Game merch review: McFarlane Toys Dagger of Time replica
posted:
6/3/2010 12:19:00 PM
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Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
If you read my review you know I wasn’t exactly in love with the Prince of Persia movie. However I thought the production team did a great job with the Dagger of Time, both in the way it looks and how it rewinds time. So when I saw the McFarlane Toys replica at a local store the other day, of course I had to buy it.
McFarlane Toys is known for making products aimed at collectors, much like Art Asylum’s Star Trek line or the Force FX lightsabers previously made by Master Replicas. This really shows in the Dagger—it’s a little smaller than the filming prop but the detail is exquisite. It isn’t as elegant as the one from the Sands of Time game; the overall design is a little more angular, the pommel isn’t swept back and there are arcane sigils etched into the blade. It’s probably what the dagger would’ve looked like in the grim and gritty sequel Warrior Within, if the dagger had been in that game at all.
The replica is molded out of slightly bendy vinyl and the tip is rather blunt, so if junior wants the dagger for his birthday you don’t have to worry about him eviscerating the family dog. That said it’s still a very attractive toy, and pretty screen-accurate while still being kid safe.
I was a little disappointed in the particulars. The grip is an oblong transparent chamber, like in the game and movie, and it’s filled with faux sand—real sand probably would scratch the plastic. This is cool and all, but tapping the time rewind button activates a rather anemic yellow LED. What, they couldn’t splurge on a superbright? It doesn’t make any sounds either, and when the battery inside runs out, that’s it—the grip is glued shut, so unless you want to get creative with a screwdriver you can’t replace the battery.
This Dagger of Time replica is basically a case of “you get what you pay for.” It’s only around $10, so while it looks really nice it doesn’t do much. If you’re a fan of the movie or the games, you shouldn’t feel guilty picking this one up. I have a feeling, though, that dedicated hobbyists will be modding this dagger for years.
McFarlane Toys is known for making products aimed at collectors, much like Art Asylum’s Star Trek line or the Force FX lightsabers previously made by Master Replicas. This really shows in the Dagger—it’s a little smaller than the filming prop but the detail is exquisite. It isn’t as elegant as the one from the Sands of Time game; the overall design is a little more angular, the pommel isn’t swept back and there are arcane sigils etched into the blade. It’s probably what the dagger would’ve looked like in the grim and gritty sequel Warrior Within, if the dagger had been in that game at all.
The replica is molded out of slightly bendy vinyl and the tip is rather blunt, so if junior wants the dagger for his birthday you don’t have to worry about him eviscerating the family dog. That said it’s still a very attractive toy, and pretty screen-accurate while still being kid safe.
I was a little disappointed in the particulars. The grip is an oblong transparent chamber, like in the game and movie, and it’s filled with faux sand—real sand probably would scratch the plastic. This is cool and all, but tapping the time rewind button activates a rather anemic yellow LED. What, they couldn’t splurge on a superbright? It doesn’t make any sounds either, and when the battery inside runs out, that’s it—the grip is glued shut, so unless you want to get creative with a screwdriver you can’t replace the battery.
This Dagger of Time replica is basically a case of “you get what you pay for.” It’s only around $10, so while it looks really nice it doesn’t do much. If you’re a fan of the movie or the games, you shouldn’t feel guilty picking this one up. I have a feeling, though, that dedicated hobbyists will be modding this dagger for years.
