Walmart Exclusive Retro Generations Line Revealed with Preorders

EvasionModeBumblebee wrote:That Bumblebee is actually really cool! Like it much more than the 86 one. I don’t collect G1 stuff anymore but I might have to get this

DeathReviews wrote:Look at all that plastic packaging! (clutches pearls) What would Greta Thunberg say?? (reels to fainting couch)

Nemesis Primal wrote:Well there you go, that explains the weird Brawn and Seaspray listings.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I'm glad people will be able to get this version of Bee, but no battle mask? Not even a separate head? When it has 86 Bee to compete with?

Well, it's not for me anyway (already have the first release).

Seibertron wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I'm glad people will be able to get this version of Bee, but no battle mask? Not even a separate head? When it has 86 Bee to compete with?

Well, it's not for me anyway (already have the first release).

I don't understand why this Bumblebee doesn't have the proper head for that packaging, especially since Gears does. It's really weird. If Gears had his normal non-toy head, I'd give Bumblebee a pass but since they gave Gears the right head, it just really makes Bumblebee not seem right.

Sabrblade wrote:

Seibertron wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I'm glad people will be able to get this version of Bee, but no battle mask? Not even a separate head? When it has 86 Bee to compete with?

Well, it's not for me anyway (already have the first release).

I don't understand why this Bumblebee doesn't have the proper head for that packaging, especially since Gears does. It's really weird. If Gears had his normal non-toy head, I'd give Bumblebee a pass but since they gave Gears the right head, it just really makes Bumblebee not seem right.

The running theory is that the head was kept the same as a sort of "apology" or "second chance" for those who missed out on Netflix Bumblebee. Which, if that is the case, kinda makes this a rather lukewarm attempt since Hasbro would be trying have their cake and eat it too by trying to appeal both to toy-accuracy fans and those who wanted Netflix Bumblebee, instead of just giving the full effort of toy-accuracy like they did for Gears.

Seibertron wrote:Or simpler answer ... there was never a battle mask toy head made for this mold and it's just not in the budget. But we all know that's a BS answer to "we just didn't feel like doing this" properly.

Sabrblade wrote:

Seibertron wrote:Or simpler answer ... there was never a battle mask toy head made for this mold and it's just not in the budget. But we all know that's a BS answer to "we just didn't feel like doing this" properly.

There is the Goldbug head. That might have been preferable:

Seibertron wrote:That's Goldbug's head. It's very distinct amd very different from the toy Bumblebee battle mask head. I'd be just as irked if they had tried to pass that off as the battle mask as I am about the cartoon head.

Emerje wrote:It's also possible they went with basing it on the last Bumblebee reissue.



Wish he had the blue eyes.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:Perfect solution would have been to include both heads. Maybe it's like you were saying before and they simply didn't include the G1 toy head in the mold, but then I would have to ask if it's reasonable to believe that the same crew that put a Galaxy Shuttle head in the Astrotrain mold would do that?

Emerje

Emerje wrote:Perfect solution would have been to include both heads. Maybe it's like you were saying before and they simply didn't include the G1 toy head in the mold, but then I would have to ask if it's reasonable to believe that the same crew that put a Galaxy Shuttle head in the Astrotrain mold would do that?

Emerje

Jelze Bunnycat wrote:

Emerje wrote:Perfect solution would have been to include both heads. Maybe it's like you were saying before and they simply didn't include the G1 toy head in the mold, but then I would have to ask if it's reasonable to believe that the same crew that put a Galaxy Shuttle head in the Astrotrain mold would do that?

Emerje

They did, in a sense, via the Goldbug releases. Problem is, it's likely included with the Cliffjumper side of the total tooling if the SG one is anything to go by, plus Buzzworthy has some Cliffjumper parts.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I mean ... even if there was no new head before couldn't they just make a new head for this release? Or is that just silly of me to think?

Glyph wrote:If it's planned in advance, an option for injection moulding is to have swappable inserts in the tooling so they can produce the same sprue in two head variants rather than putting both heads on every sprue, and also lets them make new versions in future by just making a small switchable piece rather than having to modify or remake the entire tool.

It'd be a handy thing for companies that like to release the same figure again, just in a different colour and with a different head...

