This page contains affiliate links. We may earn commissions when readers interact with or purchase items through these links. For more information, see our affiliate disclosures here.

Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst

Transformers News: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst

Friday, September 1st, 2017 6:36AM CDT

Categories: Toy News, Reviews
Posted by: Va'al   Views: 16,180

Topic Options: View Discussion · Sign in or Join to reply

Thanks to fellow Seibertronian chuckdawg1999, we have a video review of the entirety of wave 6 for Transformers: Titans Return in the single plastic incarnation of Slugslinger and Titan Master Caliburst! A retool of the Triggerhappy mold, you can check out some more thoughts on the toy below, and watch the review for yourselves!

Slugslinger has a special place in my heart. It was the only Decepticon Targetmaster I had when I was young, so I knew I had to make sure I got the Titans Return update. I'll say it right now, Slugslinger's weapon is the best of the entire line, being the closest to the original G1 Targetmaster look, you almost miss the Titan Master interactivity. Transformation is simple but satisfying which leaves me wondering why its mold mate Triggerhappy is so involved. Even if it wasn't the last deluxe figure in the line Slugslinger would be a must have.


Credit(s): chuckdawg1999

News Search

Got Transformers News? Let us know here!

Most Popular Transformers News

Most Recent Transformers News

Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1907902)
Posted by Emerje on September 1st, 2017 @ 8:19am CDT
Where do I even begin... :roll:

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Emerje, your post makes me want to do what Optimus is doing in your avatar.
First off,a Leader-class Scorponok would be worthless. That would be even more ridiculously outsized by Fort Max (either version) than the original G1 Scorponok toy. The only class suitable for a brand-new toy of G1 Scorponok is Titan-class. No ifs ands or buts.

Not all of us live by the G1 cartoon, some of us like Marvel comic continuity where Scorponok's best moments were with Prime.

Image

As a kid I really didn't buy into Scorponok being Fort Max's rival thanks to the size discrepancy, but the comics gave me an alternative that I could easily replicate with the figures and others here have expressed the same thing.

As for the Targetmasters, not including them in Titans Return would have been a bad call considering that they were still a major part of the late-1987 lineup and featured in The Rebirth.

You say that like Titans Return is a dedicated 1987 line, which it isn't. You say that like Titans Return is based on The Rebirth, which it isn't. It contains figures from that period and from that season, but it isn't a slave to it, it isn't even a slave to characters originally released by Hasbro.

As for Powermasters, there's exactly three (but then, if we're bringing back the "little partner figure who forms part of a Transformer" concept why not make new toys for the Powermasters?): 1. Powermaster Optimus Prime (who was a big part of late G1 both in the Marvel comics and in the so-called fifth season of the cartoon where he was part of the framing device. Plus, well, Generations hadn't had a big Optimus yet), who is a retool of the already-existing CW Ultra Magnus.

Yeah, I own two of the G1 PM Prime and a reissue God Ginrai as well as Legends God Ginrai and SoC Magnus Prime, I know all this. Even Hasbro admitted they jumped the gun making TR PM Prime since they hadn't come up with PotP yet. It was poor planning on their part, they shouldn't have boxed themselves in like this and left PM Prime and other PMs and Targetmasters for later just in case TR did well and they wanted to repeat it later (which they basically did with PotP).

2. Breakaway, because Hasbro wanted more mileage out of the Chromedome mold and realized that A. Getaway/Lightfoot's original car mode and TR Chromedome's car mode looked quasi-similar and B. the faux-hood chest was shaped such that it could be painted up like the original toy's chest windshield. That and he's a major character in the IDW comics.

The only valid point you made was the last one about him being in the IDW comics (though the figure looks nothing at all like the comic version). I own for a loose G1 Getaway and a MIB G1 figure, he's a normal Earth sports car (TFWiki tells me he's a Mazda RX-7 FC3S) while Chromedome is a Cybertronian car. TR Breakaway is a very abstract take on the character and they used so much paint trying to make Chromedome look a little like Getaway that they missed more important things like his blue arms. Again, they should have held off.

3. Overlord. Whose original toy costs a mint due to no US release, who has appeal to fans of Japanese G1, and who is also a major player in the IDW comics. Every reason to have a new toy developed.

I'm not arguing that a new figure needs to be made, just the way they went about making it. Fans have waited this long, why not wait another year for him to be done right? Again they boxed themselves in and released a figure that they planned too soon. I'd rather his spot had been taken by Thunderwing modified from Sky Shadow. I mean, all they had to do was push the figure back, give him a new head (the TR mold can Transform without removing the TM) and he'd be ready to stick two Prime Masters in his chest.

The Horrorcons, meanwhile? They would have been annoying to design within the constraints of Titans Return and, frankly, to bring up to the standards of modern Transformers figures (Apeface especially), and wouldn't have lent themselves to being moldmates with anybody except maybe each other. And they would have had to rely on nostalgia for sales (and from what I understand they were never the most popular) since the Horrorcons are barely even a footnote in IDW. Also, since they would have been Voyagers (if they'd been made as full figures at all) it's not like the Targetmasters took spots they would have used.

You act as if only characters that have had an impact in the IDW comics are worth making figures of. I find that baffling since we've gotten few figures based on the comics directly. Hate to break it to you, but Hasbro relies much, much more on nostalgia than the comics when it comes to remaking G1 figures. But it really just comes down to what makes a cool figure. New figures of Apeface and Snapdragon would be cool. As for mold-mates, there are options like the leaked (and most likely fake) retools into BW TM2 Optimus Primal and Megatron. Or even go way outside the box and do Oilmaster (a double Pretender) or B'Boom (a BW Triplechanger of sorts) and Dinobot. There are always options. And it's not like mold-mates have to appear in the same line, we're seeing a lot of retools in PotP already.

Emerje
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1907911)
Posted by Super Megatron on September 1st, 2017 @ 9:02am CDT
I don't know - seems too simplistic for a deluxe sized Transformer for the price it demands in the stores.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1907912)
Posted by william-james88 on September 1st, 2017 @ 9:06am CDT
Super Megatron wrote:I don't know - seems too simplistic for a deluxe sized Transformer for the price it demands in the stores.

Misfire is just as simple.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1907927)
Posted by Kurona on September 1st, 2017 @ 9:54am CDT
A Leader Scorponok would be awesome. It seems to be his most consistent size in fiction; not only did Marvel have him around that size, but so did IDW and - considering his implied leadership role - presumably Dreamwave. It simply seems to be the standard go-to size. Let's not forget that other versions of Scorponok outwith G1 make him a 'standard' size rather than city-sized, even when based directly on the G1 character like in the case of Energon.

Personally? I feel we should get both and one should not take precedent over the other. Both sizes of Scorponok are beloved for different reasons. It seems inevitable we're gonna get a Titan Scorponok anyway so I see no reason to not get a Leader one as well. Incidentally, I also feel we should at some point get a Leader-sized Fort Max. Maybe they could base him on the IDW design to differentiate him from the Titan. ... actually, considering how inaccurate the Titan was, they could probably differentiate the Leader enough simply by making him G1-accurate :lol:
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1907931)
Posted by YoungPrime on September 1st, 2017 @ 10:03am CDT
Why is this a shock?

They telling factor was that Takara haf this up for pre-order so soon. Which is something they don't normally do because their versions are usually better quality and they know they will sell so they prolong their releases in order to give Hasbro a little breathing room.

That wasn't the case this time. Takara had this out on pre-order with no pictures months before Hasbro did.

Odds are they're saving the Darker gray or black paint scheme for the one with the huge horn.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1907943)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on September 1st, 2017 @ 11:48am CDT
Dat Slugslinger. I NEED IT!
The trio with Trigger Happy and Missfire MUST be completed.

I fear this will never come out in stores or if it do, it will be like a drop of water in a hot pan. So I'll have to pay the price like for Kup.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1907961)
Posted by william-james88 on September 1st, 2017 @ 12:50pm CDT
-Kanrabat- wrote:Dat Slugslinger. I NEED IT!
The trio with Trigger Happy and Missfire MUST be completed.

I fear this will never come out in stores or if it do, it will be like a drop of water in a hot pan. So I'll have to pay the price like for Kup.

At least he comes 3 per box, unlike KUP. Oh and Kup is getting rereleased, so you have another chance of getting him.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1907971)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on September 1st, 2017 @ 2:41pm CDT
Emerje wrote:Where do I even begin... :roll:

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:As for the Targetmasters, not including them in Titans Return would have been a bad call considering that they were still a major part of the late-1987 lineup and featured in The Rebirth.

