Thursday 19 April 2012

Review: Warbot Defender



Before I get into the review, I must point out that this is definitely not Springer, leader of the Wreckers and star of Transformers: The Movie. He definitely isn't an updated version of the triple-changer robot released by Hasbro back in the 80s.

Definitely not.

I mean, yes, he does share the same colour scheme and, okay, so he does change into 3 different modes which are a little similar-looking. But, look, he's called 'Warbot Defender' which is completely different to 'Springer' and he is completely bare of any Autobot logos.

...Unless you use the Reprolabels sticker sheet.

Defender has 3 different modes it can transform into. Unless you change him very regularly, there's a good chance you're going to need to get the instructions out to switch modes each time as the sequences as a little on the complex side. Each mode - car, helicopter & robot - looks great, however, once you get there.


Defender is built to Transformers-classic scale and while he isn't Springer, he'll fill that spot very nicely. I'd say that the Repolabels set is an essential addition, though it's common for the shoulder stickers to wear off during transformation.

Robot-mode suffers from weak-knees syndrome, which can lead to balance issues. Nothing too major, but something to be wary of. Another thing to note is that the rotor-blades/sword is made of extremely thin plastic. This shouldn't be a problem, however, as this definitely isn't intended as something to give to a child. The price is a good indication of that.

I suppose while we're on the subject of price, I should go into a little more detail. Yes, it's an expensive toy. Very expensive. But you do get a heap of metal in there for your money. Every piece that could be made of metal is, which gives Defender a nice weight when you pick him up.

Hasbro has yet to release a 'proper' triple-changing Springer in the classics/universe/whateverthecurrentnameis line. I'm not entirely sure there's anything he could be repainted as, which makes the likelihood of Hasbro making him very small indeed. So while the price is high, if you want a Springer, your only current option is to fork out for that guy, but if you do, you're unlikely to be disappointed.

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