Transformers Generations Cyber Commander Figure
Item No.: Asst. B0759 No. B1294 Manufacturer:Hasbro Includes:n/a Action Feature:Transforms from Robot to Car Retail:$19.99 Availability: April 2015 Other: Non-US De Facto Exclusive
While there was a roughly 10-year period where toys of this character were totally absent from the world of Transformers, this Bumblebee is evidence that Hasbro simply must make more of them or they will somehow die. This giant toy is bigger than the big Leader-class toys. At his tallest point he's about 11-inches tall, and despite being marked "Generations" he's not overly classic in his appearance. If anything, Bumblebee seems to be made from numerous influences. The giant toy's transformation is similar to a Legion-class Prime toy, while the head sculpt incorporates his classic helmet and a face plate that doesn't quite match the original designs. It's a vaguely original design, and comes complete with silver pipes on the arms - another new feature for Bumblebee.
The very tall robot is going to make this one stand out on your "classic" shelves, giving you a bright yellow robot that can tower over Jetfire and the Dinobots. The blue chest window turned out pretty well, and no actual assembly is required on your part. There are Autobot symbols on his arms and a decent - but not great for the size - 13 points of articulation if we're being generous. Each fist has a 5mm hole, so you can use most Mini-Cons or BMOGs or Energon Weapons or whatever you have handy. If you want. The toy is so big he basically dwarfs whatever you've got handy, even those swell Constructbots melee weapons you've been hoarding for such an occasion. The figure looks more or less good standing around, which is handy because he has no knees for action poses. You get some swell elbows, but by and large this is a big toy for little kids. Such is its charm, and why I like it.
Transformation is based on Robots in Disguise Prime Legion Bumblebee - the feet fold in, the arms tuck, and the end result is a charming yellow car. It looks like a sporty little number inspired by the movie series, complete with a few awkward gaps and painted windows. The decorated grille and a few of the lights bring some personality to the car above and beyond what this kind of toy typically gets, and the wheels roll nicely.
It feels like a real toy with rolling wheels and decent heft. You've paid more for less plastic. I don't think it's going to excite many just because you probably have more Bumblebees by now than you could have ever imagined, but it's still a sturdy toy of unusual size. I'm not sorry I bought it, but I do wish it was $20 rather than a slight mark-up thanks to being imported from China. (As opposed to "Made in China.")
This toy is sort of fascinating simply because it isn't obvious why it exists. It's not for movie or Robots in Disguise kids. It's in "Generations" wrappings, but it's clearly not meant for that older teen or collector audience. It's not a toddler toy, either. It looks like someone was given a target budget and decided to come up with the best Bumblebee they could to meet a certain height requirement and price point - and they nailed it. As an exercise of what Hasbro can do in plastic if they really try, it's a marvel. I mean, strip away the Bumblebee-ness and toys like this just scream out for your love. The potential locked within this price point and what Hasbro could conceivably do with dinobots or other underserved characters just boggles the mind, but not to a great extent because the big and cheap format is something Hasbro dabbles with and loses interest in quickly. We got 6 such toys for Beast Hunters in 2014 (2 of which were sold in the USA), and in 2015 we got 7 for Generations. It's a really fantastic type of toy, but Hasbro doesn't seem to want Americans to get them. A shame - these are pretty boss hoss. (I think that's how you use that phrase. I'm old.)
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