View Poll Results: Kre-O TFs wave 1 - worth buying?

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  • All yes

    5 11.63%
  • Yes, but only if...

    14 32.56%
  • Some sets only

    11 25.58%
  • Not worth buying

    6 13.95%
  • Not interested

    7 16.28%
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Thread: Toy Review - Kre-O Wave 1

  1. #1
    Join Date
    24th May 2007
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    Brisbane
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    Default Toy Review - Kre-O Wave 1

    (Please post photos, comments or even a fully comprehensive review - these are just brief details)

    NOTE - size classes are not officially given, I have just grouped them according to US pricing and box size.


    Toy Review - Bumblebee (small)
    Series - Kre-O
    Sub-line - none
    Size/class - 1 (75 pieces)
    Wave - 1
    New/remould/redeco - New
    Released here - August/September (globally June/July)
    Approximate Retail Price - AU$15 (US$8)
    Approximate Size - ?
    Allegiance - Autobot
    Alt-mode - Sports Car
    Main Features/Gimmicks - Plastic construction blocks
    Main Colours - yellow, black
    Main Accessories - none





    Toy Review - Optimus Prime (small)
    Series - Kre-O
    Sub-line - none
    Size/class - 1 (90 pieces)
    Wave - 1
    New/remould/redeco - New
    Released here - August/September (globally June/July)
    Approximate Retail Price - AU$15 (US$8)
    Approximate Size - ?
    Allegiance - Autobot
    Alt-mode - Truck
    Main Features/Gimmicks - Plastic construction blocks
    Main Colours - Red, blue, grey
    Main Accessories - none






    Toy Review - Mirage
    Series - Kre-O
    Sub-line - none
    Size/class - 2 (119 pieces)
    Wave - 1
    New/remould/redeco - New
    Released here - August/September (globally June/July)
    Approximate Retail Price - AU$20 (US$12)
    Approximate Size - ?
    Allegiance - Autobot
    Alt-mode - Race car
    Main Features/Gimmicks - Plastic construction blocks, 2 Kreons
    Main Colours - Blue, white, grey
    Main Accessories - Mirage Kreon, race driver Kreon






    Toy Review - Autobot Jazz
    Series - Kre-O
    Sub-line - none
    Size/class - 2 (122 pieces)
    Wave - 1
    New/remould/redeco - New
    Released here - August/September (globally June/July)
    Approximate Retail Price - AU$20 (US$12)
    Approximate Size - ?
    Allegiance - Autobot
    Alt-mode - Race car
    Main Features/Gimmicks - Plastic construction blocks, 2 Kreons
    Main Colours - grey, black
    Main Accessories - Autobot Jazz Kreon, Race driver Kreon






    Toy Review - Prowl
    Series - Kre-O
    Sub-line - none
    Size/class - 3 (174 pieces)
    Wave - 1
    New/remould/redeco - New
    Released here - August/September (globally June/July)
    Approximate Retail Price - AU$40 (US$17)
    Approximate Size - ?
    Allegiance - Autobot
    Alt-mode - Police Car
    Main Features/Gimmicks - Plastic construction blocks, 2 Kreons
    Main Colours - white, black
    Main Accessories - Prowl Kreon, SWAT Kreon






    Toy Review - Autobot Ratchet
    Series - Kre-O
    Sub-line - none
    Size/class - 4 (187 pieces)
    Wave - 1
    New/remould/redeco - New
    Released here - August/September (globally June/July)
    Approximate Retail Price - AU$40 (US$20)
    Approximate Size - 20cm (robot mode)
    Allegiance - Autobot
    Alt-mode - Ambulance
    Main Features/Gimmicks - Plastic construction blocks, 2 Kreons
    Main Colours - red, white
    Main Accessories - Autobot Ratchet Kreon, Medic Kreon






    Toy Review - Sideswipe
    Series - Kre-O
    Sub-line - none
    Size/class - 4 (220 pieces)
    Wave - 1
    New/remould/redeco - New
    Released here - August/September (globally June/July)
    Approximate Retail Price - AU$50 (US$20)
    Approximate Size - ?
    Allegiance - Autobot
    Alt-mode - Sports car
    Main Features/Gimmicks - Plastic construction blocks, 2 Kreons
    Main Colours - red, black
    Main Accessories - Sideswipe Kreon, Driver Kreon






