General Information
Release Date: January 2023
Price Point: $11.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: None
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com
- CELEBRATE THE LEGACY: Transformers Legacy Evolution celebrates the last 40 years of Transformers history. The Dinobot Sludge action figure is inspired by The Transformers
- 2 EPIC MODES: Transformers Dinobot Sludge toy for 8 year old boys and girls converts from robot to Brontosaurus mode in 8 steps
- COMBINE TO FORM VOLCANICUS: Unleash the power of Volcanicus! This Dinobot Sludge figure converts to form the lower torso of the Volcanicus combiner (other figures sold separately, subject to availability)
- COLLECT OTHER DINOBOT FIGURES: Collect all 6 Transformers: Legacy Evolution Dinobot toys and combine to form the mighty Volcanicus! (Each sold separately, subject to availability)
- REVEAL TECH SPECS: Scan the code on the instructions sheet 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 Dinobot Sludge action figure! Sludge may not be the smartest Dinobot, but his strength and endurance make him unstoppable in 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:
Between 2017 and 2018 Hasbro released a set of Dinobots including a Voyager Class Grimlock and Deluxe Class versions of Sludge, Slug, Snarl and Swoop Swoop. These five figures could then be combined to form a new Combiner named Volcanicus. In 2021, there was even a version of the character created for Cyberverse. Then as part of the Legacy: Evolution line, fans are being given another chance to create another Volcanicus Combiner, this time in the Core Class scale!
Packaging:
True to the name of the line, the Legacy: Evolution packaging uses the Legacy design as its foundation and then builds on it. The dramatic "Legacy" logo now has the word "Evolution" under it in an equally dramatic font. The background still has green, blue and purple colors that really catch the eye. On the top flap of the box is Sludge in beast mode, while the left side of the packaging features him in robot mode. The other side features part of the artwork first shown at the September 2022 Pulsecon event. The back of the box shows Sludge in both modes calling out an 8 step transformation. It also describes him as "1 of 6" Transformers who form Volcanicus!
Like last year's Legacy figures, Sludge includes a QR Code that you can scan to see his tech specs online. I have screen captured the tech specs and placed them in the gallery below.
Robot Mode:
The most important thing I had to keep in mind when reviewing this figure is that it is a Core Class figure so the budget for it was limited and it is meant to be part of a Combiner. That means some of the engineering for the robot and beast modes would be sacrificed for the sake of the Combiner. With that in mind, Sludge is...still very weird looking. When you're used to versions of the character such as his G1 action figure or the more recent Studio Series Sludge it is kind of hard to look at this robot mode and not find it very strange looking. Don't get me wrong, this figure has a lot of the requisite Sludge details including:
- The head sculpt is really nicely done, featuring Sludge's signature horns on the top of the head with a crest in the middle and rounded helmet section.
- The arms feature the rounded shoulder sections and even have the "wings" wrapped around them on the back.
- The torso features a blocky design with a circle in the middle that has a cross inside of it, a signature design element found on other Sludge figures.
- The legs are rounded from the shape of the dinosaur's rear section and there are small ridges on both sides with rectangular feet at the bottom that include a row of vertical lines in front.
All that said, some of the design compromises are super obvious. One are the rear beast mode legs which wind up o the sides of his legs here and go all the way up to the sides of his hips. They wind up looking like giant saddlebags attached to his sides. Also, having the "wing" pieces attached to the arms looks a bit awkward as well. To me the figure is not super ugly or anything, but it definitely stretches what some people may accept in a Core Class figure since so many have really looked good, but I try to keep in mind the limitations I stated above.
Sludge is made up of silver plastic. Red, black and gold paint is used to provide detailing. The silver/red/black/gold paint combination is a classic one for the Dinobots so the combination works beautifully. Here, the red and black on the torso area and the gold on the feet really look great.
There are seven points of articulation on this figure including ball joints at the shoulders and the head. This is low even for a Core Class figure, but I suspect a lot of this is to ensure stability in the combined Volcanicus form. Sludge does not include any accessories but his fists do have 3mm ports if you want to give him a weapon. He also has a 5mm port in his chest which I believe will factor into the Volcanicus combination.
Transformation to Beast Mode:
- Swing the arms up to the sides.
- Swing the arms together and connect them.
- Rotate the upper body around.
- Connect the two lower legs together.
- Push the arm sections into the opening between the two lower legs.
- Swing the beast mode head and neck up.
Beast Mode:
When I was done transforming Sludge I have to admit I laughed a little at this beast mode. The front half actually looks pretty good. He has a long neck and oval shaped head. This beast mode feet stick up on the back and his front legs feature G1 inspired design elements such as the round sections on top. He also has a lot of nicely sculpted mechanical detail running from the head to the back. However, the back of the beast mode is where things look funny. His rear legs are huge compared to the front ones and his tail is short and stubby. In a way he looks kind of like a "super deformed" version of the character.
The deco in this mode looks good, with gold paint on the head and the feet on the back. The beast mode eyes are painted light blue. The deco looks good and would be perfect with only a couple more gold bits painted in (such as the claws on the feet).
There is no articulation in this mode. It's just a chonky dinosaur statue basically. Sludge features a 5mm port on each rear leg and a 3mm peg on each front leg. I'm sure these are intended for the Combiner form, but you can attach weapons to them if you wish.
Final Thoughts:
The more I play with this figure, the more I like it. That said, as a standalone figure it is really not going to satisfy many fans. It really needs to be viewed through the lens of being part of a Core Class Combiner set. What it comes down to is this: if you intend to get the entire Core Class Dinobot set, this is a recommended pick up. However, as a purely "pocket sized Dinobot" it leaves a bit to be desired (but your mileage will vary).
Pros:
- Some good detailing inspired by those on previoius versions of Sludge.
- Good deco given the size class.
- A Core Class Combiner set is a fun idea and I really look forward to having the full set.
Cons:
- The sculpt is odd since it is mostly in service of the Combiner form and will definitely put off some fans.
