Raving Toy Maniac

I know I'm one of the few who really likes the movie toys, but they dropped the ball with the DOTM stuff, big-time. Megatron should've been a leader class over Bumblebee, Sentinel should've sounded like Nimoy if he was gonna talk...Ultimate Optimus is pretty great but Shockwave was also way too small.

The new Human Alliance figures were good, so it sucks to hear Soundwave isn't coming.

Yeah, there are a lot of figures that should have been made from the start and weren't. Leader Megatron, Leader Shockwave, a normal sized Hatchet, Any of the Takara exclusive Leader Primes, a Laserbeak with an alt mode from the movie (I've only seen the released version in store twice and passed both times, Arg!), and on and on. I honestly don't know why Hasbro is cutting this one short when the movie was one of the highest grossing of all time and certainly did better than the previous two. The first move went on with Premium versions and extended the line with Allspark Power. The RotF line transitioned into Hunt for the Decepticons and later into Reveal the Shield. But DotM just ends abruptly in less than a year without even finishing. Surely Hasbro knew the retailers would start to loose interest so why didn't they just rebrand it like they did with the last two movies? I really don't get where Hasbro is coming from on this one. Hasbro has been juggling multiple TF lines at the same time lately, but with DotM dead and Generations on hold until the Fall it seems like they're focusing everything on the Prime line and they can't even do that right!

I don't get Hasbro right now, they just aren't making good decisions.

Emerje

Apparently retailers just didn't want more Bayformers. We got HA Soundwave and the Prime FEs just before xmas in Asia, alongside massive DOTM clearance. Stock of the new wasn't that plentiful due to the giant glut of Bees, retardtwins and Jolt that were and are still clogging shelves everywhere. There's still shelves full of these idiotic things so I wonder how much new 'Asia only' product they can squeeze in.

Obviously pumping the movie toy line with a Bee for every other figure made, and not-in-the-show characters no one cared about the last time was a bad idea.

I kinda pity Hasbro when it comes to the twins. Bay wanted them in until very late in development. But Jolt... what were they thinking?

Just throwing this out there; I'm pretty sure the Death's Head announcement was for Marvel Universe scale, not Marvel Legends.

Anyone, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Personally I want one either way.

I also think the MechTech gimmick was stupid. It made sense for Ultimate Optimus, being vaguely movie-like and old-school to have a big gun come from his trailer (ditto Shockwave, who actually had a big gun in the movie). But when you're asking $45 for "Leader" Bumblebee, and half of the toy you're paying for is a huge, ugly, non-canonical gun - who really wants to buy that? Especially since HA Bee is in better scale anyhow.

What is this Transformers Prime line that everyone is talking about? I've seen the new Transformers Bumblebee line (20 BBs on the shelf and counting) and I did see the Transformers Bumblebee First Edition Bumblebee line (at least a half dozen BBs at one time).

Sounds like there is just too much DotM stuff still sitting on the shelves so retailers don't want any more - rebranded or not. I'd like to see the HA concept expand into this mysterious Transformers Prime line. They could do Bumblebee with the little nerd guy. Hasbro could also make up some other characters since Bumblebee is apparently the only one in the show.

I can't say I'm sorry to see the movie line go. The only movie design I remotely liked was Bumblebee. And to see the DOTM line die in favor of Generations and Prime is sweet, sweet justice, IMO.

Speaking of Prime, it does suck the remaining First Editions will not see U.S. release but, if you like the designs and the characters, TRACK THEM DOWN. I paid way over the odds to get FE Cliffjumper, Optimus Prime, and Bulkhead (luckily found the Series 1 Deluxes at TRU) and don't regret it a bit; they're outstanding figures. I'm going to track the Entertainment Pack down too because, get this, I want the kids.

Best Transformers show since Beast Wars, I think, possibly best ever, with toys to match.

-JJJ

While I'm not as hardcore as most TF fans, I do feel extremely slighted at the manner in which classic characters are / have been handled.

