When it comes to MP figures, vehicle based ones always get priority. The Beast era stuff isn't terrible per say, but from an engineering perspective it's very difficult to get the Beast modes both looking and moving right, generally with results focusing on the former. So I'm in no rush to get them. But, occasionally, life throws you a bone - take for example the MP-59 Rhinox. Love the character, but didn't feel like dropping that preorder money.
Then the week the figure dropped in Japan, several large online retailers, including Amazon Japan, had a massive fire sale on their stock, dropping the price by 35%, so naturally I bit. After the dust settled, ended up with one for $245 CAD, taxes and shipping in, which is really, really good, because Rhinox ain't a tiny boy.
Beast Wars started off with a much smaller cast than G1 did (though the toy line wouldn't reflect that). As a result, while G1 characters were able to effectively be singular in their roles, these guys had a few roles rolled into one. Rhinox was effectively the Heavy, but also had the scientific knowledge of Perceptor mixed with the mad scientist prowess of Wheeljack.
In terms of contents, I believe the MSRP placed this figure around what the Seekers price point, probably slightly less. I'd say given the size and parts on the figure and all that, this isn't a terrible value:
1 x Main Figure
2 x Faceplates
2 x Gatling Hammers (Full Size)
1 x Spark Extraction Device
1 x Spark
1 x Mounting Brack (For Optimus Primal to ride in Beast mode)
The full size Gatling Hammers is a huge thing. I've never actually owned or looked at a Rhinox toy before, but when I did, I noticed that the guns the toy came with were... really small. Understandable given the budget and all that, but sadly they didn't reflect just how awesome Rhinox looks while using them.. The downside is, however, because of their size there's no room to store them within the body. Given they only put one inside the body I have to ask why did they bothered to even try, and just left them loose.
As it came this way, I'm starting off with Beast mode. Yes, it's a bit kibbly, but compared to all the other offerings, this is by far the most animation model accurate one we've ever gotten. Colours all look pretty accurate as well, though to be fair they've done a pretty good job from this perspective so far, going so far as to get a digital print of the patterns on Cheetor.
As expected, the articulation is limited. You get lower leg rotation, but the head can pop out and offer some turning function. The ears, jaw, and amazingly,, eyeballs can be further articulated to your liking. The Gatling Hammers can mount on either side of Beast mode next to the hind legs.
Transformation into Robot mode is relatively complex (expected for a MP) but ultimately nowhere as frustrating as Jetfire. From the front things look pretty good save for the oversized front leg segments, but the back is an expectedly kibbly mess. Like with Beast mode, you can mount the Gatling Hammers on the body. Detailing of the Robot mode components is excellent. The excellent choice in colours carries into this mode (as expected) and things look pretty sharp.
Here's the two face plates, though the other one is more for having any poses where the mouth is open - by the way, the mouth opens in Robot mode.
From an Articulation perspective, things are kind of a mixed bag. Your run of the mill collector will be very happy - Rhinox possesses what i could call Mainline articulation. It's not terrible, and you'll be able to do most of your posing and includes your standard array of ankles, knees, elbows, waist and so on. Rear skirt and side skirt lift to allow proper rotation of the waist and movement of the legs. The quality of the articulation on the legs and head are above average for a Mainline, but ultimately that's what you have to play with. For me, though I was hoping for more, maybe some back arch/ab crunch, or at least Butterfly shoulders - poor guy can't cross his arms. Due to the stature of the figure, balance is pretty good.
It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that Paint Applications are very well done. I don't really have any items to point out other than the fact that when people are comparing MPs to Third Party offerings, they often just forget to give credit to the paint work on the Takara releases, as well as the actual cost involved in that too.
Things are pretty solid from a Build Quality perspective as well. There's no frustrating design choices that affect transformation. Parts hold together nicely, as do the joints - I suppose it would be have been nice to have the hands be more flush with the Rhino front legs, just like it would have been nice to have more actual Articulation. Tolerances are well within acceptable levels - even the finger joints work nicely. There's nothing on this figure I can foresee as being a potential breakage point.
Overall, while Rhinox can't pose as I'd like, there's just something about the finished product that makes it fun to play with, though based on the complexity of transformation you're probably going to stick with one mode. I think it's the fact that both modes are finally able to offer something that looks like what is on screen, while giving a decent action figure experience. Included accessories are all good, but lets face it, I don't care about anything other than the Gatling Hammers, and they are glorious.
Having said all that, I still wouldn't have bought this at full price - it just happened to be at a discounted price, and undoubtedly that adds to my enjoyment. Highly doubt you're going to find any vendors at this point offering fire sale prices on this figure. If you're a Beast fan and the MSRP doesn't make you cry, this is something you really should consider.
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