The Energon Pub

News Credits: 144 · by **xRotorstormx** » Fri Mar 22, 2024 7:17 am

I find it so interesting that finger skates are coming back. I've been seeing so much Tech Deck product at Target its crazy..I also had no idea that Hot Wheels was starting to do them. It's quite nostalgic but man, do I feel old :lol:

MyFigureCollection.net collection · by **Emerje** » Fri May 03, 2024 9:41 am

Following initial word of an assortment of Hot Wheels cars in decidedly non-Transformers based vehicle options we have our first look at two somewhat more accurate takes on two recognizable characters.

First up we've got a listing for Hot Wheels Track Fleet Optimus Prime straight from Big Bad Toy Store. This isn't just a random semi truck painted up like OP but a new model complete with the instantly recognizable removable trailer design. This is a 1/64 diecast vehicle and at least BBTS has it priced at $10 and shipping in July. This is a new line launching in 2024 so it's hard to tell just how well it'll be distrubted.

Then we've got Bumblebee who may or may not be the same one from the initial listing above. It's a classic yellow BW Beetle, not the scrunched up one we know and love from G1. The photos are posted by rj_nighthawk on Reddit who says he received it from a local Facebook pre-order listing not expecting it to not only be a leaked copy but also unriveted. As the photos show the car shell may very well be a generic body that is used regularly by Hot Wheels, but the underside features Bumblebee's face and Hasbro copyrights.

It'll be interesting to see exactly how this Bumblebee will be released and if we'll see more figures alongside him. And who knows, maybe there's a Track Fleet Motormaster on the horizon as well? Let us know what other characters you'd like to see or if this line is a total pass for you in the Energon Pub forums!

by **Dino-Snarl** » Fri May 03, 2024 10:52 am

Cute!

by **Stormshot_Prime** » Fri May 03, 2024 12:36 pm

Reminds me of the spy changers from the early 2000s, it was always exciting to upstage my friends at the hot wheels roller coaster set with a Transformer compatible with those sets. I still have a translucent green Mirage on my desk from that time.

News Credits: 3 · by **DISCHARGE** » Fri May 03, 2024 2:09 pm

Stormshot_Prime wrote:Reminds me of the spy changers from the early 2000s, it was always exciting to upstage my friends at the hot wheels roller coaster set with a Transformer compatible with those sets. I still have a translucent green Mirage on my desk from that time.

I love me some Spy Changers, but these are more reminiscent of Speed Stars to me.

I have seen reported elsewhere these may have different color tires to increase collectability. At least Bumblebee

Like steve2275 on Facebook · by **steve2275** » Fri May 03, 2024 8:32 pm

I would've waited an eternity for this

by **Till-all-R1** » Sat May 04, 2024 12:08 pm

I like em! I was actually wanting 1/64 scale alt mode versus having their images splashed all over like for Marvel and Star Wars!

The only trouble is in tracking them down because I've yet to ever find Robocop's Cruiser in store.

News Credits: 331 · by **chuckdawg1999** » Sat May 04, 2024 2:06 pm

I have Prime POd and it looks good. These might be hard to find unfortunately, above and beyond the normal Hot Wheel craziness. I've heard that Bumblebee is part of something called a K assortment which is a rarer, harder to find grouping.

MyFigureCollection.net collection · by **Emerje** » Sat May 04, 2024 3:46 pm

chuckdawg1999 wrote:I have Prime POd and it looks good. These might be hard to find unfortunately, above and beyond the normal Hot Wheel craziness. I've heard that Bumblebee is part of something called a K assortment which is a rarer, harder to find grouping.

I wonder if that's just speculation, seems like a really dumb way to use a new license when they have an entire Pop Culture line that includes the BTTFIII Delorean and the Thundercats Thundertank this year. I think they're going to get a lot of milage out of these (no pun intended) since they can mostly use existing car models. Checking the (unofficial) Hot Wheels Newsletter they haven't posted any K assortment cars yet and they appear to be the authority.

Emerje

News Credits: 4835 · by **william-james88** » Tue May 14, 2024 5:21 pm

Mattel creations is doing something unheard of, they are releasing a licensed Transformers toy that actually transforms. Hasbro had put a stop to that a long time ago, which is why McDonalds Happy Meal toys haven't transformed for over 15 years. But they are letting Mattel release their version of G1 Optimus Prime as a 1/64 scale fully die-cast transforming toy within their Hotwheels line. This special figure will cost fans $80 though. Below are images and the product description.

Two of the biggest fandoms have come together for the first time with the Hot Wheels Transformers Optimus Prime. Modeled after his first appearance in Generation 1, this die-cast version of the Autobot leader can convert from a heavy-duty truck cab into a towering robot, ready to battle the Decepticons. We even designed the packaging so you could display it in either vehicle or robot mode.

Hot Wheels® Transformers™ Optimus Prime
Features: Attachable hands and ion blaster
Body Color: Spectraflame red and blue
Body Type: ZAMAC
Wheels: Custom Real Riders wheels
Base: Die-cast chassis
Window Color: Light smoke-tinted 
Scale: 1:64

News Credits: 331 · by **chuckdawg1999** » Tue May 14, 2024 5:27 pm

They couldn't do the hands Missing Link style?

