Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Legends LG-26 Scourge

The Combiner Wars have come to an end, and now it’s time for the titans ro return! After successfully relaunching combiners as a main range, the Transformers franchise has now turned its attention toward doing the same for Headmasters – creating an all new line featuring both classic Headmaster characters as well as incorporating the gimmick into other existing characters. Among these included Transformers: The Movie/G1 season 3 leader Galvatron, and together with the previously released Combiner Wars Cyclonus Unicron’s trifecta of heralds is complete with the release of Scourge. While the American Titans Return figure sports a deco similar to that of the original G1 toy, TakaraTomy’s Transformers Legends version instead draws its inspiration from the cartoon – offering fans two different interpretations depending on where their nostalgia may lie.

Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Animated Waspinator

"Driven crazy by years locked in an AUTOBOT prison, WASPINATOR is determined to take revenge on the robot who put him there - BUMBLEBEE. Now, after bizarre experiments conducted by BLACKARACHNIA, he finally has the power to make his vengeance a reality. He has come to Earth hunting the AUTOBOT speedster; and he will not stop until BUMBLEBEE is a pile of smoking scrap."

Beast Wars Waspinator was one of the first Transformers I ever had, so imagine my excitement when I found out he was not only going to be in the Transformers Animated series, but also get a toy. Then imagine my disappointment when I found out his wave wasn't going to be released in the UK. Then imagine my excitement when I found him and his wave mate Samurai Prowl (who will probably get a review some point next week) in Home Bargains of all places for HALF PRICE! Good times readers, good times.

So anyway onto the review, Waspinator is a deluxe class figure and as you have probably already realised transforms into a wasp. The beast mode looks very good in the TF:A style, and the translucent purple plastic on the giant bug eyes and wings are a very nice touch. The transformation itself isn't particuarly difficult, in fact its only 6 step transformation - connect arms, pull up arms and legs, pull down wasp head etc.
The robot mode certainly does the animation model justice, as is the case with most TF:A figures. The eyes have the same purple plastic as the wings which makes for some nice light piping effects and his little arms even have their own articulation. Speaking of articulation its very good, being mostly ball joints and then hinges on the knees, feet and elbows. The toy even has a little lever on the back to make the wings flap!

As with most Animated toys, I highly recommend this figure. Even moreso if you live in the UK and have a Home Bargains nearby and can get it for the price I did (which by the way was £5.99). While he certainly isn't the best TF:A figure ever, he's still certainly leaps and bounds better than the majority of the Revenge of the Fallen line.

Toybox REVIEW: Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe Chromia

Or "the Blue Arcee bike" if you'd prefer. Yes, this character is only Chromia in toy form, as in the movie it was opted for the Arcee bikes to be a single entity (but since this isn't explicitly stated in the movie, I like to think otherwise). Her alt mode is obviously a blue motorcycle, with some pretty cool looking cybertronian (?) symbol decor. The bike even has a kick stand for those who prefer to display the figure in bike mode.

Onto the transformation. Well, given that I knew what her robot mode looked like I didn't expect there to be that much involvement in her transformation, but to be honest I was suprised as alot seems to move around and I found myself quite confused when it came to her torso.

The bot mode, unfortuntely, isn't alot home to shout home about. I really WANTED to like it, because after seeing her onscreen I thought they were really interesting and original designs, but I can't help but feel somewhat underwhelmed. Obviously, because she has no legs she is incapable of standing on her own, but not to worry...Hasbro have provided a "snap on cannon" that also doubles as a weapons stand! There's an alternate method to use the stand so that it cannot be seen from the front, but due to her humongous gun arm, this makes posing pretty much impossible so I'm not a fan of it.

In conclusion? Well out of the 5 proper ROTF toys I have so far she's certainly not the best. In fact, its a toss up between her and Soundwave for the worst. If you're not a completist or not looking to get the 3 Arcee bike bots for the apparent combined mode (which did not appear in the movie) then you can happily skip this one, you wont be missing alot.

Comparison with TF1 deluxe Arcee figure

And with pimp daddy Ironhide.

Custom Figure: Classics Bludgeon, Landmine (Lander) and Waverider (Diver)

A 3 figure G1 Pretender extravaganza of customs to show off this time round, with a custom Bludgeon made from a Cybertron deluxe class Unicron, and the first 2 of my big project to create classics versions of the whole cast of Masterforce (well, second and third if you want to be precise, since I did already do Blackzarak...)! Lander is made from a Movie scout class Hardtop and Diver is made from a Movie Scout class Storm Surge.

As before I'll give you an image of the original G1 figure first so you know what I was going for. Enjoy!