General Information: Release Date: January 2020
Price Point: $9.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: None
Official images and text below in italics are from Hasbro.com:
Micromaster figures Autobot Daddy-O and Trip-Up convert into mini toy car modes in 4 steps. Figures are to scale with Modular Battle Stations and can ride along their connector tracks. Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.
- DISCOVER EARTHRISE: The siege is over, but the War for Cybertron has just begun. The Autobots and Decepticons have left Cybertron, but their battle rages on as they speed through space in pursuit of the Allspark
- BUILD THE BATTLEFIELD BEYOND: This ecosystem of collectible action figures allows fans to build out epic space battle scenes! The line features figures that can convert into Modular Battle Station modes and connect together to expand and customize the battlefield (each sold separately, subject to availability)
- COMPATIBLE WITH MODULAR BATTLE STATIONS: Micromaster toys are to scale with Modular Battle Stations and can ride along their connector tracks
- CONVERT INTO MINI VEHICLES: Autobot Daddy-O and Trip-Up figures convert into mini toy cars in 4 steps
- INCLUDES PIECE OF TRANSFORMERS UNIVERSE MAP: Every pack includes a piece of the Transformers Universe map. Collect other Earthrise figures to piece together the full map! (Each sold separately. Subject to availability)
- Includes 2 Transformers Generations War for Cybertron: Earthrise Micromaster figures: Autobot Daddy-O and Trip-Up, and instructions.
- Figure scale: 1.5 inches
- Ages 8 and up
- Warning: Choking Hazard - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
Siege began the reintroduction of G1-based Micromasters as a regular segment of the Transformers toy line and that continues into Earthrise! One of the first Earthrise figures to begin hitting shelves in February 2020 were the first wave of Micromasters. This included the Hot Rod Patrol featuring Daddy-O and Trip-Up.
Packaging:
Similar to Siege, the Micromasters in Earthrise are packaged in pairs. Each sits inside a tray with a bubble on top. Both figures are packaged in robot mode. The insert under the figures shows the Earthrise logo while their names are off to the left inside a chyron. The right features the Generations and Transformers logos. The illustration at the top features both characters in their vehicle modes driving away from Ironworks with some trees visible in the background.
The back of the packaging shows each Micromaster in both modes, indicating a four step transformation for each. it also shows them interacting with Ironworks in base form. Unlike the Siege packaging, both sides of the card feature a greenish, metallic color on what look like metal panels on the edges. This helps to distinguish it from Siege by giving it a green and more "Earth-y" color.
Robot Mode:
Daddy-O is based on the G1 Micromaster "Big Daddy". Most likely the name was changed due to trademark issues. Interestingly, this is not the first time Big Daddy has been given a new form as a modern day toy. Back in 2007 Walmart released a line of exclusive Deluxe Class figures, and one of them was Big Daddy! This time out however he is a Micromaster once again, measuring in at about 1.5 inches tall (about 3.8 centimeters).
The original "Big Daddy" design was very simple. The back of the car swung back to form the legs, the sides of the car formed the arms and the front of the car became the torso. However, this time out there is a difference. The hood of the car actually swings back in this mode, so his chest does not look like it is sticking out too far in front of him. Like his G1 predecessor he has a round helmet section on his head with a crest in the middle. His shoulders come up high on the sides and his feet are curved. From a sculpting perspective Daddy-O looks like a good update of the original, but it doesn't really break any new ground in the design.
Daddy-O is made up of black plastic with orange, silver and gunmetal paint details. Orange is used to paint the head and the thighs. Silver is found on his feet and back (these details are really meant for the vehicle mode). The face is painted gunmetal grey. True to his G1 predecessor, he has flames on the sides of the arms (more on that in the vehicle mode review).
There are seven points of articulation in this form: the arms, hips, knees and waist.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Push the legs together.
- Swing the back panel forward over the head, snapping it together with the shoulder pieces.
- Swing the legs back over the thighs.
Vehicle Mode:
Daddy-O's vehicle mode is heavily based on his G1 car mode, which probably ranks among my favorites in Transformers history. The car is a retro, stylized "hot rod" complete with big fins in the back, pointed lights in the front and a big ol' engine sticking out of the hood. To me, this car exudes coolness and I love it.
