The Energon Pub

Hasbro should have taken all those excess coronation Starscreams and painted them yellow and released an official Sunstorm. Even if they released him with the cape and throne as an exclusive I'm sure he would have sold. I think the biggest reason this is a shelf warmer is because it's yet another Starscream, and a mold we already got to boot.

King Kuuga wrote:

Emerje wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:I only just found a single Junkheap for the first time last night, at a Walmart I normally don't go to since it's out of my way.

I've only seen 1 since November and it's still sitting on the shelf because someone really wanted to put the open box style to the test.

20221215_073328.jpg

Meanwhile I got one on Amazon before Christmas for $22.50.

Emerje

At the same store I found all those Starscreams, there was one or two Junkheaps, and another one had a few more. He hasn't been hard to find in my experience. Must depend on your region. (this is the second walmart)

That's a pretty nice Walmart. All stuff collectors may want, Transformers wise.

Rodimus Prime wrote:Hasbro should have taken all those excess coronation Starscreams and painted them yellow and released an official Sunstorm. Even if they released him with the cape and throne as an exclusive I'm sure he would have sold. I think the biggest reason this is a shelf warmer is because it's yet another Starscream, and a mold we already got to boot.

Hasbro doesn't generally buy back stuff that's on the shelves, if that's what you're suggesting.

william-james88 wrote:

King Kuuga wrote:

Emerje wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:I only just found a single Junkheap for the first time last night, at a Walmart I normally don't go to since it's out of my way.

I've only seen 1 since November and it's still sitting on the shelf because someone really wanted to put the open box style to the test.

The attachment 20221215_073328.jpg is no longer available

Meanwhile I got one on Amazon before Christmas for $22.50.

Emerje

At the same store I found all those Starscreams, there was one or two Junkheaps, and another one had a few more. He hasn't been hard to find in my experience. Must depend on your region. (this is the second walmart)

That's a pretty nice Walmart. All stuff collectors may want, Transformers wise.

Well half of that "niceness" is my doing, as I straightened it out and pulled some stuff off the top shelf to get this picture. When I got there the SS pegs were ALL BB Arcees with 1 or 2 Ironhides hidden behind them. There were more Ironhides on top that I pulled down so that anyone else coming through wouldn't just see a wall of pink. That said the variety is definitely good. It's the exception around here, not the rule. But it's the only place I've seen Sludge at all, and it's where I found G2 Megatron a few weeks ago. Here's all the pics I took. I almost got the Terrorsaur, but $19 is still too much for a basic.

Also I straightened it out for the photos.

I've very impressed by your Walmart having Studio Series and Legacy Core figures past wave 1, still haven't seen those in stores anywhere.

Haven't see the Joe Classified figures at Walmart all year aside from those vintage card back figures. The first stock of those sold really well, the restock not so much.

Emerje

King Kuuga wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Hasbro should have taken all those excess coronation Starscreams and painted them yellow and released an official Sunstorm. Even if they released him with the cape and throne as an exclusive I'm sure he would have sold. I think the biggest reason this is a shelf warmer is because it's yet another Starscream, and a mold we already got to boot.

Hasbro doesn't generally buy back stuff that's on the shelves, if that's what you're suggesting.

Not at all. I'm just somewhat baffled that Hasbro thought that Coronation Screamer would sell that well. Maybe if it had been a newer mold? And I know there are quite a few fans who would like a Sunstorm, especially now that we have a pretty decent seeker mold. I was just saying if they had used some of that material for Sunstorm maybe as a Selects exclusive it would have satisfied more fans as well as prevented shelves from being clogged and maybe more people would have seen and bought Sludge.

I understand why Hasbro released the Coronation version, but they overdid it.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

King Kuuga wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Hasbro should have taken all those excess coronation Starscreams and painted them yellow and released an official Sunstorm. Even if they released him with the cape and throne as an exclusive I'm sure he would have sold. I think the biggest reason this is a shelf warmer is because it's yet another Starscream, and a mold we already got to boot.

Hasbro doesn't generally buy back stuff that's on the shelves, if that's what you're suggesting.

Not at all. I'm just somewhat baffled that Hasbro thought that Coronation Screamer would sell that well. Maybe if it had been a newer mold? And I know there are quite a few fans who would like a Sunstorm, especially now that we have a pretty decent seeker mold. I was just saying if they had used some of that material for Sunstorm maybe as a Selects exclusive it would have satisfied more fans as well as prevented shelves from being clogged and maybe more people would have seen and bought Sludge.

I understand why Hasbro released the Coronation version, but they overdid it.

Instead of a regular release, SS86 Starscream would have worked better as a limited edition Select exclusive.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

King Kuuga wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Hasbro should have taken all those excess coronation Starscreams and painted them yellow and released an official Sunstorm. Even if they released him with the cape and throne as an exclusive I'm sure he would have sold. I think the biggest reason this is a shelf warmer is because it's yet another Starscream, and a mold we already got to boot.

Hasbro doesn't generally buy back stuff that's on the shelves, if that's what you're suggesting.

