Takara Transformers Generation 1 Re-Issue Tracks Review

Interlink sends us this review of the Takara Transformers Generation 1 Re-Issue Tracks figure.

TAKARA REISSUE TRACKS

"Looking good is what life is all about."

and damn, this guy does look good. In fact, he's one of the best looking cars roaming the G1 countryside. Sleeker than Smokescreen and tighter than Jazz, Tracks is the Transformer that teenage girls swoon over, kicking and clawing at each other to touch his fiery hood emblem.

VEHICLE MODE

The first thing you'll notice when you take this guy out of the box is how it feels different than the other G1 Takara reissues. Track's outer chassis is pure plastic. I was a little disappointed when I poked and prodded him for the first time, but he looks oh so sweet, and you'll forgive him (although there is metal on the underbelly for his legs). Standard little touches like the rooftop rub sign and rubber wheel are obviously present. He even has a little sunroof which can be opened fully, but only if you want to break it. For some reason his sunroof only opens a half inch or so before it meets resistance. However, this may just be a problem with MY Tracks. A backpack accessory (probably containing sandwiches), has white missiles laden on the sides, which can be attached to his back end. Also, you can flip his rear tires up, flaring out wings, enabling Tracks to do his best M.A.S.K. impression.

ROBOT MODE

There are two kinds of clicking sounds in the Transformers toy universe. There's the good hearty CLICK audible when you transform Armada Megatron or Armada Starscream. Then there's the *click* which is more like a "oh-man-I'm-going-to-break-this-thing-and I-just-got-it" sound. Tracks falls into the latter category. Watch the fun as you flip his rear to reveal his head and *click*.resulting in you slowly backing away from the toy to consult the instructions again, just in case. Regardless, he's got a very nice robot mode and similar to some of the other G1 Autobot cars, he's got "wings", missile launchers and good color balance. My only complaint with Tracks is his face. Don't get me wrong, his head mold is fantastic, but Takara really shouldn't of got a sedated monkey to splash red paint on his face, which is basically what they did. His eyes and his faceplate are the same color (red), making him look either really angry or really nervous (probably because that *click* sound freaks him out as well).

OVERALL

I highly recommend this reissue. Despite a few shortcomings, Tracks is a great little Transformer which displays quite nicely next to Jazz and Sideswipe. Like the other G1s, he doesn't have Gumby-like articulation, but he stands at attention really well. Two thumbs way up. Disco.