{"id":2969,"date":"2012-09-06T07:38:30","date_gmt":"2012-09-06T07:38:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/anymoon.com\/blog\/2009\/04\/12\/bandai-160-dx-super-parts-for-vf-25\/"},"modified":"2021-10-07T20:55:28","modified_gmt":"2021-10-07T20:55:28","slug":"bandai-160-dx-super-parts-for-vf-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anymoon.com\/blog\/?p=2969","title":{"rendered":"Accessories for Bandai’s Original (V1) 1\/60 DX VF-25 Toys: Super Parts"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Observations & Critique: The original VF-25 Super Parts (not renewal version)
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These parts were available via special order through the Tamashi website.\u00a0 They come shipped in a brown shipper box which houses the true white box of the parts themselves.\u00a0 Ozma’s parts come in a white and black box, Alto’s box is red and white as pictured here.\u00a0 There’s no flip top lid and the box feels pretty flimsy so this really does feel like a mail-away parts package (which isn’t a good thing).\u00a0 What is a good thing is the inclusion of a display stand with the parts.\u00a0 Inside the box you get the display stand, stand accessories allowing for display in any mode, the super parts, and matte paper instructions (the instructions seem pretty cheap but they ought to answer all your questions, see scans below).\u00a0 Nearly exactly three years to the day Bandai released a new version of super parts to go with their improved “renewal” version of the DX VF-25 toys.\u00a0 The renewal super parts do not come with a display stand since a display stand is included with the purchase of each renewal VF-25.\u00a0 This is an improvement as the inclusion of display stands with each accessory purchase in the original line meant that one person could potentially own several display stands for one toy if they had several accessories for that toy.<\/p>\n

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Originally these super parts were seen as a good way to dress up the fighter mode of the original DX VF-25 toys.\u00a0 Released via the Tamashii website in April 2009 for an MSRP of 4,000 Yen the parts were affordable for those living within Japan but the price quickly escalated for those who needed to arrange a purchase through a third party.\u00a0 Now that the renewal DX VF-25 toys have been released demand for the original toys has understandably waned considerably.\u00a0 Something\u00a0to note, the original Ozma parts came with the hip armor paint being reversed from what was intended.\u00a0 Bandai\u00a0issued replacement parts for their Japanese customers but they might have inadvertently created a collector’s item in the process.<\/p>\n

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When the original Bandai DX VF-25 toys came out I went way too easy on them.\u00a0 It was hard for me to be critical since there was no other toy at all similar to judge them against.\u00a0 Bandai has since shown me the error of my ways.\u00a0 I originally commented that the level of tampo detailing was nice, as was the sculpt and proportions, but the more intricate details like the missile bays could stand improvement.\u00a0 I also noted that the lack of any mechanical detail or removable armor bits was a bit of a let down.\u00a0 Today consumers have the chance of purchasing the renewal version super parts which are essentially vastly upgraded versions of the original but without any new surprises added.\u00a0 Below is a series of pictures\u00a0comparing the original versions to the renewal versions.\u00a0 As you can see, every single part (with the possible exception of the crotch armor) is a marked improvement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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If you’re a huge fan of fighter mode then you won’t notice many of this\u00a0accessory’s design flaws.\u00a0 GERWALK and battroid definitely have some issues they have to contend with.\u00a0 GERWALK mode suffers because the wing pods are just a bit too heavy which causes the back to collapse downward if anything is jostled.\u00a0 There’s a good bet that things are going to be jostled because the hip armor attaches via two of the tiniest clips ever (highlighted in blue in the picture below).\u00a0 These tiny clips rarely form any sort of good grip and inevitably fall off or get tweaked out of alignment with only the most minor of handling.\u00a0 Between those heavy wing pods causing the back to collapse and the hip armors flaking off with every shake GERWALK can quickly become infuriating (using the included display stand helps a ton as it supports the back and eliminates the issues with the heavy wing pods).\u00a0 Speaking of the wing pods, I have now seen many, many pics where the wing pods aren’t quite connected to the toy properly.\u00a0 Heck, I probably don’t have them right in some of my own pictures.\u00a0 You’ll know your wing pod is correctly attached to the spike on the wing if you can’t move the tip left or right gently using your finger.\u00a0 If the pod is stiff and handles fairly moderate pressure then everything is as it should be.\u00a0 You’ll also know you have things right if the boosters on the wing pods are not projecting imaginary thrust on the vertical stabilizers.\u00a0 If your pods aren’t like this focus on pushing them in against the spike as you put them on.\u00a0 The second picture below shows the real hindrance of battroid mode.\u00a0 The calf armor of the toy protrudes too high rendering the knee all but useless.\u00a0 There are no removeable parts here that expose mechanical detail but there are two missile bays with doors that open to reveal the mini missiles. Positive notes were that the toy can go from mode to mode (theoretically) without removing and putting parts back on and also that the landing gears continue to function.<\/p>\n

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These parts all seem very sturdy for what they are with the possible exception of the cod piece.\u00a0 When I did the photo shoot for this post I was hesitant to leave the cod piece on through-out transformation.\u00a0 In my subsequent testing I left it on a couple times and didn’t damage it at all so while it seems scary I don’t believe there to be much risk involved (although if you have the box handy, you probably should remove it for GERWALK and fighter modes as it’s not serving any purpose tucked inside any way).\u00a0 Far more at risk is all the tampo printing both on these accessories and the toy you’re applying them too.\u00a0 Expect to eventually scratch something and feel kind of upset at yourself and Bandai for having done so.\u00a0 There have been numerous reports of tightness of fit issues, usually minor, but it’s something to be aware of.<\/p>\n