General Information:
Release Date: February 2018
Price Point: $16.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General (Toys R Us, Target, Wal-Mart etc.)
Accessories: Blaster, Prime Armor, Prime Armor cover
Official images and text below in italics are from Amazon.com:
Transformers Generations Power of the Primes Deluxe Class figures are 5.5-inch-scale figures that come with a Prime Armor accessory. Insert a Prime Master figure (not included; each sold separately) into the accessory, attach it to the figure, and imagine Autobot Moonracer wielding the power of a Prime. The robot action figure also comes with a blaster accessory. The Deluxe Class Autobot Moonracer figure converts between robot and sports car mode in 14 steps. Combine it with other Power of the Primes figures -- 3 Deluxe Class and 1 Voyager Class -- to form a giant Combiner super robot (additional figures each sold separately).
Power of the Primes Deluxe Class figures work with Prime Master figures (not included, each sold separately, subject to availability). Fans can collect Prime Master characters and imagine Autobot Moonracer using the godlike abilities contained within the Prime Masters. See how Autobot Moonracer might use these amazing powers with the included collectible character card. Prime Master figures are not included, each sold separately, subject to availability.
Autobot Moonracer is eager to prove herself. While the other Autobots may underestimate her for her youthful nature and optimism, the skilled sharpshooter is just as precise as she is sweet. The 12 Prime Masters carry the god-like abilities of the Primes: powers including time travel, infinite knowledge, and the ability to forge mystical weapons and artifacts. How will Autobot Moonracer wield their incredible power?
- 5.5-inch scale Generations Deluxe Class figures feature the details and articulation fans look for in a Transformers robot figure.
- Autobot Moonracer figure changes between robot and sports car mode in 14 steps.
- Attach the Prime Armor accessory to the Autobot Moonracer figure.
- Prime Master figures (not included, each sold separately) can fit inside the Prime Armor accessory.
Moonracer was introduced in the Generation One episode "The Search for Alpha Trion". She was one of the "female Autobots" who continued the Autobot fight against the Decepticons on Cybertron led by Elita-1. Years after her introduction, I had hoped to bring this character to the Botcon 2005 boxed set "Descent into Evil". However, due to trademark issues, the figure wound up being named Chromia instead. You can see the details in my "Timelines" Chromia review. Years later, Fun Publications would retcon this figure as Moonracer for its "Wings of Honor" timeline. This is the first time that Moonracer has been an action figure as part of a mass retail line of Transformers figures.
Packaging:
The Deluxe Class figures for "Power of the Primes" are packaged in a blister bubble glued to a card. The card continues the current trend of having a red Transformers logo set vertically on the right side (if you are facing the card) with the "Generations" logo above it. Most of the card is covered in character artwork. In Moonracer's case it shows her in robot mode seemingly charging into battle (reference the artwork above). The figure is in robot mode inside the bubble with the accessories to the side. The insert inside the bubble has the "Power of the Primes" logo on it with the character's name. The back of the packaging shows Moonracer in her various modes including having the Prime Armor attached. On the right side it shows the Prime Armor attached with Alchemist Prime inside the Armor. There is a cosell showing Liege Maximo and Alpha Trion.
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 Moonracer figure I received the "Nexus Moonracer card which indicates she can give a Combiner's mind the concentration of a sniper.
Accessories:
Moonracer includes a blaster cast in black plastic with no paint applications. The blaster is based on the design of the weapon used by the character in "The Search for Alpha Trion". It features a targeting scope on top, a round central body and a barrel with a targeting sight at the end. The barrel is longer in the figure than the one shown in the cartoon, but the inspiration is clear.
The other accessory is the Prime Armor. Underneath the headlights are rectangular areas with a series of horizontal lines inside. This is the same sculpt as the Prime Armor included with Jazz. Remove the clear panel in the middle of the armor and you can attach a Titan or Prime Master. The sculpt for this accessory is designed to look like a rocket pack. There are machinery details in the middle and towards the bottom are two thrusters. Indeed, the Prime Armor winds up looking extra chunky if you attach it to the front of the robot mode (it attaches via the tabs on the thumbs connecting to the corresponding vertical grooves on the chest). Instead, I prefer using the 5mm peg on it to attach it to Jazz's lower back where it can look like he is using it to fly.
