Was looking at www.seibertron.com last night and they were commenting on this thread. Besides being jealous of the fact that for once we got a toy before they did, all the comments by users couldn't believe that we have to pay $50 for a Voyager when they only have to pay only $30. The buggers don't know how lucky they have it!
I was just thinking - when was the last time a toy and its redeco were first released in the same wave? I feel like that's an interesting trivia question.
That was noted on tfw as well... wondering if it hasn't happened since Gen1... unless those Energon combiner limbs were released at the same time as each other.
Machine Wars! It just came to me that Machine Wars Basic redecos were first released in the same wave, right? There must be other post G1 examples, though.
Yeah, the Energon combiners that were identical were released in different waves, the second two of each were rarer for a long time.
(Just found the TFW2005 comment you mentioned and replied the same thing I just said about Machine Wars - maybe someone else will have an idea.)
So I guess you're not counting TAKARA releases, as they have several - Binaltech Smokescreen, Meister and Prowl, Alternity Convoy then Megatron, Henkei Skywarp and Thundercracker*, Music Label Soundwave then with Soundblaster, even the GT line will launch with repaints.
Henkei Frenzy and Rumble, but they were released in a 2-pack. Encores Ratchet and Ironhide, and Skywarp and Thundercracker.
They were exclusives tho, and SW was delayed at the warehouse few days.
Which brings us to where we are today...
For Hasbro, it is a pretty big size-class to NOT space out the redeco. I think it would have been easier to sell Soundblaster later, when the disc-cons were released... and have Grimlock or Blaster released in wave one (Blaster is a redeco as well, but at least it would look a lot different on the store shelf to Soundwave's colours, and is an Autobot with a new mould disc-bot).
Hope Adelaide still has them, one of my work colleagues is there today and is gonna look for me and bring back Friday