General Information:
Release Date: October 2023
Price Point: $24.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Machine gun, Paradise Parakeet
Official images and text in italics below are from Amazon.com:
- CELEBRATE THE LEGACY: Transformers Legacy Evolution celebrates the last 40 years of Transformers history. The Beachcomber action figure is inspired by The Transformers animated series
- 2 EPIC MODES: Transformers action figure converts from robot to dune buggy mode in 11 steps
- AWESOME ACCESSORIES: This Beachcomber toy for 8 year old boys and girls comes with blaster and Paradise Parakeet accessories that attach to the figure in both modes
- EVOLVE THE BATTLE: Transformers toy robots are upgraded with Evo-Fusion battle features! Evolve the battle by attaching the blaster accessory to the figure’s front bumper in vehicle mode
- REVEAL TECH SPECS: Scan the code on each package to reveal character tech specs! Collect other Transformers figures to discover facts and abilities (each sold separately, subject to availability)
The battle is evolving with the Transformers Legacy Evolution Deluxe Class Beachcomber action figure! Beachcomber is a skilled geologist and naturalist. He finds peace taking in the serenity of nature and enjoys spending time with Earth’s animal creatures. Transformers toys are upgraded with Evo-Fusion technology! Experience the evolution and attach the blaster accessory to the figure’s front bumper in vehicle mode to prepare for battle! Celebrate the last 40 years of Transformers history with Transformers Legacy action figures for boys and girls. Transformers Legacy opens the portal to a whole new universe of -- More Than Meets the Eye -- bringing together every generation of Transformers like you’ve never seen before. Collect and combine different characters to create your ideal Legacy lineup. Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro. Hasbro and all related terms are trademarks of Hasbro.
Background:
Beachcomber was introduced in 1985 as one of the Autobots stationed on Earth. He was quite unusual as he was a pacifist who preferred not to fight and instead commune with nature (which fit into his duties as a geologist). Over the years, he has had a few action figures made post-G1 including one in Generation 2, then later in Universe 2.0 and more recently in Power of the Primes. This is the first time he has been made into a Deluxe Class figure.
Packaging:
Beachcomber is part of the second phase of the Legacy line: Legacy Evolution so the packaging has been refreshed. The shape of the box is still the same, and for the most part the logos and other parts are in the same place. Sticking to the principle of plastic-free packaging, the window on the box is open but this year there is an extra layer of cardboard that sits on top of the figure to prevent theft. This covers most of the figure, leaving only the chest and head peeking out. Under the figure is an illustration of Beachcomber in vehicle mode with his headlights shining brightly (with Paradise Parakeet flying next to him!). To the side is a close up of her in robot mode. The QR Code to scan for the tech specs has been moved to the top of the box instead of being on the back.
The back of the box features Beachcomber in both forms calling out an 11 step transformation. It also has a huge logo for the "Evo Fusion" gimmick which appears to be a new term to describe the gimmick that began with Siege where toys across multiple classes can be combined to form different types of weapons.
Accessories:
Beachcomber includes two accessories:
- “Paradise Parakeet” – There is a fun scene in the G1 episode “The Golden Lagoon” featuring Beachcomber hanging out with a bunch of animals including a bird that he speaks to in its own musical language. In a nod to this fun moment, Beachcomber comes with a tiny bird! This bird is a single molded piece made of rubbery plastic. The bird is sitting on a stand, which is really a 5mm piece with a 3mm port underneath. This allows the bird to attach to various parts on Beachcomber like his shoulders and forearms. This piece is made of black plastic and the bird itself is painted green with yellow eyes.
- Machine Gun – Beachcomber’s weapon is a machine gun with a compact body and a small barrel sticking out in front. This piece serves a dual purpose. In robot mode it acts as his weapon, but in vehicle mode it serves as his grille so it has a design featuring bars running across on the top section looking a bit like a “cage” in front of the vehicle. This weapon features two 5mm pegs, one on the bottom and one on the left side. The barrel is able to accommodate Blast Effects. This piece is made of silver plastic with black paint on the body of the weapon.
