Toy Review – Transformers Club Scourge

Scourge_Robot_FaceThe original SCOURGE from the “Robots in Disguise” line was released in 2002 (or 2000, if you count the Japanese version), itself a redeco of the Laser Optimus Prime toy initially released in 1995.  This means one thing: I’m old.  No, seriously, it means that this character has been around for over a decade, spawning numerous versions of the black and silver evil Optimus Prime entity in multiple toylines and continuities.  When Hasbro released a new version of Laser Optimus a few years ago, we knew a Scourge would happen sooner or later.  Surprisingly, it was the Transformers Club, not Hasbro, to get this done.  How good is this toy?  Read on!

There were various complaints about the new Laser Prime toy, mostly about how small he was compared to the original toy.  The lack of mass made him seem kinda dinky, and I had to agree.  It didn’t feel like a great Optimus toy, even though there were some cool things done with the mold to get real windows on his chest rather than the original sticker version.  But, the toy left me wanting.

Scourge_Robot_06Surprisingly, I think this toy works better as Scourge than Optimus.  I know that seems like a contradiction; wouldn’t this new Scourge have the same size drawbacks when comparing to the original Scourge toy?  It doesn, but I guess I’m able to overlook them, possibly because I have my Laser Prime on display while RiD Scourge is in storage.  Out of sight, out of mind, and all that.

Scourge’s robot mode is small, but it makes up for it with some great translucent red windows and light-piped eyes, as well the sword blade.  With great articulation, Scourge can assume many poses; ankles, knees, hips, wrists, shoulders, elbows, neck – it’s great.  He can hold is sword in many fighting stances, and this toy just works well.  The deco has grey and black, with teal highlights — a fantastic update of the original toy.

Scourge_Vehicle_02The vehicle, however, is irritating.  Maybe it’s my version, but transforming this thing back to vehicle was a pain when it came to putting it all together.  I mean, this toy was almost over-engineered to get the truck cab windows to be Scourge’s chest as well as having panels open for the double-wide wheels to move in and out.  But when putting it all together, the toy just seems like… it doesn’t quite peg together.  The doors don’t quite peg with the side windows, the legs don’t seem to straighten fully, and getting the sword to store between the legs as the trailer hitch — man, just forget about getting it to look perfect.  If you can get the sword to stay, be happy.  My sword kept falling out as the legs came apart, and it took ten minutes to get the whole assembly to stay.

So, the pictures here are my approximation of the vehicle mode.  It looks… almost right.  I do like the deco — the upside-down G2 symbols are a nice touch — but the frustration makes me want to keep this guy in robot mode.

In all, this is a decent toy.  The robot mode more than compensates for the vehicle mode, and it works as a great update to Scourge.  Just remember you’ll probably want to see truck mode once or twice, and that’ll be it.