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Of Transformers and DNA Design Kits
a year ago
General
What up, my Autobabes and Decepti-gals.
I seem to be on a trend with my recent journals talking about Transformers… so let’s talk some more about ‘em XD
Since I started collection Transformer toys again at the start of 2019, I’ve come across ways to give my toys the sorta enhancement that… well, let’s face it, Hasbro doesn’t put in a lot of the times. And I’m sure many a collector has been doing it. Cuz we all always wanna see the best possible version of a toy we like. I know I do, says the 37-year-old dude who buys toys instead of getting a REAL JOB. Hey, drawing porn here on FA has led to this here point, and helped me paid my credit card debt years back. Don’t judge! I frequently buy many different upgrades from eBay, and there’s just too much to list here. Before Covid I used to buy from TFSafari. And of course, there’s the ever-awesome awesomeness that is Toyhax; giving us stickers and decals that’ll really make your Transformer toys pop and party hard. And lemme tell ya, I was not expecting decals of SS86 Optimus and Agent Knight to come out so dang soon at the time of this journal’s post. XD Today I’m here talking about the prominent 3rd party Transformer upgrade supplier that is ‘DNA Design.’
For any Transformer collectors, y’all have bound to know at least a tiny bit of something about ‘em. I’ve used their upgrades plenty of times. Buuuut… sometimes there’ve been times other 3rd party upgrades have proven better. I’m just giving a rundown of some DNA Design upgrade kits; quick summary, and a score out of 5. Just giving my two cents on them, maybe draw up some interests in case and collector(s) starting off are feeling Quigley about any of them. Mind you, whatever I list here are the upgrade kits I’ve bought. More than a few go with the Masterpiece line, and I ain't got any.
So here’s my list:
DK-06: For Studio Series AOE Grimlock, it gives you a proper right arm, along with several weapons that didn’t come with the toy; like his mace and his staff. Even a tongue for the dino mode XD A pretty decent enough upgrade kit. So, I’ll give it a 4 out of 5. I do hope they redo AOE Grimmy and bump this bad boy up to the commander class one of these days. Then again, there’s so many potential chars for the commander class, it’ll have to be on the back burner for a while for now.
DK-10: For Studio Series ’07 Ironhide. This kit definitely comes in clutch with it comes to the alt mode bumper; able to tuck into the robot mode. Make sure you have a tool that’s able to knock pins out BTW! The ankle-rocking feet… not worth installing, it just messes up the a lot mode back. The kit also comes with the guns he had in DOTM. Overall, this kit’s a 4 out of 5 for me ^^
DK-11: For Studio Series ROTF Jetfire. Definitely fixes up the combine mode with Optimus, but it definitely was a pain in the ass to install. Yeah, one thing to note is that DNA Designs’ instructions ain’t as clear as I want them to be. So, your best bet with kits like this is watch Youtubers like Emgo. Instillation: messy. Results: still holds up. So this kit gets a 3 out of 5 for me. But mind you, you should get this kit with the intention of getting a SS Optimus/Jetfire so combine them and keep them combined permanently.
DK-14: For Siege Ultra Magnus, gives ya new legs to bump up his height. Yeah, cuz that toy was a tad stumpy. Particularly the white can ‘Optimus’ figure. It also gives ya an axe and that famous hammer of Magnus, but this kit’s really nothing to right home about. It’s a 2 out of 5 for me, especially when SS86 Ultra Magnus had already blown this Magnus, and the Kingdom Magnus outta the water. Similar kits have been made for the toys that share the same mold, but I’m not gonna cover them. They all get the same score.
DK-15: For Studio Series DOTM Optimus Prime. It provides a better looking jetpack for the ‘Jetwing mode’, along with better guns and shields. A pretty decent upgrade kit, so it gets a 3.5 out of 5 for me. I do hope we get a redo of movie-verse Optimus and he gets bumped into a commander class for the DOTM version.
DK-16: For Studio Series; ’07 Bumblebee, ’07 Blackout, and DOTM Sentinel Prime. There okay pieces but you have to take them out for transformation. The only props I can give this kit is the better weapons for Sentinel. So, I give this kit a 3 out of 5.
