With the conclusion of Kamen Rider Ex-Aid we felt it was only fitting to throw up a gallery of the final form of Kamen Rider Ex-Aid – the Hyper Muteki Gamer! This figure was packaged as a set with the Maximum Gamer form, which in this release, is basically a shell for Muteki Gamer to sit in.
We took over 40 images of this figure and are sharing it with you! Click here to check out the full gallery and the review of this set. Join in the discussion – did you collect the Level Up Rider series of figures? Do you want to see more from this line? Sound off in discussion!
Hyper Dai Henshin!
With the conclusion of Kamen Rider Ex-Aid, we thought it was only necessary (and way overdo) to show off some of the figures from the Level Up Rider line of figures, or LVUR. These were the mainline toys for the Kamen Rider Ex-Aid show and feature all of the main Kamen Rider characters as well as nearly all of their various forms and power-ups.
Today, we look at the final release of the line - LVUR18 Maximum Gamer and Hyper Muteki Gamer set.
The Figures - Maximum Gamer
There's not much to write home about here. This is primarily a shell with zero articulation (the arms attach via a peg and can swing up and down). Hyper Muteki can fit inside and the arms from Maximum Gamer can attach to his arms giving you a different range of motion (forward and backwards as opposed to just swinging side to side), but even then Muteki ends up hanging out a bit on the back because you'll snap off the hinge that has Ex-Aid's face if you try to push him in any further.
The paint application is actually pretty good considering it's a mass release budget figure, and as usual the Game Driver is not painted, only molded in different color plastic.
The Figures - Hyper Muteki Gamer
This is where the release shines. Hyper Muteki Gamer has the standard 17 points of articulation that you get with the budget line (head, arms, bicep, elbow, wrist, legs, thighs, knees, ankles), however the dreadlocks type hair causes the head articulation to be very, very limited. You can move the dreadlocks a bit to make for more articulation but I was afraid that I'd end up snapping one off if I wasn't careful.
The paint apps on Hyper Muteki are great. The dull yellow gives the impression of a gold color, and there's even some gold chrome/gold vacuum paint on his visor, chest plate, and removable gauntlets. The gauntlets come off to allow you to "wear" the Maximum Gamer arms while he's in the Maximum Gamer shell. They don't fit too snuggly and I'm afraid that over time they will begin to become rather loose and not want to stay in at al.
The Accessories
Sadly, this release doesn't come with any accessories. They instead refer you to previous releases for weapons, etc. I didn't have the Mighty Bros LVUR figure handy with me, so I wasn't able to show off the sword with Hyper Muteki, but I will do so when I get around to doing a gallery of those two releases.
Overall
While I enjoy the paint applications on Hyper Muteki and Maximum Gamer, at the end of the day there's nothing to really set this figure apart from the other releases in the line. I'm sure when the S.H. Figuarts version eventually releases (and is revealed), it will blow this out of the water very easily. I'd give this set a 3/5 total, and recommend purchasing only if you're a huge fan of the series, are completing the toy line, or if it's at a considerable discount (original retail was around $50).
The Good
The Bad
A few more images.
I'm starting to lose hope about getting a Figuarts Maximum Mighty X. It's been so long since we've heard any news about it, and Perfect Knockout, which debuted after Maximum Mighty, was already announced. Seems to me like they might skip it. Shame, I really liked that form, and the figuarts looked amazing.
This figure looks great. I want to get it as even with the secondary market mark-up it'll likely be cheaper than the figuart...and easier to find
Go gold gamer!
I can never say anything bad of Maximum Mighty X. It is my special child who I love dearly. Shame Muteki doesn't work well without golden sparkles everywhere
If only maximum was more than a shell
While this guy is inevitably going to be ignored by many for the figuarts release, if it ever comes, it doesn't look too bad by itself.
If only maximum was a figure instead of a literal empty shell, at least Muteki looks nice.
Perhaps the single thing that bugs me most about LVUR is the "you're only ever planning to display your figure facing straight forward, right?" assumption on the level 1, the Gamers, and Maximum Mighty.
Muketi looks terrific (by the standards of Rider retail figures.) Maximum Mighty seems like it'd be a fun figure... until you get to the back.
I look back at OOO and boggle over Rider retail figures becoming less friendly to action poses over time. Poor Ex-Aid. Poor Build.
Keep reading: Kamen Rider Ex-Aid LVUR18 Maximum Gamer & Muteki Gamer Set - Page 2
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