The Energon Pub

Yo! I just got back from my local Walmart (Halifax, Nova Scotia, CA)and just found something that defies all logic and is freaking me out! So I had to buy it! Behold the enigma:
Transformers Movie "Armada Wheeljack" in Longarm package!
As far as I can tell there is no tampering with the package other then the cardboard back is for a decepticon package and there is no instruction book inside other then the toy catalog. on closer examination the little decepticon crest n the front of wheeljack has been removed, scraped off or sanded off. So I ask my fellow Seibertronian's WTF! Was this sent from Unicron himself or is Hasbro lacking in there quality control checks?

I got some more pics!

That's a lucky find! Keep it MOSC as curio of sorts.

It's someones bad attempt at making money.
Apparently they got Longarm, repackaged it with a figure they hated, and decided to remake the box. I thought that only English was on the American figs. Also, that backing is not one ever released. I hate to say it, but you've been had. It was a retur, most likely, and if it were official would package insturcions, this is a similar case to the Blackout/Jetfire at TRU. Wal-Mart staff usually don't care.

That slash thing on the hood looks interesting. With the internal parts showing. I'd grab that right away if i were you.

Do Armada Wheeljack have this slash thing?

You gotta open that thing and transform it. The picture on the package is showing a different robot head than what Armada Wheeljack should have and other than the removal of the Decepticon decal it looks like there's no remolding or repainting.

Auto Bot wrote:That slash thing on the hood looks interesting. With the internal parts showing. I'd grab that right away if i were you.

Do Armada Wheeljack have this slash thing?

Watch the 2 part episode "Past" on You Tube it exsplains why Wheeljack has that slash through his Autobot symbol and it's the only episode of Armada I actully like.

Thats obviously had some real work put into it on Hasbros part. The plastic tray accomdates a figure from about 4 lines ago AND has the curve of the bubble..

Auto Bot wrote:That slash thing on the hood looks interesting. With the internal parts showing. I'd grab that right away if i were you.

Do Armada Wheeljack have this slash thing?

Yeah, it's very important to his character.

Here is some more pics of package, this thing is not a return, its sealed up just like the rest of them, got to be someone at Hasbro swapping figs.

Actually, it is possible to so that, with correct equipment.

I want to say its a return, but there are a few things that still bug me:
1: Thats alot of effort to go through to make a return.
2: Thats a good toy in that packaging, not an Armada Sideswipe or Cybertron Override.
3: That the packaging fits the Armada toy very well.

that is a pretty cool find.

It is pretty cool, and it is a good toy nonetheless..

Actually, it's not that difficult to remove the toy from the package without damaging the tape on the package... I do it all the time, since I like to keep the boxes my figures come in...

All you have to do is slowly ease the tape back from the back of the package. Only one of the four edges are actually GLUED to the cardboard. This will leave you three of four sides that you can open to easily remove the figure!

I'm guessing whoever did this swapped the figures out, re-twist tied them into the bubble, and then put new tape on the back of the package...

As for the multi-language package, is it common for your area? (if not, anyone know what area of the world would have this specific packaging? -any speculation as to how it got mixed into the packaging for this areas' figures?)

I want that. haha. It actually looks like a pretty good figure. : ( I hope that thing goes on sale (in proper packaging).


*just watched the "Past" episode* soooo many things wrong with that, but whatever! XD

I think the key consideration is the insert, that fits the movie-packaging bubble, but accommodates the Wheeljack toy. Surely that's not something easily done by accident? Unless there's a Deluxe movie toy (Longarm or otherwise) whose packaging, by some miraculous coincidence, fits Wheeljack and his weapons exactly, and someone happened to spot the similarity.

Ramrider wrote:I think the key consideration is the insert, that fits the movie-packaging bubble, but accommodates the Wheeljack toy. Surely that's not something easily done by accident? Unless there's a Deluxe movie toy (Longarm or otherwise) whose packaging, by some miraculous coincidence, fits Wheeljack and his weapons exactly, and someone happened to spot the similarity.

I think it's too much of a coincidence...

I'm tempted to think the same thing. But at the same time, if it was made specially, it's a lot of effort to go to, and for what gain?

Ramrider wrote:I'm tempted to think the same thing. But at the same time, if it was made specially, it's a lot of effort to go to, and for what gain?

Unnh. To confuse people? That is the way of the Dark side.....


Oops. Off-track.

Question...If its a legit Hasbro packaging, where the heck is the story and tech specs on the back of the package???

And as far as the insert...I looked at my movie figures, and Longarm's seems the most logical victim (I dont remember anyone else having rockets besides Arcee) Honestly, with time and effort that plastic will bend easily.

With the placement of the mini-catalog and the back of the package, I think it's a hoax. Just my opinion.

zatara1701 wrote:Question...If its a legit Hasbro packaging, where the heck is the story and tech specs on the back of the package???

And as far as the insert...I looked at my movie figures, and Longarm's seems the most logical victim (I dont remember anyone else having rockets besides Arcee) Honestly, with time and effort that plastic will bend easily.

With the placement of the mini-catalog and the back of the package, I think it's a hoax. Just my opinion.

the mini-catalog also says "Bonescrusher", and I doubt hasbro pacakging would so such mistake...

And there really is NO bio at all, even the euro packaging I'm familiar with has very short bios written in 10 or more languages, and this one has only 3 languages, so I also believe it might be fake.

Yeah, but he pict it up in Canada. They have different laws when it comes to languages.

If you think it's legit, hold on to it or sell it on eBay. Someone is going to want to but it as a "Variation".

The best case scenario is you have a "Bumblejumper" type accident. However, instead of an unknown character, you have a known one.

Worst case scenario, it's a hoax and you're out the cost of the fig.

Wow.


I wish I could find an Armada Wheeljack in Longarm's packaging.

He's hard to come by now! Arguably the best the Armada line had to offer!


Keep it!

Auto Bot wrote:That slash thing on the hood looks interesting. With the internal parts showing. I'd grab that right away if i were you.

Do Armada Wheeljack have this slash thing?

That IS an Armada Wheeljack. So yes, it does have that same detail.....

Anyhow, I always think this kind of thing is funny. So much time put in to such a trivial thing.