General Information:
Release Date: March 2022
Price Point: $22.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth etc.)
Accessories: Blaster (Single Barrel), Blaster (Dual Barreled), Axe
Official images and text below in italics are from Amazon:
- TRANSFORMERS G1-INSPIRED DESIGN: This Transformers: Legacy 5.5-inch Autobot Skids robot toy is inspired by the animated series, The Transformers, updated with a Generations-style design
- UNIVERSES COLLIDE: Universes continue to collide with Transformers: Legacy! This epic line of Transformers toys brings together fan-favorite characters from across the Transformers multiverse
- 2 EPIC MODES: Action figure converts from robot to turbo car mode in 14 steps. Comes with 2 blaster accessories
- HARNESS THE POWER OF ENERGON: Gear up with the most powerful substance on Cybertron, Energon! This Transformers Autobot Skids figure comes with 2 combining Energon axe blade accessories that attach in both modes
- QR CODE: Scan the QR code on each package to reveal character tech specs from across the multiverse! Collect other Legacy figures to reveal their character tech specs (each sold separately, subject to availability)
Harness the power of Energon with the Transformers: Legacy Deluxe Autobot Skids robot toy! Skids may be a bit of a daydreamer, but he’s a fast learner and can think on his feet.
Packaging:
The Transformers Legacy packaging represents a radical update to Transformers packaging for (what is presumably) a new "trilogy" of Generations toys. The shape calls back to the War for Cybertron trilogy design featuring a rectangular box with one side set at an angle. This packaging was designed with a new ethos in mind: minimizing the amount of plastic used to be more eco-friendly. That means the "window" that reveals the toy has no plastic over it. Instead there is just an empty space. Recent releases such as Origin Bumblebee preceded this release with similar open windows. This reduction of plastic use also applies to the tray inside the box. Bulkhead does not sit in a plastic tray. Instead he is tied to a cardboard panel. I am all for eco-friendly packaging and reducing plastic use, but some fans have expressed concern that this could lead to figures being easily stolen or damaged in box. Frankly, I cannot say this is unfounded. During a recent shopping trip I did see Core Class Ravage gone from his packaging. He had simply been torn out. Now, it's probably easier to do that with a Core Class figure than a Deluxe or Voyager, but the concern is a valid one and I will be interested to see where this design choice goes in the future.
The box art itself is pretty spectacular. The more Earth-tone colors of Kingdom have been traded up for a very retro-scifi (circa the 90's) look. The background tones are mostly purple and black and the Legacy logo just screams "Pay Attention to Me!!!" with its sharp angles and beveled letters that look like something right out of 90's toy packaging (and yes, this is what the BWTF logo circa 2022 is a homage to). On the right is the now traditional vertical Transformers logo with the Generations logo above that. Both have a "worn metal" coloring on them that really looks great. Since Skids is packaged in robot mode, his alt-mode is shown almost lunging out of the box towards the buyer. To the left of that is the name "Autobot Skids" without a "Universe" called out, which presumably means the line defaults to G1 as an assumed universe. The left (angled) side of the box features Skids' robot mode art while the other side features Optimus Prime, Hot Rod, Arcee, Blaster and Bulkhead. The back of the box features Skids in both modes, calling out a 14 step transformation. The Legacy boxes also feature a QR code, next to a snippet of a classic looking Tech Specs images. Scan the QR Code and it takes you to Hasbro's web site and the character's tech specs. I have screen captured the spec and placed it in the gallery below. This is a great idea, but I do wish the profile was more robust. Still, this is a great way to get around the limitation of having to print tech specs in multiple languages on the box.
I do have one major reservation about the packaging (beyond the open window portion), and that is how thin the cardboard is. Once upon a time Transformers boxes came in thick cardboard boxes with many layers. This box is super thin and it feels rather flimsy. I worry about how these boxes will stand up to damage on shelves or as they are shipped. Of course, if you ditch your boxes anyway this is not an issue.
Skids is not one of the most well known G1 Transformers but he was in the OG toy line right alongside the likes of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. He even appeared in the cartoon all of one time! But where I fell in love with the character was Bob Budiansky's portrayal of him in the early issues of the Marvel G1 comic book. Decades later, fans would come to know (and love) a different version of the character in IDW Publishing's comic books. There have been many Skids toys over the years including an Alternators figure and a Generations version based on his IDW Publishing appearance. There is also a Masterpiece Skids released this year, so the character is hardly forgotten. That said, this is the first time he has been a Deluxe Class toy in quite some time.
Accessories:
A lot of the Legacy play pattern revolves around connecting accessories to each other and to the figures. To that end, Skids includes three accessories:
- Liquid Nitrogen Rifle: This is represented by the single barreled weapon. This is an alternate take on the weapon that came with G1 Skids, which was much larger and longer. In the animation and comic book models, this weapon was simplified to a rectangular base with a small barrel sticking out of it. That is the design used here, but it is given some nice sculpted details including indentations on the weapon barrel and the sides. This weapon has one 5mm peg on the bottom and two 5mm ports, one on top and one on the bottom. The end can accommodate Blast Effects, which is a great touch since those have not been included with Deluxe Class figures for quite some time now. This piece is made up of black plastic but mostly painted silver.
