Cyber Battalion series toys

[griffin]

From a Brazilian retailer product guide comes something that looks like another subline of simpler Transformers toys (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/generations-classics-44/possible-new-subline-transformers-generations-cyber-series-182293/)... but since it is all in Portuguese, details and names are not for sure at this time, so have a look and possibly expect an official announcement by Hasbro during the middle-year convention season.

[Zommael]

Something feels really off about this whole thing. The Prime looks like ARID Prime in vehicle mode, but different in robot mode. There are two different Bumblebees, one of which looks like an upscaled and retooled Cyberverse Bumblebee. The Grimlock looks like ARID Grimlock but is the wrong colour. The sizes seem crazy too. 11 inches is huge for a figure with the levels of articulation shows on that Prime and Bumblebee.

I am very suspicious of this, and wonder if the speculation that it's something to do with the simplified Starscream shown at the toy museum recently is correct. If that's the case these could just be product mock-ups of a cancelled toyline whose designs eventually found their way into ARID.

[prjkt]

Seibertron (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/new-stock-images-for-transformers-cyber-battalion-series/32523/) has official images of a new line of "simplified" Transformers figures for the Generations line.

Looks like this is where that prototype Starscream from the museum display in the US ended up, and is sorely tempting when he's released.

The other figures in the lineup are also quite basic, similar articulation/design to Legends figures, but a bit larger, seemingly aimed at the younger generation of fans.

Any thoughts/opinions?

[UltimateGalvatron]

These actually look pretty good. I might consider buying some of these, depending how well they scale with Deluxes etc

[griffin]

Images have appeared from Columbia, of toys for this little-known series... now known as "Cyber Battalion Series" (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/generations-classics-44/transformers-generations-cyber-battalion-series-official-stock-photos-182354/).

There are five toys revealed so far (Optimus, Bumblebee, Megatron, Grimlock, Starscream), and they all appear to be new moulds.

They look very simple in design and sculpting, which initially made me think that they would be Legends size.... if it weren't for the Starscream prototype that is on display at the Indianapolis Museum at the moment (http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/1036174-unreleased-prototype-voyager-starscream-2011-a.html), which looks at least Deluxe size (unless the prototype is enlarged for pre-production purposes).

No idea when these are being released, or where.

[griffin]

(moved two posts from the wrong section into here after I posted above... and their timestamp has slotted them into #3 & #4 spots)

[Handsprime]

Oh dear grimlock, what have they done to you?

[griffin]

The previous toys above were apparently "7 inch" size class, and these are being referred to as the "11 inch" size class... with Optimus and Bumblebee (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/generations-classics-44/generations-cyber-11-assortment-bumblebee-and-optimus-prime-new-images-182373/), both having RID-ish forms.

Still no word on where or when these toys are coming out.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I'll be grabbing the 11 inch Prime (oh-er!) if he isn't too dear - loves me a Prime with any kinda trailer

[Zommael]

Wasn't there a report of transforming titans that came out of toy fair? Could these be they?

I have to say in light of all the information that's now come to light that my comments above are probably incorrect. I now think it is a real toy line, if a poorly conceived one.

[Jinto]

That Starscream actually looks pretty nice. Compared to current deluxes he only appears to be missing bicep swivels.

[prjkt]

That Starscream actually looks pretty nice. Compared to current deluxes he only appears to be missing bicep swivels.

I agree, at this stage the only figure I think I'll pick up

[BigTransformerTrev]

Could these be they?


my comments above are probably incorrect

But grammatically beautiful :D

[griffin]

These are not the transforming RID titans that were at Toyfair.

These have simplified engineering compared to Deluxe & Voyager toys, but the transforming Titans are even simpler.

[UltimateGalvatron]

The only one I will buy is the Starscream and maybe the Optimus.

[UltimateGalvatron]

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/new-images-for-cyber-battalion-11-inch-series-optimus-and-bumblebee/32550/

Look what I found! :P

The Optimus looks good but faceplate Bumblebee...? Ok I guess...

