http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWg2gXeFBnE
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(Please post comments, photos or even a fully comprehensive review - these are just brief details to start you off)
Toy Review - Special Ops Jazz
Series - Reveal the Shield
Sub-line - N/A
Size/class - Deluxe
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 1
Released here - expected here Jan 2011 (released globally Nov 2010)
Approximate Retail Price - $25-30
Approximate Size -
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Race car
Main Features/Gimmicks - (Flip out speakers in both modes)
Main Colours - White, black, blue, red.
Main Accessories - gun
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/tftoys/rts09.jpg
Ooh yeah!!!! Definite must buy - even if you have to pay full retail at Myers to grab it.
Special Ops Jazz is a great homage to the G1 character and is easily one of (if not) the best Deluxes in ages.
Pros:
He's Jazz!
Fold out gun and speakers
Cool alt mode design
Perfect transformation
Great articulation for action poses
Tall - great value for money for a deluxe
Cons:
Lack of paint apps on the rear end of alt mode on Hasbro release
It's a definite must buy on sight (as soon as it's released at retail) - I just couldn't wait and pre-ordered him when he was announced.
I've had it for almost a month now and must say that he does not disappoint in any way (except the lack of paint in alt mode which doesn't bother me greatly since I display him in bot mode anyway)
Go buy it, you know you want it! 9/10
He is so good I have two of him right now. :D
For the first time I think I am torn between getting the RtS version (convenient local buy) or the United version (superior paint job). Is anyone else going through this dilemma and what have you decided on?
hasbro bot-mode and united alt mode? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by 5FDP
personally i wont do that - just getting the united version.
Well from what I can see in the comparison pics - the United version is 'whiter' and has better paint apps in alt mode on the rear and side but looks very similar (besides the whiteness) in bot mode.Quote:
Originally Posted by 5FDP
The United one will most likely have him packaged in his alt mode so I'll be getting one to leave MOSC (since it's his alt mode that really shows the improvements in paint apps) and be keeping the RTS one displayed loose.
Get one of each, but if you had to choose only one, that decision would probably have to be based upon how you intend on displaying him.
Personally the Hasbro version looks fine enough, but if the United version appeals to you more that much, then I'd say wait for that one. That's what I did with a lot of the Universe figures; passed them up in favour of their Henkei counterparts. :) I haven't seen Jazz around anywhere yet. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by 5FDP
This is the only RtS deluxe I have any modicum of interest in, but the chest kills it for me - it's far too bulbous.
Ah well, I'll stick with Animated/Movie Jazz(es)
I dont understand why he looked so yellow in the pics. My two are white and not yellow at all. As for United I just used some paint and now the Hasbro one looks the same :D
He hasn't been released locally yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
That just means the United one is even whiter! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by VERT
When you compare the 2 side by side, you can notice the difference, but on it's own, I'd say it probably looks normal.Quote:
Originally Posted by VERT
I'm still at odds as to which one to get.
i wonder if we will get a Richochet/Stepper repaint
I hope so. I really dig that figure, even if it is only a repaint. I mean, they did a repaint for Robot Heroes :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Sharky
OK, I think I've worked out what it is about the United version that I prefer over the RtS version - the faction symbol. In saying this I realise that the whole gimmick (in regards to RtS) is to discover which faction each character belongs to, it just doesn't work for me. So... I will be getting the Hasbro toy and placing an order with Reprolabels :D
I doubt that there will be an official Hasbro / TakTom release, but a Botcon exclusive might be a distinct possibility.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharky
Yep, that was one of the things that made me decide to wait for the United version, Rubsigns are nice but I prefer faction symbols, but not so much as stickers.Quote:
Originally Posted by 5FDP
The other criteria of course was the white, the Hasbro one looks plenty fine to me as did Drift, but then I saw United Drift.:)
Just a quick write-up for Mr Jazz...
Jazz has been a long time coming, one of the quintessential G1 characters and one of the only 1984 Autobot cars to not get repainted 2 or 3 times (in the initial few years at least) - probably one of the reasons it's taken Hasbro so long to produce him, it's hard to convince the bean-counters if there aren't any viable repaints to run with. An ugly Ricochet repaint will no doubt happen at some point, or worse yet, Zoom-Zoom!!!
Robot mode is good and captures all the major design cues of the original animation model. Poseability is excellent and the figure has a lot of personality. There's a nice large footprint that makes him very stable, and the arms and legs are attached well and don't pop off all the time lending good playability for the kiddies. There's some nasty mold-flash on the front of both shins similar to the front bonnet of Sunstreaker and Sideswipe - it looks sloppy and rushed. They've paid good attention to the mold detailing, particularly the hips - little things like that are appreciated. The speaker gimmick is ok, although I probably would have preferred them to have included the missile launcher from the original toy. Paint apps are strangely lacking however. There is something 'off' about the colour overall. It could just be because of the slightly pearlescent white plastic that Hasbro's used, but the lack of paint apps doesn't help.The headlights being dark blue rather than the more standard clear plastic doesn't help. Plus, the gap where his head folds through is quite big, and takes away a large portion of the racing stripe on his chest. A better solution would have been to include some faux-bonnet that flips up with the head to plug the gap. It still looks enough like Jazz overall. The automorph that swings the head into place works well enough, although the chest and backpack doesn't lock in convincingly enough for my liking.
