Zambot 3 Soul of Chogokin Robot GX-23
diecast Transformer from Japan
 If you were a Japanese kid around 1977 you may remember a samurai robot named Zambot 3. No? Well, we will try again. If you are a kid or collector from 2004 you now have the chance to get a born again father of all transformers-- Zanbot 3. Only this time the toy transforms (like the elder), is made of chogokin(like the elder), has countless gimmicks (like the elder), and is almost affordable** (NOT like the elder robot toy).
Arguably the 1977 DX Zambot 3 by Clover ranks in the top 5 for expensive chogokin collectibles. In the last few years the boxed toy has fetched around $3000...... if you can find it. So Bandai took notice of demand , revisited Zambot's incredible design, and then set out to extract it's soul. GX-23 , Zambot 3, is a Lexus perfect remastering of one of my favorite new robot toys.
 My first impression of this primary colored sculpt was how it represented what I missed in the Combattra S.O.C.. Zambot gives us a more masculine, bulky robot with extra guns and armament. We get a hefty diecast tank, Zambull adorned with chrome drills, a cannon, and laser fingers. Zambase the jet is also a chunk of diecast sporting two "launchers", shields, and throwing star attachments. Finally we get a breath of fresh air with a dual combination jet, Zambird; and its transformation into the diminutive Zambo Ace robot.
 Zambull the tank receives solid diecast shoulders that pivot laterally just as the original toy does. I welcomed the extra articulation in the shoulder joints (they rotate too) and the pivoting forearms. This time engineers decided to keep this large robot chest in proportion, and added an attachment for the tank's base. A clam-shell attachment snaps onto the tank bottom. A bazooka and set of drills press fit into the tank. Finally, accessories can fit inside the tank's rear section. The SOC Zambull tank keeps the essence of the 70's toy.
 Zambase feels essentially the same as Clover's DX toy. Each foot folds into jet thrusters and fins. The backpack of Zambot fits onto the jet top for armament. Then triangular fins pop out of the robot hips and form forward jet stabilizers. Here I wished the backpack would fire missiles or the toes would launch something. On the plus side, the cockpit was masterfully designed to press fit into the chest during Zambot transformations. I didn't have to chip any paint or worry about parts falling off (A+ here to the designers+).
 Last but not least is the Napoleonic Zambo Ace; it can morph into Zambird. Zambo is a short crisply designed robot that wins kudos from me. He has an inordinate amount of guns, scopes, ammunition clips, stocks, silencers, and gadgets to go around a waist belt. Call it Zambo Magnum the gun. Then the foot, hip, arm, and shoulder joints are supremely poseable and make the toy just plain fun.
 -Or fun as a Plane. We can transform Zambo Ace into Zambird by flipping the small head down, folding arms, and compressing the legs. Various wing attachments get added if you like. We get around 5 wings with the set!. Unlike the older Clover toy, Zambo's head is self contained and doesn't require an add-on attachment. I appreciated that redesign along with the better proportioning to the robot heads.
Then I found the non shooting Ion cannon a waste. Keep in mind that I never watched the anime. From a techie standpoint I did like how gun's metal pins could be inserted into a special Zambot chest wing. One custom chest wing has holes to fit the gun.
Zambot 3 Soul of Chogokin Summary
Zambot 3 is a super glossy, smooth, shimmering robot that raises the bar for Soul of Chogokin toys. The toy is truly fun to transform, pose, and manipulate with the countless attachments. I missed the crudeness of the original and the missiles, but that charm will always be left in the past. With that said, I think the only version that can represent an improvement will require power and hydraulics.
 Zambot 3 is a must have Soul of Chogokin that is the best S.O.C. gestalt (transformer) to date. The toys' heft, engineering, and accessories come close to justifying the $150+ retail price. **Then again I lament the fact that it prices kids out of this robot's market. Can't we have it all? Would it make sense to substitute less refinement for a lower price? We have a supreme adult collectible that was previously meant for kids.
Ed
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