Toy Review - KNOCKOUT (Legacy)

Knockout
Series - Legacy
Size/class - Deluxe
New/remould/redeco - Remould
Wave - 2
Released here - November 2022
Approximate Retail Price - $40
Approximate Size - 12 cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Tuner/Sports Car
Main Features/Gimmicks - 2 part Spear/Cattle Prod
Main Colours - Red, darker Red
Main Accessories - Energon Blade and Long Barrel Gun that combine into a spear

SUMMARY

• Car mode too good to pass up
• Bot mode could be more Knockout but holds its own.
• A solid transformation, not boring and clips together perfect.

https://i.imgur.com/cbAfHaKh.jpg
I'm not only an automobile, I'm an automobile enthusiast.

https://i.imgur.com/Iem0HMYh.jpg
Buff THIS

https://i.imgur.com/fCdGNZJh.jpg
Adonis of a con


THICK

I was intending to pass on Knockout when the first images were announced. The car mode looked like a beefy muscle car and the bulky bot proportions were a far cry from Knockout's sleek and slenderish Prime aesthetic. I'm quite thankful that I did not thought because the car mode is absolutely stunning. They have nailed Knockout's colours and car proportions are perfect: He is every bit the sports tuner car. Particular highlights are the smokey transparent black windows on EVERY 'glass' panel (even the rear quarter windows), the paint on the limey-gold rims, the gradient sprayed side-decals and best of all, the molded detail behind the smokey black headlights. They really didn't need to do this, but it's truly awesome. This is not to say that the car is perfect, it is let down by the usual unpainted rear end and the lack of paint on the front bonnet. Overall I think this is the best rendition of car Knockout to date.

The robot mode is surprisingly good despite being a bulky car bonnet chest transformer. He has decent leg/foot poseability, centre of gravity as well as the critically important waist articulation. The car roof folds and packs away decently. Only disappointing facets are his bland facial expression and lack of wrist articulation which is the norm these days but I had hoped they would make an exception. The energon spear accessory is quite fitting as a nod to it's appearance in the show and although I didn't need it to split into a spear tip and comically large hand held rifle it's not an unwelcome feature. The spear poses really well and this toy package would feel a rather light without it.

Transformation of this guy is tight. He transforms relatively easily and there are no issues with him feeling hollow or pain trying to line panels up. He fits together neatly and perfectly. He does this better than his design-mate Jazz.

If you like cool cars. Get a Knockout today. If you plan only to display as bot, he won't disappoint.

PROS

• Car looks sweet and pulls off the Knockout look
• Transformation, although kind of generic, is a solid package and a pleasure not a frustration
• Bot mode is lots of fun due to poseability and accessories

CONS

• Bot mode could be more Knockout in the face
• Car mode is frustratingly a few paint strokes away from being perfect.