Vehicle mode is a good representation of a Not-Porsche - the spoiler is in a particularly odd position to help avoid any legal issues, and adds a slight hint of Burgatti Veyron. He holds together well in this mode, although it can be tricky to get the two parts of the number '4' on the bonnet to align. The miserly paint apps are much more of a problem here than in robot mode, the back end of the car has basically been forgotten altogether. It's especially noticeable when compared to other cars in the classics line who generally have rear brake lights as a minimum. Jazz is an accident waiting to happen for drivers approaching from the rear. Maybe he removed them to help be more stealthy during night missions? It's nothing that a quick paint touch-up can't fix but annoying nonetheless. I thought that it may have been due to the transformation possibly rubbing where the brake lights would be but this isn't the case - it's just cheapness on Hasbro's part. The racing stripe isn't as well defined as the original either, and the lack of 'Martini' racing sponsorship doesn't help. Surely some clever alternative could have been found like in Mirage's case (Sparkplug) - what about 'Matrix Racing'? I feel like the front grill could have used some painty love too. On the plus side the doors aren't sticky in the same creepy way that Prowl's were.
The speakers attach with the same 3mm clips that Darkmount, Skullgrin, Wreckgar and Tracks use - I'm not sure what Hasbro's trying to achieve here, clearly trying to make some sort of secondary modular weapon system similar to the classic 5mm hole, but they haven't really promoted the fact that the weapons are interchangeable. It doesn't help that they're strangely spreading the classics figures across the RTS and Generations line. Straxus looks pretty mean rockin' a surround sound on his shoulder pylons! It has to be said that the combined gun mode looks completely daft.
Despite all the niggles, Jazz is still a strong figure and pretty much essential for any G1 fan - the cynic in me thinks that this may be why Hasbro cheaped out on the paint apps, since he was a sure-fire sale anyway. A paint brush seems to be as essential to the adult collector these days as clear nail varnish, but at the end of the day these are kids toys with added adult fan service rather than serious high-end collector pieces. With that in mind, Jazz is a pretty good toy overall.
Please don't assume that only children play with their toys. There are plenty of adult collectors who play with toys too. (-_-) Play value is something that is appreciated by many adult collectors too, not just kids. Kthx.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sutton
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sutton
That could be due to the addition of the speakers. Hasbro are really tight with their budget - they will literally remove certain details, even if it's just a drop of paint, if it has some kind of 'bonus' feature. So it wouldn't surprise me if paint apps were sacrificed for those speakers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sutton
Which would be another reason to do away with the speakers IMHO :mad:Quote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
It could just be because of the large stripe covering so much of the car mode, if you look at most car modes in the classics range, that stripe alone is more paint coverage than is on most figures.
I agree. The speakers do nothing for me, especially as someone who prefers the G1 comics over the cartoon. Having a rifle or missile launcher would've been way cooler. The speakers reek of "Gee-Wun" appeal to me. (Just my perspective)Quote:
Originally Posted by Sutton
You're just special ;) :pQuote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
I quite like this toy, face is good, but a little too serious, I thought he would have some sort of smile on it.
Paint is sparse and whites are a tad off. I also find it odd his spoiler isn't bigger. Just seems out of place. Make of that what you will ;)
I too would have preferred a missile launcher to the speakers. i mean, they only showed up in one episode didn't they? Whereas the missile launcher was always there.
Still big feet are nice. Shame about the hasbro grey for feet and shins.
Only if you don't want to pay more for United.
The paints in person really make a difference.
Other than Sutton. Has anyone else had trouble trying to lock the hood to the body in robot mode? I've tried various things but the thing won't click shut.
I don't have this toy yet but read about a mis-transform 'fix' for that the other day on TFW. Here's the link (post 389)
it is worth buying so youd have a Jazz in your collection but if your willing to shell out just a bit more , the United version is more spiffier QC wise ( this is but based on the figure I got) the white is excellent like porcelain, paint apps for the highlight decals are non sloppy , tinted windows and front lights, quite nice QC.
I too hope for a repaint into Ricochet.... I mean too make the most of the mold... if they dont , well its not the first time Hastak has done a missed opportunity to make a buck on something the fans would want...it's tradition hehehehe
I think I prefer the looe chest to that mistransform fix. It affects the look, with the roof down so low, he seems to be missing something from his shoulders (even more) and it also affects his waist movement.Quote:
Originally Posted by kurdt_the_goat
That's a real bad idea. It's clear plastic and therefore much more prone to cracking. Plus it looks crap.Quote:
Originally Posted by kurdt_the_goat
The non-locking chest isn't that big a deal - it's not like his boobs are flapping around in the wind, the gear mechanism in his head holds him firmly enough. It just isn't as satisfying as a TF that firmly locks into place is all.
