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[ExciKaiser]

HA. Finally the information I was looking since the first page of this thread just appeared on the Legends thread :




Yes, this is important informaiton for me.
Since the begining I was wondering how the pretender shells were suppposed to attach to other figures, I was afraid they should connect to the male ports used for attaching the new hands-foots-armor, apparently, no they have a classic 5Mm port, which made them usable by any figure.

Great news.

(Yes, I already planned to use potp Metalhawk shell for TR Metalhawk)

[Nightbeat339]

I would love if Waverider was sold individually, just like the other Prime Masters. He's my favorite pretender so I've been hoping they'd release some new version of him.

[Carnivius_Prime]

Im not a huge fan of how hasbros taking on the pretenders for potp. I liked the old way funpub started with the shell becoming the robot. Granted that was a total fail for the autobot human characters. So this scale makes sense. But I cant help feel like this scale will cheat us of ever getting real figures of these characters. These things feel more like kids meal toys than something that should be sold as part of a main line. Same thing with the titan masters that didn't get actual bodies.

Yeah I'd like the Pretender concept revisited properly sometime.

[Flashwave]

Im not a huge fan of how hasbros taking on the pretenders for potp. I liked the old way funpub started with the shell becoming the robot. Granted that was a total fail for the autobot human characters. So this scale makes sense. But I cant help feel like this scale will cheat us of ever getting real figures of these characters. These things feel more like kids meal toys than something that should be sold as part of a main line. Same thing with the titan masters that didn't get actual bodies.

Yeah I'd like the Pretender concept revisited properly sometime.

What more do you want? Its a poseless, human shaped brick that opens up to reveal a small robot that sorta transforms into something.

Seriously, as Pretenders go, I think this is the best they can hope fpr in this day and age. Anything larger is going to be expected to be more like an action figure for the kiddie market or ot wont sell to the general public (yes, I know the collectors would eat it up.) with this, you have your suit of armor and you can even almost see a head in the helmet. And with tje targetmaster option, they are marginLly more useful than paperweights.

[Overcracker]

Im not a huge fan of how hasbros taking on the pretenders for potp. I liked the old way funpub started with the shell becoming the robot. Granted that was a total fail for the autobot human characters. So this scale makes sense. But I cant help feel like this scale will cheat us of ever getting real figures of these characters. These things feel more like kids meal toys than something that should be sold as part of a main line. Same thing with the titan masters that didn't get actual bodies.

Yeah I'd like the Pretender concept revisited properly sometime.

Like how?

The only difference between these and the original concept is size. Otherwise the function is identical, and these get the benefit of an added weapon mode for the shell.

Not sure how Hasbro would market static shells with smaller robots that turn into non-descript vehicles inside in a larger scale to modern audiences.

If anything the Mega Pretenders may be more marketable in a larger scale, with transforming shells, and a combination gimmick between the shell and inner robot in vehicle mode.

[Flashwave]

Im not a huge fan of how hasbros taking on the pretenders for potp. I liked the old way funpub started with the shell becoming the robot. Granted that was a total fail for the autobot human characters. So this scale makes sense. But I cant help feel like this scale will cheat us of ever getting real figures of these characters. These things feel more like kids meal toys than something that should be sold as part of a main line. Same thing with the titan masters that didn't get actual bodies.

Yeah I'd like the Pretender concept revisited properly sometime.

Like how?

The only difference between these and the original concept is size. Otherwise the function is identical, and these get the benefit of an added weapon mode for the shell.

Not sure how Hasbro would market static shells with smaller robots that turn into non-descript vehicles inside in a larger scale to modern audiences.

If anything the Mega Pretenders may be more marketable in a larger scale, with transforming shells, and a combination gimmick between the shell and inner robot in vehicle mode.

And we are sorta dancing around that with the Evolution Leader Class figures. its not exact, as the outer shell is an otherwise lifeless trailer, but thats only a short hop away.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

I would love if Waverider was sold individually, just like the other Prime Masters. He's my favorite pretender so I've been hoping they'd release some new version of him.

