Transformers Legacy United Voyager Target Exclusive
Item No.: No. F9688 Manufacturer:Hasbro Includes:2 fans, 3-piece shield, blaster Action Feature:Transforms from robot to space car, can store Origin Bumblebee (and his rods) Retail:$34.99 Availability: April 2024 Other: You've waited an eternity for this!
When I watched the original The Transformers pilot series, I really wanted to see a toy of the boxy vehicle that now exists as Origin Wheeljack. I think it's also going to have appeal limited pretty much to others in that demographic - this is the car with little fans, removable sunglasses, and storage for Origin Bumblebee [FOTD #2,337]. I don't think I'm out of line by saying this toy was built around the vehicle mode and its gimmicks, and also exists as proof that you can make pretty much any robot out of an alt mode that is a box.
I like the vehicle mode, but it's a little gappy and unstable. If you're old enough to remember Energon Slugslinger, it's a lot like that - loaded with joints and moving parts to make a perfectly nice - but not necessarily stable - toy in either mode. This is for adult collectors, and will not be the best toy Wheeljack. But you've got a lot of options here - this is the only licensed pilot miniseries Wheeljack.
Right out of the box, Wheeljack is a little chonky and needs to be re-folded after you get him out of that insert. It's not a good first impression - I couldn't wait to get it in vehicle mode, because we've seen plenty of decent toys of this robot before. This one isn't necessarily bad, but it's got a lot more kibble thanks to the unusual boxy car mode. Articulation is pretty typical for these toys, with swivel wrists and ball-jointed ankles. He stands just fine, but you will notice how chunky he is thanks to the massive bulk needed to get the panels for the larger-than-average car mode. The Wheeljack robot is about the same size as a typical deluxe, with a little more paint and more pieces to make him. I love the painted head with the non-light-piped eyes, and you can plug the blaster around his neck. It looks like Wheeljack - and you can add his, erm, car sunglasses to his back as wings. The little car fans can be stored on his back, too.
If this is your only Wheeljack, it's fine - but so thick that you'll probably be open to buying another one. I really like the Coke bottle glass chest and the colors they picked, but what I need to remember is that this despite being aimed at collectors, its requirements are "must work as a toy." If you can't get that boxy alt mode with storage, then nobody will care that Hasbro cranked out yet another Wheeljack. It's sort of paradoxical - if this were released 15 or 20 years ago, or as a $100+ BotCon exclusive, I can't imagine there would be many complaints. Instead it's going to be a widely-available Target exclusive for $35, so fans will likely be more nitpicky. But I don't think it's anything any long-haul fan will want to skip, because Cybertronian alt modes are worth the asking price.
Transformation is a lot of exploding and rebuilding. I needed the instructions, and even then I found some pieces didn't quite fit together perfectly. There are some minor gaps, and the vehicle isn't as elegant as the other two Origin toys, but this is the one I've been waiting for.
The vehicle is a space box car. It sort of flies apart when you try to open it, as a lot of tabs are needed to hold it in place. There are no wheels, but it does have some play gimmicks thanks to a ramp, clamps, and accessories. The most important thing is the ability to lower the ramp and store a folded-up Bumblebee inside. Wheeljack can also store up to 6 energy rods, although Bumblebee only included 5. (I guess you'll need another one.) The toy also has little fans you can mount to Wheeljack's bumper, and removable shades. There's a lot more you can fidget with on this one, especially compared to other toy vehicles in Transformers. You can even mount a blaster on top! Just take care to not make the whole thing flop apart in a heap of panels. It happened to me, and it'll happen to you.
I would have liked something sturdier, especially for a $10 upcharge over a deluxe, but it is what it is. This is a special toy for collectors or adult fans, and I doubt you'll see it attempted again as we all pass into our 40s and 50s unless Takara-Tomy plans a Masterpiece edition some day. It's not quite as elegant as Jazz, or Bee, or what I saw in my imagination, but it is a real thing you can buy. I love the 1980s sci-fi boxy alt modes with shades of Nasta's Reactors toys, and I don't regret buying this. I don't know that I'll be buying another Wheeljack, but combined with the Earthrise (and Kingdom and Netflix) toys, I think we're good now.
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