Kingliger

Kingliger had always bounced just out of my reach like Ligers do, being one of those never-rerelesed Gradeups out of my sane price range.

But then I went insane. Insaner, more insane, whichever.

This guy didn't come cheap, and it currently ranks as the priciest of my Zoids to date. But with what Bladey Mirage go for these days, you might save cash getting a Kingliger for your pointy white-red-and-silver Liger fix, and it's an entirely different build. I can build Blade Ligers without the instructions. I already have a Mirage, though, so it's a moot point for me. Moot is a funny word.

Grade-Up Zoids take flak for having relatively simple construction and one-piece legs. I think a lot of this comes from prices they sell for now. People are expecting more for their 60-plus dollars, when they're actually around the size of a large wind-up despite their battery powered motors. Kingliger hovers between the Command and Whitz Wolves in size, and is a little bigger and pokier than the more readily availible Houndsoldier. Not small, but not very big either.

The motor itself is a fun build for those who like small parts. Unlike new rereleases of Gradeups, the motor isn't pre-built, and you get to stick little gear-y and battery contact-y bits together. The potential invitable Hasbro complaints here are unfounded, in my opinion, as while the motor in mine wasn't overly complex, it was cranky. One of the metal bits was a bit warped, necessetating a quick and crazy fix: wedging a piece of paper above it so it'd be held in place. Seems simple, but the angst it caused me until then...

Other than the motor, Kingliger is a relatively simple build, the main difficulty being the cockpit bit with the eyes liking to escape until the white cover is on. The plastic quality proved great, with even the metallic red trimming nicely. The chrome bits were a bit annoying to get on, but that's to be expected of the stuff.

Kingliger's walk is nothing special if you've seen other small gradeups like Battle Cougar or Houndsoldier...it's a similar wibble wibble wibble sort of shuffle along the ground. It likes the carpet in here, though, and doesn't walk in circles like other more complex cats I have, so it does have something going for it. Wibble is a funny word too.

I can't test the Grade-Up port, other than watching it spin. I wish I'd bought some of the darn units before they climbed to the crazy prices they're at now. Kingliger wishes it could fly...though I still think the wing thingy looks a bit silly.

The colors are wonderful. Kingliger sports metallic red with definite shades of Imperial Liger Zero (rather, the other way around), stark white, and silver, with black caps and gold chrome for trim. It wears these colors far better than the previously mentioned Mirage does, in my opinion - it's classy, not cool!tacky like its overgunned cousin Kingbaron.

Not that I'd say no to a Kingbaron. Kingliger's lonely.

Gradeups are an aquired taste, but if you like pointy cats and can find one for what you'll pay, Kingliger's worth getting. Rescue one from 16 or so years of being boxed up today!