The Energon Pub

More or less this concept will be appreciated by more mature collectors of the Transformer toy line and we all know that Hasbro's prime targets are 6 year olds and preteens.

But I am putting forward this concept which more or less has been done in the past but not to a full extent.

I also collect other toylines too. Aside from TFs, I collect PVC anime figures ranging from 1/8 of Maxfactory, Megahouse, figma and Revoltech.

Though catering to more ehhem mature collectors to put it more lightly. Certain figures in the line carries gimmicks that more or less interacts with a previous release. For example:

1. Max Factory 1/8 Haruhi figures (a special edition version anyway)had some parts when you buy let's say Haruhi, that can be used by Mikuru or Yuki

2. Megahouse Queen's blade Vante had some parts that can interact with QB figure Vante

3. figma Haruhi series figs have parts which can be used to swap with other Haruhi figmas

Sure, this may be more of an Easter Egg/bonus but you can't deny that this could also be an added benefit in ensuring that "all" figures of the line get sold at retail. As in adding more to the "I want it" factor.

Now shifting back to the Transformers line. Though not necessarily reflected in the USA version instruction manuals, in the G1 release:

1.Superion's,Defensor's,Menasor and Bruticus' (not sure with Abominus and Computron)torsos can hook up with the Cityformers (Metroplex could also hook up with the limbs too)

2.Zone and Battle stars allowed for interactivity with each other (their motorized gimmick anyway) + the mini van launchers were also neat

3.Headmasters(japan version anyway) also added some oomph with their release of additional "Headmasters" without bodies).

4.TFC Starscream....now what an incentive to buy him, Convoy and Starscream can now hold Megatron like that of the animated series.

5.New Years Convoy had a matrix and later for those who missed him, Galvatron came with an even better looking one.

6.Soundwave and Blaster 'nuff said. All the casseticons interact with these two dudes.

7.Dreadwind and Darkwing Powermasters formed Dreadwing (sold separately so another incentive to buy both figs)

8. Gestalts with the exception of the likes of Devastator, Raiden, Leo Kaiser,Roadcaesar etc had exclusive structural assignments(could virtually interact with each team)

In Armada, they had the minicon gimmick but looks more of an afterthought in a sense that they interact with "all" the 'bots and not a specific figure

The line also had Optimus Superpants Jetfire and Overload and Megatron/Tidalwave combo, so this one more or less applies.

Superlink had the ugliest Optimus ever..........until you link him with Wingsaber (don't even get me starting with Omega Supreme)

Galaxyforce also had Optimus and Megatron sharing a gimmick with the Leobreaker combo.Honorable mention to the Wingsaber combo

Lately, iirc HFTD or ROTF had a Dreadwind/Darkwing modern take (they were sold separately in retail right?)and with Breacher and Seaspray

Shouldn't this concept be aggressively pursued to ensure the success of the toyline? Make it a practical exclusive interactivity and not a forced one (not too excited with the Powercore combining line though)

3rd parties like FP has also implemented this with the G3 trailer, Botcon City Commander (high quality in fact) and to a lesser extent items like Starcream Coronation set, Convoy weapons etc.

So could HasTak well(more likely TomyTakara) also implement this? If MP Hasbro Grimlock is any indication, he is selling quite well (though being Grimlock.) but if you add let's say a component in a lesser known character that works with a more popular then.............risky I know but worth considering.