Mega Bloks C&C console: Set #97131

Technical Specifications:
Build Time: 3 minutes
Set Piece Count: 60
Minifig: Marine Medic
Weapons: All three are “smoky” translucent: Assault Rifle, DMR, Railgun
Accessories: N/A
Price: $10

And on with the pics!

As I’ve commented on, I love the new white packaging design as it makes it stand out more from other dark toy packaging.

Here are the contents. As you can see, the directions (second from left) are used for part of the graphics for the box. The white “tray” holds it in place. The actual piece bag is small and only takes up roughly 25% of the inside of the box. So why is the box so tall then? Simple enough to answer.
In order to not only show the one set of three, the box had to be taller to show off the combination set of all three into the Booster Frame set. You’ll see all three sets together in another review along with the packaging side by side which will make more sense then.

The pieces are sorted out. It’s important to note the not including the minifig, there are actually 54 pieces. So I guess MEGA is counting the figure as six pieces? Though truthfully it’s made up of several more component parts. I count 14.

This is an easy build. Here’s the set completed. It actually reminds me more of a “mixing” table, as in DJ table, than a command console. On it’s own, it’s a nifty little set piece.

Here are the weapons included. Here’s the only part that I’m a little perplexed. Mind you I LOVE translucent toys. However, in this instance, it just doesn’t fit. Why give a solid painted figure translucent weapons? What’s funny is that the railgun on the packaging is shown in solid black. This is minor to me, though I’ve read posts on collecting forums of people bashing MEGA for this choice. Really folks, if you want a solid weapon, either spray paint these or just get some weapons packs for those extra weapons. This is a non-issue with me, just a strange decision by MEGA, IMO.

Now THIS is the GEM of the set, IMO. The minifig is AWESOME!. Paint detail is fantastic. This is the Medic version of the Marine. As I was a Hospital Corpsman in the US Navy, this figure holds a special little place in my heart. What’s better is that it’s an “Easter Egg” figure of a sense. Conan O’Brien and his sidekick Andy Ricter did some funny voice over work for Halo 4. Their characters were these very same Medics. So….I’m going to have to get TWO of this set at least! Gotta have my CoCo and Andy! LOL.

Finally, for those of you who may not want to display this on the base provided, I’m showing you a slightly alternate build. Here I show some of the pieces on the sides of the console that are then combined and attached unobtrusively to the back of the console. This way you can display flat without the base. As well all of your pieces are accounted for and in one place.

Summary: This is the first of the three Booster Frame sets. It’s a neat little set on it’s own, though doesn’t really resemble anything in the game. With a quick build, good weapons include (if odd choice for being translucent), and a knock-out minifig, this is a great set!

Overall Rating: I give this set 9 out for 10 medals. Again, the weapon color is minor to me, but I’ve read enough complaints by others to know it is a big deal in the collecting community. So that is the only reason this didn’t get the perfect 10 from me.

I need to once again thank my wife for getting me this. Another early Birthday present. As I’ve been saying, she’s the best!

-Sal

Mega Bloks Last Man Standing Zombie Pack: Set #97199

Technical Specifications:
Build Time: NA
Set Piece Count: 40
Minifigs: Blue Security Spartan, Glow in the Dark: CQB, EOD, Recon, EVA
Weapons: Shotgun, 4 “Glow in the Dark” green translucent energy swords
Accessories: N/A
Price: $15

And on with the pics!

The dark inner graphic of the cardback helps to highlight the GITD figures. The only thing hidden from view are the figure stands.

In light on top and after exposed to light for 15 minutes below. The GITD feature isn’t very prominent, but it still works.

Summary: A good figure pack for the price. I’m a fan of GITD toys, so this was a must buy for me. It is an exclusive to Target. Depending on your desires, you might want to wait on this for a sale. Target is usually good for that. But I wouldn’t wait too long. I suspect this set will sell fairly well.

Overall Rating: I give this set 8.5 out for 10 medals. If the GITD feature was “brighter” it would have scored higher. Also, while I respect the idea of the green swords to coincide with the color of the Zombie Spartans, I’d rather have had game accurate blue ones. That’s not a complaint, just a preference.

I need to once again thank my wife for getting me this. Another early Birthday present. As I’ve been saying, she’s the best!

-Sal

Mega Bloks UNSC Attack Cyclops: Set #97108

Technical Specifications:
Build Time: 2 minutes
Set Piece Count: 54
Minifig: Covert Ops Marine (“Shark Grey” color)
Weapons: Sniper Rifle
Accessories: N/A
Price: $15-17 depending on where you buy it from.

And on with the pics!

I really REALLY like the graphics for the packaging. It showcases the contents very well, explains the cyclops on the back, and the inside graphic once you’ve cut away the plastic bubble is great!

As always the contents sorted out.

I don’t recall doing this for the previous 3 iterations of the cyclops, so here is a front and back shot of it showing it’s articulation.