You say that like Titans Return is a dedicated 1987 line, which it isn't. You say that like Titans Return is based on The Rebirth, which it isn't. It contains figures from that period and from that season, but it isn't a slave to it, it isn't even a slave to characters originally released by Hasbro.

You're absolutely right, it's not a dedicated 1987 line - with the exception of Sky Shadow, Krok and the Jumpstarters it's a dedicated 1986-1988 line. My point is that, since they were covering that era and doing the Headmasters, why NOT do the other characters who were there with them?

As for Powermasters, there's exactly three (but then, if we're bringing back the "little partner figure who forms part of a Transformer" concept why not make new toys for the Powermasters?): 1. Powermaster Optimus Prime (who was a big part of late G1 both in the Marvel comics and in the so-called fifth season of the cartoon where he was part of the framing device. Plus, well, Generations hadn't had a big Optimus yet), who is a retool of the already-existing CW Ultra Magnus.

Yeah, I own two of the G1 PM Prime and a reissue God Ginrai as well as Legends God Ginrai and SoC Magnus Prime, I know all this. Even Hasbro admitted they jumped the gun making TR PM Prime since they hadn't come up with PotP yet. It was poor planning on their part, they shouldn't have boxed themselves in like this and left PM Prime and other PMs and Targetmasters for later just in case TR did well and they wanted to repeat it later (which they basically did with PotP).

They also said that it was kind of impossible to plan ahead to the next line, that the next line's gimmick was "Answer cloudy, ask again later" until late in Titans Return's development. Also, the main reason they wished they'd been able to hold off on PMOP til Power of the Primes ISN'T because Prime Masters form engines. It's because the gimmick of Leader class figures in that line is "Deluxe core figure combines with extra components to form a larger figure". You know, like how the original PMOP toy that you have so many versions of was a separate cab robot that combined with its trailer to form a super robot.

2. Breakaway, because Hasbro wanted more mileage out of the Chromedome mold and realized that A. Getaway/Lightfoot's original car mode and TR Chromedome's car mode looked quasi-similar and B. the faux-hood chest was shaped such that it could be painted up like the original toy's chest windshield. That and he's a major character in the IDW comics.

The only valid point you made was the last one about him being in the IDW comics (though the figure looks nothing at all like the comic version). I own for a loose G1 Getaway and a MIB G1 figure, he's a normal Earth sports car (TFWiki tells me he's a Mazda RX-7 FC3S) while Chromedome is a Cybertronian car. TR Breakaway is a very abstract take on the character and they used so much paint trying to make Chromedome look a little like Getaway that they missed more important things like his blue arms. Again, they should have held off.

:roll: You seem to have completely ignored a couple of my statements here. They have been bolded. I know that G1 Getaway is an Earth sportscar while G1 Chromedome is a Cybertronian sportscar, but TR Chromedome's car mode's tucked-in arms give it a more Earthly profile and they're both hatchbacks. I did say QUASI similar after all. I admit it's a shoehorning (though some here seem fine with that considering all the people wanting a Crosshairs redeco of Kup). But when Hasbro decided Chromedome was getting a redeco to maximize their returns on the mold (meaning SOMEBDOY was getting shoehorned into it), Getaway was not exactly an out-of-left-field choice, especially given the era the line mainly looks at and having comic presence promoting him on top of that.

3. Overlord. Whose original toy costs a mint due to no US release, who has appeal to fans of Japanese G1, and who is also a major player in the IDW comics. Every reason to have a new toy developed.

I'm not arguing that a new figure needs to be made, just the way they went about making it. Fans have waited this long, why not wait another year for him to be done right? Again they boxed themselves in and released a figure that they planned too soon. I'd rather his spot had been taken by Thunderwing modified from Sky Shadow. I mean, all they had to do was push the figure back, give him a new head (the TR mold can Transform without removing the TM) and he'd be ready to stick two Prime Masters in his chest.

Oh yes, because it makes *perfect* sense to delay Overlord, the guy the mold was mainly designed as in the first place and whose jet component's molds were ready already, in favor of Thunderwing who would require new tooling and would be a shoehorned-in retool to get more out of the mold just like Sky Shadow was (he's a kickass-looking one but he's still a shoehorn. Given that the tank component is unmistakably the Gigatank in sculpt, it's pretty obvious). Oh, wait - no it doesn't. And in fact, Thunderwing is actually more suited to Power of the Primes than Overlord is considering that the gimmick for Leaders in PotP is a Deluxe-size core robot combining with a larger component - that was what Thunderwing's original toy did.

The Horrorcons, meanwhile? They would have been annoying to design within the constraints of Titans Return and, frankly, to bring up to the standards of modern Transformers figures (Apeface especially), and wouldn't have lent themselves to being moldmates with anybody except maybe each other. And they would have had to rely on nostalgia for sales (and from what I understand they were never the most popular) since the Horrorcons are barely even a footnote in IDW. Also, since they would have been Voyagers (if they'd been made as full figures at all) it's not like the Targetmasters took spots they would have used.

You act as if only characters that have had an impact in the IDW comics are worth making figures of. I find that baffling since we've gotten few figures based on the comics directly. Hate to break it to you, but Hasbro relies much, much more on nostalgia than the comics when it comes to remaking G1 figures. But it really just comes down to what makes a cool figure. New figures of Apeface and Snapdragon would be cool. As for mold-mates, there are options like the leaked (and most likely fake) retools into BW TM2 Optimus Primal and Megatron. Or even go way outside the box and do Oilmaster (a double Pretender) or B'Boom (a BW Triplechanger of sorts) and Dinobot. There are always options. And it's not like mold-mates have to appear in the same line, we're seeing a lot of retools in PotP already.

Emerje

No, I don't act like only characters who have made an impact in the IDW comics are worth making toys of. I despise the IDW continuity as a whole (there are bits I like, characters I like, but the overall universe... blugh), and I dislike when Generations toys are aesthetically influenced by the pseudo-Bayformer look (that doesn't look anywhere near as good as the actual Bayformers). But if I thought the comics didn't have a significant bearing on who gets made, I'd be deluding myself. Thinking they don't play a role in promoting the toys is also delusional - plenty of comic fans also buy the toys and someone who has had pagetime and made an impression during that pagetime is probably going to be more interesting to a fan mainly concerned with the comics than someone who hasn't appeared much or done much. And some plots and body changes in the comics have been done with selling the toys in mind.
Yes, new toys of Apeface and Snapdragon would be cool. I'm not denying that. My point is that staying faithful to their essential visual design while bringing them up to the standards of modern Transformers would have been a pain in the tail, especially with Apeface (whose design is rather cluttered by the two different sets of limbs). Even more of a pain if you wanted to keep Krunk and Spasma as double-duty heads within the constraints of Titans Return (That is, all Titan Masters can fit in all helmets, cockpits, and weapons). A pain that, given the Horrorcons are both low on the nostalgic fondness chart (if my understanding of their popularity is right) and lacking in presence in recent G1-based fiction, might not even pay off.

I'll concede you and Kurona there is some validity to a Leader Scorponok after all.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1907976)
Posted by Kurona on September 1st, 2017 @ 2:57pm CDT
Generations' approach to IDW is... strange, to say the least. You've got main characters like Chromedome, Brainstorm and Rewind who aren't molded to look like their comic selves aside from - an admittedly very beautiful and faithful - headsculpt... but then you've got a B-lister like Perceptor who is sculpted right down to shoulder details and having his sniper rifle to look like the IDW character but then doesn't even have the different head design; the part of his design in the comics that makes him stand out most from his original G1 self. Can't say I'm complaining - it's incredible we're getting any comic representation at all beyond picking what characters to use as repaints to be honest - but by golly it's odd.

But I will complain that in the line where the gimmick is having a separate piece form the head and having a size class specifically devoted to giving you a different head... they didn't give you alternate head options for toys, like a Hardhead with a mouth or the aforementioned IDW Perceptor head. I say this a lot but I don't think I'll ever not be baffled by how huge a missed opportunity it was to give different fans options.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1907984)
Posted by RAR on September 1st, 2017 @ 3:31pm CDT
I see The over scale TR Highbrow is available to order now - I like that he has folding rotors that is something I sorely miss not being present on the Hasbro version.

As for what I think of Hasbro toys - No Idea bar a few One steps and 3 steps and legion (repaints) & Blind bags from TLK I've not seen a single thing since wave 3.

Transformers has vanished from the shelves if it's not a Movie toy - I just hope some of the toy buyers out there are willing to play catch up pre-December on non-Movie toys.

