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General Information
Release Date: February 2024
Price Point: $24.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.) - All preceding links are Sponsor/Affiliate links for Ben's World of Transformers
Accessories: Tail/Whip Weapon
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com
- TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS DOUBLE PUNCH: This Transformers Studio Series 115 Double Punch action figure is highly articulated for poseability and features movie-inspired deco and details
- TRANSFORMERS TOYS STUDIO SERIES DELUXE CLASS: This 4.5-inch (11.5 cm) collectible action figure is inspired by iconic movie scenes and designed with specs and details to reflect the Transformers movie universe
- 2 ICONIC MODES: This Studio Series Transformers toy features classic conversion between robot and scorpion modes in 20 steps
- AWESOME ACCESSORY: Transformers figure comes with a scorpion tail that attaches in both modes
- ARTICULATED FOR PLAY AND DISPLAY: Transformers figures feature articulated heads, arms, and legs for action poses
- REMOVABLE BACKDROP: Removable backdrop displays the Transformers Studio Series Double Punch figure in the Volcano Showdown scene
- COLLECT STUDIO SERIES MOVIE FIGURES: This action figure toy makes a great collectible figure gift for any Transformers fan. Look for more Transformers Studio Series toys to build a collection (each sold separately, subject to availability)
Bring the epic action of the Transformers movies from the big screen into your collection with the Transformers Studio Series Deluxe Class Double Punch action figure, inspired by Transformers: Rise of the Beasts! Transformers Studio Series toys are collectible action figures that feature movie-inspired details and accessories. Convert the Studio Series Transformers action figure from robot to scorpion mode in 20 steps and pose the Double Punch toy in the included Volcano Showdown removable backdrop scene. Look for more Transformers Studio Series collectible figures to build a movie-inspired collection (each sold separately, subject to availability)! TRANSFORMERS and HASBRO and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc.
Background:
In Rise of the Beasts Unicron employed an army of drones that looked like robotic scorpions. One was known as Scorponok, a nod to both the G1 character and the one seen n the 2007 live action film. Interestingly, if you look at the CG models posted on VFX artist Fred Pashe's page you'll see the red variant of Scorponok was labeled as the "Sandstorm" type while the blue version was labeled as Double Punch. My guess is that making this figure the red version was intended to serve as a nod to the Beast Wars Double Punch which had red as its primary color.
This figure is a redeco of the Scorponok figure with no tooling changes. Check out my review of that figure here. This review will focus on the changes made to the figure for this release.
Packaging:
Double Punch is packaged in a standard Studio Series box. It is rectangular in shape with a cardboard hook at the top to hang off pegs in store. The background is mostly black while the "Studio Series" logo is blue. The front of the box features the Rise of the Beasts logo towards the top and the vertical "Transformers" logo to the right. Next to the name "Double Punch" is a Beast Wars style Predacon symbol. Double Punch himself is attached to a tray inside a window that comes up to his thighs. There is no plastic window as this was planned for release during that time period where Hasbro removed the windows (before putting them back in 2025).
The back of the box features the figure in both modes, calling out a 20 step transformation. There are a few tag lines in multiple languages: "Big Screen Inspired Scale, Detail, Backdrop", "Volcano Showdown" and "Double Punch faces off against his enemies, the Maximals.". The "backdrop" refers to a background included with the packaging that features the volcano area seen in he film's final battle.
Accessories:
Double Punch includes a tail/whip accessory. The tail features a lot of sharp looking sections that angle back. The tip of the tail has a large stinger on it with smaller blades under it. It looks like no matter what part of this weapon hits you it will hurt! This matches the look of the tail seen on the drones in the film. This weapon is made up of three sections: the base/5mm peg, the lower half and the top half. Unlike my copy of Scorponok, the tail weapon does not separate easily, so I'm hoping this means they fixed the tooling up a bit (or maybe my copy of Scorponok was an exception, not the rule).
This accessory is made of grey plastic. The top half has dark red and silver paint. The way the red is painted on looks like rough brush work, which is appropriate given that the scorpion drones in the film looked like they had "worn" paint on their armor.
Robot Mode:
Double Punch uses the same sculpt as Scorponok, which is appropriate since other versions of the character have either been redecos of Scorponok or inspired by Scorponok's design.
The primary plastic colors used on this figure are grey and red. The grey is a different shade than Scorponok, who was more of a blue-grey. This is more of a grey leaning towards looking like a silver or gunmetal grey. The ed is a dark, flat red color. The two colors look great together. Now throw in two shades of red, silver and gold paint and he looks even better. The deco patterns do not just replicate Scorponok's pattern. Instead, the paint is brushed on in a "weathered" pattern. This is very prominent on the chest and lower legs. It looks fantastic and really offers a strong visual contrast when compared to Scorponok. The darker red is used for most of the body details while the bright red is used for the eyes, giving him an almost demonic appearance.
There are twenty six points of articulation on this figure. This includes six on each arm and four in each leg. I am also counting the ability to move the beast mode legs on his back. The shoulder and hip joints are ball joints so you get a good range of motion there. Unlike most Transformers figures, Scorponok does not have a regular fist with a 5mm port. Instead, there is a 5mm port on the inside of his forearms. You attach the tail weapon there and then swing it against the hand so it holds it in place. The visual effect created makes it look like he has extended the tail weapon out of his forearm which is kind of creepy and cool at the same time.
Transformation to Beast Mode:
- Detach the whip/tail and set it aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the head back and point the head up.
- Swing the chest panel up.
- Pull the arms out to the sides and swing them up.
- Swing the lower body up into the opening you made from swinging the chest panel up.
- Swing the chest panel back in place.
- Swing the front of the lower legs forward, then rotate the legs around at the thighs.
- Each leg has a tab in it that fits into slots on the inside of the back panel.
- Rotate the forearms around, then swing them up against the blades/claws on the shoulder armor.
- Swing the legs on the back forward.
- Attach the tail/whip to the back.
Beast Mode:
Double Punch's beast mode sculpt is the same as Scorponok's complete with the curved blades on his claws, layers of sculpted armor on the main body and his intricately detailed legs.
Like the robot mode, this mode largely relies on red for its deco. The back has paint applications on the individual layers of armor. Meanwhile the legs have some red brush work on them that looks different from Scorponok who did not have such deco on his legs. Like Scorponok he has a silver Predacon symbol on the middle of his back. The deco here is not better or worse than Scorponok. It is a good example of how different decos can work on the same basic sculpt.
There are seventeen points of articulation in this mode including the legs and the tail but aside from the arms none of them are really needed as the figure displays beautifully with its joints at the "rest" position. All the joints on my copy of Double Punch are just as tight as those on my copy of Scorponok, so no issues there.
Final Thoughts:
I'm a big fan of troop builders in the Transformers toy line and while Scorponok and Double Punch can be treated as individual characters they can also be seen as troop builders and that makes this figure more appealing. I also really like the colors chosen for this redeco. Recommended!
Pros:
- Excellent sculpt that looks suitably creepy in both modes.
- Cool weapon that looks like it extends out from the arms.
- Beautiful deco.
- Good articulation.
- Intuitive and fun transformation.
Cons:
- I would have liked the beast mode head to be more accurate to what was seen on screen.