Robot Mode:
Much like the Power of the Primes Beachcomber before him, this figure is largely based on the G1 animation model so it features a lot of details from that design. They include:
- Head: Beachcomber features a unique head design that includes a large visor over his nose and mouth and a “helmet” that features curved sections on either side of his cheeks.
- Arms: Beachcomber’s shoulders feature wheels from the vehicle mode on the sides. Also, the forearms feature an armor piece that goes over the top of his fists. Both of these are key details seen in the G1 animation model.
- Torso: The torso features a unique design that looks like an engine with pistons sticking out to the sides at an angle. The top of his chest features two rectangular details that look like they could be lights for him to use in dark conditions. These appear on both the animation model and his G1 action figure.
- Waist: The waist area features two circles. These distinct details are also reflected on the G1 cartoon as well as the toy.
- Legs: The legs feature parts of the vehicle mode near the knees including his front wheels and headlights. These are details calling back to the G1 action figure and to a lesser degree, the animation model.
Overall, Beachcomber looks fantastic! He also now has a slightly chunky look that works for the character.
Beachcomber is mostly made of blue and silver plastic. His wheels are actually made of black PVC plastic and they are pinned to the figure. This is very unusual nowadays. Most of the time, wheels are plastic and clipped to figures which is something I have lamented for a while. I wish more Transformers figures had wheels like these! Paint details are mostly done in silver. This includes the “engine” like details on his chest and his visor eyes. The chest features a red Autobot symbol and under that is a blue, yellow and red tampograph which replicates a sticker on the G1 action figure (that also carried over as a detail in the animation model). From a color perspective Beachcomber is spot on!
There are twenty two points of articulation in this figure including five in each arm and leg. He has 5mm ports in his fists, on the sides of the forearms and on his back where he has circular details that can fit his weapon for storage but they’re not very deep so they do not hold the weapon as firmly as I would prefer. He also features 3mm posts on either side of his head allowing Paradise Parakeet to hang out there as they have a bird-language chat!
Transformation to Vehicle Mode
- Detach the accessories and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Looking at the back of the figure, swing up the cage piece connected to his back.
- Pull the top half of the figure, extending it on the central post.
- On each foot, swing out the cage pieces and the heels (with are also the vehicle mode seats).
- Swing out the panels on the back of the lower legs.
- Push the two lower legs together and also connect the cage pieces on his legs.
- Tab the arms into the sides of the upper body.
- Swing the lower legs over the thighs. Connect the cage pieces together and connect the tabs in the front of the arms into the slots on the lower legs.
- Push the car seats down.
- Attach the Machine Gun to the front of the vehicle.
- Paradise Parakeet can be attached to the ports on the back of the vehicle.
Vehicle Mode:
Like his G1 action figure Beachcomber is a dune buggy in vehicle mode. The design of this vehicle mode is largely based on how he looked in G1. The front half is angled and features prominent headlights over the front wheels. The middle section has two seats and a cage over it. Meanwhile the back features the two aforementioned cylinders from the robot mode back. In a really nice detail the dashboard in front of the seats features details like a steering wheel! The vehicle mode looks great and it “feels” very much like a G1 design.
This mode features all the same plastic colors as the robot mode with blue making up most of the vehicle and silver making up a large chunk o the middle. The seats are painted gunmetal grey and the sides of the wheels are painted silver. Using the PVC plastic for the wheels was a great choice. The figure feels great rolling along my desk with the PVC actually gripping the smooth surface.
The Machine Gun weapon attaches to the front to form a grille, but you could also detach it and attach it to the sides as a weapon. Paradise Parakeet can attend to any of the 5mm ports.
Final Thoughts:
Beachcomber is excellent. I feel like over the years the various Beachcomber figures being released were all leading up to this. And I say this being a huge fan of the Power of the Primes version. I think in the Generations line at least we have reached “peak Beachcomber”. Highly recommended!
Pros:
- Excellent sculpt in both modes.
- Great deco in both forms.
- Paradise Parakeet is a super fun and surprising accessory.
- Intuitive and fun transformation.
- Good articulation.
Cons:
- I would have liked a dab of paint on the rear lights in vehicle mode but that’s about it.
