The Energon Pub

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Big Grim wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:If I remember, Rodimus Prime is the worst selling Commander. Some stores still have a good inventory of him. A reissue is unlikely, especially in short term.

Really?!? That blows my mind! I'm not overly fond of Rodimus Prime as a character but that toy is outright superb

The Rodimus figure itself is pretty good. The subpar trailer makes the whole package a hard sell. Should've been sold as a leader instead of a commander. I might've paid $60 for it, but definitely not $90.

Rodimus had enough engineering and plastic to bump it out of the leader class price point. But not by much. The extras were definitely needed.
I sold the trailer for $47. Getting the figure for just over $30 was a good deal.
And guess how much I’ve missed that trailer…

I’ll be surprised if that ever gets reissued…
Even if it were still priced at $80, that is a tough sell imo. Even with new, “improved” colors, I’d pass.
Especially after now having Ultra Magnus and seeing what we’re getting with this new Optimus.

Emerje wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Emerje wrote:We'll see, higher ups seemed against that in general, at least with SS Hot Rod, maybe they've changed their stance since the G1 Retro reissue.

By the way, US Gamestop.com is now taking orders for SS CC OP.

Emerje

If I remember, Rodimus Prime is the worst selling Commander. Some stores still have a good inventory of him. A reissue is unlikely, especially in short term.

Do they? I'm not seeing him at the big stores like BBTS, EE, TFSource and Pulse or Amazon, the kinds of places they would want him to be available at for an anniversary, especially to go with Prime. And the eBay prices aren't great, most new ones sell above MSRP, rarely do new ones sell below that.

Emerje

My local geek store still have a huge column of the thing. But the owner is in no hurry to discount anything. He had a huge pyramid of TR Trypticons that was gathering dust and he never, ever discounted them. Full price all the way. He waited. Then, all of a sudden, the pyramid of Tryp was gone. He have a few things in overstock. But often, that overstock can be gone quickly. It all depends of the general interests of the public.

TK415 wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Big Grim wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:If I remember, Rodimus Prime is the worst selling Commander. Some stores still have a good inventory of him. A reissue is unlikely, especially in short term.

Really?!? That blows my mind! I'm not overly fond of Rodimus Prime as a character but that toy is outright superb

The Rodimus figure itself is pretty good. The subpar trailer makes the whole package a hard sell. Should've been sold as a leader instead of a commander. I might've paid $60 for it, but definitely not $90.

How would you have liked the trailer to be better?

Since Hasbro was doing a new version of the G1 figure, it was accurate for that. I'm not sure the trailer could have been improved on, but that doesn't make it worth $90.

Rodimus's engineering drove up the price, and that's fine. But most fans who bought it did so for the base figure only, and the trailer probably stayed in the box.

I would have preferred the figure to be released in SS86, and have the Magnus treatment, where the robot becomes the entire vehicle.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

TK415 wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Big Grim wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:If I remember, Rodimus Prime is the worst selling Commander. Some stores still have a good inventory of him. A reissue is unlikely, especially in short term.

Really?!? That blows my mind! I'm not overly fond of Rodimus Prime as a character but that toy is outright superb

The Rodimus figure itself is pretty good. The subpar trailer makes the whole package a hard sell. Should've been sold as a leader instead of a commander. I might've paid $60 for it, but definitely not $90.

How would you have liked the trailer to be better?

Since Hasbro was doing a new version of the G1 figure, it was accurate for that. I'm not sure the trailer could have been improved on, but that doesn't make it worth $90.

Rodimus's engineering drove up the price, and that's fine. But most fans who bought it did so for the base figure only, and the trailer probably stayed in the box.

I would have preferred the figure to be released in SS86, and have the Magnus treatment, where the robot becomes the entire vehicle.

Oh, that makes sense. Thanks.

Sowndwave76 wrote:I don’t think a reissue will happen until at least ‘26. On top of this being $90, this mold has at least three legitimate repaint options.

Nemesis Prime, SG Prime, and...... dead Prime? Is that your third?

King Kuuga wrote:

Sowndwave76 wrote:I don’t think a reissue will happen until at least ‘26. On top of this being $90, this mold has at least three legitimate repaint options.

Nemesis Prime, SG Prime, and...... dead Prime? Is that your third?

I was thinking a toy colors repaint as the third main option.
I could see an exclusive “dead” version happening once they’ve made a lot from the original and at least one of those repaints, if/when Hastak decides they want to release a version sans trailer; when another $90 repaint will be a much tougher sell.
Other than the blaster, exclude all accessories and include extensive retooling of the head and torso. Price it at $60. If the figure with retooling is worth $70, at that point I’d say cut us a break since this would be the third or 4th use of this mold. $90 for each repaint is going to feel steep and is a pretty big ask.
With getting SS86 Galvatron, Megatron, and Devastator next year, I’d be very tempted to get this “dead” variant in 2026…. This could be part of the 40th anniversary releases.
Heck, Hastak should go all-in; package Prime in bot mode with a full front window box that has him appear to be lying on a med table.
It would almost be funny if this was the final figure of this subline.

