I had passed on all the video game based figures from NECA until the 8-bit style Keaton Batman, so when I saw this Rocket Launcher RoboCop at Hastings I impulse bought it. I’m glad I did.
I do own the spring open thigh holster RoboCop but other than that I had nothing else from the RoboCop franchise, and absolutely no Terminator type figures. I passed on the Terminator endoskeleton two pack at Toys R Us just this week but seeing RoboCop in the 8-bit paint style pulled me in. I also saw the Flame Thrower Robo who is more plain than this fire engulfed figure but the flames called to me. I figured it would look more dynamic on the shelf.
The packaging is what we’ve come to expect with the NECA video game based figures. I don’t think this is based on the actual game packaging but it follows the same cues. Very basic yet cool. The back picture is of the actual figure but if you look quickly you would swear that it’s a screen from an older video game.
For the basic figure, if you have the older RoboCop release you know what you’re getting here. I’m not sure if the battle damage is new or matches an older figure but the articulation all matches me thigh holster Robo. THe sculpting is nice and crisp, with details like ID stamps, bullet holes, and mech details all being easily distinguishable.
Where this figure really shines for me is the paint. Upon first glance the paints look to be applied haphazardly with a standard paint brush. And that is true. The basecoats are nicely applied and blended but for any shading, detail, and effect paints, it appears to be just slapped on. But it’s not. But it is. Does that makes sense?
The paints are a beautiful mess. It looks like it shouldn’t work at all but it does to such a degree that if you stare at it long enough it looks like a 2d oil painting. And that floats my boat, hard. I especially love the orange glow of the flame reflecting on the side of the helmet. The pure white highlights are also a lovely contrast to the dark purple lowlights. Really, I could stare at the paint all day.
RoboCop comes with three accessories. Being called Rocket Launcher RoboCop he of course comes with a rocket launcher with a removable rocket blast accessory. The tip of the back blast fits perfectly into the barrel of the launcher, creating the effect of firing. The rocket has the same orange glow paint that fakes the fire emitting actual light. Just so cool. The rocket launcher also breaks in half to simulate reloading but there is no extra rocket to play load it. Ah well.
His other accessory is a pistol. It’s not his standard movie pistol as it has a different barrel and a grip guard.
The biggest problem I can find with the figure and his main accessory is that he can’t hold the long launcher with both hands. He’s RoboCop, he wouldn’t have much trouble holding it with one hand, but I’d still like the option.
Like I said, if you have any earlier version of Robo you’re familiar with the articulation, but if you don’t I break it all down in my video review.
But in the end I can’t fault any figure that has working pistons in the ankles. It keeps him from having ankle rockers but the pistons are so cool that I hardly miss them.
Finally, the box insert makes for a pretty cool background, if that’s your thing on the shelf.
I’m really pleasantly surprised by this figure overall. The articulation, the sculpt, and the especially the paint. This is only my second video game based figure but with each one I’m falling for them, hard. Need to get back to Toys R Us for that Endo two pack now…
