The Random Transformers Thoughts Thread

[Tha_Phantom]

I would've nabbed Trilogy Mirage in a heartbeat if he'd been painted in Diaclone red.

Me too. Give Hasbro!

[GoktimusPrime]

From the Earthrise Starscream review thread (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/27001-Toy-Review-Earthrise-Voyager-Starscream?p=628890#post628890):

MPs are made for display that's why they're aimed at the teen to adult markets. They're too expensive and detailed to be given the rough and tumble of regular toys.
Playing doesn't mean having to be rough with your toys. I've never ever been rough with my Transformers, which is why most of my childhood G1 toys have remained in tact even to this day - and those that are broken have often been done so by other kids playing with my toys who were less careful. :( And in some cases, just age (e.g. GPS, Shockwave's rubber hose etc.).

I play with my MPs today the same way that I played with my G1s in the 80s. I've really understood the point of smashing toys. Why would you* do that? :confused:

(*not you specifically, just... ya know, whoever those rough and tumble kids are)

[GoktimusPrime]

From the Trilogy WFC toys and cartoon thread (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/26985-Netflix-WFC-toys-and-cartoon?p=629185#post629185)

I vote we call it 'Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy: War for Cybertron Trilogy'.
Each of these toys is a Transformers War For Cybertron Megatron. ;)
https://i.ibb.co/Db8j9fm/temp.jpg

[Tha_Phantom]

From the Trilogy WFC toys and cartoon thread (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/26985-Netflix-WFC-toys-and-cartoon?p=629185#post629185)

Each of these toys is a Transformers War For Cybertron Megatron. ;)
https://i.ibb.co/Db8j9fm/temp.jpg

And this is why sometimes being technically correct is not the best kind of correct. :p

[Sinnertwin]

From the Trilogy WFC toys and cartoon thread (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/26985-Netflix-WFC-toys-and-cartoon?p=629185#post629185)

Each of these toys is a Transformers War For Cybertron Megatron. ;)
https://i.ibb.co/Db8j9fm/temp.jpg

Why couldn't we have got the Siege head paint apps on the Earthrise release?
Deep sigh. Deep deep sigh. Sigh... Done now.

[Paulbot]

Why couldn't we have got the Siege head paint apps on the Earthrise release?
Deep sigh. Deep deep sigh. Sigh... Done now.

We still might! The Siege toy got three versions and there's an Earthrise season of Netflix to come (I think...)

[Sinnertwin]

I hope so. I would like a new CHUGRTSBLARGH Megatron, but all 3 so far have missed the mark in some way with their paint apps.

[GoktimusPrime]

I'm personally just over Megatron being a tank all the time. *yawn*
Give him some alt mode diversity please. Make him a "submarine" or a jet fighter.

And yeah, Optimus Prime could also stand for some alt mode diversity too. I thought it was a missed opportunity that they didn't give Siege OP his G1 Cybertronian mode (an armoured combat vehicle (https://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/a/a2/Optimusprimeg1marvelfirst.jpg)). :( Then the mould could've been repainted as Fusion (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Fusion), thus finally bringing that G1 character out of Obscurity! Even a straight up repaint without any mould variation could still work since we never saw Fusion's robot mode in G1.

[Sinnertwin]

And the rest: OP, Starscream, Grimlock, BB, you'd think that Hasbro are hell bent on rehashing the 84/85 characters until the end of days. Who wants another red and blue truck Prime? I know I do!

I was thinking though, most of the kids that grew up with G1 are in their 40's now? Another 10 years and it should be 20 + years of Optimus Primal toys... that should take us to 2050 where they'll then present 20 years of Unicron Trilogy toys on us.

[GoktimusPrime]

Generations T30 Dreadwing could've been easily redecoed as a CHUG BB. Another wasted opportunity. :(

P.S.: although from a marketing/sales POV it might've been too similar to the stealth jet Megatron toy from the same mould (albeit different head). Still, perhaps time has passed since then that they could just release a repaint of the T30 Dreadwing toy as BB. Roger!

[GoktimusPrime]

I so wish that they'd make a transformer Transformer. Could work as a Bot-Bot.
https://i.ibb.co/g6m8Cx3/temp.jpg

[Tha_Phantom]

I so wish that they'd make a transformer Transformer. Could work as a Bot-Bot.
https://i.ibb.co/g6m8Cx3/temp.jpg

Shut up and take my money! Bonus points if it's simply called 'Transformer' and don't tell me that that's too lazy when we've had multiple uses of Robots In Disguise and War For Cybertron as well as a series called Prime. :p

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Nyalops Quote:
I vote we call it 'Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy: War for Cybertron Trilogy'.


From the Trilogy WFC toys and cartoon thread (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/26985-Netflix-WFC-toys-and-cartoon?p=629185#post629185)

Each of these toys is a Transformers War For Cybertron Megatron. ;)
https://i.ibb.co/Db8j9fm/temp.jpg
Taking in mind the evidence above...
I think we should call it War For Cybertron Trilogy: War for Cybertron Tetralogy

[Seraphim Prime]

Why couldn't we have got the Siege head paint apps on the Earthrise release?
Deep sigh. Deep deep sigh. Sigh... Done now.

It's not just the paint apps. Despite all the shared parts between the two moulds, for some reason the head on Earthrise Megs is a new mould with a larger face and narrower cap. The Siege head seemed perfect to me, so it's a shame to se it go - it was probably considered not quite enough like the cartoon, which they appear to have tried to replicate with the chest and waist remoulds.

[Paulbot]

So, lets say they are going to do Studio Series for TFTM but release the toys through both the Generations and Studio Series branded toylines.

Well they are pretty much there already!

There's only a handful of characters in the movie that haven't recently been released in Generations, or are about to be, or have appeared in leaks.

Sure some of these characters could do we more "screen-accurate" paint jobs and some could do with more "G1" forms but it's not like we can't already recreate TFTM!

If they are going to do new SS exclusive toys of characters from TFTM it's a lot of double up for our collections! Earthrise alone could have half the cast!


From WFC Trilogy
Unicron

From Earthrise
Optimus Prime (bonus TFTM Dead Optimus Prime also!)
Arcee
Ironhide
Prowl
Bumblebee (Netflix)
Cliffjumper
Wheeljack
Ratchet (speculation based on Ironhide)
Sunstreaker
Grapple
Bluestreak (speculation based on Smokescreen and Prowl)
Inferno (speculation based on Grapple)
Megatron
Starscream
Skywarp
Thundercracker
Soundwave (Netflix)
Ravage (Netflix)
Laserbeak (Netflix)
"Rumble" (as far as movie is concerned)
Astrotrain
Galvatron (rumours)
Cyclonus (leak)
Dirge
Ramjet
Thrust (rumours but come on...)
Quintesson Judge
Allicon
Quintesson Prosecutor
Quintesson Bailiff
Kranix
Sharkticon (Prime Triology reuse)

From Siege
Ultra Magnus (needs new cab)
Springer
Hound (needs Earth mode)
Shockwave
"Frenzy" (as far as movie is concerned)
Ratbat
Reflector

Potential Prime Trilogy reuse
Hot Rod (TR, also POTP)
Rodimus Prime (POTP)
Kup (TR)
Blurr (TR)
The Dinobots (POTP)
Perceptor (TR)
Blaster (TR)
Wheelie (TR)
Bumblebee (TR)
Brawn (TR)
Jazz (POTP)
Windcharger (CW)
Huffer (CW needs a more cartoon accurate toy)
Ramhorn (TR needs a movie accurate alt mode)
Rewind (TR needs a more movie accurate mode)
Galvatron (TR)
Scourge (TR)
The Constructicons (CW)
Kickback (TR)
Shrapnel (POTP)
Bombshell (CW)
Blitzwing (TR)
Wreck-Gar (CW needs a more movie accurate toy)
Daniel (Takara Legends)


MIA
Gears (his last toy just outside my cut off point of the Prime Trilogy)
Eject
Steeljaw
Arblus
Spike

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

With Bumblebee and Hubcap being based on the Cliffjumper mould, and of course the easy possibility of a Goldbug, which could then lead in to the the Throttlebots being based on CJ as well. How would everyone feel about that? That'll end up being, 9 characters (maybe 8 because of Wideload perhaps not fitting) based on the same design.
Personalyl I like the CJ body and wouldn't mind having Hubcap and Goldbug (thinking about Bumblebee).

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Random thought that just occurred: if they'd changed the Decepticon Justice Division characters Kaon and Tesarus' names around and added an extra L into the city/character name of Tesarus, they could have gotten a sweet little historical reference into the character name for the shock-chair guy.

[GoktimusPrime]

With Bumblebee and Hubcap being based on the Cliffjumper mould, and of course the easy possibility of a Goldbug, which could then lead in to the the Throttlebots being based on CJ as well. How would everyone feel about that? That'll end up being, 9 characters (maybe 8 because of Wideload perhaps not fitting) based on the same design.
Personalyl I like the CJ body and wouldn't mind having Hubcap and Goldbug (thinking about Bumblebee).
You know me, if they make a CHUG toy of a G1 character that has never been CHUGgified before I will absolutely buy it.
Goldbug and Chase would be maybes as I already have CHUG versions of Goldbug and Chase (Roadburn), but if they made CHUGs of Searchlight, Freeway, Rollbar and Wideload, I'd be all over them before you could explain to me why the Japanese language has two different words for "platinum"*. :p

(*seriously... why? #プラチナvs白金)

[Unicran]

Is this the best TF cross-over since sliced bread?!
https://www.amazon.com/TRAN-SFORMERS-America-Bandanas-Outdoors-Festivals/dp/B086PZGGRZ

[SharkyMcShark]

snip

It's a good sentiment, but on the basis that Studio Series is for source accurate figures we're short (off the top of my head) Hot Rod, Blurr, Kup, Scourge, Galvatron, Megatron, Blitzwing and Perceptor. The TR figures are bloody amazing, but they're Titan Masters and some have different alt modes to the TFTM designs.

[griffin]

This private facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/361002464237985/) (Transformers sightings in Victoria) showed up on one of my recommendations lists today, and the main header photo looked very familiar... and this amazed even myself for recognising it, because it is obviously a photo at a ToysRUs store, and they disappeared some time ago now, so it wasn't a recent photo.
My first thought was that it just looked familiar because the Transformers at ToysRUs stores were fairly similar, and I would look through sightings photos to spot anything "insignificant" that was new that others had missed. I also thought that it could have also been a photo of one of the stores I visited, on the same day, so the photos would be similar.
Looking up what year some of those RID toys were released (2016), I had a quick look through my archived sightings folder on my computer, and found it... so it was indeed my photo being used, making me feel a bit embarassed that I could remember something useless like that, but still forget to buy some essential items like milk or sugar while at the grocery store. :p
Maybe I was asked back then if it was okay if they could use it, but I can't remember. But the amusing thing is that the facebook page is for sightings in Victoria, but they are using a photo from a Brisbane store as their header image.

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/2016tru12.jpg

[Jaxius._]

This private facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/361002464237985/) (Transformers sightings in Victoria) showed up on one of my recommendations lists today, and the main header photo looked very familiar... and this amazed even myself for recognising it, because it is obviously a photo at a ToysRUs store, and they disappeared some time ago now, so it wasn't a recent photo.
My first thought was that it just looked familiar because the Transformers at ToysRUs stores were fairly similar, and I would look through sightings photos to spot anything "insignificant" that was new that others had missed. I also thought that it could have also been a photo of one of the stores I visited, on the same day, so the photos would be similar.
Looking up what year some of those RID toys were released (2016), I had a quick look through my archived sightings folder on my computer, and found it... so it was indeed my photo being used, making me feel a bit embarassed that I could remember something useless like that, but still forget to buy some essential items like milk or sugar while at the grocery store. :p
Maybe I was asked back then if it was okay if they could use it, but I can't remember. But the amusing thing is that the facebook page is for sightings in Victoria, but they are using a photo from a Brisbane store as their header image.

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/2016tru12.jpg

Funnily enough i actually run that group, i think i just googled ‘Transformers toy section’ when i first made the group for the cover photo. Funny how things work out though, hope you don’t mind me using it

[SharkyMcShark]

So I've rewatched ROTF with directors commentary. Wow. If as much effort had gone into everything else as effects, these films could have been awesome.

At one point in the space of 90 seconds Bay and Orci lose track of which of the "many MacGuffins" (their own words) our heroes are after, and have a debate over whether the Arcee triplets have been destroyed yet because they lost track. Fun fact - turns out they were all meant to be destroyed, the effects team only animated one, and no one bothered to go back and rectify that.

[Paulbot]

Been transforming all my Beast Wars figures over the last few days (new collection photos coming!) and several of these guys have water squirting guns. Remember when those were a thing with Transformers for a very short period in the 90s?

I had the Stormtrooper Rage (who just made it to an IDW cover, so proud of him!) and I'm pretty sure his watergun was used, but by the time I got Cheetor (1997?) I never used his, nor any of other waterguns that came later. I'm happy for that gimmick to be one left in the past.

[nalops]

I think the Animated Voyager Optimus had a water squirting gun? Never owned it so could be wrong.

[Paulbot]

Yes, I think he did... By that stage I was definitely too old to play with my toys that way.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I was always worried about rust....

[DELTAprime]

I find it a little odd that none of the obvious repaints or remoulds of Earthrise Grapple have even been leaked. We all know they must be coming, but there's no sign yet.

[nalops]

Inferno is supposedly coming in Kingdom?

[DELTAprime]

Inferno is supposedly coming in Kingdom?

