Review – Transformers: Titans Return Hot Rod

Hasbro’s Transformers: Titans Return series (find at Amazon.com*) continues to impress. This line of Transformers toys is the best series we’ve seen out of Hasbro in years, and each toy that I open continues to make me happy. Fun transformation designs, durable parts, and a number of classic characters brought back as Headmasters means every single release has been a winner.

Titans Return Hot Rod* is every bit as fun as the other Deluxe toys in the line, standing up nicely on the shelf and a great modern take on the 1986 Hot Rod character design. The biggest change to the character is reinterpreting Hot Rod as a Headmaster; below you can see the pilot figure, Firedrive, who is simple gray without any painted details. The lack of paint is my only complaint with the toy.

Vehicle Mode

As you can see, Titans Return Hot Rod* is very much an update of the original race car design. The addition of a working cockpit which can hold Firedrive was a great touch, and the hard plastic wheels work well enough. I miss the rubber tires of the earliest Transformers toys, but these work and the entire package is cool enough that I only ever dwell on the lack of rubber tires when I stop playing with the toy.

Robot Mode

This is where the Titans Return Hot Rod* really takes off. Standing just over 5-inches tall, the transforming robot toy features a sharp sculpt and fits the Hot Rod design wonderfully. I doubt any Transformers fan will look at the toy and ask: “Who this?” It’s Hot Rod, kids, as you can very plainly see.

And the toy features just enough articulation to be fun without a bunch of ball-jointed limbs that make the transformation difficult. Running through the joints we find:

• Head – As with other Titan Masters, the toy’s ball-jointed neck is the result of the smaller robot’s head articulation.
  
• Torso – A swivel waist. No more.
  
• Arms – Hinged shoulders that end in ball-jointed connectors to the upper arm, swivel/hinge elbows, and simple wrist swivels that swing the hands in (more for transformation than playability).
  
• Legs – Ball-jointed hips, swivel thighs, hinged knees, and hinged feet. Again, almost all of the joints are designed around the toy’s transformation, but what we get works great.

Not as much articulation as we see in some action figures, but there’s enough here to get some poseability and for any kid to have a great time with the Titans Return Hot Rod* toy. I’m satisfied and happy with the articulation choices.

Closing Thoughts

Hasbro’s Titans Return Hot Rod* is another fabulous entry in a line of Transformers toys that is superior to many we’ve seen over the last five to six years. An incredible update to an older character, and this guy is going to look perfect with the other Titans Return toys I’ve already reviewed.

• 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