Review: #216
Name: Wedge
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Robots in Disguise
Year of Release: 2001
Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 3)
Variations: Japanese version has some slight paint differences; repainted into yellow as part of the Universe line; also repainted into Constructicon Bonecrusher
BULLDOZER MODE:
Wedge transforms into an orange bulldozer. This is an excellent mode, the shovel naturally being the most distinctive feature.
The back isn't as nice, it feels slightly unfinished, probably because of all the exposed jointing/hinges and slight hollowness of the underside.
While Wedge may be a Deluxe, he is more akin to a Basic or Scout classed figure. He is one of the smallest Deluxe toys ever. For play value, he has four plastic wheels underneath to allow rolling but that is it.
A good looking alternate mode, just lacking a bit in the size department.
TRANSFORMATION:
Simple but very effective. The two pistons, along with a panel behind the shovel detaches to form his weapon which is pretty cool. The treads form the arms and the legs unfold from the front, it's easy and things click into place in vehicle mode, making him very solid.
ROBOT MODE:
While the bulldozer mode was strong, the robot mode is on par if not better. Wedge looks fantastic, making for one very nice looking bot.
The only kibble he has is the shovel halves on each shoulder, which now becomes his most iconic element. That, and the tread wrapping around his hands.
The head sculpt is great and I like how the two pieces on either side of his head looks like a mini scoop. The head is only on a swivel though so he can't look up or down.
He is still fairly small and tiny in this mode, which was how he was also portrayed in the cartoon.
Articulation is good and he has all the joints you'd come to expect. He has slight proportion issues with the chest being a bit too big and him looking top heavy due to this.
One thing that the designer could have improved upon are the feet. Wedge would have benefited from heelspurs because the length of his footprint is small and Wedge can keel backwards if you're not careful.
As mentioned earlier, the bulldozer's pistons form a dual barrel gun and to be honest, this gun looks pretty terrible.
The barrels are too far apart and the base of the gun is too thin and wide for it to look like a gun. It would have been better if the thing could fold in half to bulk it up or something.
Wedge actually had ratcheting knees which was a nice surprise. He can still pull off a great amount of decent poses.
A good robot mode that looks fantastic and very heroic, perfect traits for an Autobot.
OVERALL:
Wedge is a really nice toy. He has two good modes, with the robot mode winning by just a small margin. Wedge looks like the perfect Autobot with a heroic stature and color scheme. There are some minor flaws such as the lack of heelspurs and a not-so-perfect weapon, not to mention his small size. However, Wedge is still recommended even if you're not planning to make Landfill.
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