The Energon Pub

[EvasionModeBumblebee]

Awesome looking!

Great as ever! You really managed to bring out all the molded detail. Agree on the head, this figure really stands in an unique spot in Studio Series, being a toy of a character with no on-screen appearances. Loved him in Reign of Starscream, though!

Thank you both very much! Thundercracker was a little challenging since there isn't an official on-screen look, but I had fun with it!

I'm really curious to see if we'll see more off-screen characters in SS, I think Thundercracker was integrated really well.

[-Kanrabat-]

SS78 Sideswipe looks amazing in both modes. But he's NOT FUN to deal with. The fiddle factor is cranked up to 11 with the partsforming blades and the fact that there's no real way to store the guns in vehicle mode (no mention in the instructions). I hated the experience so much that it's the first SS toy ever that I'll return for a full refund.

[TF-fan kev777]

SS78 Sideswipe looks amazing in both modes. But he's NOT FUN to deal with. The fiddle factor is cranked up to 11 with the partsforming blades and the fact that there's no real way to store the guns in vehicle mode (no mention in the instructions). I hated the experience so much that it's the first SS toy ever that I'll return for a full refund.

You can store them on his hands and they end up looking like tailpipes. They were part of the transformation instructions for the earlier version, not the part at the end where they show weapon storage because you attach them to the arms before tabbing the arms all the way in. I'll grab a photo later today if I can.

[-Kanrabat-]

SS78 Sideswipe looks amazing in both modes. But he's NOT FUN to deal with. The fiddle factor is cranked up to 11 with the partsforming blades and the fact that there's no real way to store the guns in vehicle mode (no mention in the instructions). I hated the experience so much that it's the first SS toy ever that I'll return for a full refund.

You can store them on his hands and they end up looking like tailpipes. They were part of the transformation instructions for the earlier version, not the part at the end where they show weapon storage because you attach them to the arms before tabbing the arms all the way in. I'll grab a photo later today if I can.

I did try doing the hands thing, but the car would not rest on all 4 wheels.
Then as I saw Emgo's video, you can store the guns under the roof tabbed onto the "spine". The same place for robot mode. But it result in huge panel gaps.

Even if I'd put the guns away, it's still too frustrating to deal with. I'll either return it for a full refund, or get SS Jolt instead.

[william-james88]

We have been told by a few people that Studio Series voyager Bumblebee Movie Soundwave has been found at US retail. This is labelled as either wave 15 (by retailers) or 2022 wave 1 (by Hasbro) which includes:

1x TRA GEN STUDIO SERIES VOY 86 HOT ROD
2x TRA GEN STUDIO SERIES VOY TF6 SOUNDWAVE

TF fan Eddie found this at a Walmart in Southern California (yeah dude!) and posted it on Facebook.

If you have found them, share your sightings with our community in the sightings section and on our boards in your region related thread.

[Rodimus Prime]

My Wal-Mart is usually way behind, but I guess I'll start checking for this figure as well. I've been prowling my area's stores for Tigatron anyway.

[Bounti76]

He's packed with Hot Rod? Hot Rod? Again?? This is the third time he's been packed in a Wave. Who doesn't have him by now? Pack in some actually rare figures who've only had one release.

[TF-fan kev777]

He's packed with Hot Rod? Hot Rod? Again?? This is the third time he's been packed in a Wave. Who doesn't have him by now? Pack in some actually rare figures who've only had one release.

I don't disagree, but the problem is who? Assuming the selection would be from the last year, we have Hot Rod, Scourge, BB Starscream, BB Thrust, Sweep and Wreck-Gar. All the potential wave mates for Soundwave have been released recently enough to still be on shelves, or are retools of something currently on shelves. Thrust is clogging up most of the Targets by me. Wreck-Gar and Sweeps are on the shelves at all the Walmarts near me. Hot Rod is the only SS voyager mold not currently on the shelves in my area.

Scourge would be ideal since he was a single release and shortpacked to begin with, but the Sweeps are out currently making that difficult.

[Rodimus Prime]

Yeah I also think Scourge would be a good choice.

I also wondered, what if Scourge and Sweep got released in the same case? Is the different shade enough for people to tell the difference? Would seeing both induce someone to get both who was only planning on getting 1? Or would most people just see the same figure and just pick one?

[Sabrblade]

To me, it almost feels like the Sweep was made at all to make up for how hard Scourge was for people to find back when he was released.

[Rodimus Prime]

To me, it almost feels like the Sweep was made at all to make up for how hard Scourge was for people to find back when he was released.

Considering the very slight difference (handswap) and color change, I'm pretty sure it was pre-planned.

[william-james88]

To me, it almost feels like the Sweep was made at all to make up for how hard Scourge was for people to find back when he was released.

Considering the very slight difference (handswap) and color change, I'm pretty sure it was pre-planned.

I'm certain of it. It also makes up for the people who bought multiple scourges early on to make their sweeps before an actual sweep was released.

He's packed with Hot Rod? Hot Rod? Again?? This is the third time he's been packed in a Wave. Who doesn't have him by now? Pack in some actually rare figures who've only had one release.

Is Thrust really rare and wanted? Seems like many G1 fans are poopooing him for his armada colour reference.

[TF-fan kev777]

I also wondered, what if Scourge and Sweep got released in the same case? Is the different shade enough for people to tell the difference? Would seeing both induce someone to get both who was only planning on getting 1? Or would most people just see the same figure and just pick one?

I think there would be 2 answers.

Collectors: Sweet, I'll take one of each (or 1 Scourge and however many Sweeps for an armada).

Parents: Just pick one sweetie, you don't need 2 of the same guy with slightly different colors.

