Hasbro reports a $1.06 billion loss for the last quarter of 2023, and the crew worries about layoffs and cost cutting. HasLab Omega Prime passes its funding goal with more than 11,500 backers, while Brian cancels his own backing. MPG-08 Yamabuki adds another yellow Trainbot, Legacy United Sandstorm looks great in behind-the-scenes photos, and Origin Wheeljack turns out to be a Voyager. Plus Don’s G2 MDLX Megatron and Diecast’s unofficial Primus.
News
Hasbro Posts a $1.06 Billion Fourth-Quarter Loss
Hasbro lost $1.06 billion, or $7.64 per share, in the last three months of 2023, with revenue down 20 percent. It plans to cut $750 million in expenses after December’s layoffs. One host expects more job cuts, and the crew hopes Hasbro does not cut material quality the way it did in the early 2010s. Another host thinks higher prices are part of the problem, since entertainment is the first thing families cut. One host recalls seeing smaller toys at higher prices at BotCon 2012. The crew doubts Disney would want to buy Hasbro, since licensing its properties is safer. [Source: CNBC]
HasLab Omega Prime Passes Its Funding Goal
The HasLab Robots in Disguise Omega Prime has about 11,591 backers against a 10,000 goal, halfway to the Master Sword unlock. The crew is surprised it funded faster than Star Saber or Deathsaurus. One host credits nostalgia for Car Robots and hopes for a subtitled Car Robots release. Brian cancels his backing live on the show, though he gives himself an 85 percent chance of rejoining. Another is happy keeping his original Fire Convoy, and some feel the figure is too close to the original toy. One host wants Hasbro to show the planned Sideburn so it does not stand alone. [Source: Graphic Policy]
MPG-08 Trainbot Yamabuki Announced
MPG-08 Yamabuki is another Doctor Yellow-style redeco of an earlier Masterpiece Trainbot. The crew jokes the combined Raiden will be all yellow and might just be named Doctor Yellow. Brian has canceled MPG-06 and plans to sell his Trainbots, along with other boxed Masterpieces. He will keep only a short list, including MP-01, Skids, Soundwave and MP-10. [Source: Hasbro Pulse]
Origin Wheeljack Official Images
Stock photos surprise the crew’s Discord, which had not registered that Origin Wheeljack is a $35 Voyager. One host explains it needs the Voyager parts count to hold a Bumblebee inside. As a Target exclusive, it may not stay at $35 for long. [Source: TFormers]
Behind the Scenes on Legacy United Sandstorm
Hasbro designer Mark Maher shared photos of Legacy United Sandstorm. It has rubber tires like Beachcomber and a cage that can just fit Rewind and Eject. One host is floored that a triple changer looks this good in all three modes. Preorders for the Legacy United wave with Sandstorm are expected in March. [Source: Instagram]
New pictures show the five-pack’s cartoon-colored Wheeljack, and the crew wishes the car had more paint. Preorders are expected February 27. The crew guesses the box of reused molds will land around $110 to $120, close to a reported $160 Canadian listing. [Source: Autobase Aichi]
Universal Studios Light-Up Bumblebee Popcorn Bucket
Universal sells a light-up Bumblebee popcorn bucket for $34.99, and the crew thinks it holds only a handful of popcorn. A chrome-toothed Grimlock bucket from Universal Studios Beijing looks far better. [Source: WDW News Today]
Icon Heroes Constructicons and Devastator Pin Set
Icon Heroes’ Devastator pin set comes in packaging styled like the G1 box art. The crew loves the packaging but balks at the $100 price. [Source: TFW2005]
Monogram’s Optimus Prime figural bank looks small and hollow. Brian would rather have a bank as big as his four-gallon water jug. [Source: TFormers]
There Goes My Money Returns
The new There Goes My Money debuted for patrons this week, and the public version posts to the RFC feed Sunday. Chris says recording it felt like his old podcasting days. Touch Tier patrons can be guests on the show, which records twice a month.
What We Got This Week
Don
Don’s Big Bad Toy Store pile included R.E.D. Frenzy, the DNA Design upgrade kit for Legacy Prowl and the G2 MDLX Megatron. He loves the colors and the G2-style box art and bio, and he will display it next to his Super7 G2 Megatron.
Diecast
Diecast got an unofficial Primus, the same size as the maker’s Unicron, with an Alpha Trion headmaster that fits one of two heads. He finds it sturdy and impressive and ordered a second so one can stay in planet mode. He also has Yolopark Rise of the Beasts figures waiting to be opened and reviewed.
Chris
Chris had nothing this week.
Rob
Rob had nothing this week. Something arrives tomorrow.
Matt
Matt had nothing this week.