Toy updates from Hasbro Australia

[griffin]

It has been a couple months since I last asked Hasbro Australia for updates (because I don't want to bug them too often), and here are the answers I got.
So, thanks to Hasbro for giving us fans some advance warning on a number of items here.

Black lettering is from me, green lettering is from them.

(our Transformers Checklist for reference, in case you aren’t familiar with something below - http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=16763 )


2014 Generations (any of the final waves of the year for Legends, Deluxe or Voyager)No more waves

2014 Generations Leader Jetfire – will this be appearing at other stores, as it is only being seen at Toyworld since it appeared a few weeks ago.We thought it would be at Myer but it will just be at Toy World and some of the independents
(that's unfortunate - Australian retailers once again have rejected Generations toys here)

2015 Generations – are they a definite here since the Combiners theme is a big thing for Hasbro America next year, or “wait and see how Toyfair goes in March”, to see if the retailers even want them since they will be focusing on Robots In Disguise toyline next year.Almost certain to run here

(I won’t be asking anything about RID until Toyfair, as the toyline is still too far away for us fans to need to know anything more than the official press releases... and I don't want to be given sensitive info just to get attention from other fansites)

Transformers Angry Birds (Telepod racer packs, Battle packs, Multi-packs, Launchers, Vehicles, Jenga sets, Optimus Trackset)Racers, Battle Packs and Bumblebee Blast will be available in most majors end November/December.
Optimus Prime Raceway is K Mart Exclusive

TF4 Deluxe wave 3 (Snarl, Hotshot, Bumblebee)Yes
TF4 Deluxe Stinger – has this been cancelled?Cancelled (this might mean the toy is indeed cancelled, not just for here)

TF4 Power Battlers wave 3 & 4Yes (both waves)

TF4 One-steps wave 3 & 4Yes (both waves)

TF4 One-step Stinger (BigW exclusive?)No (this is now likely to be most movie-accurate Stinger toy, so best to import one if you want Stinger in your collection)

TF4 Dino SparkersNo (these were originally planned for BigW)

TF4 “Walmart” Stinger 2-packs & 3-pack2 Pack is at Big W (no 3-pack)

Kreo Replicator Chamber (with Kreon Stinger)No
Kreo Microchangers 2014 wave 2Yes
Kreo Custom TF4 wave 2 & 3Wave 2 only (we will be missing the Dinobot wave)
Kreo Grimlock Unleashed build setNo
Kreo Elite Optimus PrimeNo (this has been a freebie item in other countries)
Kreo Silver Knight Autobots 5-packNo
Kreo Battle ChangersYes in March 2015

Battle Masters single packsNo
.

[Bidoofdude]

At least we're getting the combiners stuff. I'm not as worried about having to track down parts now. :) I presume this means we'll get the Blackjack/Powerglide wave?

[i_amtrunks]

Retailers do not learn, buy big on the movie and crossover stuff that goes to clearance, but don't touch anything else branded TF... :rolleyes:

[Paulbot]

Retailers do not learn, buy big on the movie and crossover stuff that goes to clearance, but don't touch anything else branded TF... :rolleyes:

There's still plenty of AOE wave one stuff at all the shops as always. Nothing really surprising here.

[FruitBuyer]

At least we're getting the combiners stuff. I'm not as worried about having to track down parts now. :) I presume this means we'll get the Blackjack/Powerglide wave?

While it is good we get the combiners, it'll likely still be cheaper to order from overseas.

[5FDP]

Good news for Combiners but I'll take this with a grain of salt. Won't believe it until I see it.

[ILikeSoundwave]

Seriously? We don't get any 2014 Generations but we get another 2 waves of Power battlers? I don't mind the one step changers as they are a nice alternative for younger kids to collect the entire cast but power battlers and flip and change were unnessesary.

[Sinnertwin]

The only ones that interest me are the Generations Combiners which i'll be buying online regardless of their local availability, but it's nice to see the possibility of them for sale here.

[Deonasis]

I would still love an image of a deluxe stinger but i don't know if the toy even made it that far.

[Bidoofdude]

While it is good we get the combiners, it'll likely still be cheaper to order from overseas.

It will be easier for those looking for gifts for birthdays, Christmas, etc. I can actually tell them I want someting they can buy at retail.

