Review – Transformers Subscription Service 2.0 Treadshot

The latest release in the official Transformers Subscription Service (Amazon.com search*) arrived a few days ago, and unlike the Barricade toy from earlier this year (review here) I can happily report that Treadshot is a fantastic official Transformers toy. Hasbro, please make more toys like this one!

Warpath + Action Masters

A repaint of the Transformers Generations Warpath toy (Amazon.com search*), Treadshot is based on the 1990 Transformers Action Master Treadshot (see the TFWiki) and it’s a pretty smart repaint that closely resembles the original toy. Great colors! This is exactly what I want to see from the Transformers Subscription Service (Amazon.com search*): A strong design, quick transformation, and great quality in the finished toy.

Articulation

As a repaint of the Transformers Generations Warpath toy (Amazon.com search*) everyone who owns the original knows what to expect, but since I’ve never reviewed Warpath I want to give you a quick rundown of the toy’s articulation:

• Head – Swivel neck.
  
• Torso – Unfortunately, nothing. A waist swivel would have been incredibly fun.
  
• Arms – Swivel shoulders, outward-swinging hinges at the biceps, swivel/hinge elbows.
  
• Legs – Ball-jointed hips, swivel thighs, hinged knees, ankle hinges that swing forward only.

Not the greatest action figure articulation ever, but Treadshot’s articulation works very well and keeps the transformation process workable and fast.

Catgut

Targetmaster Catgut transforms into a weapon on some sort, but without instructions for the toy’s transformation we are left to our own designs. I transformed the toy into a weapon after watching a video review and looking at pics, but it feels like there’s more that could be done here. Catgut is okay; not amazing, but functional.

Transformation Design

Treadshot, as a repaint of the Transformers Generations Warpath toy (Amazon.com search*), has one of the more intuitive and fun-to-play-with transformation designs Hasbro has produced over the last five years or so. The way in which the arms and legs extend from the body, as well as the torso is formed, is all quick to execute and makes for a fun transformation experience. No excessive ball-jointed limbs or wacky folds that require exact alignment means I can change between modes without any delays or need to seek out instructions.

Closing Thoughts

With Treadshot the Transformers Subscription Service (Amazon.com search*) makes up for the annoyingly frustrating Barricade toy from earlier this year (review here) and reignites my excitement for the line.

Catgut is a little weak, but Treadshot is so wonderful that I’m thinking it’s time I actually sit down and post a review of the Transformers Generations Warpath toy (Amazon.com search*). Sparking interest in an older mold just tells me Hasbro did this one very much right.

Thank you, Hasbro, for getting me excited again about your official toys.