This is the third of four sets my wife bought me for Father’s Day. I’m not a dad in the sense of having a human child. But we treat our dog as our “daughter.” So my wife took a little liberty there with calling these Father’s Day presents…

Mega Bloks UNSC Cyclops Desert Strike: Set # 97007

Technical Specifications:
Build Time: 3 minutes
Set Piece Count: 47
Minifig: Marine Tan/grey w/full goggle face
Weapons: SMG
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!

This packaging is all new. I really like how it shows off the cyclops as well as the window for the minifig, weapon and accessories.

Here’s the card once the plastic bubble is removed. This is a nice little bonus if you’re careful with removing the bubble. Nice backdrop.

The contents of the package. If you keep this carded, the cyclops looks like it’s built. But when you remove the bubble, you find it’s actually just sitting in the try not connected.

The above pieces are from the bag in the previous shot. Note the four pins in the upper right corner. Those are use to put the elbow and knee joints together. Most of the rest of these pieces are for the gun.

And the cyclops fully built. I like the deco on the marine. The hip joints on the cyclops aren’t wide ranging, so you’re a little limited on how you can pose the legs. However, by bending the knees and making use of the “toe” joints you can get the cyclops into some good poses.

Summary: As a toy the cyclops is a fun little set. Articulation is decent and the deco is fine. The only issue I have is the cost of the set. $15-17 is in my opinion too much. I get that Mega had to make up for all new molds for this set. (yet they used them for four versions of the cyclops) I have to wonder what Mega’s MSRP was on this and if the retailers all jacked up the price. Given the number of pieces, even if unique I feel the set should be no more than $12.

So, in this case, I suggest unless you really want this, to wait for it to go on sale. It’s a GREAT set mind you. Again, I’m not knocking the toy at all. It’s the price. When you compare this to the Mantis which sells for around $30, well, I just feel a little underwhelmed with what you get. There is one thing I think that would have made this worth the extra cost. That being a technician minifig. Adding that to the marine pilot the extra $5 for a tech would have been agreeable to me.

Overall Rating: I give this set 8.5 out of 10 medals (for the toy). Yes, I think it’s THAT good! 5 out of 10 for the price. The toy itself would have had a higher rating if the articulation was better and the hands could hold things.

-Sal

This is the second of four sets my wife bought me for Father’s Day. I’m not a dad in the sense of having a human child. But we treat our dog as our “daughter.” So my wife took a little liberty there with calling these Father’s Day presents…

Mega Bloks ODST Recon Specialist (Drop Pod): Set # 97105

Technical Specifications:
Build Time: 2 minutes
Set Piece Count: 31
Minifig: Recon ODST (Dare from Halo 3: ODST though not named as such)
Weapons: Rocket Launcher, Silenced SMG, SOCOM Pistol
Accessories: None
Special Features: Flip out side doors, removable front door, deployable flaps, short and tall antennae
Price: $11-13 depending on where you buy it from.

And on with the pics!

Well packaged as all of Mega’s drop pods are.

Above shows the contents of his set. Note the weapons.

The pod with it’s doors unattached, attached with flaps deployed, and flaps resting.

The minifigure is cool. While you could make this from other figures, the fact that Mega took the time to make this specifically shows they want to make named characters. I can only guess that there is some kind of licensing thing that does not allow them to name the minifigs as such. Still this IS Dare from Halo3: ODST.

The full set, this pic shows the pod with the tall antennae attached.

Summary: I have to say that this is probably my favorite UNSC Drop Pod. Sure, it’s not game-accurate colors, but wow that black looks awesome and the bronze windows really “POP.” I definitely recommend getting it.

Overall Rating: I give this set 10 out of 10 medals. Yes, I think it’s THAT good!

-Sal

This is the first of four sets my wife bought me for Father’s Day. I’m not a dad in the sense of having a human child. But we treat our dog as our “daughter.” So my wife took a little liberty there with calling these Father’s Day presents…

Covenant Drop Pod-Elite General: Set # 97106

Technical Specifications:
Build Time: 2 minutes
Set Piece Count: 20
Minifig: Elite General (Reach style)
Weapons: Plasma Launcher, Needler, Plasma Rifle
Accessories: None
Special Features: Flip down door
Price: $11-13 depending on where you buy it from.

And on with the pics!

Mega Bloks certainly has the packaging down for the Drop Pods. A nice tall and slim box, it shows off the drop pod, minifig and some of the weapons nicely. You KNOW what you’re getting!

Here are the contents of the box. Pretty straight forward.

The minifig is nice. All white with some detailing in gold. I like the sculpt and hope Mega offers it in some other colors in the future.

The weapons are molds that have been used before. However, it’s the fantastic paint job on these that really makes these the gem in this set. That “Blueberry” gun (Plasma Launcher) is awesome. Not to mention a game accurate needler and Plasma Rifle!

The completed set.

Summary: The set is quick to build and can be displayed nearly anywhere. It’s compact, and stores the minifig and weapons nicely. The paint deco of this whole set is fantastic. I wish ALL Halo Mega Bloks had this level of paint application to them.

Overall Rating: I give this set 9.5 out of 10 medals. I definitely recommend getting it.

-Sal