The Energon Pub

With all the excitement with the announcement of Sky Linx i got to thinking about other reissue toys which i was excited about when they were announced, yet disappointed with when they arrived. It all started when they reissued Stepper. Now dont get me wrong, i am not disappointed with Stepper, more so Jazz. When i first received my Reish Jazz i looked passed the silly face, the floppyness and lack of tabs to hold up the rear windows because i was just amazed that i had a brand new G1 TF. Yet, when the reissue Stepper jumped into my hands it showed me what Jazz should have been like with tight joints, tabs and the original face. Why didnt Jazz come like this?? He has since been delegated way to the bottom of my list even beating out Astrotrain. (im sorry but those white and black colours are NOT Astrotrain.)
Anyone else disappointed with a Reissue??

Im a bit disapointed with the decission to reissue Skylynx.

From what I've seen, he's hardly a brilliant transformer, his top half's ok, but the bottem half? WTF?

And it isnt as if he has legions of fans, most of the reissues have been of very popular charecters, or repaints/minor remolds of molds of very popular charecters. Skylynx? Has anybody EVER seen anybody claim to be a big skylynx fan?

I can kinda understand though, cuase he's a big tf that the Japanese never got, but yeah, still rather disapointed that he is this year's chosen reissue.

Slightly more on topic, Im disapointed with the lack of chroming on most of the Hasbro reissue, I can understand the missile modifications (though I'd have prefere that they ALL just had the spring removed instead of the stupid lengthing of missiles (and the gun in Jazz's case), but the chrome issue was nothing but cheap assed lazyness on Hasbro's part.

I was rather disappointed with the production of the nosecone for Reissue Skywarp.

I much prefer Astrotrain's reissue colours, though.

I picked up the Encore 4 pack of reissues from BBTS. Soundwave, Starscream, Megs, Prime.

I currently have them up for sale/trade in the carbombya forum. While they were cool ages ago during my childhood ... there is no comparison between the G1 figures, and your avg. Alternator. Classics figs even kick major butt over G1.

Now for the hard core collector, I can understand why they may like G1 stuff over anything else. Not me ... I think they kinda suck! Arrgh, spoiled by new technology.

Taking out the hand launchers on some of the later Hasbro reissues. At least with ones that came with working launchers and oversized missiles you have the option of getting on ebay and tracking down a few vintage parts. even with the likes of Tracks and Prowl where the launchers are disabled you can find a new launcher, but with Inferno you need a junker with working launchers in the arms to swap parts from. Doubly annoying in that so far as I'm aware they'd probably pass UK safety anyway, not 100% on that but the US regs just seem way over the top.

[quote="Leonardo"]I was rather disappointed with the production of the nosecone for Reissue Skywarp.quote]

Seconded that reissue was a POC. No only was the nosecone mishapen the pegs on the wings were too long and ill fitting. I've never had to take a file to a brand new toy for 15 minutes just so its semi presentable. I can't believe Hasbro let that figure get to the shelves to be quite honest.

Yours AK

off-topic -

Redimus wrote:Skylynx? Has anybody EVER seen anybody claim to be a big skylynx fan?

I'll raise my hand on that one. So yeah, you know what? I love Skylynx. He helped bring back Optimus. +10 awesome points for Sky Lynx.

On-topic - no clue. sorry but I may get the Seacons if they're reasonably priced

It Is Him wrote:off-topic -

Redimus wrote:Skylynx? Has anybody EVER seen anybody claim to be a big skylynx fan?

I'll raise my hand on that one. So yeah, you know what? I love Skylynx. He helped bring back Optimus. +10 awesome points for Sky Lynx.

On-topic - no clue. sorry but I may get the Seacons if they're reasonably priced

There is always one, and usally it is him...

Skids.

I understand the Japanese collector's desire to get a figure never released over there.

but damn...

Skids?

I too was disappointed in the Hasbro choices for modifications on their reissues.. I wanted the toys the way they orginally came from Japan back when I was 9 years old.. so for me, that is why I bought the Japanese reissues.. Screw Hasbro!!!! Takara has done a finer job of bringing us stuff, and if anyone wants to challenge me on that, then I give you these:

Hasbro: Classics...

Takara: Masterpiece..

Nuff said folks!!

Aren't the Classics and Masterpiece lines aimed at different markets, though. I mean, the Masterpiece line isn't very playable whereas the Classics serve as a midway point between child's toy and collector's nostalgia piece.