Not at all. I'm just somewhat baffled that Hasbro thought that Coronation Screamer would sell that well. Maybe if it had been a newer mold? And I know there are quite a few fans who would like a Sunstorm, especially now that we have a pretty decent seeker mold. I was just saying if they had used some of that material for Sunstorm maybe as a Selects exclusive it would have satisfied more fans as well as prevented shelves from being clogged and maybe more people would have seen and bought Sludge.

I understand why Hasbro released the Coronation version, but they overdid it.

Well first, those Walmart stores TF sections look better than my local Walmart has looked… Probably ever.
I never saw Gnaw, only saw Wreck-gar & Sweep two times (within a few days; they were most likely the same stock) at Target, and still haven’t seen Sludge, Junkheap, or Arcee (or Legacy Blitzwing or Motormaster) anywhere.
I also only saw Scourge a couple times right after that wave was released.
And even Blurr and Kup have been gone for quite a while.
There were 4-5 Buzzworthy Kups at my Target, & they’ve been gone since early December.

Fingers crossed the new year is going to bring better distribution.

Edit:
Watching the Chiefs game, forgot a point…
Totally agree Coronation Starscream was not great.
Or really, the execution wasn’t great. Of course I get why it was made.
Imo, the figure should’ve been the focus.
Not saying it’s an equal trade-off, but ditch the throne for some re-tooling.
I get, it helped justify leader class cost. Some people like the throne and have made good use of it.
But that wasn’t even part of the movie scene.
The figure should’ve been retooled with less greebling.
Then later, that mold could’ve been reused; SW, TC, even a ghost of SS release.

So while I get why this figure was made, I don’t really think it was even a great business decision.
None of the pack-in’s add much of any play value.
When I think about action figures in general, characters being seated isn’t anywhere close to my first thought.
I think it’s fair to assume most younger kids playing with toys would have a similar view.
Meaning, one of the main pack-in’s isn’t even very appealing.
And recently I’ve seen this on sale for around $33-ish, but the initial $52.99, considering everything mentioned, bordered on poor form imo.

I’m not saying I expected this to be lower than leader class price.
But I will 100% say this isn’t worth that cost, & falls short in terms of value big time.
To think I bought one of my favorite figures, SS86 Grimlock, for $51 with tax.
Just makes Coronation Starscream seem like such a flop imo.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:

King Kuuga wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Hasbro should have taken all those excess coronation Starscreams and painted them yellow and released an official Sunstorm. Even if they released him with the cape and throne as an exclusive I'm sure he would have sold. I think the biggest reason this is a shelf warmer is because it's yet another Starscream, and a mold we already got to boot.

Hasbro doesn't generally buy back stuff that's on the shelves, if that's what you're suggesting.

Not at all. I'm just somewhat baffled that Hasbro thought that Coronation Screamer would sell that well. Maybe if it had been a newer mold? And I know there are quite a few fans who would like a Sunstorm, especially now that we have a pretty decent seeker mold. I was just saying if they had used some of that material for Sunstorm maybe as a Selects exclusive it would have satisfied more fans as well as prevented shelves from being clogged and maybe more people would have seen and bought Sludge.

I understand why Hasbro released the Coronation version, but they overdid it.

Instead of a regular release, SS86 Starscream would have worked better as a limited edition Select exclusive.

Also true. Whatever gets me my Sunstorm.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:
Instead of a regular release, SS86 Starscream would have worked better as a limited edition Select exclusive.

Also true. Whatever gets me my Sunstorm.

Good call on this… Not even a store exclusive, but a Selects exclusive…
That would’ve been the best option for this figure.
Not to mention, being pulled from the regular line would’ve probably sped-up the release of other Leader Class figures *thinking of Snarl and Swoop*

I am a bit surprised there hasn’t been any ER/non-Siege Rainmaker figures yet.
But with the coneheads coming sooner than later, I wouldn’t doubt if it happens in the next 2-3 years.

SS-86 Starscream i think missed the mark.

It was a good way to get him, for those of us that missed the original Earthrise release.

However, I do agree the throne was completely unnecessary.

I understand the coronation accessories where kind of important for the scene Starscream is remembered for in the movie

If they really wanted to make better use of the leader class budget, there are a few things they could have done instead of the throne.

They went to the trouble of adding “articulated” hands, (awkward ones at that) but failed to give him wrist swivels?

A new head sculpt, maybe a waist swivel, Megatron in gun mode from the Centurion Drone set, and more paint apps, could have made the Leader class price more palatable, and made him different enough from the original to warrant a purchase for those that had already bought him.

As it is, he’s not different enough for those that owned him, and too expensive for those that don’t, and the throne really adds very little.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

King Kuuga wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Hasbro should have taken all those excess coronation Starscreams and painted them yellow and released an official Sunstorm. Even if they released him with the cape and throne as an exclusive I'm sure he would have sold. I think the biggest reason this is a shelf warmer is because it's yet another Starscream, and a mold we already got to boot.

