9. B-127: We've gone full circle for this guy. We go from a really nice Offroad Bumblebee to a promising-at-first-then-majorly-disappointing Cliffjumper and back to Bumblebee, now with some stupid-ass codename that does the long-overdone precursor name schtick. This guy's got the same backpack issues, loose thighs, and leg panels that don't stay on. Also don't like how weirdly bright the yellow is compared to his other toys. That's more fitting for G1 Bumblebee, honestly. The battle mask would be cool if it wasn't on this mode since he used it more on the Offroad design. And no, head-swapping it won't help because the shades of yellow don't match. Now, there is a Buzzworthy version of the mold coming soon, with a more accurate shade of yellow and the unmasked head with darker face paint to boot, so I look forward to that at the very least, even if the mold still sucks.
8. High Octane Bumblebee: This is a figure that I don't own yet I must explain why it has to be on this part of the list. So back in 2014, the movie line was in a time period where the toys were given the same level of being scaled back much like the Thrilling 30 of the Generations line. The AOE toys were not given the same level of engineering that original trilogy lines had, and they weren't even as refined as what the Studio Series had for its new molds. As a result, High Octane Bumblebee stands out amongst the other releases for having dated engineering, a gaudy color scheme of yellow legs that look cheap, and an overall appearance that makes him more primitive when put next to the other Bumblebees in the line. Things like the way the roof is folded within the hood, or the more creative leg transformation, and the winglets that were carried over from the Masterpiece Movie toy, are not present in this figure because it was made before those new traits were added. I think it's a shame Hasbro didn't make a heavy retool out of the high octane figure because that would be a great way to revive the design with more modern engineering, especially when the stubby arms, elongated legs, and flat clown feet with the wheels sticking out on the sides don't make him feel as refined. And to make matters worse, this is the Tribute 3-pack version with the missing paint apps and the brighter yellow that doesn't fit the character! Look at that banana missile! RIDICULOUS!!!
7. Starscream (Bumblebee): When I first saw this mold, I set aside any anti-Beewun design bias and was genuinely interested in seeing how far they'd take Blitzing into Starscream. Turns out he has no parts in common with him. Either way's he's a worse version of Blitzwing. The tetrajet mode's pretty cool, I'd say more insectoid and alien than the Siege version. The transformation is pretty cool, but the robot mode is a mixed bag. The wings feel pretty weak with the tolerances, the legs don't feel straight, the head can't look up in spite of being on a ball joint, and the weapon stays on worse on the arm than with Blitzwing (on top of not flowing with the rest of the arm), and the null rays are a joke! They don't need to be on the forearms, but can they PLEASE not come off the wings too easily? I'm missing one and can't find it to this day!
6. Thrust: The only other figure we got in the non-86 Studio Series line that was a Voyager was a reuse of Starscream. Yes. Thrust has some of the same issues that Starscream had, but I'll give credit to them for making it slightly more tolerable. I dig the new conehead piece that completes the silhouette, the wing transformation somehow works better, and the Armada color scheme is so appreciative instead of the cliche G1 deco. So yeah, it's kind of a case of Hasbro polishing a turd, but at least they put a little more effort here.
5. Grindor: Blackout was an already impressive Leader, sacrificing his size in robot mode for a robust size in vehicle mode and a complex transformation that made Grimlock feel like a Voyager by comparison. The only thing I'd improve on would be actual ratchets for the hips and sturdy shoulder tabs for the transformation. Then we get to Grindor, who I'd say is fine for a repaint this late in the line since we have had new molds for the Leaders and the only times we got reuses were the two Constructicons in the size class as well as Blackout in a Lucky Draw campaign and Megatron in the Universal Studios ride. Grindor is also similar enough that you can pretend he's Blackout with some new additions. Sadly, apart from the hands and Ravage, he's worse than Blackout due to the rust paint apps being as bad as the ones on TLK Squeeks. The paint that was added in the vehicle mode is appreciative, but the quality control on the tabs and the shoulders as well as the digitigrade knees make him worse than Blackout. If that's not enough, the propellor blades are free for the vehicle mode but that comes at the cost of making them loose in robot mode. So yeah, a serviceable repaint of a great figure with plenty of QC issues.
