Review: #776
Name: Hot Shot
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Generations - Legacy Evolution
Year of Release: 2023
Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 1)
Mold Status: new
VEHICLE MODE:
As an update to his Armada incarnation, Hot Shot transforms into a yellow sports car.
Unfortunately, this release does not include his Mini-Con partner Jolt (that was left for an exclusive release instead...), but he still retains the gap on his rear spoiler.
In terms of size, Hot Shot is fairly decent, he is shorter and lower than most other Deluxe vehicles, but also wider, so it evens out.
There is a little bit of a gap behind his front bumper but otherwise, this is a decent vehicle mode.
You can actually remove the engine block for a slightly smoother hood (well, as smooth as it can be with the recessed area).
There are no gimmicks here, but then again, the line isn't really focusing on gimmicks.
TRANSFORMATION:
A transformation with the complexity just right, so that he doesn't feel too finnicky or too unsatisfying. The hood splits into two and rotates to form the legs. The back folds up to become the robot's back. The arms flip out from underneath and there there's just a little bit of shifting panels to move the roof away and flip out the head.
ROBOT MODE:
Hot Shot's robot mode is decent. The character can be hard to create a figure of due to his transformation scheme, especially the shoulders.
He carries a fair bit of kibble, such as the rear of the vehicle on his back, but he has a good reason for this and it is accurate to the cartoon.
The head sculpt is good, and the face is well painted.
The visor isn't for show as it can flip down.
The front halves of the car forming his legs can be a bit chunky.
Despite how his shoulders still looks so awkward, he has full range of articulation. He has joints for his head, shoulders, elbows, waist, hips, knees and ankles.
The engine block of his vehicle is the weapon for his robot mode.
He can hold the weapon in either hand.
Despite the amount of kibble, Hot Shot is surprisingly nimble, although the way his ankle tilts are jointed can make them hard to reach.
The gun can peg onto the back when not in use.
He retains the awesome feature of the rear wheels and axel folding up to form a shoulder cannon.
Unfortunately, unlike the original toy, the cannon is neither springloaded nor does it have a missile. Understandable given the budget these days.
A great update to a character that really needed it, since both the original toy and the 2008 Universe update had major flaws.
OVERALL:
Hot Shot is a fantastic update and he is a really fun figure to boot. Both modes look like, and the fact that he retains the shoulder cannon gimmick in robot mode is awesome, and makes him a worthy update to the character.
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