Hasbro Transformers Universe Generation Series 1 Deluxe Figure Smokescreen

Smokescreen was one of the standout "new" Autobots that appeared in season 2 of the original show. I decided to start a mini-collection of Universe/Classics/Generations figures (to go with the IGear's unofficial PP01 Mini Masterpiece Optimus Prime) and this guy looked pretty good in pictures online, so he was my first pick.In person, at first I thought his colors were a bit garish (especially after the first transformation into robot mode). Now that I look at him more, it's not too bad...they could have made him more uniform (see below) but what's here sort of fits in with the classic style.Besides that, the mold has some problems. The front wheels were too high and stuck in the wells out of the box. His head is attached to a spring but doesn't peg onto anything once you get it out, so it's pretty loose. I could overlook some of these things if he were easy to get into a cool pose, but he's not. The aforementioned head isn't on a balljoint and is angled downward, so having his legs anything but straight will make him look down (yes, you can move his chest up to compensate but then there will be an ugly gap in his torso). His arms are a bit short but look good, outside of the door "wings" getting in the way because of the tires on his shoulders (the wings tend to pop off during transformation, and you can leave them off if you want). The biggest problem is with the legs - the hip parts don't rotate out much, and there is a swivel, but it's below the knee rather than at the thigh. It's hard to plant his feet flat, and even if you do, he tends to topple over due to all the weight above the waist. The best pose I could get him into is a sort of lean/turn to the side. Back in car mode, it's hard getting the panels on the sides of the hood to fit without leaving gaps. I got the wheels to sit flat and turn together, but it only works if other parts of the car aren't tight.The Henkei (Japanese) version has a more uniform color scheme (light blues and more whites, and chrome missiles/gun) but is otherwise the same toy. Henkei TFs are always more expensive though, sometimes 3-4 times the cost of a Hasbro version. Personally, I like the colors on the Hasbro version more. I might paint the windows all grey (plus the rear "windows" that are just blue paint now), along with the usual painting tricks (blacklining, dry-brushing) to bring out the details in the gray parts.This is the first of the new figures I'm getting into, the second being Sunstreaker. He's got a balljointed head and a more uniform color scheme, and while Smokescreen is decent, I'm hoping I'll like the next figure more.

Compared to the Combiner Wars version of the character, this Smokescreen is just interesting enough to make him a real exciting figure. I like how his shoulder cannons are remolded from Silverstreak and Prowl and his colors are eye popping. Looks great with the rest of the Lost Light crew.

I thought it would be a new toy, but the package was taped closed. Anyway, the toy is in good condition, so it will do well among the others.

Goode item.

good price

My 4 year old grandson loved it. It was too hard for him to transform to begin with, but with some instruction he could do it without help.

I actually like these remakes of the Transformers better than the originals. Yes, they are 99% plastic and not made out of as much metal as the original G1s, but they have better detail, easier for play, and do not have as many loose parts as the originals to lose. This is no exception and is a must for any collector a great toy for your kid. My son is five and loves this toy. He can transform it himself and plays with it pretty hard. It has not broken yet after four months of heavy play and the rockets still fire. If you remember from the 1980s, the original G1's had low grade springs that often went out making it impossible to fire rockets or even keep them in the guns after a while. While nothing is better than the toys of our youth, I think this is actually a pretty good remake. If it wasn't for nostalgia, I would probably say this one was way better. And yes, it is the same model as Silverstreak and Prowl with a different paint job, but the so were the originals. It is why Hasbro made so much money then and now.Buy this toy for your child or for your collection and you will not be disappointed.

Okay let's keep this short. If you have Universe Prowl or Bluestreak then this is old news with different paint. If not then he is a decent car with a nice robot mode sporting some pretty cool weaponry. If you want more detail check out my Bluestreak review. Hasbro calls him Silverstreak. Smokescreen is the same mold but his paint is better and personally I like the red, white and blue color scheme so I call it a good buy. Paz y larga vida.