I have a confession to make: I've never played Halo. Does that tarnish my geek cred?

I have a confession to make: I've never played Halo. Does that tarnish my geek cred? I know what Halo is, I've seen videos of it and trailers and such, but I just don't own an Xbox 360. But I have always appreciated the designs of the characters, whether it be the militaristic USNC or the alien Covenant.

Halo Wars is a slightly different game from the rest of the Halo franchise. Unlike the other games which are first person shooters, Halo Wars is a Real Time Strategy Game (RTS) in which you control the two sides on the battlefield.

Take a look at the game trailer:

Mega Bloks got the right to produce toys from the video game, and that is what I am reviewing today.

The box is beautiful, and huge. The box designers did a great job with this with bright clean graphics.

Inside, all the parts are in baggies. The parts are all mixed up, so you have to open them all to get started.

The green blocks are molded out of a multi-colored camouflage green.

That's a lot of parts. 376 parts to be exact.

When this is all said and done, you will make one UNSC Hawk combat vehicle, one Covenant Banshee combat vehicle, gun station and four figures.

The build was pretty simple, but still a bit too advanced for my 7 year old. He could probably do it but it would take him a while. The boys helped me pick parts instead.

The first thing you build up is the Hawk vehicle.

It's nice but doesn't do much of anything.

Noticeably absent is any kind of landing gear. Does it have any?

During the build the two front lasers continually fall off, so I left the off 'till the end. The under-wing sections pivot a little, and the guns can rotate side to side.

When building these under wing sections, some parts did NOT want to go together. you push one side down and the other pops up.

The cockpit can open, but there is no detailing inside. One figure can fit inside, but there is no way to secure it.

Next up is the Covenant Banshee. The Banshee is a purple fighter made out of primary shapes and a folding cockpit that runs the length of the vehicle. Build of this vehicle is very simple.

I'm not sure which figure drives, but this is the cockpit.

I was kind of disappointed that the back was just... hollow.

A small Covenant turret is included as well. It rotates and tilts, but unfortunately, does not shoot anything.

Still there? Good. If you couldn't tell, I found these vehicles lackluster. But what makes this (and other Halo Wars sets) awesome are the mini-figures.

The set comes with five figures.

UNSC Spartan

This little guy is the one everyone knows from Halo and here he is just under 2 inches tall and fully articulated. He comes with a gun and just really is a lot of fun to play with.

UNSC Flame Marine

This is my favorite guy of the bunch. The figure comes with a backpack, flamethrower, and a flexible cord that connects the two. Still fully articulated, and an alltogether different design than the spartan. If they made just these guys on a card, I would buy them all day long.

Covenant Elite

The set only lists one, but you get two Covenant Elite figures and one gun.

Covenant Grunt

This tiny guy is about half the size of the elite, but still articulated.

All together, they make a great litte army.

Wraith Pheyden thrown in for scale.

Aerial Ambush is not a complicated set, nor is it anything revolutionary. The mini Halo figures are very cool and I will admit it was fun to build and didn't take a ton of time. For the casual fan it is a good diversion. Hard-core brick heads may have issues with some of the fit and finish, but Halo fans will get a kick out of it.

The new Mega Bloks Halo Wars Authentic Collectors' Series is officially in stores and flying off the shelves! The new sets feature highly detailed vehicles and figures, and blocks with exclusive camouflage effect.

The new Mega Bloks Halo Wars Authentic Collectors' Series is officially in stores and flying off the shelves! The new sets feature highly detailed vehicles and figures, and blocks with exclusive camouflage effect.

Halo Wars Aerial Ambush

Bringing the iconic characters of the video game to life through Mega Bloks, this ultimate 370-piece Halo Wars set includes a buildable UNSC Hawk, Covenant Banshee, UNSC Spartan, UNSC Flame Marine, Covenant Elite, Covenant Turret and Covenant Grunt.

Age: 8+
SRP: $39.99
Available: Now

Halo Wars Scorpion

This sturdy buildable Scorpion battle tank is a mainstay of UNSC forces. Use this heavy hitting tank’s flexible weapons platform to provide support for the UNSC and inflict severe damage on the Covenant. The 240-piece Scorpion vehicle set comes equipped with a UNSC Red Spartan, and Covenant Elite Guard.

Age: 8+
SRP: $29.99
Available: Now

Halo Wars Vehicle Asst.