    Toy Review - Bumblebee (large)
    Series - Kre-O
    Sub-line - none
    Size/class - 5 (335 pieces)
    Wave - 1
    New/remould/redeco - New
    Released here - August/September (globally June/July)
    Approximate Retail Price - AU$50-60 (US$25)
    Approximate Size - ?
    Allegiance - Autobot
    Alt-mode - Sports car
    Main Features/Gimmicks - Plastic construction blocks, firing projectile, Driver fits inside car mode, 3 Kreons
    Main Colours - Yellow, black
    Main Accessories - Bumblebee Kreon, Red Alert Kreon, Driver Kreon
    (note - Bumblebee has more pieces than Megatron & Starscream, but costs less and comes in a smaller box)







    Toy Review - Megatron
    Series - Kre-O
    Sub-line - none
    Size/class - 6 (310 pieces)
    Wave - 1
    New/remould/redeco - New
    Released here - August/September (globally June/July)
    Approximate Retail Price - AU$60-70 (US$30)
    Approximate Size - ?
    Allegiance - Decepticon
    Alt-mode - Truck (Movie)
    Main Features/Gimmicks - Plastic construction blocks, launching projectile, cage for Kreons, grabbing claws, 4 Kreons
    Main Colours - mid grey, dark grey
    Main Accessories - Megatron (Gen1) Kreon, Shockwave (Gen1) Kreon, Specialist Kreon, Police Kreon






    Toy Review - Starscream
    Series - Kre-O
    Sub-line - none
    Size/class - 6 (316 pieces)
    Wave - 1
    New/remould/redeco - New
    Released here - August/September (globally June/July)
    Approximate Retail Price - AU$60-70 (US$30)
    Approximate Size - ?
    Allegiance - Decepticon
    Alt-mode - Fighter Jet
    Main Features/Gimmicks - Plastic construction blocks, retractable landing gear, 2 Kreons
    Main Colours - light grey, red, blue
    Main Accessories - Starscream Kreon, Pilot Kreon







    Toy Review - Sentinel Prime
    Series - Kre-O
    Sub-line - none
    Size/class - 7 (386 pieces)
    Wave - 1
    New/remould/redeco - New
    Released here - August/September (globally June/July)
    Approximate Retail Price - AU$80 (US$40)
    Approximate Size - ?
    Allegiance - Autobot
    Alt-mode - Fire Truck (Movie)
    Main Features/Gimmicks - Plastic construction blocks, launching projectile, 4 Kreons
    Main Colours - red, black, grey
    Main Accessories - Sentinel Prime Kreon, Soundwave (Gen1) Kreon, Thundercracker (Gen1) Kreon, Fire chief Kreon








    Toy Review - Optimus Prime
    Series - Kre-O
    Sub-line - none
    Size/class - 8 (542 pieces)
    Wave - 1
    New/remould/redeco - New
    Released here - August/September (globally June/July)
    Approximate Retail Price - AU$100 (US$60)
    Approximate Size - ?
    Allegiance - Autobot
    Alt-mode - Truck with Trailer (Movie) + 2 motorbikes
    Main Features/Gimmicks - Plastic construction blocks, launching projectile, 5 Kreons
    Main Colours - red, blue, grey
    Main Accessories - Optimus Prime (Gen1) Kreon, Skywarp (Gen1) Kreon, Bluestreak (Gen1) Kreon, 2 Stunt Driver Kreons
    (NOTE - packaging says "3 in 1" but this set only has two modes - "truck with trailer" & "robot with battlestation")







    This Kre-O wave feels rushed, or half-assed, as there are design flaws with the Kreons (helmets cover the eyes), non-block accessories that aren't even mentioned in the instructions or packaging, and features/gimmicks of each figure on the box are just shown as a diagram without any wording to say what it is they are highlighting.
    Some of the size classes seem out of order, as Megatron & Starscream have less pieces than Bumblebee, but cost more and come in bigger boxes.
    The "flagship" of the line (the big Optimus Prime) is deceptive in claiming to have 3 modes, when it clearly only has 2. There is nothing on the back of the box or in the instructions that suggests there is a 3rd mode.
    Each figure has a difficulty scale, but you can only find it in the instructions, after you've bought it and opened it up.
    Hopefully applying stickers for one mode, doesn't spoil the other (I haven't got that far yet to find out).
    The characters are from several eras, mostly Gen1 and Movie, with the small Optimus looking like it is inspired by Animated.
    One good thing is that the robot modes have lots of ball & hinge joints, for maximum articulation. And both modes appear to use up almost all of the pieces. The Ratchet one that I built used up all but one piece for the robot mode (and took me about an hour).


