SDCC exclusive Bumblebee with Dino-cassettes

[Paulbot]

Reported at io9 (https://io9.gizmodo.com/transforming-dino-cassettes-join-a-retro-80s-bumblebee-1827182137?IR=T):


The ‘80s-inspired “Bumblebee Vol. 1 Retro Rock Garage” set includes a classic 1977 Camaro version of Bee with a retro paint job that will undoubtedly match the character’s design in the upcoming Transformers prequel. But with 25 steps needed to transform the toy from car to robot mode, this version of Bumblebee doesn’t share much else with the comparatively simple Transformers toys of the ‘80s.

The set’s packaging looks like an oversized cassette tape, while the ‘rock’ theme is carried on through the other two included Transformers figures. As a kid, Soundwave’s tiny cassette bots were my favorite Transformers toys (they were so easy to smuggle in your pocket) and in this set Bumblebee is joined by Dairu and Uruaz, a pair of dino-cassettes that were originally only available in Japan back in the ‘80s.

If you’ll be at San Diego Comic-Con this year, you’ll be able to get the “Bumblebee Vol. 1 Retro Rock Garage” set at Hasbro’s con store for $60. But if you can’t make it out west, some will also be made available on the HabroToyShop website after Comic-Con is over, but in limited numbers.

https://i.imgur.com/1t3bsqU.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/H9gU7Oo.jpg

:eek:


Note the box has Studio Series 19 on the side, suggesting it's numbering is part of the main line (like the excluvisve Thundercracker)

https://i.imgur.com/MOyBX5x.jpg

[Raider]

Whilst I do not care for Bumblebee, those cassettes.... gimme gimme gimme!

[1AZRAEL1]

I just saw this myself. So hang on, they have the dino molds? Will we see another set released?

[swoop]

It does say volume 1 so there could be a volume 2 for New York Comic-Con with the other 2 Dino cassettes and the bumblebee movies main villain.

But if that doesn’t happen it is still pretty cool of Hasbro to have release these 2 for us collectors, big thumbs up

[griffin]

The dino cassettes are probably my most wanted JP Gen1 toys... I really hope they do all four. Even if different colours, these are 4 of only 6 unique Gen1 moulds that I don't yet have, leaving just Grandus and Galaxy Shuttle.
This is what we should get at SDCC, not minor redecos of expensive Titan Class toys.
Now to fight the scalpers to get one of these. :(

[1AZRAEL1]

Where did they get the mold? One can speculate that they obtained them off the KO company. And, what is the likelihood of them doing an encore release for them? Would be stupid not to

[llamatron]

I'm hoping these are happening because Takara was getting the moods ready for an encore release...

[DELTAprime]

I never expected to see these cassette moulds reissued.:eek:

[reillyd]

So if Hasbro has access to moles, then Takara has access. That's hopeful for a proper release in original colours. But because I never owned any or really know much about them, I am happy with the funky colour scheme for the diplodocus

[dirge]

Forget the 50 zillionth Bumblebee. Those cassettes are where it's at.

[philby]

I saw it on instagram this morning and wondered what the heck are these casettes. Are they old Diaclone/microman figures??

In the past I have gotten SDCC exclusives from Robotkingdom for decent prices so if you want this I would keep an eye on their site maybe.

[bowspearer]

I could care less about bling bayformer bumblebee, but I so want those dino cassettes! Bring on the Encore Release!

[Paulbot]

I saw it on instagram this morning and wondered what the heck are these casettes. Are they old Diaclone/microman figures??.

Pretty sure they were created for the Transformers line (for the Headmasters line in Japan) like the other combining cassettes that did get released by Hasbro, rather than being unused Microman figures. I think all the Autobot cassettes actually were unique to Transformers.