Leonardo wrote:Aren't the Classics and Masterpiece lines aimed at different markets, though. I mean, the Masterpiece line isn't very playable whereas the Classics serve as a midway point between child's toy and collector's nostalgia piece.

Bingo!

Im not a massive fan of Classics but I can certainly see the very obvious differences in appeal between Classics and Masterpeice, Classics cleverly appeal to both kids and collectors being homages/update to classic G1 characters whilst at the same time being both cheap and robust. Masterpiece figures on the other hand are purely for the collectors, they are big, intricate and detailed but way too expensive and fragile for kids.

In many ways Hasbro have the better product, they just aren't quite as fantastic as Masterpiece.

Yours AK

Leonardo wrote:Aren't the Classics and Masterpiece lines aimed at different markets, though. I mean, the Masterpiece line isn't very playable whereas the Classics serve as a midway point between child's toy and collector's nostalgia piece.

that doesn't matter...classics being more playable and targeted at collectors.. if your a colector and over a certain age and still play with your toys... .........Never Mind.........

Masterpiece is a "reborn" version of the G-1 toys, and a considerably better design.. they are what Takara Brought us.. and just look way better..

but to sum up what I stated.. Takara brought us most of the Transformers..designs and all..

Hasbro has Animated and Classics, with repaints in between.. Hasbro as an Import company is great, but as a toy company.. they are lacking in the transformers design aspect..2 toy lines under your belt doesn't make you better then Takara, because Tkara has been at the Transformable robot sdesigns from the get go.. Hasbro is just starting to catch up...

Whereas Takara has consistently produced good toys over the years, and all from their designers..as a Toy company Takara Rocks..

But to those who say without Hasbro we wouldn't have transformers.. this isn't about that, its about toy design and production.. Takara brought us Masterpiece.. Hasbro is just importing them, and with the changes and cheapness of the 20th anniversary and the DVD version.. you kinda have to go...hmmmm... Hasbro as an importer, still kinda sucks!!!

Not to mention that the classics are a LOT more fun to play with.

Nope this is a deffinute example of skywarp-2 talking out of his afterburners...

Although for a change he is correct about one thing, the Takara reissues are streets ahead of the hasbro ones. Hasbro just cant help themselves, even when they have the option to reissue a near exact reissue, even when all the requred molds are there, they still *have* to 'upgrade' it... (*Soundwaveblaster anybody?*)

Out of all the toy lines since 1984, which ones have been designed by Takara and which by Hasbro? I think I read somewhere that since about 1986 Hasbro has bascially taken vehicles and asked Takara to turn them into robots, but I'm aware that may be incorrect (and I doubt that would be the case for all lines).

O, I know Takara obviously designed the Microman and Diaclone ranges.

Redimus wrote:Not to mention that the classics are a LOT more fun to play with.

Nope this is a deffinute example of skywarp-2 talking out of his afterburners...

Although for a change he is correct about one thing, the Takara reissues are streets ahead of the hasbro ones. Hasbro just cant help themselves, even when they have the option to reissue a near exact reissue, even when all the requred molds are there, they still *have* to 'upgrade' it... (*Soundwaveblaster anybody?*)

I'm not saying classics suck, just that Masterpiece, to me is alot better, as a collector who doesn't play with his transformers.. though secretly I would like to...

but my after-burners are a little red.....

Leonardo wrote:Out of all the toy lines since 1984, which ones have been designed by Takara and which by Hasbro? I think I read somewhere that since about 1986 Hasbro has bascially taken vehicles and asked Takara to turn them into robots, but I'm aware that may be incorrect (and I doubt that would be the case for all lines).

O, I know Takara obviously designed the Microman and Diaclone ranges.

Yeah, that is a question I'd also like to know.. what percentage of toys have come from hasbro and what from Takara? Hasbro has their "toy regulations" while I agree with some of them, the whole non chrome or red missile thing sucks.. for the reissues, because in the cartoon and in the 1980s they were chrome!! and if it's so the chrome doesn't chip... ahem... the only reason I'd buy the reissues is for display or to keep MISB!! why the hell would I be playing with them to cause chipping of chrome???

Leonardo wrote:Out of all the toy lines since 1984, which ones have been designed by Takara and which by Hasbro? I think I read somewhere that since about 1986 Hasbro has bascially taken vehicles and asked Takara to turn them into robots, but I'm aware that may be incorrect (and I doubt that would be the case for all lines).

