Toy Review - BEACHCOMBER (Legacy)

[GoktimusPrime]

BEACHCOMBER
Series - Generations
Sub-line - Legacy
Hypo-line - Evolution
Size/class - Deluxe
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 6
Released here - June 2023
Approximate Retail Prize - $45
Approximate Size - 11.5cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - dune buggy
Main Features/Gimmicks - 5mm ports
Main Colours - blue, grey
Main accessories - x1 bullbar gun, x1 Paradise Parakeet

https://i.ibb.co/rZHFKps/TL-beachcomber01.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/cvkQSzK/TL-beachcomber02.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/HgxwdYC/TL-beachcomber03.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/hFqP9GS/TL-beachcomber04.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/jvZfdhD/TL-beachcomber05.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/593q4pc/TL-beachcomber06.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/Vm94jvC/TL-beachcomber07.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/rbxcvNp/TL-beachcomber08.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/2tnYwqW/TL-beachcomber09.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/JB5VnP1/TL-beachcomber10.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/XsW7ZQB/TL-beachcomber11.jpg

[KingGrimlock]

I can’t remember the last time a figure came out with rubber tires! Thought the paint job was lacking but it’s surprisingly close to the G1 look from what I can tell. A nice simple figure.

[GoktimusPrime]

If Hasbro were to release a G2 repaint of this toy, I would personally prefer it to have a toy-accurate head. Given that we've never seen Beachcomber in media with a cartoon face in G2 colours, it would be more canonically accurate for a CHUG G2 Beachcomber to have a toy-accurate. Of course, the same logic applies to G2 Ramjet, and yet that toy still had a Conehead (even though Ramjet appears in the G2 cartoon with a flathead; re: opening/ending theme sequence - so it's not even like the G2 cartoon).

[Sutton]

Retool of SS Blurr, huh? Impressive :p

[KELPIE]

I cannot wait for this guy. I have 4 on pre-order.

I'm a bit miffed at how square the front of the car is, I would have liked a bit more shape especially as I'll never be using the gun as a grill.

I'll gladly be grabbing G2, Golden Lagoon and Shattered Glass variants.

Massive hate at the word Parakeet instead of Parrot.

[dirge]

Yeah. So, I bought this toy. But I don't like the vehicle mode. The gun on the front... looks like a gun more than a grille. There was no need for a black grille with a silver post sticking up, IMO. That said, the robot mode is great and I'll be displaying him in that mode of course. I'll just also display TR in buggy mode - I much prefer that buggy. It's great we have options.

[Paulbot]

https://i.ibb.co/cvkQSzK/TL-beachcomber02.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/HgxwdYC/TL-beachcomber03.jpg



After seeing these pictures have to agree that the vehicle mode is not very good.

It's awful in comparison to the last one and the original. Boxy, plain, no charm at all.

Robot mode looks great but not a huge improvement on the last one.

[KELPIE]

There are rumours that he's going to mould share with a potential release of Xxxxxx.

That could account for the odd looking alt mode.

If true, you'd imagine it'd be similar to Bombshell... keep the arms and legs, swap out the torso and head.

(note: I guess we don't have spoiler tags here :( )

[GoktimusPrime]

(note: I guess we don't have spoiler tags here :( )
You can spoiler tag things by changing the text colour to white, like this: Optimus Primal is Wheelie's father :)

[reillyd]

Is anyone finding that the soft gummy plastic for the bird means he won’t hold on the peg well? I just know I’m going to lose that damn bird at some point.

[GoktimusPrime]

Is anyone finding that the soft gummy plastic for the bird means he won’t hold on the peg well? I just know I’m going to lose that damn bird at some point.
Good luck getting a replacement parrot (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/29686-Photocomic-Paradise-Parakeet-Sketch?p=659513#post659513). ;)

[KELPIE]

Finally opened mine.

Great figure, however first impressions from the pictures were right and as others have said, the legs are not good in shape. Too blocky in both modes but the alt mode is the one that suffers the most.

I guess that just means that Hasbro can do another one and improve on this one. Yay more Beachcombers!!

Overall, not going to dampen my appreciation for the figure, still a good 'un.


Is anyone finding that the soft gummy plastic for the bird means he won’t hold on the peg well? I just know I’m going to lose that damn bird at some point.

I guess it depends on where you're trying to place it. Works fine on the shoulder peg. Hand, not so bad. Really have to jam it in there to stay on the forearm.

[Magnus]

I can understand the criticism that the front of the dune buggy is kind of slab-sided and angular, but that's faithful to the original toy as seen in Gok's photos, and furthermore, the Chenowth Fast Attack Vehicle that the original toy is based on has that angular shape. (https://www.motortrend.com/features/1903-backward-glances-dune-buggy-with-teethchenowth-fast-attack-vehicle/) I think it's the height of the bonnet line on the Legacy figure that makes the bonnet stand out.

[Tha_Phantom]

I can understand the criticism that the front of the dune buggy is kind of slab-sided and angular, but that's faithful to the original toy as seen in Gok's photos, and furthermore, the Chenowth Fast Attack Vehicle that the original toy is based on has that angular shape. (https://www.motortrend.com/features/1903-backward-glances-dune-buggy-with-teethchenowth-fast-attack-vehicle/) I think it's the height of the bonnet line on the Legacy figure that makes the bonnet stand out.

Agreed. The only thing that bothers me is the height of the bonnet line. It's a shame they didn't have extra budget to make that bit fold down or hide away somehow.
That aside, I got mine yesterday and in hand it feels really solid. The faux-rubber tires make it roll so nicely too! A definite improvement over the previous version, in my opinion.

[KELPIE]

I can understand the criticism that the front of the dune buggy is kind of slab-sided and angular, but that's faithful to the original toy as seen in Gok's photos, and furthermore, the Chenowth Fast Attack Vehicle that the original toy is based on has that angular shape. (https://www.motortrend.com/features/1903-backward-glances-dune-buggy-with-teethchenowth-fast-attack-vehicle/) I think it's the height of the bonnet line on the Legacy figure that makes the bonnet stand out.

I dunno... It looks like all figures round off at the knees except for this one. It'd be nice if we got a bit of form here.

However as mentioned, not really going to complain. The animation model is pretty square from memory and if there's something to nit-pick, then there's reason for an update.

[Paulbot]

Now I have this in hand... I don't love the vehicle mode but I don't hate it. When I see it from across the room it looks enough like the Beachcomber toy I've had since 1985 (one of my very first TFs so a special 'bot).

I was surprised by just how small Paradise Parakeet is though.