Another year like this and it might as well be the G2 Product crash again.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1907985)
Posted by Kurona on September 1st, 2017 @ 3:36pm CDT
Yeah, uh, I'm hearing this a lot; has anyone in the UK found any TR toys beyond Wave 3? Like, any at all anywhere? Not counting stuff like Kapow which imports from America; but any stock at Toys R Us or Smyths or friggin' Tesco? Because I've not seen hide nor hair of a Quake or a Seaspray or a Broadside anywhere.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1907998)
Posted by Randomhero on September 1st, 2017 @ 5:30pm CDT
Not sure if anyone has said anything yet but my slugslinger from ages three and up shipped so yes.he was actually in stock there
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908004)
Posted by Insurgent on September 1st, 2017 @ 6:48pm CDT
Kurona wrote:Yeah, uh, I'm hearing this a lot; has anyone in the UK found any TR toys beyond Wave 3? Like, any at all anywhere? Not counting stuff like Kapow which imports from America; but any stock at Toys R Us or Smyths or friggin' Tesco? Because I've not seen hide nor hair of a Quake or a Seaspray or a Broadside anywhere.



Not yet. I'm keeping my eye out for a Ramhorn (or failing that, Quake) for my custom Metalhawk, but it's looking like he'll just have to sit in jet mode for a while until new stock starts cropping up in stores.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908018)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on September 1st, 2017 @ 9:22pm CDT
Kurona wrote:Generations' approach to IDW is... strange, to say the least. You've got main characters like Chromedome, Brainstorm and Rewind who aren't molded to look like their comic selves aside from - an admittedly very beautiful and faithful - headsculpt

Actually, Chromedome's TR design was based on his IDW design seen in Shadowplay
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908021)
Posted by Sabrblade on September 1st, 2017 @ 9:48pm CDT
Image

:lol:
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908066)
Posted by Decepticon619 on September 2nd, 2017 @ 12:43am CDT
Has anyone ordered Trypticon from the US and shipped to Canada? What has shipping looked like?
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908070)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on September 2nd, 2017 @ 1:44am CDT
Decepticon619 wrote:Has anyone ordered Trypticon from the US and shipped to Canada? What has shipping looked like?


Well, it's in a box, carried by the mailman. You're not a home so you have a notice. You get your package at the box office. You curse as you pay the 30$+ custom fees making costing him more than if you'd have bought it locally. At home you unpack the thing and despite the bubble wrap the box is still half crushed.

So, the shipping look pretty much like every other toys. You'd hope a delivery via portal or something but no, nothing fancy. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908073)
Posted by Decepticon619 on September 2nd, 2017 @ 2:09am CDT
Haha poor wording on my part :P but you're probably quite right about the customs bit! I was just trying to gauge if it would be worth trying to snag one at the 149$ price tag as opposed to the 229$ local
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908076)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on September 2nd, 2017 @ 2:36am CDT
Decepticon619 wrote:Haha poor wording on my part :P but you're probably quite right about the customs bit! I was just trying to gauge if it would be worth trying to snag one at the 145$ price tag as opposed to the 229$ local


I knew that. I just couldn't resist! :lol:

But when you say 145$, is it in USD? Because if yes, it will be REALLY counter productive. It's also a BIG box, meaning very expensive shipping. Plus, if the thing come from a US store, customs are SURE to hit. Meaning you pay the taxes anyway and you'll have to pay an extra 10$CAN "handling fee".

BBTS used to give a preview of how much shipping will cost but their site redesign made me nope'd when they asked me to enter Paypal before knowing the total.
Based on my experience, getting a large box like that from the USA is around 30$US.

So let's say it's roughly 180$US shipped. In Canadian, it mean 223$CAN. If I order it, customs hit and I pay the taxes based on Trypticon's base 180$CAN value (shipping have no taxes). Meaning around 27$CAN. Slap the "handling fee" and customs amount to 37$CAN. So, a grand total of 260$CAN if I import from the USA at that price.

Compare to just buying it live at full price at your local Toys R Us:
230$CAN plus taxes is 264$ total. MORE expensive if you order online because you'll have to pay at least 10$ in shipping, counting the shipping discount.

In the end, ordering from the USA is a big gamble and your only prize is to maybe save 5 bucks. You may end up paying more and you'll have to wait days or weeks before getting the toy.

Personally, I'll wait for a sale. And if I miss out, meh...
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908079)
Posted by Burn on September 2nd, 2017 @ 2:59am CDT
-Kanrabat- wrote:You get your package at the box office.

You can get your mail from the movie theatre?

Man you folks in Quebec are all kinds of whack-a-doodle crazy. :-P
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908085)
Posted by Kurona on September 2nd, 2017 @ 4:26am CDT
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:
Kurona wrote:Generations' approach to IDW is... strange, to say the least. You've got main characters like Chromedome, Brainstorm and Rewind who aren't molded to look like their comic selves aside from - an admittedly very beautiful and faithful - headsculpt

Actually, Chromedome's TR design was based on his IDW design seen in Shadowplay

I've always doubted that since, well, his Shadowplay design looks like his G1 design. It's just based on the G1 design and happens to look like how the IDW character looked in one flashback.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908107)
Posted by Emerje on September 2nd, 2017 @ 6:12am CDT
Kurona wrote:Incidentally, I also feel we should at some point get a Leader-sized Fort Max. Maybe they could base him on the IDW design to differentiate him from the Titan. ... actually, considering how inaccurate the Titan was, they could probably differentiate the Leader enough simply by making him G1-accurate :lol:

I was going to bring this up next depending on how the conversation went. I could definitely go for a Leader Fort Max in a more G1 accurate style perfect for getting his butt kicked by Galvatron II AND Megatron. But at the same time I think he'd also need a more traditional vehicle mode for Leader class so he might need the tank treads on his back like what we saw in the pre-Titans Return line art leak. I suppose that would make him like the IDW incarnation which would make him a good fit with Overlord.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:You're absolutely right, it's not a dedicated 1987 line - with the exception of Sky Shadow, Krok and the Jumpstarters it's a dedicated 1986-1988 line. My point is that, since they were covering that era and doing the Headmasters, why NOT do the other characters who were there with them?

Mainly because these Targetmasters are not first string, super popular characters worthy of getting multiple figures within a few years. This is their one shot at a modern figure and they blew it by making them the wrong type of Master. If Hasbro should decide to do a Targetmaster themed line in 2020 do expect the Decepticon Targetmasters to be in it. Yes, they're fantastic figures, but I'm going with Takara Tomy this time for the proper Targetmaster partners.

They also said that it was kind of impossible to plan ahead to the next line, that the next line's gimmick was "Answer cloudy, ask again later" until late in Titans Return's development.

They didn't say it was impossible, they simply said they hadn't planned that far ahead. They've since learned from this mistake and have the franchise road mapped to 2021, well after Prime Wars.

:roll: You seem to have completely ignored a couple of my statements here. They have been bolded. I know that G1 Getaway is an Earth sportscar while G1 Chromedome is a Cybertronian sportscar, but TR Chromedome's car mode's tucked-in arms give it a more Earthly profile and they're both hatchbacks. I did say QUASI similar after all.

I didn't ignore them, I even pointed out that they had to use a bucket of paint to make the chest sort of have the right look which I feel compromised the figure in other areas. Also Getaway isn't a hatchback, but neither is that TR mold for that matter. Really the only thing I see quasi similar between G1 Getaway and the TR Chromedome mold is that they're both cars. They didn't have to reuse the Chromedome mold, they didn't reuse the Wolfwire or Hot Rod molds and I would have much preferred to have the rumored (and probably part of a canceled box set) Carnivac in Getaway's place.

I admit it's a shoehorning (though some here seem fine with that considering all the people wanting a Crosshairs redeco of Kup).

Ehhhh, did people really want Crosshairs to be a redeco of Kup? I think what people wanted was a new Crosshairs mold, but the expectation was for him to use the Kup mold since they're both Cybertronian trucks with short cabs. Basically people were willing to settle, but I think Orion Pax was the better choice.

Oh yes, because it makes *perfect* sense to delay Overlord, the guy the mold was mainly designed as in the first place and whose jet component's molds were ready already, in favor of Thunderwing who would require new tooling and would be a shoehorned-in retool to get more out of the mold just like Sky Shadow was (he's a kickass-looking one but he's still a shoehorn. Given that the tank component is unmistakably the Gigatank in sculpt, it's pretty obvious). Oh, wait - no it doesn't.

