Haslab Unicron Update 2, Including Test Sample And Comparison Photos

Very nice. My cats will enjoy the back scratcher.

I'm always intrigued by insight into toy manufacturing, and I appreciate Hasbro providing this, but it doesn't change the design's fundamental (a) unwieldy size and (b) quantity of shellformer kibble. Those bother me -- IMHO and YMMV.

By contrast and FWIW, here's an April review by Ben's Collectables of a test shot of the Zeta Toys/01-Studios "Cell" toy, which is much more elegant in parts-reuse for the outer hulls of both the planet and robot modes.

I can't wait. Would have been cool if the box design was G1 style. Not like he's going to stay in it though.

Unicron is looking suitably impressive wonder how much the developers can flog the test shots for after wards

The colors on this test version remind me of Energon Deadend, fittingly enough.

So was anyone else hoping for a shot (even just a bad photoshop) of the planet maw eating the cat?

ooooo hope he comes transformed to bot mode.

griftimus prime wrote:ooooo hope he comes transformed to bot mode.

I don't think that would work since he is 30 inches tall and the box is 26" x 26" x 26"

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

griftimus prime wrote:ooooo hope he comes transformed to bot mode.

I don't think that would work since he is 30 inches tall and the box is 26" x 26" x 26"

The Chaos Bringer really brings the whole room together. And fills the space nicely in planet mode at 33 inches tall and 37 inches wide including his ring. Without the ring he's 20 inches wide. Again, since we're still in these very early stages, all dimensions are approximate and subject to changes.

Taking space for protection into account, he'll most certainly be packaged in his condensed planet mode with the rings detached and disassembled.

Part of me is really glad I bought this and excited for it to come, but another part of me is just like "eh, let's see if I like it in person". Still excited overall though, it shows they're willing to make cool stuff for us.

Still a no from me. The colours are still off

Yay for finally getting us an update!



But Bounti, you missed the best pic!



Everyone needs a hobby. Hasbro's design team might be going a bit stir crazy during the quarantine.

Emerje

TF-fan kev777 wrote:So was anyone else hoping for a shot (even just a bad photoshop) of the planet maw eating the cat?

SOMEONE MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!! OR VICE VERSA!!!

Emerje wrote:Yay for finally getting us an update!



But Bounti, you missed the best pic!

download.jpg

Everyone needs a hobby. Hasbro's design team might be going a bit stir crazy during the quarantine.

Emerje

Honestly, I wanted to put that in there, but I didn't want to just repost their post in its entirety. Plus, I couldn't think of anything funny to say about it. I wrote this after a 12 hour graveyard shift.

Not my pic:

Great find, Sabr!

Ah yes, my cat's favorite toy was BW Rampage's launcher. Keep the jaw away from the triggers, and it's a rotating-kitty-cheek-massager. She couldn't live to see this, but thanks to these pics, I'll be thinking about that every time I handle my new Unicron.

That was the best update ever. The cat, the fishing pole, that was great! I loved it!

More like this please

I can't wait for this Chaos bringer to come out. Unicron will be my ultimate weapon.

Greetings Seibertronians! While his release is still some ways off, we do have some new pictures to share with you of the forthcoming HasLab release of the chaos bringer himself: Unicron!

These pictures were uploaded by Facebook page From the Vault - TF Showcase. The images themselves were taken from the Transformers Generations 35th Anniversary book that was published by HeroX in Japan. The pictures show a plethora of details molded into the chaos bringer and how his various gimmicks work. We also get to see the scale relating to the included mini figures and the Autobot Shuttle (despite that not taking part in the battle against Unicron). We see a close up of Unicron's detached head, with two broken eye pieces, allowing you to use his head as a prop from the very end of the movie or as seen in Season 3 of the original cartoon.

There's also a breakdown of how he transforms and several shots showing off his planet mode, including one showing him coming up to Cybertron Primus in planet mode!

Thats not all, there's also several pictures showing behind the scenes look at his design, including his planet mode standing next to Titans Returns Titan Class Fortress Maximus.

Have a look through the pictures below and then feel free to share your thoughts in the Energon Pub!



































Stay tuned to Seibertron for all the latest news and reviews!

Couldn't afford the space for him... wouldn’t mind if they release just the head on a stand and the little accessories...

really scared that i have to transform it. wish it came in bot mode.

Yeah, I'm not sure where I can put him. I hope the artwork on the box he's in has the G1 look.

skywarp408 wrote:I hope the artwork on the box he's in has the G1 look.

This is the packaging:



Anything prettier would have only added to the already-expensive $600 price.

City Mode is interesting at least.

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:City Mode is interesting at least.

If I remember correctly, City mode only got as far as that image and the finished toy can't do it. I'm sure we reported on this aspect before.

ZeroWolf wrote:

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:City Mode is interesting at least.

If I remember correctly, City mode only got as far as that T image abd the finished toy can't do it. I'm sure we reported on this aspect before.

Correct on both accounts.

