The Energon Pub

[Lazerface]

If anyone has bought many Transformers Encore remakes of G1, can you tell me what kind of quality the figures are? How do the color and plastic quality compare to the originals? Do they use metal in all the same places? I'm looking for comparisons of individual characters, or the Encore line as a whole.

I've used Google to look up some reviews, but am just trying to get more opinions. Thanks

[Jelze Bunnycat]

The quality of the Encore line varies between figures. Overall it should be roughly the same as the originals, but there are exceptions, like Encore Bruticus. The mold has seen many uses between G1 and Universe 2003, and thus suffers from mold degradation. Especially Onslaught has seen better days. And I just heard from a friend of mine that the upcoming Devastator has issues as well, with missing Mixmaster heads. On the flip side, molds were restored for Encore, Rumble and Frenzy to be exact.

[Overcracker]

Certain molds have more degradation than others. As Rabbit said the Bruticus mold is the worst offender so far.

Other Encore's are just as good as the Originals, and most are better than the Hasbro re-issues of the same figures.

From the ones I own, Encore Convoy is far superior to Hasbro's 25th Anniversary G1. Optimus Prime reissue. In my case, 25th Prime has a very loose leg joint and inferior paint. It also has the shortened smokestacks for safety and the elongated missiles.

Encore 01 Convoy is as close to the Original as you can get. Including the regular missiles, normal sized smokestacks and great paint.

As far as die-cast goes, they have the same amount of die-cast and in the same places as the originals. Basically they are 1980's figures that are new.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

As far as die-cast goes, they have the same amount of die-cast and in the same places as the originals. Basically they are 1980's figures that are new.

Bruticus, again, is an exception: no die cast whatsoever, just plastic.

[Overcracker]

Wasn't Bruticus released in both versions in G1. With and without die-cast?

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Wasn't Bruticus released in both versions in G1. With and without die-cast?

He was in G1, but not in Encore.

[Lazerface]

Thanks for the heads up on Bruticus. that is one that I had considered.

I was on the fence for getting the Encore Prime or Hasbro 25th anniversary version, but it looks like Encore is the way to go.

Some others that I am interested in are:

Starscream
Skywarp
Thundercracker
Jazz
Devestator
Soundwave
Cassettes

[MightyMagnus78]

The quality of my Encores are as good, if not better than the quality of some of my originals.

I haven't even had any quality issues with my Encore Bruticus.

[Nemesis Destron]

Is SDCC Soundwave considered an Encore? I know his packaging doesn't bear the word Encore but would he be anyway? I do feel that he considering how many re-releases since the TFC. Anyway I think most of the encore's are pretty cool as far as QC goes.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Is SDCC Soundwave considered an Encore? I know his packaging doesn't bear the word Encore but would he be anyway? I do feel that he considering how many re-releases since the TFC. Anyway I think most of the encore's are pretty cool as far as QC goes.

SDCC Soundwave is not an Encore. Encore is merely a line of reissues by TakaraTomy, it does not refer to a specific kind of reissue.

[Overcracker]

There's been several re-issues lines through years. Encore is merely the most recent one.

The SDCC Soundwave isn't even a Takara release its a Hasbro release. If falls under the Universe line. Like the Perceptor and Insecticon re-issues.

[gavinfuzzy]

I own Encore Skylyx and Omega Supreme. The quality is great, but i don't own actual G1s of those figs to compare them too. Granted Encore is released by Takara, who has a higher QC standard than Hasbro (although the recent Encore Devy has reports of headless Mixmasters ). G1s were built to last, and im sure Encores would hold up just fine

Encore also features a slight change in the toys sometimes, I know Encore Omega Supreme has a newly sculpted face, and Encore Devy has some different paint apps.

[Lazerface]

Thanks for the help. I have encore Jazz on the way.

I didn't have time to ask about him on here, but I saw some good reviews other places.

[Lazerface]

I just need to figure out which ones to get next.

Can someone direct me to a link that shows when each Encore or TRU reissue was released, and how much it was retail price?

[Flux Convoy]

Encore is merely a line of reissues by TakaraTomy, it does not refer to a specific kind of reissue.

Heh, that's sort of exactly what it does, my friend. It certainly delineates the difference between themselves and the book style at the very least.

[fenrir72]

One of the under appreciated Encore was Meister/Jazz. Takara fixed the "Bugs Bunny" smirk, stamped graphed the "Martini" color bars on his rear wheel guards and added a blue visor. Trouble only in attaching the shoulder mounted flame thrower..........mine keeps popping out.

Skids is kind off lighter in blue color, same with his wind shield plastic.

Eject and Rewind kind of sucks in quality, a lot of mold degradation ( not so apparent in Flipsides and Rosanna

Same great restoration for Ratbat, Slugfest, Overkill and Rumble and Frenzy(though for the latter, the thigh decals were omitted)

Seekers? TT hand stamp graphed decals while SW didn't. And SS's cOckpit canopy is lighter in color.

Soundwave? equally great re-issue.

Convoy? the red plastic is slightly different from the original but lightyears ahead of the cr@p Hasbro re-issue.

[Flux Convoy]

One of the under appreciated Encore was Meister/Jazz. Takara fixed the "Bugs Bunny" smirk, stamped graphed the "Martini" color bars on his rear wheel guards and added a blue visor. Trouble only in attaching the shoulder mounted flame thrower..........mine keeps popping out.

