Transformers: Age of Extinction Evolution Two-Pack Strafe Sighted at US Retail

Checked my TRU yesterday sadly there was nothing.

Va'al wrote:Fellow Seibertron.com user cdavid3 has sent us a sighting of one of the Toys'R'Us exclusive two-pack Evolution sets - and it's the two-headed, bluesaur Swoop Strafe with minicon!

Do we know how much it goes for ? I wonder how much more it costs for the minicon. Also, since I have none of those 2 optimus molds yet (classics and evasion mode), this set looks pretty promising for me. I hope Quebec gets these exclusives.

I don't have info on the price, I'm afraid. Can any other California user confirm it?

G1 Strafe as G1 Swoop. Well, I guess it isn't a lie exactly but...jeez.

And, while I see what everyones talking about on this classics mold, I think its a great homage to the original figure and I'm getting two. I think I'm going to take the second one apart and maybe tint the windows.

A person who found these at their TRU posted in a Facebook group that they were 14.99, so you get the minicon free!

Sorry, i didn't have the receipt handy for the picture, but they are $14.99.

Is this the standard deluxe figure being released in the upcoming wave ? Or is it one of those under 5 kiddie versions ? Also if it is the regular deluxe, is there any difference in paint apps from the regular one ?

Rated X wrote:Is this the standard deluxe figure being released in the upcoming wave ? Or is it one of those under 5 kiddie versions ? Also if it is the regular deluxe, is there any difference in paint apps from the regular one ?

Yes, this is the figure being released in the next wave, sans Rav. As far as I know, there are no notable differences.

Mindmaster wrote:

Rated X wrote:Is this the standard deluxe figure being released in the upcoming wave ? Or is it one of those under 5 kiddie versions ? Also if it is the regular deluxe, is there any difference in paint apps from the regular one ?

Yes, this is the figure being released in the next wave, sans Rav. As far as I know, there are no notable differences.

Thanks. Ill probably try to snag it at TRU. I got lucky with grimlock, scorn and slug at walmart. They had one of each and I snagged them and havent seen them since. So better to be safe.

Still up on upcoming Age of Extinction product, Seibertron.com user chuckdawg1999 was able to snag himself Construct-Bots Dino-Riders Scorn and Crosshairs! Check out the review below, and decide for yourself if these are possible purchases for your entertainment.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:While Scorn is arguably the best of the AOE wave 1 deluxes I'm pleased to say that it's Constructbots counterpart holds up just as well. The colors really pop and need to be seen in hand to fully appreciate the brightness. Crosshairs is really fun and I think it's great how you can tilt the car hood to get a trench coat like flow going. Highly recommended.

Rated X wrote:

Mindmaster wrote:

Rated X wrote:Is this the standard deluxe figure being released in the upcoming wave ? Or is it one of those under 5 kiddie versions ? Also if it is the regular deluxe, is there any difference in paint apps from the regular one ?

Yes, this is the figure being released in the next wave, sans Rav. As far as I know, there are no notable differences.

Thanks. Ill probably try to snag it at TRU. I got lucky with grimlock, scorn and slug at walmart. They had one of each and I snagged them and havent seen them since. So better to be safe.

I dont know, something tells me come mid June, toy stores will be flooded with these toys until Christmas. Unlike films like Frozen or Godzilla, Transformer films are made with the intention to sell toys from the get go and are sponsored and partly produced by a toy company. So I do not fear a lack in the availability if you dont have a language issue in your country/region (unlike where I am, Quebec). And I do foresee them going on sale come black friday or boxing day.

BUT I do understand the need to have them NOW. All I meant to say is that I am sure we will eventually get all the toys we want and should not fret over it, we may just have to be a bit patient.

What I do wonder is if Toys R Us would issue the evolution 2 packs at the same time as the regular figures because that would create some cannibilizing, especialyl if they are the same price. For Strafe and Slug, I will be waiting for the 2 packs as you definitely get more for your buck.

Since it's relevant to the new news about the Strafe Evolution 2-Pack, I'll repost this in case anyone missed it, cuz it's just too hilarious to miss out on.

