In Hand Images of Legacy EV Scraphook and Needlenose + Video Review

Overcracker wrote:Wasn’t expecting this guy out so soon.

Emgo got his hands on a Legacy Leader class Transmetal 2 Megatron.

He's been out in Asia for a couple weeks

The transformation of TM² Megatron is a bit more involved than expected. I have one nitpick for the bot mode. That giant back panel-kibble just hanging there. It's unsightly and I'm sure with some extra hinged, it could have been folded neatly on his back. Appart that detail, he's pretty damn nice.

Now, for my Amazon preorder to be fulfilled...

william-james88 wrote:We thank Cyberbishop for letting us know that Legacy wave 3 core class Bomburst was found in the US. He found his at Target in Covington Louisiana. We have some video reviews below if you want to check those out first before buying it.

Cyber Bishop wrote:Found this at a Target in Covington Louisiana

I got him like Friday in Target. LOL

william-james88 wrote:

Emerje wrote:Yes, I saw exactly one Quasar at Walgreens one time and I wasn't even looking for toys (I had gotten my Red Alert from Pulse), it just caught my eye, I didn't know it was an exclusive until Scott's video. Walgreens doesn't handle toys the same way as department stores, instead of whole cases they get a selection from the warehouse so not finding an exclusive could mean anything from them never showing up to each store only getting one and they all sold out fast. We can guess that Red Alert was a victim to shipping delays as the figure didn't show up in stores (though I thought one was recently found, maybe I imagined that), had a very limited release online in December (perhaps from the same shipment as Pulse), and now nearly a year later is easily obtained online again. That is a very clear sign that Walgreens had no ill intent or a sudden lack of interest in selling them in stores, they clearly didn't have them to sell in the first place and it's time for other things to be in stores.

Emerje

They did have them to sell on time, but their whole toy business model may have been in dissaray. Hasbro was able to get these from asia to north america in time. That's why they were found at Canadian retail in June https://www.seibertron.com/transformers ... le%20times).

And that's the same time Canada got all the previous walgreens exclusives, and in the meantime in the states they sit in Walgreens warehouses waiting for the holiday season to be distributed to stores.

So Walgreens did have them. BUT what we don't know is if due to not having other toys, they chose to do things differently that year with their holiday shopping options.

I'm not convinced. Pulse and EB Games had them in the summer and Walgreens.com had small amount in December, sure, but I have a hard time believing Walgreens simply forgot they had them in the warehouse in November when they normally start showing up in stores or didn't care to put them in stores while still stocking other exclusives from Hasbro plus I believe they had some exclusive Pops and a few other things in stores.

Not everything comes in one shipment, especially now when everything is still backed up and things are often shipped as space is found, not necessarily everything all at once. Does Hasbro ship to Canada by land across the boarder or do they ship by boat to Canadian ports? I'm guessing the latter. Just because Canada got their entire lot they were able to move them off the wharf into warehouses in a timely manner and Pulse got their 5% on time and Walgreens got enough to put what felt like another 5% on Walgreens.com from their website's warehouse doesn't mean they got the entirety of their stock all at once. To me it seems more likely that they had crates full of Red Alerts that were sitting on a dock somewhere until months later, at which point it wasn't a priority and sat in their warehouse until they recently decided to do something about it.

If Minerva doesn't show up in Walgreens stores I still wouldn't call that undeniable proof that they don't care about exclusives, we're still suffering from various delays. Most of us still haven't seen Legacy Deluxe Wave 2 or Core wave 2 in stores and it's almost November! Things will likely be better next year, that should give us a better idea of what's going on (unless someone at Walgreens comes along and actually tells us).

Emerje

On the subject of distribution woes... if you're in North America and especially the US then many of your anger bricks over that should be chucked at the big railroad companies, especially Union Pacific and BNSF (who bring stuff in from the western ports), for being so addicted to cost-cutting that it's made them inefficient at actually shipping goods.




Been appreciating Skids

sol magnus wrote:I got him like Friday in Target. LOL

What do you try to accomplish with posts like this?

