Review: #725
Name: Rattrap
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Maximal
Line: Vintage Beast Wars
Year of Release: 2021
Size Class: Basic
Mold Status: repaint of the original toy with minor differences due to new mold being created for this release
PACKAGING:
Rattrap comes in a bubble blister card that mimics the original packaging, right down to the dated design layout.
As Rattrap is a simple toy, the transformation instructions are printed on the back, along with a bio.
BEAST MODE:
Rattrap transforms into a rat, and given that it was the brand's first foray into organic modes, it's not too realistic and is quite chunky and chubby as a result.
It's still a decent beast mode though, with only the robot legs peeking out from the back.
Rattrap is a Basic figure, and while he's quite big compared to the equivalent Core class now, toys hasn't shrunk so much yet, so he's still smaller than a Deluxe (the beast mode helps make him look bigger than he is).
There's no articulation here, unless you count the rat feet being on swivel joints.
There are some gaps that you cannot hide due to the transformation, but otherwise, a decent beast mode.
TRANSFORMATION:
The Basic line of figures in Beast Wars had a gimmick. They're mostly one-step transformations. In Rattrap's case, you lift and pull back his tail and it'll open up the sides to reveal the robot. Then all you need to do is pull out his arms and legs, and that's it. This mean he is a shellformer of the most extreme kind.
ROBOT MODE:
Being a shellformer, Rattrap has some proportion issues. His legs and arms are small as they needed to fit within the beast mode, but he has a huge backpack and a huge chest.
Apart from the rat head which forms his chest, everything else from the beast mode is now on his back.
The head sculpt is fine, recognizable as the character, but of course the animators of the show took liberties so it's not an exact match.
However, when compared to a Core, we see that the figures have shrunk a lot. Also a comparison between two figures of the same character released 20 years apart, shows off how much toy engineering has improved.
Articulation is theoretically good, he has balljointed head, shoulders, elbows, hips and knees.
A neat aspect is the two halves of his gun are tucked into the shell of the beast mode. You can then take them out and combine it into a bigger gun.
The gun can be held in either hand.
So the reason articulation is theoretically good is that Rattrap can't actually utilise it to any meaningful degree. The backpack is too big and heavy, and his feet too small, that he cannot stay upright at all unless his legs are in a neutral A stance. It's a real shame that's for sure.
This is an okay robot mode, looks fine but the limitation in articulation is tough.
OVERALL:
Rattrap is a blast from the past, but the limitations of toy engineering from back then is very apparent here. The backpack is a severe limitation that hampers the enjoyment of the robot mode, so if you're only looking for a fun toy of the character, it's better to go with the Kingdom release. This is really only for those who are curious about these older toys or those who want it again after having it in their childhood (i.e. nostalgia purposes).
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