4. Jolt: NGL, I was first anticipating this guy to make it to the number 1 spot for how creative he'd be, but after handling him, there are plenty of things that pull him back. Firstly, the vehicle mode looks softer on details than the other Studio Series cars we got, even if it's a licensed vehicle. I also find the articulation to be a bit hit and miss, with the legs being in need of an ankle pivot as well as the hip kibble getting in the way. It's manageable but could be better executed. His whips are cool in detailing but could be even better if they were pre-posed or had wires implemented. Hell, even hinges would suffice. The part swapping with the thumbs is a creative method but be careful with keeping track of them. To his credit, he's very screen-accurate, and the head sculpt works well, but there is room for improvement.
3. Dino: Many people shat on this guy for the inaccurate vehicle mode and the backpack that he has. The former makes sense because it's not easy to get the licensing of the Ferrari, and the latter is forgiving given that there is so much that can be added for this guy in the $20 price tag. The bumper butt's weird, and he may look fat from the from because of the backpack, but it's tolerable in hand. I do like how the articulation turned out, but I do wish he'd have an ankle pivot. Still, I'm happy to accept this Dino over no Dino because the official version from before was just a red Sideways, and the third-party offerings, especially Alien Attack Firage, are very concerning.
2. Bumblebee (ROTF): While the front of the vehicle mode is a little incomplete for paint apps and the gray parts are a lighter prototype shade instead of the dark gray of the first Camaro Bumblebee, the new shade of yellow is appreciatively closer to the movie, I like the new rims, and the figure still carries over the same engineering we got from before. You know, the faux chest elements, the mini wings, the leg transformation that woul be great to see on the High Octane design?! Sam Witwicky is a nice addition for the figure due to his inclusion of being Bumblebee's friend, and despite being a miniature, Allspark-less version of the MPM guy, he's a nice accessory to have.
1. Sideswipe: I'm amazed that they were able to find a way to make the retooled backpack work without it compromising the figure. While it can take some getting used to for those who have the DOTM version, it makes up for it with an even nicer vehicle mode and a better-colored robot mode. Gone are the light gray robot parts in favor of darker gray parts and a silver-painted head. This is how you improve on previously released figures without compromising anything crucial! Shame Sideswipe managed to be the best figure in the line. Hell, all of the Deluxes apart from the Bumblebees based on movies released in this decade manage to be higher on the list!
And that covers the regular Studio Series line! With them out of the way, let's go to the 1986 movie and see what its characters had to offer! I have to say that I was annoyed that they kept shoving G1 down our throats but perhaps that'd be fine if they let the toys be good and be of equal quality all around. If anything, being a great toy is all that I'd hope for each release. So let's see how they turned out!
9. Scourge: This guy is so boring. His vehicle mode is the same space boat that pales in comparison to Cyclonus, and the sculpted details feel flat compared to the WFC Trilogy. The transformation is simple and doesn't have the creativity that the WFC or Studio Series line has, either. I guess the robot mode is screen-accurate, but it feels more like an excuse for why a figure is lacking elsewhere instead of being a robust toy that doesn't just rely on Sunbow accuracy to be good. Like, I love the WFC trilogy, but their engineering and sculpted details make them superior reasons to love them more than Sunbow accuracy. The open left hand is cool, and the effect piece is funny for how phallic it looks. Still, not the best, and I don't plan to get the Sweeps anytime soon.
8. Gnaw: I always wanted a Gnaw figure, and while he's the best with the screen-accuracy and darker colors that the G1 toy and Titans Return release have, he's got some new issues of his own. The legs are far back from the body in beast mode, which makes him very front-heavy, and it comes from a new step in his transformation. A swivel for the chest to make most of the upper body fit with the rest of the robot mode proportions, it's not something either the G1 or Titans Return figure did at the cost of not having a waist swivel like Siege Apeface, Earthrise Starscream, and Kingdom Blackarachnia. Then again, most Studio Series figures don't have waist swivels. The robot mode looks accurate, and his sculpted details and paint make him comparable to the Allicon, but he's still doing that accuracy-as-a-crutch excuse for how underwhelming he is.
7. Blurr: I was initially looking forward to getting this guy because I was hoping he'd be better handled than the Titans Return version. When I got him in-hand, I found him somewhat annoying in some areas. Many have an issue with his crimson chin, but I found the details to be boring and flat compared to the Titans Return version. Additionally, I wish he had wheels, but I guess that wasn't a concern. His articulation is not too bad, though I don't like how the wrist swivels are connected to the fenders of the vehicle mode. All in all, another case where they prioritized show-accuracy over making for a memorable figure.
