The Energon Pub

Why is this toy allowed to have smokestacks and the other optimus toys can't?

hes basically a shrunken prime. ill get the leader version

Thats swiggidy sweet. Looks like I'll end up getting the 2 Voyager class leaders and the FABs when they come out.

SKowl wrote:

Hotrod wrote:Remember guy, this is not the finished product.

I think it is. Everytime a badly painted toy comes out, everyone says it's not the finished product, then we get the finished product and it looks exactly the same.

Mangled-face Starscream would like a word with you. Some loose test shots, usually ones found later on, tend to be identical in appearance to the final product, but that's not a hard and fast rule for all of them, not to mention the "features" Hasbro's added before to mark them, like the aforementioned face meltings, or Decepticharge's "mud," or Cybertron Landmine's "Devastator repaint."

The in-package ones are the ones that are done deals, and the best indicators of final product since that's usually what they are.

Kayevcee wrote:Duke of Luns- what are you on about? TFs have boasted fake or projected drivers since the word go- in the cartoon Hound could hologram one up, and Roadhandler and the other Micromasters had fake fellas that popped up out of their seats in the comic. It's hardly the end of an era when the era was never there to start with. Plus, driving around without a driver is a pretty good way for an alien infiltrator to get his cover blown in a hurry, doncha think?

There's never been a single Transformers toy that depicts a fake driver, making this a first. Minus certain Reprolabel sets, that is.

A friend of mine just got his the other day and he's not too crazy about it. He's not really a toy fan anyways, but he just picked up both Voyager and Leader class Prime and Megatron. Hopefully I'll get to snap some pics of all four sometime this week to really break down a comparison.

I do agree the paint seems a little lack luster and I would hope that's not the final paint job. After all, this is the movie line. I would think they would pull out a few extra stops to appeal to the new fans they plan on netting. I personally still don't like the look of the head. Reminds me of Armada Super-con Primes super mode head.

That's more like it! I'd buy that for £20!
Looks closer to Blackout in style. Much bette than the leader-sized one. The face looks kinda funny on this one though...

Chosen wrote:There's never been a single Transformers toy that depicts a fake driver, making this a first. Minus certain Reprolabel sets, that is.

Unless you count most of the G1 Headmasters, or Armada Sideways, or Energon Kicker + Highwire... Though I think this is the first Transformer toy to have a sculpted-in driver for no reason other than decoration.

emeraldbeacon wrote:Unless you count most of the G1 Headmasters, or Armada Sideways, or Energon Kicker + Highwire... Though I think this is the first Transformer toy to have a sculpted-in driver for no reason other than decoration.

If you look at the last pic, you'll notice the door is open and there's no driver. I think it might be removable.

Nemesis_Apoc wrote:wow. that kinda sucks. just like the Megs voyager. why can't they just leave those bots to just one size? the leader class figs are fantastic. what is this? beast machines?

They make them in multiple sizes so that more people can afford a Prime. Not every kid can afford a Prime and not every parent is willing to buy a Prime for their kid and not everyone may be able to open their wallets to the larger version of Prime.

ZenithF0RTE wrote:They make them in multiple sizes so that more people can afford a Prime. Not every kid can afford a Prime and not every parent is willing to buy a Prime for their kid and not everyone may be able to open their wallets to the larger version of Prime.

I agree. Some families can only afford the larger toys around Christmas time (remember, these are tipped for a summer release) and often not even at Christmas can some parents afford to spend so much on one present.

That is definetly Peter Cullen, check the cowboy hat out. I personally like both Voyager and Leader class Primes.

Are the flames a bit more subtle on this than on the leader class (and actual movie vehicle)? They don't seem to reach as far or look as 'wild'.

I think I'll be getting the Leader Class version.

Afterall, Ratchet is a Voyager as is Starscream, correct?

Prime should be larger than both of those guys.

Counterpunch wrote:
Afterall, Ratchet is a Voyager as is Starscream, correct?

Prime should be larger than both of those guys.

Actually, according to those size comparison pics, Starscream towers over Prime in both modes. Sure, a truck is big, but an F-22 is a hell of alot bigger.

SKowl wrote:

Counterpunch wrote:
Afterall, Ratchet is a Voyager as is Starscream, correct?

Prime should be larger than both of those guys.

Actually, according to those size comparison pics, Starscream towers over Prime in both modes. Sure, a truck is big, but an F-22 is a hell of alot bigger.