[M-bot]

Kreo Microchangers wave 2 - is that the original wave 2, or the AOE collection 2, or the combiners wave 2? 'Cos I thought the latter 2 already had a release here, and I'm not sure if I missed the original wave 2 and I would very much like to get Groove, to complete my Kreo Protectobots.

[griffin]

Kreo Microchangers wave 2 - is that the original wave 2, or the AOE collection 2, or the combiners wave 2? 'Cos I thought the latter 2 already had a release here, and I'm not sure if I missed the original wave 2 and I would very much like to get Groove, to complete my Kreo Protectobots.

Those are all 2014 Kreo classes.

So the Microchangers Wave 2 are...
Autobot Gears (Gen1)
Autobot Seaspray (Gen1)
Autobot Wheelie (Gen1)
Decepticon Blackarachnia (Animated or BW)
Decepticon Runamuck (Gen1)
Decepticon Skalor (Gen1)
Frostbite (2004 Universe)
Fuselage (Gen1 Octane?)
Scattershot (2008 Universe Airrazor?)
Skimmer (?)
Sunstreaker (Gen1)
Trailbreaker (Gen1)
(these are the ones without numbers printed on them, which haven't been sighted here yet)

Custom wave 2 (also yet to be sighted here) are...
Galvatron
Crosshairs
Hound
Bumblebee

And the Custom wave 3 (which we should NOT be getting here)...
Grimlock
Scorn
Slug
Strafe

[Zippo]

Thanks for the news, as Hasbro AU runs Hasbro NZ now these lists show what we can expect over here (aside from any exclusives)

Good to get the chance to purchase something locally, but I hate whoever decides what we get verses what we miss out on.

[M-bot]

Those are all 2014 Kreo classes.

So the Microchangers Wave 2 are...
Autobot Gears (Gen1)
Autobot Seaspray (Gen1)
Autobot Wheelie (Gen1)
Decepticon Blackarachnia (Animated or BW)
Decepticon Runamuck (Gen1)
Decepticon Skalor (Gen1)
Frostbite (2004 Universe)
Fuselage (Gen1 Octane?)
Scattershot (2008 Universe Airrazor?)
Skimmer (?)
Sunstreaker (Gen1)
Trailbreaker (Gen1)
(these are the ones without numbers printed on them, which haven't been sighted here yet)

Custom wave 2 (also yet to be sighted here) are...
Galvatron
Crosshairs
Hound
Bumblebee

And the Custom wave 3 (which we should NOT be getting here)...
Grimlock
Scorn
Slug
Strafe

The ones I meant (the ones I haven't seen and may have missed are the ones listed here (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Micro-Changer) as series 2, which include Groove. Listed on the TF wiki as a 2013 release. I was hoping the ones you were referring to were a late release of the 2013 series 2, but looks like I'm outta luck.:(

[Mythirax]

The only ones that interest me are the Generations Combiners which i'll be buying online regardless of their local availability, but it's nice to see the possibility of them for sale here.

+1

[griffin]

The ones I meant (the ones I haven't seen and may have missed are the ones listed here (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Micro-Changer) as series 2, which include Groove. Listed on the TF wiki as a 2013 release. I was hoping the ones you were referring to were a late release of the 2013 series 2, but looks like I'm outta luck.:(

I meant to say "they" instead of "those", as in the ones Hasbro were referring to. My wording could look like I was referring to the groups listed in your post. :o

[Hursticon]

Meh...

Hasbro AU and local retail has had its day, foreign online companies are providing the far better avenue and service - It'll be nice to MAYBE see something worth buying on a peg domestically, though, I wont be holding my breath however. :cool:

[UltraMarginal]

with the dollar quietly tanking it might work out cheaper in the next 12 months to actually buy stuff here on sale than import. maybe

[FruitBuyer]

with the dollar quietly tanking it might work out cheaper in the next 12 months to actually buy stuff here on sale than import. maybe

It'll have to tank A LOT to justify buying $90 Leaders.

[UltraMarginal]

It'll have to tank A LOT to justify buying $90 Leaders.

well of course, but deluxes, maybe and smaller stuff most likely, especially Kreo Microchangers, it's already pretty good value buying them in singles here compared to the states.

