TRANSFORMERS TOYS AND MERCHANDISE SECTION

Robot Mode:
Alternate Mode:
Box Art:
Technical Specifications:
STR
INT
SPD
END
RNK
CRG
FPR
SKL

Numbat's review of: World's Smallest Jazz

Name: WST GTF-08 Jazz
Allegiance: Autobot
Function: Special Ops. Agent

Quote: "Do it with style or don't bother doing it."

Jazz loves Earth culture. Always looking to learn more. His knowledge of Earth makes him the indispensable right-hand man to Optimus Prime. Takes most dangerous missions. Very cool, very stylish, very competent. Equipped with photon rifle, flamethrower, full-spectrum beacon, 180db stereo speakers. Creates dazzling, disorienting sound and light shows. Versatile, clever, daring, but prone to be distracted.

[NOTE: Bio taken from original US G1 release.]

Jazz is an interesting and central character in the G1 universe (and mayhap the live action movie to be). Certainly he's a great asset to that controversial thing – the original G1 cartoon (I'm a big fan, by the way). Yet, for some reason, Jazz's various incarnations have always fallen short in my opinion. (Still, my younger brother loves him and all his toy incarnations to this day – thank goodness!)

As I wasn't a huge fan of the original release, I never went out of my way to get hold of the World's Smallest Version (despite my penchant for tiny TFs). Still, the figure has managed to pass through my hands on far too many occasions. The final one (acquired with many others in a lot containing my goals of WST Trailer and Red Bumblebee) encouraged me to write this review. After all, I've had the guy so many times, yet never kept him (the subject of this review will be jetting his way to a new home by the time it appears online). There's gotta be something to be said there.

And here it is...


Alternate Mode:

As all WST figures are attempts at miniaturising the original G1 toys, there should be no surprise that Jazz still turns into a souped up sports car – albeit 2 1/2” (6cm) long.

The molded detailing leaves a lot to be desired (unfortunately). There are many excellent figures in this line, which all deliver well on mold, so there is little excuse for this. However, painted detail is superb! The wheels are gorgeous in silver and black, while the red and blue stripes and other decals are applied perfectly. The only negative is that the Autobot insignia becomes lost – drowned in the blue of the stripes.

Alas – the car mode does look a little ungainly in this tiny version, and the wheels do not turn. They are merely molded. This is a drawback, and unnecessary. It's a pity that this is a mistake often repeated in the WST line.

Still, if you particularly liked Jazz as a character, or any of his G1 toys, then you would probably appreciate this mode. As to the average collector? Well, let's take a look at the robot mode...


Robot Mode:

The original transformation is reproduced excellently at this miniature scale. And, that does involve a little bit of fiddling with the arms at a couple of points – made all the more frustrating by Jazz's tiny size.

Still, when all is said and done, we're left with a robot standing 2” (5.5cm) tall, smacking strongly of G1 Jazz.

The head sculpt is fantastic, although that's about the extent of molded detail again. This, perhaps, could have been offset by some paint applications to mimic the G1 figure – but again the toy falls short. Still, he could be a passable figure you'd be happy to have in your collection (without much cost) if it were not for other deficiencies. The rigid arms, at right angles, are but one (shared by some of the other WST Autobot cars), which could perhaps be overlooked. It's the tacky, and ill fitting leg / foot pieces which ruin the figure in my view.

Articulation is poor – as you'd expect from a WST. There's no real negative in that. It's just that the figure seems to me to be of a lower caliber when compared with the majority of the line.

Still, all the Jazz aficionados out there will love this guy. He does capture the essence of the guy. Still, there are far better WSTs out there.


Marks out of ten for the following:

Transformation: 7 – The transformation is as nice as the g1 original, but that comes with fiddly irritations as before.
Durability: 8 – For such a tiny figure, Jazz is built well. However, some parts do pop off, but seem to be easily reattached. Still, I wouldn't be sure he'll keep in one piece over the ages.
Fun: 4 – He could have been a lot more fun with moving wheels. Without this, he is rather limited.
Price: 7 – He varies from 99p ($1.95) to £5 ($9.85), which isn't bad for a WST, but still a little steep for what you get here, I'd say.
Overall: 5 – This really depends on your love of Jazz. This is not one of the best WST figures, and he does not keep the proportions of his G1 original in alternate mode. Yet, he is still Jazz, and for many, that will be enough!