Toy Review - Titans Return Wheelie

[GoktimusPrime]

Series - Generations
Sub-line - Titans Return
Size/class - Legends
New/remould/redeco - new
Wave - 7
Released here - May 2016
Approximate Retail Price - $20
Approximate Size - 9cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-modes - car
Main Features/Gimmicks - compatible with Titan Masters
Main Colours - orange and orange
Main Accessories - None

Click here for a more comprehensive video review (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11AaGfqzUHQ)

Brief thoughts
I'm still pinching myself over actually finding an awesome G1 Wheelie toy! This is such a clever little toy that has a sort of "Masterpiece after-taste" to it. What I mean by this is how they've really cleverly given this toy a cockpit, something which is typically an immovable part of a Transformer toy, but also allows the cockpit to collapse in on itself in robot mode in order to fill in that space and not leave a chest cavity. This also has the effect of bulking the toy up in vehicle mode, but shrinking it in robot mode, which is kinda like what the cartoon did. There's a lot of awesomeness packed into this little toy! I just wish that it came with a weapon, but the fists are compatible with any 5mm post weapon at least.

Pictures

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Titans%20Return/TR_wheelie03_zpsjyzzph6p.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Titans%20Return/TR_wheelie01_zps7s3qqg9e.jpg
I don't have a Titan Master, and none of my Nebulans could fit inside Wheelie, but a Diaclone pilot could. Although the cockpit is far too big for him.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Titans%20Return/TR_wheelie02_zpsb1cmqj7y.jpg
I'm estimating the Titan Masters to be somewhere between the size of a 1988 Nebulan and a Diaclone pilot.

Overall: Highly recommended.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/jaam_yum.gif

[doublespy]

Glad to hear he's a good figure. I love the head sculpt.




I don't have a Titan Master, ]

Don't feel bad cause probably no one does. :p
And yours is probably one of the first reviews in the world

[SMHFConvoy]

Fun little figure, retains waist articulation after transformation. Has a slight TF Prime aesthetic.

A word of warning:

Check the hinges on wheelie's legs for stress marks it doesn't affect the transformation it just looks bad.

Wonder if we'll get a Dion (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dion) repaint?

Also: I want to see pics of this guy with generations or MP Grimlock :D

[prjkt]

heh that'd actually be kind of a cool idea for a redeco

[Deonasis]

Wonder if we'll get a Dion (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dion) repaint?

I'm hoping for a Big Looker book (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/File:Wheelieg1.jpg) recolour. Or at least a cool dirty custom of it from someone.

[SMHFConvoy]

I'm hoping for a Big Looker book (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/File:Wheelieg1.jpg) recolour. Or at least a cool dirty custom of it from someone.

Nice.

[GoktimusPrime]

Added link to my video review on post #1. :)

[5FDP]

I want this one BAD!

[1AZRAEL1]

I want this one BAD!

He is nice. Heaps of him at Toymate Penrith when I was there on Sunday

[5FDP]

He is nice. Heaps of him at Toymate Penrith when I was there on Sunday

Doesn't help me but. I'm nowhere near Penruff. Balko would be best but I believe someone already said they sold out there.

[GoktimusPrime]

Balko would be best but I believe someone already said they sold out there.
Yeah, I checked Baulko out on Friday and they were sold out. Top Ryde had heaps on Friday, but I don't know about now. I can check Top Ryde out for you when I get time to go there again, but it won't be soon as I'm pretty busy this week. Anyone else able to help?

[millhouse]

If anyone is able to grab a Wheelie and post him to WA (at my expense) I'd be super appreciative! PM me if so.

[5FDP]

Yeah, I checked Baulko out on Friday and they were sold out. Top Ryde had heaps on Friday, but I don't know about now. I can check Top Ryde out for you when I get time to go there again, but it won't be soon as I'm pretty busy this week. Anyone else able to help?

Just got back from Top Ryde. They're sold out as well :( Got the generic '2 weeks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v-33jcEDk4)' to restock. I'm taking that with a HUGE grain of salt.

[SMHFConvoy]

Just got back from Top Ryde. They're sold out as well :( Got the generic '2 weeks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v-33jcEDk4)' to restock. I'm taking that with a HUGE grain of salt.

They were already running low when I rocked up Saturday morning, last weekend.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Who'd ever have imagined that Wheelie would be so popular...? :p

[Handsprime]

On Tuesday I was in Glendale because Dad had a job up there and I needed to get my L's up so yeah drove up there and whatnot, had a look inside the Toymate because apparently it has really good stock and grabbed myself a Wheelie.

I actually do love the toy, my only problem is that his vehicle mode can be a little bit tricky to properly transform, but other than that I like him :D

[GoktimusPrime]

I just managed to get MP Daniel to fit, and that was after wriggling his feet through the hole at the bottom of Wheelie's cockpit. Phone camera refused to focus...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/TR_wheelie03a_zps3o6kzdz4.jpg
These Titan Masters must really, really tiny if they're meant to fit inside this space. :eek:

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Mp daniel kooks pretty chill in his car there. Off cruising for chicks next?

