 since I don't think I have time to wait and look around.

Now, the collection is complete with Moltor, Kamdor and the Sentinel Knight. Oh wait, I still need to get a Chiller!

Hyper Inflation?

More like BROAD DAYLIGHT ROBBERY!



POWER RANGERS JUNGLE FURY Toys are Officially In Stores!

The 16th season of the long-running popular live-action kids show will premiere on OKTO, 31 October 2009 @ 10.30AM every Saturday.

Now back to the topic on the new toys we got here:

First of all, NO repackaged Sentai Hero (SH) Figures in sight yet!

Among the stuff, the initial wave is surprisingly diversified and complete in every aspect, as compared to previous series where the selection is added as the show progresses. We have got the standard Action Figures, ridiculous Battlized Variants, Morphers, Weapons, Vehicles and Megazords.

(1) Sound Fury and Jungle Master Power Rangers




I don't know about Sheng Tai Toys but the Jungle Master Figures are supposed to show up much later in the show and not now. Never mind about that, the main point here is one action figure here costs S$24.95?! This is a S$8.00 mark up from the previous pricing of S$16.95 per figure!

I am sure that Sheng Tai Toys was probably heavily affected by the poor sales of Mystic Force and Operation Overdrive, but I don't think that this is the way to do business, by banging on the few rich parents who can afford buying their kids new toys... Seriously!

(2) Jungle Fury Morphers



Ah, the crap-tastic Wolf Morpher and the Solar Morpher* (not pictured).

There isn't any price increase for the Morphers this time round because it was already marked-up in the previous series. I was quite shocked to see that the Overdrive Trackers retailed for S$39.95 last time; it was a S$10.00 increase from the Morphers of previous series.

(3) Transforming Megazords




This is the sucessful new sub-category for the toyline.

Collectors on a budget can opted for this alternative; each box is S$59.95. Reason being, you will be shocked when you read the next section of this post. Another thing is that, this is the only way you can get the most number of Zords for this series. Granted that there are some missing paints and electronics here and there, the functionalities are pretty much intact.

Right now, we have the Jungle Pride Megazord and the "Roar Max" (Elephant, Bat and Shark) Megazord sets. Later, kids can expect to get the "Battle" (Wolf, Lion and Chameleon) Megazord and Rhino Steel Megazord sets. The only missing Zords are the Jungle Master Megazord's Gorilla, Antelope and Penguin Zords.

(4) Deluxe Megazords



Yes, a shock of a life time.

Deluxe Jungle Pride Megazord now holds the record for being the most expensive primary Megazord for the Power Rangers Series @ S$159.95!

Interestingly, Bandai Asia repackaged this one with a boxed design, instead of directly importing the American Open-Window Style. Therefore, it leads me to think that there is a slight possiblity that DX GekiTouja is packaged into it. Otherwise, why would Bandai Asia bother to repackage this one, when it is the same American Jungle Pride Megazord missing the LED lights in the fists? I guess we will never find out because no one is going to buy this guy at this price!

The Deluxe Megazord Category will disappoint collectors (if they only know about PR, WTH am I talking about...) and kids as there will only be Jungle Pride Megazord and Jungle Master Megazord available.

Bandai America did not release any of the Auxiliary Zords in the Deluxe Assortment. Also, I don't think we will get the Disney Exclusive DX "Ultimate" Megazord Set (which consists of the DX Jungle Pride Megazord, DX Lion and Chameleon Zords) and the DX Rhino Steel Megazord. Those two were only meant to be sold in the Disney Stores in the U.S.A.

Unless Bandai Asia decides to shock us with exclusive repackages... and oh, I think we will be getting all of the Candy Toy re-issues later, which will be a much better alternative than the Transforming Megazord Line I mentioned earlier!

Samurai Gattai Series Hiden Chouchin DaiGoyo

This guy was released on the 19th of September, and I only managed to get it today. Yes, it's a very busy semester... the uncle still remembers me as a regular. Hahah.

Back in 2006, we had Zuban which functions as a sword and a mecha. It has all the nice gold chrome and makes retarded phrases just like in the show. That was the cute part as he can only speak his name just like a POKe'MON! He was a nice addition to my Boukenger Collection (my favorite Super Sentai Series).

Gekiranger had no need for anything like this in 2007. LoL~

Then came 2008, the Go-Roader GT for Go-Onger. Essentially, it is a rolling wheel and Engine Soul "Casette Player". Yeah, that's how I described it and the mechanism. I didn't like this piece of junk and it was just there for completion sake and another wretched Engine Soul.

