The Energon Pub

[Yotsuyasan]

Holy Zarquan's Singing Fish! MP-10, complete, at U.S. retail? For only about $100? The Toy Goddesses have decided to show some grace and kindness to mankind. I've got an impending move in a few months, so money is a bit of an issue, and there were two rather expensive figures I was trying to decide about. (MP-10 and Green Giant.) With this news, I may just say the hell with it and go for both!

Hooray! Thank you, Hasbro! You suck less now! (Just get us the FE Prime Figures, and all will be forgiven.)

[DevastaTTor]

While this is good news overall for the fans, I actually wanted a cheaper, trailer-less release so I could display him in both alt and bot modes since I aleady have to TT version. This is ok though-will just an extra trailer.

[Dead Metal]

Dude, what are you talking about? The sharper teeth and claws, the tray of drinks, the apron, the computron helmet, and the bow tie - those are COMPLETELY WORTH AN EXTRA $100! (or whatever the extra cost was, I can't remember).

It's too bad the only accessory half-way worth a damn came with the cheaper US version...

If you want we can swap, I don't like the crown and would rather have the Japanese accessories.

[KnightStrike]

I still can't get over how awesome this is. I figured we would never get a US release or that if we did he wouldn't have his trailer and accessories, but we get everything! I had already written off MP-10 as a figure I could never afford, but for $100 I think its a great deal and will be glad to get one as I will consider this the crowning jewel of my collection. I'm glad Hasbro chose to do this one, it gives us low budget collectors a refreshing break.

[fenrir72]

Again..............US$100.00 is a virtual steal! Trouble is, people want to own things for virtually nothing! Sometimes, there simply is no pleasing people.

For instance, I'm not bitching over the 3rd party Devys, didn't get them...........end of story(waaaaaaaay beyond my budget). I'd have wanted to get Hotrodimus too but its QCs are giving me 2nd thoughts. MP-01(1st release), well I camped out of the specialty store on 2004's Christmas Eve to get one......worth it! MP-04, skipped it due to price issues and the lack of a Roller unit. But MP-10 blew all that away, sure his optics aren't as apparent as the MP-01, he's got a bit of balancing, molding and paint issues, but overall, worth it!

People bitch about Optimus not having the trailer, well Hasbro step up to the challenge! If I were the potential buyers, we ought to pester Hasbro to make sure there will be no QC issues!

Those who will be getting this don't know how good a thing you're going to get! Again, Hasbro, please don't drop the ball with cr@ppy plastic molding/assembly,paint apps or worse.......

[Banjo-Tron]

I was always going to pass on Chunkimus Prime, but at this price... well, I may have to pick him up now.

[CADimusPrimus]

Did they fix the arm/leg ratio that makes it look off? If, not i'll stick with my TT Mp10

[Stormrider]

What the heck Takara? How come Hasbro can release the same figure for less?

[Deathsanras]

I've resisted picking up the Takara release but I may cave...

I feel really bad for those of us who paid the TakaraTomy price. $250.00+ and this one's rumored to be $100.00? Ouch.

I hate to see anyone get burned like that. Hopefully there's enough differences to make them happy with their purchase.

I don't feel bad for me. I got MP-10 and I don't regret it in the slightest, and I'll be getting this too. $100 is a bargain for this figure. Try getting a vintage, "very good"-or-better condition, complete G1 Optimus Prime for anything significantly different to $100. And this thing is way more articulated and detailed. And fresh out of the box.

I got MP-10 knowing it would probably get a Hasbro release, with or without the trailer. I made my choice, and I'd do it again.

[samikai]

I'll say it again. Making it TrU exclusive is total bullshit because so many of us will miss out on him and we will have no choices but to pay scalper prices on Ebay.

To hell with store exclusives!

This!

How many people had to overpay for TRU Masterpiece Grimlock? Heck, how many of you never saw him or Rodimus at stores. Good luck to those who want the US release.


Also those who don't get why the US version is cheaper. Takara/Hasbro did not magically create an MP-10 that can be sold for cheaper. There are marketing/sales factors behind the scenes makers have to deal with to get their good sold in any particular region/country. One of the great things about US is many goods are sold cheaper here then elsewhere. Not always the case, but with our beloved toys it is. Even our Candian brethren pay more for deluxe toys than we do. Stop complaining and be happy it's not $250.

[Dean ML]

Best news all weekend. Anyone know if you can order masterpiece TFs from TRU online?

[King Kuuga]

What the heck Takara? How come Hasbro can release the same figure for less?