Emerje wrote:Pulse and EB Games had them in the summer and Walgreens.com had small amount in December, sure, but I have a hard time believing Walgreens simply forgot they had them in the warehouse in November when they normally start showing up in stores or didn't care to put them in stores while still stocking other exclusives from Hasbro plus I believe they had some exclusive Pops and a few other things in stores.

Not everything comes in one shipment, especially now when everything is still backed up and things are often shipped as space is found, not necessarily everything all at once. Does Hasbro ship to Canada by land across the boarder or do they ship by boat to Canadian ports? I'm guessing the latter. Just because Canada got their entire lot they were able to move them off the wharf into warehouses in a timely manner and Pulse got their 5% on time and Walgreens got enough to put what felt like another 5% on Walgreens.com from their website's warehouse doesn't mean they got the entirety of their stock all at once.

Pulse can only sell their 5% if Walgreens has their shipment as well. The fact that they didn't restock later means it all came at once, for all of US distribution. They came through the ports at the same time. He was sold in solid assortments and a crate would have only him, in the thousands. So yes, his primary shipment for Pulse and Walgreens was from the same shipment. Whatever happened was on Walgreen's end, that is 100% guarantee. It was not the shipping. What we have to wonder now though is if Walgreens didn't place him in stores because they had to rethink their distribution due to other products not coming in on time and thus the seasonal rearrangement of stores not being worth it and just relying on online retail.

william-james88 wrote:

sol magnus wrote:I got him like Friday in Target. LOL

What do you try to accomplish with posts like this?

Mostly I forgot to let you guys know? The other part is it's probably more widesoread than just a sighting.

william-james88 wrote:Pulse can only sell their 5% if Walgreens has their shipment as well.

How do you know this as a fact? Has this been stated somewhere before?

The fact that they didn't restock later means it all came at once, for all of US distribution. They came through the ports at the same time. He was sold in solid assortments and a crate would have only him, in the thousands. So yes, his primary shipment for Pulse and Walgreens was from the same shipment. Whatever happened was on Walgreen's end, that is 100% guarantee. It was not the shipping.

You have more confidence in US logistics than I do the past two years. Just because they all hit the port at the same time doesn't mean they all left at the same time, especially if they're going to different locations and via different forms of transportation. There's a lot of stories from retailers big and small about things sitting in containers for half a year before finally moving. I'm unsure if Hasbro takes in all 100% of exclusives to their warehouse and then splits them among their destinations or if they do it before it even ships to streamline the process. If it's the latter than there really is no telling who's getting what when.

What we have to wonder now though is if Walgreens didn't place him in stores because they had to rethink their distribution due to other products not coming in on time and thus the seasonal rearrangement of stores not being worth it and just relying on online retail.

That's the point we were making before. The seasonal reset took place and they had Hasbro exclusives in it, Scott's video is completely wrong. Red Alert was the odd figure out, that's why it doesn't make sense for them to have had him on time but never put him in stores, there has to have been a reason and not being in the warehouse in time to be distributed to stores is the only excuse that makes sense. It's not even like with Target's issue of some stores getting the exclusives and some didn't, no Walgreens got it at all.

Emerje

Meanwhile, I'm continuing to enjoy Skids. They did such a nice job with him.

I look forward to Crosscut, and I might see about snagging Burnout.


On a tangent, I continue to hope for a Commander-class Ultra Magnus.

Skids looks like a Yugo.













I think I just dated myself....

First-Aid wrote:Skids looks like a Yugo.













I think I just dated myself....

Technically it looks like a 1980's Honda City. Admittedly the Honda City is similar to the Yugo.

sol magnus wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

sol magnus wrote:I got him like Friday in Target. LOL

What do you try to accomplish with posts like this?

Mostly I forgot to let you guys know? The other part is it's probably more widesoread than just a sighting.

I see, thanks. Let us know if ever you come across new stuff, would love to give you a news credit.

Emerje wrote:You have more confidence in US logistics than I do the past two years. Just because they all hit the port at the same time doesn't mean they all left at the same time, especially if they're going to different locations and via different forms of transportation. There's a lot of stories from retailers big and small about things sitting in containers for half a year before finally moving. I'm unsure if Hasbro takes in all 100% of exclusives to their warehouse and then splits them among their destinations or if they do it before it even ships to streamline the process. If it's the latter than there really is no telling who's getting what when.

