Legacy Needle Nose: Idea Vs. Execution

In today's video I talk about a figure that does not have any right to be good.
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Music: Zaza - Be Together

[@15oClock]

This could be someone's first Transformer and be a character that gets an inordinate amount of screen time when that someone grows up to be a writer for Transformers.

[@m0stlyGh0sty]

That sorta happened for me with Barricade. I wrote Transformers stories all the time with him in them since I had such fond memories of owning the Dotm Deluxe figure, plus my dad would always listen to Pretty Handsome Awkward.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I mean there's always that chance for everything isn't there?

[@StrykerPrimeProductions]

So basically the next Nick Roche?

[@Notlilithsbitch]

I would honestly kill for needle nose to be introduced in the coming sequel to rotb, his backstory was the he joined the deception after a falling out with his brother over his industry’s ownership. He’s a socialist and an F16 what’s more American than that?

[@somerelativleyuninterestin4763]

I actually kinda like how simple Needlenose is to transform. It’s quick to the point of being possible in a couple of seconds and I think that benefits a transformer with a boring transformation pretty nicely

[@sbrickproductions]

Yea its really easy to transform Needlenose

[@lonewolf9578]

Honestly aside from the nosecone in robot mode and the lacklustre weapons he’s not bad for deluxe price

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I mean being fast if it's going to be boring is at least something, but it's still boring, and I like my transformations with at least a little bite.

[@losetsuna]

Love the way you test the QC of the articulations.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Yeah, it's hard to just show people that "Oh this is tight and hard to turn" but most people have a figure about the size of Kup, so they can immagine what it's like to drop it on a figures limb, and yet still not have it move.

[@Natee178]

This is definitely more like the siege seeker of legacy then it is the ERcee of legacy. His plastic feels great, he’s got a ton of stuff in the box, poseability is amazing and I think the transformation is not only fun but clever and for a deluxe jet I think it looks great. Honestly don’t understand any of the issues and think this is one of the best deluxes we’ve seen in awhile. Definitely the best deluxe of the wave. I’m glad most people have been giving this thing the praise I feel it deserves because he really has been a stand out for a lot of people.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I don't know about that, I mean it does pose well, but not as well as the seeker, and the transformation is a lot worse than the seekers, plus the altmode is even less convincing. But I do see where you are coming from.

[@harpybeagle4931]

@@PerspectiveEnd one thing ill give it is that its articulation is alot more impressive considering its a deluxe plus personal thing, G1 Needlenose has a way cooler design than the Seekers srry not srry lol

[@Bakuopp]

Given the aircraft that Needlenose was based on, the experimental F-16XL (yes, that was a thing), it honestly doesn't look like it should even fly, but fly it did... Don't think it'd do so well with an entire block of steel underneath of it, but I digress. Great review as usual! No idea why, but I'm rather endeared with this figure. Like you said, the execution was flawless, but the concept itself was a fumble, so it's basically just exactly what it ends up being: An upgrade of a G1 figure that had the entire airplane folded on the back. The cockpit even ended up the same exact way on the G1 figure. Granted, if you partsform the tail off (which may be for one of the partials down the line), you can actually fold the cockpit upward for a bit of a less off-putting look. Should it be necessary to do? No, but it still cleans up the silhouette a bit more regardless.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

It also had a wider wing span, and it was built like a giant dart. Honestly yeah that might be the best way to look at it. Like what if a G1 figure evolved into something more modern.

[@marcy9743]

I mean I like transforming it. After having suffered DX9 hotrod, new age DOTM Soundwave and a few others I hate, I needed something simple like this to sooth my brain. I understand why it seems lazy and it pretty much is, but he is one of the figures from legacy I’ve been having the most fun with. I absolutely ADORE his headsculpt and if it were my decision, all mass produced cons would have it

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I do get needing a break from overly complex, but I think this could have stood to be a bit more complex like I laid out in the video, and it still would have been very simple.

[@NeilBlumengarten]

Baltmatrix declared Needlenose his favorite of his revenge figures (Hot Shot and Lio Convoy). And, yeah, he's on my desk where most new figures go along with Hot Shot, Tarn, and Lio Convoy, and I find I'm grabbing him more just to mess with than the other three. That doesn't mean I necessarily like him better, but honestly, a good figure to just pick up and play with might, in the long run mean more than a good figure I'm less likely to fiddle with on a whim. I do like complex transformations, but if I've got five minutes, in not starting something I won't finish before I have to go. If I'm playing a game or watching TV, I gravitate more to the figures I can transform without paying attention.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Revenge figures? He's one of the best posers, but I'm shocked to hear you are grabbing him more than Tarn. I mean I transformed this thing in 30 Seconds on camera with making mistakes, so I'd say you can stand to go for something a bit more complex than this if you got 5 minutes.

