Chop Shop [Cyberworld/ Armored Cyber Changers]

When Cyberworld started getting leaks and previews, Chop Shop really caught my attention. Being a Beast Wars fan, I couldn't ignore the similarities to bots like Insecticon and Powerpinch. Not just that... but I love some insect based robots. Thanks to the uniformity present in Cyberworld toys... he really feels like one of those old Beast Wars basic class figures. Well, aside from the lack of elbow articulation.

It's really neat how this line of simple figures has so much older robot toy DNA. The name Chop Shop itself hearkens back to G1 as one of the Deluxe Insecticons whose source molds were from Armored Insect Corps Beetras. This Chop Shop, though, is likely a new character. Transformers Cyberworld isn't seemingly linked to a prior series, just in that generic Transformers setting things like Authentics reside in. After 41 years, I'm perfectly ok with a generic setting and am a fan of the video game world they're stuck in for Cyberworld. 

You've probably noticed those big mandibles jutting out of his chest, that's a fun bit of insect mode kibble in addition to the little bug legs hanging from his arms and legs. The mandibles are a separate piece that can be used as a weapon. I kept mine in as I like the weirdness. It's impossible to ignore the Armored up bit that makes him an Armored Cyber Changer... and frankly I'd be ok if they were just regular Cyber Changers. Chop Shop's Armored Up part is a huge claw weapon that can form a giant melee weapon when the claws are unfolded. A blade pops up as the weapon can be held as a gun or a ... club? I could only get the 'gun' mode to be held in insect mode, so it's probably meant to be the club type weapon for robot mode. Judging by the size of it, Chop Shop must be pretty strong.

You can also store the big weapon on his back in robot mode... which seems more reasonable. Transformation to insect mode is an easy flipping out of the chest and adjusting everything into place. There's a plethora of ports in insect mode where the Armored Up piece can be plugged in and once again makes me wonder what else is in store for this line or was once planned. Cyberworld definitely feels like the spiritual follow up the the Beast Alliance toys from Rise of the Beasts. It makes me hope for partner figures like Battle Masters. I really like Chop Shop. He's a solid figure in a fun line and I really appreciate his classic Beast Wars inspired looks. This is a toy mold I'd love to see in a million colors... but preferably as a regular Cyber Changer.