The Energon Pub

[william-james88]

Another thing, these codes are not using this year's code letters, but the ones from previous years, like when Sideways and Arcee were readily available to order.

So this could be black friday two packs from last year which did not happen where Hasbro would have provided Walmart with a bunch of extra stock, like SS86 Arcee and Sideways, taped together with a new UPC sticker and sold at less than the retail of two toys.

This might be why not all TF fan sites have posted this news, as it might simply be old news that never came to be.

[william-james88]

There's been a lot of talk regarding the newly revealed Transformers Studio Series Gamerverse WFC Starscream, most of it negative. But it's all early talk based on the few images we have seen. So, to give you all a better look, we are sharing this video review from DarthRavage07. He split it into a review video and a transformation video.

The big takeaway from fans so far has been the rubber-like cockpit. While some dislike the idea, others point out that it means it won't break like it would were it clear plastic. You'll let us know how you feel about the toy.

[william-james88]

Transformers Studio Series 102 Optimus Prime is selling for double on e-bay due to Target not stocking him enough on shelves and online. This gave the Takara release more attention than they usually get since Takara's release is non exclusive. However it seems fans were not aware that the toy's preorders have gone up. Not only have they gone up, but they are also selling out very quickly. HLJ is a popular seller, has been for decades, and Prime is sold out there. Amazon Japan has preorders available to various fans around the world but not for Americans.

This is pretty big news on its own, since it seems Amazon Japan is reverting to its stance from years ago about disabling some foreign customers from ordering toys off their site. Right now it seems people in Europe and Australia can order SS 122 Optimus Prime (that's the code number for their release of ROTB Prime) but Americans see it as "not available" and the same can be said for MP Rhinox.

Back to Optimus Prime, if you do want to order it, the Japanese retailer Amiami still accepts preorders, and the toy is only $28 USD before shipping. Here is the link: https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail/?scod ... 0510&rank=

That link above is one of your last chances to get this toy at a reasonable price, and once it sells out all that will be left is him on e-bay for $80-$100

[Quantum Surge]

At this rate, getting the Black Mamba KO with the silver thighs might be easier.

Also that rubber cockpit isn't going to make things any better. Outside of it sounding wrong to say I doubt it'd be any more durable than clear plastic tends to be.

[Sabrblade]

Yeah, the original figure had a clear plastic cockpit canopy and it wasn't fragile at all.

It's not that the cockpit is made of rubber, it's that it's simply too large, making it look bulbous.

[Grahf_]

Yeah I already preordered one of those knockoff Optimus Primes with the upgrade kit already installed after Target cancelled my preorder. Can't wait to see them at Ross next year though. We beg and beg and beg Hasbro, Target and Walmart for certain figures only for them to hit a discount chain. Collecting is not fun anymore.

And great, the cockpit won't break...like all the other cockpits as it's been a long time since I seen one with translucent plastic actually break. But now it's likely to disintegrate instead. Or melt. Or crack due to getting dry. Snag on something and rip. There's actually more stuff that can happen to that cockpit now instead.

[TF-fan kev777]

Looks like pre-orders went live for the newest wave of SS reveals.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Looks like pre-orders went live for the newest wave of SS reveals.

Yep, I got all of them, though I may cancel the junkion at some point, I like my junkion shelf, but he will shelfwarm and I can wait

[Emerje]

Thanks for pointing out Prime being on AmiAmi, I get a shipment from them monthly so adding him to my March order will help reduce/split the shipping costs. Last I had checked the orders had sold out so I never considered checking back, I just thought I might actually see him in store, but it looks like my local store has been skipping stuff.

Yeah, the original figure had a clear plastic cockpit canopy and it wasn't fragile at all.

It's not that the cockpit is made of rubber, it's that it's simply too large, making it look bulbous.