Usually, because the size of jets and the like are so far out of scale, I don't consider them much in scale relation.

I suppose I should have left Starscream out of my statement.

They need to make a leader class version of Starscream and Blackout, and a voyager version of Brawl to get the size situation corrected.

GUSTODD76 wrote:They need to make a leader class version of Starscream and Blackout, and a voyager version of Brawl to get the size situation corrected.

Well, apparently there is a leader class Brawl in the works, which would leave Blackout and Starscream needing leader class figures themselves.

A voyager sized Prime would probably work better in size relation than the Leader Prime.

Here's how I see it

Mini-con/Scout:

Frenzy

Deluxe:

Bumblebee
Barricade
Jazz
Scorponok

Voyager:

Ironhide
Ratchet
Optimus Prime
Bonecrusher

Leader/Ultra:

Megatron
Brawl
Starscream
Blackout


One day, when all the movie toys are accounted for, the fandom needs to come up with an "official" grouping of what toys of what characters are the best to portray the size relation with one another.

emeraldbeacon wrote:

Chosen wrote:There's never been a single Transformers toy that depicts a fake driver, making this a first. Minus certain Reprolabel sets, that is.

Unless you count most of the G1 Headmasters, or Armada Sideways, or Energon Kicker + Highwire... Though I think this is the first Transformer toy to have a sculpted-in driver for no reason other than decoration.

Hey! I made that point first.

Well, there's also Binaltech Asterisk, Kiss Players, and Matserpiece Starscream, but those are all Japanese exclusives.

Still, I think the driver is a nice detail, and the paint job doesn't bother me that much. I like the autobot insignia on top of the grill, and I don't mind the lack of chrome... Anyone remember the flaking issue with Transmetals?

Sometimes, I wonder if we expect too much from our toys.

Nemesis Primal wrote:

emeraldbeacon wrote:

Chosen wrote:There's never been a single Transformers toy that depicts a fake driver, making this a first. Minus certain Reprolabel sets, that is.

Unless you count most of the G1 Headmasters, or Armada Sideways, or Energon Kicker + Highwire... Though I think this is the first Transformer toy to have a sculpted-in driver for no reason other than decoration.

Hey! I made that point first.

Well, there's also Binaltech Asterisk, Kiss Players, and Matserpiece Starscream, but those are all Japanese exclusives.

Those are all drivers, yes. Only one of them is "fake," a representative of a human decoy to conceal the fact that its human is more than meets the eye, not just a vehicle but a robot in disguise! I don't think any of you four were paying attention to the point, and this is such an idiotic point to nitpick and bitch about. Please, die. Alternately, we can put an end to this point and move on.

Chosen wrote:

Nemesis Primal wrote:

emeraldbeacon wrote:

Chosen wrote:There's never been a single Transformers toy that depicts a fake driver, making this a first. Minus certain Reprolabel sets, that is.

Unless you count most of the G1 Headmasters, or Armada Sideways, or Energon Kicker + Highwire... Though I think this is the first Transformer toy to have a sculpted-in driver for no reason other than decoration.

Hey! I made that point first.

Well, there's also Binaltech Asterisk, Kiss Players, and Matserpiece Starscream, but those are all Japanese exclusives.

Those are all drivers, yes. Only one of them is "fake," a representative of a human decoy to conceal the fact that its human is more than meets the eye, not just a vehicle but a robot in disguise! I don't think any of you four were paying attention to the point, and this is such an idiotic point to nitpick and bitch about. Please, die. Alternately, we can put an end to this point and move on.

Well, yeah, but I said Sideways first.

Either way, though. let's put this to bed and enjoy the tiny little Peter Cullen minifig.

SKowl wrote:

GUSTODD76 wrote:They need to make a leader class version of Starscream and Blackout, and a voyager version of Brawl to get the size situation corrected.

Well, apparently there is a leader class Brawl in the works, which would leave Blackout and Starscream needing leader class figures themselves.

A voyager sized Prime would probably work better in size relation than the Leader Prime.

Here's how I see it

Mini-con/Scout:

Frenzy

Deluxe:

Bumblebee
Barricade
Jazz
Scorponok

Voyager:

Ironhide
Ratchet
Optimus Prime
Bonecrusher

Leader/Ultra:

Megatron
Brawl
Starscream
Blackout


One day, when all the movie toys are accounted for, the fandom needs to come up with an "official" grouping of what toys of what characters are the best to portray the size relation with one another.