This is how the shoulder mounted gun is assembled.

The finished set with the Marine standing in the cockpit. He’s holding the sniper rifle. With the other three Cyclops, I was able to put both the backpack and the respective weapons in the cockpit with the marine and close it. The sniper rifle is a bit too long for that, so…

…I put it on one of the forearms, using the side peg on the weapon to attach it.

Summary: This now is my favorite of the 4 versions of the cyclops. For one, I really love this color. As well, the shoulder mounted guns are much more impressive that the other three cyclops weapons. The sniper rifle is well detailed with paint.

Overall Rating: I give this set 10 out for 10 medals. Given that I got this at Target for $2 cheaper than Toys R Us, I felt better about the price. I still wish these cyclops sets would have included a UNSC technician figure though.

I need to once again thank my wife for getting me this. Another early Birthday present. As I’ve been saying, she’s the best!

-Sal

My wife and I were out and about last night and stopped by a Target. They had nearly all the new fall line of Halo Mega Bloks. While we couldn’t afford it all, my wife was nice enough to get me a few of the smaller sets. So tonight and tomorrow I’ll have 5 reviews to post up.

The reviews are:
• Zombie infection set
• Heavy Assault Cyclops
• All three of the Booster Frame sets

The names above are not the official names, I’ll have those for the reviews.

Mega Bloks Covenant Weapons Pack: Set #97076

Technical Specifications:
Build Time: 2 minutes
Set Piece Count: 26
Minifig: Steely-Blue Elite Minor
Weapons: Needler, Plasma Repeater, Storm Rifle
Accessories: N/A
Price: $6-7 depending on where you buy it from.

And on with the pics!

Have I said how much I like this new clean look. There is just something about the package design having a white theme that says “Hey, I’m new, buy me,” to me.

The back of the box, again showcasing the weapons as well the weapons stand.

Here is what you get in the box. I’m not sure why there are translucent blue parts, but I’ll take them. You folks know that I LOVE see-through toys! Note in this set we get a Plasma Repeater and Storm Rifle. Both are nicely detailed in paint and the needler looks very nice as well.

This is the completed set. I really like this one a lot. The weapons stand evokes both the weapons crates as well as the barricade we know. It’s like a hybrid between the two, in a GOOD way. And WOW that minifigure! Great detail. I’ve been waiting for this figure to come out in game accurate colors. The wait is over and it was worth that wait.

And finally all three weapons sets together, though not as the combination build.

Summary: This is an army building set for sure! With a very well done minifigure, excellent weapons choices, and a nicely themed Covenant weapons stand, this set has just what you need to fill up your Covenant Storm Faction. Of the three, this was the set that excited me the most. I certainly hope this isn’t the last we’ll see of this minifigure in that specific color. The stand parts are in keeping with the general Covenant theme and fit well with other Covenant sets.

Overall Rating: I give this set 10 out for 10 medals. Yes…a PERFECT score from me. It has a classic weapon, a rarely seen Reach weapons, and a NEW Halo 4 weapon, not to mention a fantastic minifigure. I HIGHLY recommend this set!

I need to once again thank my wife for getting me these three weapons packs and the Arctic Cyclops pack that I reviewed. It’s an early birthday present to me. Isn’t she a doll! Thank Love!

It helped that the sets were ‘Buy One, Get One Half Off,’ at Toys R Us. Sale ends tonight folks!

-Sal

Mega Bloks UNSC Weapons Pack: Set #97165

Technical Specifications:
Build Time: 2 minutes
Set Piece Count: 24
Minifig: Tan Mark VI (Halo 4 style)
Weapons: DMR, Saw, Railgun
Accessories: Trip mine, Weapon pod
Price: $6-7 depending on where you buy it from.

And on with the pics!

The box front. Again, another with the new clean white graphics. As with the other weapons pack, this has a nice window to view the figure and weapons.

The back of the box showing the weapons off. Once again, note the other sets that can also be combined to make a larger set.

Here is what you get in the box. IIRC, this is the first set to have a painted SAW. Strangely, the weapon pod is not painted.

The completed set. Yes, I left the cover off the pod so you could see the weapon inside.

Summary: Of the three new weapons packs, this has the least new to offer. That said, it’s a good little set for building up UNSC weapons and the Tan Spartan makes for a good leader of your desert color UNSC troops.

Overall Rating: I give this set 8 out for 10 medals. It would have scored higher if there would have been more to the crate portion of the set. In comparison to the Forerunner and Covenant set, this one is lacking, for the same money. Toss in maybe a fern blok and a rock blok and that would have helped make up for the lack of pieces. It’s still a good set, just not as good as the other two.