[@NeilBlumengarten]

@@PerspectiveEnd Damn autocorrect. "Revenge" should have been "new." No idea how that happened! I actually don't like Tarn's transformation. I find it on the level of Needlenose, with one or two small things to add to it.

[@EuanEchidhog]

I bought him over Breakdown (as I was going to wait and see if he suffered from yellowing plastic too soon). Simple, but a decent enough figure who had to sacrifice extra paint apps and plastic for his 2 target masters.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I mean Also breakdown just sucks.

[@stiglapoint5672]

Actually upon rereading some IDW comics specifically the RID ones, Needlenose is a decent character and actually makes me feel bad for the Decepticons post war. Also making him Tracks brother was interesting plus the toy I have has a loose right arm but overall it’s still a good toy imo. Overall love the guy will Horri-Bull get is a toy is the question next imo

[@PerspectiveEnd]

He was interesting in that yes. Showed a different side of the conflict, but then again the comic was good at that in general.

[@quantumbewear205]

I’ve honestly been really interested in this for awhile. Yeah I can see it’s flaws but i still really like the look of it. Just haven’t been sure whether to go for it or not.

[@sbrickproductions]

I got mine on Entertainment earth

[@hackusprime]

Get it, it's fun

[@greengald6252]

He looks fun Get em

[@PerspectiveEnd]

It's fine. If Transformation is less of a big deal for you than it is for me, and you are good with that altmode, you will like it more than I do, I don't hate my purchase for sure. I'm ok with it.

[@greengald6252]

@@PerspectiveEnd if the cockpit folded in more, Id have no complaints. Hes really good, simple fun. Solid deluxe.

[@greengald6252]

I really want this thing. Someone at Hasbro really wanted this giy to come out and frankly, knowing his character from idw, I really want him too. Hes buy on spot if I see him.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I hope you wind up loving him when you get it.

[@greengald6252]

​@@PerspectiveEnd update: gf has put in an order. :]

[@ashervoss5398]

Okay some things I would like to say about this figure. 1(Needlenose while lacking a ton of paint looks fantastic, I really do love the knight aesthetic) 2(transformation may not be good and it leaves us with a bit of a weird Alt mode, it still looks really good like something that would swoop down and drop bombs in the middle of War) 3(his minicons while not having any bits of articulation still look really good, there nicely painted and transform into really decent-looking guns) 4(apparently the cockpit and pretty much the entire vehicle mode off his back it's supposed to be referencing the original toy which is sorta understandable, also when you take off the fin you could lift up the cockpit and leave it there sure it doesn't snap in and it's a bit loose but it looks a lot better, and apparently that's another look of a different toy so I guess that also works) I consider this figure somewhat of a (don't judge a book by it's cover) type of thing, it may not be perfect but it's a really good figure (I don't own it yet) awesome figure for a character who mostly appears in the comics who was tracks brother who joined the Decepticons and there not only a bit of a narcissist as well but also a viral star not even joking on his tfwiki is motto is seriously (get hip or get lit) (sorry if I ended up making this list look weird I have absolutely no idea how people make list comments hopefully you can understand).

[@PerspectiveEnd]

1 He does look really cool. 2 I don't know that his altmode looks good. 3 Yes they look solid despite the lack of articulation. 4 I do not accept it being like a G1 toy as justification for bad design. It would have been easier to read if you put line breaks between the ideas you are conveying. And yes I like the idea of this character, and his IDW appearance.

[@sebgaming4667]

Something i found is that if you take the fin off of the back, you can plug it into his guns or something. With the fin gone you can then fold the nosecone up and have it point straight up, making him look better. Yeah its partsforming but at least it's optional

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I don't know that putting it on the guns looks all that cool, but it is indeed optional.

[@crusaderfigures7851]

I took that cockpit off pretty much immediately, it made the robot mode way better. I love the robot modes proportions a lot and the head sculpt is divine. Also the piece on the other side of the head making a stand port for jet mode was a really nice idea that they could have easily left off

[@PerspectiveEnd]

He would be so much better without the back kibble it's kind of insane.

[@crusaderfigures7851]

@@PerspectiveEnd it makes a world of difference and it's easy to pop on and off

[@andrewwhitfield5480]

Always a real pleasure to watch your work.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Thank you very much! How's the arm?

[@andrewwhitfield5480]

@@PerspectiveEnd 99%

[@ColdTRex]

The way his legs transform made me laugh with how silly it is

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Yeah, they are pretty silly.

[@langletprolet8378]

This figure’s transformation is more interesting than any of the Combiner Wars’ deluxe jet bots. The proportion and look of the robot is a winner. Needlenose is so photogenic.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

To be fair yes, but that's not a High Bar.

[@HelenaSan425]

Good figure that's all I'm going to say The edit sorry: i have something to say actually, I'm going to say that i don't care about the transformation being simple as long you transform him 100 time

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I do enjoy it, posing is it's Forte, but for me a Transformation with at least a LITTLE bite is paramount. If it doesn't have a fun Transformation then the whole thing is like 1/3 less fun to me.

