Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This review comes from my adult friend who is a longtime building block and Transformer fanatic, and he is raising his children to be the same. Understand that some of the review, such as build time lengths listed, may need to be adjusted for younger ages, especially 7-year olds.
Packaging
=========
The box shows the product in both build modes on the front and back, but the images seem to be computer generated. LEGO boxes show actual photos of the product. Also the included KREONS (figures) are shown clearly both the front and back. The box does clearly state that the kit is a "2in1" build which means that even though it is a Transformer it does not unfortunately transform. The box, which can serve as a storage container, does have a cardboard carrying handle. Neither the handle nor the box, however, seem like they can take much abuse. Opening the box is very easy, cut two pieces of tape and it opens right up. I was presented with four bags of blocks, three bags of figures, two decal sheets (only one is used), and a hefty instruction book. Oddly enough, the manual was bent (but not creased) because it wasn't placed lengthwise in the box where it would have clearly had enough room.
Assembly
========
Figures are in four pieces head, helmet, body, and legs. Very easy to assemble.
I built the robot first and it took about an hour. Fairly straight forward using the instructions. Only a few minor gripes: several small pieces were stuck in other pieces and hard to get out, the shading on some the images made it difficult to see the orientation, and there were a few steps that would have been a lot easier working if the manual showed the bottom of the pieces for these cases.
In order to build the car I had to disassemble robot which took about 10 minutes. The car took also took about hour to build. The car was also a straight forward build using the instructions.
Quality
=======
For the figures, the limbs are on a ball like MEGABLOCKS figures so the limbs have a good range of motions. The hands turn in circles and the hips turn. On two of the three figures the legs did not have enough clearance so they would get stuck in position. One nice feature: the legs have a hole on the side where accessories can be attached.
The robot was surprisingly solid and could easily stand on its own. The range of motions on the legs was very good, although there was a piece at the bottom of the torso that would constantly fall off because of the pressure from the legs. The range of motions on the arms was ok. The elbow joint on the arm was at a weird angle so the arms did not move up down, they move out to the side. The instructions clearly show the arms being straight down on side of the figure. But because of the wheels and design of the arms there is no way to get the arms straight down on the side.
As for the car mode, very solid. The doors open and the missile launcher moves up and down. The wheels are hard plastic instead of rubber and two of the wheel hubs were too tight for the wheels.
Overall brick quality is good, fit together well, and are easy to separate. The bricks work well with LEGO with no notable difference. Because this is a "2in1" set you will end up with extra pieces that are used by the other build. I am used to building a set and then displaying it, knowing that all the needed pieces are in the model. For this set you will have to store the extra pieces somewhere.
Price
=====
With a piece count of 335 the price is approx. 25% cheaper than a comparable basic LEGO set and 20% more expensive than a comparable basic MEGABLOCKS set. Hasbro is likely saving costs here in part because they own the rights to Transformers so they don't need to pay a third party.
Product Support
===============
LEGO is legendary in with there support and very friendly missing piece policy, so how does Hasbro compare?
I called Hasbro support to find out. I got through quickly and the representative was very friendly. For a missing part, if there was indeed one, the representative offered to send me a prepaid label to ship the product back and they would send a replacement. This solution works if the original set was an anomaly, but if manufacturing process was wrong all the sets could be missing the piece. The representative did say that because the product is so new they do not have a parts list yet, so there is hope.
Recommendation
==============
For any child that loves robots and construction sets this is a must buy. If you are a construction set collector, most pieces were standard but there was couple specialize pieces for the joints that make robot building much easier. With know-how and extra pieces, you can add pop-up missile racks, giant cannons, wings . . . As a Transformer toy lover and a LEGO lover this set seems like it would be wonderful fun. But it does not transform and the construction set was not that fun for me out of the box. Ignoring the Transformer brand, these are the best construction set robots currently available.
Pros
====
- Solid robot figure with good range of motion
- Basic bricks seem just as good as LEGO
- Fully LEGO compatible but more affordable
- Age range (7-14) appropriate, although some 7-year olds may need some help
Cons
====
- Does not transform (sniff...)
- Specialty pieces not uniform (e.g., clearance on KREON legs and wheel hubs)
Click Here to see more reviews about: KRE-O Transformers - BUMBLEBEE
Build your favorite Transformers hero, Bumblebee, in vehicle or robot mode with this 2in1 KreO Transformers SetBumblebee!The KreO Transformers SetBumblebee includes* 3 Kreons Bumblebee, Red Alert and Driver!* 2in1 KreO construction set lets you build Bumblebee in either sports car or robot mode!* In robot mode, convert wings on Bumblebee figure into a glider for Kreon figures to ride on! In vehicle mode, up to 2 Kreon figures can fit inside!* Contains 335 KreO pieces
Click here for more information about KRE-O Transformers - BUMBLEBEE
No comments:
Post a Comment