You realize the difference between Sky Shadow and Thunderwing are the head (or in this case the TM face plate and helmet) and chest, right? It isn't exactly a massive overhaul and it's very likely the parts already exist on the mold. I'm not saying they should have scrapped the Overload figure, just push it back a year and give him a normal head, his chest slots are perfect for sticking Prime Masters in.

And in fact, Thunderwing is actually more suited to Power of the Primes than Overlord is considering that the gimmick for Leaders in PotP is a Deluxe-size core robot combining with a larger component - that was what Thunderwing's original toy did.

Here's why that wont happen. First off all of the Pretenders are being repurposed as Decoy Suits for the Prime Masters, it's unlikely they'd let Thunderwing be an exception. Then there's the inner robot, Hasbro rarely focuses on those usually preferring to use the outer shell to represent the character. Thunderwing's inner robot is pretty bland, not exactly something Hasbro would want to make a Deluxe figure out of. If they do Thunderwing at all in PotP as a Leader he'll more likely be based on his Stormbringer incarnation giving us a Deluxe Thunderwing designed after his shell that evolves into his hulking armor. But then we have to wonder if Hasbro will be willing to give us a second Deluxe Thunderwing.

No, I don't act like only characters who have made an impact in the IDW comics are worth making toys of. I despise the IDW continuity as a whole (there are bits I like, characters I like, but the overall universe... blugh), and I dislike when Generations toys are aesthetically influenced by the pseudo-Bayformer look (that doesn't look anywhere near as good as the actual Bayformers). But if I thought the comics didn't have a significant bearing on who gets made, I'd be deluding myself. Thinking they don't play a role in promoting the toys is also delusional - plenty of comic fans also buy the toys and someone who has had pagetime and made an impression during that pagetime is probably going to be more interesting to a fan mainly concerned with the comics than someone who hasn't appeared much or done much. And some plots and body changes in the comics have been done with selling the toys in mind.

Yes, Hasbro does use the comics to cross promote the toys, but it's done so loosely that often what they do in the comics either can't be replicated by the toys like with a bunch of the stuff happening in Combiner Wars, or just barely touches on the toy theme like the Titan Return comics. The reality is only a fraction of the comic readers even buy the toys since the majority of toy buyers are still kids.

Yes, new toys of Apeface and Snapdragon would be cool. I'm not denying that. My point is that staying faithful to their essential visual design while bringing them up to the standards of modern Transformers would have been a pain in the tail, especially with Apeface (whose design is rather cluttered by the two different sets of limbs). Even more of a pain if you wanted to keep Krunk and Spasma as double-duty heads within the constraints of Titans Return (That is, all Titan Masters can fit in all helmets, cockpits, and weapons). A pain that, given the Horrorcons are both low on the nostalgic fondness chart (if my understanding of their popularity is right) and lacking in presence in recent G1-based fiction, might not even pay off.

Modern engineering can fix most of the issue you pointed out without ruining the look of the characters. As for the Titan Masters all you have to do is look at Sixshot to see how a beast mode head can be done with with a Titan Master. And since they'd be Voyagers the beast mask would be smaller and fit the TM better. It isn't as complicated as people make it out to be.

Emerje
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908129)
Posted by Sabrblade on September 2nd, 2017 @ 8:11am CDT
Kurona wrote:
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:
Kurona wrote:Generations' approach to IDW is... strange, to say the least. You've got main characters like Chromedome, Brainstorm and Rewind who aren't molded to look like their comic selves aside from - an admittedly very beautiful and faithful - headsculpt

Actually, Chromedome's TR design was based on his IDW design seen in Shadowplay

I've always doubted that since, well, his Shadowplay design looks like his G1 design. It's just based on the G1 design and happens to look like how the IDW character looked in one flashback.
But the shapes, details, and proportions of the toy and the Shadowplay body designs match each other. Only the exact colors and layout don't match (ironically, the deco of Takara's Chromedome is more of a match for the Shadowplay body's deco). But there's no preexisting Chromedome toy design that the Shadowplay body design is as much a match for in shape/details/proportion as the TR Chromedome toy is to the Shadowplay body design. For all we know, the toy was based on the Shadowplay design because of that body's being inspired by the classic Chromedome look.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908131)
Posted by Stuartmaximus on September 2nd, 2017 @ 8:25am CDT
Emerje wrote:
Kurona wrote:Incidentally, I also feel we should at some point get a Leader-sized Fort Max. Maybe they could base him on the IDW design to differentiate him from the Titan. ... actually, considering how inaccurate the Titan was, they could probably differentiate the Leader enough simply by making him G1-accurate :lol:

I was going to bring this up next depending on how the conversation went. I could definitely go for a Leader Fort Max in a more G1 accurate style perfect for getting his butt kicked by Galvatron II AND Megatron. But at the same time I think he'd also need a more traditional vehicle mode for Leader class so he might need the tank treads on his back like what we saw in the pre-Titans Return line art leak. I suppose that would make him like the IDW incarnation which would make him a good fit with Overlord.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:You're absolutely right, it's not a dedicated 1987 line - with the exception of Sky Shadow, Krok and the Jumpstarters it's a dedicated 1986-1988 line. My point is that, since they were covering that era and doing the Headmasters, why NOT do the other characters who were there with them?

Mainly because these Targetmasters are not first string, super popular characters worthy of getting multiple figures within a few years. This is their one shot at a modern figure and they blew it by making them the wrong type of Master. If Hasbro should decide to do a Targetmaster themed line in 2020 do expect the Decepticon Targetmasters to be in it. Yes, they're fantastic figures, but I'm going with Takara Tomy this time for the proper Targetmaster partners.

They also said that it was kind of impossible to plan ahead to the next line, that the next line's gimmick was "Answer cloudy, ask again later" until late in Titans Return's development.

They didn't say it was impossible, they simply said they hadn't planned that far ahead. They've since learned from this mistake and have the franchise road mapped to 2021, well after Prime Wars.

:roll: You seem to have completely ignored a couple of my statements here. They have been bolded. I know that G1 Getaway is an Earth sportscar while G1 Chromedome is a Cybertronian sportscar, but TR Chromedome's car mode's tucked-in arms give it a more Earthly profile and they're both hatchbacks. I did say QUASI similar after all.

I didn't ignore them, I even pointed out that they had to use a bucket of paint to make the chest sort of have the right look which I feel compromised the figure in other areas. Also Getaway isn't a hatchback, but neither is that TR mold for that matter. Really the only thing I see quasi similar between G1 Getaway and the TR Chromedome mold is that they're both cars. They didn't have to reuse the Chromedome mold, they didn't reuse the Wolfwire or Hot Rod molds and I would have much preferred to have the rumored (and probably part of a canceled box set) Carnivac in Getaway's place.

I admit it's a shoehorning (though some here seem fine with that considering all the people wanting a Crosshairs redeco of Kup).

Ehhhh, did people really want Crosshairs to be a redeco of Kup? I think what people wanted was a new Crosshairs mold, but the expectation was for him to use the Kup mold since they're both Cybertronian trucks with short cabs. Basically people were willing to settle, but I think Orion Pax was the better choice.

Oh yes, because it makes *perfect* sense to delay Overlord, the guy the mold was mainly designed as in the first place and whose jet component's molds were ready already, in favor of Thunderwing who would require new tooling and would be a shoehorned-in retool to get more out of the mold just like Sky Shadow was (he's a kickass-looking one but he's still a shoehorn. Given that the tank component is unmistakably the Gigatank in sculpt, it's pretty obvious). Oh, wait - no it doesn't.

You realize the difference between Sky Shadow and Thunderwing are the head (or in this case the TM face plate and helmet) and chest, right? It isn't exactly a massive overhaul and it's very likely the parts already exist on the mold. I'm not saying they should have scrapped the Overload figure, just push it back a year and give him a normal head, his chest slots are perfect for sticking Prime Masters in.

And in fact, Thunderwing is actually more suited to Power of the Primes than Overlord is considering that the gimmick for Leaders in PotP is a Deluxe-size core robot combining with a larger component - that was what Thunderwing's original toy did.

Here's why that wont happen. First off all of the Pretenders are being repurposed as Decoy Suits for the Prime Masters, it's unlikely they'd let Thunderwing be an exception. Then there's the inner robot, Hasbro rarely focuses on those usually preferring to use the outer shell to represent the character. Thunderwing's inner robot is pretty bland, not exactly something Hasbro would want to make a Deluxe figure out of. If they do Thunderwing at all in PotP as a Leader he'll more likely be based on his Stormbringer incarnation giving us a Deluxe Thunderwing designed after his shell that evolves into his hulking armor. But then we have to wonder if Hasbro will be willing to give us a second Deluxe Thunderwing.

