General Information:
Release Date: December 2019
Price Point: $19.99 (Varies by retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Target, Walmart, Amazon etc.)
Accessories: Blaster, Blast Effect, Maccadam Part (Waist)
*Images and text below from HasbroToyShop (via Walmart):
Build Maccadam with the Transformers Cyberverse Deluxe figures! Each transforming figure includes enhanced detailing and decoration from Transformers Cyberverse, but what makes it even more special is a build-a-figure piece! For the very first time, Hasbro will let fans create Maccadam of Maccadam's Old Oil House. Inspired by the Cyberverse animated series, this Deluxe Class Bumblebee figure stands at an impressive 5 inches in robot mode and converts to car mode in 19 steps. The last step of conversion activates the figure’s Sting Shot attack in both robot and car mode! Once converted, the fun attack move can be repeated through easy reactivation steps. Collect them all to build your own! Ages 8+. Not for children under 3 years.
*Note: I believe some of the text above is incorrect. The 19 Step transformation and figure size are correct, but his "Sting Shot" attack does not necesarily require a transformation to use since it is based on an accessory being attached.
Revealed at New York Comic-Con 2019, the Deluxe Class of Cyberverse figures was a pleasant surprise. Most of the Cyberverse line has focused on gimmicks that would lead to design sacrifices that left some fans frustrated. Even the Warrior Class figures came short of being more traditional Transformers figures. The Deluxe Class seek to fill this need in the Cyberverse line offering traditional transformations from a robot to vehicle mode with Generations style articulation. Even better, each figure would include a part of a "Build-a-Figure" of Maccadam, the legendary bartender of a mysterious bar on Cybertron originally introduced in the UK Generation One comic books.
When Cyberverse was first introduced to fans, it was a very "Bumblebee-centric" series, focusing on the character's amnesia and his role in the Autobot/Decepticon war. Given that, it is no surprise the line is choc full of Bumblebee toys. These include:
- 1-Step Changer Bumblebee
- Scout Class Bumblebee
- Warrior Class Bumblebee
- "Power of the Spark" Bumblebee
- Ultimate Class Bumblebee
- Ultra Class Bumblebee
Clearly, the character is well represented, but this new Deluxe Class figure may be the figure that is most faithful to his animated counterpart and the expectations of some fans who are more into lines like Generations.
Packaging:
The packaging for the Deluxe Class Cyberverse figures takes some thematic cues from Generations. Instead of a bubble card or open packaging these figures are packaged in boxes. The boxes are quite striking, featuring mostly a purple background with yellow borders. Interestingly, these boxes bear a logo that says "Transformers Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures" which is quite a mouthful for a toy or show title. It has been said online that this is the international title for Cyberverse, which is possible and that is as good as an explanation as any.
The front of the box features a vertical Transformers logo on the right with an Autobot symbol above it. There is a "wear pattern" running across the logo which gives the background a hand painted look. Also in the front is a diagram of the Maccadam Build-a-Figure singling out the part that comes with Bumblebee. One side of the box features Hot Rod, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee with the term "Deluxe Class" in four languages. The other side shows a rendering of Maccadam.
The back of the box features the figure in both modes, indicating a 19 step transformation. It also lists his function as "Courageous Scout" in five languages. Towards the middle there is artwork calling out his "Sting Shot" referencing the accessories included with the figure. Maccadam is also shown fully assembled with numbers next to his respective parts. These eight parts are spread out across eight figures in two waves. Wave one features Optimus Prime, Megatron, Shockwave and Bumblebee. Wave two will have Hot Rod, Grimlock, Arcee and Thunderhowl (a new character).
Accessories:
Bumblebee includes four accessories:
- Blaster: This blaster is based on the Windblade gives to Bumblebee in season one's fifth episode, "Whiteout". It features a boxy back end, a narrow barrel in front and layered details in the middle. It also has a curved clip towards the front on the bottom. This piece is cast in black plastic without any paint applications.
- Blade Weapon: This piece is a short blade that Bumblebee used very early on in the Cyberverse cartoon. The blade and its base are one piece. The end features two clips and small pegs on either side. This piece attaches to slots on Bumblebee in vehicle mode or you can use the 5mm peg to have Bumblebee hold it in his hand in robot mode. This piece is cast in yellow plastic with silver paint on the blade.
- Blast Effect: Unlike most Blast Effects which look like explosions or weapon blasts, this Blast Effect actually looks like an energy field that fits over the blade. It has energy going out at angles at the base with a blade shaped piece in front. This piece is made of soft blue plastic. It slides over the blade and looks fantastic, but it does not have holes like most Blast Effects so you cannot attach it to Bumblebee or other figures with small pegs.
- Maccadam Waist: More on this once I have the full figure assembled.
Robot Mode:
The Deluxe Class is new to Cyberverse so it is natural for fans to wonder about how this compares to previous classes. If you put this figure next to the Warrior Class Bumblebee from last year, that figure winds up being slightly taller and bulkier looking. However, when you do a head to head weigh in (including all accessories) the Warrior Class figure weighs in at 2.3 ounces while this figure is 2.6, meaning in terms of sheer plastic, you are getting more with this figure even if some of that "extra" is distributed among the three accessories.
