Review #91: Titans Return Jumpstarters
Topspin with Freezout and Twin Twist with Flameout
The Jumpstarters, Topspin and Twin Twist, were originally a pair of toys released in 1985 that had extremely simple but spring loaded transformations. While in vehicle mode, they had pull-back motors that triggered the transformations, made the vehicles flip open, and they were weighted in such a way so that (as long as everything was functioning properly) the robot mode would land on its feet ready to go. The Jumpstarters never appeared in the cartoon, thus they are filed in the "other" category on this website, and they mainly have prominence today thanks to being featured in the comics.
Toywise, post-G1, they would get the occasional nod in the form of repaints of existing toys. But in Titans Return, this pair of Autobot brothers finally gets new toy updates designed from the beginning to represent them. |
These two Deluxe Class offerings were released in separate waves of Titans Return. Topspin was released first, in Wave 4, and wasn't too difficult to come by. Twin Twist, on the other hand, was in Wave 5, which unfortunately suffered from end-of-toyline syndrome, where most retailers aren't bothering ordering the toys anymore because they're still trying to move older stock before the new toyline starts. Fortunately, I have a wonderful mother who apparently didn't mind paying about ten dollars too much for the figure on Amazon, and I found Twin Twist waiting for me under her tree Christmas morning. I may be 40 years old with a family of my own, but I ain't too proud to say, "Thanks, mom!"
Usually here at Yotsuya's Reviews, we start our reviews by looking at the figures in their alternate modes first, and then follow up with robot mode. But today we're switching things around. We're doing this because the Jumpstarters are (a few obvious differences aside) pretty much identical in robot mode, and that base robot then transforms into two different vehicles. And so, it just makes sense to look at the robot modes first.
In all of these photos, Topspin will be on the left side and Twin Twist will be on the right.
Usually here at Yotsuya's Reviews, we start our reviews by looking at the figures in their alternate modes first, and then follow up with robot mode. But today we're switching things around. We're doing this because the Jumpstarters are (a few obvious differences aside) pretty much identical in robot mode, and that base robot then transforms into two different vehicles. And so, it just makes sense to look at the robot modes first.
In all of these photos, Topspin will be on the left side and Twin Twist will be on the right.
The obvious difference between the two in robot mode would be the coloring. One is basically a pallet swap of the other. For the most part, where Topspin is blue, Twin Twist is grey, and vice versa. (It is funny what the camera can do sometimes, as in some of these photos, the blues on the two figures look like different shades. To the naked eye, however, they match up perfectly.) Accent colors are a bit different between the two, as well.
Mold-wise, they are almost identical. They have similar, but different faces. Their upper arms are different. The pieces that make up their feet are technically different, but not in a way that has an effect on how the robot mode looks. Finally, the back kibble is different, but of course that ties into the fact that they have different vehicle modes.
Articulation is identical between these two figures, and it is excellent. The head, being a Titan Master, is on a ball joint. Shoulders are also on ball joints. There are upper arm swivels. The elbows are double jointed and can bend very deeply. The waist swivels. The hips are on ball joints. And finally, the knees bend. Each figure comes with the same pair of silver double barreled guns. Based on the bits poking out (particularly the 5mm posts) it is clear that they are cast in different colors (light grey for Topspin and blue for Twin Twist) then painted silver. Each pair of guns can be combined into a wide, quadruple barreled gun. The combined gun can technically seat a Titan Master on it, but the fit is very loose and it doesn't really look that great. |
Beyond the obvious hand held option, there isn't much Topspin can do with his guns. Technically, there is a peg hole on the outer side of each of his lower legs, but it isn't one that really is terribly useful for robot mode weapon storage. Twin Twist has those same peg holes on his legs, but he also has peg holes on the tank treads attached to his shoulders, on both the outside and the inside of the treads. These could be used simply for behind-the-back storage, over the shoulder action, or a decent simulation of a forearm mount.
