Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

Lots of news dropped, all regarding toys aimed at younger Transformers fans. We have our first look at the bot mode for the upcoming Rise of the Beasts Bumblebee transforming mask from a Baidu post, as well as several new stock images for more kids' toys from e0bay seller rubyemerelite. We can see that the Dinobots Unite Cyberverse combiners are being rereleased in the Buzzworthy Bumblebee line, to serve as evergreen type product on shelves for any gift giving needs, along with two brand new toys: Titan Changer Cheetor and Soundwave. These are 11 inches high and feature the evergreen style we see in other inexpensive Transformers toys. Looking at the back we see that they have a satisfying level of complexity for younger kids, especially Soundwave. Regardless if you are into these or not, it is impressive to see the level of detail on Cheetor's sculpting with a fresh take on his helmet giving it a more Samurai look than usual. As for Soundwave, Hasbro was able to make a simplified transformation without resorting for fake "tapedeck chest kibble" in the front of the vehicle as they had done on their previous simplified "evergreen/Cyberverse" Soundwaves.

These look neat, great to see that young children will able to have these characters like Chettor, avaliable in this class.

Day 1076 of waiting for Transformers Armada Masterpiece news.

So, these pieces of junk are intended for ages 6+, yet original G1 toys (e.g. Optimus) were intended for ages 5+... when did children get dumber? If these were what were on offer when I was a child, I probably wouldn't be the same collector that I have been for 30 years now. Soon, Transformers will be no more than Go-Bots... so sad.

transformers_va wrote:So, these pieces of junk are intended for ages 6+, yet original G1 toys (e.g. Optimus) were intended for ages 5+... when did children get dumber? If these were what were on offer when I was a child, I probably wouldn't be the same collector that I have been for 30 years now. Soon, Transformers will be no more than Go-Bots... so sad.

It's not children getting dumber, more like parents getting sue-happy whenever a child gets hurt by a toy.

Jelze Bunnycat wrote:It's not children getting dumber, more like parents getting sue-happy whenever a child gets hurt by a toy.

Very true about the parents! Perhaps both are correct?

transformers_va wrote:So, these pieces of junk are intended for ages 6+, yet original G1 toys (e.g. Optimus) were intended for ages 5+... when did children get dumber? If these were what were on offer when I was a child, I probably wouldn't be the same collector that I have been for 30 years now. Soon, Transformers will be no more than Go-Bots... so sad.

Simply different norms.
Back in the day, you could swallow the Fisher Price Little People.

Tonka trucks were made of diecast metal.

And earlier than that, children were given ACTUAL FIREARMS AND NUCLEAR KITS.



It was also the time were kids were allowed to play "dangerous games" like tag and Jungle Gym. Kids are not "dumber". We make them so.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

transformers_va wrote:So, these pieces of junk are intended for ages 6+, yet original G1 toys (e.g. Optimus) were intended for ages 5+... when did children get dumber? If these were what were on offer when I was a child, I probably wouldn't be the same collector that I have been for 30 years now. Soon, Transformers will be no more than Go-Bots... so sad.

Simply different norms.
Back in the day, you could swallow the Fisher Price Little People.

Tonka trucks were made of diecast metal.

And earlier than that, children were given ACTUAL FIREARMS AND NUCLEAR KITS.



It was also the time were kids were allowed to play "dangerous games" like tag and Jungle Gym. Kids are not "dumber". We make them so.

Those were the good ol days. Anyone remember Woodburning kits? The superheated sharp object with a cord like 18 inches long? I LOVED our lawn darts, too. And chemistry sets! I tried so hard to make something that would blow up the house.....

-Kanrabat- wrote:Simply different norms.
Back in the day, you could swallow the Fisher Price Little People.

Don't know about you, but at 5 years old, I had already figured out not to swallow toys.

-Kanrabat- wrote:And earlier than that, children were given ACTUAL FIREARMS AND NUCLEAR KITS.

Children in the US are still given actual firearms. Kinda sad a kid can have a real rifle, but not a G1 Megatron.

transformers_va wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:Simply different norms.
Back in the day, you could swallow the Fisher Price Little People.

Don't know about you, but at 5 years old, I had already figured out not to swallow toys.

Little People were meant for 2yo+. I was around 3 when I had that farm:



A kid can easily put one of those figure in it's mouth. I remember that I did. But swallowing it would take some serious skills.

Still, the modern toys are gigantic so they are not taking any chances.




Back to transformers, The G1 were meant and are still good for kids that are 5yo+, like the current Generations line. However, children that are YOUNGER than that do exist. Also, G1 Transformers cost way less to make at the time than they cost today. Generations toys too are now VERY expensive.

So those cheap and "stupid" simple toys are meant for the very, VERY young and are purposely CHEAP. Parents usually don't want to give super expensive toys to their kids when they know the thing will be broken/ignored in minutes.

That's all.

transformers_va wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:Simply different norms.
Back in the day, you could swallow the Fisher Price Little People.

Don't know about you, but at 5 years old, I had already figured out not to swallow toys.

The number on the front of the box is just who Hasbro is selling to, it has nothing to do with safety. Look on the back (even on Generations figures) and you'll see the safety warnings and the UK 3 and under restriction.

Emerje

Aw man! I want a nuclear set!

