player 3 productions pretty sure they meant the headmaster gimmick not the brainstorm figure. The headmaster on this brainstorm is a pain compared to the titans return ones. Not saying they're perfect by any means, just more reliable and successful.
The irony is that, while Brainstorm appeared like this in the IDW Transformers comics (specifically More Than Meets the Eye), he wasn't a Headmaster like this figure in those comics.
the thigh section of my 'head converts to pilot' figure was backwards, so I had to take out the pin and flip the thighs around. the way they were kept the legs from folding out all the way, so he was in perpetual 'lean forward' state while standing up.
Just got this guy for Christingmas and lemme tell you you were right on the money with him looking FREAKING DELICIOUS. As for assembly problems, his body is nice and tightly built and arcana's head joint is nice and tight. The head itself fits into brainstorm's body with a good amount of wiggle room but not bobblehead levels. Unfortunately it scarily resists being pulled out of the socket, even when pulling down the release lever.
Gotta be one of the nicest looking bot modes I've seen on a TF, at least in recent memory. I've been anxiously waiting for this guy to hit retail stores and seeing this only made that wait more difficult. Thanks for the great review, Vangelus. Screw you for the great review, Vangelus.
For anyone who is on the fence with this guy due to the insane amount of QC issues. Hasbro has started shipping out "fixed" versions of him. I ordered one from amazon and it got here today and it was one of the new fixed versions. No problems what so ever. And to tell if its the new or old version, look at the punched in number at the bottom of the back of the box. If it says 42791 then its the new one. Best of luck!
Nice! I'm really looking forward to this one. I noticed the thighs are shell pieces held together by screws again. About time they did that to leave out the hollow look. If this is any indication as to where the new Voyager class toys will be going design and aesthetic wise, I'm in. I just wish they had done soft ratchets at BOTH elbow joints if they are going to have two. Roadbuster already has a problem with that.
well fuck you too Mr troll, I was just giving my thought, you can mind your own damn business. if you were Vangelus I'd take it down but your not so go as I said, fuck you.
Got mine from the local Target 5-14-15 and while the kid in me who had the G1 toy was happy, I have to admit I'm a bit disheartened at the limp wrists on my copy. I had to tighten the chest screw on the pilot but it didn't completely alleviate the head bobble problem. My Brainstorm's now all floating happily thanks to the spare Tamashii stage I have. Too bad his limp wrists nullifies any notion of putting him in a jumping/shooting pose. At least I wasn't scalped with any shipping. =3
***** Well, budget isn't an issue. =) It's just that I grew up around Jetfire, and didn't even knew who Brainstorm was until the Fansproject guys made that Smart Robin figure. In the end, it's Familiarity Versus Price Point
Not really a collector, but I love this thing's design. It's also pretty affordable to boot! With college being such a strain on my finances, I really don't need to begin on the slipper slope of collecting, however I'd love to get this guy.
1:28 is so true. I recently got one (20% discount and free shipping code at HasbroToyShop FTW!) and I can't look at the vehicle mode without hearing the Corneria stage music from the first game.
PHOROSxxEYE Just do it in very very small increments. Like 1/32nd of a turn at a time, at most. Ideally you tighten it to hold something up, then loosen them slightly to move the arm around again.
+MarvelandDC379 Hasbro recently shows off the next years figures. Called Titan Wars it seems to have the main gimmick of Headmaster. We've seen Skullcruncher, Sentinel Prime, Astro Train, and Galvatron to my knowledge.
Yessss...... More Generations Thrilling 30 reviews..... More Generations Thrilling 30 reviews...... And next time mention, who asked for it. Remember it.....
scrapmetal37 I get that, but this has a lot of QC issues, yeah obviously third Party are way to expensive in comparisson to Hasbro, but with the price comes great quality standards (at least for FP products)
***** The only bad thing I have heard about Columpio is that some have extremely loose joints, yeah that is a problem, but a fixable one. And obviously that is no excuse for Fansproject, but is not like the toy is falling appart or breaking.
