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As usual Jtprime17 has found us some new listings for figures with no context to explain them, in this case it's "Swapticon". The prevailing theory is that they're some sort of modular figures that can swap parts among each other, perhaps a spiritual successor to the long defunct Hero Mashers line from 2014. Another theory is that these are similar to the Beast Combiners figures from the Rise of the Beasts movie line since all appear to be two packs. But what's getting the most attention isn't the mystery concept but the lineup and includes Clench packed with Nemesis Prime.

With nothing else to really say about this line here's the listings that have been uncovered.

TRA SWAPTICONS OP ULTRA MAGNUS
Product Number: G1055

TRA SWAPTICONS MEG SHOCKWAVE
Product Number: G1056

TRA SWAPTICONS BB HOT ROD
Product Number: G1057

TRA SWAPTICONS GRIMLOCK SNARL
Product Number: G1058

TRA SWAPTICONS CHEETOR TIGATRON
Product Number: G1059

TRA SWAPTICONS STARSCREAM THUNDERCRACKER
Product Number: G1060

TRA SWAPTICONS NEMESIS PRIME CLENCH
Product Number: G1235

TRA SWAPTICONS SHADOW PANTHER RAVAGE
Product Number: G1236

TRA SWAPTICONS WILD JUNGLE MISSION 5PK
Product Number: G1341

The optimist in me wants to believe it's a return to the Energon/Superlink dual-combining gimmick, but the realist in me fears that any attempt at that would suck even worse than the Cyberverse dual-combining Dinobot 2-packs.

Then again, the fact that all the pairs have similar alts is perplexing...maybe each box will come with a transforming frame that you can swap any parts for either character on and off of? That sort of skeleton system's been tried for various mecha toys, hasn't it? Intriguing possibilities for customizers, but I'm guessing a few would end up being terminal shelfwarmers.

Bumblevivisector wrote:The optimist in me wants to believe it's a return to the Energon/Superlink dual-combining gimmick, but the realist in me fears that any attempt at that would suck even worse than the Cyberverse dual-combining Dinobot 2-packs.

Have you tried the Earthspark Cyber Combiners? Those are a mostly accurate return to the Powerlinx system. They're even good too. Each base figure is pretty good and the combined modes have articulation. Each pair is $25 but one from each pair doesn't transform into anything even though they have hints to alt modes. They're also not small as each figure is larger than a warrior or deluxe figure. If this is what Hasbro was able to do for two figures at $25 then I would imagine they'd be able to do much better with a full deluxe like this at that same $25. They'd be even better at $35 each.

What's throwing me off about these Swapticon listings is the 5 pack. All the standard listings are two packs which make sense for something like the Cyber Combiners, the Beast Combiners or anything else similar. But the five pack is what makes me think something similar to the Hero Mashers. I mean, if they pair off then why a pack with an odd amount of figures?

Edit:

Thought about it a little more after posting and it dawned on me that we got something before that were two packs and also five packs.

Power Core Combiners.

They had the two packs of a base figure with a Minicon and then the five packs of the base figure with four drones to combine with.

So one of the names from each two pack is the main figure while the other is a Minicon of some sort? Then the five pack has four drones to combine with instead of coming with the Minicon.

But that would be a tad odd as the second name in each set wouldn't make sense as a Minicon. Except for Ravage that is and maybe Shockwave.

Regardless, I just hope these are fun and if they are, they don't shelfwarm.

If they are doing combiner two packs ala RID 2015 and Cyberverse, then logically that would mean the five pack is a combiner like we saw in RID with Menasor and the like. "Wild Jungle" almost sounds like a take on Magnaboss: a lion, an eagle, an elephant (as the torso) and maybe a tiger and a snake or something.

Emerje

The five-pack could be something more akin to a traditional combiner.

No idea what this could mean, but the thought of getting a new Clench is cool