TimothyR wrote:I'm sorry, but releasing toys that should be normal in store exclusives for a line that is still currently running doesnt seem like the best way to celebrate 30 years.
If there were nothing else on the shelves at this point in time, I'd agree with you. However the Generations line is going strong. Characters like Springer, Blitzwing, Skids, Trailbreaker, Rhinox, Waspinator, Cosmos etc are all being released in stores proper. That is the right way to do a 30th line. These X of 30 figures seem thus far, to be that extra bling that, while nice to have, is in no way essential to any collector that doesn't want it. For example - SDCC Metroplex (1 of 30) is Generations Metroplex with an extra gun and a bit of chrome. SDCC Shockwave (2 of 30)'s packaging turns into a small lab with a couple extra accessories and a mini fig which (IMO) doesn't display well outside those accessories. This Optimus Prime (3 of 30) is rumored to not be any different than the mass release version, aside from the packaging. Although we've yet to confirm that.
Thus far the biggest difference is Platinum Ultra Magnus. He is the only figure we've see thus far that is completely unique to this X of 30 subline.
You're building a straw man argument against the line.
Isn't saying "if you don't like it, you don't have to buy it" a ridiculous tired statement at this point..? You're right, if I don't like it, I'm not going to buy it.. But being that a couple of these things take up slots in a line of 30 figures.. Yes, I can complain that these slots could've been better utilized by giving the fans something different.
I think you're missing the goal of these 30 figures. To encompass all 30 years, they must do all of the styles that were prevalent. Of course there's going to be stuff that doesn't appeal to you personally. Besides, we've yet to see what at least 20 of these items are going to be. If you're going to be pessimistic about this sub-line (that's what it is) this early on, it's not going to get any better for you.
This line is definitely geared more towards the adult collector..
..Another reason these won't be found in stores that cater their toy aisles to children..
So why are we getting to remolds of current toys that look to be primarily meant for kids? It doesn't make any sense and it just seems like they'd rather have a few gems in the line of 30 and just fill the rest of it with repaints.
Can't say. Perhaps they needed to get the line rolling, and what better way to do that than to utilize some stuff they still have fresh. Predaking appears to be the exact release that Japan had a couple years back, and the rest thus far are WFC or Cybertron figs. As I've said, thus far I don't think we've even seen 2/3rds of the stuff that'll be coming our way.
Hopefully it gets better.
I hope so too.
I'd still rather see some of these in stores.. Buying online is a hassle.. And I'm much more comfortable when I'm able to look at something in person before I buy it.. To check for defects or paint applications.
Buying online is a hassle? Are you from the past? Yesterday, I've reserved 4 Transformers and today I ordered 3 more in the time it takes to go to the bathroom. I can understand the desire to see what it is you want to buy before you give them your money, but for the last 4 years I've done the vast majority of purchases online and I've only ever had cause to question maybe 5 figures out of the literally hundreds that have come my way.
You want them in stores because it's what's familiar for you, I understand that. But it's pretty obvious that most stores don't want to carry exclusives that cater to adults anymore, there's no profit in it. Thus you'll have to turn your attention to online offerings if you want these. Yes it's a learning curve, but it's one that all of us reading these boards have had to surmount at one point or another.
To sum up; what I've seen being offered in the stores is a much better tribute to the last 30 years of TFs than these exclusives that are available online. With the exception of Platinum Ultra Magnus; he's awesome.
