Toy Review - Bulkhead (Legacy)
Bulkhead
Series - Legacy
Size/class - Voyager
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 1, also Wreck N Rule Collection
Released here - May 2022
Approximate Retail Price - $50
Approximate Size - 14 cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Raba H18 Military Truck
Main Features/Gimmicks - Wreck n rule collection comes with hammer piece.
Main Colours - Green, Black
Main Accessories - Bulkhead's signature wrecking ball, autocannon/chaingun, canvas riot shield
SUMMARY
- In a line dedicated to rehashes, a refreshingly original take on a legacy character, especially in transformation.
- A really good transformer that looks great in both modes. Neither mode is compromised for the sake of the other.
- One of the transformation steps is incredibly frustrating, some parts feel incredibly fragile.
https://i.imgur.com/h7aKd7Oh.jpg
A new bulky!
https://i.imgur.com/Xl07fQuh.jpg
AoE Hound incoming?
https://i.imgur.com/wyIodFxl.jpg
Toyota Wars
https://i.imgur.com/UD3l23f.jpg
Load me up!
THICK
Given that he's been out for a long while now I'm surprised this guy hasn't gotten a review thread. Suffering from the fact he's not an original G1 character and 'breaking' of the entire Legacy concept by being quite divergent from his Animated/Prime design, Legacy Bulkhead is quite undeservedly being passed over. This review uses the Wreck N Rule Collection version of the toy which, arguably, has a much cooler deco but nonetheless is functionally identical to the mainline toy. Let's see how Legacy Bulkhead stacks up against the competition!
The alt-mode is likely widely regarded the weakest mode for this toy due to zero resemblance to the either the Animated or Prime alt-mode. This is not true at all. Once transformed it's a delightfully solid truck with multiple 5mm ports including inside the truck tray where weapons can be stored. It rolls well, there's a 'tailgate' of sorts you can use to load the trailer and the transparent windows are a touch of class. The molded details on the canvas cover as well as the gas tanks and truck cab give life to the entire chassis of this mode and the fact that Bulkheads arms and legs form an incredibly solid and not so-gappy undercarriage really sells the military toughness of this truck and it feels not at all gappy and or husky like so many truck modes do. That said, this mode is not recognisable as Bulkhead (most would peg Bayverse Hound) and I do wonder if they'd mimicked the star and chevron markings from his Animated appearance on the side of the canvas, would this guy have sold better?
The robot mode is quite the beast as well. Bulkhead arguably sports the best articulation and balance of any Bulkhead toy before it. His proportions are quite imposing and overall he looks like a complete badass. He also sports some pretty cool accessories. The autocannon has great play value, sporting both 5mm and 3mm ports so that both core and larger figures can handle the weapon. There are also multiple ports where this weapon can be mounted on Bulkhead to cool effect, the default using a clever 3mm port near his shoulders to give a shoulder mounted cannon. He also comes with his iconic bulkhead wrecking ball. Sadly it lacks any launching ability but it is bespeckled with 5mm ports on every face for weapon combination or blast effect madness. Lastly the canvas cover of the alt mode transforms into a 3 faceted riot shield. While logically hilarious, it does look incredibly neat and comes with no less than four 5mm pegs and one 5mm port so that you can arm mount, fist mount, back mount this thing wherever you please. Sculpting wise, they really nailed Bulkhead's... head. You can look a this guy and say without a doubt, yes this is Bulkhead.
Finally the transformation design for this guy is simply chef's kiss. He's an OG transformer. There's no fake torsos, exposed fists or kibble. Every part of Bulkhead is used, and every accessory has it's place. Every wheel rotates. There is nowhere on this figure where they've compromised one mode to deliver on the other. The overall transformation scheme, while basic, does have multiple points of clever satisfaction. The only downside is that some pieces feel kind of fragile and there is one part where you must simultaneously line up and peg in 6 little rectangular pegs into 6 little rectangular ports that is incredibly frustrating. As such, sadly I wouldn't recommend this toy to a child, which is a shame because Bulkhead presents much more play value than your average Legacy offering.
Overall, yes this isn't the Bulkhead you grew up with yesteryear, but he holds his own.
PROS
- Looks and feels great in both modes. Accessories are currently best in the Legacy lineup.
- Transformation is solid and clever.
- Articulation and balance is surprisingly good and thus has excellent display and play value.
CONS
- Alt mode doesn't look like Bulkhead
- That really frustrating transformation step.
- Possible QC issues, mine's right arm only has about 30 degrees of swivel.