Well that's disappointing. For the price tag, they should be adding as much extra value and functionality as possible. I wonder if someone will find it is still possible to actually achieve in the final product. Much like the alternate leg placement for Fort Max in City Mode.

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Well that's disappointing. For the price tag, they should be adding as much extra value and functionality as possible.

The abundance of features and extras they're already poured into this thing isn't enough?

They tried to put in the city mode and couldn't make it work without further compromising the rest of the figure.

Sabrblade wrote:

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Well that's disappointing. For the price tag, they should be adding as much extra value and functionality as possible.

The abundance of features and extras they're already poured into this thing isn't enough?

They tried to put in the city mode and couldn't make it work without further compromising the rest of the figure.

The sad thing about the lack of City mode in this case, It actually looks like the best city mode we've seen designed for a large scale transformer.

The feature I wish they would have included was a quintasan ship that could be placed in one of his eyes like it was flying out like in the animated movie.

Why does Unicron need a city mode in the first place? Did he have one in any continuity? I would rather he be just a robot and a planet and cost $100 less.

The city mode was shown before. Still don't miss it. I'm not buying Unicron to be a city I'll never, ever use.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:The city mode was shown before. Still don't miss it. I'm not buying Unicron to be a city I'll never, ever use.

Exactly.

Rodimus Prime wrote:Why does Unicron need a city mode in the first place? Did he have one in any continuity? I would rather he be just a robot and a planet and cost $100 less.

At best, one could pretend that it represents some kind of hellish landscape found inside of his planet mode, but otherwise, yeah, he's not a citybot.

The idea was just to give his giant toy some more play value as a playset in addition to its already being a giant action figure (much like the case with all of the Titan class Citybots being both giant action figures and playsets).

If anything, I'm betting this mode was conceived as a way to further appeal to potential retailers so that they would be more inclined to carry this gigantic Transformers product since the figure on its own wouldn't have been enough in the eyes of the retailers since its planet mode alone wouldn't be marketable enough to most retailers due to its just being a giant ball on a stick that couldn't be played with like how a normal ball could be played with.

But, as we know, the city mode didn't happen and retailers didn't pick it up, so it instead went to HasLab as a crowdfunding product, where it wouldn't have to worry about the needs of mass market appeal to get made.

He still looks really impressive, I am excited to see him, that planet mode is huge!

Sabrblade wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Why does Unicron need a city mode in the first place? Did he have one in any continuity? I would rather he be just a robot and a planet and cost $100 less.

At best, one could pretend that it represents some kind of hellish landscape found inside of his planet mode, but otherwise, yeah, he's not a citybot.

The idea was just to give his giant toy some more play value as a playset in addition to its already being a giant action figure (much like the case with all of the Titan class Citybots being both giant action figures and playsets).

If anything, I'm betting this mode was conceived as a way to further appeal to potential retailers so that they would be more inclined to carry this gigantic Transformers product since the figure on its own wouldn't have been enough in the eyes of the retailers since its planet mode alone wouldn't be marketable enough to most retailers due to its just being a giant ball on a stick that couldn't be played with like how a normal ball could be played with.

But, as we know, the city mode didn't happen and retailers didn't pick it up, so it instead went to HasLab as a crowdfunding product, where it wouldn't have to worry about the needs of mass market appeal to get made.

I have nothing against the concept of him having a city mode, and I understand the reasoning. My problem is that his featured modes (planet and robot) would suffer because if it. If they could have pulled it off without messing with those, then fine. By the looks of it, seems like they were trying to do the same thing they did to Cybertron Primus, except on a larger scale. Just because he's a large figure and has a big price tag, doesn't mean he has to have excessive and unnecessary features, especially ones that have no basis in his origins. If you want a city mode, buy a city bot. There are plenty. Unicron is Unicron.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Why does Unicron need a city mode in the first place? Did he have one in any continuity? I would rather he be just a robot and a planet and cost $100 less.

At best, one could pretend that it represents some kind of hellish landscape found inside of his planet mode, but otherwise, yeah, he's not a citybot.

The idea was just to give his giant toy some more play value as a playset in addition to its already being a giant action figure (much like the case with all of the Titan class Citybots being both giant action figures and playsets).

If anything, I'm betting this mode was conceived as a way to further appeal to potential retailers so that they would be more inclined to carry this gigantic Transformers product since the figure on its own wouldn't have been enough in the eyes of the retailers since its planet mode alone wouldn't be marketable enough to most retailers due to its just being a giant ball on a stick that couldn't be played with like how a normal ball could be played with.

But, as we know, the city mode didn't happen and retailers didn't pick it up, so it instead went to HasLab as a crowdfunding product, where it wouldn't have to worry about the needs of mass market appeal to get made.

I have nothing against the concept of him having a city mode, and I understand the reasoning. My problem is that his featured modes (planet and robot) would suffer because if it. If they could have pulled it off without messing with those, then fine. By the looks of it, seems like they were trying to do the same thing they did to Cybertron Primus, except on a larger scale. Just because he's a large figure and has a big price tag, doesn't mean he has to have excessive and unnecessary features, especially ones that have no basis in his origins. If you want a city mode, buy a city bot. There are plenty. Unicron is Unicron.

