For quite some time fans requested a new version of this guy, a classic Micromasters hot rod that apparently didn't warrant updating until someone snuck it in as a movie exclusive. Big Daddy proved to be quite popular - a repaint of a great Downshift mold from Transformers Cybertron, this black repaint added things kids love - flames, and a head painted to look like Orko. Everybody wins here.
So far this mold has only been used to make Downshift and Big Daddy, which is a crying shame - it's big, simple, well-constructed, and a lot of fun. You can transform it in seconds without pieces flying off - it's really one of the best 2000-2009 molds money can buy, and now that interest has fallen on eBay you might be able to score it for ten bucks. That's a good price.
In car mode, this vehicle is just a little bit bigger than Generations IDW Bumblebee/Goldfire toys. The wheels are placed in the same spots, but it's a little taller and a little longer. Not only do the wheels roll fairly smoothly, but this vehicle has something most modern toys lack - an action feature which works. If you insert the red Cyber Key in a slot hidden in the rear window, a claw leaps out of the front grille. This also works in robot mode, but in vehicle mode it actually adds some play value - you can use it to run bad guys off the road, or to grab some other robot's ankles. The paint job is quite good, with copious amounts of silver, some red, and of course the color provided by the optional rocket launchers. (That color is mostly black.)
Transforming this one is a snap - pull out the doors to make the arms, pull back the rear of the car to make the legs, and fold down the chest. His head pops out with the Wheeljack-style ears springing in place, and voila - you've got yourself a fine robot here.
As a robot you can use his guns in his fists, or mount them to his shoulders. It's great to have options. A silver movie Autobot symbol appears on his chest, as does a large chunk of car. Most modern toys tried to borrow the movie's various panel splitting to make it look less obvious, but here there's no mistake that he's got a car for boobs. Personally, I like these blocky designs as they hold together nicely and transform quickly. They're not as simple as G1 toys, but the articulation makes up for any other shortcomings this figure may have. Personally, I can't get enough of this mold.
More than anything, this is a bit of a gag figure - fans loved the name, so the update was more or less just waiting to happen and I'm glad it did as a $10 exclusive rather than as part of a $300 boxed set. (Yes, I'm cheap.) Little things like the textured roof and the silver engine sticking out of the hood still bring a smile to my face, and the red tinted windows block out most of the visible robot bits inside. If you can't get Big Daddy, try to snag Cybertron Downshift to get the mold in green, or the spectacular Downshift vs. Cannonball 2-pack if the price is right. There aren't many Transformers pirates, but that one is worth a look.
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