Technical Specifications:
Articulation:
• Ball Joint Neck
• Ball Joint Shoulders
• Hinge/Swivel Joint Elbows
• Swivel Joint Wrists
• Ball Joint Hips
• Ball Joint Knees
Accessories: Assault Rifle
Cost: $8-10 (US)
Availability: Mass Retail I got mine from Wal Mart for $8.44 US before tax.
And on with the pics! (Click pics to make BIGGER)
Each of Mattel’s 12 inch Halo figure is in a tall slender box with the top half of the figure showing through a window. Several of the other figures are shown on the back of the box.
This Spartan Athlon comes with a grey assault rifle. It’s hard to see through the front panel but, is clearly shown on the back of the box.
Detail of the Athlon’s helmet show a purple visor. If I recall correctly, this is the first purple visor for a Mattel 12 inch Halo figure.
Here is the Spartan Athlon in orthogonal views. The figure is a little stretched height-wise. It’s the only thing I’m disappointed with, regarding Mattel’s 12 inch Halo figs. I’d rather they be bulkier front to back and the limbs not stretched. However, since they are very affordable toys, I can overlook that. (A correctly proportioned 12 inch figure would likely cost $30-40 US each, whereas the slender versions are $8-10. Much more affordable toys!)
The articulation of the 12 inch Mattel figures in comparison to the 6 inch figures is definitely less. However, the 12 inch figures cost less than half of the 6 inch ones. Due to this, less articulation is acceptable, in my opinion.
Though the 12 inch Mattel Halo figures have less articulation than their 6 inch counterparts, they can still be put into cool poses, as seen below.
Evaluation
Sculpt: Good, though the figure is stretched to fit the box and is compressed at the torso to be thinner than it’s in-game model. There is a lot of detail that is missing or smoothed over. 8 of 10 medals!
Articulation: While somewhat limited, there’s enough to get the figure into some cool poses. Articulated ankles would have really helped with this (and all of the other Mattel 12 inch figures). However, I’m keenly aware that the point of these figs is to put affordable toys into the hands of kids and collectors alike. 8 out of 10 medals
Paint Application: This figure is mostly all bright green. I find the paint a bit lacking here. 7.5 of 10 medals
Accessories: The figure comes with a standard assault rifle. As we’ve seen this weapon included with other figures prior to this Green Athlon’s release, I’d have preferred a different weapon. 8 out of 10 medals
Playability: This is marked 4 years and older. Given the large size of the figure and accessory, I agree with that. However, the nature of the toy itself, being modeled after a mature rated game, is better suited for older children, in my opinion. I suggest 8 years minimum. For kids it definitely makes for a fun toy. If you’re an adult collector, it looks good on display, whether in or out of the box. 8 of 10 medals
Overall: 39.5 medals out of a total 50 medals. Affordability here is KEY.
Do I recommend this product? Yes. Though it’s not my first suggestion. However, if you already have the Red and/or Blue Athlon Spartans then definitely get this to round out the collective color releases of this armor.
Though the 12 inch Mattel Halo figures are stretched to meet that height and a bit thin front to back, they are still fun toys. They would be great for kids to play with and make for nice display figures for collectors. The cost is very low for these (again I only paid $8.44 for mine from Was Mart), which is a bonus!
If you have any questions about this figure that I didn’t cover in the review, please do not hesitate to ask me. Either reply below or e-mail me at [email protected]
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-Sal