I may as well try asking here. The last time Hound was reissued, his head wouldn't pop up the whole way. Is that still the case with this reissue, or has the problem been fixed?
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I may as well try asking here. The last time Hound was reissued, his head wouldn't pop up the whole way. Is that still the case with this reissue, or has the problem been fixed?
My Thundercracker was packed by itself with a bit of brown packing paper. Was slightly wedged towards the bottom which curved the top of the card slightly. Was able to straighten it out.
Mine was packed the same way, with Thundercracker on the bottom, with the flap bent up. If they used some sense, they should have been putting the Hound in first in the orders of both toys, allowing Thundercracker to sit at an angle on top of it, so that it would remain un-bent.
These are items that are targeting collectors, who by definition, are mostly going to want the packaging to be as undamaged as the toy, as it is likely to be kept or left sealed.
Mine was packed as you suggested, with Hound first then TC in the middle of the carton at a semi-vertical angle with the front facing angled upwards, and the top flap was still slightly bent toward the front of the box. But they used a lot of brown paper on top, so maybe that, and/or a forceful hand, pushed my box down a little. The shipping carton needed to be a bit larger, which often Big W does to the other extreme.
Hound's head seems fine. I also don't have the reissue but here are some pics. As for the seekers, both Starscream and Thundercracker have the legs angled a bit towards the feet, which is not present on my original TC. Looks like the newer moulds all have this.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...85f003ae_h.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...7eb90a3a_h.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...38988a04_h.jpg
I have the Hound reissue (TF Collection, purchased from Japan), and the head seems to pop all thexway out. Was this an issue for all of these releases or just some?
Cat, Big W has free shipping over $35 for today only. Use code THURSDAY.
I had two Starscreams delivered together. both squashed, however in alternating fashion. So on had its flap ben forward, the other had its flap bent backward. Wasn't happy about the situation. Going to be a bit of a risk with two TC's and two Hounds... and depending on when I order, two Hot Rods...
I think there was a discussion earlier on of the other forums, that this is bending due to the way they are packed.
Mine arrived today, boxes in perfect nick, no bending on Thundercracker's legs either, so I got really lucky. It's amazing what a difference it makes having a Hound that can actually have its head pop all the way up. Now I want to buy a true vintage specimen just for that, as it feels like a completely different toy. Amazing.
Very happy with both of them, I can't stop smiling.
G1 Hound's head pops up just as much as this Retro reissue. The only significant physical change they made is in the disabled missile launcher, otherwise this reissue is pretty much physically identical to the G1 toy.
Refer to comparison photos on the Retro Hound toy review thread.
My reissue's head doesn't come up all the way, unfortunately, and I recall that was a VERY common complaint with that reissue. I hadn't realised any got out that worked, I assumed all were like that. I remember it very clearly, as I was extremely disappointed at the time, as it was my first experience with the G1 Hound mold, and it was such a let-down to have that happen, and then to find out it wasn't just me, but what seemed to be the majority of the run. Very disappointing, and it really damaged my view of Takara as a maker of fine wares. I'll be the first to admit I have a bad memory in general, but my memories on this are crystal clear.
Big W has G1 retro TFTM Hot Rod online now, $69 plus shipping.
Excellent - Time to put my BigW order in.
TC, Hound and HotRod here I come :)
Got my Hot Rod delivered on Friday. It’s glorious.
Hot Rod arrived today, the flap was bent forward a little to fit in the package box but I straightened it back up easily enough so no big deal.
Does anyone know why Hot Rod has only just been released now by Big W instead of being the first?
Well getting six all at once was quite expensive.
However, it might have helped, because they came in a bigger box and in pristine condition. not even a bent flap anywhere.
Agree - Hot Rod is the jewel in the crown but I'm pretty happy with all of them.
Hopefully the Insecticons aren't at that $69 price point.
Does anyone know whether Skywarp has been confirmed for release?
Retro TFTM Skywarp has not even been rumoured or leaked, let alone made official, I believe. But I'd bet my last dollar it will come - maybe #6 after Perceptor:
Tra Gen Retro 5 Perceptor
Product Number: F6946
EAN:5010996137920
Tra Gen Retro 7 Shrapnel
Product Number: F6948
EAN: 5010996152879
Rumour confirmed by Hasbro rep in an interview https://www.seibertron.com/transform...-future/47797/
Kickback it is then.
