Review: #237
Name: Groove
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Generations - Combiner Wars
Year of Release: 2015
Size Class: Legends (Wave 3)
Variations: none as of this date
MOTORCYCLE MODE:
Groove transforms into a black and white motorcycle with a gold windshield and some silver mechanical parts.
This is a low riding motorcycle, the rear wheel is hidden within the back. He has what looks like boosters on top of the rear storage area. There's an Autobot symbol on top of a black star. For some reason, there's a 5mm post on the right side (but a 5mm hole on the left) which is hard to determine what it is used for.
Groove has a kickstand on the left side not that he needs it much. His play value here is limited to his two wheels rolling.
Part of the newer Legends size class, which were already smaller than the predecessor Scout class but being a motorcycle, Groove is even smaller. To be honest, Legends class presents the worse value for money in term of plastic quantity.
A collector's card is included which features art from the Legends mobile game.
A good bike mode overall, it's hard to find any faults with this mode and it's quite impressive that he transforms into such a good bike at such a small scale.
TRANSFORMATION:
As you'd expect, the transformation is simple, but can feel fiddly in adult hands just due to the smallness of the moving parts. There isn't anything clever here but the transformation succeeds in that it does not get frustrating.
ROBOT MODE:
Groove's robot mode isn't as good as his motorcycle. You'd instantly notice that he has a slight proportion issue... being that his legs are more than twice as long as his torso.
Apart from the front wheel sitting on his back, there are no other pieces of kibble which is quite impressive.
The head is somewhat small so the sculpting is hard to see but he features a silver visor with a gold face. It is not bad but not that great either. Unfortunately, the head can only turn the tiniest bit to the side.
Once again, he is quite slender and small in this mode, feeling more like a Legion figure rather than the size class above it.
Poseability is decent, his legs has an impressive range and coupled with his big feet, he is stable in most poses.
The arms are a different story, being restricted to the shoulder and elbow balljoints.
His hands can hold weapons but Groove rather glaringly lacks any sort of weapon, a small gun would have been welcomed.
There's also not much paint in this mode, most of it is the plastic's natural color. The wheels on the inside of his legs can look odd but it is G1 accurate at least.
There's an additional Autobot symbol revealed below his head in this mode. The silver on his forearms makes the boring grey for his upper arms and thighs stand out all the more. An okay robot mode. Groove isn't horrible in anyway, just that he lacks in the proportions and firepower department.
OVERALL:
Even if you don't like Groove, there's one additional reason to get him: he makes an amazing chestplate for Defensor. As a standalone figure, Groove is by no means bad, but is overshadowed by better toys in the Combiner Wars toyline. Nonetheless, Groove is still recommended due to his integral part to the Protectobots.
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