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Post by Yumcha on Sept 7, 2022 9:28:56 GMT -5
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Post by Yumcha on Sept 7, 2022 11:20:42 GMT -5
PO up at AmiAmi and Amazon Japan.
Got mine in.
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Post by mpchi on Sept 7, 2022 13:12:15 GMT -5
I see it being a torso and a pair of legs. What are the sets that are meant for the arms and head? I am curious.
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Post by Yumcha on Sept 7, 2022 15:08:46 GMT -5
I see it being a torso and a pair of legs. What are the sets that are meant for the arms and head? I am curious. One more set for the head. You know the vintage version of this robot, right? |
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Post by mpchi on Sept 7, 2022 15:30:06 GMT -5
I see it being a torso and a pair of legs. What are the sets that are meant for the arms and head? I am curious. One more set for the head. You know the vintage version of this robot, right? No, not familiar with the vintage. But I am somewhat familiar with the new ones, since ToysTV periodically talk about them. Just don't know them by name or numbers. |
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Post by Yumcha on Sept 7, 2022 16:17:01 GMT -5
One more set for the head. You know the vintage version of this robot, right? No, not familiar with the vintage. But I am somewhat familiar with the new ones, since ToysTV periodically talk about them. Just don't know them by name or numbers. Ah, for some, Great Robot Base is a grail toy released as part of the original Diaclone line. More details of the original here. |
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Post by Yumcha on Sept 7, 2022 16:19:25 GMT -5
I always coveted the original but really can't justify the price with everything else I collect from this nutbar hobby...but yeah...to have it come out as the Diaclone Reboot line is great. I am excited.
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Post by mpchi on Sept 8, 2022 2:05:54 GMT -5
Man...this thing is pretty insane. With the missing top half, it might be as big as the new TF Fort Max! Didn't know I want a Diaclone, until I saw this. Pretty much a Fort Max, without the hollowness, and filled the entire thing with gimmicks and vehicles. Impressive. It is like the dream robot base playset that came 40 years late.  www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/diaclone/product_details/robotbase/da-95/Even more insane in action! |
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Post by silver1spider on Apr 2, 2023 10:17:51 GMT -5
I preorder this item. Just saw the review by the HK team on ToysTV - The piece is packed with features but. My wallet scream when the reviewer showed the size of the box ... ouch the shipping on this is going to suck really bad....  (I should have know given the figure is 52 cm long) (around the 1 hour 20 mark) |
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Post by Yumcha on Apr 2, 2023 11:36:02 GMT -5
The shipment is not cheap. But, then again, look at the size of the beast...Hopefully mine arrives from Ami2 by late next week (selected EMS).
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Post by mpchi on Apr 2, 2023 15:33:53 GMT -5
I have not watched that ToysTV episode yet, but looking forward to it when I get to it later during the week. Surprised they get their hands on one so soon. Mine may come a bit later (Nin-nin is slow sometimes), but quite excited for this one, even though I am not really a Diaclone fan much. But can't resist the sheer size and how iconic the Robot Base is. Not sure about all the DLCs (turrets, runway add-ons) though. Nice to have, but not that significant, and I dislike the 'nickel & dime' strategy they use sometimes, keep adding more and more accessories packs to get more money out of collectors, since it won't be 'complete' without. Hopefully I can stay strong and just go for the main base halves without falling for those, and they better not screw up with the top, now that I am quite invested.  |
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Post by mpchi on Apr 4, 2023 21:37:52 GMT -5
I preorder this item. Just saw the review by the HK team on ToysTV - The piece is packed with features but. My wallet scream when the reviewer showed the size of the box ... ouch the shipping on this is going to suck really bad.... (I should have know given the figure is 52 cm long) (around the 1 hour 20 mark) Really good episode, especially if you understand Cantonese. Lots of fun exchanges, and they talked about Diaclone being toys that are really meant to be played, not the same as high-end displays that get us worried if we scratch up the paint or loosen up the joints moving too much. And if folks here didn't know, the new guest they invited is a TV celebrity that loves Diaclone. Watched him a bunch in TV drama and comedies when I was younger, now all gray-haired. Rather than just collecting and displaying high-end toys like us in cabinets he rarely touched, ever since he started collecting Diaclones soon after the franchise reboot, he has a new habit of having a shelf next to his bed, where all his Diaclones go onto, so that he can always conveniently pick one up and play with before bedtime. That's pretty neat. |
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Post by mpchi on Apr 8, 2023 1:12:00 GMT -5
Nin-Nin processing my Robot Base order. Yay! Can't wait.
