The Energon Pub

[Va'al]

Courtesy of Seibertron, we now have two new additions to the extensive collection of galleries! The two newcomers are the simplified Voyager class Beast Hunters Predaking and Optimus Prime - part of the latest BH range which sees smaller figures of the Legion and Commander class rescaled into larger ones - in fact, even larger than the original Voyagers. Click on any of the figures below to check out the full gallery!

Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Predaking (2014) (Voyager Class)

Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Optimus Prime (2014) (Voyager Class)

[Optimizzy]

I love that prime. I know some people may hate this, but I kinda dig the up-scaling of the legion and commander toys. They are pretty well done for what they have to work with. I like some complicated transformations too but these are awesome for kids. When playing with them, what kids wants to interrupt the action to spend a few minutes converting them?

Besides, they feel more like g1 toys.

This guy is going to be a must-buy for me. Looking forward to the rest.

[GuyIncognito]

As much as everyone seems to hate these, you have to admit they're cool-looking toys.

In fact, I'm considering getting this Predaking to replace the current Voyager version in my BH display.

[shockblast2]

I didn't know the new Voyager Prime was that much larger than it predecessor? I kinda like it now. Hmmm.....might have to pick that one up after all. I thought it would be the same height and size as the other prime.

[shockblast2]

As much as everyone seems to hate these, you have to admit they're cool-looking toys.

In fact, I'm considering getting this Predaking to replace the current Voyager version in my BH display.

Is the Predaking larger than its predecessor like the Prime one? I can't tell from the pics as there is not a side by side like the Prime one. It appears to be from the alt mode pic. If so, I might have to get that one too!

I will say this, if they upsize some of the other scouts I might get those. Especially if they do shockwave, just cause I like him. But if they do Hardshell I will put that on my shelves. Wouldn't mind a Trailbreaker either, although it would kinda awkward when compared to the other voyagers in the line.

[GuyIncognito]

As much as everyone seems to hate these, you have to admit they're cool-looking toys.

In fact, I'm considering getting this Predaking to replace the current Voyager version in my BH display.

Is the Predaking larger than its predecessor like the Prime one? I can't tell from the pics as there is not a side by side like the Prime one. It appears to be from the alt mode pic. If so, I might have to get that one too!

Larger... AND better looking, IMO.

[Sabrblade]

That Predaking looks fantastic!

[GuyIncognito]

AND it's only $19.99. Now I feel like a sucker for paying the same price for the lame-by-comparison original Voyager. I'd order it from HTS right now, except I don't have any coupon codes and with shipping it'll end up costing $30. I assume these will be showing up in stores soon.

[Noideaforaname]

As cool as the sheer size of these things are and the fact that they don't cost any more than a regular Voyager, I'd probably still go and get the originals (if I ever decide to pick up toys of these characters, that is). The features and colors on the new ones don't look as good to me.

[Va'al]

As cool as the sheer size of these things are (and the fact that they don't cost any more than a regular Voyager), I'd probably still go and get the originals. The features and colors on the new ones don't look as good to me.

Agreed. As much as I like the translucent orange on the wings of this one, I still prefer the previous Voyager Predaking.

[Seibertron]

While Optimus is more-or-less a straight up-scale from the Commander Class toy, Predaking is a hybrid of the $60 Predaking and the Commander Class figure. The waist up seems to share a lot of similarities with the $60 Predaking while the waist down has more similarities with the Commander Class toy. It's an interesting hybrid that makes the toy feel a bit more original (yet similar) to the other versions whereas Optimus is far too similar to the Commander Class version.

Some quick thoughts on these guys ...

Mission accomplished for the kiddies, Hasbro. These toys are simple and fun and kids will be able to quickly transform large versions of their favorite characters while playing with them. My favorite part about these figures are the loud click-click-click ratchet noises that immediately brought me back to Christmas 1986 when I got G1 Galvatron and G1 Ultra Magnus.

There are some things that I think Hasbro needs to address with these figures that would make fans more receptive to these toys:

• Don't loose the light piping! Light piping is one of the greatest features about Transformers toys from the past 20 years. It would be a shame to loose that feature because of budget constraints.
• Optimus Prime could have benefited tremendously from having transparent windows. The bright blue painted windows looks really cheap or it looks like something from the Playskool Rescue Bots line. Most of the higher priced point G1 toys (i.e. Jazz, Inferno, Optimus Prime, etc) had clear windows and if they didn't, they had glossy painted windows (like the Powermasters) or pieces of different colored plastic that acted as windows (Mixmaster, Bumblebee, etc).
• Again, with Optimus, the toy should have been redesigned so that the head could turn left and right. Predaking seems like a much better toy just because of this feature being worked into his transformation.
• Poseability is really important. The simplified deluxe class need elbow and knee joints for the same reason that Optimus needs his head to turn. I'm OK with Cyberverse figures not having this but $12.99 figures should have this outside of Rescue Bots.

I'm all for easy to transform Transformers as long as a few key features are in place that I think are really important to collectors.

[shockblast2]

GuyIncognito - Thanks for the pic! I won't comment on detail because you can't see it close enough, but as far as size it is HUGE! I think you might have talked me into picking these up for my boys. Thanks again for the info!

Seibertron - I agree that Hasbro has accomplished what they set out to do. If you have children like I do then I guess the best way to find out is buy one, put it in their hands, and see what they say. And I LOVE the idea that they make the click noises like G1.

Thanks to both of you for the info. I think I will pick up Optimus first when it hits retail and then go from there. I am looking to stop buying TF's for myself after the Generations line ends, but for my children this will keep them interested. They definitely had trouble transforming even a deluxe, so this is a great move for them, which is what 90% of the toys are all about. Thanks again!!

