Combiner Wars Powerglide

Robot Mode: Let’s start with the resemblance to the original G1 Powerglide toy, shall we? Generations Powerglide is basically set up in the exact same way as his G1 predecessor, just a lot more streamlined and realistically proportioned. He adheres more to the TV version of the character than the toy and does a fine job of it. He’s got the characteristic wings pointing up from the shoulders and even that tiny little cannon on the side of his head. Nicely done.

Articulation is fully satisfying thanks to him being ball-jointed throughout and despite somewhat tiny feet, he has a stable stance. A few additional paint apps here and there wouldn’t have gone amiss, but overall he looks pretty good, too. Just about the only negative thing I can think of here is that he lacks a weapon. I mean, sure, he can transform INTO a weapon (see below) and has missile launchers sculpted into his forearms, but a tiny little handgun of his own would have been nice.

So bottom line for the robot mode: probably the best-looking and most G1-faithful Powerglide yet. Not perfect, but very good.

Alternate Modes: Powerglide retains his classic alternate mode, a red airplane resembling an A-10 Thunderbolt II, and transforms into it in much the same way. Which gives us an airplane that looks pretty good, but does have the visible robot fists under the wings (just like the original) and a bit of a visual break in the middle where part of the otherwise all-red airplane is formed by Powerglide’s grey thighs. Still looking good, though, and we even have a working landing gear, too. So while not the best jet mode of a Powerglide figure ever, it’s fully sufficient for this figure here.

As part of the overall Combiner Wars gimmick Powerglide has a third mode where he becomes a weapon for one of the combiner robots to wield (he is intended for Superion, but can be wielded by any of them, naturally). The weapon mode is basically a halfway-mode between robot and plane. The plane’s engines are the gun muzzles, Powerglide’s hip plate flips up to show a targeting scanner, and the missile launchers sculpted into his forearms come into play as well. It’s not the greatest weapon mode ever (not even close), but it’s okay and doesn’t hurt the figure, so no complaints.

Remarks: As one of the few Autobots capable of flight Powerglide was a semi-regular during the second season of the original G1 cartoon and also the star of the infamous episode “The Girl Who Loved Powerglide”, the less said about that one the better. Ever since the original toy we’ve had a few attempts at an update, but so far none of them quite hit the spot for me. Universe Powerglide was cool, but too big. DOTM Powerglide was nicely done, but too Movie-styled to fit in with the Classics-style figures. Now we have Generations Powerglide and while he isn’t perfect, he is, to me, the best reimagining of the character yet.

In conclusion I sum it up as follows: Excellent robot mode, no complaints here. Jet mode is good, but not great. The weapon mode is so-so, I wouldn’t have needed it, but it works okay. So in closing we have a good Transformers toy, recommended to all Powerglide fans.

Rating: B