Review: #598
Name: Roadbuster
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Generations - Studio Series
Year of Release: 2020
Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 9)
Mold Status: new
VEHICLE MODE:
Roadbuster transforms into the armored version of his Impala car mode, so it nearly barely looks like the car it is based upon.
It is a busy look but one that surprisingly works well. The back is not a gap exposing robot parts either, but has a thruster.
There are a lot of sculpted details throughout the vehicle mode, to the point that it's pretty impressive in hand. The abundance of grey plastic does clash with the green.
Above is a comparison against TLK Bumblebee for a size comparison, and Roadbuster is a sizeable Deluxe compared to recent offerings.
A good vehicle mode if you don't mind an unrealistic vehicle mode.
TRANSFORMATION:
From DOTM onwards, the robot designs have less and less distinctive vehicle kibble and Roadbuster unfortunately has to achieve robot accuracy through a shellformery process. 80% of the car effectively becomes a folded up backpack, with only the front of the car forming the heels of his feet.
ROBOT MODE:
Roadbuster's robot mode looks pretty good. It is a busy look but despite lacking weaponry (he only has shoulder mounted missile pods and a small gun), he still looks pretty armed.
It comes at a price because he wears most of the vehicle's shell folded up as a backpack and it is a huge one. It dangles down to his knees.
The headsculpt is very busy, to the point that the lower portion becomes a mess.
You can see how much the backpack sticks out as well. Since it's just a big panel plus some smaller ones, it isn't heavy and doesn't affect his balance.
Despite being fairly large in vehicle mode, he is short in robot mode, even shorter than Siege Sideswipe.
As part of the Studio Series line, he comes with a cardboard stand.
The stand depicts several destroyed buildings during the Battle of Chicago.
He has a small Gatling gun that pegs on the outside of his forearm, it's a bit small in comparison but still manages to look pretty good attached there.
Poseability is pretty standard, although the kibble blocks some movement of his knees.
A good looking robot mode, even if hindered by the kibble on his back.
OVERALL:
Roadbuster is a solid figure. He is not the best that the line has given us, although this is the best toy we've had of the character thus far. The vehicle mode is good and the robot looks good, but the shellforming nature and a huge amount of back kibble are some pretty big negatives.
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