This accessory also forms a fist for the Combiner limb mode. Unfortunately it has two thumb pieces and neither can tuck away, so as a hand it looks a bit odd. If this design is similar to the Dinobot "hands", it can also be able to connect to a foot piece to form a heel for extra stability. This piece is cast in a bright teal color with white plastic used for the fingers. The clear cover is translucent blue.
Robot Mode:
Moonracer's design is (in part) based on her Generation One animated appearance. This figure integrates several design elements from the animation model including:
- The head design features an ornate "helmet" section with layers that sweep back and up. There are curved parts that stick out and curve back on the sides that look like small lights. Her face has eyes that come to points on the sides and a narrow face.
- Around the neck area are raised panels that form a "collar".
- Right under the neck area is a raised circle in the center.
- The insides of the forearms have vertical line patterns that resemble those on the animation model.
- The waist area has a raised, triangular section that comes down to a point. This resembles a part of the armor on Moonracer's animation model.
- The hip area has circles sculpted into them, a design that comes straight from the same place on the animation model.
- The thighs have sections sculpted on to them that look like armor panels that come up from the lower legs over the knees and thighs.
- On either side of the knees are circular designs extending out from the joint.
There are some definite design differences between the animation model and this figure, partly due to the need for the design to actually transform. The animation model could cheat and basically "morph" into its vehicle mode, but in plastic it's a different story. Perhaps the biggest design differences have to do with all the vehicle mode bits hanging off the figure. The "back pack" has most of the vehicle mode's bulk on it, so she winds up looking like she has a cargo container on her back. Meanwhile panels from the vehicle mode wind up on the sides of her forearms and feet. While the back pack and panels on the arms are a bit annoying, the bits that bother me the most are the wheel wells on the sides of the legs. The stick out a lot and obscure a portion of the lower legs. I wish they were on a swivel or something that allowed it to move back (maybe even a hinge that coud help it fold out of the way). I know this would have increased the potential cost of the figure, but it realy would have helped the aesthetics a lot.
Moonracer is cast in a light teal, white, black and translucent blue plastic. These base colors all come from the original animation model and it looks great. There are some additional colors as well that are unique to this figure. The designers tried to use the paint colors to match up with the animation model as best they could. Light teal paint is used on the torso and head. Impressively enough, most of the torso is cast in translucent blue plastic, but the teal paint is applied in such a way that it covers it up very well. Lavender paint is used on the face, torso and lower legs for additional detailing. This is a color that was not seen on the G1 animation model, but somehow it works very well against the teal and white. There are some yellow paint applications on the head and waist, which call back to yellow details on the G1 animation model's head. The chest has a white section in the middle with an Autobot symbol on top in red. This is also a detail taken straight from the G1 animation model. Overall I really like the deco on this figure. It looks great and calls back to the cartoon character very nicely.
There are eighteen points of articulation on this figure. This includes three in each arm and five in each leg. I am being generous here by counting the wrists since they turn in as part of the transformation. Each fist has a 5mm port, allowing Moonracer to hold her weapon or the Prime Armor. The sides of her forearms also have 5mm ports. If you need to store her weapon you can attach it to her back. If you want to attach the Prime Armor, you use the notches on either side of the chest to connect to the tabs on the "thumb" pieces. Frankly it looks a bit silly but it fits with the theme of the line and it does offer an extra bit of play value.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the accessories and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the feet up.
- Push the feet together to form the front of the vehicle.
- Swing the torso/arms/head section forward.
- Push the head back, revealing a piece with a 5mm port.
- Push the torso/arms/head section back.
- Rotate the top half of the body around.
- Swing the "back pack" forward.
- Move the arms up.
- Swing the white panels by the rear wheels up.
- Bend the arms at the elbow, then swing the fists inward.
- The Prime Armor and weapon can be connected, and then attached to the 5mm port at the back of the vehicle.
