Transformers Studio Series SS-98 Voyager Cheetor - Pictorial Review

Moving on to the 2nd Beast release of SS ROTB, Cheetor. Just revisiting Beast Wars, personally for me Cheetor was the Bumblebee of the series. Had always loved his character's growth and arcs.

In Package

From the artwork, it's obvious SS Cheetor is different than ROTB mainline Cheetor (in a good way).

Transformers Studio Series SS-97 Deluxe Airazor - Pictorial Review

Withith Transformers: Rise of the Beast upon us, let us review the toys for the characters of the movie, under the Studio Series line, brought to you courtesy of Hasbro SG and Hasbro MY

First up, SS-97 Airazor, voiced by beloved Malaysia legend, Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh

In package

A bit of background. Rise of the Beasts comes under 2 different toylines which are the Rise of The Beasts (mainline) and the Studio Series.

For those who were wondering why they released 2 lines simultaneously, it's due to the delay the movie had. Supposedly the mainline would come out before the movie and Studio Series version would come out maybe a year after. Hence that's why some of the mainline releases have different design than in the movie 

Transformers Studio Series SS-99 Voyager Battletrap - Pictorial Review

Let's move away from the beasts for now

Now for a figure that I was more curious about than the rest, SS-99 ROTB Battletrap. I can't put my finger why Battletrap feels a bit more different aesthetic wise, from the rest of Studio Series Live Action releases.

In Package

I really like the character artwork on the box, wouldn't mind if they made it into a collector card of some sort.

Transformers Studio Series SS-100 Deluxe Bumblebee - Pictorial Review

Next is SS-100, the face of Transformers Live Action movies, Bumblebee. It doesn't look like a coincidence that the first 100 SS lineup starts and ends with Bumblebee.

In Package

If you noticed, the Bumblebee in the artwork is bulkier and less lean compared to the Bayverse version. He resembles Volkswagen Bumblebee from BB Movie more in terms of proportion.

Transformers Rise Of The Beast Exclusive Fan Channel Limited Edition GWP (Gift With Purchase) - Pictorial Review

As you are all aware, the latest installment of Transformers Live Action Movie will premier on 8 June 2023, titled "Rise of The Beast" (ROTB). 

Checkout the Trailer below

Supporting the movie, there are 2 mainlines being release concurrently for the movie which are the Rise of The Beast line and also under Studio Series. 

In conjunction with the release of the movie and the toy lines, Hasbro is giving a chance for the fans to collect an exclusive Rise of The Beast merchandise, badge/coin collection.

Let's go through the merchandise first.

The set consist of of 1 Collector box and 5 unique badges/coins.

The box has a nice finishing to it, with premium feel.

Marvel Legends Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 - Pictorial Review

This is the review for the complate wave of Marvel Legends Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3, released ahead of the premier of the movie, courtesy of Hasbro MY and Hasbro SG.

The set consists of 7 characters which are Star-Lord, Rocket, Drax, Mantis, Nebula, Kraglin and Adam Warlock. There are 2 Star-Lords per carton of 8. The figures retailed at RM124.90 each for Malaysia.

Dungeons & Dragons Golden Archive Gelatinous Cube - Pictorial Review

Another thanks to Hasbro MY  and Hasbro SG for providing this review piece.

Now, time for a new Hasbro offering, from the newly started Dungeons & Dragons Golden Archive for the upcoming D&D movie, Honor Among Thieves.

Just a bit of a background. A Gelatinous Cube (or an athcoid) is a cube-shaped mindless, gelatinous matter that appears in countless D&D media.

In Package

The Gelatinous Cube (GC) comes in a windowless box, as per Hasbro Plastic-Free Packaging direction. The artwork is nicely done with both classic RPG vibe and board games.

Transformers Legacy Evolution Armada Hotshot - Pictorial Review

Buying by association.

One of my issues in collecting. I had kept 1 Legacy Armada Starscream since I have an extra unit but he'd be lonely. So I need to have Armada Hotshot.

Jokes aside though. This year we'll see the release of rebooted Armada figure, namely Armada Optimus Prime (Commander Class) and Armada Megatron (Leader Class).

Of the 3 Unicron-Trilogy series, Armada is the one that desperately need a reboot due to the poor execution despite cool concept.

Alt Mode

This is the 3rd mold for Armada Hotshot after the original release and Universe 2.0

I must say it looks to be underwhelming. Personally I preferred the Universe 2.0 Hotshot's alt mode better.

BUT, he definitely resembles his original toy better.

There is unmatching yellow color on the hood of the car due to being colored transparent plastics. The rims are unpainted which is something that Hasbro really need to stop doing. 

Transformers Legacy Evolution Comic Universe Voyager Tarn - Pictorial Review

It seems like Hasbro is not letting the TF Fans rest, despite there's only few days left till new year. When you thought that Haslab Victory Saber was supposed to be last, BOOM came Legacy Evolution, Wave 1.

For this wave, the most sought after are 2 release, Deluxe Breakdown (for obvious reason) and Voyager Tarn, which we'll be looking at now

Alt Mode

Tarn, named after one of the fallen cities, is the leader of the Decepticon Justice Division, appearing in the 2005 IDW continuity.

Just like the source material, Voyager Tarn transform into a cybertronian tank. It's safe to say that the base of the design is considerably accurate to the comic.

Transformers Haslab Victory Saber (Part 2) - Pictorial Review

Now, let us continue with the 2nd half of the release.

Victory Leo, the reformatted God Ginrai.

Part 1 of the review can be found here.

Victory Leo (Alt Mode 1)

The first alt mode for Victory Leo, the jet. The overall design is spot on. But it's not like the source material itself is complex. 

Transformers Haslab Victory Saber (Part 1) - Pictorial Review

Finally got time to do the review of the latest (and my 3rd) Haslab after Unicron and ML Sentinel. Another must-have for me since the Japanese G1s are part of my collections.

Haslab Victory Saber was announced in 2021. 

In Package

Moving away from the bland packaging of Unicron, Victory Saber box comes with a sleeve. On it are nicely done artwork of Victory Saber (outline), Star Saber and Victory Leo on the front and the toy image on the back.

It also comes with a cardboard poster foreshadowing Deszaras/Death Saurus release.

Good news, we're getting him next year. Congrats.

Hasbro Starting Lineup Series 1 Stephen curry - Pictorial Review

Next, we'll take a look at another Starting Lineup figure, the Golden Boy Stephen Curry, courtesy of Hasbro MY and Hasbro SG

Review of Starting Lineup LeBron James can be found here.

In Package 

The starting lineup uses windowless box, much like other Hasbro recent releases, following their no-plastic packaging policy.

The printing on the box is really nicely done with premium look and finishing.

The box is compact and sturdy with additional outer brown box for extra protection.

Hasbro Starting Lineup Series 1 LeBron James - Pictorial Review

 Finally my waiting ended, after debacle with the courier company. First would like to thank Hasbro Malaysia and Hasbro Singapore for reaching out to me a small time blogger.

Hasbro had announced at the end of September 2022, a new toyline, featuring 8 All-Star players of the NBA, namely Joel Embiid, Trae Young, Ja Morant, Lebron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić, Jayson Tatum, and Stephen Curry.

I'll be reviewing the man the King James himself first.

Review for Starting Lineup Stephen Curry can be found here.

In Package

As were other Hasbro recent releases, he comes in a windowless box, continuing their policy of no-plastics packaging. While people like to debate the resulted packaging, the Starting Lineup box looks really good with highly detailed printing on the front and back of the box.

The box itself feels compact and not at all soft that you should be worried about damaging it. On top of that, it comes in a brown box for extra protection.