I thought that was BW Inferno. ¯\_(?)_/¯

[nalops]

The list I saw said G1 Inferno specifically. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

[SMHFConvoy]

I wonder if Earthrise is deliberately a 2/3 wave theme because now we're starting to hear about Kingdom and the wave 2 deluxes still haven't dropped, it's mostly been exclusives.

[Tha_Phantom]

I wouldn't be surprised if Kingdom drops late this year, instead of early next year.

[SMHFConvoy]

I mean who knows? Covid-19 has f*cked a lot of things up.

[griffin]

Hasbro would lose a lot of money if they rushed out or limited the production/release of the later waves of Earthrise, just to get the next chapter out before Christmas.

It is a much smaller assortment for Earthrise, compared to Siege, but that would have been decided over a year ago in the planning stage, so isn't due to Covid... it is just a surprising coincidence that the year they had planned to cut back on Generations by a third, is a year that was plagued with disruptions at the Asian factories and the Western retailers, especially in America which takes up the most stock.
Even the spacing of the waves for Earthrise were a lot more spaced apart than usual, so it is almost like someone at Hasbro last year knew that something bad was going to happen this year... because if we had the same number of retail products and waves as last year, we would have probably seen a lot of the later figures not get released... or only show up in America in small quantities.

Siege went up to WFC-S66 with most size classes going up to wave 5, while Earthrise looks to only go up to WFC-E41 with just 3 waves for the same size classes.

[Golden Phoenix]

The list I saw said G1 Inferno specifically. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

I assumed it was going to be the inevitable Earthrise Grapple remould

[SMHFConvoy]

I assumed it was going to be the inevitable Earthrise Grapple remould

It's pretty much the business model: repaint, retool as well as sell figures that are essentially troop builders: sharkticons, allicons, refraktors, weapons weaponisers, modulators, micromasters and battlemasters. Less spent on tooling new unique moulds.

[SharkyMcShark]

It's pretty much the business model: repaint, retool as well as sell figures that are essentially troop builders: sharkticons, allicons, refraktors, weapons weaponisers, modulators, micromasters and battlemasters. Less spent on tooling new unique moulds.

You've skipped right over the 4 (or 5?) repaints of WFCS Megatron all in a single year.

[nalops]

You've skipped right over the 4 (or 5?) repaints of WFCS Megatron all in a single year.

Siege Megatron, Combat Megatron, 35th Animation Megatron, Netflix Megatron and with some retooling, Earthrise Megatron and G2 Megatron which is 6.

Then again, you have Siege Optimus, 35th Animation Optimus, Nemesis Prime and with retooling Earthrise Optimus, Alternate Optimus and Netflix Optimus.

Still nowhere near as bad as the Seeker molds. Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Hotlink, Red Wing, Acid Storm, Ion Storm, Nova Storm. Earthrise has SS, TC, SW again plus retooling into Dirge, Ramjet, Thrust (TBA) and G2 Sandstorm. Phew.

[SharkyMcShark]

Siege Megatron, Combat Megatron, 35th Animation Megatron, Netflix Megatron and with some retooling, Earthrise Megatron and G2 Megatron which is 6.

Then again, you have Siege Optimus, 35th Animation Optimus, Nemesis Prime and with retooling Earthrise Optimus, Alternate Optimus and Netflix Optimus.

Still nowhere near as bad as the Seeker molds. Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Hotlink, Red Wing, Acid Storm, Ion Storm, Nova Storm. Earthrise has SS, TC, SW again plus retooling into Dirge, Ramjet, Thrust (TBA) and G2 Sandstorm. Phew.

The most depressing thing about that is that after seeing it once and passing I retrospectively decided that I'd actually quite like to get WFCS Optimus Prime, and then never saw it again.

[SMHFConvoy]

You've skipped right over the 4 (or 5?) repaints of WFCS Megatron all in a single year.

I don't hold a hose or meticulous record what has or hasn't been repainted. ;) Anyway my point was more about troop building.

[Jaxius._]

Sort of not TF but it's takara so whatever

The Takara Diaclone line looks amazing, if they were cheaper i'd be all over them

[SharkyMcShark]

I think I've posted this before, but for their faults I'm immensely grateful that the SS Constructicon lineup gave us a team with all sorts of different statures, colours, sizes and shapes. They look great standing together.

[Dimi194]

I think I've posted this before, but for their faults I'm immensely grateful that the SS Constructicon lineup gave us a team with all sorts of different statures, colours, sizes and shapes. They look great standing together.

Amen to this - and yet they're still unified in they look mostly pretty alien. I love it.

[SMHFConvoy]

Sort of not TF but it's takara so whatever

The Takara Diaclone line looks amazing, if they were cheaper i'd be all over them

Especially with that upcoming re-imagining of a certain red and blue truck...

[Jaxius._]

Especially with that upcoming re-imagining of a certain red and blue truck...

Thats exactly whats peaked my interest

[griffin]

Aaron Archer has been posting up some of his Transformers artwork on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/archermonster_creative/) (looks like recent works, as they aren't concept drawings). He was Hasbro designer during the Unicron Trilogy era (and a little bit on either side).

[High_Q]

Especially with that upcoming re-imagining of a certain red and blue truck...

Sorry, do you have a source for this news or rumour? I haven't found anything online about this, and the current Diaclone line has so far steered clear of realistic vehicular modes.

Oh, after searching using different keywords, i found information on Tomy's official Diaclone site: https://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/diaclone/special_5_operations/

[SMHFConvoy]

Sorry, do you have a source for this news or rumour? I haven't found anything online about this, and the current Diaclone line has so far steered clear of realistic vehicular modes.

Oh, after searching using different keywords, i found information on Tomy's official Diaclone site: https://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/diaclone/special_5_operations/

That silhouette of the truck cab looks more lunar vehicle than realistic truck.

[High_Q]

That silhouette of the truck cab looks more lunar vehicle than realistic truck.

Yup, but the bot mode bears a faint resemblance to Battle Convoy.

IMO, MP-10 looks like a decent stand in for a Diaclone 2.0 Convoy anyway. Unlike MP-44, MP-10 bot mode looks like a sparkless mecha.

[High_Q]

OK, so it turns out we will be getting a new Diaclone Battle Convoy, DA-65 Battle Convoy V-Max. Takara Tomy Mall has posted pictures (https://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g4904810159193/). It's a modern homage to the original mold but the back of the robot mode reminds me of one of the WFC Optimus Primes'.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Man that thing looks amazing. Pricey, but it also look like decent value for what you get.

Its odd though as generally Diaclone seems expensive. Like these 4 little dude/ettes and a bike is 4000. (https://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g4904810172819/) I'd really like t pick up some vehicles, but I don't yet see the value. Yet that Battle Convoy looks not bad for what you get.
I did pick up a free D-man from comic-con/toy show last year and his name is Gary and he is small and also awesome.

[Jaxius._]

350aud is a lot for that Battle Convoy, if it was cheaper i'd bite but that price is really offputting

[SMHFConvoy]

350aud is a lot for that Battle Convoy, if it was cheaper i'd bite but that price is really offputting

Going by the other Diaclone reboot offerings, Battle Convoy will be worth every penny. Sadly, I can only admire it from afar.

[Seraphim Prime]

It would be fascinating to see G1 Convoy next to MP-44 and Battle Convoy just to compare how one line diverged into two wholly separate concepts.

[DELTAprime]

Got my Scorponk from Amazon today. I wasn't expecting him to be so hefty.

[Tha_Phantom]

It would be fascinating to see G1 Convoy next to MP-44 and Battle Convoy just to compare how one line diverged into two wholly separate concepts.

I can make that happen.

I was really trying to avoid the Diaclone reboot line, but couldn't resist preordering Battle Convoy (Dirge did you see that coming? :rolleyes:)

[SharkyMcShark]

The recent SS86 reveals have made me realise that I'm getting kind of burned out by the push for G1 cartoon accuracy in the CHUG lines for the last few years.

I miss early CHUG era (Classics, Universe 2.0 and even early Generations).

Seeing the Auobot 84/85 cars as modern sportscars was really cool (like the 350Z Datsun bros). Galvatron as an Earthen tank? Scourge as a prototype Boeing X-48? I love that kind of modernised updated weirdness.

The way things have been headed recently, I'm just losing interest. It's not helped by the slavish push for screen accuracy which leads to a bunch of cheating in transformations. SS86 Hot Rod looks amazing, but the transformation is essentially just the robot laying down under a blanket of car parts which fold up into a backpack.

I hope that after the WFC Trilogy is done we can start exploring newer territory.

[Bidoofdude]

The recent SS86 reveals have made me realise that I'm getting kind of burned out by the push for G1 cartoon accuracy in the CHUG lines for the last few years.

I miss early CHUG era (Classics, Universe 2.0 and even early Generations).

Seeing the Auobot 84/85 cars as modern sportscars was really cool (like the 350Z Datsun bros). Galvatron as an Earthen tank? Scourge as a prototype Boeing X-48? I love that kind of modernised updated weirdness.

The way things have been headed recently, I'm just losing interest. It's not helped by the slavish push for screen accuracy which leads to a bunch of cheating in transformations. SS86 Hot Rod looks amazing, but the transformation is essentially just the robot laying down under a blanket of car parts which fold up into a backpack.

I hope that after the WFC Trilogy is done we can start exploring newer territory.

To be fair, a lot of those older modern update figures did have a bunch of kibble/visible car bits, besides basic ones such as Jazz. There is definitely a focus in the recent stuff to have two streamlined modes for the most part, and faux parts/cheating is a symptom of that (and not necessarily one I dislike).

[Paulbot]

The recent SS86 reveals have made me realise that I'm getting kind of burned out by the push for G1 cartoon accuracy in the CHUG lines for the last few years.

I miss early CHUG era (Classics, Universe 2.0 and even early Generations).

Seeing the Auobot 84/85 cars as modern sportscars was really cool (like the 350Z Datsun bros). Galvatron as an Earthen tank? Scourge as a prototype Boeing X-48? I love that kind of modernised updated weirdness.

The way things have been headed recently, I'm just losing interest. It's not helped by the slavish push for screen accuracy which leads to a bunch of cheating in transformations. SS86 Hot Rod looks amazing, but the transformation is essentially just the robot laying down under a blanket of car parts which fold up into a backpack.

I hope that after the WFC Trilogy is done we can start exploring newer territory.

The recent SS86 leaks make me concerned about the slippery slope of regular releases and prices. Earthrise Cliffjumper is a deluxe. SS Hot Rod is a voyager. Siege Shockwave is a Leader. Wouldn't pick that from seeing them on the shelf.

I'm an advocate for calling these newer figures something other than CHUG - because for me CHUG is original characters in updated modern forms as you've stated. The new figures just aren't that.

However I do actually love this new cartoon accuracy in the neo-Classics though, I'm finding it appealing to me more than CHUG, and more appealing (and affordable than MP). If they role the whole 84/85 cast in this new scale and accuracy I will buy it all, I'm focusing some of my collection purchases to this aim now (even if means spending ridiculous third party prices for Ramjet and Bluestreak).

But it'd be great if at the same time as this there was a line that was devoid of G1 trappings. I loved some of the RID Warrior class toys (Scorponok, Fracture, Thermidor, Thunderhoof) that were unique and fun (even if some of their names weren't). The RID cartoon had heaps of unique Transformers designs I would have loved to see in a Generations line. Cyberverse is giving us a couple too but those are few and far between. Look at those deluxes - 7 overdone legacy characters to get one new character.

[Lint]

The RID cartoon had heaps of unique Transformers designs

Agreed. The 'beast' styled Decepticons had tops designs especially! Shame only a handful got the 'deluxe' class treatment.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I'm an advocate for calling these newer figures something other than CHUG - because for me CHUG is original characters in updated modern forms as you've stated. The new figures just aren't that.

That's a good point. We are kind of seeing a bit of G1 Redone. G1Red1?

Agreed on the RID animal toys, I got Bisque and Scorponok and was pleasantly surprised by them, really wanted to get my hands on the Hedgehog guy (never saw) and the Skunk guy (no toy release). They were inventive and clever ideas.

[Kyle]

However I do actually love this new cartoon accuracy in the neo-Classics though, I'm finding it appealing to me more than CHUG, and more appealing (and affordable than MP). If they role the whole 84/85 cast in this new scale and accuracy I will buy it all, I'm focusing some of my collection purchases to this aim now (even if means spending ridiculous third party prices for Ramjet and Bluestreak).

This is pretty much how I feel. I'm collecting the Earthrise versions of the 84/85 Autobot cars now, and hopefully the Studio Series 86 version of Jazz will match them well. I didn't collect Siege at first, but because I ended up liking the Earthrise car moulds so much I've since hunted down Siege Sideswipe, Hound, Red Alert and Mirage in the past two months - moulds that I suspect won't be receiving an Earth mode treatment in either Earthrise or Kingdom.

[Golden Phoenix]

The recent SS86 leaks make me concerned about the slippery slope of regular releases and prices. Earthrise Cliffjumper is a deluxe. SS Hot Rod is a voyager. Siege Shockwave is a Leader. Wouldn't pick that from seeing them on the shelf.
HOT ROD'S A VOYAGER?!?!?!?!


I'm an advocate for calling these newer figures something other than CHUG - because for me CHUG is original characters in updated modern forms as you've stated. The new figures just aren't that.

However I do actually love this new cartoon accuracy in the neo-Classics though, I'm finding it appealing to me more than CHUG, and more appealing (and affordable than MP). If they role the whole 84/85 cast in this new scale and accuracy I will buy it all, I'm focusing some of my collection purchases to this aim now (even if means spending ridiculous third party prices for Ramjet and Bluestreak).