As mentioned above, there have been a lot of Bumblebee figures released for Cyberverse so far, but they all have issues that largely stem from their respective gimmicks taking precedent over aesthetics and articulation. This figure is a very "pure" Transformers figure in that the main gimmick is transformation. This allowed the designers to make a figure that looks very true to the animation model. This means everything from the head sculpt, to the front halves of the car forming armor on his shoulders to the car doors forming "wings" on his back. He even has smaller details such as the small circles on the front of each foot. Most importantly, his proportions look like the animation model's. This is in sharp contrast to some other figures (especially the Warrior Class version).
Bumblebee is made up of metallic yellow, grey and black plastic. For the most part these colors match up nicely with the animation model. However, in the cartoon the parts that are grey on this figure are a much darker shade. Paint applications are done in blue, black and red. For the most part the details match up nicely with the animation model, but the designers cut costs when it comes to coloring the legs. Sure he has the distinctive red dot on the knee armor, but his lower legs and feet are almost completely unpainted (there's a bit of silver on the ankles in front). This is a shame, but from the chest up the deco looks great, partly thanks to a lot of these details carrying over into the vehicle mode.
Not counting the doors on his back, this figure has eighteen points of articulation. This includes three in each arm and five in each leg. The shoulder, elbow and hip joints are all ball joints. Unfortunately, his shoulder armor restricts the movement of the shoulder joints a bit, but he is still far more articulated than other Bumblebees in this line. Bumblebee can hold his blade weapon and blaster in his fists. The Blaster has a small peg at the front, allowing you to attach a Blast Effect. Speaking of Blast Effects, Bumblebee himself has two pegs for them: one on the chest and one on the right leg. As a reminder, Siege Blast Effects are compatible with Bumblebee, so feel free to use those in addition to Cyberverse Blast Effects from other figures.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the accessories and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the front panels of the lower legs open.
- Push the robot feet into the lower legs (but do not close the front panels yet).
- Push the two lower legs together. They should snap together.
- Swing the back section out and unfold the middle of the car's front end.
- Swing the robot head back.
- Swing the shoulder armor pieces up so it is flush against the forearms.
- Rotate the waist around.
- Push the robot arms forward, locking in the sections with the headlights to the middle panel of the car hood.
- Push the panel with the doors on it down, then swing the doors in.
- Swing the lower legs forward over the thighs, then close up the panels from the lower legs.
- Push the doors in.
- Swing the robot chest piece up.
- The blade weapon can be attached to either side over the rear wheel wells.
Vehicle Mode:
For the most part, Cyberverse Bumblebee figures have looked good in vehicle, though the consistency of the design is a bit erratic now and then (ex: the Warrior Class figure having a spoiler while the cartoon model does not). This design adheres more towhat is seen in the series, with a compact, but sporty design that curves from the back to the front where it angles down to the headlights and grille. The vehicle mode has a lot of the details from the animation model. These include the distinctive "honeycomb" grille in front, headlights with two round bulbs, a vent on the hood and small vents in front of each wheel well. It's a really nice design that looks sleek and sporty.
This mode benefits from a lot of the deco coming together in a compact form. The base color is mostly yellow plastic and the wheels are black. The black stripes from the robotmode carry over here and they wind up on the top, the hood, the front and sides. The windows and headlights are painted blue. The vent on the hood and the ones in front of the rear wheel wells are painted silver. Finishing off the deco is a tampographed Autobot symbol on the top of the car. This looks good, but there are so many more details that could have been painted in including the grille in front, the rear lights and the sides of the wheels. Doing this would have really elevated the deco from "okay" to "excellent".
As mentioned above, you can clip the blade weapon onto the sides using the slots over the rear wheel wells. Oddly enough, there seems to be no place to attach the blaster in this mode. The blaster has tabs on the sides as if it were meant to go somewhere but I could not find the slot that they would attach to. There are no 5mm ports on the sides to attach it to either. This is an odd ommission given that we live in an age where weapons storage or use in alt-modes is the norm.
Update (1/4/20): Thanks to fellow fan Pascal I. who pointed out that the blaster does store! There are rectangular tabs on the robot arms under the hood. These attach to one of the rectangular indentations on the blaster. I tried it out and it worked!
Final Thoughts:
This is the best version of Cyberverse Bumblebee released thus far. Its transformation, articulation and aesthetics are great. Unfortunately there are some odd design choices including the lack of anywhere to put his blaster in his car mode and he definitely needs more deco in both modes. Recommended, but if you've already thrown a lot of cash at Cyberverse maybe wait to see if you can get this figure on sale.
Pros:
- Fantastic sculpt.
- Good articulation.
- Fun accessories.
- Transform is intuitive and not fussy at all.
Cons:
- Needs more deco in both modes.
- Shoulder armor interferes with articulation.