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Post by mpchi on Apr 20, 2023 13:15:55 GMT -5
It is here! Didn't take any photos, but did take it out and tried some gimmicks. It is very fun. Quite solid with many ratchets and tabs. Everything has very good fitment and not loose nor too tight. All around hard plastic, not the more soft pliable plastic we get from Takara/Hasbro Transformers these days. Though they used a lot of 'metallic' plastic so there are tons of swirl marks all over. Guess they forgo the aesthetics and just focus on the playability. Also the thing while heavy, not as heavy as expected, I can still easily lift it with one hand. It doesn't have the flimsiness of Fort Max (big hollow limbs), since there are more structure within, but still a lot of storage for vehicles. Just a single foot can store 2 vehicles in it, then 1 in the shin, and 1 bigger hangar on the gray belly. All the gimmicks work very well and a lot of fun, though you can see them in promo videos and reviews already so I won't go into details. They are well designed, smart, and work great! One cool thing is that it doesn't have any loose parts dangling around. I can easily return it back to its base mode with a couple things folded down, then straight back into the box. All the vehicles and pilots can now stay in the base and hangar (instead of back to their plastic trays). Very convenient in case my cat attacks it, and it is refreshing, compare to many of our fancy toys that once it is out and displayed, it is not likely going back into the box (too much disassembly involved). Also, I already see one way they trick us to spend more money. While they give you a crew of 5 Dia-nauts (tiny generic space guys team colored in Power Ranger colors  ), once you put them all in the main control room in their seats, you realize all your vehicles are unmanned. So right away, I have the urge to get more of them and they are not cheap either, a set of 5 sold for $40 and up, if you can still find them at retail price. Some more sought after rare colors even fetch a hefty price in loose auctions. They are really tiny, not even an inch in height, but fully articulated. They rely on the magnet stickers that came with most Diaclone sets to stay in place. These make Lego figures look like giants. All in all, I am really enjoying this Robot Base (and I have not even tried out everything yet). While I most likely won't go too deep into collecting Diaclone in general (will be Robot Base focused, possibly just a couple small add-ons and some extra Dia-nauts), this Robot Base is such a refreshing entry, as it is one of the few 'playability' focused big release in the market, yet pack such a punch in its delivery. It may not have fancy paintjob (just enough on accents and small details), and ugly plastic swirls all over, but it almost doesn't matter at this point. It is just fun to play, and the ultimate dream base playset that we always wanted as a kid. And the thing is, this is only half of it, as likely even more impressive things to come when Takara releases the top half. This is TOTY material, folks. Don't miss out. Took this screenshot below from a video review, showing how much bigger it is compare to the original Robot Base from the 80s. They don't just look alike. Most of the gimmicks and main structure on the new one is from the old, just modernized and improved upon.  Just saw this stop motion video, pretty fun one, also showcase the Robot Base features well. |
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Post by mpchi on Apr 20, 2023 19:24:13 GMT -5
Man! Talking about timing! Takara just released a teaser image of Robot Base's head~! LOOKING GOOOOOOOOD~!  |
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Post by Yumcha on Apr 20, 2023 23:41:54 GMT -5
T-T's re-release of the Diaclone line is an extensive black hole I generally fought the temptation to dive into save the initial couple of Dia-Battles and Buffalo Bill. The rest I've just fought of the urge.
But, Robot Base? Take my money, dammit. Legs just arrived the other day...still in box from Ami2 but will break it out this weekend if time permits. Can't wait for the torso/head.
