The San Diego Comic-Con 2015 Combiner Wars Devastator is not the G2 version fans hoped for, and Exvee and John DeLuna dig into why. Takara’s Unite Warriors Defensor gets an all-new deluxe Groove, a Takara Tomy Mall exclusive. Exvee calls Combiner Wars Hot Spot one of the finest Transformers toys he has ever handled. Platinum Edition Trypticon rounds out the news.
The SDCC 2015 Devastator is a premium G1-style deco rather than a G2 repaint. John says it adds purple chrome to the chest and Mixmaster’s drum, plus a remolded face with two eyes. John calls it a letdown. Exvee says it fits the pattern of the convention Metroplex and Bruticus, which were deco tweaks rather than big departures. He hopes a G2 Devastator comes later in a wider release, noting the hinted G2 Aerialbot set. He adds that Titan-class molds may only be sold once per market, as Metroplex was. [Source: TFormers]
Takara’s New Deluxe Groove
Takara is releasing a deluxe Groove as an all-new mold in its Unite Warriors Defensor set, sold through the Takara Tomy Mall. Exvee says Takara is willing to go that far for a G1-accurate Defensor. John calls Groove a clear future Technobot and says Takara will do anything to make these sets as G1 as possible. The pair note the clear plastic sprue and shared hand-foot weapon would make Groove hard to sell at US deluxe price. Both admit they have already pre-ordered the set after months of mocking the idea of another motorcycle limb. [Source: TFW2005]
An Ultra Prime Gift Set?
John says a silhouette points to Takara’s next gift set being Optimus Maximus, built from Ultra Prime and the 1984-themed wave. Exvee expects it will also be a limited release. One host notes it would be Takara’s first use of the Offroad mold in its original form, as Ironhide. [Source: not found]
Hot Spot In Hand
Exvee has Hot Spot and calls him one of the finest Transformers toys he has ever handled, and the most poseable Combiner Wars figure. He says Hot Spot stands on his own so well that the combiner ports feel secondary. One host still prefers Silverbolt as a torso. Exvee credits planned mold reuse for letting Hasbro build better toys at $15, comparing it to the Fall of Cybertron Starscream mold.
Platinum Edition Trypticon
Platinum Edition Trypticon is a Hasbro-first G1 reissue, which Exvee finds unusual. The hosts have seen listings around $150 and call that fair for what is effectively a mint, complete Trypticon with paint apps instead of stickers. They also like the large window box with flip-up art, similar to Takara’s Superion gift set. John jokes that Trypticon was picked because it is a Jurassic Park year. [Source: TFormers]
Contributors: John DeLuna, Exvee
Your snack-size Transformers podcast every week. Get in-depth reviews, commentary and more in 30 minutes or less!