Hammerstrike (Transformers - Beast Machines) Review

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Hammerstrike (Transformers - Beast Machines) Review

Hammerstrike
Transformers - Beast Machines (Hasbro)What is it with HASBRO making these teeny,tiny basics for this series?Rhetorical question.HAMMERSTRIKE is from the "THE BATTLE FOR THE SPARKS" line.
Okay,starting with his beast mode:This is the wimpiest looking shark I have ever seen.Now take into account that BEAST WARS had two iterations of this character(CYBERSHARK and TRANSMETAL 2 CYBERSHARK)that managed to be both intricate and fearsome.Don't get me wrong this a nice design;it is just absolutely unsuited for life as a basic.Articulation is kind of meh.His tail and side fins move a little,his jaw can chomp....sort of,and his hammer can do a head butt.
The robot mode brings some redemption,but not much.The shark tail splits and becomes his legs while the arms come the body of the shark,and the pseudo head kind of peeks out from the base of the shark head.This is a very spindly transformer.He has a melee weapon in the form of an axe(or club maybe)made from the hammer potion of the shark head.Looking at the head design,he almost seems a precursor to CYBERTRON'S UNDERMINE in that respect.He has some articulation,but it is almost defeated by his very light body.You breathe too hard and he will fall over...probably into mom's spaghetti.If you can get him to stand well,you can however set up some pretty wicked poses.
Let's talk value.When he first came out,he was about $5.99 at most retailers.Which to be honest wasn't a bad price in retrospect;especially considering secondary market values.Over on the Bay of E,he fetches between retail and upwards to $20.Honestly,unless you are a completist,I wouldn't pay over $10 with moderate shipping.
Final analysis:This is a fun "little" toy,but very little justifies paying quadruple or more on retail price unless you just have to have it.If you havew got to get it,try the flea markets first.Our judges say final score is....7!But bear in mind these are QUINTESSON JUDGES so that would actually be 3.5