Buyers Beware: KO Classic Skywarp & Thundercracker
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 4:02AM CST
Categories: Toy News, Knock OffsPosted by: Mach Views: 78,167
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KO makers sense this business opportunity, though unethical, and created the KO Classic Skywarp & Thundercracker.
Actoys member sgxingx has posted the toy images of these KO at Actoys Forum.
For those who are planning to purchase the authentic figures, be aware and check out our gallery on Skywarp & Thundercracker for verification.
Stay tuned to Seibertron for all your latest news on Transformers.
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Posted by Dclone Soundwave on January 5th, 2010 @ 4:04am CST
Posted by Burn on January 5th, 2010 @ 4:19am CST
Posted by OhioBot on January 5th, 2010 @ 4:45am CST
Posted by Heckfire on January 5th, 2010 @ 5:19am CST
Posted by Blackstreak on January 5th, 2010 @ 5:42am CST
Decepticlone Soundwave wrote:Well, at least they're easily identified as KO's. The cockpits are a dead giveaway.
And the sticker copying on Thundercracker. I have to admit, if I didn't already have a Gencon TC and Classics Skywarp I'd be tempted to get this. Or try to since I have no idea how to acquire them. Originals are so much more enjoyable to show off then those cheap KOs anyways.
Posted by TheAllSpark on January 5th, 2010 @ 5:51am CST
2 questions:
Besides the obvious cokpit being blue what are the other problems with these figures?
And... where can I find these guys online?
I want to make some rainmakers
Posted by Rockdown on January 5th, 2010 @ 6:27am CST
Posted by Trikeboy on January 5th, 2010 @ 6:32am CST
Posted by --B-- on January 5th, 2010 @ 7:50am CST
Posted by HeadmasterPrime on January 5th, 2010 @ 7:54am CST
Posted by Poyguimogul on January 5th, 2010 @ 8:17am CST
~KOtoys has some decent stuff. Green g2 beachcomber classic legend.
Blue hound(legend) Orange Jazz(legend)~> Metrobomb / Skystalker? neither, no black or purple ><;
If you get the KO Ramjet + KO sunstorm you can make a complete KO Sunstorm, as the KO Sunstorm weapons come with the Ramjet.
Posted by Diem on January 5th, 2010 @ 8:28am CST
Posted by dragons on January 5th, 2010 @ 9:59am CST
Posted by GetterDragun on January 5th, 2010 @ 10:11am CST
Heckfire wrote:At least now there's a slim chance of actually getting a Thundercracker for my collection.
This does not get you a Thundercracker for your collection. It would be the equivalent of saying you had a Ferrari because you put a prancing horse on a Hyundai.
Posted by UltraPrimal on January 5th, 2010 @ 10:12am CST
Doesn't matter to me though, as I already have all of them, but if I ever see these I may buy them just to see what they're like. Now if they were to a Sunstorm and that other Rainmaker, then I'll have to buy them.
Posted by IceWilly on January 5th, 2010 @ 10:32am CST
In other news, my Takara Ramjet was incorrectly assembled. I had to pop a bunch of pins out and shave some plastic off so the hip ball joints were sitting flush. Really worried me. A couple replacement parts, however shoddy quality would be nicer to slide in their VS buying a new Henkei fig in case of damage
Posted by Nekoman on January 5th, 2010 @ 10:58am CST
GetterDragun wrote:Heckfire wrote:At least now there's a slim chance of actually getting a Thundercracker for my collection.
This does not get you a Thundercracker for your collection. It would be the equivalent of saying you had a Ferrari because you put a prancing horse on a Hyundai.
I love that comparison.
Technically, true, but I think the KO here is pretty good compromise for folk who can't make their own, or don't want to pay up. They can have a blue seeker to "complete" their set, but it won't be as pretty as the Gentei one, or as good quality as the Botcon one, or real. But for someone who just wants something to fill the spot, it kind of works.
Posted by Editor on January 5th, 2010 @ 11:08am CST
Posted by Mach on January 5th, 2010 @ 11:16am CST
GetterDragun wrote:Heckfire wrote:At least now there's a slim chance of actually getting a Thundercracker for my collection.