Coupling two of the most versatile vehicles in the UNSC barracks, the Vehicle Asst. pairs the notorious UNSC Warthog, perfect for ground reconnaissance, and the UNSC Hornet for close air support. The Warthog comes equipped with a UNSC Spartan, Covenant Elite, and Covenant Battle Turret. The Hornet set includes a UNSC Spartan and Covenant Grunt.

Age: 8+
SRP: $19.99
Available: Now

Halo Wars Battle Packs

Prepare for a battle show down where the UNSC Turret will take on the Covenant Ghost. The Covenant Ghost includes a Covenant Elite Guard equipped with a Covenant Beam Rifle and three Covenant Grunts. The UNSC Turret comes with three UNSC Spartans equipped with two UNSC shotguns and a UNSC SMG.

Age: 8+
SRP: $9.99
Available: Now

MEGA Brands to Offer Limited Run of Mega Bloks Exclusive Signed Halo Wars Warthog Sets at Comic-Con Today!

MEGA Brands will offer Halo Wars© collectors the opportunity to buy one of five hundred 2009 Convention Exclusive UNSC Warthog sets. The limited edition sets will only be available at the Twentieth Century FOX booth (# 4129) at Comic-Con.

The 2009 Convention Exclusive UNSC Warthog sets are individually numbered
and signed by the Mega Bloks design team, and contain an Active Camo Flame
Marine figure that is only available at the Convention. Each buildable set
also includes a UNSC Warthog, Covenant Battle Turret, one Covenant Elite,
and two UNSC Spartan figurines. This collector’s edition set will be
available on a first-come, first served basis.

Con exclusive Active Camo Flame Marine

MEGA Brands to Develop Construction Sets Based on Microsoft Game Studios’ New Game, Halo Wars Through Deal Brokered By Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising

MONTREAL/LOS ANGELES – February 3, 2009 – MEGA Brands Inc. (TSX: MB) is thrilled
to announce today that it has entered into a global licensing agreement with Microsoft Game
Studios to develop construction toys based on its much-anticipated new game, Halo Wars, a realtime,
exciting strategy game based on the legendary Halo® universe. The agreement was
brokered by Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising, licensing agent for the Halo
franchise.

Under the global agreement, MEGA Brands will develop the first-ever construction toy sets based on
the key characters and vehicles of Halo Wars under the Mega Bloks umbrella. The video game will be
available at retailers worldwide in early 2009. The Mega Bloks licensed product offerings will make
their retail debut worldwide in the summer of 2009.

“We’re excited to have this exclusive opportunity to partner with Microsoft and 20th Century Fox
Licensing & Merchandising and build on the immense success of the Halo franchise,” said Vic
Bertrand, Chief Innovation Officer of MEGA Brands. “We look forward to bringing the iconic
characters and vehicles of the video game to life through Mega Bloks.”

“We consider MEGA brands to be one of the premiere leaders in the constructible toys and games
category. Their reputation for creativity and innovation is inspiring and we look forward to seeing it
applied to the legendary Halo franchise,” noted Michael Peikoff, Senior-Vice President U.S.
Licensing, Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising.

Developed by Ensemble Studios, the creators of the critically-acclaimed Age of Empires series,
Halo Wars was designed specifically for Xbox 360® and brings a genre that has typically
thrived on the PC seamlessly to consoles. From specialized controls to redesigned resource
management and unit command, Halo Wars gives you the fluid strategy experience you've been
waiting for on a console.

About MEGA Brands

MEGA Brands is a trusted family of leading global brands in construction toys, games &
puzzles, arts & crafts and stationery. They offer engaging creative experiences for children and
families through innovative, well-designed, affordable and high-quality products that deliver on
our Trusted Brands promise. Visit http://www.megabrands.com for more information. The
MEGA logo, A Family of Trusted Brands, Mega Bloks, Rose Art, MagNext and Board Dudes
are trademarks of MEGA Brands Inc. or its affiliates.

About Twentieth Century FOX Licensing & Merchandising

A recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century FOX Licensing and Merchandising licenses
and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century FOX Film Corporation,
Twentieth Television and FOX Broadcasting Company, as well as third party lines. The division
is aligned with Twentieth Century FOX Television, one of the top suppliers of primetime
entertainment programming to the broadcast networks.