Dragma Kerp wrote:I don't get it. People wanted the Netflix Bumblebee mold. Most of people couldn't get it because it was a walmart exclusive. Some people like me, live in countries that does not have walmart, so is almost imposible to get without scalper prices unless really lucky and shows in amazon or some national store chain. They then do this, wich is the same exact problem like with the Netflix one, and not even adhere to the theme of the release (toy accurate deco and sculpt) with the "excuse" of giving a second chance? I don't unterstand. I guess walmart is very possesive of that mold in particular or something.

Emerje wrote:While most people have moved on to SS86 Bee, the problem is it doesn't have a VW Beetle alt mode, it's just a generic super compact car. That doesn't really fit well in recreating the original toy in package so it's not too surprising that Walmart went with a mold they've used before.

Keep in mind they no longer have exclusivity over the mold.

Emerje

Till-all-R1 wrote:

Emerje wrote:While most people have moved on to SS86 Bee, the problem is it doesn't have a VW Beetle alt mode, it's just a generic super compact car. That doesn't really fit well in recreating the original toy in package so it's not too surprising that Walmart went with a mold they've used before.

Keep in mind they no longer have exclusivity over the mold.

Emerje

I wouldn't necessarily say that, it's clear they have managed to "extend" their exclusivity by at least another year with this iteration. Otherwise why wouldn't Hasbro have just repacked it for SS86?

So I feel the Netflix "VW" Bee is somewhat still gatekept in some way, even if it boils down to the fact Hasbro couldn't secure the license outside of Walmart's use or simply didn't want the expense to do so in the main line. Goldbug was the only other time VW mold was used and that was via Target, thus another "Exclusive" I am sensing a pattern here, that if we ever see it pop up again it will indeed be Exclusive of some kind.

Till-all-R1 wrote:
FYI, it's now available at Pulse. I just put in an order.

Sabrblade wrote:There is the Goldbug head. That might have been preferable:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Would those 2 heads be swappable?

Sabrblade wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Would those 2 heads be swappable?

It's the same mold, so I don't see why not.

Retro G1 Bumblebee is part of the latest line of Walmart exclusive figures. Hasbro has done 'toy' redeco versions of figures before in various lines, including Generations and Generations Selects. Bumblebee and Gears were tapped for Walmart this time. Walmart.com noted in-stock status on March 5th (before promptly selling out).

This redeco of Netflix Bumblebee is supposed to homage the original G1 toy, although does not have the original G1 style head. The silver face scheme has the eyes intentionally painted silver...not a fan of that look. There is a re-issue G1 Bumblebee with the cartoon face and blue eyes. They could have used that artwork instead, oh well.

The QC feels great. There's a lot less paint overall as the original Netflix figure had a lot of paint to avoid yellow mismatch issues (ahem, Sunstreaker). The bare yellow pretty much matches the yellow of Worlds Collide Bumblebee (Edit: Matches in bright lighting; more of a difference is seen in darker lighting). The forearms are painted black, which is different than other prior Bee figures. The Autobot symbol is present on the chest. The only thing that actually truly references the original figure is the symbol on the rear that resembles the symbol on the back of G1 Bee's head. There's no clear plastic this time and the windows are painted black.

Still comes with the Cliffjumper weapons accessories.

Going back to this mold after handling the SS86 figure is a great reminder of how good the CJ/Bee mold was at the time. Having the alt mode actually look like a Beetle makes a huge difference.

-Kanrabat- wrote:The shipping of these things keep being delayed in Canada. Fingers crossed that I'll receive mine by the end of the month.

Dino-Snarl wrote:Never got the Netflix Bumblebee so happy to get this one for cheap.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Dino-Snarl wrote:Never got the Netflix Bumblebee so happy to get this one for cheap.

Same here. Although there are differences in colors, I much prefer the yellow on the new one than the Netflix's orange.

Sabrblade wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Dino-Snarl wrote:Never got the Netflix Bumblebee so happy to get this one for cheap.

Same here. Although there are differences in colors, I much prefer the yellow on the new one than the Netflix's orange.

Yeah, this one's yellow is more toy-accurate, while the Netflix one's more golden yellow is, well, not so much cartoon-accuracy but rather real-world Volkswagen accuracy.

Cheetron wrote:Are they both supposed to be $35.97? That's quite an increase and way beyond my purchasing threshold. I know walmart online upcharges sometimes but whoa. Pulse has them for 24.99 or so

Cheetron wrote:Are they both supposed to be $35.97? That's quite an increase and way beyond my purchasing threshold. I know walmart online upcharges sometimes but whoa. Pulse has them for 24.99 or so