It took forever just to get Galvatron and he was the wrong scale. Shockwave is awesome and I will certainly be buying 2 of them, but again, he deserves the special treatment of being whatever the next step above Deluxe is.

I know survival is all about making the line fresh and exciting for an all new generation, but I just don't see the Movie designs having that lasting appeal that Classic character designs do/did.

Isn't the TF line one of the most successful offerings that Hasbro currently has? I thought it was stated recently that it was outselling even Star Wars at this point.

It just seems that GI Joe and TF get shafted quite a bit with regard to the Classic elements.

I think you're right, I just went with what I read in a report. Another report just listed him with a bunch of mixed Legends and Universe figures without a scale so I'm not sure. Sounds like he'll be released next year either way. Probably see him at SDCC.

Emerje

Yeah, I didn't take any chances and probably overpaid for FE Optimus, too, but I can vouch for him being a great figure. The powerized version looks like kibbley junk next to him. He seems to still be relatively plentiful on ebay, and for a price you could talk yourself into thinking is a "convention exclusive..."

Bayformers ending early could go in the "good news" category to me. Super-psyched to hear we'll get 40 Generations figures in 2013. I just wish it wasn't a year from now. Hopefully that number doesn't include the 8 Fall of Cybertron figures we're supposed to get in 2012. Now I can't wait for SDCC to get a peek at who is in that 40.

I'm definitely in for the Combaticons and (probably more than one) Shockwave in '12, and I can't freakin' wait to see all the figures Generations brings in 2013. :b

LOL, I just picked it up and tossed the 2 leaders on ebay because I just want the kids too. I already had Jack and Ralph from the NYCC pack but I wanted Miko something bad. I must be her only fan or something.

Ha! I like Miko AND Rainbow Dash, so I guess I'm right effed in the head.

-JJJ

Putting Toy Fair behind us for how there are some new rumors about Japanese releases. Supposedly Encore 23 is going to be Sixshot in July and the next Masterpiece is a MP11S Sunstorm in May (based on the new Seeker jet mold). If true I'm definitely in for Sixshot, I know he got reissued before (twice I think), but I was hoping Hasbro would reissue it and never did. Hopefully between Soundblaster, Twincast, and Sixshot they can afford another new reissue like the Constructicons before them.

Emerje

And now they can't. Hasbro says no more gun modes for Transformers, and Sixshot has one.

When did they say that? They just released the Legends Megatron last year. Maybe they just meant realistic guns in normal scale? Not that it matters, my expectations of them releasing Sixshot at TRU went away long ago.

Emerje

A Botcon Q&A. Can find a good source, but this guy mentions it to so I don't think I dreamt it.
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/302947-classic...

Legends is a tiny toy. I assume the policy refers to toys of similar size to a handgun, which equates to roughly deluxe up to the old ultra class scales.

From what that person says it sounds like the big problem is the color, not that it's a gun. Megatron as anything other than a gray gun wouldn't look right, but a purple laser gun like Shockwave could probably pass. Thankfully there aren't that many gun mode Transformers so it isn't really an issue.

Emerje

It's not just the color, though. A few years ago, Hasbro submitted (as a gag, I think) a G1 Megatron painted 100% safety orange, but it was rejected by the legal department as "too realistic." Even the Nerfish Classics Megatron looks too much like a gun today, and that toy is only a few years old.

Now, Shockwave and Galvatron (and Sixshot) might be a different story, since they look even less like a real gun than Classics Megatron, but since Hasbro is too afraid of even Nerfatron any more, I don't expect *any* gun Transformers in the US again. Notice that a couple of years ago, Galvatron was released as a tank, and we've have a couple of Shockwaves (counting the upcoming Fall of Cybertron version) that have both been tanks. Maybe if they just don't mention Sixshot's gun mode anywhere. "Fiveshot," anyone?