O, I know Takara obviously designed the Microman and Diaclone ranges.

Apart from the origanal wave of G1 (Takara and others), Beast Wars (hasbro, at least to be begin with), and a few sublines (Hasbro: classics, titainiums; Takara: Robot Masters, most of the MPs) I think the development has been (at least offcially) 50/50. it's possible that Hasbro did most ofthe movie toys too.

Oh and the POS's that are SWTF, they're all Hasbro.

Well, I do have to give it to Hasbro, there were a few Gems in the Movie line up... not many, design wise, but there were a few like Leader Optimus Prime..

Still that doesn't make up for the years of Productions and designs like the Unicron Trilogy, RID, Beast Wars, and G-1...

I don't think Hasbro sucks, but they fall short on Importing things that should not be changed like the reissues..Vector Prime..and the Black and Red Optimus Prime from Galaxy force/Cybertron..

I liked the Cybertron and Beast Wars lines.

skywarp-2 wrote:Hasbro: Classics...

Takara: Masterpiece..

Total non-sequitur comparison. Classics (with the exception of the voyagers) are toys that come in at the $10 pricepoint. That's about 1/6 to 1/8 of a Masterpiece. They're both brilliant for different reasons.

DorkimusPrime wrote:

skywarp-2 wrote:Hasbro: Classics...

Takara: Masterpiece..

Total non-sequitur comparison. Classics (with the exception of the voyagers) are toys that come in at the $10 pricepoint. That's about 1/6 to 1/8 of a Masterpiece. They're both brilliant for different reasons.

You could easily complete the classics (minicons, legends and all) for conciderably less than the combined RRP of the 6 MPs. And in doing so you'de have a much more interesting collection that comprised of more than 3 molds.

Redimus wrote:

DorkimusPrime wrote:

skywarp-2 wrote:Hasbro: Classics...

Takara: Masterpiece..

Total non-sequitur comparison. Classics (with the exception of the voyagers) are toys that come in at the $10 pricepoint. That's about 1/6 to 1/8 of a Masterpiece. They're both brilliant for different reasons.

You could easily complete the classics (minicons, legends and all) for conciderably less than the combined RRP of the 6 MPs. And in doing so you'de have a much more interesting collection that comprised of more than 3 molds.

Your comment about the molds is partly why I sold my MP's and Alts.

well I don't know..... I see your point about variety and price points, and playability of classics.. the Masterpiece are very cartoon and realistically accurate, and they do cost a pretty penny.. though I doubt that a Masterpiece Thundercracker will end up a Botcon exclusive.. ... so I know I'm not gonna be a seeker short by collecting the Masterpieces..and I don't have to track down a Classics Starscream which costs about 40 to 50.00 on ebay.. which is almost half of a Masterpiece, and waste repaiting it into Thundercracker.. and even at the price points they are, I'm gonna have a G-1 color accurate starscream and a Drone, which means a total seeker collection with an added Drone, similar to the cartoon..... wow!! that's pretty cool ...

Plus why try and Buy a Classics Botcon Thundercracker, for aorund 75.00 to 150.00 on eBay, when I can buy a Masterpiece for $100.00 when he gets released??

Classics may have more variety, but is it worth losing a valuable figure over?? Besides classics is done for now, and Masterpiece haven't even begun... I'll take Masterpiece.. they are more expensive up front, but classics on the 2nd market are just as costly and no where near as detailed and collectible for me...

Counterpunch wrote:Skids.

I understand the Japanese collector's desire to get a figure never released over there.

but damn...

Skids?

QFT. That was a dumb idea. Who really cares about Skids?

I think you'll find that almost all Transformers lines these day including the movie line, Classics, and probably Animated are designed in partnership, sometimes Hasbro takes the drivers seat (Beast Wars, movie, Classics, TFA) and sometimes Takara (RID, Armada, Energon, Cybertron). I cant rightly say who does the better job as I like figures from all those lines. It's true Takara serves the collector better with show accurate decos and high price point collectors figures such as Masterpeicebut its pretty unfair to compare the two as they operate in very differwent markets, what sells well in Japan does not sell so well in the US and vice versa. It's also worth noting that Hasbro are making money hand over fist and now have a major movie franchise under their wing due to thier success. Takara had to merge with another large Japanese based toy company in just keep thier head above water. So commercially Hasbro clearly know what they are doing, TakaraTomy on the other had seem a little confused as to who their target audience is these days.

Yours AK