General Information
Release Date: July 2024
Price Point: $24.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Blaster, Cyber Key
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com:
- CYBERTRON UNIVERSE HOT SHOT ACTION FIGURE: This 5.5-inch (14 cm) Cybertron Universe Hot Shot toy features deco and detail inspiration from the Transformers: Cybertron animated series
- 2-IN-1 CONVERTING TRANSFORMERS TOY: Transformers action figure converts from robot toy to sports car toy in 17 steps
- AWESOME ACCESSORIES: This Cybertron Universe Hot Shot Transformers figure comes with blaster and Cyber-Key accessories that attach in both modes
- ARTICULATED FOR PLAY AND DISPLAY: Transformers figures feature articulated heads, arms, and legs for action poses
- CELEBRATE THE LEGACY: Transformers Legacy United honors 40 years of Transformers animated history! Collect other Legacy: United figures to unite your collection (each sold separately, subject to availability)
- GIFT TRANSFORMERS COLLECTIBLES: This Cybertron Universe Hot Shot action figure toy makes a great collectible figure gift for any Transformers fan
Unite your favorite characters from across the world of Transformers robots into your collection with the Transformers Legacy United Deluxe Class Cybertron Universe Hot Shot action figure! This 5.5-inch Cybertron Universe Hot Shot action figure converts between robot and sports car modes in 17 steps. Gear up for battle with the included blaster and Cyber-Key accessories. The Cybertron Universe Hot Shot figure is inspired by the character from the Transformers: Cybertron animated series and features articulated head, arms, and legs for awesome action poses. Celebrate the last 40 years of Transformers history with Transformers Legacy action figures. Transformers Legacy opens the portal to a whole new universe of -- More Than Meets the Eye -- bringing together every Transformers generation like you’ve never seen before. Collect and combine different characters to create your ideal Legacy lineup. TRANSFORMERS and HASBRO and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc. © 2024 Hasbro.
Background:
In 2005 Hasbro launched a new toy line called Cybertron. This was the third part of what is known as the "Unicron Trilogy" made up of Armada, Energon and Cybertron. In each series Unicron's presence is felt either directly or through the consequences of his actions in the previous show. One of the main characters in the show was Hot Shot, who was first introduced in Armada and appeared in each of the "Unicron Trilogy" shows. In Cybertron Hot Shot took on a new form which could transform into a super sleek car. That action figure was heavy on the play features with a firing missile blaster and a "Cyber Key" activated gimmick where you plugged a key in to cause his spoiler wings to deploy. Now in Legacy United we have an updated version of Cybertron Hot Shot.
Packaging:
Hot Shot is packaged in the standard Legacy box design. The box is roughly rectangular with an angle on the top and side. The front features an open window and there is a cardboard hook on top. The graphics are very similar to previous years of Legacy boxes with blue and purple tones. The tray Hot Shot sits in features yellow and orange colors, offering nice contrast to the darker outer box. On the left side is a box referencing the "Cybertron Universe" with Hot Shot's name under it. The Legacy United logo is under artwork of Hot Shot in vehicle form firing his weapon. The left side of the box (if you are facing it) features Hot Shot's robot mode art.
The back of the box shows Hot Shot in both modes calling out an 17 step transformation. It also shows the Cyber Key attached in vehicle mode. Under all that is the new 40th Anniversary Transformers logo. One thing of note with this box: the cardboard is of significantly better quality than the previous two years of Legacy figures. This cardboard feels solid and firm which hopefully means damaged boxes on store shelves and right out of the case will be less likely. I was very pleasantly surprised by this.
Accessories:
Hot Shot includes two accessories:
- Blaster: Hot Shot's blaster has a curved base section with a tab sticking up at the toip and then a long weapon barrel sticking out in front. In reality, this is a new interpretation of the missile launcher included with the original Cybertron Hot Shot. The "tab" on top is actually representing the original trigger for the missilel launcher on Cybertron Hot Shot's weapon and the barrel really represents the missile that fired from the original weapon. I think it is kind of fun that all these details were kept intact even though this is just one solid piece with no firing mechanism. I miss action features like missile launchers, but I can see how folks who lost tons of missiles over the years would not. This piece is translucent orange plastic with gunmetal grey paint on the barrel and the "trigger" tab on top. These colors are carry overs from the original Cybertron Hot Shot's weapon. The weapon has a 5mm peg at the bottom and you can attach a Blast Effect to the front.
- Cyber Key: The Cyber Key included with this figure is not intended to activate any features. It is purely decorative. The sculpt looks just like the one for the Speed Planet just shrunk down. This includes have dashboard style dials on the sides and the Speed Planet logo in the middle. This piece is made of translucent yellow plastic with a clear red color on top (this is hard to see unless you look at the piece at certain angles when the yellow becomes apparent). The tab on the bottom slides into a slot on Hot Shot's back, simulating the way Cybertron Hot Shot's action features were activated. This piece is really nicely sculpted and while there is no true Cybertron style action feature on this toy, I appreciate the nod.