While the wife is away I try to keep the kids busy building some Neo Shifters. Whoo boy.

While the wife is away I try to keep the kids busy building some Neo Shifters. Whoo boy.

Stay tuned after the credits.

Isn’t a toy that inspires use of the imagination one of the most quintessential things in making a truly great toy?

NEO Shifters are a new toy line from MEGA Bloks and are obviously designed to be competitors to LEGO’s Bionicle toys.

NEO Shifters are creatures with the power to transform from sphere to robot as they battle for survival. Their masks protect the light-up Hydrax energy core, which projects a laser blast. Controlled by the NEOzome figure that lives inside them, NEO Shifters compete for resources needed to produce the Hydrax energy that fuels their powers and abilities. But too much Hydrax changes them from a peaceful Paladin to a destructive Templar. Join the resistance and discover the codes that control NEO Shifters.

Like all previous Neo Shifter’s before, Duneskiff comes unassembled in a fantastic package. MEGA BLOKS really know how to design dynamic packaging. The box has futuristic shiny copper foil outside with great illustrations of the toy. The box also features opposed rounded plastic edged corners. Both of these features make it a real eye catcher on a toy shelf.

Upon opening the box you will find a set of detailed instructions as well as all 26 pieces neatly sealed plastic baggies.

I want to start by saying that I really enjoyed assembling this vehicle. It was together within ten minutes and ready for play. The vehicle comes with a tiny pilot that can be seated inside the nicely detailed cockpit. The cockpit seat provides a nice platform for the pilot as well as storage for both of the pilots guns.

After admiring the Duneskiff for a moment. I started running the toy through its motions, transforming it to the pictures on the direction and the box. After doing this I realized that this toy had a whole lot more play value than depicted in the pictures. Within minutes I had it transformed into a spaceship mode and a cool battle platform mode. All with just a few turns of the wrist! But wait, the fun doesn’t stop there. The vehicle includes a sandstorm ball launcher that mounts on the rear of the vehicle or it can be hand held. I found this a very cool feature but I must warn you, the launcher fires far, making it is easy to lose the sandstorm balls under a piece of furniture. I know some parents may get scared off when they see the word launcher on a toy. Please don’t worry, the Blue Sandstorm balls that launch have no sharp edges.

• Transformability
• Two-in-one toy with multiple playing possibilities
• Sphere Launcher
• Cool details and colors
• 26 fun and easy to assemble pieces

Perfect for active boys 6 years old and up

I really liked this toy. I admired the engineering in this toy that enables you to really use your imagination. Heck, isn’t a toy that inspires use of the imagination one of the most quintessential things in making a truly great toy?

You can read more about Neoshifters, including all about the on-line game at www.neoshifters.com

Scar <> Dorn from Neo Shifters

NEO Shifters are a new toy line from MEGA Bloks and are obviously designed to be competitors to LEGO’s Bionicle toys.

Each Neo Shifter comes unassembled in a fantastic package. If its one thing MEGA Bloks knows how to do, it’s design really dynamic packaging. There is a small lenticular print area on the front, a working light up feature, and plastic edged corners.

The parts come in sealed plastic baggies, and of course come with a full set of instructions. The instructions are easy to follow and once built, the Neo Shifter is a solid poseable toy.

In Robot mode, Scar <> Dorn is an imposing figure. His face design is reminiscent of the designs from the recent Transformers movie. Behind the mask is a large glass ball that lights up when the button on the back of the head is pressed. I’ll be honest – I like the look of the head without the mask better.

The limbs are fully articulated with really solid joints. Once assembled, parts feel like they are going to stay on and will withstand play. Claws open and close and each figure has an arm mounted missile launcher that shoots a good distance.

Housed in the chest is a circular ball that can be launched by pulling back the lever on the back and letting it go. This ball can also transform into a robot.

Like the smaller robot, the larger robot can also turn into a ball. You can fold all the limbs in and then snap shut the large discs on the back.  To release the figure from ball mode, you just press on a panel in the middle and the sides pop open automatically.

I like that these toys are cheap, sturdy, fun and well designed. They hold a great pose, and I love the little details, like the transparent tubing on the arms and legs. The transforming gimmick is cool, but not very precise.

I don’t like that all four NEO Shifters released at this point are essentially the same figure. Aside from color variations and some mask changes, they are all the same. Best you pick the color you like and stop there (unless you are a completist or something).

