Toy review - Dinobot Slug (Slag) and Daniel Witwicky (Studio Series 86)

[Skyfire]

If only they gave Daniel and Wheelie a hinged knee. Nothing complex requiring a metal pin, just molded thigh and lower leg to push interlock. Just a little more in parts and labour but so much more pleasing.

Who will join the other SS86 dinos? Kranix, Arlbus and Spike (in exosuit i.e. Daniel with reversed hands )?

[Butcher31]

I just got this guy and I'm impressed. Both Dinobots are simple for leader class toys, but a lot of fun. I was less impressed by Grimlock, probably because I had the Masterpiece already, but Slug had some quite nice surprises. It's big and chunky in both modes but quite different shapes between bot and triceratops.
I appreciate the fake toes they put on top of his dinosaur mode as an homage to the toy and cartoon. I was wondering why the box photo had red around that area when it wasn't red around his robot toes. I get it now.
Grimlock was okay, but this one has gotten me really excited about getting the other Dinobots (hopefully) coming out in leader scale without having to compromise by including gimmicks. I'm imagining a big wingspan for Swoop. I hope they all happen and soon.

[sideswipes brother]

I want these guys but i think the red parts on them (hips/chest) just looks so bland and almost cheap looking?.... is it just me?

[GoktimusPrime]

I was somewhat reluctant about getting this toy... then ended up with two (selling the spare ).

I wasn't really impressed with Grimlock, but Slug has seriously exceeded my expectations. Unlike Grimlock which basically the G1 toy but with better articulation and more cartoony proportions, Slug is really a whole new ballgame. The engineering and transformation is an interesting departure from the G1 toy, particularly with the way that the legs and hips transform. But also the Dinobot mode jaw with a faux jaw-chest for the robot mode, and even an upper palate panel that conceals the robot face in Dinobot mode so he no longer looks like a Triceratops that's swallowed a robot! The sculpting is unapologetically based on the cartoon design; and even as someone who prefers the original G1 toy designs, I can get on board with this as it offers something different.

Unencumbered with accommodating a combining gimmick and makes ample use of the Leader Class price point/budget. I also like the way that the tail tucks into the back; being G1 accurate but without being as in-the-way as G1 Slag's tail is. The way that the hind legs tuck into the robot legs is quite neat, and I quite like the chonky tank-like armoured look of the Dinobot mode. The way that the gun becomes the tail tip is also really neat. The inside of Slug's Dino mouth even has a post to attach flame/blast effects!

















I only have a few small nitpicks...
+ As others have said, the Daniel Witwicky accessory is rubbish. Even worse than Wheelie as it lacks hip and head articulation. Don't even know why the helmet is all white; they couldn't have even sculpted or applied a deco of Daniel's face/head inside a transparent helmet? They did it with LG Spike, and that was a puny Titan Master. Although I'm glad that his name's not Leinad anymore.
+ The 5mm port on the top of the Dinobot back is positioned in a way that you can't really mount Slug's rifle onto it well. Mainly because the frill gets in the way.

I wonder what other annoying add on characters they will throw in with the rest of the Dinobots.....

Good question!

I want these guys but i think the red parts on them (hips/chest) just looks so bland and almost cheap looking?.... is it just me?

This is what happens when people want toys to look like the Sunbow cartoon. I'm not a fan of the red head; I much prefer the original black head. But then again, the whole point of Studio Series is to look like the screen model, so... yeah. We still have POTP Slug if you prefer G1-accurate colours.

[philby]

i was starting to warm up to these new dinobots and i saw the hollow horns. it might be pretty minor but it just really annoys me. are that tight they cant just have a full horn?? my god

[Jellico]

I just wish the triceratops had some curves out back.

Queue Sir Mix-a-Lot.

That and the spindly rear feet. We know it can be done better.

[Magnus]

I've been playing around with mine for an hour or so, and Slug is overall a nice piece, but I really don't like the thin rear legs and feet. I would have been ok with thicker and chunkier lower legs if it means the rear dinosaur legs were also thicker and fuller. In fact, I think the lower legs look kind of thin from the front and back, possibly because I've been so used to seeing G1 Slag toys.

I just wish the triceratops had some curves out back.

Queue Sir Mix-a-Lot.

That and the spindly rear feet. We know it can be done better.

I already mentioned the feet, but you raise a good point about how 'flat' the rear of the dinosaur's torso is. It doesn't gradually curve down to where the tail starts; it feels like the torso just 'stops' abruptly right behind the hind legs, since that forms the robot shins and those are very flat. G1 Slag also has that 'stop' where the rear torso comes down sharply, but the torso sticks out behind the hind legs and the slope down from the back isn't so steep.

Of the two issues you mentioned, the rear legs bother me more. I'll probably get used to them eventually, but they still look very strange.