Different market expectations are a big part of it. In Japan, EVERYTHING is expensive compared to what we're used to paying for the same or similar items, even without the exchange rate making things worse. Just look at the price of their normal Transformers releases. It's what, 2700 yen for a Deluxe? That's about $30. You charge that much in America, you can kiss your sales goodbye. So right off the bat you know the price is going to have to be lower in America to make it appealing enough that consumers feel the product is worth the amount they pay for it. We also don't know if there's any differences in composition, like cheaper plastic or removing the die-cast. If so, those would help account for it. Hasbro is probably selling it at much closer to production cost for a smaller profit margin with the hope that the price will lead to enough sales to make up for that.

[WolfDawg]

I'm pretty surprised to see people complaining about Hasbro's release of MP-10 or any of the reveals this year at Botcon. I remember last year people going on about how cool the WFC "sub-line" was, but bitched about how limited the characters were. Now they're giving us more characters and the Geewun fanboys are having a fit. The line is called Generations for a reason. It's supposed to encompass ALL generations and iterations of the Transformers franchise. I personally would love it if they DIDN'T reference the G1 toy line ALL the time. Give G2 some more love. Hell, some Armada characters could really use some updates (Starscream, Megatron, Sideswipe). Even Beast Machines should be referenced every once in a while; I'd love to see a Botanica toy.

I guess the point is that you can't please the fandom as a whole. Hasbro could give MP-10 away FOR FREE with a super model that gave free blowjobs every time you Transformed the figure and I bet there would STILL be fans who would complain that she used too much teeth.

[nemesis345]

Awesome, must have with trailer (and a 50% discount)!

[Optimum Supreme]

I'll say it again. Making it TrU exclusive is total bullshit because so many of us will miss out on him and we will have no choices but to pay scalper prices on Ebay.

To hell with store exclusives!

This!

How many people had to overpay for TRU Masterpiece Grimlock? Heck, how many of you never saw him or Rodimus at stores. Good luck to those who want the US release.

I never saw Rodimus, but Grimlock actually shelfwarmed at the local TRU for quite a while, believe it or not. I would've bought one, but $70 wasn't in my budget at the time.

Likewise, I think $100 is a fair price for this OP (it's what I paid for the original MP Convoy import) but I just don't have the spare dough anymore.

[Powermaster Jazz]

I saw both Grimlock and Rodimus at my TRU. Picked up Grimlock for 80.

[chuckdawg1999]

I think what people are forgetting is just what this release means. Before all the US MP had to fit into a certain shelf space, this was one of the reasons Rodimus didn't come with his trailer. Hasbro is taking a huge chance with this toy due to the size of the packaging. Prime takes up roughly the same space as two voyagers side by side, he wouldn't work at Target or Wal-mart due to the lost space. Would you rather see Prime at Target for a slightly lower price or plenty of Voyagers for you to buy? Remember Transformers at TRU have a much larger area.

[samikai]

I think what people are forgetting is just what this release means. Before all the US MP had to fit into a certain shelf space, this was one of the reasons Rodimus didn't come with his trailer. Hasbro is taking a huge chance with this toy due to the size of the packaging. Prime takes up roughly the same space as two voyagers side by side, he wouldn't work at Target or Wal-mart due to the lost space. Would you rather see Prime at Target for a slightly lower price or plenty of Voyagers for you to buy? Remember Transformers at TRU have a much larger area.

If size was an issue Walmart and Target would not have had Ultimate Optimus on shelf as he was as wide as 2 voyagers and about 5 inches higher in box height. Not only did they have Ultimate but many stores near me had 6-8 on the shelf. Target and Walmart toy space may be small but they plan out according to seasonal, promotional, and manufacturer line changes. This allows movement of product placement and helps accommodate things like size constraints.

I think TRU might be a better fit due to the figures price point. Walmart sold Starscream well, but I believe when Skywarp tanked and they had to clearance so many that might have soured their desire to carry anymore. TRU seemed to fair better with the price point of the MP line an even sold them after they price hiked the figures.

[Sodan-1]

Again, very impressed with how hasbro are handling this figure. If the $100 price tag turns out to be true then that's simply amazing.

Living in the UK I'll inevitably have to import either way, so I may still get the Takara version just because I slightly prefer the colours on that one.

[craggy]

Again, very impressed with how hasbro are handling this figure. If the $100 price tag turns out to be true then that's simply amazing.

Living in the UK I'll inevitably have to import either way, so I may still get the Takara version just because I slightly prefer the colours on that one.

Not so, Toys R Us UK seem to get in the MPs okay. They might not restock, but there was a 2nd wave of MP Grimlock that seemed to hang about for ages.

[LiKwid]

I think what people are forgetting is just what this release means. Before all the US MP had to fit into a certain shelf space, this was one of the reasons Rodimus didn't come with his trailer. Hasbro is taking a huge chance with this toy due to the size of the packaging. Prime takes up roughly the same space as two voyagers side by side, he wouldn't work at Target or Wal-mart due to the lost space. Would you rather see Prime at Target for a slightly lower price or plenty of Voyagers for you to buy? Remember Transformers at TRU have a much larger area.

