- Zoids Original 02 - Geno Ritter
Geno Ritter was the second of the Zoids Original model kits. The name, as you may know, means "Geno Knight" and the Zoid features a feather-plumed helmet and two large swords. Like Mirage Fox the Ritter came with a series of variations and all of the parts to use whichever one you liked most.
The overall quality is nice, but not perfect. There are some rough edges. The colors are darker and more faded than they appear online. Nonetheless the color scheme itself is fantastic, and one we've never seen on a Zoid before. It was very refreshing to see it painted onto a Geno Saurer. The new weapon design is also awesome and all parts fit very securely. I didn't experience any breaking or strained pegs like I did on earlier versions of Geno Saurers.
Geno Ritter
Jagd Geno
Blue Geno Saurer
Pros:
- Brand new parts
- Motorized action
- Sturdy design with few loose pieces
- Excellent color scheme
- LED functions with the motorized movement
- Blue plastic scars very little, which is rare for dark colors
- More motorized features than just walking
Cons:
- Changing of the mask parts can be obnoxious because of head assembly
Box and Inserts
Clear File:
A clear file featuring the colored version of Geno Ritter's box art were included with some of the earliest orders for the Zoid. Supposedly they were limited to one per household. The back has the Zoids 30th Anniversary logo on it but it does not have a faded box art- it's otherwise just clear, the faded background in the photos is the other color showing through. Clear files are just basically those 3-sided folders, but this one is made of thin plastic.
Instructions
- Box Translations
Geno Ritter
Length: 23.0 m
Height: 15.8 m
Weight: 131.6 t
Maximum Speed: 450.0 km/h
Weapons:
[01] Laser Charging Blade x1
[02] Electromagnetic Shield Generator x2
[03] Electromagnetic Blade x2
[04] Dragoon Stahl x2
[05] Dragoon Magnezer Wings Vernier x1
[06] Leg Magnezer Wings x2
[07] Anchor x2
[08] Hyper Strike Claw x2
[09] Hyper Killer Claw x1
[10] Hyper Killer Fangs x2
[11] Convergent Charged Particle Cannon x2
[12] Head Armor x1
Jagd Geno
Length: 23.0 m
Height: 15.8 m
Weight: 129.9 t
Maximum Speed: 445.0 km/h
Weapons:
[01] Laser Charging Blade x1
[02] Electromagnetic Shield Generator x2
[03] Electromagnetic Blade x2
[04] Dragoon Stahl x2
[05] Dragoon Magnezer Wings Vernier x1
[06] Leg Magnezer Wings x2
[07] Anchor x2
[08] Hyper Strike Claw x2
[09] Hyper Killer Claw x1
[10] Hyper Killer Fangs x2
[11] Convergent Charged Particle Cannon x2
Blue Geno Saurer
Length: 23.0 m
Height: 11.7 m
Weight: 112.8 t
Maximum Speed: 275.0 km/h
Weapons:
[07] Anchor x2
[08] Hyper Killer Claw x2
[09] Hyper Killer Claw x2
[10] Hyper Killer Fangs x2
[11] Convergent Charged Particle Cannon x2
[13] Laser Gun x2
[14] Laser Sensors x2
[15] Long Range Pulse Laser Rifle x2
Geno Ritter Fuselage Explanation
The "Geno Ritter", a large-type wicked dinosaur Zoid equipped with the giant sword "Dragoon Stahl" on its back, gets explosive propulsive power because of the Magnezer Wing Verniers that support the large sword and will hack down prey that approaches it. Beyond that, it's different from the Jagd Geno in that the Geno Ritter is equipped with small Magnezer Wings on its legs. Its possible to precisely control the explosive propulsive power of the Magnezer Wing Verniers that support the Dragoon Stahl on its back with the Magnezer Wings on its legs.
Geno Saurer Fuselage Explanation
The Geno Saurer is the base the Jagd Geno was remodeled off of. The mass produced base for the Geno Saurer was black, but this one is dark blue. It's a superior individual among Geno Saurers, and also more ferocious. Similarly, it's said that there's a vermilion Geno Saurer that also exists as an individual with high mobility. It's main weapon is a focused charged particle cannon, and it has a long range pulse rifle equipped on its back.