This is a very fair point. Through JTPrime's statements through the past few years of port activity, I feel confident in saying that Hasbro and Walgreen's stock would have had to come in at the same time at port (the same toy will come in all at once and be divided up for different retailers after), but yes the step afterwards can totally be botched.

Also, I didn't know that Walgreens did have their reset with Red Alert being the odd man out.

Overcracker wrote:

First-Aid wrote:Skids looks like a Yugo.


I think I just dated myself....

Technically it looks like a 1980's Honda City. Admittedly the Honda City is similar to the Yugo.

It's because they're both box-body subcompact hatchbacks. It's like how the Fiat 500 and VW beetle look similar because they're both round-body rear-engine subcompacts, only moreso because of the hatchbacks having such no-frills coachwork.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:

Overcracker wrote:

First-Aid wrote:Skids looks like a Yugo.


I think I just dated myself....

Technically it looks like a 1980's Honda City. Admittedly the Honda City is similar to the Yugo.

It's because they're both box-body subcompact hatchbacks. It's like how the Fiat 500 and VW beetle look similar because they're both round-body rear-engine subcompacts, only moreso because of the hatchbacks having such no-frills coachwork.

Yes, but the point being, Skids original toy was a Honda City. So his current toy looks like that first and foremost.

It's just coincidental that it also looks like a Yugo because they are similar cars.

william-james88 wrote:

sol magnus wrote:I got him like Friday in Target. LOL

What do you try to accomplish with posts like this?

He is trying to say he found it first so the news credit should go to him.

william-james88 wrote:We have a video review of Scraphook now available.

Great to see Seibertron's support for such a tasseographic look to a future TF release. Your support keeps this all going!

However, I believe the video and screenshots came out some time ago. Screenshots were even posted (at this thread?) a while back, I believe?

...

Cyber Bishop wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

sol magnus wrote:I got him like Friday in Target. LOL

What do you try to accomplish with posts like this?

He is trying to say he found it first so the news credit should go to him.

Not at all. They seem to have just vomitted all over the place in my area, so I didn't bother mentioning that I got it last week - that and the hectic nature of my job made me forget I had him until I saw the post. I do normally say something if I see something before I see it reported here.

Overcracker wrote:

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:

Overcracker wrote:

First-Aid wrote:Skids looks like a Yugo.


I think I just dated myself....

Technically it looks like a 1980's Honda City. Admittedly the Honda City is similar to the Yugo.

It's because they're both box-body subcompact hatchbacks. It's like how the Fiat 500 and VW beetle look similar because they're both round-body rear-engine subcompacts, only moreso because of the hatchbacks having such no-frills coachwork.

Yes, but the point being, Skids original toy was a Honda City. So his current toy looks like that first and foremost.

It's just coincidental that it also looks like a Yugo because they are similar cars.

Right down to the missing floor so you could use your feet to help push the car past 30 mph and up small hills....

First-Aid wrote:Right down to the missing floor so you could use your feet to help push the car past 30 mph and up small hills....

You laugh but those cars gives this here old man some genuine nostalgia rush.

I'll be collecting all the variants of the Skids molds, both MP and Legacy+. I'll be waiting for the Legacy/Select versions of Reboost and Crosscut.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

First-Aid wrote:Right down to the missing floor so you could use your feet to help push the car past 30 mph and up small hills....

You laugh but those cars gives this here old man some genuine nostalgia rush.

Those cars gave me a hernia....

sol magnus wrote:Not at all. They seem to have just vomitted all over the place in my area,

This is the absolute best description of a toy hitting in masse ever.

Scraphook looks really good, I am now really excited for him. I am excited for some Junkions. Made me have to get Wreck Gar, but I am excited for a Junkion faction

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Scraphook looks really good, I am now really excited for him. I am excited for some Junkions. Made me have to get Wreck Gar, but I am excited for a Junkion faction

Dare we hope for a fully-original all-Junkion combiner? That would seem to jive with the Junkions' overall theme of being able to repair themselves, or rebuild themselves using any spare parts they have lying around. Junk robots that combine into a larger pile-of-junk robot just 'fits' somehow.

