Toy Review - BUMBLEBEE (Studio Series 86)

[GoktimusPrime]

BUMBLEBEE
Series - Generations
Sub-line - Studio Series 86
Hypo-line - The Transformers The Movie
Size/class - Deluxe
New/remould/redeco - new
Wave - 24.5
Released here - July 2024
Approximate Retail Price - $39.95
Approximate Size - 10cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Mazda Beetle Type 323
Main Features/Gimmicks - cartoon likeness
Main Colours - yellow with dark grey accents
Main Accessories - pistol

In box


Robot mode against backdrop


Robot mode

Hastak have really outdone themselves in compacting all that vehicle kibble into a Deluxe Class figure, and without any partsforming. Granted, it does have a far more compact car mode to deal with which makes the job a bit easier, but still really impressive.

Comparison w/ G1 Bumblebee


Comparison w/ Buzzworthy Goldbug (cos I'm too lazy to transform WFCT Bumblebee)


"Bumblebee and Spike here."


Bumblebee and Spike


Robot mode poses


Car mode

This vehicle is a VW Beetle with the roof and back panel of a Mazda 323. I really want to believe that this means that this toy has been pretooled as Bumper, but we've been let down before with that Core Class Buzzworthy Bumblebee so... I'll believe in a CHUG Bumper when I see it.

Car mode rear

Come on... that's totally Bumper!

Weapon storage


Vehicle size comparisons with G1 and WFCT Bumblebee


Overall
This toy far exceeds my expectations. The boxy chest is far more like the cartoon model, but also gives the toy the potential to be Bumper. No, the roof isn't as round as the cartoon model, but the fact is that the cartoon has a square chest with a round roof. It's not possible to have both unless you cheat like MP45. I thought the lack of clear windows would bother me, but in hand it doesn't. This toy makes all sorts of improvements over War for Cybertron Trilogy Bumblebee, which is already a very nice toy. I would still rate WFCT Bumblebee better as a licensed VW Beetle Type 1 and having a less cartoony look (which I prefer); but of course, looking cartoony is the entire point of Studio Series 86. A really satisfying figure that I'm enjoying loads more than I thought I would. Highly recommended.

[Keidatron]

I picked this guy up today and he is absolutely phenomenal! The engineering and design to make this work is just brilliant. I wish he was a bit more rounded like the show model but overall this is a stunning toy. $45 well spent