Please take a look at this article of mine, it's the third part of a 3 part article I've written that explains why I like Transformers so much. I've posted size comparsion pictures in there so show exactly how tiny the World's Smallest Transformers are-
https://www.writing.com/main/view_item.php?item_id=680748
They say good things come in small packages, maybe that's true when it comes to these wee guys. I was hoping to get the Optimus Prime in the range, but I didn't have the luck to get him and instead I got Bumblebee and Sideswipe. I thought Mini Cons were small, but these are amazingly tiny, even smaller than a Mini Con! So on with the review-
Bumblebee: As those of you who might still have the old G1 Bumblebee from 1984, then you'll know who I'm talking about. Bumblebee is a Volkswagon Beetle in his car mode, he's a darkish yellow with black bumpers, a grey hatch at the back and black windows. His Autobot symbol is on his roof and fairly stands out. He has very tiny silver headlights and his wheel rims are silver, his wheels are black and solid plastic. His wheels don't turn at all, unlike his old and larger G1 form.
This mode is sweet, it's an adorable little mode that's got some small details that you really need a sharp eye to see. I've always had a liking of the wee Beetle car, both the older and newer versions, and I love this car mode. Bumblebee has always been one of my favourite TF toys to play with and to see him even smaller than he used to be is quite something to behold.
An easy transformation later and Bumblebee is standing, if a little crooked. Even though his feet are made as a solid part and don't come apart like his old G1 form, they still look exactly as they used to. He transforms in the exact same way as before, only his arms are done different. When you take out the arms, you'll notice that the right arm is set lower than the left arm, so it looks crooked and it's a pity that he hadn't been done with both his arms in the same position.
Bumblebee looks as great as ever in this mode, he still has the same colour scheme but with a little more black in terms of his arms and legs, plus his face is sliver with yellow around his face to show his head, which is set against the silver of his hatch in car mode. He has no real articulation to speak of, he can move his arms, that's all, so he's not exactly a poser, but he looks great. So all in all, Bumblebee is an excellent World's Smallest, he really suits the term.
Sideswipe: This has got to be one of the most used molds yet, plus one of the most used car type. Sideswipe is a Lamborginal(spelling?) Contach(spelling again?) in his car mode. He's almost a full solid red with black windows and a small black shape on his roof, black bumper, silver headlights and orange smaller headlights and tail lights. His wheels are black with sliver wheel rims. I've seen a lot of repaints of this mold in it's larger form and I've liked each and every one, no matter what colour he is, even with sirens on his roof, the mold looks excellent and it's fairly a look back into an old car design that hasn't really changed in all the years since it was first released.
His wheels don't turn, like with Bumblebee, but that doesn't matter really. He's a little larger than Bumblebee in his car mode and it's strange to see that when they're the same size in their robot modes. The detail is normal, nothing really special, but it is well done and does stand out when you're looking closely enough. Excellent.
Another very easy transformation later, just think Spycharger transformation, and Sideswipe is standing in all his glory. In this mode, his colours are red, black, a little, white and some silver for his arms and feet. His arms don't move as such like his older G1 version did, wher the silver smaller arms could be used, this time it moves as one because it's molded into the car door. Pity, but that's ok, not like he has a weapon anyway since he doesn't come with one.
He's an excellent addition to the range, they've even done great detail for his face. It's like seeing him shrunk in the wash or something, excellent.
The World's Smallest are excellent from what I've managed to get so far, I'll try to get the rest if I can because I would love to get the Optimus Prime in the range with his trailer included. Bumblebee and Sideswipe are almost 100% accurate to their larger G1 versions, almost, just some differences in terms of arms and legs mostly. These are worthwhile for any collecter, I mean that. To see TF's made so small, TF's that have larger versions, is quite something. I'm definitely buying the rest of these, once I can afford to that is. Takara are truly the masters of making Transformers, in any size.
| Reviewer | Tony Neil Watt |
| Date | November 24th 2003 |
| Score |  (10 out of 10) |
| Reads | 12461 |
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