The Energon Pub

[Cliffjumper Prime]

I know there have been copy-cats in the past, but I saw these and I just thought it had hit a new low. Power rangers have not only ripped off the idea of cars transforming into robots, but they've got licensed cars similar to Alternators. Check 'em out:


http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3382182

kinda looks A LOT like ravage, no?

no robot mode pic, but here's the other (a "thunder eagle"):
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3382181


admittedly, they are kinda cool, but as an avid TF supporter i cannot bring myself to buy these. They may look nice in somebody's alternators collection though.

[Sledge]

There were no transforming robots before Transformers. FACT.

[Cliffjumper Prime]

There were no transforming robots before Transformers. FACT.

ummm... ok... I didn't say anything about transforming robots [i]before[i] Transformers. FACT

[Sledge]

Power rangers have not only ripped off the idea of cars transforming into robots

I make that 15-love to me, you to serve.

[WolfDawg]

I'll stray away from being a jerk in this topic and say that these toys look pretty cool. I'm not sure if I'd buy one, but I can definitely see these being kitbashed. If they make a Corolla, I'm going to have to buy it because I just bought an '08 Corolla yesterday and am in love with the thing.

[Cliffjumper Prime]

Power rangers have not only ripped off the idea of cars transforming into robots

I make that 15-love to me, you to serve.

You need to keep reading... I was referring to these new toys being a rip-off because they transform into cars, are licensed like alternators, and look a lot like actual TF characters... what are you not understanding? and besides, the whole point of my post was to let people know about these TF-related/similar products in case anyone was interested and hadn't seen 'em yet... hence the whole "add to your alternators collection" thing


... and as I was writing your new post came up... so I'm sorry if i'm coming off as a jerk too

[Sledge]

I understand what you're saying, and am pointing out the error in your thought processes. Hasbro and Takara did not invent the notion of transforming robots as far as I'm aware, therefore these are not "rip offs" of the Transformers. As for this specifically ripping off Ravage... nah. Unless you want to claim that HasTak invented big cats.

But yeah. These things looks like ass. And a Toyota Prius? Jesus. That'll have the kids dancing with excitement. "Wow, you mean I can have a badly-articulated figure that turns into a supposedly-but-not-really environmentally-friendly car? Well, Hasbro can shove those muscle and sports cars, I want the pretentiousness mobile!"

[Cliffjumper Prime]

I guess I shoulda stated that I realize they didn't invent it, they're just best known for it (at least in America, practically every robot in japan transforms lol)

but yeah, the more i look at them the more I like 'em... the cars are kinda plain though (only one car company was licensed unlike alternators)... saw them in person at toysrus today... if you think the "ravage" one looks familiar, you GOTTA see the other one... wish they had a robot mode pic... looks like somebody snuck into someone's desk at hasbro/takara and stole someone's concept art for an alternators Laserbeak ha ha

[Cliffjumper Prime]

found new pics:



http://www.grnrngr.com/toys/prrpm.htm

[Autobot Cheetor]

Man...I'm so buying these...it hurts me to say it but they there transforming toy versions of real cars, just to cool to pass up. Its times like this I wish I would have gotten back into Transformers a little sooner so I wouldn't have missed the Alternators . Oh well lol.

Come on BanDai give Cheetor a Supra or MR2 mold and he'll buy all your crap from now untill forever!

[Mykltron]

That looks so much worse in the package. Looks cheap and nasty. A friend brought round some PR stuff he got at a car boot sale. They are so tacky and horrible.

[OPTIMUS MAGNUS]

Lol. These are hillarious. The bird is awful imo. The cat, not much better. If it had a mane and wasn't such a sissy car it might make a cool steeljaw repaint/kitbash.

[Sledge]

I got a Power Rangers thing (this one) in with a bundle of TF stuff. Shouldn't complain as it was free, but... if someone told me this thing was designed in 1975, I wouldn't have any trouble believing it. It was sold in 2002. Asstastic.

[GuyIncognito]

Wasn't the original Transformers line basically created by Takara/Tomy buying the rights to a bunch of already existing transforming toys?

Anyway, those look kinda lame, but if they make a Toyota Matrix (my car), I'll buy it.

[Chaoslock]

Wasn't the original Transformers line basically created by Takara/Tomy buying the rights to a bunch of already existing transforming toys?

I think there was only Takara and Hasbro at that time, Tomy was a separate company then.

As I remember, Diaclone and Kronoform was originally Takara product, they had to buy a few other molds only (Shockwave, Jetfire...)

[Cyber Bishop]

How about everyone stop being jerks in this thread?

[Dead Metal]

Wasn't the original Transformers line basically created by Takara/Tomy buying the rights to a bunch of already existing transforming toys?

I think there was only Takara and Hasbro at that time, Tomy was a separate company then.

As I remember, Diaclone and Kronoform was originally Takara product, they had to buy a few other molds only (Shockwave, Jetfire...)

Yea but some of the TF toys came from Tak's line called Microchange, which evolved from Takara's imported versions of Hasbro's GI Joe, or so I've read.

These look **** compared to the mighty green dragon zord!
But still kinda hilarious.

[robofreak]

I'm going to take a minute and defend Power Rangers. I know there are some who will agree with me that the first 6 or so seasons of PR had some of the better Zord designs. I'm going to admit that there were times that Bandai filled in the blanks that Hasbro left from BW. Anyone who remembers the Rescue Megazord will know what I'm talking about.

PR toys are'nt designed to be the next Masterpiece of figures. They're made to stay together and look decent for the little kids who is the main target audience for the series. While I do think that many of the newer Zord designs are a little on the crazy side and border on excessive when you have 50+ Zords hooked onto each other, but I hold the originals as some of the better mecha designs and am proud to have them in my collection.

The new car designs are pretty cool. The bird is'nt neccessarily my favorite, but I do like the Jaguar. I'll have to see one up close before I make a call on it.

[Agent 007]

ok.. these looks pretty crapy not only the beatc modes but the cars they turn into suck.

[Bombus distinguendus]

ive always been a fan of power rangers. heck i still am. these new cars look kewl. ill wait till i see them in person before i decide if im gonna buy them or not.

[Hip-Hoptimus Rime]

Wow, those look pretty cool. Wish the alt modes were a little more interesting, tho- I men, a Camry? nonetheless, I'll prob buy them, I'm a sucker for realistic car modes. I wonder if they're Alternators scale...

[olokin]

I guess these guys fills the vacuum for new "Alternators" Transformers. There is a demand for licensed cars as transforming robots. I miss Alt/BT already.

[Cliffjumper Prime]

I wonder if they're Alternators scale...

If I remember correctly, they were pretty close to alternators scale... about on par at least with average size voyagers

and for those wondering, they do look a lot better in person, not quite so glossy... that first cat-bot pic I posted was a good pic

[rpetras]

I'll probably end up getting these. At least the bird-bot.