No, I don't act like only characters who have made an impact in the IDW comics are worth making toys of. I despise the IDW continuity as a whole (there are bits I like, characters I like, but the overall universe... blugh), and I dislike when Generations toys are aesthetically influenced by the pseudo-Bayformer look (that doesn't look anywhere near as good as the actual Bayformers). But if I thought the comics didn't have a significant bearing on who gets made, I'd be deluding myself. Thinking they don't play a role in promoting the toys is also delusional - plenty of comic fans also buy the toys and someone who has had pagetime and made an impression during that pagetime is probably going to be more interesting to a fan mainly concerned with the comics than someone who hasn't appeared much or done much. And some plots and body changes in the comics have been done with selling the toys in mind.

Yes, Hasbro does use the comics to cross promote the toys, but it's done so loosely that often what they do in the comics either can't be replicated by the toys like with a bunch of the stuff happening in Combiner Wars, or just barely touches on the toy theme like the Titan Return comics. The reality is only a fraction of the comic readers even buy the toys since the majority of toy buyers are still kids.

Yes, new toys of Apeface and Snapdragon would be cool. I'm not denying that. My point is that staying faithful to their essential visual design while bringing them up to the standards of modern Transformers would have been a pain in the tail, especially with Apeface (whose design is rather cluttered by the two different sets of limbs). Even more of a pain if you wanted to keep Krunk and Spasma as double-duty heads within the constraints of Titans Return (That is, all Titan Masters can fit in all helmets, cockpits, and weapons). A pain that, given the Horrorcons are both low on the nostalgic fondness chart (if my understanding of their popularity is right) and lacking in presence in recent G1-based fiction, might not even pay off.

Modern engineering can fix most of the issue you pointed out without ruining the look of the characters. As for the Titan Masters all you have to do is look at Sixshot to see how a beast mode head can be done with with a Titan Master. And since they'd be Voyagers the beast mask would be smaller and fit the TM better. It isn't as complicated as people make it out to be.

Emerje


wasn't Infinitor Leader Class size :-?

+ putting tank treads on his back just basically turns him into Warden >:oP
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908135)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on September 2nd, 2017 @ 9:09am CDT
Stuartmaximus wrote:
Emerje wrote:
Kurona wrote:Incidentally, I also feel we should at some point get a Leader-sized Fort Max. Maybe they could base him on the IDW design to differentiate him from the Titan. ... actually, considering how inaccurate the Titan was, they could probably differentiate the Leader enough simply by making him G1-accurate :lol:

I was going to bring this up next depending on how the conversation went. I could definitely go for a Leader Fort Max in a more G1 accurate style perfect for getting his butt kicked by Galvatron II AND Megatron. But at the same time I think he'd also need a more traditional vehicle mode for Leader class so he might need the tank treads on his back like what we saw in the pre-Titans Return line art leak. I suppose that would make him like the IDW incarnation which would make him a good fit with Overlord.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:You're absolutely right, it's not a dedicated 1987 line - with the exception of Sky Shadow, Krok and the Jumpstarters it's a dedicated 1986-1988 line. My point is that, since they were covering that era and doing the Headmasters, why NOT do the other characters who were there with them?

Mainly because these Targetmasters are not first string, super popular characters worthy of getting multiple figures within a few years. This is their one shot at a modern figure and they blew it by making them the wrong type of Master. If Hasbro should decide to do a Targetmaster themed line in 2020 do expect the Decepticon Targetmasters to be in it. Yes, they're fantastic figures, but I'm going with Takara Tomy this time for the proper Targetmaster partners.

They also said that it was kind of impossible to plan ahead to the next line, that the next line's gimmick was "Answer cloudy, ask again later" until late in Titans Return's development.

They didn't say it was impossible, they simply said they hadn't planned that far ahead. They've since learned from this mistake and have the franchise road mapped to 2021, well after Prime Wars.

:roll: You seem to have completely ignored a couple of my statements here. They have been bolded. I know that G1 Getaway is an Earth sportscar while G1 Chromedome is a Cybertronian sportscar, but TR Chromedome's car mode's tucked-in arms give it a more Earthly profile and they're both hatchbacks. I did say QUASI similar after all.

I didn't ignore them, I even pointed out that they had to use a bucket of paint to make the chest sort of have the right look which I feel compromised the figure in other areas. Also Getaway isn't a hatchback, but neither is that TR mold for that matter. Really the only thing I see quasi similar between G1 Getaway and the TR Chromedome mold is that they're both cars. They didn't have to reuse the Chromedome mold, they didn't reuse the Wolfwire or Hot Rod molds and I would have much preferred to have the rumored (and probably part of a canceled box set) Carnivac in Getaway's place.

I admit it's a shoehorning (though some here seem fine with that considering all the people wanting a Crosshairs redeco of Kup).

Ehhhh, did people really want Crosshairs to be a redeco of Kup? I think what people wanted was a new Crosshairs mold, but the expectation was for him to use the Kup mold since they're both Cybertronian trucks with short cabs. Basically people were willing to settle, but I think Orion Pax was the better choice.

Oh yes, because it makes *perfect* sense to delay Overlord, the guy the mold was mainly designed as in the first place and whose jet component's molds were ready already, in favor of Thunderwing who would require new tooling and would be a shoehorned-in retool to get more out of the mold just like Sky Shadow was (he's a kickass-looking one but he's still a shoehorn. Given that the tank component is unmistakably the Gigatank in sculpt, it's pretty obvious). Oh, wait - no it doesn't.

You realize the difference between Sky Shadow and Thunderwing are the head (or in this case the TM face plate and helmet) and chest, right? It isn't exactly a massive overhaul and it's very likely the parts already exist on the mold. I'm not saying they should have scrapped the Overload figure, just push it back a year and give him a normal head, his chest slots are perfect for sticking Prime Masters in.

And in fact, Thunderwing is actually more suited to Power of the Primes than Overlord is considering that the gimmick for Leaders in PotP is a Deluxe-size core robot combining with a larger component - that was what Thunderwing's original toy did.

Here's why that wont happen. First off all of the Pretenders are being repurposed as Decoy Suits for the Prime Masters, it's unlikely they'd let Thunderwing be an exception. Then there's the inner robot, Hasbro rarely focuses on those usually preferring to use the outer shell to represent the character. Thunderwing's inner robot is pretty bland, not exactly something Hasbro would want to make a Deluxe figure out of. If they do Thunderwing at all in PotP as a Leader he'll more likely be based on his Stormbringer incarnation giving us a Deluxe Thunderwing designed after his shell that evolves into his hulking armor. But then we have to wonder if Hasbro will be willing to give us a second Deluxe Thunderwing.

No, I don't act like only characters who have made an impact in the IDW comics are worth making toys of. I despise the IDW continuity as a whole (there are bits I like, characters I like, but the overall universe... blugh), and I dislike when Generations toys are aesthetically influenced by the pseudo-Bayformer look (that doesn't look anywhere near as good as the actual Bayformers). But if I thought the comics didn't have a significant bearing on who gets made, I'd be deluding myself. Thinking they don't play a role in promoting the toys is also delusional - plenty of comic fans also buy the toys and someone who has had pagetime and made an impression during that pagetime is probably going to be more interesting to a fan mainly concerned with the comics than someone who hasn't appeared much or done much. And some plots and body changes in the comics have been done with selling the toys in mind.

Yes, Hasbro does use the comics to cross promote the toys, but it's done so loosely that often what they do in the comics either can't be replicated by the toys like with a bunch of the stuff happening in Combiner Wars, or just barely touches on the toy theme like the Titan Return comics. The reality is only a fraction of the comic readers even buy the toys since the majority of toy buyers are still kids.

Yes, new toys of Apeface and Snapdragon would be cool. I'm not denying that. My point is that staying faithful to their essential visual design while bringing them up to the standards of modern Transformers would have been a pain in the tail, especially with Apeface (whose design is rather cluttered by the two different sets of limbs). Even more of a pain if you wanted to keep Krunk and Spasma as double-duty heads within the constraints of Titans Return (That is, all Titan Masters can fit in all helmets, cockpits, and weapons). A pain that, given the Horrorcons are both low on the nostalgic fondness chart (if my understanding of their popularity is right) and lacking in presence in recent G1-based fiction, might not even pay off.

Modern engineering can fix most of the issue you pointed out without ruining the look of the characters. As for the Titan Masters all you have to do is look at Sixshot to see how a beast mode head can be done with with a Titan Master. And since they'd be Voyagers the beast mask would be smaller and fit the TM better. It isn't as complicated as people make it out to be.

