In the Transformers Animated universe there exists a pair of Cybertronian plumbers who bear a striking resemblance to Nintendo’s most famous bros, and now they have got their own third-party action figures.
Paying homage to first generation Transformers and Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros., character designer Derrick J. Wyatt debuted this pair of plumbing hopefuls in a group shot of characters that might have made it into season 3 of Transformers Animated. The two bots, Huffer and Pipes, were based on a pair of G1 Transformers of the same name. While the original characters used the same mould painted different colours, the new bots displayed a distinctive height difference to go along with their overalls and mustaches.
No official toys were made of the pair, but fans of the show embraced them. Eventually custom Transformers toy maker Mech iDeas took up the task, creating Bluster & Trench, now available for preorder at Planet Steel Express for $US50 (thanks to Ian for the tip). If I weren’t desperately searching for Mother’s Day presents, I’d snag these in a heartbeat.
For now, I’ll have to live vicariously through YouTube user Peaugh’s hands-on impressions.
Comments
3 responses to “The Unofficial Mario And Luigi Transformers”
Not a big fan of the whole person-standing-in-a-cardboard-box design. Those were always my least favourite transformers to play with as a kid.
Why is Luigi blue? Have I been colour blind all these years?
Yes, probably. Only Transformers toys shown on the internet will look the correct colour for all people, colour blind or not.
It isn’t Luigi, It is a Transformer named Pipes. Granted Huffer should be orange not red, maybe the lighting is off?
…..ah a little further reading has the answer:
Transformers Animated was a really great take/re-design on G1 and almost all of the designs were inspired by pop culture or an emphasis on that character’s traits. I’d love to see a repaint of these two in Mario and Luigi (even Wario and Waluigi) colours. On which these two transformer designs are clearly based.