The Energon Pub

[fenrir72]

3rd party figs help to fill the gaps not done by Tomy/Hasbro. But now that the latter have made them possible, why not support the OFFICIAL goods first?

Gives Tomy/Hasbro the "incentive" to make more official goods and not just Bayverse Bumble Bees? Sooooooooooo much yellow

[william-james88]

Yeah, if I were to go for any Brainstorm figure, I go for the one that actually looks like a character I can see in the fiction, rather than any of the ones with the made up designs that are only somewhat inspired by the actual character's look.

Agreed. Also, there is just something awesome in owning the version that is fully licensed and made by the company who created the character.

It's why I have the Takara version on preorder, and plan to buy the Hasbro one on sight!

I'll just stick with Hasbro's since Takara's has yet to appear in any fiction.

This is going to sound like a dumb question but how are they not the same character?

[Mindmaster]

Yeah, if I were to go for any Brainstorm figure, I go for the one that actually looks like a character I can see in the fiction, rather than any of the ones with the made up designs that are only somewhat inspired by the actual character's look.

Agreed. Also, there is just something awesome in owning the version that is fully licensed and made by the company who created the character.

It's why I have the Takara version on preorder, and plan to buy the Hasbro one on sight!

I'll just stick with Hasbro's since Takara's has yet to appear in any fiction.

This is going to sound like a dumb question but how are they not the same character?

The American version of Brainstorm depicted a tag team of Brainstorm himself and his Headmaster, Arcana, who was an organic Nebulan from Nebulos. The Japanese version depicts the Headmaster unit as Brainstorm himself (don't remember if the Japanese named the little guys like Hasbro did or not) from the planet Master, while the larger guy is a lifeless Transtector that the Headmaster connects to so as to interact with their non-Headmaster allies.

That's the answer you're looking for, right?

[Sabrblade]

Yeah, if I were to go for any Brainstorm figure, I go for the one that actually looks like a character I can see in the fiction, rather than any of the ones with the made up designs that are only somewhat inspired by the actual character's look.

Agreed. Also, there is just something awesome in owning the version that is fully licensed and made by the company who created the character.

It's why I have the Takara version on preorder, and plan to buy the Hasbro one on sight!

I'll just stick with Hasbro's since Takara's has yet to appear in any fiction.

This is going to sound like a dumb question but how are they not the same character?

It's not that. It's that I want to own toys of the characters I see in fiction as they are depicted in said fiction. The Generations Brainstorm toy is based on the design of the IDW iteration of the character and represents that character. But between the Hasbro and TakaraTomy versions of the toy, the Hasbro one is the one that is more closely colored to resemble the look of the IDW character, whereas TakaraTomy took their version and gave it different colors from the Hasbro version to make it look more like the G1 toy, decreasing its resemblance to the IDW character since that character does not have the color scheme of the TakaraTomy figure.

I'm a stickler for fiction-accuracy, and there has yet to be an iteration of the Brainstorm character that uses both the physical design and the color scheme of the TakaraTomy figure in any fiction.

[shajaki]

It's why I have the Takara version on preorder, and plan to buy the Hasbro one on sight!

getting the hasbro brainstorm will have to be a game time decision. but ill get the takara one for sure. fiction accurate or not, he just looks sharper to me.

[MINDVVIPE]

Poo on your FP Smartrobin, and even more poo on this lame, cut-corners Brainstorm. Toyworlds Brainstorm owns all. The detailing is so dynamic on every part of him, and his alt-mode, though not much like the G1 at all, looks like an xwing. Headsculpt is the best on Toyworlds too (although Hasbro's is definitely better here), and those shoulder wings easily beat hasbros or the completely missing FP versions'.

For those on the fence especially on the topic of the xwing alt mode, consider the fact that an ED 209 was featured in Brainstorms lab. If Brainstorm is smart enough to appreciate good sci-fi designs, its no surprise he went for an xwing alt mode.

