I remember that the "big" transformers such as Optimus, Megatron, Soundwave or Starscream, would come in a styrofoam receptacle, whereas the "medium size" ones would do it in a bubble. Great video, BTW.c
I owned a new Sludge, and one of the things I remember is it really took a lot of strength to transform. It never occurred to me before, but shouldn't a brontosaurus be considerably larger than the others? Swoop wasn't available in the UK for some reason. But a slag will always be a slag and never a slug.
Great video. The Diaclone versions came with a polystyrene insert but the North American ones were packed like the ones you have here. Keep up the great work. I’m a huge fan of vintage Transformers. Cheers
In the G1 cartoon it was explained that their lack of intelligence was due to them being created on Earth and not having the proper material and tech to build them "right". Like the aerial bots and combatacons which were mindless until Victor Sigma gave them personality components. (well starscream stole or broke out of "jail" the combaticoms...) anyway, due to the dinos not getting a proper upgrade from Vector Sigma they lacked the proper intellegence. Much like in Grimlock's new Brain The technobots were dumb until Grimlock upgraded them by giving them his new intelligence..
Great review. I picked up a set of these knock-offs myself at a convention a few years ago and they are pretty great for the most part. Like yours, my Snarl also had issues with the red die-cast torso part. You didn't mention it in your review but I could see that, like mine, the two halves don't really fit together well causing a minor gap in the crotch. Also the red paint is not applied very well particularly on the inner edges along the sides of the diaclone pilot hatch. My copy also has a stiff waste rotation that I always fear will snap or shear off. The other issue with my set is that I think the chrome paint on my Swoop's wings was applied a little too thick and thus the launchers will not peg into his wings. Otherwise these are pretty great and the only way to get minty fresh "reissues" as I have read that Takara/Tomy no longer has viable versions of the molds for these guys.
First time viewer, great review. Thx. I notice on eBay they are selling red faced slag and cartoon accurate versions of swoop. I bought snarl and overall its very much almost identical to the original.
Yeah, Swoop never came to the UK, so with these pirate Re-issues I can finally complete my collection at a reasonable price. (and he was my favourite Dinobot too).
It's weird that these KOs exist, because it is my understanding that Hasbro determined the molds for these no longer exist. Obviously, the KO folks have at least similar molds if not the original molds. I wonder what the backstory in here, because I'm sure there is one.
My G1 Swoop has a 3 point landing system. Besides the landing gear in his chest, his dinosaur feet pivot down to become the rear landing gear. The rear landing gear have no moving wheels like the chest. They are a simple molded simulation.
I wish you would have touched a bit on the branding, that's what separates the knock offs/reissues from G1. Just to make out a tangible difference. I have all the Dinibots and all say Takara Japan with the year. I wanted to know what the ones that were shown had branded. 🤷♂️
In the comic book its explained he is very Intelligent his speech is due to damage done to his voice processor. He also pretends to be a lot dumber than he is to keep people off guard. This causes people to underestimate him and not consider him as big of a threat as he really is.
Toy “Gateway Drug” Spotlite - I’ve just bought the three KO Dinos still available on ShowZ (my go-to plastic pusher), and just wish I’d snapped up the other two when available (and Shockwave, and loads of others, but hey). Needless to say, I’m loving these 4P KOs! Have you seen the Reflector?! Highly recommended
i see this on our local online shop here and there are many reissue/replica transformers the biggest item is scorpinok and some combiner. and thanks to this review now I'm think to get some in the future.
The Dinobots WERE NOT DEFEATED BY SHOCKWAVE. They were ALL BURIED WITH HIM. That's a stalemate, pal. It was pure luck that the probe only re-activated only Shockwave in 1985.
