General Information:
Release Date: July 2019
Price Point: $34.99 (In a box of 10 Micromasters)
Retailer: Target Exclusive
Accessories: None
Official images and text below in italics are from Target.com:
- BUILD THE ULTIMATE BATTLEFIELD: The Generations War for Cybertron trilogy introduces an expansive ecosystem of collectible figures and weapon accessories. (Each sold separately. Subject to availability)
- EXCITING 10pk WITH CLASSIC MICROMASTER COMBINATION: This 10pk includes 5 teams of Micromaster toys that convert and combine to form weapon modes!
- CLASSIC G1-INSPIRED CHARACTERS: Adult fans nostalgic for the original Transformers animation and kids discovering classic characters for the first time can share and experience exciting play patterns across generations
- AWESOME CONVERSION: Each figure in this Micromaster 10pk features simple conversion to micro vehicle modes. For kids and adults 8 years old and up!
- COMPATIBLE WEAPON MODE WORKS WITH ALL OTHER FIGURES: War for Cybertron: Siege figures have multiple weapon ports that enable fans to attach the weapon mode of Micromaster figures
- Build the ultimate battlefield with Transformers War for Cybertron: Siege collectible figures, featuring classic G1 characters. (Each figure sold separately. Subject to availability). Siege plunges fans into the epic fight to survive on the final day of the Autobot and Decepticon battle to control Cybertron. The Decepticon resistance army and the Autobot counter-resistance fighters gear up with the universe's most advanced modular weaponry, including the weapon modes of Micromaster figures - sentient bots that become weapons!
Micromaster figures combine to form weapons to equip other Siege figures (sold separately)!
- WFC-S58 Ricon and Irontread form Dual-Port Scrapgrinder
- WFC-S59 Road-Police and Wheel Blaze form Powershot Plasma Cannon
- WFC-S60 Overair and Ground Shaker form Ultra-Sonic Shredder Blade
- WFC-S61 Slyhopper and Nightflight form Dual-Edged Soundbreaker Sword
- WFC-S62 Cratermaker and Fireline form Gravatronic Rubblemaker Cannon
- Includes 10 Transformers Generations War for Cybertron: Siege Micromaster figures and instructions.
- Figure scale: 1.5 inches
- Ages 8 and up
- Warning: Choking Hazard - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
-Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.
As part of the burst of new products at Target in late July/early August 2019, Target carried an exclusive ten pack of Micromaster figures. A majority of this set featured redecos and retools of previously released figures. Two of the figures in the pack (Irontread and Ricon) were redecos of the Off-Road Patrol, which was not readily available online (via Amazon) until about two weeks after this set was released. Instead of featuring the "missing members" of the previously released patrols, many of these figures represented characters who originally came with transforming bases in Generation One or Japanese exclusive Micromaster homages.
Fireline is a Decepticon in this set, but he is actually a homage to an Autobot from the Japanese version of the G1 Battle Patrol. The Japanese version of the Autobot known as Big Shot (later renamed "Topshot" for Siege) featured a different deco than its counterparts outside Japan. To help even out this versus set, Hasbro decided to make this figure a Decepticon.
Cratermaker falls into the category of a Japanese exclusive Micromaster homage. In Generation One the Autobot Battle Patrol was released with different colors than their counterparts outside Japan. The character known as Flak in the United States was given a different deco and named Powerbomb. Cratermaker is a homage to Powerbomb, but while Powerbomb was a Cybertron (Autobot), Cratermaker is a Decepticon! This figure is a redeco and retool of Siege Flak, so you'll want to check out that review.
Packaging:
The Micromaster 10 Pack is packaged in a box with a large window in the front. This allows you to see all ten Micromasters inside. The Micromasters are packaged in robot mode and roughly divided between Autobots and Decepticons. The left side says "Autobots" while the right says "Decepticons", but Ground Shaker and Overair (both Autobots) are near the "Decepticon side" while Nightflight is on the "Autobot side". The "Siege" logo is located towards the bottom and the side of course has the "Generations" logo along with a vertical Transformers logo on the right.