But yeah, this Hasbro version has too many garbage areas like many sides of the alt mode, and the weirdly proportion robot mode. It's almost there in a lot of ways, but way to many areas hinder the look.

Best Generations Deluxe? Way too many to choose, but some top figs: Takara Jazz, PRIME Vehicon, Wheeljack, WFC Prime, WFC Megs, WFC Starscream, FOC takara Kickback, Scourge, Wreck-Gar, Straxus, Mirage, Cyclonus... These are figures that I personally cannot find any fault with.

[william-james88]

Best Generations Deluxe? Way too many to choose, but some top figs: Takara Jazz, PRIME Vehicon, Wheeljack, WFC Prime, WFC Megs, WFC Starscream, FOC takara Kickback, Scourge, Wreck-Gar, Straxus, Mirage, Cyclonus... These are figures that I personally cannot find any fault with.

Half of those arent generations figures.

[william-james88]

This is going to sound like a dumb question but how are they not the same character?

It's not that. It's that I want to own toys of the characters I see in fiction as they are depicted in said fiction. The Generations Brainstorm toy is based on the design of the IDW iteration of the character and represents that character. But between the Hasbro and TakaraTomy versions of the toy, the Hasbro one is the one that is more closely colored to resemble the look of the IDW character, whereas TakaraTomy took their version and gave it different colors from the Hasbro version to make it look more like the G1 toy, decreasing its resemblance to the IDW character since that character does not have the color scheme of the TakaraTomy figure.

I'm a stickler for fiction-accuracy, and there has yet to be an iteration of the Brainstorm character that uses both the physical design and the color scheme of the TakaraTomy figure in any fiction.

Ok, I get it, thanks. And its also great news for you, the cheaper one is the more comic accurate

And as to the more elaborate explanation, that was quite an interesting read, I didnt know the same transformers character could come with different fiction depending on the culture.

[Sabrblade]

And as to the more elaborate explanation, that was quite an interesting read, I didnt know the same transformers character could come with different fiction depending on the culture.

Goes all the way back to Shockwave being different between his cartoon and comic portrayals. In the cartoon, he was Megatron's Yes Man who didn't do anything but devote his existence to Megatron's will. In the comics, he was proactive and calculating, usurping Megatron based on pure logic and besting him at nearly every turn, being far more competent and dangerous than Megatron ever was and single-handedly being one of the greatest threats the Autobots ever faced.

Same with Blaster. In the cartoon, he was a like a fun-loving, jive-talking, radio DJ and party animal. In the comics, he was like a combination of Clint Eastwood, Batman, and Wolverine, with a chip on his shoulder and a brooding hatred of the Decepticons.

Likewise, the Headmasters of Japan were all-bot with no Nebulans, having the heads being the real dudes while the larger bodies were lifeless mechs controlled by the heads.

But... this is all kind of irrelevant anyway since I was originally talking about decos.

[megatronus]

Poo on your FP Smartrobin, and even more poo on this lame, cut-corners Brainstorm. Toyworlds Brainstorm owns all.

Mmm... I heavily dislike TW's take. He's the one who seems to cut corners for me... he had the lazy double cockpit befor Hasbro's Leader Jetfire made it a thing.

But that's just me. TW doesn't hold a candle to Hasbro in the Headmaster dept., as far as I'm concerned.

[william-james88]

Poo on your FP Smartrobin, and even more poo on this lame, cut-corners Brainstorm. Toyworlds Brainstorm owns all. The detailing is so dynamic on every part of him, and his alt-mode, though not much like the G1 at all, looks like an xwing. Headsculpt is the best on Toyworlds too (although Hasbro's is definitely better here), and those shoulder wings easily beat hasbros or the completely missing FP versions'.

Dude where are you coming from? I tried seeing it from your point of view but as a fan of the character, wouldnt you want something that looks like him?

Here is the G1 toy and his alt mode in the show





And you are saying that this is the best version of that?



Instead of this?



