Unite Warriors Defensor

[Zommael]

I'm over playing Hasbro's game.

I don't really think Hasbro are intentionally playing any sort of "game" with regard to the release of the G1 characters. They (rightly, IMO) decided it would be better to have a set of unique moulds make up each combiner, and so created new characters to take the spots of the two most redundant characters. Then, after Takara went a different direction and they were able to gauge fan demand, they decided to release redecos that would serve as those characters. It's not game playing or an attempt to trick anyone, it's just marketing.

[Akky82]

I don't really think Hasbro are intentionally playing any sort of "game" with regard to the release of the G1 characters. They (rightly, IMO) decided it would be better to have a set of unique moulds make up each combiner, and so created new characters to take the spots of the two most redundant characters. Then, after Takara went a different direction and they were able to gauge fan demand, they decided to release redecos that would serve as those characters. It's not game playing or an attempt to trick anyone, it's just marketing.

I was about to post saying I agree with the 'games' comment, but now I'll say I can see it both ways. Maybe thats why they're sticking to the original team for the combaticons? Either way, Defensor will be the last time I buy 5 deluxes for 1 combiner, and am leaning towards UW now. We'll see with Bruticus (and also depends how sexy the set packaging looks for the ones coming).

[Zommael]

I was about to post saying I agree with the 'games' comment, but now I'll say I can see it both ways. Maybe thats why they're sticking to the original team for the combaticons? Either way, Defensor will be the last time I buy 5 deluxes for 1 combiner, and am leaning towards UW now. We'll see with Bruticus (and also depends how sexy the set packaging looks for the ones coming).

Personally, I'm planning to shift Alpha Bravo over to the Protectobots anyway, since he's the same mould as Blades but the same primary colour (white) as the other limbs. I'm hoping to pick up a Quickslinger but have no interest in Brakeneck. I'll get a full set of Computron if it's released, newbies or no newbies, but I'm not going to go out of my way to replace Rook with an alternate version of Groove. As it stands my version of Defensor might end up being a total mess if Prowl and Ratchet are released, as I'd rather have them than First Aid and Streetwise.

But that kind of emphasises the point: Hasbro are giving fans options. For every fan who absolutely MUST have the G1 remakes, there's another who'd rather have a set of different moulds rather than a repaint. I'm glad they've decided to give us the choice rather than force us into one or the other, and I don't feel like I've been tricked into buying anything.

[ampoldj]

^yep the packaging will really do the talking for me
Hope the UW Series come in combined form in-package.

[griffin]

As noted, TakaraTomy are more focused on the smaller collector market because they don't have to produce as many units for their customers (Japanese Retailers), while Hasbro have a global marketing strategy that requires hundreds of thousands of units to be sold, via Retailers, who won't know if characters are "correct" to Gen1, but do have issue with a group of toys looking too similar if they are supposed to be different characters.


I love this toyline so much that I welcome the new characters and extra variety in the Hasbro line.... as we can't be 30 years and still have the same combiners and characters. I know it didn't quite work with the 4 Kreo Combiners that were released last year that were original characters, but there might be better reception for the regular toys, especially if it is a popular toyline. Already we have a couple of extra Voyagers and Deluxes, so I'd like to see more original characters in the mainline (if the fan-vote female combiner ends up being a limited edition exclusive).

[millhouse]

At the end of the day, they're not G1 accurate anyway. Not that that's a complaint, but it's worth noting.

Having an extra non-G1 limb might come in handy though, particularly with Cyclonus/Galvatronus and other potential future voyagers.

[Golden Phoenix]

C'mon 'newbie member of the Combaticons only to have the member the replaced also be released', papa wants a full set of spare limbs to form Rejector.

[Starscream77]

C'mon 'newbie member of the Combaticons only to have the member the replaced also be released', papa wants a full set of spare limbs to form Rejector.

I love it!!!
I want a Rejector too

[griffin]

Well, the original characters can't be that bad, as I just noticed on BBTS, that just like the first wave original figure Alpha Bravo, the third wave original figure Rook was also the first of the wave to sell out. So more people are buying them, than people only buying the Gen1 characters and holding out for the missing member.

I can't recall how Off-road did though as the second wave is listed for restocking.

[prjkt]

I think there's quite a few people buying just the original Hasbro characters, and holding out for the Takara "G1" releases based on what I've read on other sites