#diecast robots

Riobot SRX

- from Super Robot Wars OG

- by Sen-Ti-Nel

T-Link, engage!

Tronium Engine, maximum output!

Z.O. Sword!

The massive combination of R-1, R-2, and R3. A feat of engineering, and a perfect example of late 90s robot design. It's just incredible.

Ever since the first Super Robot Wars game I played, I loved the SRX. Not only is it a big towering love letter to Super Robots, but it's also a walking homage to the Banpresto logo. There's a certain silly appeal to that alone, even if the robot itself isn't wasn't so good looking.

But it is, and seeing it in this form - a massive combination of 3 equally impressive chogokin robots - makes every bit of design and engineering even more striking.

It takes a while to get it all together, and there are parts that can be a little frustrating (the helmet is something we'll need to discuss at some point) but if you take the time to really learn how it combines, and how it moves, it's an endlessly satisfying piece.

The sheer size of this guy alone makes it a little harder to photograph - but it cuts quite a silhouette on a shelf. Just gorgeous.

And there's so much more to show off, expect a part 2 soon. We haven't even touched on the black light effects.

What a toy.

Pictures barely due it justice.

  - from Super Robot Wars OG

  - by Sen-Ti-Nel

Initial Impressions

This is only one component of the combined SRX robot, and it took me about two hours to really figure out all the nuances of the engineering.

This is an incredibly complex piece.

Initially, I was concerned about the clearances between parts. Some areas, like the layered skirt armor, are millimeters away from touching other moving parts.

Once I sat down with it and realized most of the parts come off to facilitate the various transformations, it made figuring out the articulation much easier.

If positioning a part of tricky, just pop off the limb and readjust.

The paint is beyond incredible. The level of detail here is why you're paying 19,000jpy per each of the three figures (but it's less if you get the box set like I did) - the bottoms of the feet are painted though, so try to use the display base.

Here's a comparison between the Transformation Hands (seen in the first picture) and the Display Hands. You didn't really think he had such tiny mitts, did you?

And this is a picture I took to show how the display base connects - I also posted a video over on [Twitter]

I removed the leg to make it easier to see.

And finally, a size comparison.

It's a small figure, but so intricately detailed and engineered. The fit and finish is perfect. It really is a stunningly gorgeous toy.

[Instagram link for this post]

Riobot R-1 -  R-Wing Mode

- from Super Robot Wars OG

- by Sen-Ti-Nel

Initial Impressions

Continuing with my initial thoughts on Sentinel's SRX set.

Now that I've transformed the R-1, I never want to do it again. Talk about a harrowing experience!

R-1 is a partsformer - in which you disassemble the toy and reconfigure it as the alternate mode. Normally I would be disappointed by this in a high end toy from a company known for their engineering.

But considering the price of this thing, I'm probably happier a stray hinge or bad maneuver won't scrape the finish.

Once it's done (and it takes a while to get everything lined up, so expect to spend some time on it) it looks great. The colors all work in R-Wing mode just as well as they do in robot mode - a rare feat for a transformer. There's definitely a sense of speed in the angles.

It really is a fantastic R-Wing toy. Now let's never look at it again.