Come on, wake up. It seems like it's the same thing everytime when Hasbro finally releases a figure that was once only available as a third party. Nobody wants to feel jipped and thus right away its all about seeing how the third party might be better (just look at the comments when tey finally released an Arcee). But the way I see it, that TW Brainwave will go down the same path as Warbot Defendor. Not only is there a better version out there that is official, but it's now worthless on the secondary market. Nobody wants a Warbot Defendor anymore (especially not at any price remotely close to what it cost anyone originally) and there will be little need for a TW Brainwave soon.

Especially when the Hasbro one looks just like this come to life

[MINDVVIPE]

You're all welcome to your own opinions, just so you don't think I'm taking this too seriously (although I am happy to get a reaction ), but Yes, I still maintain TW's is the best. Here are my reasons, and subjective reasons I'm sure since beauty is in the etc.


Lets start with robot mode. Toyworld's might have a fake canopy chest, but just like Jetfire's, it has some gorgeous sculpting behind it that I prefer over human words showing STR, COR, INT with the bars, which just looks lame to me. After all, these are space ships, is having a glass covered area really that big a deal?
TWs also has the most interesting features, such as vents, those angled chest bolts, and the wings, which when pointing downwards look great, and can be posed with his leg thrusters for some awesome looking hovering/flying action. Hasbro's has some ugly wings, and though it does look much more like IDW than any of the three, has those gigantic forearms and super thin and elongated elbow joints. Couple that with the fact that the jet mode is essentially hanging off his back, and it feels even less exciting as a transformer. Fansproject's is def not an ugly robot by any means, but I find his styling quite generically bland as a robot, with little show of any wings at all. Also, I HATE that face. it is just the ugliest face for a brainstorm ever. Meanwhile, even those hasbro's has a better face, at least the TW version harks back to the style of G1 headmaster faces, especially in toy form.

Vehicle mode: Hasbro's has a clearly folded up area around the canopy section that doesn't seem to make any attempt to at least streamline itself to fit with the rest of the jet's lines and angles to make it look like it goes in that super fast forward direction. The wings again are even more ugly here with an attempt to look spacey, but really just comes off odd to me. TW might look like a weirder xwing, but in jet mode, it at least looks like a space craft with even the massive chunks behind the cockpit blending into being the housing for the engines. I can't talk any **** about the FP Jet mode coz it is rightfully beautiful. It is really how much I am disinterested in FP's bot mode that I cannot justify owning that version simply because of the alt mode - I need both robot and alt modes to look great (which is why I shall never own Windblade for her alt mode).

I'm not going to really touch QC coz that sort of varies between people, and if your a collector, you can fix things that don't come out of the box perfect. If your thinking I'm staying away from this subject because FPs QC is perfect, well maybe on smartrobin it is, but I've had many FP products that have had their share of QC to some degree.

Anyway, that's just my defense for TW Brainstorm since I believe it to be extremely underrated, and 100% better than Hasbro's if you can afford it. Again, Hasbro's comes close with many moulded pieces, but overall just seems like most Hasbro figures that kinda phone it in.

[bvzxa]

You're all welcome to your own opinions, just so you don't think I'm taking this too seriously (although I am happy to get a reaction ), but Yes, I still maintain TW's is the best. Here are my reasons, and subjective reasons I'm sure since beauty is in the etc.


Lets start with robot mode. Toyworld's might have a fake canopy chest, but just like Jetfire's, it has some gorgeous sculpting behind it that I prefer over human words showing STR, COR, INT with the bars, which just looks lame to me. After all, these are space ships, is having a glass covered area really that big a deal?
TWs also has the most interesting features, such as vents, those angled chest bolts, and the wings, which when pointing downwards look great, and can be posed with his leg thrusters for some awesome looking hovering/flying action. Hasbro's has some ugly wings, and though it does look much more like IDW than any of the three, has those gigantic forearms and super thin and elongated elbow joints. Couple that with the fact that the jet mode is essentially hanging off his back, and it feels even less exciting as a transformer. Fansproject's is def not an ugly robot by any means, but I find his styling quite generically bland as a robot, with little show of any wings at all. Also, I HATE that face. it is just the ugliest face for a brainstorm ever. Meanwhile, even those hasbro's has a better face, at least the TW version harks back to the style of G1 headmaster faces, especially in toy form.

