General Information:
Release Date: July 2019
Price Point: $29.99 (Varies by retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: None
*Images and text below from HasbroToyShop in Ebay:
The war between heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons continues on the Cyberverse animated series! Discover the unique powers and skills of each Cyberverse character, and see how those powers will be used to defend Earth… or threaten it.
Easily convert and attack with Transformers Cyberverse Action Attackers toys (Each sold separately)! Simply convert Grimlock figure from robot to dinosaur mode in 17 steps. The last step of conversion activates the figure’s Seismic Stomp Action Attack in both robot and dinosaur mode! Once converted, move can be repeated through easy reactivation steps.
Kids can collect other Action Attackers figures, each sold separately, to discover the signature attack moves of favorite characters from the Cyberverse series -- one of the best ways to introduce young kids and new fans to the exciting world of Transformers! Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro. Hasbro and all related terms are trademarks of Hasbro.
- Includes Grimlock figure and instructions
- 11.5-INCH GRIMLOCK FIGURE: Ultimate Class Grimlock figure is 11.5-inches tall. Similar scale to Transformers Titan Changers action figures (sold separately).
- REPEATABLE ATTACK MOVE: Heroic Autobot Grimlock performs his signature Seismic Stomp Action Attack move in both robot and dinosaur mode. Fun attack move can be repeated through easy reactivation steps.
- 2-IN-1 CONVERTING TOY: Easy Transformers conversion for kids 6 years old and up! Convert Grimlock toy from robot to toy dinosaur mode in 17 steps. Makes a great gift for kids!
- TRANSFORMERS CYBERVERSE CHARACTER: Classic Grimlock toy robot inspired by the legendary Dinobot king from the Transformers Cyberverse cartoon, as seen on Cartoon Network and YouTube.
- INSPIRED BY CARTOON NETWORK SHOW: In the G1-inspired Cyberverse series, giant Transformers robots from the planet Cybertron engage in epic battles, activating signature abilities known as Action Attacks! Kids can imagine unleashing this special power with this Action Attackers figure!
- Figure scale: 11.5 inches
- Ages 6 and up
As the Cyberverse line began to make a transition from the first year of toys to the "Power of the Spark" line, Ultimate Grimlock was released in Summer of 2019 under the "Power of the Spark" banner even though he does not have the signature "Spark Armor" feature of the sub-line. Instead, he has a "Seismic Stomp" action feature which will be discussed in more detail below. Interestingly enough, this figure was only available on HasbroToyShop's ebay store initially. While I am sure a wider release is due soon, for a couple weeks at least there was only one way to get him in the United States.
Packaging:
Ultimate Grimlock is packaged in a large window box. The front features yellow and black colors with details that make it look like shiny metal. The figure is in robot mode and you can see most of it through the window. The right side has a black, vertical "Transformers" logo with a Decepticon symbol above it. The bottom shows Grimlock's name and calls out his "Seismic Stomp" feature with artwork for the character. The upper left hand corner indicates "2 Attack Modes". The back of the box shows the figure in both modes as well as using its "Seismic Stomp" action feature. It calls out a sixteen step transformation along with a cosell for Megatron and Optimus Prime. I really love the look of this packaging. Its colors really pop on store shelves and it is distinctive even from other Transformers sub-lines.
Robot Mode:
Cyberverse Grimlock's design is a take on the character's "Evergreen" design, which uses Generation One as its foundation and then adds new touches to the character's appearance. Like Generation One Grimlock, the character has a bulky upper body and legs, giving him a powerful appearance. Like the G1 design his beast mode legs form his arms and the rear of the beast mode forms his legs. However, he is full of modern detailing elements. These include rocket launcher pods on top of his shoulders, extra details (lines and tubes) on his torso and spikes on the inside and outside of his legs. In the Cyberverse cartoon, Grimlock actually has a mouth which his mouthplate slides over. The designers chose to use his mouthplate which looks great. I love the look of this figure. Between its size and design Grimlock looks totally fierce here.
