The Energon Pub

MyFigureCollection.net collection · Sat Apr 06, 2024 1:13 am

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

News Credits: 1 · Sat Apr 06, 2024 1:44 am

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.

Sat Apr 06, 2024 11:07 am

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.

MyFigureCollection.net collection · Sat Apr 06, 2024 11:36 am

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

News Credits: 462 · Sat Apr 06, 2024 11:53 am

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

News Credits: 1646 · Tue Apr 09, 2024 8:32 am

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

News Credits: 4877 · Tue Dec 17, 2024 11:44 am

Hasbro will be introducing their Transformers Swapticon line soon. We only had a list of the two packs before but now we have actual listings from Walmart along with more info from JTPrime17, confirming the price and gimmick.

The Walmart listings show that these two packs are only $7.97 each. These will be very small and simple fidget style figures which combine into one alt mode. The small figures can be swapped among eachother to create a variety of vehicle combos. Below is the full list of upcoming figures which features some deep cuts like G1 Clench along with Beast Wars Ravage and Shadow Panther.

Here is an official product description for the Shadow Panther/BW Ravage set:

Transformers Toys Swapticons Ravage and Shadow Panther Action Figures, 5+

• INTRODUCING SWAPTICONS: Transformers Swapticons toys are fidgety fun mini action figures that twist to combine together into unique alt modes!
• TWIST INTO BEAST MODE: Press the figures' heads together and twist to combine them into panther beast mode! Untwist to separate them
• COMBINE WITH OTHER SWAPTICONS TOYS: The fidget toy fun doesn't stop there! Ravage and Shadow Panther action figures can be combined with any Swapticons figure (sold separately, subject to availability)
• IMAGINATION POSSIBILITIES: With additional Swapticons sets, kids can combine 2 favorite bots and imagine a super-powered alt mode, or create wacky match-ups between Autobots and Decepticons
• GIFTS FOR KIDS 5 AND UP: Transformers toys like Swapticons figures make a great gift for boys and girls who love fidget toys, robot toys, and toy cars

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

News Credits: 1 · Tue Dec 17, 2024 12:59 pm

I'm down for Hot Rod since I collect official G1 styled Hot Rods. Although this gimmick doesn't sound too exciting to me. Good for the kids, I guess.

News Credits: 1 · Tue Dec 17, 2024 1:05 pm

So after a tepid attempt with combining weapon 2-packs in Siege, 6 years later we get a full blown Micromaster Combiners line, apparently without individual alts.

Not sure how small they'll actually be, or how well this will go over with kids, but that sub-line was fun enough back in 1990 that this does my spark good.

News Credits: 4877 · Tue Dec 17, 2024 1:10 pm

Bumblevivisector wrote:So after a tepid attempt with combining weapon 2-packs in Siege, 6 years later we get a full blown Micromaster Combiners line, apparently without individual alts.

Not sure how small they'll actually be, or how well this will go over with kids, but that sub-line was fun enough back in 1990 that this does my spark good.

Not sure micromaster combiners is the right comparison. This sounds more like TF themed dollar store fidget toys from their description.

MyFigureCollection.net collection · Tue Dec 17, 2024 9:44 pm

william-james88 wrote:
Bumblevivisector wrote:So after a tepid attempt with combining weapon 2-packs in Siege, 6 years later we get a full blown Micromaster Combiners line, apparently without individual alts.

Not sure how small they'll actually be, or how well this will go over with kids, but that sub-line was fun enough back in 1990 that this does my spark good.

Not sure micromaster combiners is the right comparison. This sounds more like TF themed dollar store fidget toys from their description.

Fully expecting something more in the quality of Tiny Turbo Changers, maybe even less articulated.

Emerje

News Credits: 4877 · Tue Dec 17, 2024 10:47 pm

Emerje wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Bumblevivisector wrote:So after a tepid attempt with combining weapon 2-packs in Siege, 6 years later we get a full blown Micromaster Combiners line, apparently without individual alts.

Not sure how small they'll actually be, or how well this will go over with kids, but that sub-line was fun enough back in 1990 that this does my spark good.

Not sure micromaster combiners is the right comparison. This sounds more like TF themed dollar store fidget toys from their description.

Fully expecting something more in the quality of Tiny Turbo Changers, maybe even less articulated.

Emerje

I expect no articulation aside from the head you have to twist.

News Credits: 22 · Wed Dec 18, 2024 1:45 pm

Intriguing concept, I look forward to them on the pegs. Once all the TFOne dead weight gets clearanced out.

News Credits: 1 · Thu Dec 19, 2024 8:12 am

Fidget toys? Like those spinners that had their 15 minutes come and go several YEARS ago? Wow, Hasbro really has their fingers on the pulse of a dead trend. This is so much better than putting anything out that someone might get excited for.

MyFigureCollection.net collection · Thu Dec 19, 2024 9:46 am

Brokebot wrote:Fidget toys? Like those spinners that had their 15 minutes come and go several YEARS ago? Wow, Hasbro really has their fingers on the pulse of a dead trend. This is so much better than putting anything out that someone might get excited for.

Fidget toys still exist, they aren't all spinners. Squishy toys, bubble poppers, clickers, those old stretchy stress toys, it's a pretty wide range. Walk into a Five Below sometime, they've got dozens of them. Heck, Rubik's Cube, Slinky, yo-yos, Stretch Armstrong and silly putty are now consider fidget toys. It's a category that should be easy enough for Transformers to slip into, a lot of us already fidget with them.

Emerje

News Credits: 4877 · Sat Jan 18, 2025 8:13 am

We now have images of the Transformers Swapticons. Unlike what was first assumed, these aren't really Transformers figures but more fidget style toys that use the Transformers brand. These are cubes with pop out heads and have details of a robot mode on the front and alt mode details on the back. Sticking two together creates a full alt mode and halves can be swapped. Meaning you can have an Optimus truck with a cheetah butt. Or a tank with a cheetah head. These will retail for $8 USD. Below you will see images of the first mix along with the initial listings we got for the line.

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[/quote]

News Credits: 462 · Sat Jan 18, 2025 9:37 am

It's an entire line of headbutting buttheads.

News Credits: 3 · Sat Jan 18, 2025 10:00 am

Those faces are an... interesting art decision. But these are an interesting idea.

News Credits: 101 · Sat Jan 18, 2025 10:46 am

I never saw such a more stupid, ugly, derpy, gimmicky Transformers line.

So this means...

Sat Jan 18, 2025 12:51 pm

This is a line that people can both think it got next to zero play value AND can get really creative at the same time.

The faces are hilarious. It's the next most interesting fidget line after Botbots I think.