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Post by shaxper on Jul 15, 2003 18:19:29 GMT -5
 Perhaps the most sought after non-base Diaclone of all time, much of Waruderos's fame comes from his scarcity. In general, Japanese toy makers orf the 1970s and 80s usually avoided producing toys for bad guys and female characters because they assumed little boys would have no interest in them. In fact, of Takara's Henshin Cyborg, Microman, and Diaclone (three toylines spanning a decade with similar themes and designs) Waruderos was the very first bad guy toy made. As a result, even the Kronoform "Wargon" incarnation of the toy is unusually rare and often sports a hefty price tag and, as another result, Takara definately skimped out on the quality of this toy, probably assuming it wouldn't sell well anyway. So, on to the review: Waruderos follows the 3-in-1 combiner theme first established with Diabattles and Battle Buffalo, though his actual combination is far more similar to Battle Buffalo. The arms transform in almost exactly the same way, and the head combines in a very similar manner. The legs are the most different, but they seem to be the weakest member of both sets. In general, Waruderos has some very nice features. He looks impressive in robot mode, three of the four pilots end up next to each other in the same concealed chamber when the vehicles combine, and the two "bug" vehicles are very impressive. However, Waruderos also has his drawbacks. The fourth pilot ends up sitting in his butt when combined, and falls out far too easily. I recommend removing him before combining, or you're likely to lose him. Also, in the Kronoform version (I can't speak for the original, since the missiles were inevitably altered for American safety standards) his claws and two rear missiles (when combined) fall out quite easily, as well. I strongly recommend playing with this guy with a ziplock bag in the other hand. Another drawback: The third "scorpian" vehicle (what does a scorpian have to do with bugs??) is particularly lame. I can't even imagine a combat situation in which it would be useful along with the two bug fighter spaceships. It just rolls around and shoots missiles. What the heck would it do in space? Finally, and most importantly, Waruderos contains 0% diecast content. All chromed portions are actually painted plastic, making the robot frail and badly balanced when combined. Mine actually hunches. All in all, I think a diecast version of this toy at 2x scale would have made a menacing adversary and I would have wet my pants to own one. The existing toy is still worth owning, but hardly worth the price tags it usually has attached to it. Maybe the Japanese were right. Who needs bad guys? |
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Post by rednecktex on Jul 15, 2003 23:11:43 GMT -5
Good review Shaxper! ;D
Saved me some money!
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Post by waruderos on Jul 15, 2003 23:37:19 GMT -5
LOL! The best (& funniest) review on this toy, that I've read. Even after that, I still want one.  [quote author=shaxper Another drawback: The third "scorpian" vehicle (what does a scorpian have to do with bugs??) is particularly lame. I can't even imagine a combat situation in which it would be useful along with the two bug fighter spaceships. It just rolls around and shoots missiles. What the heck would it do in space? quote] Ha! Yes, the catalog pics can't decide if the 'Sasorander' is flying, or falling into battle. It also seems to be the slowest of all Diaclone vehicles at M-1 (mach 1?). But the 'Mosquider'/head ship makes up for this, as the fastest, (a blistering M-20), if I'm guessing at the catalog writings properly. (Is there a translation of the long Diaclone & Waruder 'story' from the catalog? It looks very interesting!) Hey, if Waruderos' 'Waruder' pilots are like other Diaclones (diecast bodies), won't that bump his diecast content rating up to 1.0% Ward |
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Post by admin1 aka Ed on Jul 17, 2003 8:27:11 GMT -5
Hey, I had no idea it was considered rare...... They seem to be sold and traded alot (due to being unpopular).
Great review of the big bug!
-Ed
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styro
Junior Robot
Posts: 15
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Post by styro on Jul 24, 2003 7:39:52 GMT -5
Please, forgive my ignorance. I'm just getting back into collecting these.
I take it this review is on the Kronoform version?
This one is all plastic? I seem to remember the Diaclone version being diecast. I've never seen one up close, I've just heard about it. Anyone to comment on this?
I just made a good Kronoform/Diaclone score, and this toy is part of the lot. I can't wait to get it.
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Post by shaxper on Jul 24, 2003 9:25:14 GMT -5
Well Styro, you just may have something very valuable to add to this discussion!
