Hopefully the trailer is decent, otherwise, I'll probably stick to the SS86 Hot Rod. I'm not a big fan of the Rodimus Prime design to begin with, since Hot Rod just looks better in my opinion, but if they manage to make a decent toy then I may regret getting SS86 Hot Rod. Like, if we can put the Matrix in his chest, armour him up with the trailer a bit or something, then that's definitely a buy for me, especially if the plastic is a little less fragile-feeling than the SS86 version (I doubt it, but maybe?) then Hasbro will have done it for me.
There are a lot of differences. He is a voyager class with a huge trailer. He is supposed to come with a fishing rod for hotrod, blast effects, and he’s a new mold with a Rodimus face. The matrix can fit inside his chest. The trailer is also more like the MP rather than the hollow junk Prime came with. Via: a previous Pixelmaster post
The image is too blurry to make definitive statements about the figure one way or another, but - for Commander class price - I'm expecting this thing to be painted to the nines, and those unpainted rims have got me sweatin'. Probably still buying it unless they completely mess up the look of the trailer+cab, but still.
Amazingly, the majority of people with Hot Rod or Rodimus in their name or profile pic seem reasonably happy with this figure. Strange how all the people who think it looks horrid don't have anywhere near as much attachment to the character...
I never liked Hot Rod or Rodimus, but I am pretty hyped about this release. I just like fun figures, and none of the newest mainline stuff has disappointed me.
Interestingly enough it seems like it's the people that DON'T have star saber profile pictures that are complaining about rodimus getting a figure instead of him.
Starting this year, there are supposed to be two Commander Class figures a year. The second one this year is SG Jetfire. So, I would imagine making a mold that can be repainted is a no brainer, thats why I mentioned Laser Optimus and Thunderclash, because both of those have repaints, meaning they are likely. But yes, I share your sentiment. Have you got the Fans Hobby one yet? If Skyquake where to be done, then I’d say yes. However I think Skyquake is better off as large voyager. And besides, the best repaint of Skyquake is King Atlas.
I have Hot Rod in my name/profile pic? Also, I find it stranger that people who think this look horrid are the ones mistaking it for the SS86 mould and wondering where the trailer is. I do, and it makes me wish we got a Commander class. It has poor fit and dodgy engineering, and isn't really a great update to the character. (granted it's a retool of a totally different Optimus) Machine Wars is the answer to all our problems. So much redeco potential.
I'm guessing the people saying this is SS86 Hot Rod...don't...actually have SS86 Hot Rod? It looks like there may be some similar transformation engineering in the legs, but otherwise it only looks like Hot Rod because...I mean...Rodimus Prime is an upgraded Hot Rod. I realize the picture is blurry but how about we look at it for more than five seconds before the kneejerk sky is falling reaction? Oh wait, this is TFW2005. Silly me.
One thing I like is that it doesn't have the yellow patch or seam on the vehicle roof like the SS86 figure. In an ideal world, I would have liked an all in one tf sequence like the dx9 carry but who knows if that could have worked with this budget. In any case, Hasbro should have revealed him officially over Valentine's day weekend so that they could have control over the situation instead of a blurry pic to color people's perceptions.
I currently own that version of Rodimus, it's perfectly serviceable. The small robot mode pulls off Rodimus convincingly, you'll never have to go to combined Leader Class mode if you don't want to. That said, concessions were made (understandably) to make that "Evolution" figure happen. Particularly in the articulation department. This Rodimus is a "glorified Voyager", yes, but do you own SS86 Hot Rod? If not, let me try and explain it this way... His body is made of more parts and pieces than I've seen on most Deluxes in recent years. I haven't seen a parts count quite this high since a Leader Class (current) or older Voyager, say... Unicron Trilogy era? Perhaps early Classics? His paint apps are extensive and cover a good portion of his body. This Rodimus is basically an OSKO of that. So, much higher parts count, a lot more paint (more on that in a moment), and he'll be articulated a good bit. If he's articulated anything like the SS86 figure, we're all in for a treat. He seems to have an ab crunch, no less. Now, throw in the trailer, with all of the accessories and all of it will be made with thick and dense plastic like all of the previous Commanders. Thicker and denser than other figures. The trailer will have the same paint apps (read: detailed, thick, and covering a lot of area) and so will the accessories. It was figured out that Optimus, as-is, with the Centurion accessories, is roughly $75ish. He's also lacking all of the paint apps a Commander comes with. Rodimus will have everything Optimus did not. I think once he's released and we have him in hand, a lot of people will be changing their tune. Even if Rodimus is what was promised? Well-made, good plastics and paint? A bunch of accessories? A battle platform/trailer? Animation gimmicks like the cab leaving the trailer? An OSKO-style figure based off of SS86 Hot Rod? I'd pay $80.00 for that. That's Commander Class! He's going to be roughly Optimus Prime-sized when in vehicle mode. (Front of cab to rear door of trailer, I should clarify.) He'll be made wit dem chonky plastics, tho. Optimus was not. He was mass retail, Leader and below-level plastics. Rodimus should be quite impressive when all is said and done. It's just the cab/robot we're being shown, for right now. The full reveal is on the 10th. (It'll most likely get leaked, in full, before then.) A Commander Decepticon could be in the hopper for all we know and they just haven't revealed it, yet. Give 'em a chance to get through the figures they've already slotted for release. There's so much in store for 2022 and 2023 we might just be surprised. They're going by parts count and paint apps, both of which do cost money for each and every figure produced. Yes, Hot Rod himself is a Deluxe Class figure, but he's one of the most well-made figures I've seen in a long time and his parts count for a Deluxe is stupid high in this day and age. The paint apps are crisp and well done and cover big parts of his body. A lot of people have said he's replaced the MP for them, and that he's proof of what Has/Tak is capable of. Imagine if they put that same effort into Commander Class Rodimus... And it looks like they are. Also, Hot Rod's price was parts count for him, the three rubber blast effect pieces, his two rifles, the buzzsaw attachment, the flip down visor, the flip out cutting laser, and the Matrix (1:1 duplicate of the one from Optimus.) PLUS all of the paint that's slathered all over him. There were Voyagers that didn't impress as much as he has. I have a feeling we're all going to be going gaga over Rodimus when the full thing is revealed and especially when he's in hand. Again... Parts count and paint apps, plus the plastic quality. *sigh* All of this? No, just... no.
On second thought, yes. Save a Commander slot for G2 Dreadwing and Smokescreen. This is not incorrect.
