All three TF: Prime Arcee figures out so far have been molded in different shades of blue. The small Cyberverse figure is definitely too dark, but I’m not really sure which of the other figures is more accurate. The FE seems a bit dark also, but the RID seems too light. I think a more accurate color would be somewhere in the middle.
Even though RID Arcee’s paint apps look fine in robot mode, her alt mode is sorely lacking detail. Again, this is most evident around the engine and wheels. The part that bothers me the most is that Hasbro didn’t even bother coloring her mufflers, and they just don’t look that good molded the same blue as the bike.
Like most current Transformers, Arcee’s articulation is pretty good. Her neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hips are all ball joints. This leaves only her knees, which are hinges. All these ball joints serve their purpose, and she definitely has a nice range of movement. But she isn’t able to strike some of the more subtle poses of her FE counterpart.
Arcee comes with two accessories, a blade weapon and a huge-ass gun. The blade is the same design as the FE Arcee’s weapons, but only smaller. The huge-ass gun is a new piece which I entirely love. To a larger bot, this gun would simply be a blaster. But to Arcee, the smallest of the Prime Autobots, it looks more like cannon! I love the fact that she’s such a badass that she can handle weapons made for robots much larger, and probably more powerful, than her.
Even though the Robots In Disguise Arcee isn’t as complex a toy as the First Edition Arcee, I still think she’s an excellent figure. Aside from the giant back kibble, most of her simpler design elements are easily acceptable. I also think RID has the better face, which goes a long way for me. I love the addition of the huge-ass gun, and I think her bot mode is a much better scale with the rest of the Prime figures.
-Vault
I don’t own a First Edition Arcee, but even if I did I’d still choose Robots in Disguise Arcee over it. It doesn’t matter how complex a Transformer is if I just plain don’t like how it looks.
RID Arcee has a much better face. FE’s Arcee’s eyes are too beady for me; I knew a guy in college who had beady little eyes like that, and that’s all I can think about when I look at the FE figure. I also prefer the blue and silver on the forearms than plain black. Not to mention RID Arcee costs about half as much as a FE would run me.
(Which is funny because I ended up buying two RID Arcees, so I could have her double-wielding her arm blades).
I’m not totally hating on FE Arcee (because I couldn’t find her or anything). She does have a waist swivel, better articulated arms, and the back end of the cycle folds out of the way rather than just hanging there on RID Arcee. (On the other hand, combined with the wings, it gives RID Arcee a neat “insectoid” look).
Vehicon show off…
I found her and Ratchet tonight at my local WM, which I’ve all but abandoned. I had to pass because a- the bubble was half ripped off the card and b- I couldn’t see paying $13 for her, esp when their was a larger SkyHammer for $15…sitting next to new Prime and Megs for $20!
it’s all cherry picking for me, these days.
I finally snagged a Generations Wheeljack because he was on clearance the other week. I had an opportunity to compare the new toon one against the Gen a week or two before and preferred the Gen version. I still hesitated on full price but snagged him on clearance.
she has very pointy boobs… just saying… why does a non-mammal require boobs? i know she’s “female” but she’s not mammalian female.
You’re asking for realism on toy robots? I mean, the entire aspect of her being female fails that logic check, really. What would a race of sentient robots require with a female version? They should all be asexual, but of course, being an IP created to sell toys to kids, I understand why 99% of them are “male”.
Her face reminds me of Beast Wars’ Airazor.
I think she makes a much cuter robot. Her motorcycle mode looks like cheap plastic next to the other one, though. And, while she does have nice articulation, if you pick up the other one and start moving it around, the new one gets blown away immediately.
The usual excellent review and pics, I see. The toy looks a bit delicate for my liking. Also, still ain’t seen the cartoon to influence my opinion on the character, and I’m really selectively cherry-pciking this series, moreso than any other TransFormers line so far. I suppose I might be tempted to pick one up if 1) they released her with a vintage-y pink deco, and 2) they ever released them here in England.
I ain’t holding my breath for either option.
Fantastic as usual, Vault!
I just picked her up this week and while there are certain areas where the FE version is a bit nicer, I have to say I enjoy this one more. The transformation is a bit more intuitive and happens quickly. What I like the best is that her arms are blue instead of just solid black. Plus, you’re absolutely right about her scaling better with the rest of the team.
My only problem is that I only have the PRID Cliffjumper and your pics are gonna make me give in and pay way to much for the FE version!!!