Transformers Prime: Wheeljack Robots in Disguise (RiD) Deluxe Review

"If you're trying to ruin my day, you're going to have to try harder!"

Part of the Autobot Wreaker team with Bulkhead, Wheeljack is a tough bot with a tough attitude. Willing to go up against the Decepticons even though the odds against him, Wheeljack will never give up.  Although he only appears on one episode of Transformers Prime season 1, his homage to G1 Wheeljack and twin Arabian bowie blades make him an instant fan favorite.

After a whole season of Transformers Prime without any toy line and Hasbro canceling the First Edition toys prematurely, Hasbro releases the Robots in Disguise (RiD) deluxe wave 1 with Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Wheeljack and Soundwave.

Package front:

Unlike TFP First Edition Cliffjumper, TFP RiD Wheeljack's hands do not flip to reveal that blaster shown in this art work and cartoon show.

Package Back:

You too can make a sabretooth sports car as you'll see later in the review.

Tech spec on the side of the package:

He's pretty strong.  Too bad he's not a regular cast member. But that wouldn't make an interesting show since Wheeljack would probably take out more bots than Optimus Prime.

Alt mode front:

Those square pegs on each side of the front intakes is where you can plug in the swords to make the sabretooth sports car mode!

Alt mode left:

A big 5mm peg hole at the side rear ensures guns from other Transformers Prime toys can be mounted on Wheeljack in alt mode or you can plug the blades in there too.

Alt mode right:


Alt mode rear:

Not much bot mode shows in the rear except for the leg swivel.

Alt mode top:

A sleek top that doesn't reveal the robot in disguise! Yeah that was cheesy.

Alt mode bottom:

The bottom is fairly packed and, unlike most other Transformers deluxe-sized toys, doesn't reveal the head.

The two Arabian bowie knives:

There are some small cybertronian etching near the gripe.

Sabretooth Sports Car mode!

The two included Arabian bowie knives can be plugged into the square pegs in the intake for this awesome new mode.  It's not even featured in the cartoon!

Mid-transformation:

The transformeration is fairly straightforward except the leg is fairly neat folding out.  Remember not to pull too hard when rotating the arm piece.  The front of the car becomes the feet, sides of the car become his arms, and his head is well hidden by the rear. 

Bot front:

His head is freely movable even though it looks like his chest piece might hinder it.  The car's front windows become quite a large kibble but I pretend they're blades on his arms to slice and dice Decepticons.  Compared to the TV show, he's missing his Autobot logo on his chest, his legs are missing green paint application, the glass kibble shouldn't be there, the rear wheel well should be at the top and not facing forward, and chest should be wider and mode V-angled,

Bot sides:
 

Bot Rear:

Little to no back kibble is impressive.  Because of the way his feet connects by the side to the legs, his feet don't give a lot of flexibility to posing.

Bot top:


Bot bottom:


His blades can be stowed on his back:


Articulation:

Articulation on Wheeljack is a lot better than Soundwave but fairly limited compared to TFP First Edition toys.  His arm is hampered by the large upper arm piece, his lower leg piece prevents his legs from bending flat, and his feet connection design restricts pose stability.

Transformers Prime Wheeljack has a fairly simple transformation but a really slim neat vehicle mode.  His articulation is limited compared to the Transformers Prime First Edition line of toys but definitely better than Soundwave.  His mold is fairly close to the TV show in accuracy with just some minor easy to forget differences.  For me, Wheeljack is the best mold of all the Transformers Prime RiD wave 1 deluxe/revealer toys. I wasn't a fan of the Transformers Prime show but the toy line definitely has me hooked. It's a great looking toy of a fan favorite character so I highly recommend picking him up even if you don't plan on collecting the rest of the Transformers Prime toys.



Eric Toy Score: 4 out of 5

Publisher: Hasbro
Year: January 2012
Price: $14.99