Botcon theme is (SPOILER ALERT)

[reillyd]

For those who haven't heard yet, the theme for this year's Botcon is the awesome but underrated "MACHINE WARS" line of toys that were exclusive to the late Kay Bee toy chain.

Obviously this has may have a limited appeal over here, as I don't think we got any of the toys [CORRECTION - WE DID], but having played with Starscream and Megatron I just loved the series. This news was the clincher for a Machine Wars buying spree. I expect prices on the original toys to SKYROCKET over the next week or two on eBay. Some of the toys will be "replacements" at a more appropriate size (deluxe or voyager perhaps, for example Megatron), but it appears this will also introduce new characters as "Series 2" of Machine wars.

Check out the interview with Pete Sinclair of the club at Seibertron (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/machine-wars-qa-with-botcons-pete-sinclair/26324/)

[Paulbot]

We got the Machine Wars toys here, but the line wasn't a store exclusive like it was in the US.

[GoktimusPrime]

Obviously this has may have a limited appeal over here, as I don't think we got any of the toys,
Dude, we did get Machine Wars here. They were everywhere and they shelfwarmed horribly! They were exclusive to U.S. Kay Bee and KB Toys in 1997. I personally had a U.S. contact get them all for me and thought it was pretty cool owning an overseas exclusive line. To make matters worse (for me), I was living in Japan at the time, so I had the toys sent from the US to JP so I could open them up and play with them, but then I mailed them all to Australia when I moved back. :( :( Then in 1999 they came out all over the place and we couldn't get rid of those things for ages! Oh yeah, Australia also had exclusive Machine Wars two-packs too (nothing fancy, just two toys stuck together with shrink wrap :p).

But Machine Wars was a US KB exclusive for at least 2 years... and I remember one time walking into an Uncle Petes and asking them if they had Machine Wars toys, and the lady replied, "Machine Wheels? No, we have Hot Wheels." :p :rolleyes:


but having played with Starscream and Megatron I just loved the series.
Some of the toys had nicer colours -- and Starscream and Optimus Prime definitely looked better than Skyquake and Thunder Clash IMO. But I didn't like how their gimmicks were modified. Starscream's scope is no longer "easily compatible" with other Predator jets (I once attached either Falcon onto it and I felt like I nearly broke the toy trying to disconnect them :( -- and the loss of the Mega Missile rapid launcher gimmick on Optimus Prime was disappointing too). Megatron is a nice toy though, I agree (wish they'd given him proper light piping on the eyes though). And I really liked the creation of the new character Megaplex. :D MW Thundercracker was just weird...


This news was the clincher for a Machine Wars buying spree. I expect prices on the original toys to SKYROCKET over the next week or two on eBay.
Damnit! Someone travel back to 1998 now and stop me from offloading my spare MISB MW Optimus Prime!!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/collection%201998/th_collection_1998B.jpg (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/collection%201998/collection_1998B.jpg)

[Lord_Zed]

I actually thought the Machine wars toys had very boring an unimpressive colour schemes. Yes I suppose they were a bit more realistic but the small ones were devoid of paint aps and just looked a bit like KO's compared to Beast Wars.

So will probably give this Botcon a miss, not that I have ever actually bought any Botcon toys.

Give me Skyquake or Stalker any day.

[kup]

I actually thought the Machine wars toys had very boring an unimpressive colour schemes. Yes I suppose they were a bit more realistic but the small ones were devoid of paint aps and just looked a bit like KO's compared to Beast Wars.

So will probably give this Botcon a miss, not that I have ever actually bought any Botcon toys.

Give me Skyquake or Stalker any day.

Like I said in the other thread, I feel the same way. Not a very interesting theme, I would have preferred more Euro G1 and G2 tributes.

[i_amtrunks]

Give me Skyquake or Stalker any day.

We already have a Skyquake from Energon Starscream. But I digress, give me a Predator/Turbomaster Botcon set and I'll happily hand over my moolah. CD Red Alert was made to be Stalker, and with a new head the RotF Mindwipe Voyager could pass as a larger Skyquake. Struggling to think of any more larger jets to play the part.

