With all the fuss over Unicron and the convention lately, it's easy to forget that some other major Armada figures were released recently too. When I stopped in a Wal-mart, I noticed that they had gotten in there most recent shipment a number of Armada Skywarps and a couple of Overloads. I couldn't resist, and now I am the proud owner of Overload, the last piece to the Optimus Prime gestalt. I may get Skywarp this weekend, but for now heres my review.
Rollout:
A minicon named after Optimus Prime's favorite command (Alright, sue me if there actually was a prior bot name rollout, I can't keep up with all of it.) Rollout is a small, red utility truck that's meant to haul things around; most notibly Overload, but I'll get to that later. He's got a lot of detail for him and is somewhat bigger than most minicons. He's impressive to be sure, but I don't go into that much hoopla over minicon vehicle modes.
Weapon mode: Sure, he is undoubtedly a Headmaster, but he's also got a bit of a Target Master thing going too, as you can flip out two gun barrels and turn him into a hefty blaster. Sure, he doesn't have a handle, so you'll have to use the minicon connector point, but it's cool anyway.
Robot mode: Rollout looks like a small homage to G1 one toys, as he is rather bulky and blocky. The front of the truck becomes his chest, which wound up reminding me of G1 Inferno to a degree. What do I have to quivel over? Well, his legs simply look like they are on backwards. I geuss it's meant to be a backheel, but it looks like a foot. True, you can remove the legs and put them back on in a way that looks proper, but that isn't indicated in the official Transformation instructions. oh well. Oh, and remember, to use the SMALL HEAD! If you use the other one, well it will look hilarious, but I prefer things done properly.
Overall: Rollout is a nice minicon as far as minicons go. But it should be mentioned he is essential to Overload. You see, with most figures, if you loose the minicon, it's not a big deal, but here if you lost Rollout, then Overload would be screwed. unless you don't mind an autobot without a head or chest.
Overload: Overload is... interesting. Looking at him in vehicle mode I wasn't sure what to call it. Space Shuttle carrier came to mind, but I've never seen a real one, so I'm not sure if there is a resembalance. Then I notice he is heavily armed. Laser turrets and cannons branch off this guy everywhere. So is he an Autobot Cybertronian Tank or assualt vehicle? Well, he is absolutly dependant on Rollout. If the minicon weren't hitched to him hauling him about, he would be grounded. So ultimately, I couldn't decide what he was, maybe he is everything listed above, but he is very cool. I just love this vehicle mode. He looks like he could rool over pretty much any decepticon. Very good.
Robot Mode: The first thing I think I'll mention is that he has my most favorite gimmick on any Transformer ever made. When you attach Rollout, He makes the Transformation sound effect from the G1 cartoons! That is just nostalgia cool beyond words. When I was a kid playing with the G1 and G2 toys, I would make the sound effect myself whenever I would transform my toys! Shoot, I catch myself doing it to this very day. The fact that it is acknowledged here is just cool beyond words. What's next? Well, He's a blatant headmaster, even moreso than Sideways was. Here, you need to use rollout to form his head and chest or else he won't be complete. That's why Rollout is so important. But once this is done, what we have is a nice looking robot. He's squat and bulky, looks as if he could kill you with a look. Again, he reminds me of G1, influences of Inferno and Shockwave and devastator and Ironhide all wrapped in a package that strangely will also make Armada Demolishor come to mind. As for Articulation, well it's poor, even by Armada standards. He doesn't have knees or elbows. And you need knees and elbows or else the bot will end up looking stiff, and he does. But hey, under those autobot symbols are static missile launchers! So maybe he not about hand to hand combat but about blasting you to pieces. I can live with that. So he's got a pretty good Robot mode.
Overall: (Phase one) A good toy that you will enjoy. Have him as part of your collection.
Note: The above obviously didn't acknowledge his compatibility with Optimus Prime and Jetfire. I did that to give people an Idea how he stands on his own. Below I will get into all of his interactions. And frankly, that's the main reason for getting the toy.
Interactions in vehicle mode: The reason I describe him as a shuttle carrier is because that is a function of the toy. Armada Jetfire fits nicely on top, waiting to be pulled around by Overload. Why Jetfire would do this I'm not sure, (maybe for if he's damaged?) but it looks nice anyway. I only wish there was a way of securing him to Overload, as he is prone to fall of when rolling around. Ofcourse, Overload with Jetfire in toy is quite a load for rollout, but luckily this where Optimus Prime comes into play.
Here, Optimus Prime can be used to pull Overload about. One way is to set aside rollout and hitch Overload to the Optimus Prime truck directly, for the moment Ignoring Prime's own trailer. And yes, you could even use Supercon Prime for this, but that would be the extent of that version's involvement.
The other way is to hitch Overload to the rear of Prime's own trailer. Overload has an appropriate connector in front that folds down. This makes use of the hitherto mysterious hitch at the rear of Prime's Trailer.
Having Prime, his Trailer, Overload and then Jetfire on top makes for one formidable looking train. It looks best if you use Powerlinx (Final Battle) Optimus Prime because his color scheme matches Overloads. It' s all cool looking, but again it just looks like Jetfire and Overload are slacking off, making Prime do all the work!
Weapons pack: The next few interactions involve a third mode of Overload where he forms a Weapons pack. While I don't into Transformation specifics, it involves attaching his feet to his arms to form a pair of megacanons and Missile launchers, very imposing.
The first thing you can do is attach Overload to Prime's base. (where Prime would normally stand.) The Idea here is that it converts the base into a fully automated weapons placement and gives it a menace it never had before. Still, this will probably be the least used option.
Next, you can attach it to Super Robot Mode Prime. It forms sort of a back pack where the cannons are slung over Prime's shoulders. If you do this with Prime connected to his trailer, then what happens is that I had a hard time getting him in place because of the tower kibble behind Optimus's back restricted room. But it does look pretty cool once it's set up. More impressive is if you use it in combination with Jet Optimus (Prime and Jetfire combined). Jet Optimus is taller than the regular Super Optimus (Prime combined with trailer) anyway, and adding Overload really gives him the bulk and power to Impress. When these three are combined, it looks like they could take on Unicron himself. But most impressive is that Jet Optimus with Overload can still stand. I was concerned that there would be issues with balance and being to back heavy, but the figure still is fairly stable. Undoubtedly Jet Optimus with Overload is my favorite combination with these toys.
Unofficial modes: the fact that Overload can combine with Prime's base means he can also combine with the legs that form Super Optimus Prime and even with Jetfire. I've experiment with this, but frankly, the way in which Overload's connecter works just makes these modes look bad. I mean it's like hips, that go into legs, the meet another set of hips and then more legs. It's just not worth your time to try that stuff out.
Overall (final) Overload is a good toy by himself, but his interactions with Prime and Jetfire put him over the top. I recommend him to anyone, and I highly recommend him if you got Optimus Prime and Jetfire.
| Reviewer | Scott Lochmoeller |
| Date | August 11th 2003 |
| Score |  (8 out of 10) |
| Reads | 10117 |
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