[@konstantinszelcs2766]

Sure, it may be the shellformer show, but I find the transformation to be pleasant to go back and forth.

[@konstantinszelcs2766]

But I will say that plugging ZigZag (the black TargetMaster with the knight aesthetic, sword and shield) onto Needlenose's shoulder has left a stress mark on the shoulder, as ZigZag is purple plastic painted black.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

For me I like my transformations to have at least a little bite. I noticed that my self but it was after the video was mostly completed.

[@skuffy4930]

Something tells me he's going to remove the unholy pin.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Perhaps I might.

[@iron1349]

Easily the best part of this video is seeing your "how I would do it" segment

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Thank you. Glad you really appreciated that.

[@Pika_BS]

Something about getting this guy delivered today and you uploading a review is awesome

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I'm glad to hear that. How are you enjoying it?

[@Pika_BS]

@@PerspectiveEnd only slightly late 🗿 I’m disappointed in the lazy cockpit but I think his action figure-ness? Has an amazing handfeel that I’m very satisfied + isn’t ruined by the targetmasters like the forbidden one

[@dogrobot9933]

This gives me nostalgia for the older jet Transformers toys with how basic it's transformation is.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Yeah, it feels like a Direct G1 upgrade.

[@steamedtoast64]

Honestly, I kinda love this thing. Despite having most of the alt mode on its back, it still manages to be more involved than figures in the PW trilogy of the same caliber

[@steamedtoast64]

Despite that, I'm definitely expecting a 3rd party upgrade kit in the future.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I don't know that I'd say that. Like I have a lot of PWT Figures, and all of them are more involved than this.

[@epsilonlive9448]

He is suppose to be a F-16XL that will fly.

[@megamanpwn3dmario]

those holes in his chest actually allow his jet mode to peg onto the new skyquake figure coming out. it looks dumb, but it works i guess.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I've seen that, and yes it looks real Dumb.

[@TFfangeek]

Fantastic review PerspectiveEnd!!! I remember Needlenose being one of the characters for the fan vote for the Siege line, so I think that this figure was in development back in 2018/2019. lol I guess the designers wanted Needlenose to have a transformation near accurate to his original G1 figure. :D Keep on being amazing.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

If that was the point then I feel deep rage, because screw toy loyalty.

[@TFfangeek]

@@PerspectiveEnd I agree, Needlenose is an example in how a simple transformation can make what might be a fantastic figure, well to use friendly grammar, mediocre. ha ha ha

[@det.bullock4461]

It's basically a better proportioned and more articulated version of the G1 figure from what I see. And you know what? I'm fine with that, including the goofy jet mode. It's kind of neat that when the head flips inside a 3mm flight stand port comes out.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I get why you would be. I just feel like we can get so much better at this point.

[@mitchellbambam5926]

Although I know absolutely nothing about this character whatsoever, I can’t get the idea of this guy being a religious crusader out of my head. I can’t believe you’ve made me even slightly want this!

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Yeah, that's not remotely what he's supposed to be like but I'm glad I could plant that much Funner idea in your head. Honestly, his real characterization is just a Pissy Dick Head Teenager rebelling against his family.

[@legomania2427]

Perspective end: I can’t find the last legacy wave 3 figure, but I can find evolution figs! Meanwhile where I live: WAVE ONE OR NOTHING! (Which is really strange considering that I’m in the us)

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I mean I'm buying stuff online too, and I can't even find them on any sites.

[@da_master_of_foxes8512]

I'm actually happy we got this. We haven't had a Needlenose fig since the 80s-

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Yeah, and that's the main thing about this that gives me an appreciation for it. It's definitely a needed updade, though it feels closer to a normal G1 figure than most others.

[@DicePunk]

It's very polished, you're right. It's just maybe 10 years too late to be considered good. The way the arms nested in the calfs was clever.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Absolutely. Though I don't know I'd call them cleaver especially how they are just left open all the time.

[@DicePunk]

@PerspectiveEnd I mean hollow legs are pretty common on anything less than leader class. Typically. I'm not making excuses for them, but I'm keeping my expectations low i guess. With the increased engineering and poseability, we've been seeing more corners cut in other respects.

[@Thenonamedking]

Most of the stores in my area never even saw wave 2 until recently

[@PerspectiveEnd]

None of my stores have seen Wave 2 except for Jhiaxus, and ONE Tarantulas Once! I've bought everything on amazon for months at this point because the stores are useless.

[@vtuberpetergriffin4895]

I weirdly woke up this morning thinking you were gonna do a Roast-a-Mans on the Super Bowl. I don't know if that would be good content, or fit your channel as it is now, but it woulda been funny. But this review was pretty good as always, especially your aside about the Crusades. It's pretty accurate the more you think about it.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

That would have been a Smart and funny Idea. I don't have those.