Pretty easy to get a few other jets and cars to fill out the cast.

[Bartrim]

We already have a Skyquake from Energon Starscream. But I digress, give me a Predator/Turbomaster Botcon set and I'll happily hand over my moolah. CD Red Alert was made to be Stalker, and with a new head the RotF Mindwipe Voyager could pass as a larger Skyquake. Struggling to think of any more larger jets to play the part.

Pretty easy to get a few other jets and cars to fill out the cast.

I think that they missed the boat with the CD Red Alert mould. During the "-ion" comic run he would of been perfect for a Doubledealer mould IMO.

Although I do like your idea Trunksy:)

[Shirokaze]

The Machine Wars line came out around the time of my 10th birthday and I went absolutely nuts for it since they were the first vehicle transformers I'd seen since G2. Ended up getting Prime(with 2 left hands), Starscream and the flipchange jet Megatron and I was a happy boy.

Soooooo i'm really keen to see what they come up with for this set. :D

[Doubledealer]

Soooo ahhhh WHO'S GOING TO BOTCON 2013?? Me me me me me meeee, so excited (if you can't tell). :D

[CHILENO20]

I think Trunks is right about CD Red Alert For Soundwave, Generations Thunderwing is perfect for Megaplex, Highbrow from HFTD for Sandstorm, Terradive from HFTD for Skywarp/Thundercracker (they are already using that mold for Depthcharge right?), Perceptor for Hoist/Hubcap. But of course these are my thoughts, anybody else want to speculate?

[gekisou]

Soooo ahhhh WHO'S GOING TO BOTCON 2013?? Me me me me me meeee, so excited (if you can't tell). :D

Oh yeah! I will be there too. I just can't wait!!!!!

[Bidoofdude]

CD Red Alert is a bit of a no brainer for Soundwave. :D I'll keep an eye on this. There might be something worth it. (probably not at the prices they sell at)

[Paul Agnew]

Soooo ahhhh WHO'S GOING TO BOTCON 2013?? Me me me me me meeee, so excited (if you can't tell). :D


Oh yeah! I will be there too. I just can't wait!!!!!

Count me in. Viva Machine Wars! :cool:

[CHILENO20]

You boys are going to have a blast, lots of fun!!! Makes me wish I could go again. Just go nuts!

[Bidoofdude]

I have a small chance of going, but I might take that chance. I think we're heading to the US sometime soon, so we'll see. Hope I can go.
I really need to find a Shockwave and whats better than picking one out yourself?!:cool::)
BTW, do you pretty much have the chance of finding nearly any TF toy you could hope to find, if not all? From the videos and descriptions I have heard/seen/read, there is a lot of lots of different TFs.

[CHILENO20]

I have a small chance of going, but I might take that chance. I think we're heading to the US sometime soon, so we'll see. Hope I can go.
I really need to find a Shockwave and whats better than picking one out yourself?!:cool::)
BTW, do you pretty much have the chance of finding nearly any TF toy you could hope to find, if not all? From the videos and descriptions I have heard/seen/read, there is a lot of lots of different TFs.

There is a lot of everything there, a stack of G1's (complete & parts for sale) along with all the other lines. Think of it as a giant swap meet. But like everything in life, rarer & obscure bots are harder to find. When I went, I was able to get about 20-25 that I was after (had about 45 on the list!). Don't be afraid to haggle a bit and don't buy everything all at once. You'd be suprised how much some outlets are willing to drop prices on the final day just so they can clear stock. It is a gamble but it can pay off. Speak to griffin as he's been pretty much every year over the last decade. Wish you all the best with it dude!:D

[Bidoofdude]

Like I said, very, very small chance I'll go but there's still a tiny chance.

[Paul Agnew]

The very first figure of the BotCon 2013 set has been revealed. Now, unlike some people, I'm not going to tell you immediately and spoil the fun. Click the link below to see who is first cab off the rank:

http://www.botcon.com/BotCon2013/

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

The very first figure of the BotCon 2013 set has been revealed. Now, unlike some people, I'm not going to tell you immediately and spoil the fun. Click the link below to see who is first cab off the rank:

http://www.botcon.com/BotCon2013/

Hmm, to say I am underwhelmed would be an understatement.