Emerje


wasn't Infinitor Leader Class size :-?

+ putting tank treads on his back just basically turns him into Warden >:oP


K.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908178)
Posted by william-james88 on September 2nd, 2017 @ 1:27pm CDT
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:
Kurona wrote:Generations' approach to IDW is... strange, to say the least. You've got main characters like Chromedome, Brainstorm and Rewind who aren't molded to look like their comic selves aside from - an admittedly very beautiful and faithful - headsculpt

Actually, Chromedome's TR design was based on his IDW design seen in Shadowplay

The TR Chromedome toy is based on the G1 toy with an IDW head. It just happens that the Shadowplay chromedome also uses a similar colour scheme to the G1 toy since it represents him in an older form. Thats why they are similar, they both take cues from the same source but one is not based on the other.

Decepticon619 wrote:Has anyone ordered Trypticon from the US and shipped to Canada? What has shipping looked like?

Its not a winning situation. You can check on amazon.com and you will see that he costs $67 USD to ship to canada plus import fees

https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Gen ... =trypticon?tag=seibertron07-20&

The esitamted total is said to be $202.31 USD so $250 CAD.

So instead here is what you do:

You buy it on Indigo with the 15% discount code applicable for this week-end only :KREMZEEK:

Promo code: FORYOU15

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/to ... internal=1
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908189)
Posted by RodimusConvoy13 on September 2nd, 2017 @ 2:59pm CDT
So Apeface can "dock" with Sky Shadow very nicely. Makes me like the Apeface Titan Master much more.

Image
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908219)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on September 2nd, 2017 @ 5:54pm CDT
I'm sticking by TR Chromedome being based on his appearance in Shadowplay instead of directly on his G1 design, and here's why: The original Chromdeome toy was similar in transformation to Hardhead's G1 and TR toys: The front end forms the chest while the cockpit ends up on the back, and the legs are attached to the front end despite forming part of the back. But TR Chromedome makes the hood fold onto the back and instead has a faux-hood chest designed to have the pseud-Bayformer look of the IDW chest.

Emerje wrote:
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:You're absolutely right, it's not a dedicated 1987 line - with the exception of Sky Shadow, Krok and the Jumpstarters it's a dedicated 1986-1988 line. My point is that, since they were covering that era and doing the Headmasters, why NOT do the other characters who were there with them?

Mainly because these Targetmasters are not first string, super popular characters worthy of getting multiple figures within a few years. This is their one shot at a modern figure and they blew it by making them the wrong type of Master. If Hasbro should decide to do a Targetmaster themed line in 2020 do expect the Decepticon Targetmasters to be in it. Yes, they're fantastic figures, but I'm going with Takara Tomy this time for the proper Targetmaster partners.

And who would you propose to fill the four slots that would be left empty by not making the Targetmasters?

:roll: You seem to have completely ignored a couple of my statements here. They have been bolded. I know that G1 Getaway is an Earth sportscar while G1 Chromedome is a Cybertronian sportscar, but TR Chromedome's car mode's tucked-in arms give it a more Earthly profile and they're both hatchbacks. I did say QUASI similar after all.

I didn't ignore them, I even pointed out that they had to use a bucket of paint to make the chest sort of have the right look which I feel compromised the figure in other areas. Also Getaway isn't a hatchback, but neither is that TR mold for that matter. Really the only thing I see quasi similar between G1 Getaway and the TR Chromedome mold is that they're both cars. They didn't have to reuse the Chromedome mold, they didn't reuse the Wolfwire or Hot Rod molds and I would have much preferred to have the rumored (and probably part of a canceled box set) Carnivac in Getaway's place.

Okay, you're right, he's not a hatchback, he's a fastback. But there's not much difference between a fastback and a hatchback profile-wise. It's still a rear end with the windshield sloping basically right to the back end.
No, they didn't have to reuse the Chromedome mold but they wanted to because that gave them more money and reusing somebody's mold let them add more variety to Wave 3.
Also, a "part of a box set" Carnivac wouldn't have been in anyone's place because boxsets don't count toward the regular retail cases. Breakaway makes for great custom fodder if nothing else.

:WRECKERS: Oh yes, because it makes *perfect* sense to delay Overlord, the guy the mold was mainly designed as in the first place and whose jet component's molds were ready already, in favor of Thunderwing who would require new tooling and would be a shoehorned-in retool to get more out of the mold just like Sky Shadow was (he's a kickass-looking one but he's still a shoehorn. Given that the tank component is unmistakably the Gigatank in sculpt, it's pretty obvious). Oh, wait - no it doesn't.

You realize the difference between Sky Shadow and Thunderwing are the head (or in this case the TM face plate and helmet) and chest, right? It isn't exactly a massive overhaul and it's very likely the parts already exist on the mold. I'm not saying they should have scrapped the Overload figure, just push it back a year and give him a normal head, his chest slots are perfect for sticking Prime Masters in.

First off, buddy, I didn't say you said they should have scrapped Overlord. I was explaining to you WHY DELAYING OVERLORD TO POWER OF THE PRIMES WOULDN'T HAVE MADE ANY SENSE. Yes, I realize that the difference between the original Black Shadow and Thunderwing toys is the head and chestplate. However, I also realize that the original Black Shadow and Thunderwing toys were not formed from a jet combining with a tank. TR Sky Shadow is almost as much of a shoehorning as Breakaway is and exists to get more money out of the Overlord mold. He may have come first in release but it's primarily an Overlord mold. It's just like how TR Sentinel Prime, TR Megatron, and TR Voyager Optimus exist to get more money out of the Astrotrain, Blitzwing, and Octane molds respectively, and came out ahead of the characters the molds were primarily designed as.
"it's very likely the (Thunderwing) parts already exist on the mold" Uh, why? No, seriously, why? Why is it likely for any other reason than "Emerje really wants a Leader-class Thunderwing"? There hasn't been any sign of any of the other shoehorned pretool characters having additional parts for similar characters.
"But Overlord's chest slots are perfect for sticking Prime Masters in", you say. Yeah, they are, and that's nice and all, but THAT. ISN'T. THE. GIMMICK. FOR. POWER. OF. THE. PRIMES. LEADER. CLASS. FIGURES. Pushing him back to PotP wouldn't work because He. Would. Not. Fit.

And in fact, Thunderwing is actually more suited to Power of the Primes than Overlord is considering that the gimmick for Leaders in PotP is a Deluxe-size core robot combining with a larger component - that was what Thunderwing's original toy did.

Here's why that wont happen. First off all of the Pretenders are being repurposed as Decoy Suits for the Prime Masters, it's unlikely they'd let Thunderwing be an exception. Then there's the inner robot, Hasbro rarely focuses on those usually preferring to use the outer shell to represent the character. Thunderwing's inner robot is pretty bland, not exactly something Hasbro would want to make a Deluxe figure out of. If they do Thunderwing at all in PotP as a Leader he'll more likely be based on his Stormbringer incarnation giving us a Deluxe Thunderwing designed after his shell that evolves into his hulking armor. But then we have to wonder if Hasbro will be willing to give us a second Deluxe Thunderwing.

Why's it unlikely they'd let Thunderwing be an exception? They have 19 regular Pretenders (the 1988 13 plus the somewhat smaller 1989 six), Grand Maximus, 4 Pretender Beasts, 4 Classic Pretenders, 6 Pretender Monsters, the Dinoforce, 2 Ultra Pretenders, 2 Double Pretender shell designs, and 3 Mega Pretenders to choose from. I didn't count the Pretender Vehicles, because those don't make for disguise suits now do they? But anyway, I think there's room for a few of those to be their own full figures.
The Mega Pretenders are a good fit for the Evolution gimmick, and I don't see the inner robot's blandness as an obstacle to doing Thunderwing's classic design as a PotP Leader since the point would be to take the seemingly-unassuming Deluxe and dress it up with the more badass-looking shell. There are some more reasons to do his original design as a PotP Leader as well. For one thing, the other gimmick of PotP Leaders is Matrixes and in the Marvel comics one of the major events was Thunderwing stealing the Matrix. The other reason would be that he could be retooled as a proper Black Shadow (Notice which use of the Overlord mold hasn't been slated for a Legends release? Yeah.).

Yes, Hasbro does use the comics to cross promote the toys, but it's done so loosely that often what they do in the comics either can't be replicated by the toys like with a bunch of the stuff happening in Combiner Wars, or just barely touches on the toy theme like the Titan Return comics. The reality is only a fraction of the comic readers even buy the toys since the majority of toy buyers are still kids.

