There has been a lot of talk about the 'Diaclone Devastator'. There is also a knockoff set out there that people insist upon passing off as the real thing. Don't be ripped off! Here are comparison pics (and descriptions) below:



Note on the above pics that we are comparing the first version to the fake. Note also that there is a second real version, covered later on. So again, in total: There are three versions we are comparing. The original Constructor Robo, the recolor version, and the fake version.

As you can see, the knockoff isn't all that different from version one. In-fact, just by looking at the picture, there doesn't seem to be a difference at all! The boxart was recycled (click on the pic), the individual units, and all the accessories, are colored the same. But you should still be able to tell! Like all bootlegs, the KO Pre-TF Devastator is of poorer quality, and the units are stamped 'Taiwan'. The real one is stamped 'Takara Japan'. However, since the bulldozer in the fake set came with 'Diclone' stickers on it, it causes problems. People try to pass the fake off as the real thing, either because they don't know better, or worse yet, because they do! Luckily, the recolor set is much easier to tell apart from the fake.


All 3 Sets (Inserts) | Box (Recolor) | Insides (Recolor)

Figures (Recolor, 1st 3) | Figures 2 (Recolor, Last 3)

Note that, in the above, we're just comparing giftsets. These figures were also released individually boxed. There are also further variations on version one specific to boxed versions. Essentially, version one came originally with clear windows, which transitioned to opaque windows (both in individual boxes). The opaque was then put into a giftset (it is theorized that the clear windows might have been in a giftset, but unlikely). Then the recolor mold comes out. Later, the recolor gets updated copyright stampings (from Takara Japan to Takara (blurks) Japan). I'll breakdown the list below:

The short version: There are two versions of the Pre-TF Constructor Robo, and many mold and package variants. ;-):

So for the completest they would need to get:

Type 1: First mold, clear, blue gestault parts, individual boxes.
Type 2: First mold, opaque, blue gestault parts, individual boxes.
Type 3: First mold, opaque, blue gestault parts, giftset.
Type 4: First mold, opaque, red gestault parts giftset (first box version).
Type 5: Later mold, opaque, red gestault parts giftset (second box version).
Type 6: Later mold, opaque, red gestault parts giftset (third box version).

It is interesting to note that, although the copystamps were updated between the two releases of DiaDev, the molding was *not* changed; ie both Diaclone versions come with the smooth-bumber Hook, and the hooked-chest Scavanger (rumors of a hooked-chest Scavanger in the TF line have circulated, but have not been confirmed).



     

And you thought the changes only occurred after he came to America! Himawari covers mold-stampings on each unit.

Himawari's Pre-TF Devastator Review!

(See Also: Fake Combiners)

(See Also: Devastator)

(See Also: Giftsets)