The Energon Pub

[El Duque]

Alfes2010 has tweeted a slew of in-hand images of the new Kabaya Scramble style combiner figures. Each limb mold comes in multiple colors and can be transformed in two different configurations to create two characters. These can be combined with their Motormaster, Silverbolt, and Onslaught to form their respective gestalts Menasor, Superion, and Bruticus. The limbs can also be combined to form a larger robot by themselves. Check out the images mirrored below.

[SG Roadbuster]

A plus for ambition.
D minus for execution. not my cup of tea. more props to the folks that like this kinda thing though

[MagnetarPrime]

I like the idea, and the figures look cool, not going to get them but they look cool.

[Metrosuplex]

Yeah, I agree with you guys re: these sets...

The Kabaya TFs feel cheap and flimsy, and this is just a giant reminder that true Gestalt combiners is becoming prohibitively expensive for Takara/Hasbro. What else would explain their lack of interest?

But stop me if I'm wrong here.... wouldn't it be EASIER to sell TF toys if they combined? I mean, I remember being a kid and having to decide between entire combination teams, as collecting just ONE of the team would be incredibly lame. Ergo, by creating sets that combine, you kind of lock your consumer into buying all 5. Right?

Anyway, this is a nice homage by Kabaya, but kind of painful, too. Our childhoods cheapened to small, flimsy kits.

[jamarmiller]

The team leaders are bought so I can use the with metroplex

[Autobot032]

Well, it's certainly impressive given the scale, but they're trying to do too much with them and they suffer. Bruticus is the only one who really shines. Not worth the money to import, though.

[Mykltron]

They look pretty good to me for the size. They have more articulation than the originals!

Nice weapon:

But what does it do?

[kirbenvost]

O think they actually turned out really well, especially the gestalt leaders. I'm definitely interested in picking up Superion and Bruticus.

[RAcast]

They look pretty good to me for the size. They have more articulation than the originals!

Nice weapon:

But what does it do?

Well, if it's anything like the original, it "stuns" things into dust.

Anyway, I quite like how Bruticus and Superion came out! I'll definitely try to snag Silverbolt at least, so Hot Spot isn't so lonely on my shelf.

[T-Macksimus]

I think they did a great job, especially with the team leaders. Very impressed with how Motormaster turned out.
I think that what the folks that are down on these sets are either forgetting or may not realize, is that the level of quality and articulation for these sets is actually right where it should be. These are "bubble-gum" sets, on par with the toys and trading cards of old where you get a stick of gum or piece of candy with a cheap toy. It's not supposed to be a top notch toy. It's meant to be an inexpensive (relatively anyways) novelty and nothing more. The fact that the prices have gone up a bit on them is just due to the collectors market and simple "supply and demand". They've always been steep for us in the States just due to import costs but those of us interested in them are used to it anyways. I'll be keeping my eyes open for these little buggers at my local Collectors shop.

[njb902]

These look like something I'd keep in my office at work. I'm just not sure they are worth the cost though.......... decisions decisions

[rpetras]

I want to like the Kabaya stuff, but I just don't.

It would be great to have versions of these that worked with Metroplex or WSTFs, but these look like the gumball machine toys that they are.

[RAcast]

These look like something I'd keep in my office at work. I'm just not sure they are worth the cost though.......... decisions decisions

I can honestly say, that these are DEFINITELY worth it. For the price of a Legion/(old)Legends class, you get something that's about Scout size with a very nice look to it. And putting them together is really quite fun. I bought the Hot Spot, WfC Optimus, and Deathsaurus sets from Captured Prey around christmas and I REALLY like Hot Spot and Deathsaurus. WfC Optimus is a touch of a letdown, but not hugely. The quality on these sets are quite nice, too. They feel like good quality plastic for the most part.

I skipped wave 6, the Zone trio of Sonic Bomber, Roadfire, and Dai Atlas, but from reviews I'd say they look pretty good.

As for the current wave, Captured Prey is asking a bit less less than BBTS, if that's the cost you're referring to. They have a set of 6 limbs for $20 and the set of Silverbolt, Onslaught, and Motormaster for $16, as compared to BBTS's set of 10 limbs for $35 and commander set for $18. CP also tends to have a better deal on shipping rates, from my experience, than BBTS or TFsource.