[griffin]

For those like me who wanted to read up on the four Japanese exclusive Gen1 Dinosaur Cassettes, there is this review here of the four (http://www.tf-1.com/articles/jtf_frame.php?art=dinocass), and the TFWiki page (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/W_Cassettebot) (which doesn't have a lot of info on them, as they are still fairly unknown in the West - but my impression of those pages is like Paulbot says, in that they appear to have been designed just for the Transformers toyline, and not a pre-Transformers toy that was used for our toyline).

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Waitasec, those dino cassettes combine?

Oh man, I hope they aren't just an SDCC release.....

[Autocon]

So it looks like one is dcon and the other is bot. Were they both these factions originally?

[Paulbot]

So it looks like one is dcon and the other is bot. Were they both these factions originally?

They were both Autobots in G1. Some people have noted that the one that is now a Decepticon also has a reversed name (Uruaz instead of Zauru) and perhaps the cassettes will also be released a second time but the other way around (one original colours and allegience and the other 'reversed').

[1AZRAEL1]

One can speculate and hope. And as someone who loves his cassette bots and can't get enough of them, definitely wanna obtain this

[BigTransformerTrev]

The dino cassettes are probably my most wanted JP Gen1 toys... I really hope they do all four. Even if different colours, these are 4 of only 6 unique Gen1 moulds that I don't yet have, leaving just Grandus and Galaxy Shuttle.
(

Ah Grandus - he’s a chubby bugger! :p always wanted him though since he’s a cityformer (or is it Titan now?)



Waitasec, those dino cassettes combine?

Oh man, I hope they aren't just an SDCC release.....

I became aware of these 4 a few years ago when checking out all the JP cassettes but I gotta admit I never knew they combined!

I’d love to pick these up but reckon the price will be pretty hefty

[1AZRAEL1]

I became aware of these 4 a few years ago when checking out all the JP cassettes but I gotta admit I never knew they combined!

I’d love to pick these up but reckon the price will be pretty hefty

US$60, just hopefully can source one before aftermarket prices

[Galvatran]

Why no love for Bumblebee

[bowspearer]

Why no love for Bumblebee

Arguably the same reason that no one cares about the hay they find the needle in.

[Tober]

The Little Toy Company has listed it for $120 + shipping.

https://www.thelittletoycompany.com.au/sdcc-2018-exclusives/transformers-sdcc-exclusive-bumblebee-retro-rock-garage-box-set-pre-order

ESTIMATED AVAILABILITY IS AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2018 - which means you might receive it by the end of the year.

[gamblor916]

Thanks for that link! Let's see if they can deliver.


The Little Toy Company has listed it for $120 + shipping.

https://www.thelittletoycompany.com.au/sdcc-2018-exclusives/transformers-sdcc-exclusive-bumblebee-retro-rock-garage-box-set-pre-order

ESTIMATED AVAILABILITY IS AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2018 - which means you might receive it by the end of the year.

[griffin]

In-hand gallery of photos (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/inhand-images-of-hasbrosdcc-exclusive-dairu-uruaz-dino-cassettes/41588/), including showing us the combined mode of the dino-cassettes.

[hYpNoS]

The Little Toy Company has listed it for $120 + shipping.

https://www.thelittletoycompany.com.au/sdcc-2018-exclusives/transformers-sdcc-exclusive-bumblebee-retro-rock-garage-box-set-pre-order

ESTIMATED AVAILABILITY IS AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2018 - which means you might receive it by the end of the year.

Honest question, are tltc trust worthy or just not communicating when they should?

The feedback thread responses seem mixed and a pre-order I made didn't really go according to plan, they didn't answer my questions about the delay until I specifically mentioned "PAYPAL" and "REFUND"

And while I waited for stock to arrive of said item it just went out of stock and that was it, I've been burnt before and have yet to get real trust from any of the new players yet :S

[1AZRAEL1]

Never realised how bad the combined mode looked haha. But I still need this for my cassette collection

[Tober]

Honest question, are tltc trust worthy or just not communicating when they should?

