The Energon Pub

News Credits: 217 · by **Diem** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:47 am

So I finally managed to get my hands on Encore 19. This set includes rereleases of G1 toys Condor (Lazerbeak), Frenzy, Rumble and Overkill.

First up is Condor. This figure is probably not too lusted after since anyone who's bought a G1 Soundwave in the last decade has this guy. That said, his weapons seem to fit more snugly than Encore Buzzsaw who, for me at least, had loose pegs. Unfortunately, the sliding system at the base of his neck seems to be having a small problem, with the result being that this bird is looking off to the side the whole time. It's not drastic, but if you're buying this set just for him be aware of the issue.

Next up, Frenzy and Rumble, or to avoid RIBFIR incidents, Fremble and Runzy. They have the diecast elbows and toes, and their joints hold up just fine. Thankfully their sproingy head mechanisms stil work well, and their faces are painted silver rather than white, as someone (I forget who) was worrying about. Notably their thigh stickers, which appear on both the box photos and on the instructions, are absent. I t looks like there may have been a last-minute change,or maybe a factory problem that'll be sorted out on later releases.

People have been saying of the photos that Fremble (the blue guy) looks a slightly different colour to his original release. Sadly, my 1985 Fremble lives in the UK, so I can't check, but from memory he looks the same shade, or very similar. If anyone can give a good example of another blue TF to compare him to, I'll be happy to check.

I was pretty excited about Overkill, since he was the only mold here I didn't already own. And yeah, he's fine. His jaw isn't the tightest joint ever, but it isn't exactly loose. And his legs can still come apart, even though the instructions don't say it. Be careful though, his body starts to come apart a little too!

As per the other Encore cassette releases, they each come with a clear tape case.

I imagine that this may be the most popular set of cassettes so far, what with the first use of the Fremble mold since 1987 (I think) and with three popular characters...and Overkill included, I recommend this set. My prediction is that this set could well sell out, so get in fast guys!

As usual, photo requests and questions are welcomed.

News Credits: 1452 · by **Blurrz** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:56 am

Hey bro... hook us up with a group shot of the four in mini cassette form and Robot form, and you've got your name on the Front page...

News Credits: 217 · by **Diem** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:12 am

Blurrz wrote:Hey bro... hook us up with a group shot of the four in mini cassette form and Robot form, and you've got your name on the Front page...

Sounds like a good deal:

And as a bonus, you get to see my impeccable taste in fine literature!

News Credits: 217 · by **Diem** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:38 am

Oh, and just for fun, the complete Big Cassette Mission (so far) plus some bonus Ravages:

News Credits: 1452 · by **Blurrz** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:42 am

Thanks Champ.. really appreciated!

News Credits: 217 · by **Diem** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:46 am

Blurrz wrote:Thanks Champ.. really appreciated!

No problem mate.

by **Coptur** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:03 am

I just hope takaratomy market the next tape sets well.

I think they should package Squarktalk & Beastbox with Graphy & Noise

making the last set

Grandslam & Raindance with Zaur & Dial

These combinations would have east and west fight for them and keep the second hand market price down because we all know the scalpers would put a high mark up on the japanese figures, especially if they were put together.

News Credits: 217 · by **Diem** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:14 am

Coptur wrote:I just hope takaratomy market the next tape sets well.

I think they should package Squarktalk & Beastbox with Graphy & Noise

making the last set

Grandslam & Raindance with Zaur & Dial

These combinations would have east and west fight for them and keep the second hand market price down because we all know the scalpers would put a high mark up on the japanese figures, especially if they were put together.

I hope they do release at least two more box sets with the characters you mention. Maybe a sixth set with the Kiss Player tapes and Flip Sides or Enemy.

Actually Enemy's probably going to end up being part of an e-Hobby thing...

News Credits: 127 · by **Counterpunch** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:33 am

Why is Big Cassette Mission 1 so hard to find?

News Credits: 217 · by **Diem** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:44 am

Counterpunch wrote:Why is Big Cassette Mission 1 so hard to find?

They vanished off the shelves super quickly, which is why I was so anxious to pick this set up! Convoy, Soundwave and the cassettes sold fast, but every other Encore has stuck around for a while. Depending on the store, you can still find Ironhide and Ratchet at market-1 retail. Even Skylynx and Omega Supreme are still not too hard to find.

