General Information
Release Date: April 2023
Price Point: $11.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Tail/Blaster
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com
- CELEBRATE THE LEGACY: Transformers Legacy Evolution celebrates the last 40 years of Transformers history. The Grimlock action figure is inspired by The Transformers
- 2 EPIC MODES: Transformers Grimlock toy for 8 year old boys and girls converts from robot to T. Rex mode in 10 steps
- COMBINE TO FORM VOLCANICUS: Unleash the power of Volcanicus! This Grimlock figure converts to form the right leg of the Volcanicus combiner (other figures sold separately, subject to availability)
- COLLECT OTHER DINOBOT FIGURES: Collect all 6 Transformers: Legacy Evolution Dinobot toys and combine to form the mighty Volcanicus! (Each sold separately, subject to availability)
- REVEAL TECH SPECS: Scan the code on the instructions sheet to reveal character tech specs! Collect other Transformers figures to discover facts and abilities (each sold separately, subject to availability)
The battle is evolving with the Transformers Legacy Evolution Grimlock action figure! Grimlock is the most powerful of the Dinobots. His merciless demeanor and fearsome strength strike terror into his enemies. Celebrate the last 40 years of Transformers history with Transformers Legacy action figures for boys and girls. Transformers Legacy opens the portal to a whole new universe of More Than Meets the Eye, bringing together every generation of Transformers like you’ve never seen before. Collect and combine different characters to create your ideal Legacy lineup.
Background:
In 1984, Transformers fans were introduced to the Dinobots, powerful warriors who transformed into robotic dinosaurs. The leader of the Dinobots was Grimlock, who transformed into a robotic T-Rex. Of all the Dinobots Grimlock is arguably the most popular member of the team. There have been tons of Grimlock toys over the years including Classics Grimlock, Generations Grimlock, Authentics Grimlock and more recently Studio Series 86 Grimlock. This figure is the first time the character has been represented in the Core Class with a brand new sculpt.
Packaging:
True to the name of the line, the Legacy: Evolution packaging uses the Legacy design as its foundation and then builds on it. The dramatic "Legacy" logo now has the word "Evolution" under it in an equally dramatic font. The background still has green, blue and purple colors that really catch the eye. On the top flap of the box features Grimlock in beast mode, while the left side of the packaging features him in robot mode. The back of the box shows Grimlock in both modes calling out an 10 step transformation. It also describes him as "3 of 6" Transformers who form Volcanicus!
Like last year's Legacy figures, Grimlock includes a QR Code (located on his instructions) that you can scan to see his tech specs online. I have screen captured the tech specs and placed them in the gallery below.
Accessories:
Grimlock includes the tip of his beast mode tail which doubles as his weapon. The weapon is wide, so as a tail tip it kind of looks almost comical. As a blaster it works since it has two barrels, calling back to G1 Grimlock's blaster. The weapon has two pegs on the back to attach to Grimlock in beast mode and there is a smaller 3mm peg on the bottom for him to use in robot mode. Each blaster barrel can fit a Blast Effect, adding some play value. This piece is light silver plastic with no paint applications.
Robot Mode:
The previous two Core Class Dinobots represented some of the design compromises needed to create Core Class Dinobots that could then combine into Volcanicus. Sludge perhaps had the most compromised robot mode. Slug was much better in the robot mode design territory. Grimlock sits somewhere in the middle. The design has a lot of the iconic Grimlock design elements including the wings on his back, the G1 head design, dino claws on his forearms and his blocky chest and legs. I would say the only thing that is a bit "off" are the proportions. The head is a bit small and the legs are kind of large but you know what? Somehow it works. To me it looks almost like some of the exaggerated Anime style designs from places like Studio Ox. To me, one of the most important features of Grimlock is looking powerful, and for a Core Class figure this guy definitely fits the bill!
Grimlock is made up of a light silver plastic, in line with the color used on his G1 action figure. Paint colors include black, gold, red and light blue. The black is used on his head and fists. Gold is found on the torso and dino claws. Red is used on the legs and the Autobot symbol on his chest. A strip of light blue is used on the eyes. The colors are spot on for Grimlock and the figure looks great.
There are ten points of articulation on this figure. That includes two in each arm and leg and even waist articulation! I was also happy to see the head can turn side to side. Each fist has a port to fit his weapon.
Transformation to Beast Mode:
- Detach the blaster and set it aside for now.
- Rotate each forearm so the dino claws face up.
- Swing the "wings" on the back forward and swing them together to form the top half of the beast mode.
- Push the robot legs together.
- On the back there is a peg. Swing that up against the back.
- Swing the legs up to form the back.
- Attach the weapon to form the tip of the tail.
Beast Mode:
Grimlock's beast mode is based on the G1 design where he is a T-Rex that stands upright and "drags" its tail. For the most part, this mode looks great. The design is heavily based on the G1 toy design, including a lot of the intricate mechanical details that were found on that figure. The head, torso, dinosaur arms and legs look great but where the sacrifice is made is the tail section. It's gigantic compared to the rest of the figure. Grimlock forms one of Volcanicus' legs so this is not a huge surprise. The tail likey makes up a lot of the bulk of that leg, but it is still kind of silly looking.
This mode mostly shows off the silver plastic. The eyes are painted blue, the claws on the feet are gold and there are red stripes on the back. Of course you can also see the gold from the robot chest on his "belly".
Final Thoughts:
If you've already purchased Sludge and Slug, I say just keep going with the Core Class Dinobots. The goal here is to get the team to form Volcanicus. That said, Grimlock is actually a fun little toy and he looks great in robot mode. The details on the sculpt are really nice and he has a good deco. Recommended!
Pros:
- While there are definite design compromises, the robot mode looks good.
- Nice articulation for a Core Class figure.
- Pocket sized Grimlocks are fun!
Cons:
- The tail size in beast mode is definitely out of proportion border lining on silly.