For brick and mortar stores, I suspect there would be more parents buying than collectors assuming most of us are pre-ordering anyway. So in that regard, I think putting them in the same case would not be desired by the retailers.

[DeathReviews]

I'm good with Netflix Soundwave for now. Best G1 representation since the Masterpiece figure, even with the shortcomings.

[Rodimus Prime]

For brick and mortar stores, I suspect there would be more parents buying than collectors assuming most of us are pre-ordering anyway. So in that regard, I think putting them in the same case would not be desired by the retailers.

Alright, my next questions:

Do retailers get a say in how cases are made up? I.e. in a case of 3, which figure gets 1 and which gets 2?

Do they see actual visual representations of the products, or do they go by item codes and names? Like, would Wal-Mart have known ahead of time that Scourge and Sweep were barely different? Or do they just see that 1 is called Scourge and the other is Sweep, so they must be different? I'm guessing that's up to Hasbro's marketing to communicate.

[TF-fan kev777]

For brick and mortar stores, I suspect there would be more parents buying than collectors assuming most of us are pre-ordering anyway. So in that regard, I think putting them in the same case would not be desired by the retailers.

Alright, my next questions:

Do retailers get a say in how cases are made up? I.e. in a case of 3, which figure gets 1 and which gets 2?

Do they see actual visual representations of the products, or do they go by item codes and names? Like, would Wal-Mart have known ahead of time that Scourge and Sweep were barely different? Or do they just see that 1 is called Scourge and the other is Sweep, so they must be different? I'm guessing that's up to Hasbro's marketing to communicate.

I wish I knew, I find that side of the business interesting. We knew from leaks or whatever that things like Black Zarak are shown to buyers. No idea whether everything is shown at some point or not. It would be interesting to know if retailer feedback is used for determining the case contents as well.

[william-james88]

For brick and mortar stores, I suspect there would be more parents buying than collectors assuming most of us are pre-ordering anyway. So in that regard, I think putting them in the same case would not be desired by the retailers.

Alright, my next questions:

Do retailers get a say in how cases are made up? I.e. in a case of 3, which figure gets 1 and which gets 2?

Do they see actual visual representations of the products, or do they go by item codes and names? Like, would Wal-Mart have known ahead of time that Scourge and Sweep were barely different? Or do they just see that 1 is called Scourge and the other is Sweep, so they must be different? I'm guessing that's up to Hasbro's marketing to communicate.

Retailers do see what is coming. We already saw the slides they are given. There are pictures, but it can also be drawings or preliminary art. But the wave assortment is clearly stated, along wuth what is repacked.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

For brick and mortar stores, I suspect there would be more parents buying than collectors assuming most of us are pre-ordering anyway. So in that regard, I think putting them in the same case would not be desired by the retailers.

Alright, my next questions:

Do retailers get a say in how cases are made up? I.e. in a case of 3, which figure gets 1 and which gets 2?

Do they see actual visual representations of the products, or do they go by item codes and names? Like, would Wal-Mart have known ahead of time that Scourge and Sweep were barely different? Or do they just see that 1 is called Scourge and the other is Sweep, so they must be different? I'm guessing that's up to Hasbro's marketing to communicate.

Retailers do see what is coming. We already saw the slides they are given. There are pictures, but it can also be drawings or preliminary art. But the wave assortment is clearly stated, along wuth what is repacked.

As for getting a say, I wouldn't think so, or at least not as much as one would expect; exclusives are where they're more in charge. That said, there's still the option of buying solid cases, like they did with Siege Refraktor, is that still open?

[Rodimus Prime]

Guess what I found:

[BIGGUY007]

Guess what I found:

By the Allspark!

[TF-fan kev777]

Guess what I found:

So, do tell, how "ugh" is the alt mode in hand?

[Rodimus Prime]

Guess what I found:

So, do tell, how "ugh" is the alt mode in hand?

It is pretty bland. I mean, the transformation is okay, but then what? It just sits there. I guess you'll have to be imaginative to make it work.

And honestly, I'm not too impressed by the robot mode either. He's kinda chunky yet hollow. It's weird. He looks more like a mutant version of Soundwave. He is fairly poseable, though, so he'll look decent on a shelf.

I got him because I want to collect the Bee movie guys, but I really hope Ratchet and Brawn will be better.

[chuckdawg1999]

Guess what I found:

So, do tell, how "ugh" is the alt mode in hand?

It is pretty bland. I mean, the transformation is okay, but then what? It just sits there. I guess you'll have to be imaginative to make it work.

And honestly, I'm not too impressed by the robot mode either. He's kinda chunky yet hollow. It's weird. He looks more like a mutant version of Soundwave. He is fairly poseable, though, so he'll look decent on a shelf.

I got him because I want to collect the Bee movie guys, but I really hope Ratchet and Brawn will be better.

How many were there.

[Rodimus Prime]

Guess what I found:

So, do tell, how "ugh" is the alt mode in hand?

It is pretty bland. I mean, the transformation is okay, but then what? It just sits there. I guess you'll have to be imaginative to make it work.

And honestly, I'm not too impressed by the robot mode either. He's kinda chunky yet hollow. It's weird. He looks more like a mutant version of Soundwave. He is fairly poseable, though, so he'll look decent on a shelf.

I got him because I want to collect the Bee movie guys, but I really hope Ratchet and Brawn will be better.

How many were there.

2 Soundwaves, 1 Hot Rod in the case.

[transformers_va]

Robot mode: 6 out of 10
Alt mode: 2 out of 10 (not as bad as 62)
No Ravage: 0 out of 10