BTR-Ticles: Sand Snake

by Twitziller The Sand Snake is often considered part of series 2 of the Built to Rule sets released in limited distribution in 2004. However, like the Rising Tide, the Sand Snake featured a hybrid packaging style, including the box art design of series 1 and interior packaging, including a plastic build tray, unique to the two sets. Both sets

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Gung Ho (2004)

At what point do you think action features in a toy go too far? While some toy lines over the years made action features standard fare (Masters of the Universe comes to mind) others like GI Joe (until the 1990s) generally hadn’t. The floodgates opened during that most noxiously neon of decades, and the Joe team was suddenly sporting missile

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Storm Shadow (2012 Renegades Pack)

The Amazon exclusive Renegades four pack was a real unexpected oddity in several ways. Released with not much fanfare, it seemed to just show up suddenly alongside the first go round of Retaliation toys. By the way, Amazon also did a five pack for the film, though it was much less interesting than this set based on the all too

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Kre-O HISS and ASP

by KansasBrawler While this pairing may require you to buy two sets, I was really impressed at how good the HISS Tank (from the Arashikage Dojo) set and the ASP (from the Ghoststriker X-16 set) looked when paired up. As such, I like keeping them together. Plus, on its own, I’ve never been impressed with the ASP just sitting alone,

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Scarlett (2004 Desert Patrol Squad)

Through the 80s and 90s, Scarlett it seemed had been immune to the special teams reinterpretations that were so prevalent among her male comrades. While Duke, Flint and the like had been members of Tiger Force, Night Force, Star Brigade, and even the Eco Warriors, Scarlett had only made one appearance in the Ninja Force subset. As such, she wore

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BTR-Ticles: Armadillo Assault

by Twitziller The Armadillo Assault was part of the first series of Built to Rule sets released in 2003. Though similar in name to the 1985 Armadillo mini tank, the Armadillo Assault, in terms of design and function, is much more closely aligned with the H.A.V.O.C of 1986, and continues the tradition of large armored vehicles that launch small air

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Storm Shadow (1993 Hall of Fame)

A much as I like the original Storm Shadow figure from 1984, I must admit that the follow-up Ninja Force version also holds a place of distinction in my mind. While the spring-action feature hindered poseability, the design was an interesting departure from the standard ninja pajamas of the 80s. The fact that the Hall of Fame release used the

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Another Look at Law

Another re-run? Yes. Why? Mainly because I was really busy this week, it’s a holiday, and haven’t been able to get more stuff in the hopper to cover. Want another reason? I really like this figure. Enjoy it again. I do. Just look at his missile launcher. Thing of beauty, that. Law (1993).

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Retaliation Ultimate Flint

by KansasBrawler Ultimate Flint is definitely a bit of a tough nut to crack. While I was okay with Roadblock’s ultimate incarnation being a Retaliation figure, I’m still not sure what I think about Ultimate Flint being based on the movie just because his portrayal wasn’t that great. There were definitely Flint-y moments of cockiness and brashness, but at the

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