6. Kup: This guy's an interesting fellow, what with him having some of the scupted details I love in the WFC line mixed with some slightly weaker plastic than the norm. The robot mode is where the toon accuracy remains obvious, and while many would prefer the Titans Return version for the Marvel look or the Generations version for the IDW look, this guy isn't bad. He does have the limb-removing feature with the use of 5mm ports, but I honestly like the clear chest on him more than the solid one on the Buzzworthy version being opaque. I know that one is closer to the show model, but this guy feels a little more unique with it, and those sculpted details are nice to have. He could have a better head sculpt, but he's not a bad figure, and he balances the toon aesthetic and details quite well.
5. Jazz: Another figure that has the balance done quite well, Jazz may be seen to many as the best version of the guy for his Sunbow accuracy. I agree that he looks the part, but I feel something is missing: the decals. I'm not upset at the 14 on paper but the execution is pretty lacking. I do want to go a step further and give him Reprolabels since those would make him much more satisfying than he currently is. I will have to warn you on the clear plastic being somewhat fragile if you don't transform him properly. He may not look as cool as the WFC Trilogy gang, but he is my favorite of the Deluxes in this line-up. And hey, it's funny how we've gotten Jazz in a cartoon-accurate design while the Masterpiece line has yet to complete the Autobot Cars of 1984! Also this one beats the crappy POTP version.
4. Wreck-Gar: I like Wreck-Gar's character. I think he's fun in G1. I'm also thankful that he wasn't butchered in the WFC Netflix show since he didn't exist in there. That being said, this Wreck-Gar is definitely in the looks over quality department since the feel of this guy is on-par with the plastic feel of Kup. It's not bad, but it makes him feel a little less robust than the WFC Voyagers excluding the Beasties. He's definitely the best-looking Wreck-Gar, and I appreciate his weapons and ab-crunch in theory, but I'll admit I like the creativity of the Reveal the Shield one more for how badass it looked. I don't think I'll get a Junkion unless he has a unique deco and a new head.
3. Hot Rod: Many will consider this guy to be the best version of Hot Rod that we've gotten in a G1-based line. And while that is true for the accuracy and the engineering, I do find that there are a few issues with him. The sculpting feels softer than it should be, even if it's there. The shoulder articulation takes some getting used to due to how they work differently from any other shoulder joints. I'm sure some will be annoyed that the knees and especially the cockpit hinge at the roof are yellow like the spoiler, but my main thing is how simple he feels next to the WFC Trilogy guys, who balance cartoon aesthetics with new details and engineering. He does have some cool accessories, and that justifies him being a Voyager, though compared to the other contenders, it's the end of the road for him!
2. Slug: I'm surprised we'd get a Leader Class Slug in the line. After the Power of the Prime Dinobots, I assumed Hasbro would be fine enough with those releases because they'd be the closest to being G1 updates of the team, along with their combining abilities, but we're getting Leader Class versions of them and they're coming out little by little?! We got two of them already this year, and Slag's definitely a strong addition to the line. I like the details that are added to him, and the transformation he has is quite astounding. Daniel Witwicky sucks, and he could go for a sword. Otherwise, an impressive Leader Class figure that makes me miss when they made the size class feel exciting.
1. Grimlock: This guy is indeed king. Unlike Slug, who did suffer from having more of the prominent prototype gray parts and somewhat wishy-washy red, Grimlock feels a lot more premium with the prominence of gold and dark gray. That and how nice the blue visor looks on the black helmet. I'd say this Grimlock looks better than the Masterpiece version due to how it didn't make the proportions weird, and that's not a knock at the MP version since it was an impressive take on the guy. While he does come with a (better done) gun and a slightly better Wheelie, he still doesn't have his signature sword. Still, those aren't as annoying with Grimlock compared to the other Dinobots, who felt like they needed their weapons compared to Grimlock, who'd make all the damage with his fists or beast mode at times. In any case, he's already great, even without the upgrade kit (which I plan to get).
And that wraps up the line-up. What an interesting year this has been, huh? Well, next time you see me, I'll be talking about who's missing in the Studio Series line as far as new characters and other designs are concerned. But until then, have some additional countdowns and reviews!
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