Transformers Age of Extinction: Bumblebee & Dinobot Strafe (Walmart Exclusive)

This is the ONLY time you'll see an Age of Extinction toy on this blog.  I hated the movie with a passion.  There was very little in the movie that I found I was OK with.  Needless to say the only movie toys I've bought up until now have been 3 of the deluxe Dinobots, and I only bought those to have something new to open and fiddle around with.

When the first images surfaced online of the 3 new Walmart exclusive two packs featuring a hodgepodge of molds I'm sure I wasn't the only one that was sitting there scratching my head.  Hasbro broke out the Beast Wars basic mold used for Terrorsaur (and other repaints) as Strafe?  Energon's Cruellock was being used as Grimlock?  Beast Wars Guiledart as Slug?  This seemed to come completely from left field.

While I really wasn't looking for these per se, I did see on Facebook a sighting had been made somewhere in the country as a Walmart was doing a reset, I presume their fall reset.  Conveniently enough I found myself at Walmart late last night picking up some things for my wife.  One of the advantages of shopping your local Walmart late at night is the crowds are non-existent!  This is also when the pallets are dropped all across the store for the workers to re-stock the shelves.

Just outside the toy department I found 3 pallets stacked full of new toys.  I walked around all 3 and was just about the leave when one box on the bottom of the stack caught me eye.  It read 'TRAS4 LEGION ASST'.  I carefully slid the box out from underneath the stack so I could take a peek inside.  Bam!  The new Walmart exclusive 2 packs were found.  By the way, I'm in the upstate of South Carolina, just south of Charlotte, NC.  The case assortment if anyone cares is as follows:

- Stinger & Slug x2
- Optimus Prime & Grimlock x3
- Bumblebee & Strafe x3

While technically G2 drew me back into collecting Transformers again in the 90's, Beast Wars really brought me back into the fold.  I decided to grab the pack w/ Terrorsaur I mean Strafe just for kicks.  If you're still reading along here with go w/ the pictures of the actual toys!

As you can see here we have a slightly repainted Dark of the Moon Legion class Bumblebee and a repainted Beast Wars basic Terrorsaur.  As I already mentioned, the latter is my reason for purchase.

I always was a fan of the flipformers from a few years back.  Nothing has changed here.  If you are familiar with any iteration of this mold, then you know what you are getting here.

Strafe here does keep some of this movie markings from his deluxe toy.  Overall I have to say that it looks pretty nice.

What caught me by surprise was the stamp underneath one of the wings.  You can see the original 1995 Hasbro/Takara markings, but above it now has a 2013 Hasbro Tomy stamp.  Hmm.

To transform Strafe from dino to robot you simply pull up on his head and he basically unfolds into a robot.  Again, nothing has really changed here from the previous releases.  Overall it appears that the mold isn't showing any signs of degradation, but the ankle joints are loose.  If memory serves me correctly, ever other version of this toy that I've owned also had loose ankle joints.

Articulation is pretty good for a mid 90's Transformer.  Ball joints are present in the shoulders, elbows, hips and needs.  Pivot joints are used for the feet/ankles.  I'm not the most creative when it comes to posing my toys, but here you go.  I will point out that some assistance may be needed when posing and standing the figure.  The dino kibble makes him back heavy and with the weaker ankle joints he does tend to want to fall over.  I'm sure this could be remedied rather easy with some clear nail polish.

Strafe's packed in partner is Bumblebee.  Like there aren't enough versions of this toy, let alone the character already.  This is the Legion class toy first used in the Dark of the Moon movie line of Transformers.  At first I thought it was the same as before, only with some white paint being slopped on the face.  Then I transformed him...

I don't recall the windows being painted like this.  Bumblebee now almost seems to have "cartoon" colored windows.  Whatever, I'm giving this toy to the little boy my wife has watched for the last 2 years.  My wife is starting a new job so after this week we won't have him or his sister at our house.  I'm sure he'll be thrilled to have this toy...and no I wasn't being sarcastic.

Size comparison.  I really wish Hasbro would bring back the basic class of toys.

These Walmart two packs retail for $15 each.  While I feel that price is a little high for this set (as opposed to Stinger & Slug which seems to be a better value), this set still has a lot to offer.  I know this isn't Terrorsaur, but I still dig this mold and the blue and black look terrific.  3 out of 5 Duocon thumbs up.

Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Bumblebee

So are you as sick of Bumblebee as I? Then you may be asking why did I buy this? Well the answer is easy...it was on sale so it was more of a impulse buy...and one I regret. Thankfully however I made some kid's day in August when I sold him at Charticon.

 

The premise here (at least for the toy line) is that the Autobots bulk themselves up to ready for battle against the Predacons. Now had these upgrades appeared in season 3 of Transformers Prime, I'm sure myself and possibly others would have been more interested. However that is not the case and these toys just feel unneeded. If Hasbro can release another version of Bumblebee however, it seems as if they'll pull all stops to do so.

This is just a retooled Prime RID mold. Throw on some spikes, missiles on the doors of the car and you have a "new" Bumblebee. Blah. Plastic feels cheap and the toy looks goofy. Argh! Major buyer's remorse!

The packaging calls his weapon Eagleshot Bow. While I do find this new weapon remotely cool, attaching it to the top of the car just doesn't do anything for me.

Transformation is exactly the same as the base BB toy. I guess this is just one of those love it or hate it figures. I'll go w/ the latter. I still have a hard time picturing this character as anything other than a little yellow Volkswagon Beetle, much less an armored gladiator.

And just for kicks here are a few comparison shots with Arms Micron Bumblebee that I just happened to have finished stickering prior to opening Beast Hunters Bee.

Transformers Generations: Bumblebee & Blazemaster

As part of Transformers 30th Anniversary, Hasbro has launched a new scale of sorts of G1 themed characters. The first wave contained Optimus Prime & Roller and Bumblebee & Blazemaster. What can you expect of these new toys that will set you back $10 at most retailers?  Read on.

When I first saw some of the solicited images of these figures I thought Hasbro was bringing the Cyberverse scale into the Generations line.  While these are exactly labeled as Cyberverse toys, Bumblebee here is about the same size as a Cyberverse Commander class figure.  This means a fair simplistic transformation sequence, light on the paint apps and just a few accessories.  I'm happy to say however that even a new Bumblebee toy has managed to surprise me as being a good, fun Transformer toy.

One of the things I like most about these new Generations 2 packs are the included Targetmaster if you will, robots.  Blazemaster here shares his name with another small helicopter from the G1 series.  I'm thinking the blue was used for Blazemaster as a homage of sorts to G1 Bumblebee Action Master's helicopter back pack accessory.  I could be wrong, but it just seems obvious.

Blazemaster is small.  I like to think of him as Micromaster small or Mini-Con small, but I didn't think of grabbing any of those toys to make an actual size comparison.  

To transform Blazemaster into his robot form, you basically just unfold him.  The helicopter's cockpit forms the legs and the tail section folds back to reveal the rest of the robot.  Think G1 here.  What I mean by that is don't expect the same level of articulation that Bumblebee features.  You can basically rotate his arms around...that's it.

Blazemaster is a Targetmaster of sorts which I find really fascinating.  He can transform into a gun that Bumblebee can wield in both robot and vehicle modes!

Bumblebee has lost his iconic G1 Volkswagon Beetle form, yet he retains that very familiar "round yellow" look.  The designers have done a great job with this figure.  Just look at the headsculpt...it's dead on for G1.  Transformation was a little more complex than what I imagined it would be, but not so difficult that you can't figure it out without using the included instructions.

Blazemaster convincingly forms a good Targetmaster style hand gun.  While a tad on the large size for the figure, Bumblebee looks ready to go toe to toe with the Decepticons.

Remove the blades from Blazemaster and now Bumblebee can be armed even in car mode!  Bee's new vehicle mode doesn't seem to be modeled after any real world vehicle that I know of.  Instead you have a generic looking hatchback style car.  I'm guess the red hood stripes were added to break up the yellow.  I don't hate the red, but I don't love it either.

Overall I like this toy...which says a lot since there are a million new Bumblebee toys released these days.  I'm not sure where I'll have him displayed yet (maybe w/ the new Metroplex?), but this is one Bumblebee that I don't mind having in my collection.

Transformers Arms Micron: Bumblebee AM-02

Before I get into this review, let me give you a little back story on this purchase.  When it was first announced that Takara Tomy's version of Transformers Prime toys would be coming with Microns (Mini-Cons) I was ecstatic.  Ever since the little TFs were first introduced in Armada / Micron Densetsu I was hooked.  I would troll the internet in years gone by looking for every single one that I didn't already own.  This included many of the Japanese exclusive Microns.  When HLJ put up some of the first pre-orders for the Arms Micron toys I quickly placed an order for Bumblebee and Ratchet.