Robot Mode:
Some of the non-G1 characters in the Legacy line often go through some type of aesthetic "conversion" when they appear in the line. In this case however, Cybertron Hot Shot is a direct modern day interpretation of the original Cybertron figure. Both the silhouette and the smaller details on this figure are all lifted directly from the original figure. Highlights of these details include:
- Head: The head design features a helmet section with what appears to be a piece that could slide down over the face (but it doesn't). The sides have small cylinders on them with pieces that sit vertically. The face has thin eyes, a nose, mouth and "chin strap" piece.
- Arms: The shoulders have a distinctive shape, being flat on top and curved on the sides. His forearms feature the vehicle mode doors on the sides looking almost like armor. What it lacks however are the "exhaust pipe" like designs that were on the original Cybertron Hot Shot's arms that called back to G1 Hot Rod's arm design.
- Torso: The torso has a series of layered designs that curve out to the sides. The proportions of the torso designs shrink down certain details such as the headlight-like details near the hips. The car-like designs on the torso are a clear homage to G1 Hot Rod.
- Legs: The lower legs are kind of blocky but feature sleek, triangular details in front.
Hot Shot is made up of metallic blue, dark blue, black, red and translucent yellow plastic. These are all colors that featured on the original version of this figure though the shades may not match 100%. Paint colors include red, gunmetal grey and yellow. The colors are distributed nicely with red on the shoulders and torso while yellow and gunmetal grey are found on the torso.
There are twenty six points of articulation in this mode. This includes six in each arm and leg. There are nine 5mm ports on this figure including one on each shoulder, forearm, leg and foot. There is also one on the back you can use for weapons storage. The Cyber Key attaches on his "back pack" (formed from the top of the vehicle mode) but does not actually activate any features. That said, he does have spoiler "wings" which can be manually deployed from the back pack. These are of course, a homage to G1 Hot Rod. I do wish some mechanism had been build into the "back pack" but I understand why this would have caused the price to be much higher.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the accessories and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Push down the spoiler "wings" if deployed.
- Push the back pack piece back and lift up the blue panel inside.
- Swing the robot head back.
- Swing the shoulders up and connect them together.
- Swing the feet down using the ankle hinges and swing the foot pieces in. Then swing the feet back into place.
- Swing the panels on the front of the lower legs open.
- Swing the lower legs up over the thighs.
- Push the legs together.
- Rotate the back panel so the windshield faces out to the side (this is just to keep it out of the way temporarily).
- Swing the arms down to form the sides of the vehicle, tabbing them in to the leg sections on the sides.
- Rotate the back pack all the way around and push it down into place.
- The weapon can attach to the top and the Cyber Key can fit into the slot in the back.
Vehicle Mode:
Cybertron Hot Shot's vehicle mode is based on the Chrysler ME Four-Twelve prototype vehicle with heavy modifications (for trademark purposes of course). Both cars feature a roughly oval shape with a curved front end, vent-like details on the sides, vent-like sections on the hood and a curved spoiler in the back. Some of my favorite details are the "vents" on the hood and sides. The rear of the vehicle features the Cyber Key mechanism so it is a bit bulky than the Chrysler ME. All these details come right from the original Cybertron Hot Shot toy and it looks fantastic.
This mode mostly shows off the metallic light blue color and translucent yellow via the windows. The yellow and gunmetal grey paint colors are also shown off nicely in this mode. The only thing this is missing is an Autobot symbol at the front of the vehicle. I loved how this looked on the original vehicle and miss that detail here, but hey, I guess that helps this vehicle serve as a "disguise" for Hot Shot. I do wish they had painted the sides of the wheels silver. I find just leaving wheels black like this makes the figure look a bit unfinished.
There are five 5mm ports available to attach additional weapons in this mode: two on each side and one on top. All four wheels can roll independently. As mentioned above, the weapon barrel allows you to attach a Blast Effect. The spoiler "wings" can be manually deployed and look great in this mode.
Final Thoughts:
Cybertron Hot Shot is a fantastic modern interpretation of the Cybertron character. It sacrifices the Cyber Key mechanism in favor of articulation and a more modern sculpt so how you feel about that will depend on how into gimmicks you are. For me, I actually find myself missing the Cyber Key gimmick but at the same time I cannot deny this figure looks fantastic with some great articulation. The figure definitely could have used a couple extra bits of deco but overall this figure is recommended!
Pros:
- Excellent sculpt that represents the Cybertron version of Hot Shot very well.
- Good deco with colors largely based on the original toy.
- Great articulation.
- I appreciate the inclusion of the Cyber Key even though there is no gimmick for it.
- Intuitive and solid transformation.
Cons:
- I do find myself missing the Cyber Key gimmick, but your mileage will vary on that.
- I would have liked the Autobot symbol on the hood and painted rims in vehicle mode.