Griffin, I'm assuming the

TF4 Deluxe wave 3 (Snarl, Hotshot, Bumblebee)Yes

will probably arrive some time prior to Christmas?

[MayzaPrime]

Griffin, I'm assuming the

TF4 Deluxe wave 3 (Snarl, Hotshot, Bumblebee)Yes

will probably arrive some time prior to Christmas?

I saw Lockdown in Kmart Tuggeranong (ACT) so it might actually be here

[griffin]

Griffin, I'm assuming the

TF4 Deluxe wave 3 (Snarl, Hotshot, Bumblebee)Yes

will probably arrive some time prior to Christmas?

That's really anyone's guess. Even if Hasbro already has the stock in their Sydney warehouse, all previous wave stock needs to be shipped out to stores that have actually sold out their stock, before stores can even start getting it.

[griffin]

I saw Lockdown in Kmart Tuggeranong (ACT) so it might actually be here

Lockdown is in the previous wave... which was being called 2.5 instead of its own full wave number. :confused:

[MayzaPrime]

Lockdown is in the previous wave... which was being called 2.5 instead of its own full wave number. :confused:

:confused: Oh well... :p

[griffin]

I got the One-Step Stinger toy today (in the post), and it is not a redeco of any other One-Step toy... confirming that it will be the only original-mould Stinger toy in this line, making it worth importing if you want a toy representation of the Movie Decepticons, as this is now the best we will get.

The only other Stinger toys are the three "Walmart" Legions (redecoes), a Kreon, and a Construct-Bots Rider.

[FruitBuyer]

well of course, but deluxes, maybe and smaller stuff most likely, especially Kreo Microchangers, it's already pretty good value buying them in singles here compared to the states.

Griffin, I'm assuming the

TF4 Deluxe wave 3 (Snarl, Hotshot, Bumblebee)Yes

will probably arrive some time prior to Christmas?

That's a fair point. I'm being bitter because 95% of all deluxes don't interest me.

[Sinnertwin]

Meh...

Hasbro AU and local retail has had its day, foreign online companies are providing the far better avenue and service - It'll be nice to MAYBE see something worth buying on a peg domestically, though, I wont be holding my breath however. :cool:

+1

I know exactly what you mean & i work in retail. Nothing like getting four boxes of Wave 1 AoE Deluxe figures... months after the movie release
Wave 1.
4 boxes.
Think about it.

[ILikeSoundwave]

Any word about the Kreo Galvatron Factory Battle?

[griffin]

As of Toyfair in March, the two large sets (Galvatron Factory Battle and Optimus Prime Dino Hauler) were held back from the smaller ones... for Sept/Oct.

I believe that Hasbro have the Optimus set in their warehouse, so maybe they are waiting for retailers to take them, maybe for a specific catalogue sale.

[laproblematique]

Do we know when we'll be seeing the Leader Thundercracker on amazon.com etc.?

I've got about $120 worth of Myer credit, what are the chances we'll see something from the generations line ala YOTH Optimus Prime, Predaking or Omega Supreme in the next year? I'll be upset if I have to use it on more bayformers!

[FruitBuyer]

Do we know when we'll be seeing the Leader Thundercracker on amazon.com etc.?

I've got about $120 worth of Myer credit, what are the chances we'll see something from the generations line ala YOTH Optimus Prime, Predaking or Omega Supreme in the next year? I'll be upset if I have to use it on more bayformers!

Leader Thundercracker is next year, I'm pretty sure it's part of Combiner wars which is 2015.

YotH Prime is sold out long long ago. I highly doubt we'll get either Predaking or Omega Supreme as they were part of 2013; you're better off getting them online.

[laproblematique]

Leader Thundercracker is next year, I'm pretty sure it's part of Combiner wars which is 2015.

YotH Prime is sold out long long ago. I highly doubt we'll get either Predaking or Omega Supreme as they were part of 2013; you're better off getting them online.

Thanks for the quick response. Do we know roughly how far into 2015 for Thundercracker?

I was wondering if Myer will be getting any of the 'higher end' figures like YOTH MP and the others in the near foreseeable future but I haven't seen any announcements for similar price point figures. Can anybody confirm if it's just AoE that will be hitting Myer's shelves in the next 12 months?

