Transformers X-Transbots MM-X Toro (Masterpiece Cliffjumper)
The original G1 Cliffjumper toy’s vehicle form was a super deformed “Choro-Q/ Penny Racer” -stylized version of the Porsche 924. Toro’s vehicle mode is more or less an actual “real world” representation of the Porsche 924’s proportions. Though personally, I would’ve preferred it if XTB just went full cartoon accurate and not bother with getting the Porsche 924 proportions right, since it results in a “shell-former” transformation with an enormous backpack.
Sigh… unevenly painted front grill.
Weapons rack
There’s an indention on the hood for placing either the “glass gas cannon” or an antenna. A part of me wishes they didn’t put this in since it looks a bit awkward without anything attached and it also looks awkward when there IS something attached.
Hood-mounted “glass gas”(?) cannon (as seen in “Dinobot Island”)
Antenna
The top part of the weapons rack is meant to be removable, to be able to form the “jet ski mode” of the vehicle.
Since this is a Third Party, non-official item, it’s best to get some stickers from Reprolabels/Toyhax.com to make this guy more “toon-accurate”.
To apply, I find the best way to stick the stickers on is to use the tip of a blade, this way you have more control over the application, as compared to using just your fingers. You can also use the blade to help gently peel off a corner of the sticker in case you didn’t center it right and need to re-apply.
Cliffjumper is always eager to fight, often biting off more than he can handle. He’s also one of the fastest Autobots and often uses his speed to distract his opponents so others can take them down. His specialty is his “glass gas” weapon, which can turn metal brittle and can be shattered like glass.
He comes with various weapons, all based on his weapons’ changing appearances in the cartoons.
Do all his guns shoot glass gas? I’m not really sure, I’ll have to rewatch the episodes he appeared in, and he did appear in a lot.
Glass gas cannon
Laser pistol(?)
Alternate glass gas cannon
While this never happened in the show, I think it’s cool to have Toro dual wield since he has so many guns on hand.
Toro also comes with these two poles, I’m not really sure when he used these, guess I’ll have to rewatch some episodes to find out.
The poles can be combed to form a staff.
Last but not least, his big cannon from “More than Meets the Eye”.
Where does he pull his guns from? Bugs Bunny’s Hammerspace?
Toro stands roughly 4.75 inches and weighs 92 Grams.
Diecast parts include:
-Parts of the thigh
-Black frame underneath the feet.
Transforming him is a bit risky, as you’re supposed to plug the windshield all the way underneath his head. There is some resistance and the fact that the windshield is clear plastic does not help make it less risky.
The biggest complaint about the figure is obviously the backpack in robot mode. It’s honestly not bad if you look at it from the front or even at a skewed angles from the sides. It only looks bad when you look at it directly from the sides and back.
From the front, the backpack actually tolerable and can sometimes even be unseen.
The figure also features an ab crunch joint.
Comparison with Takara Masterpieces.
Overall, I think this is currently the best version of a unofficial Masterpiece Cliffjumper out there (your mileage may vary). Good articulation, decent joints, some diecast, LOADS of accessories. The only real problem is the backpack. I really, really wish XTB made the backpack somehow removable, it would’ve a decent option to have, but as is, it’s not a deal breaker, as the backpack is a bit out of sight if you’re not really looking straight at it.
Other releases from other companies include the Ocular Max’s Helion (I didn’t like the way the mid-section of the robot looked), and the now-defunct Ace Toys’ Tumbler (very loose joints on that figure supposedly). Fans Toys is also teasing an upcoming release but who knows when that will happen for real.
Funfact Cliffjumper was voiced by the late radio star, Casey Kasem, who also did the voice for Autobot Bluestreak and Teletran I. Kasem later departed the show in season 3 after being offended by the Middle-Eastern stereotypes depicted in the episode “Thief in the Night”.
Funfact2 Cliffjumper was voiced (for just one episode) by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the first episode of Transformers Prime.
Gold
