Bumblebee joins Optimus Prime as the subsequent LEGO Transformers set

Lately, because of the launch of big-budget Transformers Within the movies, Bumblebee is finest identified for remodeling right into a shiny yellow Chevrolet Camaro. However within the authentic toy line and the ’80s animated collection, Bumblebee’s alternate automobile was the enduring Volkswagen Beetle.

As is the case along with his Optimus Prime SetLego is sticking to the unique 80s Transformers character designs for Bumblebee. However whereas Lego has a historical past of working with Volkswagen to create genuine brick fashions of the automaker, Bug And campersLego Bumblebee’s automobile mode appears to be like like a unfastened interpretation of everybody’s favourite VW bug, with basic Citroën and Peugeot vehicles thrown in for good measure.

Authentic Bumblebee toy from Hasbro. wasn’t an ideal duplicate of the VW Beetle both, so Lego’s interpretation could seem much more genuine to nostalgic collectors who grew up taking part in with Transformers toys 40 years in the past. However given the extent of precision that Lego offers in its smaller, cheaper Velocity ​​Champions units, some, myself included, could also be a bit dissatisfied with Bumblebee when he transforms and rolls out.

Remodeling trendy Transformers toys can generally appear as troublesome as fixing a Rubik’s dice, however remodeling Bumblebee between robotic and automobile modes appears to be a a lot much less irritating endeavor, though Lego will not say precisely what number of steps the method includes.

There does appear to be one minor trade-off within the transformation course of. Bumblebee’s windshield must be utterly eliminated earlier than utterly remodeling him from automobile mode to robotic mode, however Lego has tried to appease Transformers followers by turning the windshield itself right into a jetpack, permitting Bumblebee to fly – which requires some creativeness.

Different equipment embody Bumblebee’s stat plate (followers could quibble over his power and firepower, as he solely scores two and one respectively, however for bravery it is a stable 10) and a buildable ion blaster.

The very best characteristic of the set might be its worth. When accessible beginning July 1st for Lego Insiders ( loyalty program it is free to subscribe to) or on July 4th for everybody else, the 950-copy Bumblebee will likely be practically $100 cheaper than the 1,508-copy Bumblebee at $180. Lego Optimus Prime priced at $89.99, €89.99 or £79.99.