Soundwaves Oblivion: Transformer Toy Archive: Ratchet 06 (Encore, 2007)

Sunday 30 April 2017

Ratchet 06 (Encore, 2007)

(Profile translated from the collectors card)
06 Cybertron Medic Ratchet
Function: Medic
Transformation: Ambulance
Ability: A genius with machine operation. His main duty is repairing Cybertrons wounded in battle. He also worked alongside Wheeljack to create the Dinobots.
Character: Always calm and has precise judgement. His repairs are first class and the Cybertron warriors are given peace of mind as he works on their bodies.
Weapon(s): Mobile Artillery Rocket Launcher with Laser
STR…4; INT...8; SPD...4; END...5; RNK...7; CRG...8; FPR...3; SKL...10; TTL...49

Much like the Encore reissue of Ironhide, this is the first time the G1 version of Ratchet was domestically available in Japan at mainstream retail (discounting the original Diaclone, exclusives or mail order figures). Unlike Ironhide however Ratchet was available in 1985 as a mail away figure and had his own unique styled box with the box art depicting the cartoon version.

Just like the Encore version of Ironhide, Ratchets stickers have been replaced with tampographs and there is a push out section on one of the box flaps of Ratchets head based on the G1 cartoon which is a nice addition although it does not make the robot mode look much better.

The white plastic used is not completely white and has a slight red tinge to it, much like the white plastic used for the Transformers Collection reissue Astrotrain. This is easier to see in hand rather than any photographs and the differing colour between the painted white sections and white plastic stands out on the figure. The 2001 eHobby exclusive reissue was completely white like the original 1984 version so this must have been a cheaper alternative.

The Encore version has mould problems where the roof of the van does not sit flush on the windscreen as it did with the original and 2001 reissue.

Both Ironhide and Ratchet do not appear to be the most desirable of the original figures so if you want to pick up a reissue of the figure rather than the original, I'd recommend the e-Hobby versions which do not go for as much money as the others.