Earlier today I posted about the upcoming Halo Mega Bloks 2013 Jungle Strike Cyclops 97006 set, and now I want to shine the spotlight on that mech’s lesser-known “cousin”–the Desert Strike Cyclops 97007. When I first heard there was going to be a second, non-green Cyclops, I was pretty put-off for about a quarter of a second–and then I saw the Halo Mega Bloks Desert Strike Cyclops and those thoughts immediately dissipated…

Though I’m a huge fan of Halo Wars (it’s my favorite Halo game by a mile), a desert tan/brown version of the UNSC Cyclops mech was never near the top of my Halo Mega Bloks wish list. But maybe it should have been! The sandy brown of this Cyclops looks absolutely killer with the complementary yellow sticks and dark cockpit. I daresay that I like this Desert Strike Cyclops variant more than the standard green Jungle Strike Cyclops!

It’s worth noting that while the Desert Strike Cyclops 97007 is the same Halo mech unit in a different color scheme, this Mega Bloks Halo 2013 set includes a completely different UNSC Marine Mega Bloks figure than the Jungle Strike Cyclops came with. It’s still an old mold that we’ve seen used numerous times before, but giving a different figure with the set is a nice touch that definitely makes Halo Mega Bloks 97007 feel a little bit more diverse and less like a clone of set 97006.

In addition to the Marine being different, the set also includes a different gun–this time, a painted SMG. I always dig the painted Halo Mega Bloks weapons, and I consider it a big bonus to get them in these awesome UNSC Cyclops sets.

As is the case with the Jungle Strike Cyclops, the Desert Strike Cyclops has seemingly already been released overseas, as these photos are from a Chinese retailer that apparently already has the sets.

Both the Halo Mega Bloks Desert Strike Cyclops 97007 and Jungle Strike Cyclops 97006 are expected to arrive in the United States around March/April 2013, likely with a retail price of under $20 (I would guess about $12.99). I’m extremely excited for both versions of the Halo Mega Bloks Cyclops, and will post a full review of each just as soon as they release in the United States.