Fantastic UFO X3

One can’t underestimate the impact UFO Robot Grandizer had in Europe in the 70s and 80s. He was by far the most popular super robot on the continent, and his biggest fan base was in Italy. It only makes sense then that most of the Grendizer bootlegs come from there.

Fantastic UFO X3 is different enough to not be technically a bootleg, but it is 100% inspired by and meant to cash in on Grendizer’s popularity. The toy was manufactured by Fratelli Restuccia, abbreviated as F.lli Restuccia on the package.

You will also see the phrase “Funzionante A Molla” which means “Spring Operated” or what we know as Wind-Up.

The box is awesome, with great shots of the toy which you will see greatly differ from the actual toy. What’s fun about this toy is the cover is preforated to allow for a counter-top display.

The toy itself is wild. It reimagines Grendizer but still keeps the essential hallmarks of the design. The red plastic body has colorful stickers and transparent parts, with of course the rotating mechanisms. A key on the side winds up the toy, and once let go, the toy roams around the surface in a random pattern while spinning the propeller on top. It’s quite chaotic actually.

The antenna on the back is very fragile!

Be sure to watch the embedded video to see it in action!