Transformers Legends LG22 Skullcruncher

While Titans Return is it's own line (sort of... it's a sequel to Combiner Wars and still part of Generations in essence) around much of the world, Takara has chosen to incorporate those figures into its ongoing Legends line. The line is intended to be in the same universe as The Transformers from the '80s. Newer bodies for the original characters. Their toys generally have decos that closely follow the cartoon. In Legends the figures are not Titanmasters but Headmasters. And when it comes to the original Headmasters characters - such as Skullcruncher - the figures has been remolded to better match the source material.

In the Japanese version of Headmasters the smaller components were not binary-bonded allies but the true Transformers. They each has a transtector they could pilot or combine with the form a larger robot. That said no one can stop you choosing to view this toy as either version of Skullcruncher, or an entirely new version.

Headmaster:

Depending on which version of the Headmasters you prefer this is either Grax or Skullcruncher himself. The little guy is your standard Titanmaster/modern Headmaster - balljointed neck and shoulders, hinged hips and knees. There's a tab on the back of the legs and holes on his feet to allow him to interact with any of the new Titans Return molds.

The paint on the face here is quite impressive. The face is gold and the tiny eyes are picked out in red. The face in this mode is actually cleaner than that for robot mode.

The molding on the Headmaster is evocative of the original toys Headmaster component. Interestingly enough the plastic colors are reversed. This is to the new Headmaster's benefit as it avoids the two-tone look a lot of the original Headmasters had.

Beast mode:

Skullcruncher's beast mode is a crocodile. A green and pink crocodile. Got to love those late '80s colors! As you can see in the above picture the crocodile mode is well detailed. All the little scales and plates molded into the body of the crocodile are sharp and angular so that, while it's very recognizably a crocodile, it still has a very mechanical feel.

The crocodile mode has some decent articulation. The rear of the croc is limited. There's a single point at the base of the tail that doesn't have much range. The rear legs have ball joints in the hips. They're molded in a squatting position which means you can't get a lot out of them either. The front legs are another matter entirely. Swivels at the shoulder, an elbow joint, swivel forelegs and hinged claws mean there's a lot of poseability.

One of the things this mold has been receiving praise for is the expressiveness of the crocodile modes head. There is just a single ball joint but it works so well. The head has a good range in all directions.

The teeth and tongue are molded in soft plastic. The Takara release has an advantage over the Hasbro toy here in that these pieces were cast in a semi-translucent red plastic. The teeth are painted but the the tongue and roof of the mouth get an almost organic look from the plastic used.

There's a hatch on the back of the crocodile that opens to reveal a cockpit for a Headmaster/Titanmaster. Inside is a seat and a little control panel molded in there. To me this adds weight to the Takara p.o.v. that the little robots are the real Cybertronians and the larger compenents are lifeless piloted robots. But that's just my personal preference.

Side by side with the G1 toy and you can see a lot of similarities here. It's a good update to the original figure. Legends Skullcruncher hits the right balance between familiar and new, and I'm happy overall with how his beast mode has turned out.

Transformation:

Start by untabbing the tail and removing the Headmaster/Titanmaster from the cockpit. Fold the rear of the croc around and split in half to form the legs. The lower legs will snap into the knees keeping everything secure. The croc rear legs will fit snugly into gaps at the rear of the leg. The feet flip out from the front of the leg.

Take the croc head and fold it back. You can use the ball joint in the neck to get this as flush with Skullcruncher's back as suits you. The crocs front legs will swing down to become the robots arms. Use the swivels at the shoulder and forearm to straighten everything out. The claws fold back and snap onto the forearms and the hands flip out from inside. And now the headless robot is complete.

Robot mode:

As an updated Headmaster one thing is obviously missing from the larger figure. The transformation of the Headmaster/Titanmaster figures is simple. Fold them into a ball. Then plug the head in. Every Headmaster/Titanmaster in the new line is the same size and they all work with each other figure.

Skullcruncher's robot mode is very nice. There's some white plastic now visible breaking up the green and pink of the beast mode. The robot design is fairly simple. The broad shoulders and chunky arms and legs make Skullcruncher look powerful and intimidating. As a Decepticon should.

The articulation in this mode is decent. The head is on a ball joint with an ok range. The shoulders are on ball joints and can also use the hinges from the transformation. Swivels at the upper and forearms combined with the 90 degree elbows give a lot of range of movement in the arms.

The hips are on ball joints which are sadly a little loose on mine. This has been a problem with a lot of Skullcrunchers and Skullsmashers. There's a thigh swivel and a 90 degree knee. Untabbing the knee from the lower leg can give Skullcruncher a double jointed knee.

The main reason I went for the Takara version over the Hasbro was the face sculpt. I really like the head on the Takara version. The boxy black helmet, gold face and red visor were all much more to my taste than the Hasbro head design. As you can see in the picture above a little of the red paint ended up on Skullcruncher's nose but it's not a big deal.

The color layout in robot mode very clearly matches the original toy. Like the beast mode there's enough here homaging the original toy but also enough new engineering and style that Skullcruncher falls in that sweet spot of being a great update to a classic character.

Accessories:

Like most Transformers toys Skullcruncher comes with weapons to help him wage war on his enemies. The first of these is a gun molded to resemble that used by his G1 self. It's pretty standard fair for a Transformers figure.

Skullcruncher's crocodile mode tail also becomes a weapon. He's no longer able to hold it like a club as the original did. There are two pegs, one on either side, that leave him holding the tail like a gun. I prefer the inner peg which makes the tail look like an extension of his arm.

The tail and gun can plug together. Skullcruncher can wield his weapons this way but it is intended to be used as a manned weapon by a Headmaster/Titanmaster. There's some molded detailing of a set behind where the gun plugs in.

The tab on the back of a Headmaster/Titanmaster's legs holds them in securely. There are a few places this can plug into Skullcruncher - shoulders in robot mode, tail in beast mode - but it is intended to be used with the Leader-class or Titan-class figures as a weapons placement.

Skullcruncher also comes with a recolored version of the dinosaur drone from Crashbash. See Crashbash's review for details.

The drone uses the standard pegs found on most Transformers now-a-days. As such it can be combined with the crocodile tail to make a BFG if one is so inclined. It looks a bit goofy but it's possible.

Final Thoughts:

Skullcruncher is my first Titans Return mold outside of the Titanmasters. He does everything I'd expect from a Deluxe-class figure homaging a classic character. While I can't say I have any desire to go completionist on this line I do have his fellow Headmasters Weirdwolf and Mindwipe pre-ordered. This is a standard modern HasTak figure. If you've bought any Deluxe-class toys recently you should know exactly what you're in for. If you like what you see you're likely to enjoy this toy.