But it'd be great if at the same time as this there was a line that was devoid of G1 trappings. I loved some of the RID Warrior class toys (Scorponok, Fracture, Thermidor, Thunderhoof) that were unique and fun (even if some of their names weren't). The RID cartoon had heaps of unique Transformers designs I would have loved to see in a Generations line. Cyberverse is giving us a couple too but those are few and far between. Look at those deluxes - 7 overdone legacy characters to get one new character.

CHUG was good for that coz even if it had a stack of G1 it had some other series sprinkled through it. Little bit of BW here, some Armada there. I'd love to see some CHUG for other series.


That's a good point. We are kind of seeing a bit of G1 Redone. G1Red1?
G1HD?

My gripe is pretty petty in comparison.
We've got the same issue as when we had the Generations and Hunt For The Deceptions going at the same time. HftD had Jazz and Lugnut that were clearly supposed to be Generations but were in with Movie figures.
Now SS86 and Kingdom and mixing things up again. Like shouldn't Cyclonus be in the SS86 line? You know, next to Scourge, Kup, and Hot Rod?

[SharkyMcShark]

We've got the same issue as when we had the Generations and Hunt For The Deceptions going at the same time. HftD had Jazz and Lugnut that were clearly supposed to be Generations but were in with Movie figures.
Now SS86 and Kingdom and mixing things up again. Like shouldn't Cyclonus be in the SS86 line? You know, next to Scourge, Kup, and Hot Rod?

Last time Hasbro reps eventually said that the reason for that was because they wanted to get more figures out faster that one line could handle reasonably, so they just spread them.

I'd imagine it's the same here.


To be fair, a lot of those older modern update figures did have a bunch of kibble/visible car bits, besides basic ones such as Jazz. There is definitely a focus in the recent stuff to have two streamlined modes for the most part, and faux parts/cheating is a symptom of that (and not necessarily one I dislike).

I actually don't mind a bit of kibble. It makes me feel as if I am playing with a figure that transforms between a vehicle and a robot, and not a robot that hides under a vehicle shaped blanket that does its best to compress into a backpack.

[Paulbot]

HOT ROD'S A VOYAGER?!?!?!?!

Apparently “ Hot Rod is said to come with a lot of accessories, hence the higher price point. “

The computers have him at that price point (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/08/17/new-transformers-kingdom-studio-series-1986-masterpiece-listings-from-target-417185) but no official news.


G1HD?

I like!

[DELTAprime]

I was just thinking about the Transformers / Marvel Crossover line. Seems like it would be a massive hit if a line like that was released today thanks to the MCU.

[SharkyMcShark]

I was just thinking about the Transformers / Marvel Crossover line. Seems like it would be a massive hit if a line like that was released today thanks to the MCU.

I'd be much happier with that being revived (and the Star Wars one too) if it was done in the same way as the current crossover line (Back to the Future etc), where the designs are done by actual Hasbro designers.

[GoktimusPrime]

So... Gigawatt...

Who here pronounces it with with a soft "g" (JIG-gawatt) and who pronounces it with a hard "g" (GIG-gawatt)?
Obviously the word "gigawatt" (GW) as a unit of measurement is pronounced with a hard "g," as it is in words like gigabyte, gigalitre and gigametre etc., but in Back to the Future Doc Brown and Marty McFly mispronounce it as "jigga-watt."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5cYgRnfFDA

N.B.: I don't particularly care either way and I'm personally not even getting the Gigawatt TF (not really my thing) - but just curious to see what the consensus is. I personally say it with a hard "g" (gig rather than jig). <shrugs>

[Tha_Phantom]

So... Gigawatt...

Who here pronounces it with with a soft "g" (JIG-gawatt) and who pronounces it with a hard "g" (GIG-gawatt)?
Obviously the word "gigawatt" (GW) as a unit of measurement is pronounced with a hard "g," as it is in words like gigabyte, gigalitre and gigametre etc., but in Back to the Future Doc Brown and Marty McFly mispronounce it as "jigga-watt."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5cYgRnfFDA

N.B.: I don't particularly care either way and I'm personally not even getting the Gigawatt TF (not really my thing) - but just curious to see what the consensus is. I personally say it with a hard "g" (gig rather than jig). <shrugs>

I go with how it's pronounced in the movies, so Jiggawatt for me. But tbh I'll probably switch back and forth and wouldn't even notice if others did the same or not.

[Sinnertwin]

I go with how it's pronounced in the movies, so Jiggawatt for me. But tbh I'll probably switch back and forth and wouldn't even notice if others did the same or not.

Same here.

[Paulbot]

You ever think about how Masterpiece Nightstalker came out two years ago and in all that time there's still no whispers of a MP Steeljaw?

[DELTAprime]

I wonder how many people will go into Walmart, see the Titanmaster reissue and think they are a G1 Headmaster reissue???

[DELTAprime]

I got my Super Megatron today. Not sure if I would be more appropriate to call him a remould, or a new mould reusing some old parts.

[griffin]

After about 2015 when we started seeing significant remoulding I started using a new status term, with about 50% new parts as the line between "remould" and "new with recycled parts". Because before then they only bothered to engineer the toys to be able to swap out a small amount of parts to make a new toy/character (heads, wings, accessories).

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

After about 2015 when we started seeing significant remoulding I started using a new status term, with about 50% new parts as the line between "remould" and "new with recycled parts". Because before then they only bothered to engineer the toys to be able to swap out a small amount of parts to make a new toy/character (heads, wings, accessories).

Is it still a remould if a toy uses the same transformation schematic/process, but has new bits? Personally I think this is a clever use of (design) resources.
For example, TR Blurr and Brainstorm.

[Seraphim Prime]

I think the term the Hasbro designers have been using is "Partial Tool" - figures that might share a core design or design elements but have significant moulding differences in key features.

Think TR Scourge, Highbrow and Windblade, and TR Blurr, Arcee, Chromedome and Brainstorm. And more recently the Siege and ER Ironhide.

[DELTAprime]

I think the term the Hasbro designers have been using is "Partial Tool"

That's a decent name for it.

[SharkyMcShark]

For example, TR Blurr and Brainstorm.

Quibbling, and not really super on topic, but those two are close enough that I'd call them just straight re-tool.

[SMHFConvoy]

Anyone surprised by the move back to smaller accessories? ER Smokescreen's shoulder guns are considerably smaller than on his Siege iteration.

[Lint]

Watching the 1986 movie with my kids today, the following occurred to me:

https://i.imgur.com/eNyoEMp.png

[High_Q]

I wonder how many people will go into Walmart, see the Titanmaster reissue and think they are a G1 Headmaster reissue???

Probably quite a few. The later season toys aren't as familiar to casual fans as the 1984-85 cast, so they probably think these are the original molds. But seriously, Hasbro can't even get the correct top flap design (uses the earlier seasons logo colour and tagline :confused:) for these G1 homages.

[Paulbot]

To this day many of my favourite G1 characters are the ones I bought as a kid. Take Skullgrin for instance. He's my favourite pretender, but also the first one I got (on holiday!) but if I was looking at the Pretenders objectively today I'm not sure I'd guess that.

[Tha_Phantom]

But seriously, Hasbro can't even get the correct top flap design (uses the earlier seasons logo colour and tagline :confused:) for these G1 homages.

Probably a very intentional move so these can't be passed off as original vintage if the box gets separated from the toy. I like that there are subtle differences like that personally.

[Paulbot]

We’re gonna get all of the 1984 line up in WFC except Buzzsaw. Buzzsaw will end up in some Bumblebee II Walmart exclusive five pack with a Leader toy that will cost over $150 to import won’t be?

I haven’t forgotten MP Ratbat!

[GoktimusPrime]

TL;DR: The average Beast Wars toy has nearly triple (x2.6) the articulation of an average G1 toy.

Extended Edition

Not including variants or reissues, there are 456 Transformers in Anglophone G1, and 104 Transformers in Anglophone Beast Wars. This means that G1 is nearly quintuple the size of BW - an approximate 5:1 ratio. Using random.org I selected a sample of 50 G1 toys and 10 BW toys, then counted the points of articulation on these toys. The 10 Beast Wars toys yielded an average of 12.3 points of articulation, whereas the 50 G1 toys averaged 4.7 points of articulation.

And for anyone who cares, here is the sample that I tested...

Beast Wars
Rattrap (original) 9 points of articulation
Prowl (Magnaboss) 10 PoA
Manterror 15 PoA
Spittor (original) 12 PoA
Cheetor (Transmetal) 12 PoA
Injector 13 PoA
Terragator 12 PoA
Megatron (Transmetal 2) 15 PoA
Scarem 10 PoA
Tigatron (Transmetal)* 15 PoA

Generation 1
Bluestreak 6 PoA
Bumper 4 PoA
Windcharger 4 PoA
Buzzsaw 6 PoA
Starscream (1984) 2 PoA
Sludge 9 PoA
Powerdasher (Cromar) 0 PoA
Shockwave (1985) 11 PoA
Barrage (Insecticon) 8 PoA
Ransack 4 PoA
Long Haul (1985) 4 PoA
Mini-Spy (Buggy Type) 4 PoA
Mini-Spy (Jeep Type) 4 PoA
Galvatron 8 PoA
Blast-Off 4 PoA
Onslaught 5 PoA
Fortress Maximus 10 PoA
Sureshot 2 PoA
Afterburner (Technobot) 3 PoA
Strafe 2 PoA
Chase 0 PoA
Skullcruncher 8 PoA
Hosehead 3 PoA
Groundbreaker 6 PoA
Splashdown 8 PoA
Squawktalk 2 PoA
Quake 3 PoA
Bomb-Burst 6 PoA
Bugly 6 PoA
Roadgrabber 3 PoA
Windsweeper 2 PoA
Tentakil 3 PoA
Bumblebee (Pretender) 6 PoA
Doubleheader 6 PoA
Pincher 6 PoA
Starscream (Pretender) 4 PoA
Icepick 2 PoA
Storm Cloud 3 PoA
Airwave 3 PoA
Optimus Prime (Action Master) 7 PoA
Over-Run 7 PoA
Greaser 3 PoA
Overflow★ 3 PoA
Megatron (Action Master)※ 7 PoA
Treadshot 7 PoA
Grit 3 PoA
Powerflash 7 PoA
Bombshell (Action Master) 7 PoA
Thunder Clash 2 PoA
Fearswoop 4 PoA

------------------------------------
Notes
*I don't own Transmetal Tigatron, so I used X9 Metals Ravage instead, since it's the same mould
★I don't own Action Master Megatron, but all AMs have 7 PoA
※I don't own Overflow so the PoA has been estimated based on looking at photos

P.S.: It took me over 5 hours to collect and process this data.

[griffin]

Most fans who were around during the Beast Era (waaaay back in the late 1990s), were familiar with Transmetal Scavenger being generally accepted as being the Transmetal version of Inferno.... and there was even a pre-production figure of Scavenger in a 1998 issue of Tomart magazine (image link might have limited access (https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/attachments/tomart-scan-2-jpg.28879522/)) with "Inferno" printed on the toy (like all Transmetals)... but now it looks like one of the working names for the original Inferno toy could have also been Scavenger, as one of the packaging mockups has been revealed (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/12/13/transformers-beast-wars-inferno-box-with-scavenger-early-working-name-425931), showing the name Scavenger on the Inferno biocard (on the back of the box).

That doesn't necessarily mean that the 1997 Inferno toy was originally going to be Scavenger... it just means that when packaging mockups were done, the name hadn't been finalised yet, and different name options were still being tested, which Hasbro does all the time...

These were on display at BotCon 2005, with Jetstorm being called Dragonfire. (and on an early toy listing for Fuzors, a preliminary name for Injector was Aquasting)

http://toycollectors.com.au/botcon/bc05/d29.jpg

http://toycollectors.com.au/botcon/bc05/d30.jpg

[DELTAprime]

I got my Gen Select Cordon and Spinout today. I really think the mould is average at best. I'm glad I stuck with my Henkei Sunstreaker instead of buying an Earthrise Sunstreaker to replace him.

[nalops]

Is/Was SS Scrapmetal really rare or something? I saw someone selling it for $80 and a few posts desperately looking for one. I recall stumbling upon one and just buying it at Target or Kmart but would never thought it was hard to find or anything.

[Sinnertwin]

Is/Was SS Scrapmetal really rare or something? I saw someone selling it for $80 and a few posts desperately looking for one. I recall stumbling upon one and just buying it at Target or Kmart but would never thought it was hard to find or anything.

It wasn't. I can only assume its buyers late to the pre box set devastator party pushing the demand up.

[Seraphim Prime]

How old was Daniel in TFTM - I pictured him at around 8-10, but somebody else suggested 5 recently.

[Dan]

It bothers me that the Generations logo incorporates the Autobot insignia, regardless of toy, but recently it struck me that maybe Hasbro and Takara are telling us that _they_ are good-aligned. ;)

[Paulbot]

How old was Daniel in TFTM - I pictured him at around 8-10, but somebody else suggested 5 recently.

He’s definitely not 5! Copies of the TFTM script have him as 12 years old. I would have said about 10-11

[GoktimusPrime]

It bothers me that the Generations logo incorporates the Autobot insignia, regardless of toy, but recently it struck me that maybe Hasbro and Takara are telling us that _they_ are good-aligned. ;)
It also just reeks of laziness. Can't be that hard to make variant logo designs for toys of different factions. :/

------------------------------------------------------------

Hhhmmmm... curious to see what my 2500th Transformer will be. I want it to be Studio Series 86 Jazz, but I doubt it given how impossible it seems to be able to freaking find one.

[Paulbot]

I’m starting to think about the end of year awards. Given the relatively small number of people who voted last year I am considering opening it up to any Australian fan who wants to vote, not just OTCA members. (mostly will come down to which software I use to run the survey and what the number of responses to cost ratio looks like)

[griffin]

That could help make it better (to make it feel like it was worth the effort), as long as there is a way to limit or prevent people from voting more than once, who may want to sabotage your project just because of the site it is associated with, or who is doing it.

