By Shane McGlaun

Transformers were some of my favorite toys when I was a kid. I had lots of them, though my brother tended to break them because he was a goober and couldn’t transform them correctly. With the new feature films, the latest of which is due out this summer, new Transformers toys are hitting the market.

The cool part is that several of the new transforming devices are actually functional. Take this Qosmio netbook transformer. The thing turns into the Decepticon Soundwave, which is a bad choice, he was like the bastard Transformer in my book. Turning into a tape player just isn’t cool.

What is even stranger is a Transformer that originally turned into a tape player now turns into a Qosmio netbook. The robot is functional though acting as neither a netbook nor a tape player. The thing is a four-port USB hub. You can get your own for about 5,775 yen if you are inclined to import one.

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This just goes to prove that Star Wars toys can be used to promote anything. Witness this new, and oh so cool toy that combines two of my childhood loves, robot toys that transform into stuff and giant planet blasting space stations.

More than meets the eye for sure here. The name of this toy is the Hasbro Star Wars Transformer Deluxe Death Star. That is a long name for what boils down to a Transformer that looks like the Death Star on the outside and transforms into Darth Vader complete with his light saber. In Death Star mode the toy has a launching projectile and electronic lights. A blaster is also included that makes sound effects.

Additional items included are a Darth Vader mini figure, two TIE Fighter mini vehicles and three Stormtrooper mini figures. The Death Star Transformer is priced at $49.99 and is currently out of stock at Amazon. I don’t know about you but in a brawl between Darth Vader and Megatron, my money is on Darth Vader.

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