PDA

View Full Version : Encore#11 Skywarp & Thundercracker. Encore#12 Metroplex



Tober
8th April 2008, 01:09 AM
TFW2005 has a post (http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showthread.php?t=172383) linking to these pre-orders from BBTS.com:

Encore#11 Skywarp & Thundercracker (http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK10826&mode=retail)

Encore#12 Metroplex (http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK10827&mode=retail)

Intriguing...

kurdt_the_goat
8th April 2008, 01:46 AM
Excelleennntttt!

I guess they're competing with KO's now - time for my Devastator please! And with some luck, maybe i should start clearing a space for an Encore Fort Max!

btw ur Metroplex link is broken

Tober
8th April 2008, 01:49 AM
Link fixed, thanks Kurdt.

Soundwarp
8th April 2008, 05:05 AM
OMG!!!!!!

Well done people, all we need is the Dinobots and Devastator lol.....

Brilliant news on Metroplex!

Makes the 2 i have worth less but they are original.

dirge
8th April 2008, 06:36 AM
No need here for the Seekers - both of mine are as good as new, but I'll be very happy to grab a spanking new Metroplex (:

iceburn
8th April 2008, 07:25 AM
cool!!!! here comes the seekers that i'm missing and yeah, no more KO metroplex...

gamblor916
8th April 2008, 07:33 AM
Yeah!! Take that KO Metroplex!!

jaydisc
8th April 2008, 08:17 AM
It's not April 1st again, is it?

Color me tickled pink for Metroplex.

Roller, you still want us to help you fist your Metroplex? ;)

sifun
8th April 2008, 08:40 AM
wow metroplex.. haha still metro titan is getting knocked off

benben2142
8th April 2008, 08:56 AM
Dam I need to finnish my encore line right now before they come out, gah!

STL
8th April 2008, 09:19 AM
Hrm... I've never been too fussed about the Seekers. I hated all their extra missiles and accessories. The landing gear was okay b/c you could store it in the cockpit but damn all those missiles ever do are stay in storage. G1 Autobots had extra missiles and all as spares but these weren't. They were pairs of differenet types. Then the fists, then the tailfins, and so on. That said, I'll grab them both for the nice juicy bio cards. Damn Takara. Now... to hunt down a Cheap Encore Starscream to complete the seekers....

Metroplex. I could use another one or two. Now let that put to rest all the clamouring about Takara not being able to release stuff that has already been KO-ed.

The other thing about Metroplex is that he's never been too expensive to get. I got mine for complete for about $130 AUD shipped from the US several years ago. The only thing this does really is make it easier to grab a MISB Metroplex.

Oh, I suspect there may be an e-hobby Metrotitan coming out of this too. :) Depreciation o depreciation! :D

And I'm going to have to watch buying all the large G1 figures. It seems Takara is taking aim at all of them. I need a Scorponok but have been too worried about getting one. Now I am even more. I just don't want to end up w/ a $400 Scorponok and have them re-issue a year later. Trypticon can't be far off either now that we've completed the Autobot giants. (exc. Fort Max which due to size is very unlikely)

Pulse
8th April 2008, 09:29 AM
I'm talking to you TakaraTomy - If you're prepared to re-release these molds (& I'm pretty sure you probably had to re-cast certain parts of Metroplex's mould) then do us "Adult Collectors" the ultimate favour & reissue the grand daddy of them all. Re-cast what moulds you need to & re-issue FORTRESS MAXIMUS!!! Come on TakaraTomy, your Encores' are getting bigger & bigger in size (Omega Supreme & Metroplex) & if you happen to do what the fanbase asks of you - I am essentially guaranteeing you that we will do the right thing by you & buy every single re-issue Fort Max you put together. TakaraTomy, give us what we want & we'll subsidise you in return & more.

kup
8th April 2008, 09:41 AM
I'm talking to you TakaraTomy - If you're prepared to re-release these molds (& I'm pretty sure you probably had to re-cast certain parts of Metroplex's mould) then do us "Adult Collectors" the ultimate favour & reissue the grand daddy of them all. Re-cast what moulds you need to & re-issue FORTRESS MAXIMUS!!! Come on TakaraTomy, your Encores' are getting bigger & bigger in size (Omega Supreme & Metroplex) & if you happen to do what the fanbase asks of you - I am essentially guaranteeing you that we will do the right thing by you & buy every single re-issue Fort Max you put together. TakaraTomy, give us what we want & we'll subsidise you in return & more.

