In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons
Saturday, March 8th, 2025 8:25AM CST
Category: Toy NewsPosted by: william-james88 Views: 50,999
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Some collectors were looking forward to adding the Retro Gears and Bumblebee to their mint in box collection since one of the ways these toys are going for a retro look is the packaging. However, it turns out that even though they are in a plastic bubble, the Gears toy will still have the chest piece detached. This is different than the mock up of the packaging we saw and is still being used on Walmart's site. The in hand images do give us our best look yet at the finished products. They come from AlvinC and ziltama, the later of which also posted a written review on the TFW boards for Bumblebee, which you can read below. They also posted a bunch of comparison images. As for Gears, we have a review from Chuckdawg1999. Enjoy!
Retro G1 Bumblebee is part of the latest line of Walmart exclusive figures. Hasbro has done 'toy' redeco versions of figures before in various lines, including Generations and Generations Selects. Bumblebee and Gears were tapped for Walmart this time. Walmart.com noted in-stock status on March 5th (before promptly selling out).
This redeco of Netflix Bumblebee is supposed to homage the original G1 toy, although does not have the original G1 style head. The silver face scheme has the eyes intentionally painted silver...not a fan of that look. There is a re-issue G1 Bumblebee with the cartoon face and blue eyes. They could have used that artwork instead, oh well.
The QC feels great. There's a lot less paint overall as the original Netflix figure had a lot of paint to avoid yellow mismatch issues (ahem, Sunstreaker). The bare yellow pretty much matches the yellow of Worlds Collide Bumblebee (Edit: Matches in bright lighting; more of a difference is seen in darker lighting). The forearms are painted black, which is different than other prior Bee figures. The Autobot symbol is present on the chest. The only thing that actually truly references the original figure is the symbol on the rear that resembles the symbol on the back of G1 Bee's head. There's no clear plastic this time and the windows are painted black.
Still comes with the Cliffjumper weapons accessories.
Going back to this mold after handling the SS86 figure is a great reminder of how good the CJ/Bee mold was at the time. Having the alt mode actually look like a Beetle makes a huge difference.
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Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2188960)
Posted by Emerje on March 8th, 2025 @ 8:51am CST
Posted by Emerje on March 8th, 2025 @ 8:51am CST
That's unfortunate. I guess the factory didn't get the memo to add one step to the assembly and remove one step from the packaging.
Emerje
Emerje
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2188964)
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on March 8th, 2025 @ 10:50am CST
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on March 8th, 2025 @ 10:50am CST
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2188968)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 8th, 2025 @ 1:43pm CST
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 8th, 2025 @ 1:43pm CST
The shipping of these things keep being delayed in Canada. Fingers crossed that I'll receive mine by the end of the month.
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2188976)
Posted by Emerje on March 8th, 2025 @ 11:47pm CST
The US release date hasn't even come yet (March 31).
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on March 8th, 2025 @ 11:47pm CST
-Kanrabat- wrote:The shipping of these things keep being delayed in Canada. Fingers crossed that I'll receive mine by the end of the month.
The US release date hasn't even come yet (March 31).
Emerje
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2188977)
Posted by ga6789to on March 9th, 2025 @ 5:08am CDT
Posted by ga6789to on March 9th, 2025 @ 5:08am CDT
Seibertron wrote:Emerje wrote:Perfect solution would have been to include both heads. Maybe it's like you were saying before and they simply didn't include the G1 toy head in the mold, but then I would have to ask if it's reasonable to believe that the same crew that put a Galaxy Shuttle head in the Astrotrain mold would do that?
Emerje
Now we're talking. I like your suggestion as well. That would have made everyone happy I think and given those of us who already own that mold something new to enjoy (and match the artwork to go alongside Gears with toy head).
As for Hasbro's current version of this release (and meme spelling error aside) ...
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2188981)
Posted by Dino-Snarl on March 9th, 2025 @ 5:48pm CDT
Posted by Dino-Snarl on March 9th, 2025 @ 5:48pm CDT
Never got the Netflix Bumblebee so happy to get this one for cheap.
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2188982)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 9th, 2025 @ 6:12pm CDT
Same here. Although there are differences in colors, I much prefer the yellow on the new one than the Netflix's orange.
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 9th, 2025 @ 6:12pm CDT
Dino-Snarl wrote:Never got the Netflix Bumblebee so happy to get this one for cheap.
