Generations Tailgate

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11th September 2014, 08:50 PM
BigTransformerTrev

Generations Tailgate

Name � Tailgate with Groundbuster
Series - Generations
Sub-line - Thrilling 30
Size/class - Legends
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 2
Released here � Not yet
Approximate Retail Price - $11.00US
Approximate Size � 8cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode � Muscle Car
Main Features/Gimmicks � Targetmaster Partner
Main Colours � White & Blue
Main Accessories � Groundbuster Targetmaster Partner

Vehicle Mode
Much more reminiscent of the Tailgate from TFPrime than G1, especially with the blue flames on the hood. Quite a good looking vehicle overall, though the 4-pipe exhaust sticking out the back looks a little odd. But certainly the toughest looking alt-mode on a Tailgate we�ve seen.

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/...psb1d2cdfb.png

Robot Mode
The face and set of the shoulders is MTMTE Tailgate all the way. In the regard he�s very good. What is a shame is that you can see the underside of his roof behind him and part of its attachment to the main body hangs way down from his crotch. While it doesn�t spoil the figure by any means, it certainly does detract somewhat.

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7086a6f3.png

Transformation
Easy like one would expect from a figure this size. Getting his robot feet into the right spot for his alt mode can be a little fiddly but that�s about it.

Groundbuster
A pretty disappointing Targetmaster partner. All you do to change him from bulldozer to robot is stand it up and swing the oversized arms out. To make him into a claw weapon you pull back the top and the bulldozer blade and claws swing out like the limb from a Power Core Combiner. Coluored to match Tailgate. Can be attached in either of Tailgates modes, doesn�t look like it suits either of them in any mode. Yeah Groundbuster has three modes so is technically a triple changer, but still not great, especially compared to the Roller figure that came with Legends Optimus.

Overall
A pretty cool Tailgate figure, who is more complex, bigger and tougher than either his G1 or TFPrime incarnations and manages to incorporate facets of both while the face is a shout-out to how he looks in the current IDW comics. Pretty good, just a bit let down by the visible car roof in his robot mode and a pretty lacklustre Targetmaster partner. Still well worth their relatively cheap pricetag though :)
11th September 2014, 11:29 PM
Sky Shadow

Considering Tailgate's original function in the IDWverse, it's appropriate that Groundbuster turns into a pooper scooper.
14th September 2014, 01:26 AM
GoktimusPrime

Keeping in mind that this is a Legends Class figure and thus in the same league as TF Prime Legion Class Tailgate, I think that it's one bloody fantastic toy... as are all the Generations Legends that I've seen so far! :D Sure, the toy has its limitations, and Groundbuster is by far the most disappointing of these Targetmaster partners that I've seen (it arguably makes Reflector look good; although I agree w/ Sky Shadow's sentiment about the suitability of the ~~weapon~~^utility mode ;)) -- but for a toy of this relatively small and inexpensive price point, I think it's quite good. The Bay-esque Choppa flame'd alt mode is a bit weird though. While not comic-accurate, I do like the silver upper legs (which is more G1-like) and blue lower legs to help break up all the white of the toy. It's kinda weird how this little Legends toy has a far less bland paint job than some boxed Age of Extinction figures. :p
Overall highly recommended. :cool:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...s/jaam_yum.gif
14th September 2014, 11:28 PM
Lord_Zed

Not a fan of this toy myself, as cool as it is to have another character based on his MTMTE appearance, this guys just doesn't cut it. He has a heap of kibble, flat forearms, a difficult to rotate head, and a very hollow feel . Comparing him to Reveal the shield Windcharger highlights how much the quality of toy we can expect at this price range has decreased. And all his recent wave buddies, Cosmos, Swerve, and even Shrapnel outshine him in my opinion.
15th September 2014, 12:20 AM
GoktimusPrime

:confused: But Windcharger is a Scout, and Tailgate is a Legends Class. :confused:
15th September 2014, 07:52 PM
Lord_Zed

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

:confused: But Windcharger is a Scout, and Tailgate is a Legends Class. :confused:

I thought Tailgate was a Commander class? :confused:

At any rate whatever class he is is equal to or more expensive than what was once Scout class.
16th September 2014, 01:38 PM
UltraMarginal

I'd suggest that price point wise, it's closer to the older scout class.