The feedback thread responses seem mixed and a pre-order I made didn't really go according to plan, they didn't answer my questions about the delay until I specifically mentioned "PAYPAL" and "REFUND"

And while I waited for stock to arrive of said item it just went out of stock and that was it, I've been burnt before and have yet to get real trust from any of the new players yet :S

From personal experience, they are mostly trustworthy, but take about three months extra to get their stock. From what I gather it's basically a side-business. I tend to get replies within a few minutes if I send just after midnight... :confused:


Never realised how bad the combined mode looked haha. But I still need this for my cassette collection

Same here. Strange that it's a Decepticon combining with an Autobot. I'm pretty sure all of the Dino cassettes were Autobots.

[Galvatran]

The Little Toy Company has listed it for $120 + shipping.

https://www.thelittletoycompany.com.au/sdcc-2018-exclusives/transformers-sdcc-exclusive-bumblebee-retro-rock-garage-box-set-pre-order

ESTIMATED AVAILABILITY IS AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2018 - which means you might receive it by the end of the year.
That's almost $60 per Dino cassette!

What's the cheapest, trustworthy place to purchase?

[1AZRAEL1]

That's almost $60 per Dino cassette!

What's the cheapest, trustworthy place to purchase?

There is a Bumblebee that comes with the set...

But it is SDCC sets, they are always more expensive. But waiting for secondary market will pay alot more.

[Galvatran]

There is a Bumblebee that comes with the set...

But it is SDCC sets, they are always more expensive. But waiting for secondary market will pay alot more.
Bumblebee worth $0. :D It's the Dino cassettes everyone is after...

[DarkHyren]

Looking at how TLTC are overcharging for the Throne of the Primes Optimal Optimus (clicky (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?p=591135#post591135)) it doesnt really surprise me if they are overcharging for other exclusive figures as well.
Ok fair enough they are saving us some hassle of hunting around and going through shipping forwarders etc, but you have to think "are they doing enough work for me to justify paying possibly twice as much?".
I'd say if you have the money and dont want to run the risk of missing out go for it, otherwise wait, other stores will put up pre orders eventually.

[Galvatran]

I'm hanging out for 20% off at PC... when they get back online... any moment now... & blame it on the vocal minority... just getting my bitcoin payment ready.

[hYpNoS]

Looking at how TLTC are overcharging for the Throne of the Primes Optimal Optimus (clicky (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?p=591135#post591135)) it doesnt really surprise me if they are overcharging for other exclusive figures as well.
Ok fair enough they are saving us some hassle of hunting around and going through shipping forwarders etc, but you have to think "are they doing enough work for me to justify paying possibly twice as much?".
I'd say if you have the money and dont want to run the risk of missing out go for it, otherwise wait, other stores will put up pre orders eventually.

I say they're just using proxy services themselves at those prices, not even gonna bother with them or the stuff at all until I saw the competition

[DELTAprime]

If you guys think TLTC's prices on these are bad I suggest you don't look at the prices on ebay cause they are astronomical.

[Other]

Yeah it's not like there's somewhere better priced alternative atm, unless you have some one to middleman any of the exclusives for you in person or off the Hasbro Store after the show for mates rates you're kinda stuffed.

[Tranceblade]

Sucks it's only Throne right now. I'm playing the Shopmate game with Amazon for Repugnus, hoping I can cancel before August for a cheaper local listing.

[UltraMarginal]

so the hasbro price for the throne set is US$ 70, just under $100 as DarkHyren has pointed out. given that shipping through a shipping forwarder would be between US$30 and US$50. the cheapest you could get it here, guaranteed is about US$100 to US$120. about AU$134 to AU$160. plus another 10% GST on all that so 147 to 176. and then you have to be lucky enough to snag it off the Hasbro site, with an American credit card, before it sells out.

$185 is a little rich but they're probably also paying several middle men to get it here as well.

