Hydro Bullet Shark
Review by JoshB
Beast Drive is a new product line from 52TOYS, makers of the famous Beast Box line of transforming creatures. They are now doing something a bit different with Beast Drive, which features creatures that transform into vehicles. Each features a core that is accentuated by armor that can be mixed and matched between sets. The first release is Hydro Bullet Shark. On its own, it retails for 34.99, or you can get it with the bonus clear parts for 47.99.
The box for this feels very model-kit like, but it's not entirely a model kit. Theres no graphics on the back.
Inside you get the core vehicle, instructions, decals, 4 sprues of parts, and a catalog.
It takes about 20 minutes to attach all the parts, and about another hour or so to get all the water slide decals on. I found the parts fit to be much tighter on this one than Wheel Raptor, and it actually felt a bit more difficult to get together. But the end result is a beautiful toy.
Jet mode is very "Getter Robo meets Cybertron" asthetic. It's got a lot going on, and sort of resembles a futuristic jet.
There's no landing gear.
The cockpit opens but you need something to pry it open. (or have good fingernails)
Inside is a little baby robot shark! How cute.
Transformation is simple, but it does not look it. Like all the Beast Drive releases, the engineering is deceptive. Once transformed you can see that the Shark mode is a priority - all of the articulation is in this mode.
The head is on a ball joint with articulated jaw. All the fins move, and tail has multiple articulated segments.
I love the use of clear parts here.
I've used a Tamashii stand (sold separatelty) here to display the Hydro Bullet Shark, and it's the only way to go. You can really make it look like it is swimming through air.
Like Wheel Raptor, a bonus set of clear parts is included, but this time I declined to put them on. Things were just too tight on the original build that I felt like it would have been a lot of work to replace them. The parts are just plain clear and I would have been more tempted if they were cast in a different clear color, like blue or green.
This line is fantastic and I can't wait to see where they go with it next.