[SharkyMcShark]

On review its looking like a quiet collecting year for me.

Nothing from SS86 is taking my interest and I dont collect MP, which leaves WFCK Beast Meg, Dinobot, and Airrazor as the only definites, along with the SS BB Starscream.

Cyclonus doesn't look any better than the Universe 2.0 version. I was keen but the reviews and pics put me off.

[Paulbot]

You could repaint WFC Countdown into a WFC Heave (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Heave) I guess, but they'd be missing their other half Barrage (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Barrage_(Micromaster)).

These incomplete Micromaster teams!

[SMHFConvoy]

You could repaint WFC Countdown into a WFC Heave (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Heave) I guess, but they'd be missing their other half Barrage (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Barrage_(Micromaster)).

These incomplete Micromaster teams!

Just repaint powerpunch and direct hit from Earthrise into heave and barrage, cut the canon down and glue a small lego radar dish piece on for that complete heave look

[Paulbot]

Just repaint powerpunch and direct hit from Earthrise into heave and barrage, cut the canon down and glue a small lego radar dish piece on for that complete heave look

Solved in less than an hour. The best Hasbro/Takara could come up with was "lets repaint the space shuttle but make it the same characters again).

[Paulbot]

It's only clicked for me that the $10 *master price point has been dropped from Generations this year. There's no TitanMaster/Primemaster/Battlemaster equivalent in the Kingdom toyline or the Studio Series.

Personally no great loss. They never felt like Transformers in their own right but an accessory. The Titan Masters with their classic character heads and vehicle accessories were ok, the Prime Masters had interesting shells but they turned into oddly patterned boxes, and the Battle Masters really were accessories for the larger figures. Maybe they realised they were done when they made three Transformers that turn into planks...!

Will the shops miss the cheap item? They never seem to sell out but the case assortment was always large.

If there was a $10 price point *Master this year what would they have been? Fossilzers? Crazy idea but what if they'd been Battle Beasts, not converting Transformers at all!?

Personally I would have liked them to release single packed Micromasters, still plenty of those to do and they could pad the line with some repaints and fill some gaps. I'm still annoyed that little Ironworks was only available in the very-expensive-to-get 10 pack! (Just not Rewind or Steeljaw please or other 'boxes'!)

It also make me think about Orcanoch and Arachnid too with their mini-figs, and the amusing idea that the Kingdom Commander Class toy this year might turn out to be one of those two!


Edit:

Oh, here's another thought, the Galactic Encounter 2: Micron Micromasters... maybe those were meant to be in Kingdom as single packed figures and when plans changes they got moved to be an exclusive instead...

[Seraphim Prime]

I noticed this earlier this year when the pegs seemed to be full of Slitherfangs and Rungs (all eventually went, but it took a long time). The numbers of figures per case are very large and with only two figures per pack that's not a lot of variety to encourage many purchases.

As you said Paul, the Titan Masters were really clever and many retailers apparently showed huge interest in such a pricepoint, such that Hasbro continued it for 3 more lines. However once there was little variation in the pacakge assortment it became a struggle to clear the stock, I think retailers would have baulked at ordering that many of them.

I like your idea of individual packed micromasters, as that would have got back to the inital idea of the Titan Master assortment - an individual toy that you can play with - and would have given some opportunity for completion of micromaster teams, either with individual new moulds or repaints, and we could have gotten more variety then.

[SMHFConvoy]

It's a shame that Hasbro didn't combine battle masters and titan masters into a single play pattern. A robot that folds into an energon like cube to power a weapon that can convert into a vehicle

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Kind of an interesting point. Here in Japan, they Dropped the *masters from shop sales (can only be bough on TTmall) for Earthrise. They sold slowly for Siege here, but then a lot of them were just recoloured gun guys. The others seemed to do fairly well. I thought it a slightly odd move, as considering how the masters become ramps and stuff, it would be fun to have them interact with the other base bots. Some of which are TTmall and some which aren't. Currently I have only Slitherfang and that's only because it was released the same month as the Quintesson Judge. Soundbarrier was with figures I wasn't interested in and so made justifying buying a cheap figure (+ postage) very hard.

TTmall offers no discounts so buying from them is very expensive compared to shops. I had TTmall points to buy Cliffjumper with and so used him, but I didn't want any others that month so had to pay for postage. In the end, Little deluxe CJ cost me about $45. Sure I like it, but paying that much for one toy (postage is included there as there is no other way to get one) is hard to swallow.

Anyway, back to my point. I want more ramp dudes, but would prefer to grab them locally.

[GoktimusPrime]

WFCK
That is such an unfortunate acronym! :D :)

[SharkyMcShark]

That is such an unfortunate acronym! :D :)

Not as bad as CHUG, which to be fair is not official but is widely used.


Re *masters, I think it's because the gimmick is kind of played out for now? Firearms make pretty cool transforming partners, and I suppose swords do too. The shields were a bit naff, and so was whatever Rung was.

[High_Q]

If there was a $10 price point *Master this year what would they have been? Fossilzers? Crazy idea but what if they'd been Battle Beasts, not converting Transformers at all!?

Yes, please! I'd like Titanmaster-sized Battle Beasts, each with a chariot. Tomy did release a Beast Saga line about 5 years ago. I liked the designs but the fiction was not tied to TFs and the figures were a bit too big to 'scale' with CHUG.

[griffin]

Retailers here just didn't want that Master range in Siege & Earthrise... it was a real struggle for Hasbro Australia to get any retailer to take them, which is why it got a lot more difficult to find that size class last year. (I thought it would have been a perfect size & price point for the grocery stores... but I guess not)
If Hasbro had the same problem in America with their retailers, it might be why Kingdom doesn't have that size class. And if that is actually true (I don't know), it makes you wonder what would have been planned for Kingdom at that price point.

[Dimi194]

It's only clicked for me that the $10 *master price point has been dropped from Generations this year. There's no TitanMaster/Primemaster/Battlemaster equivalent in the Kingdom toyline or the Studio Series.

Personally no great loss. They never felt like Transformers in their own right but an accessory. The Titan Masters with their classic character heads and vehicle accessories were ok, the Prime Masters had interesting shells but they turned into oddly patterned boxes, and the Battle Masters really were accessories for the larger figures. Maybe they realised they were done when they made three Transformers that turn into planks...!

Will the shops miss the cheap item? They never seem to sell out but the case assortment was always large.

If there was a $10 price point *Master this year what would they have been? Fossilzers? Crazy idea but what if they'd been Battle Beasts, not converting Transformers at all!?

Personally I would have liked them to release single packed Micromasters, still plenty of those to do and they could pad the line with some repaints and fill some gaps. I'm still annoyed that little Ironworks was only available in the very-expensive-to-get 10 pack! (Just not Rewind or Steeljaw please or other 'boxes'!)

It also make me think about Orcanoch and Arachnid too with their mini-figs, and the amusing idea that the Kingdom Commander Class toy this year might turn out to be one of those two!


Edit:

Oh, here's another thought, the Galactic Encounter 2: Micron Micromasters... maybe those were meant to be in Kingdom as single packed figures and when plans changes they got moved to be an exclusive instead...

Biggest reason I miss the class is because I mainly bought them for the blast effects - and despite having compatibility in Kingdom, they're not giving us any new ones to use for our figures! (I would have bought a box of just blast effects tbh)

[Tha_Phantom]

Just had a discussion with another collector about classifying the Buzzworthy toys.
From what I've read on TF wiki and studying the packaging they should be viewed as a subline, not their own line.

For instance, the Buzzworthy Bumblebee (the core class toy that is clearly Bumblejumper) should be viewed as WFC Trilogy > Buzzworthy > Bumblebee
The WWII Bumblebee should be viewed as Studio Series > Buzzworthy > 26BB WWII Bumblebee

Just as SS86, Siege, Earthrise and Kingdom are sublines, so too is Buzzworthy. The only difference is that Buzzworthy is a subline across multiple lines. At least that's how I read it.

[Seraphim Prime]

Just had a discussion with another collector about classifying the Buzzworthy toys.
From what I've read on TF wiki and studying the packaging they should be viewed as a subline, not their own line.

For instance, the Buzzworthy Bumblebee (the core class toy that is clearly Bumblejumper) should be viewed as WFC Trilogy > Buzzworthy > Bumblebee
The WWII Bumblebee should be viewed as Studio Series > Buzzworthy > 26BB WWII Bumblebee

Just as SS86, Siege, Earthrise and Kingdom are sublines, so too is Buzzworthy. The only difference is that Buzzworthy is a subline across multiple lines. At least that's how I read it.


I would go further to say that the Buzzworthy Bumblebee line is less a subline and more a packaging refresh / rerelease.

By way of comparison:
We have the 1990s "Classics" rereleases of G1 toys. Do we consider them distinct from the G1 line, or a variation of the G1 line?
Is the Transformers Universe repackaging of Energon Steamhammer a distinctly separate release to the Energon release or a case of packing variation?
Did the Unicron Battles, Powerlinx Battles and Primus Unleashed packaging refresh in Armada, Energon and Cybertron respectively represent a separate subline or a simply packaging refreshment? If it was a subline, what do you do with figures that were in both sets of packaging?

I think these questions can be helpful when trying to distinguish between which version of a toy you have, but trying to create a hard and fast rule for it is difficult.

I would personally say it was a packaging variation of an existing line, but wouldn't object to those who considered it its own thing as long as they weren't trying to push their own interpretation as the "correct" interpretation.

[SharkyMcShark]

Is the Transformers Universe repackaging of Energon Steamhammer a distinctly separate release to the Energon release or a case of packing variation?
Did the Unicron Battles, Powerlinx Battles and Primus Unleashed packaging refresh in Armada, Energon and Cybertron respectively represent a separate subline or a simply packaging refreshment? If it was a subline, what do you do with figures that were in both sets of packaging?

I think this handily covers it, inclusive of the fact that there is one (so far?) new mold in the line. The rest are straight repacks (with not even paint difference)

[Paulbot]

Just a random thought, and probably an unpopular one but hear me out.

People love to throw comments around about the Beast Wars cartoon that are fairly big spoilers if you've never seen the show.

I would assume most people will have picked up the spoilery content anyway through exposure to the fandom.

But...

With Kingdom toyline coming out, there'll be fans who've never watched the show seeking it out and watching it for the very first time.

It's a 25 years old and hasn't had a lot of replay in the last 15-20 years so many younger fans will have missed it.

They don't know some of the things we take for granted because we watched the episodes two decades ago.

Anyway, I think we should be considerate of this for a while and not go around posting casual spoilers in reviews, photocomics or other such things.

This is a long way of me explaining why I put spoiler tags in replying to a question in another thread.

[i_amtrunks]

I think it's not a terrible idea Paulbot. It's something I'd not thought about till now. But when was the last time the beast wars DVDs were available for purchase and has it ever been on a streaming service? I'm guessing not, and it's.not.skmething that you'd find to pirate and watch anyway.

[nalops]

My very quick and not extensive Google search comes up with 2011!? which is a long time ago.

[Paulbot]

My very quick and not extensive Google search comes up with 2011!? which is a long time ago.
It is watchable online through questionable means.

Not trying to suggest it’s a rule or anything, just something for individuals to consider

[Seraphim Prime]

I feel like the statute or limitations for spoilers for something that is within the cultural zeitgeist is less than 5 years.

Vader, Rosebud, Soylent Green, Bruce Willis in The Sixth Sense, etc.

That doesn't mean you deliberately go out of your way to spoil things for people, or reveal something if you know they are watching the show/film, however you

I have a housemate who didn't want me talking about Lost just in case he decided to watch it. :rolleyes:

On the flip side I had a girlfriend who searched for spoilers in Battlestar Galactica when she was watching in order to know what was coming up.

[DELTAprime]

I just saw the Core Class in person for the first time. They really don't look like they are worth $20. Then again, Micromasters didn't really justify the $20 price either.

[Ralph Wiggum]

For the first time in years, I have no Transformers left on preorder and none on my radar to buy as s I?m only collecting TakaraTomy Masterpieces and the Bayformers Masterpieces.

I have zero recollection of Skids so am unlikely to get him. I also have no desire to collect Seekers 2.0. So it looks like my Transformers collecting is on hiatus. Prolly a good thing as I?m now looking at a couple of Hot Toys on the horizon.

[SMHFConvoy]

So has anyone had an online retailer accidentally send you an order twice and what did you do about it?

It wasn't Amazon otherwise I'd be fine

[Sinnertwin]

So has anyone had an online retailer accidentally send you an order twice and what did you do about it?

It wasn't Amazon otherwise I'd be fine

What order? ;)

[SentienlPrimefan]

Hello everyone

So with the studio series Leader class, I'm questioning if SS-44 ever appeared in Australia because every leader class figure besides SS-44 has appeared. So I'm asking has anyone ever seen him?

Like to know

[SMHFConvoy]

What order? ;)

G2 Sandstorm, I have one already and have contacted OMP to resolve the issue because, I'd be happy to rip off Amazon but I don't like screwing over a smaller business

[nalops]

Hello everyone

So with the studio series Leader class, I'm questioning if SS-44 ever appeared in Australia because every leader class figure besides SS-44 has appeared. So I'm asking has anyone ever seen him?

Like to know

No. At least not in the big retail stores. Toymate may have had him at one point but I'm not sure.

And going by how they've released, it probably won't? We got W1 Grimlock and Blackout in 2018 fine then nothing. Suddenly Big W got W2 Jetfire and Megatron last year for the toy sale. Then nothing. Around November Big W got W4 Overload and Scavenger and then January Big W got W3 Scavenger and Shockwave.

