Series: GamePro Presents 1

Craftsmanship: 8.6 out of 10

- Good videogame likeness

- Extra figure was a good decision

- Takes up a surprising amount of shelf space

- Good “poseability”

- Excellent paint

Playability: 9.0 out of 10

- Free rolling wheels

- Accessories stay firmly attached but could possibly break

- Flag pops out easily

- Lid can snap off

- Removable figure

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Violet (Cel Damage)

by Joyride Studios

A big gattling gun would come in very handy during rush hour commutes. Back it up with a rear-mounted rocket launcher and you’ve got a couple of optional features

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any car-buyer would jump at. But of course, it’s just fantasy – at least the rear-mounted rocket launcher is, since I’ve seen modified Suburban’s with retractable mini-guns.

Violet is ripped right from Electronic Arts' Cel Damage (XB) and is a good pairing to fellow driver, Sinder. As a display piece, Violet is good but playability rules the road. The wheels are free rolling

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and Violet can make very good speed. The wheels are big enough to allow outside play – at the park, in the sandbox, in the garden, or set up your own track. The vehicle itself can take quite a bit of abuse and any dirt it picks up can be easily washed off, but the weapons are susceptible to breakage. Both the gattling gun and rock launcher plug into the vehicle easily (and have the ability to swivel) but if you abuse them too much they can snap at the securing point (instead of just popping out). Also of worry is the lid. When Violet is in the vehicle the lid is exposed to risk of breakage. Removing Violet, the lid can be closed to eliminate this. The final dig at the playability is how easily the flag pops out of its hole. While it’s not a critical component, it does create a sense of speed so you might be better off to just glue it in.

As good as the playability is, display factor is quite good as well. Much of this is owed to Violet’s faithfulness to her videogame counterpart. The great mix of bright colors is eye-catching – like most of Joyride’s first offerings. The sculpt captures the cartoon edge of the game – textures are washed out leaving solid color that is the hallmark of cel-shading. Both Violet figures – one fits in the vehicle, one larger one on a stand – are nothing to scream about. Neither sports any articulation, which is fine, I suppose, since the main attraction is the vehicle. The sculpting of Violet is good and maintains the overall cel-shaded theme. As mentioned before, Violet makes for good display alongside Sinder – or “posed” in dueling dioramas.

The only caution for display is that she be placed on a totally level surface for obvious reasons.

As is Joyride’s habit, the card opens to reveal a review of Cel Damage from GamePro and the package contains a collector’s card with some hints and cheats. Once again, it’s good to have the background info and the chance to compare the toy to the videogame.

Younger kids will probably get more out of Violet than most collectors since playability is higher than it’s display factor. Fans of the game can’t go wrong though.

- Omni
(September 12, 2002)