The Authentics line is not the most beloved of Transformer toylines.  People don’t rant online about their local store being out of stock or discuss on message boards how excited they are about a new figure coming up.

What the Authentics line is known for is being relatively cheap, usually G1 inspired and relatively easy to find.  Most supermarkets will have a few Authentics toys in their tiny toy sections so if you live near a Coles or Woolworths chances are you can find one.

 

There have already been two Grimlocks in the Authentics line.  If one were to use classifications from the Generations line you would say a ‘Scout’ class and a ‘Deluxe’ class.  Both were OK looking, but of course not brilliant and made of extremely cheap materials.  Hasbro has decided to continue with this theme but upscale it, so let’s have a look at the new Titan Changer class of Authentics toy with an all new Grimlock figure.

 

Robot Mode

Undoubtedly G1 inspired and with the simplicity of his look you could almost classify him as a representation of how he looked in the old G1 Marvel comics.  Interestingly he has some shoulder mounted multi-missile launchers which are far more indicative of Cyberverse Grimlock toys.  Perhaps this is to make up for the fact he has no other weapons and no accessories.

This figure has limited articulation, having some swivel at the hips and shoulders as well as being able to bend at the knees.  No elbows however and no neck swivel.

The toy is extremely lanky, his overly long legs putting him on a height scale with many Generations Leader-Class figures.  He is also extremely thin, and if you turn him around you will see there is almost literally nothing behind him.

 

Space Tyrannosaurus Mode

It’s…. OK.  The back of the dinosaur mode is very boxy, almost the opposite of the overly elongated POTP Grimlock figure.  The head is a lot flatter than your usual Grimlock toy.  He has a small lever on the back of his head which allows you to open and shut the dinosaur jaws and is his only real gimmick.  As the robots arms become the dinosaurs legs, the figure has no knee movement and his upper arms are locked in position.

Look, its not great OK.  But we’ve had some pretty average looking dinosaur mode toys for Grimlock over the years so it’s not like this one is significantly worse than a lot of the others.

 

Overall

I think my kids put it best when they were fiddling with this figure this morning: ‘This is a kids toy isn’t it Dad, cause’ it’s so light’.  Firstly I love the fact they think most of my Transformers are intended for adults since its dad that gets them – bless their hearts!  But it was a good analysis from them – this toy being such a big figure made out of such cheap plastic means that it is best suited for younger fans who want their own Grimlock toy to play with.  Combine this with a simplistic transformation and relatively low price tag (mine cost $30[AU] from Aldi) and it means that while this is a Grimlock most collectors will happily skip, it may be a great gift for their offspring.

 

Got something to say about this figure?  Pop it in the comments section below!

 

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