Unfortunately no other retail store seems to get Leader class in.

[Jaxius._]

I think it's not a terrible idea Paulbot. It's something I'd not thought about till now. But when was the last time the beast wars DVDs were available for purchase and has it ever been on a streaming service? I'm guessing not, and it's.not.skmething that you'd find to pirate and watch anyway.

I wish we’d get more dvd releases of older stuff. I know everything is online now but I’m sorely missing BW and JG1 from my set.

[SentienlPrimefan]

No. At least not in the big retail stores. Toymate may have had him at one point but I'm not sure.

And going by how they've released, it probably won't? We got W1 Grimlock and Blackout in 2018 fine then nothing. Suddenly Big W got W2 Jetfire and Megatron last year for the toy sale. Then nothing. Around November Big W got W4 Overload and Scavenger and then January Big W got W3 Scavenger and Shockwave.

Unfortunately no other retail store seems to get Leader class in.

I remember seeing him in Singapore at universal but I wasn't willing to spend I think 139.99 Singapore dollars, but I remember grasping the box

[Flukey]

Hello everyone

So with the studio series Leader class, I'm questioning if SS-44 ever appeared in Australia because every leader class figure besides SS-44 has appeared. So I'm asking has anyone ever seen him?

Like to know

I picked him up for $85 last month from Thelittletoycompany but its now sold out, https://thelittletoycompany.com.au/collections/studio-series/products/transformers-studio-series-dark-of-the-moon-leader-optimus-prime-action-figure-pre-order

[SentienlPrimefan]

and also does anyone know when buzzworthy bumblebee comes out

Is it during Early/Middle/Late February?, I'm looking for SS-15

[nalops]

and also does anyone know when buzzworthy bumblebee comes out

Is it during Early/Middle/Late February?, I'm looking for SS-15

There's a thread around here somewhere but apparently slated for end of February at this point.

[Flukey]

and also does anyone know when buzzworthy bumblebee comes out

Is it during Early/Middle/Late February?, I'm looking for SS-15

Here - http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/27678-Buzzworthy-Bumblebee-toys-for-Australian-retailers

[SentienlPrimefan]

Here - http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/27678-Buzzworthy-Bumblebee-toys-for-Australian-retailers

Thank you very much, they could of had picked 2 other good figures instead of Trash shatter and Ok-ish WW2 Bee, Ones that were ridiculously hard to find like:

SS-46 Dropkick

SS-02 Stinger

[nalops]

Pretty sure there's a few waves so we might see some of these.

[Skyfire]

Wouldn't it be funny if all the TFs we wanted were sitting quietly in Darwin because nobody ever posts in the NT thread and so there are no tip offs triggering the mad rush? ;)

[Jaxius._]

Wouldn't it be funny if all the TFs we wanted were sitting quietly in Darwin because nobody ever posts in the NT thread and so there are no tip offs triggering the mad rush? ;)

I know there’s apparently heaps of wave 2 (alicons specifically) in the north of victoria so there’s a possibility you are right


Random thought
Am i insane for buying 4 (or 5 if i end up wanting to make an artfire) kingdom infernos
There’s method to my madness as i collect infernos and hot shots
1: misb
2: stock (for my chug shelf)
3: toy deco
4: Phoenix King deco (obscure korean animation that uses infernos toy model)
Possibly 5: artfire

[Sinnertwin]

We all run around collecting little plastic trinkets devised and brought to life by suits in offices & you're asking of you're insane for wanting to buy 5 of a certain figure?
Nah, you're good.

[Tha_Phantom]

Am i insane for buying 4 (or 5 if i end up wanting to make an artfire) kingdom infernos

No, as they each have a purpose. Just be thankful you're not that guy who hoards G1 Infernos.

[Skyfire]

Am i insane for buying 4 (or 5 if i end up wanting to make an artfire) kingdom infernos


If you can get that many Jaxius. With all the Cyclonuses disappearing (and leaving behind Optimus Primal [packed 1 to 2]), I have a feeling the same will happen to wave 2 (Inferno also packed 1 to 2 with Dinobot). Just leave one for me please :).

[SentienlPrimefan]

So quick question guys. Is it a good idea to get Buzzworthy Bumblee SS-15, Dino SS-71, and Starscream SS-72?

[Sinnertwin]

So quick question guys. Is it a good idea to get Buzzworthy Bumblee SS-15, Dino SS-71, and Starscream SS-72?

You can buy whatever you want as long as you enjoy it.

[SentienlPrimefan]

I seriously want to get BB to replace my shit TLK one

Dino i never got the chance to get him

Starscream will complete my collection

[DELTAprime]

I went through my MP collection and put the majority of it away. I now only have MP13, 15, 16 and 36 on display. However, I now have a strange urge to buy an MP44 and make Optimus, Megatron and Soundwave w/ cassettes my entire MP collection. After all, Optimus, Megatron and Soundwave are my 3 favourite G1 Transformers.

[SentienlPrimefan]

Will the buzzworthy bumblebee be worth it in the end?

[Paulbot]

Will the buzzworthy bumblebee be worth it in the end?

Depends what would make it “worth it” to you. It’s mostly a “classic” line (in the sense of the early 90s one!) So a second chance to get some BB figures. Collectors will more likely want the originals not the reissue so from a long time value POV not really worth it. From a marketing POV and keeping Bumblebee and the well received movie in the minds of casual buyers and younger fans in the lead up to a second movie (likely now much later than originally intended), it may be worth it

[SentienlPrimefan]

Depends what would make it “worth it” to you. It’s mostly a “classic” line (in the sense of the early 90s one!) So a second chance to get some BB figures. Collectors will more likely want the originals not the reissue so from a long time value POV not really worth it. From a marketing POV and keeping Bumblebee and the well received movie in the minds of casual buyers and younger fans in the lead up to a second movie (likely now much later than originally intended), it may be worth it

Mate you actually changed my mind on getting BB because I want to get the 1st movie and end of bumblebee movie version because I want to replace all the trash bumblebees i have such as OG 2007, That weird vehicle from TF4 and the Trashpiece TLK bumblebee

[Seraphim Prime]

The SS-15 Bumblebee comes from the SS-01 Bumblebee which is a really well done mould.

It's definitely worthwhile as a figure - whether you go for the original version, or this version which includes a Charlie standee.

Just a caution though - it has the same transformation skeleton as the TLK version. The engineering design and transformation scheme is very similar, however it is a completely new mould and works a lot better than the original TLK version, but it may colour your experience.

There are review threads for the two previous issues of this mould at the following links to help you in your choice.
SS-01 - http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/25294-Toy-Review-Studio-Series-DLX-Bumblebee
SS-27 - http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/26163-Toy-Review-Studio-Series-27-Bumblebee-(Clunker)

[shockNwave]

Hello everyone

So with the studio series Leader class, I'm questioning if SS-44 ever appeared in Australia because every leader class figure besides SS-44 has appeared. So I'm asking has anyone ever seen him?

Like to know

Saw him two weeks ago at Popcultcha in Geelong.

[nalops]

Oh wow yea, Popcultcha has stock.

https://www.popcultcha.com.au/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-optimus-prime-studio-series-9-action-figure.html

[Jaxius._]

With hasbro’s mainline chug being essentially mini masterpiece/g1 with knees (figuratively) I’m surprised we never got a repaint of cw Motormaster as Thunderclash.

I specifically say motormaster as the chest molding could be painted cleverly to resemble the chest sticker he has.

The transformation is almost 1:1 with only a few differences in where the cab goes (forms the whole arm instead of being behind the arm) and what forms the chest.

Honestly release Motormaster in white with a new head (and combiner head if they keep the gimmick) and its thunderclash.

But instead of this we got a weird white prime thats surprisingly not magnus, sort of nova prime and sort of star convoy but its none of them

[griffin]

Thunderclash could definitely work, as you say, the chest moulding on Motormaster wasn't the fake truck windows, which wouldn't work for Thunderclash... and would look a lot better than the one FunPub produced for Botcon, using the Energon Rodimus mould, which had big shoulder pads with wheels and a truck mode that had a nose (the original Thunderclash was a cab-over-engine type of truck like Gen1 Optimus).
The weird colouring and limited global exposure of that original Euro-Gen1 toyline would need something like a fan convention to do a homage like this... like FunPub did with a number of Euro-gen1 homages, but unfortunately many of those homages fell flat on the US fandom, being niche era characters.

[SentienlPrimefan]

Is anyone even bloodly sure that Buzzworthy Bumblebee is coming out in Late February because I'm growing increasing impatient of an announcement and price confirmation

[griffin]

Is anyone even bloodly sure that Buzzworthy Bumblebee is coming out in Late February because I'm growing increasing impatient of an announcement and price confirmation

Dates are always estimates based on when the stock is expected to arrive (from another country). And the dates I get told are often when the stock is to be sent to the Retailers (warehouse)... it is up to the Retailer to decide if they send the stock out straight away to stores (like Toyworld often does), or if they sit on it until a sales cycle (which BigW and Myer often do).

Sometimes stock gets to Australia early, sometimes late.
Like, a new product arrived last week at the Hasbro Australia warehouse that was a lot earlier than they had expected, but they have to sit on it for a little bit and I have to wait 2 weeks before I can share the news.

Just look at the Retro Headmasters... they were supposed to be in stores at the same time as the Bumblebee Buzzworthy Studio Series (late FEB to early MAR), but the Headmasters arrived early.

Conversely, the Combiner Wars Devastator was delayed 2 months due to an unexpected delay at the source country that the local branch here didn't expect... but once they knew, they told me and I posted it up here.

Just keep in mind that at the end of the day, these are just toys, and retailers aren't going to be too fussed about how they are distributed... but I'm pretty sure that once they show up at a store or on their website, people are going to be posting about it here and on other sites.

[DELTAprime]

I'm really annoyed that Hasbro didn't make a Buzzsaw out of the WFC S or E mould for Laserbeak.

[Sinnertwin]

I'm really annoyed that Hasbro didn't make a Buzzsaw out of the WFC S or E mould for Laserbeak.

That is a bit of a headscratcher. I would have included him with the Netflix Soundwave as another homage to the G1 toy, but whaddya do?

[DELTAprime]

I got my SS86 Grimlock today and promptly replaced my POTP Grimlock with him. It's great to have an appropriately sized CHUG Grimlock. Now hopefully we get the other 4 Dinobots because Grimlock really towers over them.

[Seraphim Prime]

Do the Beast Wars figures in Kingdom have Maximal & Predacon logos on them?

Which version are they using? Because I noticed the boxes have been using a modified version of the insignias that integrate some Autobot & Decepticon details into the Maximal & Predacon insignias to tie them closer together.

[nalops]

Yes, even the Core Rattrap and Vertebreak have very tiny Maximal and Predacon logos on them. They're using the classic design.

[DELTAprime]

I have a strange feeling that this year with the exception of Unicron I'm not going to be spending a tonne of cash on TFs because of the move from G1 to Beast Wars.

[griffin]

I'm spending the long weekend working on my comic collection... firstly seeing what I am still missing after all of the versions published so far, and seeing what I have duplicates of that I could probably offload, as I'm not too keen to complete my current collection of IDW TPBs or even consider collecting the fancy hardcover editions.
I'm not really a comic collector so I got rid of a lot of the single issues of Dreamwave comics when I started collecting TPBs (when IDW were selling multiple cover versions, which would be difficult and expensive to collect all versions).... now I'm wondering about the point of keeping the TPBs now that I have the Hachette collection. I would like to have every story that has been released, just as I would like to have every cartoon on-hand that has been released (which is now impossible with nothing being released in physical formats - and digital services are not permanent or guaranteed)... but I don't have a need or budget for multiple versions of comics and cartoons (or even toys if they are identical).

The point of this rambling...
I paused buying TPBs when the Hachette series started up, so that I wasn't doubling up on anything, particularly the later years of IDW that I'm not as excited about, so didn't feel too keen to have multiple versions (I can only read one at a time anyway, and some of these I'll probably only read once... if at all).
I am hoping to do up a list of comics that I will need to track down in the next few weeks (now that the Hachette series is finished and we know what it covers), to add to my collection, but so far I am already looking at 4 IDW TPBs that I don't want to keep (from the Revolutions era) because they are in the Hachette series and I don't want to waste money collecting the rest in that same format. Now I'm wondering if I want to be keeping any of the other IDW TPBs... about 50 IDW TPBs, most of which are in these three photos from my collection.

http://toycollectors.com.au/collections/griffinofoz/c20a16.jpg

http://toycollectors.com.au/collections/griffinofoz/c20a17.jpg

http://toycollectors.com.au/collections/griffinofoz/c20a18.jpg

Quite a few were bought at conventions, so some have a bit of sentimental value... but keeping those and not all of them, makes it an incomplete collection. And with the last BotCon being in 2016, I haven't been tempted to buy them in person, so it makes it easier to draw the line around mid-2016, before Revolution started. It's just a little bit messy, as there isn't a clear separation of "chapters" or "seasons" at this point, like there was in 2009, 2012 and 2019.

[Paulbot]

The IDW collection hardcovers just ruled a line under “phase 2” (the end of the RID and MTMTE Series and the Titan Masters crossover) with Phase 3 starting with Lost Light, Optimus Prime and the various Hasbro books. Maybe that break point could work for you too?