This toy is perfect. Go buy :p
Though not quite, I found him quite the pain in the arse to lock back together perfectly in alt mode, especially if u want to hide the speakers. It's probably easier now that I know how.
His paint apps and colour are superior to the RtS version but not as dramatically as Tracks. I thought I would hate the grim face on a charismatic character like Jazz but it actually works for this toy. His tall and lean stature lends himself to the cool and collected Animated Jazz or the IDW G1 incarnation.
Also awesome that you can clip the speakers onto the gun to make a sonic crossbow thingy! (forget the double barreled blaster they were trying to create)
Figure of the year for me (so far).
Near perfect in both modes with one of the classiest and elegant and easy to remember conversions. Not to mention the double jointed elbow and knees combined with the 300* feet bend for superior articulation. The proportions are perfect and the head sculpt screams Jazz. Those speakers gave me nostalgia tears and this figure is only marred slightly by the loose chest.
Got the United version and the extra paint apps makes a big difference. The missing silver paint apps for the front grille and especially the wheels in robot mode of the RtS version makes United version a far superior and noticeably better looking version. There's just way too much black in the RtS version which gets broken up by the silver paint apps on the wheels on the United version.
Definite must buy and the crowning jewel of the latest Classicverse releases.
The chest flops around heaps when you play with the toy and move the arms about. :( It's not a massive flaw, but it's still an annoying one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sutton
The chest flops around heaps when I play with the toy and move the arms about. :( It's not a massive flaw, but it's still an annoying one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sutton
It seems we're merging United in here as well. I opened my United Jazz last night, and the thing is a work of art! Beautiful paint apps. Elegant transformation. Stompy said it all better than I, and while I've only transformed him 2-3 times, my chest is pretty tight and does not flop around. Properly positioning the car's roof as high as possible behind it seems to only further enforce its stillness.
Definitely worth a buy for everyone at any price, but United is pure love.
I have to echo this.Quote:
Originally Posted by jaydisc
United jazz is a thing of beauty. The only fig that could possibly and realistically top it is Generations/United Wheeljack. I don't understand all the fuss about the chest not locking- because it does not really flop much on mine (as Jay said).
If you can find the united version for a decent price- I say its still worth it to grab over the RTS version (the lack of paint and dirty white just does not do it for me)- although with the high demand and dwindled supply, united jazz is pretty expensive now.
And thirded, IMO Untied Jazz is the best classic style mould since Hound, possibly even better. I'm a big fan of the Prowl mould to but this is better. The crisp white plastic is great, he's even whiter and less plasticy looking than Henkei Prowl and Ratchet.Quote:
Originally Posted by jaydisc
The lack of chest lock, is his only flaw and only because it seems like a small obvious improvement. mine sits pretty secure he can do a sommersault without much movement.
While I'm tempted by Generations Wheeljack, I'm going to have to get the United one after seeing Jazz's pure white finish.
I just need the other Jazz and Gappel I ordered now, eveyone should have a United Jazz.
After reading all the good things about him, I think I'm going to cave in and order UN Jazz and Tracks, the RtS ones are becoming impossible to find. It seems most stores around here only received 1 of each and they are all gone already.
And I figured the price difference between ordering RtS or United, online is pretty minimal.:cool:
Yep, United Jazz is the real deal. I've had it for 3 weeks and I'm still jazzed. He makes older classics like Sideswipe and Sunstreaker look pretty dated. The only thing that bothers me a bit is the pin head.
I find both RTS and UTD Jazz were hard to find online -- I just settled with whichever version I found first, which happened to be RTS.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fonecrusher
Yeah United Jazz seems to be sold out EVERYWHERE, it's ridiculous. Still I've found a few places selling him for about US$25 and I'v bookmarked them hoping for a restock.:DQuote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
But I'm still kicking myself since I had both RtS Jazz and Tracks in my hands, but didn't have the money for either and then couple days later they were gone.:(
Hmm the cheapest one on Ebay is $57 including shipping. :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by Fonecrusher
http://cgi.ebay.com/Transformers-Uni...item3cb5d3230c
Probably get the RTS because it's cheaper. But if you do want United Jazz (any united for that matter)- I suggest you grab it IMMEDIATELY because all United has been sold out/hard to find now/ reaching insane prices- read HD's blog to see how crazy it is in Hong Kong-
http://heroicdecepticon.blogspot.com...nsformers.html
Wisest words of the week, gdmetro. I literally bought the last UN-Jazz & UN-Scourge from RK before they sold out! It seems that if you so much as blink, you'll either miss out or be paying much more later down the line. If you're hesitating, you're probably better off buying it then selling it again later if you change your mind...Not like they're going to depreciate, well...Ever!Quote:
Originally Posted by gdmetro
I just feel sorry for those who've decided to collect the Classics only recently. That's one helluva expensive back catalogue, and they're only a few years old! :eek: