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Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 12:38 am
by robofreak
The latest announcement from TFCC about Botcon has and will continue to be a subject of much speculation amongst the fandom as discussions rage over which molds will be repainted into what and what we should expect in this new addition (Or should I say expansion?) to the TF universe. But that happens every year and once again, we find that this year will be no exception!

Those of us that grew up in the 90’s remember 2 Transformer lines. The revival of the US portion of the franchise that was Generation 2 and Beast Wars which many fans hold dear for its unique twist on transforming robots with the use of organic structures and blurring the lines of what we expected a robot to be. I also can’t forget to mention just how awesome the Beast Wars story was, but that’s not the point of this article.

Where exactly does Machine Wars fit into the 90’s? Besides the rather limited launch of the toyline, I believe it can be accepted by the fandom at large that we really have no idea where the story of Machine Wars fits into the franchise as we know nothing about it beyond what is given on the toys bios. Given that, I think that is a pretty good reason to see Machine Wars make its way to Botcon and possibly shed some light on their untold story.

Now let’s focus on the toys that Botcon 2013’s theme is now based on and hopefully fuel the excitement for our yearly pilgrimage to the convention. Machine Wars was a line that was entirely exclusive to the now closed Kay Bee Toy store consisting of 12 figures. 4 large sized figures were made that were repaints from previous molds used in the European G1 line. Despite his lack of an Optimus Prime head, the Thunderclash mold found itself bearing the colors of Optimus Prime as well and Sandstorm was given new life with the Rotorstorm mold.

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For the large scale Decepticons we find ourselves with a Starscream that is so wildly out of scale with the set that anyone who bases their collections on scale will most likely have an aneurism just by looking at him compared to the Megatron of this line. However, those that fear GPS on their Euro-exclusive Skyquakes were able rejoice with Starscream by not having to worry about him crumbling to dust in their hands. We also get a unique take on Soundwave which used the Predator Stalker mold.

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And lastly, the line is rounded out with 8 basic sized figures using 4 unique molds which were originally intended to be part of the G2 line up, but found themselves cancelled during the switch to Beast Wars. However, we can most likely give a nod to these molds as being the ones that helped spur the engineering of much of the early Beast Wars that used the flip changing technology in which the simple pull of a lever was all that was needed to turn a robot into his disguised mode. For the Autobots we have Hoist, Hubcap, Mirage, and Prowl. And the Decepticon basics received Megatron, his clone Megaplex, Skywarp, and Thundercracker.

Until recently, the 12 figures that made up this line have almost faded away into the darkest corners of Cybertron’s archives, but with Botcon now approaching us along with the inevitable figure reveals, it’s time to go back and take a look at these relatively unknown and somewhat mysterious figures. As a proud owner of a complete Machine Wars collection, I can genuinely say that I am excited to see the direction that Botcon is taking this year by giving the Machine Wars a story that goes beyond just the bio cards found on the 12 toys. Please feel free to take the time to look around Seibertron’s galleries and take a look at some figures that you either may have not seen before or didn’t pay much attention to until now.

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Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 1:32 am
by Arlekkin
Easy on this one

Soundwave - Cybertron Defence Red Alert
Megatron - Energon Starscream
Starscream - Energon Megatron
Mirage & Prowl - Classics Mirage (maybe)

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 1:54 am
by Blackstreak
I myself owned a Starscream and Soundwave. Sold the Starscream off but I think I still have the Soundwave. I remember when these first came out. It was almost like below the radar, hardly noticed as a filler between G2 stocking the shelves and the release of Beast Wars.

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 2:00 am
by robofreak
I remember my parents getting me Hubcap, Starscream, and Soundwave, but the line faded after that and not having access to a Kay Bee nearby, it was not an easily seen line.

When I was little, I could never figure out why I couldn't find the toys at other stores. Now I know though after learning about the toys.

Ah, the fun stuff we find in our childhood.

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 2:12 am
by Burn
Arlekkin wrote:Soundwave - Cybertron Defence Red Alert


Which would be the obvious choice except for it already being used for BotCon in 2006.

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 2:15 am
by StryderPrime
lookin at the old Machine Wars toys on here make me wish I could had got the European transformers at that time that America didnt have

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 4:03 am
by xyl360
I've got the Universe repaint of Soundwave (along with Space Case of course). It's a pretty nifty mold and certainly seems to be the inspiration for Countdown/Cyber Defense Red Alert, so much so that I store them together on my shelf in vehicle mode. I've always had a thing for missile carriers like that ever since having Doubledealer as a kid.

I can't say I'm super thrilled with the idea of a Machine Wars revival, but at least it's not Shattered Glass (please don't let it be SG Machine Wars :P!).

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 6:03 am
by gavinfuzzy
Boxset:

Prime: Universe Inferno (again.)
Sandstorm: HFTD Tomahawk (again.)
Starscream: Cybertron Wingsaber
Hoist: PCC Huffer
Prowl: PCC Leadfoot
Mirage: PCC Leadfoot

Bagged:
Skywarp, Thundercracker, Megaplex: Energon Windrazor mold

Soundwave + Megatron: CDT Red alert (Yes, I said it)+ Gen Thunderwing

Freebie:
Hubcap: PCC huffer

There. Hmm... seems pretty boring, but then again, I used up all the official MW characters. 8-}

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 6:35 am
by GetRightRobot
Nice article Robofreak. Just to throw this in on the boxset specualtions: no more Energon, Armada, Cybertron figures anymore for Botcon. It was announced during the speculation for last years set.

My only request: Sandstorm from movie Skyhammer. Awesome.

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 7:38 am
by GuyIncognito
I think they'll probably use Generations and/or Prime molds.

I like gavinfuzzy's idea of using PCC Commander molds, but I think they'd rather use Deluxe molds.

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 9:05 am
by hinomars19
I have a special place in my heart for Machine Wars. Being in the U.K I loved the turbo masters and Predators, I still have Stalker, and even now he is one of my faves. Always ALWAYS wanted Thunderclash but I don't think I ever saw him in my stores, just drooled at the 'catalog' that came packed with Stalker.

Machine Wars being re-paints of these figures and having a unique story of it's own is just too quirky for me to resist :D

That said...I don't think I'll ever afford a botcon :sad:

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 9:10 am
by Hip-Hoptimus Rime
I heart Machine Wars! I have Optimus, Sandstorm, and the Whirl and Soundwave repaints from Universe.

I really should just buy up the whole line, it's pretty small and has some fun molds.

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 9:29 am
by Mkall
Burn wrote:
Arlekkin wrote:Soundwave - Cybertron Defence Red Alert


Which would be the obvious choice except for it already being used for BotCon in 2006.

Pete has siad that there is no merit to the "one use only" for botcon molds. FunPub just chooses the molds that work for the character. It speaks more to the diversity of molds and ideas that there has been very little overlap in mold use to this day.

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 10:38 am
by gavinfuzzy
GuyIncognito wrote:I think they'll probably use Generations and/or Prime molds.

I like gavinfuzzy's idea of using PCC Commander molds, but I think they'd rather use Deluxe molds.


Actually, i think they can get away with scout sized molds. Especially since it reflects the actual size of the toys.

Descendant into evil (Was it?) The one with Overlord, used a few energon scouts, and had 6/7 figures in total?

No more AEC molds? :-( Damn, what's Starscream gonna be? I really wanted a Cybertron Wingsaber Starscream.

Oh well, probably Generations Thunderwing again.

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 10:39 am
by gavinfuzzy
Mkall wrote:
Burn wrote:
Arlekkin wrote:Soundwave - Cybertron Defence Red Alert


Which would be the obvious choice except for it already being used for BotCon in 2006.

Pete has siad that there is no merit to the "one use only" for botcon molds. FunPub just chooses the molds that work for the character. It speaks more to the diversity of molds and ideas that there has been very little overlap in mold use to this day.


Although, I can't think (of the top of my head), Where the same mold has been used to make botcon figures from different years.

I'm sure someone's gonna come in and correct me. :lol:

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 10:45 am
by Sabrblade
All these ideas of what toys to use for these characters, yet there's always the possibility that this won't a simple case of them redecoing figures into resembling the old Machine Wars toys.