Sabrblade wrote:Ya'll wanna see something funny?

On the side of the Strafe Evolution 2-Pack's packaging is some box art for the "classic" version of the character. One would think this would either be new art for the repackaged, repurposed DOTM Rav figure, or simply some recycled art of G1 Swoop. It's neither.

Behold:



























Pic originally from here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/124037884@N05/14074500097/

Well, it is G1 Strafe's original box art...

Well I made it to my closest TRU and didnt find any two packs. But as usual TRU was loaded with all lines of TF stuff shelfwarming due to overpricing. Plenty of the wave 1 deluxes if you dont mind spending 17.99 a pop. I guess TRU is a great last resort if youre desperate to get the figure without going online.

Rated X wrote:Well I made it to my closest TRU and didnt find any two packs. But as usual TRU was loaded with all lines of TF stuff shelfwarming due to overpricing. Plenty of the wave 1 deluxes if you dont mind spending 17.99 a pop. I guess TRU is a great last resort if youre desperate to get the figure without going online.

But they have a lowest price guarantee that you can use by just going there with a flyer or internet printout from a competing website.

That deluxe price sounds high but is it in US or Canadian?

This is only the second time this mold has been available at retail first time it was prime second it was Ultra Magnus.

Jestermon wrote:This is only the second time this mold has been available at retail first time it was prime second it was Ultra Magnus.

What are you talking about?

Sabrblade wrote:

Jestermon wrote:This is only the second time this mold has been available at retail first time it was prime second it was Ultra Magnus.

What are you talking about?

I think it's the Evolutions two-pack of Optimus Prime, specifically the Classics part of the set.

...I think.

When I hit reply on that story this is the thread that popped up I though it was pretty self explanatory too Mindmaster.

I meant third time though, unless there was some other retail exclusive I missed aside from the Target Ultra Magnus one.

Jestermon wrote:This is only the second time this mold has been available at retail first time it was prime second it was Ultra Magnus.

For Classics Prime, for regular US retail you'd be one off: third time if store exclusives are counted. However, if we're counting Japanese and convention exclusive releases, the list is... rather big and I'd rather not post it. All I'm gonna say is that this is its 11th or 12th release total

Thinking about the prime 2 pack: the alt modes are ironic as they would go better with the opposite bot modes.

Exactly, but that isn't a reason for people to complain about it being overused when it's hardly been available at US retail for most people that hadn't shelled out large amounts for those.

Jestermon wrote:Exactly, but that isn't a reason for people to complain about it being overused when it's hardly been available at US retail for most people that hadn't shelled out large amounts for those.

It's not just about availability, but also about what the tooling possibly has gone through over its many uses. I'm assuming you've heard of mold deterioration, so I won't go there. Speaking of which, I suspect that Hasbro and TakaraTomy have taken the liberty of restoring parts of the toolings, given how desired the Classics toy seems to be. Definitely worth asking at BotCon.

Molds do deteriorate, but I'm hopeful that this one will be fine. Personally I'm not complaining about a new release for the classics Prime. I think it's about time for such a good mold. Also, has anyone thought that perhaps Hasbro and Takara/Tomy have thier own copies of the mold? Perhaps Takara's is all loose from repeated production (it seems typical of Takara to over-do it) but Hasbro's may have little problems.

Just a thought there.

As an aside: I know Takara's really puts some money into paint applications and stuff and they direct thier toys towards the older collector (makes sense sue to the demographic) however, I'm not terribly impressed with them as an innovator. Sure they do some great decos but how many Takara exclusive molds have been any good? Look at the Transformers Go! toys, I know there are fans, but to me they look horrible. I also wasnt a fan of Takara/Tomy strapping posts all over the Prime line just so they could sell their little minicons. This rant doesnt really have a place here but I seen very little real innovation from them.

Yes, each plastic injection mold lasts for only so many uses, but that's not the point. Hasbro and Takara can make more molds when the old ones are used up. Mold "degradation" is a fandom boogeyman. It's not a real issue. There's no such thing as using a "mold" too much and then it's gone forever. What you need to be concerned with is systemic quality control issues when a certain batch of figures are produced. QC problems can be due to a number of different issues at the time of production, and how many times Hasbro and Takara have repainted or retooled a mold in the past isn't really one of them, not in the way most people think.

