Name: Bumblejumper
Series: Generation 1
Allegiance: Autobot (since it was sold in either Bumblebee or Cliffjumper Packaging)
Function: n/a
Alternate Mode: Mazda Familia 1500XG (sold as a Mazda 323 in English markets)
Note, "Bumblejumper" is not an official name, but a fan name - this toy is also known as "Bumper". There was an official release in Brazil of this mould, possibly even in yellow (according to Revasser), called "Sedan", however this toy was not an official release in other parts of the world, but an unused Microman mould that made its way into TF packaging
CAR MODE
Height: 3cm Length: 5cm Width: 4cm
A small, yellow, superdeformed, 2-door hatchback, with black headlights, grill, headlights, rear bumper and windows. He's got rubber tyres and silver chromed hubcaps. Oh and a silver square panel on the back. A cute little car mode, with two silver plastic stickers - an Autobot logo on the roof and a various coloured square on the rear silver panel.
The toy's play value is limited to rolling along on its wheels. Without any axles, Bumblejumper doesn't roll very far when simply pushed, but rolls fine when guided by a hand. The rubber tyres provide some traction, so you can make him do controlled cornering and other tricks.
TRANSFORMATION TO ROBOT MODE
Identical to Bumblebee, Cliffjumper and Hubcap. Pull out the front of the car and fold up to form the feet. Lift up the rear panel to reveal the head. Pull the wheels out from the sides to form the arms.
ROBOT MODE
Height: 7.5cm Width: 5.5cm
A predominantly yellow robot, with black arms and legs. He's got yellow feet, a yellow head and torso. His face is silver, with full facial detail moulded. The Autobot symbol on his hood is now on his chest. So while this toy may not officially exist, nor have an official name, it's clearly an Autobot.
It's a nice robot mode, very similar to Hubcap, as well as the other two who share his transform. There's not really anything that makes it stand out from the others aside from being a different mould, though. If it wasn't a rare toy with an otherwise unused mould, it wouldn't be anything special at all.
Poseability is limited to swivel joints at the shoulders, which are quite loose on mine, ruling out any posing. This is standard for the Minicars, though.
VARIATIONS
Officially released (although not by Hasbro) in Brazil, in white, blue, green and silver, as well as the yellow mentioned previously. The only confirmed Anglophone release is the yellow one (with MOC examples to prove it). There's a fairly rare red Microman version (which I call Cliffbee - I named this site after him!), which surfaces from time to time and a blue Microman version, which I can only assume is extremely rare, since I've never seen one. I've seen a few a red ones on eBay every now and then, but I know of the blue one from pictures.
OVERALL
I'm not going to lie - the biggest attraction of this toy for most people is its story. It's reasonably uncommon, but it's not _that_ rare. The toy itself is nice, and as good or as bad as Bumblebee or Cliffjumper. It _is_ a distinctly separate mould, one that was never officially sold in the Anglophone markets - I've seen people incorrectly refer to a red Bumblebee as "Bumblejumper". Whether or not it's worth paying the going rate for a Bumblejumper is entirely up to the individual. As a toy, it's overpriced for what it is. I got mine because I like Minicars and wanted them all. Price aside, I give Bumblejumper 7/10. Oh, and for the record, I think the yellow version looks cooler than the much rarer red version, although I have both toys and think both are appealing.
|
