Post by Micro on Apr 6, 2014 21:33:53 GMT -8
Ok, this is actually an old review that I started writing when this playset was first released but I didn't get to finish it until now! Better late than never, they say, so here it goes...
Most wrestling playsets involve a crucial accessory: The ring. However, there's one structure that was missing until recently...The entrance stage! The FlexForce playsets would sometimes come with a tiny entrance ramp but it was nothing like WWE's HD Titantron. They looked more like the Minitrons used in house shows. Thankfully, Mattel followed through with an entire playset just for the stage!
A belated thanks goes to Kollecting King for providing the UPC number to this...It helped me score this playset without needless driving to my not-so-local K-Mart!
Once assembled, the entire stage takes up an area of 18"x17.5"x21", a pretty decent size!
The stage and Titantron are the main attractions here but Mattel also threw in some extra features. The WWE logo rotates, along with four moveable lights that tilt and turn into nearly any position. The lights are unpainted, unlike the TLC playset lights that had a paint deco on the bulbs.
One cool extra feature is a collapsible stage panel. It rests firmly on the stage but when you drop a figure on it, it falls through and send your wrestler crashing through the stage! How do you get the panel back? Well, they designed an open groove on the side that makes it easy to recover the panel and replace it. It's a tiny detail but a very good design choice!
One thing I checked right away was the entrance itself. I was glad to find that it's at a good scale and even the tallest wrestlers, like Khali, Undertaker, and Kane, all fit through it with ease.
You'd think that would be everything there is to it but, when you turn the stage around, you'll find even more features hidden in the back!
Naturally, the Titantron is the main feature of this playset but Mattel went the extra mile of including lights and electronics to it. So how does it work? You'll find two buttons in the back. First, you use the "Select" button to choose which entrance music you want to play. You'll hear Justin Roberts announce John Cena, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, and Sheamus. As you cycle through the names, you'll also hear Ricardo Rodriguez announce Alberto Del Rio. Once you decide on a Superstar, all you have to do is hit the "Play" button and their entrance music will play as a 20-30 second sound clip. While the music plays, you'll see the lights on the Titantron flash. I like how the lights are in sync with the music and sometimes has a crossfade feature. It's just four simple, blinking/fading lights but it still looks cool!
One bonus feature that I didn't expect is the small scaffolding in the back. It's there to stabilize the Titantron and keep the entire structure firmly in place. The nice thing is that Mattel had the foresight to design this scaffolding system to serve a double-function and provide a backstage area for added fun!
So far, everything looks great...But what if you don't want a Raw arena or you get tired of seeing John Cena on the Titantron? Fortunately, Mattel used removable insert sheets that make this playset very easy to customize. All you do is remove the sheets and you have a blank canvas to work with...It kinda looks neat without any sheets in place, too!
Mattel included four sheets: a Titantron Screen, two wall panels, and the overhead Raw screen. I only have a small gripe with the two wall panels in that they're made of very flimsy paper. It feels like tissue or gift wrapping paper that seems like it will tear or crinkle up if you're not careful. In contrast, the Titantron screen and overhead panels are made of cardboard and a lot sturdier!
That overhead panel can be a pain to attach to the top brackets, though. I recommend lightly bending the cardboard into a curved shape so that the brackets don't pinch it too bad when they curve it in place!
For those interested in making your own custom Titantrons, it's easy...Just make the panels in your computer and print them out to the following sizes:
Titantron Screen - 10" width x 8.25" height
Wall Panels - 9.5" width x 8.125" height
Overhead Panel - 19.75" width x 4" height
Overall, the Entrance Stage is a cool playset and a must-have for displays. I thought it would just be a set piece but it's nice that Mattel was able to include some play features into it. This was the last major component that I needed for a complete arena and I'm glad that I finally have it!
Well, I hope you liked this review...I know it's a bit outdated now but, on the bright side, I've heard that K-Mart is currently clearancing out these playsets, so it may be a good time to pick one up before they are gone. At $29.99, it's a cool deal and will look good with your figures!
