The TFormers Featured Toy for the month of October is Landmine from Transformers Energon.
Much like Armada before it, Transformers Energon is a very divisive toyline, with a majority of the toys requiring degrees of sacrifice to execute line-wide play features. But no matter how you feel about Powerlinking Autobots, it's difficult to dispute that when Energon was on target it really hit its mark dead on. Landmine is probably my favorite example for the strengths that existed by having the Autobot combination gimmick take different forms through the series.
Transformation isn't difficult, but it never really was in Energon anyway. That lack of complication that still gives a satisfying change between modes should be seen as a sign of the strength of the toy's design. The toes are the only aspect that ever presents trouble, as there's a series of twists and bends needed to bring them to the right position and it's not exactly intuitive.
Landmine's robot has personality, and sadly that was an element more than a little lacking in many Energon toys. It might be the visor with the large, bright eyes visible behind, or maybe the exhaust pipes on the shoulders adding a little ornamentation. Whatever contributes to it, there's character here and he's not just another neutral-expressioned Autobot. Today the toy's articulation might seem more on the average side, when it was new it was a very welcome move forward from the often limited poseability larger toys of Armada. But despite being almost ten years old now it holds up very well with current figures, aging far more gracefully than many toys have. Landmine's core robot is roughly on par with a current Voyager. For an Ultra toy that may sound like a serious negative, but remember there are a number of pieces not being utilized at the moment!
The leftover halftrack bits can be formed in to their own freestanding emplacement. Whether you view it as a battle station or just a recovery or repair unit is up to your imagination. Regardless of assigned purpose, it's far from the worst execution I've seen of making a combat deck out of leftovers, and actually seems physically suited to its most visible purposes as either a small crane rig or a missile launching platform. Just with that alone it leaps ahead of the far more abstract majority.
Much like a few of the luckier Decepticon toys, Landmine breaks the mold of an Energon toy. It's strong design with few drawbacks that stands up to the test of time. The mold was reused in 2009 as a Botcon exclusive, the first and only reuse of the mold since Transformers Energon. And even being as strong of a toy as it is, both versions released in Energon can be had inexpensively, with complete pieces going for right around original retail. Sometimes you can even get them boxed for that price. The Botcon Landshark isn't much more expensive, either. So don't let the line it comes from scare you off, this is a well designed, fun toy that can have a place in just about any collection!
Entertainment News International (ENI) is the #1 popular culture network for adult fans all around the world.
Get the scoop on all the popular comics, games, movies, toys, and more every day!
Advertising | Submit News | Contact ENI | Privacy Policy
©Entertainment News International - All images, trademarks, logos, video, brands and images used on this website are registered trademarks of their respective companies and owners. All Rights Reserved. Data has been shared for news reporting purposes only. All content sourced by fans, online websites, and or other fan community sources. Entertainment News International is not responsible for reporting errors, inaccuracies, omissions, and or other liablities related to news shared here. We do our best to keep tabs on infringements. If some of your content was shared by accident. Contact us about any infringements right away - CLICK HERE