[kirbenvost]

Predaking looks really cool with the transleucent wings and all the paint apps on the chest. I think it would look better with black rather than the gunmetal grey, but it's still a great looking figure. I'm skipping out on all the beasts, but if I were to get a version I'd probably go for this one.

[Dead Metal]

Still think that Prime looks terrible.

Predaking, looks kinda nice, although not as appealing as he did in previous pics.

Nice for the kids though I guess, get a large toy with lots of playability, they jst don't really appeal to me.
These are hard to justify for someone who doesn't like the original Commander sized releases due to the way they look.


I would be more interested in a gallery of Ultimate Predaking.

[Seibertron]

I would be more interested in a gallery of Ultimate Predaking.

Soon ... going to plow through galleries of Whirl, Armada Starscream, Scoop, Skywarp and Centuritron first.

[Dead Metal]

I would be more interested in a gallery of Ultimate Predaking.

Soon ... going to plow through galleries of Whirl, Armada Starscream, Scoop, Skywarp and Centuritron first.

Cool, can't wait. I really want a Predaking, and so far that one looks to be the best for show accurate bot-mode, but I need one of your galleries to really show me the figure.

[Fires_Of_Inferno]

I remember thinking how awesome the voyager class toys were during Transformers Cybertron and the two Unicron series'. They were great transformers toys, and no one complained that they were too simple back then. I don't see why some people think it's a problem now, these look fine to me. I might not buy into them myself but they look fine!

[shockblast2]

I would be more interested in a gallery of Ultimate Predaking.

Soon ... going to plow through galleries of Whirl, Armada Starscream, Scoop, Skywarp and Centuritron first.

Nice. Hopefully you do these before next Friday. I placed an order with BBTS for the set of four today as they are in stock there. They are due to arrive in a week. If you all get them up before then, I will check them out. You all do a nice job with the pics so looking forward to that. Especially with the three minibots as that is a unique TF for this line. I kinda hope they retool these as Autobots so we get something to mirror them on the Autobot side. Of course, with the way Hasbro uses molds its bound to happen sometime.

[shockblast2]

I remember thinking how awesome the voyager class toys were during Transformers Cybertron and the two Unicron series'. They were great transformers toys, and no one complained that they were too simple back then. I don't see why some people think it's a problem now, these look fine to me. I might not buy into them myself but they look fine!

For me I was originally turned off by these just because I thought it would be the same size as the Voyager we already have. As the pics show, they are larger and that is what made me change my mind about them. My children will love these as they are big and cool looking, but not complicated to transform. I can attest personally, having three children with a fourth on the way, that the biggest problem for children is the complexity of Transformers. Unfortunately for us adult collectors it s a downside, but these are for children primarily. There is always 3PT for the serious collectors, and Generations will run as well. At least until it takes a hiatus.

[hinomars19]

I'm all for easy to transform Transformers as long as a few key features are in place that I think are really important to collectors.

This. Well said.Stuff like Cybertron Optimus was big, simple and fun, and as far as I know he is a pretty popular mold along all ages.
Prime could have benefited from the odd tweak, the cab looks a bit squat in vehicle mode, and I agree about the windows and head movement. and the addition of a wing backpack would stop the back of the toy looking cheap. Plus...why green plastic?

What I like most about Prime is he isn't show accurate, but his transformation seems to be a little more accurate in relation to where things go, just being so simple the wheels don't move from the shoulders and in turn the shoulder armour doesn't point outwards. However, if I'm honest I wouldn't have minded his show model be more like this toy, just refined obviously. I don't like how the voyager and 'dragon fire' (?) prime's transformations cheat. But that may be just me. If I see him on a shelf I may get him and 'fix' some problems.

Beast fire Predaking is enough for me. This chap looks a bit...lithe? And not a single Predaking toy is going to even remotely attempt any kind of show accuracy in colours or transformation so Beast fire keeps me happy as a cool toy

[durroth]

Only real problem I have with predaking is how the tail looks in beast mode and the legs being as hollow as they are. They could have put backs on them, left the inside hollow, and had a more solid place for the hind legs of dragon mode to peg in. an articulated head would have been nice too, but for 20$... its definitely worth getting, especially if you have the patience to give it a paint job

[Fires_Of_Inferno]

but for 20$... its definitely worth getting, especially if you have the patience to give it a paint job

If they do this Predaking in the blue and purple colors then I'm gonna buy the hell out of it.

[MINDVVIPE]

This actually isn't such a bad looking bot (prime), its just that those colours are brutally bad. It'd be sweet to see this see the nemesis prime/scourge deco.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

While Optimus is more-or-less a straight up-scale from the Commander Class toy, Predaking is a hybrid of the $60 Predaking and the Commander Class figure. The waist up seems to share a lot of similarities with the $60 Predaking while the waist down has more similarities with the Commander Class toy. It's an interesting hybrid that makes the toy feel a bit more original (yet similar) to the other versions whereas Optimus is far too similar to the Commander Class version.

Well, this clinches it. I'm staying with the decision of getting Beast Fire one. True, he's more expensive, but you're getting more bang for the buck.

[Sabrblade]

While Optimus is more-or-less a straight up-scale from the Commander Class toy, Predaking is a hybrid of the $60 Predaking and the Commander Class figure. The waist up seems to share a lot of similarities with the $60 Predaking while the waist down has more similarities with the Commander Class toy. It's an interesting hybrid that makes the toy feel a bit more original (yet similar) to the other versions whereas Optimus is far too similar to the Commander Class version.

Well, this clinches it. I'm staying with the decision of getting Beast Fire one. True, he's more expensive, but you're getting more bang for the buck.

I have the Beast Fire one, and this new Voyager honestly look like the more fun figure to me since I find Beast Fire Predaking as an action figure to be inhibited by his gimmicks, top-heavy-ness, and poor wing attachments.