This mode mostly shows off black plastic, but all the windows and the engine are painted silver. There are orange flames going across the sides of the vehicle complete with tiny Autobot symbols. If the sides of the wheels and lights were painted it would be perfect!
Robot Mode:
Trip-Up was another member of the G1 Hot Rod Patrol, and unlike Daddy-O Hasbro did not have to change his name. This figure mirrors the basic design of the G1 Trip-Up figure including having the rear of the car as the lower legs and the sides as the arms. However, like Daddy-O, the front of the car is on his back, condensing the chest so it does not stick out in the front. That said, the torso plate is designed to look like it is formed from the front of the car, complete with a raised air vent sculpted in the center. He also carries over G1 Trip-Up's head design complete with a helmet that has a large central crest and "horns" sticking out the sides.
This figure is cast in black and white plastic. The white makes up most of the figure. His colors are inspired by hisG1 predecessor. This includes green on the head, chest and thighs however this green is a regular shade instead of the more neon color used on the G1 version. His lower legs have yellow on them, echoing the more gold/mustard color used on G1 Trip-Up. The face is painted silver, which pops a bit more than the white used on G1 Trip-Up.
There are seven points of articulation on this figure. I recommend moving the shoulder pieces out a bit before trying to swing the arms up, otherwise they go bumping up against the "back pack". Unfortunately I have had some problems here and there getting the feet positioned just right so he can stand. I got it eventually, but it took some fiddling. I found the best way to do this is angle the feet inward a little bit and he stands fine. This is not a one off issue. I have two copies of this figure and both have the same problem.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Push the legs together.
- Swing the back panel forward over the head, snapping it together with the shoulder pieces.
- Swing the legs back over the thighs.
Vehicle Mode:
Trip-Up is a car that looks inspired by a 60's Ford Mustang. The way the front of the vehicle is shaped along with some indented sections on the sides feel a lot like the Mustang,though it lacks the trademark round headlights in front and the back has a non-standard spoiler. Like Daddy-O, he also has an engine sticking out of the hood. That, along with exhaust pipes running along the bottom edge of the sides are among my favorite details on this vehicle!
This mode mostly shows off white plastic with black wheels. The sides have blue flames on them, inspired by G1 Trip-Up's deco. Inside the flames are Autobot symbols, which looks really cool. The windows are painted yellow and the engine is painted silver. If the exhaust pipes and the front of the car were painted, this mode would look perfect, but it comes pretty darn close!
Like the Siege Micromasters, the Earthrise Micromasters can also transform into weapons! Here are the transformation steps for the official weapon mode:
- Starting with Trip-Up in vehicle mode, swing the back of the vehicle out.
- Rotate Trip-Up's lower body around.
- Swing the peg under the hood up.
- Swing the legs up, then bend them at the knees.
- Moving on to Daddy-O, swing the rear of the vehicle back.
- Swing the peg under the hood up.
- Attach Trip-Up to Daddy-O. The 5mm peg allows larger figures to hold this weapon.
If you own (or have seen) any of the Siege Micromaster weapon modes, nothing here will shock you. It kind of looks like a vehicle mode sandwich with weapon barrels, but it adds some fun play value and that's what matters in my book. Like the Siege Micromaster weapons you can attach Blast Effects to the ports on the bottom of each character's feet. You can also split this weapon and just use each Micromasters as an individual blaster. I am happy they retained this play pattern for this new line.
Final Thoughts:
The Hot Rod Patrol isn't perfect. The way the arms are designed makes moving them up and down a bit awkward and Trip-Up is oddly hard to stand until you get the "knack" of it. That said, they represent two character designs I have loved since G1 and I admit I'm a sucker for a car with flames on it. Recommended but with reservations.
Pros:
- Super cool car modes.
- Good play value.
- Good deco.
- Nice, sculpts that call back to G1.
Cons:
- The arm design is a bit awkard.
- Trip-Up is hard to stand until you adjust his legs just right.