DK-22: For the Studio Series DOTM Wreckers of one; Topspin, Leadfoot and Roadbuster. Gives ya better weapons and fillers for all 3. This kit also gives you better legs for Topspin. Definitely better guns for Topspin, so the gray guns he came with were so floppy. Of course, a couple filler parts will get in the way of some transformations, so the bummer part is you’ll have to remove those parts like DK-16. But it’s not as egregious. But all in all, it’s a very solid upgrade kit, so I’ll give it a 4.5 out of 5 ^^
DK-29: Accessories for Kingdom’s Dinobot, Scorponok and Blackaracnia. If you wanna reenact Dinobot’s ‘cowboy’ moment with he ammo belts, twin pistols and huge-ass gun and/or give him the hammer-stick weapon during his last stand in season 2, then this kit is definitely for you. Mind you they should give us a reissue of this kit fitting the ‘platinum edition’ Dinobot colors, but I digress. This kit also comes with a special piece that can attach to Optimus Primal’s chest with Scorponok’s ‘cyber bee’ from the ‘Gorilla Warfare’ episode. There’s also a better-looking Golden Disk, with parts so Dinobot can hold it. As for the goggles for Blackaracnia… yeah, good luck getting that thing on without scratching her head. Overall, this kit’s a 4.5 out of 5 ^^
DK-34: Upgrade kits for the Studio Series DOTM Dino, giving him better legs with ankle tilt. That gets a 5 out of 5. The kit includes better arms for the Studio Series ‘jet’ Shatter, which gets a 5 out of 5. Unfortunately, this kit also includes a better head for the Studio Sereies ‘car’ Shatter. And that toy will always be my most hated Studio Series toy.
DK- 35/35P: For the Studio Series ’07 Megatron; one for the regular one, and one from the ‘Platinum Edition’ (Which I still want a Platinum Edition for Studio Series DOTM Sideswipe BTW!) But yea, the platinum version of ’07 Megs is so much better. Funny how some paint makes a hell of a difference. This kit gives you the right looking chest, and the gun which didn’t come with the toy for some inexplicable reason. Tho every time I putt he gun one him, I’ll always yell out his line, ‘Join them in extinction!’ The installation is very easy for the chest. This kit is a solid 5 out of 5 for me ^^
DK-38: For Legacy Motormaster/Menasor. PAIN IN THE ASS TO INSTALL! It doesn’t make me use all the parts. Getting the extended leg parts in is such an ordeal. Next year, we’re getting the Aieralbots, and Superion. If we every get a kit that makes extensions, I’m passing on that. In fact, I might get a spare Motormaster trailer on eBay to keep the old look. 1 out of 5 easily for me.
DK-39: For Legacy Cybertron Metroplex. Keep in mind tho, I only got the extension pieces for his weapon/alt mode, since I had the option to get just that. With that, the extensions are a 5 out of 5 ^^
DK-40: For legacy Transmetal 2 Megatron. Hooooo boy, the only good thins I’ll mention here is the replacement right hand with a finger-pointing action, and the judge’s wig from the one episode. Everything is a pain in the ass to install. The faces that come with it… ugh, there’s a much better face upgrade from elsewhere. 1 out of 5 for me on this kit. -_-
DK-41: For Legacy Haslab Victory Saber. One of the best upgrade kits around. Much needed better guns and wings for Victory Leo. And the longer blade for Star Saber is very welcome. Not sure what was wrong with the face that came with Star Saber to warrant the face that came with the kit, but this is easily a 5 out fo 5 for me ^^ And Toyhax, gives us decals for this upgrade kit finally, please!!!!
DK-42: For legacy Animated Prowl. The sidecar becoming Prowl’s samurai armor is memorable, and this kit nails that. Tho the helmet is a bit wonky to me. Looks more like a bucket, still this kit’s a 4.5 out of 5 for me ^^
DK-43: For the Studio Series Gamer Edition Optimus Prime, which as been one of the only decent figures from that Gamer Edition by far. Starscream’s up there, and I hear the new Ratchet’s pretty good. This kit gives us fillers Hasbro most definitely should have done with this toy at the start; i.e. the back part of the alt mode that covers his hand. Installation ain’t great, and some pieces of it will pop out of it. Really, the only kudos I can give this kit is the much better-looking axe that comes with it. So this kit’s a 2 out of 5 for me. Do yourself a favor a get the TF: Legacy Security Officer Orion Pax from the ‘Fractured Friendship’ 2-pack. It improves on the alto mode so much better.
DK- 44: For Studio Series/Buzzworthy Bumblebee ROTB Optimus Prime. I only ended up using a 3rd of the pieces in this kit, particularly the weapons. There’s a much better kit that improves his alt mode. So, this kit gets a 2 out of 5 for me.