    Below is a picture of the sides of the boxes, which shows a nice line-up of the feature characters. (also shows which ones are the same size and US$ price)




    This picture shows how much wasted space was in the Ratchet box, to make it look like better value from the outside. Some of the others were better filled though.




    For size comparison of Ratchet (which is a mid-sized set) with a Deluxe Classics and a Voyager Movie toys.



  2. #2
    Join Date
    14th Aug 2009
    Location
    Adelaide
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    Default

    wow that really is a big box of air! talk about inflation! *badum tish*

  3. #3
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    Default

    I just want the Kreons.......you can keep the blocks

    Valkyrie's SDF:
    Transformer grails: MIB Minerva(the dream is OVER!!!! ), MIB Kiss Player Atariscream, MIB Kiss Player Sparkabots, Kiss Player Manga.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    30th Dec 2007
    Location
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    Wow! So our prices are generally double the US prices. Wow.

    They look pretty bad... I was interested in the little Optimus, but since he doesn't come with the Kreon character that interest has faded greatly.


    I see a second hand market opening up for the Kreons alone going for ridiculous prices on ebay

    How do these compare price wise to regular old lego?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    20th Jul 2011
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    Apparently their quality is close to lego's. The only difference is that they have more specialized pieces [megatron's barrels] compared to lego and some bricks have a hole in one stud to mark their 'uniqueness'.

  6. #6
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    24th May 2007
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    Brisbane
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    Did Starscream last night, in jet mode. Took over 2 hours... (not sure if that's a long time for this sort of set, or if I'm just such a noob at "Lego").

    While doing Ratchet, I was wondering why there was an over-complication (a single piece could have been used in place of two smaller pieces, or using up odd parts when a simple block would do), but during the construction of Starscream I realised that this was just to make sure that parts could be used in both modes, so that you wouldn't be left with a heap of unused pieces with either mode. This would have taken a fair bit of time to work out by the designers, to minimise excess pieces by adding them in somewhere on both modes.
    In the case of Starscream, I had 11 pieces unused - 3 of which were the head and fists. As such, there seemed to be a number of pieces that didn't need to be used to make the jet mode.... but don't ruin it by being there.

    The retractable landing gear was a nice touch, while an undocumented gimmick on the box is that the cockpit is also hinged to open, with a space inside for the pilot.
    I'm thinking that the larger sets (Bumblebee and higher) can all hold a Kreon in their vehicle mode, but Bumblebee was the only one that noted it on the box.

    Two problems with Starscream set:
    - The Pilot Kreon's helmet has a similar design flaw to Ratchet's, but in this case it doesn't go down far enough (Ratchet's goes down too far, covering the eyes). This one sits up too high, almost covering the eyes by the bottom of the helmet.
    - The instructions from about page 38 (showing the underside of the jet mode) is drawn wrong. It was drawn as if there were some parts added that were never part of the instructions. Now, this would have confused the heck out of me if Demonac hadn't pointed out earlier that evening, that the Official picture of Ratchet's robot mode is quite different to the packaging image and the actual figure. So assuming that Hasbro had some Prototype options produced, which ended up getting mixed up with the designated final version, the Starscream instructions on the last four pages show a version that wasn't the version they had pieces for. But don't worry - it doesn't affect the construction, nor does it tell you to use pieces that aren't there... it just has steps that add parts to a figure that doesn't match up visually to what you have in your hands.

    And like Ratchet, there is an accessory that is not shown anywhere in the instructions, box or component listing. This set comes with a ladder for the jet mode, which is nice, but like Ratchet's stretcher, this last minute addition makes this look even more rushed (or half-assed).

    The size of Starscream with assorted other figures:


  7. #7
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    24th Nov 2009
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    I like these but would only buy the Kreon's if sold separately.

