The Energon Pub

by **Lazerface** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 2:28 pm

If anyone has bought many Transformers Encore remakes of G1, can you tell me what kind of quality the figures are? How do the color and plastic quality compare to the originals? Do they use metal in all the same places? I'm looking for comparisons of individual characters, or the Encore line as a whole.

I've used Google to look up some reviews, but am just trying to get more opinions. Thanks :KREMZEEK:

News Credits: 241 · by **Jelze Bunnycat** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 2:42 pm

The quality of the Encore line varies between figures. Overall it should be roughly the same as the originals, but there are exceptions, like Encore Bruticus. The mold has seen many uses between G1 and Universe 2003, and thus suffers from mold degradation. Especially Onslaught has seen better days. And I just heard from a friend of mine that the upcoming Devastator has issues as well, with missing Mixmaster heads. On the flip side, molds were restored for Encore, Rumble and Frenzy to be exact.

News Credits: 12 · by **Overcracker** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:07 pm

Certain molds have more degradation than others. As Rabbit said the Bruticus mold is the worst offender so far.

Other Encore's are just as good as the Originals, and most are better than the Hasbro re-issues of the same figures.

From the ones I own, Encore Convoy is far superior to Hasbro's 25th Anniversary G1. Optimus Prime reissue. In my case, 25th Prime has a very loose leg joint and inferior paint. It also has the shortened smokestacks for safety and the elongated missiles.

Encore 01 Convoy is as close to the Original as you can get. Including the regular missiles, normal sized smokestacks and great paint.

As far as die-cast goes, they have the same amount of die-cast and in the same places as the originals. Basically they are 1980's figures that are new.

News Credits: 241 · by **Jelze Bunnycat** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:17 pm

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Overcracker', 'A')s far as die-cast goes, they have the same amount of die-cast and in the same places as the originals. Basically they are 1980's figures that are new.

News Credits: 12 · by **Overcracker** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:27 pm

Wasn't Bruticus released in both versions in G1. With and without die-cast?

News Credits: 241 · by **Jelze Bunnycat** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:31 pm

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Overcracker', 'W')asn't Bruticus released in both versions in G1. With and without die-cast?

by **Lazerface** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:54 pm

Thanks for the heads up on Bruticus. that is one that I had considered.

I was on the fence for getting the Encore Prime or Hasbro 25th anniversary version, but it looks like Encore is the way to go.

Some others that I am interested in are:

Starscream
Skywarp
Thundercracker
Jazz
Devestator
Soundwave
Cassettes

News Credits: 1 · by **MightyMagnus78** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:57 pm

The quality of my Encores are as good, if not better than the quality of some of my originals.

I haven't even had any quality issues with my Encore Bruticus.

News Credits: 2 · by **Nemesis Destron** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 4:11 pm

Is SDCC Soundwave considered an Encore? I know his packaging doesn't bear the word Encore but would he be anyway? I do feel that he considering how many re-releases since the TFC. Anyway I think most of the encore's are pretty cool as far as QC goes. :VEHI:

News Credits: 241 · by **Jelze Bunnycat** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 4:13 pm

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Nemesis Destron', 'I')s SDCC Soundwave considered an Encore? I know his packaging doesn't bear the word Encore but would he be anyway? I do feel that he considering how many re-releases since the TFC. Anyway I think most of the encore's are pretty cool as far as QC goes. :VEHI:

News Credits: 12 · by **Overcracker** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 4:41 pm

There's been several re-issues lines through years. Encore is merely the most recent one.

The SDCC Soundwave isn't even a Takara release its a Hasbro release. If falls under the Universe line. Like the Perceptor and Insecticon re-issues.

News Credits: 10 · by **gavinfuzzy** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 9:17 pm

I own Encore Skylyx and Omega Supreme. The quality is great, but i don't own actual G1s of those figs to compare them too. Granted Encore is released by Takara, who has a higher QC standard than Hasbro (although the recent Encore Devy has reports of headless Mixmasters #-o

). G1s were built to last, and im sure Encores would hold up just fine

Encore also features a slight change in the toys sometimes, I know Encore Omega Supreme has a newly sculpted face, and Encore Devy has some different paint apps.

by **Lazerface** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:23 pm

Thanks for the help. I have encore Jazz on the way.

I didn't have time to ask about him on here, but I saw some good reviews other places.

by **Lazerface** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:35 pm

I just need to figure out which ones to get next.

Can someone direct me to a link that shows when each Encore or TRU reissue was released, and how much it was retail price?

Website · by **Flux Convoy** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 3:45 am

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JelZe GoldRabbit', ' ')Encore is merely a line of reissues by TakaraTomy, it does not refer to a specific kind of reissue.

