10.06.06
Bandai Limited Edition 1/65 VF-17D/S and VF-19S
Critique/Review: Sound energy goes heavy metal!
EXPLANATION: This really isn’t a full review because these products are so similar to their originals. I highly encourage you to read the reviews of the originals to get a feel for what the core of this toy is really like. I have highlighted how these versions of the toys differ from the originals below.
Packaging & Extras (2.5/5)
The original releases scored 2.5 out of 5 and so do these because, while they do feature a numbered ID card, the packaging itself is far less impressive. The average box art has been replaced by a complete dearth of art, the boxes are now just beige and feature text letting you know what exactly is inside. The LE 19S comes in a slightly larger box than the LE 17. The Styrofoam interior has been replaced by a plastic baggy and cardboard cut to keep the toy in place… it all seems pretty cheap and flimsy for an LE collector’s item.
Charm & Collectibility (3.5/5)
While clearly the most collectible of the Mac7 valks, these things still aren’t hot collectors items. They are pretty difficult to come across though, so they have retained some value… especially in comparison to the non-LE versions of these toys.
Sculpt, Detail, & Paint (6/10)
The new finish to the plastic is nice and doesn’t detract from the detail. The very minimal amount of paint is no longer present anywhere but it was never of signifcance. Detail is just “eh” and there are no longer any stickers (understandably) to supplement the detail that is there.
Design (6.5/10) VF-17 Gold/Gun Metal, (7/10) VF-19S Silver
Nothing new here at all. These toys are pretty basic, stable, and intuitive
Durability & Build (8.5/10) VF-17 Gold/Gun Metal, (8/10) VF-19S Silver
Yes, I am actually reducing the durability score on these valks. Rumor has it (i’m not brave enough to find out) that the metal finish on these toys can easily be damaged in the transformation process. As such, it seems many collectors, myself included, completely avoid transforming these toys. You can imagine that this might significantly reduce a collector’s enjoyment of their prize.
Articulation (5.5/10) VF-17 Gold/Gun Metal, (6/10) VF-19S Silver
These toys are both limited in their range exactly as the original releases were.
Total Score (32.5/50) VF-17 Gold/Gun Metal, (33/50) VF-19S Silver
I really do enjoy limited edition toys and these are no exception but they do lose some of their fun factor by having a finish that would reveal imperfections created by routine handling. Of all my Macross7 toys, I feel these are the only ones I own worth displaying. They can be pretty difficult to come across; I find the 19S to be especially difficult to track down. If you’re a patient completist though you should be able to track these down for far less than you might expect. I would say the usual auction price runs in the $80-$100 range at the moment while store prices are typically double that. As always, price comments are just averages and are only applicable on the day this post was made.
