Takara Tomy has resurrected their Diaclone line and Diabattles v2 is the centerpiece of the line. A second version of Diabattles v2 was made with a Cosmo Maneuver Type that offered some new parts for the Battles 2 vehicle. These parts were also made available to match the original Diaclone v2 release as Cosmo Battles 02 through Takara Tomy Mall and the usual ridiculous mark up.
I picked this up for $80 at BigBadToyStore which I understand to not be a significant mark up from the original cost at Takara Tomy mall.
Box: I was surprised this wasn't a plain cardboard box which can happen with Tamashii Web exclusives that I am much more familiar with. It looks good for the box collectors out there and the back allows a preview of the play pattern.
Cosmo Battles 02: I am reminded of elements of all sorts anime vehicles and can see this flying into battle, unloading a ridiculous amount of firepower to save the day and/or offer parts for the key upgrade to win this battle. It's shiny and has such heroic colors. The wings on the Maneuver Units have several joints that can be played with on with several combinations. The fighter portion and the maneuver units can combine with a "bullet connector" piece to form it's own vehicle that can actually carry the Powered Unit pods as well. This toy has some great play options but the best thing about this line is how the whole play pattern works together...
Powered Unit Integration: A Powered Unit can replace the fighter to pilot Battles 2 which adds to the play pattern of this wonderful line.
Diabattles Mode: Battles 2 forms the back and arms in this mode. Cosmo Battles 02 adds a ridiculous amount of firepower. The back of the cannons can also form additional arms so a functional four armed mode could be made. There is also an Arm Unit mode where the cannons exclusively form the arms as well. I love how shiny they look too it somehow works and contrasts with the aesthetic as well. My only gripe is that this particular unit didn't come with two more melee weapons because I would have loved a ridiculous Goro Mode.
Manual Mode: Basically the Gerwalk mode of Diabattles and it allows the underside guns of Battles 1 to be deployed when they get stuck behind in Diabattles Mode. I think the Cosmo Battles 02 weaponry really shines in this mode since it all seems more cohesive when it feels more spread out in Diabattles Mode. The unfortunate part is that the maneuver units add a little too much weight on the back and he can tip backwards which is not a problem with the traditional Battles 2 parts.
Glide: Basically Diabattles without Battles 01 at all and a fighter or a powered unit can handle control duties. I love that a complete bot mode can be made from 2/3 of the vehicles.
Fortress: Honestly this is glide mode sitting down on the treads of his legs. The Battles 3 cockpit then connects up top. This looks like such a mean tank with the Cosmo Battles 02 weaponry. This mode did not look remotely threatening with regular Battles 02.
Cosmo Trizer: This integrates all the parts for a pretty awesome battleship. This is the fighter part being removed in favor of Battles 1 and then the fighter is attached again to the front.
My fan mode: I wanted to reintegrate my Battles 2. The thigh connections on Battles 3 can be removed from Cosmo Battles 02 while the feet remain plugged in. Battles 02 then can plug into the back of Cosmo Trizer. I like the huge wings sweeping out the back. I like the idea of a back gunner watching out as well.
Overall: This is so much fun! I adore this play pattern and it scratches my brain in such nice ways. The engineering and imagination involved staggers me everytime. Is it worth $80 though? I would recommend if you are interested in this line then simply choose if you prefer a Diabattles with big wings and get regular Diabattles v2 and if you prefer huge phallic power symbols get Cosmo Maneuver Type. I would rather have the complete play pattern than 1/3 of the play pattern for more than 1/3 the cost.
