Takara Transformers PRIME AM # 32: WILDRIDER

While I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t have a very strong interest in the PRIME RiD Line, when I saw the Arms Micron 30, 31 & 32 figures, I knew I’d have to give them a shot.  So let’s take a look at No.32, the Stunticon: Wildrider

Because I’m Johnny-come-lately to the Arms Micron series, I feel a bit foolish typing this next sentence but: For those who aren’t aware, Arm Micron is Takara’s take on the PRIME line, adding small “partners” to each toy.  Sometimes they’er animals, sometimes robots, but all of them transform, Target Master style into an enhanced weapon for the Transformer in question to use.   We’ll get into Wildrider’s “AM” a bit later.  First things first, let’s take a look at Wildrider himself:

Wildrider uses what I think is easily consider one of the more popular molds from the PRIME line, the Wheeljack mold, but with some slight retooling, a new head sculpt and a very G1 Accurate paint scheme.

Just for comparison, let’s take a look at the old G1 combiner Wildrider:

So as  you can see, Takara did a great job of keeping the paint scheme accurate.

Given that there’s 100000 reviews of Wheeljack and his several repaints, I won’t bother going into huge details with articulation here.  Basically, if your Wheeljack can do it, so can Wildrider.

What I WILL talk about here, is the major differences between US and Takara figures, as well as Wildriders  changes.  For one thing, check out his headsculpt!

Now…I have to admit, I don’t LOVE the Frankenstein bolts on his ears. I know the G1 cartoon had him (or maybe Deadend) with them, but I would have preferred to have left them off.  Everything else is outstanding.  The red face with the grey head, and gold eyes just work really well together.  Unfortunately, I have a tiny QC red dot on there, but a little flick of the x-acto knife should fix that.  I love that they kept his head vaguely squared off like the G1 toys as well.

One of the major differences between the US and Takara toys is the fact that the Takara versions give you stickers to apply for detailing.   These stickers include the obvious symbols and headlights, but they also include some extra stickers for you to apply how you see fit.   For Wildrider, he gets a most awesomely awesome STUNTICON sticker.

I mean first of all, the coloring is amazing.   Second of all…its fricken MOTORMASTER!  I mean, how cool is that?  You get two of these (I put one on each shoulder) and two smaller, monochrome versions…..I gave them to Deadend.  AWESOME.  I really like this aspect of applying the stickers, there’s something satisfying about using an x-acto knife to place them just right and taking that extra care to make things look great!

OF course, the MAJOR difference is the names sake of the line, the Arms Micron Partners.   These little guys are a feature I didn’t really pay attention to until I built my first one: Wildrider’s partner – Ozu

Awww, isn’t he adowable??  He’s a little robot Mammoth!  How little?

Like Soundwave’s cassettes little.  Which is possibly the reason why I love these guys.  While they’re not all animals, they do have a very cassetticon feel to them.

Ozu, like all the others, transforms into a weapon for Wildrider ala the Targetmasters.   However, not all of the Arms Microns turn into guns. Many of them turn into melee weapons and they can be mix-matched and combined to form super weapons.    Ozu does turn into a gun though and he turns into a pretty cool one!

I love the bullet barrel design (also, I realize he’s a touch mis-transformed.  The snout should sit snug against the body.    Anyway, Wildrider can wield him quite well –

Though Ozu has some heft to him so I usually have Wildrider supporting him with both hands.    I think the other reason I like the Arms Microns is because you get to build them yourself similar to a Gunpla kit:

Though obviously far less complicated seems all the parts come on one sprue.  You get a small instruction sheet on how to assemble them as well as stickers to apply.   One of the coolest things I’ve seen:  the way the little “power crystal” design works:

What an amazing use of clear plastic and a silver sticker!

Now, let’s take a look at Wildrider in his awesome alt-mode!

In my opinion, this is the best looking use of the mold yet.   His coloring is amazing, the stickers add some great touches, and the clear red windshield seals the deal.

The hood design is fantastic.  The ‘Con symbol is three separate stickers.

And you get rear tail-light stickers which is something the US versions need desperately.  We also see the minor retooling here, which is basically just adding on Arms Micron posts.    Naturally, Ozu attaches to Wildrider in gun mode

Now that’s packing some firepower!

Here we see yet another major difference in the Takara vs US versions, the outstanding packaging these toys come in!

These are quite nice, rather large for a deluxe figure and feature great cover art of the character as well as everything that’s included, on the back:

Very pleasing to the eye despite how busy it is.  But my favorite feature of the box, is the sides that give the bio-stats, including Hit Points, giving the bio a sort of RPG feel (and adding a whole new dimension to play ability I suppose!)

I don’t know what the difference between SP and AP are, but Wildrider’s sitting pretty with 2400 HP!  Awesome!  And believe it or not, Ozu has his stats too, but simplified:

Aw…he’s ownly gowt 100 HP…he’s just a little robo-nugget, isn’t he?  (Okay, I’ll stop.)   I just get a kick out of this.

Finally, let’s get Deadend in here for some “size” comparisons (okay, really its just color comparisons, they’re both Stunticons, get off my back).

And yes, Wildrider does come with the swords. I feel like swords are a bit played out these days,  so unless you’re name is Drift or PRIME Wheeljack, (Or Grimlock!) I try to keep them stored away.   Hence Deadend also has a blaster.

They look good together, I’ll give them that.  I’m more partial to Wildrider, but Deadend is still really cool.  I’m secretly hoping Takara does a G1 colored Deadend, I’d be all over that.   (AND A DRAGSTRIP!!!!)

Seems I don’t really collect PRIME too much, other than Green Ironhid, *ahem* I mean, “Kup” and Wheejack (who currently reside on my FOC shelf…for …reasons…), these two will be included on my Timelines Shelf, which is just my generic “cover all” shelf.  I have most of the Stunticons assembled, just missing my TFCC SS Breakdown –

I’ll say this, I do love Wildrider and if Takara makes the rest of the Stunticons, I’ll get them, including Breakdown even though he’s a big SUV now…for some reason.

Don’t forget! TWO lucky winners will get Wildrider in the PaxCybertron 1 year Anniversary contest!  There’s still plenty of time to participate and logic dictates that the more you participate the better changes you have to win!  So far a LOT of people have been joining in!

Next, we’ll take a look at Rumble and Fenzy, and I’ll have to play catch up as a bunch of new arrivals are en route to the PaxCybertron headquarters.
So Stay Tuned!