B-127 [Studio Series/Deluxe Class]

It's a shame Transformers One didn't do as great in the theaters as it's been doing on streaming. Not only was it a great film, but it's got some great toys. I had been putting off getting the Studio Series B-127 for a little while now. Not because I didn't want to get one, but because there was always a lot of them at my stores. So I felt like I could take my time. That turned out to be a good idea as my local Target had him on sale for $12 (which is what a deluxe would have cost in 2012), which was the universe telling me to just buy the thing already. I'm glad I did, because not only was the price great, but the toy is pretty great too. That's the second time I've said something was great and great too. Sometimes you've just got to repeat yourself.

As you already know, this is the Studio Series version of B-127 from Transformers One. As a Studio Series figure, it's nicer than the Prime Changers one I talked about last year. Considering that was already a pretty good toy, nicer should say something. It's more detailed, more solid, more accessories, just better all the way around. Back in the day (and sometimes still today), you'd often see 'STD' and 'DX' on robot toys. It was there to clarify which one was the standard toy (STD) and which was the deluxe model (DX). Studio Series versions are pretty much the DX versions and I'm sure companies have thought twice about putting the term STD on a toy box. B-127 now has more accessories. Instead of just one hand blaster and knife hand attachment, there's two. He's also got a Tracker rifle, one of those generic guns I've been enjoying to talk about with the TF One Blokees. It's neat that he's got so many accessories, as most deluxe class Transformers only have one or two.

He transforms into his Cybertronian car pretty easily, though there is definitely some spots where everything has to be just right. There's just not much wiggle room for error. In car mode he looks as he should, like he did in the movie... which is the point of the figure and how it looks overall. I do like how the weapon storage in vehicle mode makes the car more heavy duty looking overall. It's small, but neat. I wonder who else they could make from this mold that would take advantage of that? I know that I make a lot of comparisons to Microman when talking about modern Transformers, but I feel like one is warranted here. This is another case of the family tree is very evident in the toys design.  I can honestly envision a Takara version using chromed colors (like they did with Transformers Animated) that would make the comparison even stronger. Out of the three B-127 toys I've talked about here, all have been winners. This one is definitely the most premium one of them so far... or should I say DX?

B-127 [Galaxy Version 05-One]

It's time to look at another series of Blokees here on Zone Base. Specifically Galaxy Version 05- One, which by the name should clue you in that we're talking a series based on Transformers One. TF One was very popular among the Transformers fan base and so are Blokees. This is a match made in heaven! I was very thankful to find the case on Easter Morning as a gift from the Mrs. She had put each kit inside a large egg and hid them through the house! Not only was it fun finding the eggs, but it was a big surprise to see what was inside! We're going to begin out exploration of this new case with B-127, which of course is Bumbelee's name prior to his arrival to Earth in newer fictional settings. This kit features B (or Badassatron) without his Cog, which had a really strong resemblance to Megaman X the more I look at it. Maybe I'll get an extra and do a custom one day.

As cool as B-127 looks, he's also a good starting point for this series as he's as good example of the newer construction this series has. This series seems to be the start of a new design for the Galaxy Version that results in a sturdier finished product. As much as I've loved what came before, this feels like a much more solid figure after the kit had been built. Not to mention two specific points I've never enjoyed. In prior sets, the connector joints had to be assembled, while they've already come assembled here. It was never a gripe of mine, but man they'd kill my fingertips pushing them together. The other is the shoulder pads fit much better. I've popped off others very easily, while these snap on and stay put. I guess they've adjusted the connections. The upper body of the figures frame has some adjustments too. Now the ball joint for the heads is molded in and there's some additional peg holes in the body that the armor bits have additional pegs to insert into. I've never complained about the fit before, but it feels much more solid now. B-127 is like an action figure I bought already assembled from the factory as opposed to a small model kit.

Of course he has the standard open and closed hands you expect and a laser pistol to hold with them. The base is present, though the additional Autobot and Decepticon symbols are gone. Oh well. B-127 looks great. I've always liked yellow and black colors together. They really pop on the cool sculpting that's unmistakably Bumblebee before coming to Earth. While Bumblebee has always been a cute character, this figure is downright adorable. The signature Blokees visual just blends so well with the TF One aesthetic. This just might be a perfect meeting of the two styles. I mentioned Megaman X up above... but yeah, they feel a little out of that universe. B-127 is a completely pleasurable kit that I was happy to build and being the general admiration for Bumblebee around the site... the perfect starting point for another case of Blokees posts.

Bumblebee/B-127 [Transformers One/Prime Changers]

I wasn't expecting to like this new Prime Changer Bumblebee toy as much as I did, but here I am about to tell you how much I liked it. As previously said, Prime Changers are slightly lesser class than a Deluxe for a slightly lower price. I say that knowing that the Deluxe Studio Series version of this Bumblebee will be more complex. However, in hand, this toy feels like a Deluxe. Aside from some slightly hollowed out parts... Bee feels like a much nicer figure than he's supposed to be. That's pretty impressive and once again makes me compare the Prime Changers size class to the Warrior Class of Robots in Disguise 2015. Many of those felt so much like a Deluxe Class that I often wondered if some of the classes were mislabeled.

This toy represents Bumblebee as he appears in the movie Transformers One. As of this writing, I haven't seen the movie yet, but thanks to the trailers know that the main cast are not able to transform until they receive Transformation Cogs. A Transformation Cog is a component of a Transformers body that is essential to their ability to transform. It was first introduced in the original cartoon series during the third season. Since then, they've made sporadic appearances in Transformers media, but seem to be returning in Transformers One as trailers and marketing material have clearly pointed out. You can flip up Bumblebee's chest to take a look at his Cog. That's a neat little addition they really didn't have to do, but did anyway.

Bee comes with some weapons as well. Included is a snap on energy blade and blaster that resembles the 'Mega Buster' style gun his arms form in the movies. Either weapon can be attached to either hand or combined together. In robot mode, Bee is fairly articulated with a good range of movement. To my understanding, there is ankle tilts that don't work thanks to a design flaw. I didn't really notice it, but am sure that'll drive some folks crazy. Bumblebee transforms into a sporty Cybertronian car that looks pretty neat. The transformation is mostly easy, though I found a few spots a little tough to work. I'm not sure if that's from another design flaw making things a little tight or just not doing things in either the correct order or being a little clumsy. The weapons can attach to the cars roof. Like I said at the beginning, I like this toy a lot. I'm not sure how well it translates in the pictures here, but there's a nice almost pearlescent sheen to the yellow colors and the figure is overall pleasant. He's oddly satisfying in hand in a way that I can't quite describe other than he's just a good Transformers toy. Admittedly, I'm generally a fan of Bumblebee and look forward to new toys of him as is... but was very pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up liking this one from One.