-Sal

Mega Bloks Forerunner Weapons Pack: Set #97166

Technical Specifications:
Build Time: 2 minutes
Set Piece Count: 20
Minifig: Watcher
Weapons: Scattershot, Suppresor
Accessories: Hardlight Shield w/stand.
Special Features: Watcher has 7 points of articulation
Price: $6-7 depending on where you buy it from.

And on with the pics!

This set comes in the new clean white packaging. The added window accentuates the minifig and weapons nicely.

The back of the box shows not only the contents inside, but shots of the other two weapons sets as well. There is an option to rebuild all three into a larger set if you so choose. The directions for this set have the set directions on one side, and 1/3 of the directions for the larger combined build on the other side.

Here we see the contents. As always, I’m a HUGE fan of translucent toys. This set comes with several pieces to that end, that make this set that much more fun. While the Watcher minifig is very well done, for me, the draw to this set is the Hardlight Shield. Mega Bloks did a fantastic job of getting the shape down right, with that slight curvature, and yet being able to add in connecting elements such as the side handles and the middle stud to attach to a stand. KUDOS Mega Bloks, this piece is fantastic! This is the first Mega Bloks set to give us a Suppressor.

The weapons crate has that Forerunner feel to it, even for being small. The greys and translucent orange pieces just make this simple weapons crate ‘POP.’

Finally the Watcher with the Hardlight shield and stand. The only ever so minor issue I have is that the tall clear pole was slightly curved with my set and it doesn’t quite attach to the base perfectly. It kept popping off at the slightest touch. Again though, this is very minor to me as it only takes a second to fix.

Summary: A very nice set with a first time weapon in the Suppressor. It’s a quick build and comes with the highly articulated Watcher.

Overall Rating: I give this set 8 out for 10 medals. The reason it didn’t score higher is that I do not feel the Watcher is a full minifigure. While I wouldn’t expect a Knight with this set, a crawler would have been an excellent addition to the watcher. Given that standard Mega Bloks Halo minifigs have typically 12 points of articulation and are bigger than the Watcher, which has seven points of articulation, adding in a Crawler, which has 5 points of articulation would have made up the difference nicely.  That being said, the Hardlight shield helps to make up for this somewhat.

-Sal

Mega Bloks UNSC Arctic Cyclops

Technical Specifications:
Build Time: 3 minutes
Set Piece Count: 63
Minifig: White (Arctic) Marine w/full goggle face and facemask
Weapons: Battle Rifle
Accessories: Backpack
Special Features: Cyclops has 13 points of articulation, including opening cockpit
Price: $15-17 depending on where you buy it from.

And on with the pics!

The packaging has changed from the previous Cyclops to this one. Whereas the previous had a dark color theme, this Cyclops is in the new Fall 2013 white packaging. It makes this look clean. Even better since it’s the Arctic Cyclops!

Sorry about the flash here. As with the other Cyclops, if you carefully cut away the plastic from the cardback, you are treated to a nice rendering.

Here is what you get in the set. Note the Battle Rifle and White backpack for the Marine.

The finished Cyclops from different views

The gem of this set is it’s gun arm. It is different than the Jungle and Desert Cyclops in that it has a flamethrower instead of a gun. Along with this is it’s attached hose and backpack. This little change really helps to give the Arctic Cyclops that much more character from the previous Jungle and Desert Cyclops. The added flame makes it stand out and apart from those two!

Finally, the front view with the cockpit hatch closed.

Summary: As with the Jungle and Desert Cyclops, this is a fast build and easy to display. Good articulation. This is the cleanest looking of the cyclops due to it’s white color. The flamethrower arm adds to this cyclops design more than the other’s gun arm. Only the price again is my sticking point with the set. The toy itself is GREAT! As I mentioned in my previous two cyclops reviews another minifig would have helped me deal with the higher cost. A UNSC tech would have been an excellent addition here. No further guns or weapons necessary.

Overall Rating: I give this set 9 out for 10 medals. Only the price keeps this from being a 10. Of the three I’ve now reviewed (Jungle, Desert, Arctic), the Arctic one is the best IMO. Worth it more for that simple yet effective change to the gun arm and adding a flame.

Thanks to a Halo collecting page for the tip on Toys R Us having a ‘Buy One, Get One Half Off’ sale, I was able to get this set, and three weapons packs. Ultimately, that saved me $6.50, the cost of one of the weapons packs themselves.

-Sal

I found this video while perusing the net. It’s of a (presumably) young fan who got his hands on a 24-pack of minifigures. The video is long at 17+ minutes. However, there are parts of real genuine excitement to the video that make it worth watching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4UZlWS9QXI

He got all but the Grey Security Spartan and three of the Super rare translucent minifigs. Not to bad at all.

This series is really good for army building. With 3 different grunts, a pair of marines, a couple of elites, a marine flood and an ODST, it has something to offer all those army builders out there. The Spartans in this series are great choices. I agree with the kid that Mega should make more black Spartans.

Now if I can somehow manage to get my hands on these…
-Sal