Skids is kind off lighter in blue color, same with his wind shield plastic.

Eject and Rewind kind of sucks in quality, a lot of mold degradation ( not so apparent in Flipsides and Rosanna

Same great restoration for Ratbat, Slugfest, Overkill and Rumble and Frenzy(though for the latter, the thigh decals were omitted)

Seekers? TT hand stamp graphed decals while SW didn't. And SS's cOckpit canopy is lighter in color.

Soundwave? equally great re-issue.

Convoy? the red plastic is slightly different from the original but lightyears ahead of the cr@p Hasbro re-issue.

I have all of those you mentioned but Soundwave. I agree that Jazz is great. I'm fairly certain that the Hasbro reissue was the only one with the malformed face though, wasn't it? In the galleries you can see the degradation starts with G2 Jazz. I don't know if the bookstyle reissue had the bad face too.

I don't notice any difference in Skids.

I don't see any flaws in the cassettes, My Eject and Rewind are fine.

The seekers are actually in their box right now. Their rubber nosecones are freaking malformed garbage compared to any other release. The tampos are a cool touch but I would not suggest them over other releases to anyone.

I kept Convoy sealed. I use and display New Year Convoy as my G1 Convoy but always wanted a boxed example of G1 Prime and he was the closest and cheapest way I was able to get exactly that. From what I've been able to tell from others, he's great.

Metroplex, Omega Supreme, Sky Lynx, Trailbreaker, Hoist, Ironhide and Ratchet all seem fine to me. I've notice no flaws or mold degradation on them.

[fenrir72]

TFC Meister had the ugly smirk.

And yes, Metroplex is just as awesome(with some "upgraded" parts)

Also got Trailbreaker too. Thanks to Encore, I have all but completed my G1/Season 1 and 2 figures. Now all I need is a Ramjet and Thrust re-issue.........

There are flaws on my Rewind and Eject set. Compared to Rosana and Flipsides, there's mold degradation on their thighs.

[Flux Convoy]

TFC Meister had the ugly smirk.

You're right, I had to to do a little research to find it. It seems that G2 and those two reissue releases were the only ones with that problem as far as I could find anyway. The head was fixed with the release of Stepper/Ricochet.

[Overcracker]

Encore is merely a line of reissues by TakaraTomy, it does not refer to a specific kind of reissue.

Heh, that's sort of exactly what it does, my friend. It certainly delineates the difference between themselves and the book style at the very least.

Yes, that's the point he has trying to make: That not all G1 re-issues are necessarily Encore. Book Style is not a kind of Re-issue its a line of Re-issues by Takara. It only contains G1 re-issues, but it could easily encompass other kinds of re-issues like G2 re-issues or Beast Wars re-issues etc... if Takara had made it so.

The line name does not limit the kind of re-issue it can hold. So just because its a G1 re-issue does not automatically make it an Encore or a Book Style etc...

[fenrir72]

And for now we have 2 more in the pipeline after Devastar. I do hope/pray to "God"/Primus or whatever higher power to influence the suits at Takara to re-issue Ramjet and Thrust.

[MightyMagnus78]

And for now we have 2 more in the pipeline after Devastar. I do hope/pray to "God"/Primus or whatever higher power to influence the suits at Takara to re-issue Ramjet and Thrust.

Takara have already reissued them both back in 2001, so anythings possible. Personally, I'd like to have an Encore Reflector, Shockwave or even a G1 Omnibots three pack.

[REMINATOR]

And for now we have 2 more in the pipeline after Devastar. I do hope/pray to "God"/Primus or whatever higher power to influence the suits at Takara to re-issue Ramjet and Thrust.

Takara have already reissued them both back in 2001, so anythings possible. Personally, I'd like to have an Encore Reflector, Shockwave or even a G1 Omnibots three pack.

Although I would purchase Ramjet and Thrust, I wouldn't mind if it get push back since I know those guys already reissue despite being exclusive and expensive. I too would first prefer Reflector, Shockwave, Ominbots, or any bot that hadn't reissued before.

[fenrir72]

Awesomesauce Shockwave!. Though I already own a vintage since like forever(my version's backpack has gotten a bit loose due to age and not my manhandling it btw )it wouldn't hurt to have one re-issued.

Unless another miracle would happen similar to Omega Supreme and Skylynx (both being toys subcontracted to Tomy by Toy box) I wouldn't hold my breathe.

Heck, a lot of for Japan only re-issues haven't reached the US yet (not counting specialty/on line stores) to name a few:

1.Galvatron
2.Bumble anime face and mini-bots sets
3.Trailbreaker
4.Rumble and Frenzy

so I'm being a realist, the seeker mold is already there, heck again, if they can release a cr@pper like Piranacon........

[Windsweeper]

I have Sky Lynx, Trailbreaker, Ironhide, Ratchet and the Mini-bots from the Encore line.

I had an old Ratchet from my childhood that needed replacing. I bought that third party head set for him and Ironhide and couldn't believe the differenece the head made.
Ended up buying Encore Ironhide and later Ratchet. Ironhide + head is now one of my alltime favourite Transformers. Can't recommend those heads enough no matter what version of the van bots you have. Quite reasonably priced.