The Energon Pub

If the end of Combiner Wars last year left you wanting for bestial Gestalts, here's a little something that might alleviate that for you -- TakaraTomy is set to re-issue the G1 combiner Predaking and pre-orders for the mighty beast are already up on Big Bad Toystore for $180. While certainly the G1 molds in all their glory, do take note that this is a re-issue of Takara's 2010 version of the figure from their small Welcome to Transformers line -- so there's certain differences in plastic colouration, paint applications and stickers from the vintage 1986 original. Nevertheless, if this interests you; simply click the image below to go to BBTS' pre-order and be sure to tell us what you think in the forums as always!

Is that Predaking the exact same as the Platinum one?
Because he's plenty available at BBTS and for 94$US.

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/V ... tails/4810

That reissue make sense for the Asian market, but it make absolutely no sense to buy the re-issue from BBTS while the other is available for almost 100$US less!

So, buy the Platinum while you still have the chance. It's an amazing combiner well worth your money.

I understand the need to turn a profit off of molds, particularly old G1 molds, but the Predacons may soon unseat the Combaticons for most used G1 combiner team reuses.

See haters of G1! You can huff and puff but G1 will and always be the besh cash cow to milk by both Hb and Takara! Want some hot cocoa with that now?

Dagon wrote:I understand the need to turn a profit off of molds, particularly old G1 molds, but the Predacons may soon unseat the Combaticons for most used G1 combiner team reuses.

How come? Only two versions exist so far. The all plastic original and the Platinum version with gold and die-cast. I don't count re-issues. The Bruticus mold was repainted with all the colors of the rainbow.

So why not re-release Predaking under a different name with some bright and fruity colors? Or a Beast Wars hommage redeco? Of course, it would be a SDCC exclusive or something.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Dagon wrote:I understand the need to turn a profit off of molds, particularly old G1 molds, but the Predacons may soon unseat the Combaticons for most used G1 combiner team reuses.

How come? Only two versions exist so far. The all plastic original and the Platinum version with gold and die-cast. I don't count re-issues. The Bruticus mold was repainted with all the colors of the rainbow.

So why not re-release Predaking under a different name with some bright and fruity colors? Or a Beast Wars hommage redeco? Of course, it would be a SDCC exclusive or something.

Well, I'd say it's for the fairly obvious reason that this set, which is more or less the same as the one that was reissed in a box by Takara in like 2005 or 2006, has been reissued several times. I think one of them came with a larger sword, but otherwise. I know the Combaticons have been reused in different colors, but that doesn't change the fact that the same figures have been rereleased many times. Maybe a different sword, or a slight change in paint or stickers, but the same G1 Predacons three or four times now.

This is freakin weird. I wanted to news this myself, but assumed that there was something wrong with it, because it just doesn't make sense.

It's Takara, not Hasbro. So not Platinum. But it doesn't fall under the most recent Takara Reissue line (Encore), appear to be a solo release, or start a brand new line. But rather (and strangely specifically) is a... reissue... of the 2010 reissue..?

Weirder still as Kanrabat pointed out, the stock pics show him to be no different from the gold plastic'd Platinum Edition. This might actually be a worthwhile reissue if it were done in the proper yellow/black/red/orange of the original G1 and proper 2010 reissue.

Seriously. What the hell.

They tease us.

Sabrblade wrote:Been considering picking up a G1 Predaking. Never had one, and it looks nice. But I'm not really that big a fan of G1 molds in general (gre up on the articulation-heavy Beast Era, so I'm spoiled like that ), so I'm still not sure if I'd want to go for it for anything other than the novelty factor.

You should definitely consider getting the PLATINUM version. The gold make it look royal and the diecast make it HEAVY and awesome to play with. It also scale perfectly with Combiner Wars. Furthermore, the transformation, while simple, is very creative and satisfying.

A worthwhile addition in any collection.
Also, have a video review:

They still haven't done an brand new one for Combiner Wars or whatever so here's that old G1 toy again. I mean it still looks neat but the chunky proportions, lack of articulation and simplistic robot modes of the team just seem begging for an update as much as many members of the fanbase are.