It's been my experience that Takara almost perfectly duplicated the quality of their Diaclone originals for the Diakron and Kronoform toy lines, which is why I've always assumed the original Waruderos contained no diecast, just like the Kronoform one. I've never known anyone who's owned the original, and since the rest of the Kronoform robots contained the correct amount of diecast (battle Buffalo, Diattacker, etc.), and several other original Diaclone toys contained no diecast (Great Robot Base, Cosmoroller, Diatrain), it seemed logical to assume that the Waruderos original didn't either. Do you know for certain that the original contained diecast? It would be very interesting if Takara singled out one Kronoform toy to convert to plastic while the others retained their diecast, especially since all the Kronoform toys were released within a few months of eachother.
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styro
Junior Robot
Posts: 15
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Post by styro on Aug 1, 2003 14:01:59 GMT -5
Shaxper,
I emailed the person who was selling an original, and she said it had diecast. It was already sold at that point...
I received several Kronoform toys today along with an Italian Diabattles (Diatron). It comes with the 1st generation figures (the skinniest ones).
The Kronoform ones all came with the later drivers, except for Wargon which came with none. Wargon is a little disappointing, not having any diecast. I still like it all the same, and I got a pretty good deal on it.
I am sooo back into Diaclones!
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Post by shaxper on Aug 1, 2003 20:02:15 GMT -5
Shaxper, I am sooo back into Diaclones! Rock on! (and thanks for the info) Yeah, I'd be curious to know about Waruderos. Oftentimes, people assume the chrome on their diaclone toys is diecast if they don't inspect them closely, cuz Diaclone tends to be remembered as a heavy diecast series. I'm sure someone will reply to this topic 8 months from now and tell us  Just curious about your Kronoform purchases. I've only purchased one Kronoform MIB. It was Cosmoroller, though I forget the Kronoform name for it. Anyway, my drivers came with non-magnetic metal feet. I've been trying to determine whether the box was accidentally demagnified by coming in contact with some sort of electric or magnetic force, or if all Kronoform drivers had non-magnetic metal feet. All the sellers I've asked assure me their drivers have magnetic feet, but they won't actually remove their drivers from the boxes in order to test it. Help me solve the puzzle once and for all. Do your drivers stick to the refrigerator? |
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Post by rednecktex on Aug 2, 2003 18:45:21 GMT -5
Waruderos has no metal except for the screws!  Thanks to Shaxper's review I bought a loose one, without missiles, stateside for $40. I have seen it go for 15000 to 20000 yen on YJ, complete and boxed. It is a pretty nifty design!  On ebay everything is rare! For the magnetic guys I will let you know when I get my diaclone from Japan through Celga. ;D |
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Post by waruderos on Aug 3, 2003 15:07:20 GMT -5
[quote author=shaxper Help me solve the puzzle once and for all. Do your drivers stick to the refrigerator? [/quote] Only with tape I've experienced the same thing, where the drivers supplied with Kronoform (helmet, 'full metal jacket' style) have diecast feet blocks for standing balance, instead of magnets. The metal 'feet blocks' also have seams/marks from the mold. My few drivers from Diaclone, Diakron, & GiG Trasformers seem to have black ceramic magnets on their feet. Also, the 'skinny' older version driver I have (only one from a TF lot), has smaller feet magnets that seem stronger than the block-style foot magnets. I might be wrong, but I don't think the toy diecast metal can be magnetized/demagnetized? Ward |
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Post by shaxper on Aug 4, 2003 7:09:19 GMT -5
I've tried magnetically charging my kronoform drivers with other magnets and forceful impacts, but neither have worked, so I believe you're correct.
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styro
Junior Robot
Posts: 15
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Post by styro on Aug 4, 2003 13:24:23 GMT -5
Yes, he is correct. I have owned 5 different diaclone-based Kronoform toys over the years, and none of the drivers have magnetic feet.
The Italian Diabattles figures do, but they don't stick to the diecast on the toy, only on metal like the fridge or my coffee table. I wonder why they would even bother with magnets at all...
BTW, the Kronoform version of Cosmo Roller is called Modulator. Neat toy, reminds me a bit of Optimus Prime's trailer.
There's another odd Kronoform toy that I got called Invicepton, which is strange because it's an old Microman toy. It's really neat, but it's gonna get me in trouble because now I find myself wanting microman toys...
Tex - did you buy your Waruderos from Dragininaction on ebay? That was the seller I was referring to in my post. She told me it had diecast.
