Natobot/Classics Roadbuster Garage Kit Review

[Protoman]

When Natobot Toys announced plans to make an upgrade kit for the Universe 2-pack Roadbuster (which is a repaint of Cybertron Defense Hot Shot) way back in October of 2008, I pre-ordered instantly. Finally the finished product has arrived and I want to share it with all of you and give my 2 cents.

First some photos


The original G1 Roadbuster with the now Upgrade Classics Natobot set for Universe 2.0 Roadbuster



Guns!!! The top one is the original G1 Roadbuster's gun while the bottom is the Natobot upgrade.



Head sculpt! Dare to compare. G1 to Nato.




The packaging, all that's left is the pieces from the original Roadbuster mold head.

Review: First off, this toy does not require any glue or mad model skills. So all you snap together Gundam model fans will be happy. Out of the package, you get 3 pieces for the head mold, and 2 guns.

The guns:
1 gun is molded to be like the original G1 Roadbuster gun, while the 2nd is a HUGE cannon for his shoulder (I guess to be a BFG version of the original shoulder cannon). The smaller gun while nicely molded, for me came somewhat warped, but nothing too major (see photo). Just pop it into either hand of the robot mode or hang it off the blade hilt on the left side of the "tank" mode. Really cool.

The bigger cannon is amazing and even has a sliding recoil gimmick like Roadbuster just took a long range blaster and the gun is recoiling. It plugs into either formarm minicon port or in "tank mode" plugs onto the side for an awesome armed tank.

The head:
Again, it's 3 pieces and extremely easy to put together. All you really need is a small screwdriver. Just unscrew the one screw on the back of Roadbuster's original head, take out the back half and JUST his front half's orange crest. Then assemble all 3 pieces over it, it's really easy. No glue, no nothing, it all snaps in nicely and snug. You don't even need the screw you removed. I just put it in the bag with the 2 spare original head parts

The packaging:
Don't expect City Commander with comic packaging. It's a simple ziplock baggy with the paper name logo stapled over it. My only complaint is if you don't know how the final product is going to look, you will be lost. They should maybe have had a small instruction included. Then again, you have the website.

Final thoughts:

If you LOVE Roadbuster and want the most perfect way to get him on your Classics shelf, get this set. Natobot Toys offers different sets if you want just the head and smaller gun, or just the cannon and so on. I am very impressed and for it's price of $30.99 for the FULL SET version, I think it's well worth it.

If your interested check out:
http://www.natobot.com/

[GMfan]

Looks wicked I really want the whole set but I can't justify $30 when the figure was only $15. I'm happy with the figure the way it is (really suits Roadbuster and the colours are perfect) but I'll admit this is a definite upgrade and I'd suggest people get it if they can afford it. I'm just saving up for the eventual wallet-buster that is the RotF line

[Stapler]

I've been debating about getting this set for a while now. It seems a little pricey for what you get, but the end result is great. I'll wait for a lull in my before before I commit. But they could be gone by then...

[Protoman]

Well there is a cheaper set without the HUGE CANNON.

[Pascal]

Tempting...

[QuadESL63]

I am on the waiting list and haven't heard back from them since

[chans formers]

totally diggin the new weapons but not too keen on the head sculpt.is it really worth the price tag?

[C_Shewins]

Kinda overrated on this upgrade kit. The quality doesn't seem that great from that head photo. For that price I can get a Bandai Master Grade Gundam Kit... easy pass if you think it that way.

[Protoman]

Eh, my photos suck anyhow, you can't even get the correct orange in the photos.

[onecoin]

That's cool how the G1 gun has a modern m4 stock. I wonder which one came first.