Universe Roadbuster Upgrade Kit

[GoktimusPrime]

I don't think Universe Roadbuster is as bad as Classics Bumblebee in terms of being a messed up G1 homage, mostly because there's no ambiguity with the Cybertron Defence Hot Shot mould. In G1, both Bumblebee and Cliffjumper were available in red and yellow - so a red Bumblebee was still Bumblebee, not Cliffjumper! What also riled me was how they were willing to extensively retool Classics Starscream for Classics Ramjet, but they didn't even retool the head of Classics Bumblebee (which would've been a far less extensive retool) for Classics Cliffjumper - and both toys came out in the same wave.

With Roadbuster being a repaint of CD Hot Shot, it's not as if you're going to confuse him for being another G1 character - there's no real ambiguity there like you had with red BumblebeeCliffjumper. Secondly, he's released as part of a set which are all just repainted Cybertron toys anyway, unlike Cliffjumper who came in the same wave with Classics Ramjet. If they were going to retool Roadbuster, then I would expect them to retool Dirge, Ratbat and Springer too...

And I agree with dirge's sentiment - this kit seems to be reproducing the less desirable (re: crappy) element of the G1 Roadbuster toy! Since I was a kid I've always hated how Roadbuster came with a buttload of parts that you could easily lose! I much prefer Transformers that have self-contained parts, i.e.: parts that you don't need to detach and re-attach when transforming between modes. IMO I think Universe Roadbuster is a neat enough tribute to the G1 toy/character - he's bulky and heavily armoured, and the fact that the armour is non-removable is a good thing IMO! Okay, his face may not be very G1 accurate, but neither is Universe Ratbat. Springer is kinda close and of course Dirge is accurate for obvious reasons (I like how they gave Dirge a blue helmet which is accurate to the G1 toy ).

I can forgive Universe Roadbuster more than Classics Cliffjumper because this lot of Universe figures are all just Cybertron repaints, and in that regard Roadbuster isn't fundamentally better or worse than Ratbat, Dirge and Springer, unlike Cliffjumper who came out with Ramjet - clearly showing that Hasbro could/would retool one toy, but not the other. Gah.

[TheDirtyDigger]

I was informed by an inside source that a different head for Cliffjumper was actually discussed by the design team. Why they didn't go through with it though I forgot to ask about. In the end it was Hasbro's loss and the guys that made the CJ upgrade kit (and the guys that sold theirs for 1000% profit) gain.

As for this Roadbuster upgrade, I'm not too fussed on getting it as I mainly collect my Classics as an homage to the cartoon and not the toys.
If it's cheap enough I'll be all over it though.

[GoktimusPrime]

Roadbuster did appear in the comics (G1 and War Within) as part of the Wreckers. Universe Roadbuster's tech specs even mentions that he's a member of the Wreckers (nice)! Springer was the Wreckers' leader, but I haven't read Universe Springer's tech specs yet. Roadbuster is like Autobot Rambo.

"Wreck and slaggin' Rule!"

In the end it was Hasbro's loss and the guys that made the CJ upgrade kit (and the guys that sold theirs for 1000% profit) gain.

Hasbro would've profited too since you need to purchase the actual Classics Cliffjumper toy to attach the garage kit onto!

[kup]

I disagree when it comes to Roadbuster. To me the face of the robot mode severely hurts the tribute and to me its not as obvious. Basically it feels like another character and not roadbuster.

When it comes to body, alt mode and colors, yes it is roadbuster but the face makes all that null the same as how it happened with Cliffjumper.

Most important, they are only proposing 2 extra accessories for the Roadbuster kit (drawn in different angles) and a face replacement for the head. It's no where near as bad as G1 Roadbuster.

[TheDirtyDigger]

Hasbro would've profited too since you need to purchase the actual Classics Cliffjumper toy to attach the garage kit onto!

Ah yes but I meant the loss was one of prestige in the eyes of collectors.[/save]

To me the face of the robot mode severely hurts the tribute

Yeah I agree. Be nice if any Roadbuster upgrade kit came with a better head as well.

[GoktimusPrime]

I disagree when it comes to Roadbuster. To me the face of the robot mode severely hurts the tribute and to me its not as obvious. Basically it feels like another character and not roadbuster.

And who is that other G1 character that he looks like instead?

When it comes to body, alt mode and colors, yes it is roadbuster but the face makes all that null the same as how it happened with Cliffjumper.

When I look at Cliffjumper, I just see Bumblebee (in red). Now when you look at Universe Roadbuster, you may not immediately think of Roadbuster (although I did) but it doesn't make you think of another G1 character. In other words, there isn't that ambiguity there that Cliffjumper has.

I'm not saying that it's a good G1 homage, but I'm saying that I don't think it's as bad as Cliffjumper. And again, I don't think that Universe Roadbuster is fundamentally better or worse than any of the other comic-pack Universe assortment because they're all just Cybertron moulds that Hasbro have repainted in an attempt to make them look like G1 characters. If you think that basic concept is flawed, fine, but within that concept I don't think that Roadbuster is (fundamentally) any better or worse than the others.

This differs from Cliffjumper who was released in Classics where they were new moulds and released in the same assortment as Ramjet who was a significant retool of Starscream. So within the context of his own assorment I think that Cliffjumper is quite disappointing.

[kup]

And who is that other G1 character that he looks like instead?

None in particular but if if I had seen the loose toy without any packaging or previous knowledge of it, the first thing I would have asked is 'What character is he supposed to be?' even though I am fully aware of who G1 Roadbuster is.

So basically I do see some other new or ambiguous character but I don't see Roadbuster unless I am told.

When I look at Cliffjumper, I just see Bumblebee (in red). Now when you look at Universe Roadbuster, you may not immediately think of Roadbuster (although I did) but it doesn't make you think of another G1 character. In other words, there isn't that ambiguity there that Cliffjumper has.

I'm not saying that it's a good G1 homage, but I'm saying that I don't think it's as bad as Cliffjumper. And again, I don't think that Universe Roadbuster is fundamentally better or worse than any of the other comic-pack Universe assortment because they're all just Cybertron moulds that Hasbro have repainted in an attempt to make them look like G1 characters. If you think that basic concept is flawed, fine, but within that concept I don't think that Roadbuster is (fundamentally) any better or worse than the others.

This differs from Cliffjumper who was released in Classics where they were new moulds and released in the same assortment as Ramjet who was a significant retool of Starscream. So within the context of his own assorment I think that Cliffjumper is quite disappointing.

I also see a red Bumblebee and nothing else. That is the problem I have with the toy.

In my view, both repaints are equally flawed tributes. Cliffjumper because he looks like a red bumblebee instead of Cliffjumper and Roadbuster because he looks like some other misc or new character but not Roadbuster.

Both of these toys could also be passable as their respective characters in alt mode but the 'tribute disruptor' is the face/head.

I find both equally flawed.

[ChlorHex]

Looks like there's going to be some sort of "Masterpiece" Roadbuster, originally known as the Mugen Calibur before its Transformers days, going to be released soon by the CM toy folks.

http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/iam-cyber...icle?mid=15551

It's fully transformable and poseable as well... looks true to the Gen1 form.

All it needs is a minor repaint (more green) and Autobot stickers