My point was that page time/presence = advertising of the character, even if the comics aren't directly shilling this or that toy. And it does seem to have an impact on who gets picked to have a toy made. One of the most notable (and also most facepalm-worthy) is Shane McCarthy's God-mode Pet.. Er, sorry, I mean Drift, getting a toy. Another instance is Scoop getting a Generations toy.

Yes, new toys of Apeface and Snapdragon would be cool. I'm not denying that. My point is that staying faithful to their essential visual design while bringing them up to the standards of modern Transformers would have been a pain in the tail, especially with Apeface (whose design is rather cluttered by the two different sets of limbs). Even more of a pain if you wanted to keep Krunk and Spasma as double-duty heads within the constraints of Titans Return (That is, all Titan Masters can fit in all helmets, cockpits, and weapons). A pain that, given the Horrorcons are both low on the nostalgic fondness chart (if my understanding of their popularity is right) and lacking in presence in recent G1-based fiction, might not even pay off.

Modern engineering can fix most of the issue you pointed out without ruining the look of the characters. As for the Titan Masters all you have to do is look at Sixshot to see how a beast mode head can be done with with a Titan Master. And since they'd be Voyagers the beast mask would be smaller and fit the TM better. It isn't as complicated as people make it out to be.

Emerje

I didn't say that modern engineering couldn't fix the issues, I just said the design process to do so would be annoying. With both of them you have to work out how to make it so that the jet mode's forward fuselage can tuck in more and have a less-protruding backpack. With Apeface you also have to work out how to either consolidate his robot limbs and gorilla limbs, or at least make the robot limbs fold away more neatly in gorilla mode.It would have been a nuisance to go to (especially if they kept the Horrorcon head gimmick instead of just having separate animal heads) for a couple of guys who might not have sold too well anyway.
Apeface getting relegated to a Titan Master kinda suggests to me that they didn't want to bother.

Your Sixshot comparison is way off the wall. Sixshot's wolf head is not a "beast mask". it's a full-on separate head for the beast mode. It just happens to have a slot in the neck behind it for a Titan Master in head mode because somebody thought it would be clever to have his robot head seeing through the beast head's eyes (that and his cockpit was there anyway, on the other side of the neck). And it's also not Revolver pulling double-duty as both beast and robot heads, which is what Spasma and Krunk did. THAT is what I am saying would have been added annoyance within the constraints of Titans Return (IF it was even pursued in the event of them being picked, which is a big if) since TR was designed around standardized Headmasters and Spasma and Krunk's double-duty nature makes them anything but standard. Lets have a look at them.
Spasma:
* Beast head on the back of his body
* Apeface's robot face on back of legs
The beast head would have to squashed, made to fold up somehow, or cut short and finished out by a mask because it would be too long for some cockpits and for the seats of weapons. And the robot face on the back of the legs wouldn't have played nice with the standardized design for Titan Maser legs with the rectangular indents (which are actually made use of with some weapon combos) and the ridge.
Krunk:
* Snapdragon's robot mode head is also top of the beast head
* Legs form beast mode's jaw
* To allow the jaw to open the right way, his connector is his pelvis and his thighs are attached to his abs instead of his waist.
So he probably wouldn't have had the fit issues of Spasma, but he would still have been unconventonal and his own face might have been irritating to do.
So I still say keeping the Horrorcon head gimmick would have been an extra headache within the constraints of Titans Return. Not enough to stop Apeface and Snapdragon from being made, after all you could just ditch it and have separate beast mode heads attached to the beast mode necks. But hey, what was that you were saying about holding characters back so they could do them right? :-P That might have been an influence. But I personally think they just took the view of "These guys would just shelfwarm anyway, why go to the bother of modernizing them?"
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908220)
Posted by Kurona on September 2nd, 2017 @ 5:56pm CDT
Zelda, I understand you're passionate about the various Generations toylines - most of us here are - but please try and be a little less aggressive in your conversations and debates. These are, after all, simply toys; not so serious a subject to get up in arms about and lose your cool over.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908221)
Posted by Burn on September 2nd, 2017 @ 6:01pm CDT
...fuck. It's too early in the morning to deal with this shit.
-edit-
Screw it. It's mostly civilised, just keep the third party shit out of here please.
Image
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908228)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on September 2nd, 2017 @ 6:26pm CDT
Image

Damn, what's up with this thread lately?
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908230)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on September 2nd, 2017 @ 6:30pm CDT
And to back with what really matter, I FINALLY got TR Kup. I had to pay 5$CAN more than retail but no regrets here. That figure is brilliantly designed and go so well with the other Kups! His only fault is the back of the truck's bed untab too easely but other than that, it's a great figure. No regrets spending the extra 5 bucks and not missing out.

Image
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908247)
Posted by ArmadaPrime on September 2nd, 2017 @ 8:09pm CDT
Man, Kup gets me so conflicted.
Many people say it's a great figure and it does look fun but I just do not gel with the design. It's a faithful and impressive plastic representation of the g1 Kup design, but said design is just a bit... naff, honestly. He turns from a fairly unassuming, nondescript robot into a what's ostensibly a truck but imo just looks like a... thing. Sergeant Kup does so much better a job of capturing the character imo. Plus I'm not drastically keen on the grey head.
Then again, I caught up on Revolutionaries the other day in which he sports roughly this design, and am warming up to it a little more! I also think it works quite well for Pax, being a nonsense cybertronian truck-ish thing, but I'm not sure it tops the T30 Orion Pax.
See what I mean? Conflicted...
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908261)
Posted by RAcast on September 2nd, 2017 @ 8:55pm CDT
Quick question about TR Seaspray. Could someone that has him handy see if there's still storage space for a Titan Master in robot mode (it'd be awesome if you could take a picture!)? I just watched a review, but I couldn't quite tell and I'm awfully curious because it looks like the whole storage 'box' goes with his yellow armature containing his head and props.

Thanks!
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908271)
Posted by Burn on September 2nd, 2017 @ 9:40pm CDT
RAcast wrote:Quick question about TR Seaspray. Could someone that has him handy see if there's still storage space for a Titan Master in robot mode (it'd be awesome if you could take a picture!)? I just watched a review, but I couldn't quite tell and I'm awfully curious because it looks like the whole storage 'box' goes with his yellow armature containing his head and props.

Thanks!


In alt mode he can fit under that yellow armature.

However, there's a hollow rectangle which, once you put him into robot mode, does a good job of filling that hollow space.

I don't know what the purpose of this chunk of plastic is, the only thing I can think is it's there to reinforce things.

But even if you were to remove it, or even shave it down, I think you'd still have a hard time fitting a TM in there.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908304)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on September 3rd, 2017 @ 1:19am CDT
Regarding Kup, I'm a cartoon fan so the TR Kup and his Cybertronian/Future! pickup mode were highly appealing to me. I can understand IDW fans preferring the Earthly altmode of the previous Generations fig though. As for the gray head, well... somebody at Hasbro is obviously a big fan of Kup and Blurr's original toy/Marvel Comics color schemes. At least Galvatron was spared that treatment.

Anyone else discover PMOP can do a handstand?
Image
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908307)
Posted by Stuartmaximus on September 3rd, 2017 @ 1:33am CDT
IMG_20170903_072958.png

third party mentioned in the wrong thread :shock:

now....who would go n do a crazy thing like that :???:


…...........................nope.........can't think of anyone :-?
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908313)
Posted by Decepticon619 on September 3rd, 2017 @ 2:24am CDT
Beautiful! I never would have thought Indigo would carry Transformers, let alone Trypticon :P Definitely jumped on that bandwagon, thank you sir! :CON: :KREMZEEK:
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908334)
Posted by Evil Eye on September 3rd, 2017 @ 6:27am CDT
Speaking of TR Wave 4, my local nerd shop has Perceptor, Kup and Topspin in stock. A shame that I can't buy anything ATM (personal goings-on) because I really like the look of Topspin. Percy looks good too but I hear he's a tad disappointing.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908350)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on September 3rd, 2017 @ 10:31am CDT
*shrug* I'm personally happy with Perceptor. Decent articulation, microscope mode faithefully recreated, his scope works, and he can turn into his old tank mode albeit with the barrel stuck at an elevated angle (possibly because that's how it's configured in the TFWiki picture of his toy; wouldn't be the first time somebody official has relied too much on TFWiki). He does have one thing that sets him apart from most Titans Return figures, however, that some might consider a drawback: No cockpit as such. Instead you clip Convex to the slide tray.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908373)
Posted by william-james88 on September 3rd, 2017 @ 2:25pm CDT
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:*shrug* I'm personally happy with Perceptor. Decent articulation, microscope mode faithefully recreated, his scope works, and he can turn into his old tank mode albeit with the barrel stuck at an elevated angle (possibly because that's how it's configured in the TFWiki picture of his toy; wouldn't be the first time somebody official has relied too much on TFWiki). He does have one thing that sets him apart from most Titans Return figures, however, that some might consider a drawback: No cockpit as such. Instead you clip Convex to the slide tray.