Grimlock is cast in silver, yellow, black and translucent blue plastic. These are all versions of classic colors used for various Grimlock figures over the years (with the yellow subbing in for gold seen on some versions of the character). The colors contrast wonderfully with each other and the yellow really pops. Details are painted in using red, grey, black, blue and silver paint. I was actually surprised how much deco this figure has. Every major section of the figure from the head to to the torso to the arms to the legs all have paint on them and it looks great. By the standards of the Cyberverse line, it looks like the designers of this figure really wanted to live up to the "Ultimate Class" monicker.
There are seventeen points of articulation on this figure. This is extraordinary for the Cyberverse line. In contrast, Ultimate Megatron only has twelve points and Ultimate Optimus Prime has fifteen. That's not terrible, but Grimlock beats them both. Each of Grimlock's fists have 5mm ports in them, allowing him to hold weapons from other figures. Grimlock's main action feature is his "Seismic Stomp". The halves of his tail wind up on the sides of the lower legs. Each has a translucent blue piece of plastic representing his "Seismic Stomp". The instructions do not really tell you the best way to activate them so I have found two ways. First, you can smash him (not too hard, now) onto a flat surface and the "Seismic Stomp" waves flip out. However, this method is somewhat unreliable. About half the time only the left side one comes out when I do it this way. The other way is to push on the translucent blue tabs on the top of the tail halves and then they will flip out almost every time.
Transformation to Beast Mode:
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Turn the figure around and swing the beast mode head/neck/arms section up over the robot head.
- Push the torso section forward and swing it up on the central hinge.
- Swing the lower legs up.
- Swing the tail halves together.
- Rotate the lower leg halves outward, then push them together.
- Swing the torso panel over the lower legs. The tabs on the torso piece fit into corresponding slots on the leg sections.
- Swing the robot feet forward.
- Swing down robot forearms around and swing out the halves of the beast mode feet.
- Swing the beast mode arm panels down.
Beast Mode:
Grimlock's beast mode looks like an exaggerated version of many past versions of the character. He has similar facial features such as a wide snout, a ridge around his "cheeks", small "T-Rex" style arms and circles on the sides of his hips. However, this version of him has big exaggerated features on the head (like the chin angling downward and pronounced "eyebrows"). His body is wide and the segments of his legs are big and chunky. The rocket launchers from the arms carry over to the top of the legs in this mode. The tail section has spikes running along the middle and he even has small spikes on the top of his nose. The only issue I really have with the appearance of this mode is the open gap on the underside of the beast mode. Still, given how great the rest looks I'm fine with there being some sacrifices made in this mode.
This mode shows off all the same colors as the robot mode, with silver and yellow making up most of the body. Yellow paint is used to paint his teeth, something which is not usually done so I was quite surprised. The colors from the robot mode's torso adds a huge splash of colors on the back of the beast mode. The deco in this mode really draws the eyes in and looks fantastic.
Grimlock has a surprising sixteen points of articulation in this mode. A majority of them are focused in the legs, which each have six points of articulation. His arms can move up and down and his mouth can open and close. Surprisingly, his tail can actually move from side to side! This is very unusual for any dinosaur based beast mode in the Transformers toy line. Surprisingly, Grimlock carries over his "Seismic Stomp" feature to this mode, but it is more of a "Seismic Tail Sweep". Press the triangular, translucent blue section at the base of the tail and the "Seismic Stomp" effects swing out from the sides of the legs and they come together in the back. This is a surprising and fun feature and I was very happy to see the designers worked hard to give the beast mode good play value.
Final Thoughts:
Ultimate Grimlock is a very pleasant surprise coming out of the Cyberverse toy line. Cyberverse has been a rather uneven line in terms of quality, but this Grimlock figure is fantastic. If it came with weapons it would have been a perfect figure to represent the cartoon character. Recommended!
Pros:
- Excellent sculpt in both modes.
- Really good articulation for a Cyberverse figure.
- Excellent deco in both modes.
- Fun action feature.
Cons:
- Open gap in beast mode.
- Does not include any accessories.
