Jazz

Exclusives have been a thing for Hasbro since the 1980’s when it comes to Transformers & G.I. Joe. In this case, Target was the home of Transformers Buzzworthy in the US. Not sure if that’s more pun or celebration of Bumblebee, who’s been a flag bearer since the live-action movies took off. But some cool toys have been made.

In 2021, Origin Bumblebee was released, an all-new G1 Bumblebee toy with an alt-mode based on the first episode of the G1 cartoon, before the Transformers came to Earth. Two years later, Hasbro has given Jazz the same treatment.

Normally, I like to start with a toy’s packaging. But Buzzworthy is slathered in yellow & evergreen designs, and nothing to do with what’s inside besides the name(s). 100% unimpressive, so on to Jazz.

You really only see him like this in one scene, but in the G1 cartoon, Jazz originally had this Cybertronian alt-mode, what looks to be a hover car. Nothing mind blowing in my opinion, but still cool to have an official toy of this. Colors are plain, mostly white & blue. I do like the translucent windows.

Besides the Autobot symbol and grill, there’s panel lines & vents on every side.

He has a port for his gun, a photon rifle, on the roof, and ports in the rear for blast effects. There’s also storage on the bottom for the grappling hook.

Transformation is not too challenging. Besides looking great, there are two things that stand out in robot mode to me.

First, even though he’s about the same size as the previous Jazz toy from Studio Series 86, which itself is pretty nice, OA Jazz here feels more solid, dense. I really like that.

Second, I’m amazed at how similar this robot mode is to the SS86 figure and what we generally think of as G1 Jazz. No wheels in his legs is the only big difference. Maybe I shouldn’t be because the Cybertronian alt-mode does have a similar profile to his classic Porsche form. But I really am impressed. Certainly, Origin Bumblebee and the upcoming (as of this review) Origin Wheeljack didn’t come out this clean.

Articulation is groovy. Always appreciated, and especially for Jazz, who’s one of the most dynamic and stylish Transformers of all time.

As mentioned earlier, he has two accessories. His gun is one.

And the other is his grappling hook, made of two pieces. Rotating either fist back into the forearm reveals a port to connect it. There’s also an “Evo-Fusion” gimmick (line-wide gimmick for Legacy: Evolution), basically combining both accessories together. But I didn’t bother.

I was thinking his Fall of Cybertron toy from 2012 had one too, but that’s just his special ability in the game. So, this is the first official Jazz toy to have one, something he used in the cartoon and unique to him.

As of this review, deluxe Transformers are retailing for $24.99. Up to you on whether that’s fair, but to me, Origin Autobot Jazz (trademark issues) is worth it, and now in my 1984 display. Perfect as is, but I jazzed mine up with Reprolabels, as seen below. Pun definitely not intended