Hasbro Transformers Buzzworthy Bumblebee War for Cybertron Deluxe Origin Bumblebee (F1623)

This is the figure I most expected to be released as part of the ‘War for Cybertron: Siege’ toy range.When the Transformers cartoon came out in the eighties the opening episode included the revelation that the toys and characters we were familiar with didn’t always look the way they do; that they once transformed into futuristic, alien vehicles. As tantalising as this reveal was, it was also rather fleeting. Few of these Cybertronian altforms were shown and some of those were not that inspiring (Wheeljack’s ‘box’ vehicle and the infamous ‘lamp post’ mode of Soundwave).However, two of these Cybertronian modes really captured the imagination, the tetrajet version of the Seekers and the futuristic car/hovercraft/flying saucer that was Bumblebee.Thus, it seems like such an obvious choice for the ‘Siege’ line that focussed on Cybertronian forms. Instead, and despite the popularity of the character, Bumblebee wasn’t released in the ‘War for Cybertron’ range until towards the end of the ‘Earthrise’ period when he was part of the Netflix subline and transformed into his typical VW Beetle altform.Fortunately, this ‘Buzzworthy’ origins figure finally offers a Bumblebee that looks just as he did in that first episode of the eighties cartoon. It is a great little vehicle form. Despite the myriad of small panels necessary to convert it into this mode from the usual looking Bumblebee robot, it all fits together really well. There’s a surprisingly smooth surface to the curvature considering this. It’s a complex procedure but despite initial impressions isn’t overly fiddly. Although the complexity might be a bit much for younger children.The robot mode inevitably has a certain amount of paraphernalia on its back and legs. However, this is a necessary evil if you want the Cybertronian form whilst trying to keep the traditional G1 look in robot mode.What is particularly good about the robot mode is that it is comparatively the same size and proportions to both the Netflix ‘War for Cybertron’ figure and the version of Bumblebee included in the ‘Buzzworthy Worlds Collide’ four pack. If you can imagine the ‘Worlds Collide’ version as the Camaro (which it somewhat resembles) these three, therefore, form quite a nice set between them that reflects the three ages of Bumblebee.Origins Bumblebee comes with several accessories. The first is a small pistol which is much more suitable and in character for Bumblebee than the massive cannon that came with both the Netflix and ‘Worlds Collide’ figures (included with them merely because it had come with ‘Earthrise’ Cliffjumper, the basis of their moulds). There is also a backpack that can be fitted both to the back of the robot as well as the roof of the vehicle. Even though it is a nicely moulded item and works fine in either application, it adds to the already substantial back kibble in robot mode and mars the aesthetics of the smooth domed Cybertronian vehicle. Finally, there is a set of rods that are meant to be the energon conductors seen in the cartoon. These can’t really be used with the figure in any way and are just included as a bit of a novelty.

Fine with paying this price for this little guy. Almost double his original price upon release, but he is practically impossible to attain otherwise, and he had a long, long journey. So i dont mind. However, I assume to keep shipping costs down, (shipped literally thousands of miles, not Cybertron but you may have thought so from the state of the box) he was packed in nothing but a bubble wrap envelope. Bumblebee surprisingly arrived in good shape but his box was toatally squashed and battered, Fnar-Fnar.I was sure the toy was going to be smashed to bits. Happy to be wrong obvs. I don't keep my bots in their boxes, so no biggie. But i know that this would make many collectors very unhappy. A far from perfect Transformer, fiddly to switch back and forth, with fragile transparent plastic and miss-matching paint. The robot mode has enough kibble to make a dog drool. But i don't care. His alt-mode makes me feel like an 8year old again. He is excellent. Worth it to me. Loses a star because of the state of the toy packaging and the anxiety it caused upon opening. But he is safe and sound now with his Autobot companion's.