Not 100% TRU I can tell you right now, while on my way to Botcon I stopped at close to 15 different wal marts, targets and they had much larger display space for transformers than TRU. Star wars and the avengers stuff is hoarding space at all 3 but TRU seems to not give a *&^% about transformers imo..At least in across the 600 miles I drove to and from botcon this weekend. I can promise you that at least the star wars stuff dwarfs transformers stuff.

The worst part about this release is the fact that it is a TRU exclusive but the fact we are getting it is enough for me..I'll worry about everything else once hes on my shelf :p

[Mindmaster]

His smokestacks are actual smokestacks instead of stubs.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh yeah...

I really can't wait to replace my current MP Prime with this version. Don't know what I should do with him once I get Ver. 2. Probably just keep him as a momento or something.

[chuckdawg1999]

I think what people are forgetting is just what this release means. Before all the US MP had to fit into a certain shelf space, this was one of the reasons Rodimus didn't come with his trailer. Hasbro is taking a huge chance with this toy due to the size of the packaging. Prime takes up roughly the same space as two voyagers side by side, he wouldn't work at Target or Wal-mart due to the lost space. Would you rather see Prime at Target for a slightly lower price or plenty of Voyagers for you to buy? Remember Transformers at TRU have a much larger area.

Not 100% TRU I can tell you right now, while on my way to Botcon I stopped at close to 15 different wal marts, targets and they had much larger display space for transformers than TRU. Star wars and the avengers stuff is hoarding space at all 3 but TRU seems to not give a *&^% about transformers imo..At least in across the 600 miles I drove to and from botcon this weekend. I can promise you that at least the star wars stuff dwarfs transformers stuff.

The worst part about this release is the fact that it is a TRU exclusive but the fact we are getting it is enough for me..I'll worry about everything else once hes on my shelf :p

Boy you've hit that one on TARGET seriously once again I'm learning that my stores suck and it's just me. My Target has TF's share space with GI Joe, GI Joe knockoffs, and some other toy lines I don't remember.

[LiKwid]

I think what people are forgetting is just what this release means. Before all the US MP had to fit into a certain shelf space, this was one of the reasons Rodimus didn't come with his trailer. Hasbro is taking a huge chance with this toy due to the size of the packaging. Prime takes up roughly the same space as two voyagers side by side, he wouldn't work at Target or Wal-mart due to the lost space. Would you rather see Prime at Target for a slightly lower price or plenty of Voyagers for you to buy? Remember Transformers at TRU have a much larger area.

Not 100% TRU I can tell you right now, while on my way to Botcon I stopped at close to 15 different wal marts, targets and they had much larger display space for transformers than TRU. Star wars and the avengers stuff is hoarding space at all 3 but TRU seems to not give a *&^% about transformers imo..At least in across the 600 miles I drove to and from botcon this weekend. I can promise you that at least the star wars stuff dwarfs transformers stuff.

The worst part about this release is the fact that it is a TRU exclusive but the fact we are getting it is enough for me..I'll worry about everything else once hes on my shelf :p

Boy you've hit that one on TARGET seriously once again I'm learning that my stores suck and it's just me. My Target has TF's share space with GI Joe, GI Joe knockoffs, and some other toy lines I don't remember.

Indeed. Transformers are far from the most dominate toyline these days in terms if shelf space. Every store I go into has their star war section maxed out with 4 3-4 ft long shelf sections. Transformers is lucky to geth their little lone 3 ft section that has to share space with all of that avengers crap no one wants...

[King Kuuga]

Indeed. Transformers are far from the most dominate toyline these days in terms if shelf space. Every store I go into has their star war section maxed out with 4 3-4 ft long shelf sections. Transformers is lucky to geth their little lone 3 ft section that has to share space with all of that avengers crap no one wants...

I'm actually pretty impressed with how much space Transformers DOES get, compared to supposedly more popular things like Beyblade, Ben 10, and Avengers. Star Wars, of course, will continue to be huge for as long as they continue having shows and (the same) movies to market, so that gets a lot of space. In my view, I see Transformers with about 4 feet of shelf space, carrying Bot Shots, Prime mainline, Cyberverse series 1 and 2, and residual movie toys. Avengers is the hot-ticket item right now because of the movie, obviously, but that will shrink. It'll clog shelves for a while, judging by the fact that Iron Man 2 toys are STILL THERE, much less Captain America and Thor, but it will shrink and hopefully give Transformers a little more room once Generations FOC stuff drops. If they could get rid of the Real Steel stuff that nobody wants, that would probably help, too. Also, I see Avengers doing okay. There's always at least one kid and his mom or dad oohing and ahing at Avengers stuff when I go hunting for new Prime toys. Never as many going gaga for Transformers. I blame Bay for making Transformers seem transient.