Vehicle Mode:
In Generation One Moonracer transformed into a Cybertronian car. Parts of it looked like an Earth-based vehicle from the 80's while other bits looked more "scifi" including fins on the sides. The designers took this base design as inspiration for this vehicle mode, but in most respects it is very much its own. The vehicle still looks like a car with a low profile, but it is a long car which winds up looking even longer if you attach the Prime Armor. The end result looks like a transport vehicle that can carry several passengers (sort of like a Cybertronian limousine). The angles of the wheel wells suggest a "retro future" or alien design which calls back to G1 Moonracer. If you attach the Prime Armor, it looks like the car has rocket boosters in the back, which is fun. I like this vehicle mode even if it is not 100% G1 accurate.
This mode is mostly light teal from the middle to the front while the back is a combination of teal, white, translucent blue and lavender. A lot of the windows in this mode are translucent blue plastic, sugesting passenger windows that wrap around the vehicle. The hood of the car has a white section with a red Autobot symbol on top, suggesting part of the robot chest forms that section. Meanwhile the headlights are painted yellow. I really like the way the colors are broken up in this mode. Nothing looks dull or monotonous.
As mentioned above, you can connect Prime Armor to the back of the vehicle (and then attach weapons to that). There are two Titan Master pegs on top of the vehicle. One is towards the back, the other is towards the middle. Sadly there is no seat for Titan or Prime Masters to sit inside. Want to attach additional weapons? There are 5mm ports right behind each rear wheel well.
Transformation to Leg Mode (Starting in vehicle mode):
- Push the front of the vehicle mode down and swing it back. Connect it to the thighs using the tabs from the front of the vehicle and the attachment points on the thighs.
- Swing the middle section of the vehicle up, swing down the 5mm port under it, then swing it back into place.
- Swing the robot fists back.
- Swing the Combiner connection piece up.
- Attach a foot piece to the bottom.
*Note: The Prime Armor accessory included with Moonracer does not transform into a foot. It only becomes a fist. For the photos in this review I borrowed a foot piece from Grimlock for this review.
Leg Mode:
Moonracer's leg mode is a good shape with a good thickness to look like a limb that can support a Combiner. It really helps that the front of the vehicle folds back, making the base of the leg nice and solid looking. The Combiner peg is nice and solid both on the hinge and swivel joint. You can also utilize the ports near the rear wheel wells to attach additional weapons if you want.
The only "newly revealed" part in this form is the Combiner connection piece which is light teal with white plastic in the middle.
Transformation to Arm Mode (Starting in vehicle mode):
- Detach the Prime Armor if attached.
- Swing the middle section of the vehicle up and against the back.
- Rotate the lower half of the vehicle (the robot legs) around to one side or another (depending on which arm you want it to form).
- Swing up the Combiner connector piece.
- Transform the Prime Armor into its fist form and attach it to the 5mm port at the wrist.
Arm Mode:
Arm modes are not always the easiest ones to pull off. Depending on the form of the figure's vehicle or robot mode, they can wind up looking too chunky or obtrusive. However, Moonracer's arm mode works out perfectly. The top part of the arm is nice and thick, like a powerful looking bicep. Then the forearm is smaller and more narrow. Sure the fist is kind of big (but not comically so) but I think overall the arm mode looks good.
Since the rear wheel wells wind up towards the top of the arm it gives you the clearance to attach additional weapons. You can also attach another weapon to the weapon storage section from the robot mode. In a fun coincidence (or is it?) Combiner Wars fist/foot/weapon pieces can connect to this section to add even more firepower!
The joints on my copy of this figure are nice and tight but if you want it to hold up a Legends Class weapon like Powerglide you will need to bend the robot knees/elbows a bit to support it.
Final Thoughts:
I have some reservations about Moonracer's sculpt (mostly around the design of the lower legs) but overall it is great to finally have a mass release of Moonracer. I appreciate the use of design elements from the animated series and I was relieved to see both limb modes are solid. Recommended!
Pros:
- The design utilizes design elements from the G1 animation model.
- First time this character has been made into a mass release figure.
- Limb modes are solid.
- Fun play factor thanks to attachment points for weapons and ability to interact with Titan and Prime Masters.
- Nice deco.
Cons:
- Robot mode sculpt is a bit weak in some parts such as the lower legs.
- The large "back pack" may turn some fans off to the figure.