News Credits: 60 · by **fenrir72** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 4:18 am

One of the under appreciated Encore was Meister/Jazz. Takara fixed the "Bugs Bunny" smirk, stamped graphed the "Martini" color bars on his rear wheel guards and added a blue visor. Trouble only in attaching the shoulder mounted flame thrower..........mine keeps popping out.

Skids is kind off lighter in blue color, same with his wind shield plastic.

Eject and Rewind kind of sucks in quality, a lot of mold degradation ( not so apparent in Flipsides and Rosanna

Same great restoration for Ratbat, Slugfest, Overkill and Rumble and Frenzy(though for the latter, the thigh decals were omitted)

Seekers? TT hand stamp graphed decals while SW didn't. And SS's cOckpit canopy is lighter in color.

Soundwave? equally great re-issue.

Convoy? :BOWDOWN:

the red plastic is slightly different from the original but lightyears ahead of the cr@p Hasbro re-issue.

Website · by **Flux Convoy** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 9:15 am

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('fenrir72', 'O')ne of the under appreciated Encore was Meister/Jazz. Takara fixed the "Bugs Bunny" smirk, stamped graphed the "Martini" color bars on his rear wheel guards and added a blue visor. Trouble only in attaching the shoulder mounted flame thrower..........mine keeps popping out.

Skids is kind off lighter in blue color, same with his wind shield plastic.

Eject and Rewind kind of sucks in quality, a lot of mold degradation ( not so apparent in Flipsides and Rosanna

Same great restoration for Ratbat, Slugfest, Overkill and Rumble and Frenzy(though for the latter, the thigh decals were omitted)

Seekers? TT hand stamp graphed decals while SW didn't. And SS's cOckpit canopy is lighter in color.

Soundwave? equally great re-issue.

Convoy? :BOWDOWN:

the red plastic is slightly different from the original but lightyears ahead of the cr@p Hasbro re-issue.

News Credits: 60 · by **fenrir72** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 9:23 am

TFC Meister had the ugly smirk.

And yes, Metroplex is just as awesome(with some "upgraded" parts)

Also got Trailbreaker too. Thanks to Encore, I have all but completed my G1/Season 1 and 2 figures.

Now all I need is a Ramjet and Thrust re-issue.........

There are flaws on my Rewind and Eject set. Compared to Rosana and Flipsides, there's mold degradation on their thighs.

Website · by **Flux Convoy** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 9:30 am

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('fenrir72', 'T')FC Meister had the ugly smirk.

by **Overcracker** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 9:23 pm

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Flux Convoy', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JelZe GoldRabbit', ' ')Encore is merely a line of reissues by TakaraTomy, it does not refer to a specific kind of reissue.

News Credits: 60 · by **fenrir72** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 12:42 am

And for now we have 2 more in the pipeline after Devastar. I do hope/pray to "God"/Primus or whatever higher power to influence the suits at Takara to re-issue Ramjet and Thrust.

News Credits: 1 · by **MightyMagnus78** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 5:03 pm

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('fenrir72', 'A')nd for now we have 2 more in the pipeline after Devastar. I do hope/pray to "God"/Primus or whatever higher power to influence the suits at Takara to re-issue Ramjet and Thrust.

by **REMINATOR** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 7:03 pm

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MightyMagnus78', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('fenrir72', 'A')nd for now we have 2 more in the pipeline after Devastar. I do hope/pray to "God"/Primus or whatever higher power to influence the suits at Takara to re-issue Ramjet and Thrust.

News Credits: 60 · by **fenrir72** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 7:52 am

Awesomesauce Shockwave!. Though I already own a vintage since like forever(my version's backpack has gotten a bit loose due to age and not my manhandling it btw )it wouldn't hurt to have one re-issued.

Unless another miracle would happen similar to Omega Supreme and Skylynx (both being toys subcontracted to Tomy by Toy box) I wouldn't hold my breathe.

Heck, a lot of for Japan only re-issues haven't reached the US yet (not counting specialty/on line stores) to name a few:

1.Galvatron
2.Bumble anime face and mini-bots sets
3.Trailbreaker
4.Rumble and Frenzy

so I'm being a realist, the seeker mold is already there, heck again, if they can release a cr@pper like Piranacon........

by **Windsweeper** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:33 pm

I have Sky Lynx, Trailbreaker, Ironhide, Ratchet and the Mini-bots from the Encore line.

I had an old Ratchet from my childhood that needed replacing. I bought that third party head set for him and Ironhide and couldn't believe the differenece the head made.
Ended up buying Encore Ironhide and later Ratchet. Ironhide + head is now one of my alltime favourite Transformers. Can't recommend those heads enough no matter what version of the van bots you have. Quite reasonably priced.