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You'd be surprised at how much news one gimmicky toy could have. Rise of the Beasts Smash and Change Optimus Primal was featured in a Japanese commercial for the toyline. In it, the main actress, Akiko Wada, transforms into Optimus Primal's bot mode BUT the toy they chose to superimpose her face upon is a yet to be revealed toy. It is not Smash and Change Primal, which we can tell due to the different details and articulated hands.
Speaking of articulation, if you are curious to know how articulated the real Smash and Change toy is, here is a review for you below (spoiler alert: it has 0 points of articulation). We do get a good size comparison though.
Since the Rise of the Beasts toyline is using new names for their size classes in the more gimmicky toys, fans have been a bit puzzled as to the size. It also doesn't help that the limited articulation makes it hard to tell if a toy is deluxe, scout or even legion sized. Hopefully the reviews below help clarify that for the Battle Changer class. We've seen reviews for Optimus and Bumblebee since last year and now we have some for Rhinox and Mirage. Enjoy!
chuckdawg1999 wrote:I think Mirage is supposed to be part of Wave 02 but with the way figures are being released, who knows? Regardless, Mirage is a really fun, simple transforming interpretation of the character in the film. The flip-out weapon gimmick is fun and doesn't take away from the rest of the figure. I'd like to see the Battle Changer Class transcend the movie line and become the new entry point class in the future.
And here are review for Optimus and Bumblebee if you need a refresher.
Good news for fans of the new Transformers Retro series which has the G1 molds in the G1 show colours, Thundercracker has been found at Walmart. Canadian Walmarts for now, but he should be found in the US soon as well. He is $47.97 CAD and has while he has been found across Canada, the sighting below is from the Montreal area. There is also a review of this toy below if you are curious about mold degradation or missile firing pressure and how it looks like next to the other G1 retro figures.
The Holiday Prime we got a while ago is getting a G1 Optimus Prime repaint. So not the G2 Hero Prime people were hoping for, but you'll let us know if you are still into it. We now have a very good look at the toy. We have in hand images from Banshee who posted them on the TFW2005 boards and we have a review from Prime vs Prime. We thank -Kanrabat- for bringing it to our attention.
Also, for everyone wondering VNR is just the name of the truck.
Fans are getting their Studio Series Rise of the Bests Leader Scourge. He has been distributed to retailers across the US and Canada, so Amazon.com is shipping him out and collector shops like Geekstuff in Quebec has him on shelves. For those who did not see his packaging, you can see it below in this image from fellow canadian Seibertronian Kanrabat. We also havea video review from Chuckdawg1999 who bathed the figure in black light to reveal the look we get which is similar to what we've seen on the concept art where it looks like he is burning from within.
With the Rise of the Beasts mainline voyagers out, we are getting a better look at them. Below you'll see more images of the voyager Optimus Prime, which is a slightly shorter and more streamlined version of the Bumblebee Optimus Prime design we've previously had in Studio Series. Negronicus posted this quick pictorial review to give you an idea of what's in store with this guy and he posted images on the TFW2005 message boards.
We posted them below along with a size comparison image we have previously seen. If anyone is wondering about the flaps at the edges of the alt mode near the smoke stacks, they are from the real truck, but exaggerated in proportion. We have an image for you to compare the alt mode.
I know alot of people are going to get put off by his size (and lack of paint apps), since his vehicle mode is deluxe size and robot mode is a bigger deluxe. However, i really like the detail and articulation of the mold, and I hope it comes back with better paint apps. Only complaint i have is head is on a swivel instead of ballpoint, other that that articulation is on par with SS BB prime, the waist articulation is a little but limited by the mold.
Thanks to chuckdawg1999 we have two video reviews for gimmick toys in the Transformers Rise of the Beasts line. There's the Optimus Prime that turns into a functional Nerf gun and the one step Nightbird figure, which is labelled as a "flex changer". The review shows you the gimmick.
chuckdawg1999 wrote:Well, this is something new. Hasbro continues to innovate, for better or worse, the simplified one-step conversion with the new Flex Changers. Transformation revolves around rubber bands that connect the panels that have to move for transformation. In the case of Nightbird, you end up almost turning the figure inside out. Unfortunately this new design results in no articulation whatsoever, but the tactile feel of transforming Nightbird back and forth more than makes up for it.
chuckdawg1999 wrote:With a new movie line, there's usually some role-play product that ties in. once again Hasbro uses their Nerf brand to bring us an Optimus Prime figure that transforms into a fun blaster. Transformation is actually surprisingly involved, especially in the arms which I appreciate, moving beyond a simple one-step or flip-change transformation. While not for most collectors, if you're looking for something fun for an office battle this fits the bill nicely.
Thanks to Seibertronian Dominus Prime, we have our first video review of the upcoming not-yet-officially-revealed Commander Class Armada Optimus Prime! The video review comes to us from Chefatron, and he shows off several comparison shots with the original Armada Optimus Prime, as well as several other versions of more recently released Optimus figures. Other still shots below show off the figure with previous Commander Class figures Jetfire and Motormaster (in his combined form as Menasor. He looks like a good solid, chunky figure.
Now, onto the review!
So what do you all think? Are you looking forward to this figure even more now? Still not a big fan? Let us know your thoughts on the Energon Pub forums!
We thank fellow Seibertronian Sabrblade for bringing this video to our attention. It is our first look at the exclusive deluxe Legacy RID Tow Line which will be released within the Buzzworthy Bumblebee line. While some fans were hoping for a redeco of the Hoist mold, smart money was on them reusing their new Junkion molds and that's what we are getting. The headsculpt is new and looks exactly like Tow Line from the Robots in Disguise cartoon. It will be curious to see what the other Junkion molds will be redeco'd into.
Here is the review from Chefatron below, showing us Tow Line. This was acquired through web based asian sellers on Shopee.
The new Transformers Studio Series Rise of the Beasts are coming into the hands are more and more eager fans. Airazor has just been found in Canadian Gamestops across the country and Amazon has shipped out some of the figures as well. that's how out friend Chuckdawg1999 got his hands on the figures and he has a review of them below. Like that you can see if these figures are for you or not. We also have a review of Battletrap from blurrprime, another member of our community, which we wanted to showcase. Enjoy!
chuckdawg1999 wrote:Core Class Arcee is a great figure. I'm amazed how much detail Hasbro could pack into such a small figure. Transformation is simple but satisfying, it's nice to see the arms properly transformed unlike in the preview pics. I'm curious how they could refine this transformation at a larger scale if at all. Arcee is definitely worth the purchase.
chuckdawg1999 wrote:I wasn't expecting to like ROTB Cheetor, but I was pleasantly surprised by a simple transformation that's still fun, and a very clean Cheetah and robot mode. From what has been shown in trailers the paint deco is fairly accurate to the movie, now we wait to see how much screen time this big cat gets.
chuckdawg1999 wrote:Well, this is an interesting little guy! While I'm not sure how it'll be handled in the film, Freezer has three weapon modes, including one that combines with the soon-to-be-released-not-sure-when Leader Class Scourge. Out of the three, I think the hand-held rifle is my favorite as I see it as the most useful. The robot mode is interesting but the loose joints and oddly molded legs make it hard to hold a pose. I recommend it just for the weapon modes alone.
blurrprime wrote:
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