The Energon Pub

[william-james88]

Fair Warning Sabr, that Optimal Optimus is one of the most dissapointing toys this year. It just doesnt feel like it does anything better than the original and feels very very light. Plus, of the 3 leaders, it is the one with the most poorly implemented version of the evolution gimmick on the leader sized bot.

I chose to cancel my preorder of Throne of the Primes because there was no way I was spending more money to get that mold again.

[Ironhidensh]

Fair Warning Sabr, that Optimal Optimus is one of the most dissapointing toys this year. It just doesnt feel like it does anything better than the original and feels very very light. Plus, of the 3 leaders, it is the one with the most poorly implemented version of the evolution gimmick on the leader sized bot.

I chose to cancel my preorder of Throne of the Primes because there was no way I was spending more money to get that mold again.

Well said.

[no-one]

It's like they took already good figures and said "hey, we can make these better by complicating them".

Isn't that what they're doing in the Masterpiece line


I've had some time to play with GeeBee and all the childhood feels. Other than the derp face it's spot on, including the die-cast heft and wobbly uneven tires.

Good times

[o.supreme]

went to Walmart yesterday, and saw that prominent BB movie display in the aisle. The small section featuring original series Minibots only had Tailgate and Swerve left...so much for all that IDW "love" I keep hearing about

[william-james88]

went to Walmart yesterday, and saw that prominent BB movie display in the aisle. The small section featuring original series Minibots only had Tailgate and Swerve left...so much for all that IDW "love" I keep hearing about

Its not related, many comic readers dont collect toys, just like our previous news admin Vaal.

[ZeroWolf]

went to Walmart yesterday, and saw that prominent BB movie display in the aisle. The small section featuring original series Minibots only had Tailgate and Swerve left...so much for all that IDW "love" I keep hearing about

Its not related, many comic readers dont collect toys, just like our previous news admin Vaal.

Plus why would they go for the old toys? Isn't there much, much better ones out there? I mean, love the characters but wouldn't think of getting them.

[Wolfman Jake]

went to Walmart yesterday, and saw that prominent BB movie display in the aisle. The small section featuring original series Minibots only had Tailgate and Swerve left...so much for all that IDW "love" I keep hearing about

Its not related, many comic readers dont collect toys, just like our previous news admin Vaal.

Plus why would they go for the old toys? Isn't there much, much better ones out there? I mean, love the characters but wouldn't think of getting them.

Especially since the more recent Generations figures offer much more IDW comic-accurate representations of the characters, particularly Thrilling 30 Legends versions of Swerve and Tailgate.

[o.supreme]

When I previously implied that a possibly better decision would have been to release Gears and Windcharger instead, all I heard was... "Tailgate and Swerve Because IDW" , I guess were going to backpedal on that now.

[ZeroWolf]

I thought it was them because they were already easily available to get without having to do much

[Autobot Roadburn]

went to Walmart yesterday, and saw that prominent BB movie display in the aisle. The small section featuring original series Minibots only had Tailgate and Swerve left...so much for all that IDW "love" I keep hearing about

Its not related, many comic readers dont collect toys, just like our previous news admin Vaal.

Plus why would they go for the old toys? Isn't there much, much better ones out there? I mean, love the characters but wouldn't think of getting them.

I love MTMTE to death and didn't get Swerve but I did grab a couple Tailgate, one to display on the card and another to open and play around with because I like the character and his design so much. I also have the PotP figure and the third party one from Maketoys.

[Wolfman Jake]

When I previously implied that a possibly better decision would have been to release Gears and Windcharger instead, all I heard was... "Tailgate and Swerve Because IDW" , I guess were going to backpedal on that now.

Actually, this is the reason:

Takara released an Encore set back in 2008 called "Bumble & Minibots." It has all the characters with the same mold and deco changes as Hasbro has just released, with the only exception being Pipes, for whatever reason. These were probably the most readily available Minibot molds for Hasbro to use.

[Emerje]

When I previously implied that a possibly better decision would have been to release Gears and Windcharger instead, all I heard was... "Tailgate and Swerve Because IDW" , I guess were going to backpedal on that now.

Actually, this is the reason:

Takara released an Encore set back in 2008 called "Bumble & Minibots." It has all the characters with the same mold and deco changes as Hasbro has just released, with the only exception being Pipes, for whatever reason. These were probably the most readily available Minibot molds for Hasbro to use.

Let's face it, Bee is the reason why Hasbro used that box set to begin with. Their IDW popularity probably did help Swerve and Tailgate get chosen over Pipes, but they were only there at all by association. Tailgate and Swerve weren't particularly popular in the '80s and they lack the strong nostalgia factor to make them big sellers with casual fans in 2018.

At least Outback has a gun going for him.

Emerje

[Roadbuster]

Yeah but there was nothing stopping them from reissuing Pipes. They could just as easily reissue Powergilde, Warpath, Gears, Cosmos, and Huffer since they were also included in the Takara reissue line with Bumblebee.

Edit: One thing I did notice. The transforming instructions for Outback have Brawn with the gun and not Outback.

