review: Kre-O Transformers Bumblebee Brick Box (82962/82312 Asst.)

I wrote in my previous review that, “[T]he inventory of parts [in a set] has as much an influence as imagination on what a person can build.” As if to prove that point, we have this Kre-O Brick Box. Like the Megatron Box, it was also purchased from a Family Dollar store. The box art layout is practically identical, with the exception of the brick colors and Kreon. It should be noted that there are also eleven less pieces in this box.

The bottom of the box shows two sets from the Kre-O Transformers’ first wave, which suggests they’ll be repackaged and make their way to discount retailers soon. This box also claims to include instructions, like the Megatron box. It does not. At this point, I suspect it’s a misprint.

Let’s have a look at the parts.

In the bottom right corner, you can see a 2×2 tile with a neck post. Its inclusion leads me to believe that these parts originally came from one of the larger Kre-O Bumblebee sets. It’s a shame we didn’t get a head for that neck post.

The Bumblebee Kreon isn’t bad. The printing on the torso and head are nicely done. The only gripe I have (and it’s so minor, it’s hardly worth mentioning) is with the helmet. It appears to be modeled after one of the character’s more recent incarnations. I would much rather have preferred a design closer to his “classic” appearance. Still, you instantly know who the character is supposed to be.

While there are no instructions, the parts assortment seems to suggest that you build some sort of automobile with them. Why does a robot that transforms into a car need a car? Anyway, here’s Bumblebee cruising around in a custom street rod.

You get a better look at the tile with neck post in this photo. I suppose you could use it as a traffic cone.

The rubber tires are quite good. Unfortunately, they have a tendency to wobble on their axles.

Oh, no – it’s Megatron! He’s traded his Battle Zamboni for some sort of War Wagon! Let’s go back to what we were discussing at the start of this review. The wagon’s design utilizes all 88 pieces from that set, while Bumblebee’s street rod only uses 74 pieces – three less than the set’s total piece count. Even with eleven less pieces than the Megatron Box, the Bumblebee Box offers builders a greater opportunity to bring whatever’s in their heads to reality.

Conclusion

On its face, the Kre-O Transformers Bumblebee Brick Box may not seem like a better bargain than the Megatron Brick Box. It’s got less pieces than the Megatron Box, but it retails for the same price (USD$5). However, only focusing on the piece-count overlooks the fact that the parts assortment in the Bumblebee Box is more diverse than the Megatron Box. A more diverse assortment of parts offers more options when building, which makes the Bumblebee Box the greater bargain. Less is definitely more in this instance.