- Twin Electron Blaster: This is the dual barreled weapon included with the set. Featuring two thin barrels connected by a bar in the center, this also pays homage to a weapon from the original Skids figure. This has one 5mm peg on the bottom and two points at the end to connect Blast Effects. This piece is also black plastic with silver paint.
- Axe: Back in the Unicron Trilogy Energon series, one of the gimmicks of the line was a series of translucent plastic weapons intended to represent "Energon Weapons". That idea pops up again in Legacy with new translucent weapons. In this case we have a clear blue plastic axe. The weapon has two different 5mm pegs, one on the bottom and one on the back, allowing it to be held as a blaster or axe weapon. It also has 5mm ports on the sides and one in the front, allowing this weapon to serve as the core of a much larger weapon.
Robot Mode:
It was interesting to see fan reactions when Skids was first released. A vocal group of fans were not particularly impressed with his rather boxy appearance, likely due in part to his IDW Publishing incarnation being fresh in their minds. Me? I was ecstatic because this is the Skids I grew up with. In many respects Skids is the perfect example of adapting a G1 action figure into a modern day Transformers figure. He still embodies a lot of the key features of the original character, but these bits are modernized to fit in with the current aesthetic of the toy line. Some of the key details include:
- The silhouette of the figure is very much "Skids" complete with large "door wings" on his back, a blocky chest piece formed from the front of the vehicle, arms with wheels on top and chunky lower legs.
- The head sculpt is a refined and slightly elongated version of the one from the G1 action figure and animation model complete with a crest on top and segmented panels forming the "helmet" section.
- The chest features two round headlights with a grid-like grille in between them.
- His weapons attach to the top of his forearms, creating a very distinct appearance, especially since the weapons are different from one another.
I also love the feel of the figure. He is rather chunky and feels solid. For those curious about how he "weighs in" versus previous figures, I weighed him against Earthrise Hoist who comes in at 3.2 ounces. Skids (with accessories) is 3.3 ounces, so from the sheer amount of plastic used it seems we are still in the same ballpark as the War for Cybertron series.
Some fans have told me that they're bothered by the car hood panel on the back of Skids' head. I get that, but personally it doesn't bother me at all since the head can turn.
Skids is mostly made up of dark blue, black and red plastic with some translucent blue parts used for the windows and windshield in vehicle mode. Paint colors on this figure include blue, silver, red, yellow and light blue for the eyes. The base blue plastic and paint lean towards a darker shade of the color, which really helps some of the brighter colors like yellow and silver pop. I love the red and silver deco on the car door "wings" which serve as callbacks to stickers on the G1 figure. A large tampographed Autobot symbol on the chest helps complete the deco. Overall the deco not only looks nice, but it is distinctly "Skids" and pays homage to the original G1 toy nicely.
There are twenty four points of articulation on this figure including six on each arm and five on each leg. Fans will be happy to hear among these points of articulation are wrist swivels, which seemed to disappear from the line a bit but is present in this figure. There are seven attachment points for 5mm weapons. Two are on the sides of the lower legs, another two are under the feet while the forearms each have one and of course you have the fists. There is also an attachment point on his back for weapon storage (or attaching Weaponizers and/or Fossilizer bits). I really dig the way you can attach his weapons in the "classic" Skids fashion with the weapons mounted on top of his forearms.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach all the accessories and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the chest section up.
- Swing the arms out to the sides.
- Swing the upper body forward on the central hinge, then swing it back up on the secondary hinge. This brings the two halves of the figure closer together.
- Swing the front panel of each lower leg forward.
- On the bottom of each foot, swing out the rear vehicle mode wheels.
- Rotate the arms forward at the shoulders.
- Rotate the forearms around so the 5mm ports on the forearms are facing you.
- Swing the arms in so they are under the chest section (now the front of the vehicle mode).
- Swing the lower legs up into the thighs, connecting the rear of the vehicle to the top panel.
- Close the doors.
- The weapons can be attached to the top and sides of the vehicle.
Vehicle Mode:
In G1, Skids transformed into a Honda City subcompact vehicle. While the vehicle was not really a large one in real life, in toy form the original Diaclone figure Skids was based on came with a scooter so it gave the impression of being much larger than it actually was. This translated into Skids' animation/comic book model where he wound up looking kind of like a large, boxy minivan. That same idea carries over into this vehicle mode. The Honda City design still gets a bit of a nod in the overall shape with the angled front end and boxy back section, but this is a distinctively different design. Very few Autobots look like this in vehicle mode (redecos like Crosscut aside) so it is very distinctive and to my G1 based brain, screams "Skids!" on sight.
This mode mostly features the dark blue, translucent blue and black plastic. The silver and red lines on the sides of the vehicle shine here and the front shows off the large Autobot symbol along with the silver grille and yellow headlights. I do wish the rear lights and the sides of the wheels were painted, but those bits being unpainted is hardly unusual in the current era of toys.
There are three ports to attach weapons in this mode: the sides and the top. Technically the ports on the bottom of the vehicle allow you to attach even more if you want to create some type of weird "minivan on treads" type thing. I'm glad the play value from the robot mode carries over into the vehicle mode.
Final Thoughts:
I absolutely love this figure. It looks great in both modes and it really is a true update of the G1 character and action figure from the aesthetics to the transformation. Highly recommended!
Pros:
- Excellent design update of the original character.
- Fun play features.
- Intuitive transformation.
- Nice deco.
Cons:
- Could use a few more paint applications.