The back of the box features each Micromaster in both modes along with the number of steps to transform them. It also shows off each pair's combined weapon mode, but does not name them (they are however named in the official product description above). In the lower right hand corner is Red Alert holding the "Dual-Port Scrapgrinder" formed by Irontread and Ricon.
Robot Mode:
Cratermaker is one of the more interesting figures in this set. The stock photo of the figure on the Target web site show him as being a straight up redeco of Flak. This would have made him G1 accurate to Powerbomb. However, the final product actually has a new head based on (of all things) the G1 Micromaster Bombshock! Interestingly, the stock photo of the figure on the back of the box shows this new head! While I love the new head sculpt, I would have been equally good with a straight up redeco since it would have been "G1 accurate" to Powerbomb.
The new head sculpt looks great. Unlike Flak and Powerbomb's oval head design this one is square shaped with thin panels on either side of the head and a central crest towards the back of the head. The rest of the details on the figure are accurate to the Flak/Powerbomb sculpt and it looks great.
Cratermaker is made up of dark blue, black and white plastic. Blue is the main color, followed by black, then white. The layout of the colors are very similar to G1 Powerbomb, with the blue making up parts like the lower legs while the chest is white. The head is painted white with a red face, both details borrowed directly from G1 Powerbomb. Another detail borrowed from Powerbomb is red on the hip area. The designers decided to throw in a bit of extra detail with some red on the knees. I love the deco on this figure. Not only does it have more details than the original but the colors just contrast beautifully with each other.
The joints on this version of the figure are about as tight as those on Flak. However, that means if you manipulate them a particular way, the legs can pop off at the hips fairly easily. They snap right back on, and he can stand and pose just fine but some fans may find this super annoying.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the back section over the head to form the front of the vehicle.
- Swing the legs back and forward.
Vehicle Mode:
When I was a kid, I loved Flak's vehicle mode with its rocket launchers on top and tough appearance. That love extends to Cratermaker. Cratermaker's vehicle mode is one of my favorites among the Micromasters in this set.
This mode mostly shows off the dark blue plastic with a bit of white peeking out in the middle. The rocket tubes are painted red and there is a silver Decepticon symbol on the front of the vehicle. The treads are painted black, rounding out a beautiful deco. I love the way the red looks against the blue plastic.
Just like Flak, you can connect Blast Effects to the larger rocket tubes. It's a great play feature that looks fantastic.
Transformation to Weapon Mode (Starting in Vehicle mode):
- Swing the legs back and straighten them out.
- Swing the front end of the vehicle up.
Weapon Mode:
Technically Cratermaker does not have an individual weapon mode since his peg winds up pointing back to connect to Topshot. However, you can swing that piece down so the peg points down. This will allow you to attach it to 5mm ports and fists on larger figures. His ability to accommodate Blast Effects adds some fun to this form.
The Gravatronic Rubblemaker Cannon itself is a rather sleek looking weapon for something made out of two military vehicles. It is jus tone long, rectangular piece, looking like a cool scifi weapon. The ends formed by Cratermaker's feet allow you to attach Blast Effects, which looks super cool.
Final Thoughts:
It really amazes me that we are now in an age were Japanese exclusive Micromasters as obscure as Powerbomb are getting homages in a main line toy. I love both the sculpt and colors on this figure. It is one of my favorites in this set. Between him and Fireline he looks best as a standalone weapon. I do recommend this entire boxed set since it is a lot of fun all in one package. It is also quite a bargain since ten Micromasters would normally cost you about $50 USD at retail.
Pros:
- Awesome sculpt in both modes.
- Beautiful deco.
- Fun play factor.
Cons:
- Robot legs pop off easily at the hips.
- Does not really have an individual weapon mode (but you can fudge it).