This does not get you a Thundercracker for your collection. It would be the equivalent of saying you had a Ferrari because you put a prancing horse on a Hyundai.
I read somewhere that china even has KO Ferrari. Look exactly the same, just maybe toyota engine
So is different having a Hyundai with Ferrari logo, then a "real" KO Ferrari
Posted by Rated X on January 5th, 2010 @ 11:35am CST
I admit the blue cockpit kind of sucks but if the price is right Im all in !!! Hopefully they will do Thrust and Dirge too. Whats the price ???
P.S. Think about all the girls that would jump in that fake Ferrari.... Who cares about the engine on the streets ??? Youre local strip is not a NASCAR track, LOL
Posted by Bed Bugs on January 5th, 2010 @ 12:32pm CST
So I'm not offended in anyway, as a Botcon 2007 box set owner. I think it's just as silly to get upset over this as it would be to get upset over a KO G1 Sunstreaker. Neither KO diminishes the value of the original in either case.
With that said, I do like the idea of getting one of those KO Thundercrackers and removing the stripes on the wings to make him a Generic Seeker to accompany Acid Storm.
Posted by Rorschach on January 5th, 2010 @ 1:47pm CST
I love the open market and those crazy asian bootleggers. I can't wait to snag some of these and I pray that they'll work up some Dirge/Thrust figures as well. Hell, I'd love to see them do the rest of the Botcon stuff as well. Having some decent stand-ins is better than having nothing at all.
Posted by Flashwave on January 5th, 2010 @ 2:43pm CST
Fender Bender wrote: Neither KO diminishes the value of the original in either case.
These theoretically could. In an auction setting, if it's said to be a Botcon TC, and is set cheaper than an actual Botcon TC, then people will naturally flock to bidding on that one. If the seller has several of these then, the competitive auction market will flock to those, and the authentic is either ignored, or goes for far less because it was robbed.
Now, how many of us will be selling the Botcon sets anytime soon?
WHy is Skywarp a knock off? He was a general market release. The Botcon set was TC, Dirge, Thrust.
And I'm with the others, this is a good opportunity for Seeker bashes.
Posted by fowlowl2626 on January 5th, 2010 @ 2:50pm CST
Posted by Chaoslock on January 5th, 2010 @ 3:01pm CST
GetterDragun wrote:Heckfire wrote:At least now there's a slim chance of actually getting a Thundercracker for my collection.
This does not get you a Thundercracker for your collection. It would be the equivalent of saying you had a Ferrari because you put a prancing horse on a Hyundai.
What's the difference between two pieces of plastic that have the same shape and color?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGQf9dn0pDk
Posted by Psychout on January 5th, 2010 @ 3:19pm CST
99% of you who have a real 'Cracker weren't planning on selling it anyway, and now you can buy a version you can play with and, ya know, actually transform it.
Posted by Torneira on January 5th, 2010 @ 3:20pm CST
You see, I have to ship them overseas to Europe that alone is expensive enough and some of the sellers don't mark the value down, so occasionly I have to pay customs taxes.
So what if the cockpits aren't coloured as they were supposed to be. It doesn't bother me at all. It looks cool that way either.
Knock Off or not, I am going to get these guys!
Posted by Scaleface on January 5th, 2010 @ 3:25pm CST
Flashwave wrote:Fender Bender wrote: Neither KO diminishes the value of the original in either case.
These theoretically could. In an auction setting, if it's said to be a Botcon TC, and is set cheaper than an actual Botcon TC, then people will naturally flock to bidding on that one. If the seller has several of these then, the competitive auction market will flock to those, and the authentic is either ignored, or goes for far less because it was robbed.
Now, how many of us will be selling the Botcon sets anytime soon?
WHy is Skywarp a knock off? He was a general market release. The Botcon set was TC, Dirge, Thrust.
And I'm with the others, this is a good opportunity for Seeker bashes.
I honestly don't think most KO makers know a darned thing about aftermarker values of convention exclusive Thundercracker. They are just KOing some Henkei toys like any others in the line. They probably don't even know Botcon Thundercracker existed. After all, if they only made toys to cash in on convention exclusives, they would deco them closer, put them in convention packaging, and sell them as the "real thing."