Sowndwave76 wrote:

Emerje wrote:Really don't have to look much further than Siege Jetfire from 2019 getting reissued year after year for proof. This is Optimus Prime, it's completely unthinkable that they aren't going to milk his regular release for years to come. Wouldn't surprise me if Rodimus Prime got a new run soon, too.

Emerje

SG Jetfire was released before the original was reissued. Which has been twice. I’m assuming the re-release in ‘22 was at least partly a result of the pandemic. This is also a figure mold that doesn’t exactly have a ton of reuses.
I’m not doubting this OP will get a reissue at some point, which I’ve already said. But if the word is true that this has been over-produced to help ensure more people can get a copy, I’m betting we’ll see a repaint first. Unless this is scalped so badly that it’s difficult for a lot of people to buy, I don’t think a reissue will happen until at least ‘26. On top of this being $90, this mold has at least three legitimate repaint options.

Siege Jetfire has been reissued every 2-3 yrs…. I expect this OP to follow that.

I'm not saying they wont do repaints, they could announce one the day after he's released, but this is THE GUY in Transformers, he's the one that's instantly recognizable and has barely changed in 40 years including the voice, unlike Bumblebee. The rules don't apply, people buy him BECAUSE he's Optimus Prime, the guy will likely have 40 different figures released this year and that's not an exaggeration, we're already nearly there the last I checked and it's July! If MP Ginrai and Missing Link OP can get simultaneous releases then so can CC Prime. He can sustain frequent reissues.

Emerje

-Kanrabat- wrote:He had a huge pyramid of TR Trypticons that was gathering dust and he never, ever discounted them.

Man, I would love to get TR Trypticon at a reasonable price.

~ Grim

Rodimus Prime wrote:Since Hasbro was doing a new version of the G1 figure, it was accurate for that. I'm not sure the trailer could have been improved on, but that doesn't make it worth $90.

Rodimus's engineering drove up the price, and that's fine. But most fans who bought it did so for the base figure only, and the trailer probably stayed in the box.

I would have preferred the figure to be released in SS86, and have the Magnus treatment, where the robot becomes the entire vehicle.

This was me, no use for the trailer. As awesome as it was as a battle platform I didn't any space for that setup, nor do I ever have them displayed in alt mode foe the same reason. So I'd have been fine with a Leader release even if I felt that was still high, but $50 is better than $90 and they could have tossed in a Core Minibot of some kind or 2.5" Daniel in Human form.

As for the Magnus treatment, his trailer is the same as Prime's and doesn't become a part of him so to me that feature wouldn't make sense.

Reissues: I think he's a character that has a better need of keeping it available more than Jetfire, especially at the Commander Price. That's a pricey item to keep bringing out compared to DLX or Voyager reissues.

Repaints: Too many is risky at this price point, I can see a possible toy deco as an Exclusive or even Nemesis Prime(different character), but "dead", all white, Gold or the other variants seems overkill at this price point.

Sabrblade wrote:Let's see, how many color versions can we think of for Optimus redecos?

Red = normal Optimus Prime or toy-colors Optimus Prime
Orange = Fire Guts Ginrai
Yellow = Shining Magnus (cab-only)
Light Green = Toxitron
Dark Green = Green Tender Convoy
Light Blue = Blizzard Strike Optimus Prime
Normal Blue = Delta Magnus (cab-only) or Magna Convoy
Dark Blue = Nightwatch Optimus Prime
Bluish Purple = Purple Wicked Convoy (MP/Selects colors)
Reddish Purple = SG Optimus Prime (proper BotCon 2008/2012 colors)
Black = Nemesis Prime/Black Convoy
White = Ultra Magnus (cab-only) or Nova Prime
Light Gray = Metal-coated Optimus Prime from "The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2"
Dark Gray = dead Optimus Prime
Tan = Rust colors Optimus Prime
Brown = Hmm... drawing a blank on this one.
Silver = Silver Knight Optimus Prime
Gold = Gold Primus Convoy

Yeah...that seems about right...

Sabrblade wrote:Let's see, how many color versions can we think of for Optimus redecos?

