Overdrive News Story
International Toy Fair Report
Yes, it's that time of year for the International Toy Fair in New York City. The Toy Fair is held from February 11th to February 14th. Here I will report and post any and all information that relates to the Power Rangers Operation Overdrive Toy Line.
Press Releases & Galleries:
Linear Ranger's Points of Interest:
Okay let's start with the
Bandai Press Release. This confirms that the Special Edition Red
Ranger line will be completed this year for the 15th Anniversary. Plus
there will be three sets of five 5-Inch figures, to help celebrate the
Anniversary more. Finally, for the Operation Overdrive line, the Mega
Mission Helmet sounds interesting. Though in the past, each time there
were plans for a Ranger toy that connected to the computer, it fell through
and was never released.
Via this
picture from Collection DX, we can see that this Megazord release is
most likely the Super DriveMax Megazord. Even though Bandai just put
it into the normal DrivaMax box. Though there is a disappointing
aspect. You can clearly see, that instead of giving us another Red
Dump Driver, Bandai America gives us a BLACK Dump Driver Zord instead.
Why exactly did they feel it was necessary to repaint the Dump Driver?
Who knows. It would have been a lot easier and simpler to have just
kept the Zord Red, as it is in the show.
Furthermore, from the images of this "Dual Drive Megazord" or
"Super DriveMax Megazord", whichever it may be called, it looks
like the Mixer & Crane Zords don't even actually have their Mixer &
Crane parts. I am hoping this is not actually the case. But that
still can not defend the fact that Bandai America is literrarlly butchering
the Operation Overdrive Zord line, just because they do not believe that
"small" Zords would sell. Gee, I happen to recall back to
SPD and Mystic Force having Megazords the SAME size as the Japanese Deluxe
Daibouken (Superior Japan Version of DriveMax), and gee those Megazords sold
very well.
From the Press Images of
Bandai's in the CollectionDX gallery, we don't see that much new. We
do learn that the Silver Ranger will be called Mercury Ranger. There
will be Ranger figures that can go from Ranger Armor Mode, to Sword Mode, to
Sword Warrior Mode. Plus, of course as become custom with Bandai
America now, repaints of EVERYTHING.
So what are my final thoughts on this years Power Rangers selection of the Toy Fair? Well, I'll sum it up like this. Bandai America for years has always treated Power Rangers as their crown jewel toy line. Over the past 14 years, many and I mean MANY, other toy lines have come and gone for Bandai America, but the Power Rangers line has always remained their strong backbone. So now with Power Rangers entering their 15th Anniversary Season, it appears Bandai America no longer cares about the quality of their very best toy line. But instead they wish to alter everything that does not to be changed. And then repaint everything else two or three times over. I do hope and pray that somewhere along the line, those responsible for these changes that have been developing at Bandai America since Mystic Force, realize that what they are doing is VERY detrimental to not only the toy line, but the show itself.
If more news & information develops, I'll report it here.
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