Times they are a-changin'. Gone are the days of diecast sentai bots. Gone are the days of overly muscular action figures. The new Power Rangers are leaner and sleeker, and offer a better bang for your buck.
This is all about the new economy. Take the new megazords, for example. The Deluxe Formula Megazords are re-tooled versions of the Go-Onger robots from Japan, without electronics.
*cue the fanboy rage*
I know, I know, the engine souls were the whole gimmick of the original series. Bandai America has done this before, you should be used to it by now. But this time, it's different. This time the Deluxe Megazords are only $24.99 each. So yeah, they are missing a key gimmick, but they are a hell of a lot cheaper, and in this market that can make all of the difference.
The plastic quality on these new megazords is actually pretty nice, and they feel sturdy compared to the operation overdrive retooling. There will be four megazords that can combine to form the insane RPM Ultra Zord (The one on display is the Japanese version, FYI).
There supposedly will be a larger version of the main megazord available as a store exclusive, but that too will be a retooling.
Anyway, onto the line list.
5” RPM ACTION FIGURES – The Power Rangers continue their adventures in Fall 2009 in RPM – Racing Performance Machines. This turbo-charged season finds the Power Rangers going full throttle to defeat the Evil Space Aliens. The Fall lineup brings an all-new, high octane lineup inspired by the speed and action of Power Rangers RPM, including all new 5” articulated figures.
Prepare the Rangers for battle by flipping down the helmet’s visor. Once protected for battle, the Rangers can take on the Evil Space Aliens using the included weapon accessories. For even greater collectibility, combine figures and accessories to form a larger weapon.
Coming late fall, Bandai America will continue their highly sought after Super Legends action figures. These limited edition “chase” figures feature popular characters from past Power Rangers seasons, and are perfect for all fans, young and old, missing that key character in their ultimate toy collection.
5” GUARDIAN FIGURES – By configuring their battle gear and included weapon accessories, these 5” Guardian Figures have 4 modes of play in one toy! Morph into two modes of Armorized Rangers by attaching the included armor pieces, or configure the armor to morph into the Animal or Vehicle Zord mode. Collect and combine with the Fall Racing Performance Cycles Formula Transporters and Auxiliary Trax Command Center to complete the Auxiliary Trax System (each sold separately).
5” RETROFIRE MEGAZORD SERIES – Each highly detailed 5” Megazord figure includes a base and the Megazords’ signature weapons. Collect Retrofire Megazords from current and past seasons.
6.5” MOTO-MORPH FIGURES – With a simple transformation, each 6.5” figure morphs into one of two modes. Use the included Engine Cell key to unlock from Tire Mode into Ranger mode. Each Ranger comes with weapon accessories and a ramp to launch the morphed Tire into action.
5” SUPER LEGENDS DIORAMA FIGURES – Each 5” Diorama Figure is posed on a stylized, brushed metal base so fans and collectors alike can showcase their highly detailed, live action look RPM Red or Gold Ranger. Figures feature a unique weapon and attachable battle effects.
TRAX COMMAND CENTER – With the Trax Mobile Command Center, kids can keep up to speed in the race against evil. Unlock sound and light features, then morph the center from an Action Jet into a Deluxe Battle Station. The Command Center includes an exclusive 5” Ranger figure. For even more racing action, collect and combine the Command Center with the Fall 5” Guardian Figures, Racing Performance Cycles or even the Formula Transporters (each sold separately) to complete the Auxiliary Trax System and create additional RPM vehicles or figures.
FORMULA TRANSPORTERS – Race the sleek Formula Eagle or Wolf Transporter to defeat evil. The vehicle transforms into a Zord Exoskeleton so that the Ranger can ride inside of the Transporter. Kids can customize each Transporter with the included sticker decals. Collect and combine with the Fall Racing Performance Cycles, Guardian figures and Trax Command Center (each sold separately) for even more Auxiliary Trax battle options. Includes an articulated 5” Ranger Figure.
RACING PERFORMANCE CYCLES – Kids can play out their own RPM adventures with the Racing Performance Cycles. Transform the cycle from Chopper Cycle Mode into Hover Cycle for the Ranger to ride on top of the cycle. For even more Auxiliary Trax racing action, collect and combine with the Fall 5” Guardian Figures, the Formula Transporters and the Trax Command Center (each sold separately). Racing Performance Cycles come with an articulated 5” Figure.
TURBO OCTANE ZORD RACERS – Launch the swift Turbo Octane Racer with the included launcher. Available in four new designs for Fall, kids can customize each Racer with the included sticker decals. Racer also includes collectible racing coins to weigh down the vehicle during races.
DELUXE FORMULA MEGAZORDS – By combining three deluxe RPM Zords, kids can create the turbo-charged Megazords as seen on the TV show. Collect and combine Spring and Fall Formula Megazords to create an exclusive RPM Ultra Zord!
MICRO MEGAZORD SERIES – Kids can prepare for their next high-velocity mission with these sets of four mini Zords. Three Zords combine together to form an RPM Megazord from the TV show, while the bonus Zord can combine from multiple sets to create an original micro Megazord. Collect and combine the Spring and Fall micro sets for even more Micro Megazord combinations.
