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[El Duque]

Thanks to our friends at Hasbro we have new batch official product images to share!

First up, the highly anticipated Hasbro release of Masterpiece Soundwave with Rumble, Frenzy, Ravage, Laserbeak and Buzzsaw. Below we have images of the packaging and the set in both modes.







Next we have a trio of images from the Transformers Generations line. We get a nice look at the packaging for both Titan Class Metroplex and Deluxe Class Trailcutter, plus the previously seen official image of Scamper from the Metroplex set.







Lastly we see a previously unknown set from the Transformers Prime Beast Hunters line, a two-pack featuring Voyager Class Optimus Prive and Predaking.

[Sabrblade]

Finally. Now we can talk about this pics on this site.

Soundwave's labeled "MP-02". Interesting.

Metroplex, Scamper, and Trailcutter all still look good.

The 2-pack seems pointless, with Prime's colors being darker and Predaking's heads being all gray.

[spartanH85]

Is it just me or does Bigbot have a new face sculpt? I see some parts swaps happening too!

[Henry921]

Looks like Soundwave keeps the Megatron pistol but loses the energon cube and the 'grid' chestplate.

I am totally fine with all of this. Definitely gonna buy him.


The 2 pack would be so much better if they'd just left Predaking's face alone. Optimus' darker colors work pretty well, but Predaking's face looks like it was bleached or just left unpainted.

[General Hawk 7]

Do we have an ETA for Soundwave yet? I dont want to miss out on him.

[Bounti76]

I have a question.....why no Masterpiece Ratbat (as a cassette)? I realize that would up the cost a bit, but not even Takara did one. He was a more prominent figure in the comics than any of the other Cassetticons.

[KNM2012]

Soundwave's labeled "MP-02". Interesting.

I was thinking the same thing. I mean, I like the packaging, but it has me wonder why they started now with their own "MP" labeling, and why he is #2. I guess in the end, Acid Storm will become #1.

[Sabrblade]

I have a question.....why no Masterpiece Ratbat (as a cassette)? I realize that would up the cost a bit, but not even Takara did one. He was a more prominent figure in the comics than any of the other Cassetticons.

Hasbro didn't make one because Takara didn't make one.

And Takara didn't make one likely because he wasn't a 1984 toy, which seems to be what Takara's MPs are trying to cover first and foremost these days.

As for his prominence in the comics, Takara goes by the cartoons since the American (or UK, in Marvel's case) comics had little-to-no mainstream relevance in Japan back in the day.

Soundwave's labeled "MP-02". Interesting.

I was thinking the same thing. I mean, I like the packaging, but it has me wonder why they started now with their own "MP" labeling, and why he is #2. I guess in the end, Acid Storm will become #1.

Unless Optimus is supposed to be #1, retroactively.

[Bounti76]

I have a question.....why no Masterpiece Ratbat (as a cassette)? I realize that would up the cost a bit, but not even Takara did one. He was a more prominent figure in the comics than any of the other Cassetticons.

Hasbro didn't make one because Takara didn't make one.

And Takara didn't make one likely because he wasn't a 1984 toy, which seems to be what Takara's MPs are trying to cover first and foremost these days.

As for his prominence in the comics, Takara goes by the cartoons since the American (or UK, in Marvel's case) comics had little-to-no mainstream relevance in Japan back in the day.

Be as that may (and it does sound very likely), Red Alert is from 1985 but has a MP figure out, and Smokescreen is also from 1985. Tigertrack didn't exist until 2003! I guess if you don't count retools/repaints then what you said makes sense. Still, I do hope he (Ratbat) will come along at some point.

[Sabrblade]

I have a question.....why no Masterpiece Ratbat (as a cassette)? I realize that would up the cost a bit, but not even Takara did one. He was a more prominent figure in the comics than any of the other Cassetticons.

Hasbro didn't make one because Takara didn't make one.

And Takara didn't make one likely because he wasn't a 1984 toy, which seems to be what Takara's MPs are trying to cover first and foremost these days.

As for his prominence in the comics, Takara goes by the cartoons since the American (or UK, in Marvel's case) comics had little-to-no mainstream relevance in Japan back in the day.

Be as that may (and it does sound very likely), Red Alert is from 1985 but has a MP figure out, and Smokescreen is also from 1985. Tigertrack didn't exist until 2003! I guess if you don't count retools/repaints then what you said makes sense. Still, I do hope he (Ratbat) will come along at some point.

Yeah, true, I meant they're making the molds of the 1984 characters first, but also making the most out of them with redecos and remolds of them.

[welcometothedarksyde]

Who is the blue red and white guy beside Metroplex's head? The one who's not Optimus

[Sabrblade]

Who is the blue red and white guy beside Metroplex's head? The one who's not Optimus

Probably a miscolored/lighting affected Trailcutter.

