The Energon Pub

[Autobot032]

I have to say that I can fully see both sides of the issue.

Hasbro: Too expensive, not cost effective, waste of plastic, hard sell. (Plus not every semi out there hauls a trailer.)

Collectors: We grew up with Prime and his battle base trailer, no matter how simplified (G1) or integrated (Armada/Cybertron) it is. So automatically we expect a trailer to be coming along behind Prime, it's like PB&J, it's just the way it is. (This is yet another reason why I say we must respect the past, but embrace the future. What worked for G1, doesn't work for now. Not every aspect of it, at least.)

I now have the major three Masterpiece figures (Megatron, Optimus Prime, Starscream) and 'Screamer and DVD Prime both have really nice display bases (especially if you ignore the sound feature (other than the TFing sound) on the Prime base.) but one of the first things you notice about these figures and their bases is...they're massive.

Compared to your other figures, they dwarf the rest of your collection with ease. I bought the upgrade kit for Megatron and it's *MASSIVE* and I have no room to really display Megatron with it.

Whether he's standing behind it (MTMTE PT. 3) or letting a G.I. Joe-esque figure use it, or strap it onto Megatron's shoulder...there's just no room. And there's definitely no space for his full alt mode either. (I mean, it is three feet long. Three feet, people!)

I've seen pictures of Masterpiece Convoy's trailer, the KO upsize from Canada, etc and I realize that it's a smart move on Hasbro's part.

The space requirements, the cost involved...it's just not worth it for all the time, trouble and money involved. That's a pretty expensive risk (even for a company their size) and definitely a problem for collectors.

I now know, after the Megatron issue, there would be nooooo space in my display area for that trailer.

So, sometimes crying foul over the trailer is kinda worthless, especially when you're buying an item you can't really utilize.

It's time to just give up and admit defeat on the trailer issue and just be glad we're getting the figures, period.

[Dr. Z]

I liked the custom trailer Anemis did for MP-01 with the flashing lights and all. The current MP trailer doesn't have much to offer...

[Autobot032]

I liked the custom trailer Anemis did for MP-01 with the flashing lights and all. The current MP trailer doesn't have much to offer...

The current one has much to offer.

1.) An affordable price range.
2.) All of the features that G1 included.
3.) No lights or crappy electronics to have fail or worry about.

I'm not saying Anemis's work is all bad, I'm not saying not to buy his stuff, but I will say his prices are ridiculous.

I'm not sure why so many people put so much stock into his work and praise it up and down.

I've seen better.

[Professor Smooth]

20 years and there has been ONE trailer w/ Prime that has been worth a damn. Powermaster Optimus Prime. Look at the others.

G1 Prime: Yep, he's got a base. It'll sit over there while the kids play with the transforming robots.

RiD Prime: It's not a trailer; it's part of the truck.

Armada Prime: The trailer transforms an awesome and quite posable Optimus Prime figure into a brick with arms. Not an improvement.

Energon Prime: It's a box that housed gimmick vehicles that turned Prime into the Optimus Voltron Megazord.

Cybertron Prime: Somewhere in between RiD Prime and Powermaster Prime. It's sort of a trailer, maybe not. It turns into armor and/or a battle platform.

MP-4: A big long box turns into a shelf-clogging repair bay/battle platform. Put this on display and watch as the Ultra-Posable Masterpiece Convoy becomes limited to about three positions.

[shortround]

Trailer no trailer big deal just pick up one of the custom jobs off ebay there far better than anything takara every did for mp 04. Look company always look at the bottom line and hasbro has stockholder to answer to as well. After doing the math I guess hasbro came to the concluse that a trailer was not cost effective. Takara has a different audiance than hasbro does and it will always be that way. I'm sorry if that doesn't please you skywarp-2 but it is the way things are and no amount of bitching is going to change there minds.

[Gauntlet101010]

20 years and there has been ONE trailer w/ Prime that has been worth a damn. Powermaster Optimus Prime. Look at the others.

