Review: Hot Wheels Enterprise NCC-1701-D
A little more than a year ago I looked at Diamond Select's 1701-C Enterprise. Well, Diamond isn't the only company churning out Federation ships. Hot Wheels has been producing six inch, die cast ships, as well. Actually, Playmates is in the game too, but their offering looks a bit lame in comparison.
I've been eyeing the Hot Wheels ships for quite a while, actually. They're fairly well detailed and interesting, though the price has been a bit more than I felt they were worth. About a month ago, Big Bad Toy Store was having a sale. The Enterprise pictured to the left was a decent price, so I picked it up.
I've been eyeing the Hot Wheels ships for quite a while, actually. They're fairly well detailed and interesting, though the price has been a bit more than I felt they were worth. About a month ago, Big Bad Toy Store was having a sale. The Enterprise pictured to the left was a decent price, so I picked it up.
Appearance and Construction: 7/10
If I was still scoring appearance alone, I'd probably have knocked this down to a six. That doesn't mean I dislike the ship: actually, I like it quite a bit. But then, I'm okay with things being produced in an animated style.
And that's basically what's happened here. I don't know whether it was intentional - I'm guessing not - but this basically looks like the Enterprise 1701-D as adapted by Cartoon Network. Sure, there's some sculpted detail, but the lack of shading makes that work blend together. What stands out are the bright red engines and the sensors. This is basically a streamlined version of the design. It's recognizable and cool, but it's a far cry from realistic.
While Hot Wheels could have done a better job with the design, this is nicely made. The saucer section is plastic, as are the engines, but the body is metal. The pieces blend together nicely, and the ship has some heft without being too heavy for its base.
And that's basically what's happened here. I don't know whether it was intentional - I'm guessing not - but this basically looks like the Enterprise 1701-D as adapted by Cartoon Network. Sure, there's some sculpted detail, but the lack of shading makes that work blend together. What stands out are the bright red engines and the sensors. This is basically a streamlined version of the design. It's recognizable and cool, but it's a far cry from realistic.
While Hot Wheels could have done a better job with the design, this is nicely made. The saucer section is plastic, as are the engines, but the body is metal. The pieces blend together nicely, and the ship has some heft without being too heavy for its base.
Packaging and Extras: ----
I can't complain about the box: it's a nice design with a wide open window showcasing the toy. The saucer section is encased in a stiff plastic shell that almost looks like a shield. I doubt that was intentional, but it's kind of cool.
The inside of the box shows the iconic warp effect, another nice touch. Overall, it's a fairly straightforward box, but one that accomplishes its job of showing off the product.
 |
The one extra included is a base. There's nothing exceptional or unexpected going on here, but it's pretty much everything you'd need.
It's the standard "Federation-swoosh" shape, and there's a nice, sculpted metallic Federation symbol on one side (see photo below). The arm contains a ball joint that plugs into the underside of the ship. You don't get a huge range of motion up and down, but you can rotate the ship 360 degrees without problems. |
Play and Display: +1
Like I said above, the base does its job, and there doesn't seem to be a position or angle the joint will allow that upsets the balance, so tilt and swivel to your heart's content.
The ship has one feature, and it is one I was looking for. Unlike it's predecessor, the Enterprise-D is capable of dividing in two parts, allowing the saucer to fight while those in the ship's rear flee. Given that the Enterprise-D was full of civilians, doctors, and scientists, this actually made some sense. Unfortunately, it looked kind of ridiculous, and hardly ever came up on the show.
Nevertheless, it was something the ship could do, and I expected to see it on the toy. And, low and behold, Hot Wheels remembered. The saucer section attaches with three pegs. They hold the ship securely together and pop out easily. As such, the ship meets expectations, and gets the standard bonus point offered to display pieces that don't disappoint.
The ship has one feature, and it is one I was looking for. Unlike it's predecessor, the Enterprise-D is capable of dividing in two parts, allowing the saucer to fight while those in the ship's rear flee. Given that the Enterprise-D was full of civilians, doctors, and scientists, this actually made some sense. Unfortunately, it looked kind of ridiculous, and hardly ever came up on the show.
Nevertheless, it was something the ship could do, and I expected to see it on the toy. And, low and behold, Hot Wheels remembered. The saucer section attaches with three pegs. They hold the ship securely together and pop out easily. As such, the ship meets expectations, and gets the standard bonus point offered to display pieces that don't disappoint.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 8/10
If can sum up this toy in two word: "Meets expectations." It's not spectacular, it's not unexpected, it's not exceptional... but it's a good toy that would look good on a shelf.
In fact, this would make a really good present for a Star Trek fan who doesn't own a single toy or collectible: this is the sort of thing that looks as good on a DVD shelf as it does in a collection of miniature space ships.
The downside to this is its price point. These go for between fifteen and eighteen bucks at toy stores. If you want one, that's not too bad. But, should you want the Enterprise-D, the "movie Enterprise," a Klingon Bird of Prey, and the Reliant as well, you're looking at dropping some serious cash.
And here's the thing: if you can afford one of these, why not hold off a few weeks and buy one of the Diamond Select ships? They're far larger and include lights and sounds.
Apparently, I'm not the only one who thought of this, because these haven't moved much in the past year. While fifteen bucks was too much, the seven Big Bad Toy Store was asking was far more to my liking. Granted, there was some shipping as well, but I was already buying something, and this didn't change when I added this to my cart.
In fact, this would make a really good present for a Star Trek fan who doesn't own a single toy or collectible: this is the sort of thing that looks as good on a DVD shelf as it does in a collection of miniature space ships.
The downside to this is its price point. These go for between fifteen and eighteen bucks at toy stores. If you want one, that's not too bad. But, should you want the Enterprise-D, the "movie Enterprise," a Klingon Bird of Prey, and the Reliant as well, you're looking at dropping some serious cash.
And here's the thing: if you can afford one of these, why not hold off a few weeks and buy one of the Diamond Select ships? They're far larger and include lights and sounds.
Apparently, I'm not the only one who thought of this, because these haven't moved much in the past year. While fifteen bucks was too much, the seven Big Bad Toy Store was asking was far more to my liking. Granted, there was some shipping as well, but I was already buying something, and this didn't change when I added this to my cart.
