The Energon Pub

[Wolfman Jake]

The other day, I picked up the whole set of deluxe and voyager sized figures from the TRU exclusive Asian Market imports (GDO Transformers Generations). A few weeks ago, I got all the legion and scout size figures too. I must say, these were all a breath of fresh air this year. It's like a time capsule was opened back to the RotF/Generations/TF2010 lines. The new head sculpts are pretty nice, but the return to larger figures, with more substantial plastic is even better. Even the non-conventional choices for molds, like Prime FE Cliffjumper and TF2010 Tomahawk, work surprisingly well as “Classics” characters. I don’t think we’ll be seeing a return to this level of production and engineering in Transformers toys anytime soon, so I would love to see Hasbro try this at least once more, another round of repaints and retools of molds from a few years back to round out our Classics shelves.

[Mkall]

I gotta agree with you on this. Getting these has made me nostalgic for a proper G1 homage Generations line.

[Wolfman Jake]

It would be nice to see a second wave of GDO figures next year, maybe including a Hasbro take on those upcoming Takara/Tomy Transformers United figures like Reflector (RtS Reflector remold/repaint?) and Hardhead (Generations Warpath remold/repaint?). Maybe add in some of the Reveal the Shield items that were canceled, like scout class Rumble and Frenzy. What other molds in the last years would make great G1 updates for our Classics shelves?

[tmk9883]

I stopped by TRU and ended up walking out with Wheelie. I already picked up Laserbeak and was waiting for the rest of the voyager size figures to show up (randomly found and ended up by Megatron a couple of weeks ago) but Wheelie really caught my eye. The colors are good along with the head sculpt. I wish they used a legends size mold (he is replacing stand in ROTF Slapdash) but overall its a decent remold and the quality is so much better than WOC and most of Prime its scary.

I passed on Springer because he is tool small and I already have Warbot Defender (which is awesome) and Cliffjumper just because.

[craggy]

Its good to hear that Wheelie is becoming more prevalent. Just hope these things come to the UK. I needs me dat Wheelie! and might get the other two deluxes (paid ebay price for Springer )

[tmk9883]

I wasnt impressed with Swerve. I really like the figure as Kup and cant imagine it as anyone else. His head is different, but he is basically a red Kup. I guess you can say that about all of them, but I feel Wheelie's head sculpt and the slingshot really stand out and dont make him look like an orange Jazz


Im not sure how many cases they had open, but they had maybe 5 or 6 Swerves, 3 or so CJs, 2 Wheelies (before I snagged one) and 1 Springer.

[Wolfman Jake]

I had the exact opposite reaction to GDO Swerve. I think he's a great reuse of the Generations Kup mold. He's replaced the Chevy Aveo Swerve I used to have on my classics shelf. The fact that the GDO version is a truck, like the G1 toy, helps a lot, and the color scheme is very striking with the bright red and white and black highlights. It's too bad he didn't get a newly tooled weapon to distinguish him even more from Kup, but the head sculpt is excellent.

Wheelie is also an amazing surprise. The head sculpt really sells it, along with the new slingshot accessory. He's in storage now, though, as his scale is just too big. Scout size might have worked, but his legends size Universe figure fits in my classics display so much better.

I like Springer a LOT. I don't buy the third party "homages", so I don't have a Warbot Defender to use in my display. Of the Hasbro releases of "Classics" Springer, this is the best yet, IMO. The 2007 BotCon Springer was good, but bulky. The Universe repaint of Cybertron Evac was passable. But GDO Springer finally has a face sculpt that does the character justice. The new sword for him is also a great touch and a detail Hasbro could have just neglected. I think it shows some actual thought was put into these repaints and retools.

GDO Cliffjumper is the least exciting. I already had two versions of the mold with First Edition Cliffjumper and then the SDCC "Rust in Peace" version. Still, it's a very good mold, and the darker red for the GDO version looks sharp. The G1 head sculpt is also quite nice. After looking at him along side the other '84 Autobots in my Classics display, I decided he looked like he belonged there, despite being a very different car than his G1 self. At least he isn't just a straight up Bumblebee repaint, since he never really was in G1. My Classics Cliffjumper is now in my stoarge box of "extra" representations of characters. Although the mold was originally made for a Prime toy, with it's distinctive aesthetics, it's blocky enough without too much "robot detail" that it is a plausible Classics figure in my eyes, especially with details like his chest being composed of his windshielf and roof. It certainly fits that roll more than TF2010 Tomohawk as Springer, and you know already I love that Springer as his classics representation.