[griffin]

Ended up using/wasting the entire 4 day weekend... going through most of the 37 year comic history on tfwiki, and getting very distracted by different things on there.
I now know what I will still be missing, after the Hachette series is finished... and can start tracking down the missing stories online.
(the copied listing below doesn't include my notations of what I have and what I am missing... this is for anyone else who has the Hachette series, wanting to know what it is missing)

Marvel
H -----The Transformers (US) - 80 - H-01 to H-20
H ----- G.I. Joe and the Transformers - 4 - H-89
H ----- The Transformers: Headmasters - 4 - H-10
----- The Transformers Universe - 4
H ----- Transformers: The Movie - 3 - H-92
H ----- The Transformers (UK) - 332 (some duplication of US stories) H-01 to H-20
? ----- Annuals (UK) - 8 - H-02, H-04, H-05, H-08, H-11, H-13, H-14, H-15, H-24
H ----- Action Force - 4 - H-09
H ----- The Transformers: Generation 2 (and GIJoe) - 18 - H-89, H-90, H-91

Blackthorn
----- Transformers in 3-D - 3

3H (printed comics only)
----- Ground Zero (aka Critical Mass) - 1
----- Reaching the Omega Point - 1 (plus text stories)
----- The Wreckers - 4
----- Primeval Dawn - 1 (in parts)
----- Universe - 3

Fun Publications (printed comics only)
----- Club Magazine comics - 12 (in 72 parts)
----- BotCon comics - 12 (including 2016 IDW comic)
----- Non-convention comics - 2 (includes 1 Timelines comic and Nightbeat pack-in comic) (could be others)
----- Armada Vol 5 mini-comic - 1 (pack-in comic)

Dreamwave
H ----- Prime Directive - 7 - H-25
H ----- War and Peace - 7 - H-26
----- Transformers: Generation 1 - 11
H ----- Transformers: The War Within v1 - 7 - H-29
H ----- Transformers: The War Within v2 - 6 - H-30
----- Transformers: The War Within v3 - 3
----- Transformers: More than Meets the Eye (profile series) - 8 - H-28 (some)
----- Transformers: Armada - 18 - H-27, H-28 (#8-18 only)
----- Transformers: More than Meets the Eye Armada (profile series) - 3 - H-28 (some)
----- Transformers: Energon - 12
H ----- Transformers/G.I. Joe v1 - 6 - H-31
----- Transformers/G.I. Joe v2 - 1
----- Summer Special - 1
----- Micromasters - 4

Devils Due
H ----- G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers - 6 - H-95
H ----- G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II - 4 (plus preview) - H-96
H ----- G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: The Art of War - 5 - H-96, H-97
H ----- G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: Black Horizon - 2 - H-97

IDW - "Generation 1"
H ----- Infiltration - 7 - H-32
H ----- Stormbringer - 4 - H-36
H ----- Escalation - 6 - H-37
H ----- Megatron Origin - 4 - H-33
H ----- Devastation - 6 - H-38
H ----- All Hail Megatron - 16 - H-43, H-44
H ----- Spotlight - 31 - H-33, H-34, H-36, H-37, H-38, H-39, H-40, H-41, H-42, H-45, H-48, H-51, H-53
H ----- Maximum Dinobots - 5 - H-40
H ----- The Transformers/Death of Optimus Prime - 32 - H-45, H-46, H-47, H-48, H-49, H-51, H-52
H ----- Bumblebee - 4 - H-47
H ----- Last Stand of the Wreckers - 5 - H-45
H ----- Ironhide - 4 - H-49
H ----- Drift v1 - 4 - H-41
H ----- Heart of Darkness - 4 - H-50
H ----- Autocracy/Monstrocity/Primacy - (28) (small parts) - H-34, H-35
H ----- More than Meets the Eye - 59 (incl Annual & Revolution one-shot) - H-53, H-55, H-57, H-59, H-60, H-61, H-63, H-66, H-72, H-75, H-81
H ----- Robots in Disguise/Transformers v2 - 59 (incl Annual & Revolution one-shot) - H-54, H-56, H-58, H-59, H-60, H-62, H-64, H-65, H-67, H-71, H-75, H-81
H ----- Dark Cybertron - 2 - H-59, H-60
H ----- Windblade v1 - 4 - H-64
H ----- Punishment/Redemption of the Dinobots/Salvation - 7 - H-70
H ----- Drift v2 - 4 - H-68
H ----- Windblade v2/Combiner Hunters - 8 - H-65, H-67, H-68
H ----- Sins of the Wreckers - 5 - H-69
H ----- 2015 Holiday Special - 1 - H-69
H ----- Till All Are One - 14 (includes Annual & Revolution one-shot) - H-75, H-76, H-80, H-81
H ----- Titans Return/Revolution - 7 (plus 5 non-Transformers comics) - H-75, H-81
H ----- Lost Light - 25 - H-77, H-79, H-86, H-87, H-88
H ----- Optimus Prime - 28 (includes 2 Annuals & First Strike one-shot) - H-78, H-79, H-83, H-84, H-85, H-88
H ----- Revolutionaries - 8 (need TPB2) - H-82
H ----- First Strike - 8 (includes First Strike one-shot) (plus 4 non-Transformers comics) - H-83
----- Heroes Sourcebook - 3
----- Requieum of the Wreckers - 1 - H-80
H ----- Unicron - 7 - H-88

-------
(Revolutions & Revolutionaries era expanded)
(alongside Till All Are One - Optimus Prime - Lost Light)
- (H-75 covers Titans Return one-shot)
- (H-81 covers Revolution 0-5 & 3 Transformers one-shots)
- - (Revolution Heroes - covers all 5 non-TFs one-shots with TFs content - goes with H-81)
- - (MASK TPB (1-5) - minor TFs content - after Revolution Heroes) (add to collection count)
- - (GIJoe Vol 1 (GIJoe Series 5) - one-shot & 1-4 - TFs content)
- (H-82 covers Revolutionaries 1-8)
- - (GIJoe Vol 2 (GIJoe Series 5) - 5-9 - TFs content)
- - (Scarlett's Strike Force - 1-3 & 2 one-shots - TFs content)
- - (Micronauts Wrath of Kazza 1-5 - with TFs content)
- - (ROM vs Transformers Shining Armor 1-5)
- (H-83 covers First Strike 0-6 & 1-shots)
- - (First Strike Champions - mostly non-TFs issues with TFs content - goes with H-83)
- - (Transformers vs Visionaries 1-5)
(ends with Unicron - H-88)
--------

IDW - Movie Universe
----- Movie Prequel - 6
----- Movie Prequel Special - 1 (re-prints the 2 Target specials)
----- Movie Adaptation - 4
----- The Reign of Starscream - 5
----- Saga of the Allspark - 4
----- Alliance - 4
----- Defiance - 4
----- ROTF Movie Adaptation - 4
----- Tales of the Fallen - 6
----- Nefarious - 6
----- Sector 7 - 5
----- Foundation - 4
----- Rising Storm - 4
----- DOTM Movie Adaptation - 4
----- (cyberglyph in-toy comics - 6)
----- Bumblebee Movie Prequel - 4

IDW - Crossovers
----- New Avengers/Transformers - 4
H ----- Infestation v1 - (2) - H-50
----- Infestation v2 - (2)
----- Mars Attacks The Transformers - (1)
----- X-Files The Transformers - (1)
----- Angry Birds Transformers
? ----- Transformers vs. G.I. Joe - 14 - H-73, H-74 (missing Movie part)
----- Star Trek vs. Transformers
----- Transformers/Ghostbusters
----- Transformers vs. The Terminator
----- My Little Pony/Transformers
----- Transformers/Back to the Future
----- My Little Pony/Transformers II

IDW - Other mini-series
H----- Beast Wars: The Gathering - H-93
H----- Beast Wars: The Ascending - H-94
----- Beast Wars Sourcebook - H-93 & H-94 (some)
H----- Hearts of Steel - 4 - H-39
----- Animated - 13 (cartoon episodes as screenshots)
----- Transformers Animated: The Arrival - 6
----- (Animated - Rise of Safeguard - 1 - pack in comic)
----- (Gen1 - Rodimus Vs Cyclonus - 1 - pack in comic)
----- Transformers Prime Prequel - 4
----- Transformers Prime - 4 (cartoon episodes as screenshots)
----- Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots - 4
----- Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters - 8
----- War For Cybertron - 1 (game comic)
----- Fall of Cybertron - 1 (game comic) (6 digital parts)
----- Robots in Disguise (Animated) (2015) - 7
H----- 1986 Animated Movie - H-92
H----- Regeneration One - 21 - H-21 to H-24
----- Unit-E - 1
----- Beast Hunters (Asia) - 1
----- (Dreamwave's War Within Omnibus - (1))
----- (Fun Publications Balancing Act - (1))
----- Transformers Deviations - (1)
----- Aw Yeah Revolution - 3
----- Bumblebee Win if You Dare - (1) (no individual issues)
----- Bumblebee Go For Gold - 1
----- Transformers '84 - 5
----- Transformers: Beast Wars 2021

IDW - 2019 series
----- Transformers 1-28+ - H-98, H-99, H-100 (1-17 only)
----- Transformers: Galaxies 1-12 - H-100 (1-4 only)
----- Transformers: Escape 1-4+

IDW - Free Comic Book Day issues (could already be included above - could be others)
H ----- Regeneration One #80.5
----- Beast Wars The Gathering
----- Robots in Disguise (#0 of series)
H ----- Transformers vs GIJoe (#0 of series)
H ----- Unicron (#0 of series)

[DELTAprime]

The little clear stand is included with Unicron has room for 15 micro figs (or whatever we are calling them) and 3 ships.

We have 3 little figs and 1 ship so far. I guess that means I might have to buy up to 14 more Transformers to complete my Unicron.

[Paulbot]

People saying how good Kingdom Huffer is makes me resentful that (rumoured) Kingdom Gears got (allegedly) cancelled. Hopefully my favourite Minibot gets the love of a new WFC-style deluxe toy.

[griffin]

The little clear stand is included with Unicron has room for 15 micro figs (or whatever we are calling them) and 3 ships.

We have 3 little figs and 1 ship so far. I guess that means I might have to buy up to 14 more Transformers to complete my Unicron.

One of the recent Unicron videos from Hasbro teased that this year's version of Centurion Drone (another toy with a box of accessories) will have some more items specifically for the stand that comes with Unicron.

So... there are two stands packed in with Unicron? One big black one for Unicron, and one small clear one for the accessories?
(I haven't watched reviews or videos, so that it doesn't spoil the first unboxing for me.)

[DELTAprime]

So... there are two stands packed in with Unicron? One big black one for Unicron, and one small clear one for the accessories?
(I haven't watched reviews or videos, so that it doesn't spoil the first unboxing for me.)

Yes, a big black stand for Unicron (please watch the video I linked the other day about how to properly use it) and a small clear stand for 3 ships and 15 micro figs. Plus it also has a spot on the clear stand for Unicron's head if you want to display that separate when you have Unicron in Planet mode.

[SentienlPrimefan]

Hey Guys, so with target, I just want to know how do you order kingdom Optimus prime?

[DELTAprime]

Hey Guys, so with target, I just want to know how do you order kingdom Optimus prime?

I believe Target does assortments for Transformers, just like we do at Big W. That means they have a single keycode that every different item in a particular line (in this case Leader Class WFC K items) resolve to. That means you can't order a specific Transformer, but rather a randomly picked item from within that keycode.

[nalops]

They have/had Optimus Prime and BW Megatron individually listed, so ideally you'd get the one you order. Unfortunately, saw someone on FB order Megatron and get Optimus so may still be assorted. In saying that, looks like OP's out of stock any way.

https://www.target.com.au/p/transformers-generations-optimus-prime-kingdom-leader-war-for-cybertron-7-action-figure/65050972

You may as well get him through Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08MVVDHWB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glc_fabc_56FR1JCP58J02DKMAJMZ

[SentienlPrimefan]

How do add images to posts?

[DELTAprime]

How do add images to posts?

Read this thread.

http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/17677-Hotlinking-prohibited-How-do-you-insert-attach-images-here

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Wow, what a bargain! (https://www.ebay.com/itm/TRANSFORMERS-Optimus-Prime-Auto-Converting-Programmable-Robot-Pre-Order/174734909804?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&tooldid=10001&campid=5337404972&customid=TFWWIDE3) :rolleyes:

(200% markup on that auto-transforming Prime on eBay, BIN price of just under $1900 US).

[Dkaris]

Has anyone bought any of the (normally) 3d printed additional parts for the kingdom figures (or any transformers really) I found a set of gap fillers for kingdom Inferno on eBay and was wondering if anyone's ever purchased stuff like that?

[DELTAprime]

I guess the POTP Terrorcon moulds are degrading a bit. The weight-bearing joints on my Gen Selects Abominus' are much weaker than my POTP Abominus.

He wants to faceplant unless he is perfectly balanced because the joints give in.

[Ultra Mackness]

With the next Hallmark Christmas tree decoration about to drop it got me thinking, what/how did transformers celebrate? Did they have an equivalent to Christmas?

[DELTAprime]

Even though I know Hasbro is unable to use the name Slag, thanks to England, it's still disappointing to see Slug printed on the SS86 box.

[Seraphim Prime]

With the next Hallmark Christmas tree decoration about to drop it got me thinking, what/how did transformers celebrate? Did they have an equivalent to Christmas?

There were birthdays in the G1 cartoon - season 3 had Daniel try to find out Ultra Magnus' birthday so that they could celebrate

The Christmas special is a longtime UK comics trend, so there were a bunch of Christmas themed UK stories - perhaps the most famous is the "It's Christmas - So What?" cover with Starscream.

IDW had a holiday special that included a device that led to everything on the Lost Light looking like Christmas decorations and Starscream declaring a "Chosen One Day" holiday on Cybertron.

There may have been other celebration days in Animated - but that's really the only recent series that has spent any time dealing with life on Cybertron not in the middle of war / life beyond a small crew against the odds. Cyberverse may have something, but I haven't watched it.

