The Energon Pub

[o.supreme]

Saw a lonely Starscream on the shelf at my closest store last night, no shelf space dedicated to it, or any of the reissues (it was actually with the Marvel stuff). I put it back with the Transformers, hopefully someone who really wants it will get it.

[Amelie]

Thanks to WilliamJames, I now have a lovely reissue Bumblebee (he was my priority here, as it has a new face sculpt I couldn't get outside of paying through the nose for the Takara sets).

My childhood Bumblebee isn't in the most mint of condition, but its good enough for a comparison. Photos later, but a quick run down.

- The plastic is more flexable (I don't think its thinner, its just a different type of ABS)
- The yellow is on the cooler side (more Lemon than Cadmium)
- The detailing is softer. I won't put this down to "mold degradation", as its clearly a new mold - but its got some of the feel of a recast about it. I've seen similar detail softening from KOs.

All in all, I'm very happy with the price point and the quality. I can finally scratch that need for the alternate face sculpt now, too.

[o.supreme]

As much as a fan of the original Transformers as I am, I had quite the surreal experience at Walmart this Weekend.

I was able to find the Devastator gift set at a Walmart near by. However I ultimately chose not to get it, and I determined I wont be getting any of the reissues.

Back in 2002, TRU "commemorative series" started with a mere 3 reissues (Prime, Magnus and Hot Rod). But the circumstances of their release were very different. I had just got married, and had no kids yet. These three Original Transformers had not been on toy shelves in approximately 16 years, (not counting G2 because of the stylistic changes) and while BW and RiD were fun (Armada was just coming out), it was nice to see the originals again. I eventually got them all and kept them in the packaging as I was more of a collector at the time.

Now however, in 2018, there have been several reissues of the original Transformers over the years, both in Japan, and North America. I remember having the G2 Constructicons, and while the colors were different, some of the aesthetic differences made it plain, THIS was NOT the same toy released earlier.

That's the vibe I got when Holding the 2018 Devaststor Giftset in my hands. It felt light and cheap (could be my own prejudices...) . No classic Styrofoam, no spring loaded hands/drills. Probably made of lesser quality materials, seemingly the packaging looked off, all around. It was a legit Hasbro Product to be sure, but to *me* it was a fake, -a facsimile trying to cash in on nostalgia.

Now for many casual fans, this is probably going to work. You'll probably hear so many comments online "WOW FINALLY EXACTLY LIKE WHEN I WAS A KID!!!" ---It's sad to say however it just isn't so. Now I'm not saying people shouldn't purchase these. If it works for you, then by all means, go for it. But when I think of the Unite Warriors Devastator I already have at home, and how my son and I enjoy sharing it, there's really no need for this, at least for me.

Besides, the original Devastator is seemingly plentiful on eBay, and if I were desperate enough, I could probably get one, for around double what this new fabrication is selling for.

[Amelie]

Probably made of lesser quality materials

Detail casting aside, my Bumblebee's plastic was different to the original, but I wouldn't say it was of worse quality. If anything, the give in the yellow parts probably would prevent bits chipping off (which is probably the intent, given how thin\hollow G1 Bumblebee is)

I think your response to the reissues is more indicative of where you're at with your collecting. I know there are many G1 fans out there that will still pick these up just for the sake of completeness and comparison purposes. I doubt that any of the group buying for nostalgia reasons would even notice\care about the differences.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

SCORE!!!!!!




Yes, I did store all of the extra bits. Pictures will come this week of Daddy Dev with his little Son

[fenrir72]

My TFC collection bookcase set of minibots ( the BB without the painted headlights as opposed to the blue eyed Encore set) has the die-cast flaking off and the yellow turning grayish yellow.

[fenrir72]

Probably made of lesser quality materials

Detail casting aside, my Bumblebee's plastic was different to the original, but I wouldn't say it was of worse quality. If anything, the give in the yellow parts probably would prevent bits chipping off (which is probably the intent, given how thin\hollow G1 Bumblebee is)

I think your response to the reissues is more indicative of where you're at with your collecting. I know there are many G1 fans out there that will still pick these up just for the sake of completeness and comparison purposes. I doubt that any of the group buying for nostalgia reasons would even notice\care about the differences.

I'm one of the latter. Had to fork off the cone head sets bigtime from RK just to get Ramjet and Thrust (did you see their after market prices for their JP special release?) to complete my G1 seeker set.

Though their label sheets was plain sucks! Especially their adhesion.

[Va'al]

We have reported already of the Transformers G1 Reissue toyline appearing in United States stores - as you can see in our story here - but fellow Seibetronian Bounti76 has some additional information from a Walmart store in Utah: it seems as though some pricing changes are in effect, as the Hot Rod set is priced at $15 USD rather than the previously seen $30, and with no signs of a clearance or sale ticket or label!

Check out the image below, and make sure to let us know if other Walmart stores (or any store, for that matter) are also offering these products at a lower price than expected - and also make sure to use our Sightings Database to help out fellow fans on the lookout!

[Solrac333]

I got mine for $15 a couple of weeks ago. I think it was a pricing error when they first get them in stock and then they correct the price later on. After that, it was $29.99. That's how I got some Marvel Legends figures for 10 bucks sometimes at Target and 10 for Star Wars Black series at Walmart.

[LordBludgeon]

Well now I feel like I got ripped off... because I just picked up Hot Rod and Starscream for 29.99 each.

[Dr. Caelus]

$30 @ Oak Ridge TN Walmart, and on Walmart.com

[Megatron Wolf]

$30 at my walmart, guess they caught the error or it was only certain stores. Once again my crap luck strikes

[william-james88]

Well now I feel like I got ripped off... because I just picked up Hot Rod and Starscream for 29.99 each.

