General Information:
Release Date: September 2023
Price Point: $9.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Sword, Back armor
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 Dinobot Snarl action figure is inspired by The Transformers G1 animated series
- 2 EPIC MODES: Transformers Dinobot Snarl toy for 8 year old boys and girls converts from robot to stegosaurus mode in 8 steps. Comes with a sword accessory
- COMBINE TO FORM VOLCANICUS: Unleash the power of Volcanicus! This Dinobot Snarl figure converts to form the left leg 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 Snarl action figure! Snarl is a loner, a bot of few words, and only ever finds joy on the battlefield. 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:
At the beginning of 2023 Hasbro began releasing a series of Core Class Dinobot figures including Dinobot Slug. The team will ultimately consist of six Dinobots who will combine into a new interpretation of the Combiner Volcanicus. The last Dinobot to be released for this set was Snarl, the classic Dinobot who transforms into a robotic stegosaurus.
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 features Snarl in beast mode, while the left side of the packaging features him in robot mode. The back of the box shows Snarl in both modes calling out an 8 step transformation. It also describes him as "6 of 6" Transformers who form Volcanicus!
Like last year's Legacy figures, Snarl includes a QR Code (located on his instructions) that you can scan to see his tech specs online. I have screen captured the tech specs and placed them in the gallery below.
Accessories:
Snarl includes a tiny sword based on the one he had in G1. The sword is narrow towards the hilt but widens at the top into a “V” shape. There are some nice details on the blade itself which seem to take inspiration from the G1 Snarl action figure. The end is a 3mm peg while there is a tab sticking out the side to attach in beast mode and leg mode. This piece is grey plastic with no paint applications.
Robot Mode:
Creating what is essentially a triple changing robot at a Core Class price point is a challenge and the result with the Dinobots has been mixed. In the case of say, Sludge, the figure is “good” overall given what it has to do, but it winds up looking a bit awkward in robot mode. Then you have Swoop who looks fantastic in both modes despite being a Core Class figure. I am happy to report that Snarl favors looking great! I am very impressed with his robot mode. He has a lot of the key details from Snarl’s G1 animation model and action figure including:
- The head design features a wide helmet with horns sticking out the sides of the head.
- The halves of the dinosaur tail wind up behind the head on either side, though on the G1 model they sat on his back here they are on top of his torso towards the back.
- The torso has several angled segments on the sides with one vertical section in the middle.
- The arms feature round sections on top with thick forearms.
- Plates from the dinosaur mode and two of the dinosaur legs wind up on his lower legs.
Overall the sculpt is fantastic, especially with a lot of the little greebles on the sides of his legs and on the arms. I am also very happy with his proportions. I grant his torso is a bit flatter than you would normally seen on a Snarl action figure but it still looks great and works well representing the character.
Snarl is mostly made up of silver and gold plastic. Paint colors include red, black, silver and light blue. The silver is heavily used on the lower legs, giving them some nice metallic shine. His face is also painted silver. The eyes are light blue and red is used for his torso, waist and his back armor. Black is used on the “helmet” section of the head, his torso and fists. Overall the deco does a great job of representing Snarl but there is one glaring omission: an Autobot symbol on the chest. I’m sure they cut this due to cost reasons but it is a shame. There is literally a section sculpted into the chest for the Autobot symbol and it is blank. This winds up looking like something is missing and it is the weakest point of the deco in my opinion.
There are eight points of articulation on this figure including surprise waist articulation! At first glance his torso and waist section looks like one gigantic piece of plastic but he can actually twist left and right! Snarl can hold his weapon in either hand or you can attach it to the armor on his back for storage.
Transformation to Beast Mode
- Detach the sword and back armor and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Move each leg out to the sides, then bend them at the knees.
- Swing the dinosaur head halves out.
- Move the legs together and push the lower legs together.
- Attach the back armor piece to the rear section of the dino mode.
- Swing the lower legs back so the tabs on the back of the legs connect to the open slots on the robot mode’s waist piece. The tabs on the back armor piece should slot into openings on the bottom of the robot feet.
- Swing the halves of the tail together.
- Swing the robot forearms back to form the rear legs. These attach to the sides using the triangular tabs sticking out to the sides and the corresponding slots on the legs.
- The sword can attach to the underside of the beast mode via the slot on the chest.
Beast Mode:
Shortly before I wrote this review I read a comment online that a fan was disappointed that this Snarl figure (and his Studio Series 86 counterpart) both had chonky beast modes. I found this a curious comment since Snarl has always had a chonky robotic stegosaurus form in his G1 depictions. Now, I grant that he looks a bit extra chonky in this mode like he went on vacation and ate all the Energon buffets but given the limitations of the price point and the design concessions made with some of the other Core Class Dinobots, I have absolutely zero problems with this.
What’s important is that Snarl still retains most of the key details of this form including the armor plates running from the front to the tail, the mechanical detailing on the sides homaging the G1 action figure and his distinctive head featuring a curve on top and a slightly grumpy look on his face. Perhaps the only critique I have with this figure’s beast mode is that the front half of the beast mode is set so low to the floor it looks like he’s getting ready to take a nap. I can live with it, but your mileage may vary.
Thanks to the way the silver on the lower robot legs and the red on the back panel come together here this mode looks really beautiful and vibrant. The colors just pop in wonderful ways, especially with the gold back plates contrasting against the red and silver. I’m also amused that the factory managed to line up the halves of the Autobot symbol on top of his head on this figure but seemed to have issues doing it on the Studio Series 86 Leader Class figure! Overall this mode looks fantastic.
There is no articulation to speak of in this mode. He’s a brick. Given the size class and what is being demanded of this figure, I’m okay with it but again, your mileage may vary.
Final Thoughts:
Snarl is a fantastic. Does that mean he’s perfect? No, but he looks great in both modes and is super detailed. He also has a sword weapon, making him unique among the Core Class Dinobots. For those wondering, I will be reviewing the combined Volcanicus form separately from the individual Dinobots so keep an eye out for that review to follow up this one. For now, this figure is highly recommended!
Pros:
- Excellent robot mode sculpt and good beast mode sculpt.
- Beautiful colors that really pop.
- Sword weapon!
- Fun to play with and transform.
Cons:
- Needs an Autobot symbol on his robot mode chest.
