G1 Stunticons

Robot Modes: In robot mode the Stunticons resemble most other combiner teams of that time, consisting of one large leader (Motormaster) and four smaller robots. In this case the size differences actually make sense, though, seeing as a robot that transforms into a truck would naturally be larger than those that transform into sports cars (if anything Motormaster should be larger still). Except for Motormaster the figures don't offer much in terms of posability or play value, but they look good and closely resemble their cartoon counterparts, so not too many complaints here. Motormaster could have been a good toy, but one great weakness drags him down: His way-too-large feet, which are the tractor cab. With them Motormaster looks boxy and misshapen. All in all the Stunticons are, at best, a bad average for G1 toys.

Alternate Modes: The Stunticons transform into four sports cars and a truck. Not much to say here. They look like what they're supposed to and the cars can be outfitted with twin gun barrels each. Good vehicle modes, but nothing special. The truck looks pretty good all in all, definitely the better mode for Motormaster. The Stunticon leader has something of a third mode, being able to transform into a base-like structure that can be attached to Trypticon in city mode (see Trypticon entry for picture).

Combiners Mode: The Stunticons combine into Menasor, who has a much more wholesome feel to him than some other combiners like Devastator. Some people don't like him because of his boxiness, but I don't mind that. The only real drawback to Menasor is that he is almost completely immobile. He can move his arms at the shoulders, that's pretty much it. Other combiners did better in that department. All in all, though, a good gestalt.

Remarks: The Stunticons were created when, even as Optimus Prime was looking to do something against the overwhelming Decepticon air power and came up with the Aerialbots, Megatron intended to challenge the Autobot's undisputed rulership of the roads. The result were the Stunticons, the first Decepticons to transform into cars and only the second Decepticon combiner ever (the first being Devastator)

The Stunticons offer decent play value as toys and were rather interesting characters in the cartoon, though they got only very little screen time in the second season and were reduced to mere props in the third. The main reason for anyone to get them is probably to complete your collection of G1 gestalt robots. That was mine, anyway. And as a combiner the Stunticons are decent toys, even if the individual ones don't do all that much for me.

Rating: C