Fort Max is not a lost mold, RID Brave Max uses the same identical mold. If anything is missing is possibly the parts that make Cog.

i_amtrunks
8th April 2008, 09:42 AM
Bet you the asking price for Starscream increased a bit!

I wonder how much it'll cost to have Metroplex shipped...

Pulse
8th April 2008, 09:55 AM
Fort Max is not a lost mold, RID Brave Max uses the same identical mold. If anything is missing is possibly the parts that make Cog.

All the more reason why TakaraTomy should put in the effort to re-release him. For a company the size of TakaraTomy, It couldn't be that hard to re-cast Cog.

jaydisc
8th April 2008, 09:56 AM
Wow, it's interesting the effect this has on the 2nd hand market. I'm sure there will always be those that want an original Metroplex or whatever, but I think the vast majority is more than happy with an Encore release.

I had just started watching for Fort Max parts to begin the completion of mine, but now I think I should just hold out for a bit longer.

MV75
8th April 2008, 10:40 AM
Metroplex looks to be plastic wheels version. I'm happy with my rubber wheels one. :) Also good to see it's cheaper than the KO is. :D

Seekers, yes please. I'll finally get a skywarp. :)
________
Porn For Free (http://www.fucktube.com/)

Gutsman Heavy
8th April 2008, 10:54 AM
nice, I'll be grabbing these!

Paulbot
8th April 2008, 11:17 AM
Um wasn't April Fools last Tuesday? :P

:)

SkyLynx... Omega.. Metroplex... come on Encore #13 Trypticon!

griffin
8th April 2008, 11:20 AM
Metroplex looks to be plastic wheels version. I'm happy with my rubber wheels one. :) Also good to see it's cheaper than the KO is. :D

Seekers, yes please. I'll finally get a skywarp. :)

Cheaper than the KO? Shows that the KO producers are doing KOs for profit rather than doing them so fans can get access to rarer moulds for less (as some fans claim).

Word has been circulating that Ehobby could do a recolour of Metroplex as Metrotitan, but I'm not sure if they would do such a high priced recolour. Plus, would it have the Micromaster, to make it a complete reissue?

Robzy
8th April 2008, 11:59 AM
Awesome news! I'd love to see Trypticon too...

Looks like the game has changed... Takara can/will release KO figures... I wonder if this means they could do Dinobots, Constructicons and Reflector!

:eek:

roller
8th April 2008, 12:03 PM
:mad: i just got freakin metroplex missing a heap of accessories, im tellin ya man the whole fing worlds against me

Thundercracker i will probably get, he will be $50ish at Empire toys hopefully

Tober
8th April 2008, 02:10 PM
I heard that e-Hobby have never reissued any of their exclusives, does anyone here know if this is true?

GoktimusPrime
8th April 2008, 02:31 PM
Yeah pretty much. They are meant to be limited exclusives after all. I've never heard of any limited exclusive figures (convention, online, magazine, mail order etc) ever being reissued. Although a Time Warrior reissue would be really keen! :)

This is most awesome news indeed! My Thundercracker is fine, but I need a new Skywarp and a new Metroplex wouldn't hurt either. I totally agree that an e-Hobby Metrotitan would rock!

Pulse: there's little point in trying to talk to TakaraTOMY here as I doubt they read this board. :p
Here (http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/support/index02.html) is their customer support site. There's a button underneath the privacy agreement to click on to proceed which takes you to an online feedback form that you can fill out. Alternatively you can contact them on +81-3-5650-1031 (Tokyo branch) or +81-6-6395-1031 (Osaka branch) during business times (JST).

