"Generations" War for Cybertron: Siege Ironhide Toy Review

01/30/21

General Information:
Release Date: February 2019
Price Point: $19.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General (Amazon, Target, Wal-Mart etc.)
Asccessories: W-35 LR Doomblast Forge Launcher

Official images and text below in italics are from Amazon.com:

  • Build the ultimate battlefield: discover an expansive ecosystem of collectible figures and weapon accessories with Siege figures. (Each sold separately. Subject to availability).
  • Customizable weapon load out: ironhide figure comes with a converting weapon accessory. Multiple C.O.M.B.A.T. Weapon ports on figure enable weapon accessories to attach in custom configurations in Bot and vehicle modes.
  • Expandable weapon selection: fans can build bigger mission loadouts by compiling an arsenal of additional weapon accessories from other Siege figures. (Each sold separately. Subject to availability).
  • Inspired cybertronian Alt Mode: articulated deluxe class wfc-s21 ironhide toy features classic conversion between robot and cybertronian vehicle modes in 14 steps.
  • Add battle effects: attach fire blasts accessories (not included. Included with battle Masters figures. Each sold separately. Subject to availability) to the ends of weapon accessories to simulate blaster fire coming from weapons.

Build the ultimate battlefield with siege figures. Siege plunges fans into the epic fight to survive on the final day of the Autobus and deception battle to control Cybertron. The deception resistance army and the Autobus counter-resistance fighters gear up with the C.O.M.B.A.T. (Cybertronian omnifuctional modular battlefield assault Tech) system, the universe's most advanced modular weaponry -- including the tough Autobot army Captain and Bodyguard, ironhide.

Ironhide was one of the original crew members on the Ark in both the G1 cartoon and comic books. Since then, the character has popped up again and again in the Transformers toy line over the years (sometimes only in name). These include:

"Siege" Ironhide adds to this considerable legacy for the character.

Packaging:
Taking a cue from "Studio Series", the Deluxe figures in "Siege" are packaged in boxes instead of the traditional bubble card used for Deluxe Class figures. These boxes are beautiful featuring an unusual shape with one flat side and one angled side. While elements of previous packaging are still found on the boxes (ex: the vertical Transformers logo, the "Generations" logo, a largely black background etc.) there is a lot more added on. First, the background is not solid black. There are designs on it that look like sparks or perhaps embers from flames On the angled side is the character's package art. In this case it shows Ironhide wielding his rocket launcher. The figure itself is in robot mode behind a clear plastic window. To the left is a chevron with the character name. Below that is the "War for Cybertron: Siege" logo.

The back of the box features Ironhide in both modes indicating a 14 step transformation. Off to the side are Pteraxadon and Aimless in weapon mode. It also shows a smaller picture of Ironhide holding Pteraxadon in a corner.

In a fun extra, shining a black light on the packaging will reveal Cybertronian glyphs. Input them on Hasbro's "Teletraan-1" web site and you get a translation. In Prowl's cast it is "PRAXUS", indicating where the character comes from. Enter that into the Teletraan-1 site and it reveals a video featuring the Prowl toy and a desktop wallpaper with Autobot symbols scrawled on a metal wall.

Accessories:
Ironhide includes the "W-35 LR Doomblast Forge Launcher". This is a fancy way of saying "Awesome Looking Rocket Launcher". The front appears to be an oblique homage to the rocket launcher built into G1 Ironhide's trailer vehicle. Like that rocket launcher this one is rectangular in shape, but instead of just one rocket in the front it has tubes for six. The weapon is long, extending back with what looks like a handle/shoulder rest in the back. There is some beautiful sculpted detail running along the sides and bottom.

The Launcher is cast in grey plastic. Red paint is used to outline the edge of the front section while the sides have silver paint detailing that looks like wear and tear. It's a beautifully done deco for an accessory.

The Launcher features three different 5mm pegs. Each allows Ironhide (or any figure, really) to hold the weapon in various positions. It can be held like a blaster, or over the shoulder or even just to the side. The peg towards the back is used to hold the weapon as if it were a giant hammer. Just swing down the front end and now the weapon takes on an especially brutal configuration! Even more fun, the back of the hammer mode has two connector points for Blast Effects from Battle Master figures. That makes the hammer look "rocket powered" which is very fun. I really love how simple yet awesome this weapon is.

