Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.4

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Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.4 - Zoids Snakes - 28/4/2008 2:10:30 PM

3for$10

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Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.4 - Zoids Snakes
Helic Republic
SpecOps Use
Snake Type

Photos and text by mechanical_wunder

Twice as big to it's OJR counterpart in packaging. Yet it retains the OJR theme with modern touch of marketing attraction.

Zoids 25th Anniversary: Monthly Zoids Graphics, a reissue galore operation!

It has been 25 years since Tomy's Zoids roamed the surface of this planet. To revive the interests of Zoids collectors and in
celebration of the silver anniversay, TakaraTomy shocked the world with the announcement of their reissue plan. Plans
and development of reissuing OJR themed Zoids has been highlighted by several Japanese magazines and press alike. Not
overlooking, there's another reissue of NJR themed Zoids as a co-exist on going project. However, what really interest
many toy collectors are the inclusion of A4 sized booklet containing Zoids related articles and a bonus tree for assembling
into diorama base. But the catch is that collectors must collect every monthly graphics to get the required parts for completeness.

Many Zoids collectors eagerly anticipating the reissues of Malder, Seapanther, Gilvader and of course, the King Gojulas!
And the dream was fullfilled as TakaraTomy plans to release them in near future.

Flip open box allows one to view part of the trees included in the package.

Zoids Snakes

The original Snakes was released in the late 1980s, and it was the fastest wind-up Zoid with Sinker in comparative speed.
The outlook design and mechanism followed closely to a actual snake. Upon winding up the spring coil motor,
the Zoid will sway left right while moving forward. Snakes has two modes, the standard moving mode where the head of the
Zoid has to be laid flat for movment while the other mode resemebles a aggressive Cobra. However, the "Cobra" mode
will not be advisable for movement as the front wheel is way off ground level.

Package contents. What's most interesting are the book and the bonus parts for diorama base building.

Diorama base connectors and pylons. Essential for the big "All your base are belong to us!" project.

Monthly Zoids Graphics, what's the deal?

Firstly, it's not really the same old articles or pictures most of us have seen before. There are several new interesting
articles along with graphics and pictures to keep both old and new collectors alike satisfied. Below are some
snipplets for appertising.

Development Chart on various Zoids.

History and combat exposure of Helic Replublic Snakes.

Finally, some never seen before concept artworks and designs that made it to actual toys.

Assembling the Snakes (again?!?!)

Going through once more can be stressful but to investigate the difference between the OJR and reissued is perhaps an
effort worthwhile.

Snake head cockpit with the gold pilot fitted in nicely.

Going alittle further down the body.

Coming near to the middle of the body.

The spring coil motor section that sort of a train carriage look alike.

Joining up with the front section.

Working on further on the tail section.

Tail is done, added with a SAM mounted.

All weapons loaded and ready for strike.

Snakes: Full frontal assault and comparison

Are there any differences between the OJR and the Monthly Zoids Graphics reissue? It will take while but spotting the
difference shouldn't be hard. Technically, the colours are almost the same thought the gray between the two is of a
very slight difference in tone. However, there are 3 main areas of difference:

1) Gold pilots
2) Stickers
3) Country made

Spot the OJR and the reissue, which is which.

OJR gold chromed pilot has a richer and vibrant colour as compare to the reissue. This is due to the toy safety compliance
that TakaraTomy has to observe.

Colours on the stickers tend to be much dull and less vibrant on the reissue. See Helic insignia for comparison.

Lastly, almost all toys are now Made in China. Production cost above all other factors.

Final conclusion

Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.4 Zoids Snakes is not a must have since it has been reissued before in NJR flavour but
recommended. The almost near identical to the OJR sibling and it comes with bonus parts and great booklet makes
a plus for any true Zoids collector. Ironically, a real snake moves faster than a snail, thus Vol.4 made it's appearance
a tad faster for the local market here.

Front side top view.

Rear top view.

Motor area with side cannons.

Front view.

Snakes sweee away. Faster than the eyes blink.

< Message edited by mechanical_wunder -- 28/4/2008 2:37:54 PM >

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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.4 - Zoids Snakes - 28/4/2008 2:45:24 PM

EDMAESTRO

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From: Malaysia (Don't come no zoids here!)
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Oh man, i've been away for the past few days! Tired... stressed out! and alas upon reading you viper review really cheered me up. really nice pictures and detailing the difference between them. I think spot a slight difference which u did not highlight, maybe im wrong.. the canopy colors or should i say the clarity of canopy are different.

Well HLJ has shipped out mine hopefully i'll get my tomorrow in the mail.

(in reply to 3for$10)

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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.4 - Zoids Snakes - 28/4/2008 7:01:03 PM

brynsley

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From: UK
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Great stuff again MW. Thanks for the review!

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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.4 - Zoids Snakes - 28/4/2008 11:19:15 PM

wyvern

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I think its really 'grade-up' improvement for the zoids book. Not to forget the colored instruction manuals...

Thanks for the review wunder....

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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.4 - Zoids Snakes - 29/4/2008 12:29:11 AM

wmeng72

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wunder-ful review.... thanks for the great pics and the effort!

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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.4 - Zoids Snakes - 29/4/2008 1:28:27 AM

3for$10

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@Edmaestro. Yeah my bro, you're right about the orange canopy the density of orange is darker (thinker) on the OJR while the reissue is more transparent clear.
Thanks god of plastics for the spotting the difference

@brynsley, wyvern and wmeng72. Thanks for the compliments and support friends, deeply appreciated.

I was actually alittle rush while doing this article and honestly, the shots weren't my expectation but for the insight scoop of what's in the Monthly Zoids Graphics,
I'm pretty alright overall. Hopefully, someone will write about the first 2 issues; Godos and Helcat.

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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.4 - Zoids Snakes - 29/4/2008 2:07:52 AM

Tanlin

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quote:

ORIGINAL: mechanical_wunder
...text removed
I'm pretty alright overall. Hopefully, someone will write about the first 2 issues; Godos and Helcat.

Nice review there M_W.

If I can get my hands on them, I will want to try to do it. Haha... any one has extras?

< Message edited by Tanlin -- 29/4/2008 2:17:08 AM >

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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.4 - Zoids Snakes - 29/4/2008 3:07:30 AM

wyvern

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As a matter of fact.... I do have a spare. Do PM me for the details...

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tanlin

Nice review there M_W.

If I can get my hands on them, I will want to try to do it. Haha... any one has extras?

(in reply to Tanlin)

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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.4 - Zoids Snakes - 29/4/2008 3:57:28 AM

Tanlin

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PM send...

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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.4 - Zoids Snakes - 29/4/2008 5:01:11 AM

Ryouku

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Seeing the magazine..makes me wonder..will they produce the mag in English?Loves to read them..but sadly..in in Japs.

Superb review on the snakes m_w..

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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.4 - Zoids Snakes - 29/4/2008 10:31:36 AM

stormhawk

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From: Singapore - The Liger City
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Nice review MW. Looks like there is little difference between the two, save for the difference in the pilot's gold colour like you mentioned. If I do get this Vol.4 I'll probably not build the Snakes and just take out the pylons and connector sprue for... like you said it.. all your base belong to us project.

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