You can read more about Neoshifters, including all about the on-line game at www.neoshifters.com

NEO Shifters are creatures with the power to transform from sphere to robot as they battle for survival. Their masks protect the light-up Hydrax energy core, which projects a laser blast.

Controlled by the NEOzome figure that lives inside them, NEO Shifters compete for resources needed to produce the Hydrax energy that fuels their powers and abilities. But too much Hydrax changes them from a peaceful Paladin to a destructive Templar. Join the resistance and discover the codes that control NEO Shifters.

Scar <> Dorn features:

• Transformability
• Two-in-one toy with multiple playing possibilities
• Light-up laser projection beam
• Launchers
• Automatic opening sphere
• Cool colours
• 50 fun and easy to assemble pieces

Perfect for active boys 6 years old and up

Like the smaller robot, the larger robot can also turn into a ball. You can fold all the limbs in and then snap shut the large discs on the back.

NEO Shifters are a new toy line from MEGA Bloks and are obviously designed to be competitors to LEGO’s Bionicle toys.

Each Neo Shifter comes unassembled in a fantastic package. If its one thing MEGA Bloks knows how to do, it’s design really dynamic packaging. There is a small lenticular print area on the front, a working light up feature, and plastic edged corners.

The parts come in sealed plastic baggies, and of course come with a full set of instructions. The instructions are easy to follow and once built, the Neo Shifter is a solid poseable toy.

In Robot mode, Magna :: Rex is an imposing figure. His face design is reminiscent of the designs from the recent Transformers movie. Behind the mask is a large glass ball that lights up when the button on the back of the head is pressed. I’ll be honest – I like the look of the head without the mask better.

The limbs are fully articulated with really solid joints. Once assembled, parts feel like they are going to stay on and will withstand play. Claws open and close and each figure has an arm mounted missile launcher that shoots a good distance.

Housed in the chest is a circular ball that can be launched by pulling back the lever on the back and letting it go. This ball can also transform into a robot.

Like the smaller robot, the larger robot can also turn into a ball. You can fold all the limbs in and then snap shut the large discs on the back.  To release the figure from ball mode, you just press on a panel in the middle and the sides pop open automatically.

I like that these toys are cheap, sturdy, fun and well designed. They hold a great pose, and I love the little details, like the transparent tubing on the arms and legs. The transforming gimmick is cool, but not very precise.

I don’t like that all four NEO Shifters released at this point are essentially the same figure. Aside from color variations and some mask changes, they are all the same. Best you pick the color you like and stop there (unless you are a completist or something).

You can read more about Neoshifters, including all about the on-line game at www.neoshifters.com

NEO Shifters are creatures with the power to transform from sphere to robot as they battle for survival. Their masks protect the light-up Hydrax energy core, which projects a laser blast.



Controlled by the NEOzome figure that lives inside them, NEO Shifters compete for resources needed to produce the Hydrax energy that fuels their powers and abilities. But too much Hydrax changes them from a peaceful Paladin to a destructive Templar. Join the resistance and discover the codes that control NEO Shifters.



Magna :: Rex features:

• Transformability
• Two-in-one toy with multiple playing possibilities
• Light-up laser projection beam
• Launchers
• Automatic opening sphere
• Cool colours
• 50 fun and easy to assemble pieces

Perfect for active boys 6 years old and up

In Robot mode, Atlas :: Raan is an imposing figure. His face design is reminiscent of the designs from the recent Transformers movie.

NEO Shifters are a new toy line from MEGA Bloks and are obviously designed to be competitors to LEGO’s Bionicle toys.

Each Neo Shifter comes unassembled in a fantastic package. If its one thing MEGA Bloks knows how to do, it’s design really dynamic packaging. There is a small lenticular print area on the front, a working light up feature, and plastic edged corners.

The parts come in sealed plastic baggies, and of course come with a full set of instructions. The instructions are easy to follow and once built, the Neo Shifter is a solid poseable toy.

In Robot mode, Atlas :: Raan is an imposing figure. His face design is reminiscent of the designs from the recent Transformers movie. Behind the mask is a large glass ball that lights up when the button on the back of the head is pressed. I’ll be honest – I like the look of the head without the mask better.

The limbs are fully articulated with really solid joints. Once assembled, parts feel like they are going to stay on and will withstand play. Claws open and close and each figure has an arm mounted missile launcher that shoots a good distance.