Vehicle mode: Hasbro's has a clearly folded up area around the canopy section that doesn't seem to make any attempt to at least streamline itself to fit with the rest of the jet's lines and angles to make it look like it goes in that super fast forward direction. The wings again are even more ugly here with an attempt to look spacey, but really just comes off odd to me. TW might look like a weirder xwing, but in jet mode, it at least looks like a space craft with even the massive chunks behind the cockpit blending into being the housing for the engines. I can't talk any **** about the FP Jet mode coz it is rightfully beautiful. It is really how much I am disinterested in FP's bot mode that I cannot justify owning that version simply because of the alt mode - I need both robot and alt modes to look great (which is why I shall never own Windblade for her alt mode).

I'm not going to really touch QC coz that sort of varies between people, and if your a collector, you can fix things that don't come out of the box perfect. If your thinking I'm staying away from this subject because FPs QC is perfect, well maybe on smartrobin it is, but I've had many FP products that have had their share of QC to some degree.

Anyway, that's just my defense for TW Brainstorm since I believe it to be extremely underrated, and 100% better than Hasbro's if you can afford it. Again, Hasbro's comes close with many moulded pieces, but overall just seems like most Hasbro figures that kinda phone it in.

Total bias, which is fine.
Toy World's Brainstorm sucks. Even the headmaster gimmick sucks. Though Toyworld has gotten better over the years, the reason their Brainstorm is liked is because of the face mask. The plastic quality was questionable and when I got him I was not pleased.

FP version is smaller, does not have the wing gimmick or face mask. However it's based off the Japanese Headmaster continuity which I like. Also most people I know who own it are amazed at the transformation and quality...period. The headmaster though albeit small is detailed and has some articulation. It's smaller, but it overall is a better toy than Toy World's is hands down. Though this is opinion, even the Youtube reviewers have preferred it over ToyWorld's version.

After seeing all three in Peaugh's review side by side by side, ToyWorld's one looks like a joke. Hasbro captured the IDW look to a "T". Even the detailing is better than the duckface on the ToyWorld's version. Like I said it's opinion, but to most people Hasbro's sans the QC issues that maybe coming is the best modern G1 representation. Buuuut...even Peaugh admits FP's is still up there. I can't wait for my Hasbro version either.

[Cyberpath]

Lots of new in-hand photos and a review by Atto Kempler:

https://www.facebook.com/attobot.prime/ ... 1711434025

[Slashercon]

I hope this is a part of the thread, but correct me if I'm wrong. For those of you who own a Generations Rattrap, do your figures have stressing at the hands whenever You try to plug his guns in them. I honestly believe that at least on my figure, that Rattrap's hands are slightly molded in way that he can't hold an average TF gun or weapon, since his gun fits plenty other figures just fine.

Animated Arcee reportedly had similar problems but because I insert her swords carefully from the top, they don't show any signs of breakage in the near future. However I am far more worried and scared of my Rattrap breaking. (especially when I payed $16 on this figure. Feel sorry for those outside the US.)

I Really would like to know what you guys and gals are thinking.

[shajaki]

i like hastaks brainstorm and will buy at least one of them. i also really like TW's brainstorm, which i dont even own yet. so its not about me trying to "save face" on the expensive-but-now-redundant 3P figure, that i still plan to buy. fact is i love the aesthetics, and TW's entire headmaster line so far. so why wouldnt i get him?

and for what its worth, FP's is amazing. but for my tastes, he needs a faceplate, to be bigger, and (call me crazy) more kibble.