Anyone who buys toys they don't want to bilk hundreds out of others on ebay really doesn't have my sympathy.
Also, you should note that currently NO Botcon Thundercrackers are for sale on ebay AT ALL, they havnt even been listed in the last 3 months either! You can't change the price of something that pratically doesn't even exist! Let's face it, there are more collectors out there who want one then even exist of the Botcon toy, so this KO won't effect anything. It willl act as a nice place holder for those of us who missed the real thing and don't have hundreds to spend on a $10 toy painted blue.
End up these pictures are not even the toys they way they came from the KO maker. Someone added symbols and paint details. The real KO is just plain blue with a couple stripes. EASILY identified as different from the real thing, Henkei or Botcon.
Posted by Rated X on January 5th, 2010 @ 3:36pm CST
Also, no disrespect to the site, but instead of titleing this thread "Buyers Beware:" why not use a less biased title such as "Henkei alternitives available for collectors" ???
I dont think anybody buying these would actually be dumb enough to believe it is a Henkei version with that huge blue cockpit...
Posted by Mkall on January 5th, 2010 @ 3:46pm CST
Rated X wrote:Also, no disrespect to the site, but instead of titleing this thread "Buyers Beware:" why not use a less biased title such as "Henkei alternitives available for collectors" ???
Because this site promotes real Transformers. Officially we do not support 3rd party add-ons or figures, including Knock Off figures. We just report it to keep the fanbase informed. What you suggest could be interpretted that we support these figures, which we're not.
I dont think anybody buying these would actually be dumb enough to believe it is a Henkei version with that huge blue cockpit...
You'd be surprised at the ignorance of some people.
Posted by City Commander on January 5th, 2010 @ 3:49pm CST
Might buy a set so I can have a TC and Skywarp of my own. My bro technically owns the Henkei and Botcon versions ;p
As an aside, I don't see any need to get pissy over this just because you have the botcon and/or henkei versions already. It's just plain mean to want to deny others the chance to have something you have.
And then I flunk my own argument by also pointing out that these aren't botcon TC or the henkei versions of SW and TC, just deluxe figures that bear a remarkable resemblance. There's no need to kick up a fuss.
Posted by Razorclaw0000 on January 5th, 2010 @ 4:15pm CST
GetterDragun wrote:Heckfire wrote:At least now there's a slim chance of actually getting a Thundercracker for my collection.
This does not get you a Thundercracker for your collection. It would be the equivalent of saying you had a Ferrari because you put a prancing horse on a Hyundai.
QFT.
I will be patient and pick up the Games of Deception set when I can afford it. I'm prepared to pay what it's worth.
Posted by Scaleface on January 5th, 2010 @ 4:36pm CST
Razorclaw0000 wrote:GetterDragun wrote:Heckfire wrote:At least now there's a slim chance of actually getting a Thundercracker for my collection.
This does not get you a Thundercracker for your collection. It would be the equivalent of saying you had a Ferrari because you put a prancing horse on a Hyundai.
QFT.
I will be patient and pick up the Games of Deception set when I can afford it. I'm prepared to pay what it's worth.
No need to put down someone for not wanting to pay a rediculous price. Luckily I don't suffer from the lack of creativity and imagination that you do. I'd gladly pay $20-30 to import a nice generic "blue Seeker" who will stand in for the $300+ Botcon Thundercracker toy. Don't even try to argue that I'm fooling myself, I know exactly what it is, and I'm fine with that. It's a toy, and I'd be happy with it.
I hope we see KO Thrust and Dirge too. I bet they are Henkei mold, not Botcon.
Posted by El Duque on January 5th, 2010 @ 4:51pm CST
Posted by It Is Him on January 5th, 2010 @ 5:08pm CST
Diem wrote:Ooh, if that Thundercracker had been released a few years ago, it would've broken the fandom in half.
Seriously. Three years ago this would have been genius.
Posted by Scaleface on January 5th, 2010 @ 5:24pm CST
I'm sure with a little paint, and maybe some reprolabels, it will be a nice Thundercracker stand in, or maybe a generic blue Seeker.