A lot of stuff was announced in the last couple days that I've been too busy to report on:

• MP-12 was announced to be Sideswipe. Interesting choice, you can be sure we'll see him remolded into Sunstreaker and Red Alert later.
• The rumor about MP-11S was true, Sunstorm will be an Amazon Japan exclusive. Arms look a little funny to me, kinda wish his elbows were yellow and his forearms were white like how Starscream was colored with blue forearms.
• Two new characters have been added to the Transformers Prime line, spoilers since they'll likely be added to the cartoon:
  Spoiler: Highlight to view

  Rumble and Sargent Kup.
  Both are deluxe and neither seem to have RID style weapons. Breakdown is also on the way.
• Transformers Generations has added FoC Starscream to the line. He's a bit bulky which makes him look a bit squat, but I like the head sculpt and the double elbows are nice.

That's the good news, the bad news is the Asia exclusives. Hasbro told us about the exclusive releases for Dark of the Moon and Transformers Prime First Edition, but what they didn't tell us back at Toy Fair is that they're also releasing several great Transformers Generations/Universe/Reveal the Shield figures over there as well. They've made some really good choices so this is pissing me off more than the other two series going exlcusive. On top of that they're getting Scout class figures back as well while that scale has been replaced by the much smaller and much over priced Cyberverse Commander scale, as well as non-movie Voyagers.

Here's the list:

Legends

• Bluestreak based on RtS Legends Prowl with new gun
• Motormaster based on RtS Legends Optimus Prime with new sword
• Hoist based on RTS Legends Trailcutter with gun hand
• Thundercracker based on RTS Starscream with new guns

Scouts

• G1 Sandstorm based on RotF Dune Runner
• G1 Brawl based on HftD Breacher
• G1 Dead End based on RotF Brakedown
• Laserbeak based on RotF Skystalker

Deluxes

• G1 Springer based on HftD Tomahawk with new head
• G1 Swerve based on Generations Sargent Kup with new head
• G1 Cliffjumper based on Prime RID Cliffjumper with new head
• G1 Wheelie based on RtS Jazz with new head

Voyagers

• G2 Powerdive based on HftD Highbrow with new head
• G2 Megatron based on RotF Bludgeon with new head
• G1 Hotspot based on Universe Inferno with new head
• G1 Brawn based on TF:Prime Bulkhead with new head

Leader

• Movie Leader Starscream in G1 colors
• Movie Leader Ironhide in G1 colors

The Deluxe and Voyager figures make me angry. It's one thing to make a bunch of inconsequential repaints like the Scout and Leader figures, but remolds!? Give me a break! These are figures that would sell easily outside of Asia, and retailers would happily give them space for it, I know I would buy most, if not all, of them. What is wrong with Hasbro? If these don't see release here next year it's enough to make me strongly consider quitting Transformers, I'm getting tired of Hasbro jerking us around this year! This is why sales are down, Hasbro! You keep puting garbage on our shelves while shipping off the stuff we really want over seas!

Emerje

I suspect it's the distributors (ie Walmart et al) who are affecting what gets out there. It's not the first time the US has lost entire lines at retail.

Of course, but US interest was on a decline back then, there was no supporting media to help carry it through. Right now we've got movies, games, cartoons, and comics, yet Hasbro keeps putting the wrong toys at retail. Dark of the Moon should have sold, especially at the lower price point some stores went with, but they gave us smaller figures and too many peg clogging repaints early on (If I never seen another gold deluxe Optimus it'll be too soon) keeping new characters out of stores (I've seen Laserbeak twice and Darksteal once). And MechTech just isn't very fun to play around with, yet they're repeating it with the T:P RID line, even Takara must have thought that was a bad idea because they're giving the Japanese release Minicons instead. Retail space is still there for DotM because the stores have nowhere to put their flood of repaints, the local Walmart just filled an entire endcap with them and still have two columns of pegs in the Transformers section to get rid of. It's not that retailers don't want them, they just can't do anything with the garbage Hasbro keeps sending them. It's the exact same situation as what Mattel did to the MotU 20xx line overloading stores with too many throwaway figures and not enough of the stuff that will sell to the point that stores stopped ordering.