He will be, but no sooner than a year from now. He may be Wave 4 or even 5, and has no Prime attached to him yet, but by checking off the confirmed ones, we know it's gonna be either Amalgamous Prime, Onyx Prime or even Prima.

[Carnivius_Prime]

The only difference between these and the original concept is size. Otherwise the function is identical, and these get the benefit of an added weapon mode for the shell.

So after 30 years of toy technology progress the only thing Hasbro could think up to reimagine the Pretender concept was to shrink them down into tiny little figures that turn into crappy looking Targetmaster weapons? Add to that the characters seem to be messed up (the Skullgrin inner robot being Liege Maximo even though it resembles Skullgrin himself and that they turn into mostly goofy Titan Master heads just really kill it for me. Not saying the vehicle modes of the original Pretenders were works of art and most were just folded over limbs but I had a fondness for some such as Cloudburst and Landmine's alt-modes that could be redone to look better with better transformations while still keeping a robot that could be compressed into an outer shell. I dunno maybe with a shell that's like an Iron Man-sorta suit that is applied in pieces where perhaps the robot's arm and leg joints extend out to accomodate the extra room needed for the articulation of the shell's limbs. The shell could still then be seperated put together by itself, perhaps not having the same level of articulation afforded by clipping the pieces to the robot but still clipping together to have at least as much as the original Pretender shell if not more (could have turning waist joint and hip joints done like the shoulders. Just wish they'd something with some imagination and creativity. These new figures just look like cheap-looking lazy crap to me that definitely don't even feel 3 years worth superior to the original Pretenders, let alone 30.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

The only difference between these and the original concept is size. Otherwise the function is identical, and these get the benefit of an added weapon mode for the shell.

So after 30 years of toy technology progress the only thing Hasbro could think up to reimagine the Pretender concept was to shrink them down into tiny little figures that turn into crappy looking Targetmaster weapons? Add to that the characters seem to be messed up (the Skullgrin inner robot being Liege Maximo even though it resembles Skullgrin himself and that they turn into mostly goofy Titan Master heads just really kill it for me. Not saying the vehicle modes of the original Pretenders were works of art and most were just folded over limbs but I had a fondness for some such as Cloudburst and Landmine's alt-modes that could be redone to look better with better transformations while still keeping a robot that could be compressed into an outer shell. I dunno maybe with a shell that's like an Iron Man-sorta suit that is applied in pieces where perhaps the robot's arm and leg joints extend out to accomodate the extra room needed for the articulation of the shell's limbs. The shell could still then be seperated put together by itself, perhaps not having the same level of articulation afforded by clipping the pieces to the robot but still clipping together to have at least as much as the original Pretender shell if not more (could have turning waist joint and hip joints done like the shoulders. Just wish they'd something with some imagination and creativity. These new figures just look like cheap-looking lazy crap to me that definitely don't even feel 3 years worth superior to the original Pretenders, let alone 30.

To be fair, Hasbro tried to combine two gimmicks into one with them, and that's always been a bit risky. Don't worry about TakaraTomy, I'm fully expecting them to retool the Prime Master to have their original Pretender robot heads. Do be aware that two are pretools: Landmine out of Metalhawk, and Waverider out of Cloudburst, differing only in head plate and shell front.

[ExciKaiser]

Yeah I'd like the Pretender concept revisited properly sometime.

It's exactly what they did : they revisited the concept. (In the probably the most pertinent way considering the source material if you want my opinion)

Maye you wanted to say "I'd like the Pretender concept remade exactly as before, just with more articulations".

[Overcracker]

Im not a huge fan of how hasbros taking on the pretenders for potp. I liked the old way funpub started with the shell becoming the robot. Granted that was a total fail for the autobot human characters. So this scale makes sense. But I cant help feel like this scale will cheat us of ever getting real figures of these characters. These things feel more like kids meal toys than something that should be sold as part of a main line. Same thing with the titan masters that didn't get actual bodies.