***** I have heard of that also, it can hold them, but is a pretty loose fit (I am not giving any excuses for Fansproject), but again, it is a easy fixable problem and does not bother me since overall is a really good figure.
It's likely that the 'pilot' thing is only because Hasbro couldn't get the trademark on Arcana for whatever reason but felt they HAD to point out this sweet-ass gimmick on the packaging somehow. As for the comics, Brainstorm (And most headmasters) aren't headmasters, despite every one of the subline members (Including Brisko and Wilder) having a cameo or part at some point. Scorponok and Sunstreaker are the only present day cybertronians to have been headmasters, with Scorponok having not been seen in the present day for over five years and Sunstreaker getting his head repaired/replaced before being demoted to a D-list character after the soft reboot of All Hail Megatron in 2008. That's the least spoiler-y I can manage. Most likely, the toy only got the headmaster because it's the whole 'Generations' line, calling back to old toys with modern engineering and molds. (Like Whirl, Roadbuster, Rhinox and Jetfire). Not to mention certain people (Like me) would be irked if a purpose made Brainstorm didn't include the coolest (sic) gimmick Transformers has ever seen.
Jessica M. I was mostly commenting to reference the Takara approach to Headmasters; there the "pilot" was the actual Cybertronian, with the larger body their "Transtector"; this also meant they could swap back and force with different bodies and different operators producing different results. Need to get the teams tech guy through a battle field? Have him borrow the team's tanks' body (in this case, literally a tank). I'm quite fond of the old "-master" gimmicks (though I tended to lose the smaller "partner" figures). Of course one of the things i thought was greater about the Unicron Trilogy era was that Minicons seemed to be their natural successors: kind of annoyed that almost seems to be going away. Oh well, if the rest of the customer base likes it, not too big of a deal for me. ;)
I can't believe I forgot about that (Though the Madman release of Headmasters and the ungodly awful English dub PROBABLY contributed to it being repressed) I guess it could be that? Though it seems like something Takara Tomy would try to push rather than Hasbro, given Headmasters the series isn't part of their canon. The truth probably lies somewhere in between everything or Hasbro leaving it up to personal canon.
*Sigh* I never really liked this guy. I don't like all the exposed arm, leg, and hip kibble in vehicle mode, and the headmaster's exposed face and arms made up of head chunks. The robot mode having tail fin flaps lazily folded over the shoulders has always rubbed me the wrong way as well. Even the Titan's Return one basically being Blur with wings stuck on did a better job imo.
Head Converts to Pilot is my favorite character in the Transformers series
Elibutt, an edgy nerd same
Mine too
little did we knew that this was a test run for titans return years later
Test run with much, much better design.
ThunderPaladin More advanced, but much less reliable.
nope. this brainstorm beats the FUCKING WALGREENS exclusive lamestorm.
player 3 productions pretty sure they meant the headmaster gimmick not the brainstorm figure. The headmaster on this brainstorm is a pain compared to the titans return ones. Not saying they're perfect by any means, just more reliable and successful.
Someone needs to release an IDW Accessory set including, among other things, Brainstorm's briefcase and Crosscut's shovel!
You listening Third-Party-Folk?! We need a briefcase!
Jordan Buysse so that we can block out suns and commit Genocide! DID I MENTION THAT HES A AUTOBOT!?!?
The irony is that, while Brainstorm appeared like this in the IDW Transformers comics (specifically More Than Meets the Eye), he wasn't a Headmaster like this figure in those comics.
the thigh section of my 'head converts to pilot' figure was backwards, so I had to take out the pin and flip the thighs around. the way they were kept the legs from folding out all the way, so he was in perpetual 'lean forward' state while standing up.
I just got mine last night and mine is completely ok, no loose headmaster nor joints.
But can he build guns upside down?
