Steve: /* Overview */

2012-09-15T17:42:42Z

‎Overview

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The '''Saber Tiger''' is a "tiger"-type Zoid.

{{Model
| Zoid_name = Saber Tiger
| ImageName = Models - saber tiger 03.png
| Releases =
'''[[#Sabre_Tiger|Sabre Tiger]]''' (1986, Japan, Tomy) 
'''[[#Zabre|Zabre]]''' (198x, Europe, Tomy) 
'''[[#Zoids_2.2FTechnoZoids_Sabre|Sabre]]''' (199x, Europe and US/Canada, ??) 
'''[[#Saber_Tiger|Saber Tiger]]''' (1999, Japan, Tomy) 
'''[[#Zaber_Fang|Zaber Fang]]''' (2002, US/Canada, Hasbro) 
'''[[#Zaber_Fang_Holotech|Zaber Fang Holotech]]''' (2003, US/Canada, Hasbro) 
'''''[[#Zaber_Fang_Holotech|Saber Tiger Holotech]]''''' (2004?, Japan, Tomy) 
'''[[#Zabre_Fang|Zabre Fang]]''' (200?, UK, Tomy)
| ModelType = Battery-op
}}

==Overview==

The Saber Tiger is identified as a "Tiger" type Zoid. However, with its sabre teeth, bob tail and robust build it more closely resembles a ''Smilodon'', a species of prehistoric sabre-toothed cat which is often incorrectly referred to as a sabre-toothed tiger. Sabre-toothed cats were only distantly related to tigers, occupying a whole other branch on the cat family tree.

Saber Tiger was designed to combat the [[Helic Republic]]'s [[Shield Liger]], and like its Republican counterpart is a durable and maneuverable Zoid of respectable power. It is equipped with a triple-barrelled shock cannon mounted on its chest, a three-shot missile pod, a radar array, and numerous AZ laser guns, most notably a dual-barrelled 30mm back-mounted cannon; it also sports a fearsome set of fangs to rip into its enemies.

==Toy Release Info==
Despite the number of different releases it has seen, several things remain consistent across the board. Saber Tiger is a medium-sized battery-operated kit requiring one "AA" battery; when powered on, Saber Tiger will walk forward at a moderate pace, chomping its jaws. It shares certain engineering elements and several parts with its in-universe rival, Shield Liger. Each kit includes six variously-colored sprues of parts, two runners of 24 [[Gyro cap|rubber caps]], a motor, a translucent cockpit canopy, a pilot figure, an instruction manual, and a sheet of stickers.

===Sabre Tiger===
''EPZ-003 Sabre Tiger'' 
This first version of the kit first appeared in 1986. It was issued in dark red with black and silver accents, grey caps and a smoke-colored canopy, and included one silver pilot figure. The battery cover, as with all OJR Zoids, slides open and shut, although later releases would change this as a safety precaution.
<center><gallery>
Image:Models - ojr sabre tiger 01.png|
Image:Models - ojr sabre tiger 02.png|
Image:Models - ojr sabre tiger 03.png|
Image:Models - ojr sabre tiger 04.png|
Image:Models - ojr sabre tiger 05.png|Pointy kitty teeth!
</gallery></center>

===Zabre===
Sold in Europe in the mid-1980s, Zabre was charcoal in color with grey and silver accents, dark blue caps, and a smoke-colored canopy. Like its OJR predecessor, it included a silver pilot. Curiously, this version of one of the Empire's mainstay Zoids was portrayed as a [[Blue Zoid]] alongside versions of Zoids such as [[Gojulas]] which in other lines were affiliated with the [[Helic Republic]]. Although the OER line was intended to tie in with the [[UK Zoids comic]], Zabre was released near enough its end that it didn't appear much in the actual story.
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Image:Models - zabre 01.png|
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Image:Models - zabre 03.png|
Image:Models - zabre 04.png|
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A version of this Zoid cast in [[Ghost Zoids|milky white plastic]] was given away in a contest around this time; these extremely rare and sought-after collectibles fetch handsome prices on the second-hand market.

