Toy Review - Titans Return Highbrow

[SharkyMcShark]

HIGHBROW

Series – Titans Return
Size/class - Deluxe
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 2
Released here – October 2016
Approximate Retail Price - $25
Approximate Size - one quarter portion.
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode – Twin prop helicopter
Main Features/Gimmicks – Headmaster
Main Colours – Grey, blue
Main Accessories – 2x machine guns, "Xort" Titan Master

So I've got four of the deluxes from this line now. Unfortunately Highbrow is the most disappointing.

PROS (scraping the barrel)
- Robot mode looks nice from the front. It's well proportioned and the headsculpt is full of character.
- There's a lot of paint on this figure. Seriously, I can't think of the last Hasbro mainline deluxe with this level and variety of paint application.
- The twin machine gun weapon is very cool.

CONS (where to start?)
- Engineering on this figure is Scout class level at best. The limbs are hollow, the hands fold out with no corresponding trap door or proper stopping point to prevent them from going to broken wrist levels of extension. The rotors can't be simultaneous spun or they'll crash into eachother.
- The transformation is essentially four steps and produces a vehicle mode that can only be described as below par. It looks like the robot mode but lying down. The transformation sequence almost entirely fails to do anything with the arms, so essentially you've got a helicopter shaped thing with arms hanging off the side. Genuinely more is involved in transforming the Energon/ROTF Combaticon Scout Class chopper limb than this, and it shows.
- The headmaster port on mine is exceedingly loose, and as I understand it this is an issue on most samples of the figure.


Comparing this to Blurr is an interesting study in how one extra step can make or break a transformation sequence. Blurr has a simple but highly effective transformation sequence that produces a streamlined looking vehicle mode. Like Highbrow, Blurr's transformation is essentially:
a) like the figure down
b) fold backpack over head for front of vehicle
c) collapse legs
d) arms fold into the side of the body.

The difference between this and Blurr is that Blurr's arms are designed in a way so that they integrate into the lines of the alt mode. Here the arms tuck closer to the side of the body a few millimeters, just enough to peg into a locking point. The end result is a vehicle mode that literally looks like the robot lying down.

I can't really recommend this. That it looks nice in robot mode is the high point. It's all downhill from there.

[Lint]

Fully agree with your review, looks mint in the bubble but it's underwhelming on EVERY other level.

Only additional gripe I have is that the machine guns have molded wheels that don't face the right way when mounted in copter mode. Sure they could be wheels for the 'gun emplacement mode but I just don't buy it. Maybe I'm missing something?

[Deonasis]

That is a pity. He does look good.

Does Scourge have a few more steps? Highbrow is re-whatevered (his design twin) from Scourge.

[GoktimusPrime]

Can't even find this figure in stores. :(

[SharkyMcShark]

That is a pity. He does look good.

Does Scourge have a few more steps? Highbrow is re-whatevered (his design twin) from Scourge.

Scourge from what I can see has the cape that forms a cohesive shell for vehicle mode, whereas this does not.


Fully agree with your review, looks mint in the bubble but it's underwhelming on EVERY other level.

Only additional gripe I have is that the machine guns have molded wheels that don't face the right way when mounted in copter mode. Sure they could be wheels for the 'gun emplacement mode but I just don't buy it. Maybe I'm missing something?

You can peg them in to the hexagonal peg hole on the underside of the winglet using the rectangular 'clip/magazine' looking part of the weapon. Landing gear ends up facing down and it locks the weapon pointing forward.

[SMHFConvoy]

I've only seen this figure once in a Kmart

[Trent]

I have to agree with the general sentiments of the thread. I do enjoy the leg transformation, its simple but effective and would have liked to see the arms do something similar.