Again, DaiGoyo belongs to the class of "Mecha-Like Ally." (Is there any better terminology?) This time, a lantern that can transform into a robo! What was nice about him, is again, the interactiveness of mimicking the in-show counterpart. It makes a couple of on-screen phrases (around 10) which I adore. I think Bandai Japan made quite some effort into design this so that kids will buy it:

1) Role Play Weapon: Stick + Lantern!
2) Mecha Robo and the ability to combine with 4 Origami(s)!
3) Comes with 2 Hiden Disks! And it can store up to 8 Hiden Disks!
4) Speaks like the in-show counterpart and lights up!

Therefore, you can see the play value here. It is not a standalone piece of mecha because it can swap limbs with Shinken-Oh, so there's more reason to get it unlike Go-Roader GT!

Bought the Bandai Asia (Hong Kong) Licensed Version at S$80.00.

Boukenger Candy Toy DaiVoyager

This one's the re-issue from Bandai Asia (Hong Kong). Sheng Tai Toys actually managed to import all of the Candy Toys for this series!

In retrospect, DaiVoyager was one of the coolest Candy Toy Robo owing to the exception articulation points absented in the Deluxe Version which focused more on the electronic aspects.



Image: Stickers are not applied.

Unfortunately, there are several loose joint issues with the toy. Not sure if I am the only one or it was a manufacturing glitch. In addition, the sticker quality was at its worst with poor contrast of details and faded printing.

Retailing at S$9.95 each @ OG.

It's Morphin Time!

Announcement:

Disney has decided to broadcast remastered episodes for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in the coming January 2010 on ABC Kids.

This further confirms the fact that Samurai Sentai Shinkenger will not be adapted for the new Power Rangers Series, and Power Rangers RPM is indeed the last season as of now.

It is currently unclear if all 3 seasons of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers will be aired on TV or back to adapting the Japanese new series for the next season in 2011.



By Bandai America Incorporated:

BANDAI AMERICA POWERS UP LIKE IT’S 1993; BRINGS BACK MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS IN NEW TOY LINE

Go! Go! Get your Power Morphers - it’s Morphin’ time! Bandai America will bring the best-selling Power Rangers toy line back to its intergalactic, prehistoric roots with the “five teenagers with attitude” that started it all in a new collection of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers toys. The inaugural and most recognizable of 15 Power Rangers themes, this powered up Mighty Morphin line will feature both fresh and nostalgic play and collection experiences. Including action figures, vehicles, Megazords and role-play items aligned with the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series premiering Saturday mornings January, 2010 on ABC Kids; the highly anticipated toys will begin to arrive at retail by the end of this year.

As the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers took over the air waves - and your brain waves - in 1993 they made an unforgettable impact on pop culture. Showing that heroes come in every color, teamwork conquers all, and girls really can rule (unfortunately for good and evil), they took entertainment and play-time by storm. With three TV seasons, a motion picture and thousands of toys, the Power Rangers have spent 17 straight years in the top ten best-selling boys’ action figure brands in the US according to The NPD Group.

“The original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers captivated the country in 1993, and many kids who played with the toys now have children of their own,” said Tim Wills Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, of Bandai America Incorporated, “Families can experience their ‘morphin’ time’ once again as a whole new generation of kids are introduced to the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers toys.”

“I’m tickled pink to have had the opportunity to be a part of this juggernaut children’s action series and brand,” says Paul Schrier, former Mighty Morphin actor and director, “The good-natured humor and strong messages of teamwork and friendship really hit home with audiences everywhere and I can’t wait to see what’s next from this fountain of heroic action!”

To kick off the refreshed toy line, fans and families will get ready to battle not only for the salvation of the universe, but also for $11,000 in cash prizes in Bandai America’s “Power Up Video Challenge” contest. Consumers will be challenged to view a Power Rangers “cliffhanger video” online or at one of more than 2,000 movie theatres in the U.S., and then submit their own unique ending in a mini-movie or story-board at Bandai.com. Selected by both peers and a judging panel, the winning video and story-board entries will receive $10,000 and $1,000 in cash prizes respectively. Participants learn more and enter to win between October 1 and December 15 at www.Bandai.com.

Gattai Complete!

Got Candy Toy GoGo Shovel and GoGo Mixer today, which completes the Ultimate DaiBouken Set.

I was pretty lucky, as there was one of each left. SirenBuilder got restocked though, which prompts the question of whether DaiVoyager will be imported; that only time will tell...

Available at S$9.95 each as usual.