Borgeman
8th April 2008, 03:10 PM
:mad: i just got freakin metroplex missing a heap of accessories, im tellin ya man the whole fing worlds against me

Thundercracker i will probably get, he will be $50ish at Empire toys hopefully

sorry :o

dont worry though, leave the one you got now in city mode for all your smaller tfs, and get this one as well - my G1 metro is 99.947% complete, but im looking good on getting this as well...

George

kup
8th April 2008, 03:48 PM
I am also in a bit of a dilema. About a year ago I bought a complete but loose Metroplex. It was in C9 conditions and its the one with Rubber wheels and Chrome.

Em I justified to buy a whole new one?? I already preordered an encore Omega when I already have a loose vintage one in excellent condition, I don't want to do the same with Metroplex.

I am also unsure if I should get the seekers or not. I have the Hasbro reissue of Skywarp and Cracker with the modified missiles. All that I need to do to make them 'good' is buy the loose missiles on ebay...So I don't know.

GoktimusPrime
8th April 2008, 03:56 PM
Sell your Hasblo reissues and get the Encores!! :)

Zippo
8th April 2008, 04:11 PM
Excellent news, been waiting for Skywarp to arrive since 2001 when the eHobby exclusives came out. Thought that the Encore line was a perfect place for them to show up.

While I dont have much love for Metroplex -- I will get, as I love Scamper!

Rampage
8th April 2008, 06:04 PM
i waiting on a hasbro reissue skywarp in the mail ah well back on ebay it goes :mad:

oh well least i dont have to chase down thundercracker missiles anymore

Bring On Trypiticon & Scorponok i say:D

gamblor916
8th April 2008, 07:50 PM
I am also in a bit of a dilema. About a year ago I bought a complete but loose Metroplex. It was in C9 conditions and its the one with Rubber wheels and Chrome.

Em I justified to buy a whole new one?? I already preordered an encore Omega when I already have a loose vintage one in excellent condition, I don't want to do the same with Metroplex.

I am also unsure if I should get the seekers or not. I have the Hasbro reissue of Skywarp and Cracker with the modified missiles. All that I need to do to make them 'good' is buy the loose missiles on ebay...So I don't know.

If I could get a minty original then that would be my preference. But you have to pay for a quality piece and ebay is hit and miss sometimes. Comparing vintage to reissues I've noticed that the moulding is softer (softer edges and lines) probably due to how old the moulds are, and the plastic looks inferior. Plus questionable QC in the current factories makes for an IMO inferior product.

With that all said though I'll still go for more encores because it's a just a lot easier to get a nice display piece without having to pay a fortune.

MV75
8th April 2008, 09:19 PM
Awesome news! I'd love to see Trypticon too...

Looks like the game has changed... Takara can/will release KO figures... I wonder if this means they could do Dinobots, Constructicons and Reflector!

:eek:

Me too, I'd really like a scorpy though. :)

And yes, I want to see combiner sets as well. I'll be the first in line for menasor and piranacon.
________
Mflb (http://www.vaporshop.com/mflb-vaporizer.html)

STL
8th April 2008, 10:04 PM
I am also in a bit of a dilema. About a year ago I bought a complete but loose Metroplex. It was in C9 conditions and its the one with Rubber wheels and Chrome.

Em I justified to buy a whole new one?? I already preordered an encore Omega when I already have a loose vintage one in excellent condition, I don't want to do the same with Metroplex.

I am also unsure if I should get the seekers or not. I have the Hasbro reissue of Skywarp and Cracker with the modified missiles. All that I need to do to make them 'good' is buy the loose missiles on ebay...So I don't know.

If you can afford it, I say you should. With the bases, i think they're priceless to have doubles or even triples of. It lets you display them in many molds or in Metroplexes case, city build.

With the Seekers, I reckon no. Unless you want to support the Encore line (which is the only reason I will be grabbing them. I doubt I'll even open them)

benben2142
8th April 2008, 10:23 PM
OMG encore Overlord reissue and Grand max reissue look www. YOUAREALLFOOLZ.com

Pulse
8th April 2008, 10:53 PM
OMG encore Overlord reissue and Grand max reissue look www. YOUAREALLFOOLZ.com

Is that supposed to be funny? :confused:

Tetsuwan Convoy
8th April 2008, 11:00 PM
Id take any news from a site called "youarearefoolz" with a large grain of salt.

