Via Chefatron on Youtube we have our first in-hand images of the new Transformers Deluxe Class Bumblebee Movie Ratchet.
Ratchet proves to be another fantastic addition to the Studio Series Bumblebee movie Autobots group. Featuring a movie-accurate robot mode and a very compact Cybertronian armored vehicle alt mode. Ratchet shows a more complex and interesting transformation than usual which is much appreciated. We also have comparison shots next to Earthtise Ratchet and the rest of Studio Series Bumblebee Movie Autobots, including the new Bumblebe Movie Brawn.
Check out all the images on this news post, as well as Chefatron video review, after the jump. Click on the discussion link below and let us know your impressions on the 2005 Boards!
DarkEyes
The reason for hollowness and cheap hollow plastic syndrome in general is not really that some people can’t afford the toy. It actually has no sense at all.
The toy is affected by CHPS as so many Transformers nowadays. CHPS is not new at all.
Obnimaz
After getting him in-hand, SS BB Ratchet's hip and neck articulation allow him to display Ratchet's most customary trait: Sass.
Obnimaz
I collect toys for myself as well for several kids in my life, and Transformers toys, even at today's prices, are AMAZING value compared to anything else on the shelf. I am so happy that Hasbro can keep the MSRP on Transformable figures within 15% of normal action figures of similar franchises (also while moving production out of China, also while trying to reduce excess plastic usage.) Even compared to Lego, Zuru, McFarlane, Mattel, whatever you wanna name. Roughly 1/3 (accounting for repaints/rereleases/retools) or more of any given TF toyline includes engineering TWO or more modes, and TFs are historically within a reasonable margin of either normal humanoid action figures or scale/model cars of similar sizes. The WFC/Netflix/Selects era figures are over 200 strong, and that whole series is 3.5 years old.
On topic: Ratchet looks sweet and was able to nab one from Amazon, should be here Saturday
AutobotJazz1
Love this toy but I must ask, what is this photodegrading I keep hearing about?
Onilink
Bought yesterday, awesome toy. I like the soft plastic, seems more durable
Dexatronic
Awesome. I'll keep my eyes peeled.
ziltama
1st sightings today.
Nemesisprime1975
Lol
Dexatronic
Cheers mate lol
Nemesisprime1975
He's out in Ireland lol
Dexatronic
Is this guy out in retail yet in the US
Tentascream
Thank you for saying it. Hasbro definitely cuts corners, and figures have gotten smaller, but they also have improved in many ways. I think paying $20 for a hoist and $20 for a cliffjumper that are both in scale is perfect for me. Allows all the budget while also not having to make everything the same size. It’s really funny when you look at what hasbros other lines sell for $20, like the black series Yoda, yet transformers seem to always get the most complaints. They also don’t like to mention the FOC line either, which had many stinkers
Gee Won 1984
Yes, but "that's just Prime"…vsPrime.
Gee Won 1984
So SS Ratchet is a lot smaller than ER Ratchet. This is a great comparison of the smaller SS scale to Generations scale.
Wh33ls
Huh, in Chefatron's review his figure has a very loose, floppy waist, but just finished watching PrimeVsPrime's video, his copy has a tight waist joint.
Interesting.
RazorclawX
Maybe it's just me, but the fact that so many of you are freaking out about how "small" a half-head shorter bot is lacks even fundamental perspective. And that goes double to the whole "a decade ago we had larger figures!" when the Animated figures being so large was the exception even back then. I have to assume nobody's talking about Prime figures because that would kill their own arguments.
Mercutio
He looks good! I'm so happy. Been waiting so long for a Ratchet/Ironhide mold I actually like.
Transformation looks creative and fun, and I'm impressed they actually managed to turn this design into a cohesive alt mode. Will probably look even better in Ironhide colours.
Well done, Hasbro! (I make fun of them all the time, but I'm still happy when they make good figures.)
Dinobot Snarl
I think Ratchet is pretty good, but he does suffer from a a few pet peeves that the others mostly avoid, I'd bet if BBM figures do really well he might get a Voyager years later.
The engineering still seems quite interesting though. I really hope a comic picks up these characters.
payres
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hhulg5_ELjg
Mardroid
So the mode that doesn't need wheels has fake versions of them? I actually don't mind real vehicle parts in robot mode, as it's part of the character (although it is cool when they're able to tuck them away). But this… I suppose it's to make him accurate to the film version. I'd rather they just show the real wheels in that case, even if they're proportionally larger than on-screen.
It's not a deal breaker though. Just a bit disappointing.
Overall- I've only looked at the photos, not the video, but I really like this Ratchet. My only issue is that I think he should be taller. I guess with that beefy chest (which I like) he isn't really small though.
This is alternate takes done right. He is different but recognisable. Even in G1 continuity it makes sense to me that if vehicle modes are different on Cybertron, then the robot should look a bit different too. I know that's not the case in the cartoon, but since they're only in their Cybertronian format in episode one, I don't mind a bit of creative licence.
Only Siege van I have is Crosshairs. I like him a lot, but his van looked more like an Earth scifi military vehicle to me, than something alien. This does look more how I'd imagine a Cybertronian vehicle to look.
I just received the Takara repaint of BBM voyager Optimus. I've yet to convert him, but ( small issues aside, which I won't get into here, as it's not the thread for it, they can be summed up with "OBSTRUCTIVE ARM KIBBLE" and "FLAPPY BITS",) he looks really good. From photos/video the alt mode looks good too… but I'd really like to see what a BBM Cybertronian version would look like. Voyager siege Optimus, is a very decent Optimus, (in some ways better than Earthrise*) but his alt mode suffers the same issue as the Siege vanbots. Its more like a more military souped up version of his earth mode, although it works very well in that way. It's just not what it's meant to be.
*Not better overall. They each have their strengths and weaknesses.