Rather, they could be working to expand the old toyline by introducing NEW toys in this set to go along with the old ones. After all, the magazine image showed sihlouettes of Megatron, Starscream, and Soundwave in their old MW toy bodies rather than new toy bodies redecoed in homage to that old toys.

Thus, they could be using all the old MW toys for the looks of the characters in this story, with the convention toys being new characters to expand upon what came before. Like, we could get a Machine Wars Bumblebee or Ironhide or Ravage or anything that we didn't get before. The schtick could be to take a toy, redeco it in some new color scheme, and apply a classic name to it.

For example, imagine something like 2010 Terradive redecoed in teal as Machine Wars Cyclonus. Or 2010 Hailstorm in silver as Machine Wars Warpath. Something like that could be what we're getting here.

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 11:29 am
by kirbenvost
Haha, wow, I only just now realized that Prowl has an 8-Ball on his chest. Oh 90s, so cheesy you were.

A friend of mine was lucky enough to pick up Machine Wars Prime at a local meetup and I had a chance to Transform him. Pretty impressive toy for that era. They had some good molds back then.

I'm interested to see how they do this, but I'm not really expecting to pick any up as Botcon Exclusives are usually way too pricey for me.

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 12:04 pm
by RAcast
I have a few Machine Wars molds from when I was a kid, Soundwave and Prowl, and they're both really solid molds. I'm definitely glad they're finally bringing it back! It's a great chance to expand on a half-existing mythos. Also, MW Screamer is kind of a badass. I can't wait to finally see him put Galvatron in his place!

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:32 pm
by FellintoOblivion
Repaints of those giant plastic bricks as a con exclusive is supposed to be exciting news? For once I'll be happy about not going.

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:34 pm
by Jelze Bunnycat
FellintoOblivion wrote:Repaints of those giant plastic bricks as a con exclusive is supposed to be exciting news? For once I'll be happy about not going.


#-o Words fail me...

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:43 pm
by RAcast
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
FellintoOblivion wrote:Repaints of those giant plastic bricks as a con exclusive is supposed to be exciting news? For once I'll be happy about not going.


#-o Words fail me...

Is there an aghast emote? There needs to be. :-|

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:48 pm
by GuyIncognito
FellintoOblivion wrote:Repaints of those giant plastic bricks as a con exclusive is supposed to be exciting news? For once I'll be happy about not going.


:BANG_HEAD:

I'm not sure where you got the idea that they're repainting the old MW molds, but that's not what's happening.

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 4:52 pm
by gothsaurus
Yeah, at the time... these were the first posable G1 characters we had ever gotten. Mirage and Hoist were mind blowingly posable compared to the G1. Megs looked amazing. Head sculpt was the best to date. The tuck away weapons are still some of the best designs we've ever gotten. Still.

While they certainly weren't perfect, for the time they definitely got me excited again. They marked a shift back to vehicles after years of beasts.

Best thing was, I found the entire line one day at KayBee. At checkout, they pulled out this staggeringly large sack and put the entire line in one bag. I felt like a nut walking out into the mall. Had a HUGE grin on my face.

I'm sure I'll never again be able to buy an entire line of toys in a day.

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 5:06 pm
by RAcast
gothsaurus wrote:Yeah, at the time... these were the first posable G1 characters we had ever gotten. Mirage and Hoist were mind blowingly posable compared to the G1. Megs looked amazing. Head sculpt was the best to date. The tuck away weapons are still some of the best designs we've ever gotten. Still.

While they certainly weren't perfect, for the time they definitely got me excited again. They marked a shift back to vehicles after years of beasts.

Best thing was, I found the entire line one day at KayBee. At checkout, they pulled out this staggeringly large sack and put the entire line in one bag. I felt like a nut walking out into the mall. Had a HUGE grin on my face.

I'm sure I'll never again be able to buy an entire line of toys in a day.

Most lines do last more than one wave, after all. But no longer must I say "Poor Machine Wars" for it is back!

Re: Machine Wars Revival

PostPosted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 4:40 am
by ausbot
I'd like to see the actual flipchanger machine wars hoist in G1 hoist colours!