The Energon Pub

News Credits: 387 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 1:27 pm

I hate to be the party pooper here, but I’m disappointed by this.

Typically I’m not the type to complain about the price, but $95? I can get that same mold in a plethora of other color schemes for probably almost half of that. For even sixty I’d consider it, but that’s just a bit too much for me, especially considering the mold.

G1 Devastator for $100? I’d snap that up cause it’d be a little more worth it. Heck, just about ANY other G1 gestalt I’d consider paying that much for, but on this I will pass.

I was hoping we'd get Defensor so much more.

Fri Jan 09, 2009 1:32 pm

I have the RiD versions. As much as I would like to get a G1 equiv set, that's a bit steep of a price considering how many other, likely cheaper, variations there are. Maybe if they ever turn up on one of BBTS's clearance sales at a lower price...

To the person that mentioned it up above, actually, the Predacons were reissued as a giftset a couple of years ago. All die cast versions, too.

Fri Jan 09, 2009 1:59 pm

eff no! eff no! damn i'm so gonna have to get them. Thought universe onslaught would've been enough to satisfy me but no!

the combaticons were my first combiner team and they were the biggest pain to collect! Cause transformers here was always a couple of years behind america and the uk, toys wouldn't make their way here till later and sometimes wouldn't make it at all. In fact i never saw them here (Malta).

I had got onslaught first then managed to get blast off swindle and brawl months later all from the uk during the summer. Vortex was nowhere to be found. My grandma was kind enough to try and track him down for me and she succeeded months later...

Onslaught and swindle were the only survivors when I brought them out from storage... I think combiners were the most delicate tf's I ever had (i had the combats, stunticons, constructicons and aerialbots and only the stunticons survived and that might be cos I had got them when I was growing out of my toys and they were rereleased as classic tfs)

oh well - bankruptcy here i come.

News Credits: 7 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:05 pm

Well I pre-order mine as soon as read the post I own the rid version but I have always wanted original version as well.

News Credits: 2 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:08 pm

Oh noez

I really hoped for G1 encore Devastator, Bruticus isn't a bad choice, but this mold has been already released for two many times. Maybe I will get him for a discounted prize waiting for other encore reissue than Bruticus, Defensor and Piranacon.

News Credits: 1 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:11 pm

Woohoo! I had Onslaught and Vortex as a kid, but they must have gone to a car boot sale at some point, as I don't have them now... I'm very happy to see them reissued.

They'll look great next to Menasor

Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:26 pm

Bruticus is my favorite transformer in my original G1 collection."Starscream's Brigade" is my favorite G1 cartoon for anyone intrested in knowing the orgin of the Combaticons. Im happy for everyone who will finally have a chance to own one now. And all those 90's repaints are ugly...the original is the best!

Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:27 pm

Well this is interesting news! I like these guys.

Encore has been full of surprises. Who knows, maybe we'll see Encore Dinobots yet?

Broody Cuss like Bruticus!

News Credits: 3646 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:29 pm

This thread is fascinating to me because of the extremes of opinions. Half of you seem like you are really geeked about this set (like myself) and the other half of you are divided into two camps: 1) it's too expensive or 2) this is a waste because it's been released in so many different colors. Here are my responses to those of you who think this is a negative thing ...

It's about what I expected the price to be. In fact, it's actually a pretty decent deal. I believe the original set of these guys went for around $30. Paying 3 times that amount is pretty standard for reissues. In fact, a lot of reissues have an even higher markup. We've been paying around $34 for Encore Autobot cars without batting an eye when in fact they were around $8 or $9 originally back in '84 and '85 ... that's about 4 times the amount of the original. A Bruticus giftset today goes for at least $300 or $400. Good luck finding one in decent shape with all of the parts, stickers and the whole diecast issue is of concern because I don't think the giftset had diecast in the US (unsure about Japan). I'd say $93 for a replica of the original G1 Japanese boxset with a little "Encore" logo somewhere on it is a pretty damn good deal.