Just got this guy for Christingmas and lemme tell you you were right on the money with him looking FREAKING DELICIOUS. As for assembly problems, his body is nice and tightly built and arcana's head joint is nice and tight. The head itself fits into brainstorm's body with a good amount of wiggle room but not bobblehead levels. Unfortunately it scarily resists being pulled out of the socket, even when pulling down the release lever.
Lasernasty was one of my stage names
Panel lining makes this guy really stand out!
Bring on more Head-Masters!
Gotta be one of the nicest looking bot modes I've seen on a TF, at least in recent memory. I've been anxiously waiting for this guy to hit retail stores and seeing this only made that wait more difficult. Thanks for the great review, Vangelus. Screw you for the great review, Vangelus.
Just got him at retail... No QC issues to report about! I love the figure!
Do a barrel roll. Sue me subtitles. XD
DO A BARREL ROLL PRESS A TO SHOOT!
Too slow! >_
One of our fellow TFW denizens makes just such a briefcase you seek!
For anyone who is on the fence with this guy due to the insane amount of QC issues. Hasbro has started shipping out "fixed" versions of him. I ordered one from amazon and it got here today and it was one of the new fixed versions. No problems what so ever. And to tell if its the new or old version, look at the punched in number at the bottom of the back of the box. If it says 42791 then its the new one. Best of luck!
Holy smokes! I've owned Legends Brainstorm since release and I had no idea he had a spring-loaded chest panel. Thanks for pointing that out!
we've come a ways since this
love this guy, found him at ross today for 12 bucks and I have no QC issues with mine
Nice! I'm really looking forward to this one. I noticed the thighs are shell pieces held together by screws again. About time they did that to leave out the hollow look. If this is any indication as to where the new Voyager class toys will be going design and aesthetic wise, I'm in. I just wish they had done soft ratchets at BOTH elbow joints if they are going to have two. Roadbuster already has a problem with that.
I had the same gears problem with my Roadbuster. Some joints had ratchets, some didnt. weird.
do an aileron roll
It's still a shame he doesn't come with a briefcase or Decepticon symbol. I still like how he looks and can't wait to get him.
this is a factory reject that someone smuggled out and packaged them selves to sell on the net.
well fuck you too Mr troll, I was just giving my thought, you can mind your own damn business. if you were Vangelus I'd take it down but your not so go as I said, fuck you.
Jestermon1
He's probably right about the smuggling part. As for being "rejects," I'd say "hit-or-miss first batch" describes them more accurately.
no, no he isn't, but this particular one as well as the others sold with him by that guy on eBay just might be.
Huh, my Brainstorm's elbows do exactly the same... Right is not detented while left is.
I got this figure for $15 at a Ross. Mine only has one problem... one part of the left foot joint was broken! But it woks fine
Man, I really wanted this guy, but my retailer decided not to sell him, so now I gotta pay a bunch extra to ship him in
Got mine from the local Target 5-14-15 and while the kid in me who had the G1 toy was happy, I have to admit I'm a bit disheartened at the limp wrists on my copy. I had to tighten the chest screw on the pilot but it didn't completely alleviate the head bobble problem. My Brainstorm's now all floating happily thanks to the spare Tamashii stage I have. Too bad his limp wrists nullifies any notion of putting him in a jumping/shooting pose. At least I wasn't scalped with any shipping. =3
this guy fits other g1 headmasters to be put in
So I'm in the middle of a dilemma here:
Should I get Brainstorm here?
Or that Leader Class Jetfire?
***** Well, budget isn't an issue. =) It's just that I grew up around Jetfire, and didn't even knew who Brainstorm was until the Fansproject guys made that Smart Robin figure. In the end, it's Familiarity Versus Price Point
Rodimus Killed Optimus Shockwave: "I propose a _tertiary_ alternative."
Sounds like the way to go!
Not really a collector, but I love this thing's design. It's also pretty affordable to boot! With college being such a strain on my finances, I really don't need to begin on the slipper slope of collecting, however I'd love to get this guy.
aww, he didn't toss it against the wall.
I got mine and it had no issues at all it was perfect
Thanks man!!!