[Lord_Zed]

What's the deal with his head?

[Gouki]

I have no idea who that is meant to be, or what is wrong with it's head.

Wish there was more purple on it, though. Maybe a brighter purple too. Like GekiViolet.

[griffin]

The colours suggest Soundwave (Machine Wars), but that head is all wrong. It has a Soundwave faceplate, but the top half of the head doesn't match any version of Soundwave I can recall.
The alt mode is an odd choice too if it is MW Soundwave.

[Megatron]

It's Hoist (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=438338856236314&set=a.153259298077606.36631.146805978722938&type=1).

[Paulbot]

It's Hoist (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=438338856236314&set=a.153259298077606.36631.146805978722938&type=1).

Machine Wars Hoist (http://www.tfu.info/1997/Autobot/Hoist/hoist.htm) :)

[SharkyMcShark]

I love it!

Machine Wars only featured 8 molds

Mirage/Prowl - Formula 1 Racer (new mold at the time)
Hubcap/Hoist - Towtruck (new mold)
Megatron/Megaplex - F-22 Raptor fighter jet (new mold)
Skywarp/Thundercracler - Saab Gripen fighter jet (new mold)

Optimus Prime (G2 Thunderclash repaint)
Sandstorm (G2 Rotorstorm repaint)
Soundwave (G2 Stalker repaint)
Stascream (G2 Skyquake repaint)


I'm assuming we'll see

Reveal the Shield Tomahawk as Sandstorm (transforms largely the same way and has almost identical weaponry) (and then I can listen to people crying about how his legs look too much like movie TF legs again) (even though that wasn't true anyway)

Energon Starscream as Megatron and/or Megaplex (same kind of jet, similar transformation, although I'm not sure if Botcon is keen on mold re use as this mold was used a few years ago for the Wings of Destiny set)

Classics Mirage as Prowl and/or Mirage (unbelievably this excellent figure has not actually been used in a Botcon set yet)

[Paulbot]

I like your guesses. Make a good sounding set.

I know I've seen several customs of Rotorstorm made from Tomahawk. If that was done as a second use of the toy as an at-show exclusive I'd be quite interested.

[CHILENO20]

I love it!

Machine Wars only featured 8 molds

Mirage/Prowl - Formula 1 Racer (new mold at the time)
Hubcap/Hoist - Towtruck (new mold)
Megatron/Megaplex - F-22 Raptor fighter jet (new mold)
Skywarp/Thundercracler - Saab Gripen fighter jet (new mold)

Optimus Prime (G2 Thunderclash repaint)
Sandstorm (G2 Rotorstorm repaint)
Soundwave (G2 Stalker repaint)
Stascream (G2 Skyquake repaint)


I'm assuming we'll see

Reveal the Shield Tomahawk as Sandstorm (transforms largely the same way and has almost identical weaponry) (and then I can listen to people crying about how his legs look too much like movie TF legs again) (even though that wasn't true anyway)

Energon Starscream as Megatron and/or Megaplex (same kind of jet, similar transformation, although I'm not sure if Botcon is keen on mold re use as this mold was used a few years ago for the Wings of Destiny set)

Classics Mirage as Prowl and/or Mirage (unbelievably this excellent figure has not actually been used in a Botcon set yet)

Classics Mirage was used as a Clear Blue version of Mirage in 2007. They might try something new. Since MW Hoist & Hubcap used the same mold, safe to assume we'll see an all yellow version for Hubcap? Someone a while back suggested ROTF Mindwipe/RTS Strafe for Starscream, could work. I'm thinking RTS Highbrow for Sandstorm myself. Anybody else with their ideas?

[Autocon]

What mold is that? Is it a kup repaint:o

[i_amtrunks]

Blech, not a fan of Prime Knockout colours on a Classicsverse Kup body. The miniscule head makes it worse.

Like the theme, but not the first figure.

[llamatron]

Cool toy, I assume we'll see it repainted as G2 Electro as part of next year's subscription service figures.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

What mold is that? Is it a kup repaint:o

Yeah, thats the generations Kup body.