As for it being too expensive because you already have this figure in 12 other colored versions for a much cheaper price ... my argument is very simple: this item is not intended for collectors such as yourself. If you think it should be around $50 or less and you feel that the other colored versions of this mold are a substitute for the G1 original, then we're talking about someone who probably isn't looking to spend hundreds of dollars on their collection for original G1 figures. An item like this is intended for collectors of the original items. To a collector like myself, RID Ruination is NOT in any way shape or form a substitute for G1 Bruticus. It seems very alien and strange to me to read comments from users who think that it is.

News Credits: 3646 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:31 pm

Rated X wrote:Bruticus is my favorite transformer in my original G1 collection."Starscream's Brigade" is my favorite G1 cartoon for anyone intrested in knowing the orgin of the Combaticons. Im happy for everyone who will finally have a chance to own one now. And all those 90's repaints are ugly...the original is the best!

The Bruticus episodes are definitely some of my favorites as well. Both episodes have a good mix of characters from all 3 series (84, 85 and 86). Starscream's Brigade is definitely one of my top eps ever.

Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:58 pm

Seibertron wrote:It's about what I expected the price to be. In fact, it's actually a pretty decent deal. I believe the original set of these guys went for around $30. Paying 3 times that amount is pretty standard for reissues. In fact, a lot of reissues have an even higher markup. We've been paying around $34 for Encore Autobot cars without batting an eye when in fact they were around $8 or $9 originally back in '84 and '85 ... that's about 4 times the amount of the original. A Bruticus giftset today goes for at least $300 or $400. Good luck finding one in decent shape with all of the parts, stickers and the whole diecast issue is of concern because I don't think the giftset had diecast in the US (unsure about Japan). I'd say $93 for a replica of the original G1 Japanese boxset with a little "Encore" logo somewhere on it is a pretty damn good deal.

Well put, I agree very much with this. I would like to also add that by the time you account for inflation you can easily reach literally double price. If my memory serves an Autobot car that cost ~$9 in 1984/1985 would be around $16 or $17 today. So right off the bat, just by updating the currency you reach 2x prices. Add to that the fact that it is no longer a mass retail release (a niche market if you will), over head costs, etc and you quickly come up with 3x or 4x for a price - just like Ryan said above.

Now, you if you don't want to pay those prices that is a completely legitimate sentiment. I just think it's good to at least consider where the cost came from...

Seibertron wrote:...RID Ruination is NOT in any way shape or form a substitute for G1 Bruticus. It seems very alien and strange to me to read comments from users who think that it is.

My RiD Ruination was good back in the day when I couldn't afford to scrounge for a G1 Bruticus (still can't really). But now that I might be able to hopefully get the cash together for this guy... well, I'm excited! If not I guess I'll have to continue to settle for RiD....

At least I still have something from the mold

News Credits: 21 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 3:01 pm

94.00 plus shipping there made gold right or have some things that are made of gold ill stick with the rid version its not hte original bur at lewast its an original with a repaint rid set i can get for less 60.00 as long i see a combinor i like for good resaonlbe store price that you can get at toysrus, repaint, knock off, ill get it.

its ridiclius on how transformer prices go up but mcfaland figures rare ones or not just stay below 40.00 on bbts

News Credits: 11 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 3:03 pm

Wow, that is awesome news! I don't plan on picking them up myself, but that is really great for those who have wanted a set.

News Credits: 7 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 3:11 pm

I wonder if they'll be the metallic (G1 american) or the simple grey plastic versions (gold-box european era)...

I have an almost complete Bruticus, but I think about getting it...