[SMHFConvoy]

I had a look at a video of it, when I eventually get one I'll just paint the forearms blue so it sort of blends in

[GoktimusPrime]

I don't mind the gaps in the arms. Works better than having flimsy arm doors like on Weirdwolf, and it doesn't appear to affect structural integrity. The clashing rotor blades do bother me though, but otherwise I think that Highbrow's transtector is really well done. And Xort is reasonably well done too, even if the paint apps are pretty lazy and make him look more like Battletrap. :p I also like how the guns are incorporated into the alt mode, forming landing gears beneath each wing. The main drawback of this toy - as mentioned by SharkyMcShark, is the incredibly loose Headmaster port. :( It's such a small yet critical flaw for what I find is otherwise a pretty nice toy. I hope that TakaraTOMY can at least address this issue for their version, and hopefully Hasbro might want to fix it for subsequent releases (but odds are they won't).

I'd vote "Only If" you really want a Classicsverse Highbrow.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/jaam_shoulders.gif

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Titans%20Return/TR_highbrow01_zpsi6payclo.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Titans%20Return/TR_highbrow02_zps5ythzcue.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Titans%20Return/TR_highbrow03_zpsmvhtx88b.jpg

[SharkyMcShark]

I don't mind the gaps in the arms. Works better than having flimsy arm doors like on Weirdwolf, and it doesn't appear to affect structural integrity.

Can't really agree on this at all.

I'd prefer to see an imperfect attempt to implement the feature > it not being done at all. Wolfwire's arm doors aren't the best you'll ever see, but they're also certainly far from a poor implementation (eg Generations Brainstorm v1).

As above, the forearms on this toy are particularly bad. They're hollow and the fists have no hard stopping point once they're folded out. There's a small notch you can feel they're meant to click into when they're straight but it's not the strongest of connections. It certainly doesn't hold in any useful way if you try and use Highbrow with any of the Titan Master companion vehicles in weapon mode.

[GoktimusPrime]

We'll just have to agree to disagree on this point. :o

[SMHFConvoy]

Btw as a quick no mod fix to the HM port: cut 6mm squares from the toy packaging or a piece of acetate and slot them on either side of the port

[GoktimusPrime]

Would clear nail polish also work?

[SMHFConvoy]

Haven't tried, so really I can't say.

[UltraMarginal]

Would clear nail polish also work?

I would say no, if you put clear nail polish into the port area, it will very likely gum up the mechanism before setting and you won't be able to get it out.

You might be able to put clear nail polish on the head of the titan to 'thicken it up' but I'm not sure what the long term effect would be.


I have found on most figures, that if you connect the titan with the head turned 180 degrees it's a tighter fit, on some it's too tight and on others it overcomes the extra loose connection.

The heads are not quite square and the connection port has a thinner section and a wider section.

[Paulbot]

I always wanted Highbrow. He was my favourite as a kid but I never got around to getting the G1 toy. So he scores points for finally being my Highbrow toy. I think the robot mode is generally a great looking Highbrow.

But agree on the points about the transformation and vehicle mode and that damn neck joint!

Because of this..


The heads are not quite square and the connection port has a thinner section and a wider section.

... I've found that you have to do this...


I have found on most figures, that if you connect the titan with the head turned 180 degrees it's a tighter fit, on some it's too tight and on others it overcomes the extra loose connection.

... on all of the deluxes. Highbrow though is so loose that Xort doesn't seem to go down far enough and I can see Xort's face on Highbrow's neck.

[UltraMarginal]

I really wonder if it's an intentional design element, allowing for manufacturing tolerances, the tighter or looser configuration should work for most assembled toys.

[SMHFConvoy]

Just got him today, I actually like it.

Tight vehicle mode that locks together, no bits (other than the rotor blades) flopping about.

Tons of sculpted detail. Bot mode head is a bit loose, but that's an easy fix. :):):)

[UltimateGalvatron]

I like him, but my Xort's legs are reeeeeeally loose.

Is there are way to fix it?

[Lint]

I like him, but my Xort's legs are reeeeeeally loose.

Is there are way to fix it?

Clear nail polish should do the trick

[shockNwave]

As a stand alone I find Highbrow to be OK but put him up against the work of genius that is Animated Megatron (leader class) and Highbrow is less than OK. As mentioned earlier, Highbrow's propeller blades cannot spin without hitting each other, the same cannot be said of Animated Megatron due to their synchronicity. Furthermore, the guns of Highbrow have landing gear. So does Megatron's cannon and better yet the wheels move.