Robot Mode:
Ironhide's G1 action figure had a very unusual design, featuring a small robot riding on a vehicle with weaponry attached. When the toy was translated into an animation model for the G1 cartoon (and comic book), he was changed to a more generic looking robot. He mostly featured blocky parts. Squares, rectangles and a distinctive "windshield" chest. The head design had a central crest, a round "helmet" and a rather generic face. Ironically, this became one of the most memorable designs that came out of G1, especially since it was shared by the Autobot Medic, Ratchet.

This figure uses the G1 animation design as its foundation, but it also adds on some different shapes and lots of greebles to make it distinctive. For instance, the shoulders are not just cubes, the top has an extra piece sticking out with an angle in front that looks kind of like a vent. Of course, his chest features his vehicle windshield window. Also, the forearms are rectangular and chunky, but feature plenty of line details and other such greebles. This compromise between classic and modern design elements makes Ironhide look distinctively "G1" but with modern flourishes and it's beautiful.

Ironhide is made up of red, grey, silver and clear plastic. These are all classic Ironhide colors so they are perfect. Silver paint is used on the face, lower legs and the inside of the torso. It is also used for battle damage details on his feet, which makes it look more like he scuffed up his feet while running instead of getting blasted in those spots. The eyes are painted blue, matching his appearance in the G1 animated series. I would have liked a bit more silver "battle damage" design, perhaps on the lower legs and forearms but for those who aren't fans of the battle damage this will be a crowd pleaser. The finishing touch is a silver and red Autobot symbol on the lower part of the torso.

There are twenty two points of articulation on this figure, and they are all nice and solid. No floppy or loose joints here. There are also fifteen 5mm ports on this figure. Four are located on the "back pack", one is on the back, two are on the sides of the shoulders, two on the sides of the forearms, two in the fists, two on the sides of the legs and two on the bottom of the feet. That is a lot of potential fun when connecting other weapons or parts from figures like Sixgun.

Iornhide has three connection points for Blast Effects from Battle Master figures. Each shoulder has one and the top of the chest section has one off to the left. He is a lot of fun to play with, and while taking photos for this review I had to stop myself from playing with it so I could move on to photograph the next action figure on my list!

Transformation to Vehicle Mode:

  1. Detach the accessories and set them aside for now.
  2. Straighten out the arms and legs.
  3. Swing the chest panel forward, swing the head down and close the cover.
  4. Swing the arms up and connect them together.
  5. Swing the back pack down.
  6. Rotate the chest piece with the arms attached around.
  7. Push the back pack piece against the chest/windshield section.
  8. Swing the front panels of each lower leg up.
  9. Push the two legs together.
  10. Swing the panels on the sides of the lower legs forward.
  11. Swing the panels from the front of the lower legs together.
  12. The weapon can be attached to the top.

*Note: The side panels on the lower legs have a tendency to pop off very easily. They snap back on with little pressure, but I do wish they had been held in with pins to make them more secure.

Vehicle Mode:
Ironhide's G1 vehicle mode was a Nissan Vanette, and since then he has generally been some type of rugged vehicle. This "Cybertronian van" mode is a combination of both. The angled windshield in front and long, boxy shape recalls the Nissan Vanette, but the greebles, alien looking wheels and the large headlights in front give this vehicle more of a "scifi vehicle" look. It looks like something could have come out of a film like "Aliens". The details aren't just on the top and sides. Flip over the vehicle and you will see plenty of mechanical details on the bottom including pistons and wires. It is a solid looking vehicle and looks really cool.

All the colors from the robot mode carry over into this one. However, the grey on the headlights (formerly the back pack) and the wheels gets to shine in this mode. Gold stripes run along the sides of the vehicle, inspired by deco from the G1 Ironhide figure in vehicle form. The silver stripe from the robot mode legs run along the sides towards the rear. The deco looks good, but I do wish the wheels had some silver on them to help bring out their details.

Ironhide has six 5mm ports in this form. Four are on top and two are on the back. His own weapon fits nicely on top but you can attach a ton of other weapons if you wish (see my photos above for reference).

Final Thoughts:
Ironhide is my favorite figure in the second wave of "Siege" Deluxes. He looks great, he evokes the G1 version of the character perfectly and he is fun to play with. His biggest flaw are the panels on the lower legs that pop off way too easily. Fortunately they can snap right back on. Recommended!

Pros:

  • Excellent sculpt in both modes.
  • Fantastic articulation.
  • Lots of connection points for 5mm peg weapons.
  • Fun weapon.
  • Intuitive transformation.

Cons:

  • The side panels on the lower legs pop off far too easily.
  • Could use a bit more battle damage deco to match up with the feet.

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