The Energon Pub

shortround wrote:I guess what I'm asking is did they just take the masterfoce toys and release them in america under the name powermasters.

It's the other way around, but it's possible they were originally by Takara but shelved for a year. Plus, all US Powermasters were released in Japan, but some were repainted. Here's the list:

Getaway with Rev -> Lightfoot.
Joyride with Hotwire -> Ranger (repaint)
Slapdash with Lube -> Road King
Optimus Prime with Hi-Q -> Ginrai (remold)

Doubledealer with Knok and Skar -> Doubleclouder (repaint, but the show used the US deco)

Dreadwind with Hi-Test -> Buster (repaint)
Darkwing with Throttle -> Hydra (repaint)

And Japan had Overlord with Mega and Giga, which the US never got

shortround wrote:I guess what I'm asking is did they just take the masterfoce toys and release them in america under the name powermasters.

I believe that some of the powermasters were released in the U.S. first but the Japanese expanded on the line and they got a few molds that we didnt.

I've bought the hasbro version for $49.99 at Toysrus back in March 2003. If you are patient you can get the Hasbro or Takara reissue for even less than $59.99 on ebay. I've seen him go for thirty something at times there. Happy searching!








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The reason I'm willing to pay the extra for the takara version is because of the diecast metal and the shorter missiles. Also thanks guys for info on the powermasters for once japan didn't create the figures and then they were brought to america it was the other way around. I have to say after looking up overlord he looks like a pretty sweet figure.

shortround wrote:The reason I'm willing to pay the extra for the takara version is because of the diecast metal and the shorter missiles. Also thanks guys for info on the powermasters for once japan didn't create the figures and then they were brought to america it was the other way around. I have to say after looking up overlord he looks like a pretty sweet figure.

Like I said the Hasbro reissue also has dicast parts....it was the Hasbro original that didnt, but it does have a longer missile.If your paying more just for the shorter missile,Its not worth it.........save a few bucks.

shortround wrote:The reason I'm willing to pay the extra for the takara version is because of the diecast metal and the shorter missiles. Also thanks guys for info on the powermasters for once japan didn't create the figures and then they were brought to america it was the other way around. I have to say after looking up overlord he looks like a pretty sweet figure.

The Hasbro one has diecast metal on the cab too. The missiles are perfect size. Dunno if they are the same as Takara's.





As Autobot032 says:
_________________
I believe in Jesus Christ as my Saviour. If you do too, copy and paste this into your signature.

NOTE: Realize that I am not a perfect Christian, nor do I profess to be. I apologize if anyone's ever offended by me, I'm not perfect. Don't hold my posts and opinions against other Christians.

The original Hasbro toy had an all plastic cab, that could be what they're referring to.

All the info you could ever want about the God Ginrai figure.

The Hasbro mold for Powermaster Optimus Prime originally included the retractable fists and die-cast cab w/ clear windows (confirmed by early catalogue scans). However, to cut costs, before the release of the figure, Hasbro switched to a plastic cab and stationary fists.

When Takara used the mold for Masterforce Super Ginrai, they released the original version w/ die-cast, retractable fists, etc). For whatever reason, they also shortened the smokestacks on the figure. There was also an additional paint application on the cab's grill, painting the outside of it red in place of the US version's unpainted dull gray. In addition, they changed the name of the Powermaster (Godmaster in Japan) from Hi-Q to Ginrai.

Takara also introduced another figure known as Godbomber (literally Powerful Bomber from Japanese). This figure split apart to transform from robot, to trailer, to armor for Super Ginrai. The combined form of the two robots was called God Ginrai.

When Hasbro decided to reissue "Powermaster Optimus Prime," they used the God Ginrai mold. They renamed Super Ginrai "Optimus Prime" and renamed Godbomber "Apex Bomber." The powermaster figure, however, was still called Ginrai. The back of the packaging says that Apex Bomber is an upgraded Roller.

The ONLY difference between Takara's reissue God Ginrai and Hasbro's Powermaster Optimus Prime with Apex Armor is the missle fired from God Ginrai's cannon. In place of the stubby chromed God Ginrai missle, there is a long dull plastic missle on PMPrime.

This is the cheapest I have found either of them on-line at moment I have been looking for awhile and both version are over $100. Even when it comes to an auction they end up at $100 or more depending. If pay over $100 for anything it will be overlord.