I don't mean to be a downer, I really don't. I just thought I'd share my experience with these figures, or more of a buyer beware, when it comes to purchasing KO Transformers. Quality can be hit or miss from figure to figure. I have all the knock-off versions of the Dinobots. In fact, they're the reason why I ended up buying the originals for my collection. I don't know for certain if there are variants as far as quality is concerned, but all 5 of the KO Dinobots I have are in questionable shape, to say the least. The weapons and any red plastic parts on the figures, were made of softer and more flexible plastic. The decals became faded and worn, only after a few times of handling the toys. The parts that were transparent plastic (or rather, intended to be), came *greenish,* instead of the intended *yellow-gold,* *clear* and in quite a few cases *solid black.* The molding on some of the parts were either too small or too big, making some of the transformations misaligned or not fit properly in place. All this becomes obvious when comparing them to the originals....But hey, at least from far away, in robot-mode, they make nice display pieces.
@@ToySpotlite .......everything i've bought from that ebay seller has been good quality.... I think some people just tend to pick things to pieces for the sake of argument.
@@williamwilkinson8735 I can assure you, I am not picking things apart for the sake of argument. As I mentioned in my first comment, that's a gamble you take with KO Transformers. The Dinobots I purchased were in very bad shape. I have other Transformers Knock Offs in my collection, and none of them were in the shape or quality as these figures were. Some are made better than others... Dare I say it, some are made of better materials than the originals. The G1 Hound KO I have is a perfect example of this. On the other hand, there was this KO G1 Bumblebee I acquired, and the roof of the car was FLAT. That's just the way it goes, when it comes to purchasing Knock Offs. So, I'm not really upset, because I knew what I was getting myself into. On another note, It's also a cheap way of getting boxes for your G1 Figures.
My KO Grimlock.... the "pilot seat" could not be opened. I had to pry quite hard with a flathead screwdriver to open it. But the moment I close it, it stucks again. Does anyone have the same issue as mine?
I have these . all great but snarls head is hard to get out. and grimlock chest came of the screw was to small I had to glue is together. it looks great now
My only G1 dinobot was Snarl i get him in my bithday frome my dad and they break him in same day because a relatives kids was jealous that was the last time i allowed anyone touch my transformers
That's definitely one reason. He also had a tendency to break pretty easily. Broken beaks and wings galore. I'll be doing a third party review of a set of "Dinobots" that will come out next week. I could see that Swoop being more fragile as well.
A guy on youtube bought the Original set sealed from a family who add no idea of price , i am unsure of the year purchased i think around 2017-19 , but he payed approx 600.00 U.S - Around this time period would this price be literally daylight robbery?
Nice review, thank you very much. My vintage 80s dinobots are all pretty beat up and lacking in accessories so I'm looking into getting these guys. Based on your review they seem pretty spot on to the originals. Is there any way to tell them apart just by looking at the toys themselves? Are their weapons exactly like the originals? Thanks.
I haven't seen anything on them, once you put the rub signs on, to indicate they are any different than the originals. But I no longer own the originals to compare them to. The weapons look identical. The sword plastic is definitely G1 style, not the softer G2.
i think its unfair to complain about the little "looseness" of these KO ,its not TERRIBLY loose like some bad KO and lets be honest ,most OG g1 transformers suffer from some form of looseness now.
Don't think of it as a complaint. It's an observation. I would be remiss if I didn't mention it. And while it might be common with even used originals, it doesn't mean it's ideal.
what's with the jarring 2 second takes all the time? Do you cut it to become like that to achieve a robotic effect or are the edited takes just really that short?
@@ToySpotlite Sorry, not trying to be mean or anything, but the way the editing is done makes it noticeable that each shot lasts just about a few seconds, if even that. It's in all your videos I watched. The content is really fun and informative, it's just so choppy to watch. I'm not talking about actual camera zooms or perspectives, just the short cuts that are visible because your hands and head just jump to slightly different positions. And it's not my internet, or PC, I tested it elaborately 🙂. Anyway, I thought maybe it was deliberate and served a purpose I was not aware of.
@Toy Spotlite ok good to know thanks I will be watching I'm going to order when I can my favorites none others broke except sunstreaker arm last he's one those knock off as well