===Zoids 2/TechnoZoids Sabre===
''Sabre'' 
This version produced in the early 1990s featured an eye-catching color scheme of purplish-silver chrome, fluorescent orange, dull gold, grey and black. Its caps were dark purple, its canopy translucent red, and a sheet of foil stickers with elaborate swirly designs was included to round out the shiny. Its pilot, too, was decked out in silver chrome. The fangs of this Zoid were dulled for safety purposes, a trait which would be carried forward on all subsequent releases. An additional mold change was made to the lower jaw: whereas previous versions had had "Japan" molded on the underside of the chin, this release - and all versions following - had no such markings.
This Zoid would also be marketed, in different packaging, as part of the [[TechnoZoids]] line.
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Image:Models - sabre 01.png|
Image:Models - sabre 02.png|
Image:Models - sabre 03.png|So '90s it hurts.
Image:Models - sabre 04.png|
</gallery></center>

===Saber Tiger===
''EZ-016 Saber Tiger'' 
Sold in Japan in 1999, Saber Tiger was a dark maroon (more brown than its OJR counterpart) with black and gunmetal highlights, grey caps and a green cockpit canopy. The included pilot figure was flat blue rather than silver chrome as with all previous incarnations. In addition to the blunted fangs inherited from Sabre, this release introduced a new safety feature - a screw-on battery cover replacing the sliding cover of older releases.
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Image:Models - saber tiger 01.png|
Image:Models - saber tiger 02.png|
Image:Models - saber tiger 03.png|
Image:Models - saber tiger 04.png|
</gallery></center>

===Zaber Fang===
''#016 Zaber Fang''
This version was sold in the US and Canada around 2002, and was colored a startlingly bright yellow with dark blue highlights painted onto the shoulders, haunches and tail. Other accents were in black and flat grey, with grey caps and green cockpit canopy; the NJR standard blue pilot figure was also included. The new color scheme was intended to connect the Zoid to the [[Zoids New Century (anime)|New Century]] anime airing outside Japan at the time.
<center><gallery>
Image:Models - zaber fang 01.png|
Image:Models - zaber fang 02.png|
Image:Models - zaber fang 03.png|So ''yellow'' it hurts.
Image:Models - zaber fang 04.png|
</gallery></center>

===Zaber Fang Holotech===
Molded in transluscent plastic and sold in the US and Canada in 2003, the [[Holotech]] version of Zaber Fang borrowed the color scheme of its Hasbro predecessor, the key difference being that the yellow was a more subdued shade, closer to pale orange than the eye-searing hue used on Zaber Fang.
A version of this Zoid was sold in Japan in conjunction with, but not as part of, their [[Zoids: Fuzors|Fuzors]] line. There were a few differences between the two releases: the yellow was a bit darker than the Hasbro version, the packaging was different, and in addition to its altered battery cover and round-tipped fangs, this version included yet another safety feature: the back teeth on the upper and lower jaws had their points clipped off.
<center><gallery>
Image:Models - zaber fang holotech 01.png|
Image:Models - zaber fang holotech 02.png|
Image:Models - zaber fang holotech 03.png|
Image:Models - zaber fang holotech 04.png|
</gallery></center>

===Zabre Fang===
''Zabre Fang'' 
The Zoid sold in Europe during the early '00s was identical to the NJR version in coloration, but featured the clipped back teeth first seen on the Japanese release of Zaber Fang Holotech.

==Appearances in non-model merchandise==
Saber Tiger featured prominently in other Zoids merchandise, particularly in Japan around 1999, when the NJR model line and Chaotic Century anime were getting off the ground. Saber Tiger merchandise includes:

* Assorted mini figures in single colors of plastic and various sizes, including some in the 80s Japanese release, and soft red plastic ones included in the Japanese collectible card game of the late '90s
* A die-cast metal figurine in similar style to the other mini figures
* Two [[gashapon|gashapons]]: the red Saber Tiger, and a Team Tigers recolor in a special set. Hasbro's Battle Champions figure sets included a pre-assembled version of the yellow Tiger.
* A [[Zoids Mini Collection|small PVC figure]]
* A small (approximately 1/144 scale) [http://zoido.smeat.net/03-saber-tiger-zoids-collection posable candy toy]
* A [[Zoids Figure Collection|poseable vinyl toy]]
* Two Hasbro [[Hasbro action figures|action figures]], one of the red Tiger and one of the Team Tigers variant.
* An [[Zoids Art Statues|art statue]]
* A number of keychains, including a blinking lightup Tiger and a [[HMM]]-styled one as a Coca-Cola giveaway
* A 70-piece sticker puzzle with a CGI picture of a red Saber Tiger, released in the US/Canada

==Appearances in other media==
Saber Tigers have appeared in virtually every [[Zoids video games|videogame]] to date. A Saber Tiger is one of three starter Zoids the player can choose from in [[Zoids Saga]], and is also available early on in [[Zoids Saga II]].

==See also==
[[Great Sabre]], a similar Zoid based on Saber Tiger's design.

[[Category: Model Kits]]
[[Category: Feline-type Zoids]]

Saber Tiger (Zoid) - Revision history

Steve: /* Overview */