That about covers the robot modes. But before we get to vehicle mode, we need to look at two smaller robots. So lets pull off Topspin and Twin Twist's heads, and take a look at their brand new buddies, Freezeout and Flameout.
That about covers the robot modes. But before we get to vehicle mode, we need to look at two smaller robots. So lets pull off Topspin and Twin Twist's heads, and take a look at their brand new buddies, Freezeout and Flameout.
Faceplate backpacks aside, the two are identical molds, except of course that Freezeout has some blue plastic while Flameout has only the grey. Flameout has a little bit of color in him, though. He is one of those rare Titan Masters who has a little paint on his face! While Freezeout has more color overall, his face does just come of as a bland blue blob. Meanwhile, Flameout's face really pops thanks to the subtle splash of blue.
The two of them have the same articulation that any Titan Master has. Ball jointed head, ball jointed shoulders with a somewhat limited range. The legs can swing forward at the hips, and can swing both ways at the knees. So, let's take a look at the two of them in vehicle mode. |
Topspin I always thought was some sort of Cybertronian jet, but in researching this article, it seems like he is actually supposed to be some sort of amphibious hover vehicle. Twin Twist, meanwhile, as his name suggests, is a drill tank with twin drills in his front.
Their transformations are not the simple, one step, fold-it-in-half-and-be-done-with-it affair that they were in the G1 days. Despite that the robot modes and the vehicle modes are extremely similar to how they looked in G1, the process for getting from one mode to the other is actually quite involved yet satisfying.
They have cockpits for the Titan Masters to sit in, of course. |
Obviously the vehicles have a similar basic structure to them. But this is faithful to their G1 figures, and the pieces that have been changed between the two of them make a world of difference in giving each figure their own look.
A few options are presented for weapon storage on vehicle mode. The peg holes that I felt seemed useless in robot mode provide more useful storage in vehicle mode, particularly for Twin Twist. Topspin has some nice under-the-wing mounts for his guns. Twin Twist's second option is ports right behind his tank treads.
Topspin and Twin Twist. In the G1 days, a pair of simplistic overproduced shelfwarmers who's main claim to fame was their pull-back jumping gimmick. Take that gimmick away, give them decent transformations, and the end result is a pair of figures that I am proud to have in my collection!
So that wraps up this review, except, of course, let's just get them back into robot mode for our usual size comparison photos! To the left, the pair of them with a standard sized DVD case. To the right, here they are on the shelf that is their home. I suppose, technically, as originally a pair of 1985 toys, they should go on my '85 Autobots shelf. But aesthetically, they really seem to fit in better here with Metroplex and friends.
So that wraps up this review, except, of course, let's just get them back into robot mode for our usual size comparison photos! To the left, the pair of them with a standard sized DVD case. To the right, here they are on the shelf that is their home. I suppose, technically, as originally a pair of 1985 toys, they should go on my '85 Autobots shelf. But aesthetically, they really seem to fit in better here with Metroplex and friends.
That's probably it for this year. I have one other thing, not a standard review but something a little special, which I may try to squeeze in before the end of the year, or which I may just open the new year with. Either way, see you soon!
Review added 28 December 2017 by Yotsuya. Comments are welcomed!
Review added 28 December 2017 by Yotsuya. Comments are welcomed!
Bonus Round: Elf Ginrai
You know that stupid Elf on the Shelf thing? Not a fan myself. I think it's kind of creepy. Kind of extremely creepy. But it's an established tradition for my stepkids that they enjoy, so who am I to ever try and take that away from them?
Anyway, on Christmas Eve into Christmas, the elf gets moved onto the tree itself. But for the last random-hiding-place evening, the 23rd into the 24th, I thought I would do something special. So here is what was waiting for the kids when they awoke that morning:
Anyway, on Christmas Eve into Christmas, the elf gets moved onto the tree itself. But for the last random-hiding-place evening, the 23rd into the 24th, I thought I would do something special. So here is what was waiting for the kids when they awoke that morning:
The creepy, creepy glory that is Elf Ginrai!