Transformer fans had mixed reactions when we saw the return of the Micromasters a couple of years ago. On the one hand it was great to get new versions of characters we hadn’t seen since 89/90. On the other their joints were often weak and their combined weapons modes were more often than not fairly crap.
Then this year we got a new spin on the whole Micromaster gimmick. Back in the day some of them had bases that transformed from things like airports into battle stations with Micromasters manning them – very cool with a lot of play value. Now those classic bases are coming back but now have a third and fourth mode – robot and Modulator armor/weaponary.
The first of these figures released was earlier this year in the Earthrise line with Ironworks. So let’s see how his Decepticon counterpart is getting on in the new millennium with Generations Selects Greasepit.
Fuel Station Mode
Being a redeco of Ironworks, we are seeing pretty much the same figure here. A small compact petrol station, Greasepit’s building portion looks more industrial than than the auto-repair theme the original sported. Also what the hell were they thinking with the positioning of those gas pumps?! Right at the entrance/exit ramp to the fuel centre, filling up your vehicle means you are going to block other customers and, Primus forbid, if you leave your handbrake off you are gonna see your car roll off into traffic!
The one thing that is kinda cool here is the ‘Super Gasoline’ sign – all but identical to the original toy.
Battle Station Mode
The original Greasepit station (or station belonging to Greasepit I should say) unfolded to have towers, missile launchers, guns and radar dishes – it was very cool. Almost all of that is gone now except for the tower and a solitary gun emplacement. Certainly a downgrade from what had come before and essentially identical to Earthrise Ironworks.
Robot Mode
Also pretty much identical to Ironworks. And once again I have to question the placement of the fuel pumps. I mean, on the end of his fist? Punch someone once and you’ll blow your own hand off! At least the colour scheme is pretty boss and he comes with a gun which you can replace the fuel pumps with.
Modulator
Yeah, the Modulators as a whole aren’t working for me the same way the Weaponizers did. Besides a gun you are really just giving other bots a bit of extra armour and some cyberclown-sized shoes.
Overall
The new Ironworks toy worked because the base mode still had its crane, the battle station mode still had one big weapon and you could get the little truck to go with him from the Micromaster 10-pack that was released in Siege. This redeco doesn’t do the original toy justice at all. No little partner to obtain to go with it, the fuel station mode looks odd and the battle station mode is nowhere near as cool as the original. If like me you intend to get Generations versions of classic G1 characters then you are going to want to pick this guy up. If not then this figure is an easy pass.
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