How do people feel about the other size classes? I could rave for a while on these, but I'll try to spread out the walls of text across a few posts

[Dagon]

The TRU I've been stopping at has had the GDOs in fits and starts. Just today I got Swerve and Springer and LAserbeak. LAst week I got Hot SPot and Powerdive, and a few weeks back I got the legends. I think I'm pretty much done with buying these, but I want to add my voice in agreement to the general good feelings these figures have brought. They make me happy in the way that TFs used to, but really haven't since DOTM/Prime. I think they are better toys than the newer figures, and I thnk they look nicer, and I like that they're all odd G1 homage/"classics" figures.
I think Hot Spot is just beautiful, and I am really excited about opening up Swerve. I grabbed the Springer after hearing how rare he's been, but now I'm pretty excited about him. Not the biggest fan of the mold but it looks like Springer will wear it nicely.
The Kup mold is ok, but what made me excited about a figure I already owned was the pictures of the Swerve repaint. The first picture of that that I saw made me relook at Kup and really appreciate him. I think Swerve looks good, and I like the new head, although I'd have sworn he had a mouth plate instead of an actual mouth.
I guess that flipside of that is that I bought the GDO Laserbeak just because I like that Sky Stalker mold.
Anyway, yeah,. These have been a real fresh air injection for me at least, in a time where outside of the occasional figure I'm really not excited by Transformers. I for one would be more than thrilled if they kept something like this going and kept reheading and repainting good figures as other characters. It's almost like Universe never ended!

[RodimalToyota]

Hot Spot and Powerdive are the crown Jewels..

Swerve, Lazerbeak, and Brawl taking up the rear.
Still haven't found Wheelie, but I'm loving these.
I hope the net waves eventually come out, and even the Leader class sized GDO's

[Dagon]

I think it shows some actual thought was put into these repaints and retools.

I think that's the best part of these toys, is that they are clearly intentional. That may not be the exact or best word, but I mean they are obviously meant to be new characters and look distinct from other versions of that same toy. I love the Seekers, but I've always wished there was more of a difference between SW and TC and SS, other than just their colors. Things like the wing designs on the Coneheads make a whole world of difference.
The GDOs are like the Coneheads. Different enough to be clearly seperate figures and honestly, to make them feel like brand new toys while still being toys you already like with new colors.
The differences may be small in terms of just being a new head or a sword, but those little things make the toys seem so very, very new.

[NTESHFT]

I was finally able to get my hands on a Hotspot last night. Funny thing, I was totally not expecting it. The week before, I wen in there looking for it, but nada, There were 3 Springers on the shelf,and I said if they were still there, I would get one. I went in last night to get him, but found Hotspot instead. No Springer, though....go figure.

[Wolfman Jake]

Keep checking back for Springer. I'm almost certain you won't be disappointed with him. He looks great standing along side Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, and Wreck-Gar on my Classics shelves I hope we get a classics Arcee at some point, as well as a better attempt at a Classics Ultra Magnus. "Whitewash" Optimus Prime doesn't cut it.

Of the Voyagers, Hot Spot is definately my favorite. The new head sculpt is much appreciated and the colors are sharp. It's almost ridculous how much mileage Hasbro (and TFCC) hasve gotten out of this mold. One size fits all firetrucks...and cranes, I guess?

I was surpised with how much I like Powerdive as well. He's a great G2 character update, without needing vibrant "neon" paint applications. The mold works well, way better than it did as movieverse Highbrow, a figure I had previously, but sold along with most of the rest of my movie collection. The poor handling of the DOTM figures soured me on the movie franchise. I didn't appreciate the mold nearly as much then as I do now.

