Pricepoint/Vintage: Deluxe, 2012.
Modes: Robot, and vehicle.
Transformation Style: Advanced
shellformer with minor automorph.
Play Patterns: Robot and vehicle, 5mm
weaponry.
Points of Interest: An “army builder”
representing a class of transformer, rather than a specific one.
The Good
This toy is one of deeply, deeply, deeply annoying ones were there's so much good, I can't so much review as gush. The robot mode is a functionally ideal representation of this army builder, and one that would be difficult to beat without going Masterpiece. Visually, he's full of anonymous charm with a Cylon flavour, and a light piped visor. He screams Decepticon cannon fodder, with a face, profile, and colours evoking his badge. Play value and articulation are solid. There are 21 joints in useful places, with the elbows being notably expressive, so he can facepalm and rub his chin. While light on accessories with only one gun, you can use it three ways, via clip for a gun arm, fist hole or 5mm shoulder port. The car mode meanwhile can be only be described as a compelling argument to join the Decepticon cause, as its just that gorgeous. Seriously, its easy for a black car to look cool, but this has batmobile level charisma. Again, there's a pleasing Decepticon motif to things, with the front end patterned after the symbol, and a tiny badge. There's also the suggestion of an interior. Play value is comparatively slight, but you do get 2 5mm ports for the gun. Switching between modes is also noteworthy, the toy featuring a then-revolutionary transformation scheme, which is fun and elegant. As deluxe carformers go, this is an extremely successful one.
This toy is one of deeply, deeply, deeply annoying ones were there's so much good, I can't so much review as gush. The robot mode is a functionally ideal representation of this army builder, and one that would be difficult to beat without going Masterpiece. Visually, he's full of anonymous charm with a Cylon flavour, and a light piped visor. He screams Decepticon cannon fodder, with a face, profile, and colours evoking his badge. Play value and articulation are solid. There are 21 joints in useful places, with the elbows being notably expressive, so he can facepalm and rub his chin. While light on accessories with only one gun, you can use it three ways, via clip for a gun arm, fist hole or 5mm shoulder port. The car mode meanwhile can be only be described as a compelling argument to join the Decepticon cause, as its just that gorgeous. Seriously, its easy for a black car to look cool, but this has batmobile level charisma. Again, there's a pleasing Decepticon motif to things, with the front end patterned after the symbol, and a tiny badge. There's also the suggestion of an interior. Play value is comparatively slight, but you do get 2 5mm ports for the gun. Switching between modes is also noteworthy, the toy featuring a then-revolutionary transformation scheme, which is fun and elegant. As deluxe carformers go, this is an extremely successful one.
The
Bad
Probably the closest thing to an actual complaint for most people is this toy's overall size. The toy is slight for a deluxe in robot mode, compressing further into a small car. Said car also has a case of Visible Head Syndrome on the underside. My example had some very minor production scars, one of which briefly affected a thigh swivel.
Probably the closest thing to an actual complaint for most people is this toy's overall size. The toy is slight for a deluxe in robot mode, compressing further into a small car. Said car also has a case of Visible Head Syndrome on the underside. My example had some very minor production scars, one of which briefly affected a thigh swivel.
The Mediocre
This toy has some minor omissions and quirks to do with its articulation, such as the waist being fixed, and the elbows looking a bit odd despite their functionality.
This toy has some minor omissions and quirks to do with its articulation, such as the waist being fixed, and the elbows looking a bit odd despite their functionality.
The Alternatives
There is of course the famous First
Edition Vehicon, which is bigger and more complicated. It is not
however better, with much less elegant transformation and a smaller
gun. Alternately there are legion class toys, and Japanese versions,
which come with stickers and DIY Mini-cons.
The Verdict
With the mass market Prime toys being
frequent victims of Hasbro cost-cutting and questionable gimmicky,
its perhaps surprising how well this toy turned out. It just does a
lot right in both modes, and makes the actual transformation business
seem special again. As a result it has tenure on my Shelf of Awesome,
and I doubt will be going elsewhere soon. If carformers appeal, get
this guy.
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