Ultrasphere

Taco Bell has American Gladiator toys this month. I tried to ignore them, but one of them called out to me. And through a series of odd circumstances I got them.

The UltraSphere.


Oh sure, that's the name, but it's really the Atlasphere. It was the most awesome of the events in the old American Galdiators, which is the only real American Gladiators in my mind. There were toys of the Atlasphere back in the 90's as part of that American Gladiators line but it was pretty expensive and they were kind of unweildy. These are kids meal toys, so they're pretty compact. Here's a picture to give you a sense of scale.

I was secretly hoping these would be awesome, and they're pretty cool, but what turns the dial up to 11 is that the spheres split apart and you can put something in the middle.

Like minimates.

KIRK VS. THE GORN IN THE ATLASPHERE!

Army Men on Patrol

Toy Story Legos are now available. Because they're a licensed Lego product they're ass end expensive, but that doesn't mean some of them don't call out to me. Like how about a set of plastic army men with a jeep, in Lego form?

Oh hell yes.

As you can see they come with little plastic bases that simulate their plastic army men inspiration. The bases are detachable so you can use them as bases for other Lego minifigs or if you want the arme men to ride that jeep. I'm pleasently surprised by the amount of accessories you get with these guys. You get a couple rifles, a couple binoculars, a couple walkie talkies, a metal detector/mine sweeper and a stretcher. The only thing really missing is a bazooka.

Actually I'm just shocked they included the mine sweeper. What were the odds. (Probably pretty good if they've ever made the accessory before, but it's still a nice touch.)

The jeep is pretty cool too. It feels more substantial than the vehicles you get in the Star Wars minifig packs that include the same amount of figures at the same price. The jeep even has a spare tire that rides on the back bumper. Pretty damned cool.

I just really like this set. Even the fact that everything is a uniform green is cool just because it makes everything look so damned strange and surreal. Even if they're not going to be in scale with the other Toy Story Legos... because I don't remember the plastic army men in the movie being the same size as Buzz and Woody. Not unless they're planning on introducing a growth ray in Toy Story 3.

Small Onslaught Car

Hey, Asian knock-off versions of Legos!

Picked these up cheap from e-bay. The blocks are flimsy, the wheels badly put together, and the vehicle unimpressive. However it comes with a minifigure that looks like a Lego dude with squinty Asian eyes. It's made by Asians (some of whom see typical Asian eyes as being either slanted or squinted as opposed to wide open... I'm Asian, trust me it's only racist when other races try to characterize Asians that way.) It's just interesting to have a Lego-esque minifig that creates some ethnic diversity in my collection.

Plus the in-scale machine gun is hilarious.

Galaga

It's after Christmas, which means Hallmark stores around the country are discounting their Hallmark Keepsake ornaments.

Last year Topless Robot informed me of the Pac-Man cabinet ornament and how it was in the perfect scale for 4 inch figures. (Which I was heavily into at the time.) I figured this year they might continue the series with another arcade cabinet and I wasn't disappointed. This year they went with Galaga.

And since Hallmark clearance usually means anywhere from 25%-75% off, it means it's time for me to go out and find the Galaga arcade cabinet ornament. Fortunately there's one nearby where I live with some still left in stock.

If you put in the batteries (which I don't to prevent battery rust) you can make the screen light up and play the Galaga theme song. (The Pac-Man ornament did the same... with its own respective theme of course.) But I know what you really want to know, is it in perfect scale for 4 inch figures?

Yes.

Lego City Advent Calendar: Day 24

It's Christmas Eve, and that means we're on our last day of our advent calendar. What do you bring us?

Oh yeah, now we're talking. A chimney and Santa Claus! That's like two days worth of material in one. If all the days were like this then this calendar would have totally been worth the overinflated Lego price. Even if Santa has an incorrect hat, clothes and beard. (This has got to be a European Santa, you know, the kind you had to write reports about in the 4th grade. Dude has a fricking basket on his back.) And even if the glasses Santa is wearing make him look like a nerd dressing up as Santa at the office Christmas party.

Lego City Advent Calendar: Day 23

Down to our last two days!


Oooo, a Christmas Tree. This could be good... oh, no it isn't. It's okay, but it looks a bit lopsided. I feel like the Christmas tree should have been more impressive, particularly since this is the first fully Christmas Lego item in this set.

Lego City Advent Calendar: Day 22

Only 3 days left. I'm so excited!

OH... MY... GOD... LEGO CHAINSAW!

Unfortunately it's too big to be held by any of the figures without tipping them over. OVESIZED LEGO CHAINSAW. I guess this gives us a little bit of insight into yesterday's official city axe weilder. I guess he cuts logs. In the city. Where logs are so abudandtly necessary. I guess he could be the guy who makes fire wood for yuppies who have fireplaces in their condos with central heating because why shouldn't they have luxuries that are completley pointless. Or maybe he's the dude who cuts up logs and branches that have fallen into the street during windy days. Because the city's too cheap to buy a wood chipper.

But he already has an axe. Isn't a chainsaw overkill?