Optimizzy wrote:Molds do deteriorate, but I'm hopeful that this one will be fine. Personally I'm not complaining about a new release for the classics Prime. I think it's about time for such a good mold. Also, has anyone thought that perhaps Hasbro and Takara/Tomy have thier own copies of the mold? Perhaps Takara's is all loose from repeated production (it seems typical of Takara to over-do it) but Hasbro's may have little problems.

Just a thought there.

As an aside: I know Takara's really puts some money into paint applications and stuff and they direct thier toys towards the older collector (makes sense sue to the demographic) however, I'm not terribly impressed with them as an innovator. Sure they do some great decos but how many Takara exclusive molds have been any good? Look at the Transformers Go! toys, I know there are fans, but to me they look horrible. I also wasnt a fan of Takara/Tomy strapping posts all over the Prime line just so they could sell their little minicons. This rant doesnt really have a place here but I seen very little real innovation from them.

Takara's Go! line and Prime minicons may not be so innovative to us because they are directed towards Japanese kids, they are a whole different culture than the American kids so they may not appeal to us much. But I wouldn't say Takara lacks innovation, take a look at all the Masterpeice figures. They are targeted at collectors, highly innovative, and amazing! I guess it's a matter of perspective really Sorry for getting all off topic, just wanted to say that

I'll probably get this. I never got the original Classics Prime, but I have the US Ultra Magnus. I love the mold. I'm not super crazy about the vehicle paint-job, but IMO the robot mode looks better than the 2006 version.

Evasion Prime...he's alright. Better than the first release, but I'm not getting into the movie toys again, unless they put one out that really POPS. Or a better painted version of DOTM Soundwave.

A little piece of not big news, but news nonetheless, featuring the upcoming Transformers: Age of Extinction Grimlock, from the Target exclusive two-pack with Silver Knight Optimus Prime, from Facebook page Planet Iacon. The figure is a repaint of Platinum Voyager FoC Grimlock, with the logo changed from Lightning Strike Coalition to Autobot, and some extra/different paint apps and chrome. Check it out below!

Va'al wrote:A little piece of not big news, but news nonetheless, featuring the upcoming Transformers: Age of Extinction Grimlock, from the Target exclusive two-pack with Silver Knight Optimus Prime, from Facebook page Planet Iacon. The figure is a repaint of Platinum Voyager FoC Grimlock, with the logo changed from Lightning Strike Coalition to Autobot, and some extra/different paint apps and chrome. Check it out below!

There is no curse in Elvish, Entish, or the tongues of Men for the amount of want I'm feeling now.

Òoooooo someone broke open new figure not doing there job I see new figures on wooden pallete in bqckground thats a no no

dragons wrote:Òoooooo someone broke open new figure not doing there job I see new figures on wooden pallete in bqckground thats a no no

What?

Fellow Seibertron.com user Transformersmegazord has just returned from the BOTS convention in the Netherlands, and brought back some Takara Transformers: Lost Age loot! Check out below a video review for the Japanese version of Leader Class Optimus Prime - you can find the Hasbro Age of Extinction version here and in our galleries - with more chrome than you can shake a chromed stick at!

looks like they forgot to paint the center of grimlocks chest.. that looks terrible.

TimothyR wrote:looks like they forgot to paint the center of grimlocks chest.. that looks terrible.

Yeah, that's just primer!

I do not like the rainbow legs on the bot mode, what were they thinking?

Ravage XK wrote:

TimothyR wrote:looks like they forgot to paint the center of grimlocks chest.. that looks terrible.

Yeah, that's just primer!

I do not like the rainbow legs on the bot mode, what were they thinking?

They were thinking exactly of this:

Well, its hideous. Way too much colour used there, looks like Lego legs.

Thanks for sharing guys , i honestly love this version , cant believe people hate the paint lol, still thats the fun in this line one mans rubbish is another mans treasure

Oh yeah, that Grimlock is going to be a hard one to find. Damn, do I want it, though!