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Post by mpchi on Apr 21, 2023 2:19:38 GMT -5
T-T's re-release of the Diaclone line is an extensive black hole I generally fought the temptation to dive into save the initial couple of Dia-Battles and Buffalo Bill. The rest I've just fought of the urge. But, Robot Base? Take my money, dammit. Legs just arrived the other day...still in box from Ami2 but will break it out this weekend if time permits. Can't wait for the torso/head. Doood. I just bought myself 6 Dia-nauts from different Yahoo Japan auctions & Mercari listings just to fill my empty vehicles...I think I am getting sick. There were speculations that the top half of the Robot Base won't make it as DA-100, since there were quite a few add-ons revealed very quickly and no hint of Robot Base top half appearing any time soon. However, this head image tease changes everything. And Robot Base top half is very likely going to be DA-100, and very fitting at that (more so than the SOC GX-100...as nice as it was). So hyped. |
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Post by mpchi on Apr 21, 2023 13:39:17 GMT -5
Looks like TakaraTomy has been busy on Twitter the past couple days. Not only showing the head teaser image, but an animation promo that hinted the combination of the top half, Cloud Across, if I remember the name correctly. (spoiler alert, they cut it off just when it gets juicy ) Did the transformation last night into the legs (works just like in that video). Simple with just a few steps, beautiful hard ratchets and the legs and ankle pivots are rock solid (also ratchets). Super stable, and because the Base mode front and rear tracks collapsed into the front half and rear half of the leg and foot (like the vintage one), front half of the foot has its only ratchet ankle joint, while the rear half (heel) also has its own ratchet ankle joint. I think it is the first time I come across a robot toy with this tandem double ankle and pivot design. Very interesting. One minor gripe is the 2nd, or the lower ratchet of the double knee joint. It was somehow a softer ratchet by design (both legs are the same, not QC defect), and therefore can cause the lower leg to buckle on its leg weight, if the figure is held up horizontally or it is doing some high kicking pose. Obviously, holding this huge figure horizontally, shaking it, or doing super high kicks are not gonna happen that much. But it is odd that the lower knee ratchet (the main knee joint used for posing in robot mode) is not that strong, verses all other ratchets are very strong with very loud clicks. I also noticed the same in multiple video reviews, so it is not just my copy. I suppose TakaraTomy chose to do that just so it is easier to pose on the knee bend, while keeping the rest of the ratchets very strong for overall structural sturdiness and in transformation. But I personally wish that lower knee ratchet is stronger. Really loving this toy! Just really fun to play with, tons of gimmick and interactions, easy to transform to different modes, without worrying about paint chip, loose joints, fall over, none of the usual crap we have to deal with. |
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Post by Magmatron on May 3, 2023 2:17:16 GMT -5
I did not realize there were Diaclone collectors here. This line stole me from chogokin.
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Post by mpchi on May 3, 2023 2:49:00 GMT -5
I did not realize there were Diaclone collectors here. This line stole me from chogokin. Tell me about it. I recently got into it due to Ground Dion, and Diaclone is almost all I think about the past couple weeks, looking up all the pass collections I've missed, and scouting Mandarake, Yahoo Japan Auctions, an Mercari for any small sets and pieces that would go well with Robot Base. It is a great experience re-discovering something new (even though I watched a lot for reviews from ToysTV on a regular basis, but feels different when I am actually into it now), for toy veteran like myself. Just that the price is almost always too high to pay to backtrack anything significant, and some of the highest aftermarket fetching price I've seen compare to their MSRP. Therefore, I try to just look forward to new releases, while try to pick up a couple small ones and some loose crewmates to add to the Ground Dion, while patiently waiting for the reveal and release of the Cloud Across (top half). Unfortunately, not a lot of active online group I find, and barely anyone interested in here at RJ. So I mostly follow the TFW2005 Diaclone thread there, as well as a Hong Kong Diaclone facebook group I joined. Some pretty fun and funny pictures there.  |
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), once you put them all in the main control room in their seats, you realize all your vehicles are unmanned. So right away, I have the urge to get more of them and they are not cheap either, a set of 5 sold for $40 and up, if you can still find them at retail price. Some more sought after rare colors even fetch a hefty price in loose auctions. They are really tiny, not even an inch in height, but fully articulated. They rely on the magnet stickers that came with most Diaclone sets to stay in place. These make Lego figures look like giants.