News Credits: 3646 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:11 pm

dragons wrote:94.00 plus shipping there made gold right or have some things that are made of gold ill stick with the rid version its not hte original bur at lewast its an original with a repaint rid set i can get for less 60.00 as long i see a combinor i like for good resaonlbe store price that you can get at toysrus, repaint, knock off, ill get it.

its ridiclius on how transformer prices go up but mcfaland figures rare ones or not just stay below 40.00 on bbts

You should check out our comments above. This is actually a pretty reasonable price for a reissue of a G1 figure. It's inline with, if not cheaper than, the markup on the other G1 reissues.

News Credits: 150 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:16 pm

dragons wrote:94.00 plus shipping there made gold right or have some things that are made of gold ill stick with the rid version its not hte original bur at lewast its an original with a repaint rid set i can get for less 60.00 as long i see a combinor i like for good resaonlbe store price that you can get at toysrus, repaint, knock off, ill get it.

its ridiclius on how transformer prices go up but mcfaland figures rare ones or not just stay below 40.00 on bbts

Huh?

News Credits: 150 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:17 pm

Seibertron wrote:
Counterpunch wrote:
Editor wrote:As much as I would like to see the idea in my last post about a e-hobby set, a change to get a reissued Battle Gaia would be 9 ways of awesome.

and $200 of awesome as well...

Sure as hell beats $1300+ on eBay for an original.

I sent an email to my contact at e-Hobby. Not sure if they'll respond or not. My contact doesn't have the best English from our past email conversations and my Japanese is non-existent so we'll see if I can get any information about the possiblity of a Metrotitan or a Battle Gaia from them.

Have Smooth or Stormrider write it for you.

Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:19 pm

Cyberstrike wrote:The Combaticons again?
I got enough Combaticons and their various repaints over the years. Pass.
If it were the Stunticons, Terrorcons, The Pretender Monsters (aka Dinoking), the Seacons, or the Predacons then I might be interested but Car Robots and RiD have completely burned me out on this group.

Agreed. Why not a high quality Aerialbot set, or Protectobot set?

News Credits: 5 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:25 pm

When looking at the price of this, as well as the new Henkei figures (which I have seen people complaining about), we also have to look at the price of the Yen (assuming most online retailers are getting these from Japan). It has gone through the roof since the beginning of October.

Today 8,500 Yen = $95 USD
Oct. 8,500 Yen = $80.50 USD

News Credits: 3 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:30 pm

Woo-hoo!! Freakin sweet news. never had this one as a kid but I placed my pre-order as soon as I saw the news.
Nice post Ryan! I agree wholeheartedly! Now I would love to see Encore Devastator next.

Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:31 pm

Barrelass wrote:When looking at the price of this, as well as the new Henkei figures (which I have seen people complaining about), we also have to look at the price of the Yen (assuming most online retailers are getting these from Japan). It has gone through the roof since the beginning of October.

Today 8,500 Yen = $95 USD
Oct. 8,500 Yen = $80.50 USD

Oh yeah! I completely forgot to put that in my post above! (I was going to, but for some reason it didn't make it from my brain to the keyboard... :oops:

)

News Credits: 1 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:59 pm

Awesome, I know these molds have been used a million times by now but the original colour scheme was best - I've wanted a mint G1 Bruticus for years.

A wee bit over priced at $95 though.

News Credits: 7 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:05 pm

Craven Knight wrote:A wee bit over priced at $95 though.

It should be cheaper in non-US shops, such as robotkingdom...

News Credits: 3646 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:06 pm

GetterDragun wrote:Have Smooth or Stormrider write it for you.

Already sent this morning after finding out about this news. Smooth was CC'ed on the message to eHobby as well.

News Credits: 1 · Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:18 pm

Chaoslock wrote:
Craven Knight wrote:A wee bit over priced at $95 though.

It should be cheaper in non-US shops, such as robotkingdom...

Yeah, perhaps - I've read through the points made by Seib and others regarding the price and I can't argue the fact that $95 for a mint Encore is better than a couple of hundred for a good original but I'm not in the states(NZ) and with the exchange rate the way it is this one'll be pricey for me to get down here.

Still, I do have 6 months to save...