Jun

17

Creature feature

Filed Under Games, Pix, Toys | Leave a Comment

This is Modulok.
Mattel He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Modulok
Modulok could kick Will Wright’s ass with one arm and two legs tied behind his back.

That said, I’m still eagerly looking forward to Will Wright’s latest (and I suspect his greatest) game, Spore, after seeing user-created creatures made with the Spore Creature Creator. The creative juices have clearly been flowing because wondrous beasts hitherto unseen have been conceived. There are walking wangs, flying phalluses, dongs with indiscernible means of locomotion … this tremendous diversity is truly a testament to the limitless human capacity for imagination.

The standalone editor is supposed to go on sale today but apparently everyone on the Internet has managed to procure it through fair means (demo disks containing the trial version) or foul. I’m not sure how the editor will be made available legally to folks outside the US but I hope to get it as soon as possible. As software toys go, this looks brilliant.

Update 18/6: the trial version is up now.

Mar

19

Hasbro Star Wars Imperial Stormtrooper review

Filed Under Reviews, Toys | Leave a Comment

Cross-posted to Fanmode
Hasbro Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection A New Hope Imperial Stormtrooper
There’s clearly something about Imperial Stormtroopers that inspires affection. Witness the crowds drawn to Danny Choo’s grooving in Japan, the 501st Legion’s devotion or the amusing Flickr group. The what and the why remain obscure.

Is it their everyman quality? None of us have a Jedi’s superpowers and few of us have a Corellian smuggler’s cool. But an endearingly incompetent underling who is embarrassed by teddy bears and tricksy doors, and has a manipulative evil boss? We could all be that guy.

Perhaps it’s the outfit that appeals. Simple, cool and immediately recognisable, the Stormtrooper armour has become iconic in the 30 years since the release of the first movie.

Whatever the reason, Stormtroopers are inarguably, if improbably, popular.

Toy-wise, the Stormtrooper has had many a figure with varying results. The vintage Kenner figure was a decent attempt for its time, the Power of the Force 2 line featured a ridiculously buffed up Stormtrooper and there are sixth-scale figures costing over a hundred dollars if your Stormtrooper fixation runs particularly deep.

Hasbro’s latest Imperial Stormtrooper figure is the 20th figure in its 2007 Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection line. The line features strong sculpts and improved articulation at kid-friendly prices. The Imperial Stormtrooper is typical of the line but not without its disappointments.
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Jan

29

And I quote

Filed Under Transformers, Web | Leave a Comment

Gregsinclair:

… this article is longer than the article on Newton.

Mathewignash:

How many hit TV series, films and sell-out toy lines did Newton have? Additionally this article is covering several different fictional characters who share the name Optimus Prime. There is only one Newton.

(Related.)

Nov

10

Creating a Konami ID

Filed Under Diorama Studio, Software | 35 Comments

5 March ‘08 Konami has altered the Konami ID registration process yet again evidently in a bid to discourage non-Japanese-speaking fans from registering. Unfortunately, I cannot spare the time to continually update this guide. If you are still keen on registering but have trouble understanding Japanese, please consider using online translators. I apologise for any inconvenience.

I’ve been so impressed by Konami’s Diorama Studio software for the Busou Shinki toyline that I’ve decided to put together a few guides for installing and using the program. These simple guides are aimed at non-Japanese Busou Shinki fans who are keen on using the program but who are perhaps a little intimidated by the fact it’s in a foreign language.

Both Diorama Studio and Battle Rondo (Busou Shinki’s online game component) are free software that share the same installer and launcher. Before you can use either, though, you will first have to create a Konami ID and install the client software. This guide will only walk you through the steps necessary to create your own Konami ID.

(My previous guide is mostly invalid because Konami has recently changed the Konami ID registration process.)
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Oct

9

Busou Shinki shifted

Filed Under Busou Shinki, Toys | Leave a Comment

Just a heads-up for those of you who visit Fuyoh! for updates and links about Konami’s Busou Shinki line: I’m in the process of copying the toy-related entries on this site over to my new toy site, Fanmode.net. I’ve just reposted four primer-like entries on Busou Shinki at Fanmode and henceforth all Busou Shinki updates will posted there.

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