The Energon Pub

So I had to open my big mouth yesterday and proclaim ROTF leader Optimus Prime was $29.99 on HTS, only to go back an hour later to order him to see he was sold out!
I fail myself yet again. Again!
Anyway, my only retail price options are Kmart.com and YaHobby.com for this guy; $44.99 and $41.99 respectively. And no, I'm not getting HFTD Prime unless I get a non-battle damaged version first. HOWEVER, I go to the galleries almost every day to stare at the glory of TakaraTomy Buster Optimus Prime; the most superior of all movie Optimus Primes. But he's a minimum of $95.00 USD!!!
My original plan was to get the two Hasbro versions: one with the deployed mouthplate and battle blades, the other with the sculpted mouth and battle hooks.
But now I'm not so sure, because of Buster Prime's extreme movie-accuracy; the blaster, the correctly painted blades, the chrome, extra paint apps, etc.
So, as LeBron says: What should I do?

You seems to have several figures you miss out on. Sometimes you just gotta go for it. If you don't like them you can always resell. $95 isn't a bad price for an import with such nice added features. I prefer the Premium version from the first movie, but I think I'm the only one.

DISCHARGE wrote:You seems to have several figures you miss out on. Sometimes you just gotta go for it. If you don't like them you can always resell. $95 isn't a bad price for an import with such nice added features. I prefer the Premium version from the first movie, but I think I'm the only one.

Dude, I don't know something is good until it's gone. So yes, I have a ton of figures I miss out on. From ROTF I'm still hunting Ironhide, Starscream, deluxe Ratchet, Brawn, Lockdown, Mixmaster, leader Megatron, and Jetfire. I must obtain these before DOTM...along with movie 1 Ratchet.
I got off track. Anyway, thanks for the advice. And I'm also considering the Import Premium too. Thought I was the only one.

My advice is to wait a bit and see what DOTM brings. If nothing else, the price on the ROTF is bound to bottom out then.

For what it's worth, I love my Buster Prime most of all.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you're also looking for Jetfire, wouldn't the cheapest thing to do be to buy the Buster Optimus/Jetfire two pack?

I don't know where you live but have you tried periodically wandering through your local stores? I picked up leader OP for $17US a couple of months back at Target. He was in a bent box with a foot detached, marked clearance. Since I always open boxes, I didn't care about the dents and the foot reattaches easily enough. He was the only one there, my local stores didn't get the leader class in large numbers.

That said, I love my Buster Prime. If you have the cash, he's worth it, IMO.

Blurrz wrote:I suggest getting it. I have some knowledge of what we're getting in dotm for Optimus and they aren't going to be as great as Buster.

Even...Ultimate Optimus Prime?

(I know you won't say anything)

Starscream GaGa wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you're also looking for Jetfire, wouldn't the cheapest thing to do be to buy the Buster Optimus/Jetfire two pack?

I'm not sure, because I figure they would both be at Takara prices, so I figure it's cheaper to get the Hasbro Jetfire.

I don't like Optimus with lips so I prefer the Hasbro version. And I'd be nervous about the chrome grill as feet getting scratched up...but the gun is kinda neat and it is a great paint job. It's gotta be the best movie mold, though. If you collect movie figs, this mold is a must have.

Kibble wrote:I don't like Optimus with lips so I prefer the Hasbro version. And I'd be nervous about the chrome grill as feet getting scratched up...but the gun is kinda neat and it is a great paint job. It's gotta be the best movie mold, though. If you collect movie figs, this mold is a must have.

I think I'll go Hasbro first, then. From what I hear, this mold is very good, sometimes described as an equal to MP Prime. So I'll get Buster if I have dough after DOTM.

OptiMagnus10 wrote:

Kibble wrote:I don't like Optimus with lips so I prefer the Hasbro version. And I'd be nervous about the chrome grill as feet getting scratched up...but the gun is kinda neat and it is a great paint job. It's gotta be the best movie mold, though. If you collect movie figs, this mold is a must have.

I think I'll go Hasbro first, then. From what I hear, this mold is very good, sometimes described as an equal to MP Prime. So I'll get Buster if I have dough after DOTM.

I should mention that the 2-pack Buster Prime has the original faceplate head instead of the one with the mouth. Plus, Jetfire has his blues replaced with a rust brown color.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

OptiMagnus10 wrote:

Kibble wrote:I don't like Optimus with lips so I prefer the Hasbro version. And I'd be nervous about the chrome grill as feet getting scratched up...but the gun is kinda neat and it is a great paint job. It's gotta be the best movie mold, though. If you collect movie figs, this mold is a must have.

I think I'll go Hasbro first, then. From what I hear, this mold is very good, sometimes described as an equal to MP Prime. So I'll get Buster if I have dough after DOTM.

I should mention that the 2-pack Buster Prime has the original faceplate head instead of the one with the mouth. Plus, Jetfire has his blues replaced with a rust brown color.

Oh, cool! Now I have a winner.

By the way...
does anyone know if Buster Prime and/or the Buster Prime/Jetfire set has the electronics that just say "Optimus Prime and "Jetfire" or do they still say "I am Optimus Prime" and "Jetfire is my name"? The repetition of the names could really annoy me more than the phrases.

buster prime says that 'he is optimus prime'

OptiMagnus10 wrote:By the way...
does anyone know if Buster Prime and/or the Buster Prime/Jetfire set has the electronics that just say "Optimus Prime and "Jetfire" or do they still say "I am Optimus Prime" and "Jetfire is my name"? The repetition of the names could really annoy me more than the phrases.

They have the same electronics and sounds as the Hasbro version.

Buster Prime has unequivocally ruined all other Movie Primes for me. When I first got him, I put my Hasbro ROTF Prime next to him to compare and saw what a bland, unpainted eyesore the U.S. version is in comparison (predictably, the wife said "they both look the same to me."). The bright silver with gold details, the touches of blue, the fine white outlines on the flames, the wicked cannon, and the un-blackened exposed face. There is absolutely no comparison. Buster Prime clearly shows how much Hasbro cuts corners for us and our hard earned money, while Takara in time honored Japanese tradition takes the time to create a finely detailed and worthwhile product.

Yeah, it's worth it.

Starscream GaGa wrote:

OptiMagnus10 wrote:By the way...
does anyone know if Buster Prime and/or the Buster Prime/Jetfire set has the electronics that just say "Optimus Prime and "Jetfire" or do they still say "I am Optimus Prime" and "Jetfire is my name"? The repetition of the names could really annoy me more than the phrases.

They have the same electronics and sounds as the Hasbro version.

Oh good...I was hoping they didn't speak Japenese or something.