Battle Cat (Masters of the Universe Classics)

Masters of the Universe Classics Battle Cat

When it comes to innovation and variety, the Masters of the Universe Classics toyline doesn't really pass in this category. If you take a bunch of some average MOTUC male action figures and compare them with one another, you'll see how laughably their height and body mold look the same. Though the same can be also said to Marvel Legends figures, but they're not as consistent and as obvious as the ones from this toyline. But since I've been itching for another MOTUC review and for the sake of variety, I therefore unleash something that is not a man nor a humanoid, but a four-legged Eternian beast. Enter this 10.5-inch long Battle Cat!













Just as any main characters of the Masters of the Universe, collectors are "obliged" to get not only this cat-steed but also its rider, He-Man. But with or without its rider, this Battle Cat action figure looks elegantly amazing; even surpassing that of the classic Battle Cat in the 80's. MOTU vintage collectors would cry out and wish Mattel have upscaled it in the past. This version, for me, is the perfect size!

Other than size, what I like about this figure is the overall sculpt. Regardless of the added joints and other types of articulation, Battle Cat maintained its body's contours and shapes. Looking from side view, you can see how the spine waves like an "S" from the nape down to the tail as you expose him as Cringer (the cowardly cat). The head is well designed; combining both lower jaw articulation and face sculpt... and again without disfiguring its form. Having the likeness of a tiger, this big cat has a few fur-like feature molded under its neck and legs while its surface is covered with waves and lines mimicking that of a hair.

Nothing much to be said with its paint application other than just plain solid colours of green and streaks of orange paint. Even its face gear or helm doesn't have any colour shading or any kind of variation besides maroon. Battle Cat's saddle, however, has a little bit of detail with that leathery kind of look in the middle. Other than that, this action figure just look exactly like its cartoon counterpart with no additional details or whatsoever.

One major flaw with this action figure is the stability of its face gear. Though these little hooks behind it try to prevent it from falling off its face but it's unreliable and doesn't really do a good job as something like a fastening strap. It makes me wonder why Mattel installed straps to its saddle but not to its face gear! Another major flaw are the footrests at the sides of Battle Cat's saddle. He-Man's toes can't even completely step right into these poorly designed footrests 'cause it's just too small.

Articulation wise, Battle Cat has a good amount of articulation for an animal figure. Its head can rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise and can move up and down. This hinge inside its neck helps Battle Cat aim its head all the way up or way down. It got diaphragm swivel; something we don't see alot on animal figures, and a ball-hinged tail that can move side to side. Each of Battle Cat's four legs have hinges under its groins that help spread its legs just a tiny bit. Every joint on each of its legs are single jointed with paws that can swivel and rotate.

It shouldn't take long for someone to decide whether to get this figure or not. "Every cowboy needs a horse"- a statement generally agreed by most people, and from that I recommend every MOTUC fans to get this figure not for its prime reason that "He-Man needs Battle Cat", but the Battle Cat itself is one amazing figure; unique from this toyline.