On my Brainstorm the left armor shirt is the same as the one on the right, it's kinda weird.
We need that briefcase. We need it NOW.
What's the stand called?
Not included...his time traveling briefcase.
really what is inside that briefcase of his?
The toy screams for some panel inking. It just won't need as much as Voyager Jetfire did.
Did you get it from the UA-camr Baltmatrix?
the irony is that the Headmasters arent Headmasters anymore. Atleast until Titans return.
That is one sexy robot! I hope to find it soon!
Whats the pilot real name?
Why were so many of these Brainstorms defective!?
most likely cus (as far as i know) this was the first real gimmiked head master in years.
Are we getting a new Brainstorm for the Titans Returns line or is this it?
There's a Titans Return Brainstorm coming as well, based more on the G1 toy
+Vangelus Thanks! Now I REALLY can't wait! :)
+Vangelus does this head plug into tr figure and vice versa?
Nicholas Hermanus no.
Still trying to find it, it's the last canon Head Master I need.
Which tamashii stage stand do you use for this?
This figure looks neat not a big fan of headmasters but I might get this
1:28 is so true. I recently got one (20% discount and free shipping code at HasbroToyShop FTW!) and I can't look at the vehicle mode without hearing the Corneria stage music from the first game.
Waiting for the Legends version to come out... :3 Awesome review!!
Hey Vangelus, what would you think about this mold getting retool/repainted into an IDW Star"Primus Hates U"Saber?
did you do something to strengthen you tamashii stage
PHOROSxxEYE I tightened the screws a little
isn't that a bit risky since its clear plastic
PHOROSxxEYE Just do it in very very small increments. Like 1/32nd of a turn at a time, at most. Ideally you tighten it to hold something up, then loosen them slightly to move the arm around again.
ok ill try that thanks for the reply
That's a good questions
Man I hope they make more Headmasters in the future.
Chromedome please?
Mark Newland skullcruncher please?
Mindwipe please?
+MarvelandDC379 Hasbro recently shows off the next years figures. Called Titan Wars it seems to have the main gimmick of Headmaster. We've seen Skullcruncher, Sentinel Prime, Astro Train, and Galvatron to my knowledge.
+Fuzzball629 Fortress Maximus and recently, Trypticon were ALSO announced.
Does anybody know what the 3rd party briefcase is called
Do an aileron roll!!!
Is an 'arm wing' related to star wars?...
+Autobot Ironhide arwing, not arm wing :) its from the starfox video games. cagallirr.deviantart.com/art/Arwing-Starfox-64-477259043
Imagine he came with his "briefcase"
your vids should be flagged as toy porn, one of the the best reviewers on the tube! cheers man!
I hear some sort of faint background music....
Can't even get the head off mine
stethespaniard2 did it break yet
Yeah...I'm going to hold off on this guy, simply because I don't want to pay $25 for a transforming bobble-head.
Im going to wait until he hits retail
I hope some Third-Party company makes a briefcase for him.
*chants* Dr. Wu~! Dr. Wu~! Dr. Wu~!
TheBowserPrime allonsey!
do an aileron roll!
my headmaster got lost
BARREL ROLL!
You're Fired!
someone is probably going to make a 3rd party head for this guy. if they do, removable face plate please
I wish this showed up in cincinati...
YAYYYYY BRAINSTORMMMMMMMM
Another Deja Vu! What is going on?
too bad the faceplate isn't removable...
Yessss...... More Generations Thrilling 30 reviews..... More Generations Thrilling 30 reviews...... And next time mention, who asked for it. Remember it.....
Friggin delicious
Hehe Really excited about SCIENCE!!!!!
Brainstorm looks very Mid Level Commander esque. More than just a solder or Scientist character.
Oh yeah baby!!! Not liking the fake chest stats >< There is something pleasing about watching the chest stats spin up in G1.
Do A Barrel Roll
Barrel Roll.
...I just noticed his left leg has come off the mushroom peg on the back of the box. My god, Hasbro toy photographers are so hideously incompetent.