Posted by nikeprime on January 5th, 2010 @ 5:46pm CST
Posted by Scaleface on January 5th, 2010 @ 5:55pm CST
Funny how everyone seems to only care about Thundercracker. They made KOs of Starscream, Skywarp, Magnus, Optimus and Nemesis Prime too in this set (none of them look much like the real toys!) No one cares about them, as the real toys available for reasonable prices. It's dear-old Thundercracker anyone seems to worry about having a KO!
Posted by Chaoslock on January 5th, 2010 @ 6:03pm CST
Scaleface wrote:Honestly this toy looks nearly nothing like Botcon and Henkei Thundercracker. It's a generic light blue Seeker. The first pic we saw had been hand painted. Check out the actual toy.
I'm sure with a little paint, and maybe some reprolabels, it will be a nice Thundercracker stand in, or maybe a generic blue Seeker.
*Looks at the fists*
I hereby accuse Hasbro of making these! At least the quality control seems to be the same
Posted by Swiftpaw on January 5th, 2010 @ 6:25pm CST
Posted by --B-- on January 5th, 2010 @ 6:43pm CST
Scaleface wrote:Honestly this toy looks nearly nothing like Botcon and Henkei Thundercracker. It's a generic light blue Seeker. The first pic we saw had been hand painted. Check out the actual toy.
I'm sure with a little paint, and maybe some reprolabels, it will be a nice Thundercracker stand in, or maybe a generic blue Seeker.
Take that and a spare universe Acid storm, perform a few parts swaps and boom goes the dynamite!
Posted by Kibble on January 5th, 2010 @ 6:47pm CST
Scaleface wrote:No one is selling them in English yet. They just arrived on a Chinese site. I HIGHLY doubt anyone would attempt to sell them as Henkei or Botcon Thundercrackers. They are just generic seeker knockoffs in white, blue and black. It's just that someone custom hand painted one to look like Thundercracker and people got worried about their expensive Botcon exclusives were being threatened! The horror!
Funny how everyone seems to only care about Thundercracker. They made KOs of Starscream, Skywarp, Magnus, Optimus and Nemesis Prime too in this set (none of them look much like the real toys!) No one cares about them, as the real toys available for reasonable prices. It's dear-old Thundercracker anyone seems to worry about having a KO!
Quoted for lulz!
Posted by Nekoman on January 5th, 2010 @ 7:21pm CST
Scaleface wrote:Razorclaw0000 wrote:GetterDragun wrote:This does not get you a Thundercracker for your collection. It would be the equivalent of saying you had a Ferrari because you put a prancing horse on a Hyundai.
QFT.
I will be patient and pick up the Games of Deception set when I can afford it. I'm prepared to pay what it's worth.
No need to put down someone for not wanting to pay a rediculous price. Luckily I don't suffer from the lack of creativity and imagination that you do. I'd gladly pay $20-30 to import a nice generic "blue Seeker" who will stand in for the $300+ Botcon Thundercracker toy. Don't even try to argue that I'm fooling myself, I know exactly what it is, and I'm fine with that. It's a toy, and I'd be happy with it.
I hope we see KO Thrust and Dirge too. I bet they are Henkei mold, not Botcon.
That's a cute way to try to make this personal. Razorclaw's comment was completely innocent, if I were him, I'd be mildly offended.
Posted by Loki God Of Mischief on January 5th, 2010 @ 7:40pm CST
Kibble wrote:Scaleface wrote:No one is selling them in English yet. They just arrived on a Chinese site. I HIGHLY doubt anyone would attempt to sell them as Henkei or Botcon Thundercrackers. They are just generic seeker knockoffs in white, blue and black. It's just that someone custom hand painted one to look like Thundercracker and people got worried about their expensive Botcon exclusives were being threatened! The horror!
Funny how everyone seems to only care about Thundercracker. They made KOs of Starscream, Skywarp, Magnus, Optimus and Nemesis Prime too in this set (none of them look much like the real toys!) No one cares about them, as the real toys available for reasonable prices. It's dear-old Thundercracker anyone seems to worry about having a KO!
Quoted for lulz!
