{"id":20036,"date":"2012-08-03T08:19:21","date_gmt":"2012-08-03T13:19:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=20036"},"modified":"2012-08-05T16:37:46","modified_gmt":"2012-08-05T21:37:46","slug":"vault-review-new-tmnt-leonardo-and-raphael","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=20036","title":{"rendered":"Vault Review: Nickelodeon Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles Leo & Raph"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>My most anticipated toyline of the year has to be the Nickelodeon relaunch of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.\u00a0 And judging by the response of our toy-reviewing colleagues, I think it\u2019s safe to say that I\u2019m not alone.\u00a0 So here\u2019s my review of the Nickelodeon Leonardo and Raphael.<\/p>\n

Unlike Noisy, who was forced to share his toys<\/a>, I remained a single and spoiled child.\u00a0 One of my favorite lines was TMNT.\u00a0 I watched the cartoon, read the comics, and bought the toys.\u00a0 In fact, during this time period, I don\u2019t remember buying anything but TMNT and those lines that fit in with them (I.E. Toxic Crusaders, Earthworm Jim, Bucky O\u2019Hare).\u00a0 So when Playmates announced this new line, it was like they dropped a nostalgia bomb directly on my head.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I found my first few figures at our local Toys R Us.\u00a0 That first endcap display was a bit sparse with only one case of figures and a couple of the cheaper vehicles.\u00a0 Donatello is my favorite, so of course I grabbed him first.\u00a0 Unfortunately his bandanna was painted a bit shoddy, so I decided to go with Leonardo and Raphael instead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

One thing that amazes me about this new toy line is how inexpensive it is to buy.\u00a0 TRU is always one of the pricier stores, but even here the figures were only $8.99 each.\u00a0 I could pick up a figure that\u2019s taller than three inches, has a great sculpt, and has multiple articulation for under ten bucks.\u00a0 It felt like the early 90\u2019s again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Even though the figures aren\u2019t expensive, that doesn\u2019t mean they are cheaply made.\u00a0 The sculpt for each figure has some really amazing detail.\u00a0 First off, each turtle has their own unique body, which is always a bonus when you\u2019re dealing with the four main characters.\u00a0 The four brothers have character specific skin texturing and pock marks\/cracks in their shells.\u00a0 They also each have sculpted elbow\/knee pads, and cloth wrapped around their hands and feet.\u00a0 Speaking of feet, I know not everyone cares for the new three toed look.\u00a0 It really doesn\u2019t bother me at all, and I kind of like that they have their own unique design.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Their heads are also original, and their expressions are even a bit reminiscent of the classic figures\u2019 design.\u00a0 Leo has this interesting half annoyed\/half intense smile, with the left side of his mouth opening a bit wider like the original figure.\u00a0 Raphael on the other hand is baring his teeth like a wild animal about to attack.\u00a0 Again, similar to the original figure but way more extreme.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The one area on these figures that you definitely need to watch out for is the paint jobs.\u00a0 For the most part their body pieces are molded the color the need to be.\u00a0 But you should check out areas like their wrappings and shoulder\/knee pads.\u00a0 The biggest issue was the bandanas.\u00a0 Like I said, I was able to find Raph and Leo without any issues, but all the Dons had slop that either was on his face or just not enough on the bandana.\u00a0 Continue to page 2…<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

All four turtles have the same articulation.\u00a0 Their heads are on a ball joint and can easily be removed.\u00a0 Their shoulders, elbows, and knees are all swivel\/hinges.\u00a0 Each figure also has swivel wrists where their wrapping meet the arm, so you don\u2019t even see these two joints.\u00a0 My only problem here is that their elbows and knees don\u2019t bend at a full ninety degrees, which hinders some of their posing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Another annoying bit about the articulation has nothing to do with the turtles.\u00a0 It\u2019s actually about every other character in the line.\u00a0 I\u2019ll go into more detail as I review them, but from the looks of it they don\u2019t have knee and elbow articulation.\u00a0 This is a bit disappointing considering how well the turtles move.\u00a0 Hopefully Playmates will see this line as a success and start including these joints on future figures.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Each turtle comes with their signature weapon.\u00a0 Leo has his two swords, while Raph has two sais.\u00a0 But one of the coolest things Playmates did was include a sprue with more weapons, just like the original figures.\u00a0 But instead of getting the same weapons for each turtle, they have character specific weapons.<\/p>\n