Ooooh, I see the head now, before when I looked it looked like his face was a square with dots, but that's just his forehead.

Better, but still totally uninterested.

[Autocon]

Repaint as hubcap??

Im taking 40 40 Im taking 50 anyone for 60 do I hear 60?:p

[GoktimusPrime]

I wonder how many people who never gave a crap about Machine Wars before and skipped the entire line when it was shelfwarming for years, are suddenly gonna crawl out of the woodwork and proclaim themselves as "long time MW fans." :p

[Hursticon]

I wonder how many people who never gave a crap about Machine Wars before and skipped the entire line when it was shelfwarming for years, are suddenly gonna crawl out of the woodwork and proclaim themselves as "long time MW fans." :p

Not me, I own the only figure from the line that pertains to my interest & that's the way its going to stay. ;):cool:

[griffin]

I'm assuming we'll see

Reveal the Shield Tomahawk as Sandstorm (transforms largely the same way and has almost identical weaponry) (and then I can listen to people crying about how his legs look too much like movie TF legs again) (even though that wasn't true anyway)

Energon Starscream as Megatron and/or Megaplex (same kind of jet, similar transformation, although I'm not sure if Botcon is keen on mold re use as this mold was used a few years ago for the Wings of Destiny set)

Classics Mirage as Prowl and/or Mirage (unbelievably this excellent figure has not actually been used in a Botcon set yet)

If I recall, they don't re-use moulds for multiple BotCons. They'll reuse moulds for their store exclusives or membership toys, but since all three of those moulds have been used as BotCon toys already, I have this feeling that those three moulds are out... but if they are desperate, and are short on moulds that Hasbro approves, we could see recycling.

[SharkyMcShark]

Christ, I entirely forgot that Tomahawk was Spinister last year

[Paul Agnew]

5 posts to figure out it was Hoist. That's pretty good. Better than I had hoped, even.


I wonder how many people who never gave a crap about Machine Wars before and skipped the entire line when it was shelfwarming for years, are suddenly gonna crawl out of the woodwork and proclaim themselves as "long time MW fans." :p

Excuse me, but I for one actually preferred the Machine Wars toyline over the Beast Wars toyline back in the day. Not to say the Beasties were terrible or anything (far from it), but Machine Wars delivered my hankering for 'classic' characters I missed out on during the original run. It's also far easier for me to remember purchasing them over the Beasts.

Yeah, I can look back today and see the line for what it was, but for that year or two, it was Machine Wars all the way.

The only negative thing I have to say was disappointment realising there would be no CGI show to follow the line. :p

[Quickstrike]

I like Hoist and I hope we get an Electro out of that mold. Seems like that's what they're going for.


If I recall, they don't re-use moulds for multiple BotCons. They'll reuse moulds for their store exclusives or membership toys, but since all three of those moulds have been used as BotCon toys already, I have this feeling that those three moulds are out... but if they are desperate, and are short on moulds that Hasbro approves, we could see recycling.

They used the Classics Starscream mold at 2 Botcons.

[SharkyMcShark]

I wonder how many people who never gave a crap about Machine Wars before and skipped the entire line when it was shelfwarming for years, are suddenly gonna crawl out of the woodwork and proclaim themselves as "long time MW fans." :p

One of the great regrets of my TF collecting childhood was never being able to finish off that line. I had nearly every figure.

[griffin]

They used the Classics Starscream mold at 2 Botcons.

They used it in 2006 as Thundercracker... what other year did they use it?

[snaketales]

Was it the action-master coloured version of Thundercracker?

[griffin]

Ah yes... in 2011. (it was missing on my shelf, so didn't remember it)

Although, in regards to that one, I remember that it wasn't something they planned ahead to do as a BotCon toy - it was more to do with demand from a concept image I think they showed the previous year (the Gen2-Actionmaster theme), and since Gen2 Ramjet (a seeker mould) was already planned as a Store exclusive in 2012, the AM Thundercracker probably had to be released at BotCon.
It inadvertently set a precedent though, but I think they've said on a few presentation panels, that they prefer not to re-use moulds (helps to separate each set as distinctly different).