Except Frenzy has been seen as an enginemaster for Brawl.

Autobot032 wrote:Weird. When I saw the unpainted protos, I liked this one and not the Leader Class.

Now that I've seen both in color (and pretty much finished), aside from the fact that the Voyager comes with PETER CULLEN...I must go with the Leader Class.

This one, now finalized, just doesn't do it for me.

Even more money saved. Whee!

I too have the preference to the Leader class, for some reason this voyager looks kinda off.. i think its the super soaker guns..and not to mention the fact that it seems that Hasbro has forgotten what "real Metal" or chrome looks like, the off greyish plastic makes him look really aweful, i wish they could have cast him in a silver or metallic plastic as apposed to that ugly grey, it just looks more like a toy and not a real car.. or truck... Curse you Alternators and spoiling my appreciation for low grade coloring on Toys...

skywarp-2 wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:Weird. When I saw the unpainted protos, I liked this one and not the Leader Class.

Now that I've seen both in color (and pretty much finished), aside from the fact that the Voyager comes with PETER CULLEN...I must go with the Leader Class.

This one, now finalized, just doesn't do it for me.

Even more money saved. Whee!

I too have the preference to the Leader class, for some reason this voyager looks kinda off.. i think its the super soaker guns..and not to mention the fact that it seems that Hasbro has forgotten what "real Metal" or chrome looks like, the off greyish plastic makes him look really aweful, i wish they could have cast him in a silver or metallic plastic as apposed to that ugly grey, it just looks more like a toy and not a real car.. or truck... Curse you Alternators and spoiling my appreciation for low grade coloring on Toys...

Shh...we're in the minority here with this one. If the other boards are any indication, we'll be lynched for having an opinion that goes against the grain. SHH...we might get the smack down!

Autobot032 wrote:

skywarp-2 wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:Weird. When I saw the unpainted protos, I liked this one and not the Leader Class.

Now that I've seen both in color (and pretty much finished), aside from the fact that the Voyager comes with PETER CULLEN...I must go with the Leader Class.

This one, now finalized, just doesn't do it for me.

Even more money saved. Whee!

I too have the preference to the Leader class, for some reason this voyager looks kinda off.. i think its the super soaker guns..and not to mention the fact that it seems that Hasbro has forgotten what "real Metal" or chrome looks like, the off greyish plastic makes him look really aweful, i wish they could have cast him in a silver or metallic plastic as apposed to that ugly grey, it just looks more like a toy and not a real car.. or truck... Curse you Alternators and spoiling my appreciation for low grade coloring on Toys...

Shh...we're in the minority here with this one. If the other boards are any indication, we'll be lynched for having an opinion that goes against the grain. SHH...we might get the smack down!

Bah! i squak at lynching!! You obviously weren't around when i got Lynched for saying I liked Pat Lee's art work from Dreamwave.. whoa.. what a pain that was...I'm not scared.. besides It's true, greyish coloring on a transformer Toy makes it look, well.... more like a toy then a real lifelike representation of a movie transformer.. I mean i know its a toy, but come on, are american toy standards so cheap that we have to resort ot crappy mold coloring.?? I mean the Japanese toy lines use silver colors and such to make their toys look as realistic as possible, why do we have to be so darn cheap??

And as far as the Voyager Optimus Prime goes, so what If I prefer the Leader class over this one, i mean he's not all that great, his proportions are more in line with the movie version, but other then that and the peter cullen figure, I'm just not sold, he has toy colored grey where it should be silver, and the detailing on the arms and legs are barely sculpted out with out depth and looks very cheap, not to mention the super soaker guns which I very seriously doubt he will have in the movie..

(so its not accurate there) I'm more inclined to dubb this Prime as the Affordable class as apposed to Voyager.. it just seems he was made with some different perks and all just to entice kids to purchase him and make them feel better since the Leader class may be too expensive for them..which is ok, but not my thing, the more complex and detailed the better for me..

It just goes to show in the Transformers toy market, you get what you pay for, atleast most of the time, if you want high detail and great paint applications, barring Quality control issues.. you will have to pay for it..

skywarp-2 wrote: You obviously weren't around when i got Lynched for saying I liked Pat Lee's art work from Dreamwave.. whoa.. what a pain that was

I also still love Pat Lees work. Darth Bombshell gives me a hard time now and then about it, but I still think no one out there can hold a candle to his level of great detailing.