I like the little guy, I totally get the forearm gripe, overall I give him an OK.
16th September 2014, 02:28 PM
GoktimusPrime

Price point wise, it's somewhere in between Legion and Scout. At least, that's what mine have been costing me, and that's including cost of postage. And engineering-wise, I'd say it's also somewhere between Legion and Scout too. One of my students saw Tailgate today and immediately commented on the forearms. ;)
16th September 2014, 02:44 PM
Sky Shadow

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

Price point wise, it's somewhere in between Legion and Scout.

It's not, the new Legends class has a RRP of $10US, which is twice as expensive as old Legends and Legions, and more than Scouts and Commanders ($8). They're the equivalent price point of Human Alliance Basics. If we assume the Targetmasters are worth a couple of bucks, then that means the main robots should be of Scout/Commander intricacy.
16th September 2014, 03:02 PM
Lint

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord_Zed

Not a fan of this toy myself, as cool as it is to have another character based on his MTMTE appearance, this guys just doesn't cut it. He has a heap of kibble, flat forearms, a difficult to rotate head, and a very hollow feel . Comparing him to Reveal the shield Windcharger highlights how much the quality of toy we can expect at this price range has decreased. And all his recent wave buddies, Cosmos, Swerve, and even Shrapnel outshine him in my opinion.

Agreed, the only thing he's got going for him is his MTMTE likeness and the Groundbuster targetmaster is the worst of the lot thus far. This toy is a pure cash grab by Hasbro.

That said the alt mode design, although awfully deco'd, has grown on me. I hope he gets repainted/retooled into something cool.
16th September 2014, 03:06 PM
Sinnertwin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lint

Agreed, the only thing he's got going for him is his MTMTE likeness and the Groundbuster targetmaster is the worst of the lot thus far. This toy is a pure cash grab by Hasbro.

That said the alt mode design, although awfully deco'd, has grown on me. I hope he gets repainted/retooled into something cool.

Don't know whether you'd agree if it's cool or not, but he is getting repurposed

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/File:TFGenera...indcharger.jpg
16th September 2014, 06:49 PM
Defcon

A very dull figure, could do with some more paint details. Even then I am still not happy, dislike the legs also.
17th September 2014, 01:59 PM
Lint

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinnertwin

Don't know whether you'd agree if it's cool or not, but he is getting repurposed

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/File:TFGenera...indcharger.jpg

Yeah I was looking at that as I posted. The alt-mode works but the bot mode does not, especially with that tiny head. Given that theres a superior predecessor in RtS Windcharger this is really just another uninspired cost recovery release from Hasbro.
17th September 2014, 05:44 PM
Bidoofdude

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinnertwin

Don't know whether you'd agree if it's cool or not, but he is getting repurposed

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/File:TFGenera...indcharger.jpg

I'll be getting Windcharger. Not interested as much in the RTS legend, too much red on the torso in robot mode. This guy has the same minibot scale as the other legends in my collection (e.g. Swerve, Cosmos, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Gears).

The head is a bit small, I wish they'd made use of all the space, like Tailgate.
17th September 2014, 06:44 PM
BigTransformerTrev

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinnertwin

Don't know whether you'd agree if it's cool or not, but he is getting repurposed

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/File:TFGenera...indcharger.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lint

Yeah I was looking at that as I posted. The alt-mode works but the bot mode does not, especially with that tiny head. Given that theres a superior predecessor in RtS Windcharger this is really just another uninspired cost recovery release from Hasbro.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bidoofdude

I'll be getting Windcharger. Not interested as much in the RTS legend, too much red on the torso in robot mode. This guy has the same minibot scale as the other legends in my collection (e.g. Swerve, Cosmos, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Gears).

The head is a bit small, I wish they'd made use of all the space, like Tailgate.

I way prefer RTS Windcharger - a much cooler looking WC in my opinion
23rd September 2014, 07:25 PM
M-bot

His Minicon is a freakin' vacuum cleaner...:p
24th September 2014, 09:26 AM
Lint

Quote:

Originally Posted by M-bot

His Minicon is a freakin' vacuum cleaner...:p

I always thought he looked like more of a pooper scooper :p