DK-45: For Legacy Armada Optimus Prime. Like the last, I only ended up using a 3rd of this kit. The only marks I’ll give this is the extended legs, everything else was just unnecessary. 2 out of 5 for this.
DK-46: For Studio Series ROTB Scourge. The toy was bad enough as it was. This kit improves it, but boy I hope they redo this figure much better in the future. I’m just gonna lump in DK-49 here, since it was suppose to further enhance… only to further frustrate, making me toss the whole thing away in the trash. Yeah, DK-46 was at a 4 out of 5, but DK-49 dropped it to a 1. You can keep that damn DK-46dx coming out this month.
DK- 50: For Studio Series 86 Snarl. Very good filler kits for his legs in robot mode, and in dino mode. The hands that make him point his sword at you are a little silly, and you have to remove his regular hands to do it. Not that it’s hard, the hands are on a mushroom peg. But I don’t wanna keep sliding it on and off and risk it be looser in the future. So this kit’s a 4 out of 5 for me ^^
DK-54: For Legacy Animated Optimus Prime, and oh my Lord, this upgrade is glorious! The kit comes with the patented ‘Optimus’ face plate, and is removable, and can leave it on while transformed. The plate really completes the look. Every piece is used and useful in making the ‘super mode’, very reminiscent of his ‘Cybertron’ super mode. If you have Legacy Animated Optimus, I highly recommend getting this set. You will NOT be disappointed. I might be tootin’ my own horn, but this is the best upgrade kit DNA Design has put out by far. 5 out of 5 for me! ^^ Boy I hope Toyhax gives us decals for this kit. And it’s really making me want a ‘Cybertron’ Optimus Prime in the future.
Well that’s what I got for y’all so far. If you’re a Transformer toy collector and wanna upgrade ‘em, go check these kits out.
Future upgrade kits? Well personally, top of the list, would be something for Kingdom Megatron (the platinum edition) where they give him a left arm where you can attach his tail weapon. Don’t know why they didn’t’ just do that to begin with? I wouldn’t have had to saw off the Kingdom toy! Oy! And I’m STILL waiting for better upgraded legs for the Kingdom Tracks/Road Rage mold! And for this next DNA Design upgrade kit, it’s for Legacy Silverbolt and Tigerhawk, and I’m really looking forward to that ^^
That's all I got on this one.
Thanks for your time ^^
I seem to be on a trend with my recent journals talking about Transformers… so let’s talk some more about ‘em XD
Since I started collection Transformer toys again at the start of 2019, I’ve come across ways to give my toys the sorta enhancement that… well, let’s face it, Hasbro doesn’t put in a lot of the times. And I’m sure many a collector has been doing it. Cuz we all always wanna see the best possible version of a toy we like. I know I do, says the 37-year-old dude who buys toys instead of getting a REAL JOB. Hey, drawing porn here on FA has led to this here point, and helped me paid my credit card debt years back. Don’t judge! I frequently buy many different upgrades from eBay, and there’s just too much to list here. Before Covid I used to buy from TFSafari. And of course, there’s the ever-awesome awesomeness that is Toyhax; giving us stickers and decals that’ll really make your Transformer toys pop and party hard. And lemme tell ya, I was not expecting decals of SS86 Optimus and Agent Knight to come out so dang soon at the time of this journal’s post. XD Today I’m here talking about the prominent 3rd party Transformer upgrade supplier that is ‘DNA Design.’
For any Transformer collectors, y’all have bound to know at least a tiny bit of something about ‘em. I’ve used their upgrades plenty of times. Buuuut… sometimes there’ve been times other 3rd party upgrades have proven better. I’m just giving a rundown of some DNA Design upgrade kits; quick summary, and a score out of 5. Just giving my two cents on them, maybe draw up some interests in case and collector(s) starting off are feeling Quigley about any of them. Mind you, whatever I list here are the upgrade kits I’ve bought. More than a few go with the Masterpiece line, and I ain't got any.
So here’s my list:
DK-06: For Studio Series AOE Grimlock, it gives you a proper right arm, along with several weapons that didn’t come with the toy; like his mace and his staff. Even a tongue for the dino mode XD A pretty decent enough upgrade kit. So, I’ll give it a 4 out of 5. I do hope they redo AOE Grimmy and bump this bad boy up to the commander class one of these days. Then again, there’s so many potential chars for the commander class, it’ll have to be on the back burner for a while for now.