Housed in the chest is a circular ball that can be launched by pulling back the lever on the back and letting it go. This ball can also transform into a robot.

Like the smaller robot, the larger robot can also turn into a ball. You can fold all the limbs in and then snap shut the large discs on the back.  To release the figure from ball mode, you just press on a panel in the middle and the sides pop open automatically.

I like that these toys are cheap, sturdy, fun and well designed. They hold a great pose, and I love the little details, like the transparent tubing on the arms and legs. The transforming gimmick is cool, but not very precise.

I don’t like that all four NEO Shifters released at this point are essentially the same figure. Aside from color variations and some mask changes, they are all the same. Best you pick the color you like and stop there (unless you are a completist or something).

You can read more about Neoshifters, including all about the on-line game at www.neoshifters.com

NEO Shifters are creatures with the power to transform from sphere to robot as they battle for survival. Their masks protect the light-up Hydrax energy core, which projects a laser blast.



Controlled by the NEOzome figure that lives inside them, NEO Shifters compete for resources needed to produce the Hydrax energy that fuels their powers and abilities. But too much Hydrax changes them from a peaceful Paladin to a destructive Templar. Join the resistance and discover the codes that control NEO Shifters.



Atlas :: Raan features:

• Transformability
• Two-in-one toy with multiple playing possibilities
• Light-up laser projection beam
• Launchers
• Automatic opening sphere
• Cool colours
• 50 fun and easy to assemble pieces

Perfect for active boys 6 years old and up

Blaze <> Axx is from the new Neo Shifters line from Mega Bloks. Read on for a full review with video!

NEO Shifters are a new toy line from MEGA Bloks and are obviously designed to be competitors to LEGO’s Bionicle toys.

Each Neo Shifter comes unassembled in a fantastic package. If its one thing MEGA Bloks knows how to do, it’s design really dynamic packaging. There is a small lenticular print area on the front, a working light up feature, and plastic edged corners.

The parts come in sealed plastic baggies, and of course come with a full set of instructions. The instructions are easy to follow and once built, the Neo Shifter is a solid poseable toy.

In Robot mode, BlazeAxx is an imposing figure. His face design is reminiscent of the designs from the recent Transformers movie. Behind the mask is a large glass ball that lights up when the button on the back of the head is pressed. I’ll be honest – I like the look of the head without the mask better.

The limbs are fully articulated with really solid joints. Once assembled, parts feel like they are going to stay on and will withstand play. Claws open and close and each figure has an arm mounted missile launcher that shoots a good distance.

Housed in the chest is a circular ball that can be launched by pulling back the lever on the back and letting it go. This ball can also transform into a robot.

Like the smaller robot, the larger robot can also turn into a ball. You can fold all the limbs in and then snap shut the large discs on the back.  To release the figure from ball mode, you just press on a panel in the middle and the sides pop open automatically.

I like that these toys are cheap, sturdy, fun and well designed. They hold a great pose, and I love the little details, like the transparent tubing on the arms and legs. The transforming gimmick is cool, but not very precise.

I don’t like that all four NEO Shifters released at this point are essentially the same figure. Aside from color variations and some mask changes, they are all the same. Best you pick the color you like and stop there (unless you are a completist or something).

You can read more about Neoshifters, including all about the on-line game at www.neoshifters.com

BlazeAxx formed from an experimental military research satellite that used infra-red shock beams to locate and disrupt force fields in order to destroy other satellites. Constantly exceeding his Hydrax threshold to make himself more powerful, BlazeAxx poisoned his logic and became a fierce fighter.

NEO Shifters are creatures with the power to transform from sphere to robot as they battle for survival. Their masks protect the light-up Hydrax energy core, which projects a laser blast.

Controlled by the NEOzome figure that lives inside them, NEO Shifters compete for resources needed to produce the Hydrax energy that fuels their powers and abilities. But too much Hydrax changes them from a peaceful Paladin to a destructive Templar. Join the resistance and discover the codes that control NEO Shifters.

BlazeAxx features:

• Transformability
• Two-in-one toy with multiple playing possibilities
• Light-up laser projection beam
• Launchers
• Automatic opening sphere
• Cool colours
• 50 fun and easy to assemble pieces

Perfect for active boys 6 years old and up