[@Mothbean]

Personally, I adore this guy. He's probably the best feeling figure I have, with nice tight joints that are enhanced by how chunky he is. I adore how he looks and while his transformation is simple, I find the ability to quickly flick him between modes in a few seconds is incredibly satisfying.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I'm glad you enjoy it more than I do.

[@josiaharaki7310]

I just bought a Thrilling 30 Scoop off Mercari. He was a deluxe who came with 2 targetmasters, and the Targetmasters clown on both these and the Prime masters of subsequent waves. They had ball jointed arms, which folded back in gun mode, at giving them at least a slightly more complex transformation than, "fold in half". On that note, if you could track them down, Thrilling 30 might be an interesting line to see your thoughts on, as it was going for the exact same thing Legacy seems to, being the 30 year celebration vs the 40 year.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I've got a few T30 figures, and I really like them, though I've always heard Scoop is really boring in hand.

[@StrykerPrimeProductions]

Funny thing, I do think Hasbro’s original QC manager was either fired or retired before Legacy wave 3 went into development so don’t think they actually had any to Church the QC. It wouldn’t surprise me if that was the case because the old guy worked for Hasbro for over a decade and never was there an entire line filled with as many QC nightmares as that wave.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Hopefully you'd either lose your job or get retrained after as many duds as this guy put out.

[@silverslayer6262]

This is like Earthcee’s (earthrise Arcee) brother in terms of the most laziest transformation, at least he puts a dab of effort in his transformation.

[@marcusallen35]

The F16 XL was the basis for the jet mode . But the rest of it G1 with joints or the second coming of the Aerialbots

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Yeah but that thing had a wider wing section and a way narrower cross section.

[@jpuggy6793]

I got this figure yesterday, and the only problem I have is that the black target master is molded in purple, so all the black and yellow is paint…

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Yeah, they molded him out of the same plastic the arms are made of.

[@Peshi80]

I only bought this for it's height in Bot mode and because of his part in the "Mayhem Attack Squad". Thus giving my collection of Wreckers something to kick around in pictures...

[@PerspectiveEnd]

He is at least a good size.

[@DiggitySlice]

This thing is so enveloped in cardboard inside the box, I'm not sure why they even bothered having a window.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I don't know what you mean by that.

[@jayzedd_]

Needlenose is the one protoform who didn't know how to scan a vehicle mode

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I mean in G1 that was done by an external computer.

[@n_ex13]

I wish this was a Voyager, to give us two actual targetmasters

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I'm Ok with the price we paid, but I do think it could be better for what it already is.

[@zenerstorm95]

I have Tarn, after having to wait ages for it because Pulse decided "No, we're going to wait to ship it until February even though its available to buy and ship right now." And he's.... really really good. BUT. The QC on mine is so wonky. For example, the legs have a locking point, like SS86 Jazz for example but better. But one of them on mine straight up doesn't work. The hinges that connects the arm to the shoulders (Yes, BOTH SIDES) are also too loose, meaning he can't even hold up his cannon properly somethimes. Other than that, he's fantastic. I'd say if you're trying to get him just be mindful of the arm bits as I don't know if that's just a problem with mine or a genuine problem with all of them.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Sorry to hear about your Tarn, that sucks, this is the first bit of trouble I've heard with the QC so far.

[@mauriciodiaz8315]

This is one of the wave 3 figures that I absolutely love

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I'm glad to hear that.

[@NickBartolo]

I love this figure. Great head sculpt, beautifully colored and fun to pose. Satisfying transformation. Yes, the gaps and backpack are not great and the Target Masters are underwhelming. But, something about this toy is just very appealing.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Personally I like the Transformation to have a little more BITE but I'm glad you are enjoying it so much.

[@aidenmb7932]

This Ercee but actually good. Also you can make the backpack better but you have to parts form it. You have to take the back fin off and flip the cockpit section up

[@PerspectiveEnd]

The ERcee but poses well, and looks cool. Yeah I kind of plan on ripping that hting off.

[@LevityLeviathan]

the nosecone is one of the interesting part of Needlenose's overall aesthetic. the issue comes in how low it ends up sitting. the overall design could be improved if it was higher up. as for the issue with jet-modes. i feel that many of the issues with jets comes from making modern jets rather than more sci-fi ones. sure modern human jets CAN work, but when you exaggerate the overall aesthetic of it, you can turn it into a really neat transformer. Cyclonus is a peak example of this. same can be said with triple changers. making them all use cybertronian vehicles can lessen the problems with earth styled altmodes, because you can go further into the range of weird transformations. animated Blitzwing feels like a more Cybertronian or Sci-Fi tank and jet, which aids his overall design.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I don't know that I'd tend to agree with the nosecone being intersting on him./ Yeah scifi jets are easier to make work, and often look cooler.