Carnivius_Prime wrote:They still haven't done an brand new one for Combiner Wars or whatever so here's that old G1 toy again. I mean it still looks neat but the chunky proportions, lack of articulation and simplistic robot modes of the team just seem begging for an update as much as many members of the fanbase are.

Absolutely. Along with Abominus and Pirahnacon.

Which is why I got me an MMS Feral Rex. That sadly tapped me out, so no Ordin or Poseidon for me.

Does this mean that there won't be an updated CW version anytime soon then?

YoungPrime wrote:Does this mean that there won't be an updated CW version anytime soon then?

Nah -- pretty much the entire Platinum line, especially last year shows that re-issues don't really matter.

Kurona wrote:

YoungPrime wrote:Does this mean that there won't be an updated CW version anytime soon then?

Nah -- pretty much the entire Platinum line, especially last year shows that re-issues don't really matter.

I think Kurona means a new Combiner Wars version. New molds, modernized bots. Articulation.
But since CW has stopped, I don't think there will be new combiners. Unless they decide to go for a new formula after T.R.
PRedaking, Abominus and Pirahnacon all have quite unique bots though, so no reusing molds and simple recolours, which makes them expensive to produce.

I think I should jump on that Platinum Edition and see what Crazy Devy parts I can pick up. I know BBTS has had those on clearance lately too..! Snap. All the monies going all the places.

Can't go wrong with G1 though

Sjeng wrote:

Kurona wrote:

YoungPrime wrote:Does this mean that there won't be an updated CW version anytime soon then?

Nah -- pretty much the entire Platinum line, especially last year shows that re-issues don't really matter.

I think Kurona means a new Combiner Wars version. New molds, modernized bots. Articulation.
But since CW has stopped, I don't think there will be new combiners. Unless they decide to go for a new formula after T.R.
PRedaking, Abominus and Pirahnacon all have quite unique bots though, so no reusing molds and simple recolours, which makes them expensive to produce.

Oh I was simply meaning that just because something's getting re-issued, doesn't mean that a new version isn't possible. Take for instance the Platinum set of Galvatron and Rodimus last year -- even though we got that, we still got new versions of Galvatron and Rodimus in the Titans Return line. So this re-issue happening doesn't mean we're not getting a Generations Predaking.

And as for mold re-use, I wouldn't worry too much -- there's quite a potential that I can see. Divebomb could easily share molds with Cutthroat; they could re-use engineering from TR Twinferno for Sinnertwin much like Streetwise and Chromedome; not to mention Tantrum and Rampage could be the same mold with some retooling. Heck, that last one is exactly what MMC did with Feral Rex. And then there's the non-G1 Combiners they'd make; Razorclaw could become Lio Convoy, the entire Seacon team could be made into the BWII seacons -- never underestimate what Hasbro'll do to make a quick buck.

itscramtastic wrote:I think I should jump on that Platinum Edition and see what Crazy Devy parts I can pick up. I know BBTS has had those on clearance lately too..! Snap. All the monies going all the places.

Can't go wrong with G1 though

I think the availability of Crazy Devy parts is starting to weign. There is a set though, of all the CD Predaking upgrades KO'd under the name "Collection Kingdom". Even sold by BBTS. I have it.... and I would seriously only recommend it if you only plan to assemble him... and never touch him again. He looked great, but it was a pretty disappointing set.

shajaki wrote:

itscramtastic wrote:I think I should jump on that Platinum Edition and see what Crazy Devy parts I can pick up. I know BBTS has had those on clearance lately too..! Snap. All the monies going all the places.

Can't go wrong with G1 though

I think the availability of Crazy Devy parts is starting to weign. There is a set though, of all the CD Predaking upgrades KO'd under the name "Collection Kingdom". Even sold by BBTS. I have it.... and I would seriously only recommend it if you only plan to assemble him... and never touch him again. He looked great, but it was a pretty disappointing set.

