Transformers Legacy Evolution Deluxe
Item No.: Asst. F7145 No. F7512 Manufacturer:Hasbro Includes:Wheel blaster, 2-part wheel throwing star thing Action Feature:Transforms from bike to robot Retail:$24.99 Availability: July 2023 Other: Based on an unreleased mid-1990s Generation 2 concept Jazz
While based on a 1990s colorway for a toy that would have been a Jazz Laser Cycle toy, this one is called G2 Universe Laser Cycle. Since it is not called such on the box I would argue it isn't Jazz, despite having a similar color to an abandoned concept that may be older than some of the toy designers. As the original Generation 2 line wound down, a lot of concepts came up with familiar names (Jazz, Soundwave, Optimus Prime, etc.) in wild new colorways. It's kind of a shame these didn't come to fruition, because it would've kicked open the door for doing more things like that. I'm not saying I need to live in a world where they made Night Combat Optimus Prime as a regular thing, but we got something like that for the live-action movies and it would be kind of cool to see new "suits" for familiar faces.
This Laser Cycle takes the Prime Arcee/G2 Road Rocket mold and molds it in mostly white with some really nice yellow and green fades. It's pretty gorgeous - it looks more like some weird indie toy than a mass-produced Hasbro item, and I mean that in the highest compliment. Mine has some schmutz on the shin, but otherwise looks pretty great. They did a nice job applying the colors of an abandoned toy to what is - as far as I can tell - a new character. But it's still a weird mold, and is kind of a weird trip to contort into bike mode. I still like it.
Laser Cycle is, to put it mildly, probably the blandest of this series. Not bad - just not as ornage. The white toy has some black elements, plus yellow and green paints. Back in the 1990s, the Laser Cycle molds were amazing little things - ball-jointed bike bots with red LED lights that made their clear plastic weapons glow. It was magical - but the molds are a little clunky by modern standards. Sadly this new toy has no lights, but it has a lot more articulation like ankle tilts and less bulk so you can actually pose the figure and it stays where you want. I'd love to see other play features reintroduced, but the last few design teams have favored "posable robot" over rocket launchers, lights, flying pizza discs, and other 1990s fun. For older fans that want a robot that looks amazing and is colored like an unmade prototype, Laser Cycle fits the bill. You even get swivel wrists! They can grip a sword with both hands, a real rarity on a Hasbro robot toy.
While she can't stand on one leg due to small feet, there's quite a decent range of movement, she can stand while sitting down - her knees are fully bent and she won't fall over backwards. That's what good heel spurs can do for you. The figure has clear eyes and a back of the head to match, so the eyes "light up" in the right conditions. The one thing that's weird about my sample is her wheel ninja star weapon is in two colors - one half has a yellower tint while the other has a bluer tint. I don't know if it's a production glitch or what, but if I ever see it on clearance I'll buy a second to examine/mix-and-match.
Despite having this mold as Arcee, Erial, and Road Rocket - I missed Flamewar - I still need to consult the instructions. There's a lot of non-intuitive elements here, which certainly keeps me on my toes.
The bike is exactly like the other bikes, with new colors. It's not exactly the kind of eye-melting nonsense you assign to G2 or Toxitron, but it's pretty much something that feels like the 1990s. You get wheels that spin, a kickstand, and some interactive elements. You can put fireblasts on the exhaust pipe, plus there are a few 5mm holes to put accessories like the included disc/star weapon. I also should note the detail on the controls - you can see the dials and whatnot. You even get little rear view mirrors that I assume Toyhax will sticker up by now. This is a toy I will most likely keep in robot mode.
TFWiki (at press time) assigns this toy as a Jazz and given the name and body, I'd disagree - Hasbro did not market it as Jazz, but it is inspired by Jazz. With so many toys winking at other toys, I can't see it as Jazz - but hey, it's your toy, you do what you want. What I want is a bunch of new G2 guys, and this fits the bill. At $25 you may not want another bike, but I bought it from Hasbro Pulse as a "well, support what you want to see" purchase. I'm not disappointed - I'm glad the price was reasonable. If you also love the 1990s era of weird color choices, you should run out to buy one. Sure it's the second G2 redeco of this mold, but isn't that why we're here? I'm who this toy is for, and I'm here for it.
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