The Energon Autobot S.W.A.T. Team is a two-pack with two repaints of Energon deluxe figures: Prowl (from Energon Prowl) and Checkpoint (from Energon Rodimus). This set was a Kmart exclusive, released in the US in 2004. While Energon Prowl seems to be the same character as... Energon Prowl. the instructions show a different head, more robocop-like, making me think the original intention was to have a new character in the spirit of "Energon Autotrooper". Like most Energon deluxe autobot molds, Prowl and Checkpoint can combine (powerlinx) becoming "upper bodies" and "pants", between themselves and with compatible figures. The coordinated color scheme of these two repaints makes the combined mode one of the most pleasant across all possible combinations. Packaging The packaging is red, as part of the Powerlinx Battles re-branding that Energon experienced halfway through (similar to Unicron Battles for Armada, and Primus Unleashed for Cybertron). It looks great all around. Plenty of ties to deal with, but not a single one is particular frustrating. Spoiler Alt mode In alt mode, Checkpoint's new color scheme works hard to differentiate it from Energon Rodimus, and mostly succeeds - but if Rodimus was just trying to look cool, this "S.W.A.T. Team Checkpoint" does not really look like any law enforcement vehicle. Energon Prowl is effectively a black repaint of Energon Prowl, which was blue... and THAT concept was actually more realistic, as the Italian police forces had been gifted a blue Lamborghini at some point. Mmm... OK, no, neither is realistic. But they look cool, at least! The weapons can be mounted on Checkpoint's spoiler and on either side of Prowl's car mode. The former is probably a bit better, as the rifle/hand cannon is designed to look like a booster, with a flame-shaped missile. Robot mode In robot mode, Checkpoint comes with Rodimus' head, so... it really fails to be a new character. Prowl is still Prowl in a black dress, so no surprises. It would have been interesting if both had received new heads. Articulation is limited for both (Checkpoint and Prowl, in order): neck: nope; nope shoulders: bend backwards on a limited ball joint; outside and f/b biceps: ball joint on what is either a minimalistic bicep or an elbow attached to the shoulder; nope elbow: no; ball joint wrists: nope; nope waist: nope; nope hips: ratcheted f/b and to the side; f/b, and some rotation because of other joints, see the picture of the backside knees: ratcheted, 90 degrees; same ankles: some toe/heels movement from transformation; same As a result, it's hard to pose these two figures in a meaningful way. But the transformations are quite fun, and it's fun to transform them across all four modes. Powerlinx modes Powerlinx Checkpoint sees Rodimus' repaint forming the upper body. Rodimus' mold is one of the worst in "torso mode", and this combination is only rescued by the coordinated color scheme. Powerlinx Prowl sees Checkpoint providing the legs, which is where that mold excels, and its the better combination of the two. It's quite hard to pose these two combined modes, but it's a bit easier than either of the individual deluxes. The bottom line Checkpoint nails two modes out of four (lower body and alt mode), has a mediocre robot mode and a dreadful torso mode. Prowl, on the other hand, is pretty competent in all four modes, and adds value to any combination. However, it's hard to recommend these repaints over the original versions. I paid $100 for a MISB set, and I would have paid a fraction of that for the original releases. All things considered, I give the Energon S.W.A.T. team a 7/10.
Fantastic review. I appreciate these figures for what they were/are but I'm so glad that the gimmick-first era is gone (for now).
Love these, especially the Checkpoint repaint of Rodimus I regret moving mine on some years ago and would love to get them back again. I enjoyed the Powerlinx gimmick, great fun
I got those two loose ages ago, they're a fun pair. I'd love to see a Classics style Rodimus get a Checkpoint redeco
I had more fondness for the Rodimus mold than I probably should have, and the Prowl one's decent too. I do wish they'd given Prowl a different name for this set (Streetwise? Stakeout?), but that's really semantics. Either way, these were very cool redecos.
Cool review! I remember seeing this set at K-Mart for a long time and was waiting for them to go on clearance. They finally did with an additional 50% off sticker price but when I went back, they had all disappeared. Shame because I really wanted that set. I love both molds but I really liked Prowl but I was not fond of the blue deco of the main line release. Prowl also made a decent pair of pants, especially combined with Energon Inferno.
