Review: Kingdom Core Class Hot Rod

When it comes to transformers I have never been one to collect based on a class scale. I know many people like to collect, or have preference for certain classes like leader or core/legends but I have been more of a character collector, I like to have figures of certain characters, including obscure ones, but I also like my characters to be in scale with the other characters in my collection. So today I will be talking about a figure that isn't really regarded as being in this size class, but sometimes is this height, it's Kingdom Core Class Hot Rod.

 

Hot Rod is probably most well known for seising leadership of the Autobots by having Optimus Prime Killed (at least if you go by what the fan base says), even going so far as to mock his predecessor by renaming himself  Rodimus Prime. He eventually realises that he no longer wishes to hold the position of Leader, so when Optimus shows up alive sometime later, Rodimus gladly hands the Matrix of Leadership back to Optimus and goes back to calling himself Hot Rod. A wise choice indeed and five year old's everywhere rejoiced. 

 

So today, we look at the latest toy of that sniveling backstabber, which is part of both the last wave of War for Cybertron Kingdom and the first wave of Legacy. The version I have is that from the kingdom line (as it was cheaper due to being older stock), but there are no differences between the figures just the packaging. With the Kingdom line the packaging is card back with a plastic clam shell containing the figure where kingdom is an entirely cardboard box. on the kingdom packaging we have a beautiful art piece of old Roddy with a volcano in the back, and on the back of the box his two modes and the number of steps involved in transforming him.

 

Out of the box this is a great wee figure, plenty of articulation due to all ball joints and comes with a cute wee sword that I think is a reference to the Sword of Primus(?). the design for this Hot Rod is a curious one as it doesn't really match his onscreen appearance or his original toy. I have heard that this toy is supposed to be based on his design in the Battlestars Manga, where Optimus comes back to life and Hot Rod hands back the Matrix of Leadership and then rather than reverting to his old size instead becomes a Micromaster. and when compare to that I can see the similarities, which is what also prompted me to pick up the figure as I love a toy that has some odd nod to older media.

 

Transformation is easy enough, very similar in my eyes to that of Power of the Primes Tailgate, only real issue I have is clearance for the roof of the car getting past the spoiler. Other than that it is a neat little transformation with some great engineering that leads to a great little car mode. 

 I love Hot Rod's car mode, always have. I am a real sucker when it comes to etro-futuristic sports cars and this is definitely a great looking sci-fi car. I have a bit of an issue getting the car roof to click into the bonnet. Car mode does everything you want, can roll about and has weapon storage which is just the sword on the roof but looks better than a rat with a gun on it's hip. The decals in this mode are fantastic and for all the size, give off that big screen energy from the 1986 film.

 

Something I like about Hot Rod is he has a 5mm port on his back in robot mode, so you can utilise some of the C.O.M.B.A.T. system accessories with him. Or if you have any weaponisers or Fossilisers you can make him a mech suit! I have found this to be a very fun feature and realy enjoy trying out different combinations with him.

 

Overall I would have to say this is a great wee toy at an affordable price and almost makes me want to pick up some of the other undersized character from the line like Megatron.