Review: #251
Name: Scrapper
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Generations - Combiner Wars
Year of Release: 2015
Size Class: Voyager
Variations: SDCC has more paint; TakaraTomy version has elbows and extra paint applications
VEHICLE MODE:
Scrapper transforms into a shovel dozer that's pretty much spot on with his G1 toy. He's predominantly green, with some metallic purple on three of his windows (and the fourth one unpainted...) and black wheels.
All four wheels roll and overall, this is a really solid vehicle, feeling hefty in your hands.
Scrapper is approximately Voyager sized, you will not feel ripped off at all with this figure.
There area lot of nicely sculpted detailing all over the vehicle, including ladders, rivets and vents. They do get somewhat lot amongst the green plastic though.
You can see some robot bits peek out from the gaps but all in all, this is a decent vehicle mode.
Additional play value comes in the ability of the scoop having two hinged joints which allows it to lift up.
A quick comparison shot with Masterpiece Bumblebee and you can see that Scrapper is realistic enough and has the details to briefly pass in the Masterpiece line.
A shot with the rest of the Constructicons, to which he looks right at home.
There are two pegs on the back which allows Scrapper to store Devastator's chestplate wing pieces, makes him into a sort of flying mode. It's not the best but the option to store all the combiner kibble among the figures is appreciated.
A great vehicle mode that you can't really fault at all.
TRANSFORMATION:
Scrapper's transformation is simple but there are still some sweet elements to it. In particular, the way the legs form, including how the back halves rotate and peg together to form his feet. The scoop remains in one piece and doesn't move a lot, which is to be expected. The shoulder joints are also good, being robust and strong pinned joints instead of the expected balljoints.
ROBOT MODE:
Scrapper's mode is spot on and very much a more detailed, upgraded version of the G1 figure. It is really neat to see how faithful his design remained.
One of the biggest detractors is the scoop forming a significant backpack. As it isn't a solid chunk of plastic, it doesn't cause any balancing issues, and it is a defining feature of the character after all.
The headsculpt is fantastic and one of the best in the set. It is on a balljoint allowing heaps of movement.
He has large feet so Scrapper's quite stable.
He doesn't gain much height in this mode but still feel large and solid in your hands. Definitely way bigger than a Deluxe.
Some people are looking to use Scrapper as a Masterpiece stand-in and he has enough details to fit in.
Now, the biggest downfall of this figure (and the number one most common complaint of the set) is the fact that Scrapper does not have proper elbows. It can rotate but it cannot bend. Quite disappointing but having him in hand, I ended up realizing it wasn't such a huge deal in the end.
The reason Hasbro gave for the solid elbows was due to the arms being load-bearing in combined mode. It has some merit since Devastator is so heavy but on the other hand, would it have really made the combiner mode unstable? Probably not.
His weapon is a bazooka-cannon type thing (one half of the combined mode's gun), which he can hold in either hand. Posing him, the straight arms isn't too horrible or obvious.
He has plenty of articulation in other areas but the thing that jumps out at you are the detailing and effort put onto the torso sculpting. It is amazing, and the generous paint applications allow it to pop out a lot more.
Perhaps another surprising aspect is that he has ankle swivels such that you can tilt them to be always flat against the surface.
Needless to say, he looks fantastic with the other team members and he is one of the better figures in the set too.
A great robot mode, sure, he is limited by his elbows but he is actually a really fun figure in hand.
OVERALL:
Despite a fatal flaw, Scrapper is a fun toy overall. Being a good size, even for adult hands, coupled with a simple but effective transformation and a solidly built robot, Scrapper manages to win over your heart. The premium feel once you get him in robot mode is a bonus, the fact is, it doesn't feel as though Hasbro cheaped out despite first impressions.
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Reviews for the other Constructicons can be found here.
