Review – Transformers: Titans Return Terri-Bull
Before I opened my first of Hasbro’s Transformers: Titans Return toys (find at Amazon.com*) I thought the series looked fun, but I had no idea just how spectacular the toys really were. Someone over at Hasbro’s offices seems to have put a lot of effort into making playable, quick-to-transform, and remarkably fun Transformers toys . . . and I am 99% happy with every toy in the line that I’ve opened so far. Time to open Terri-Bull* and see if the line continues to impress.
Hasbro’s Official Press Pics
First thing we do, kids, is take a quick peek at the official press pics of the Titans Return Terri-Bull* toy. Minor color differences, a little too-perfect colors and lines, and an “uncanny valley robot” look all add up to make these pics (shown above) representational, yes, but not quite accurate. I understand the marketing reasons behind using renders for promotion — and will soon enough find myself doing the same thing at work — but I wish everyone would clearly label such images as computer renders so that there would be no confusion or surprises.
Robot Mode
By now, this Titans Return Terri-Bull* toy robot shouldn’t surprise any of us. If you’ve read my earlier reviews — Nightbeat review here, Loudmouth review here, and Hardhead review here — then you know that this 1.5-inch tall transforming robot turns into a head and the pack does not include a body. These bodiless Headmasters could be a bit creepy, yes, but the addition of little Micromaster-like transforming vehicles makes these sets wonderful toys. I hope that parents looking for toys this Christmas grab some of these little packs; seriously, I am shocked at just how fun these sets are. Awesome job, Hasbro!
Jet Mode
The transforming vehicle included with Titans Return Terri-Bull* has this little jet mode with the same weird cockpit design that we saw on Nightbeat (review here): The cockpit painted on the jet serves no purpose!!! It’s an odd choice, but it works a little better here since the robot plugs into the back of the jet and is hidden.
Tank Mode
Of the three small Titan Master packs that I’ve opened so far, I can now say that Terri-Bull* has the best little vehicle since this tank is great fun. Elevating cannons, a spot for the robot to plug in and ride, and a hell of a lot of fun wrapped up in a small plastic toy all come together to make this my favorite of the three Titan Masters I’ve reviewed so far. I am 100% serious when I say that I hope parents discover this line when Christmas comes around. Hasbro needs to invest a bunch of bucks into showing parent bloggers what makes this line fun.
Closing Thoughts
Hasbro’s Transformers: Titans Return toys (find at Amazon.com*) continue to astound, and I don’t think I can put into words just how happy I am to see these toys be exactly what they should be: TOYS! Over the last five or six years it has felt like Hasbro forgot about playability — too many ball-joints and puzzleformer designs — but with the Titans Return line it feels to me like the toys return to being playable and very fun.
More like this, please.
Totally sold on this now Phil, price point is good and look hella fun.
Will wait for a sale to get Fort Max again hehe.
@Court – Fantastic! And I haven’t even reviewed the best of the little Titan Masters . . . yet.
Picked this guy up today. Was a little annoyed at the colour disparity between the render and the final product, but the toy itself is so cool you find yourself not minding.