The least interesting is, unfortunately, G2 Megatron. I LOVE the headsculpt. It's a masterpiece and captures Megatron's personality so well. The problem is that the Bludgeon mold, while quite awesome, doesn't work here. Megatron isn't a samurai. It's an interesting take on Megatron, but it's not G2 Megatron. He needs GUNS, not swords. Has anyone found any clever alternate transformations or mods to get his tank cannon pointing foward in robot mode?

[xyl360]

I just got my Powerdive in today from Amazon. I love this mold and the new paint job really looks spiffy. I really dig the shark deco on the cockpit.

[Nutimus Prime]

After watching G1 with my daughter she fell in love with a few characters, Blurr and Wheelie in particular. And especially anybody in the 86 movie. I was soooo happy to finally snag Springer and Wheelie a couple weeks back fresh from a case. I think they look great and she recognized them easily. Had to put them in the closet for Xmas tho lol.

I just have to keep looking for the rest of the G1 updates. Those characters she really likes and I started my collection a bit late so having to acquire RTS, Generations, etc. secondhand.

[Diem]

The hilarious part is that if you went back in time by about 7-8 years and told Transfans that there would be an incredibly popular line made up ENTIRELY OF REPAINTS you would get laughed out of the building.

In truth I love Swerve's colours and Springer's headsculpt, and I look forward to my Powerdive and Hot Spot.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

The hilarious part is that if you went back in time by about 7-8 years and told Transfans that there would be an incredibly popular line made up ENTIRELY OF REPAINTS you would get laughed out of the building.

So you're saying Universe 1.0 from 2003 wasn't popular at all?

[RhA]

The hilarious part is that if you went back in time by about 7-8 years and told Transfans that there would be an incredibly popular line made up ENTIRELY OF REPAINTS you would get laughed out of the building.

In truth I love Swerve's colours and Springer's headsculpt, and I look forward to my Powerdive and Hot Spot.

Not if you would tell us that they would be exclusive to Asia (initially) and represent GEEWUN characters.

[Diem]

The hilarious part is that if you went back in time by about 7-8 years and told Transfans that there would be an incredibly popular line made up ENTIRELY OF REPAINTS you would get laughed out of the building.

So you're saying Universe 1.0 from 2003 wasn't popular at all?

I couldn't say how popular it was because it wasn't popular enough to get released in my country.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

I have the Deluxe and Voyager lines. And I rather love them. As for g2 megatron, I don't think there's a way to get the barrel pointing forward without massive kitbashing.

Any suggestions for a good weapon for him from another figure?

[tmk9883]

I snagged Powerdive today. Forgot how much better the older figures are made and the paint scheme really pops. Didnt see Hot Spot though. Im guessing they come in a 4 pack of 2 Megatrons and one each of Powerdive and Hot Spot. I also picked up Megatron because he was there. On the fence of keeping him though. Head just doest match the body and I dont have much in way of G2 figures (the ones I do are Decepticons and I just keep them with the classics to fill the ranks so to speack). I have Hedgemon for my Classics so G2 Megs is kinda a loner at this point.

[Wolfman Jake]

You're correct. The Voyager case assortment is 1xHotspot, 1xPowerdive, and 2xMegatron. The second Megatron takes the place of the canceled Brawn figure. It's too bad that Hasbro couldn't have split that fourth vacant spot in the assortment among the three figures, producing some cases with an extra Hotspot or Powerdive to even out the character distribution. I have a feeling Megatron will be a shelfwarmer.

Speaking of Megatron, I too am not overly satisfied with this figure of him. However, I think the head sculpt is actually the best part! The expression on his face is priceless, and the colors on the head and face match his first G2 release perfectly.

