"Studio Series" Core Class Wheelie Toy Review

01/26/23

General Information:
Release Date: August 2022
Price Point: $9.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Slingshot

Official images and product description in italics below are from Amazon:

  • STUDIO SERIES CORE CLASS: Core Class figures are 3.5-inch collectible action figures inspired by epic scenes from the Transformers movie universe, now including The Transformers: The Movie!
  • 3.5-INCH SCALE AUTOBOT WHEELIE: Figure features vivid, movie-inspired deco and is highly articulated for posability
  • 2 ICONIC MODES: Figure features classic conversion between robot and Cybertronian car modes in 12 steps. For kids and adults ages 8 and up
  • CLASSIC SLINGSHOT ACCESSORY: This Autobot Wheelie figure comes with a slingshot accessory inspired by the movie
  • BIG SCREEN-INSPIRED: This 3.5-inch Autobot Wheelie figure is inspired by the character’s appearance in the 1986 film The Transformers: The Movie

Studio Series has always allowed fans to reach past the big screen and build the ultimate Transformers collection inspired by iconic movie scenes from the Transformers movie universe. Now, the Studio Series line is expanding to include the epic moments and characters from the classic 1986 The Transformers: The Movie, bringing fans a whole new series of screen-inspired figures to collect! (Each sold separately. Subject to availability.) This Studio Series Core Class The Transformers: The Movie-inspired Autobot Wheelie figure stands at 3.5 inches and converts from robot to Cybertronian car mode in 12 steps. Comes with a slingshot accessory. This 3.5-inch Autobot Wheelie figure makes a great gift for kids and adults! Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.

Background:
Wheelie was introduced in 1986 as the "wild boy of Quintessa". Orphaned on the distant planet, the young Autobot survived on his own against all odds and would eventually join the Autobots led by Rodimus Prime. His curious speech pattern of rhyming everything made him distinctive, and he had many adventures with the Autobots, even once helping to defeat Trypticon! (No, really). Wheelie is no stranger to the Transformers toy line. Aside from his G1 action figure here are some other Wheelie figures that have come out over the years:

Packaging:
Wheelie is packaged in the new style of Studio Series Core Class packaging that began with figures like Core Class Shockwave. The figure inside a box with a large flap on top. Wheelie is inside with a window cut open to show off the figure. Due to the "plastic free" packaging push by Hasbro there is no plastic window protecting the figure. Underneath Wheelie is the logo for the animated Transformers film. The back shows off Wheelie in both modes calling out a 12 step transformation. Inside Wheelie is attached to a cardboard background featuring a part of Quintessa, where the Dinobots meet the character in the film.

Accessory:
Wheelie's signature weapon is a slingshot. He would use it to fire energy pellets at enemies. As you'd expect this piece has a "Y" shape with some nicely sculpted details representing the handle and details on the prongs. The handle is a 3mm peg that can fit into either of Wheelie's hands.

Robot Mode:
Wheelie's robot mode design is heavily based on his G1 cartoon model. The designers have done a nice job of incorporating elements of the animation model into this figure including:

  • Head: The head design is right from the animation model, featuring a tube shaped "helmet" piece with a small "brim" sticking out over the face.
  • Torso: The torso has a curved shape on the chest leading down to the waist area. On the original Wheelie toy this was the middle section of the vehicle mode, but here the shape is designed to resemble the same section on the cartoon model.
  • Legs: The legs are a bit chunky compared to the cartoon model, but they do feature his signature hex shaped knee armor.

Overall, I really like this robot mode sculpt. Aside from the chunky lower legs his silhouette matches nicely with the animation model.

Wheelie is made up of orange and grey plastic. A light shade of orange is used to paint certain parts like portions of the torso and the "helmet" on the head. Silver is used on his face and fists. Meanwhile, grey paint is used on his lower legs and head. An Autobot symbol can be found on his chest.

There are nine points of articulation on this figure in this mode. That doesn't sound like a lot, but his shoulders, elbows and hips are all ball joints, so the range of motion is pretty good. I was happily surprised to see the head actually turns too. I was worried the (relatively) large "helmet" section would keep it locked in as one big piece but no, it moves! Wheelie has a 3mm port in each fist, allowing him to hold his slingshot weapon.

Transformation to Vehicle Mode:

  1. Detach the accessory and set it aside for now.
  2. Straighten out the arms and legs.
  3. Point the feet down.
  4. Rotate the lower legs inward so you can connect the feet.
  5. Swing the cabin section cover on the back out a bit.
  6. Swing the front torso panel up. The robot head will swing into the cabin section.
  7. Push the cabin cover down.
  8. Swing the legs up, connecting them with the front panel of the torso.
  9. Swing the curved panel behind the cabin section down.
  10. Swing the robot arms back and in, tabbing them into the sides.
  11. The slingshot can be stored under the rear orange panel.

Vehicle Mode:
Wheelie's vehicle mode is a small Cybertronian car. The animation design was basically oval shaped with a section that stuck out in front. This figure has that basic design, including the rounded cabin section with raised, rounded areas in in the center. Where this figure winds up looking not so great are the front and back ends. The front has a section extending out, but it is a bit short, so it almost looks like a small piece is missing. Meanwhile, the robot mode fists stick out in the back, which just looks terribe in my opinion. Taken as a whole, the vehicle mode looks "okay" but not great.

This mode shares all the same colors as the robot mode (no surprises) except this time out the blue on the cabin section cover is much more prominent along with the light orange which runs from the front to the middle section.

Final Thoughts:
Given the relative sizes of the other Studio Series 86 figures, the Core Class was the right call for Wheelie. Unfortunately that also meant a very limited budget to create the figure, and sacrifices were made. If you already have other versions of Wheelie, especially the Generations Legends Class you really do not need this one. If you don't have that one, then this is an okay substitute. Mildly recommended.

Pros:

  • Good sculpt in robot mode that captures a lot of design elements from the animation model.
  • Good deco.
  • I am glad the slingshot was included (and that it can store away in vehicle mode).
  • Good articulation in robot mode.

Cons:

  • The front end of the vehicle mode is a bit off, looking almost like a piece is missing.
  • The fists sticking out in the back just look bad, almost as if he Wheelie forgot a step in his own transformation.

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