General Information
Release Date: April 2024
Price Point: $24.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Blaster, Torso Panel (attaches to figure)
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com:
- G1 UNIVERSE AUTOBOT GEARS ACTION FIGURE: This 5.5-inch (14 cm) G1 Universe Autobot Gears toy features deco and detail inspiration from the animated series, The Transformers
- 2-IN-1 CONVERTING TRANSFORMERS TOY: Transformers action figure converts from robot toy to truck toy in 12 steps
- AWESOME ACCESSORIES: This G1 Universe Autobot Gears Transformers figure comes with a blaster accessory that attaches in both modes. Figure also features a flip-up chest plate
- ARTICULATED FOR PLAY AND DISPLAY: Transformers figures feature articulated heads, arms, and legs for action poses
- CELEBRATE THE LEGACY: Transformers Legacy United honors 40 years of Transformers animated history! Collect other Legacy: United figures to unite your collection (each sold separately, subject to availability)
- GIFT TRANSFORMERS COLLECTIBLES: This G1 Universe Autobot Gears action figure toy makes a great collectible figure gift for any Transformers fan
Unite your favorite characters from across the world of Transformers robots into your collection with the Transformers Legacy United Deluxe Class G1 Universe Autobot Gears action figure! This 5.5-inch G1 Universe Autobot Gears action figure converts between robot and truck modes in 12 steps. Gear up for battle with the included a blaster accessory that attaches in both modes. The G1 Universe Autobot Gears figure is inspired by the character from the animated series, The Transformers, and features articulated head, arms, and legs for awesome action poses. Celebrate the last 40 years of Transformers history with Transformers Legacy action figures. Transformers Legacy opens the portal to a whole new universe of -- More Than Meets the Eye -- bringing together every Transformers generation like you’ve never seen before. Collect and combine different characters to create your ideal Legacy lineup. TRANSFORMERS and HASBRO and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc. © 2024 Hasbro.
Background:
When Hasbro decided to bring over several Japanese transforming toys to the United States as "The Transformers" toy line, part of what they tapped were many toys from the Micro Change line. One of these robots was a small pickup truck that transformed into a robot called "Micro Robot 04 4WD Off-Road" (who in turn may have been intended for release as a Mysterian). This figure would eventually be released in the United States (then elsewhere) as the Autobot Gears. Unlike many G1 characters, Gears really has not seen many releases over the years. There was the original figure (which was reissued in 2019) and years later there would be a Generations style Legends Class figure. As an aside, in 2009 an "alt-universe" version of the character appeared in the Rise of the Fallen toy line. Now Gears joins Legacy United as a Deluxe Class figure instead of a Legends Class joining the likes of Huffer and Cliffjumper!
Packaging:
Gears is packaged in the standard Legacy box design. The box is roughly rectangular with an angle on the top and side. The front features an open window and there is a cardboard hook on top. The graphics are very similar to previous years of Legacy boxes with blue and purple tones. The tray Gears sits in features yellow and orange colors, offering nice contrast to the darker outer box. On the left side is a box referencing the "G1 Universe" with Gears' name under it. This is an interesting choice as preivous "G1 Universe" characters simply had no universe listed, making "G1" the default. The Legacy United logo is under artwork of Chase's vehicle form. The left side of the box (if you are facing it) features Chase's robot mode art.
The back of the box shows Chase in both modes calling out an 12 step transformation. Under all that is the new 40th Anniversary Transformers logo. One thing of note with this box: the cardboard is of significantly better quality than the previous two years of Legacy figures. This cardboard feels solid and firm which hopefully means damaged boxes on store shelves and right out of the case will be less likely. Since the first wave of "Legacy United" I have been thrilled by this (it's the little things sometimes...).
Accessories:
Gears is designed with a chest panel that can lift up on a hinge. However, fearing people will try to steal this panel in box (since there is no plastic window cover) the designers took the chest panel and stored it inside the box as an accessory, so if you see Gears in store without the chest panel, it's okay! It should be inside along with his blaster. I don't really consider the chest panel an accessory but I wanted to make a note of it here.
The other accessory is a blaster based on one the character was seen using in the G1 episode "Megatron's Master Plan" Part 2. The blaster is relatively small with a round barrel leading to a thicker middle section. There is (what appears to be) an ammunition magazine in the middle. There is a 5mm handle towards the back and an addition 5mm peg on the right side towards the back. At the front is a small attachment point for Blast Effects. This weapon is made of black plastic with no paint applications.