The original cockpit didn't open, this one does to store the head inside which makes it a possible breaking point. But softer plastic doesn't necessarily solve that problem, just look at Titans Return Weirdwolf. And since when did Hasbro care about clear plastic breaking with all the clear tabs they've been using in recent years. It's unfortunate that they didn't just sculpt the canopy to make the cockpit appear smaller and add paint to finish the illusion. In the old days the canopy would have been on a separate larger door and it would be two parts.

Emerje

[DeathReviews]

Transformers Studio Series 102 Optimus Prime is selling for double on e-bay due to Target not stocking him enough on shelves and online.

I had wanted a copy of this figure, but as scarce as Target has made them? He's not been worth the trouble to track him down. It seems a nice figure, but I have no intention of paying the scalper's ransom they're asking for on Ebay. Same with Buzzworthy Origin Jazz. Target seems to be having a general problem with all their 'exclusives' lately.

And now I hear that Studio Series 86 Hound is slated to be in the Target Buzzworthy line as well. That scares me, because it means he will also be impossible to find. Walmart has rightly been skewered over the lousy way they handled Velocitron Cosmos and other exclusive figures. But Target is equally guilty. And given how Hasbro is supposed to be working and coordinating with these retailers to make sure they have enough product for everyone who wants to buy? It's hard to know exactly who to blame. It's like that scene in Grapes of Wrath. "Well - who do we shoot?"

[chuckdawg1999]

Transformers Studio Series 102 Optimus Prime is selling for double on e-bay due to Target not stocking him enough on shelves and online.

I had wanted a copy of this figure, but as scarce as Target has made them? He's not been worth the trouble to track him down. It seems a nice figure, but I have no intention of paying the scalper's ransom they're asking for on Ebay. Same with Buzzworthy Origin Jazz. Target seems to be having a general problem with all their 'exclusives' lately.

And now I hear that Studio Series 86 Hound is slated to be in the Target Buzzworthy line as well. That scares me, because it means he will also be impossible to find. Walmart has rightly been skewered over the lousy way they handled Velocitron Cosmos and other exclusive figures. But Target is equally guilty. And given how Hasbro is supposed to be working and coordinating with these retailers to make sure they have enough product for everyone who wants to buy? It's hard to know exactly who to blame. It's like that scene in Grapes of Wrath. "Well - who do we shoot?"

To put it simply, it's something I've said before, something is going on between toy makers and retailers and we'll never know what if we don't ask, ask often, and ask loudly.

[CobraKai]

I never ordered from Ami Ami, does anyone know what the shipping costs to the US would be? All I found was that the shipping was "Based on wieght"

[Ultra Markus]

its a shame they couldn't incorporate the hover mode configuration for the jet mode

[-Kanrabat-]

I never ordered from Ami Ami, does anyone know what the shipping costs to the US would be? All I found was that the shipping was "Based on wieght"

Importing anything from Japan is VERY expensive.
Expect at the bare minimum 4K to 5K JPY in shipping alone from a standard deluxe to a standard leader.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Transformers Studio Series 102 Optimus Prime is selling for double on e-bay due to Target not stocking him enough on shelves and online.

I had wanted a copy of this figure, but as scarce as Target has made them? He's not been worth the trouble to track him down. It seems a nice figure, but I have no intention of paying the scalper's ransom they're asking for on Ebay. Same with Buzzworthy Origin Jazz. Target seems to be having a general problem with all their 'exclusives' lately.

And now I hear that Studio Series 86 Hound is slated to be in the Target Buzzworthy line as well. That scares me, because it means he will also be impossible to find. Walmart has rightly been skewered over the lousy way they handled Velocitron Cosmos and other exclusive figures. But Target is equally guilty. And given how Hasbro is supposed to be working and coordinating with these retailers to make sure they have enough product for everyone who wants to buy? It's hard to know exactly who to blame. It's like that scene in Grapes of Wrath. "Well - who do we shoot?"

Since his leak over a year ago, Hound was ALWAYS Buzzworthy.