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Post by rednecktex on Aug 4, 2003 15:45:09 GMT -5
Yep I did, need to tell her chrome paint does not equal
Diecast! ;D
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Post by shaxper on Aug 4, 2003 20:40:14 GMT -5
Yes, he is correct. I have owned 5 different diaclone-based Kronoform toys over the years, and none of the drivers have magnetic feet. The Italian Diabattles figures do, but they don't stick to the diecast on the toy, only on metal like the fridge or my coffee table. I wonder why they would even bother with magnets at all... I've always suspected that Diaclone was a poorly planned toy line. A lot of the designs and alterations from prototype/catalogue version and produced version imply last minute indicisions. I think they'd originally intended to include more magnetic strips on some of the early Diaclones. It definately seems that the chrome sticker on Cosmoroller's floor was originally intended to be a large magnetic plate. Thus the giant porthole in the roof that a pilot could only look through if it could stand on its own once Cosmoroller was closed, for example. Cosmoroller is also a good example because the left station cannot hold a driver when closed. He falls out. But when I added a piece of magnet tape to it, he held perfectly. Seems like Takara might have skimped out at the last moment, for some reason. Great Robot Base, Fortress X, and Battle Convoy seem to be the only ones that effectively make use of magnetic surfaces. I've always felt the same way! And thanks for the refresher, by the way. If I'd been half awake when I posted that, I might have realized that the darned box was sitting in my closet Yep. I almost bid on one when I first got into Diaclone about two years ago. I thought it was a Kronoform release of Skybase. Wishful thinking, I suppose. Never could figure how the heck that toy ended up as part of the series though. I'd sure be curious to know... |
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Post by waruderos on Aug 6, 2003 14:19:51 GMT -5
[quote author=shaxper I thought it was a Kronoform release of Skybase. Wishful thinking, I suppose. Never could figure how the heck that toy ended up as part of the series though. I'd sure be curious to know...
[/quote]
I was wondering about SkyBase too! Can anbody post a review? The few pics I've seen look like it was meant for Microman, or some other scale. On a similar note, ever see a Microman 'Rescue Base' (or Secret Rescue Base) ? It really looks like it was made for the Diaclone line, but it came out before Diaclone; what a great reissue it could have been for a Diaclone base.
Ward
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Post by shaxper on Aug 6, 2003 22:24:52 GMT -5
Skybase is definately for Diaclone-scale drivers. I couldn't find any good pics of it for the longest time, but I've got a pretty good idea of it now. The best pics of it can be found at www.diaclone.net It's a great Diaclone resource, in general, though it's almost entirely in Japanese. Skybase seems to be pretty rare, but I've seen it pop up on Yahoo Japan several times since I started browsing there two months ago. Close inspection of pictures has convinced me that it isn't worth the cash it goes for. It's entirely plastic and doesn't seem to have anywhere enough cool features to make it a decent base. It's impossible to be certain of this, but unlike the great bases of the series (GRB and FX), Skybase doesn't really excite you when you see close up pics of it. Anyway, it definately isn't Inviception, just so you know |
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Post by waruderos on Aug 26, 2003 15:59:20 GMT -5
Waruderos has some diecast ;D!...er kinda  . I just recieved via eBay, a Kronoform 'Wargon' version of the toy (no pilot figures), and in playing with it, noticed something weighty clicking around in the mosquito/head ship. Peering in with a light, there was a glint of metal; and hoped there was a pilot/figure jammed in there. I took it apart with a micro 'Philips' screwdriver to see. Dissapointed, but surprised, I found a shiny, round plug of metal, about the size of a 'Sucrets' throat-lozenge. It's held in place by three plastic pins, and the pilot seat. It weighs a little more than a quarter, and looks to be 'punched' out of a metal plate (convex on one side, concave on other). Has anyone seen this before? It seems to be purposefully placed, but I can't figure out how it helps balance the toy so far up on the body (when assembled). Anyone notice this with the Japanese, or Italian versions? Ward |
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Post by shaxper on Aug 26, 2003 16:27:31 GMT -5
Confirmed. My Wargon has the floating sucret, as well. The only thing I can come up with is that it might be intended to work with the magnetic pilot feet to keep it snug in place, but it seems extraneous on a covered cock pit. I don't have any of my magnetic drivers with me in NY though, so I can't test the hypothesis.
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Post by waruderos on Sept 2, 2003 23:01:55 GMT -5
[quote author=shaxper I don't have any of my magnetic drivers with me in NY though, so I can't test the hypothesis.[/quote]
Just to confirm Shaxper, I think you are correct regarding the purpose for the metal 'sucret', as it is attracting the magnetic feet of the test pilot I have tried tonight. The figure sits inside very securely with the magnetic feet in contact with it.
Ward
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