[slugx333]

What are the release dates on these?

[Manterax Prime]

Who is the blue red and white guy beside Metroplex's head? The one who's not Optimus

As Sabrdlade pointed out, it's Trailbreaker.
The other one over buy BB, though, is actually Orion Pax.
Cuz I just noticed we've got the 4 Spotlight Autobot deluxes on there.

[LOST Cybertronian]

Glad to see Hasbro giving masterpiece packaging to these masterpiece figures.

[Megazarak]

Soundwave is MP-02, huh? I kind of doubt Acid Storm would be MP-01... maybe another run of Masterpiece Optimus as MP-01 (perhaps without the trailer?)?

[Mindmaster]

Loving Soundwave's packaging! ..But we still don't know which retailer he will be exclusive to.

The new Deluxe packaging is looking nice as well.

Bloody hell, Hasbro is really trying to shove Predaking dow our throats. I see so many of him, I've begun to actually miss some of the shelfwarming RiD figures. I'll accept Optimus, but there's absolutely nothing on the universe that will make me get that Predaking.

...except bribery. That might persuade me.

[Sabrblade]

Loving Soundwave's packaging! ..But we still don't know which retailer he will be exclusive to.

Yes we do. It's Toys "R" Us.

[Mindmaster]

Loving Soundwave's packaging! ..But we still don't know which retailer he will be exclusive to.

Yes we do. It's Toys "R" Us.

....Well, guess I won't be seeing that MP then.

Hopefull they will actually do better with the distribution. Hopefully.

[gavinfuzzy]

What's with the Chinese on MP Wave?

Oh look, the Generation deluxes comes with an added comic book. I wonder if it would be the full-length unabridged issue, or like a 4-page excerpt.
It's probably an excuse to bump the price up to $24.99 per deluxe... Cause you know, Comic book.

Cool idea though, I always wanted physical issues of the IDW stuff.

[Megatron Wolf]

why the hell is soundwave an exclusive but metroplex isnt? What the hell kind of crap is that? And why TRU, hasnt hasbro learned no one likes TRU anymore? Great so now if i want soundwave im going to have to fight scalpers & pay top dollar cause TRU has to charge ridiculous prices. Just more proof that hasbro doesnt have a clue. And why do i have the feeling those deluxes are going to cost over $20

[necr0blivion]

So I've been trying to figure out why Soundwave is labeled "MP-02" and I read a lot of the previous comments/theories. After a little digging, these images are not on Hasbro's Transformers site nor their Facebook. Also, why would there be Chinese writing on the box?

This must be the Hasbro Asia branch sending out this information, and that leaves MP-01 to be either Acid Storm or the rumored Asia reissue of Masterpiece Grimlock.

I don't think this will be the exact box image for Soundwave's North American release, but they did leave the Kanji on the recent Generations figures that were TRU exclusives. Time will tell, but it would be odd for NA to not have something labeled "MP-01".

[necr0blivion]

why the hell is soundwave an exclusive but metroplex isnt?

So, you want Metroplex to be a retailer exclusive...?

And why TRU, hasnt hasbro learned no one likes TRU anymore? Great so now if i want soundwave im going to have to fight scalpers & pay top dollar cause TRU has to charge ridiculous prices.

This is probably more a market decision than Hasbro's. I think all North American Masterpieces (with the possible exception of the original 12" Optimus) were all retailer exclusives. Wal-Mart didn't seem to do too well when they had Starscream and Skywarp, having to clearance them to get them off shelves. I seem to remember Skywarp being reduced 50% within the first month of release. TRU obviously wants the exclusive and is paying for the right to carry it. Perhaps it's a bad business deal for other retailers, regardless of being an exclusive or not.

On the consumer end, I completely empathize with you. It's very frustrating to think that many collectors/fans may not get a TRU exclusive off the shelf because someone else is getting dibs at the entire shipment. Hopefully distribution will be better this time. I will say that I found MP Thundercracker hanging on a shelf about a week ago, so there's always a possibility of finding what you're looking for.

[KNM2012]

Soundwave is MP-02, huh? I kind of doubt Acid Storm would be MP-01... maybe another run of Masterpiece Optimus as MP-01 (perhaps without the trailer?)?

I would personally question, much less doubt, it. Because it would be logical for Acid Storm to be MP-01 due to the fact that he is a Hasbro exclusive. That, and the MP-10 Convoy was issued in 2012. However... Seeing how having Prime be a MP-00 would also be a logical step, I think what you might be what they are planning.

[RiddlerJ]

So are all five cassettes packaged with this release of Soundwave?