There's really no good reason why they can't sell these exclusives to online stores, this isn't 1992 anymore, there are options. They've got their own damn shop, if they threw them on there they'd sell or they could toss them on Amazon. Fans are outraged and all they're doing is ignoring us. It should be a really interesting Botcon next month, I bet they're going to get a pretty cold reception from fans.

Emerje

The Asian exclusives are pretty frustrating, following on the heels of the First Edition Prime debacle. I hope Hasbro announces something about these at Botcon next month. Some of the repaints I could do without (Wheelie?!? Really?!?), but others are great idea, like Swerve, Brawn, Cliffjumper, and Hot Spot. If Hasbro doesn't come through for us with these, I guess I can pay extra at BigBadToyStore, but I'm not too happy about having to pay the import mark-up. What is it with Hasbro lately? It seems like they've really dropped the ball.

Personally, there's nothing listed above that I'm interested in other than Masterpiece Sideswipe.

Also - I really, really, really hope Takara's recent talk of Masterpiece Soundwave and Encore Fortress Maximus isn't just talk. =D

It's actually pretty bad in Asia too. Your Laserbeak's still clogging pegs here, along with 10 billion Bumblebees and retardotwins. They've been marked down to half since November and they're still taking up 2 walls of space. Prime is slowly inching forward but DOTM has yet to be purged properly as well.

But we're still getting new toys and you guys aren't. So I do suspect it's your retailers strongarming Hasbro. But no store here can dictate assortment quantity, they just take whatever's shipping at the moment. Retail stores here don't have as much clout as Walmart; they just take whatever they can stock and if it gets too excessive back to Hasbro it goes to make room for the next big thing.

I agree that DOTM has been an utter mess that has died far sooner than we know Hasbro is capable of. I can see how a lot of it may be circumstantial. They probably got screwed over by Hollywood over the initial robot cast assortment as filming plans changed, which would explain why new molds were made and released for the twins and Jolt who were never there. We also know that Soundwave was held off for later waves because of which kinda backfired now that later waves were cancelled. And Ferrari licensing issues killed Dino. I can also see why they would abandon the movie line for Prime. The show's distribution is taking off NOW, while the movies are literally over - #4's a reboot ie there's no point keeping the steam going. Transformers is starting to fizzle so I can understand why they're putting their eggs into the Prime basket and being really cautious for everything else. If anything it's just good business sense.

Still, the thing about releasing a Generations line exclusively to Asia is bizarre. They plan on making that the focus line for much of 2013 so surely they recognize strong demand in the line so why brush us off this year? I can only hope they're all neon painted garbage, but the mold choices make so much sense. Maybe they'll change them up a bit and release them here next year, kinda like what happened in Europe between the end of G1 and G2.

Still don't see why they can't just put the good stuff on their HasbroToyShop.com. Even back in 2000 Hasbro knew well enough to sell LioConvoy and Galvatron online.

Emerje

So Botcon was this past weekend and there was no shortage on Transformers news. There were some big announcements and some big disappointments, I'll try to go over the major points from the con right now.

-Fall of Cybertron brightly colored Combaticons will be the retail release, the game accurate version will be an SDCC exclusive box set. That's right, the ones that nobody really want will be available to everyone and the ones that should be sold at retail are a convention exclusive. Total nonsense, I have no idea why Hasbro pulls crap, haven't they screwed Transformers fans enough this year already?

-Second SDCC exclusive is a Transformers: Prime Zombie Cliffjumper in special packaging that reminds me of the crazy stuff Mattel does. The figure is kept in a big zombie Cliffjumper head, the box looks like CJ's chest so you can stack the head on the box to make a zombie CJ bust.

