General Information:
Release Date: Spring 2021
Price Point: $22.99
Retailer: Walmart Exclusive (with a limited quantity on Hasbro Pulse)
Accessories: Tail/Whip Weapon
Official images and text below in italics are from Walmart.com:
Transformers Toys Generations War for Cybertron Trilogy Series-Inspired Deluxe Cheetor Action Figure - Ages 8 and Up, 5.5-inch
Build the ultimate battlefield inspired by scenes from the Transformers War for Cybertron series. This pack includes a Deluxe Class 5.5-inch scale Cheetor figure inspired by the character as seen in the War for Cybertron series. With 41 deco ops and battle-worn details this is the most series-accurate version of the character. The unparalleled optimism of the wide-eyed Cheetor allows him to facilitate a valuable alliance.
This Cheetor toy converts to his cheetah mode in 20 steps and includes a series-inspired accessory. Fans can collect other figures inspired by the Transformers War for Cybertron series! (Each sold separately, subject to availability.) Fun for adults and kids ages 8 and up! Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.
- Includes: figure, accessory, and instructions.
- Figure scale: 5.5 inches
- Ages 8 and up
- Warning: Choking Hazard - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
- © 2021 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.
- Manufactured under license from TOMY Company, Ltd.
- SERIES-INSPIRED FIGURE: This Cheetor figure is inspired by the character as seen in the War for Cybertron series
- ENHANCED BATTLE-WORN DECO: With 41 deco ops, this series-inspired figure brings fans the most detailed and series-accurate version of one of their favorite characters from the War for Cybertron series
- SERIES-INSPIRED ALT MODE AND ACCESSORIES: Cheetor toy features classic Transformers conversion from robot to cheetah mode in 20 steps, and comes with an accessory
- COLLECT OTHER SERIES-INSPIRED FIGURES: Fans can collect other figures inspired by Transformers characters from the series. Pose them out to recreate favorite scenes from the Transformers War for Cybertron series! (Each sold separately, subject to availability.) Fun for kids and adults 8 and up!
- SPECIAL PACKAGING: When fans see the iconic red and white packaging they know they're getting a figure inspired by the War for Cybertron series (each sold separately, subject to availability)
In Spring of 2021 Walmart released a new series of figures based on the Netflix War for Cybertron series. Like the previous two groups of figures, these all featured redecos of figures from the mass release toy line. One of these figures is Cheetor, a redeco of the figure that was released as part of Kingdom. This review will focus on the changes made to the figure for this release.
Packaging:
Similar to previous Netflix figures, this series features packaging using white and red colors which offers heavy contrast to the darker colors of the mass release figure packaging and of course the red calls back to the primary color of Netflix's logo. The artwork is in grey, featuring Cheetor in beast mode. The figure is set inside the box behind a plastic window. The back of the box features Cheetor in both modes calling out a twenty step transformation. There is also an interesting "cheetah icon" that looks like it was meant to be a cave drawing from some ancient archeological site.
Robot Mode:
You may think there would be little variation between Cheetor's mass release and this figure, but the difference is very dramatic. Sure they use the same basic colors (yellow, blue and black) but the colors are quite different in appearance. First, the yellow plastic on Kingdom Cheetor has been replaced with a much richer, metallic yellow. This looks much more like the color used for both the original Beast Wars series from the 90's and the Netflix animated program. The light blue on Kingdom Cheetor has been replaced with a beautiful darker metallic blue paint. The black spots and lines on the figure are the same as the previous figure.
All that said, Cheetor is missing one important deco point: the lower legs. If you look at the previous release the lower leg armor is painted blue in front, but they were left unpainted here. First, I wanted more of the rich blue metallic color on the figure to break up the yellow, but also there are "armor" details sculpted into the lower legs that look unfinished without paint on them. I am also sad the weapon has no paint on the blade area since the original version of this figure did have paint on the weapon.
All the joints on my copy of this figure are nice and tight, so no worries there. He also has no issues holding his weapon. Note: In my photos the mid-body panels are swung back, but they really should be forward. You can see this in the official photos in the gallery below.
Transformation to Beast Mode:
- Detach the tail weapon and set it aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Rotate the beast mode arms on the back out to the sides.
- Swing the panels on the sides of the mid-body out.
- Angle the robot head up, then rotate it around.
- Pull the beast mode head up from the chest, swing it up and over the robot head and then swing the lower jaw up.
- Move the robot arms down, then swing them against the armor behind the shoulders. Adjust the beast mode "fur" panels so they line up.
- Swing each of the front halves of the beast mode in and connect them in the middle.
- Swing the mid-body side panels in. They may "snap", but they should be okay.
- Straighten out the front legs and point the paws forward.
- Swing the robot feet up into the back of the thighs.
- Swing the rear beast mode legs down.
- Attach the tail to the back.
Note: During transformation, there is a possibility that the tab on the back of the beast mode head will snap off. This is an issue I have seen many fans complain about online since the Kingdom Cheetor was released. So far this has not yet happened on my copy of this figure but the tab is thin enough that I think it is only a matter of time. This is not a deal breaker for me as the beast mode head stays in place just fine, but any breakage points to bad design, quality control or both.
Beast Mode:
With all the yellow plastic panels coming together in beast mode, you really get a good look at the beautiful metallic yellow color. The beast mode also features another fun Easter Egg: the beast mode eyes. The first Kingdom Cheetor had orange eyes. This version has green beast mode eyes. These are references to the different colored eyes Cheetor had across various releases in the 90's. I appreciate this fun little homage as it is a pretty deep cut.
Final Thoughts:
This figure does not knock everything out of the park, but it is a definitely upgrade in color from the mass release. The rich yellow color is beautiful and I love the metallic blue. I just wish there was more of it, particularly on the lower legs and weapon. I am also worried about the tab on the back of the beast mode head piece breaking at some point in the future if I transform the figure multiple times. All that said, I still like this figure and if you have to choose between the mass release version and this one I would go with this one.
Pros:
- Excellent robot mode and beast mode sculpts (weapon issue aside).
- Fantastic articulation.
- Fun transformation that is intuitive to boot.
Cons:
- The weapon this is just odd.
- The issue with the tab on the back of the beast mode head is less than ideal.
- Lack of beast mode head articulation restricts one taking full advantage of the articulation points in beast mode.
