COUNTDOWN: Robosen Grimlock – 15 things to know!

Transformers toys have evolved quite a bit since the 1980s. Not only do they come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but now some even transform themselves!

It feels like only yesterday that the internet was abuzz with news of Robosen Optimus Prime, but now we’re back at it again with their latest effort. Oh, and what could be better than a self-transforming interactive robot? Well, how about a self-transforming interactive robot dinosaur?

Yes, despite having been teased a few times already, we now have our first look at the brand-new Robosen Grimlock, and wow, it’s absolutely stunning! Optimus may have made a splash by being first, and Bumblebee is super cute to behold, but I think it’s safe to say this might be the robotics company’s finest effort yet.

Loaded with all kinds of elaborate features and bringing the fan-favourite Dinobot commander to life with incredible accuracy, there’s seemingly more to Robosen Grimlock than meets the eye… so let’s look at just what it’s all about!

#15: It looks similar in style to Masterpiece MP-8

Photo credit: TFW2005

First, if Robosen Grimlock looks vaguely familiar, that’s hardly surprising! It’s a highly faithful take on the classic version of the character and blends various influences from the original toy and the 1980s cartoon into the mix. However, what’s even more notable is how undeniably similar in aesthetic it is to Masterpiece MP-8 Grimlock from 2009, with both modes almost entirely spot-on recreations of the figure (save for some apparent necessary alterations). One suspects that TakaraTomy shared the design files with the folks at Robosen, hence the extreme similarities between the two, although not that we’re complaining – it was a beautiful sculpt then, and it still is now!

#14: Yes, it transforms!

Sorry but this is just absolutely fucking incredible. No ifs, no buts. pic.twitter.com/RnE6CM7snd

— Sixo (@SixoTF) July 19, 2023

It might sound obvious to the initiated, but this Grimlock is a self-transforming beast, just like Optimus Prime before it! That’s surprising given just how clean and uncompromised both modes appear to be, but with just a simple shout of a voice activation command, he’ll soon be flipping between forms to your heart’s content! Oh, and yes, you can use the word “transform” to activate the sequence alongside the more trademark-friendly “convert”.

#13: It’s voiced by Gregg Berger

Grimlock may look as expected, but if he also sounds familiar, then that’s because he’s voiced by the legendary Gregg Berger, who portrayed the character back during the ’80s cartoon! In some ways, this is no surprise after Optimus was brought to life by Peter Cullen and Bumblebee by Dan Gilvezan. Yet it’s further evidence of Robosen’s commitment to pack in as much love for the franchise as possible, especially given how iconic the Dinobot commander sounds.

#12: It’s 15 inches tall in both modes

Robosen Grimlock measures in at an impressive 15 inches in both his dino’ and robot modes, meaning he’ll take up a fair chunk of space in your home! Some may be surprised to read that makes him not only a little smaller than the Flagship take on Optimus (a whopping 19 inches!) but also the Elite version (at 16 inches), so it seems like accurate scaling is not a major concern on Robosen’s mind. Bumblebee is about 13.4 inches, by comparison.

#11: It features 42 voice commands

Anyone who has seen Robosen’s products will know that the primary way to interact with them is through voice command, and in Grimlock’s case, there are 42 separate instructions you can give to him. For those counting, that’s more than Elite Optimus Prime, which clocks in at 39 voice commands, and Bumblebee, which has 20. However, that’s just the start of the fun…

#10: There’s a lot more functionality in the app

As with Optimus and Bumblebee, the voice commands barely scratch the surface of what Robosen Grimlock can achieve. To get under the skin of it, you’ll need to turn to the accompanying app, which boasts an array of features that simply shouting at it won’t achieve! There’s remote control, further downloadable actions, a ‘minitheater’ option and, most crucially, various ways of programming the toy to complete your own custom-built actions! The self-transforming might be the most obvious gimmick, but as I attested in my Optimus Prime review, these customisation controls are what keep you entertained over the long haul.

#9: It can walk in both modes

It’s truly impressive to watch either Optimus Prime or Bumblebee as they walk about your house, as it makes them seem almost alive. However, what’s even more noteworthy in Grimlock’s case is that it can walk in both modes! Watch him lurch forward in dino’ mode, transform, and then continue his path as a robot. Amazing stuff!

#8: The light-up eyes can change colour

As well as the other programmable controls, Grimlock boasts several features beyond what either Optimus or Bumblebee could achieve. The first (and most exciting!) of these is the ability to change the colour of his eyes in both dino’ and robot modes! You can opt for toy-accurate red or cartoon blue and pick from purple, green, yellow and orange, too!

#7: The mouth lights up too

There’s more because, as well as the eyes, there’s a separate light inside the dino’ mouth which, when activated, strongly calls to mind Grimlock’s finely-tuned laser breath! What a sight to behold.

#6: Grimlock is armed with his classic sword and gun

Grimlock is no slouch in his robot mode either, as you can arm him up with his classic blaster and sword, which also feature light-up gimmicks in a neat touch! As with Optimus, you’ll need to watch out that you don’t leave these in place before transforming the figure, but it’s great to see them included. Again, they both look very similar to the MP-8 equivalent accessories.

#5: He also features a crown

Finally, Grimlock sports a gold crown as a clear nod to his tenure as Autobot leader (and chief jackass) in the 1980s Marvel Comics run. It suits him!

#4: The product took seven years to develop

With so much great stuff under the surface, it’s no surprise to learn that Robosen Grimlock has been a labour of love for some time now. In fact, the product took an incredible seven years to develop from the first concept! If you think this is a surprisingly dedicated endeavour, it might shock you that it’s not nearly as long as Optimus’ own gestation, however, as that was a whopping fifteen years in total.

#3: It interacts with other Robosen Transformers

Autobots and Dinobots, Attack! @robosenofficial #Robosen #Transformers #OptimusPrime #Bumblebee #Grimlock pic.twitter.com/ROvrQIrcx8

— Hassan Ahmed (@hassanahmed120) July 19, 2023

As if all the advertised features of this thing weren’t enough, there’s reportedly more Robosen Grimlock can do once you allow it to interact with the existing Optimus and Bumblebee releases. With more characters supposedly in development, it will be fascinating to see how this element of cross-pollination continues to evolve!

#2: It’s the most tech-heavy Robosen Transformers release yet

With 85 microchips and 34 servo motors, Grimlock is by far and away Robosen’s most involved and tech-heavy effort to date. By comparison, both the Elite and Flagship versions of Optimus have 60 microchips and 27 servo motors and Bumblebee has 45 microchips and 17 servo motors, which demonstrates just how much is packed into the Dinobot commander!

#1: It’s also the most expensive

With so many features and additional tech, it’s no great shock that Grimlock is also Robosen’s most pricey endeavour to date, clocking in at almost 1.5x the price of the original Flagship Optimus release. That’s a hefty sum for anyone, but it seems you get a fair bit for your money in this case! One thing is for sure, between this and the noticeably less expensive Bumblebee, we can expect a wide range of releases from Robosen moving forward.

So that’s our list! Are you excited for Robosen Grimlock?

TTFN