Even if Highbrow was made into a leader class figure it would still fall short of the high standard set by Animated Megatron which is how a twin blade attack copter should be.

[GoktimusPrime]

Bear in mind that you are comparing a $100 Leader Class figure against a $25 Deluxe, and also bear in mind that Deluxe Class Animated Megatron is a crap figure.

[shockNwave]

When it comes to the helicopter blades it would be better to compare Searchlight (PCC) with Highbrow because Searchlight has removable and therefore adjustable blades. So as a result they don't get in each others way.

[GoktimusPrime]

Oh yeah, the clashing blades thing is bad for a modern toy. And the bobble head bugs me to no end. Highbrow's not a perfect toy, don't get me wrong, but aside from these two flaws I find the rest of the figure to be pretty solid. Whereas I find PCC Searchlight to be, on the whole, a fairly mediocre figure, and Deluxe Animated Megatron to just be incredibly underwhelming.

[shockNwave]

Oh yeah, the clashing blades thing is bad for a modern toy. And the bobble head bugs me to no end. Highbrow's not a perfect toy, don't get me wrong, but aside from these two flaws I find the rest of the figure to be pretty solid. Whereas I find PCC Searchlight to be, on the whole, a fairly mediocre figure, and Deluxe Animated Megatron to just be incredibly underwhelming.

I never said PCC Searchlight is overall better than Highbrow. Only the blades:rolleyes:. As for Deluxe Animated Megatron, that's your obsession not mine:rolleyes:.

[UltraMarginal]

the blades clashing is only really an issue for the toy in a 'play ' sense. A normal chopper that had a design requirement for the blades to be that close would have gearing between the two to ensure they were always split evenly out of sync with each other. obviously this is a mechanism that can't be included in a $25 toy.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Recieved my Highbrow today, its the TT version. The colours are fantastic (really great paint to plastic match going on) and I really dig the chopper mode. The robot mode is pretty cool too. Yes, the blades are a tad annoying, but not a bot killer by any means.

Takara Tomy's has the bobble head shenanigans going on as well. I'm surprised at how bad it actually is... Mine goes as far as having trouble keeping his head on the body.... Also after putting a head ion his chest, Little Highbrows face is so gloriously painted silver, his little face is quite noticeable in the neck.


Buut, if you put it in correctly its better... D'oh Still bad case of bobblehead. But it does have a better connection and isn't so prone to popping out. Boy do I feel stupid.....

I like his twin gun action and the way you can sstore them on his back. V Cool

His Drone partner, Cargo is a little car(boat? Hovercar, its just listed as a "Vehicle") for the HM to run around in, it looks cool and sporty, and transforme into a gun battery mode. Meh, it's ok I guess. From the front it looks like those screaming aliens from seasame street (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/89/7f/55/897f552cf5e0bce27121b28d056017df.jpg). As a weapon it looks like crap.

Comic is amusing, It seems that Wierdwolf has become the favoutite bad guy of the comic and its building up to something, featuring, Zodiac power!!

Seeing all the small headmasters have little details added to them in the comic, (Highbrow wears a motarbiard hat, Fortress wears a captains hat, Hardhead and CD a tie etc), I want some tiny little ties and stuff for them :o

Summary:
Not too shabby, simple transformation, annoying bobble head, but if put in properly:rolleyes: isn't a deal breaker. By far the biggest flaw is the blade on the back of his arms as they have so much to knock against. Like his healicopter cockpit, body and even head depending on the pose.

[GoktimusPrime]

A shame that TakaraTOMY didn't correct the bobblehead issue. I would've considered buying one if they had.

[Gasaraki]

My video review of TR Highbrow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXR8aPQfT4w) - I feel for this character given how little love/attention he seems to get... sadly he is also probably the weakest of the Autobot TR Headmasters, at least IMO:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/iling79/OTCA/Highbrow.jpg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXR8aPQfT4w)