Yeah I'd like the Pretender concept revisited properly sometime.

Like how?

The only difference between these and the original concept is size. Otherwise the function is identical, and these get the benefit of an added weapon mode for the shell.

Not sure how Hasbro would market static shells with smaller robots that turn into non-descript vehicles inside in a larger scale to modern audiences.

If anything the Mega Pretenders may be more marketable in a larger scale, with transforming shells, and a combination gimmick between the shell and inner robot in vehicle mode.

And we are sorta dancing around that with the Evolution Leader Class figures. its not exact, as the outer shell is an otherwise lifeless trailer, but thats only a short hop away.

Very true. If the Evolution gimmick can "evolve" (forgive the pun ), so that the trailer has a robot mode unto itself, it can totally be used for Mega Pretenders, and even update regular Pretenders for it.

That's a good idea.

So after 30 years of toy technology progress the only thing Hasbro could think up to reimagine the Pretender concept was to shrink them down into tiny little figures that turn into crappy looking Targetmaster weapons? Add to that the characters seem to be messed up (the Skullgrin inner robot being Liege Maximo even though it resembles Skullgrin himself and that they turn into mostly goofy Titan Master heads just really kill it for me. Not saying the vehicle modes of the original Pretenders were works of art and most were just folded over limbs but I had a fondness for some such as Cloudburst and Landmine's alt-modes that could be redone to look better with better transformations while still keeping a robot that could be compressed into an outer shell. I dunno maybe with a shell that's like an Iron Man-sorta suit that is applied in pieces where perhaps the robot's arm and leg joints extend out to accomodate the extra room needed for the articulation of the shell's limbs. The shell could still then be seperated put together by itself, perhaps not having the same level of articulation afforded by clipping the pieces to the robot but still clipping together to have at least as much as the original Pretender shell if not more (could have turning waist joint and hip joints done like the shoulders. Just wish they'd something with some imagination and creativity. These new figures just look like cheap-looking lazy crap to me that definitely don't even feel 3 years worth superior to the original Pretenders, let alone 30.

So basically forgo the Pretender concept, and just make them wear Armor. So not really Pretenders anymore. So basically forget the entire reason people remember them for.

Unfortunately the Pretender concept is not a good one in practice.

If you want updated versions of Pretender characters that incorporate both the shell and the inner robots features, then we have been getting some of those. Generations Skullgrin, Thunderwing more recently Metalhawk and Black Shadow (Sky Shadow)
There have been pretender updates without the pretender shell.

This time we get some actual shells which for me work better in a smaller size, and the targetmaster gimmick is functional enough. I'ts hard to take a humanoid shape and turn it into a convincing gun while still allowing for a smaller robot to fit inside.

Also really how much following do these characters have to warrant a larger line of Pretenders? I doubt Hasbro couldn't have come up with a better larger updated, but I doubt it would have been worth it. Not many cared for Metalhawk in the boxset. Not sure there'd be much demand for Birdbrain or Icepick or Iguanus. Who even remembers what their inner robots transformed into?

[o.supreme]

I really don't have a strong opinion either way, as 1988 (and Pretenders) was originally where I parted ways with Transformers. However....although Hasbro may not be doing this now, I think a compromise fans are considering would be something like the original MOTU King Hiss

http://he-man.wikia.com/wiki/King_Hiss

The Body was 2 pieces , but the arms were separate pieces which allowed for articulation. There was no change in the legs, but its not difficult to imagine the same concept.

[Kurona]

I also think we forget that, despite the following they have on the boards... a lot of the fandom downright hate the Pretenders as a concept. Even if they were to be brought back, only a small portion of collectors would want to bother with them beyond Bludgeon. At a tiny size and price point, with a feature of turning into a weapon and bundled with the big-name 13... I think that's the only way these could get done.

[ExciKaiser]

At a tiny size and price point, with a feature of turning into a weapon and bundled with the big-name 13... I think that's the only way these could get done.