I'm in for a set of Insecticons.
Throw in anime Galvatron and triple changers and we're on track to making this a really good subline.
Would love a Gnaw but I don't know if we've ever got a reissue of him... so perhaps they don't have the mould?
There was a recent interview with two Hasbro reps (one marketing I believe, one design) where they discussed the future of the retro line. The principle reason for their character selection is a VERY LIMITED selection of moulds that have survived the 40-odd years. Moulds back then were never designed to be used after such long periods, and so they mentioned severe mold segregation, and that many molds were scrapped, stolen, etc. So for example, despite the huge sales they’d generate, we’re not seeing dinobots any time soon.
The second factor they noted was the use of die-cast parts, which are now cost prohibitive.
One of the interviewers raised the issue of creating whole entire molds, as was done for the Japanese G1 cassette tapes. They were a bit coy about that, and acknowledged it has been done in the past. They then went on to note that they would require a copy of the original toy (and this was also linked to the mention of the 3D cad designs for classic G1 characters. Then they got really, really excited about this, noting that Takara Tony has the most comprehensive and exhaustive collection and archive of *every* product the company has ever produced, including multiple copies. That they can ask them for literally anything and that they have someone in the archive who can provide them with samples.
This has me filled with some hope, but it’s tempered with what they said about die-cast parts. So Grimlock isn’t coming anytime soon. And honestly, I’d prefer a battle-weary banged up one with die cast metal chest than some cheap flimsy plastic. I think this is a strong factor why they haven’t just reconstructed a mould and cranked them out.
For the record, G1 Gnaw was reissued as part of the Chinese reissues up until 1995 I believe https://www.highendtfs.com/90sreleases, but not since (e.g. Encore). Furthermore there’s a cheap KO version as well, in original G1 packaging, so it means there are a LOT of that character floating around out there. I can’t see it being a high priority to ‘reconstruct’ the mould for - sorry.
On a more likely note, Galvatron was reissued in a purple deco, and an ehobby version in original G1 deco. I have that one, and it came with a matrix chain necklace, but the Japanese sound effects not the English version. Still pretty cool to look at though.
If it's the one I'm thinking of, I've had that in my to watch list for the past week :/
Yeah, it's kind of why I keep to moulds we know have been used and re-issued recently. Triple changers (the 'cons anyway) have come out a few times. So "anime" accurate versions, especially Astrotrain would be excellent.
It's also been long known that the Dinobots are off the table, no moulds for them. Likewise Mirage, Wheeljack and I think Sunstreaker.
Well that does provide some hope doesn't it. There's the assumption that latest Soundwaves have been from a recreation of the mould also. So I guess where there's a demand there's a way.
I wonder if the KO's are from a stolen mould? If so then yeah, no Gnaws for us :(
Also, plenty have argued that the colour is off and they could do a much better "anime" match if they wanted/tried.
If we get Galvatron, no reason why we couldn't also get Rodimus?
A bit of a twist in the tale...
Despite the packaging sample of Kickback showing up a couple weeks ago, this year's Walmart "Collector Con" exclusives are Skywarp and Shrapnel, complete with official images.
https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/07/12/...-images-489444
Maybe Kickback is for later, or it is being released with the other two but isn't listed on the Walmart site yet.
I just remembered, Kickback is with Perceptor... Shrapnel is with Skywarp.
Some in-hand pics of Kickback, with 6 Energon cubes... which will be a lot of Energon cubes if all 3 Insecticons gete released and they all have 6 with them.
I'm thinking that these smaller toys are being padded out a little, as their retail price in America is a little high at $30 (which is about Voyager class pricing, so if it comes here, it could well be around au$60... for a little Insecticon).
https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/07/15/...-images-489595
I do like the cartoony yellow coloured chest... and at least these ones won't lose the silver on the wings and gun like the originals did.
That is pricy for a set of Insecticons.
How off putting is the yellow chest... I mean, they look good but wow you need to do a double take.