I don't get why everyone has to White Knight for Botcon Thundercracker. It's pretty retarded when you think about it. First everyone got butthurt over the mere existence of Henkei Thundercracker. I'm sure you remember the dramafests. Personally for $75 each I was all over him and Henkei Skywarp. I even had Target Skywarp. You know. The exclusive from the Skywarp vs. Ultra Magnus two-pack. The exclusive that no one bitches about being made as a Henkei or being knocked off.
I don't really understand why people are so up in arms over him. The whole "same name it's not exclusive anymore" is retarded to me too. Here's a small list of not only characters with the same name as Botcon exclusives, but in some cases the same name and mold that have been released that no one gives a crap about being rereleased, knocked off, or put into a new mold.
Skywarp
Ironhide
Ratchet
Elita-One (the E-Arcee repaint came out after '07 but before her '09 Botcon toy. Still counts)
Skyfall (TFCC)
Razorclaw (Legends class came out after Dawns of Future past, used the legends version of the intended mold, yet predates the real Botcon toy. Again. It still counts. Oh and there's also the Shattered Glass Razorclaw.)
Optimus Prime (Shattered Glass)
Jazz (Shattered Glass)
Rodimus (Shattered Glass)
Megatron (Shattered Glass)
Starscream
etc. (Shattered Glass)
Dude. There were toys that had their names man! They're no longer exclusive! ZOMFG!
Nekoman wrote:Scaleface wrote:Razorclaw0000 wrote:GetterDragun wrote:This does not get you a Thundercracker for your collection. It would be the equivalent of saying you had a Ferrari because you put a prancing horse on a Hyundai.
QFT.
I will be patient and pick up the Games of Deception set when I can afford it. I'm prepared to pay what it's worth.
No need to put down someone for not wanting to pay a rediculous price. Luckily I don't suffer from the lack of creativity and imagination that you do. I'd gladly pay $20-30 to import a nice generic "blue Seeker" who will stand in for the $300+ Botcon Thundercracker toy. Don't even try to argue that I'm fooling myself, I know exactly what it is, and I'm fine with that. It's a toy, and I'd be happy with it.
I hope we see KO Thrust and Dirge too. I bet they are Henkei mold, not Botcon.
That's a cute way to try to make this personal. Razorclaw's comment was completely innocent, if I were him, I'd be mildly offended.
So like most of the internet you're far too easily insulted? Telling someone that they don't have much of an imagination or creativity when you're talking about toys isn't an insult man. We're talking about toys here. Sure some are collectibles but they're always intended as children's playthings.
I really wish people would stop taking Transformers in general so seriously. Especially the toys. I'm sick of always seeing people react like this all the damn time:
Posted by Absolute Zero on January 5th, 2010 @ 9:26pm CST
Posted by Scaleface on January 5th, 2010 @ 9:27pm CST
BTW - I said someone didn't have imagination because they couldn't accept the idea that some of us would be happy with a simple "blue seeker" knockoff as our "a Thundercracker" for our collection. I know some people have to be completists, but for those of us happy with a KO as a place filler, don't tells us can't have our toys. Even if I had the money to buy a Botcon Thundercracker, I'd spend it on something more important... diabeties research or a fundraider for cancer survivors... or college classes so I can get my degree and a better job... or somesuch, and buy a KO with reprolabels for my toy shelf.
Posted by Diem on January 5th, 2010 @ 9:53pm CST
Posted by GetterDragun on January 5th, 2010 @ 10:01pm CST
Absolute Zero wrote:I could own Thundercracker, without having to pay $90s for a toy? Sign me up!
Nope, but you could own a light blue KO though!
Posted by It Is Him on January 5th, 2010 @ 10:25pm CST
GetterDragun wrote:Absolute Zero wrote:I could own Thundercracker, without having to pay $90s for a toy? Sign me up!
Nope, but you could own a light blue KO though!
I don't approve! I already bought a blue KO, and NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE is allowed to have another just like it.
Posted by Loki God Of Mischief on January 5th, 2010 @ 10:40pm CST
It Is Him wrote:GetterDragun wrote:Absolute Zero wrote:I could own Thundercracker, without having to pay $90s for a toy? Sign me up!
Nope, but you could own a light blue KO though!
I don't approve! I already bought a blue KO, and NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE is allowed to have another just like it.
I like you. We should be drinking buddies.