Thats cheaper than everywhere else for Starscteam

[Bumblevivisector]

Well now I feel like I got ripped off... because I just picked up Hot Rod and Starscream for 29.99 each.

Thats cheaper than everywhere else for Starscteam

Really? Because when I first saw Starscream 2 weeks ago, both Walmarts I checked had him for $15. That's what he scanned up for, and he was the only G1 reissue I've seen there to date. I thought it was a good deal, but it never occurred to me that it might be an error.

And I neglected to check online because I still have the Takara "Book-Reissue" Starscream that first came with that Megatron gun, but now I'm thinking I should've bothered.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Well now I feel like I got ripped off... because I just picked up Hot Rod and Starscream for 29.99 each.

Thats cheaper than everywhere else for Starscteam

Really? Because when I first saw Starscream 2 weeks ago, both Walmarts I checked had him for $15. That's what he scanned up for, and he was the only G1 reissue I've seen there to date. I thought it was a good deal, but it never occurred to me that it might be an error.

And I neglected to check online because I still have the Takara "Book-Reissue" Starscream that first came with that Megatron gun, but now I'm thinking I should've bothered.

I've only seen him for $35.99

[LordBludgeon]

Well now I feel like I got ripped off... because I just picked up Hot Rod and Starscream for 29.99 each.

Thats cheaper than everywhere else for Starscteam

Really? Because when I first saw Starscream 2 weeks ago, both Walmarts I checked had him for $15. That's what he scanned up for, and he was the only G1 reissue I've seen there to date. I thought it was a good deal, but it never occurred to me that it might be an error.

And I neglected to check online because I still have the Takara "Book-Reissue" Starscream that first came with that Megatron gun, but now I'm thinking I should've bothered.

I've only seen him for $35.99

If I had the receipt still, I would have proved it. I'm guessing it was an error at the Wal-Mart I got him from? I went through self checkout and both g1 Starscream and Hot Rod both scanned in at 29.99 and it said something on the screen when scanned like "TRANSFORMER". Maybe an employee assumed that they both were the same price and entered in a generic scan in title?

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Well now I feel like I got ripped off... because I just picked up Hot Rod and Starscream for 29.99 each.

Thats cheaper than everywhere else for Starscteam

Really? Because when I first saw Starscream 2 weeks ago, both Walmarts I checked had him for $15. That's what he scanned up for, and he was the only G1 reissue I've seen there to date. I thought it was a good deal, but it never occurred to me that it might be an error.

And I neglected to check online because I still have the Takara "Book-Reissue" Starscream that first came with that Megatron gun, but now I'm thinking I should've bothered.

I've only seen him for $35.99

If I had the receipt still, I would have proved it. I'm guessing it was an error at the Wal-Mart I got him from? I went through self checkout and both g1 Starscream and Hot Rod both scanned in at 29.99 and it said something on the screen when scanned like "TRANSFORMER". Maybe an employee assumed that they both were the same price and entered in a generic scan in title?

Maybe. My Walmarts have hot rod for $29.99 and Starscream for $35.99

[CdogCdog4]

Ouch almost $6 tax!! Im glad i dont pay sales taxes (except onlike all of a sudden ugh)

Nice score on the $15 Hot Rod if i see them that price id buy a few more too (i only have 1 atm. Opened)

[JasonM32]

Greetings Gents-

I was able to score a Starscream for myself on the shelf at Walmart in Queen Creek AZ last night. It had the absurdly long missiles but so be it. They also had plenty of Devastator sets and Hotrods. I must say it was quite surreal to walk down the toy aisle and see a bunch of G1 style boxes on the shelf. Starscream seems to be the one selling the fastest but not by much.

I was afraid that I missed out on the chance for a Bumblebee mini bot but now I'm not so sure. It doesn't look like anyone is reporting them hitting the shelves in the USA yet. Maybe I'm wrong, not sure. I'm going to be monitoring the situation because I'd really like a Bumblebee with the cartoon style face. I could get one on Ebay but all I can find are sellers from Canada and I don't want to pay beaucoup bucks for shipping. Wish me luck.

Cheers

[triKlops]

Nice score J32 and welcome to the boards!

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Nice! I think these reissues are cool because of the reissues, there is at least one a lot of people kinda sorta want and will probably end up getting at some point. Devastator was my guilty purchase

[o.supreme]

Hey, If I can find a Devastator for half price (would be around $40 after taxes), Not even I would pass that up

[JasonM32]

Nice score J32 and welcome to the boards!

Thanks triKlops.

I'm hitting my local Walmarts a lot but still no sign of Bumblebee or other minibots.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Thanks to the good folks over at Ozformers, we have word that the Transformers Reissue Minibots are now available for purchase in that country! This news comes to us with some information regarding the reissues in Australia: the minibots are the only figures that are expected to arrive in Australia, robbing them of the chance to get Starscream, Hot Rod, or Devastator most likely. The figures are currently an online exclusive to the Cotton:On clothing store, and are available there now for $14.99 Australian dollars. If you order more than $30 worth of product, you can collect them from a store for free if one is close to you. There are a few other Transformers related products available as well, so even if you only want 1 minibot, you might still be able to get a free in-store pickup.

So what do you think of this news? Are you Australians ready to buy some reissues? Let us know what you think in the comments section below, and if you do pick one up, let us know what you think!

[Burn]

So as it turns out there's two of those stores an hour from me.

Don't think I really need reissues though.