Review – Transformers: Titans Return Autobot Clones

Just in case I haven’t made it clear, the Transformers: Titans Return toyline (find at Amazon.com*) is my favorite official Transformers series of toys in a long time. Hasbro has done an incredible job on these toys, and I continue to snatch up as many of the different releases as I can. There have been very few that I didn’t love, and before we jump into today’s review I’d like to share links to all of the earlier Titans Return reviews I have posted at battlegrip.com:

• Transformers: Titans Return Nightbeat
  
• Transformers: Titans Return Loudmouth
  
• Transformers: Titans Return Hardhead
  
• Transformers: Titans Return Terri-Bull
  
• Transformers: Titans Return Powermaster Optimus Prime
  
• Transformers: Titans Return Crashbash
  
• Transformers: Titans Return Scourge
  
• Transformers: Titans Return Hot Rod
  
• Takara Transformers Head-Master Set
  
• Transformers: Titans Return Fangry
  
• Transformers: Titans Return Blurr
  
• Transformers: Titans Return Titan Master Brawn
  
• Transformers: Titans Return Mindwipe
  
• Transformers: Titans Return Brawn
  
• Transformers: Titans Return Bumblebee
  
• Transformers: Titans Return Decepticon Quake
  
• Transformers: Titans Return Topspin
  

With that out of the way, let’s take a look at two of the newest Titans Return toys I have opened and enjoyed.

Clones!

First released in 1987 — three decades ago! — the original Transformers clones was Hasbro’s shot at a gimmick in which robot modes were almost identical while the alt modes were different. There was an Autobot and a Decepticon pack of clones, and way back then, I never got either set. Fortunately, Hasbro remembered the idea of Transformers clones and brought the concept into the Titans Return series with three different box sets, two of which are represented here.

Now I find it disappointing that Hasbro broke these two Autobot clones across two different packs — Chaos at Velocitron* and a Walgreens exclusive two-pack — since it would have been far cooler if both toys had been in one box. What’s done is done, though, and I got lucky enough to get both of the sets and instantly busted out Fastclash and Cloudraker and, after a bit of time transforming and playing with the two, stuck them in front of the camera so that I can share both robots with the world.

Alt Modes

As with the original Autobot clones (see the TFWiki), the alt modes are pretty weak. Hey, we’re all friends here and I can be honest with you. Cloudraker transformers into a jet (below) while Fastclash transforms into a car (above), and I think the photos support my opinion that these are not the greatest of the Transformers: Titans Return toyline (find at Amazon.com*) alt modes. These two are a jet and a car because we accept that they are, not because they look like amazing vehicles.

Transformation Design

Fortunately, both Cloudraker and Fastclash feature fun, quick transformation designs, with nothing slowing or harming the playability of the two toys. It is partly the transformation designs that we see in all of the Transformers: Titans Return (find at Amazon.com*) releases that makes me love the series so much, so it was nice to find that these two transform fast and without any unnecessary complexities. Those who prefer more intricate designs will find these two perhaps too simplistic, but I enjoy both. Great work on making playable toys, Hasbro, and thank you!

Robot Modes

While the alt modes are weak, both Cloudraker and Fastclash look great in their robot modes and really carry forward with 1987 styles into the modern day. And since both are near-identical in their robot modes, the two share articulation design which breaks down as:

• Head – Swivel neck.
  
• Torso – No joints.
  
• Arms – Ball-hinge shoulders and elbows, wrists that swing in (to hide the hands in alt mode).
  
• Legs – Ball-hinge hips, swivel thighs, hinged knees and ankles.

And done!!! Don’t expect insane poses from these two, but both have enough joints that they are playable and a blast to pose.

Visible Differences

As you can tell by the pics, Cloudraker and Fastclash aren’t quite identical. There are minor differences in the robot designs when viewed from the front, but swing the two around to the back and they are dramatically different. This follows the style of the original clones, though, so I am not at all bothered that the two aren’t truly identical.

Closing Thoughts

The only complaint I have with the two robots (outside of not being packed in the same box) is that they are missing weapons. The original Transformers clones (see the TFWiki) had weapons, and it feels like Cloudraker and Fastclash are both missing something since Hasbro didn’t provide them with weapons. Still, it is awesome to have them together, and the lack of guns in no way reduces my happiness and excitement with the overall Transformers: Titans Return toyline (find at Amazon.com*).