[@LevityLeviathan]

@@PerspectiveEnd it looks better when its locked into his back more, and is folded up q bit. Think of Starscream's chest configuration but on his back, where its recessed into it a bit.

[@JomasterTheSecond]

*It's Needlin' time.* I kinda just wanna get this thing to finish off the Quake-Spinister-Needlenose Tag Team, but for no other reason.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Is that a real team?

[@JomasterTheSecond]

​@@PerspectiveEnd Yep - they're the three Decepticon Double Targetmasters, just like how Landfill, Scoop and Quickmix are the three Autobot Double Targetmasters.

[@nameforcomments4092]

I cared on Jhiaxus about the hollow underside and thus will never own anything from that mold.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I mean yeah I care too, but no where NEAR enough to keep me from owning that thing, because it's just too much fun.

[@nfortyeight]

If you can’t get megatron then have you been able to get bomb burst?

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I've had him forever. He was going to get Reviewed this week, but then there were extended reveals.

[@reedy9333]

More than the sum of his sharts is possibly the best joke you have ever written and delivered !

[@doomeddigs7292]

You sir pull the best Father from Bread Boys impersonation in the Crusader bit.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

The Fuck is Bread Boys?

[@doomeddigs7292]

@@PerspectiveEnd a comedy duo channel, featuring two dipshut crusaders who constantly kill each other. They're funny. Big recomend

[@KodyCrimson]

Considering design, it most likely was that indeed meant for Siege, as you mentioned the poll.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Yeah I assume that's probably what happened.

[@AFCManUk]

I spotted someone knocking on the office of the Hasbro QC manager the other day. I think he was saying something along the lines of, "Candygram for Mongo! Candygram for Mongo!"...

[@PerspectiveEnd]

The Aquaman villain?

[@AFCManUk]

@@PerspectiveEnd Ohh, no. You've never seen 'Blazing Saddles'? lol

[@sandmanbiden9301]

If you look at the pictures used for needlenose In the ER fan vote you can see this is the exact same design for it so I feel this design has probably been sitting about since earthrise or siege

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Yeah, that's my exact expectation, and what with Tracks coming out in Kingdom that had to be what happened here.

[@BobaFettThe11th]

Idk how but somehow this needle noses backpack really reminds me of kingdom tracks’ backpack. But at least it isn’t loose unlike that liquid filth named tracks

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Maybe it's just cause they are brothers.

[@BobaFettThe11th]

yea. I forgot that bit

[@NitroniteDragon]

Holy crap that voice sounded sick for Needlenose.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Thank you. It was a real easy filter, I wanted him to sound like he was wearing a Crusader Helmet.

[@topsyturvy3217]

I'm very convinced this was meant for Siege or Earthrise because of those fan polls

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I don't blame you, I think I am too.

[@SirNukey]

As a massive aerialbot fan, there is something strangely charming about a figure hardly transforming and having the altmode ratchet strapped to their back. This figure makes me freakishly happy, for some reason...

[@mebadugood]

The holes in the chest are so it can attach to skyquake

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I have seen the pictures, and they are weird.

[@Dualbladedscorpion7737]

You know what's been on my mind lately and probably will still linger in there.....

[@PerspectiveEnd]

What? Also it's easier for me to notice new comments rather than responses so just leave a new comment with the answer of what's lingering on your mind.

[@Dualbladedscorpion7737]

@@PerspectiveEnd An ankylosaur fossilizer.... It be a heavy reuse of the kingdom ractonite mold but hear me out, torso with the spike plating tooling on its back, similar thing going for the back pelvis/ shoulder piece, new tail piece either acting as a club weapon or a bone mallet, the new ankylosaur skull be probably and hopefully be compatible for a combiner head with wingfinger's head crest/ combiner face. Robot would have a port similar to both ractonite and tricranius, various weapon mode some spikey hammer with skull shield, some spikey club with skull shield, etc. And also of Beast Machines vehicons being weaponizer combiners some using legacy junkion method in terms of transforming without the use of partsforming but can be taken apart for various weapon/ armor configurations, while the other some just partsform when going into both vehicle, robot, weapon/ armor configurations, and combined mode. Those are what's running through my mind and i wish hasbro can make some in legacy in some shape or form. It's drives me crazy just thinking of these 😵. Anyways what's been running through your mind as of late?

[@ColdTRex]

Although it is a really stupid figure that is basically Ercee and CW Silverbolt on steroids I still really want it. I think he could work well as a genericon

[@PerspectiveEnd]

It may be like ERcee but it's better than her for sure.

[@elxr9434]

My theory (and hope) is that he is so basic because they are going to make him into the G2 predators so they needed something that was simple for potentially a 2 pack or retools or something

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I mean they probably will, but they still could have made the backpack fold up more.

[@banobobot]

In all fairness, regarding the jet mode from a top down view, it was derived from the F-16 XL, a real, albeit experimental and now retired, fighter aircraft. According to Wikipedia, sure, when it entered the USAF’s Enhanced Tactical Fighter competition, it lost to the F-15 Strike Eagle, but it was very real, and could fly.