I know that the newer IDW comics have a celebration for the arrival of new protoforms.

[GoktimusPrime]

Pre-Earth contact Cybertronians wouldn't have any equivalent to a Winter Solstice festival (e.g. Yule, Saturnalia, Xmas etc.). There's no evidence of seasons on Cybertron, but they're also a non-agrarian society so... it would be an utterly alien concept.

[DELTAprime]

Now that I have WFC K Mirage I'm torn as to if I will actually put him on display or not as my chronicle Mirage. The alt mode takes a bunch of different elements from various open-wheel cars from over the decades and blends them together. Also, there is no port on his shoulder for the shoulder cannon. A big thing that makes certain G1 characters silhouettes distinguishable as that character is the shoulder cannon.

[SentienlPrimefan]

Hey guys, I was just looking at the checklist for 2021, and griffin said this

Wave 14? (JAN 2022?)
- SS-86-10 - (1986) Decepticon Sweep (Decep - Cybertronian jet - very minor redeco of 04 Scourge)

I would like to point out that EB Games/Zing has him coming out in November 2021

so it should say

Wave 14? (NOV 2021?)
- SS-86-10 - (1986) Decepticon Sweep (Decep - Cybertronian jet - very minor redeco of 04 Scourge)

[griffin]

Hey guys, I was just looking at the checklist for 2021, and griffin said this

Wave 14? (JAN 2022?)
- SS-86-10 - (1986) Decepticon Sweep (Decep - Cybertronian jet - very minor redeco of 04 Scourge)

I would like to point out that EB Games/Zing has him coming out in November 2021

so it should say

Wave 14? (NOV 2021?)
- SS-86-10 - (1986) Decepticon Sweep (Decep - Cybertronian jet - very minor redeco of 04 Scourge)

As noted in the checklist, US release dates are used, as they are statistically more reliable, being the primary market for Transformers.
EB Games dates can never be trusted.
The Victory Saber listing has different dates in just about every country... and the further away an item is, the less reliable its release date.
The release date for the Sweep is likely to have been from the official reveal or its Hasbro Pulse listing.

[DELTAprime]

EB Games dates can never be trusted.


How many months were we all waiting for our Seacons?

[nalops]

How many months were we all waiting for our Seacons?

Turtler's projected EB release date seems to have been January 2020, according to the news post here. Not sure about everyone but I got mine in April.

Also might be worth noting I put the deposit down in August 2019.

[SentienlPrimefan]

i got my SS-71 Dino on the June 1st when it was originally supposed to come out on May 13th, so you do the math

[Seraphim Prime]

The other thing that slightly confuses things is around Christmas, Hasbro typically lists something for early in the New Year, but usually ships it in December.

The best that can be done is to write it up based on Hasbro's proposed schedule and then if things come early it's a bonus - we supposedly got the SS86 Wave 1 supposedly months before they were supposed to have been released last year.

[griffin]

That's why I will often note (as often as possible) the month of release next to what was listed as the scheduled month, which is better for future reference, particularly when the release is significantly delayed or early.

From the first post of each Checklist, to explain how to use the checklist, specifically the dates that are listed...


(Any release dates listed in brackets) are when items are noted by an official source for them to be widely available in America. They should only be used as a rough guide for Australia. All future dates and details can, and do, change at any time. The current release status will be updated as often as possible.

Key:
HERE = Month it was found at a major chain in Australia.
OUT = Month it was found in US or other country.
NOT HERE = Released in other countries, but not expected here.

[griffin]

Did anyone notice that the Masked Singer the other night was sponsored by Hasbro, and each commercial break had a toy commercial?
I didn't watch beyond the second commercial, but the first two commercial breaks had really young toys like PJ Masks... so I don't know if they had any Transformers commercials at some point... but I thought that was a really weird sponsorship, especially with how expensive it would have been to be the primary sponsor of Network 10's highest rating program in 2020. It just seems like a lot of their annual marketing budget was spent on a program that doesn't immediately make you think of toys (and I hope it wasn't just because one of their many toylines has the word "mask" in it).

[Paulbot]

I gather The Masked Singer is a big hit "family show" that all ages watch together - so having ads for kids products on one of the few shows in primetime kids might be watching with parents makes sense.

[DELTAprime]

I can't stand 99% of TV, so I couldn't even tell you what a Hasbro ad from this century looks like. The only TV with ads I watch is the Formula 1 on Fox Sports and that's full of Heinekin, gambling and prestige TV ads. Yuck!

[Sinnertwin]

Commercials are overrated

All you need is a vertigo spiral, some flashing lights and a soothing voice telling you to buy our product... buy our product... buy it now... do nothing else but consume... buy our product...buy buy buy

[GoktimusPrime]

Commercials are overrated

All you need is a vertigo spiral, some flashing lights and a soothing voice telling you to buy our product... buy our product... buy it now... do nothing else but consume... buy our product...buy buy buy
Or a Saturday morning cartoon. ;)

[Krayt]

Did anyone notice that the Masked Singer the other night was sponsored by Hasbro, and each commercial break had a toy commercial?
I didn't watch beyond the second commercial, but the first two commercial breaks had really young toys like PJ Masks... so I don't know if they had any Transformers commercials at some point... but I thought that was a really weird sponsorship, especially with how expensive it would have been to be the primary sponsor of Network 10's highest rating program in 2020. It just seems like a lot of their annual marketing budget was spent on a program that doesn't immediately make you think of toys (and I hope it wasn't just because one of their many toylines has the word "mask" in it).

No no…. It’s just the MASK aspect…

[griffin]

I was watching a bit of the 2019 How to train your Dragon movie on TV tonight, and a scene that had waterfalls with lots of flowing water and mist, had me thinking... just 23 years ago, the Beast Wars cartoon doing water and waterfalls... as Mainframe (like Pixar) was one of the early pioneers of making CGI effects like water, landscapes and curves easier and cheaper to produce.

I remember how amazed us fans were when Beast Wars first started, at this "new" cartoon medium (many of us hadn't seen Reboot, so the Toy Story movie the year before was really the only previous show that was entirely done in CGI), as previous CGI by 1995 was still either very expensive limiting its usage to just special effects in movies, or still too simplistic, leading to programs like Toy Story in 1995 and Reboot (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReBoot) in 1994.

Kids these days just won't understand, how much the CGI landscape has changed... just look at computer games - remember the Beast Wars computer game in 1996, which was supposed to be a real form of 3D animation. Now computer games and virtual reality games have evolved even more than CGI cartoons.

[1AZRAEL1]

Computer graphics have come a long way. I remember playing Ski Free and Scorched Earth on MS DOS in 1991 and we all thought it was the bees knees. And Wolfenstein 3D in 1992. Almost 30 years later playing VR games and being visually and audibly immersive. Didn't watch Reboot. But I guess we're in a unique position to see how far it has all come in 30 years

[DELTAprime]

I remember when I bought the Bluray box set of the Fox Xmen movies and the CG in those early movies was terrible by today's standards. I'm betting that the CG in the early Bayverse movies will hold up better though, provided you watch at the mastered resolution of 1080p.

[Autocon]

They've done a reboot sequel series on netflix.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

This kind of came up on a twitter feed I was looking at where people were heralding T2 as being the last good "non-cg" movie. Despite the fact it was groundbreaking with the melting terminator and his reflecting morphing. It got me thinking also about how revolutionary the face morphing in Michael Jackson's Black & White video clip was at the time as well. It made the news for being groundbreaking, and extremely expensive to do.
No I can download a free app for a device in pocket that does the same thing, but better.

I think it's amazing how much technology had advanced, but often think about the things my grandparents must have seen as well. Born in the 1910s, they must have seen some amazing advancements too.

I think Beast wars (Season 2 onwards) looks pretty good even today.

[Paulbot]

This kind of came up on a twitter feed I was looking at where people were heralding T2 as being the last good "non-cg" movie.

What?! Is this like a youth thing? T2 was the film that made CGI in movies a thing!

[Sinnertwin]

Perhaps it was T1? Couldn't have been T2 as Paulbot noted above.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Perhaps it was T1? Couldn't have been T2 as Paulbot noted above.

Nerp definitely T2. It was bizarre! People going on about the greatness of the the truck chase scene etc. Later in the thread the Mercury Terminator was brought up. But yikes. Maybe they thought it was claymation

[Thurmus]

I remember The Abyss being the first movie everyone raved about CG on. T2 was the one they said took it to another level and made it indistinguishable from real life.

I still think the best looking is when they do as much as possible with real people, things and effects and fill out the rest or accentuate with CG.

[Paulbot]

There is nothing in the trailer for Michael Bay’s new film Ambulance that precludes it being a stealth Ratchet solo movie. It may be enjoyable to watch with that assumption: https://youtu.be/jZ7Wyb1rdG4

[griffin]

You can certainly tell it was directed by Michael Bay, with more explosions than reality, multiple helicopters, and dizzying fast-moving camera shots.
It is apparently an adaptation of a 2005 Danish film... so it could be funny to watch that one and see how much it was "Bay-ified" for this version.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

There is nothing in the trailer for Michael Bay’s new film Ambulance that precludes it being a stealth Ratchet solo movie. It may be enjoyable to watch with that assumption: https://youtu.be/jZ7Wyb1rdG4


You can certainly tell it was directed by Michael Bay, with more explosions than reality, multiple helicopters, and dizzying fast-moving camera shots.
It is apparently an adaptation of a 2005 Danish film... so it could be funny to watch that one and see how much it was "Bay-ified" for this version.

Was thinking the exact same thing. It certainly fits the bill for a Michael Bay Bingo game. Got half way through the trailer before I lost interest, so this is an easy pass for me.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Takaratomy Mall listed Emperor Starscream on their website. (https://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g4904810173441/) While I was looking at the page, I thought,

Wouldn't it be cool if the cape could attach to the plane?

[SentienlPrimefan]

Hello everybody, I have a question about the studio series

I'm asking, Has SS-76 Thrust been released here yet because I haven't seen him or is he coming out before the end of 2021

[SharkyMcShark]

Hello everybody, I have a question about the studio series

I'm asking, Has SS-76 Thrust been released here yet because I haven't seen him or is he coming out before the end of 2021

Hey mate

I've not seen him here at release (I'm a Perth collector too). No idea on whether there are any plans for it to come out here. Might be one of those things we just miss?

I did order him from the below link and had it reach me in Perth within a fortnight.

https://www.gamesmen.com.au/transformers-studio-series-76-voyager-class-transformers-bumblebee-thrust-6-5-action-figure

[griffin]

It shoukd have come out with wreckgar, but I didn't see it on the online sites that got him in already.

[Ravagecat]

Hello everybody, I have a question about the studio series

I'm asking, Has SS-76 Thrust been released here yet because I haven't seen him or is he coming out before the end of 2021

You can get him from Amazon AU by going to the link here (https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08TLQX5CY/ref=cbw_us_au_dp_ags?smid=A4XRJ8S0WXSO0) and select Amazon AU as the seller on the Right Pane under "Other Sellers On Amazon"

This was a strange one on Amazon AU's part as I don't think you can just search for him on Amazon AU - their search Algorithm must be broken on this one...:rolleyes:

[griffin]

It shoukd have come out with wreckgar, but I didn't see it on the online sites that got him in already.


You can get him from Amazon AU by going to the link here (https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08TLQX5CY/ref=cbw_us_au_dp_ags?smid=A4XRJ8S0WXSO0) and select Amazon AU as the seller on the Right Pane under "Other Sellers On Amazon"

This was a strange one on Amazon AU's part as I don't think you can just search for him on Amazon AU - their search Algorithm must be broken on this one...:rolleyes:

Ah, I vaguely recall that being mentioned by someone... and makes sense that it should have been in stock at Amazon Australia, since they had Wreck Gar for some time now.

(I got mine from Singapore, added to an order for something that wasn't released here, so would have remembered it better if I had bought it domestically.)

[Sinnertwin]

It shoukd have come out with wreckgar, but I didn't see it on the online sites that got him in already.

Wreck Gar has been popping up with Sweep, so I can assume that we have missed that wave?

[griffin]

Wreck Gar has been popping up with Sweep, so I can assume that we have missed that wave?

It looks like Wreck Gar is in both waves... but the Thrust/WG wave only appeared to show up at limited places here, like Amazon Australia (which I completely forgot that I had even posted about it on the ozformers facebook page, when it became available on Amazon Australia... silly me :p ).

[1AZRAEL1]

Does anyone just stand there looking at their collection, and admire it for a number of minutes?

[Golden Phoenix]

Does anyone just stand there looking at their collection, and admire it for a number of minutes?

I wouldn't say admire, but that's due to the current situation. My collection is mostly boxed up and in a storage room with only some out on a bookshelf in my bedroom.
So when I look at mine I stand there in a half in a panic that I'll never get to see it all out again, and half in a panic that when I am able to have it all set up I won't have enough room.

[JJJ]

Does anyone just stand there looking at their collection, and admire it for a number of minutes?

Yes. I have a chair handy for the purpose too :)

[Sinnertwin]

Does anyone just stand there looking at their collection, and admire it for a number of minutes?

Not often enough tbh

[Skyfire]

I admire my bots all the time ;).

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51681953947_ce6f5f4d7e_k.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/gp/188963544@N02/b006nd)

[Paulbot]

Like the Dare to be Stupid battle going on there


Not often enough tbh

Same...

[griffin]

Transformation fail (https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Bumblebee-Cyberverse-Adventures-Repeatable/dp/B0844BK46G/)...

[Dimi194]

Transformation fail (https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Bumblebee-Cyberverse-Adventures-Repeatable/dp/B0844BK46G/)...

