Main
Features
 FOTD
 Toy Fair 2023
 SDCC 2023
 Toy Fair 2020
 NYCC 2019
 SDCC 2019
 Toy Fair 2019
 SDCC 2018
 Toy Fair 2018
 HasCon 2017
 SDCC 2017
 Toy Fair 2017
 SDCC 2016
 Toy Fair 2016
 SDCC 2015
 Toy Fair 2015
 SDCC 2014
 C2E2 2014
 Toy Fair 2014
 SDCC 2013
 C2E2 2013
 Toy Fair 2013
 SDCC 2012
 C2E2 2012
 Toy Fair 2012
 NYCC 2011
 SDCC 2011
 Toy Fair 2011
Archives
 Books
 DVD
 Music
 Statues
 Prop Replicas
 Toys
 Video Games
Credits
Contact


This site is part of Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and Entertainment Earth affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you click one of their links.


Related Links:
16bit Tumblr
16bit Twitter
16bit Instagram
ASWN
EE Podcast
Galactic Hunter
Glyos News
OSM News

Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Hasbro, 2012
Day #496: September 27, 2012
Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action FigureAutobot Jazz
Series 01 #002

Transformers Generations Deluxe
Item No.:
Asst. 37986 No. A0170
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Includes: Blaster Pistol
Action Feature: Transforms from car to robot
Retail: $14.99
Availability: July 2012
Other: Smaller, expensive

  PREVIOUS RSS NEXT  

Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action FigureThe new Autobot Jazz comes from a video game called Fall of Cybertron and that means he will probably be abbreviated as "FOC Jazz" which, oddly, is pretty much the theme of this review. After the superb late-2010 Reveal the Shield Special Ops Jazz, a clever, well-sculpted, sizable toy, this one is a disappointment. About the same size as a large Revenge of the Fallen-era Scout-class toy, the tiny and light Jazz can't help but seem inferior to to. The 2010-2011 Generations line. Perhaps that series was too big and too good, rising costs in China and Hasbro's desire to keep costs down on deluxes resulted in the smallest batch of "deluxe" class toys yet, and I daresay Jazz suffers the most. This unlegendary toy is best reserved for hardcore fans and Jazz freaks.

If you are on the fence, do not buy this toy. I don't yet regret buying him (that requires breakage or a transformation that doesn't quite work) but he comes close. A few tabs which hold him together in car mode seem like it's forced, it seems the tolerances are off or I may be too stupid to understand how it works. Even when everything seems to align, placing the arms to the "doors" of his vehicle mode feels like I'm going to be breaking something shortly. Due to this, and a thinner, airier plastic, this does not feel like a good value.

A friend of the site also pointed out that this figure's construction is quite the departure form other recent releases. Jazz has very few metal parts-- there aren't many screws or metal pins, things snap together and even the wheels snap into place rather than use a rivet or axel or other means of connection. Being so light on deco and feeling completely unlike most other Transformers, particularly at this price point, this might be an experimental or transitional piece. Hasbro and Takara seem to be trying their best to reduce their costs, hopefully in an effort to bring the price down in the future. It wouldn't surprise me if this toy were developed as a $10 retail item, but Hasbro saw the results and said "let's just raise the price for now and the new toys later won't suffer as much." I'm hoping.

Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action FigureAt about 5-inches tall, the figure is packaged in robot mode because he, like Optimus Prime, has a wholly unremarkable vehicle mode. The Cybertronian Race Car just barely hits 4-inches long, and there's no heft to it. Sections of Jazz' limbs are hollow, which only adds to the overall feeling of Cheepnis. A glossy finish, perhaps a different shade of not-white would have helped make it seem like a meatier purchase. It's so impossibly light, I had to weigh it-- Jazz is about 60 grams, while FOC Optimus is about 73 grams. As a basis of comparison, Transformers Prime Cyberverse Optimus Prime is about 40 grams. It feels and looks so light that it must be super-fast, but unfortunately it isn't. His transformation results in some undercarriage junk dragging on the ground, plus his wheels do not spin particularly freely. Rather than rivets or axels, we get snap-in wheels.

As a car, it's also overly complicated. The vehicle (and the robot mode) is covered in panel lines, which remove any illusion of this being a sleek vehicle. Sure, it's added sculpted detail, but it looks sort of like veins are popping out all over the car and as cars go, it's just not pretty. Transformation is fairly simple, except that the pieces don't quite fit together. The legs don't quite tuck in under the car. The arms don't quite fit into the doors. The automorph function which aligns the head under the body doesn't go all the way, leaving a small panel jutting out a bit. Also, there are numerous, excessive tabs and slots that must be aligned just-so in a way which repeated play may wear down over time. This is a toy you buy to display, not play with.

Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure

In 2013, this figure will be remolded into Sideswipe next year. Like Galvatron, I almost want an apology from Hasbro. The figure's shape looks acceptable, though-- there are false wheels in his ankles, but his arms feel gorilla-like and more appropriate to a Decepticon. The chest is huge, and the head is covered in nasty little lines which feel leftover from some of the worst illustrations of the early 2000s. With 15 points of articulation, this fan-favorite character manages to mix up a ton of elements which fans ask for and spit out a product that doesn't seem fun for kids or adult collectors.

Every now and again Hasbro will just release a figure that is kind of a turkey. There are things to like about it, but there are enough frustrating bits that bring this one so close to being a fun and simple toy that it's a wonder this one made it out. I eagerly await word of a Japanese release that fixes these issues. Honestly, if the transformation process were smoother I'd probably put this in the same category of his sibling Optimus Prime. The key difference is he transforms smoothly, and Jazz does not.

--Adam Pawlus

Additional Images

Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure
Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure
Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure
Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure
Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure
Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure
Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure
Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure
Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure
Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure
Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure
Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure
Hasbro Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz Action Figure

Click here to see more Hasbro figures in Figure of the Day.

Click here to see more Transformers figures in Figure of the Day.

Want to buy this figure? Check Transformers availability at our sponsors:
Entertainment Earth

HTML Comment Box is loading comments...

Featured Toy Video

Click Here for 2010 & 2011
Figure of the
Day 2012
January 2012
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031
February 2012
1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
26272829
March 2012
123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
April 2012
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930
May 2012
12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031
June 2012
12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31
July 2012
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031
August 2012
1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031
September 2012
1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30
October 2012
123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031
November 2012
123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930
December 2012
1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031
Click Here for 2013

16bit.com is best not viewed in Apple's Safari browser, we don't know why. All material on this site copyright their respective copyright holders. All materials appear hear for informative and entertainment purposes. 16bit.com is not to be held responsible for anything, ever. Photos taken by the 16bit.com staff. Site design, graphics, writing, and whatnot credited on the credits page. Be cool-- don't steal.
We know where you live and we'll break your friggin' legs.