Review: #480
Name: Punch / Counterpunch
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot / Decepticon
Line: Generations - Prime Wars Trilogy
Year of Release: 2018
Size Class: Deluxe
Mold Status: new
PACKAGING:
As Punch / Counterpunch is an exclusive (Amazon in the US), he comes in a really nice box.
The front flap opens up to reveal the figure in robot mode as well as a bit of a blurb describing the character.
The back is just your typical product stock photos showing off the main gimmick of the figure, being his three modes.
The side also has a great piece of artwork.
PRIMA PRIME:
We'll quickly cover off the Prime Master in the set, since Punch / Counterpunch is in the Power of the Primes line after all.
Prima Prime is completely cast in clear plastic with silver paint to highlight certain detailing.
While you're not really supposed to, since the Prime Masters are pretty much just Titan Masters, you can peg him as a head onto any Titans Return figure that is Deluxe size and above.
VEHICLE MODE:
Punch / Counterpunch (henceforth referred to as just Punch) transforms into a blue sports car. It looks pretty good if you like the aesthetics although the narrow tapered hood hides a bit of the sculpted detailing.
One of the best things with this figure being an exclusive is that there are more paint applications than normal, with the tail lights and also the rims being painted (a rarity these days).
Above is a comparison against Titans Return Quake. Punch is a nice size for a Deluxe and considering that he has three modes, they didn't shrink him down to make up for the slightly more involved engineering.
Despite not being able to combine, Punch still comes with a combiner fist as a weapon. This can peg onto the roof, kind of like an exposed engine. His robot gun pegs underneath the hood.
An excellent vehicle mode.
TRANSFORMATION (TO PUNCH):
Despite the awesome gimmick, the transformation between the three modes doesn't have anything spectacular. That is to say, it is functional. Note that all figures comes misassembled, the shoulder joints are upside down. This is easily fixed without any tools so it is highly recommended you go and do that as it makes getting him back into car mode much easier. Otherwise, the most interesting thing is how the car roof folds into the rear to form the legs. The front and the side of the car pulls out to form the arms and you flip the head up after folding the hood away.
ROBOT MODE (PUNCH):
Punch is the Autobot form with a lot more yellow in the color scheme.
He has massive shoulder kibble though and from the back, you can see a lot of Counterpunch's elements. This is fairly unavoidable.
The headsculpt is great and unlike the Collector's Club version, the head is the proper size.
In terms of size, Punch is slightly taller than your average Deluxe but also slimmer.
Poseability is good. The shoulder kibble doesn't get in the way of the articulation. Punch also has a waist swivel.
One thing to note is that the thigh swivels are really tight for whatever reason, the first few times you're more likely to pop the balljoint off than you are to rotate the legs.
In terms of weapons, Punch has a yellow gun and also the black Combiner piece.
The gun can be held in either hand although it looks a little bit small as a result.
Just like the vehicle mode, there are plenty of paint applications here, and it is nice that the designer bothered to paint the hands red to mimic the G1 toy.
The Combiner piece can peg onto his chest (you fold down the panel with the Autobot symbol), you can also peg Prime Prime into the center slot.
Otherwise, Punch can hold the clear piece as a smaller gun and the Combiner piece as some sort of launcher.
There are no other gimmicks in this mode, Punch focuses on the triple-changing as his gimmick.
A stellar robot mode that presents an excellent update to the G1 character.
TRANSFORMATION (COUNTERPUNCH):
Going from Punch to Counterpunch is extremely simple. Turn the figure around by 180 degrees, fold tilt the helmet to reveal Counterpunch's face (and hide Punch's at the same time). Rearrange the shoulder kibble and perhaps the best thing is that you fold Punch's red hands in to reveal Counterpunch's blue hands.
ROBOT MODE (COUNTERPUNCH):
Counterpunch is the Decepticon form of the character and the color scheme is noticeably darker, being predominantly blue.
Yes, you can still tell from the back the obvious robot form of Punch.
The headsculpt is once again pretty good with a red visor, looking much more Decepticon like.
Counterpunch doesn't gain or lose any sort of height in this form.
Counterpunch has exactly the same articulation as Punch since the elbows and knees are double jointed.
The shoulder kibble is adjustable but due to the way they are angled, they get in the way a lot more compared to Punch.
Unfortunately, and probably due to the need to include the Combiner piece, Counterpunch uses the exact same yellow gun as Punch.
Due to the way the knee joints are situated, bending them too much reveals an unsightly gap.
Again, you can plug in the Combiner piece as armor onto his chest, but the peg is situated lower on his chest so it doesn't look as great.
The chest is fake kibble since the car's windshield is situated inside his feet.
No matter how you look at it, the Combiner piece is horrible as a weapon and makes it hurt all the more with only having one gun.
Just like Punch, this is an awesome update to the character.
OVERALL:
Punch / Counterpunch was a surprise in the line, even more so when it turned out to be an exclusive. While converting between the two forms isn't too involved, the gimmick is executed well and doesn't compromise the figure. This is an extremely fun figure and highly recommended.
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