-Kanrabat- wrote:G1 were meant and are still good for kids that are 5yo+, like the current Generations line.

-Kanrabat- wrote:So those cheap and "stupid" simple toys are meant for the very, VERY young...

So, very, VERY young is 6yo+? That makes no sense.

transformers_va wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:G1 were meant and are still good for kids that are 5yo+, like the current Generations line.

-Kanrabat- wrote:So those cheap and "stupid" simple toys are meant for the very, VERY young...

So, very, VERY young is 6yo+? That makes no sense.

I have some of these titan changers and 6 + makes sense. They are more complex than many G1 figures (definitely more conpkex than G1 Optimus)

However, I don't know why the 1 steps aren't 4+, any 4 year old can transform them, even 3 year old could.

transformers_va wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:G1 were meant and are still good for kids that are 5yo+, like the current Generations line.

-Kanrabat- wrote:So those cheap and "stupid" simple toys are meant for the very, VERY young...

So, very, VERY young is 6yo+? That makes no sense.

Must be corporate shenanigans because for many of these toys, I have the impression that they decide the "age" by throwing a dice.

Sonic Bomber-Core is at it again with images of Wheeljack and Nightbird figures.

RotorstormNZ wrote:Sonic Bomber-Core is at it again with images of Wheeljack and Nightbird figures.

Both looks freaking SWEET!

Ever since December 1st, we've been getting non stop Transformers Rise of the Beasts news. And when it comes to toys, we have a whole year's worth catching up to 2023 movie toys, giving us a smorgasbord of potential toy news,leaks,first looks ect. And this news has all of that. Sonic Bomber made a Facebook post showing two new Transformers Rise of the Beast deluxe toys: Wheeljack and Nightbird. These toys are assumed to be from the mainline and not studio series although we now know that both series of toys are based on preliminary designs. These are the same size, price and complexity as the Studio Series deluxes.

These are our very first looks at not just the toys but also the characters, who were not highlighted in the first trailer. There were supposed leaks regarding these character designs and these toys support them with Nightbird's head looking like her G1 self and Wheeljack having a redesign from the Bumblebee movie design to have large glasses and no large "ears" (which could have been guessed from the back view we got from the trailer).

People have asked why this Wheeljack has more of that typical "nerd" look and this might be further proof that Michael Bay has a more hands on role, similar to the one he had in the Ninja Turtles movie, a movie where we know he dictated several looks. This looks very similar to Donatello from that film, where Michael Bay does like having obvious visual cues to reinforce a personality or trait. It's easier when handling a movie with a ton of characters, like this one where we have 3 main factions (and 2 lesser ones). These are just assumptions and may have no bearing, just like Michael Bay's involvement with this film does not dictate how good or bad this film will be.

That Wheeljack NEED a set of Reprolabels to turn him into a "Peac & Love" hippie van.

I don't like Wheeljack. They did a great job in the last movie with the G1 look, so why does he look like a stereotypical nerd now?

Emerje

Emerje wrote:I don't like Wheeljack. They did a great job in the last movie with the G1 look, so why does he look like a stereotypical nerd now?

Emerje

Because Michael Bay has a more hands on role, similar to the one he had in the Ninja Turtles movie, a movie where we know he dictated several looks. This looks very similar to Donatello from that film, where Michael Bay does like having obvious visual cues to reinforce a personality or trait. It's easier when handling a movie with a ton of characters, like this one where we have 3 main factions (and 2 lesser ones).

The previous director, while coming from an animation background, did not need as much of Bay's involvement. He was used to animating action, hence why the fights looked so fluid, more so than any previous film, and the camera was often from the perspective of the Transformers rather than the humans (so higher than usual). This is just to give an idea as to why this film looks like there is more Bay involvement than before.

Emerje wrote:I don't like Wheeljack. They did a great job in the last movie with the G1 look, so why does he look like a stereotypical nerd now?

Emerje

He look like a nerd?

To me he nails the hippie look.

transformers_va wrote:So, these pieces of junk are intended for ages 6+, yet original G1 toys (e.g. Optimus) were intended for ages 5+... when did children get dumber? If these were what were on offer when I was a child, I probably wouldn't be the same collector that I have been for 30 years now. Soon, Transformers will be no more than Go-Bots... so sad.

I don't understand this take. G1 Optimus was simpler than these toys (he has less transformation steps than what we see from the toys in these pictures). And his lack of articulation made him easier for the exact angle needed for a transformation step to be achieved. That's the same tactic Hasbro uses with rescue bots, which are good for even three year olds. I would even argue that it's because G1 was so simple that many people got into it, because it meant even dumb kids could transform them.

Most of G1 had odd proportions, didn't resemble the show, were simplistic in transformation, had very little articulation and some (like Optimus) even had partsforming. So if it made people who are still fans to this day, then there is no reason kids who are given these toys won't be fans for life.

edit: nvm, I'm just repeating other people

Wheeljack face is literally nerd face emoji. Other than the face the toy looks pretty good.

Mr.MicroMaster wrote:Wheeljack face is literally nerd face emoji. Other than the face the toy looks pretty good.

I expect the Autobots to ask him why he looks so off from previous, and for him to say that "I just was experimenting with something different." That seems like a Wheeljack-y thing to do and could explain why he looks different. The bots can alter their structure to create weapons and such, why not the ability to alter their facial appearance.