View Full Version : cassettes or data disks?
morg176
16th November 2012, 06:47 PM
minions are back it would seem but is the data disk format a viable replacement for the now defunct dictaphone mini-cassette? or should other formats be considered. with all the round edges, there would be a limited number of plausible animal/soldier modes?
Defcon
16th November 2012, 07:09 PM
I haven't tried the new round disc versions. I don't think they should be limited design wise, aesthetically they look more futuristic, perfectly suited to the fall of cybertron soundwave figure. The cassettes are of course retro.
It would be cool if these were like activators, where you press a button and they just pop out and transform. As I have no Idea, im interested to try them out.
liegeprime
17th November 2012, 12:42 AM
The round shape would prove a challenging thing to designers, but that's the beauty of it. Finding a way to make something disc like into a "creature" or humanoid is what makes it challenging, interesting and if done right a sure hit and will sell like hotcakes. It should be simple for designers I guess, just look at all those Bakugan et al types of toys, theyre spheres that transform into dragons, birds and wotnot :)
BigTransformerTrev
17th November 2012, 12:00 PM
I don't mind them being data disks rather than cassette's. We are really lucky at the moment that we are getting the FOC minions in data disk form and on the horizon we have the same minions coming out in cassette form to match MP Soundwave. Good times for us! :D
I think the data disks may actually Transform like the activators, I have Soundblaster but have not gotten around to taking him and Buzzsaw out of the box yet, but from what I have read from others, that's how they work.
At least they are staying with a similar theme. Data disks (and 3rd party products like the memory stick Ravage) make more sense than like in TFPrime Rumble turning into a car or in Alternators Ravage doing the same. It's like Optimus - I don't mind him turning into different forms of truck in different continuities. But if he turns into a jet or fiddler crab or a piece of fruit - that's when I have a problem!
KalEl
17th November 2012, 12:42 PM
If you haven't seen the discs yet, please check out my review
GoktimusPrime
17th November 2012, 03:52 PM
I don't mind them being data disks rather than cassette's. We are really lucky at the moment that we are getting the FOC minions in data disk form and on the horizon we have the same minions coming out in cassette form to match MP Soundwave. Good times for us! :D
Yeah... I guess they have to transform into data storage devices of some kind. Cassettes are too old fashioned and it's kinda hard to make them transform into MP3s. :p :p They look like hockey pucks though.
I think the data disks may actually Transform like the activators, I have Soundblaster but have not gotten around to taking him and Buzzsaw out of the box yet, but from what I have read from others, that's how they work.
I like the concept, but the execution is lacking. The discs are by no means as well done as the Animated Activators or Beast Wars/Machine Wars flipchangers. The robot modes are heavily compromised by their gimmick. :/ They kinda border on being what I would consider to be "meaningful" Transformers action figures (i.e. with independent play value) and completely dependent "accessoryformers" (like Nebulans).
At least they are staying with a similar theme. Data disks (and 3rd party products like the memory stick Ravage) make more sense than like in TFPrime Rumble turning into a car or in Alternators Ravage doing the same.
By "memory stick Ravage," are you referring to Device Label Ravage? Cos if so, that toy's not 3rd party, it's legit. It's a craphouse toy though (give me hockey puck Ravage over that mould any day :rolleyes:). I did like how Alternators Ravage transformed into a Jaguar... that was neat. The toy itself was poorly executed though. And I think it's cool how Binaltech Ravage is meant to be a reformatted version of future Ravage (i.e. as seen in Beast Wars) who has come back in time and captured his present day self who he keeps locked up in cassette mode inside his car mode's cassette player! (to prevent the two of them "actively interacting" with each other and causing a paradox I think was the rationale).
It's like Optimus - I don't mind him turning into different forms of truck in different continuities. But if he turns into a jet or fiddler crab or a piece of fruit - that's when I have a problem!
Better not look here (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nl13a8QT5GE/RrsaXPW7YyI/AAAAAAAAACY/gKpZNiMn3lY/s400/Optimash+Prime.jpg) then. :p
BigTransformerTrev
17th November 2012, 05:39 PM
Better not look here (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nl13a8QT5GE/RrsaXPW7YyI/AAAAAAAAACY/gKpZNiMn3lY/s400/Optimash+Prime.jpg) then. :p
Ha - I have him! And Bumblespud :)
morg176
17th November 2012, 11:22 PM
I love the idea of a new format for minions (soundwave and blaster) but i fear the totally round nature of the disks may compromise animal designs. will have to see what happens. would like to see a turtle or an armadillo.
the spring loaded gimmick needs to go in order to make room for mode advanced engineering of the animal mode. I do like the thickness of the disk tho, better than the super slender animals that could barely stand.
morg176
17th November 2012, 11:51 PM
If you haven't seen the discs yet, please check out my review
Kal El, your review is awesome. might skip ravage, pity, he could have been cool but it is a horrible mode. And it would seem that ramhorn has the similar mould. will definitely be picking up ratbat when I see him.:D
KalEl
18th November 2012, 12:05 AM
Kal El, your review is awesome. might skip ravage, pity, he could have been cool but it is a horrible mode. And it would seem that ramhorn has the similar mould. will definitely be picking up ratbat when I see him.:D
Thanks, i would recommend getting the ravage pack if only so you have frenzy and rumble
SkyWarp91
18th November 2012, 09:13 AM
Casettes or even USB sticks! Then again this is all FOC so I guess data discs would make sense back home on Cybertron
morg176
18th November 2012, 09:55 AM
what about an added bonus to the data disk (DD) format [and other shapes can be considered, such as hexagons, octagons, etc] of pretender shells for the cassettes (Griffin, I reserve the rights to this idea, but others may design and make non commercial as they please)
imagine it, frenzy, a pretender shark
rumble, an elephant shell
:D
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