[william-james88]

The pics showing that the wings can fold back make this figure even better as it brings the point of robot mode kibble all that more moot. I havent read him in the comics, I never owned the G1 toy and I have yet to see him appear as I watch the G1 cartoons for the first time (I have some catching up to do), but this was my most expected figure from the initial batch of pics released from Hasbro, simply because of the design. I am glad to know it is as great as I was hoping and I cannot wait to pick it up.

And shajaki, if Warbot Defendor is an example that can be relied upon, wait till early 2015 before you buy TW Brainwave. I highly suspect there will be quite a few on the market, lowering the price.

[bvzxa]

Its funny how everyone is talking about size and a faceplate. We have tow different renditions of a character. One with a faceplate in Rebirth....and one wothout a faceplate in Japanese Headmasters. IDW is based om its own. FP and G1 Brainstorm are pretty much the same size. I like the IDW but him being a voyager doesnt sit well with me. But i do realize he is quite large in the IDW continuity.

[gothsaurus]

Part of the charm and playability of the original G1 was having a full series of figures all the same size and proportions... so you could swap heads.

Just getting one Voyager sized one is amazing... but I hope to goodness we get some follow up on it. I want to see three (or four) more Autobots to swap heads with. Gimmie those and then we can talk about Decepticons.

[shajaki]

And shajaki, if Warbot Defendor is an example that can be relied upon, wait till early 2015 before you buy TW Brainwave. I highly suspect there will be quite a few on the market, lowering the price.

oh totally. ive been waiting on a sale forever, mainly because i paid half price for hardbone. he's still in stock everywhere, so once hastaks brainstorms are on the shelves ill be waiting for a slash in TW's price.

swamper however im willing to pay full price. he's amazing.

[Zeedust]

Just getting one Voyager sized one is amazing... but I hope to goodness we get some follow up on it. I want to see three (or four) more Autobots to swap heads with. Gimmie those and then we can talk about Decepticons.

Screw that. Hasbro already makes more Autobots than Decepticons, sometimes excessively so, do you really want to make that ratio worse?

[chuckdawg1999]

I got my Brainstorm and the head is a real pain to get off. Following the Peaugh technique I'm still afraid something is going to break. You do realize this is because they just HAD to put articulation into the head. It looks cool but I'm disappointed that I can't fiddle with it.

[bvzxa]

I got my Brainstorm and the head is a real pain to get off. Following the Peaugh technique I'm still afraid something is going to break. You do realize this is because they just HAD to put articulation into the head. It looks cool but I'm disappointed that I can't fiddle with it.

That's scary.
It's funny how Perfect Effect's Warden has a small range of up and down movement in the head. The headmaster is the biggest and most articulated of any 3rd Party or Official headmaster period.

They achieved a better range of motion with the least breakage.

Hasbro using the actual head of the headmaster to provide a similar range of motion is not going to work well. Even in Peaugh's video the head has to go in a certain way. People are going to be shaking the box to hope that the head will wiggle. If it is not wiggling then there is a chance that the head was pushed in too far which will give you the same situation that Balmatrix had. Well my FP Smart Robin is looking like a clear winner to me.

[Nemesis Destron]

Recently I found both Nightbeat and Jhiaxus and I bought them both on a whim. I had them both for about a week unopened as I kept pondering to myself. Is it safe to say that they will both be a Takara release? Nothing grinds my gears more than getting the Hasbro release only to find out how much better the Takara version actually is. So I chose to return them both for the simple possibility.

Do we know if this will be or no word yet? My thanks to anyone that may know.

[-Kanrabat-]

Recently I found both Nightbeat and Jhiaxus and I bought them both on a whim. I had them both for about a week unopened as I kept pondering to myself. Is it safe to say that they will both be a Takara release? Nothing grinds my gears more than getting the Hasbro release only to find out how much better the Takara version actually is. So I chose to return them both for the simple possibility.

Do we know if this will be or no word yet? My thanks to anyone that may know.

Takara Windblade have been announced for ages and is just around the corner. Jiaxus is a given as well.

But heh, if you want to pay 40-50$ each figures instead of 15-20$, go nut.