Zoids Story
It was after the end of the Central Continent War that I, Ash Labone, met that Zoid. When this fuselage was released, the state of the war had changed a lot. At the end of the war, the tyrannosaurus type Zoid was developed to abolish the inferiority of the Imperial army, but the Geno Saurer and the improved model, the Jagd Geno, were never released into actual combat in the end. However, on an experimental remodel base on a solitary island in Imperial territory, I succeeded in managing this wild dinosaur, the Jagd Geno. It could be said we're mutually bonded with the newly equipped head armor and, with the Zoid named the "Geno Ritter", I'm fighting with pride hoping to revive the Imperial Army. It seems that the federation's Pteras is getting closer. It's perfect for challenging with this large sword, the Dragoon Stahl. Come at me...!
- Motorized Features
Motor Type: Battery Operated, x2 AAA Battery required (not included)
Geno Ritter has a battery-operated motor that not only fuels a walk cycle for the Zoid but also lights up an LED in the head. The movement is slow but it moves forward, as opposed to my Museum geno which actually shimmies backwards-
Aside from basic walk features the claws on the arm also open and close and the tail swings to side to side. This tail motion appears to be automated and not just relying on balance, as it moves even when the Zoid is lifted off of the ground and isn't swinging from side to side.
The motorized features are turned on by flipping a large switch on the right side of the back.
- Gimmicks
Laser Charging Blade:
The large red blade on the top of the head is actually a much darker, more faded almost maroon color. This works much better aesthetically with the blues. The blade itself is attached to a hinge that swings forward to balance on the tip of the news.
Head Armor:
The mask hooks into the silver flare on the head, and can rotate up as if the Geno Ritter is tipping the cover of his mask back. I really enjoy the look and functionality of this piece.
On the Jagd Geno version the holes that the helmet hook into are replaced with an additional silver flare facing back on the neck. The head blade still rotates forwards and backwards and can be used in this mode, but without a mask this Geno would certainly run out of control.
Head Guns:
The Blue Geno Saurer variant comes with two different head guns. There are no Psycho Geno Saurer guns like some of the old ones came with, and they are not movable, though the first one wiggles, kind of.
Neck Panels:
The two top neck panels can only be moved in the Jagd Geno and Blue Geno Saurer modes. The Ritter's mask presses down on them and prevents motion. The bottom neck panel can also technically move but I like to keep it tucked into the collar.
Cockpit:
Unlike most Zoids the Geno lines have cockpits in their chest instead of their head. Geno Ritter and Jagd Geno modes are supposed to have an additional armor cover that helps block the open gap where the pilot would otherwise see through. Unfortunately it's literally just a hole in the chest. There is no seat or anything for the pilot to sit in, they just rattle around inside.
Leg Blades:
Geno Ritter has two blades on the legs. They can fold up or down, extending to the sides when in an 'active' mode. The design is very reminescent of Sturm Tyrann.
Dragon Stahl:
The blades are amazingly articulated, built upon a similar mechanism as Fury and Geno blades in the past. The peg that attaches them to the boosters swings a full 360 degrees, aside from when they are blocking each other. The V shaped piece has an up-down rotation at both ends, and the last segment of the arm spins sideways to allow the blades to sit vertical or horizontal.
Pulse Laser Gun:
The Blue Geno Saurer has the basic Pulse Laser Guns attached to the lower back. They spin sideways but also have a very large range of up/down motion. Each gun rotates independently of the other.
Booster:
The boosters that the blades are attached to extend outwards, but I forgot to get pictures of the comparison. The blades move with them, of course, since that's where they attach. The blue parts are what moves.
Booster Vents:
These panels flip up on the back of the legs, but if the side leg armor isn't attached securely it won't have enough friction to stay up. If they just keep flopping down, this is why.
Anchors:
Mirage Fox's brand new weapon is the Wing Blade. This is a 3-piece weapon consisting of the top white panel and the two individual blades. It has the same range of motion as the Laser Vulcan, but can be equipped in more places. It can be lifted up and down in two different sections and the two part can rotate in a circle. The pegs on the side of the tail mean that it can be stationed there, above the tail. This lets you equip two of the weapon. You can also remove the gold blades from the unit and place them on the shoulder panels by removing the grey circle parts.
Tail:
The tail swings from side to side and can be freely moved, but because it's leaning up on the joint it doesn't always stay in place. Only the two flaps up against the body move, there are no opening vents in the rest of the segments.
