Review: #138
Name: Hotlink
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: BotCon 2013 - Souvenir Set
Year of Release: 2013
Size Class: Deluxe
Variations: too many to list, the notable ones: repaint of the original Classics Starscream (which was subsequently repainted into the rest of the Seekers and Coneheads), BotCon Thundercracker, G2 Ramjet, Universe Acid Storm and the Japanese counterparts of the same characters.
BIO CARD:
And here we have the third and final member of the Rainmakers, Hotlink. It's a weird name and doesn't feel like it suits him (I like the fan-made "-storm" names better). As mentioned before, the theme for BotCon 2013 was Machine Wars but Hotlink was based upon the Decepticon jets that appeared in a G1 episode.
JET MODE:
Just like how Bitstream was kinda similar to Thundercracker, Hotlink is kinda similar to Skywarp, both having purple as their primary color (albeit a different shade).
There isn't much here that I haven't already covered in the other two reviews. Hotlink is a repaint of the Classics Starscream mold, which has seen many uses already.
One thing this guy trumps over most other uses of the mold is that there are a fair few paint applications which give the toy a more detailed look.
The gap underneath the fuselage is still as jarring as ever and you can see the weird black bit that sticks out from the cockpit, it's the robot mode helmet. There's a spring loaded missile launcher under each wing which you can fire, that's it for the play value. His landing gear comprises of two solid lumps at the back and two flip out molded wheels for the front.
When all's said and done, this is a nice looking jet mode, which of course looks great as a set with the other two Rainmakers.
TRANSFORMATION:
By today's standards, it's basic in both execution and design. That doesn't make it any less fun though. Like the other two Rainmakers, he's plagued with either some really stiff joints (elbows) or some slightly annoying loose joints (the wings were always the weak point). The mold is showing it's age though, you can feel that it lacks the ingenuity of some of the more recent released, but you can hardly hold that against a toy that was designed way before those.
ROBOT MODE:
As stunning in robot mode as he was in jet mode. He looks great here, especially with the painted shoulders and lower legs. The shade of purple used is also very aesthetically pleasing.
Only real kibble Hotlink has would be the nosecone awkwardly hanging off the back of his head, other than that, he's pretty much perfect.
The painted face and eyes look amazing, it gives him a premium feel.
As mentioned, his null-rays double as missile launchers, they packed a surprising punch. The powerful springs launch the missiles much further than you would expect.
A quick comparison with Starscream, who looks really bland compared to Hotlink. It would have been nice if he had that white on his torso like the character art, as it would help break up the solid purple torso.
Then in comparison with the other Rainmakers, you'd notice that they all share the exact same paint applications, down to the color of the paint. The only different between them is the color of the base plastic used.
Poseability isn't the best but is still more than enough for some good poses. Although his heelspurs could use some improvement, often, you'll find Hotlink falling over backwards.
Some people complain that the null-rays on his arms are too big but I think they make Hotlink look much more imposing and bulky.
The Rainmakers look great as a set together, it's as if... they're a team that can work in unison.
A good looking robot mode overall. Color-wise, Hotlink is near perfect, toy play-value-wise? Not as great, but then again, most people who have him would just put him on display anyway.
OVERALL:
A very nice looking toy but is he worth the secondary market prices? Probably not. If you think about it, it's a mold that's been used many times, and all three characters using the same paint applications, sounds like fairly easy money to be honest. Anyway, a solid toy nonetheless, and I can't decide whether I like Hotlink more or Bitstream.
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Check out the other Rainmakers' reviews right here.