Megatron/D-16 [Transformers One/Race Changers]

Included in the Race Changers 2-Pack with Optimus is Megatron, whom also a retooling of an older Bot Shots toy. This time around the tank mode had some extra fire power added on. Megatron is also in a more 'G1'  grey as opposed to the variety of colors on the original Bot Shots toy. As a Bot Shots fan, another version is more than welcome. Like the Optimus Prime he's packed with, Megatron's dice gimmick from Bot Shots has been removed and replaced with a Decepticon symbol. I loved the toys, but never played the game. So this isn't a big deal to me personally. 

I do wonder if there was dedicated players who is pissed off by this? Megatron also comes with a version of the new launcher Optimus comes with. It doesn't work very well either. Like I said with Optimus, I do wish they would have skipped over these in favor of another figure. Part of me wonders if the launchers were intended for Bot Shots in it's run or left overs from some other line. It's hard to imagine a completely brand new part like this being tooled and molded for a one shot store exclusive pack. Though it does give me hope of more Bot Shots making a return in the future. Megatron is a fun little toy and I'm happy to have these little bots back even in such a limited way.

Optimus Prime/Orion Pax [Transformers One/Race Changers]

The Transformers One toy line has some interesting reprints of older toy molds as store exclusives. Fortunately these happen to be toys I've enjoyed with some remolding done to keep them fresh. One such exclusive is the Race Changers 2-Pack exclusive to Target stores here in the states. Race Changers are a rebranding of Bot Shots with a name that makes me wonder if Trademark offices should have a mandatory 10 minute clip of that guy from Ted asking if you're sure about that before finalizing a name.

For the record, I loved Bot Shots and am very happy to see them making a come back, even if it's with an awkward name. Shinkalion is also doing something with Bot Shots, which leads me to wonder if more similar toys are on the horizon. I seriously love these things. Optimus Prime is a retooling of the standard Optimus Prime Bot Shots figure with a new truck grill and spoiler. The former dice style gimmick from the Bot Shots game has been removed and replaced with a standard Autobot symbol. Optimus has a brand new launcher as opposed to the ones that came with older toys which is surprising. Part of me wonders if it was an unreleased launcher from the original line. The launcher mechanism doesn't lock into place very well either. Frankly, I wish they would have skipped the launchers in favor of another figure in the set. You can either launch the toy in vehicle mode or push it into something to trigger the spring loaded transformation. In robot mode, Optimus is cute and squat. Bot Shots were charming and similar to Choro-Q toys of the past... which is part of the reason I liked them to begin with. It'd be great to see more of these again, but I do hope they'd give the line a better name.

The camera refused to focus on his face.