TRANSFORMERS TOYS AND MERCHANDISE SECTION

Robot Mode:
Alternate Mode:
Box Art:
Technical Specifications:
STR
INT
SPD
END
RNK
CRG
FPR
SKL

Osku's review of: Dead End

Name: Dead End
Allegiance: Destron
Function: Demolitions
Sub-Group: NA

Dead End is a model soldier who loves battle. Being cool and solitary of temperament, he doesn't care for joint operations. His cruelty is such that he can bring his enemy to a halt with the Spiral Bomb attack, which launches the shell off his right shoulder, then smile as he delivers the final blow with his Dead Gun.

Tech spec taken from bwtf.com, translated by Doug Dlin and Neale Davidson.

Dead End is one of the more unusual, extinct beasts used in Beast Wars Neo line. Before doing some research for the review I thought it to be a some sort of sea snail. As it actually is an ammonite, it fits nicely with other prehistoric BW Neo Destron beasts.

Alternate Mode:
Like Break (Dead End's counter part in the versus package), Dead End is a "shell master", which means there's almost zero articulation in it's beast mode. The only thing that can move is the right side of the shell, which can be launched at enemies. Also, the head can be moved, but not without revealing the robot head. Despite this, I actually like this mode. It's very simple, mostly comprised of a white shell with streaks of light red. Holes in the shell reveal the robot parts underneath and give it a nice battle damaged look. Tentacles coming from head are violet and have some nice sculpting details, like teeth in the lower tentacles. What I don't like is the too visible launching tap, little play value and ,of course, zero articulation, which I don't expect from Beast Wars era toys.

Robot Mode:
Dead End's strongest mode, the robot mode has 13 points of articulation. The robot body is balanced and nice looking with a mostly purple and white colour scheme. Little details are added with gold in arms and legs. The beast head becomes Dead End's chest and adds some colour. I especially like the head sculpt that fits well with the "theme" of the beast mode, but still looks robotic enough. Dead End's lower tentacles become a weapon, that could use some little paint details. The right side of the shell can be launched from Dead End's right shoulder, and the gimmick works better in this mode. Also, the Destron crystal is placed on the right shoulder. The shell halves can be removed and the toy displayed without them, but I don't recommend doing so. In short, nice little robot mode with a nice colour scheme and nice paint details.

Transformation: 6 - The transformation is easy. Basically, it's just getting the robot limbs in the right places.
Durability: 8 - Hard to say. I haven't had any trouble, but I don't actually play with the toy.
Fun: 5 - The beast mode is boring, but the robot mode saves the toy in this category.
Price: 7 - I got mine in a lot, as part of a Korean Songkong VS version with Break (mint in unopened box). With posting overseas, it was approximately 8 dollars. No idea if that's considered cheap or expensive.
Summary: 6 - To be honest, I wouldn't have bought one if it hadn't come with Break. After having had it for a while, I'm happy I did, but this toy is not for everybody. The beast mode is dull unless you happen to like exotic extinct species. The robot mode is nice, but nothing spectacular. Recommended for Beast Wars and Japanese transformer toys fans.