Star Wars Titanium Series Diecast and Transformers Encore at cheap prices!

I was browsing a favourite online retailer's catalogue when I found out that they started selling Titanium Series Star Wars diecast models and Transformer Encore action figures No. 5 Ironhide and No. 6 Rachet for prices cheaper than that of Ebay and with free shipping to boot!

These are the Hasbro Titanium Series Star Wars pre-painted diecast models on sale:

• Anakin's Modified Jedi Starfighter (USD 5.49). Click here for details
  
• Luke's Snowspeeder (USD 5.49). Click here for details
• Dewback with Stormtrooper (USD 5.49). Click here for details
• Firespray Interceptor (USD 5.49). Click here for details
• Obi-wan's Jedi Starfighter with Hyperdrive Ring (USD 5.49). Click here for details
• Imperial Attack Cruiser (USD 5.49). Click here for details
• Jabba's Sail Barge (USD 5.49). Click here for details
• Invisible Hand (USD 5.49). Click here for details
• Rebel Blockade Runner (USD 5.49). Click here for details
• Darth Vader's Sith Starfighter (USD 5.49). Click here for details
• AT-ST (USD 5.49). Click here for details
  
• Endor AT-AT (USD 5.49). Click here for details
• General Grevious' Starfighter (USD 5.49). Click here for details
• Darth Maul's Sith Speeder (USD 5.49). Click here for details
• Amidala's Star Skiff (USD 5.49). Click here for details

The entire list of Titanium Series die-cast models for sale can be found here.

As for the Takara Transformers Encore figures, they are:

• Ironhide (USD 29.90). Click here for details.
  
• Ratchet (USD 29.90). Click here for details.
  

A Visit to the Toy Shop

My current interest with collectible figurines have resulted in several online purchases, the latest being the full set of Animal Crossing figures (USD 1.99 each X 8 = USD 15.92). Yesterday's purchase of a Be@rbrick marked the first time I've bought a collectible figurine from a physical shop.

The shop in question is Shioktoys.com, located next to Gamers Hideout at Cineleisure, Mutiara Damansara. The shop has a website of the same name as well and like most collectible toy shops, rather cool as well.

Produced by Medicom Toy Corporation, Be@rbricks are collectible figurines in the shape of bears. According to its Wikipedia article, Be@rbricks are release in series with each series consisting of 18 figures in 10 different themes with the themes not differing from series to series. The Be@rbrick that I purchased is from Series 13 and has the flag theme, with the England flag on it. For comparison, the Be@rbrick from Series 11 with the flag theme has the the German flag on it.

The design of a Be@rbrick allows for quite a bit of articulation, even the hips have joints that allow you not only to move the legs front and back but also left and right.

In terms of rarity, each theme has a certain percentage of occuring in a Series and because Be@rbricks are not reprinted, they are pretty much bonafide collectible items. If you were to ask me why would I purchase them, I would say that I've a soft spot for small toys.

Here's a picture of my Be@rbrick standing next to a pirated Be@rbrick (on the right) which I bought at the Chatuchak weekend market while I was on holiday in Bangkok last year.

Aside from the height and flag, the difference is pretty clear between the two. The pirated Be@rbrick is not as articulate in movement as the original one and for the price of only RM 8 (versus RM 14.80 for the smaller, original one), you get what you pay for.

Connect the Pegs

Trust the Land of the Rising Sun to come up with something quirky. Some call it a puzzle, some call it weird, some call it "some more Japanese stuff", just what are they referring to? These are some comments I got for a push-peg puzzle which I purchased just recently with my copy of Winning Eleven DS (review here).

Produced by Tomytec of Japan, the push-peg puzzle that I purchased is one part of 6 puzzles that make up the Dot-S Collection Nintendo Version. This Nintendo licensed collection commemorates characters from notable game franchises such as Mario, Zelda and Donkey Kong.

Each push-peg puzzle comes with a push peg board and quite a number of pegs for you to recreate the pixelated form of a particular video game character. The one that I've got features Link from the Zelda series. I was provided with enough pegs to depict Link in two different kinds of poses, one from the front and the other from the side.


Additional "recipes" can be found at the Dot-S website, although you may need pegs from more than one puzzle to actually accomplish some.

To get your very own push-peg puzzle at Play-Asia.com, click here!