Review: #124
Name: Hot Rodimus
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Smallest Transforming Transformers (or Worlds Smallest Transformers)
Year of Release: 2004
Size Class: N/A (Wave 2.5)
Variations: none except for a packaging variant (depending on whether he was released in 2004 with the rest of the Wave or in 2006 as a Toys R Us promotion)
VEHICLE MODE:
Actually first off, I got the one that was offered in a Toys R Us promotion as it's the one in the monochrome red box. It's actually smaller than I expected.
Hot Rod transforms into the futuristic sports car that we've come to known, and it's a pretty accurate representation.
The back lacks any detail since it's where his robot feet stores. There are obvious transformation joints thanks to the different plastic colour.
For a figure this small, I was surprised at the amount of paint apps he has and the sculpted detailing, very impressive.
As a Smallest Transforming Transformer, Hot Rod is exceptionally tiny. He is much MUCH smaller than a Legends toy.
If you wish, you can plug in one of the robot guns onto the engine, however, you can only put one at a time, meaning that there'll always be one left over with no way to store it in vehicle mode. Still, this is an amazing vehicle mode for the size.
TRANSFORMATION:
While the transformation is simple (it has to be since there's not much to work with), it's quite fiddly due to the small size. More often than not, I found that I would detach things that weren't supposed to detach for transformation (but wasn't glue together in case it breaks off I guess) such as the side pipes on his forearms and the canopy of the car. I don't have the G1 toy so I don't know how faithful the transformation is compared to it, but I thought it was well done. The only awkward part is getting the head/hood to flip around to form his robot chest.
ROBOT MODE:
The robot mode is a faithful representation of the cartoon model and the G1 figure. All the important elements are there from the spoiler on his back to the forearm side pipes to his shin details.
Granted, there are some unavoidable problems such as his proportions. He also doesn't look too great form behind due to the blocky nature. He doesn't have any problems standing up.
The head is on a panel and thanks to the transformation joints, it can flop around. If you want him to look forward, you have to position it just right. Personally, I think the face sculpt looks a bit too human.
Hot Rod comes with his twin guns, they initially come attached to a plastic sprue which you have to cut out yourself.
He has miniature fist holes for you to attach the guns.
As you'd expect, he doesn't have much articulation. The only worthwhile joint is his elbows which are balljointed (mainly for transformation purposes). Once again, the sculpting is good.
And also once again he's absolutely tiny, much much smaller than a Legends toy (and probably smaller than Minicon toys too). It's unbelievable how small he is.
Just for fun, here he is with his Masterpiece representation.
OVERALL:
A neat little figure that'll display quite well. It's fairly impressive how they managed to engineer this Transformer at such a tiny size. The only thing is that you gotta be careful with some of the pieces you accidentally detach as it'll be very easy to lose them.
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