Leonardo comes with another, longer sword and small knife.\u00a0 The sword has a blood groove near the tip and the knife is so tiny that it makes for the perfect hidden weapon.\u00a0 Leo also comes with three throwing daggers and two shuriken.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Aside from Raph\u2019s regular sais, he also comes with a pair that just have one prong, and two hook-like weapons.\u00a0 I\u2019ve seen these before, but I\u2019m not sure what they\u2019re called.\u00a0 Then there\u2019s two different shuriken.\u00a0 Raph\u2019s right hand is sculpted to hold a sai in a punching position, which is how I prefer him holding his weapons.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Another cool note is that the belts and straps that each turtle wears is made of a rubbery soft plastic.\u00a0 This is perfect for holding more weapons than their regular two.\u00a0 But you will want to be careful and not leave them that way too long as I think the plastic may stretch over time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

All around I\u2019m really happy with these two figures.\u00a0 The four main turtles have excellent sculpting and articulation.\u00a0 The paint apps are even good for the majority of figures.\u00a0 Plus, they each come with their own personal arsenal.\u00a0 After buying expensive toys for years, the cheap price point is incredibly welcome.\u00a0 These figures are definitely real toys and are meant to be equally played with and collected.\u00a0 I can\u2019t wait to see what this line brings us in the next couple years.<\/p>\n

-Vault<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

My most anticipated toyline of the year has to be the Nickelodeon relaunch of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.\u00a0 And judging by the response of our toy-reviewing colleagues, I think it\u2019s safe to say that I\u2019m not alone.\u00a0 So here\u2019s my review of the Nickelodeon Leonardo and Raphael.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":20037,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_options":[]},"categories":[34,1580],"tags":[1612,1610,1615,322,1613,1614,1579,2594],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.itsalltrue.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/lartTN.jpg?fit=50%2C50","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pObc6-5da","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":21135,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=21135","url_meta":{"origin":20036,"position":0},"title":"Guest Review at TheDaytimeNinja Nick TMNT Shredder","date":"September 27, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Earlier in the week Noisy presented his guest review for TheDailyNinja.com and today's my turn for a review, and I'm bringin everyone back to the present with my Nickelodeon Shredder review.\u00a0 So check out TDN for a look at how he stacks up. \u00a0 Continue to TheDaytimeNinja.com!","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":23661,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=23661","url_meta":{"origin":20036,"position":1},"title":"Nickelodeon TMNT July Figs & Stop Motion Animation","date":"June 10, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "News"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/HGYVspcPtdo\/0.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":20179,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=20179","url_meta":{"origin":20036,"position":2},"title":"Vault Review: Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Donatello","date":"August 10, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Sometimes Noisy and I coordinate without even knowing.\u00a0 I had no idea he was going to review another Classic Turtle for Thursday, and he didn\u2019t know I was doing another Nick Turtle today.\u00a0 So for the second week in a row, we\u2019re bringing you a TMNT double dose! As soon\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.itsalltrue.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/ndon4.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":20372,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=20372","url_meta":{"origin":20036,"position":3},"title":"Playmates’ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Official Videos","date":"August 18, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"The Folks over at Playmates sent out a new press release announcing their official Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles YouTube channel.\u00a0 There's some great instructional videos that show how to assemble the playset and vehicles, while also highlighting the various features and details. Personally, I think this is an ingenious move\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/wg4U2H6spLo\/0.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":19930,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=19930","url_meta":{"origin":20036,"position":4},"title":"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classic Leonardo Review","date":"July 30, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Turtle fever sure is going around in the collecting community of late. Vault was sucked in when he found the new Nickelodeon figures at TRU. I held out until I saw the Classic Turtles at my LCS and\u2026 well, I didn\u2019t buy any\u2026 the first day. I went back the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":20502,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=20502","url_meta":{"origin":20036,"position":5},"title":"Vault Review: Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Michelangelo","date":"August 25, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Today's article rounds out my coverage of the four main turtles in Playmates' new Nickelodeon line. Don't worry, I still have a couple more characters to look at before I'm done with the line though.\u00a0 But Reviewapalooza II is far from over, so don't forget to check back for our\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.itsalltrue.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/nmik8.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20036"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20036"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20036\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20089,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20036\/revisions\/20089"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20037"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20036"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}