Masterpiece Optimus Primal is real, and he looks like he stepped out of the television. In this breaking news Mini-cast, John DeLuna, Don, Rob Clay and Exvee react to the Figure King test shot. They also dig into the first clear look at Unite Warriors Blast Off. Exvee lays out his theory that the new space shuttle hides a second robot chest. The crew debates whether a Masterpiece Megatron follows and whether Hasbro will bring Primal to the US.
Unite Warriors Blast Off Revealed
Within hours, fans went from a pixelated image to a crisp Figure King shot of the gray test shot, a cartoon-styled space shuttle. Rob likes the shuttle mode and the new hand-foot gun, though the robot may be too faithful to the animation for his taste. Don, a self-described Combaticons fan, has already preordered Unite Warriors Bruticus and says the colors will make or break it. [Source: TFormers]
Exvee argues Blast Off has two robot modes. The back of the figure shows a stamped robot chest, forward-facing screw holes and a combiner port under the tail fin. The cartoon-accurate chest sits on the front. He suspects the tail fin can stay pegged on the leg to hide the second chest. He also says the figure fits Hasbro’s Combiner Wars design rules, and hopes it could replace the jet Blast Off in a G2 Bruticus set.
Will Hasbro Release Groove and Blast Off?
Rob expects an online release like Quickslinger and Breakneck for Groove and Blast Off. He notes there is no G2 Defensor news yet and suspects Groove will appear there. Don floats Groove as a backup case filler. Exvee doubts a standalone Hasbro release, since Unite Warriors will reach the market first and the target buyer already owns Unite Warriors Bruticus.
Masterpiece Optimus Primal Test Shot
Don loves the multiple faces, shoulder and wrist guns and swords. He hopes for a battle mask and accessories, and expects to buy it at nearly any price. One host guesses Primal will be about Autobot car size and says Beast Wars Masterpieces need their own internal scale. The crew calls the gorilla mode a strong effort but finds the back feet odd. Rob likes the light-up eyes and the way the hands and feet change silhouette. John says the hands read as gorilla hands in one mode and robot hands in the other. [Source: TFormers]
More Beast Wars Masterpieces?
Exvee doubts another Beast Wars Masterpiece this calendar year, though Megatron makes sense if Primal sells. He sees a strong chance Hasbro imports Primal, since no license fee applies. Don calls a single Beast Wars Masterpiece in the anniversary year short-sighted and floats a Car Robots figure. One host points out that Car Robots turned 15 the year before. Rob expects Megatron within the year and guesses a US release as a Toys R Us or Comic-Con exclusive. One host prefers the original T-Rex Megatron over Transmetal, since the original toy left the most room for improvement.
Contributors: John DeLuna, Don, Rob Clay, Exvee
Your snack-size Transformers podcast every week. Get in-depth reviews, commentary and more in 30 minutes or less!