DeathReviews wrote:

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Scraphook looks really good, I am now really excited for him. I am excited for some Junkions. Made me have to get Wreck Gar, but I am excited for a Junkion faction

Dare we hope for a fully-original all-Junkion combiner? That would seem to jive with the Junkions' overall theme of being able to repair themselves, or rebuild themselves using any spare parts they have lying around. Junk robots that combine into a larger pile-of-junk robot just 'fits' somehow.

You'll be able to fashion one with some creativity.

william-james88 wrote:

DeathReviews wrote:

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Scraphook looks really good, I am now really excited for him. I am excited for some Junkions. Made me have to get Wreck Gar, but I am excited for a Junkion faction

Dare we hope for a fully-original all-Junkion combiner? That would seem to jive with the Junkions' overall theme of being able to repair themselves, or rebuild themselves using any spare parts they have lying around. Junk robots that combine into a larger pile-of-junk robot just 'fits' somehow.

You'll be able to fashion one with some creativity.

The gestalts made by cobbling together several Weaponizer figures is in fact possible. But I've found them dissatisfying for a few reasons. They don't have a properly sized 'core' that makes a proportional chest/body once other components are plugged in. The legs formed by plugging the components together are rarely strong or stable enough to support much weight, so posing is difficult/impossible. And none of the components turn into properly sized 'feet', which also makes posing/standing a weaponizer/combiner difficult/frustrating.

The fossilizer combiners mitigated that issue simply because the bone components are so light that the weight of a gestalt was less severe, but the issue still exists. If they could address that by having a larger Junkion as a combiner core, and make sure the leg/feet components are more robust and stable, then everything else should be fine.

The Seibertron site assisted a round table discussion today with Evan Brooks, Marc Maher, Delaney Norris and Ben MacCrae from Hasbro, answering questions related to the recent Legacy reveals. There would be no answers to any questions related to the Rise of the Beasts line (so I would not expect reveals of that any time soon).

Q: When will Shadowstrip and Crasher be formally announced?
A: It’s up to Walmart. Hasbro thought they would be revealed and made available by Walmart at the same time as Galaxy Shuttle but it doesn’t seem to be the case. They are waiting to hear back from Walmart.

Q (my question): Legacy/Studio Series toys are made with which primary audience/market in mind? And which demographic buys the majority of toys from those lines?
A: While the targets are “fans”, that is an internal name for the 8-12 year old market. These would be kids who are fans of Transformers toys since they grew up with the simpler ones in other lines and are ready for a more challenging conversion. While there are characters older fans are more likely to recognize, they are all still designed more with children in mind and the freedom with Legacy lets them bring other characters. Also, that demographic (8-12 year olds) is who these toys are bought for most.
Vehicle form factor is key, and kids gravitate towards the idea of a robot to vehicle conversion so there is no need to have a character that young kids know. The goal is giving 8 year olds the STEM feature of play with legacy and Studio Series. Nothing has changed since John Warden said that toys are designed with kids in mind. They are trying to make toys for kids that older fans also like. They are currently undergoing market research to see the percentage of sales from different demographics.

Q: Will there be more new characters like Scraphook?
A: Scraphook as a new character was easy since he is part of the Junkions who already have a theme/play pattern in the lore. Hasbro is constantly looking for ways to integrate new characters. Junkions are an easy place to mine for new characters and there will be more to come in the new year. Every time we have a chance to do something new, we try it though with Studio Series, that line is linked to pre-existing characters.

Q: Has the plastic type changed?
A: The main plastic types used for toys have not changed since the 80s, and the plastic used now is the same used in the previous Transformers lines (like WFC trilogy, ect)
If you have a product with an issue (like yellowing) please contact the customer support team.

Q: Tarn is great, what took so long and how do we get the rest of the team?
A: Tarn is an amazing character, from a fantastic storyline. The Hasbro team are big fans of that. They had to bring him to life after seeing Tarn show up in so many other places. It was obviously the time for Tarn, but the rest of the DJD are a design challenge (not Nickel though, could be a core release). They are looking into it, and finishing off “mini collections” is still something Hasbro wishes to do. They try to have more synergy between comics and toys, hence why Knockout in the comics looks like the Legacy toy. His design (and others) were given to IDW from Hasbro. Legacy finally gave an outlet for freedom of having characters from anywhere, that’s why characters from IDW specifically are being integrated into the line. Just don’t expect the same alt modes.
***Seibertron user William-James88 suggested a Robotic scorpion which can be fan made into an electric chair for Kaon.***
Alex Milne and James Roberts will get a copy of the Tarn toy.