There has been a party in my pants and Metroplex is invited!! HACHAAAA! Will the wallet pain ever stop?!?!?!? God I hope not.

Bankruptcy here I come baby!:D:D

Soundwarp
9th April 2008, 05:23 AM
Man this reissue stuff is getting really exciting, if they do Trypticon i WILL be getting another one. Even though mine is in perfect condition and looks new.

lcz128
9th April 2008, 05:30 AM
Am bloody looking forward to the encore metroplex- I remember back when I was 5-6 when a school mate of mine brought his metroplex to school! It was the coolest thing!!! I only had some micro masters back then...which I left IN his metroplex and hence lost... >_>;

Either way - It's one that I've longed to have...
and I pray for a Fort Max Encore- NEED IT!!!

GoktimusPrime
9th April 2008, 11:23 AM
benben: the idea of April Fool's is that you're meant to prank people on the morning of April 1. In fact, doing it after that time means that you are the April Fool. (-_-) That's why I admitted that the Encore Grimlock thread was a joke well before midday on April 1.

*deep.sigh*

Thanatos
9th April 2008, 03:17 PM
I must admit, as much as the encore line fills very little part of my collection (actually none, I don't care how much you all hate me for it, G1 toys just aren't that good. Might get a Prime but that'd be it), Metroplex gets me kinda giddy.

If it's a good price, I'm all over it.

GoktimusPrime
9th April 2008, 03:37 PM
actually none, I don't care how much you all hate me for it, G1 toys just aren't that good. Might get a Prime but that'd be it)
I completely agree. Compared to contemporary Transformers, G1 Transformers are brittle unarticulated crapbricks. But for those of us who grew up with G1, it's all about nostalgia.

...you turbo-revvin' young punk! :p

reillyd
9th April 2008, 04:40 PM
Yeah, for me its a nostalgia thing.... and easing the pain over not having a Metroplex myself. I was sooo close to buying a knockoff one, and will definitely get a couple of these (one misb, one for play).

I can't read Japanese, unfortunately, to send feedback, but gee I hope TakaraTomy gets a lot of positive emails about bringing these back. Its great to see them supporting us collectors, as well as the mass market. Hasbro could learn from their wisdom.

kup
9th April 2008, 04:47 PM
I must admit, as much as the encore line fills very little part of my collection (actually none, I don't care how much you all hate me for it, G1 toys just aren't that good. Might get a Prime but that'd be it), Metroplex gets me kinda giddy.

If it's a good price, I'm all over it.

They are not that good now but they were excellent back then. Modern TFs benefit from all the technological development that has gradually occurred since G1/Diaclone/Microman (well at least most of them :) )

They were excellent toys when they were released and therefore continue to be excellent because in that context, they were far ahead of their time.

Its not much to do with nostalgia but rather when they were made. The Roman Colosseum doesn't look that great when compared to modern stadiums but it was a an awesome architectural achievement with the technology they had 2088 years ago. Just because in the 20/21st century we can make bigger and better stadiums, it doesn't make the Colosseum anything less than a gargantuan achievement.

GoktimusPrime
9th April 2008, 07:38 PM
That's a good point, kup. :)


I can't read Japanese, unfortunately, to send feedback, but gee I hope TakaraTomy gets a lot of positive emails about bringing these back.
I've translated the online survey here (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=201) :)

autobreadticon
9th April 2008, 07:48 PM
i read dirge's review on metroplex and it makes me want to get him, difference is the BBTS model doesnt have pink on either side of the legs. Great if you have lots of minis to walk around as if its an autobot city:)

Thanatos
9th April 2008, 07:50 PM
I completely agree. Compared to contemporary Transformers, G1 Transformers are brittle unarticulated crapbricks. But for those of us who grew up with G1, it's all about nostalgia.

