The retail availability in Canada for Transformers is weird. Unless you're just going through smaller independent shops, it seems like you have to preorder from multiple stores to complete your stash, even if you're only buying a select few of them. Such is the case with Elita-1, who was preordered on GameStop, and despite not being called an exclusive, has not been up for preorder at any of the other major stores.
Well, she finally arrived, so I cracked open the box and got to play testing the figure.
Elita-1 is a Deluxe sized figure, and of all her toy appearances, this one has to be the most adorable version I've ever seen. In addition to the main figure, you get a pair of translucent blue guns and what basically is an Elita-1 hat.
Her previous mainline toy was as the body of a combiner team, Voyager sized. This time around, she's a stocky little thing, though realistically speaking better proportioned than her predecessor. Unfortunately, she's also got that gigantic back pack, but the car mode chassis has to go somewhere, I suppose.
Articulation wise, pretty much standard for a Deluxe release, including a full waist joint, as well as bicep/thigh swivel. The shoulders are somewhat inhibited by the backpack, though fortunately the offending pieces can be moved out of the way. The ankle tilt is technically there, but it's not on ball joints, relies on the friction of the plastic parts, and really only has two settings, so it may or may not be useful.
Paint work is relatively clean, though as always the closer you look the more sleep you lose. Build wise, generally solid, though I can possibly see the ankle joint maybe wearing down the plastic nubs that keep it in place, and becoming loose.
While robot mode is nice, vehicle mode is where it's at for Elita-1. A very squat, symmetrical, and compact vehicle. It kind of reminds me of the G1 Minibots like Bumblebee. I'm still trying to figure out why the hat thing is an accessory, and I'm wondering if something was lost in translation between what Takara Tomy was aiming for, as they still have comics of sorts supporting their toy line whereas that practice has basically gone away here in Hasbro-land.
Overall, I like Elita-1, especially when compared to the only other Legacy Deluxe I have, Prime Arcee. This toy looks sharper, has better proportions, and has actual weapons. I have no idea what Legacy figure is next for me other than the already previewed Minerva repaint of this figure.
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