Q: Can you acknowledge the existence of the Legacy Minerva toy?
A: Yes, they can personally acknowledge that it exists. They have not heard from Walgreens as to their plan for releasing it yet. The official date of release would have been October 1st. Hasbro will do their best to continue releasing the Japanese characters, like Galaxy Shuttle and Victory Sabr. Mark apologises for Minerva not being a headmaster, but he wanted to release it in the line. Also, Minerva was chosen as a Walgreens exclusive due to the medical theme.

Q: Core class combining Dinobots, what challenges were there?
A: Lots of Challenges, Sludge is taking the biggest hit with the thunderous thighs needed for combiner mode. Not sure if they could do it at first, but it felt like it could be possible, so they didn’t wish to say “no”. They made it happen at Core class. They added a sixth Dinobot for the proportions to work without it having a deluxe torso.
Bringing them to core class was so that you could have the whole team on the shelf at the same year, harkening back to the G1 era. These toys are perfect for kids. Core class is meant to be well known characters that sell, at a lower price points.
***The Dinobots were not the first intent from the designer (ie. Monstructor/Dinokinginstead), but they were used for an easy sell to marketing.***

Q: Can you give more info on Override being a new mold in a line of redecos?
A: When Takara gets to design a character they have a lot of love for, you can sit back and see the wonder. (Lots of mold mathematics discussion which personally stumped your dear news editor.) Stuff like the Cyberkey hole for Override are design easter eggs made for fans who remember the older toy even though it is still made to sell to kids.

Q: Are there more female characters coming to Legacy and Studio Series?
A: Of course! So many awesome female bots, we will never say no. The female audience for transformers is immense, far bigger than most fans may think.

Q: Can we ever expect proper Pretenders?
A: Classic style pretenders shells are very hard to do (and sell to corporate) since the shells themselves become a mold of their own. Core class Bombusrt can fit into his G1 pretender shell but that is a happy coincidence.
*** Evan then proceeded to more heavily hint to the alternate use of those core class Dinobot molds (ie. Monstructor/Dinoking though nothing officially is said and we do not know how or when they will ever be made and available).***

Q: What criteria goes into choosing a Gobots character in a Transformers line?
A: The goal is to sell to kids so alt mode and colour come into play with the choice. It’s a group conversation to decide if it’s the right move or not. Gobots is still a tricky licence since another company owns what was originally GoBots. So it’s a very muddy situation. Always thinking 3 years ahead, it can take that long to get a toy associated to a toy from another “mini collection”.

Q: Any answers about the woes with Cosmos’ distribution?
A: No news on if we’ll see more cosmos at retail, everything is up to Walmart in terms of case allocation, nothing can be forced from Hasbro. The team was unaware of the solid cases in the UK since the marketing team was trying to get a solid box for the designers to have their own but was told that wasn’t a thing.

Q: Do all molds have second heads just sitting there for the future?
A: Been going on for a long time. It’s weird when there isn’t an alt head in a mold.
***The alt head for Titans Return Seaspray was a merman head from the G1 episode. Ben is a HUGE fan of Seaspray and would want another release before he retires.***

Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character. Transformers is not as character focused line like Marvel, it isn’t the character itself that sells the toys, it’s how the bot looks. There have been studies done and open windows are best for their target audience of 8 year olds seeing the robots on shelves. The leader class toys are higher priced and thus not likely an impulse purchase by parents, so they can look more like a toy aimed at collectors. Looking into all different boxing options, but right now open box for lower priced toys is the best for Transformers brand.

Q: Will there be more Japanese Beast Wars Characters aside from Leo Prime?
A: Leo Prime was an easy sell to corporate since he is a leader called Prime and a lion, both attributes familiar and appealing to kids. They keep testing the market and audience. The term Convoy is a trademarked name in Japan, so that name cannot be used on packaging by Hasbro.