...you turbo-revvin' young punk! :p

Suppose thats why my younger siblings who didn't grow up with Beast Wars think those toys are crap in comparison to the movie line.


Its not much to do with nostalgia but rather when they were made. The Roman Colosseum doesn't look that great when compared to modern stadiums but it was a an awesome architectural achievement with the technology they had 2088 years ago. Just because in the 20/21st century we can make bigger and better stadiums, it doesn't make the Colosseum anything less than a gargantuan achievement.

Oh kup, you are so wise. I totally agree.

Guess I have much learning to do :P

dirge
9th April 2008, 08:22 PM
Dissing G1... that's a paddlin...

http://bp2.blogger.com/_N_VcgmGUMVQ/RvWqrqVVygI/AAAAAAAAAfY/LkvTHSI4bmY/s320/jasper.jpg

:)

MV75
9th April 2008, 08:31 PM
Man this reissue stuff is getting really exciting, if they do Trypticon i WILL be getting another one. Even though mine is in perfect condition and looks new.


Yep, trypticon would be nice, I'd rather see scorpy first though. :)

But what would really blow me away would be shockwave. Jetfire would be nice too, bandai still make it, so it's not at all lost, just licensing needs to be done.
________
HONDA CB200 (http://www.honda-wiki.org/wiki/Honda_CB200)

dirge
9th April 2008, 08:48 PM
Fort Max would actually be interesting. The mould should be there, or close enough to being there, for TakaraTomy to use, since 2000 saw Brave Maximus' release.

While I have Fort (and Brave) Max, I'd love the chance to grab another, if only for the minor parts I need. It'd still be cheaper than nabbing them off eBay.

Plus there'd be the chance for them to do Grand Maximus - which isn't much of a stretch since Fort & Grand Max both appeared in the Japanese cartoons. Granted, Fortress got much more airtime in Headmasters than Grand got in Masterforce, but from a Japanese market POV Grand Maximus isn't at all obscure. And of course, I'd grab a reissue Grand Maximus without hesitation.

kup
9th April 2008, 09:51 PM
Would they still have Grand's Pretender shell?

A Black Zarak reissue minus the Gold plastic would be awesome.

dirge
9th April 2008, 10:08 PM
Would they still have Grand's Pretender shell?


Possibly not. But with few moving parts, this would be relatively straightforward to recreate.

GoktimusPrime
10th April 2008, 10:09 AM
Grand Maximus would work really well as an e-Hobby exclusive variant of a reissue Fortress Maximus. And you'd know that the Japanese reissue would come with swords - hell yeah, I'd get it (that and the fact that my original Fort Max isn't in the best of condition and missing Spike)

kup
10th April 2008, 02:15 PM
I already have a complete Fort Max which I restored from being Yellowed but I would most certainly buy a reissue Max.

STL
10th April 2008, 02:17 PM
I already have a complete Fort Max which I restored from being Yellowed but I would most certainly buy a reissue Max.

Me too.

I'd buy 4 though.

*Dreams of the ultimate Autobot city* :rolleyes::cool:

roller
10th April 2008, 03:59 PM
lets start a petition or get someone in Japan to


any one in WA ordering in Thundercracker?

Adzma
10th April 2008, 04:29 PM
Hmm this means I'll have to order myself an Encore Starscream at some point... Nice news about Metroplex, but it's still not Grimlock. :(

sifun
11th April 2008, 08:23 AM
damn you gok.

Tober
11th April 2008, 07:32 PM
Me too.

I'd buy 4 though.

*Dreams of the ultimate Autobot city* :rolleyes::cool:

Yeah! Why not also grab a Fortress Maximus and a couple of Trypticons to kitbash then into a gestalt?

:P

Borgeman
11th April 2008, 08:05 PM
imagine - a maximus as the body, metroplex and metrotitan as the legs, and trypticon and scorponok as the arms...