Robot Mode:
Gears had a fairly simple design in the G1 television show and comic books. This was partly based on his toy, but his proportions were elongated to make him look more mobile and he was given a face with more expressive eyes, a nose and mouth versus visor eyes and a mouth plate. The result was an expressive animation model that lost many of the smaller details from the toy. This action figure tries to come to a cool middle ground between the two. Like the animation model the proportions are less squat and bulky than the original G1 toy and he has a more human looking face (despite the very unique shape of his wide head). He also has details like the trapezoid shaped section on his torso that features rows of horizontal lines that look like a large vent. One fun surprise is a detail inspired by the G1 episode "Changing Gears". In that episode, Gears' torso panel is lifted up at one point revealing the machinery underneath. Part of that machinery is a slot where a tape can be inserted that (apparently) can alter Gears' personality (hey, G1 was a wacky time). On this figure you can swing the torso panel up and machinery is revealed underneath including a distinct circle on the right side and a slot for a "tape" in the middle! I love this detail partly because it is so unexpected.
Other details are inspired by the original G1 toy including angled panels on the torso, a column of raised squares on his hip area and the rised details on his lower legs. The designers even sculpted in small "tire" details on his shoulders! This is a double callback. On the original toy, Gears' front wheels were indeed on his shoulders while on the animation model that area had small curves that were clearly inspired by the wheels on the toys. There is one really obscure detail This sculpt is absolutely fantastic. He's instantly identifiable as Gears and I really dig the middle ground between the original toy and animation model.
Gears is made up of red, blue and silver plastic. There is some black plastic but it is tucked away in this mode. Interestingly the two bits of red plastic at the hips are a darker plastic, likely due to the need to flex more than say, the red plastic on his feet. Paint colors on the figure include silver, blue and red, all key colors found on previous versions of the character. Silver is the most heavily used color. You'll find it mostly on the head and torso. His eyes are painted blue and there is a red Autobot symbol on the torso. Overall Gears looks fantastic.
There are twenty four points of articulation on this figure. This includes seven on each arm and five on each log. His head may have an unusually wide design, but it is able to turn side to side and look up at a alight angle! There are eight 5mm ports to attach accessories in this mode including two on the back, the fists and four on the legs. I'm very happy with the articulation and potential play value on this figure.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the blaster and set it aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the back pack out, then swing the wheels on it out.
- Swing the torso panel down.
- Swing each forearm up over the upper arms.
- Swing the arms into the section under the robot head, tabbing together the arms with the front wheel well sections.
- Swing the heel pieces on each foot out.
- Swing the lower legs back so they fit over the back of the thighs and the heels form the side windows of the vehicle mode.
- Swing out the torso panel that covers up the machinery details underneath in robot mode.
- Swing the torso section back, connecting the panel from the last step to the tabs on the back of the vehicle.
- Swing the wheels out.
- The blaster can attach to any of the 5mm ports on the vehicle including the sides or top.
Vehicle Mode:
In G1 Gears' vehicle form was a pickup truck with some unidentifiable "stuff" sitting in the truck bed. History repeats itself with this vehicle mode. This mode is a bit less blocky than the G1 Gears thanks to being styled after modern pickup trucks. The truck bed formed by his legs also has "stuff" in the back (really the front of his lower legs). This mode has some nice detailing including two circles on either side in front as headlights and a grille featuring a series of vertical lines. The only unfortunate part of this mode are the wheels. They are just tiny compared to what I would have expected. G1 Gears' wheels were robust looking pieces while these are much smaller and less substantial looking. That said, since this figure had to get these wheels out of the way in robot mode so I understand why they're not larger but it is my only issue with this vehicle mode.
The vehicle mode mostly shows off blue plastic with red parts on the back. The wheels are black plastic. There is a surprising amount of paint in this mode. The windows are all painted light blue. Some people do not like the opaque plastic being painted like this but given how delicate translucent plastic can be, I prefer sections with hinges like the top of the vehicle mode be made of solid plastic. Silver is fused on the hood, the front of the car and the sides of the wheels. Red paint is used on the front of the vehicle, which is a fun nod to the original toy. A red Autobot symbol is painted on to the hood. Finally, a bit of yellow is used to paint the headlights. I like the deco in this mode quite a bit, just don't focus on the torso plate being on the back of the vehicle and it is solid.
There are eight 5mm ports in this mode. Two on top and four on the sides. The other two are the fist ports which peek out underneath the vehicle. Why would those be useful? Well, if you swing the wheels in, you can form a "hovercar" of sorts. Add Blast Effects to the fists and it looks like Gears is blasting off like a VTOL.
Final Thoughts:
Gears is wonderful. Fans have literally had to wait decades for a "show accurate" Gears figure in the Generations line. No shade to previous Gears toys (especially the G1 figure, which I adore) but this figure is aces. Highly recommended!
Pros:
- Excellent sculpt that calls back to the design of the G1 Gears cartoon model brilliantly.
- Easy and intuitive transformation.
- The detailing inside the torso was an awesome addition to the figure.
- Good articluation.
- Nice deco.
Cons:
- The vehicle mode could be better. The torso panel on the back and the relatively small wheels are a bit of a downer.