[@GrimmysReviews]

I think this might have been the last wave the guy working QC worked on, since the layoffs were so recent. Hopefully they do get someone who is better at it, but I'm not gonna hold my breath on that.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I'm assuming him being gone makes the QC better, not that he was the thing making QC good.

[@charperalta9489]

just waiting for a modern hori bull so i could either put him with needlenose or so i could make more decpticon background guys

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Yes, needlenose needs his hubby.

[@POWERtothePEOPLE-GP78]

I really like this figure! I might be a bit biased though - I had the original G1 version when I was a kid. I also really like Universe Silverbolt. I'm glad they made him, but I can understand why it took decades, and he's good enough that we don't need a remake. Like, ever. lol I agree with what you say about it in general and particularly about the lack of landing gear in that big chunk of plastic on the front.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I get why you'd be happy with this, it's a huge upgrade on the original, I've just seen them do black Magic for a Deluxe Jetformer before so I feel they could have done better.

[@radicularchaos3071]

I love this figure it’s easily going to be my favorite of the whole year

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I'm glad you are loving it so much, but I hope something comes along that you like even more.

[@orphanincinerator9551]

The jet mode is based heavily off of the f-16 XL which was a super maneuverable plane

[@SteampunkCreeper]

lmaooo I was gonna pass on this guy, but he actually doesn't look terrible, that said his robot mode reminds me of bootleg transformers you find at family dollar, but oh well, if I can find em I might pick em up! Great review as always!!

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Thank you very much, and yeah he's not terrible he's just a little dull, and he's got some bad Kibble.

[@elita-2]

found this fella alongside hot shot and the breakdown repack, so maybe with how breakdown was i have better feelings about needlenose, but i do quite like this fella. the cockpit is honestly the only issue i found myself having, but it wasnt a dealbreaker for me. i thought the simplicity of the transformation was super fun but thats because i love it when transformers fold into themselves like that. gives me blitzwing vibes with the weight under the jet, personally. the targetmasters were nice, definitely an improvement over peacemaker overall, id give him a solid 7/10, id definitely add him to your collection if you happen across him, but i wouldn't go out of my way to find him. i love how you took child friendliness into account with this one because i super agree, especially with him having two targetmasters

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Like In Person? I can't even find these online my self. Glad you are enjoying this more than me. To be fair, I don't hate my purchase. Yeah, normally I don't think to do that, but this one feels just so up a Childs Alley compared to a lot of stuff out of Main Line.

[@elita-2]

@@PerspectiveEnd surprisingly yeah, hit walmart around opening time and looks like they just unpacked a box of deluxe evos. skipped scraphook though, not sure how I feel about it. but yeah definitely a good one for all ages and i do wish to see more of that in the mainline, maybe with a bit less backpacking though

[@mettatone.x.356]

Considering Needlenose was on the poll for the vs two packs, he very well may be an old design, but the effort put into him makes him hard to dislike.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Exactly the design may suck but the Effort rocks.

[@cdub_8538]

Needlenose was the first evolution character I found

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Yeah, he's more available than some others.

[@sergeantboot7783]

Wait it’s transformation is a scale down version of sliver bolt transformation

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Pretty much yeah. There's a few modernizations, but it's mostly the same.

[@lkmaxis2678]

Why the eyes look like that is because the shape of the visor. Watched a whole video talking about how main Gundams all basically have the same eyes but the shape of the brow will help give off a certain vibe. Had the degrees and everything. Also the RX-73 Nu gundam looks like he would punch an annoying kid and than punch his mother for raising said kid.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

An interesting theory and I'll ponder that some while looking at the figure. That is a Gundam that looks like it is DONE with this shit.

[@HaloDarkKnight117]

3:50 What film were the Crusaders from?

[@PerspectiveEnd]

They weren't from a movie... They were from real history.

[@HaloDarkKnight117]

@@PerspectiveEnd Huh, I kinda had a feeling they were, still that segment of the video was hilarious

[@illiteratedino]

Is this the first review where we get to see the full transformation in regular speed? Not counting the 1 step changers.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Yes it is. This is the first time I didn't speed the Transformation up even 50%.

