Toy review - Studio Series 37 Rampage

[Magnus]

Series - Generations
Sub-line - Studio Series
Size/class - Voyager
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 6
Released here - June 2019
Approximate Retail Price - $49
Approximate Size - 17cm
Allegiance - Decepticon
Alt-mode - Bulldozer
Main Features/Gimmicks - Screen accuracy, capable of forming part of Devastator
Main Colours - Red, black
Main Accessories - Display stand

Vehicle mode











A pale red bulldozer. Based on concept art for Revenge of the Fallen, Rampage is a Caterpillar D9L bulldozer, and while this toy has the same basic shape, there are substantial differences between the D9L and this model, so this is not an accurate representation of a D9L.

There are three wheels allowing Rampage to roll, but on my example one of the wheels mounted in the treads doesn't roll freely.

Transformation

Transformation to robot mode is fairly simple and not particularly involved. The combined mode - Rampage transforms into Devastator's left leg and foot - is a little more intricate.

While the Rampage that was seen to transform and combine into Devastator was yellow, this colour scheme represents Rampage as he appeared when he baited Sam with his parents in Egypt and ultimately fought Bumblebee.

Robot mode









Rampage certainly has an interesting form, with the designers eschewing legs in favour of a single large tail ending in a small unipod, and his preferred method of locomotion being jumping in a pogo stick-like fashion. To allow the figure to stand upright, the designers included a display base that plugs into a port at the end of the unipod. This base attaches to the bulldozer's underside in vehicle mode.

Rampage's exact height depends on the degree to which his tail and lower torso are bent. Fully straightened, he stands just over 16cm at the top of his head, with the blade on his back adding a few millimetres.

Rampage has limited articulation. His head can rotate in a limited range, and his neck pivots down. His shoulders can shift forward as well as allowing his arms to rotate forwards and backwards. Each of his three digits can move back and forth at two joints. He can bend and rotate at his 'waist', with a second hinge below the waist where his hips would be expected to be.

The caterpillar treads on his arms are hinged at three joints, so they can be splayed out as the owner wishes.



Rampage has an undocumented feature. It is possible to remove the tops of the hydraulic cylinders and attach them to the thumbs to give Rampage short gun barrels.





The included backdrop is of the quarry by the pyramids in the Sinai, where the Constructicons gathered and then combined to form Devastator.

Verdict



Rampage has a distinctive and interesting design, and will stand out on the shelf.

The lack of an elbow joint limits his articulation and therefore display options by making his arms seem stiff, but given that his arms actually form the sides of Devastator's left foot, it seems that a joint here was sacrificed in favour of making the 'soles' of the foot more sturdy.

If you like the design, I recommend him, but I wouldn't call him a must-buy unless you're looking to make Devastator.