[griffin]

A photo of Starscream (http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/1037724-official-stock-photos-generations-cyber-battalion-series-post12414945.html) from an Asian source (no link to the source was provided).

[prjkt]

S/S is probably the only one from that line I'll pick up, but looking at my collection - I've got no idea where to put him.

[Bladestorm]

I don't mind Optimus but Bumblebee... looks like some scary love child of G1 and RID2015!

[griffin]

Some bigger images of the 7-inch figures (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/new-and-better-images-for-transformers-cyber-battalion-7-inch-line/32656/), and official names of the two size classes (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-generations-cyber-series-subline-names-and-price-confirmed/32647/)are now listed on the main Hasbro website, with US$ RRP. (for an idea of what they might be here if we get them)

The 7-inch figures (Bumblebee, Optimus, Grimlock, Starscream, Megatron) - Cyber Battalion - US$15
The 11-inch figures (Bumblebee, Optimus) - Cyber Commander - US$20


So if these are now going to be a regular release line of toys, what are they for, or what do they belong to for marketing purposes? Or, why were they made if they are not being sold as part of an existing line? Not enough of the big iconic characters (Optimus, Bumblebee, Grimlock... and more importantly Megatron, Starscream) in the two main lines at the moment for Hasbro to need them as part of a small set of stand-alone toys?
The more "lines" that are produced for regular release, the harder it is to sell the Brand to Retailers, who see it all as just "Transformers". That's why Generations have been hardest to sell to Retailers, because they already stock a Transformers toyline (RID this year, TF4 last year, TFPrime the year before), so don't see a need for another Transformers toyline... especially if it doesn't have any advertising or cartoon support. Retailers don't promote toys, because they are not their Brand/Property to invest their money into. If it fails, fine... they clear out the remaining stock and just ignore that line next year.

It's almost like these would have been Generations toys if it the theme wasn't for Combiners. They might be simpler in design, but they could have been planned to be Voyagers and Deluxes in the Generations banner alongside the combiners, before the Combiners theme was given priority to get Retailers on-board the more uniform theme.

[griffin]

Looks like these are now out in Brazil, as someone has bought the 11 inch Cyber Commander Optimus toy and posted up some photos (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/generations-classics-44/generations-cyber-11-optimus-prime-in-hand-images-182519/).
For its size, it looks to be very simplistic... probably about 5-6 steps.

[UltimateGalvatron]

I think it looks very cool, what size class (Voyager Deluxe etc) is 11 inches closets too? I'd rather have him the CW Optimus for a Generations toy

[griffin]

11 inches is about 28cm, which is about how big Leader Class is these days.

[UltimateGalvatron]

11 inches is about 28cm, which is about how big Leader Class is these days.

Wow!

[griffin]

Now pics of the large Bumblebee toy are out too (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/generations-classics-44/updated-pics-and-vids-for-cyber-11-bumblebee-and-optimus-182571/) with a couple of videos as well.

[UltimateGalvatron]

Not as good as the 11 inch OP

[griffin]

More images of three of the smaller sized figures (Cyber Battalion - 7inch) have been posted up (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/generations-classics-44/generations-batallion-optimus-prime-megatron-and-starscream-in-hand-images-182994/), of Megatron, Optimus and Starscream.

These are unusual items in terms of distribution, so they are not likely to be seen here, or probably even in America.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I quite like'em - the Megs and Screamer ones anyway

[swoop]

I like them too.

So they were previewed in a Brazilian catalog, do we know if they will be available in any other region besides South America?

[CaminusPrime]

That starscream looks awesome. Totally want a set of those as seekers but no knee articulation D:

Also that megatron totally reminds me of IDW turmoil

[griffin]

I like them too.

So they were previewed in a Brazilian catalog, do we know if they will be available in any other region besides South America?

Apparently RK has them listed for pre-order somewhere, but I don't know if that means they will be released in Asia, or if RK are importing them.