Well then, with your warning, I shall pass on all of it!

he was always one of my grails growing up as I only ever had headstrong so when the chance cane to get the reissue a few years back I jumped at the chance especially given all the die cast. back then I was seeing him for several hundred dollars. he is a great addition to anyone's collection if you don't have him I highly recommend getting him.

itscramtastic wrote:

shajaki wrote:

itscramtastic wrote:I think I should jump on that Platinum Edition and see what Crazy Devy parts I can pick up. I know BBTS has had those on clearance lately too..! Snap. All the monies going all the places.

Can't go wrong with G1 though

I think the availability of Crazy Devy parts is starting to weign. There is a set though, of all the CD Predaking upgrades KO'd under the name "Collection Kingdom". Even sold by BBTS. I have it.... and I would seriously only recommend it if you only plan to assemble him... and never touch him again. He looked great, but it was a pretty disappointing set.

Well then, with your warning, I shall pass on all of it!

Hold your horses! Sajaki was only referring to the KO upgrade kit. The G1 Predaking is AMAZING and personally, it dosent need any upgrade kits. Buying G1 mean the thing must look the part after all.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

itscramtastic wrote:

shajaki wrote:

itscramtastic wrote:I think I should jump on that Platinum Edition and see what Crazy Devy parts I can pick up. I know BBTS has had those on clearance lately too..! Snap. All the monies going all the places.

Can't go wrong with G1 though

I think the availability of Crazy Devy parts is starting to weign. There is a set though, of all the CD Predaking upgrades KO'd under the name "Collection Kingdom". Even sold by BBTS. I have it.... and I would seriously only recommend it if you only plan to assemble him... and never touch him again. He looked great, but it was a pretty disappointing set.

Well then, with your warning, I shall pass on all of it!

Hold your horses! Sajaki was only referring to the KO upgrade kit. The G1 Predaking is AMAZING and personally, it dosent need any upgrade kits. Buying G1 mean the thing must look the part after all.

Horses held!

Yeah, the Platinum Edition is still on my radar. And G1 is G1. All the chunky makes it the cool.

itscramtastic wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

itscramtastic wrote:

shajaki wrote:

itscramtastic wrote:I think I should jump on that Platinum Edition and see what Crazy Devy parts I can pick up. I know BBTS has had those on clearance lately too..! Snap. All the monies going all the places.

Can't go wrong with G1 though

I think the availability of Crazy Devy parts is starting to weign. There is a set though, of all the CD Predaking upgrades KO'd under the name "Collection Kingdom". Even sold by BBTS. I have it.... and I would seriously only recommend it if you only plan to assemble him... and never touch him again. He looked great, but it was a pretty disappointing set.

Well then, with your warning, I shall pass on all of it!

Hold your horses! Sajaki was only referring to the KO upgrade kit. The G1 Predaking is AMAZING and personally, it dosent need any upgrade kits. Buying G1 mean the thing must look the part after all.

Horses held!
Yeah, the Platinum Edition is still on my radar. And G1 is G1. All the chunky makes it the cool.

My bad, I certainly wasn't implying Predaking himself was bad! He is fantastic.

And actually while I'm clearing things up, I'm not even saying the Crazy Devy upgrades are garbage either. They COULD be wonderful, I don't know. All I know is that the legit ones were hard to come by (back when I was looking anyways), and that the KO set "Collection Kingdom" was garbage.

Dagon wrote:I understand the need to turn a profit off of molds, particularly old G1 molds, but the Predacons may soon unseat the Combaticons for most used G1 combiner team reuses.

Ruination alone had what, 4 uses of the mold?

-Kanrabat- wrote:Is that Predaking the exact same as the Platinum one?
Because he's plenty available at BBTS and for 94$US.

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/V ... tails/4810

That reissue make sense for the Asian market, but it make absolutely no sense to buy the re-issue from BBTS while the other is available for almost 100$US less!

So, buy the Platinum while you still have the chance. It's an amazing combiner well worth your money.

Substandard packaging on what they still have. Might be worth that $100 different in price to some. Not me, but I already have 3 original g1 Predacons, 94 bucks is to rich for me in order to get the set for the tiger and the bull/buffalo (whatever the non rhino foot is) anyway.