[@dialNforNinja]

Aside from the robot underneath, little canards by the cockpit, and side fins sticking off the tail, that is a real plane, the F-16XL. (I'm guessing the extra fins were added to make it legally distinct, since G1 didn't have them. And gluing the tail on was also a good idea there, as the little c-clip that held it was even more prone to falling off or breaking outright than the new 5mm peg, making it the most common missing part of surviving vintage figures, and folding it to one side tended to look worse than leaving it straight.) It was originally meant to increase the ordnance load and fuel capacity for a light bomber role IIRC, and was not unsuccessful at that even if the Air Force didn't buy into it, then was used as an experimental airframe for methods of preserving laminar airflow at high angles of attack to delay stalling and enhance maneuverability. Actually a pretty cool aircraft, all around. As for robot mode, you can make it look better by pulling the fin off and sticking it on an arm or leg port, then juist flipping the nose/cockpit to point upward instead of giving it the Z-bend so it hangs down to his knees. IIRC, this was also true on the original G1 figure, which this guy honestly matches extremely well with just the addition of modern articulation. Looks good beside Spinister, too, though I don't have a Thunderwing or the rest of their subgroup from the comics -- Decepticon Mayhem Squad or something? Supposedly the mirror to the Wreckers, I guess? I dunno, I was never into the comics. F-16XL on wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Dynamics_F-16XL

[@PerspectiveEnd]

It's also not wide enough, and the actual plane is more shaped like a dart. I honestly didn't really notice the fin in robot mode. The Meyhem attack squad, and I don't remember him being in there.

[@frankieomega3140]

The pros about this fig outweigh the cons, so much so that I barely even see the cons.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I think they kind of even out honestly.

[@joseaustin2692]

I bought 2 different upgrade kits to make him look better

[@PerspectiveEnd]

My personal rule is I only by upgrades for figure's I think were good in the first place. I will spend the money to make a good figure great, but I don't want to spend extra money making a bad figure good. That's a recipe for the money never equaling the enjoyment of the figure. At least in my book.

[@madhousestudiosdevious]

With that back pack, he's not needle nose he's needle butt

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I don't even know why he's called that, that's a relatively broad Nose for a jet.

[@anthonykane5681]

PE this is where you and I agree for a change. When I first looked at this figure I was like "that's it?" I've never been a fan of Jetformers that have the entire robot scrunched up into a block they carry on the underside of the altmode. The only jets to pull this off halfway decently, and I can't believe I'm saying this, are the Seekers, and that's only because the F-15 Eagle's underside is inherently "boxy" which easily lends itself to the box like shape of Transformer bodies. That's not really an excuse here as this is a made-up jet, but so is Armada Starscream so... Personally I think they should have built in a hinge joint into the actual cockpit so that it could be flipped up, with the nose pointing upwards. At least that way it could have looked like a massive booster rocket in his robot mode. Hide a 5mm port in bottom of it and call it a day. And honestly I think this guy is Hasbro testing the waters with this kind of engineering to see if they want to do the Aerialbots as the next combiner team using a similar layout for their transformation. It would make sense. Superion is Menasor's direct rival, and the aerialbots all carry their robot modes on the underside of their jets. Which if Hasbro goes for G1 toy accuracy with them that would be appropriate. Not saying it would look great, but it does provide them with the excuse of saying, "you wanted it to look like G1". I use to wonder why that is with Jetformers and only answer I could come up with was that jets do not translate easily into a humanoid body shape, being largely a cylinder. Everything has to fit into that tube. The easiest jets to convert would be those with two exhaust ports, which often make up the heels of the robot. Car and trucks on the other hand are far easier, being box like shapes stacked onto other box like shapes. As for the Targetmasters, I'm one of the few that is not impressed with Legacy's decision to go back to the simpler design. I liked the Battlemasters, despite their shit articulation. I would have preferred they stuck with that so that all the Targetmasters would be the same. Not the ones from Siege having arms and legs and the ones from Legacy being little folding bricks. So yeah, Needlenose doesn't impress me. He looks good enough, but he's not for my collection. That being said my nephew loves the Jetformers so I agree, this will make a good gift. Good review as always.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

TR Trigger happy pulled off an in atmosphere aircraft excellently as well. This is not a fully made up jet it's just a bastardized one. I mean I think they could have taken it a step further than that, the whole scruthing up the whole thing and flipping int the torso could have worked. It wouldn't surprise me if this was a Dry Run for Sueprion yeah. To an extent yeah that's the problem, but I also think it's that they make the robots out of Squares, when gets are also round, and jets tend to have a really narrow cross section in order to fly. It can be done but it's requires a different approach than the normal one. I get that, and I won't say that these are good, but they are better than what came with Point Blank. I think yes, your Nephew will love this.

[@anthonykane5681]

@@PerspectiveEnd BTW, side note: Since you love to rip on the RED LINE, I have a theory as to why it sucks so bad. You know all that shit plastic that Hasbro bought that's been turning yellow like its inputting the Konami code into the startup screen of Contra. There's a part of me that sincerely believes that the RED LINE is Hasbro attempting to use up all of that bad inventory of plastic in the production of the RED LINE. Why? Because it would cost them less to make the RED LINE figures out of that garbage, rather than pay the penalty for a breech of contract to stop buying plastic from that vendor. And at least this way, they have a chance of recouping some of their cost off the idiots that will buy these garbage figures. Its a line with zero effort put into it that they have cheaped out on at every turn at every chance they've had. Why make this line at all? Unless its to use up a crap material product they bought, and try to get something out of it. I know I'm venturing into tinfoil hat conspiracy theory here, but given Hasbro's recent track record, their less than stellar stock performance, and their layoffs, it wouldn't surprise me if the RED LINE existed solely for this purpose.

