Around the beginning of the year, I talked about the transparent
Unicron Head model kit Blokees had released. In that same vein, they'd recently released a kit of his Planet Mode as well. Like the head, it was originally available in a standard series, with the translucent version obtainable by scanning QR codes for redemption, before they eventually made it available to the masses. Well, it's available to everyone now, and that's what we're looking at today.
Like the transparent head kit, this is one sharp-looking Unicron. Obviously, he's getting featured a lot this year due to the 40th anniversary of the movie, but let's face it: Unicron's kind of a big deal in Transformers. He's going to pop up from time to time regardless. It just so happens there's a specific occasion to observe this year that makes it a little more special.
Like the head kit, I was looking forward to getting this one, especially in the translucent colors, as it looks so much neater.
Going in, I wasn't expecting to have too much trouble assembling the kit, as Galaxy Versions are normally quick builds. And this one probably isn't normally a problem for most people.
ME, though? I fumbled my way through the entire process, completely all thumbs.
I can see a Master Grade builder reading that and laughing at me, and it's probably well-deserved mockery, as I clearly wasn't paying enough attention to the instructions like I should have been. Being a Galaxy Version, the instructions came in full-sized booklets that are much easier to read than the ones printed on the backs of the cards I normally deal with when assembling Defender Versions and Wheels. So, like an arrogant ass, I just skimmed them over and completely missed that, despite so many parts looking like they could fit wherever, they totally couldn't.
For example, one of the first steps is assembling the rings that fit around his sides. Only one fits on one side, and the other fits on the other. I have no clue why, but it took a few seconds of trying to put one piece in the wrong hole before I finally thought to try the other one.
For the record, I don't claim to be a rocket scientist.
Then, after joining that bit of rings to the Planet Mode core, you put on the planet surface pieces, which are four shell pieces that look practically identical for the most part. They're also translucent, so it's super easy to just NOT see a detail because it's see-through.
Basically, two distinct shell pieces were meant to go on the bottom, while the other two went on top. Two of the shells had connector pegs with an additional little shape, while the other two had standard pegs that would actually fit into the openings intended for the ones with that additional little shape.
Remember when I mentioned the shells look almost identical? Yeah, I threw an additional little tantrum after getting it wrong for the millionth time.
Actually, I'd get three on, and for whatever reason, I couldn't get the fourth one on. Then I'd take them all off and try again... and the fourth still wouldn't fit. I actually got mad, put it to the side, and came back to it a few hours later.
When I came back to it a few hours later, I STILL somehow got it wrong, got mad again, and then, like a damn child, took it and the remaining shell to my wife, asking her if she could tell where the difference was because, for whatever reason, it was escaping me.
She looked for a minute and pointed out the different opening that I'd somehow overlooked. I thanked her and had a snack because I'd been having a rough time and needed a few minutes away from Unicron.
Who is an asshole.
Afterward, I put those shells on with no problem and began assembling the other set of rings that circle Unicron horizontally. This time, it was the instructions' fault for not being super clear, but after some trial and error, I got these pieces in place.
There are four pieces that peg in at the top, bottom, left, and right. Like the shells, they had different pegs depending on their location for some reason, along with connecting pieces that fit in between them. After a little trial and error with those connector pieces, I got the larger set of rings assembled and then put the stand together in about two seconds because that part was pretty simple.
Aside from me bumbling through the instructions, this is a pretty great model kit of Unicron's Planet Mode.
I know some people criticize Transformers products that don't transform. Admittedly, when you name something after the gimmick, it's going to be an ongoing thing. But something like this makes the lack of that transformation worthwhile. Unicron has had a few transforming toys by this point, and that transformation is usually a complete nightmare due to the fact that he transforms from a humanoid shape to a round one. That, and he's expected to be giant, so now you're wrestling this big thing with a million folding parts.
A smaller model kit of just one mode manages to be screen-accurate without becoming a giant nightmare... aside from somehow reading the instructions completely wrong.
I swear, I normally feel like a somewhat intelligent person unless I'm trying to tap to pay (it's literally a different place to tap every single time!), but man, I really screwed up reading these instructions.
What I'm saying is, I had a challenging time assembling him, which was likely my fault, but OH MAN, was it infuriating.
The finished product, however, is really nice-looking. Like with the head kit, the translucent colors look amazing, almost like something intended to be more premium.
The assembly of his maw (which my wife insists is just a big butthole) allows the pinchers to open and close by pushing on the maw/butthole. This is done with a clever little joint that installs underneath, which the pinchers individually attach to.
Overall, this is another solid Blokees product that, like their other offering, I absolutely love. With the rising costs of toys, focusing mainly on model kits like Blokees feels like a more favorable way to go much of the time. Looking at this Unicron sitting on my bookshelf alone is a pretty good selling point for that idea.
*edit* the video for the post that was planned before they stopped working is here.