-Transformers Collectors Club announced that they'll be doing a subscription service similar to the Joe subscription. The figures have been announced, but they said they won't say what order they're being released in. The figures announced are:

• Generations Stunticon Breakdown (based on the G2 colored remold of the Universe Sideswipe mold used for the 2010 convention exclusive)
• Animated Jackpot (repaint of Animated Jazz in G1 Action Master Jackpot colors)
• RID/Generations Scourge (Repaint of Reveal the Shield G2 Laser Optimus Prime. Note that it's Scourge and not Nemesis Prime)
• Transformers: Prime/Animated Slipstream (Prime Starscream in Animated Slipstream colors)
• Generations/Movie Circuit (UK Action Masters character, repaint of Transformers movie Axor)
• Ultra Mammoth (repaint of Beast Wars Neo Big Convoy in Ultra Magnus colors)

Kinda want a couple of them, but I'm not sure if I want to subscribe just for a bunch of straight repaints. Breakdown and Scourge are the only ones I really want.

-2013 club membership incentive figure is Beast Wars Depthcharge repainted from Transformers movie Terradive.

-Masterpiece MP-10 Optimus Prime is coming as a Toys R Us exclusive complete with trailer, Roller, and Spike. Not sure why they wouldn't go mass retail on this one. They did say that for now he'll keep his long stacks.

-New Generations figures for Fall of Cybertron, Generations is set to relaunch in stores in August with Optimus Prime, Shockwave, and Jazz:

• Deluxe Starscream
• Deluxe Insecticon Kickback
• Deluxe Sideswipe
• Deluxe Ultra Magnus (Optimus Prime remold)
• Deluxe Fire Flight (Shockwave remold)
• Voyager Soundwave with Cyberverse Laserbeak (with chest storage for 3!)
• Voyager Soundblaster with Cyberverse Buzzsaw (repaint)
• Cyberverse Rumble and Ravage 2-pack
• Cyberverse Frenzy and Ratbat 2-pack

The Cyberverse figures turn into discs that can be launched from Soundwave's chest and transform on impact ala Bakugan. Hopefully with Generations coming in Voyager scale we'll get our wish for a Voyager Grimlock!

-Botshots will continue, bringing in new G1 and Movie molds:
New G1 molds-

• Thundercracker
• Jetfire
• Jazz
• Powerglide

New Movie molds-

• Lockdown
• Topspin
• Ironhide

Launchers Wave 2 will be Ironhide with a saw
3-Packs wave 2-

• Skyquake, Jetfire, Powerglide
• Brawl, Shockwave, clear Ironhide

-IDW is working on a book collecting box art (both of characters and battle scenes) for G1 and G2 spanning both US the Japan and possibly UK. They currently have 300+ images collected with another 150+ pledged to them. They're also looking to feature unused and sample art and want to be contacted if anyone owns any original Hasbro art.

Emerje

I, too, watched the Botcon news roll in this weekend. Luckily, the sub figures don't excite me so I can pass on those. Generations has me excited. I really want a WFC/FoC Starscream & Shockwave was the highlight of Toy Fair for me this year. I am upset about game correct Bruticus being an SDCC exclusive since I was unsuccessful obtaining Starscream last year. Since we are getting a Voyager Soundwave, I hope to see Grimlock & a larger Optimus & Megatron as well. The highlight of Botcon for me is MP-10. I dragged my feet buying the Takara version hoping it would be brought to the states. Now I just have to cross my fingers & hope I can snag one when they are released. Since it's Optimus, I'm hoping the production numbers are higher than previous TRU Masterpieces that I was never able to find.

The Soundwave sounds like fun.

I would have been tempted by a game colored Bruticus at retail. Since it is a con exclusive I'll easily be able to avoid temptation - not to mention the extra cost and hassle.

Did they give any indication on when we should start looking for MP-10?

No, they didn't give a price point either, but there's a rumor that it'll be $100.

Hasbro sent out press images of the upcoming Fall of Cybertron figures, see them here! Ultra Magnus isn't at all what I expected, thought he'd be a lazy white repaint, really loving this one. Strange that he comes with a sword when hammers have become his trademark weapon of choice as of late. Fireflight with his hew head and chest looks really cool. The head is pretty G1 toy accurate, but he looks mean, hardly looks like an Autobot. The other new molds are all great looking, can't wait to get them!

