Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Age of the Primes Onslaught

Release Date: June 2026

RRP: $99.99/£91.99

After Hasbro spoiled Transformers fans in 2025 with the release of both Devastator and Superion in the Studio Series and Age of the Primes lines respectively, 2026 is definitely the year of Bruticus. After teasing collectors last year with Vortex, the rest of the Combaticons have been steadily releasing over the last few months. Next came Brawl and Blast Off, with Age of the Primes Onslaught next in line before Swindle rounds off the team. The leader of the Combaticons comes as as a Commander Class figure, not only due to his own larger size but also incorporating the Bruticus combiner frame parts in the same manner Motormaster and Silverbolt did for their respective teams.

As a Commander Class figure, Age of the Primes Onslaught comes in a box that's significantly larger than his fellow Combaticons - replacing the usual window section on the front with full-size artwork of the character in both robot and vehicle modes. Accompanying it is the standard Transformers logo and "Age of the Primes" sub-header, as well as the character name and a boxed-off section at the top displaying both the transformation step count and this release being the fourth component of Bruticus. One side of the box features the generic Age of the Primes artwork that's been featured on all of line's packaging, whilst the other features the Bruticus character artwork that's been used on all the Combaticons' boxes. The back of the box shows the figure off in both its modes (along with highlighting the play features of the trailer), but also features images of the Bruticus combiner frame the trailer transforms into. Inside the figure goes against the norm by being packaged in vehicle mode, securely tied down to a cardboard tray.

With Onslaught being packaged in vehicle mode for a change, we begin by looking at his artillery truck mode - the cab section forming Onslaught himself whilst the trailer forms Bruticus' combiner frame. Like the other Combaticons the vehicle is very cartoon-accurate (other than the vehicle being split into two distinct parts rather than connecting into one solid piece) matching the original design's dark blue and olive green colour scheme with a turning tank turret at the front of the trailer. This new version throws in some extra sculpted detail for extra measure, but doesn't go so crazy with it that it detracts from the original design. It's just a shame that the cab hood is missing the Decepticon emblem the original G1 version has. The two vehicle components are tied down separately in the box, and can be connected together simply by flipping up a panel at the front of the trailer and clipping it onto the cab. The thing that immediately stands out about the combined vehicle mode is it's long - almost too long to fit in my lightbox! It's a pretty impressive looking vehicle, and immediately gives you the sense of why Onslaught needed to be a Commander Class release.

In terms of features Onslaught's vehicle mode has ten (six on the cab and then a further four on the trailer) free-rolling wheels that allows him to roll across surfaces, as well as a 360 degree rotating tank turret with movable guns. The guns themselves also have 5mm peg sockets so that effect parts can be plugged into them. On top of that the trailer also has enough space that one of the Combaticons (or any similarly sized Transformers vehicle for that matter) can ride on the back - with the flaps at the very back of the trailer also moveable into a ramp position.

The cab's transformation into Onslaught's robot mode is straightforward enough, comprising 28 of the 44 transformation steps outlined on the box and in the instructions. None of the steps are particularly difficult, but there are some where parts feel unnecessarily tight and at risk of breaking - flipping out the cannons on the back to face upwards was the main one that stuck out for me. In robot mode Onslaught is again a very close match to his G1cartoon animation model - opting for the all-blue chest of the cartoon version rather than the silver abdomen of the original toy. There are a couple of differences to the cartoon model (mainly the lack of green on the sides of the arms), but otherwise it's definitely the most cartoon-accurate Onslaught that's ever been released officially. Even with his relatively dark colour scheme the detailing stands out nicely, and also makes that bright yellow visor all the more vibrant. The other notable thing to say about Onslaught is that this is one chunky toy. Even without the trailer's added bulk Onslaught towers over the other Combaticons, and in terms of weight also feels a lot more solid despite some hollow sections on the backs of the arms and legs. Put him alongside the others and it's immediately apparent why he's the leader.

But despite that extra mass articulation is still pretty matches is up with what's on the rest of the Combaticons, though that's by no means a bad thing. Onslaught features;

- Ball jointed head

- Double swivel hinge shoulders

- Single swivel hinge hips

- Single hinge elbows

- Double hinge hips and ankles

- Waist, bicep and thigh swivels

The crotch sections covering the hip joints are also hinged, so can be lifted to give the legs more clearance when posing. Though the knees are technically double-hinged, it's worth noting that the top half of the joint actually moves in the opposite direction - suggesting it's mainly there for transforming/combining rather than posing. The ankle joints are fun though, with the upper half making the foot moveable whilst the lower half provides the ankle tilt. No wrist swivel is a little surprising on a larger figure like this, but it's not really much of a knock against it. Onslaught certainly has the bulk to look imposing, but he also has the movement to match it as well.

Rather curiously Onslaught does not come with his "Sonic Stun-Gun" rifle, which seems like a fairly glaring omission for multiple reasons. All the other Combaticons come with their personal firearms, Onslaught has hands with peg-holes for holding weapons and most importantly of all - would it really have cost Hasbro all that much more to throw his weapon into what's already a pretty expensive set? If any of your other Transformers figures have spare weapons lying around though Onslaught is happy to take them - fans have already discovered that the original toy's weapon also works rather nicely with him. However while he may not have his firearm that isn't to say Onslaught is without firepower, because his trailer can transform into a mobile battle station ala the original toy. This can be done in just a few simple steps, giving Onslaught a rotating turret to fire his artillery from. The battle station naturally features all the same gimmicks as it does in trailer mode - ranging from the 5mm peg ports in the guns to the rotating turret and battle platform to add another Combaticon in vehicle mode. While the size and main appeal of the trailer section is that it also transforms into the combiner frame for Bruticus, the battle station is both a fun gimmick and throwback to the original toy. At least so much that, if you were displaying your Combaticon team in their individual robot modes, you wouldn't necessarily throw the piece back in the box rather than have it on display alongside them.

I have purposely omitted discussing the combiner frame transformation as I plan to cover it in a separate Bruticus review once I have assembled the full Combaticon team (much like how I previously covered the Constructions and Devastator) - watch this space.

Transformers Age of the Primes Onslaught is a really fun toy and definitely the most substantial size-wise of the Combaticons even without taking the trailer/battle station/combiner frame into account, but with the ever rising prices of these figures Commander Class figures can be a particularly bitter pill to swallow - and individually Onslaught does struggle to live up to that cost at times. Admittedly few people are likely to be out there just buying Onslaught so the subject of individual value is less of an issue, however if you're then taking the combined cost of assembling Bruticus into account then it becomes even pricier still. It can be a steep hurdle to get over, but if you do then there really isn't a whole lot to be disappointed with here - and there's every chance the finished Bruticus will make it all worth it in the end.