Seibertron wrote:I love this comment from people. After 30 uses of the Classics Starscream mold, I think we should be able to finally move away from this thought process about molds degrading after time. Those molds are amazing and they will last the test of time. The only question should really be whether or not the original mold was made of "sturdy stuff" or made from a lesser material that gives way after time.

The Classic Starscream mold was heavily retooled a couple of years after its first use, probably to account for mold degradation. There is direct evidence in the toys themselves that the molds were retooled. (Look inside the cavity in the jets' forearms where their fists tuck away. Compare, say, Classics Starscream to Universe Starscream. Note the differently-shaped details.)

Take a look at the Takara reissue version of the G1 Combaticons some time. There are pock marks all over those toys as a result of the molds being reused repeatedly. Do a comparison with vintage G1 units and the difference is mind-boggling.

Mold degradation isn't some random fan theory; it's reality.


Zob

Va'al wrote:

Might those be Sunstorm boxes in the background

Felzbug already made a review of this guy. Why was there no news post about his review? There was one about his Sharkticon Megatron review some time ago, so why not this one?

KirbyForce1 wrote:Felzbug already made a review of this guy. Why was there no news post about his review? There was one about his Sharkticon Megatron review some time ago, so why not this one?

There was I think. Isn't this the Target exclusive that's packaged with the DotM Deluxe Prime that's all chromed out?

I dont know why they didnt just paint him like this to begin with. Too bad the upgrades for this figure are a different color plastic. Ill probably buy it anyway just to see how he looks with the wings.

Rated X wrote:I dont know why they didnt just paint him like this to begin with.

Because it was originally a WFC figure, not a G1 homage.

GuyIncognito wrote:

Rated X wrote:I dont know why they didnt just paint him like this to begin with.

Because it was originally a WFC figure, not a G1 homage.

And the deco might have been too kiddie for a video game that's supposed to be edgy with warfare and aimed at older audiences.

Optimizzy wrote:

KirbyForce1 wrote:Felzbug already made a review of this guy. Why was there no news post about his review? There was one about his Sharkticon Megatron review some time ago, so why not this one?

There was I think. Isn't this the Target exclusive that's packaged with the DotM Deluxe Prime that's all chromed out?

I could not find any previous Target Grimlock or Takara Leader Prime reviews in the news section, could you please show me a link?

We're working on trying to get as much news out as possible, but some things just slip!

GuyIncognito wrote:

Rated X wrote:I dont know why they didnt just paint him like this to begin with.

Because it was originally a WFC figure, not a G1 homage.

And who's to say WFC/FOC characters arent homages ?

Lets see...

Turns into a T-Rex - check

Named Grimlock - check

Head with faceplate - check

Arms form T-Rex's legs - check

Grey and gold - check

Other than the added neo-weirdness to cater to the video game crowd, how is it not a G1 homage ?

Rated X wrote:

GuyIncognito wrote:

Rated X wrote:I dont know why they didnt just paint him like this to begin with.

Because it was originally a WFC figure, not a G1 homage.

And who's to say WFC/FOC characters arent homages ?

Lets see...

Turns into a T-Rex - check

Named Grimlock - check

Head with faceplate - check

Arms form T-Rex's legs - check

Grey and gold - check

Other than the added neo-weirdness to cater to the video game crowd, how is it not a G1 homage ?

The original release wasn't a 100% homage as it was missing the red pelvis and the colors on the legs. At the most it was 75%

Let me ask you this, X. Would you be asking the same question if, instead of the FOC figure, they used the Animated Grimlock mold for this deco instead?

I'm not denying that FOC Grimlock was a G1 homage, but since Animated Grimlock also meets the same criteria (sans the mouthplate part) you've listed, would you still be asking the same about this deco if it had been given to a new use of the Animated mold instead of the FOC mold?

Sometimes I think Rated X argues just for the sake of arguing. The Generations Grimlock figure was designed to resemble FoC Grimlock, not G1 Grimlock. Here's a pic of the character. Notice the lack of "G1 style" details. For example, no red, green, and blue on the legs. Also notice the orange (not red) sword. This is what the Generations figure was designed to represent.