General Information:
Release Date: March 2023
Price Point: $24.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth etc.)
Accessories: Blasters x 2, Exhaust pipes x 2, Wheel/Shield
Official images and text below in italics are from Amazon:
- CELEBRATE THE LEGACY: Transformers Legacy Evolution celebrates the last 40 years of Transformers history. The Crashbar action figure is inspired by the Junkions from The Transformers
- 2 EPIC MODES: Transformers action figure converts from robot to motorcycle mode in 15 steps
- AWESOME ACCESSORIES: This Crashbar toy for 8 year old boys and girls comes with 2 tailpipes and 2 thruster accessories that attach to the figure in both modes
- FIGHT WITH FUSION ABILITIES: This Crashbar toy can break apart and fuse with other Transformers: Legacy Evolution figures as indestructible Junkion armor! (Each sold separately, subject to availability)
- 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 Crashbar action figure! Crashbar is one of the fastest Junkions. He races across the planet at high speed, often crashing into obstacles and reassembling himself before speeding off again. Transformers toys are upgraded with Evo-Fusion technology! Fight with fusion abilities by breaking this Crashbar toy apart and fusing with other Transformers: Legacy Evolution figures as indestructible Junkion armor! (Each sold separately, subject to availability.) 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.
Background:
The 1986 film The Transformers: The Movie introduced plenty of new characters into the G1 universe including a tribe of Transformers living on Junkion, the "Planet of Junk". The Junkions all transformed into Mad Max style vehicles (mostly motorcycles) and could easily reassemble themselves if damaged in battle making them nearly unstoppable. Fast forward to 2023 and the Junkions rise again. After the releases of Wreck-Gar and Junkheap as Voyager Class figures in previous years. Earlier this year the Junkion Scraphook was released. The follow up to that release is Crashbar, who transforms into a more "traditional" Junkion motorcycle.
Packaging:
Crashbar is part of the second phase of the Legacy line: Legacy Evolution so the packaging has been refreshed a bit. 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. It almost looks like the figure is in a pool of energy and coming up to the surface. Under the figure is an illustration of Crashbar in vehicle mode. To the side is a close up of him in robot mode. Interestingly 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 shows Crashbar in robot and vehicle modes. It also shows him completely broken up, with all his body parts and accessories laid out which then calls out the "Evo Fusion" gimmick which in this case refers to the ability of other figures to use his parts. On this box Scraphook is used as an example of how you can attach parts to another figure (and in vehicle mode no less).
Accessories:
Like Scraphook, one of Crashbar's features is his ability to come apart into parts that can be used to customize other figures in robot mode or vehicle mode. This is a callback to the way the Junkions in the 1986 film could lose parts and reattach them with ease. Basically this means he's a walking pile of accessories. For this section, I'm focusing on the accessories that don't form the core robot.
- Blasters: Crashbar includes two blasters. These are more like cannons, each one with a rectangular barrel section and a smaller handle section in the back. Each of these has four 5mm pegs on them so they can be attached to figures in various ways. The front has an opening to attach Blast Effects. Each of these are metallic grey plastic with no paint applications.
- Exhaust Pipes/Mufflers: Crashbar includes two exhaust pipe/muffler accessories. Each has a base with three 5mm pegs that lead to a curved section and ends with a muffler. These pieces are a dark orange plastic with no paint applications.
- Wheel/Shield: The rear wheel from the vehicle mode can detach and three blades can be moved out. Just move one out and the other two swing out at the same time. It's a really nice effect. The shield has a 5mm peg on either side, allowing figures to attach it to their arms or fists. Once attached, you can spin it manually which is fun. The wheel portion is made of grey plastic with the blades are metallic grey.
Robot Mode:
Crashbar is not directly based off any specific Junkion design from the movie. According to Hasbro designer Mark Maher, this figure is partly based on concept art by long time fans and artists Dan Khanna and Marcelo Matere. Maher collaborated with Takara Tomy designer Takio Ejima on this figure, resulting in an original Junkion design that still has a lot of the hallmark design elements of the residents of the Planet of Junk. This includes a head design that features horns on the sides and a "horseshoe" mustache. His torso features three large headlight designs and details that look like they are from the engine around the waist area. He also has spikes on various parts of the body including the shoulders and his left foot. The sculpt is fantastic and even though it's a new design, he is instantly recognizable as a Junkion.
