Review: #165
Name: Rhinox
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Maximal
Line: Generations
Year of Release: 2014
Size Class: Voyager (Wave 5)
Variations: none as of this date
RHINO MODE:
Yes, it finally happened. The long-rumoured new mold Voyager classed Rhinox has finally been produced and it is amazing! The rhino mode is excellent, with better proportions than the wide and squat of the original.
The colouring is good but being a lighter tan than in the show. There are some green robot parts sticking out, mainly behind the beast legs but since everything else is so good, this isn't a horrible thing.
The rhino holds together well. You can easily tell that the there are a lot of panels forming the exterior (I wouldn't go so far as to call Rhinox a shellformer, but naturally the beast mode relies heavily on panels). You can forget about posing him though as his is static. The legs are not designed to be moved.
The beast head has amazing sculpting, you can even make out the row of painted sharp teeth! It looks like the ears are on balljoints but they're not. They only look like that because there are a separate piece, made from soft plastic (the rear panel of the rhino, the one with the tail, is also made from soft plastic).
Thanks to the transformation, the lower jaw of the mouth moves allowing the rhino to roar.
Being a Voyager, the rhino is fairly decent in size. He is only the length of a Deluxe toy but has the height and bulk to make him much more impressive.
The chain guns of doom (well, officially they're the "gatling guns of doom") store in his belly, like the original toy. This rhino mode is packed, there is no empty space here.
An excellent beast mode, Rhinox looks amazing and displays well.
TRANSFORMATION:
If you've ever played with the original, you'd notice that this new figure takes inspiration from it, and improves upon the transformation. The shells of the rhino neatly folds up and it's surprising how they formed the legs. It's easy, quick and fun. There are enough twisting and manipulation of parts to make this transformation worthwhile.
ROBOT MODE:
The robot mode is another stunner. This captures the show model accurately and is the definitive Rhinox figure, hands down.
The kibble packs tightly against his body such that nothing gets in the way. The revelation of the green and gold is striking and he has all the distinctive Rhinox elements here.
Rhinox is stocky, suiting the character. He looks powerful although I find his torso to be a bit wide thanks to the extra two pieces on either side of the chest.
The head sculpt is amazing. He looks angry here which is the only complaint. It is on a balljoint but the side to side isn't as great as you would hope since you need to tilt his head upwards to be able to look farther to his left or right.
The attention to detail here is amazing, he sports two Maximal symbols on the top of his head!!
He sports the distinctive Rhinox elements, from the rhino feet on the outside of his hands to the half rhino head sitting behind his back.
He doesn't look as great from the side just because of the big deep pieces.
He isn't very tall, about the height of a Deluxe. Needless to say, he is much bulkier than your typical Deluxe.
Of course, there is the chain guns of doom. Rhinox has both guns and they retain the gimmick of the originally. Pressing a button on each one rapidly spins the blades, very cool.
Only negative (which has been pointed out to death ever since the reveal) is that the blades are not painted. The sculpting is still brilliant though.
Rhinox is poseable, as you'd expect of a toy released in 2014. He's lacking a waist joint but makes up for it through some minor ankle movement and non-impeded shoulders, hips and elbows. I find that the lack of a wrist swivel to be more damning.
I wish that Rhinox would have heelspurs since while his feet are large, Rhinox is back heavy enough to keel over in some poses.
This is still a very organic feeling robot mode, with rounded angles everywhere.
There are a decent amount paint applications. I love how they nailed the shade of green used.
A brilliant robot mode that is very hard to improve upon.
OVERALL:
A perfect toy, it's hard to find any faults on which the designers could have improved upon. The rhino and robot modes are amazing, they are linked by an elegant transformation. There is enough play value (the spinning blades are heaps of fun) without being intrusive. This is a must have for any fans of Beast Wars and if not, still give this a figure a try.
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