Ricochet (Transformers) - Transformers: Generation 1 (2004)

Transformers: Generation 1 (2004)

In 2004, Hasbro's Commemorative Series line of re-issued Generation 1 toys included a version the previously Japanese-exclusive toy Stepper under the name Ricochet. A recoloring of the original Jazz toy, this Autobot is a Targetmaster, partnered with Nightstick. In his first American release, Nightstick was originally the Targetmaster partner of Cyclonus, but was named Nebulan when released with the original Stepper.

In contrast to Jazz, Stepper/Ricochet's primary color scheme inverted the white and black parts used on Jazz (the car body being black and various interior robot parts being white) and used gold paint and chrome in place of silver. Decals were printed on metallic gold material as opposed to metallic silver.

The American release of Ricochet is actually a re-tooling of Jazz (1984) in addition to a recoloring. The 2000s re-issue of Jazz had a number of mold degradations resulting in a modified tooling of his original face. Ricochet's face resembles the original, leading to speculation that molds for Stepper (1987) were kept separate from molds made/altered for later versions of Jazz (1993, 2001). Whereas the original Stepper only included his Targetmaster partner (and a shoulder mount), Hasbro and Takara's 2004 re-issues feature a number unique accessories originating from each company's re-issue of Jazz. Ricochet comes with a detachable missile launcher, as well as an unchromed rifle and 2" long oar-like safety missiles. Takara's Stepper uses Jazz's original one-piece missile launcher. To match the original Jazz/Meister and his Japanese re-issue, Stepper also came with a gold chromed rifle and shorter original-sized missiles.

Fellow Autobot warriors find it difficult to maintain friendly conversations with this quick-tempered, easily provoked Autobot, but Ricochet has an uncommonly strong sense of justice. Has the most accurate marksmanship of the Autobots. Can hit a tin can from 10 kilometers. Shoulder mounted automatic shell cannon fires shots at a rate of 30 per second.