    Quote Originally Posted by griffin View Post
    The size of Starscream with assorted other figures:
    Your idea of a few 'assorted figures' would be considered a collection by most
    New Acquisitions:
    TR Astrotrain, Skullsmasher, & Hardhead
    Scouting For:
    G1 Boxes & Cardbacks
    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
    [COLLECTION] [CREATIVE] [MK COLLECTION]



  8. #8
    Decepticon Guest

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    Thank god I dislike these Kreo things! I am saving money for 'REAL' Transformers! Though I must say, if the Kreons/minifigs were sold separately, Id buy those.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    25th Jul 2011
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    I just assembled my small Optimus in robot mode (not really interested in truck mode) and it was an enjoyable experience. The textless instructions aren't complicated but they weren't confusing like IKEA instructions either. I'm happy with the final result, although he's a little top heavy. He's a good height, taller than DOTM deluxe Optimus but not by much. I wasn't planning on getting any other sets, but after seeing the quality (easily on par with Lego, to me at least) I'm definitely thinking of grabbing some of the others. I hope Target have a sale soon.

  10. #10
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    Managed to get a few more done, while watching some DVDs in the last few days.

    Megatron (at Demonac's suggestion), small Optimus, small Bumblebee (to see how quick the small ones are), Big Bumblebee (to see how it compares to the small one) and I decided to redo Ratchet into vehicle mode.



    Plus, I decided to do all the Kreons as well, for a group photo:



    Ratchet is the only one I've done in robot mode, and in both modes so far, and I found that the Robot mode used up every piece, while the vehicle mode had about 20 pieces left.... so maybe they design the robot mode first, and then work out a vehicle mode that uses up as many pieces possible from that robot mode.
    But it might take some time to test that theory with the other sets, as I'm working through them all in vehicle mode first, and they are taking 1-3 hours each. (so unless I get some volunteers to speed up the process, it might be a few weeks before that happens).


    A few more things I've found to comment or criticise...
    - The sticker sheets are loose inside the boxes, so can be easily crushed (my Starscream sticker sheet was a crumpled mess). Even the instruction book inside my Sentinel box was all messed up in transit.
    - While on the topic of stickers, some don't match the size or shape in the instructions, so ones like Starscream (the wing stripes and nose stickers) and Ratchet's roof stickers are either way too small, a little too big or not the right shape. And Megatron has an extra sticker on the sheet that doesn't go anywhere.
    - I ended up finding out that the extra piece for Ratchet's Robot mode that I mentioned in the first post is not even required for either mode. When it was one of the pieces left behind in the Vehicle mode, I looked through the instructions and noticed that it wasn't needed... and yet, it was included on the page of parts. More evidence perhaps that these undocumented parts and unnecessary pieces are carried over from an earlier prototype. And there were a couple of parts in Megatron and Bumblebee that were not the same 'colour' plastic as in the instructions (Megatron had a black piece left but required a grey one, and Bumblebee needed 2 solid yellow pieces near the end but only had translucent ones) and I rechecked the instructions but didn't mess anything up.
    - When doing up all the Kreons, I found two more with wrong size helmets that ended having the eyes too high or too low. Shockwave's arms were already assembled, but with the hand on the right instead of the left. Skywarp is the only one with shiny 'metallic' deco on it for some bizarre reason. And Thundercracker is such a dark blue, I thought it was Skywarp at first, until I did Skywarp later.
    - The missile launcher on the big Bumblebee looks stupid and out of place (and I can't think of any Bumblebee toys with a missile launcher in car mode like that).
    - The end of the Ratchet Vehicle instructions show the top of the driver-cab section being lifted off, which I'm assuming was meant to show a Kreon going inside, but there is no wording or any visual explanation as to why that last step is there.
    - I was surprised to find that the two doors for Megatron's set were both still on their tree, so I had to cut them out. Not sure if this is standard, but it seemed a little strange (and lazy).
    - I found it takes almost as long to pull apart a figure, as it does to put them together. I didn't want to damage the blocks, but I ended up having to use a carton cutter (has a thin blade) to separate every single part before starting the construction of Ratchet's Vehicle mode.
    - The big Optimus has 2 big books of instructions for the two modes... that'll take up a whole day, building one mode, pulling it all apart piece by piece, and building the other mode.


    I'm still not ready to rate these yet, or know if to recommend them yet either... maybe someone who is more experienced with Lego can post up some impressions on how well or bad Hasbro have done on this latest version of Transformers 'Lego' compared to 'the real thing'.

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