[@APlatypus]

I’d only be going for him to have targetmasters

[@PerspectiveEnd]

You want the Target Masters that badly?

[@APlatypus]

@@PerspectiveEnd that, and expand my Decepticon collection

[@sonicrebrith]

im fine with no landing gear but im wondering why metalhawk doesnt have landing gear when cyclonus did at least this guy has the combining gimmick with skyquake so whats metalhawks excuse?

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I didn't realize Metal Hawk wasn't getting some?

[@fulltilt7270]

Now I think that Hasbro added the combination with skyquake as a last minute idea just to make people buy him

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I think it's more a bit of Pretooling for later figures to come down the pipe honestly.

[@NeonGundamG1]

On the shellformers I noticed, the QC isn't as bad on them as it would be on the figures that transform everywhere like a transformers figure should

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I suppose that would make some sense.

[@rubiconprime1429]

I think the point of the removable tail fin is to allow the option to orient the nose cone upwards so it looks like an Aerialbot backpack instead of a log. Not a good idea kind you but it’s an option. Considering that his target masters are a Sun-bleached beach bum, and a guy called Zigzag…there’s a weed joke in there somewhere.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

That is possible I suppose. I'm not funny enough to come up with the joke my self.

[@ClutchFreakingPowers]

I have seen needle nose at my local target but I am Saving up my money for a local toy con.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

That sounds like a good decision.

[@domydomy6668]

Quite honestly I’m pretty excited to get this figure,despite him having the whole jet on his back.robot mode looks cool jet mode is ok imo also did u get my tweet about magic square prime?

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I did get it, and I'm proud to have motivated you to pick that thing up, and how much you like it.

[@Cadeho3]

It probably was an old design since he lost the fan vote for like 30 years! I like simple transformations... so many recent toys have been work to transform.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Yeah, it's jsut this is a little too simple it could have like 3 more steps and it'd be a lot better.

[@jorgerosario3165]

Are you gonna cover bomburst soon ?

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I was going to cover him this week, but then there were so many reveals.

[@OverlordIntecris]

His design looks cool, which is why I'm so disappointed in him. They could've done so much more with the design while still keeping a deluxe budget. Hell, I've got one of the ancient seeker Deluxes from the early 2000s, Acid Storm, and the weakest part of his altmode is the hole in his underside where the cockpit used to be in robot mode. It's even better in robot mode where the only kibble whatsoever is the nosecone draped over his back like a suspiciously-shaped hood. I'm appalled that Hasbro has gotten so lazy with some of their designs, even if they just upscaled the transformation of Core Starscream it would've been 2x as good at minimum.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Absolutely that's my point, I'm paying for a Deluxe, don't give me Legends Engineering. It's amazing just how much this feels like it Regressed.

[@nicholasstensson9699]

On the topic of jetformers. I’m so shocked that hasbro still fails to make a good earth mode seeker, but then i discovered something. The Earth wars mobile game, which usually bases its models off of toys, has the perfect earth mode seeker toy. It transforms just like a seeker should, there’s no fake parts, no mass shifting. It’s a simple transformation and both modes looks good, why have they not adapted that into a toy yet?

[@PerspectiveEnd]

If I had to guess the Earthwars Seeker is based on the MP3.0 mold, but I could be wrong because there are like at least 3 different designs they seem to have in that game.

[@nicholasstensson9699]

@@PerspectiveEnd it’s definitely not based on the MP. The game came out long before the MP3.0 even existed. I think it’s actually mix of the combiner wars seeker and the classics, except the nosecone actually folds down into the chest now instead of hanging off the back. The other seeker in the game is based off the siege tetrajet

[@Achieme]

I said it before and I'll say it again he's just another aerial bot from CW and I can't unseen it.

[@PerspectiveEnd]

Yeah but he doesn't have any combiner bits.

[@rhyperiorhunter7339]

perhaps it was for the best that needlenose lost those 2 fan votes

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I think they could have done better than this pretty easily.

[@Onslaught3]

Late to the party, but you could do what I do and have the cockpit hinged up. It also makes him more imposing

[@PerspectiveEnd]

How do you hinge the cockpit up?

[@sergeantboot7783]

Here a thought that came to me maybe they won’t do the re-issue Dino bot and our bug boy cause they lost the model to them like the same reason they won’t re-issue the g1 grimlock

[@PerspectiveEnd]

That is very possible at this point yes.

[@geronimogalvan8498]

He’s an F-16xl, my guy, oh boy, he can fly

[@PerspectiveEnd]

I mean, he's a really messed up one. Like he's not as Wide, or Dart Shaped.