That one is a YIKES hahaha

[griffin]

I just found this 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle of (mostly) Gen1 boxed toys (https://www.amazon.com.au/Radical-Robots-1000-Piece-Jigsaw-Puzzle/dp/B09NNGXSZ2/) on Amazon, which unfortunately doesn't appear to be licensed, but is produced by a major US online store (Toynk)... and I think it would look pretty impressive framed on the wall. It is au$38, which is really tempting.

[Paulbot]

A range of odd choices on that image- doesn’t look like it’s been put together by anyone with a good knowledge of G1.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Yeah, There is a lot of variance of the picture quality as well, some of them look all right, some lok badly lit.

And then there is an Ectrotron at the bottom....

[DELTAprime]

Getting a Slammer, Pipes, Blaster and Tigatron is proving harder than any other general retail figures in recent years. :/

[JJJ]

A range of odd choices on that image- doesn’t look like it’s been put together by anyone with a good knowledge of G1.

You mean the inclusion of the very recent vintage-style Headmaster boxes? Along with the similarly modern Ecto 1 and an Arcee that I can't place?

Still a jigsaw that I'd enjoy putting together, although yes, it would be nicer to have them all be properly 80s toys. But not something I'd be willing to pay $38 plus postage from the US for (but then my jigsaw valuations are largely shaped by op shop purchases these days, so what do I know? :) ). Even if the pieces are properly shaped; an important distinction, and one that grows ever rarer the further we go from the 70s...

[griffin]

I had a laugh when I saw Ectotron in there, but I can understand it having a random selection that is not to scale, as the box pics would be too small if they included too many... and I think the larger images makes it more captivating to look at as you put it together.
(I wonder if the jigsaw was fairly easy to create too, with the overall image probably done from a quick online search for images... maybe with some KOs in there as well.)

[griffin]

and an Arcee that I can't place?


I didn't originally see that, but a second look and it would have to be a 3rd party toy... and I now see the Reflector there, in custom packaging too (it was never released in Gen1 grid packaging, only in a plain cardboard box).

[GoktimusPrime]

I didn't originally see that, but a second look and it would have to be a 3rd party toy... and I now see the Reflector there, in custom packaging too (it was never released in Gen1 grid packaging, only in a plain cardboard box).
Well, with Reflector's name printed out it, but yeah, otherwise pretty no-frills white box with no graphic, logos etc.

[1AZRAEL1]

Getting a Slammer, Pipes, Blaster and Tigatron is proving harder than any other general retail figures in recent years. :/

Figures at the tail end of any line is always bad. Blaster at least will be out in Legacy. BM Singe and the 2 headed ramp I had to get online, and HM Ramhorn were exorbitant online, until they showed up here for 5 a piece. Retail sucks, I just order most online these days

[Sinnertwin]

Figures at the tail end of any line is always bad. Blaster at least will be out in Legacy. BM Singe and the 2 headed ramp I had to get online, and HM Ramhorn were exorbitant online, until they showed up here for 5 a piece. Retail sucks, I just order most online these days

Same. After the first wave hits shelves and sits there for 12 years, most, if not at all of my purchases are done online.

[GoktimusPrime]

Figures at the tail end of any line is always bad.
The YakFace Effect. :D

Although arguably part of the problem is that tail end figures have the least demand.
e.g. the final years of G1 (1991-93) etc.

[DELTAprime]

Figures at the tail end of any line is always bad. Blaster at least will be out in Legacy. BM Singe and the 2 headed ramp I had to get online, and HM Ramhorn were exorbitant online, until they showed up here for 5 a piece. Retail sucks, I just order most online these days

I've had Pipes and Slammer on preorder at Amazon AU for almost a year now and they still haven't arrived. I am waiting to be charged for my Tigatron order by Amazon US via Amazon AU after finding him the other week. Still no sign of Blaster, but I'd prefer the WFC version to avoid any mould degradation.

[GoktimusPrime]

My Transformers count has now reached 2666.

Back in 2004, when we were celebrating the 20th anniversary of TFs, my collection hit 666 (with Energon Scorponok being my 666th Transformer). Funnily enough, my 2666th Transformer is a toy that came out in 2004; Super Link Chromehorn Forest Type. :D

Although in 2004 I was still using the Substitution Rationale Method for counting my TFs, whereas now I use the Universal Counting Method; but I didn't own too many variants back then, so my 2004 SRM count would still be similar had I counted using the UCM back then. Also worth mentioning that I hit the 666 mark in early 2004. I actually wanted Energon Megatron to be my 666th, but the toy hadn't been released when my collection was at 665, so I grabbed Scorponok instead. So my collection definitely exceeded the 700 figure mark by year's end by either SRM or UCM reckoning.

Anyway, it means that I have collected 2000 more Transformers since roughly around this time sixteen years ago. This averages 111 figures per year. :o Although my entire collecting average is about 70 figures per year (including my childhood collecting years). 2004-now represents most of my collecting years after I started working full time (and thus having a disposable income). Prior to this I think I averaged roughly 20~30 figures a year. Of course, there were also fewer figures to collect in the 20th Century compared to now. :)
e.g. just G1, just G2, just BW etc.
It's not like today where I'm concurrently collecting Cyberverse, Kingdom, Gens Selects, Masterpiece, Studio Series etc.

[GoktimusPrime]

So Nemesis Prime is a name that's meant to be the opposite of "Optimus" Prime. Not that Nemesis is the opposite of Optimus (that would be Pessimus).
But what if other Transformers had opposite-alignment counterparts with opposite meaning names?

Megatron: MICROTON
"Micross" (small) is the opposite of "Megalos" (large). Also mega is a million of something (e.g. the Earth is 264,000Mm from Mars), whereas a micro is a millionth of something (e.g. the coronavirus is approx. 0.9μm in diameter). "Tron" is short for "electron," so I've taken "ton" from "proton," since protons have the opposite charge of electrons. Although admittedly the name does now sound like "Microtonne"... of course, there are a million grams in a tonne, so 1μT = 1g :p
Jazz: DIRGE
Dirge: JAZZ
Prowl: STOMP
Frenzy: TRANQUILITY
Rewind: FAST FORWARD
Eject: INSERT
Hound: CATILLA
Catilla: HOUND
Bluestreak: SILVERBLOT
Wheelie: LIKEABLE

...etc

[Golden Phoenix]

Megatron: MICROTON
"Micross" (small) is the opposite of "Megalos" (large). Also mega is a million of something (e.g. the Earth is 264,000Mm from Mars), whereas a micro is a millionth of something (e.g. the coronavirus is approx. 0.9?m in diameter). "Tron" is short for "electron," so I've taken "ton" from "proton," since protons have the opposite charge of electrons. Although admittedly the name does now sound like "Microtonne"... of course, there are a million grams in a tonne, so 1?T = 1g :p

He'd be a very small robot that transformed into a very very big vehicle. So big he needed mass-shifting technobable to explain it.

[GoktimusPrime]

He'd be a very small robot that transformed into a very very big vehicle. So big he needed mass-shifting technobable to explain it.
Heheh, as awesome as imagining a robot the size of Browning transforming into an aircraft carrier is, in the spirit of Nemesis Prime these would all just be repaints... so Microton would still be a big robot who transforms into a Walther P38 - possibly the black Microman version (as opposed to the silver chrome version used for Megatron). :)

Some other suggestions:
* Ironhide: CESIUM SALAMI (Cesium being a really soft metal, and the initials "Cs" being the chemical symbol for Cesium)
* Bumblebee: DRAGONFLY (bees' natural predator)
* Mirage: REALITY
* Wheeljack: DOWNSHIFT
* Downshift: WHEELJACK
* Ratchet: STICK
* Sunstreaker: MOONBLOCKER
* Trailbreaker: BARRICADE
* Barricade: TRAILBREAKER
* Brawn: SCRAWNY
* Gears: STRIPPED
* Huffer: MEEK
* Windcharger: WAVERIDER
* Waverider: WINDCHARGER
* Soundwave: THE SILENCE
* Starscream: NIGHT-HUSH
* Skywarp: STRAIGHTLAND
* Thundercracker: WHISPER
* Whisper: THUNDERCRACKER
* Omega Supreme: ALPHA INFERIOR
* Ultra Magnus: CITRA PARVUS
* Galvatron: VOLTATON - Galvatron is a portmanteau of "galvanisation" and "electron." The word "galvanisation" is named after 18th C Italian scientist Luigi Galvani, whose rival was Alessandro Volta. And "ton" is from proton as explained in my previous post. :)

[GoktimusPrime]

For those who can read Japanese, TakaraTOMY's official TF site has mistakenly labelled the link to Sparkless Seeker as "PF WFC-04 Starscream" and Starscream as "WFC-20 Sparkless Seeker" :D The thumbnail images and links are correct, but the names have been switched.
https://tf.takaratomy.co.jp/

Here's a screenshot with English captions added. ;)
https://i.ibb.co/r7Kp33Y/takaratomy-sparklessstarscream-error.jpg

[griffin]

It doesn't happen often but I have seen them mix up menu images before.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

It doesn't happen often but I have seen them mix up menu images before.

Japan's website design ideology still has a long way to go.

[GoktimusPrime]

Today I separated my CW Stunticons and set them up on display as individual bots. :) As Tetsuwan Convoy has pointed out, CW Motormaster is still a good Motormaster toy, just not a good Menasor torso. Plus, let's face it, nobody's gonna buy the CW Stunticons now. :p

I've also deliberately not filled up the shelf spot that CW Menasor formerly occupied; that space is now reserved for TL Menasor. :)

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Over the weekend I busted out out my UW Menasor, juts to see if it's as bad as I remember. And, yes, yes it is. I also got out my others too, Bruticus and Abominus.
Abominus is by far the best, aided significantly by his ankle rockers.

I had a closer look at Menasor and all his problems stem from the hips. The angle required for the gestalt mode is a bit of an odd one, making movement difficult. The square hips conflict with the waist area when you do move them. Standing my gestalts together, you also see that Menasor's hips are at approximately elbow height, making his legs exceptionally long. Standing up straight, he seems "ok" but the moment you move him, it's just terrible.

I still quite like the updated look to the individuals though, even though Wildrider and Deadend are the same model car. I do fear for their windscreens though, I see a lot of stress seems to happen on that hinge, and it happens on all versions of that mould that I have. Anyone have a good workaround?

I think I'll be keeping them for now.
1. Probably won't be able to get too much for them anymore.
2. I still rather like the look of Motormaster.

[GoktimusPrime]

1. Probably won't be able to get too much for them anymore.
Gotta admit, this is my main reason for keeping them. :p
Selling toys is hard enough as it is. I can't even sell my loose Kingdom Blaster; got Buckley's chances of selling CW Stunticons! :D

[Autocon]

Went to JB hifi. Saw transformer section. Why do they bother with the black ties around the outside of the box? It damages the box!

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Something I was wondering about a little...

With SS86 Scourge coming out first, and most collectors having likely gotten him before the Sweep redeco/remould came out, how many people here are getting one or multiple Sweeps? Who's getting both, and if so which one are you using for Scourge and which one for the Sweep/s (i.e. if you're army-building, are you using the Scourge version for Scourge or the Sweep version for Scourge)?
I like the look of the Sweep over Scourge a bit personally, but they're definitely clogging the shelves a lot.

[JJJ]

This has apparently back-fired on Hasbro a bit, yes. Seems a lot of people bought multiple Scourges because they weren't aware of the Sweeps coming (I don't think it was even rumoured back when Scourge first appeared). Hasbro really are their own worst enemy.

Only when the Sweeps appeared did I really consider buying them to have, well, Sweeps - until then I was going to us the TR Scourge toy for that (already had one), pick them up whenever they appeared somewhere for not very much, and wasn't really fussed if I got three or not.

Then one day I found three SS86 Sweeps in Kmart and thought why not...

[GoktimusPrime]

Seems that way. I'm finding Sweeps shelfwarming everywhere.

Is tfwiki down for anyone else?

[JJJ]

Is tfwiki down for anyone else?

For everyone else: https://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/tfwiki.net

[High_Q]

For everyone else: https://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/tfwiki.net

I was wondering about TF Wiki too. This is a useful link. A few other non-TF relates sites i use seem to be down as well. Hmm...

[JJJ]

I was wondering about TF Wiki too. This is a useful link. A few other non-TF relates sites i use seem to be down as well. Hmm...

It isn't as uncommon as people think. TFW2005 falls over at least once a week (and is up again in minutes).

TFWiki is back up now.

[Sinnertwin]

I've got them both sealed and a 2nd Sweep opened on display as my Scourge.

I much prefer the toy colours, they pop..more? better? What is the correct term here? Anyway, 1 of each sealed & 1 open.

[Paulbot]

At the moment I have a Kingdom Galvatron, Kingdom Cyclonus and Studio Series Scourge as a movie set, and a Gen Selects (toy) Galvatron, Studio Series Sweep and an ordered Gen Selects Cyclonus as a toy/comic set. I'm not sure which I prefer as my definitive take, and it might end up being a mix match of these. The six toys were enough that I've talked myself out of getting an additional Sweep to be back up for Studio Series Scourge. I also can't see a time when I will ever really need an "army of Sweeps".

Saw some comments about TFwiki being down on twitter - I think it was a planned outage. Been a while since OTCA had an unplanned outage but there's been a few of those over the years too.

[DELTAprime]

I've got them both sealed and a 2nd Sweep opened on display as my Scourge.

I much prefer the toy colours, they pop..more? better? What is the correct term here? Anyway, 1 of each sealed & 1 open.

I prefer the animation colours, so I used two Scourges as Sweeps to go with my canonical Scourge. Being identical characters in G1 really helps people get the colour they want for their collection.