Same here. Although there are differences in colors, I much prefer the yellow on the new one than the Netflix's orange.
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2188983)
Posted by Sabrblade on March 9th, 2025 @ 6:17pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on March 9th, 2025 @ 6:17pm CDT
Yeah, this one's yellow is more toy-accurate, while the Netflix one's more golden yellow is, well, not so much cartoon-accuracy but rather real-world Volkswagen accuracy.-Kanrabat- wrote:Dino-Snarl wrote:Never got the Netflix Bumblebee so happy to get this one for cheap.
Same here. Although there are differences in colors, I much prefer the yellow on the new one than the Netflix's orange.
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2188984)
Posted by Dino-Snarl on March 9th, 2025 @ 6:44pm CDT
Completely agree. The colour palette on this one is superior.
Posted by Dino-Snarl on March 9th, 2025 @ 6:44pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:Yeah, this one's yellow is more toy-accurate, while the Netflix one's more golden yellow is, well, not so much cartoon-accuracy but rather real-world Volkswagen accuracy.-Kanrabat- wrote:Dino-Snarl wrote:Never got the Netflix Bumblebee so happy to get this one for cheap.
Same here. Although there are differences in colors, I much prefer the yellow on the new one than the Netflix's orange.
Completely agree. The colour palette on this one is superior.
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2188997)
Posted by Cheetron on March 10th, 2025 @ 7:26am CDT
Posted by Cheetron on March 10th, 2025 @ 7:26am CDT
Are they both supposed to be $35.97? That's quite an increase and way beyond my purchasing threshold. I know walmart online upcharges sometimes but whoa. Pulse has them for 24.99 or so
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2189002)
Posted by Dino-Snarl on March 10th, 2025 @ 10:29am CDT
$35.97 is the Walmart Canada price. US and Pulse are cheaper. You're still good.
Posted by Dino-Snarl on March 10th, 2025 @ 10:29am CDT
Cheetron wrote:Are they both supposed to be $35.97? That's quite an increase and way beyond my purchasing threshold. I know walmart online upcharges sometimes but whoa. Pulse has them for 24.99 or so
$35.97 is the Walmart Canada price. US and Pulse are cheaper. You're still good.
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2189004)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 10th, 2025 @ 1:26pm CDT
That's in CANADIAN $.
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 10th, 2025 @ 1:26pm CDT
Cheetron wrote:Are they both supposed to be $35.97? That's quite an increase and way beyond my purchasing threshold. I know walmart online upcharges sometimes but whoa. Pulse has them for 24.99 or so
That's in CANADIAN $.
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2189010)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on March 10th, 2025 @ 6:50pm CDT
Posted by Rodimus Prime on March 10th, 2025 @ 6:50pm CDT
I'll be picking them both up if I see them in store. I wonder what the odds are for a comic accurate Bee with blue arms and legs.
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2189013)
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on March 10th, 2025 @ 11:41pm CDT
They're saving that for Goldbug
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on March 10th, 2025 @ 11:41pm CDT
Rodimus Prime wrote:I'll be picking them both up if I see them in store. I wonder what the odds are for a comic accurate Bee with blue arms and legs.
They're saving that for Goldbug
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2189032)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on March 11th, 2025 @ 6:04pm CDT
I get that they had to use blue in place of black, so Bee's blue parts are supposed to be black, but I always thought blue went better with yellow, even if it's not accurate to actual bumblebees.
Posted by Rodimus Prime on March 11th, 2025 @ 6:04pm CDT
I get that they had to use blue in place of black, so Bee's blue parts are supposed to be black, but I always thought blue went better with yellow, even if it's not accurate to actual bumblebees.
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2189052)
Posted by Emerje on March 12th, 2025 @ 8:32pm CDT
If Hasbro brings back Comic Edition I could see them doing that, maybe in a 2 pack with Jazz or Prowl who also got the heavy blue treatment.
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on March 12th, 2025 @ 8:32pm CDT
Rodimus Prime wrote:
I get that they had to use blue in place of black, so Bee's blue parts are supposed to be black, but I always thought blue went better with yellow, even if it's not accurate to actual bumblebees.
If Hasbro brings back Comic Edition I could see them doing that, maybe in a 2 pack with Jazz or Prowl who also got the heavy blue treatment.
