General Information
Release Date: January 2023
Price Point: $11.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Tail/weapon, Volcanicus Head
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com
- CELEBRATE THE LEGACY: Transformers Legacy Evolution celebrates the last 40 years of Transformers history. The Dinobot Slug action figure is inspired by The Transformers
- 2 EPIC MODES: Transformers Dinobot Slug toy for 8 year old boys and girls converts from robot to Triceratops mode in 8 steps
- COMBINE TO FORM VOLCANICUS: Unleash the power of Volcanicus! This Dinobot Slug figure converts to form the head and upper torso of the Volcanicus combiner (other figures sold separately, subject to availability)
- COLLECT OTHER DINOBOT FIGURES: Collect all 6 Transformers: Legacy Evolution Dinobot toys and combine to form the mighty Volcanicus! (Each sold separately, subject to availability)
- REVEAL TECH SPECS: Scan the code on the instructions sheet to reveal character tech specs! Collect other Transformers figures to discover facts and abilities (each sold separately, subject to availability)
The battle is evolving with the Transformers Legacy Evolution Dinobot Slug action figure! Slug is hard-headed and fiery, with scorching flamethrower breath to match. Celebrate the last 40 years of Transformers history with Transformers Legacy action figures for boys and girls. Transformers Legacy opens the portal to a whole new universe of More Than Meets the Eye, bringing together every generation of Transformers like you’ve never seen before. Collect and combine different characters to create your ideal Legacy lineup. Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro. Hasbro and all related terms are trademarks of Hasbro.
Background:
In 1984, Transformers fans were introduced to the Dinobots, powerful warriors who transformed into robotic dinosaurs. One of the original Dinobots was Slag. Due to cultural sensitivities, after the G2 era the Dinobot would wind up being called "Slug" instead. He has popped up here and there in toy form over the years including a Cyberverse version and the Power of the Primes version. In Legacy Evolution Slug has been released as a Core Class figure intended to combine with five other Dinobots to form a new version of the Dinobot Combiner, Volcanicus!
Packaging:
True to the name of the line, the Legacy: Evolution packaging uses the Legacy design as its foundation and then builds on it. The dramatic "Legacy" logo now has the word "Evolution" under it in an equally dramatic font. The background still has green, blue and purple colors that really catch the eye. On the top flap of the box features Slug in beast mode, while the left side of the packaging features him in robot mode. The other side features part of the artwork first shown at the September 2022 Pulsecon event. The back of the box shows Slug in both modes calling out an 8 step transformation. It also describes him as "2 of 6" Transformers who form Volcanicus!
Like last year's Legacy figures, Slug includes a QR Code (located on his instructions) that you can scan to see his tech specs online. I have screen captured the tech specs and placed them in the gallery below.
Accessories:
Slug includes an accessory that doubles as both his tail and weapon. In fact, this piece is two separate pieces of plastic in one. At first glance it looks like the base of his tail with two prongs sticking out. But the "prongs" are actually the head of Volcanicus that can be taken out and attached to Slug when he forms the chest of Volcanicus. The tail "base" is silver plastic and painted gold. The Volcanicus head is painted black with red eyes and gold on the crest.
Robot Mode:
Slug may be a tiny version of the Dinobot, but a lot of the design of this figure is directly inspired by G1 Slag. Among those details are:
- Head: The robot head is couched inside the top half of the dinosaur head, resulting in the head having a large helmet-like piece surrounding it. Behind that you can see the horns from the beast mode, which adds a cool "savage" look to the robot mode.
- Chest: The lower jaw of the beast mode forms the chest, and the distinctive lower jaw shape can be seen on the middle of the chest.
- Arms: Each arm has a round section in the shoulder area with a more blocky forearm.
- Legs: Slug's legs are big and chunky and clearly meant to form the back of the beast mode with a curve around the knee area and blocky feet at the bottom.
The designers did have to sacrifice certain elements of the original G1 Slag design when making this figure. For example, his back does not swing open to reveal "wings" on his back. Also, the beast mode legs on his lower robot legs do not fold up the same was as the G1 action figure. Instead, they remain stretched out as if still in beast mode.
Slug is entirely made up of silver plastic. Paint applications on the figure include red, light blue, black and gold. The red is used on the head, torso and waist area. Light blue is used for the eyes. The fists are painted black and his feet are painted gold. These colors are inspired by the character's G1 animation model and for a Core Class figure it looks pretty great!
There are nine points of articulation on this figure. This includes two in each arm and leg. Much to my surprise, the entire beast mode head section can move side to side, giving him head articulation! He can hold his blaster weapon in either hand.
Transformation to Beast Mode:
- Detach the blaster and set it aside for now.
- Swing the lower jaw panel on the torso up.
- Swing the robot arms up so they are on either side of the head.
- Swing the robot arms up to form the front beast mode legs.
- Connect the two lower legs.
- Swing the lower legs up and push them up against the back of the robot mode.
- Move the rear beast mode legs down.
- Attach the blaster weapon to the back of the beast mode.
Beast Mode:
Slug's beast mode is a robotic Triceratops. When the Dinobots were brought into animation in the 80's the more intricate mechanical details from the toys were largely removed to simplify the models for animation. On the other hand, this figure's design takes borrows elements from G1 Slag's toy including intricate details around the top of each leg, lines and various shapes on the back and even tiny details on top near the tail that look like bolts. Except for a significant gap between the front legs and the middle of the body, this is a good looking "pocket sized" beast mode!
This mode features more gold paint than the robot mode. It's used on the head, the back and the tail. The eyes are painted light blue and there is a red Autobot symbol on top of his head. For a Core Class this is a good deco, and if you consider just how much paint there is on the robot mode it's not bad at all.
All four legs can move in this mode and the mouth opens and closes. It doesn't sound like a lot but let's be real, you're likely going to just have Slug charge and smash into enemies with his horns anyhow, right?
Final Thoughts:
Core Class Sludge showed how the Core Class involves some significant design compromises for these Dinobots to be able to merge into a unified form. However, Slug features less of such compromises. Both his modes are fairly solid for a Core Class figure with the "gap" and tail in the beast mode perhaps being the weakest points. If you've already invested in Core Class Sludge, then you really want to keep going with this set to eventually form Volcanicus. If you just like Slug, this is a great "pocket sized" Slug to have in your collection. Recommended!
Pros:
- Sculpt looks good in both modes and features less design compromises than Sludge did.
- Good deco in robot mode, featuring a lot more paint than I expected from a Core Class figure.
Cons:
- The gap in the beast mode and limited articulation are sacrifices made for the Core Class that some fans may not like.