[william-james88]

Yeah but there was nothing stopping them from reissuing Pipes. They could just as easily reissue Powergilde, Warpath, Gears, Cosmos, and Huffer since they were also included in the Takara reissue line with Bumblebee.

Edit: One thing I did notice. The transforming instructions for Outback have Brawn with the gun and not Outback.

Yeah, it was like that in the G1 instructions.

And Outback isnt selling out due to the gun, its because he is Shortpacked. So if everyone buys all 4 and those who want Bee just get Bee then you are left with Swerve and Tailgate. Its just math.

[Amelie]

In all honesty... I doubt any casual member of the public is going to have nostalgia for any other Minibot than Bumblebee. Choosing Tailgate and Swerve was a better choice by virtue of being popular in the IDW comics and Outback is really just making up the numbers.

[o.supreme]

When I previously implied that a possibly better decision would have been to release Gears and Windcharger instead, all I heard was... "Tailgate and Swerve Because IDW" , I guess were going to backpedal on that now.

Actually, this is the reason:

Yes I knew about that set, but you still have to paint the toys. When you produce the parts what difference is it to paint them to fit one color scheme or the other? Unless the factory in Vietnam just had a huge excess of the other paint just sitting not being used.

[Sabrblade]

When I previously implied that a possibly better decision would have been to release Gears and Windcharger instead, all I heard was... "Tailgate and Swerve Because IDW" , I guess were going to backpedal on that now.

Actually, this is the reason:

Yes I knew about that set, but you still have to paint the toys. When you produce the parts what difference is it to paint them to fit one color scheme or the other? Unless the factory in Vietnam just had a huge excess of the other paint just sitting not being used.

Only some smaller details are painted. Most of the colors on these Mini-Bots are from the plastic itself.

[william-james88]

When I previously implied that a possibly better decision would have been to release Gears and Windcharger instead, all I heard was... "Tailgate and Swerve Because IDW" , I guess were going to backpedal on that now.

Actually, this is the reason:

Yes I knew about that set, but you still have to paint the toys. When you produce the parts what difference is it to paint them to fit one color scheme or the other? Unless the factory in Vietnam just had a huge excess of the other paint just sitting not being used.

Why are we talking about paint? The difference in colour is due to the plastic. Different molds require different resin, and this plastic in those colours was readily available for production. The question shouldnt be why these colours, it should instead be why these minibots and not pipes or cosmos or powerglide ect. And we answered that question already to our best ability.

[blackeyedprime]

Hasbro may be doing them selves out of business, pre-order up for G1 cab only prime is £48 here through an online retailer!

https://www.kapowtoys.co.uk/transformer ... -6014.html

the anniversary edition with trailer was selling for £35 online and £50 in retail shops back when, no way is this price even feasonable for half of a toy.

[-Kanrabat-]

That anniversary edition was from 10 freaking years ago. Prices kinda increased since back then.

Just look at what current year voyager and deluxes cost.

[Emerje]

That anniversary edition was from 10 freaking years ago. Prices kinda increased since back then.

Just look at what current year voyager and deluxes cost.

Particularly the price of die cast parts as the metals commonly used have become more expensive thanks to their use in electronics. Zinc is non corrosive so it's used in electronic components, batteries, and to galvanize steel. Copper is used in all sorts of things for its thermal and conductive properties. Magnesium is commonly found in phones and other light weight portable devices. Other metals are either not useful on their own despite being abundant (aluminum) or considered unsafe for toys (lead). Quality die cast metal you want in a collectible isn't cheap anymore and Optimus has a big chunk of it on his chest.

Emerje

[Amelie]

Thanks to InDemandToys and KapowToys, we finally have a potential price, shipping date and stock image for the previously confirmed Walmart Exclusive G1 Vintage Optimus Prime reissue. Sporting the same curiosities on the box as the preview seen earlier at a show. With other G1 Vintage reissues already hitting sale prices, we can only guess that Optimus Prime will not be alone in this wave, and with the recent vote on Astrotrain Vs Perceptor, we also have had confirmation this latest spate of reissues is to run into spring 2020 as well.

Optimus Prime will be shipping late January with a price tag of £49.99 at InDemandToys and £47.97 at KapowToys.



With characters like Hound and Blitzwing being prominent characters in the movies, it would seem like an excellent chance for Hasbro to finally deliver a reissue of figures. What are you hoping to return alongside this legendary figure? Drop in on the Energon Pub and get that wish-listing gear grinding.

[-Kanrabat-]

Even though I have a vintage G1 Hound, I would love a reissue of him. And I know it's possible because of the recent E-Hobby repaint.

[Combat Zero]

I’m glad they’re reissuing G1 Optimus because I’ve been dying to find one that isn’t used, a KO, or very expensive.

[-Kanrabat-]

I’m glad they’re reissuing G1 Optimus because I’ve been dying to find one that isn’t used, a KO, or very expensive.

If you already have a good condition vintage trailer but a broken-ass incomplete Optimus, that reissue is a blessing.