Toy Review - QUINTESSON JUDGE (Earthrise)

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I like it as well, but mainly because its the Quintesson judge and I've always wanted one. Its definitely better than the one from Energon, but then that isn't much of a compliment (from my limited experience with it).

In my extremely high quality video review, I question how relevant this toy is to people who have no association to the G1 movie/comics. And so I would vote Only if... you like the character.

[GoktimusPrime]

I question how relevant this toy is to people who have no association to the G1 movie/comics. And so I would vote Only if... you like the character.

I agree. There are some toys where, even if you know nothing about the character, can be still seen as inherently good Transformers action figures. Take Siege Impactor for example. But I think that the Quintesson Judge (and honestly also Allicon) are on the opposite end of this spectrum; I don't think that they're that great as toys on their own and the core appeal comes from familiarity with the characters, and thus pre-existing bias. Impactor is a toy that can be enjoyed without bias, but I can't say the same for Allicon or the Quintesson Judge.

This isn't necessarily a criticism towards HasTak, mind you. We are now at a stage where we're horribly spoiled for choice and HasTak are shamelessly making toys for fans. It's just that Impactor happens to be a design that better translates as a Transformer action figure - really because he was originally designed in G1 to be a Transformer - whereas the Quintessons were not. You're taking designs that were never meant to be Transformers but making them into transforming action figures because of the commercial imperative to sell these toys. And as far as the Quintesson Judge is concerned, that's fine. The Quintesson mode is more than adequate. The gaol mode is complete garbage but it can also be happily ignored since it doesn't exist in G1 canon anyway.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Part of me sort of thinks it's a shame they didn't do it as a 'non-transforming figure with accessory pack' rather than having the Brunt Centurion Drone recolour come as an exclusive with the accessories. The idea's not that far off the Build-a-figure concept and at a Voyager price-point it'd sort of work cost-wise.

[Thurmus]

For anyone after one of these, I got one this week from The Little Toy Company even though their website says pre-order.