Legacy Evolution Armada Universe Powerlinx Hot Shot and Jolt Hasbro Pulse exclusive Transformers Legacy Evolution Hasbro Pulse Exclusive Gift Set Item No.: No. F7828 Manufacturer: Hasbro Includes: 2 big blasters, engine blaster, Jolt, 6 C.O.M.B.A.T. effects in cherry red Action Feature: Transforms from robot to crab, spider, tank, and car Retail: $44.99 $18.91 Availability: ca. November 2023 Other: In a year of great exclusive deco variants, this is near the top of the list
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I initially passed on Armada Universe Powerlinx Hot Shot and Jolt. Not because I don't like it - it's exactly the kind of product I want - but because it was $20 more than Legacy Evolution Deluxe Hot Shot [FOTD #2,541]. They're basically the same figure, but this one had more accessories. $25 is a lot for a Deluxe, $35 is about as high as I want to go for "deluxe with gear and mini guy." When I saw Hasbro had marked it down in September of 2025 I ordered it - and it was sold out about a week after, so clearly others noticed too. I immediately snapped photos of it, and while I was writing this review, I found out it was sold out - so there's not much reason to tell you to rush and order it, so I don't know when this is going to go live!

So! Why do I care? One, it includes a really good anime-specific Mini-Con of Jolt. The regular toy one was red, the Powerlinx one was yellow, and this one is orange - closer to the cartoon color, with a head that is absolutely cartoony. It includes some blast effects which I think Hasbro uses as filler, I wish they'd just drop these (and the price) of bigger toys. It also includes two new blasters, which are boxy and admittedly pretty great.

For what I paid for it - $18.91 - it's a steal. At $45, it does not showcase value. $20 is a big upcharge for a Mini-Con, a couple of blasters, and some energy effects.

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This time around Powerlinx Hot Shot gives you the toy you wish you had back in 2003. I bought the Toys R Us "bonus" edition which fixed the Autobot symbol deco, and this one also fixed it. It also fixes the head, making the whole thing red with an very dark clear black visor that is sadly a little loose. The windows match this, and the toy colors are more or less what you'd expect out of Hot Shot in Hot Rod colors. Articulation is just as good as the regular one, and is a massive improvement over the 2002 original in that respect. You lose the fun gimmicks - he can't wear his engine as armor. The Axlezooka is still here, but has to be pulled out and posed manually. The pop-out feet/claws are also manual. The toy functions, but it's not as fun or spring-loaded as what you got for ten dollars 20 years ago. Aaron Archer and crew put together some very good toys at a very good price, and this does a good job of trying to make something closer to Marvel Legends-core articulation that can turn into a surprisingly good car.

The 2002 design and the 2009 designs both had some kibble, with the former feeling like it went according to plan and the latter being something of a floating kibble mess. This one is in between - the shoulders may move a bit, the panels on the back of the legs are annoying, but it's generally pretty good. Getting it in car mode isn't a huge hassle, but the 2002 and 2003 toys are much easier to switch between modes. The car itself is nice, with slightly more deco than the original toy - notably the black "U" on the car's roof.

You can mount Jolt on the rear spoiler of the car, and blasters can plug into the sides. He has no problems holding those new blasters (from the episode "Dash") and the blast effects feel like overkill with them. They do, however, look good in the axlezooka.

Jolt is pretty good, and potentially the most luxe Mini-Con we'll ever get. I remain amazed there was no budget for Tidal Wave's Ramjet or Metroplex' Drill Bit, but if Hasbro really needs a $10-$20 upcharge? I guess that explains it. At first glance the chopper mode is a lot like the original. While he can't carry the engine blaster this time, and I feel that's a real oversight, it's pretty good otherwise. The blades spin very nicely, and it's sturdy. Nothing is falling off here.

Transformation is very much like the original, with added heel spurs to flip out so he can stand well. He feels sturdier than the original, but for $20 I expect it to be amazing. It's very close to amazing. The robot mode is also pretty simple, with a better sculpt and a cartoon-specific head. It's cute, you'll like it. If it didn't cost $20 more for this figure, I'd encourage Hasbro to do more Mini-Cons of this quality. I think I'd be willing to pay $7ish each if we could get more.

If Hasbro could have got this out at $35 I'd probably say it's pretty good - but not great - for what you get. Sometimes the biggest problem Hasbro has is itself, because the Centurion Drone Weaponizer Pack [FOTD #2,250] had a figure repaint with tons of gear, and Roller, Soundwave, Reflector, and tons of recognizable accessories at a lower price. While this set's Jolt is more impressive than Roller from the other pack, you're paying twice the upcharge for about 33% as much stuff - which is why this got marked down, rather than quickly sold out. Heck, I'd encourage Hasbro to reissue the Centurion Drone pack, while I assume there will be no reason to bring back Powerlinx Hot Shot - despite it baing painted nicely and generally looking fantastic.

If you can get this set for under $35, run out and get one. At $45, I would be fine to have missed out on it. At $18.91, I'm really happy with it and I hope to see Hasbro try to work the Mini-Con in future Armada releases. (If Cyclonus and Demolishor get made with Crumplezone and Blackout at a Voyager size class, I'd be OK with that!) Jolt is probably Hasbro's best Mini-Con, so if your budget allows, get one.

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