The Energon Pub

I'm relatively new to transformer collecting (I've amassed over 50 MISB figures in 2 two weeks...yikes!) and I've noticed all the hype surrounding the deluxe version of the 08 bumblebee and how hard it has been to come by. I did manage to get one.

Can any of you veterans out there give me any past examples of transformers that have generated this much hype before they began to eventually hit enough stores? How long did it take for people to finally obtain them....or maybe they never hit enough stores to calm (forum) people down?

What are past examples of some highly anticipated transformers and what ended up being the outcome? I am looking for examples of ones that were actually out on shelves in sparatic amounts but no one could seem to find them. For example, was classic starscream from 2006 like this? Just a guess?

I keep reading comments like...wait two weeks and they will be on shelves everywhere...I'm curious if this has been the rule or the exception in the past?

The only things I can think of are:

1. SDCC Exclusive Rodius (Hot Rod) Alternator. Not even available yet, but already selling on ebay for a lot of money.

2. Alternators Mirage. Practically never made it to store shelves, yet is going for $60+ on ebay. Same for Camshaft.

3. Barricade. Now, at first, he was a dime a dozen, but now he seems (once the movie came out that is) to be one of the favorite baddies, and is very hard to find now.

Other than that, I can't think of any prior TF that was as hot as the new 2008 BB Camaro is today.

skyblast wrote:I'm relatively new to transformer collecting

You know there are so many like you... if you have seen the movie and just became a fan when you heard about it than your exactly like me, the movie honestly blew me away. Sorry about that random talk anyway but welcome to the Transfandom...

Armada Unicron
Energon Megatron
Cybertron Wingsaber
Classics Jetfire

Alternator...anything really.

The list goes on. There are some people who might not have found these things, but the majority of us (the large majority) did. Most "rare" Transformers actually do see widespread release.

Don't worry about it though.

Look at Star Wars Episode 3.

Hasbro had several rare and sought after figures that people hunted kind of desperately for.

There has not been a single one of those figures that has not been recased and shipped again. Shocktroopers, 501st, all of it.

So, just don't get caught up in the hype. If you see the toy, buy it. Otherwise, just chill.

i remember optimal optimus from beast wars was a real b*tch to find back in the day.

If I recall, Australia got a limited shipment of Armada Skywarp and Overload, they were pretty rare.

Then there were the 200 Universe Nemesis Prime's that were released ONLY to David Jones stores Australia wide .... all 12 of them. Made him VERY hard to get.

Bumbled wrote:

skyblast wrote:I'm relatively new to transformer collecting

You know there are so many like you... if you have seen the movie and just became a fan when you heard about it than your exactly like me, the movie honestly blew me away. Sorry about that random talk anyway but welcome to the Transfandom...

yeah lets just hope it doesnt turn you into a thread whore like Bumbled

Let's see, i can remember the following:

Armada SkyWarp

Energon Ultra Magnus, dinobots, wingsabre, omega sentinel,
Finding all limbs for any of the 3 combiners - Superion, constructicon maximus, and bruticus


Cybertron primus With unicron head, wingsaber, sound blaster..

Classics Jetfire..

Burn wrote:If I recall, Australia got a limited shipment of Armada Skywarp and Overload, they were pretty rare.

Then there were the 200 Universe Nemesis Prime's that were released ONLY to David Jones stores Australia wide .... all 12 of them. Made him VERY hard to get.

Yes, yes they were.
Still managed to get one though!

Other harder to find figures...
Alternator Nemisis Prime was a toughie to find, and then he was released at various toy stores in Australia, which was odd seeing as Alternators had stopped being sold in stores a year earlier.

Classics Jetfire, Grimlock and Ramjet were buggers to find.
Cybertron Evac, Galvatron and Leobreaker were blink and you'll miss the single figure on the shelf type toys
Never saw Energon Galvatron, or Omega Sentinal. Only saw one Grimlock/Swoop pack, and bought it.

Obviously the movie cast figures are getting fairly hard to find (depending on your location), I know here in Australia, ever since the end of June, its been nigh impossible to find Barricade, or Bumblebee.

Still never saw a Cybertron WingSaber in my area...Ever. That's the first time in my collecting life where I've never seen a figure show up. 12 different toy stores and no one had it.

TheMuffin wrote:Still never saw a Cybertron WingSaber in my area...Ever. That's the first time in my collecting life where I've never seen a figure show up. 12 different toy stores and no one had it.

i have him......