G1 Prime: Yep, he's got a base. It'll sit over there while the kids play with the transforming robots.

RiD Prime: It's not a trailer; it's part of the truck.

Armada Prime: The trailer transforms an awesome and quite posable Optimus Prime figure into a brick with arms. Not an improvement.

Energon Prime: It's a box that housed gimmick vehicles that turned Prime into the Optimus Voltron Megazord.

Cybertron Prime: Somewhere in between RiD Prime and Powermaster Prime. It's sort of a trailer, maybe not. It turns into armor and/or a battle platform.

MP-4: A big long box turns into a shelf-clogging repair bay/battle platform. Put this on display and watch as the Ultra-Posable Masterpiece Convoy becomes limited to about three positions.

You forgot G2 Laser Prime, Machine Wars Prime, and MP Prime. Technically WSTF Prime too.

[Professor Smooth]

You forgot G2 Laser Prime, Machine Wars Prime, and MP Prime. Technically WSTF Prime too.

G2 Prime: Base with a ton of play value, but takes up almost as much shelf space as that of MP-4.

Machine Wars Prime: Does not count as it's just a repaint of another figure, the UK's Turbomaster Thunderclash.

MP Prime: Cardboard Trailer.

WSTF Prime: Trailer sold seperately as a chase figure.

HBS-02: Updated version of Battle Convoy trailer w/ extra storage. Takes up little space, but adds little in the way of display value.

[Dr. Z]

The current one has much to offer.

1.) An affordable price range.
2.) All of the features that G1 included.
3.) No lights or crappy electronics to have fail or worry about.

1) I don't care for pricing at the masterpiece level.
2) Those features are now outdated. They updated the cab, so why not the trailer?
3) I have yet to see electronics fail on my toys in 20+ years. They have a light-up matrix on Prime, something similar could have been done with the trailer.

[skywarp-2]

the Masterpiece Optimus Prime in My collection deserves his trailer, but I was just suggesting that Hasbro should have or could release Another MP but with a Trailer, but I know they won't and it sucks.. but I wasn't bitching, I was simply defending my Position, against numerous opposition...

However, seeing as Prof . Smooth has suggested Powermaster Prime's trailer as the Best feature, and he also down grades the Armada Version to a Brick former with movable arms, i give you Power Master Optimus Prime, and his "not a Brickformer like Armada Prime, Trailer and combo!!"





becasue that is soooo much better then this...




or this:


sniff....sniff.... what's that I smell??? Sarcasm??

[Professor Smooth]

The difference between PMPrime and Armada Prime are about fifteen years of advances in technology. PM Prime was, for an 80's toy, above par in just about every way EXCEPT posability. It displays well, and has play value out the wazoo. Big gun-toting truck, gun-laden base, and massive super-robot. This goes double for his Japanese counterpart, God Ginrai.

Then you've got Armada Prime (and his slightly superior Japanese counterpart, Monster Convoy). Tremendous robot mode, matched, in its time, possibly only by Fire Convoy. A base that is less than worthless, a super mode that looks like a truck crashed into a set of girders and had a fish had applied to the top. It is, especially for its time, the worst Optimus Prime figure to date.

Getting back to the original point, the trailer turned what could have been a pretty nice 15 dollar toy into a 40-45 dollar toy. This figure, and its repaint, clogged store shelves until the final clearances. Meanwhile, the trailor-less version has not only sold well at, but spawned numerous repaints...that ALSO sold.

Trailers do not make Hasbro any money. For the most part, they add little to the figure. They drive up prices that keep kids away. Adult collectors do not buy anywhere near enough figures to keep the Transformers brand profitable in its current form. Don't believe me, look at Takara's Transformers. They sell to a primarily adult adudience and cost about twice what their American counterparts do.

Out of curiosity, Skywarp-2, do you have the MP-4 w/ trailer? If so, how do you display it?

