Recently I visited a Family Dollar store, a store I rarely go, and at the end I found some goodies: the mini-cons, a spychanger, and
couple KOs. I now decide to put all small figures in one page since there are not much to say about them individually also and I
won't count them in the Do The Math area.
Mini-cons are like legend class toys, but the difference is mini-cons has more interactions with the larger figures by attaching the
peg hole to them. A little bit similar but different than targetmaster. They can provide functions like an extra weapon, an extra
armor, or a pet. On the other hand, a spychanger or legen class figure is just a toy standing along.
Boltflash (mini-con)
Boltflash's alternate mode is a F-14. A real realistic looking
F-14. Well, except the connector at the booster. The wings can move,
too. Nice! I don't quite like his robot mode but the jet mode is a
bueaty. I found him fit pretty well on universe Bruticus's back as
extra armor, but otherwise I will pretty much just display him in jet mode.
Fun: 6 - The F-14 mode is almost perfect except the connector almost ruins everything. Not much to say about the robot mode.
Value: 7 - $3.5 is a good price from original $4.99 and the F-14 mode is the reason I bought him.
Overall: 6 - A nice jet with so so robot. At least I found him looks good putting on Bruticus's back. Brimstone (mini-con)
Brimstone is a dragon. IMO, a very good looking mini dragon. He is like a mini cousin from TM2 Megatron in either modes. I do
prefer his dragon mode much more than the robot mode. It is so nice his dragon mouth can be opened or shut. My son loves him
and occupied him now.
Fun: 8 - Dragon is much, much more fun than robot mode. Oh, he is a good little pet on my Primus's arm.
Value: 8 - $3.5 is a good price from original $4.99. Considering how the bloody online shopping is charging him now.
Overall: 7 - This is a nice mini figure, only if the legs can attach to the body more tightly.
Bumblebee (movie legend) Don't know how much repaints have been there already for the movie Bumblebee even in legend class. I've never had any interest
in getting any one but he actually qualified my daughter's requirements. First, he is Bumblebee, her favorite character. Second,
the legend class is small, a scale she likes very much. Last, easy
enough to transform (and this is very important for kids as the
modern Transformers toys are over complicated). So my wife bought her this while I was on a business trip. His Camaro mode
looks good. A perfect little car to roll around. With very easy
transformation, the robot mode is okay. The articulations are very
few, only one for each limb. But this is just a standard of the small size figure.
Fun: 10 (6) - If she has fun, I have no comments. Quick transformation is a huge plus.
Value: 8 (3) - Value for her is higher. To me is almost zero. $4.99 standard price from Target.
Overall: 8 (5) - This is the rating for my daughter, not for me. I
know she likes it because of her requirements. As long as she is
happy with him, I am totally okay.
Camshaft (spychanger)
Camshaft is a slightly clear plastic purple rally car. In car mode,
he is perfect like a Hot Wheels. Not a bad look in the classic
robot mode also. The only thing is I cannot find where should I put his gun in car mode.
Fun: 8 - A perfect little car and a fun little robot with a gun.
Value: 8 - $3.5 is a good price for this little toy. Surprisingly highly detailed in this size.
Overall: 8 - Even though he will be pretty much in car mode, he is a good toy. Only problem is where should I put the gun.
Downshift (mini-con) (sold)
Downshift is a Le-Mans racer. Same like Mirage, this mode is fun rolling around and looks very nice. And same like Mirage, the
robot mode is bad, and Downshift is even worse. Arms are way too long and his head/face is small and subtle. But again like
Mirage, he has multi purposes when attaching to bigger figures. A shield, a gun, just depends on how you look at it.
Fun: 6 - Race car is fun but totally not on robot mode. He acts better as a power up piece.
Value: 3 - $2 from a local seller. Don't need to have him but also a not bad additional.
Overall: 4 - Missing Dirt Boss otherwise with Mirage they can combine to Skyboom. But this figure along is passable. Makeshift (mini-con)
Makeshift's alternate mode is a muscle car, which is a really nice small car. A little bit smaller than the Hot Wheel size car and he
is so sturdy and rolls so well. The transformation is very basic and he has a decent robot mode. The best part about him is he can
stick the weapons out in the car mode and I found him a perfect fit for classics Bumblebee. By attaching him to one of BB's arm
can provide weaponless BB extra fire power.
Fun: 10 - Decent car and robot mode. He is also a perfect fit for classics Bumblebee. Make me want to get another one.
Value: 9 - $3.5 is a good price from original $4.99. You won't believe how much he costs on eBay now.
Overall: 9 - He is such a nice small figure. Fun in car mode and fun in robot mode. So good to have him upgrade my Bumblebee.
Mirage (mini-con) (sold)
As usual, Mirage is a F1 race car. This is a really fun little car. Easily rolling around and sturdy. On the other hand, his robot
mode is really lame. His face is painted purely red and the figure is lowly detailed. However, he can have varieties of functions
when attaching to other bigger bots, just use your imagination. He can act like a shield, a hook, or a dagger.
Fun: 6 - F1 mode is great but robot mode is totally opposite. His is fun when attaching on others.
Value: 3 - $2 from a local seller. Not necessary need to have him.
Overall: 4 - F1 mode is nice but not on robot mode. At least he fits well on other bigger figures.
Optimus Prime (movie legend) Again, I never want a movie legend class Prime. My daughter wants another level 1 figure, my wife wants to buy it for my daughter's Christmas stocking, here we go. Prime's truck mode is pretty good actually. Pretty tight and nothing to complain about. The only part I don't like is the coloring in this version. Well, there is almost no coloring, he is just too gray. Transformation is satisfying as a level 1 figure. Robot mode is quite lame. Only up side is he has elbow joints comparing to most of other small class figures who have none. Fun: 10 - Both my kids have fun with him and they can transform by themselves. Value: 6 - $4.99 standard price from Target. He is okay but should have better paint jobs. Overall: 8 - Kids like it. Kids are happy with it. And now she is returning her occupied non-transforming RPM Prime. |