[Other]

79USD at Robot Kingdom
http://www.robotkingdom.com/e07060000.html

[DELTAprime]

79USD at Robot Kingdom
http://www.robotkingdom.com/e07060000.html

TLTC's price on the cassettes is similar.

It's unrealistic to expect to pay around MSRP for SDCC exclusives unless you are at the con. As someone that has bought SDCC exclusives over the years I've always had to pay above MSRP to get the items unless it's an item that didn't sell initially and the scalpers have to sell the item at MSRP or at a loss to move the stock half a year after the con.

[Krayt]

Vol 2was shown at SDCC.... movie VW BB, with the same cassettes, but original/clear swapped to the opposing figure...

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Why no love for BumblebeeActually, I kind of like the look of the 'Bee mold. If we ever get a mainstream release with an alternate head - Bumper or Hubcap or something, Bug Bite could be cool - then I'll probably grab it.

[Galvatran]

It's $130 now. I'm not familiar with their price (surge) strategy. Is it for 'patience tax'?

The Little Toy Company has listed it for $120 + shipping.

https://www.thelittletoycompany.com.au/sdcc-2018-exclusives/transformers-sdcc-exclusive-bumblebee-retro-rock-garage-box-set-pre-order

ESTIMATED AVAILABILITY IS AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2018 - which means you might receive it by the end of the year.

[griffin]

A nice gallery of the Bumblebee & Dino Cassettes set (http://reflector.tfw2005.com/transformers-toys/studio-series/autobots/bumblebee-with-dairu-and-uruaz-retro-rock-garage/).


Hopefully mine are on their way, as I really can't wait for those Dino cassettes.

[Tober]

Are the solid colored ones the same colors as the original Headmaster cassettes?

[griffin]

Are the solid colored ones the same colors as the original Headmaster cassettes?


Looking at the TFW galleries from SDCC, the two solid coloured ones are very similar to the JP originals (in the Generations book). They have the same plastic colour, and the "cassette" details are similar (but different enough to easily see that they aren't originals).

[Tober]

Looking at the TFW galleries from SDCC, the two solid coloured ones are very similar to the JP originals (in the Generations book). They have the same plastic colour, and the "cassette" details are similar (but different enough to easily see that they aren't originals).

Cool, thanks! That's sorta what I was hoping for. :cool:

[Galvatran]

Were they sitting on these Dino cassette molds all these years? Or warehouse found? Or manufactured again? Or made officially using KO mold (:p)?

[GoktimusPrime]

Okay, just ordered both sets. I tried to order Vol 1 from RK but I forgot my password and the link that they supplied me to reset the password didn't work. :confused: I managed to order it off Amazon USA although more expensive. Gah.

[JonathanNZ]

Were they sitting on these Dino cassette molds all these years? Or warehouse found? Or manufactured again? Or made officially using KO mold (:p)?

Yea it is an interesting one, surely if they had them Takara would have made another Encore set to go with the others ages ago... maybe they will now?

Would be funny if they had just got their hands on the KO mold though and went 'now its our turn!' heh.

[Galvatran]

I just saw this myself. So hang on, they have the dino molds? Will we see another set released?

Vol 2was shown at SDCC.... movie VW BB, with the same cassettes, but original/clear swapped to the opposing figure...
Interested to know why the same 2 Dino cassette moulds, just different colours. It would be a real tease if they didn't release the remaining 2.

[griffin]

A photo gallery of both Studio Series Bumblebee packs (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/in-hand-images-of-transformers-studio-series-20-bumblebee-vol-2-retro-pop-highway/42103/) that have the first two Dino Cassettes (in two different colour versions).... neither of which will be released here (at least, not expected here).

[UltraMarginal]

I'd like the dino cassettes, but I can't justify the overall cost given I have no interest in those coloured versions of bumblebee.

I think it's great they've been released, and the idea goes well with the era of the new film. I'm quietly hoping that Takara does something with them.