4950 - Loader Dozer

Rating:
Pros: Rock monster is pretty cool; the functionality
Cons: The price; the parts selection; the huge chassis
Contents: 89 pieces including a mini-fig and a rock monster
Price: $19.99
Reviewed: 16-Jun-2000
Reviewed by: Josh Opotzner

Axle took great joy in smoothly driving over the rocky terrain and bulldozing rock away in his heavy-duty 4950 model. The lone Rock Raider dozed away, expanding a cavern so that new crystals might be found. As he soon found out, Axle dozed a little too far...and came right to a rock monsters' den.

While there was no rock monster present, it was a dead giveaway from the way a crystal was leaning against the wall. Axle waited for a few moments, and then pressed the button to open his cockpits' canopy. The mini-fig strained to stay as quiet as possible as he climbed out the drivers seat, jumping down onto the tire. A blaster hung at his waist just in case, as did a wrench if perhaps the crystal was at all embedded; he'd be able to knock it out.

Thus far so good, Axle approached the crystal. The shiny object sparkled as it was lifted from the ground. The proud Rock Raider marched back to his vehicle. But soon there was a rumble and a harsh growl...Axle threw his ABS arms over his head, dropped the crystal, and scrambled to his beloved 4950. The gas was hit before the cockpit was shut.

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Oh, where do I start. This set is an absolute rip-off. 89 pieces for 20 bucks is much like a pack of gum for 5 dollars. The only reason I picked it up was to get the rock monster. And some people hate the guy.

It's not a very pleasant building experience; upon opening the box you'll see one average sized polybag moderately filled with pieces as well as a tiny one filled with things like 1x1 rounds and control sticks. Sounds more like a $10 set, doesn't it? But wait, big bulky loose pieces flood the box. The chassis, the cockpit pieces, the tires, and the rock monster make up half of the contents.

I actually like the rock monster. It's not like a chassis, which can be made of separate smaller parts. It's along the lines of dragons and horses, I'd rather have a one piece horse than a 30 piece one for obvious reasons. Besides, I needed a bad guy for my Rock Raiders already.

The set very much resembles the Aquaraiders' Aqua Dozer. A cockpit in the middle, with a big scoop up front controlled by a lever in the back. Except the Aqua Dozer is the same price and has over twice the piece count. It is a little fun to use the scoop to catapult the rock monster, and the function is, at the least, a vaguely cool one. But the set still stinks.

Buy this set only if you want to get the Rock Monster without spending $80, or you want to be complete in this theme. And wait for a sale, too.