RPM HELMET – Boys can become their favorite hero in real life with the RPM Red Ranger helmet. The helmet’s slim design makes it easier for boys to role-play as the Red Ranger, and features RPM sounds and light effects for more realistic play.
DELUXE BATTLE GEAR – Kids can have fun battling Evil Space Aliens as a Power Ranger RPM hero with this gear. Based on the battle gear used on the TV show by the Gold and Silver Rangers, the SkyShift Blazer includes a light feature and multiple spinning propellers that launch from the barrel. Each propeller is designed differently for unique flying capabilities, and one even has a suction feature that sticks to its target.
MORPHER – Kids can become a Power Rangers RPM hero with this cool gear, used in the TV show by the Gold and Silver Rangers. Collect and combine these Morphers to create an extreme booster morpher. The Rocket Dagger and Cell Shift Morphers feature sound effects; unlock additional sound effects on the Cell Shift Morpher with its included Engine Cell key.
3.5” ADVENTURE SET – This set allows kids to play out big adventures with a variety of Ranger Figures, evil space aliens and action accessories on a small scale set.
RALLY CREW SET – Kids can become part of the Power Rangers crew with this role-play set. The set includes all the gear kids need to morph into a Power Ranger – a Ranger mask, morpher, badge, two weapons and other accessories.
SOUND SWORD ROLE-PLAY – The Sound Sword Role-Play set allows kids to have safe fun with a cool Power Ranger weapon with lights and multiple sound effects, and comes with a belt holster to store the weapons.
GAUNTLET – Kids can become a Power Ranger with this cool Gauntlet worn on the wrist. Shift into high gear and launch one of the three included propeller missiles into the air. Choose from the Red, Gold or Silver Ranger gauntlets.
Comments
8 comments postedAre this year morphers the same as the japanese ones ?
"Awww man, that's one ugly zord..." Tommy about BA Drivemax Megazord.
Amongst the four, Seikyuoh looks a bit...cheaply made.
Probably because much paint application seems to be missing, and that all chromes and gold have been remplaced by dull equivalent.
"Awww man, that's one ugly zord..." Tommy about BA Drivemax Megazord.
I have to agree about Seiku-Oh, it does look rather tacky.
For me the big problem is what they've done with the wings. The fact that they're folded downwards bothers me (I just tried to do that with my Japanese version and it's not even possible without removing the pod things first) quite why they went with dull chrome over the bog standard grey of the Japanese version is beyond me too. Also why are Jetoras' wings folded upwards and what happened to Toriptor's tail?
I'm wary of the fact that they showed the Japanese G12 rather than the American one. Suggests that maybe the finished product isn't all that impressive.
At least, they're not as awful as the Megazords from Operation Overdrive. I mean, the original DaiBouken toy was small, but he was still way better.
"...I'll let the [Super] Sentai expert deffer to that one."
Ah- bless you, Josh! ^_^
Those poor reps- they clearly had no idea as to past lines or the shows' origins, and only read PR (that's "press-releases", BTW) in preparations for the toy fair. They must have been locals hired just for the show...
Cool- what was that blue/red/silver air fighter in the background of the video, Josh? Looks like the VF-19 from "Macross 7" or Starscream from "Transformers Animated"!
Wow- all of a sudden I'm kinda torn. I have already acquired the Deluxe High Octane Megazord for review, but have not started on it yet. I intended to lambaste it just as I did the dreadful Deluxe Drive-Max Megazord, but when I heard that line in the video that they were scaled-down specifically to fit the crumbling economy... I suddenly felt that I could understand the reason they changed up the Deluxe-sized zords.
But now I'm not sure that I can attack it with the same ferocity that I was scheming to unleash. :/
. . .
As to the Fall-release transforming Zords, I have not heard anything yet, but it may just be the DX Engine-Oh released intact with some mods as far as materials go.
However, I can immediately comment on store-exclusives, of which I've seen one already.
The Disney Store is now carrying a repaint of the Deluxe High Octane Megazord seen above. The major change I saw was that chrome plating was added to all of the silver-colored parts! Even though I didn't get it, I commented to the store clerk that the exclusive was a good idea even if the original Japanese version had not come out.
This is just a wild guess, but this store-exclusive may be an opening in the door to a scaled-down DX Engine DaiShogun -release in the US!
. . .
And finally, I intend to cover two other lines from this season:
The first is the Retrofire Megazords line which are MSiA-inspired poseable Megazords from both past and present series. (Currently only the High Octane, Wild Force, and Mighty Morphin' Megazords are available... which I also already have yet to review.)
The other- Transforming Beast Zords- seems to be inspired by the Transformers Alternators line: brand-name cars which transform into animals represented in the series. (Already a tiger and falcon have been released, which are based on the Toyota Prius and Toyota Camry respectively.)
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CollectionDX Staff
Anybody else notice that they got Kyouretsu-Oh's legs the wrong way round? On the Japanese version they aren't interchangeable.
Aren't all domestically released (in US) Japanese toys a step down from the real thing? I think so. The kids today, though, they're actually kind of lucky. It took a while, but Bandai has won me over with their colorful, clunky, high-impact plastics. While I totally get the appeal as an adult collector, I don't feel the kids are getting short changed by much.