Q: Is that Lockdown looking car in the poster a hint that we are getting Lockdown?
A: There is no comment on it being Lockdown or not but Hasbro is aware of the thirst for the Transformers animated universe (note from Editor: the toy on the poster is not Lockdown, it’s a deluxe Junkion toy like Scraphook)


And now, dear readers, here is an example of how to ask the same type of “are we getting this” type of question, but to get a better answer. One question was “is Slipstream coming any time soon”, and the answer from Hasbro was “Anything is possible”, obviously. BUT I found another way around that:
Q: Have there been any obstacles to getting the rest of the Age of Extinction Dinobots, since we got none after Grimlock.
A: There may have been at the time if the same characters were available in the Platinum line (not a certainty, memory is foggy on that), but as of right now there is no obstacle, no reason for them not to eventually show up, nothing stopping Hasbro from making them. However, G1 Grimlock appearing in the SS line did put the possible release of Bayverse Dinobots on hold.

The next reveals will be happening on the Premium member exclusive stream happening October 27th. Also, Hasbro is hyped for Eathspark and they hope you feel that too.

Ah, very interesting answers, though it kinda also felt like no-brainer answers. Still very nice to get some form of closure especially in regards to stuff like Minerva and that mystery Junkion.

SpaceEagle wrote:Ah, very interesting answers, though it kinda also felt like no-brainer answers. Still very nice to get some form of closure especially in regards to stuff like Minerva and that mystery Junkion.

Some are no brainer, and yet whenever I tell fans that they are not the major buyers of Legacy and SS they look at me like I'm high. My personal question was just to have it on paper again if anyone tells me these toys arent made for kids.

And to be fair, they won't reveal anything new in these talks, just further explain stuff so it usually ends up being no brainers, but they need to be said regardless. I did like that discussion on boxes though.

william-james88 wrote:

SpaceEagle wrote:Ah, very interesting answers, though it kinda also felt like no-brainer answers. Still very nice to get some form of closure especially in regards to stuff like Minerva and that mystery Junkion.

Some are no brainer, and yet whenever I tell fans that they are not the major buyers of Legacy and SS they look at me like I'm high. My personal question was just to have it on paper again if anyone tells me these toys arent made for kids.

I still cannot forget being told it's been "debated" by adults for a long time, that was the hardest I've ever laughed. I don't even understand why it's something to be upset about anyway, people ask me "Why are you buying kid's toys?" and I tell them "Because I like them." Simple as. They're cool robots and I like having physical representations of 'em.

william-james88 wrote:Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character.

This was the biggest takeaway for me and I wonder if it's even true. They said themselves that Transformers are aimed at an 8-12 demo and the packaging says 8 and up right on them, but Star Wars Black and Marvel Legends figures are 4+. We know Transformers only say 8+ because that's the target demo they decided on, previous Transformers lines had younger age ratings despite nothing changing in the quality and safety. I'm having trouble finding the truth in their statement, not that I mind them having the open boxes (though a plastic window would be preferred). Maybe this is just the line they used to convince corporate to let them keep the window even if it isn't true?

Emerje

It's been mentioned elsewhere that the whole thing with the name "Convoy" being unavailable for Hasbro to use as a trademark due to it having been trademarked in Japan is that, apparently, some company in Japan seems to have recently trademarked the name so that now even Takara themselves can't use it.

Takara hasn't released a Transformers toy with "Convoy" in its name since MP-49 Black Convoy back in July 2020, so if this is the case, then that would explain why they named the MP Lio Convoy black redeco "Dark Amber Leo Prime" instead of some name containing "Lio Convoy".

Likewise, other recent Japanese-only toys of G1 Optimus have been named "Optimus Prime" by Takara instead of "Convoy", like the recent Canon camera figure.

Emerje wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character.

This was the biggest takeaway for me and I wonder if it's even true. They said themselves that Transformers are aimed at an 8-12 demo and the packaging says 8 and up right on them, but Star Wars Black and Marvel Legends figures are 4+. We know Transformers only say 8+ because that's the target demo they decided on, previous Transformers lines had younger age ratings despite nothing changing in the quality and safety. I'm having trouble finding the truth in their statement, not that I mind them having the open boxes (though a plastic window would be preferred). Maybe this is just the line they used to convince corporate to let them keep the window even if it isn't true?