[millhouse]

I was wondering if Myer will be getting any of the 'higher end' figures like YOTH MP and the others in the near foreseeable future but I haven't seen any announcements for similar price point figures. Can anybody confirm if it's just AoE that will be hitting Myer's shelves in the next 12 months?

I think AOE is all the exclusives that have been announced by Hasbro so far. AFAIK, the Hasbro Asia "Year of the..." products haven't been announced yet for the 2015 CNY.

[Paulbot]

We got the YOTS Omega (sold really well at Big W) and YOTS Optimus (didn't sell at Kmart) .

Myer have got the most recent premium/platinum releases, including oddballs like the Arms Micron Prime/Unicron set, and they charge a premium too, and if they keep selling expect to see more.

[FruitBuyer]

Thanks for the quick response. Do we know roughly how far into 2015 for Thundercracker?

I was wondering if Myer will be getting any of the 'higher end' figures like YOTH MP and the others in the near foreseeable future but I haven't seen any announcements for similar price point figures. Can anybody confirm if it's just AoE that will be hitting Myer's shelves in the next 12 months?

Like others have said, Myer stocks the premium stuff outside of Masterpiece, which Toys R Us stock instead. The only reason Myer sold YotH Prime is because it's classified as a Platinum Edition release instead of the usual Masterpiece line.

Thundercracker was just announced and doesn't have a date in the US yet let alone here.

[laproblematique]

Thanks for the help guys.

I guess I'll have to keep an ear out for the more premium platinum series on Myer's shelves and will just keep amazon credit for Leader Thundercracker and other generations/classics figures.

[griffin]

Just noting what the update confirms that we are missing this year in Australia, and what Australian retailers missed out on in sales... the best line in ages - Generations 2014.
(minus Brainstorm, Chromia, Windblade and Arcee - but we got Jetfire here)

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/collections/griffinofoz/c33s5.jpg

So pretty... and so exciting when most of them arrived the other day in one bulk lot. (I haven't felt that in a while, after all these endless Movie toys and gimmick lines).
Some of these are not Generations toys, as other toys arrived at the same time, and ended up in the group shots...

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/c218.jpg
.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/collections/griffinofoz/1410b.jpg

I was planning to have those sent from BBTS when the last three were released - Brainstorm, Arcee, Chromia - but buying for others pushed my POL up to $960... so had to ship it two weeks ago.

It's such a shame that so much importing has to be done, for one of the best mix of new homage toys in a long while.

[UltraMarginal]

cool pics seeing it all together. I would have liked to see these on Australian shelves, but at the same time I still would have imported a lot to save money.

[Sinnertwin]

There's only 1 out of the 25( not counting the exclusive Jetfire) toys pictured that i've seen at Aus retail so far. Brilliant.

[UltraMarginal]

There's only 1 out of the 25( not counting the exclusive Jetfire) toys pictured that i've seen at Aus retail so far. Brilliant.

which one was that?

[Mythirax]

There's only 1 out of the 25( not counting the exclusive Jetfire) toys pictured that i've seen at Aus retail so far. Brilliant.

Depressing isn't it.

[laproblematique]

Just noting what the update confirms that we are missing this year in Australia, and what Australian retailers missed out on in sales... the best line in ages - Generations 2014.
(minus Brainstorm, Chromia, Windblade and Arcee - but we got Jetfire here)


:O Three Jetfires?

Really happy with my Jetfire that just came in last week through amazon.

I really only like the bigger, more detailed figures - having them in hand now, which voyagers would be your pick of the lot? Have been eyeing off Rhinox in particular as I was a big fan of Beast Wars growing up as a kid - pretty sure I have my favorite figure Cheetor somewhere.

[Handsprime]

There's only 1 out of the 25( not counting the exclusive Jetfire) toys pictured that i've seen at Aus retail so far. Brilliant.

I never understood why they never released the Thrilling 30 Generation toys in Australia (with the exception of Metroplex). In fact even the Fall of Cybertron series didn't have the last wave out in mass retail untill eariler this year where they released them at a clearance at Kmart.

Also the fact that Generations Jetfire came out here means that we might get the 2015 generations toylines, even if it's only at Uncle Pete's/Casey's Toys/Toymate. Heck the only reason I'm upset is cause at times, online shopping is a bit more expensive than buying online (though some on eBay are actually at prices I would pay)