Alvin’s Weblog

Transformers Toys Series #1

Jan 17th, 2008 by Alvin Chong

Alright, this post is specially dedicated to Transformers fans out there who share the same passion as I do. Before that, I’d like to make clear that I am more of the 2007 movie fan than the original series itself. I tend to like the CGI and the looks of the robots better in the movie.

Anyway, this could be a boring post for some, so if you are not a Transformers fan, don’t bother reading. As all of you might have already known, it has been pretty hard to get certain movie Transformers robots in Malaysia. This is certainly due to the fact that Hasbro Malaysia hadn’t been releasing sufficient amount of figures to cater for the market. Another thing to note is that some toy hobbyists have been buying certain models up for sale at a later time when they are no longer available in the market.

Normal supply and demand theory would dictate that prices will hike when there are more demands than supplies. That proves to be true in this case. To quote an example, a Deluxe Class Bumblebee figure which retails at RM49.90 was previously sold at the cheapest price of RM150. It could go all the way up to RM300. As much as I’d like to own the Bumblebee, I refuse to give in to these so called “Collector-to-Collector” sellers.

This is the first series of my Transformers toy post, so what better way to start off with the Deluxe Class Bumblebee as well as the Voyager Class Optimus Prime? Yes, I now own the ever so famous Bumblebee after more than half a year of searching around and I own it at a reasonable price too. I quickly grabbed one set as soon as Hasbro released the twin package version which came with the Bumblebee and the Optimus Prime.

Despite the Bumblebee being only of the Deluxe Class, I can’t help but notice how the 2009 Camaro Concept car is nicely done. Being one of the lower end classes, I do not expect every part to fit and finish in the precise location.

Look at the rims, aren’t they just nice? The Bumblebee can be quite a trick to transform initially but once you have done it, it’s pretty simple. Now, someone who hadn’t watch the movie might not even be able to make out the fact that this car can transform into a robot!

Now, the Bumblebee is transforming…

And he is transforming again… You can see him now, coming out of his disguise…

And finally, the sweet sight of Bumblebee greets you, with eyes glowing… That’s a personal effect of course.

So, you wanna see Bumblebee in action? Here he is, with his Plasma Cannon, ready to blast the Decepticons off anytime.

Now, what about Optimus Prime? Well, I have the Leader Class Optimus Prime but this one here is the Voyager Class version.

On the whole, I like the Leader Class version better but notice the hard to miss Autobot emblem? It’s not as distinctive on the Leader Class version.