Red = normal Optimus Prime or toy-colors Optimus Prime
Orange = Fire Guts Ginrai
Yellow = Shining Magnus (cab-only)
Light Green = Toxitron
Dark Green = Green Tender Convoy
Light Blue = Blizzard Strike Optimus Prime
Normal Blue = Delta Magnus (cab-only) or Magna Convoy
Dark Blue = Nightwatch Optimus Prime
Bluish Purple = Purple Wicked Convoy (MP/Selects colors)
Reddish Purple = SG Optimus Prime (proper BotCon 2008/2012 colors)
Black = Nemesis Prime/Black Convoy
White = Ultra Magnus (cab-only) or Nova Prime
Light Gray = Metal-coated Optimus Prime from "The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2"
Dark Gray = dead Optimus Prime
Tan = Rust colors Optimus Prime
Brown = Hmm... drawing a blank on this one.
Silver = Silver Knight Optimus Prime
Gold = Gold Primus Convoy

Dark Awakening. I dare them to make that, no excuses after making the other ones with sculpted damage.

Emerje wrote:

Sowndwave76 wrote:

Emerje wrote:Really don't have to look much further than Siege Jetfire from 2019 getting reissued year after year for proof. This is Optimus Prime, it's completely unthinkable that they aren't going to milk his regular release for years to come. Wouldn't surprise me if Rodimus Prime got a new run soon, too.

Emerje

SG Jetfire was released before the original was reissued. Which has been twice. I’m assuming the re-release in ‘22 was at least partly a result of the pandemic. This is also a figure mold that doesn’t exactly have a ton of reuses.
I’m not doubting this OP will get a reissue at some point, which I’ve already said. But if the word is true that this has been over-produced to help ensure more people can get a copy, I’m betting we’ll see a repaint first. Unless this is scalped so badly that it’s difficult for a lot of people to buy, I don’t think a reissue will happen until at least ‘26. On top of this being $90, this mold has at least three legitimate repaint options.

Siege Jetfire has been reissued every 2-3 yrs…. I expect this OP to follow that.

I'm not saying they wont do repaints, they could announce one the day after he's released, but this is THE GUY in Transformers, he's the one that's instantly recognizable and has barely changed in 40 years including the voice, unlike Bumblebee. The rules don't apply, people buy him BECAUSE he's Optimus Prime, the guy will likely have 40 different figures released this year and that's not an exaggeration, we're already nearly there the last I checked and it's July! If MP Ginrai and Missing Link OP can get simultaneous releases then so can CC Prime. He can sustain frequent reissues.

Emerje

I believe it was Flint Dillie on an interview included with the Rhino release of season 3/4 quoted a friend who felt that Optimus Prime was the greatest hero character ever created.

Jelze Bunnycat wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Let's see, how many color versions can we think of for Optimus redecos?

Red = normal Optimus Prime or toy-colors Optimus Prime
Orange = Fire Guts Ginrai
Yellow = Shining Magnus (cab-only)
Light Green = Toxitron
Dark Green = Green Tender Convoy
Light Blue = Blizzard Strike Optimus Prime
Normal Blue = Delta Magnus (cab-only) or Magna Convoy
Dark Blue = Nightwatch Optimus Prime
Bluish Purple = Purple Wicked Convoy (MP/Selects colors)
Reddish Purple = SG Optimus Prime (proper BotCon 2008/2012 colors)
Black = Nemesis Prime/Black Convoy
White = Ultra Magnus (cab-only) or Nova Prime
Light Gray = Metal-coated Optimus Prime from "The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2"
Dark Gray = dead Optimus Prime
Tan = Rust colors Optimus Prime
Brown = Hmm... drawing a blank on this one.
Silver = Silver Knight Optimus Prime
Gold = Gold Primus Convoy

Dark Awakening. I dare them to make that, no excuses after making the other ones with sculpted damage.

Vac metal Gold = Golden Lagoon Optimus Prime
Camo = General Optimus
Transparent = Matrix projection Optimus
All blue = Animation error Optimus

As for the possible Optimus repaints, let's not forget all those Takara shenanigans like Lebron James, Evangelion, Pepsi, Bathing Ape (Bape) and more.

Till-all-R1 wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:I would have preferred the figure to be released in SS86, and have the Magnus treatment, where the robot becomes the entire vehicle.

As for the Magnus treatment, his trailer is the same as Prime's and doesn't become a part of him so to me that feature wouldn't make sense.

In the single scene of TF:TM where Rodimus transforms into RV mode his trailer doesn't just appear out of nowhere, his body becomes the entire vehicle. So if he were to be released in the SS86 line it would be screen accurate.

But CC Rodimus was a Kingdom release, so they went with toy (and season 3) accuracy.

As for Sabrblade's list of repaints, I would LOVE a Fire Guts version, even if it was inaccurate, since Ginrai could combine with his trailer. Also, Toxitron would have to be cab only as well, since he's a tanker.

Hero Alpha wrote:All blue = Animation error Optimus

I would buy this for a laugh...