Yeah I dont like that angled tank either but I know why, its because the tank mode in the G1 figure with the cannon being at ground level (and making use of that wheel in the back) was never a mod part of g1 Perceptor. The original Microman toy had 4 modes (as seen below) and when Hasbro brought it over, they didnt bother with the better tank mode in the instructions and made him simply a triple changer with their third mode being a mobile laboratory with that canon (which would be more of a telescope in this case) sticking up. So they are paying 100% homage to the G1 instructions and all the modes they claimed the G1 toy had. Its not related to TF wiki.

Image

Image
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908375)
Posted by Stuartmaximus on September 3rd, 2017 @ 2:30pm CDT
Black Hat wrote:Speaking of TR Wave 4, my local nerd shop has Perceptor, Kup and Topspin in stock. A shame that I can't buy anything ATM (personal goings-on) because I really like the look of Topspin. Percy looks good too but I hear he's a tad disappointing.


we'll if you do get around to getting Topspin remember to try to get Twintwist too, as they go great together ;)
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908376)
Posted by ThunderThruster on September 3rd, 2017 @ 2:35pm CDT
Kurona wrote:Yeah, uh, I'm hearing this a lot; has anyone in the UK found any TR toys beyond Wave 3? Like, any at all anywhere? Not counting stuff like Kapow which imports from America; but any stock at Toys R Us or Smyths or friggin' Tesco? Because I've not seen hide nor hair of a Quake or a Seaspray or a Broadside anywhere.


I've had Topsin & Broadside from TRU and Kup & Quake from Smyths, so wave 4 is about here in the UK.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908379)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on September 3rd, 2017 @ 2:38pm CDT
Ah, I see. So it's a case of only referring their material for the US G1 toy.. and not any other releases or reissues (like Magnificus, where the flat tank mode was an advertised feature). Not having the full flat tank mode is a bit of a bummer since TR reintroduced little guys that ride the Transformers, but for my money the "mobile lab"/self-propelled cannon mode is still decent.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908388)
Posted by TF-fan kev777 on September 3rd, 2017 @ 3:06pm CDT
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Anyone else discover PMOP can do a handstand?
Image


Sort of

IMAG0614.jpg
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908390)
Posted by Omegatron. on September 3rd, 2017 @ 3:16pm CDT
TR Perceptor can just about do the flat tank mode. The legs don't clip in anywhere and he can't roll because of the scope rail, but it's something.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908430)
Posted by ExciKaiser on September 3rd, 2017 @ 6:04pm CDT
I have a very stupid question. The first release date for potp is december ( shown in the leaks).

We got last wave of TR returns.

What will they fill the 3 months gap with ? Nothing ? It 's the role of the last wave ? Other boxsets ?
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908433)
Posted by ArmadaPrime on September 3rd, 2017 @ 6:33pm CDT
TF-fan kev777 wrote:
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Anyone else discover PMOP can do a handstand?
Image


Sort of

IMAG0614.jpg

...i feel we need to get more ridiculous from here.
I figure Trypticon won't, but could Max or 'plex handstand?
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908462)
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on September 4th, 2017 @ 12:53am CDT
ExciKaiser wrote:I have a very stupid question. The first release date for potp is december ( shown in the leaks).

We got last wave of TR returns.

What will they fill the 3 months gap with ? Nothing ? It 's the role of the last wave ? Other boxsets ?


Wave 6, if you wanna call it that, will have nothing but repacks, with Slugslinger as the only new figure, so it will be a good time to play catch up or let your wallet rest a bit. When it comes to new figures, we have these to look forward too:

- Leinad & Arcee with Ultra Magnus. It's set to debut at Hascon, with a retail release later
- Cloudraker & Wingspan, Walgreens exclusive set.
- possibly a set with Optimus Primal and Toraizer

That's all we have, no full box sets I'm afraid. In fact, the contents of those, if planned, have been split up between different releases.
Re: Video Review of Transformers: Titans Return Slugslinger and Caliburst (1908472)
Posted by RAR on September 4th, 2017 @ 4:32am CDT
Kurona wrote:Yeah, uh, I'm hearing this a lot; has anyone in the UK found any TR toys beyond Wave 3? Like, any at all anywhere? Not counting stuff like Kapow which imports from America; but any stock at Toys R Us or Smyths or friggin' Tesco? Because I've not seen hide nor hair of a Quake or a Seaspray or a Broadside anywhere.


There are supposed to be some Wave 3 Legends and Wave 4 Deluxes about - and even Sixshot in Smyths - but nothing anywhere near me - and if it ever shows up on line it's still to close to £20 for a DLX to be not tempting to me.

Broadside has been seen in Smyths. No idea about Seaspray as I've not seen a single legends class in months - at this point - I'm just hopping B&M get them eventually.

After I get a few not-Hasbro things that are more important to me I'll see if I can chase some of the missing items up But I expect i'll likely end up buying them next year at this point - as they are just not around except on ebay.

Transformers and More @ The Seibertron Store

Visit our store on eBay
These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "OPTIMUS PRIME + BUMBLEBEE Transformers Legacy Core Class G1 Trailer 2023 New"
OPTIMUS PRIME + BU ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "KICKBACK Transformers Legacy Deluxe G1 Universe Insecticon Hasbro 2022 New"
KICKBACK Transform ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "BURN OUT Transformers Legacy Velocitron Speedia 500 Diaclone Deluxe 2022"
BURN OUT Transform ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "MINER MEGATRON + SENATOR RATBAT Transformers Legacy Evolution 2-Pack 2023 New"
MINER MEGATRON + S ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "INFERNO Transformers Legacy Voyager Beast Wars Predacon 2022 New **IN-STOCK**"
INFERNO Transforme ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "SHARD Transformers Legacy United Deluxe Class Infernac Chaos Hasbro 2024 New"
NEW!
SHARD Transformers ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "JHIAXUS Transformers Legacy Voyager Class G2 Hasbro 2022 New **IN-STOCK NOW**"
JHIAXUS Transforme ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "BUZZSAW Transformers Legacy Deluxe Beast Wars Universe Hasbro 2022 New"
BUZZSAW Transforme ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "IGUANUS Transformers Legacy Core Class G1 Hasbro 2022 New"
IGUANUS Transforme ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "SANDSTORM Transformers Legacy Deluxe Beast Wars Universe Hasbro 2022 New"
SANDSTORM Transfor ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "POINTBLANK + PEACEMAKER Transformers Legacy Deluxe Class 2022 New **IN-STOCK**"
POINTBLANK + PEACE ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "WFC-K17 ARCEE Transformers War for Cybertron Kingdom Deluxe 2021 New"
WFC-K17 ARCEE Tran ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "SCOURGE Transformers Legacy Velocitron Speedia 500 RID Leader Hasbro 2022 New"
SCOURGE Transforme ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "WFC-K23 PREDACON SCORPONOK Transformers War Cybertron Kingdom Deluxe 2021 New"
WFC-K23 PREDACON S ...
* Price and quantities subject to change. Shipping costs, taxes and other fees not included in cost shown. Refer to listing for current price and availability.
Find the items above and thousands more at the Seibertron Store on eBay
Transformers Podcast: Twincast / Podcast #349 - Agent of Chaos
Twincast / Podcast #349:
"Agent of Chaos"
MP3 · iTunes · RSS · View · Discuss · Ask
Posted: Saturday, May 4th, 2024

Featured Products on Amazon.com

These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Buy "Transformers Titans Return Grotusque and Scorponok Deluxe Action Figure Exclusive Set" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Legends Class Battleslash" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Power of The Primes Voyager Class Elita-1" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Power of The Primes Deluxe Class Sinnertwin" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Power of The Primes Deluxe Class Dinobot Snarl" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Deluxe Class Dinobot Swoop" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Deluxe Ratchet Action Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Studio Series 07 Leader Class Movie 4 Grimlock" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Bumblebee -- Energon Igniters Power Plus Series Bumblebee" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Legends Class Skywarp Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: The Last Knight 1-Step Turbo Changer Cogman" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Titan Class Metroplex with Autobot Scamper Figure" on AMAZON