Emerje

I could see it as them just chucking something up to convince corporate but I also feel like it's probably still partially true since kids do love looking at big robos. (Which likely circles back to them using it as an excuse to convince corporate.)

william-james88 wrote:And now, dear readers, here is an example of how to ask the same type of “are we getting this” type of question, but to get a better answer. One question was “is Slipstream coming any time soon”, and the answer from Hasbro was “Anything is possible”, obviously. BUT I found another way around that:
Q: Have there been any obstacles to getting the rest of the Age of Extinction Dinobots, since we got none after Grimlock.
A: There may have been at the time if the same characters were available in the Platinum line (not a certainty, memory is foggy on that), but as of right now there is no obstacle, no reason for them not to eventually show up, nothing stopping Hasbro from making them. However, G1 Grimlock appearing in the SS line did put the possible release of Bayverse Dinobots on hold.

Thanks for asking this one! Kinda bummed that we'll be seeing the whole G1 Dinobot team in SS before even a second AOE Dinobot, but I'm glad the question was aked.

Just curious, would you guys actually preffer closed boxes? I was surprised that question was asked because I sure wouldn't. I can better tell if my toy is intact with a window.
If it's this plastic free window idea or a closed box, I sure won't pick closed box.

And don't worry EvasionBB, I got your back!

SpaceEagle wrote:

Emerje wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character.

This was the biggest takeaway for me and I wonder if it's even true. They said themselves that Transformers are aimed at an 8-12 demo and the packaging says 8 and up right on them, but Star Wars Black and Marvel Legends figures are 4+. We know Transformers only say 8+ because that's the target demo they decided on, previous Transformers lines had younger age ratings despite nothing changing in the quality and safety. I'm having trouble finding the truth in their statement, not that I mind them having the open boxes (though a plastic window would be preferred). Maybe this is just the line they used to convince corporate to let them keep the window even if it isn't true?

Emerje

I could see it as them just chucking something up to convince corporate but I also feel like it's probably still partially true since kids do love looking at big robos. (Which likely circles back to them using it as an excuse to convince corporate.)

Also "try me" open style boxes sell toys better, it's been a proven tactic in the toy industry.

SpaceEagle wrote:I still cannot forget being told it's been "debated" by adults for a long time, that was the hardest I've ever laughed. I don't even understand why it's something to be upset about anyway, people ask me "Why are you buying kid's toys?" and I tell them "Because I like them." Simple as. They're cool robots and I like having physical representations of 'em.

It's a simple childish attitude that certain adults still have when collecting toys. They feels insecure about their hobby and needs confirmation that what they do is "grown up". I was exactly like this in my first years of collecting. I guess what "woke me up" was when a parent once comes to visit and told my room looked like a "kindergarten room". I politely told him to F-off and that I can have the hobby that I wanted. Then from Rescue Bots to Masterpieces, from Barbie to Dolfie Dream, I collect what I want, and I don't give a single F about what others think. It's pretty liberating.

william-james88 wrote:Also "try me" open style boxes sell toys better, it's been a proven tactic in the toy industry.

Those kinds of packaging are the BEST for toys with gimmicks where one gimmick can be tried. Those are pretty much essentials. But for the "serious" toys, the fully closed boxes are better. Especially when lots of small accessories are involved.

william-james88 wrote:

SpaceEagle wrote:

Emerje wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character.

This was the biggest takeaway for me and I wonder if it's even true. They said themselves that Transformers are aimed at an 8-12 demo and the packaging says 8 and up right on them, but Star Wars Black and Marvel Legends figures are 4+. We know Transformers only say 8+ because that's the target demo they decided on, previous Transformers lines had younger age ratings despite nothing changing in the quality and safety. I'm having trouble finding the truth in their statement, not that I mind them having the open boxes (though a plastic window would be preferred). Maybe this is just the line they used to convince corporate to let them keep the window even if it isn't true?

Emerje

I could see it as them just chucking something up to convince corporate but I also feel like it's probably still partially true since kids do love looking at big robos. (Which likely circles back to them using it as an excuse to convince corporate.)

Also "try me" open style boxes sell toys better, it's been a proven tactic in the toy industry.