Emerje

Not trying to hijack the thread, but for those who are a bit late to the game re: the Transformers Prime line, I've got some First Edition figures for sale here on RTM: http://www.toymania.com/node/9641

Message me for details, thanks!

Wait, new movie molds? I thought they were done with movie stuff?

For BotShots, yeah. They're super deformed figures, they all have sort of a G1 look in bot mode, but the alt modes vary between G1 and Movie forms.

Emerje

What are the odds that BBTS will actually have Transformers Generations by the end of this month? Shockwave was my #1 reveal from Toy Fair & I would love to have him earlier than August.

No idea, do they usually get them early? We're still 3 to 4 months out on these.

And now that I think about it, wasn't part of the reason that Hasbro was doing that special Asia Generations line because there wasn't shelf space in North America? That line hasn't even been shown yet and when they are released there will be space set aside for Generations in stores, so how does that make sense? Maybe Hasbro changed their minds. *shrug*

Emerje

Add me to the list of those who have found TF: Prime Starscream & Bulkhead. Start scouring your Targets.

I just went on the Transformers ride at Universal. By far the best thing Michael Bay has ever made, but a massive missed opportunity is that the ride's central character, Evac (robot who changes into the ride car) is not available as a toy on the way out. Is this gonna be like Star Tours where it takes years for Hasbro to figure there's a demand? I've heard there may be an Evac figure that's just a repaint (and thus not remotely ride-accurate).

I'll throw it to the experts - any Evac news at all?

I'm far from an expert, but I believe there are two Evac figures planned. One is the smaller Legion size & should be available to mass market while the deluxe figure is exclusive to the park. I'm not sure about them being repaints either. I believe they are new molds.

After doing some cursory searching, the fact that there's also a cargo plane already called Evac adds to the confusion.

Some Masterpiece news that people have been begging for, MP-13 is unofficially Soundwave based on a silhouette that appeared in magazines last week. Nothing official has been said yet, but supposedly he'll be out in December.

A comparison between MP-12 Sideswipe and MP-10 Optimus Prime was also shown last week showing Sideswipe only coming about half way up Prime's body, placing him around 7" to 8" or roughly Alternators size.

MP-12A Red Alert is also said to be in the works, based on MP-12 Sideswipe.

First pics of the Asia exclusive Generations figures have also appeared. Really want the Deluxe figures and Voyager Hot Spot.

Emerje

Masterpiece Soundwave confirmation made my day. I hope he comes with at least Buzzsaw. =D

TRU planograms are showing shelf space for Masterpiece Thundercracker. This is a surprise listing as Hasbro hasn't announced this figure yet.

Emerje

I really hope it uses the MP-11 mold, and not the MP-03 mold.

Hasbro at CybertronCon mentioned that Universal will start stocking Tf toys at THE RIDE starting from June. So they ought to be shipping now.

TFW just updated with pics
http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-toys-product...

So there's your Evac.

There are 3 Evacs planned.

1) Legends class. New mold. Out now in the black Soundwave / Prime Breakdown wave

2) DOTM Evac. Asia only. Ships with the white Wheeljack and Black Soundwave redecos. This *was* meant to be mass released until US retail said No Am Buying.

3) Ride Evac. Same as (2) in Park packaging, only available at TF THE RIDE stores.

**************

In related news, the first Asian Only Transformers have started to show. We're seeing a lot of First Editions restocked in Singapore, including Bulkhead and Cliffjumper. AND the previously Japan-only Vehicon. Picked him up this week. Personally the new RID one is much better.

Hopefully that means the DOTM stuff like Evac, Que and Wheeljack are also on the way to us.

Sorry for cluttering this post, but didn't want to start a new thread just for this:

Did Hasbro decide that the Autobot and Decepticon emblems were too expensive to put on toys or something? I don't remember seeing any emblems on any of the Prime figures...

Probably a cost cutting measure, but I also blame the movie for de-emphasising the use of those emblems.

They're starting to return, though. RID Vehicon has an emblem on his chest, and Airachnid has tiny sculpted ones as well. The Wheeljack repaint con has a big green one on his shoulder.