Prezactly.

Sabrblade wrote:At best, one could pretend that it represents some kind of hellish landscape found inside of his planet mode, but otherwise, yeah, he's not a citybot.

This was my interpretation as well, more of an inside Unicron play set than a city. The monitor cluster is even there in the back.

I really don't understand the articulated eyes that you can't actually see through the eye lenses.

Also...



Still can't unsee it.

Emerje

Unicron is only looking better and better. I so wish I had haved or have the cash to afford him. So fecking awesome. If they can add a half-assed base mode it will be cool but not necessary. Congrats to all who backed this, I was so, so close but couldnt come up with the money even though I knew it was super sweet. He is looking so good with every update that comes out.

Emerje wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:At best, one could pretend that it represents some kind of hellish landscape found inside of his planet mode, but otherwise, yeah, he's not a citybot.

This was my interpretation as well, more of an inside Unicron play set than a city. The monitor cluster is even there in the back.

The planet mode maw pointed upward in the center is also reminiscent of The Pit that was inside Unicron in the 3H Universe comics.

Considering he is just laying down (variation on the theme shared by all city bots) in the concept art, I doubt it would have compromised any other mode. That's just another excuse. What they could have done, since some think only four cities should exist within Transformers figures, was (as mentioned above) show off the acid vat, tentacle tunnel and monitor cluster. Make his "third mode" a Unicron playset. That would have made sense over pointlessly moving but hidden eyes and mismatched tiny figures.

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Considering he is just laying down (variation on the theme shared by all city bots) in the concept art, I doubt it would have compromised any other mode.

The structural integrity would have been compromised based on how much the torso and legs would have had to open up and break apart as they appear to do in that artwork. The figure needed to be solid enough to support its own weight when not using its display stand.

I'm glad they put the effort of giving him a forked beard and a detachable head over working in a third mode we've never seen before. From the original pitch we were given those weren't features Unicron had. And those things are what this figure really needed. Not a third mode just for the sake of having a third mode. It really looks like Unicron is just lying down half transformed. It's decent enough, I'll give it that. But it's not why I'm buying this.

If we're just tossing random things in a grab bag I'd rather have more tiny space ships.

Considering the lower leg is hollow and the pics so far have all indicated both forms will need a stand regardless, they seemed too busy boasting about how much it weighs (like it was a bonus feature) over the logistics of making it so heavy.

Wanted to come here to say something i find very interesting.

The Haslab Sentinel for Marvel Legends was revealed today and put up for pre-order, and in less than 12 hours, they have passed 2/3 of their goal of 6000, and have also already passed what was the unicron number halfway point. It's incredible to see how quickly the numbers have rose.

Also cool, and something Unicron should have done, is that they have bonus tiers, so if they get above 7000, they get something extra, same with 8000 and 9000. And the Sentinel comes with a bonus Marvel Legends figure too.

I think they are doing a better job with this crowdfund project compared to Unicron, and apparently Marvel fans are reacting a lot more positively too.

PS: I am backing the Sentinel too

That does sound better-handled.

I'm pretty sure that what we saw with the Unicron funding campaign was panicked flailing after the rug got pulled out from under them by the Bayverse Unicron movie getting shelved.

It also didn't help that they had the Cookie Monster campaign running at the exact same time.

I think Unicron is going to be a great toy. I couldn't afford it at the time, and I have no regrets, but I'm glad for those who got one. If it had come with a base mode ( and compatible with the current airlock system) I would have regrets. But as it is now, I can be content admiring it from afar.

As for the Sentinel.

1. It's almost half the price and a smaller much less complex figure
2. As much as we don't like to admit. Transformers fans are a much smaller group than Marvel fans in general.
3. It requires fewer backers, "increased bonus tiers" aside



It makes sense such a project would be backed much faster. Also just for grins, I had to do a double take when I got the email yesterday I thought it said Haslab Sentinel Prime ....

Unicron is bar far the Grandest product from Haslab so far much moreso than the sailbarge or this Sentinel. A far more complex and expensive endeavor offered to a fan base much smaller than Star Wars or Marvel. We should really consider it a small miracle it actually got funded.


In fact I think they had to go with something *safe* as their next project with the almost failure of Unicron to get funded, and the aforementioned poor Cookie Monster who never had a chance.

Just wait until people find out the Sentinel is completely hollow.

Sabrblade wrote:It also didn't help that they had the Cookie Monster campaign running at the exact same time.

They should give us a Cookie Monster costume for Unicron for doing that.

Seriously though, I was thinking their next HasLab should be a big 24" Dino Megazord. Considering what people pay for all those Bandai Japan versions I think it would be an easy sell at $400 with lots of chrome. This one is $300 and only 10" tall and been reissued at least twice. Hasbro obviously wouldn't add die cast, but the size would more than make up for it.

Emerje