Armada Hot Shot

with Jolt

Series: Armada
Allegiance: Autobot
Categories: Supercon
Year: 2002

Well, let's go!
Hot Shot is a young, heroic fighter who rushes into danger without regard to his own safety. He courageously charges into the middle of the fight to aid his friends in battle. He has taken charge in several battles, showing great leadership potential. But he needs the guidance of his elders before he can hope to lead the Autobots. Will he learn to be a leader who strives for good, or will his reckless nature ruin his promising future?

Robot Mode: There is no way to get around it, Hot Shot's robot mode just looks silly. I'm reminded of a preschooler Fisher Price toy and not in a good way. His cheery colours, lack of detailing, and strange proportions make him a mess. His posability is decent, but not in any way great, and his powerlinx gimmick, while a good idea, suffers from poor execution. The bazooka flipping onto his shoulders when powerlinked to Jolt just looks oversized and silly, while the black visor over his eyes should have been transparent, but it's solid. Bottom line, a wasted effort.

Alternate Mode: Unlike his robot mode, Hot Shot's car mode is pretty decent and the only thing that somewhat redeems him (though it can't really get him up to average). The yellow racing car is looking decent and offers some fun powerlinx combox with Jolt. You can either place the Minicon at the back, giving the car a sort-of flight mode by flipping back his rotor blades, or have him ride on top of the engine to activate Hot Shot's attack claws. The car mode is clearly the better of Hot Shot's two modes.

Partners / Add-Ons: Hot Shot comes with Jolt, a red Minicon that transforms into a helicopter. The Minicon is decent and his powerlinx to Hot Shot, especially in car mode, is quite good.

Remarks: Toys like Optimus Prime and Blurr represent the best of Armada, toys like Scavenger and Thrust the worst. Hot Shot, for his part, represents the goofiest. The toy as such isn't bad, the gimmicks are somewhat okay, but the whole design of the robot is so cartoonish and silly that I'm reminded more of a McDonald's giveaway toy instead of an actual Transformers figure. Thankfully his later incarnations improved considerably, but Armada Hot Shot is not a figure you need for your collection unless you are a completist.

Rating: D+