Plus the fact they're now armors compatibles with all titan masters and prime masters, for me it's more than "the only way to do it", it's just the genius way to do it. The perfect occasion/timing to revisit the concept.

[bodrock]

I may have cared less for the Pretender concept back in '88, but in the past year, I have fallen in love with them. Sure, they have $h!t for articulation and the innerbots indeed transform into...Cybertronian vehicles (?!), but I enjoy them quite a bit.

MOTU? NO U

That said, I like the redux on the concept; as Prime Masters, there's definitely that versatility with the interchangeable shells, usage of the Matrix/heads/Prime Masters themselves, and as weapons, of course. The Titan Masters were a lot of fun, so seeing this scale and price-point for these TFs continue is cool in my book.

It'd be great to see a Voyager or Leader class Pretender -- I think Ultra or Mega Pretenders would be perfect in that scale.

The Pretenders ARE ALL DEAD

Of course, getting a Masterpiece with real articulation would be ideal for any Decepticon Pretender...and an immediate buy for me.

I'll most likely buy all the Prime Masters when they finally arrive -- I can't wait!

[Jelze Bunnycat]

I'll most likely buy all the Prime Masters when they finally arrive -- I can't wait!

At the very least I'm geting the classic 6 plus Metalhawk, just for the suits.

[bodrock]

I'll most likely buy all the Prime Masters when they finally arrive -- I can't wait!

At the very least I'm geting the classic 6 plus Metalhawk, just for the suits.

I'm looking forward to Metalhawk the most, as well as the other Autobot Prime/Pretenders....since I only have Groundbreaker, and I think the humanoid-ish (?) shells are perfect in this scale.

But the Cons just look so cool.

The Prime Master Cons won't be replacing the originals by any stretch - but I bet they'll make great weapons for their G1 brethren. Especially since their accessories can be expensive to replace!

I'm really looking forward to seeing more PotP reveals....perhaps the Seacons?

[King Kuuga]

I'm about to read through every through every page of this thread to catch myself up, because I'm crazy like that, so let's look at how much our knowledge of this toyline changed from the initial rumors!

Are you ready for some new Transformers Generations rumours? The last list was from a while back so I think we are overdue. These rumours all come from a post on 4 chan so take all of these with a grain of salt and it will be fun to see what pans out. The reason we are newsing this now is because some rumblings from toyfair seem to back part of it up, especially the mention of smaller figures still being a part of the next line.

These rumours mostly concern the last part of the trilogy, Power of the Primes which is due out in stores January 2018, but there is also mention of Titans Return since there will possibly be transition figures like Buzzsaw in Combiner Wars.



Here is the text found above if you have trouble reading it:

Prime Wars next Gimmick is toys to life. Download an App and scan the card that comes with the figure onto your iphone. Play "stages"(it's unkown what type of game it's going to be) using said character.

Well right off the bat, this is not the case. As we know now, the gimmick is combining again for the deluxe and voyager figures, Prime Master integration especially in the legends class, and evolution for leaders.

Titanmasters will be replaced by equally smaller guys. They won't be headmasters but closer to Micromasters that become target masters or weapon platforms.
Legends will still be able to cart the tiny men around

Mostly true and true.

Prime Wars will still be mostly 88-89 crew. Things like Turbomasters will show up from time to time.

So far, nope. The Prime Masters with Decoy Armor are, of course, all modeled after the Pretenders but the rest of the line seems to hearken from the earlier days of G1, with a few exceptions.

All 5 Dinobots will be made

Yep

as well as the remaining 3 insecticons will appear. Ransack will show up towards the end of TR as will Barrage. Venom will either be Wave 6 of TR or Wave 1 of PW. He's like Buzzsaw in CW where he may not be able to fit into wave 1.

Nope

Scorponok will be Next Titan after Trypticon

Definitely nope.

TR Arcee is just a repaint of TR Loudmouth

Thankfully she was much more than that!

So maybe 30% of the rumor was correct, all told.


