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General Information
Release Date: October 2023
Price Point: $77.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: Target Exclusive with a limited number sold on Hasbro Pulse (US), Toys 'R' Us Exclusive (Canada)
Accessories: Rocket launcher/hammer, alternate head (Autotrooper), Swords x 2, Blasters x 2, Alternate Head, White horns x 2, Grey horns x 2 (G2 Cybertronian), Null Rays x 2 (Seeker), Axe, Mace, Tail/Sword, Allicon head (Quintesson Trooper)
Official images and text in italics are from Target.com: Prepare for an epic battle between the strongest Transformers robot troops with the Troop Builder Multipack! This pack includes 4 Transformers action figures: Decepticon Seeker, Quintesson Trooper, G1 Universe Cybertronian Trooper, and Animated Universe Autotrooper. Each figure converts from robot to their classic alt modes in 14-27 steps. Gear up your figures for combat with the character-inspired weapon accessories and the 3 included alternate heads for the Quintesson Trooper, G2 Universe Cybertronian Trooper, and Aniamted Universe Autotrooper figures. You've probably heard the buzz, but Bumblebee is kind of a big deal. And now the bodacious bot is making his mark with a line of some of the most buzzworthy Bumblebee products for fans of all ages. Buzzworthy Bumblebee figures feature collectible special packaging themed to fit the Buzzworthy Bumblebee line. Collect more Buzzworthy Bumblebee figures, only at Target (each sold separately, subject to availability).
Includes: 4 figures, 9 accessories, 3 alternate heads, and instructions.
- BUZZWORTHY BUMBLEBEE: The Buzzworthy Bumblebee collection features some of the most buzzworthy Transformers action figures for boys, girls, and fans of all ages, only at Target
- BUILD THE BATTLE: Assemble your strongest troops for battle with the Troop Builder Multipack! Includes Decepticon Seeker, Quintesson Trooper, G2 Universe Cybertronian Trooper, and Animated Universe Autotrooper
- AWESOME ALT MODES: Each figure converts between robot to alt mode in 14-27 steps. Includes alternate heads for Quintesson Trooper, G2 Universe Cybertronian Trooper, and Animated Universe Autotrooper figures
- GEAR UP FOR COMBAT: Comes with 2 Null Rays, 2 swords, 2 cannons, blaster, axe, and mace weapon accessories that attach to the Transformers figures in both modes
- BUMBLEBEE-THEMED PACKAGING: This Transformers multipack features special Buzzworthy Bumblebee collectible packaging. These Transformers toys make great gifts for boys, girls, and fans of all ages
- Ages 8 and up
- Warning: Choking Hazard - Small parts may be generated. Not for children under 3 years.
Background:
One of the most unique features of the Transformers line in the 80's was the fact that each character was a unique being. The tech specs on G1 toy packaging gave fans a look into the character's personalities and abilities, something that was fairly uncommon at the time among action figures. As the years went along Transformers characters having unique personalities and identities became a critical part of the toy line. However, G1 did often feature generic background characters who were often used as cannon fodder in battle scenes. However, it was rare for the Transformers toy line to have figures that would be considered "Troop Builders" (unlike say, G.I. Joe which had generic Cobra troopers or Star Wars which had Stormtroopers). In 2023 Hasbro decided to go all in on the troop building concept by releasing a troop builder 4-pack as part of the Target exclusive Buzzworthy Bumblebee toy line! This 4-Pack was designed to encourage fans to purchase multiple copies. Not only was each character in the set a generic troop, but each also featured alternate heads to create different versions of those characters which is frankly a brilliant move from a marketing perspective.
This set included four figures: Autotrooper, G2 Cybertronian, Seeker and Quintesson Trooper. This review will focus on the G2 Cybertronian Trooper. The figure is based on the generic warriors that appeared in the Generation 2 Marvel comic book. This figure is a redeco and retool of the sculpt used for Legacy Skullgrin and more recently Legacy United Quake. Check out those reviews to get familiar with the base figure used for the G2 Cybertronian Trooper.
Packaging:
The Troop Builder figures are packaged in a long, rectangular box. The background color uses the standard "Buzzworthy Bumblebee" yellow. Off to the left is stock art of Bumblebee, Optimus Prime and Megatron while the middle is mostly taken up by a artwork featuring the four characters inside. Each name is called out underneath: "Decepticon Seeker", "Quintesson Trooper", "G2 Universe Cybertronian Trooper" and "Animated Universe Autotrooper". The right side has the Generations logo and the vertical Transformers logo in black. The back features each figure in both modes calling out the number of their transformation steps. For the figures that include alternate heads, a small window shows off each alt-head. Overall this is beautiful and striking packaging.
Accessories:
The G2 Universe Cybertronian Trooper includes a mixture of accessories from Skullgrin and new pieces:
Heads:
In the G2 Marvel comic books many of the G2 Troopers featured heads that looked like skulls with horns on them, evoking something you'd perhaps see in "Heavy Metal" magazine. The artists were given some latitude in using different head designs but they mostly stuck to the theme. This set features two such heads.
One head can be seen in G2 Issue #8 "Escalation!" in a panel where Volt is shown slicing the head off of one of the Troopers (ouch). This one features a round "skull" section with ports for two horns on the sides of the head. The eyes are thin and angled downward, looking very threatening. Over the eyes are "brows" to give the eyes an even more intense appearance. The "mouth" area features a mouthplate with small lines that almost make it look like it has long teeth. This head is white plastic with green paint for the eyes and grey paint on either side of the "teeth".
