General Information:
Release Date: November 2017
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:
The Autobots and Decepticons use Prime Masters to wield the incredible powers of the most legendary bots in 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 fire-breathing warrior Dinobot Slug 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 Deluxe Class figures are 5.5-inch-scale figures that come with a Prime Armor accessory. Insert a Prime Master figure (each sold separately) into the accessory, attach it to the figure's chest, and imagine Dinobot Slug wields the power of a Prime.
Figure Specs:
Deluxe Class Dinobot Slug
Modes: robot, Triceratops
Converts in 12 steps
Includes Prime Armor accessory, blaster accessory, and collector card
Works with Prime Master figures (Each sold separately. Subject to availability.)
Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.
In 1985 the Generation One toy line and cartoon introduced the Dinobots. These Autobots transformed into robotic dinosaurs. Dinosaurs have a timeless popularity and having Transformers that turn into them was an obvious (and fun) choice. Over the years the term "Dinobot" has been applied to a sub-group of Maximals during the "Beast Machines" era and of course, a Maximal character in "Beast Wars". However, fans have wanted the original five Dinobots in new toy form for quite some time. Fans have sort of been teased over the years such as having a Voyager Class Grimlock (but none of the other Dinobots) and of course a line of Dinobots in the "Age of Extinction" toy line. However, it was not until "Power of the Primes" where we are being promised all five original Dinobots in new forms! One of the first released in the line is Slug, aka "Slag" from Generation One.
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 Slug's case his artwork shows him in beast mode with fire coming out of his mouth. 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 Slug in his various modes including having the Prime Armor attached. On the right side it shows the Prime Armor attached with Micronus inside the Armor. There is a bit of a cosell showing Micronus and Vector Prime.
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 Slug figure I received a "Vector Slug" card, saying that Slug uses Vector Prime's ability to travel through time challenging warriors throughout history.
Accessories:
Slug includes two accessories. The larger one is his "Prime Armor". This piece is designed to connect via 5mm peg to either Slug's chest or back as armor. There is a clear plastic panel in the middle that you can remove to attach either a Titan Master in head mode or a Prime Master in "Spark" mode. The Prime Armor features spikes on the bottom. These are actually the "knuckles" for the Prime Armor's hand mode for Slug's combiner limb form (more on that later in this review).
The other accessory is a blaster based on G1 Slag's weapon. It features a thick barrel, targeting scope on top and a small rectangular piece on the bottom. It has some detailing not found on the G1 weapon but its lineage is clear. This weapon is cast in black plastic with no paint applications.
Robot Mode:
When Hasbro and Takara sought to create new versions of the Dinobots, they looked to the original G1 designs as the foundation for these new designs. Like his G1 counterpart, Slug has the dinosaur head around his robot head like a helmet, complete with horns sticking up. His arms are made from the dinosaur mode's front legs and his rear dinosaur legs are clearly attached to his lower legs. The only major difference between the original Slag design and this one is that the sides of his dinosaur mode do not swing out to form "wings" on his back (which is a shame because that detail looks great on the original).
It is not just the overall shape of the figure that matches G1 Slag. There are also a bunch of smaller details that match as well. These include:
- The head design features a crest in the middle with four distinct, rectangular sections on the sides. He also has large visor like eyes with the nose splitting the visor in the middle.
- The shoulders feature a triangular line in the middle overlapping a series of horizontal lines. This matches a sticker found on G1 Slag's shoulders.
- The lower jaw of the dinosaur mouth forms the center of the chest in this form.
- The section of the torso right next to the shoulders feature thin vertical lines and raised rectangles. Similar details are found on the G1 Slag figure in the same area.
- The area on the thighs on top of the knees extends forward a bit.
- The lower legs are curved pieces with blocky feet at the end. The feet have several horizontal line details like G1 Slag.
It is fantastic seeing so many of G1 Slag's details integrated into this figure. Aside from the aforementioned "wings", this sculpt looks awesome.
Slug is cast in silver, red and black plastic. For the most part these colors match the box art for the G1 Slag figure. Most of the figure is silver with a majority of the torso and waist area cast in red. The head and fists are black plastic. Red paint is used for the eyes and Autobot symbol on the chest. The thighs are painted gunmetal grey (as opposed to the black on the G1 Slag artwork). Gold paint is used on the feet. A really awesome touch is a tampograph on the lower legs featuring several rectangles and some graphics based on stickers from G1 Slag's legs. While there are a couple spots here and there that could have used more color (the shoulders in particular) the color scheme works great as a nod to G1 Slag.
There are thirteen points of articulation on this figure. The shoulders and hips are ball joints, allowing for a good range of motion. Thankfully, although the robot head is tucked under the beast mode head, it can still turn side to side by pushing it in the sides. I am also happy to report all the joints are nice and tight. Each fist has a 5mm port, allowing Slug to hold his blaster and Prime Armor if you wish. He also has 5mm ports on the sides of the forearms, allowing you to attach even more accessories. If you prefer, you can store the Prime Armor or blaster on his back. There are also 5mm ports on the sides of the lower legs (for more weapons!).
Transformation to Beast Mode:
- Detach the accessories and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the fists back into the forearms.
- Swing the forearms up.
- Swing the central chest panel up.
- Push the beast mode head up, then reseat it so the head is not flush against the body.