Emerje wrote:I'm not saying they wont do repaints, they could announce one the day after he's released, but this is THE GUY in Transformers, he's the one that's instantly recognizable and has barely changed in 40 years including the voice, unlike Bumblebee. The rules don't apply, people buy him BECAUSE he's Optimus Prime, the guy will likely have 40 different figures released this year and that's not an exaggeration, we're already nearly there the last I checked and it's July! If MP Ginrai and Missing Link OP can get simultaneous releases then so can CC Prime. He can sustain frequent reissues.

Emerje

I'm probably an average collector based on the limited scope of figures I purchase, but I understand the popularity of this pop culture icon of a character.
But you're conflating the popularity of this character with the demand of a single product of this character.
Different OP figures being released at the same time is one thing, but putting out the same figure over and over is another. I guess we'll agree to disagree, but imo, the same specific figure can absolutely be released too much. Especially in this case where it's $90. Let's also be real, what I paid for CC Magnus, $97.78, is basically $100.
For the average person and even average collector, a $90 toy isn't cheap. I think it's a fair to say that for the average person, a $35 toy isn't cheap. That's not to suggest I personally think $35 is a lot of money in general, but I'm talking about costs relative to plastic toys...

Unless it's legitimately figured out that this first run is scalped so badly that tons of people have trouble getting a copy, I'm calling a reissue anytime next year, even one of a normal production run, will be very unlikely.
Even being "the guy", imo it doesn't make sense. For multiple reasons.
In fact, I'll call it now, there may be one repainted version next year if it includes the entire $90 package, possibly two, if one of them is just the bot repainted for a lower price.
What makes more sense for re-releasing this original version, is waiting a couple years.

Popularity-- recognition, appreciation/preference, nostalgic influence, etc., of a character doesn't equate unlimited demand for a single product of said character.

Edit: And price absolutely matters. For some, it may not be THE factor, but it's always a factor no matter how it's prioritized.
I'm going to be happy getting SS86 Springer delivered next week... But it's not sitting real well with me that this "leader class" figure cost $59.79.

...while I have not a single horse in this race, it is worth mentioning that Commander Class Armada Optimus Prime is already getting reissued, and the preorders for that went up almost a year exactly after the preorders for the original run did, it was only off by 5 days. If there's that much consumer demand & HasTak confidence for that early of a rerelease for Armada Prime, there's no way they aren't gonna do the same thing with G1 OP, unless they are legitimately only rereleasing Armada this quickly just because of the anniversary.

I will buy it but likely waiting for a sale.
There will be a ton of these, by my guesswork.

I'm sure 86 Prime will get re-released. It's inevitable. But I don't know how often. After all, Siege and ER Prime both still exist. A modern G1 Prime is very accessible.

They could milk this mold, but I wonder if they necessarily will. Neither Siege nor ER was milked as much as they could have been. We didn't have Nemesis or Magnus colors for ER and Siege only had Nemesis with a ton of regular Prime variations. I guess ER has SG (which was re-released) and dead.

I guess we'll see. I'm sure we'll see at least ONE color variant of this guy, but who knows as what?

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I'm sure 86 Prime will get re-released. It's inevitable. But I don't know how often. After all, Siege and ER Prime both still exist. A modern G1 Prime is very accessible.

They could milk this mold, but I wonder if they necessarily will. Neither Siege nor ER was milked as much as they could have been. We didn't have Nemesis or Magnus colors for ER and Siege only had Nemesis with a ton of regular Prime variations. I guess ER has SG (which was re-released) and dead.

I guess we'll see. I'm sure we'll see at least ONE color variant of this guy, but who knows as what?

A hodge podge retool with SS86 Ultra Magnus as Power Master Prime.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I'm sure 86 Prime will get re-released. It's inevitable. But I don't know how often. After all, Siege and ER Prime both still exist. A modern G1 Prime is very accessible.

They could milk this mold, but I wonder if they necessarily will. Neither Siege nor ER was milked as much as they could have been. We didn't have Nemesis or Magnus colors for ER and Siege only had Nemesis with a ton of regular Prime variations. I guess ER has SG (which was re-released) and dead.

I guess we'll see. I'm sure we'll see at least ONE color variant of this guy, but who knows as what?

A hodge podge retool with SS86 Ultra Magnus as Power Master Prime.

I'm waiting on a yellow eyed version to get that Magnus mold

Good news, payment went through on Hasbro Pulse for Swoop, should be shipping soon. Can't wait.

SGM

SGMLordMirage wrote:Good news, payment went through on Hasbro Pulse for Swoop, should be shipping soon. Can't wait.

SGM

Mine was processing as well through BBTS. Plus just got shipping notice on MPM Brawl, 3 pre-orders last week...this kinda sucks that all these preorders are coming through simultaneously...right in the middle of trying to move, too! Grrr!