Generations Selects Transmutate splits the crew, from Diecast’s dislike to Don’s torn feelings over a beloved Beast Wars character. Walmart listings point to vintage Beast Wars reissues of Optimus Primal, Megatron, Cheetor and Rattrap. In a late-breaking insert, Masterpiece Skids and a Target-exclusive Movie Masterpiece Optimus Prime appear. Hasbro also announces a BotBots series for Netflix and a Transformers comedy for Nickelodeon. Super7 reveals new Ultimates waves, including Pretender Bludgeon and Alligaticon.
News
Kingdom Ultra Magnus Spotted in Canada
Paladin shared a post showing Kingdom Ultra Magnus on a Canadian store shelf, so the crew advises fans to watch for it. One host notes it would be his third time buying the mold. [Source: not found]
Hasbro Unveils Generations Selects Transmutate
Generations Selects WFC-GS25 Transmutate is a $20 deluxe built from the Paleotrex Fossilizer, due around July. Brian calls the Transmutate episode a top-five Transformers episode, and he likes having an affordable figure. Diecast dislikes the teal parts on a skeletal Fossilizer. John asks why the reveal upset so many fans. Brian explains that many viewers who grew up with Beast Wars saw themselves in Transmutate, so the choice feels tone-deaf. Don calls it Schrödinger’s toy: he hates it, but he will buy it. Matt has no attachment to the character either way. [Source: BWTF]
Walmart Reissuing Vintage Beast Wars Toys With Modern Sticker Shock
Walmart listings show Beast Wars Vintage Cheetor at $22.97, Megatron at $49.67 and Optimus Primal at $49.97, plus an unpriced Rattrap. Brian is excited because he has no Rattrap. One host wonders if they are Kingdom figures in retro packaging, but Optimus Primal’s price argues against it. The crew worries that old molds and modern plastic could repeat the Robots in Disguise reissue problems. [Source: TFRadio]
Masterpiece Skids Prototype First Look
Hasbro Japan tweeted photos of Masterpiece Skids in both modes, ahead of Figure King magazine. The crew likes that it looks toy-based, like the MP-12 Sideswipe era, rather than strictly cartoon-accurate. They hope it means simpler engineering and a better price. [Source: TFRadio]
Movie Masterpiece Optimus Prime Is a Target Exclusive
MPM-12 Bumblebee movie Optimus Prime is a Target exclusive for August, with no price yet. One host thinks the head looks a little off and plans to wait for clearance. [Source: not found]
New Transformers Series for Nickelodeon and Netflix
War for Cybertron: Kingdom is coming to Netflix in July. Netflix also ordered a 20-episode BotBots series about the Lost Bots and a mall security guard. Nickelodeon ordered a 26-episode Transformers comedy series. Brian notes Deadline wrongly linked it to Transformers Animated, and Hasbro PR confirmed it is a new property. Two Cyberverse TV movies were also mentioned. [Source: The Hollywood Reporter]
Volcanicus Delayed on Hasbro Pulse
Hasbro Pulse preorders for the Volcanicus set are delayed. Two hosts say they cancelled their preorders anyway. [Source: not found]
Super7 Announces New Transformers Ultimates Waves
Super7 announced two more Transformers Ultimates waves. The summer wave brings G1 Megatron, Grimlock, Pretender Bludgeon and Tracks. The fall wave brings Carnifex, G2 Megatron, Alligaticon, City of Steel Optimus Prime and Wreck-Gar. Brian is sold on all of them, especially Pretender Bludgeon and Alligaticon. He also asks listeners for the original design sketch of the Mega SCF Convoy holding a basketball. [Source: not found]
Diamond Select Transformers Minimates
Diamond Select announced a Transformers Minimates four-pack for August at about $30. It includes Optimus Prime, Starscream, Shockwave and Bumblebee. Brian likes how consistent the Minimates format has stayed over the years. [Source: not found]
What We Got This Week
Don found the second wave of retro Headmasters at Walmart: Weirdwolf, Highbrow and Skullcruncher. Hardhead appears to be the case filler.
Diecast finally got Siege Rung from an Amazon order placed over a year ago, and it will stay on the card. He also got a Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Funko lunchbox that came with an Optimus Prime Pop.
Rob got Studio Series 86 Kup. He likes how it looks in both modes but finds it fiddly to transform.
John got the Galactic Odyssey Micromaster set with the M.A.S.K. homages and plans to open it soon.
Brian got the Galactic Odyssey Micromaster set too. He also bought a sealed red McDonald’s Happy Meal Bumblebee to add to his Happy Meal collection.
Matt got a Hallmark Jazz ornament as a late Christmas gift. It is a non-transforming statue covered in Meister detailing.