*begins to dream*

George

GoktimusPrime
11th April 2008, 08:10 PM
...that would be one helluva expensive gestalt!! (o_O)

iceburn
11th April 2008, 10:46 PM
Takara...hear this out:

i wish to have G1 Reissue of Scorponok and Trypticon coming out first before they ever release a reissue of Fort Max...in that way, all the biggie bases will be complete :P

MV75
11th April 2008, 11:44 PM
Yes, but not yet. There are too many "large" releases in a row.

Break it up with shockwave, jetfire and dinobots. Even combiner sets. :)
________
Pilot (ATV) (http://www.honda-wiki.org/wiki/Honda_Pilot_(ATV))

shole
15th April 2008, 07:42 PM
sweet
going the way it is, it looks like my childhood fantasies have come true :D

Tober
23rd April 2008, 09:08 AM
Earlybird preorders are up at HLJ.com

link (http://www.hlj.com/hljlist2/?Dis=2&SeriesID=3654)

MV75
23rd April 2008, 10:46 AM
Excellent. Preorder for the seekers done. :)

Now I'm sill waiting for the minibots to appear.
________
BUY VAPORIZER (http://vaporizers.net/vaporizers)

Tober
23rd April 2008, 11:27 AM
Do you mean these (http://www.hlj.com/product/TKT30344)?

jaydisc
23rd April 2008, 11:35 AM
I'm interested in Metroplex but I recall hearing complaints about there not being much savings by per-ordering Sky Lynx. Does it really pay to take advantage of this or will there be better deals after release?

MV75
23rd April 2008, 11:40 AM
Ah dammit, I missed them. Will get now though.
________
Penny stocks (http://pennystockpicks.net/)

Paulbot
23rd April 2008, 11:49 AM
I'm interested in Metroplex but I recall hearing complaints about there not being much savings by per-ordering Sky Lynx. Does it really pay to take advantage of this or will there be better deals after release?

I heard those same complaints and while Ebay etc might indeed be cheaper once the item's released, it's up to you if you want to wait and see, or pay a little more and secure the toys.

Pulse
23rd April 2008, 11:59 AM
Do you mean these (http://www.hlj.com/product/TKT30344)?

Wow! They actually look really nice :)! Maybe it's just the photographer or a bit of photoshop work, but they sure look tempting.

But then again, they're only minibots - so, yeah... :rolleyes:

sifun
23rd April 2008, 12:27 PM
http://www.hlj.com/product/TKT30354

In package pics of henkei astrotrain!!

gamblor916
23rd April 2008, 01:05 PM
Anybody doing a group order for these?
My hands are full at the moment so I can't volunteer.

iceburn
23rd April 2008, 01:35 PM
hehe, HLJ has metroplex as METRO FLEX (what TF is that??)

dirge
23rd April 2008, 06:20 PM
Metroplex's Japanese name is Metroflex.

Pre-ordered. BTW, Gamblor, I doubt there'd be much saving in ordering more than two. So find a friend and just order two, at best. It's the small stuff where you can save money on combined shipping from Japan.

iceburn
23rd April 2008, 08:59 PM
ohhhhhhhhhhh..thought they name it wrongly

jaydisc
23rd April 2008, 09:03 PM
(what TF is that??)

:D It works on so many levels :D

Robzy
23rd April 2008, 09:17 PM
(what TF is that??)
:D It works on so many levels :D
:D Gold, Jerry! Gold! :D

Tetsuwan Convoy
24th April 2008, 12:49 PM
I'm interested in Metroplex but I recall hearing complaints about there not being much savings by per-ordering Sky Lynx. Does it really pay to take advantage of this or will there be better deals after release?

I got stung by the Sky Lynx Pre-order fadango. I guess it depends on how many they make really.

After SKy Lynx, I discovered that Japan post won't accept SAL postage if a package is too large(apparently), so the only other options would be EMS

dirge
24th April 2008, 07:42 PM
After SKy Lynx, I discovered that Japan post won't accept SAL postage if a package is too large(apparently), so the only other options would be EMS

Which is why the larger toys don't get much cheaper in a group order. Four/five/six smaller toys via SAL could be say ¥2000 (about $20) but once you get into EMS, you could be looking at ¥3000 per figure or ¥5500 for two...