General Information:
Release Date: March 2018
Price Point: $9.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General (Toys R Us, Target, Wal-Mart etc.)
Accessories: None
Official images and text below in italics are from Amazon.com:
The Autobots and Decepticons use Prime Masters to wield the incredible powers of the legendary bots who shaped the universe: the Primes. Prime Masters carry the spark of a Prime, allowing them to share a Prime's godlike ability with other bots. How will the bullying warrior Battleslash wield this epic power? Anything is possible and everything is at stake when the Power of the Primes is unleashed! Transformers Generations Power of the Primes Legends Class figures are 3.75-inch-scale figures. When this Legends Class Battleslash figure is in helicopter mode, spark mode Prime Master figures ride on top. It combines with the Power of the Primes Legends Class Roadtrap figure to form a Duocon Battletrap figure. Additional figures are each sold separately. Subject to availability. Figure Specs: Legends Class Decepticon Battleslash Modes: robot, helicopter Converts in 18 steps Combines with Legends Class Roadtrap figure (sold separately) Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.
In Generation One Hasbro experimented with creating different types of Transformers figures that did more than just change from one form to another. One of these experiments were the Duocons. Each one featured a pair of vehicles that would combine into a robot. In fiction this would later be explained as the precursor to Triple Changer technology. Now with "Power of the Primes" one of the Duocons has returned: Battletrap! Originally Battletrap was a helicopter and truck that combined into a robot. In this new incarnation, each of the individual vehicles has its own robot mode and they still combine into one larger robot!
This review will focus on Battleslash, with the combined Battletrap form to be reviewed separately.
Packaging:
Battleslash is packaged in blister card style packaging. The card features the "Transformers" logo in the front against a black background with the "Generations" logo above that. Most of the card is taken up by Battleslash's artwork with a smaller "Transformers" logo on top, almost like a watermark. This is all new artwork based on the figure in the packaging. The art is colored in a beautifully painted fashion that recalls the artwork from G1 toy packaging. The figure is in robot mode inside the bubble with a collector's card behind him. The insert in front shows a photo of the figure in vehicle mode with the name "Battleslash" printed next to an Decepticon symbol. Since this figure combines with Roadtrap to form Battletrap, the side of the insert shows Battletrap's artwork! The back of the packaging features a grey grid with CG renders of the figure on top in both modes. Overall it's really cool packaging and I'm happy the art features so prominently.
The "Power of the Primes" figures from Legends Class up come with collectors cards. However, unlike the "Titans Return" cards which featured tech spec stats, these focus on what ability the character gets if they connect to a specific Prime Master Spark. This means there are thirteen potential card variations per character (one for each Prime)! In my copy of the Battleslash figure I received the "Quintus Prime" card scanned above.
Robot Mode:
In G1 the aerial component of the "Battletrap team" was a helicopter, and it is that half that Battleslash represents. Since there was no G1 robot mode for the helicopter the designers had free reign to create something original.
Battleslash winds up being kind of wide and chunky looking thanks in part to the need for him to form half of a larger robot. The design is pretty cool. he has a very standard Transformers style head with a round helmet section with a crest. Meanwhile the face has a pronounced chin piece. The center of the chest has a rectangular section for a Decepticon symbol (a key part of the deco) while the sides of the chest each have two circles that could easily be imagined as weapon barrels. The thighs have an interesting, layered design leading to a lower leg design with some nice, deep cut lines. A lot of the vehicle mode details wind up on the back including the cockpit cover and the front of the vehicle mode.
The two main colors used on this figure are light grey and black. Black paint is used for key details including the details on the upper arms and the Decepticon symbol in the center of the chest. The sections with the raised circles on the chest are painted purple. His face is silver with red eyes. The feet are painted blue. These colors totally work since light grey and black are the main colors on the helicopter half of G1 Battletrap.
There are seven points of articulation on this figure. That does not sound like a lot, but six of these points are ball joints, so his actual range of articulation is really good. For instance, his shoulder joints can move up and down and out to the sides. Meanwhile the elbows can move up and down and swivel out to the sides. Mounted on the right forearm is the helicopter blade, which serves as his main weapon in this form. Push it gently and it spins for erm...battle slashing action! Finally each fist has a 5mm port, allowing him to hold weapons from other figures.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Swing the robot arms up, then swing the black hinges forward.
- Swing the legs out to the sides then together.
- Swing the rear rotors out and connect them together.
- Swing the cockpit cover piece up.
- Swing the black hinge sections of the arms up.
- Fold the forearms against the upper arms, connecting them together (be sure the rotor faces up).
- There is a tab on a curved piece from the back of the arms. Connect that to the slot in the middle of the rear section.
- Swing the cockpit cover section down.
- Swing the front of the vehicle down.
Vehicle Mode:
This vehicle is based off of G1 Battletrap's helicopter form. Like that helicopter, it is a fictionalized version of the AH-64 Apache. Perhaps the most distinctive part of the design is the cockpit section which is angular and boxy looking. Other design elements that are borrowed from G1 Battletrap include wing-like pieces on either side of the cockpit and rectangular parts on the front section.
There are some differences however. The front has some angled sections and details that could be interpreted as headlights or even vents. The rear section has a tail rotor blade, which the G1 version did not. I will say that due to the figure having a robot form there is a lot more bulk to this helicopter than the G1 version. Also the combining feature winds up leaving an open gap in the front. While these features are not deal breakers for me, some fans may not be as accepting of these design compromises.
Like the robot mode, this form shows off mostly light grey plastic while the black plastic makes up smaller parts like the rotor blade and the sides. The windows are painted a beautiful metallic blue color. On the top window is a purple Decepticon symbol, a callback to G1 Battletrap. There are red details on the "wings" and black on the sides. A bit of blue sticks out in the back thanks to the way the feet are painted.
Final Thoughts:
Battleslash is a really interesting take on a G1 concept. I love the idea that the designers decided to make each half of Battletrap an independent Transformer. In one shot this figure gives us a new character of sorts and an old one in a new form at the same time. The transformation is rather unique and I like the design of both forms. Recommended!
Pros:
- This figure gives fans both a "new" character and an "old" one at the same time.
- Fun and unique transformation.
- Good articulation even though there are not many actual points of articulation.
Cons:
- The deco could have been a little better.
- The robot mode may be a bit bulky for some fans.
- The vehicle mode does have some odd design compromises.
