Having looked at the Angry Birds Transformers app that somehow manages to successfully combine Operation Wolf gameplay with bird and pig robots in disguise, what do the related toys bring to the party?
As with other “telepods” Angry Birds games, the associated toy figures and playsets unlock characters in the game when their tiny QR code is placed over the tablet or smartphone camera.
Unlike Skylanders and Disney Infinity though, these function as toys in their own right rather than just being collectable figures.
The Optimus Prime Bird Raceway (£19) is a good example.
The set comes with two characters (Red Bird Optimus Prime and King Pig Megatron) and a friction launched raceway. Much like a Hotwheels track, players each place a vehicle in the launcher and race to the cross-over. Second car there is flung from the track.
Take the two Transformer toys to the video-game and they unlock special editions of their related characters. These can be called upon in specific levels and upgraded as players progress through the game.
One downside is that unlike Skylanders, Disney Infinity and upcoming Amiibo figures the Angry Birds telepods don’t store player progress. The toy can be used to unlock the same character at a friends house but none of your progress will be accessible there.
By far the most popular aspect of the Angry Bird Transformers toys with my family was their ability to transform. Each of the characters is springloaded and offers a quick one step transformation between their robot and vehicle form.
Combine this with their diminutive size and function in the game and you have the perfect pocket-sized toy. They lived permanently in the kids trousers, which in turn lead to an inadvertent washing machine test — I can happily report that they survived.
While Angry Birds Transformers telepods may not be as beautifully crafted or technically advanced as its competitors, the combination of real world playsets and the low cost app is a powerful combination for families.
It should be noted that although the app is free, in-app purchases can be made to advance more quickly, heal and upgrade characters. To fully upgrade one of the more advanced Angry Bird Transformers can cost in the region of £40, but are entirely optional.
Provided parents steer clear of these expensive transactions,
Angry Birds Transformers offers good value — both in the free app and the physical toys. The only snag is that the toys are currently only released in the US, without a firm date for the UK launch — but surely they’ll be here in time for Christmas?