Crashbar is made up of a combination of grey, orange, metallic grey and beige plastic. These are all classic Junkion colors and they look great together. Paint applications include silver, red, a metallic mustard color, brown and gunmetal grey. I was surprised at how complex and diverse the colors were on this figure. Add to that its asymmetrical design on the lower body and the way the colors are arranged look even better. If deco budgets were higher, I would expect rust like details on edges of the feet and limbs, but this deco looks great.
There are twenty four points of articulation on this figure. That includes five on each arm and six on each leg. There are ten 5mm ports on this figure. This includes two on the back and two on each arm. There is even one on each side of the torso! Of course this allows you to attach his accessories in various ways. His arms, legs and torso can all be separated from each other and you can use his parts (via 5mm pegs and ports) as armor for other figures. You can also mix and match parts with other Deluxe Class Junkion figures to create whole new characters! While playing around with this figure I found that the spikes on his shoulders are just the right size for Blast Effects. Hard points for Blast Effects were a norm during Siege but over the years they have largely disappeared from figures. It's nice to have them on this figure even if they were not intentional.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach all accessories and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- If you have the wheel/shield separated, reattach it to the right leg.
- Push the head down into the chest.
- Rotate the hands so the fingers face outward.
- Swing the forearms up against the shoulders.
- Swing the arms back and connect them together.
- Rotate the lower body around.
- Rotate both arms so the wheels face outward.
- On the left foot, swing out the grey handlebar/side view mirror pieces.
- Swing the front of the left foot down, then push it down.
- Swing both wheels down.
- Swing both legs up at the hips.
- Swing each lower leg up over the thighs.
- Rotate the upper body section (which forms the engine in this mode) around. The robot arms attach to the tabs under the front section formed by the left robot leg.
- Attach the exhaust pipe/muffler pieces to the fists so they curve under the vehicle. On each pipe/muffler piece is a tab that should slide into the side of the engine.
- Attach the blasters to the side to form the "saddle bags" for the vehicle.
Vehicle Mode:
When fans were first introduced to Junkions, they all seemed to transform into some type of motorcycle and that is exactly what Crashbar transforms into. While Crashbar is a new character and design, this motorcycle mode has many key elements of a traditional Junkion including a "cobbled together" appearance and spikes running along parts like the front of the vehicle and the front wheel cover. I also appreciate how the design is more like a Standard Motorcycle versus say, a ninja bike like Road Rocket.
All the colors from the robot mode carry over here, and they are jumbled up in a wonderful way. Each section has a "base" color, but other colors get mixed up with them such as the beige section in front having red spikes on the sides or beige and grey mixing up in the seating area. The flame detail on the front of the vehicle is a very iconic Junkion feature and it looks fantastic.
There are five 5mm ports on either side of the motorcycle mode and one in the back. I'm not entirely sure you could actually use all of them at the same time, but it does offer a lot of possibilities in terms of the position you can place various weapons. Unfortunately, this vehicle mode is a bit small so having other Deluxe Class figures "ride" on this vehicle mode is a bit ungainly. I tried it with a second Crashbar and he's just too large to sit on this mode properly. A Legends Class figure would probably work best.
Final Thoughts:
Crashbar is a super fun figure. I also love the growing cast of Junkions joining the Generations collection. It is also great how this design is original, but still carries so many traditional Junkion features. The Evo-Fusion/Weaponizer style play pattern adds an extra level of fun as well. Highly recommended!
Pros:
- Excellent sculpt that embraces the look of the G1 Junkions while offering a new design.
- Good deco featuring classic Junkion colors.
- Good articulation.
- Fun accessories.
- The "mix and match" play pattern is a fun one.
Cons:
- I do wish the size of the figure worked out so that other Junkion figures could ride on this one in vehicle mode.
