Halo 3: ODST is easily my favorite of the first-person shooter Halo video games, and the only one that I still play through regularly today. That’s why I’m doubly ashamed that when I walked into the MEGA Brands booth at the New York Toy Fair 2014 and saw the Halo Mega Bloks UNSC Wombat on display, I had no idea what it was. Yes, I know what the Halo Wombat looks like, but I just never imagined MEGA Brands would make a toy of it. Six months later, I ordered the Halo Mega Bloks UNSC Wombat Recon Droid 97451 set online for $10 and now it’s on my shelf. What do I think of the Mega Bloks Halo UNSC Wombat with The Rookie figure? Read on…

The Right:

Wow. Just, wow. The very fact that MEGA Brands has now released a Halo 3 ODST Wombat Mega Bloks set is an amazing testament to MEGA Brands’ commitment to the Halo Mega Bloks line.

If something as insignificant as the UNSC Wombat can be made in Halo Mega Bloks form, then I truly believe that someday MEGA Brands will have released every single vehicle and prominent piece of technology in the Halo universe in toy form.

Of course, it’s not enough for MEGA Brands to make a UNSC Wombat–it also needs to be good. And what do you know? It is.

The UNSC Wombat is a unique vehicle in the Halo universe as it doesn’t fire missiles, have an attack mode, or even have a cockpit. It’s just an unmanned reconnaissance drone. But oh man–is it ever a stylish recon drone!

Sometimes referred to as the Osprey, the Wombat F99 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle features four wing fins and twin turbine engines. The red “ignited” thrusters on the back of the Wombat look super cool, and the thrusters look almost as compelling from the forward view.

The dark grey Mega Bloks pieces that make up the front of the UNSC Wombat actually have the design printed on them in silver paint, a fact for which I am supremely grateful. I utterly despise applying stickers, so I’m thrilled MEGA Brands has opted to include so many printed pieces for this wave instead of just giving is difficult-to-apply-perfectly decals.

While the UNSC Wombat isn’t a combat vehicle and thus can’t include any guns or missiles or what-not as accessories, the set still comes with one great accessory: a clear transparent flight stand!

The Wombat’s flight stand’s not all that tall, but it’s good enough to keep the Mega Bloks Halo UNSC Wombat hovering above the ground, and that’s good enough for me. If you want a taller flight stand, you can always add more clear bricks to the stands (I will).

Of course, you don’t just get the Wombat in this set–in fact, the Wombat isn’t even the main draw of the set for most folks! No, the true headliner of this set is the first official Halo Mega Bloks The Rookie figure, representing the main character of the Halo ODST video game!

We’ve had loads of ODST Mega Bloks figures before, but this is the first official Rookie. He looks dead-on accurate to his game appearance, and is far more durable than the McFarlane Rookie figure was.

The Halo Mega Bloks Rookie action figure features the improved articulation scheme and customizable armor, although this is a case where you’re probably going to want to leave the default armor on the figure.

You get two accessories for The Rookie Halo Mega Bloks figure: his trademark Suppressed SMG and a Controller (for controlling the Wombat, obviously). The controller’s screen is another printed piece, and the controller itself is a refreshing and new accessory for the line. I actually can’t bring myself to take the UNSC Wombat Controller out of The Rookie’s hand, as it’s just too much fun!

The Wrong:

This is a really tough set for me to complain about, as I really can’t think of what MEGA Brands could have done to improve this vehicle. I suppose the fins on the F99 Wombat could be held on more securely (they pop off with very little force). The flight stand could also be a bit taller. Otherwise, I’d consider this set to be a near-perfect success.

“Where Can I Buy It?!”

I got my Halo Mega Bloks UNSC Wombat 97451 set online for $9.99, the same price as it costs in stores. I’m glad for that, too, as I’ve yet to go into a physical store and find the Halo Mega Bloks sets on the shelf at all.

Overall: I hate sounding like a sycophant and giving MEGA Brands anything gleaming review, but they have really perfected the art of designing Halo Mega Bloks sets at this point. The Halo Mega Bloks Wombat is a unique and fun recon drone despite a lack of action features, and the Halo Rookie Mega Bloks figure looks spot-on. For the low price of $10-$12, I can’t imagine why any Halo ODST fan would pass on this excellent little set. Highly recommended.

GRADE: A