Snarl is available in the Transformers Animated line as a Deluxe class figure. Snarl is part of the 3 Dinobots in Transformers Animated, with Grimlock and Swoop being the other 2 Dinobots. Though for some unknown reasons, these Dinobots are part of the Autobots, though they never joined the Autobots out right in the animated series.

However, due to certain reasons, Snarl was renamed from his G1 predecessor, Slag. Apparently, the word ‘Slag’ is a swear word and thus is undesirable to be used as a name. Heck, it was used as a swear word during the Beast Wars era, with ‘Slag’ replacing the all time favourite swear word that starts with a ‘F’. Why no mention of it was brought up during the G1 period is probably a mystery or due to the times. The world is getting abit too sensitive these days…

Alternate Mode

Dino mode

Dino mode

Snarl’s alternate mode is that of a dinosaur, or more exactly, a triceratops. In this mode, you can see a little tri-horned bump on the top of Snarl. This actually is the head of Snarl in robot mode. Besides this, the alternate mode looks pretty much like a triceratops should. The 2 upper horns can be pivoted up or down. The red beak can also be pivoted, plus the lower beak also opens and closes. The left and right side of the crest can also be moved. The fore legs feature a slight knee articulation as shown in the pictures. The rear legs also feature some articulation. As a whole, Snarl’s dinosaur mode is pretty limited in terms of articulation.

Robot Mode

Robot mode front view

Robot mode rear view

Though the alternate mode is pretty similar to the G1 incarnation, the similarity stops there as the robot mode features a completely new look as can be seen by the 2 pictures above.

Accessory wise, Snarl comes packaged with a clear orange club. I’d have preferred it if the club was coloured to look like it’s a flaming club as per the animated series, though I might probably repaint the club myself if time permits. As with the other 2 Dinobots, the club cannot be stored in dino mode.

Armed with club

Snarl features a flaming gimmick, the flames at his shoulder pad can be activated by pressing a button at the back of the shoulder pads.

No flames

Flame on, well sort of anyways

 In this mode, Snarl features more articulation than in dino mode, but as with the dino mode, the articulation is pretty limited. The head can be rotated. The fists can be opened and closed. The shoulders can be rotated fully though hindered slightly by the split tail at the back. The elbows bend ever so slightly. There is no waist articulation but the upper thighs can be rotated and the knees bent to almost a 90 degree angle. The shin can also be slightly articulated due to the legs in robot mode being the fore legs in dino mode.

The following picture shows the limits of Snarl’s articulation at the elbows and knees.

Half squats

Lastly, the instruction sheet also features an attack mode for the robot mode. I’m guessing that this attack mode was pretty much an afterthought that was added to increase the play value of Snarl. The attack mode basically involves positioning the triceratop’s head to resemble that of the dino mode when Snarl is in robot mode.

Robot attack mode

 A pretty lame mode huh? Too bad the club cannot be fitted in the mouth to create a flame thrower effect that the G1 Slag was so famous for, since the club is shaped pretty much like a stream of flame and is pretty much coloured correctly as a flame. Having that feature would definately increase Snarl’s play value. I’d have Snarl in dino mode with the flame spewing from his mouth.

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