Most wrestling playsets involve a crucial accessory: The ring. However, there's one structure that was missing until recently...The entrance stage! The FlexForce playsets would sometimes come with a tiny entrance ramp but it was nothing like WWE's HD Titantron. They looked more like the Minitrons used in house shows. Thankfully, Mattel followed through with an entire playset just for the stage!
A belated thanks goes to Kollecting King for providing the UPC number to this...It helped me score this playset without needless driving to my not-so-local K-Mart!
Once assembled, the entire stage takes up an area of 18"x17.5"x21", a pretty decent size!
The stage and Titantron are the main attractions here but Mattel also threw in some extra features. The WWE logo rotates, along with four moveable lights that tilt and turn into nearly any position. The lights are unpainted, unlike the TLC playset lights that had a paint deco on the bulbs.
One cool extra feature is a collapsible stage panel. It rests firmly on the stage but when you drop a figure on it, it falls through and send your wrestler crashing through the stage! How do you get the panel back? Well, they designed an open groove on the side that makes it easy to recover the panel and replace it. It's a tiny detail but a very good design choice!
One thing I checked right away was the entrance itself. I was glad to find that it's at a good scale and even the tallest wrestlers, like Khali, Undertaker, and Kane, all fit through it with ease.
You'd think that would be everything there is to it but, when you turn the stage around, you'll find even more features hidden in the back!
Naturally, the Titantron is the main feature of this playset but Mattel went the extra mile of including lights and electronics to it. So how does it work? You'll find two buttons in the back. First, you use the "Select" button to choose which entrance music you want to play. You'll hear Justin Roberts announce John Cena, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, and Sheamus. As you cycle through the names, you'll also hear Ricardo Rodriguez announce Alberto Del Rio. Once you decide on a Superstar, all you have to do is hit the "Play" button and their entrance music will play as a 20-30 second sound clip. While the music plays, you'll see the lights on the Titantron flash. I like how the lights are in sync with the music and sometimes has a crossfade feature. It's just four simple, blinking/fading lights but it still looks cool!
One bonus feature that I didn't expect is the small scaffolding in the back. It's there to stabilize the Titantron and keep the entire structure firmly in place. The nice thing is that Mattel had the foresight to design this scaffolding system to serve a double-function and provide a backstage area for added fun!
So far, everything looks great...But what if you don't want a Raw arena or you get tired of seeing John Cena on the Titantron? Fortunately, Mattel used removable insert sheets that make this playset very easy to customize. All you do is remove the sheets and you have a blank canvas to work with...It kinda looks neat without any sheets in place, too!
Mattel included four sheets: a Titantron Screen, two wall panels, and the overhead Raw screen. I only have a small gripe with the two wall panels in that they're made of very flimsy paper. It feels like tissue or gift wrapping paper that seems like it will tear or crinkle up if you're not careful. In contrast, the Titantron screen and overhead panels are made of cardboard and a lot sturdier!
That overhead panel can be a pain to attach to the top brackets, though. I recommend lightly bending the cardboard into a curved shape so that the brackets don't pinch it too bad when they curve it in place!
For those interested in making your own custom Titantrons, it's easy...Just make the panels in your computer and print them out to the following sizes:
Titantron Screen - 10" width x 8.25" height
Wall Panels - 9.5" width x 8.125" height
Overhead Panel - 19.75" width x 4" height
Overall, the Entrance Stage is a cool playset and a must-have for displays. I thought it would just be a set piece but it's nice that Mattel was able to include some play features into it. This was the last major component that I needed for a complete arena and I'm glad that I finally have it!
Well, I hope you liked this review...I know it's a bit outdated now but, on the bright side, I've heard that K-Mart is currently clearancing out these playsets, so it may be a good time to pick one up before they are gone. At $29.99, it's a cool deal and will look good with your figures!