[DeathReviews]

...That rubber cockpit isn't going to make things any better. Outside of it sounding wrong to say I doubt it'd be any more durable than clear plastic tends to be.

Plus it's a laugh anyway. If Hasbro made that cockpit out of soft plastic because they were 'concerned that clear plastic might break'? What does that say about how they're using almost nothing BUT clear plastic on so many other figures? (We're looking at YOU, SS 86 Ironhide, Ratchet, B-127, WFC Prowl, and a host of others). Hasbro sure as heck doesn't seem concerned about THOSE breaking....

[-Kanrabat-]

...That rubber cockpit isn't going to make things any better. Outside of it sounding wrong to say I doubt it'd be any more durable than clear plastic tends to be.

Plus it's a laugh anyway. If Hasbro made that cockpit out of soft plastic because they were 'concerned that clear plastic might break'? What does that say about how they're using almost nothing BUT clear plastic on so many other figures? (We're looking at YOU, SS 86 Ironhide, Ratchet, B-127, WFC Prowl, and a host of others). Hasbro sure as heck doesn't seem concerned about THOSE breaking....

So far, I've been transforming SS86 Ratchet and Ironhide back and forth over and over and I really don't see how anything can break. The only way would be to force things the wrong way on purpose, or to throw the toy at a brick wall with full force.

[DeathReviews]

So far, I've been transforming SS86 Ratchet and Ironhide back and forth over and over and I really don't see how anything can break. The only way would be to force things the wrong way on purpose, or to throw the toy at a brick wall with full force.

If you're ginger with them, you can avoid fractures. It remains to be seen how well these will hold up over time once the plastic gets older and more brittle, as it invariably does. In any case, if clear plastic is durable (as long as you make it a little thicker), why didn't they use it for the Gamerverse Starscream?

[-Kanrabat-]

So far, I've been transforming SS86 Ratchet and Ironhide back and forth over and over and I really don't see how anything can break. The only way would be to force things the wrong way on purpose, or to throw the toy at a brick wall with full force.

If you're ginger with them, you can avoid fractures. It remains to be seen how well these will hold up over time once the plastic gets older and more brittle, as it invariably does. In any case, if clear plastic is durable (as long as you make it a little thicker), why didn't they use it for the Gamerverse Starscream?

The minds of the designers are unfathomable.

[EvasionModeBumblebee]

Choose your healer!

What’s your favorite Ratchet color scheme? I have to go with DOTM, I love that shade of green!

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Choose your healer!

Ratchets.jpeg

What’s your favorite Ratchet color scheme? I have to go with DOTM, I love that shade of green!

In-movie wise, I like the DotM one best.

Of your repaints, the one on the far right is my favorite

[Emerje]

Choose your healer!

Ratchets.jpeg

What’s your favorite Ratchet color scheme? I have to go with DOTM, I love that shade of green!

In-movie wise, I like the DotM one best.

Of your repaints, the one on the far right is my favorite

Ha, I'm the opposite. Love the original, but my favorite among these is the red and white one on the left.

Emerje

[Quantum Surge]

Choose your healer!

Ratchets.jpeg

What’s your favorite Ratchet color scheme? I have to go with DOTM, I love that shade of green!

Is one of theme themed after the Night Ops repaint from the HFTD line?

[EvasionModeBumblebee]

Is one of theme themed after the Night Ops repaint from the HFTD line?

It’s not exact, but it is inspired by it! The overall color scheme was taken from that Night Ops Ratchet, the red springs on the shoulders were meant to evoke that figure’s big red shoulder Autobot logos.

Here’s a better look at him:

[Overcracker]

Choose your healer!

Ratchets.jpeg

What’s your favorite Ratchet color scheme? I have to go with DOTM, I love that shade of green!

The 2007 Movie color scheme is still my favorite.


Transformers (2007) Premium Ratchet (Best Buy) Gallery