So @T-Hybrid is right. There are some major trade offs in figures that aim to be totally accurate to a 35 year old cartoon that was constrained by a budget and limitations in animated tv technology.

 

My biggest grip with this figure is that she doesn't have an Earth-based vehicle mode like the other Autobots in the range.

 

Yeah--both figures have their pros and cons. This one lost me at the faux chest/hood (and no one else seems to care about that particular item, so I'll just own that   ), but as I thought when I first saw it, she's just an actionmaster with a pretender shell that's mostly permanently mounted. With a fake chest. The robot mode looks good as a result, but I have a feeling so will the R.E.D. version, so all the same here.

Really, for me, the only thing this one truly has over the T30 version is a better head, and a waist swivel. The ankle tilt argument I've read a couple of times is such an over-rated thing. Her feet are so small on the T30 that her not having that sideways swivel is so meaningless. The only ankle movement I REALLY care about is forward/backward movement...which the T30 totally has. So no issues there for me. At the end of the day, I much prefer the T30 over this. And that includes her vehicle mode.

And truthfully, I like my particular T30 Arcee just fine:





 

Seriously, though. They could have designed a waist swivel into the T30 so easily back then; I've always been shocked they didn't go with it. And she's such a tiny thing compared to other deluxes in that year's line--I don't think parts count and costs would have been a major factor.

Admittedly, I MAY borrow a friend's ER copy so I can make a mould of the head...if I can make it work on this figure without looking off, and if it's still able to transform with it on.

(edit: I also have a copy of the gray Takara version still in box, but I can't bring myself to cutting her open like I did with this one. She turned out so well I would be afraid a second attempt would get messed up. And I DON'T want to mess that one up)

 

The bot mode looks nice but that's silverbolt level of lazy engineering. I wonder why they didn't take the T30 and redesign it slightly if they were going with the G1 look.

 

A few years ago, I was about to by that T30 pack with Springer, Ultra Magnus, Kup, and Arcee. Arcee was the weakest link for me. Something about her large backpack, wide hips, and concave breasts (inspiration for MP-51) was just off to me. There is also the fact that both of her legs were exposed, Zeta style, that just erked me.

ER Arcee's ability to half her kibble is something. Her car mode may look like soap, paint was necessary for damn sure, but it is still a whole piece. She is also a lot thinner than T30, making her both more accurate, and more proportionate.

 

No, quite the opposite.

They delivered a G1 accurate Arcee in both modes who fits in the current retail price points.

No kidding. She could have been back in Siege with Springer and Magnus.

Right? Arcee never had a toy in G1, so the animators never had to worry about her transformation making sense in a toy. Well, here's the result.

MP Beast Wars have proven to have the same problem. They're super expensive because of all the panels needed to get both modes accurate.

And that's not going to be an option in Generations.

 

I’m gonna pass on her. Aside from my thinking the kibble hover board is lazy and stupid, I Like the look of the generations figure more, it feels more like a worthy update

 

The robot hands ARE the alt mode hands. Hadn't you noticed that his transformation is literally lifting his alligator chest out?

You're confusing the hands -> feet transformation with the Sharkticon.

 

I love the black in her knees and thighs, if the new earthrise dissapoints (and have extra money) i will probably get the original thrilling 30 one

 

*Sees the GeeWun edition*
...and my opinion on this mold has done a complete 180. Holy slag, she looks perfect! Incredible what just a few small changes in colors and parts can do for a figure!

Hasbro, Takara... WHY DID YOU CHEAP OUT SO BAD ON THE PAINT?! This figure could've been excellent, despite the near non-existent transformation!

 

All of the Arcee paint budget went to MP-51. Remember, "if the paint ain't 2mm thick, it ain't painted".

 

S C R A P

 

Actually, it needs to be peelable.

 

Good so no one likes it so I'll easily be able to get one. Right? Oh no you'll buy all you see and scalp them at twice the price? Oh yes please go ahead.
You know this is how it will go down. No shelfwarming at all.

 

What Earth car is Arcee anyway? My son thinks she transforms into a shoe.

 

Worth noting... Arcee's removable backpack is basically the same as when people found out you could detach the Siege Seeker backpack.

HasTak just made it easier to do.



So all this hand-wringing when... she's not all that different and $10 less.

 

What is that ?

 

Anybody got an extra smashdown map piece?

 

Now that we've had 2 goes at a cartoon-accurate Arcee, hopefully her next Generation figure is given freedom to reinvent her design for the sake of a better toy.

 

Really, I'd like to see what that would look like. There's two versions of this thing now. Like one or the other. What can we do with her next time?