News Credits: 8 · by **Electron** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:52 pm

Whats everyones opinion on the encore cassettes as a whole? because as a set of figures they seem pretty pricey, but u gotta remember there cassettes and the look great

Diem as a guy who looks like you have the sets so far, how do you feel about them? wht do u like or dislike? jus lookin for advice cheers

by **IceWilly** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:59 pm

I have recently come to the realization that I want the full cassette teams, or at very least the commanders and 4x minions. (2 humanoids, 2 animals) The way they split up the packs was obviously genius to make you buy them all.

1st pack: 2x Autobot humanoids. Ravage/laserbeak have been in repacks recently
2nd pack: Ramhorn and steeljaw not available elsewhere, nor is ratbat. Dino is nice, but certainly not a main stay from the show.
3rd pack: Rumble/Frenzy not available anywhere else, Dino is another sidebar character and then reuse or Laserbeak again.

Basically 2 must have's, 1 sorta nice, and 1 that isn't a mainstay. Tada you have to buy all 3!

Unfortunately if you buy G1 in good shape, 3 of them will add up to the standard 50$ price you pay for a new set of 4. The 1st set being the only one you could get by with just having the 2 Bots... but then your trifecta set is ruined. You win takara, you win.

News Credits: 4 · by **Neurie** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:09 pm

I want to see the other cassettes and the Egg bots as they are rediculously hard to get hold of

News Credits: 4 · by **Neurie** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:12 pm

[quote="Coptur"]I just hope takaratomy market the next tape sets well.

I think they should package Squarktalk & Beastbox with Graphy & Noise

making the last set

Grandslam & Raindance with Zaur & Dial
may be wrong but im not 100% sure Beastbox and squalktalk got released in japan, they certainly never got a europe wide release, but then thats nothing new.

News Credits: 217 · by **Diem** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:34 pm

Electron wrote:Whats everyones opinion on the encore cassettes as a whole? because as a set of figures they seem pretty pricey, but u gotta remember there cassettes and the look great

Diem as a guy who looks like you have the sets so far, how do you feel about them? wht do u like or dislike? jus lookin for advice cheers

I think they cost way too much for what you actually physically get. I can at least get them at shelf price, but I think they're a little too expensive, even then. I wouldn't import them unless you want at least three of the figures. I guess you could always resell the figures you don't want. The quality of the figures generally is good, though I'm not sure about Steeljaw's legs (they're lighter than his body, unlike the Bookbox Blaster version) or the condors' mold problems.

As a personal preference, I like Slugfest for his plates, and Ratbat for complex little engineering.

by **IceWilly** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:51 pm

As I sit here potentially second guessing how much these things are worth to me (closing in on 200$ with 2x 50$ sets and a 70-80$ big mission ebay set...) i suppose the realization is that they are basically as expensive as G1. Yes they are new and case fresh, but you don't save much with these over G1. It is just unfortunate that the cassettes may never be remade. Maybe their name will be used, but new tapes would probably need a new soundwave to go in, best chance of that was probably with Titanium since the ML technically got the headphones as frenzy/rumble and I don't know how well the tape would function as a storage slot (don't own it)

the decepticon cassettes in particular played a pretty big role in the G1 cartoon, enough that I want at least Rumble/Ravage/Laserbeak. Other than that it was just minor appearances in season 3 seemingly for the rest. Is that worth spending 200$ to add them to the collection? Stupid Henkei seekers have put a price tag on everything for me, shame on them.

News Credits: 127 · by **Counterpunch** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 9:22 pm

Diem wrote:
Counterpunch wrote:Why is Big Cassette Mission 1 so hard to find?

They vanished off the shelves super quickly, which is why I was so anxious to pick this set up! Convoy, Soundwave and the cassettes sold fast, but every other Encore has stuck around for a while. Depending on the store, you can still find Ironhide and Ratchet at market-1 retail. Even Skylynx and Omega Supreme are still not too hard to find.

Well, if anyone is interested in selling me a set...please let me know.

News Credits: 60 · by **fenrir72** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:12 pm

It'll be due in my region this coming Thursday. And I'm stoked for Rumble and Overkill(the only other Destron casettes I don't own yet). A pity that Takara scrimped on the thigh labels but at least they kept the feet and joint's diecast.