The other head can (sort of) be seen in G2 Issue #9 "Swarm". The overall shape of this head is like a skull, but most of the head looks like a metal helmet with a visor where the yes are located. The front and top have small horns on them, really giving the head a threatening look. Like the other head the mouthplate has lines that look like teeth and the sides of the head have ports for the horns. This piece is painted mostly green except for the "teeth", horns and eyes.
To facilitate the head swap, Takara Tomy designer Shogo Hasui designed a rail system that allows the heads to slide onto a neck piece instead of just ripping heads off ball joints and popping them back on. This was revealed on a Hasbro Pulsecast. The heads can still turn side to side so no articulation is lost.
Blasters/Cannons:
The two cannons for this figure are the same sculpt as the ones included with Skullgrin. Their design is based on G1 Skullgrin's weapon design. Each cannon piece features a 5mm peg on the side and three 5mm ports. The front of each weapon barrel features a port allowing you to attach Blast Effects. Each cannon is made of green plastic with the barrels painted grey.
Swords:
The swords included with this figure are the same sword/cannons included with Skullgrin. These weapons are made of soft white plastic for safety reasons. Grey paint is used for the blaster portions on each sword. Each sword features a 5mm handle to hold as a sword and a 5mm peg to hold the weapon as a blaster.
Horns:
There are four horns included with the G2 Troopers. Two of them are white and curve at a wide angle. The other two are grey and feature a slight angle from the base before pointing upward. All the horns feature small pegs that allow you to attach them to the sides of the robot heads. The horns are a great idea because you can swap them out or point them in different directions to create a whole army of these guys where none of their heads are exactly alike.
Robot Mode:
In addition to the new heads, the designers have replaced Skullgrin's chest panel with an all new one. This piece has a very organic look to it (even though the sculpting is clearly machinery). The design appears to have a "T" shaped frame with armor with angled lines curving from the middle to the sides. A very similar design was used on multiple G2 Troopers in the Marvel G2 comic book with a variety of body and head designs so this makes for a good foundation for variants of the G2 Trooper. The rest of the figure maintains the same details as Skullgrin. The horns on the shoulders, hips and the skull on the pelvis all really fit into the theme of the G2 Troopers even though they are details from Skullgrin.
This figure is mostly made up of green and white plastic. Several parts are painted white such as the shoulders, parts of the chest and knees. Green paint is also used, mostly on the chest panel. On the right forearm is the G2 Decepticon symbol (whose use became a bit murky in the comic book, so best not to think too hard about it). The deco is simple but it looks fantastic and definitely evokes the characters seen in the comic books.
All the articulation on this figure is the same as Skullgrin except the head moves differently (you could mess around with Skullgrin's horns and his head shifted around a tad more). All the joints are still nice and tight. The figure also has all the same attachment points for weaponry. Amusingly the designers kept the tail intact, something the G2 Troopers weren't really known for in the comics yet somehow it works with the "savage" theme of their head designs. So the part on the back with the tail is still there to attach the weapons.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach all the weapons and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- On the back, swing the tail up.
- Swing each fist into the forearms.
- I recommend pointing any horns on the sides of the head down.
- Swing the chest panel open.
- Push the robot head and the panel it is attached to down, moving it into the spot that the chest panel was covering.
- The arms are connected to a white piece that can slide up. Slide this up.
- Swing each robot arm in, then rotate the elbows and forearms around, then connect them to the tabs on the white piece from the last step. Also connect the forearms together using the tabs and slots in the middle.
- Push the chest plate back in place.
- On the back of each leg, swing out the treads and the pieces they are connected to.
- Point each foot down.
- Swing the lower body down using the hinge above the waist section.
- Swing the robot legs up.
- Swing the front panels on each lower legs up and back.
- Connect the front panels on each lower leg together.
- Swing the sections with the treads back.
- Move each tread piece so it is out to the sides, then connect it to the slots on the robot shoulders and forearms.
- Reattach the cannons and attach the swords to the sides of the treads and tab them into the small tabs on the sides of the lower legs.
Vehicle Mode:
The G2 Troopers were featured with a wide range of body types in the comic book and the same goes for their alt-modes. Most of the time the alt-modes were some type of vehicle suited for battle, so this "Cybertronian Tank" mode originally used for Skullgrin makes perfect sense for the G2 Troopers. Except for the chest panel this mode looks the same as Skullgrin's tank mode. Add on the swords on the sides and one can argue you've now created an aerial mode! Sure it's a bit of a stretch, but with vague Cybertronian modes I say let your imagination roam.
No new colors are revealed in this form. It's still mostly green, white and grey.
Despite being a tank, there are no functional wheels or treads on the bottom of this vehicle so don't go scraping it against the ground. The turret on top can spin in a circle which is great. The bottom of the tail has an additional 5mm port to attach extra weapons and the treads have two 5mm ports each so you can configure it with even more weaponry! I also appreciate that the sides of the cannons also have 5mm ports so you can attach them and more weapons on top of them.
Final Thoughts:
When this boxed set was announced, I will say the G2 Trooper was the figure I was most excited for. We were fortunate enough to get a comic book accurate Legacy Jhiaxus and now we have comic book based warriors to back him up! I really dig this figure and for me it makes the set.
Pros:
- Excellent retooling including a creative use of parts to create distinct heads.
- The Skullgrin body was a good choice as it has design elements that blend right in with the G2 Trooper aesthetic.
- This definitely fits under the "obscure character gets a figure" school of winning.
- The base toy was already fun, and this is no different.
Cons:
- The vehicle mode is kind of a "what we say it is" mode but it somehow works better for the G2 Troopers than it did for Skullgrin.