I haven't seen a lot of talk yet about the smaller size classes in this group of exclusive figures, so I'll offer some thougths now. For the scout class, Sandstorm is pretty solid. The mold is a good one from the ROTF line, but the alt mode doesn't snap together too tightly. He also has a bit of the "gorilla" problem with arms that are too long for his height. Otherwise, the movieverse details don't detract too terribly from the "Classics" vibe. The colors and head sculpt work well, even though, again, we're getting a G1 triple changer limited to just one alt mode. With that said, Hasbro chose well picking the dune buggy mode of the two possibilities. Brawl works quite well. The mold evokes his G1 alt mode AND bot mode very well. A new head would have been nice, but I kind of dig the paint job they did to at least evoke the cartoon character model. There isn't that much else to say, really. Dead End (aka, Wildrider) is great. The scout Breakdown modle from ROTF was already very Classics-esque, except again for the ape arms. Finally, I'm surprised by how much I like Laserbeak. The paint aps are perfect, and he looks very much like a cybertronian version of his G1 self. I have mine displayed with my WFC/FOC Decepticons. I suggest leaving him in alt mode with his feet deployed for the best effect.

As for the legends/legion class figures, not much can be said. If you like this size class, these are all good molds with good alternate paint aps to represent these different characters at a smaller scale. The added "Cyberverse" weapons are quite nice as well. Yeah, Motormaster is again an Optimus repaint for some reason, but what are you gonna do? Hasbro doesn't seem too interested in making a unique truck mold that isn't Optimus Prime. If you dont' like this size class, these probably won't sell you on them anyway.

[Nemesis Destron]

I didn't want to start a new thread so I think this one will do nicely. I feel as of late when it comes to the Voyagers Megatron is the current BB of this line. There seems to be plenty to go around at every local store I have been to. It's no surprise to me really even though his alt-mode is cool looking I think HasTak should have gone a different route...IMO.

I knew Swerve was cool from the first pics we saw but he is 10x cooler in hand all! I think for those that have doubt and haven't found him yet you might have a second POV. Just last night I went to a local TRU and spotted Springer and I sorta felt like some do towards Swerve but the moment I had the item in my hand I stared and stared and it just grew on me then and there. Even though I have issues with the feet for this mold and I already own Botcon Springer I was sold. So I think I'm good on this line including Hot Spot and Laserbeak (love this mold). I really hope it is successful enough for HasTak to consider moving forward with this line or something similar.

The majority have it right in that these TFs hold a sense of value and quality that seems to be lacking from most of the new TFs now and as we move forward possibly. C'mon HasTak hint, hint...'nuff said!

[Shadowstream]

To me Swerve was always that poor sod who always ended up as a bright red repaint of some other mold for the sake of just having another repaint, and at first that's all I could think about wen I saw Kup was getting that treatment. Then I started reading MTMTE, and his character grew on me, but I kept looking back at the toy with the same feeling on my mind as before. In the end I picked him up... and my feeling still hasn't changed. Yeah, he's still a more substantial piece of plastic than any of the other deluxes made this year, but as far as I can tell I just picked up a red Kup with a weird noggin and I still feel empty...

Cliffjumper... surprised me. I thought I'd be on the fence about which shelf to display something that aesthetically polarizing, but I've found he doesn't look that off on my neo-g1 shelf as I thought he would, especially in place of WFC Cliff.

Megatron... well I'm not big on the idea of using the Bludgeon mold since he has no cannons in bot mode, and quite frankly I thought his face sculpt was ridiculous. In the end I grabbed him anyway since he's both another Megatron to put on my shelf, and a G2 homage... which reminds me, I forgot to grab a Powerdive

Everything else was a pass. I love RTS Jazz's mold but hate Wheelie, already have Defender as my Springer, Hot Spot as a non-combiner torso is a no-no and that face is too sinister looking for a Protectobot leader, I don't collect legends, and none of the scouts really grabbed me.

[SJ21]

I recently got Wheelie and Springer. I like both figures a lot. I did not have a Springer (I didn't think either of the old molds really did the character justice). I love the paint job on Wheelie. He really pops on the shelf.

I haven't seen Hot Spot at retail yet. I really like the new head sculpt they are using for him. I have the Titanium Hot Spot on the Classics shelf, but I will be very happy to replace him.

I don't want any of the other characters. Lazerbeak was a maybe for me, but they are making all of the minions to fit FOC Soundwave and I am getting all of those. I don't want to have Lazerbeak being out of scale.

[burning_sirius]

I really dig Brawl. He is a cool either G1 version or Micromaster version of Brawn. One could of wished for a different head, but the paint kind of implies a 'faceplate' of sorts.