Heck, I’ll even take a step back and say a new head would’ve been sufficient. The head with the painted silver “bandana” over the eyes just serves to seal that this toy is Huffer dressed up as Pipes. It feels a space in my collection, but it doesn’t scratch the itch. Not to throw good money after bad, but I’m still down if iGear wanted to go back and do it right.
M.A.N.A.T.E.E. was offered in a 2pk with Tubes and… that’s probably the biggest reason I have him. While I have a soft spot for Spray, his original figure is a little bit awkward to transform, so I wasn’t as in the market for a repaint of him unless it was G2 Chrome (which wouldn’t you know, iGear suckered me into that too).
This one is a cute repaint of Spray, mimicking Hasbro’s own repaint of 2010’s Seaspray and calling it a G.I. Joe homage to the iconic Killer W.H.A.L.E.. The most impressive part of that is probably the box –it’s pretty cool, but Spray does look good in the darker color scheme. I’m seeing him as another possible SG figure. I’m not sure what Cutter here has in mind…
Overall, I’m okay with buying these two particular repaints, but I’m not sure how much they add to my collection. I’m going to have to draw the line somewhere as the original releases at iGear are going to pile up pretty soon and the space & money for these seemingly endless repaints is going to dry up fast (anyone think the Go-Bot repaints are in our future?). Ultimately, I’m okay with these latest two. Using Manatee & Black Rager as SG versions and even Tubes here has some novelty as the European version of Pipes which was a straight repaint of Huffer. Sadly, though that figure has been nicknamed Puffer by the fandom and well, we just can’t change the first letter of Tubes name to a P. That’s just not right.
For more Reviews, check out our sortable Review Index!
 |
 |
 |
cool stuff. I can see where an OCD mind (ahem) would be annoyed by the straight repaint, but he is passable, considering many other “updates” are nowhere near as accurate.
The FOC Magnus would be closer, if you turn his torso around (and I’m trying to work out switching the arms or at least hands without breaking things) and do a few minor paint retouches. (red windshield = black) also, he’s got a BFSword which can be modded onto his carryover Prime gun, but while the packaging mentions it, the instructions leave that out.
I had to laugh at the MANATEE packaging and the fact you have the (new/”updated”) Cutter to pair him up with is the icing on the cyber-cube confection.
“Sadly, though that figure has been nicknamed Puffer by the fandom and well, we just can’t change the first list of Tubes name to a P. That’s just not right.”
Huh?
Just try writing “Tubes” but replacing the “T” with a “P.”
A lot of folks don’t know this, but there actually is a Transformer called “Pubes.” He transforms into an electric Norelco razor. Obviously, this is a Takara Japanese-release only.
Don’t the Japaneese have an exclusive vibrating “electronic toothbrush” Transformer?
Great review and sweet pictures!
Been sitting on the fence about these guys, but I don’t quite have the wherewithal to pull the trigger yet.
the title of the review is one period short of a full M.A.N.A.T.E.E., just FYI
these guys are cute. how’s the QC on these, still feel up to snuff, better, worse? any feeling like the mold is getting worn? the lines look tight from here.
Nice review (as always). These are the kinds of reviews I appreciate the most. As a huge fan of the original molds of both of these guys, I was really torn when the preorder came out for these guys. Ultimately, the cost kept me away. Now I’m kind of glad, especially after seeing there was no retooling on Tubes (most of the promo shots were just CGI). I have heard rumors that he was going to get a “real” release, so I’m hoping that is true.
I’m not a huge fan of MANATEE’s color scheme in general, but for being a WHALE homage, it’s pretty spot on. Phillip Reed took a pic for Transforming Collections and it’s of MANATEE driving WHALE. It’s pretty brilliant. I’m eagerly awaiting my chrome Spray (you haven’t gotten yours yet, have you?) as I haven’t seen final product pics of that one either.
Damnation. Wish I knew about that chromed Spray.
Oh, and I have to say, making some of these into Shattered Glass versions is genius.
Yea, I did the same research on Pipes and I just couldn’t justify a straight up Huffer repaint for my classics rendition. I hope iGear or someone makes a proper one…
Welcome back, Noisy. You’ve been missed! Hope you’re all better soon.
I’m glad that I passed on these two as well. Pipes just isn’t Pipes without his mouthplate and inverted cab alt mode.
Manatee’s box art is a cool nod to Joe fans. If they’d added orange parts, you’d also have a Night Force Whale (Night Striker) homage.
Great review and good pics as always.
I decided not to pursue the original “small” iGear molds after they announced that the following minibot remakes (UFO/Cosmos and Hench/brawn etc) would be at a bigger scale. These are far too tiny to look good next to their larger new brethren IMO.
Still, good review.