DK-10: For Studio Series ’07 Ironhide. This kit definitely comes in clutch with it comes to the alt mode bumper; able to tuck into the robot mode. Make sure you have a tool that’s able to knock pins out BTW! The ankle-rocking feet… not worth installing, it just messes up the a lot mode back. The kit also comes with the guns he had in DOTM. Overall, this kit’s a 4 out of 5 for me ^^
DK-11: For Studio Series ROTF Jetfire. Definitely fixes up the combine mode with Optimus, but it definitely was a pain in the ass to install. Yeah, one thing to note is that DNA Designs’ instructions ain’t as clear as I want them to be. So, your best bet with kits like this is watch Youtubers like Emgo. Instillation: messy. Results: still holds up. So this kit gets a 3 out of 5 for me. But mind you, you should get this kit with the intention of getting a SS Optimus/Jetfire so combine them and keep them combined permanently.
DK-14: For Siege Ultra Magnus, gives ya new legs to bump up his height. Yeah, cuz that toy was a tad stumpy. Particularly the white can ‘Optimus’ figure. It also gives ya an axe and that famous hammer of Magnus, but this kit’s really nothing to right home about. It’s a 2 out of 5 for me, especially when SS86 Ultra Magnus had already blown this Magnus, and the Kingdom Magnus outta the water. Similar kits have been made for the toys that share the same mold, but I’m not gonna cover them. They all get the same score.
DK-15: For Studio Series DOTM Optimus Prime. It provides a better looking jetpack for the ‘Jetwing mode’, along with better guns and shields. A pretty decent upgrade kit, so it gets a 3.5 out of 5 for me. I do hope we get a redo of movie-verse Optimus and he gets bumped into a commander class for the DOTM version.
DK-16: For Studio Series; ’07 Bumblebee, ’07 Blackout, and DOTM Sentinel Prime. There okay pieces but you have to take them out for transformation. The only props I can give this kit is the better weapons for Sentinel. So, I give this kit a 3 out of 5.
DK-22: For the Studio Series DOTM Wreckers of one; Topspin, Leadfoot and Roadbuster. Gives ya better weapons and fillers for all 3. This kit also gives you better legs for Topspin. Definitely better guns for Topspin, so the gray guns he came with were so floppy. Of course, a couple filler parts will get in the way of some transformations, so the bummer part is you’ll have to remove those parts like DK-16. But it’s not as egregious. But all in all, it’s a very solid upgrade kit, so I’ll give it a 4.5 out of 5 ^^
DK-29: Accessories for Kingdom’s Dinobot, Scorponok and Blackaracnia. If you wanna reenact Dinobot’s ‘cowboy’ moment with he ammo belts, twin pistols and huge-ass gun and/or give him the hammer-stick weapon during his last stand in season 2, then this kit is definitely for you. Mind you they should give us a reissue of this kit fitting the ‘platinum edition’ Dinobot colors, but I digress. This kit also comes with a special piece that can attach to Optimus Primal’s chest with Scorponok’s ‘cyber bee’ from the ‘Gorilla Warfare’ episode. There’s also a better-looking Golden Disk, with parts so Dinobot can hold it. As for the goggles for Blackaracnia… yeah, good luck getting that thing on without scratching her head. Overall, this kit’s a 4.5 out of 5 ^^
DK-34: Upgrade kits for the Studio Series DOTM Dino, giving him better legs with ankle tilt. That gets a 5 out of 5. The kit includes better arms for the Studio Series ‘jet’ Shatter, which gets a 5 out of 5. Unfortunately, this kit also includes a better head for the Studio Sereies ‘car’ Shatter. And that toy will always be my most hated Studio Series toy.
DK- 35/35P: For the Studio Series ’07 Megatron; one for the regular one, and one from the ‘Platinum Edition’ (Which I still want a Platinum Edition for Studio Series DOTM Sideswipe BTW!) But yea, the platinum version of ’07 Megs is so much better. Funny how some paint makes a hell of a difference. This kit gives you the right looking chest, and the gun which didn’t come with the toy for some inexplicable reason. Tho every time I putt he gun one him, I’ll always yell out his line, ‘Join them in extinction!’ The installation is very easy for the chest. This kit is a solid 5 out of 5 for me ^^
DK-38: For Legacy Motormaster/Menasor. PAIN IN THE ASS TO INSTALL! It doesn’t make me use all the parts. Getting the extended leg parts in is such an ordeal. Next year, we’re getting the Aieralbots, and Superion. If we every get a kit that makes extensions, I’m passing on that. In fact, I might get a spare Motormaster trailer on eBay to keep the old look. 1 out of 5 easily for me.