[doublespy]

Wheelie is a fantastic little figure.

Every once in a while, a main line figure pops up. It is such a pure labor of love by the designer and so great overall that it becomes an instance classic, like ROTF Leader Optimus and Generations Voyager Springer. I feel like Wheelie might be it in this new Titans Return line. He looks great in both, has excellent articulation for his size and a fun and creative transformation.

He's not flawless. Right out of the package I have trouble standing him up.
http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_05_zpsksn9inim.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_05_zpsksn9inim.jpg.html)
The inside of his legs forms the top front silver section in vehicle mode, and the designer literally "cut corner" here to make the seams follow the contour and look more nature. But that extra bit of plastic is quite critical for him to be able to stand in a wide legged pose. It also doesn't help that the heels formed by the front wheel section are offset towards the outside. It sure takes some practice to balance him.

It was also pretty hard to fit everything together in vehicle mode. The square pegs on the back of the waist piece are meant to fit into some grooves on either side of the arm, but the grooves had some mold flash inside so I had to shave some plastic off. Not an ideal design for manufacturing decision probably, as small square shape is harder to control mold tolerance than a round peg.

These two issues aside, he's excellent
http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_08_zpsogcixnux.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_08_zpsogcixnux.jpg.html)

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_09_zps1ckwmysc.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_09_zps1ckwmysc.jpg.html)

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_10_zpsc666eznc.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_10_zpsc666eznc.jpg.html)
The vehicle mode is quite faithful to the G1 design, with some modern twist, especially towards the back, which gives him some hard edges to break up the oval shape of the car nicely. I also like that they used the same "tinted" clear plastic for his wheels.

The transformation is involved for his size, and like Goktimus mentioned, the use of space to create the seat is truly a great touch, and not something you see often even on bigger size toys.

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_12_zpslbffnsl1.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_12_zpslbffnsl1.jpg.html)
He does have a molded spot for Autobot symbol, but it's not used here, presumably because the dark canopy piece that covers it would make it really hard to see in robot mode. I don't mind it as I do like the tinted clear plastic better than TakTom's see though

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_01_zpsycgobuty.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_01_zpsycgobuty.jpg.html)
TakTom do get the deco right most of the time, but in this case I like the Hasbro version better. The lighter orange looks very nice in hand the two tones of orange complement each other beautifully.

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_02_zpsw4agdyvk.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_02_zpsw4agdyvk.jpg.html)
There's one thing that to this day 3rd party companies still can't beat official figures on: the head sculpt. Wheelie's noggin looks great. It's all in the modeler's touch; something intangible that can't be defined by mere geometries.

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_03_zpsalidoq9w.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_03_zpsalidoq9w.jpg.html)
Aside from the usual articulation, he has a wait joint due to transformation, which is always a welcome for dynamic poses. And the transformation joint below the neck allows his head to tilt up a little bit, just enough to take effect yet not to break up the sculpt.

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_04_zpswr17vrqa.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_04_zpswr17vrqa.jpg.html)
I wish he came with a slingshot. I've yet to find a 5mm gun that's short enough for him to hold when his elbow is bent.

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_07_zpswb2dvldf.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_07_zpswb2dvldf.jpg.html)

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_06_zpss6rmqlaf.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/TITANS%20RETURN/wheelie_06_zpss6rmqlaf.jpg.html)

Wheelie is already a great stand-alone figure without the Titan Masters interactivity, which from I've seen so far looks like an awesome play pattern.

All in all, a wonderful package that excels within the confines of Legends class size. The recent Generations Legends have generally been really well done,
which reminds of the ROTF commander class, which gave us some of the best pocket sized figures.

[philby]

nice reviews :) i'm not sure if i've seen him around locally. i think i will grab one if i do.

[Maruten]

This was the wave 1 Legend I wasn't remotely interested in -- I was hanging out for Stripes because I love Buzzsaw. Well, Stripes is one of the shoddiest TFs I've ever bought and Wheelie blew me away. Great toy with a fantastic transformation, heaps of fun. His cockpit makes for the best Titan Master interactivity of the first four Legends by MILES.

You need to get lucky and find one whose vehicle mode holds together reasonably well, but if you can do that you have something pretty amazing.

[Dimi194]

This guy is very cool! Transformation had a nice twist (esp for the size class) and he looks really nice in both modes!

Don't have an issue with the vehicle mode but I can see how it really doesn't have a whole lot fo tabs holding it together.

Just a shame he doesn't have an accessory (slingshot)...

[prjkt]

If I had the GDO Wheelie, his slingshot would go to this guy that quickly...

[millhouse]

Picked him up yesterday and cannot wait for both Kickback and Gnaw from wave 3. As I'm passing on Blaster/Soundwave (along with most of the TR stuff) in favour of MP/3P MP scale stuff, I won't be picking up the others, but I love the range they're making.

That said, if an OS KO is made, I'll happily shunt him with my MPs alongside my OS Powerglide. A great little design.

