Radar Robot
Review by JoshB
Radar Robot is another battery-powered train transformer similar to Railger that we reviewed previously. But this one differs in that when not in train mode, the rest of the parts make a radar base that the train can drive through! It's sort of ugly but utterly charming at the same time.
The box on this one is a bit beat, but you get the idea.
We'll check out the train mode first. There are two train cars, with the lead car being motorized. 1 AA battery is required, but not included, and the motor is activated by a simple switch on the side.
The trains have a very 1920s feel to them, like something out of Flash Gordon. Their aesthetics clash with the rest of the set, but I don't much care.
The 8 pieces of track tightly snap together and can be configured in different ways. The rest of the parts stack up and create a bridge over the tracks, with special indents to line up the track parts.
As long as the tracks are lined up properly under the base, the train travels effortlessly underneath and around the track. It's kind of awesome.
If you dismantle the whole thing, you can build the Radar Robot. What I like about this one is that no part is wasted. The tracks become the arms and legs of the robot, and the trains become the feet like giant silver rollerskates! The thing is awesome and when complete stands about 11 inches tall!
Once assembled, you cannot use the battery action as the blue track parts fit into the battery compartment in robot mode.
I love the foil stickers on the chest and on the back of the head. I also love that the little red clips attach at the top of the shoulders to keep the tracks together. It's very well engineered for a cheap toy!
My only complaint is the big hollow gap in the back in robot mode. Not a big deal though.
