| 03.08.2018 – The Transformers brand is entering its last installment in the “Prime Wars Trilogy” that is “Power of the Primes” that started availability on the first wave appearing late in December 2017 to early January 2018. The anticipation of the characters based from the G1 modernized for this Generation ranges of assortment has reinvigorated the brand despite mixed reactions.
With “Power of the Primes” brings in also nostalgia factor representing old characters in a new light some of them where brought back but not exactly their original appearance. For Beachcomber, this character gets a modern update based from the minibot from 1985 with new sculpting and design aligned with the Generation toyline by Hasbro. |
Beachcomber first appeared in TransFormers Episode 29 “The Insecticon Syndrome” as described in his file card this Autobot’s function is a Geologist and an Autobot Pacifist as voiced by Alan Oppenheimer well-known to also voiced Skeletor from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe in the US series. The characterization of Beachcomber having a ‘hippie’ personality of ‘Make Love Not War’ is often a butt of jokes and sometimes a meme to TF Fans. The original vintage of course is an original Transformers creation not based on the Diaclone brand by TAKRA.
Of all the minibots from the second batch the vintage Beachcomber turns into a dune buggy that’s not super deformed unlike Bumblebee, Brawn or Windcharger to name a few. The modern release takes inspiration to the classic design. It was part of the First Wave of Power of the Primes basic assortment that was release late in December 2017 and early January 2018. In Australia, this assortment arrived late of that same month or early in February 2018 sighted in Myer Stores in Westfield South Australia.
|
|
Carded Packaging
Like the previous toyline from Generations all Legend Class assortments were packaged in blister cards. But this time there are no other details about the character other than the robot and vehicle mode with short description of the character. There was a description with regards the option to have a “driver” take the wheel in vehicle mode much like how it was for the previous Legends Class assortment.
For this range it describes that Titan Masters and Prime Masters can ‘ride’ Beachcomber in dune buggy mode by opening the roll cage for the figure to be seated with a slot to lock it in place. Although the vehicle mode doesn’t have much detail (more of this described below). The product art can be seen beside the blister bubble while the other side shows no detail but a see through on the product.
|
|
Robot Mode
Described content of the product in package appearing in robot mode and upon opening it you will find one instruction manual and one bio card with the figure. Beachcomber is a solid figure with elbow ball-joints and wide array of articulation minus not having a waist joint since the design was based from the original vintage figure having all the aesthetics recreated in a new mold.
His head design in based on the cartoon and comicbook model, but appears to be a stout Autobot with short limbs. Although Beachcomber doesn’t appear to be super deformed the appearance in stature the way he appears in the classic cartoons looks even better than his 2D counterpart. Chest designs are no longer ‘just stickers’ like the one you see in his abdomen. Hasbro has plucked the classic character and merge it with various elements from previous media appearance from cartoon, comicbooks, and toy form represented and modernized for the Generation series.
Featured Articulation:
● Shoulder Joint
● Elbow Joint
● Knee Joint
● Limited Head Movement
Transformation
Robot to Dune Buggy mode takes nostalgia factor that is almost the same based from the vintage Beachcomber although with minor changes to the way his head now slides down than folded to become the back part of the buggy. The roll cage unfolds from his feet and back joined together with a round tab while arms are straightforward like the old school Beachcomber.
Vehicle Mode
The dune buggy appears to be muscular in appearance with big wheels that lets it traverse from the beaches of Glenelg where this outdoor shoot was taken. The tires may no longer appear to be made of rubber, but it appears convincingly great that Hasbro did not cut cost on the design. Although it is impressive from the front
and both sides the back part leaves it missing a cover to its rear. There’s no design flaw but lacking the rear cover from where the head is hidden. It would be great if Hasbro had design a cover when Beachcomber’s head slides inside his chest and protects the square hole that has most reviews might have taken notice. Side-by-side comparison with Brawn in vehicle mode gives you an idea that Hasbro does not follow scale in vehicle mode.
But you look on robot mode that Brawn and Beachcomber has the same height as compared to vehicle mode where the latter is dwarfed by the Dune Buggy. Brawn should be more muscular in vehicle mode, but Beachcomber being a ‘peace loving’ Autobot looks more of a vehicle than is used for war instead of being a hippie machine.
Dune Buggy Features:
● Can Ride a Titan Master or Prime Master
● Vehicle Aesthetics inspired from original G1 version
● Detailed rims with plastic tires
● No Cover for the Engine Block (Where the head is hidden)
Overall Beachcomber is a great figure for someone who owned a vintage version from their childhood or has lost it this is the replacement for that since Hasbro or Takara Tomy has not reissued the classic version. Although the only point of concern is the engine cover where his head slides in the rest of the aesthetics and design is great in representing the character from this Generation toyline.
The scale is not a problem in robot mode, but in vehicle mode the dune buggy is overly muscular in appearance. It makes Brawn looks like a small car than an off-road SUV parked beside Beachcomber and if Hasbro has plans to repaint it he can also pass up as a G.I. Joe AWE Striker buggy.
On the last note, since Beachcomber doesn’t have any accessory unlike Brawn with his shield-like tire. This figure can hold 5mm port on both fist and can wield any Titan Masters like Sawback in shield mode that looks good for some action poses.
Generations: Power of the Primes | Legends Class Beachcomber is now available in general retail across Australasia and Southeast Asia. This was acquired at Myers in Westfield Marion original price point at:
$ 19.95 AUD | ₱ 696.29 Pesos | $ 13.65 USD
Product Rating:
Transformation (Difficulty): 3
Aesthetics: 10
Quality: 10
Robot Points: 10
For more news and local updates LIKE Transformers Philippines on Facebook and follow on Twitter: @TransformersPH
** - Australian to Philippine Currency Conversion via Google.com
No comments:
Post a Comment