Review > Castle Crashers Blue Knight

September 24, 2008 | Poe

I mentioned I’d been enjoying the Xbox Live Arcade game Castle Crashers in an earlier post. It’s an old-school scrolling beat-em-up in the tradition of the Konami-era arcade classics like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, X-Men and The Simpsons. If you own an Xbox and have a Live account, you can download the game for about $15 USD.

The game was created by the tiny design studio The Behemoth, whose first game was Alien Hominid, a retro run-and-gun (think the original Contra for NES) that became a runaway hit on multiple platforms. I found AH to be a little too difficult to be fun (my thumbs ached at the end of every play session), but Castle Crashers hits just the right balance between being challenging and a blast to play. (more…)

Candygram!

September 23, 2008 | Poe

Candygram!

…I must be stopped.

Odds ‘n Ends > Ecks vs. Sever

September 23, 2008 | Poe

ODD: Apologies for the lack of an update yesterday. I had jury duty, or rather, I sat around for hours and then was sent home. I swear I do have a backlog of ideas for entries, but a rather sudden rush of other toy-related assignments has distracted me.

END: I won’t get into why–it’s a long story, judging from Thomas’s posts over on Fwoosh–but it appears I won’t be receiving my case of DCUC Series 4 until sometime in October now. So once again, I was prepared for one date, got my hopes up for an earlier date, then had them dashed again by Mattel. Of course, we’ll see if I even get the case in October. At least this crap should end with Series 6, which will be made to order for the online retailers. Fortunately, I’m more than happy just playing with ol’ Deathstroke. (more…)

Review > Skeleflex Skullkor

September 18, 2008 | Poe

First off, allow me to give credit where it’s due: I first read about Skeleflex in a post by edcomics over at the FANtastic Forum. Manufactured by Wild Planet Toys, they’ve only recently arrived in stores.

What is Skeleflex? Here’s the rundown the official website:

Skeleflex is a creative ball-and-socket building system that puts kids in control. Its interchangeable bone-shaped pieces can be combined to make aliens, dinosaurs and other fantastical creatures that move in a lifelike manner.

Rigid parts rotate at the point of connection and motion is enhanced by inserting bendable joints between bones. Form the skeletal framework then add small, flexible connectors to give heads, limbs, tails and torsos realistic movement.

Build predators with dropping jaws and flapping wings, or assemble aliens with wavering tentacles and swaying spines. Kids can make exact replicas of the creatures in their Skeleflex idea books, or they can design their own unique models. Construct a multi-headed, moving martian-asaurus, or follow step-by-step instructions for a more recognizable masterpiece.

(more…)

Odds ‘n Ends > The Return of Jafar

September 16, 2008 | Poe

ODD: DCUC Series 4 has been found at both Meijers and Wal-Mart…but hasn’t hit CornerStoreComics yet. Still, it’s looking good for those of you who picked earlier rather than later dates in the pool. Unfortunately, it looks like Series 6 will be the last one I can do the contest with (Series 5 is the Wal-Mart exclusive one), given the crazy case packs for Series 7 on.

END: I went off a bit on OAFE’s message boards over yo go re‘s comments on the MOTUC line. I’m planning to write a more comprehensive Poe’s Point on the line at some point. I’m curious to know what others think.

ODD: I’ve got a backlog of posts I want to write, but I’ve been busy at home and, y’know, my real job lately. I’ll try to get back into the swing of things this week.

END: Topless Robot pointed out some cool zombie toys done in the style of the old M.U.S.C.L.E. figures from the ’80s. Check ’em out. (October Toys? Sounds like my kind of company.) But where are the pink ones?

Ask Mattel > September 15 Edition

September 15, 2008 | Poe

Poe Ghostal: Are earlier versions of characters, such as a Dick Grayson Robin, a possibility for inclusion in DCUC?

Mattel’s Scott Neitlich, a.k.a. “ToyGuru”: Yes.

Does Mattel still plan to get DCUC waves 4-6 out by Christmas? (more…)

And the good news keeps coming (MOTUC)

September 12, 2008 | Poe

Via He-Man.org:

Dear MOTU Collectors,

I’m writing to let you know that I’ve just made my first really tough decision as Master Toy Collector of Mattel. In a nutshell, we have been forced to make a trade-off between shipping according to our announced schedule and getting our figures exactly right, and I’ve decided to go with quality over speed.

The issue is removable armor for the Masters of the Universe Classics line. As you know, these figures are meant to bring the classic 1980s MOTU toy line aesthetic into the modern era. But the technical challenge of having removable armor that still holds in place with the level of quality we expect from a collector line has proved very difficult. In order to stay on schedule, we briefly considered compromising by gluing the armor for He-Man and Beast Man in place. But I realize that you, the true MOTU collectors, would much rather have the figures done right than get them a few weeks earlier. Our engineers are now re-configuring the sculpts so that the armor attaches to each figure in a uniform plug on his back, so that the armor for almost every figure will be both removable and interchangeable.

So the bad news is both He-Man and Beast Man will now be available for purchase in December. The good news is not only will their armor be awesome, but we will release them on the same day, meaning you can save on shipping by buying both figures together.

I’m bummed we’ve had this delay, but I’m glad it’s given us a chance to show you where our priorities are.

Good Journey,
Matty

Woof! Rough day for Mattel…but again, all the honesty is appreciated.