[wmpyr]

PM Prime looks better to me when comparing their SUPER forms,
Armada Prime is craptacular

just look at that face! What is he Merman?
Prime from the Black Lagoon?

puttcheek puttcheek! <-- ignore this, just felt like saying it.

[shortround]

I have to say that pm prime is one of top figures in my collection and his trailer does help make the figure, along with a complete set of metal predacons and reissue sixshot. But for the most part the trailer is not all that important these days it is just a way to give prime an extra mode and jack the price up at this stage. But you also have to remember that armada, energon and cybertron all came from japan orignaly so that makes a difference I guess.

[areaseven]

Armada Prime and Energon Prime had trailers. US Pepsi Prime and US Reissue Prime had a trailer.

And it is not a policy, it's the cost involved. And who would buy an MP Prime in the US with a trailer for $140, they could barely sell the figure at $50.

This thread =

Hey! That picture looks familar!

Does it, really?

[areaseven]

Armada Prime and Energon Prime had trailers. US Pepsi Prime and US Reissue Prime had a trailer.

And it is not a policy, it's the cost involved. And who would buy an MP Prime in the US with a trailer for $140, they could barely sell the figure at $50.

This thread =

I don't agree with that crutch, the same people who defend this type of critique always fall back on the price points and the costs incurred on producing a trailer, it's not a valid point, it's over used and just plain tired.. Come on stop using useless and tired defenses for Hasbro.. if they can use the same amount of plastic to do a couple of crummy minicons, then why not melt those crappy ones down and use them for a good reason, like an actual trailer for Prime, that could fit his robot mode and make him better..

That Expense excuse sounds like another "mission accomplished" propaganda speech...it's just too ridiculous to believe..

I see your little cry baby comment and I raise you this:


Cry baby thread pic has no effect one me!! ha ha ah ahahahahah!!


honestly they sell the Prime toy in stores at what 80 bucks in Wal-mart, so if they added a trailer we are looking at what??? an extra 20 bucks?? does it really matter if its 120.00?? I mean the stupid encores online are selling for close to 90.00!! the MP with trailer should see a domestic release..I'm not gonna close up shop and stop collecting because Hasbro isn't doing a trailer, and why all of a sudden people get the impression I'm going off the deep end because I speek my mind and don't by into what Hasbro says they are doing, and the reasons allot of the Same people cite for things not being done.. Price points, and costs, which we all know are BS!!

Actually $49.99 - $69.99 at Walmart.

Is that so?

[areaseven]

Armada Prime and Energon Prime had trailers. US Pepsi Prime and US Reissue Prime had a trailer.

And it is not a policy, it's the cost involved. And who would buy an MP Prime in the US with a trailer for $140, they could barely sell the figure at $50.

This thread =

I don't agree with that crutch, the same people who defend this type of critique always fall back on the price points and the costs incurred on producing a trailer, it's not a valid point, it's over used and just plain tired.. Come on stop using useless and tired defenses for Hasbro.. if they can use the same amount of plastic to do a couple of crummy minicons, then why not melt those crappy ones down and use them for a good reason, like an actual trailer for Prime, that could fit his robot mode and make him better..

That Expense excuse sounds like another "mission accomplished" propaganda speech...it's just too ridiculous to believe..

I see your little cry baby comment and I raise you this:


Cry baby thread pic has no effect one me!! ha ha ah ahahahahah!!


honestly they sell the Prime toy in stores at what 80 bucks in Wal-mart, so if they added a trailer we are looking at what??? an extra 20 bucks?? does it really matter if its 120.00?? I mean the stupid encores online are selling for close to 90.00!! the MP with trailer should see a domestic release..I'm not gonna close up shop and stop collecting because Hasbro isn't doing a trailer, and why all of a sudden people get the impression I'm going off the deep end because I speek my mind and don't by into what Hasbro says they are doing, and the reasons allot of the Same people cite for things not being done.. Price points, and costs, which we all know are BS!!