And how many times have they done that with action figures and immediately regretted it when heads and other parts were ripped off? "Try me" works well for play sets, vehicles and sturdy figures made for toddlers, but it's awful for action figures with ball joints and heads that pop off or just small figures in general. On one hand the closed box keeps the figures safer, but on the other it's terrible for MIB collecting and you can't inspect the figures beforehand. I don't know what the ideal solution is without plastic, probably what they're doing now. Takara Tomy has already started doing closed boxes for all SS figures (maybe not Core), we'll see how long Hasbro can keep from doing that.

Emerje

So it looks like the PulseCon Hero set is shipping a little early. Sure are a a lot of Pulse orders coming in early, SG Flamewar and Slicer are also shipping next week as well as the ZAP Dragonzord (not actually sure if Pulse is getting that early, but BBTS is, wasn't due until January).

Emerje

Good Q&A. Really disappointed in the live action Dinobots answer, continues to suck.

I think the best thing from that is the fact that Roberts and Milne are getting Tarn figures. Well done Hasbro.

Sabrblade wrote:It's been mentioned elsewhere that the whole thing with the name "Convoy" being unavailable for Hasbro to use as a trademark due to it having been trademarked in Japan is that, apparently, some company in Japan seems to have recently trademarked the name so that now even Takara themselves can't use it.

Takara hasn't released a Transformers toy with "Convoy" in its name since MP-49 Black Convoy back in July 2020, so if this is the case, then that would explain why they named the MP Lio Convoy black redeco "Dark Amber Leo Prime" instead of some name containing "Lio Convoy".

Likewise, other recent Japanese-only toys of G1 Optimus have been named "Optimus Prime" by Takara instead of "Convoy", like the recent Canon camera figure.

Are you sure that's not just them trying to keep in step with Hasbro? They still use Convoy in the Diaclone line without any issue. We've had Battle Convoy V-Max, Battle Convoy V-Shadow, and this year Powered Convoy. I'm sure they would have been given the option to renew if it was about to expire before another company snatched it out from under them.

Emerje

After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.

Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.

Emerje wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character.

This was the biggest takeaway for me and I wonder if it's even true. They said themselves that Transformers are aimed at an 8-12 demo and the packaging says 8 and up right on them, but Star Wars Black and Marvel Legends figures are 4+. We know Transformers only say 8+ because that's the target demo they decided on, previous Transformers lines had younger age ratings despite nothing changing in the quality and safety. I'm having trouble finding the truth in their statement, not that I mind them having the open boxes (though a plastic window would be preferred). Maybe this is just the line they used to convince corporate to let them keep the window even if it isn't true?

Emerje

I don't understand your questioning here when bringing in Marvel Legends and the Age shown there. What is it you are wondering?

Mkall wrote:After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.

Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.

You are getting none of those from Hasbro next year.

That's an interesting take, considering every collector I've talked to preferred the window box too so that they can inspect the paint deco on the figure. There are also a few MIB collectors out there for every line. So I personally don't see it as a kid only thing.

IMO it feels like talking out both side of your mouth time with a PC answer that's actually BS.

william-james88 wrote:

Mkall wrote:After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.

Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.

You are getting none of those from Hasbro next year.

That's probably for the best. Any rumours on the next Titan? Gotta admit my news-nose is very rusty.

Mkall wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Mkall wrote:After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.

Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.

You are getting none of those from Hasbro next year.

That's probably for the best. Any rumours on the next Titan? Gotta admit my news-nose is very rusty.

Rumor has it that the Nemesis is the next titan class figure, with the decepticon-symbol face on the legacy ii poster being them and not tarn

Full-Tilt wrote:

Mkall wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Mkall wrote:After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.

Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.

You are getting none of those from Hasbro next year.

That's probably for the best. Any rumours on the next Titan? Gotta admit my news-nose is very rusty.

Rumor has it that the Nemesis is the next titan class figure, with the decepticon-symbol face on the legacy ii poster being them and not tarn

Given how prominent it is in the teaser poster, that's what I was thinking too. Here's hoping.

william-james88 wrote:

Mkall wrote:After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.

Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.

You are getting none of those from Hasbro next year.

Whoa..."Now he said sick'em boy but what I heard was"....