For more pictures, click on the image above

Robot Mode: In robot mode Beachcomber is a very, very close match to the G1 original, just less boxy and more posable. Universe Beachcomber is a bit taller, leaner, and he has individually moving legs with knee joints, which is pretty good for a Legends-class figure. No elbows, as his arms are just sculpted into the insides of the car doors, but it looks okay and he is still more posable than most other Legends figures from his wave.

There is little more I can say about this robot mode. It looks good, it's clearly Beachcomber, the detailing is nice. So no complaints on this front at all.

Alternate Mode: In vehicle mode the differences between the G1 and Universe versions of Beachcomber are a bit more profound, but the vehicle is still a blue dune buggy. Though one must say that the G1 version actually carries more detailing here. Universe Beachcomber has but hinted-at headlights and no visible engine. Instead he has a spare wheel on the back and a gun on top. The gun doesn't really make a whole lot of sense, seeing as Beachcomber was the pacifist among the Autobots, but whatever. Differences aside, though, it's still a good, solid vehicle mode, but nothing in any way spectacular.

Remarks: Beachcomber is among my favorite G1 characters. A laid-back pacifist usually more concerned with exploring the wonders of nature than fighting Decepticons, he had center stage in one of the most mature G1 episodes of them all, "the Golden Lagoon", which showed the horrors of war. Beachcomber's name has been reused several times since G1, but usually only for repaints. Universe represents the first time the original character returns since G2. And it's a very faithful, very close-to-the-original version. Not in any way a spectacular figure, mind you, but a very nice resurrection of one of my favorite G1 characters. So if you're not a Beachcomber fan, please subtract some nostalgia bonus from the rating below.

Rating: B

Beachcomber wasn't a pacifist, he just didn't like to fight. He was a hippie, sort of.

The Protectabot First Aid was the Autobot pacifist.

I didn't like the toy precisely because it WAS Beachcomber.

It looks like him at a distance... but everything about it that gives it character makes it a better Outback toy than a Beachcomber toy.

--Boltax.

wot?

The toy's meant to be Beachcomber.

But he's a Mad Max style post-apocalyptic buggy replete with gun.

This form would suit OUtback far more than it suits Beachcomber.

--Boltax.

wot?

Mad Max? He is obviously based on military dune buggies like the sector 7/ NEST type vehicles. I see zero resemeblence to the kinda buggies in the Mad Max movies. Those things had the " slapped together with what we could find" look while Beachcomber here doesn't.


I agree that he'd make an awesome Outback! Way better than redecoing Brawn into Outback for sure.

Yeah, wait what?