Then as time passed and more details were released I discovered that the Arms Micron toys would feature many more differences over Hasbro's own Prime toys.  First the Microns themselves would have to be built. Secondly the Transformers themselves weren't heavily painted and came with sticker sheets.  I was disappointed to hear this news and I canceled (at least I thought I did) my pre-orders.  Turns out I was wrong and thus I now own Arms Micron Bumblebee AM-02.  Yea me!

I was impressed with my first hands on impression of the new packaging.  Not having a window displaying the toy inside gives the designers more room for great CGI as in this case.

Takara Tomy was highlighting how the other Microns could be used with each release from the very start.

  

Each side of the box highlights both Bumblebee and his Micron, B.2's tech spec rankings.

Now at the time of opening Bee here I hadn't bothered to buy the Prime version.  There are already way too many versions of Bumblebee floating around that I didn't need yet another one so similar.  Right out of the box you can see how naked he is without his pin stripes.  I guess some people may prefer this look, but it's just way too much yellow for my tastes.

There we go, that's much better.  Outside of some of the stickers just not wanting to apply very easily (the roof in particularly was a pain in the butt), look carefully at the black stripes.  Notice anything?  Do you notice the different shade of yellow?  The stickers on the roof and hood are outlined in a slightly darker shade of yellow.  I'm not sure why this was done, but it looks lame if you ask me.

The only other stickers to be applied in vehicle mode are the two rear tail lights.  They have a metallic look to them and have a streak of silver underneath the red.

I know a lot of people claimed the Transformers Prime First Edition mold to be the superior Bumblebee mold in this series, but I only found him once at retail and I opted to pass over him in favor of Arcee and Starscream.  I don't find this mold to be bad, but the shoulders leave a lot to be desired.  There is a good bit of articulation in all areas, but the shoulders and chest area are clunky and a little cumbersome.  The head sculpt however is a near perfect representation of his show self.

B.2 - despite all the small stickers, is a very cool gorilla looking Micron.  As much as I like the robot mode, his gun form is top notch.  At first I was worried when I saw the gold, but plastic on this release seemed very strong. Owning a G1 Black Zarak you can understand my hesitation in transforming this piece too many times.

Bumblebee has ports in his forearms that allow B.2 or any other Arms Micron figure.  Bumblebee has never really been known for the firepower he packs, but at least this version makes the yellow Autobot a little more menacing looking.

Of all the Arms Micron releases this is one that I really can't recommend unless you are a completionist or just a die hard Bumblebee fan.  Before his Micron was released in a few different ways I could say that was the redeeming factor if you did buy the set.  For now this guy will stay in my collection, but there are so many  other Arms Micron / Prime toys that are a better buy.

Transformers G1: Goldback C-97

Inspiration for this post (and a few future posts) comes from my fellow TF fan and blogger aptkane who runs Pax Cybertron. He recently acquired a Italian GiG Throttlebot and that got me thinking of the few Takara Throttlebots I own.

Goldback, or better known as Goldbug, was actually one of my first vintage G1 Japanese TFs I bought when I got back into collecting. Even though the toy is unchanged from it's U.S. release I couldn't turn down the opportunity to add this little guy to my collection thanks in part to the awesome packaging.

Unfortunately my specimen has that dreaded crease flap bend that is really noticeable when looking at the back of the box. If you'll notice at the bottom of the box you'll see the transformation instructions. This is because the Japanese Throttlebots didn't include instructions or tech spec cards like the majority of G1 Takara TFs.

I didn't pay $16, but close to it! I can't believe what some sellers are asking for this toy now!

I really miss the styrofoam inserts such as this. The inner tray perfectly hugs and protects the toy while he hibernates away in his box. There is a small hole in the bottom of the styrofoam for you to push the figure up and out of the tray.

I always loved the Throttlebots growing up. Perhaps it was because they were inexpensive and I could easily talk my mom or my grandmother into buying one for me. Or maybe it was because of their pull back friction motor. Whatever the reason I'm glad I've got all of them. And did I mention how much I absolutely love these small Japanese boxes?!