Uranus Saver / Universe Saver
And with both Solar and Planet, we have to wrap up the line with Uranus. I don’t actually know if their combined mode’s name is Universe Saver or not. I’m just assuming since the last combination was “Galaxy,” so the next logical step up would be “Universe,” wouldn’t it?
Anyway, I now have a full set of Giant Savers, and I have to say, I’m impressed. When I was researching these, I heard several reviewers saying that they were superior to Sentai mechs, and while I don’t entirely agree, I do see where they’re coming from. These toys were obviously all conceptualized at the same time which would help keep their combined modes streamlined and with less greeble falling off them. On the other side of the coin, there are several Sentai lines that feel like they only had the first or second designed at the start of the show and the later releases don’t entirely mesh with the rest of the line. MagiLegend, Gosei Ultimate, Hyper Ressha Tei-Oh, even my beloved Dodeca King all suffer to a degree from either rushed development or trying to assume what the audience is interested in part-way into the season. I much prefer the former’s way of doing things.
The Good: While Uranus Saver is probably the weakest of the line, it’s still a very solid release. It’s the biggest machine of the bunch, and biggest robot as well, mostly thanks to those bulky arms. And if you’re off put by the lack of hands, don’t worry because he does have them! They’re just sculpted detail.
Universe Saver is also a very impressive combined mode, standing taller than Wild Tousai Dodeca King thanks to those enormous shoulders. It also utilizes all its parts effectively. The giant solar panel backpack may seem extraneous, but Universe Saver is surprisingly front heavy so it helps it keep balanced, which is smart design work. It’s accessory has a little trick to it, too. The handle has a tough ratchet joint in it so you can rotate it around to have its staff weapon be either a spear or a drill.
The Bad: But Universe Saver is a brick. Those arms don’t work, with the sliding portions of Uranus’ arms barely holding half the bulk of the Yellow Saver, and the chest getting in the way of articulation. The arms also sag like crazy, so I’d never want to have them up for longer than it’d take to get a photo of them.
Back to Uranus Saver, there are a few issues with looseness. The cannons on its shoulders are a simple peg connection. They can easily be knocked out or fall out mid transformation. Secondly, and more importantly, are the legs. They do a neat bit of auto-transformation where as you split them and pull them out the move into a natural A-Stance, but the lock is tenuous and could have done with a button release.
Overall, as a set, these three are great. I don’t know if I can recommend Uranus on its own without Solar and Planet, but it’s not really meant to be by itself. These three are a unit and are at their most fun as such. There are two other seasons of Battle Strike Team, but they’re both less plentiful. I’m only interested in the Q1 from season 1 due to what I’ve seen of that particular year, but I’d like to try getting all of season 3 if possible. The only question is when.