MyFigureCollection.net collection · by **Emerje** » Tue May 14, 2024 8:52 pm

Welp, didn't need that $80 anyway... >:oP

That's so much for something so tiny that doesn't even come with a trailer, but I image Mattel paid A LOT for the privilege. Appears to be all diecast aside from the windows and wheels. Between this and Flame Toys it's really interesting to see Hasbro loosen things up. I wonder if we could see a KO company go straight some day?

Meanwhile Takara Tomy has the Gundam license from Bandai and can't make Mobile Suits.

Emerje

News Credits: 4835 · by **william-james88** » Wed May 15, 2024 7:55 am

chuckdawg1999 wrote:They couldn't do the hands Missing Link style?

I think that would go against what they wanted to do. They really wanted to give us a faithful G1 toy prime but scaled for a Hotwheels collections.

News Credits: 1 · by **Gauntlet101010** » Wed May 15, 2024 8:16 am

Ok, this is more in line with the collabs announcement I was hoping for when Mattel and Hasbro announced they were partnering up.

More in line, but also ... too much? If I had to choose between this, missing link, and the recently announced deluxe G1 Prime I think I'd go missing link, truth be told.

This is a really unique collab. I think I'll still pass. Ultimately it's more for the Hotwheels guys. Hopefully they make a collab figure for the TF fans. Like anything more in line with the collab line itself.

by **Syclone** » Wed May 15, 2024 8:47 am

Man.... I think this thing is absolutely incredible and, holy crap, do I want it. I love Transformers, I love Hot Wheels. But...WOW that is an eye watering price. Top Tier RLC Hot Wheels 1:64 cars go for $35-$40. I don't even collect those but I could be down for this guy at even $50 but I just don't know if I can do $80.

On the plus side, it does look like you can open it and everything without destroying any packaging since it comes with 2 forms of packaging to display how you like. That's a really neat feature.

I'm gonna have to think about this one but if Mattel Creations launches of the past are any indication, this thing is gonna be gone in the blink of an eye anyway so I might not even get the change to spend way too much money on this.

by **Till-all-R1** » Wed May 15, 2024 10:21 am

it's neat, but not $80 neat. At $25ish I'd have been all over it.

News Credits: 11 · by **Overcracker** » Wed May 15, 2024 6:23 pm

Damn… that looks awesome. $80 bucks is a tad steep for that, but damn…
Must … resist… buying it… don’t …. collect …. Hot Wheels… don’t…. need…. It….

News Credits: 1642 · by **D-Maximal_Primal** » Wed May 15, 2024 7:37 pm

$80 for a hot wheels scale transforming Optimus feels really steep. Cool, but too steep for me

News Credits: 331 · by **chuckdawg1999** » Thu May 16, 2024 2:10 am

Here's the thing, even if you find the price steep or not worth it, buy it. Prime is going to have exclusive wheels that will not be used on any other car, that's the kind of thing that makes Hot Wheel collectors soil themselves. You'll be able to flip it easily.

by **Syclone** » Tue May 21, 2024 10:20 am

T-minus 40 minutes fellas! What's the game plan?

Funny enough, I have a 15 minute meeting scheduled for right at noon. I figure if it's still available by the time it's over with, it's meant to be. If there was a mad dash and it's gone, such is life.

Based on what I'm reading here and in some Hot Wheels forums, people seem to really like this one but it's also way over priced and most people aren't seeing the value...

MyFigureCollection.net collection · by **Emerje** » Tue May 21, 2024 11:06 am

In and out in 2 minutes, not bad, but that was quicker than the wait I have when ordering exclusive MotU Origins and Masterverse figures on there so we'll see if that means a lack of interest or not.

Emerje

News Credits: 331 · by **chuckdawg1999** » Tue May 21, 2024 11:25 am

I got mine. Now to see what it'll go for on eBay. Not that I'll flip it, just curious.

by **Syclone** » Tue May 21, 2024 11:40 am

Well dang. Meeting ran long and now it's gone. Such is life.

Honestly, as cool as it is, and for what the resale value probably will be, I probably shouldn't be tossing around $80 anyway. I'm utterly terrible about reselling. I've had an MP-05 Megatron and MP-03 Starscream boxed up, with pics taken, ready to be listed for 2 years now :lol:

News Credits: 4835 · by **william-james88** » Tue May 21, 2024 12:06 pm

It seems one should never bet against Optimus Prime. While the Transformers community had a good laugh at the $80 1/64 scale Hotwheels collector toy, it seems there were more than enough people out there willing to spend that amount on that small fully die cast Optimus Prime. The transforming G1 styled Hotwheels Optimus Prime sold out in 27 minutes on the Mattel Creations site.
This is encouraging for Mattel as it means their effort and investment in the license was far from in vain. It reveals that there is a market out there for collector items like this and thus they may make more. If they do make more, then this Optimus Prime may rise in value as being the first in an ongoing collection. Of course time will tell if that is the case, but we wanted to let you know of this development in a collaboration that none of us imagined would happen.