Hasbro doesn't generally buy back stuff that's on the shelves, if that's what you're suggesting.

Not at all. I'm just somewhat baffled that Hasbro thought that Coronation Screamer would sell that well. Maybe if it had been a newer mold? And I know there are quite a few fans who would like a Sunstorm, especially now that we have a pretty decent seeker mold. I was just saying if they had used some of that material for Sunstorm maybe as a Selects exclusive it would have satisfied more fans as well as prevented shelves from being clogged and maybe more people would have seen and bought Sludge.

I understand why Hasbro released the Coronation version, but they overdid it.

That Starscream has a lot going against it. What's crazy is that they released it twice during the year. However, I've been seeing some remarks that decisions like this one have less to do with us (or any end consumer) and more with selling it to businesses. Starscream is a recognizable character with a popular alt mode, and they only needed minimal tooling to sell a high priced package to retailers. Basically, he was made as easy money for orders, even if the fan base had little appetite for it.

I personally think they should have made more Sludge as that at least could serve as a nice high ticket item for parents shopping for Christmas presents, like what happened with Slag last year.

It was just a missed opportunity…
Considering how much the ER mold was used, if Hastak would’ve cleaned this figure up the way they did SS86 Ironhide, including some slight retooling of the waist and hip plate, I would’ve been much more likely to buy it, simply for the figure.
And I didn’t even realize the hands didn’t swivel…. That probably should’ve happened.

A newer/retooled mold would’ve also given Hastak the chance to use it for another release of the other two main seekers, as well as the Rainmakers.

Sowndwave76 wrote:It was just a missed opportunity…
Considering how much the ER mold was used, if Hastak would’ve cleaned this figure up the way they did SS86 Ironhide, including some slight retooling of the waist and hip plate, I would’ve been much more likely to buy it, simply for the figure.
And I didn’t even realize the hands didn’t swivel…. That probably should’ve happened.

A newer/retooled mold would’ve also given Hastak the chance to use it for another release of the other two main seekers, as well as the Rainmakers.

Did the 6 you'd always see on your shelves last year sell afterall or are they still there?

william-james88 wrote:

Sowndwave76 wrote:It was just a missed opportunity…
Considering how much the ER mold was used, if Hastak would’ve cleaned this figure up the way they did SS86 Ironhide, including some slight retooling of the waist and hip plate, I would’ve been much more likely to buy it, simply for the figure.
And I didn’t even realize the hands didn’t swivel…. That probably should’ve happened.

A newer/retooled mold would’ve also given Hastak the chance to use it for another release of the other two main seekers, as well as the Rainmakers.

Did the 6 you'd always see on your shelves last year sell afterall or are they still there?

For weeks (at least a month and a half) it was 9+ at my Target, and always at least a few at Walmart.
Not sure what the numbers are now, but I’m going to find out today.

Funny enough, the ONLY reason I got one, for real cheap mind you, was for the throne. That was the only part of the package I wanted, and it fits Jhiaxus great.

So the TF section at my Target is still decimated...


Walmart was surprisingly much better...
In my first time to finally see Sludge, I snagged the only one there!
I think he's worth it, but it is kind of weird that Sludge was $55, and Coronation SS was $52.
Other "firsts" were seeing Junkheap (although the boxes were next to destroyed), as well as Core Wheelie and Ratchet.
It was a bit odd and surprising to see the Legacy BW figures with clear plastic over the windows of the packaging.





Still 5 Coronation SS's here...


The Lego section on the opposite side of the aisle was more bare than I've ever seen.



And still no sign of any Legacy wave 3 anywhere...
I really thought I'd have Dead End by now.

All your pics are broken.

Sabrblade wrote:All your pics are broken.

Hmmm... That's odd. Those, the others I've posed in the top 10 thread, and photos of others' posts are showing up for me.

Sowndwave76 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:All your pics are broken.

Hmmm... That's odd. Those, the others I've posed in the top 10 thread, and photos of others' posts are showing up for me.

They show up on your end because they're still in your cache.

Sabrblade wrote:

Sowndwave76 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:All your pics are broken.

Hmmm... That's odd. Those, the others I've posed in the top 10 thread, and photos of others' posts are showing up for me.

They show up on your end because they're still in your cache.

Yes, you should instead use the upload option we have on this site.

Here's another try at those photos... Not that they're anything great.

Sabrblade wrote:All your pics are broken.

They worked for me the first time. Must be something weird with imgur.

My local Walmart's toy aisles are... well, the TF section is fragmented, different assortments mixed in where other toy lines are.

Does anyone have or know the SS86 release schedule for this year by wave?
Including what will be a part of the Buzzworthy line?

Sowndwave76 wrote:Here's another try at those photos... Not that they're anything great.

Damn, and here i paid full price for my Coronation SS.

Sowndwave76 wrote:Does anyone have or know the SS86 release schedule for this year by wave?
Including what will be a part of the Buzzworthy line?

I think we won't see any SS86 till mid-year, and even then, RotB will be a good chunk of SS this year, so (thankfully) SS-86 should be a minimum this year.