As you may know, I'm generally hesitant to buy "collector" figures at high prices. I will make exceptions for Generation 2 anything, so when I heard Takara Tomy had Bumblebee G2 as Bumble G-2 Ver. I said "OK, get me one of those." It's a small toy - smaller than a US deluxe or Warrior toy - and it usually costs around US $40. It's very expensive for the size, but it's also unquestionably cool. Optional stickers are included if you want to gloss it up a bit, but the original toy was bare so you may want to leave them off. You've got options galore, from a license plate to a spare tire in car mode to three different faces for the robot head. It defaults to "toy head" but there are also smiling and normal faces based on the cartoon show.
When it comes to deco, it's kind of a cheat - the original Generation 2 toy was vac-metal gold, shiny like a C-3PO figure and largely lacking in detail. In that respect, this is arguably more "Goldbug" than "G2 Bumblebee" thanks to his blue visor and numerous non-reflective surfaces. It's basically the same mold used for the regular versions of Bumble(bee), which means you get 20 points of articulation - most of which are in the legs. Rocker ankles and double knees are here for you, although as a robot you really don't need that much movement. The arms are about on par with most deluxe toys - ball-jointed shoulders, swivel biceps, and a hinge elbow.
Swappable faces are a nice bonus, but are also a pain. The main "toy" face is fused in there pretty good - I had to unscrew the head to pop it out. After getting the default face out, it's a lot easier to change "toy face" (previously an Amazon.jp exclusive for the cartoon version) with "cartoon face" and "cartoon smile face." It's remarkable how different the figure feels with the other heads, even if you have to go out to get a small screwdriver to get the dang thing loose.
The chest has a rotating rectangle on it - one side can be stickered, and the other one can be kept plain. It's also worth noting that the jet pack is a 3-piece affair that operates a little differently than you may be used to. Each one of the shoulder straps plugs in first, and then the big pack plugs in to that - and to a piece of the figure's back. The gun is much simpler, as it just fits in his hand.
Despite being about the same size as the 2006 Classics Bumblebee, and with slightly better articulation, it's hard to deny the appeal of a toy that merges so many.shtmlects of the cartoon with fictional appearances. It's fun and if you think you might like this, and have money, you'll enjoy it.
The car mode looks like a VW bug. It's small - much smaller than a deluxe toy, although bigger than a Legends toy. With rolling wheels and clear headlights, it's nice. Clear windows and swappable accessories make it even better. A spare tire can be mounted on back of the car or under the vehicle. A license plate can also be mounted in its position, which has one-time use stickers and can be stored inside the spare tire so you don't lose it. (It's small, you might lose it.) Also easily lost, a sprue of two side mirrors for the car which you can use if you choose. They're very small, so be careful with those. There's no obvious storage for them.
I have very few Masterpiece toys - and this one is probably the least impressive. The US release of Soundwave offered a ton of bang for the buck. Grimlock was big and for $80, impressive. Bumblebee is small, and were it released on a single card for $15-$20 you'd be impressed with it. The licenses, extra articulation, and spare parts don't come cheap and as such you're paying probably double what a toy like this is "worth." I'll probably buy more weird G2 toys as they're made - seriously, I can't help myself and there aren't many of them - but I can't imagine everybody is as delighted by this weirdness as I am. If the price is right, get yourself one. Or two. But don't overpay.
16bit.com is best not viewed in Apple's Safari browser, we don't know why. All material on this site copyright their respective copyright holders. All materials appear hear for informative and entertainment purposes. 16bit.com is not to be held responsible for anything, ever. Photos taken by the 16bit.com staff. Site design, graphics, writing, and whatnot credited on the credits page. Be cool-- don't steal. We know where you live and we'll break your friggin' legs.
RSS 