Take it easy on the little toddler. Wink, Wink!

+1 on that.

[Professor Smooth]

But you also have to remember that armada, energon and cybertron all came from japan orignaly so that makes a difference I guess.

That's not entirely accurate. Armada, Energon, and Cybertron (Micron Legend, Super Link, and Galaxy Force) were joint productions of both Hasbro (US) and Takara (Japan). Both sides had input. In fact, if you look at a lot of the early concept art for the Armada line that's available online, you'll see that most comes from Hasbro.

[skywarp-2]

The difference between PMPrime and Armada Prime are about fifteen years of advances in technology. PM Prime was, for an 80's toy, above par in just about every way EXCEPT posability. It displays well, and has play value out the wazoo. Big gun-toting truck, gun-laden base, and massive super-robot. This goes double for his Japanese counterpart, God Ginrai.

Then you've got Armada Prime (and his slightly superior Japanese counterpart, Monster Convoy). Tremendous robot mode, matched, in its time, possibly only by Fire Convoy. A base that is less than worthless, a super mode that looks like a truck crashed into a set of girders and had a fish had applied to the top. It is, especially for its time, the worst Optimus Prime figure to date.

Getting back to the original point, the trailer turned what could have been a pretty nice 15 dollar toy into a 40-45 dollar toy. This figure, and its repaint, clogged store shelves until the final clearances. Meanwhile, the trailor-less version has not only sold well at, but spawned numerous repaints...that ALSO sold.

Trailers do not make Hasbro any money. For the most part, they add little to the figure. They drive up prices that keep kids away. Adult collectors do not buy anywhere near enough figures to keep the Transformers brand profitable in its current form. Don't believe me, look at Takara's Transformers. They sell to a primarily adult adudience and cost about twice what their American counterparts do.

Out of curiosity, Skywarp-2, do you have the MP-4 w/ trailer? If so, how do you display it?

Actually i do have an MP with Trailer, but I have the MP-01 and the Justit toys trailer.. it's not a bad addition, but I wish I could have gotten the MP-04, there are few on the market these days and they retail for over 350.00 to almost 500.00..which with what I've already got, i'm not gonna buy that Mp-04.. its not worth the money right now.. not when i still have other things I really need for the collection..

the Powermaster Prime from the 80s doesn't sit well with me, it never has, though the design is extraordinary and quite striking, I would love to see it as a Masterpiece, as the late great TFMaster did with his custom Kitbash on Transtopia... however, in your earlier statement you said that the Power Master was the only Prime with Trailer that was worth a damn, and didn't reference the updated technology thing, so bbased on the assumption that the Powermaster is the best overall.. I sdisagreed with you..take into account the technology upgrades and looking from that point of View, sure the Powermaster held alot in the way of style and Pizzaz!! But overall, I still like the Armada version, thanks Counterpunch!!, and I do like the Powermaster, though i would never buy that one from the 80s, even in reissues, I would advocate an actual upgraded and Masterpiece version..

as to how my Prime was displayed when I had him on display??

this about sums it up:


only my prime was in a better pose, and I had Sparkplug and spike figures on work crews..

[Robinson]

the Masterpiece Optimus Prime in My collection deserves his trailer, but I was just suggesting that Hasbro should have or could release Another MP but with a Trailer, but I know they won't and it sucks.. but I wasn't bitching, I was simply defending my Position, against numerous opposition...

However, seeing as Prof . Smooth has suggested Powermaster Prime's trailer as the Best feature, and he also down grades the Armada Version to a Brick former with movable arms, i give you Power Master Optimus Prime, and his "not a Brickformer like Armada Prime, Trailer and combo!!"





becasue that is soooo much better then this...




or this:


sniff....sniff.... what's that I smell??? Sarcasm??

I hate to say it, but in my opinion this post does not help your cause, it just reminds some of us how ugly that armada prime is.