[llamatron]

Very cool toy but mine just cannot peg together in vehicle mode, it is a total mess. Will take a closer look later and see if I need to file anything down. Pumped for Gnaw now.

[Thurmus]

Very cool toy but mine just cannot peg together in vehicle mode, it is a total mess. Will take a closer look later and see if I need to file anything down. Pumped for Gnaw now.

Same here. When I get time I will have a close look under better light but the arms won't lock in.

[llamatron]

Yeah legs are fine, the problem is the slots and pegs on the arms.

[philby]

hmm interesting. i grabbed this along with Rewind the other day and mine also doesn't want to hold together too well in vehicle mode. I skipped the instructions and tried to do it on my own so I thought I might have mucked something up but it now seems fairly common. Otherwise kinda cool :)

[GoktimusPrime]

Would people who are experience problems with Wheelie holding together in vehicle mode be able to post photos?

[shockNwave]

hmm interesting. i grabbed this along with Rewind the other day and mine also doesn't want to hold together too well in vehicle mode. I skipped the instructions and tried to do it on my own so I thought I might have mucked something up but it now seems fairly common. Otherwise kinda cool :)

Same problem here which is really sad because this figure would stand right alongside the legendary Hubcap when it comes to scout class figures despite being smaller. So it's unfortunate to see the alt. mode engineering let the little guy down.:(

[Sutton]

Yep, mine can't keep itself together very well, needs some shaving.

Ironic when you consider that Wheelie is the one TF least likely to ever need to shave.

Big shame, because I love the design and transformation scheme - they went to a lot of effort to make that cockpit work!

[Lint]

Mine pegs together perfectly but I admit it can be pretty tenuous. A little bit of force applied to the sides of the vehicle pretty much starts it on the journey to falling apart. Not great for a toy that is meant to be a car. I do like the transformation though, it's pretty new and interesting plus the result is astounding.

All that aside: It's about time. A toy like this coulda been made back in the ROTF era. He does need more heels and/or better balance in bot mode though. You can't really make the most of his articulation due to these design elements.

[prjkt]

well LG Wheelie finally turned up to the party, I guess you can't blame him for spending centuries on a planet stuck in a timewarp (IDW)

compared to to the Hasbro one I feel he holds together a little better in alt mode, though that may just be me being more experienced with the transformation now, however his left knee flap is quite loose in bot mode.

Colour-wise I think I prefer Takara's alt mode to Hasbro's, less orange, and what is orange is less intense, just enough to break up all the yellow, and the the clear windshield is less distracting than the quite dark of the Hasbro. Apart from the silver section just in front of the windshield on the Hasbro, the Takara version's actually a little more G1 toy accurate in terms of the yellow/orange layout.

Bot mode the difference is a little stronger - we swap out the dull Hasbro grey for orange limbs and "skeleton" while introducing some gunmetal grey on his waist and lower legs - more cartoon and G1 toy colour accurate than Hasbro's toy accurate

[Bumbleb33]

I find it amusing for a character most hate everyone voted yes :P

[GoktimusPrime]

Which lends further credence to the idea that a good toy will sell on its own merit, regardless of what happens in supporting media. A bad toy based on a popular character on the other hand can still shelfwarm and draw widespread criticism.

Although in Wheelie's defence, this character has always been bad. He's only crap in the G1 cartoon, but his other incarnations are actually alright. In other media, Wheelie is a tough and stoic survivalist. Importantly, Wheelie actually contributes to the story in other continuities rather than just wasting appearance time doing nothing much of consequence (hence the comparisons with Jar Jar Binks). It also doesn't help that the G1 Wheelie toy is the worst G1 Mini Vehicle. Wheelie was the worst pegwarmer in 1986, and Hubcap proved to be a stronger seller despite have zero canonical appearance in the West.

[Bidoofdude]

Although in Wheelie's defence, this character has always been bad. He's only crap in the G1 cartoon, but his other incarnations are actually alright. In other media, Wheelie is a tough and stoic survivalist. Importantly, Wheelie actually contributes to the story in other continuities rather than just wasting appearance time doing nothing much of consequence (hence the comparisons with Jar Jar Binks). It also doesn't help that the G1 Wheelie toy is the worst G1 Mini Vehicle. Wheelie was the worst pegwarmer in 1986, and Hubcap proved to be a stronger seller despite have zero canonical appearance in the West.

Wheelie in both the comics and cartoon did have a killer design as well, which we see in the Legends figure. Too bad it didn't translate in 1986.

[Gasaraki]

I personally started disliking this toy, but after spending some time fiddling around I think they managed to achieve something quite good despite the glaring weaknesses, particularly in car mode. Overall I reckon much better than the last Universe Legends version, and a fair Wheelie worthy of my shelf alongside the other 1986 movie Autobots. Here's my video review (https://youtu.be/rNMKg8zFiNg):


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/iling79/OTCA/Wheelie.jpg (https://youtu.be/rNMKg8zFiNg)