- Swing the lower beast mode legs (connected to the robot mode lower legs) down.
- On the back of each leg, swing the tail halves up, then to the sides.
- Push the robot heel pieces up.
- Swing the lower legs forward and connect them to the tabs in the center of the beast mode.
- Swing the tail halves in and connect them together.
Beast Mode:
Thanks to so much of the robot mode design being based on the G1 Slag design, the beast mode also winds up looking like the G1 Slag beast mode. The basic design is the same. There is a snout with a small horn at the end, two large horns on top. The frill around the neck area has pointed ends on top. The main body is curved with a rectangular "bump" at the top formed by the robot feet. The tail has raised bumps on top and the legs have angled lines on them indicating where the joints are located. Like the robot mode, this form also has a bunch of smaller details based on G1 Slag. These include:
- The frills have a series of pointed line details on them leading up to the point on top.
- The top of the main body has horizontal lines crossing from one side to the other.
- There is a black line detail that starts at the top of the back and leads down, then forward.
- The "toes" on each of the feet are thick and rectangular.
- The back of the beast mode has a tube running down the middle. This is based on the hinges on G1 Slag's back that sllowed his "wings" to swing out.
- The sides of the rear legs have discs with mechanical details inside.
This mode is mostly silver. Silver and gold paint are used on various parts to match the figure up with its G1 counterpart. The horns on the head are red plastic. The most interesting (and cool) deco point is found on the head, rear legs and tail. Each of these sections feature sculpted mechanical details with a layer of translucent gold plastic on top. This design in particular is based on a key feature of the G1 Dinobot decos. I love the choice to carry this deco element over into these new Dinobots. Kudos to the designers!
There are six modes of articulation in this mode. Four are located in the legs. The mouth can open and the head can rear up. Each leg has a 5mm port, allowing you to attach a weapon. The back also has a 5mm port in the middle. This allows you to attach the Prime Armor. Even better? Lift the clear panel and this essentially turns into a seat for a Prime Master or Titan Master to sit in! I love this extra feature and it reminds me of another 80's toy line: Dino-Riders! There are also two Titan/Prime Master pegs on the back of this form, allowing a couple of them to ride along. Overall, the beast mode looks great and is fun to play with.
Transformation to Leg Mode (Starting in beast mode):
- Swing the beast mode head up, then swing it forward. This creates a clearance for the Combiner connector piece.
- Swing the Combiner connector piece up.
- Rotate the front, lower beast mode legs around and connect the notch in that section to the tabs on the sides of the beast mode.
- Rotate the rear legs around so the bottom of the feet are near the front feet.
- Split the tail, then swing the halves up.
- Connect a foot piece to the bottom of the section where the tail was.
*Note: The Prime Armor accessory included with Slug does not transform into a foot. It only becomes a fist or it can connect to a foot piece included with Grimlock to form a stabilizing heel piece. For the photos in this review I borrowed a Combiner Wars Aerialbot hand/foot/weapon piece since Grimlock has not yet been widely released.
Leg Mode:
If there is one word that comes to mind for Slug's leg mode, it is "solid". Since this is basically a folded up version of his beast mode, a lot of the bulk of the figure winds up being condensed into this form. The Combiner connector is nice and strong. It can swing forward and back and twist from side to side, just like the ones used during "Combiner Wars". The 5mm ports on the sides of the legs also let you attach extra weapons, giving any Combiner he is a part of a nice boost of offensive firepower.
Transformation to Arm Mode (Starting in beast mode):
- Swing the head up, and back.
- Swing the Combiner connection piece out.
- Rotate the front, lower beast mode legs around and connect the notch in that section to the tabs on the sides of the beast mode.
- Split the tail, swing the halves down and out to the sides.
- Swing the rear half of the beast mode out.
- Swing the tail halves in and down into the back of the lower legs.
- Swing the lower legs on the rear legs up.
- Rotate the lower body at the hip/waist area.
- Connect the Prime Armor in fist mode to the port on the bottom of the feet.
Arm Mode:
Those familiar with the limbs from "Combiner Wars" will recognize the basic structure of this arm mode. The top and bottom halves are rather bulky. The middle is a bit thinner since it is made up of the robot mode's thighs. Overall it's a good looking arm mode and even better, thanks to all the joints being tight he can hold up weapons without a problem with his elbows bent. The one thing I am not crazy about is the way the thumb that is not being used cannot be folded away. You can turn it around to sort of get it out of sight, but that's not the same as say, folding it into a slot or something.
Final Thoughts:
Slug is a fantastic update of G1 Slag. He looks great in both robot and beast modes. Not everybody is fond of the idea of the Dinobots combining so you can easily never use his limb modes and he's still a fun toy. I also appreciate the way he can interact with Titan or Prime Masters, but it is not a "must". Recommended!
Pros:
- Excellent sculpt in robot and beast modes that pays homage to G1 Slag.
- Joints are nice and tight.
- The Combiner feature is an extra bit of functionality and fun.
- Plenty of places to attach extra weapons.
Cons:
- The Prime Armor accessory cannot turn into a full foot accessory.
- Does not include a sword in addition to the blaster like the G1 Slag did.
- Aesthetically I would have preferred this figure having the "wings" like the G1 Slag figure.
