Transformers Generations Classics 3.0 'Thrilling 30th' Trailcutter (Trailbreaker!)

The Transformers have brought out some great modern takes on classic G1 characters over the past few years: Cliffjumper, Wheeljack, Jazz, Prowl, and Ultra Magnus being some of my personal favorites. The latest Classics 3.0 'Thrilling 30th' release of Trailcutter (from here on out TrailBREAKER - take THAT lawyers!) is no exception.

Ever since the Generations/Classics line began bringing out updated versions of classic Generation 1 characters, I've longed for a good Trailbreaker. He was a character I didn't own as a kid but always admired. And now Hasbro has finally made it happen, and I was lucky enough to find him at my local Target last week.

This Classics 3.0 'Thrilling 30th' wave includes Orion Pax (Optimus Prime's pre-Matrix identity), a Megatron that transforms into a B-2 Bomber type flying wing, Bumblebee (with a G1-ish head sculpt but a movie/Camaro type alt mode), and the stand-out Trailbreaker (now dubbed Trailcutter.)

the rest were easy 'passes' for me, although Orion Pax is cool if only from a conceptual level, and I may get him in the future.

Trailbreaker's head sculpt is very G1ish (and not movie-insectiod!) - it is more cartoon based and not original toy based, but since I never had the toy and only really know him from the cartoon, this works for me.

His robot mode is great. Transformers these days have about 9,845,367% more articulation than their G1 predecessors, and this modern Trailbreaker can boogie with the rest of them.

His bed cover becomes a gun/shield and has a neat handle/front piece to protect his fist as well.

It also mounts to his back to emulate the look of the G1 Trailbreaker. And there's nothing better than an action figure who can mount their weapons and accessories on their person. It makes play and display so much easier!

Trailbreaker's truck mode is beefier than his original G1 Toyota mini-truck version, while maintaining the same color scheme and accents - his alt mode is heavily armed and very badass!

Transformation is easier than some and tougher than others, a nice middle ground and a solid vehicle mode.

I like the bold factory-screen-printed Autobot insignia on the hood. I remember when I was a kid and having to apply those damned stickers. They never came out straight!

Trailbreaker and Hoist were essentially the same vehicles/robots back in the G1 days, and there will be a Hoist version of this toy (with a Hoist head and tow hook instead of bed cover) in a future release. But the hook/lack of bed cover just doesn't work as well in vehicle mode as Trailbreaker's version does, so if you only pick one, I say pick Trailbreaker. And if you insist on having a good Classics-ish G1 inspired Hoist, try to get a hold of the Back Road Brawl version. It's ginchy!

Wheeljack City

During my lunch break yesterday I stopped in to the local Toys R Us for a quick look around. I was actually there to see the Pirates of the Caribbean Legos, because my daughter wants a mermaid Lego mini-figure, but as I always do I hit every aisle in the store to see what's new.

At the Transformers endcap were a bunch of old movie schlock and all those 'preview' Optimus Primes with 3-D glasses that no one cares about...and a lone Generations Warpath. Hmm, cool; I had considered getting that one (although as a kid my cousin owned the G1 Warpath, not I, so I don't really have any affection for him per se.)

What I was really hoping was that Warpath was a harbinger for the ever elusive Windcharger, so as I scanned the full Transformers aisle I was surprised to find the new Generations Wheeljack! I had to have him! There were a couple Kups and a couple Warpaths, one Scourge and only one Wheeljack. I never had Wheeljack as a kid but always loved his character in the cartoon. Ironically all the rest (Kup, Scourge and Warpath) were all part of my cousins G1 collection not mine; so again, I don't lament only having the funds for one toy this trip.

"Never do what your enemy expects you to do."

Wheeljack is superb. He's exactly what Wheeljack looked like in our 10 year old minds when we all played with the originals. And I love how the exhaust pipes double as 'wrenches' - what a fun touch!

His vehicle mode is far from the Lancia Stratos of the original, but still screams speed, power and Wheeljack.

"Who the hell are you supposed to be?"

Wheeljack is actually a 're-paint' of sorts, using much the same engineering and many of the components of the recently released Generation Tracks. But the transformation has been modified a bit as has the front bumper, wingtips (and of course the head) so there is plenty unique about this guy and he doesn't feel like a Tracks knockoff at all. I don't own Tracks and again I have no particular love for him, so displaying them side by side may be awkward but it doesn't affect me.

I know my pal Chunky B will be jealous of this one, as Wheeljack was one of his first and favorite Transformers and this one seems to be pretty hard to find (I've only seen this one so far.) Maybe they are going to be more abundant now, with the movie coming up, but who knows. They aren't made by Mattel, so there may be hope.

Addendum: I am so glad Wheeljack has an actual painted-on Autobot symbol and not that stupid rub sticker. I hated those as a kid and I hate them now. Would a cop or an Army Sergeant have his badge/rank blank for you to walk up to and rub against before knowing his affiliation? NO! Neither would an Autobot (maybe a Decepticon would, those guys are weirdos.)