General Information:
Release Date: Q4 2020
Price Point: $9.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Blaster
Official images and text below in italics are from Amazon.com:
- DISCOVER KINGDOM: Worlds collide when the Maximals and Predacons join the fight, coming together with the Autobots and Decepticons in an epic battle that will alter their destiny forever
- BEASTIFY THE BATTLEFIELD: Unleash the primal power of the beasts with this Beast Wars era character! Rattrap figure features detailed beast mode with rat-inspired molded fur texture
- 3.5-INCH CORE CLASS SCALE: This Rattrap collectible figure stands at the new Core Class scale! The 3.5-inch mini-figure allows fans to collect a mini version of the iconic character to pose out with other Rattrap figures at larger scales! (Each sold separately, subject to availability)
- UNLEASH BEAST MODE: This Core Class Rattrap toy converts to Beast Wars-inspired rat mode in 18 steps
- CLASSIC BEAST WARS-INSPIRED ACCESSORY: Comes with classic fusion blaster accessory inspired by the one featured in the Beast Wars cartoon. Wise cracks not included, but you can imagine!
Beastify the battlefield! Worlds collide when the Maximals and Predacons join the fight, coming together with the Autobots and Decepticons in an epic battle that will alter their destiny forever. Primal power floods the battlefield as the fierce beast modes of the Maximals and Predacons are unleashed!Unleash the primal power of the beasts with this Beast Wars era character! This Rattrap collectible figure features detailed beast mode with rat-inspired molded fur texture. This Rattrap figure stands at the new Core Class scale! The 3.5-inch mini-figure allows fans to collect a mini version of the iconic character to pose out with other Rattrap toys at larger scales! (Each sold separately, subject to availability.) This Core Class Rattrap figure converts to Beast Wars-inspired rat mode in 18 steps and comes with classic Fusion blaster accessory inspired by the one featured in the Beast Wars cartoon. Wise cracks not included, but you can imagine!
Disclosure:
This action figure was provided by Hasbro as part of a Kingdom unboxing event. BWTF thanks Hasbro for its generosity.
Rattrap is one of the main characters from the 90's Beast Wars cartoon. His sarcastic attitude combined with his bravery made him a fan favorite character, and now he pops up again as a figure in the Generations line. Long time fans will recall there was already a Deluxe Class Rattrap figure, but this time out Rattrap is one of the first figures in a new class of Transformers known as the "Core Class". This class hovers somwhere in between the "old" Legends Class and the "modern" Legends Class. However, the designers definitely ramped up the detail and articulation resulting in a unique class of figures all its own.
Packaging:
The Core Class is now the only class of figures in Kingdom that are carded with a traditional clear bubble on top of a card. The card itself features gorgeous artwork showing Rattrap in beast mode roaring against a background that includes the Ark on top of a volcano. Rattrap's name is printed vertically on the left side while the now familiar vertical Transformers logo is on the right. The insert features the Kingdom logo set at an angle. Right under that is a small image of the Ark on top of an erupting volcano. The artwork is all in a beautiful painted style that evokes the G1/Beast Wars era of packaging.
The back of the card features Rattrap in both modes and an updated Maximal symbol towards the top. This one has a few more details added in compared to the 90's version which almost look like there are Autobot symbol elements in it. A Transformers logo is found at the top with the classic "More than Meets the Eye" tag line under it. Rattrap stands on top of graphics that look like a portal which likely plays a role in the story idea of having G1 and Beast Wars characters mix.
Robot Mode:
Rattrap's robot mode is completely based off his cartoon appearance. This includes everything from the head sculpt with the "brain" details on top and unique mouthplate to his rounded joints and "rat feet". On his back are parts of the rat form folded out, forming a kind of "back pack". As with man Beast Wars characters, the beast mode head forms much of the torso. Even his blaster looks like it is based on the one he had in the cartoon. With all these details, Rattrap looks like he jumped right off the TV screen into plastic form.
Rattrap is cast in grey and a tan color. The grey makes up most of the "back pack", torso and lower legs. The tan color is used for the head, arms and thighs. Following the colors of the cartoon character, red is used on the eyes and mouth. Silver is found on the top of the head and forearms. A flesh tone paint is used on the feet, a carry over from the beast mode. One of the more impressive details are tiny red Maximal symbols on the forearms. Were this a more expensive figure I would expect a few more deco points, particularly on the legs.
There are thirteen points of articulation on this figure, but I'm cheating a bit by counting the lower leg ball joint that is used during transformation. I was very happy to see the Core Class figures have head articulation, something which was largely left out in previous smaller figure classes. Each fist has a 3mm port allowing him to hold his gun. Using the tab on the side of the weapon, you can attach the blaster to the back horizontally for weapon storage.
Transformation to Beast Mode:
- Detach the blaster and set it aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the back pack out, then rotate the tail piece around.
- Rotate the robot head around.
- Swing the torso/rat head up.
- Swing the back pack down on the central hinge.
- Swing each arm down, then rotate the shoulders around and tab them into the grey panel.
- Swing the sides of the forward beast mode legs in at the sides.
- Rotate the lower leg pieces and swing them up so they connect with the rear panel with the tail attached to it. This involves rotating the ball joints around a bit to fit into the slot.
- Point the rear beast mode feet forward.
- The blaster can attach to the slots on the sides of the rear legs.
Beast Mode:
While the robot mode takes its design inspiration from the television show, Rattraps's beast mode looks like the designers started with a real life rat and used that as its base inspiration. This is most notable on the head, which has a more triangular shape than the CG model did. I think he looks really cute actually with an adorable nose in the front and ears arching back a bit. The body has many rounded details and some beautiful fur sculpted in. The tail also features rings running from the base to the back. The only off-putting aspect of this mode are the panel lines where the various bits break up to transform into robot mode. Honestly, your mileage will vary on this. It bothered me a lot at first when the initial photos of this figure went up online. However over time I've softened on it and at this point I like the beast mode enough that it is not an issue for me. Other fans may not like how the robot fists stick out in the back (yes, I know, it's unfortunate placement) and I'm with you on that one. Still, I would not call this a bad beast mode, just one that could have maybe been better if this was a larger figure.
There is not much articulation here to speak of. The rear feet can move and that's about it. Ironically this means the original 1996 Beast Wars figure actually has more articulation than this modern counterpart! Personally I have no issue with this since posing out a rat mode is not high on my list of priorities.
Final Thoughts:
Core Class Rattrap is a fun little figure. He looks spectacular in robot mode, especially given the size class. The beast mode leaves a bit to be desired, but it is no deal breaker at all in my book. Recommended!
Pros:
- Fantastic robot mode sculpt.
- Good deco.
- Nice articulation.
- Transformation is fun and intuitive but not simplistic.
Cons:
- The beast mode features a lot of lines showing where panels break up for the robot mode.
- The robot fists could be hidden better. There is "fur" detail over it but it needed to be a bit longer to cover up the fists.
