One of the top selling toys from Christmas 2005 the Deluxe Skybase (also known as the DX Skybase) is being promoted heavily by makers Bandai in the run up to Christmas 2006, but does it deserve to make it into the best sellers list again this year?
The Skybase looks impressive at approximately half a meter long and is a very detailed copy of the Skybase from the new Captain Scarlet TV show which updates the 60s classic having computer generated ‘actors' instead of puppets.
There's quite a lot for kids to play with. The base has a number of lighting effects and features sound effects and speech from the TV series. Under one runway is a vehicle docking bay and under the other, a repair area with a movable crane arm. On the top is a turntable used to launch the vehicles.
In the series the skybase is the headquarters of Spectrum earth defense and home of the Angel interceptor fighter squadron. Included is one 8cm long angel interceptor fighter and a small Colonel White figure.
The skybase offers enough features to get kids involved and have fun with and encourages fantasy play and role-play. To get the most out of it you really need to buy a few more vehicles and action figures because the one included is not enough. Bandai offer 2 sets of vehicles for the base, each includes three additional 8cm vehicles and a small action figure. There seems to be only a small number of available accessories to go with the base considering it has been available for a year. We reckon that kids might have better fun with the chunkier Captain Scarlet figures of which there is a much better range.
Pros:
- Good value.
- Nice quality.
- Gets kids involved in imaginative play.
Cons:
- Really needs additional vehicles and figures for kids to make the most of it.
- Larger range of figures and vehicles probably offer interest to kids.
- Limited range of additional figures and vehicles available in the smaller (8cm) size.
Details:
- Requires 3xAA batteries (not included)
- Suitable for ages 4 and over
