Review: #110
Name: Springer
Brand: Kre-O Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Micro-Changers
Year of Release: 2012
Size Class: Kreon (Wave 1)
Variations: none so far (but basic body parts are shared among the line)
VEHICLE MODE:
I thought we'd start off the wave of reviews with something sweet and short. Just released for roughly two weeks as of this date, is... the Wave 1 Micro-Changers!! Otherwise known as kreons (I regard the wave that came previously as the "Preview Wave"). In this wave, there are twelve to collect, all blindpacked, if if you know where to look, you'll know which one contains which figures.
Anyway, one of the gimmicks of this line is the ability for the kreon to transform between robot and vehicle. Like it's bigger counterparts, you disassemble and reassemble them to get each mode. In this case, they opted Springer to transform into a helicopter.
Yes, it's just basically the robot lying down with some vehicle kibble attached. The helmet does an okay job of a cockpit and if you're squinting a bit, it does somewhat look like a helicopter. The rotors spin freely though.
He uses up all the pieces in this mode, and carries his two swords by his side. Okay okay, it's not really a plausible mode at all and pretty much a waste of your time. Then again, most of the Kreon vehicle modes are forced and awkward.
A tiny little thing, at least he keeps himself together fairly well (although mine tends to separate at the legs for some reason). He's compared to a Botshot in the photo above.
TRANSFORMATION:
Springer's fairly nice in that you really do basically just lie him down (or stand him up), detach (or attach) some kibble from his chest, place the swords into his hands and you're done... One good thing about this simplicity is that you don't have to take the whole figure apart like some of the other kreons. The process might not be fun if you have big fat adult hands though.
ROBOT MODE:
Springer wields dual swords (which I don't think he ever did back in G1), and features a rotor on his back.
I mean, apart from the swords and vehicle kibble, there's not much here that makes him unique against all the other kreons. He has a basic helmet and face expression, with this chest piece that I don't know what it's emulating (hook?).
If you take the yellow torso piece off (which contains the vehicle kibble), you get to see the painted chest details. This emulates the chest you would see on the toy or cartoon model. It really is too bad that it gets covered if you want the kibble (no best of both worlds here).
He has a basic painted expression on his face, looks angry too. At least the helmet is recognizable to the shape of G1 Springer's head.
And yes, this wave includes a stand for these figures! Very awesome!
There's one extra piece here that's left over, but you can easily incorporate it into the figure.
Again, he's a tiny little thing, he is a minifigure after all, can't hold it against him.
He has the articulation you would expect, you can only do so many different poses. I don't think anything in terms of articulation stands out here. With the stand, it's easier than ever before to do some action poses!
A neat robot that looks great and instantly recognizable as Springer. It's just a shame the chest details are hidden from view.
OVERALL:
If the concept interests you, go ahead and get him, I think he's one of the better ones so far. If you get a couple at once, they look great on display as statues or whatnot, with no fear of knocking them down due to the included stands. The vehicle mode is a write off but it has a strong robot mode.
----------------------------------
Interested in other reviews? Check them out here.