[skywarp-2]

I hate to say it, but in my opinion this post does not help your cause, it just reminds some of us how ugly that armada prime is.

I'm sorry you feel that way, but there are alot of people who'd disagree with you about Armada Prime.. he's not that bad actually..

but for a Trailer Bot... I still like the original.. it's simplicity makes it more realistic..

[Dead Metal]

Well PM Prime has a neat trailer, but THS Prime's trailer just pwns any Prime trailer ever so hard in the rare end that they are paralyzed instantly!



[img]http://tfkenkon.com/g/albums/Collection/act481/ths02_convoy08.jpg[img]
[img]http://tfkenkon.com/g/albums/Collection/act481/ths02_convoy26.jpg[img]
[img]http://tfkenkon.com/g/albums/Collection/act481/ths02_convoy23.jpg[img]


But not just the trailer does that:


I just love this little guy!

[Optimist Prime]

Can Dinobot Island Prime transform?

He'd look good on my desk.

[City Commander]

No trailer for me means less chance of a super mode, a lower cost, and less shelf space used up. So I'm quite happy with Hasblo's no trailer policy.



You know what I do with all the Prime trailers I have?
I stack them on the bottom shelf against the wall, and leave them there. They aren't the toy, they're the annoying kibble you get with it.

[Sonray]

Movie Prime isnt meant to have a trailer, since he didnt have one in the movie. It would be totally stupid to give the toy a trailer when the design didnt even have one in the movie.

But i agree with most of your other comments.

[GetterDragun]

The difference between PMPrime and Armada Prime are about fifteen years of advances in technology. PM Prime was, for an 80's toy, above par in just about every way EXCEPT posability. It displays well, and has play value out the wazoo. Big gun-toting truck, gun-laden base, and massive super-robot. This goes double for his Japanese counterpart, God Ginrai.

Then you've got Armada Prime (and his slightly superior Japanese counterpart, Monster Convoy). Tremendous robot mode, matched, in its time, possibly only by Fire Convoy. A base that is less than worthless, a super mode that looks like a truck crashed into a set of girders and had a fish had applied to the top. It is, especially for its time, the worst Optimus Prime figure to date.

Getting back to the original point, the trailer turned what could have been a pretty nice 15 dollar toy into a 40-45 dollar toy. This figure, and its repaint, clogged store shelves until the final clearances. Meanwhile, the trailor-less version has not only sold well at, but spawned numerous repaints...that ALSO sold.

Trailers do not make Hasbro any money. For the most part, they add little to the figure. They drive up prices that keep kids away. Adult collectors do not buy anywhere near enough figures to keep the Transformers brand profitable in its current form. Don't believe me, look at Takara's Transformers. They sell to a primarily adult adudience and cost about twice what their American counterparts do.

Out of curiosity, Skywarp-2, do you have the MP-4 w/ trailer? If so, how do you display it?

Actually i do have an MP with Trailer, but I have the MP-01 and the Justit toys trailer.. it's not a bad addition, but I wish I could have gotten the MP-04, there are few on the market these days and they retail for over 350.00 to almost 500.00..which with what I've already got, i'm not gonna buy that Mp-04.. its not worth the money right now.. not when i still have other things I really need for the collection..

Ah, so this thread is really about you being pissed that you don't have the MP-04. No wonder why MP Prime is all you focused on. And it's also why you brought up the MP-04 e-bay prices.

EDIT: Oh yea, at the Hasrbo Tour at Botcon, someone did ask about the trailer (I think in relation to Classics Prime) and they said that the cost of the trailer was prohibitive. So your argument that you don't think that is true is kind of pointless ince they said it was true.

[Dr. Z]

EDIT: Oh yea, at the Hasrbo Tour at Botcon, someone did ask about the trailer (I think in relation to Classics Prime) and they said that the cost of the trailer was prohibitive.

Could also have been a quick lie from Hasbro just to end the debate in a snap. It's easier for them to say "we can't" than "we can but we don't feel like doing it".