Post by iTransfan on Jan 21, 2012 20:22:01 GMT
First review for me of 2012 will be a wave 2 release of Transformers Prime Bumblebee. This figure has undergone some changes from the F.E. Bumblebee which will be demonstrated.
VEHICLE MODE
Bumblebee is in the form of a muscle car, vaguely similar to his movie incarnation. He is predominantly bright yellow with black racing stripes, blue, clear plastic headlights and black grille.
The vehicle does have a notable change or two compared to the first edition/NYCC. Number 1) his seam lines are different from the front to the roof. 2) his weaponry has been moved from the underside of the vehicle to the engine block. 3) his windows, and thus his door, are clear plastic and the paint does not match the plastic colour of the body unlike the first edition/NYCC. 4), and probably slightly startling, the newer version is shorter that the first edition. 5) He lacks paint apps at the rear of the vehicle, something I plan to fix personally but it should have been right in the first place. Also, no paint app for his wheel rims which is also slightly disappointing.
ROBOT MODE
The differences in this version of Bumblebee annoyed some and may have pleased others. First, and initially most obvious in his looks is he has no logo in the center of his chest, bringing him, in my view, closer to his tv counterpart. His arms also sport new molding. Also seems to be sporting a new type of elbow joint. His chest can be opened up far more easily compared to the first edition.
Down below the waist, his hips and knees are still supported by balljoints so there is little change there. He can be gotten into some excellent poses. What is new to his poses is he can kneel down properly with this version unlike the first edition where the rear view plastic tended to get in the way to get this pose.
Compared to the first edition, this Bumblebee is smaller and has less of a shoulder width which I think is an improvement. He does have kibble behind the head and on the back where the roof was redistributed to to keep it as a single piece. Also, his chest and shoulders transform as one piece. I felt it was a little awkward to change. The part that the head is attached to also has nothing to clip into underneath so it is not secure in its position, yet overall I don't think its as fiddly once the chest is in place which did tick me off a little with the first edition. His arms, I feel, do sit more naturally in comparison and have a better range.
Also the extra weapon is nice compared to the original. Weaponry can be exchanged from the new BB to the first edition but not vice versa. Both weapons can also be combined and either held as a hand cannon or mounted.
Here he is compared to NYCC Arcee(sidenote: MUST post a review) and leader class movie Ironhide
OVERALL
VEHICLE MODE
Vehicle doesn't physically suffer for being smaller. It does suffer from losing tail lights, a license plate and wheel rim decals or paint apps. Also loses out for me for switching to painting the clear plastic for the sake of a window.
SCORE 3.5/5
ROBOT MODE
The figure sees a number of improvements for me over the first edition. Arms seem more natural, more accessories and can be posed better.
SCORE 4/5
OVERALL SCORE 3.5/5
It's a good figure, an improvement in my book despite the change in size but I get the feeling it still left room for improvement.
UPDATE
Just saw photos on Seibertron with the back properly transformed, apologies for being too proud to use the instructions
VEHICLE MODE
Bumblebee is in the form of a muscle car, vaguely similar to his movie incarnation. He is predominantly bright yellow with black racing stripes, blue, clear plastic headlights and black grille.
The vehicle does have a notable change or two compared to the first edition/NYCC. Number 1) his seam lines are different from the front to the roof. 2) his weaponry has been moved from the underside of the vehicle to the engine block. 3) his windows, and thus his door, are clear plastic and the paint does not match the plastic colour of the body unlike the first edition/NYCC. 4), and probably slightly startling, the newer version is shorter that the first edition. 5) He lacks paint apps at the rear of the vehicle, something I plan to fix personally but it should have been right in the first place. Also, no paint app for his wheel rims which is also slightly disappointing.
ROBOT MODE
The differences in this version of Bumblebee annoyed some and may have pleased others. First, and initially most obvious in his looks is he has no logo in the center of his chest, bringing him, in my view, closer to his tv counterpart. His arms also sport new molding. Also seems to be sporting a new type of elbow joint. His chest can be opened up far more easily compared to the first edition.
Down below the waist, his hips and knees are still supported by balljoints so there is little change there. He can be gotten into some excellent poses. What is new to his poses is he can kneel down properly with this version unlike the first edition where the rear view plastic tended to get in the way to get this pose.
Compared to the first edition, this Bumblebee is smaller and has less of a shoulder width which I think is an improvement. He does have kibble behind the head and on the back where the roof was redistributed to to keep it as a single piece. Also, his chest and shoulders transform as one piece. I felt it was a little awkward to change. The part that the head is attached to also has nothing to clip into underneath so it is not secure in its position, yet overall I don't think its as fiddly once the chest is in place which did tick me off a little with the first edition. His arms, I feel, do sit more naturally in comparison and have a better range.
Also the extra weapon is nice compared to the original. Weaponry can be exchanged from the new BB to the first edition but not vice versa. Both weapons can also be combined and either held as a hand cannon or mounted.
Here he is compared to NYCC Arcee(sidenote: MUST post a review) and leader class movie Ironhide
OVERALL
VEHICLE MODE
Vehicle doesn't physically suffer for being smaller. It does suffer from losing tail lights, a license plate and wheel rim decals or paint apps. Also loses out for me for switching to painting the clear plastic for the sake of a window.
SCORE 3.5/5
ROBOT MODE
The figure sees a number of improvements for me over the first edition. Arms seem more natural, more accessories and can be posed better.
SCORE 4/5
OVERALL SCORE 3.5/5
It's a good figure, an improvement in my book despite the change in size but I get the feeling it still left room for improvement.
UPDATE
Just saw photos on Seibertron with the back properly transformed, apologies for being too proud to use the instructions