DK-39: For Legacy Cybertron Metroplex. Keep in mind tho, I only got the extension pieces for his weapon/alt mode, since I had the option to get just that. With that, the extensions are a 5 out of 5 ^^
DK-40: For legacy Transmetal 2 Megatron. Hooooo boy, the only good thins I’ll mention here is the replacement right hand with a finger-pointing action, and the judge’s wig from the one episode. Everything is a pain in the ass to install. The faces that come with it… ugh, there’s a much better face upgrade from elsewhere. 1 out of 5 for me on this kit. -_-
DK-41: For Legacy Haslab Victory Saber. One of the best upgrade kits around. Much needed better guns and wings for Victory Leo. And the longer blade for Star Saber is very welcome. Not sure what was wrong with the face that came with Star Saber to warrant the face that came with the kit, but this is easily a 5 out fo 5 for me ^^ And Toyhax, gives us decals for this upgrade kit finally, please!!!!
DK-42: For legacy Animated Prowl. The sidecar becoming Prowl’s samurai armor is memorable, and this kit nails that. Tho the helmet is a bit wonky to me. Looks more like a bucket, still this kit’s a 4.5 out of 5 for me ^^
DK-43: For the Studio Series Gamer Edition Optimus Prime, which as been one of the only decent figures from that Gamer Edition by far. Starscream’s up there, and I hear the new Ratchet’s pretty good. This kit gives us fillers Hasbro most definitely should have done with this toy at the start; i.e. the back part of the alt mode that covers his hand. Installation ain’t great, and some pieces of it will pop out of it. Really, the only kudos I can give this kit is the much better-looking axe that comes with it. So this kit’s a 2 out of 5 for me. Do yourself a favor a get the TF: Legacy Security Officer Orion Pax from the ‘Fractured Friendship’ 2-pack. It improves on the alto mode so much better.
DK- 44: For Studio Series/Buzzworthy Bumblebee ROTB Optimus Prime. I only ended up using a 3rd of the pieces in this kit, particularly the weapons. There’s a much better kit that improves his alt mode. So, this kit gets a 2 out of 5 for me.
DK-45: For Legacy Armada Optimus Prime. Like the last, I only ended up using a 3rd of this kit. The only marks I’ll give this is the extended legs, everything else was just unnecessary. 2 out of 5 for this.
DK-46: For Studio Series ROTB Scourge. The toy was bad enough as it was. This kit improves it, but boy I hope they redo this figure much better in the future. I’m just gonna lump in DK-49 here, since it was suppose to further enhance… only to further frustrate, making me toss the whole thing away in the trash. Yeah, DK-46 was at a 4 out of 5, but DK-49 dropped it to a 1. You can keep that damn DK-46dx coming out this month.
DK- 50: For Studio Series 86 Snarl. Very good filler kits for his legs in robot mode, and in dino mode. The hands that make him point his sword at you are a little silly, and you have to remove his regular hands to do it. Not that it’s hard, the hands are on a mushroom peg. But I don’t wanna keep sliding it on and off and risk it be looser in the future. So this kit’s a 4 out of 5 for me ^^
DK-54: For Legacy Animated Optimus Prime, and oh my Lord, this upgrade is glorious! The kit comes with the patented ‘Optimus’ face plate, and is removable, and can leave it on while transformed. The plate really completes the look. Every piece is used and useful in making the ‘super mode’, very reminiscent of his ‘Cybertron’ super mode. If you have Legacy Animated Optimus, I highly recommend getting this set. You will NOT be disappointed. I might be tootin’ my own horn, but this is the best upgrade kit DNA Design has put out by far. 5 out of 5 for me! ^^ Boy I hope Toyhax gives us decals for this kit. And it’s really making me want a ‘Cybertron’ Optimus Prime in the future.
Well that’s what I got for y’all so far. If you’re a Transformer toy collector and wanna upgrade ‘em, go check these kits out.
Future upgrade kits? Well personally, top of the list, would be something for Kingdom Megatron (the platinum edition) where they give him a left arm where you can attach his tail weapon. Don’t know why they didn’t’ just do that to begin with? I wouldn’t have had to saw off the Kingdom toy! Oy! And I’m STILL waiting for better upgraded legs for the Kingdom Tracks/Road Rage mold! And for this next DNA Design upgrade kit, it’s for Legacy Silverbolt and Tigerhawk, and I’m really looking forward to that ^^
That's all I got on this one.
Thanks for your time ^^
And the link no work
Also got the DNA gun for Fortress Maximus. Quite happy with that look.