Emerje
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2189075)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on March 13th, 2025 @ 4:03pm CDT
Posted by Rodimus Prime on March 13th, 2025 @ 4:03pm CDT
Yeah ER Prowl definitely needs another release, might as well make him comic deco.Emerje wrote:Rodimus Prime wrote:
I get that they had to use blue in place of black, so Bee's blue parts are supposed to be black, but I always thought blue went better with yellow, even if it's not accurate to actual bumblebees.
If Hasbro brings back Comic Edition I could see them doing that, maybe in a 2 pack with Jazz or Prowl who also got the heavy blue treatment.
Emerje
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2189077)
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on March 13th, 2025 @ 5:17pm CDT
Or perhaps they could use the somewhat superior Cyberverse release?
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on March 13th, 2025 @ 5:17pm CDT
Rodimus Prime wrote:Yeah ER Prowl definitely needs another release, might as well make him comic deco.Emerje wrote:Rodimus Prime wrote:
I get that they had to use blue in place of black, so Bee's blue parts are supposed to be black, but I always thought blue went better with yellow, even if it's not accurate to actual bumblebees.
If Hasbro brings back Comic Edition I could see them doing that, maybe in a 2 pack with Jazz or Prowl who also got the heavy blue treatment.
Emerje
Or perhaps they could use the somewhat superior Cyberverse release?
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2189121)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on March 16th, 2025 @ 11:58am CDT
Posted by Rodimus Prime on March 16th, 2025 @ 11:58am CDT
But would that be comic accurate? Doesn't Cyberverse Prowl have a different design? I actually tried to see if I can sub a Cyberverse Prowl into my G1 collection but I didn't find one that was close enough.chuckdawg1999 wrote:Rodimus Prime wrote:Yeah ER Prowl definitely needs another release, might as well make him comic deco.
Or perhaps they could use the somewhat superior Cyberverse release?
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2189123)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 16th, 2025 @ 12:22pm CDT
How about the good old Universe Prowl?
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 16th, 2025 @ 12:22pm CDT
Rodimus Prime wrote:But would that be comic accurate? Doesn't Cyberverse Prowl have a different design? I actually tried to see if I can sub a Cyberverse Prowl into my G1 collection but I didn't find one that was close enough.chuckdawg1999 wrote:Rodimus Prime wrote:Yeah ER Prowl definitely needs another release, might as well make him comic deco.
Or perhaps they could use the somewhat superior Cyberverse release?
How about the good old Universe Prowl?
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2189130)
Posted by Emerje on March 16th, 2025 @ 8:35pm CDT
Posted by Emerje on March 16th, 2025 @ 8:35pm CDT
Doesn't seem like the Cyberverse Prowl mold is even useable anyway. Hasbro used a repainted Hot Rod for Prowl in Earthspark and when Takara Tomy went to use the Cyberverse mold for Earthspark they ended up canceling the release (while still releasing Thrash). I don't think anyone has asked what is up with that mold, I'm not even sure who they would ask since the team is different from the Generations team.
Emerje
Emerje
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2189135)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on March 17th, 2025 @ 1:44am CDT
Posted by Rodimus Prime on March 17th, 2025 @ 1:44am CDT
A worthy stand-in. If only he was blue and white.-Kanrabat- wrote:How about the good old Universe Prowl?
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2189137)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 17th, 2025 @ 3:51am CDT
I that case, it it is time to try and repaint the thing.
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 17th, 2025 @ 3:51am CDT
Rodimus Prime wrote:A worthy stand-in. If only he was blue and white.-Kanrabat- wrote:How about the good old Universe Prowl?
I that case, it it is time to try and repaint the thing.
Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2189142)
Posted by william-james88 on March 17th, 2025 @ 11:35am CDT
I personally do not like this mold. I don't like that era in general, got rid of most of these from my collection
Posted by william-james88 on March 17th, 2025 @ 11:35am CDT
-Kanrabat- wrote:Rodimus Prime wrote:But would that be comic accurate? Doesn't Cyberverse Prowl have a different design? I actually tried to see if I can sub a Cyberverse Prowl into my G1 collection but I didn't find one that was close enough.chuckdawg1999 wrote:Rodimus Prime wrote:Yeah ER Prowl definitely needs another release, might as well make him comic deco.
Or perhaps they could use the somewhat superior Cyberverse release?
How about the good old Universe Prowl?
I personally do not like this mold. I don't like that era in general, got rid of most of these from my collection
