Dave's Transformers RolePlay Rant

     Dark Saber

     In my $150 day at the opening of the new Target, one of my purchases was
the Dark Saber.  Even if I hadn't been dropping so much at once, however, I
wouldn't have gotten both it and the Star Saber, since they're really just
recolors of each other (maybe they have different sounds, I wasn't going to
drop another $15 to find out).  I picked Dark Saber on the grounds that
little kids might be more interested in the "good guy" sword, so I left more
of that one for them.
     Initially, I didn't plan to get around to opening, much less reviewing,
this one first.  But then I realized that its relative simplicity would be a
decent break between the Wave 5 Supercons and Unicron or the Built to Rule
sets (not sure how much of a review I'll be doing on the BTRs).

CAPSULE

     Dark Saber: Surprisingly fun.  Sure, it's small, but the handle is big
enough for adult hands.  Two different modes, different sound for each mode.
Batteries not included (2 AA).  Recommended.  $14.99 at Target.

RANT

     The box is 14" (34cm) long, 5.5" (14cm) tall and 4" (10cm) deep, with
the Dark Saber held onto a tilted cardboard backing with six twist-ties.  The
box has a window, essentially a stretched version of the old Mega boxes.  Box
art on front has Galvatron holding the Dark Saber (Star Saber box has Prime).
Co-sells on the bottom of the box are Unicron, Tidal Wave and Overload.  Two
AA batteries are required, not included.

     The handle is square in cross-section, 1" (2.5cm) square and 4.75"
(12cm) long, a good grip even for my adult hands.  The length of the entire
weapon varies slightly depending on whether it is in dagger mode or sword
mode, but the blade section is from 8"-9" (20-23cm) long, and the crossguard
is 4.5" (11cm) wide.
     The colors are not quite the same as found on the Air Assault Team, the
main difference being that Dark Runway is mostly black instead of light
gray.  The toy is made almost entirely of black (or very dark gray/blue)
plastic, with metallic purple and gold paint detailing.  The movable blade
sections are clear violet plastic, and there are purple and orange details on
some movable bits (more on these in a minute).  A clear panel with a Mini-Con
symbol on it covers a red LED tha flashes when the sound gimmick is
triggered.  Dark Jetstorm's tail forms a handle that helps in transforming
the weapon.  

     Dagger Mode: In this mode, the handle is pushed forward, causing the
clear blades to fold back and to the sides, almost disappearing.  Overall
length in this mode is 13" (33cm).  Transforming it into this mode creates a
crashing sound as the blades are concealed.  Swinging the dagger creates a
swooshing sound followed by a metallic clink.  I suppose you could also call
this the "unignited" mode, since you hit stuff with the physical parts rather
than with the energy blade.  If you swing it back and forth fast enough, it
will just swoosh until you stop.  Safety issue: the canards on Runway are not
sharp, but they're pointy enough to hook onto stuff (like eyes), and the
blunted nose is still pretty hard.  Getting hit with this is gonna be
unpleasant.  

     Sword Mode: AKA "ignited mode".  This bit is cool...you transform it by
pulling back on the handle made by Dark Jetstorm's tail, and as the blades
crash together with a howling energy sound, it feels like cranking a
shotgun.  Come get some, Prime!  Total length is now 13.75" (35cm), and when
you swing it the final sound is more of an explosion than a clank.  The clear
energy blade pieces are softer plastic, both for safety and so that they
don't crack upon enthusiastic deployment.  Ka-CHUNK!

     [Late Note: D'oh!  I forgot to mention...there's openings all along the
blade with stickers behind them striped in purple and orange that flicker
across the openings when you transform the blade.  Dagger mode has 'em all
orange, sword mode has 'em purple.]

     Overall: This is clearly not a good to to buy for your own kids, since
it's a repetitive noisemaker AND a weapon that they will feel honor-bound to
use on their siblings or friends.  Get it for someone else's kids, or
yourself.  It's what I call a "Grandparent Gift".  Probably not the best
expenditure of $15 and two batteries, but I'm enjoying it.

     Dave Van Domelen, will probably wait and open Unicron tomorrow.  Built
To Rule sets opened so far (Demolishor and Jetfire) are good in vehicle
modes, gawdawful in robot mode, and don't remotely transform, you take 'em
apart and rebuild.