Dave's European Transformers Rant: Powermasters

     Bulletbike
     Ironhide

     Thanks to Raksha (who currently can't post to news because the
university cancelled all login accounts and the software they gave out to
replace them is broken), who picked up a bunch of these guys while on
vacation in Germany.

     For those who don't know, the Year of the GoBots was to originally
include a new set of Powermasters, which ended up not being released in the
US.  However, they did get released just about everywhere other than North
America.  For those who haven't seen them...you're not missing much.  These
puppies would have sat on the shelves forever at prices over $5, and I think
the intended price was to be more like $7.

     The new Powermaster gimmick was that the toy has a pullback motor that
has a brake on it which stops it from moving until you put one of the toy's
guns in the right spot, which releases the brake and lets the toy zoom off.
Well, putter.  They don't go very fast or very far, unfortunately...maybe 10
to 12 feet (3-4 meters) on a linoleum surface.  The guns require a fair
amount of force to insert, not just a tap, so the locking gimmick isn't good
for much.
     In transformation, these are really the G2 Throttlebots.  The motor
section forms the oversized feet (so they can roll along as well in robot
mode as in vehicle mode), the torso pops up and the arms move a little if
you're very lucky.  The toys are about three inches (7.5cm) long, which is
pretty sad, really.  And while the rear wheels are rubber (they have to be),
the front wheels are hard plastic, so the toys tend to skew to one side while
moving.

     As these are multinational releases, the techspecs are abbreviated and
in three languages (German, French and Dutch).  There are no attributes,
either, although I'm told the Australian releases have full specs.  I've done
my faltering best at translating the German notes, taking some liberty in
rearranging the translation to sound better in English.

DECEPTICON: Bulletbike (aka Side-Car)
Function: Combat Racer
Quote: None

"A lawless rocker, he revels in combat.  A high-performance machine, he risks
dramatic loss of power and speed if he's not always driving at top speed.
Autobots beware!"

     A silver, black and orange motorbike with a sidecar, Bulletbike's
weapons are a pair of vulcan multibarrel machineguns.  His sidecar is his
motor, and the gun post on his sidecar is the lock for his spring.
Transformation takes two steps and some fiddling with pegs, and the resulting
robot has ZERO poseability.  His arms don't even move...to point his gun
forward, you have to put it in a second hole on his hip.  His name and PM4
can be found on his sidecar.  About four inches tall in robot mode.


AUTOBOT: Ironhide (aka Depisteur, "Tracker")
Function: Strategist
Quote: None

(Warning, I had less success on this translation than Bulletbike's, cruddy
dictionary.)
"A road warrior, he has already carried out many attacks on the Decepticons.
This unyielding old-timer has unbelievable power and in his Hummvee
[actually, "Schutzpanzerung," which I think is "tank"] form is easy to hit...
but impossible to hurt!"

     Aside from the neon green windows, Ironhide has a very nice Hummvee
mode, with anti-tank guns as his weapons.  The last bit on his note may
actually refer to his skill with these guns and ability to both dish it out
and take it, I'll include the original German at the end.  His transformation
is even simpler than Bulletbike's, just pull up the front end and flip up the
head.  But at least his arms move a bit, so you can put his guns in his
hands.  It bears zero resemblance to the old Ironhide, the face reminding me
most of Starscream (the toy).  About four inches tall in robot mode, and his
front hood has his name and PM2.

AUTOBOT: Meanstreak (Fulgure)
     
     I don't have this toy, but can make some comments based on the picture
on the back of the card.  A modern style quarter-miler hotrod with ultralow
front end, he looks okay in car mode.  However, his front wheels are really
attached to the robot's head. so it looks really dorky as a robot.  Looks
like the arms just flap up and down.

DECEPTICON: Staxx (Routard)

     Again, I don't have the toy.  Staxx is a pretty good-looking longnose
semitractor in blue and brown.  His guns form his smokestacks in truck mode,
and his arms look like they might move a bit.


     Overall, I'd have to say this line is just BARELY better than the old
Throttlebots, and certainly nothing to get worked up over as toys.  About the
only reason to get them is to have some Euro-only toys, or to have a new
Ironhide.  I sincerely hope Vinnie doesn't decide to bring these to the US as
part of the Machine Wars line.

     Dave Van Domelen, would it have killed them to give Bulletbike elbows?