REVIEW: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles MUTATIONS and METAL MUTANTS

**JeffSaylor** · 08-03-2015, 03:13 PM

Transforming Pet Turtles, Mix and Match Series, and SDCC Exclusive...

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Some toy lines never die. Hasbro and Star Wars. Bandai and Power Rangers. Playmates Toys and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. With a recent live action movie and current Nickelodeon cartoon, our "Heroes in a Half Shell" show no sign of loosing their popularity with a new generation of fans and those raised on '80s nostalgia. To keep things fresh in the toy aisle, Playmates has introduced a new theme for the Turtles to play with: Mutations. As if the "Mutant" in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles wasn't enough, the new Mutations toy line doubles the trans-mutating theme with transforming pet turtles and mix and match action figure fun.

In stores now, the transforming pet turtle series is a cute concept tarnished by awkward execution. As their fully mature 6-inch tall Turtle hero - Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo (each sold separately) - these toys shine brightest, each action figure featuring a great animated sculpt and generous amounts of articulation. You even get their signature weapons. It is in pet turtle form that this line looks silly.

While transforming these Turtle warriors is an easy enough experience, the process is far from Transformers smooth and perfect. Arms get folded back into their shell with no rhyme or reason, heads turn from TMNT hero to pet turtle with an awkward pull and rotate gimmick, and flimsy rubber limbs swivel out to create hind legs. I suppose kids will get a kick out these, but the serious TMNT figure collector need not apply (those rubber legs!)

Playmates' Mix and Match Turtles, however, is a toy line I can appreciate. Creative and fun, the 5-inch series builds on the popularity of creating your own custom action figure by swapping out limbs with other toys in the line. Playmates gets you off to a good start by supplying at least an extra limb or two with your purchase (for example: Donnie comes with a spare robot arm, while Bebop packs a few Turtle limbs), but the real fun begins when two or more figures are acquired. The parts swapping is extremely enjoyable and well done, each limb detaching off via a firm plastic peg and slightly rubberized, flexible hole. The connection acts almost like a suction cup in that the parts come on and off with a satisfying "pop".

Kids with a twisted sense of play (like myself) will also appreciate the "battle damage" the Mix and Match figures allow. Having Bebop lose his head to a staff swinging Donatello has never been more fun.

To help build excitement for the new Dimension X theme of the TMNT animated series (and toy line), Playmates launched an exclusive 11-inch Leonardo action figure at this year's San Diego Comic-Con. Priced at $50 and available only at Nickelodeon's Comic-Con booth, the large Leo really impresses in his over-sized blister card. Labeled "Metal Mutants," the exclusive is a homage of sorts to the vintage 1995 Playmates line of the same name. The older series, as well as this 11" Leonardo exclusive, both share super shiny vac-metallic armor. The similarities end there, however, as this new 11" Leonardo trades in the samurai armor for a Dimension X suit. Space is the new place and Leonardo is ready to travel wearing his "oxygen converter, an alien decryption translator and pulse boots". He also has a rad bubble helmet with a flip-open visor and translucent blue plastic "space katanas" (but of course!). Playmates will be releasing this Leo, along with the rest of the Turtle team, as 11" action figures wearing Dimension X space suits, however they won't have the cool vac-metal of this exclusive.

Mutations to Metal Mutants, Playmates has a Turtle for you. Check out tons of new photos of all of these fun TMNT figures by following the link below. For more TMNT news, follow the official TMNT Play facebook page. Turtle Power!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS OF THESE FUN TMNT TOYS!

Review and Photos by Jeff Saylor

Review Samples Courtesy of Playmates Toys

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