In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons

Saturday, March 8th, 2025 8:25AM CST

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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

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

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

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

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

-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 (2188981)
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

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

-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.

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.

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

Sabrblade wrote:
-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.
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.

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

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

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

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

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

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 :lol:

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.

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

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

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

Yeah ER Prowl definitely needs another release, might as well make him comic deco.

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

Rodimus Prime wrote:
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
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 (2189121)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on March 16th, 2025 @ 11:58am CDT

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?

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.

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

Rodimus Prime wrote:
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?
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.

How about the good old Universe Prowl?

h8sr6jnan53d1.jpeg

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

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

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

-Kanrabat- wrote:How about the good old Universe Prowl?

A worthy stand-in. If only he was blue and white.

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

Rodimus Prime wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:How about the good old Universe Prowl?
A worthy stand-in. If only he was blue and white.

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

-Kanrabat- wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:
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?
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.

How about the good old Universe Prowl?

h8sr6jnan53d1.jpeg

I personally do not like this mold. I don't like that era in general, got rid of most of these from my collection

Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2189355)
Posted by Wolfman Jake on March 25th, 2025 @ 3:28pm CDT

I swapped out Retro Bee’s arms and head with those of the Worlds Collide set from a few years ago. I’m liking the results!

Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2189704)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on April 5th, 2025 @ 1:42pm CDT

I saw Gears and Bee, but passed. I'm still satisfied with my T30 Gears and origins bee to get them at this point

Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2190509)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on May 10th, 2025 @ 4:22pm CDT

At first, I was very dismissive towards Gears. "Meh, same thing with a new head" I said.

Oh how wrong I was!

20250510_170037.jpg

20250510_171610.jpg

Not only does the "G1" have a new head, he have plastics that are of completely different colors than the original, plus he have a different deco. Even his gun is painted silver instead of being plain black.

Both are worth owning together.

Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2190529)
Posted by Big Grim on May 12th, 2025 @ 7:13am CDT

After getting the Gobot selects box and experiencing Small Foot, I so wanna get ahold of retro Gears!

Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2190540)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on May 12th, 2025 @ 1:15pm CDT

Big Grim wrote:After getting the Gobot selects box and experiencing Small Foot, I so wanna get ahold of retro Gears!

Indeed, this is an EXCELLENT mold. Not only does it look great in both modes but the transformation is very enjoyable.

Get the Retro Gears while you can. Too bad the original is now sold out everywhere and sell for a premium on eBay.

Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2190558)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on May 13th, 2025 @ 1:33am CDT

That retro Gears should come with a tiny black suit Spiderman. Or it would be a good excuse for a comic deco release.

Unfortunately, all 3 Walmart stores in driving distance from my house decided to shrink the TF section in the toy department and the worthless Earthspark and TF One figures are still clogging the pegs.

Re: In Hand Images of Walmart Exclusive Retro Bumblebee and Gears Show Changes to Packaged Look and Comparisons (2190855)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on May 27th, 2025 @ 6:56pm CDT

I picked up Gears for $15, he looked nice and decided to give him a try (and also have one should he show up in Skybound).

I am particular to the head, the faceplate is nice.