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. 

The car axle can be obviously seen from the back (I can't remember if that's the case for the original toy).

He comes with a minicon port on the back similar to the original toy but without any mechanism. He doesn't come with a minicon but as rumor has it, a version with minicon will be released in the future.

In alt mode, Hotshot is considerably big, almost as big as other voyagers in alt mode. 

Robot Mode

Just like the alt mode, Hotshot's robot mode is far more closer to the source material and the original toy, compared to Universe 2.0 version. Transformation is fairly easy and intuitive.

Being closer to original design seems to entail him having a considerably big kibble on his back though. One aspect that kinda bums me out would be the [glaring] hollowness of his lower leg. That was supposed to be easily fix by allowing the windscreen to split into half and cover both back and the insed of the legs.

From the back, his "axlezooka" is obvious hanging on his back kibble, which is a big deal. Atleast they brought it back after Universe 2.0 discarded the weapon.

Articulation wise he's better than the previous 2. However it's a challenge to not have his hollowness visible. 

The axlezooka can be brought forward following his original design and the visor can be brought down. On mine, the visor is a bit loose so it easily falls down.

I can't remember how big he should be but I did the scale is quite right. 

I'm guessing now Hasbro is slowly focusing on Armada after the updated main Beast Wars cast before. Like I said, Armada line deserves an update. I guess we'll see how Armada Optimus Prime and Megatron will be

As for me, I personally plan to have all the TFs animation lineup one day. Collecting the reboot version of Armada is easier on the eyes than the original.