Do a barrel roll!!
Barrel Roll
I still prefer my Fansproject Smart Robin.
hey, as long as it's comic-accurate.
I still prefer FP Smart Robin
I still prefer an AFFORDABLE product.
scrapmetal37 I get that, but this has a lot of QC issues, yeah obviously third Party are way to expensive in comparisson to Hasbro, but with the price comes great quality standards (at least for FP products)
***** The only bad thing I have heard about Columpio is that some have extremely loose joints, yeah that is a problem, but a fixable one. And obviously that is no excuse for Fansproject, but is not like the toy is falling appart or breaking.
***** I have heard of that also, it can hold them, but is a pretty loose fit (I am not giving any excuses for Fansproject), but again, it is a easy fixable problem and does not bother me since overall is a really good figure.
Stop alert complain alert stop complaining it's bad smart robin sux especially x3 he sux
Looks so Awesome but the head Master gimmick.... I'm scared about getting mine. Hasbro your starting to SUUUUCk. -_-
WHY DOES BRAINSTORM HAVE CHROMEDOME'S FACE?
the G-1 version had a faceplate too.
He's always had a faceplate. Where have you been?
Aren Nova Some versions have depicted Brainstorm without a facepate.
John McHenry I'm aware of the japanese version but this is the American version. Why would the OP expect something different.
Aren Nova Good point good sir.
Now do a barrel roll
6:42 lol just stop
Might this plausibly be a case of a Stolen Chinese Toy~? :D
do a barrel roll
Can the pilot just be Brainstorm?
No, I don't read the comics. ;)
It's likely that the 'pilot' thing is only because Hasbro couldn't get the trademark on Arcana for whatever reason but felt they HAD to point out this sweet-ass gimmick on the packaging somehow.
As for the comics, Brainstorm (And most headmasters) aren't headmasters, despite every one of the subline members (Including Brisko and Wilder) having a cameo or part at some point. Scorponok and Sunstreaker are the only present day cybertronians to have been headmasters, with Scorponok having not been seen in the present day for over five years and Sunstreaker getting his head repaired/replaced before being demoted to a D-list character after the soft reboot of All Hail Megatron in 2008. That's the least spoiler-y I can manage.
Most likely, the toy only got the headmaster because it's the whole 'Generations' line, calling back to old toys with modern engineering and molds. (Like Whirl, Roadbuster, Rhinox and Jetfire). Not to mention certain people (Like me) would be irked if a purpose made Brainstorm didn't include the coolest (sic) gimmick Transformers has ever seen.
Jessica M. I was mostly commenting to reference the Takara approach to Headmasters; there the "pilot" was the actual Cybertronian, with the larger body their "Transtector"; this also meant they could swap back and force with different bodies and different operators producing different results. Need to get the teams tech guy through a battle field? Have him borrow the team's tanks' body (in this case, literally a tank).
I'm quite fond of the old "-master" gimmicks (though I tended to lose the smaller "partner" figures). Of course one of the things i thought was greater about the Unicron Trilogy era was that Minicons seemed to be their natural successors: kind of annoyed that almost seems to be going away. Oh well, if the rest of the customer base likes it, not too big of a deal for me. ;)
I can't believe I forgot about that (Though the Madman release of Headmasters and the ungodly awful English dub PROBABLY contributed to it being repressed)
I guess it could be that? Though it seems like something Takara Tomy would try to push rather than Hasbro, given Headmasters the series isn't part of their canon. The truth probably lies somewhere in between everything or Hasbro leaving it up to personal canon.
Really a knob joke!☺️
*Sigh* I never really liked this guy. I don't like all the exposed arm, leg, and hip kibble in vehicle mode, and the headmaster's exposed face and arms made up of head chunks. The robot mode having tail fin flaps lazily folded over the shoulders has always rubbed me the wrong way as well. Even the Titan's Return one basically being Blur with wings stuck on did a better job imo.
Barrel Roll