Here's another post:

Thanks to Autovolt on Twitter, we've been alerted to a post on 4chan that supposedly reveals some previously unknown information about the upcoming Power of the Primes line! Take it with a grain of salt, however - this is in no way a confirmation. The post itself is below, as well as a transcript in case it's too small to read. Check it out, and let us know your thoughts in the Energon Pub!

There's a Beast Wars subline to Power of the Primes next year. I work at Amazon and this will be a shared online exclusive. Us and BBTS.

No original molds, but we will get the Takara Blackarachnia mold in the US from it. Eight Deluxe and two Voyagers, Primal and Megatron. Primal is a retool of the PotP Apeface. Megatron is a retool of PotP Snapdragon. They won't have Titan Masters, so don't worry.

(The PotP Grimlock is Leader sized, so it was never a consideration to be retooled as Megatron.)

TR Apeface and Snapdragon didn't happen and POTP Grimlock is a voyager. Puts the rest of the rumor in very shaky ground. I won't say it's 100% debunked since we only know the retail 2018 releases but it's highly unlikely that Amazon will get that many exclusives.

[WreckerJack]

I really like the clear plastic, looks like ice.

[frogbat]

Though as for many the action masters were the death knell for my love of transformers, the pretenders were the sub line which marked a decline. In fact even if I would one day embark on completing my G1 collection, I'd stop short and not bother with the pretenders. Had a couple as a kid and well they weren't that great. The shell was annoying and the scale was way too off...

So fast forward to the PotP reveals and am pleasantly surprised by these. I love the titans returns line but never bothered with the little figures sold separately. These however, I think I'll try and pick up as much as possible.... Something about the collectibility, the homage and the way they integrated the little figures and their subsequent added "target master" functionality... I kinda prefer this gimmick to the evolution ones...

[Sabrblade]

I can't help but wonder if one of the whole reasons for Hasbro even creating the human/monster-based Pretenders back in 1988 was to compete with the then-new-popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series with all its mutant and human toys taking over the toy shelves in all the stores at the time.

[Kurona]

I can't help but wonder if one of the whole reasons for Hasbro even creating the human/monster-based Pretenders back in 1988 was to compete with the then-new-popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series with all its mutant and human toys taking over the toy shelves in all the stores at the time.

Wasn't it because of He-Man?

Either way there's no doubt that they come up with it for that sort of reason, no matter what franchises inspired them. The brand was starting to fail and they figured they needed to do what was popular with the kids.

[Sabrblade]

I can't help but wonder if one of the whole reasons for Hasbro even creating the human/monster-based Pretenders back in 1988 was to compete with the then-new-popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series with all its mutant and human toys taking over the toy shelves in all the stores at the time.

Wasn't it because of He-Man?

That came out before Transformers.

[o.supreme]

I can't help but wonder if one of the whole reasons for Hasbro even creating the human/monster-based Pretenders back in 1988 was to compete with the then-new-popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series with all its mutant and human toys taking over the toy shelves in all the stores at the time.

Wasn't it because of He-Man?

Either way there's no doubt that they come up with it for that sort of reason, no matter what franchises inspired them. The brand was starting to fail and they figured they needed to do what was popular with the kids.

Nah, I was a HUGE MOTU fan as well (well still am but...) after the failure of the 1987 live-action film, the MOTU toy line was pretty much done by 1988.

I'm not sure if Pretenders came out in 1988 because of TMNT, but it would not surprise me, that was really the year TMNT started to really gain momentum and popularity.

It was also the year I basically stopped collecting all toys, I was in 7th grade and the transition from elementary to Jr. High definitely meant no more toys, I still watched the cartoons though...Man am I glad I got over that phase fast, and immediately went back into toys after highschool .

[Relic0037]

My brother & I had some of the Pretenders figures as kids, but what has me most looking forward to their upcoming reinterpreted releases was watching Supergod Masterforce a few years ago & having that fiction connected to those characters from my childhood.