Hasbro is moving its headquarters from Pawtucket to Boston, though it pledges to keep supporting Hasbro Children’s Hospital. The Battersea Transformers store teases a “Titan” reveal for Transformers Day that turns out not to be a Titan, and the crew trades theories. Missing Link Ultra Magnus gets color samples and a $195 Hasbro Pulse listing, while Dramatic Capture Decepticons Part 2 sparks a Sunstorm debate: Sunstorm is a creamsicle. Toyhax is raising money for Pancreatic Cancer Canada in memory of Sky-Byte voice actor Peter Spellos. In What We Got This Week, Don and Matt split on the new Devastator.
News
Hasbro Moves Its Headquarters to Boston
Hasbro is leaving Pawtucket, Rhode Island, for a new headquarters in Boston, about a 45-minute drive away. The crew found the press release to be pure corporate word salad. They suspect tax incentives, lower long-term costs or a bigger talent pool drove the move. Rhode Island loses a major employer. Hasbro did pledge to keep supporting Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Rhode Island, which one host was glad to see. [Source: TFW2005]
Battersea Transformers Store Teases a Transformers Day Reveal
The Transformers store in Battersea, UK, will hold a reveal event on September 17. The teaser said “Titan,” but brand manager Nate clarified it isn’t the Titan price point. The listed price of 100 pounds points to something closer to a Commander class toy. Shockwave’s fan-voted alt mode reveal lands the same day, which has the crew wondering about a link. Another theory is a Thunderclash built from Commander Motormaster’s alternate tooling. The crew would love that to lead to the rest of the Turbomasters. One host is still sad it won’t be Hearts of Steel Shockwave. [Source: TFW2005]
Mattel Creations Teases a Hot Wheels Nemesis Prime
A moderator on the Mattel Creations forums posted a silhouette that looks like the Hot Wheels Optimus Prime with red eyes. The crew expects a Nemesis Prime reuse of the converting Hot Wheels mold. The original Optimus Prime sold for around $80 and now goes for well over $200 on eBay. Matt received one as a gift. [Source: TFW2005]
Hasbro Sets an Action Brands Panel for New York Comic Con
Hasbro’s Action Brands panel at New York Comic Con runs October 10 from 11 a.m. to noon. It covers Transformers, G.I. Joe Classified Series and Ghostbusters Kenner Classics. Diecast is expected to attend. The crew wonders what’s left for the Kenner Classics line, and one host only wants Real Ghostbusters merchandise. [Source: TFW2005]
Missing Link Ultra Magnus Color Samples and Developer Interview
New color samples and a developer interview detail Missing Link C-10 Ultra Magnus. The retooled cab legs open at the back to allow about a 90-degree knee bend with a soft ratchet. Die-cast metal reinforces the trailer, the chest folds down to reveal the Matrix, and the jet now has wheels. One close-up even shows paint chipping on the metal. It popped up on Hasbro Pulse at $195, which Chris flagged for the group. The crew saved $30 or more with no deposit, and other retailers, including Big Bad Toy Store, cut prices to match. [Source: TFW2005]
Dramatic Capture Decepticons Part 2 Stock Photos
Takara Tomy’s Dramatic Capture Decepticons Part 2 pairs Skywarp with the Insecticons in cartoon colors. Bombshell’s gray bug mode looks bland to one host, but the set favors cartoon-accurate robot modes. It adds painted accessories from the Centurion drone weapons pack, including Shockwave’s and Megatron’s pistols and a tiny Soundwave and Reflector. Energon cubes are included too. It imports for about $135, versus $115 for the Thundercracker and Reflector set. One host wonders what’s next now that all three original Seekers are done, and hopes for a Sunstorm for Chris. A Studio Series 86 Sunstorm reportedly came up as a team favorite at San Diego Comic-Con. The crew insists on e-Hobby orange and white, because Sunstorm is a creamsicle. [Source: TFW2005]
Generations Armada Nemesis Prime In-Hand Images
In-hand images show the Generations Armada Nemesis Prime exclusive, a $75 Voyager with three new Minicons and a Star Saber but no trailer. Don first thought it cost $125, then corrected himself. The crew finds it expensive and poorly thought out, and expects the Minicon molds never to be reused. One host would rather have it in the original Armada toy colors or Micron Legend Black Convoy colors. [Source: TFW2005]
Transformers Miniature Package Collection Wave 1
The Transformers Miniature Package Collection shrinks G1 boxes into gashapon keychains, including G1 Galvatron. The show notes call it extremely Brian-coded, and one host warms to them once he learns they’re keychains. They should run about $3 each, though importing them is harder now. One host would happily grab a couple at random. [Source: TFW2005]
Toyhax Honors Peter Spellos With Sky-Byte Labels
In honor of Peter Spellos, Toyhax will send its Age of the Primes Sky-Byte label set for a $10 donation to Pancreatic Cancer Canada. Every cent goes to the charity, through September 30 or while supplies last. Don raised it, noting that Spellos’s voice gave Sky-Byte the longevity he enjoys today. [Source: Toyhax]
What We Got This Week
Don
Don finally found a $5 Transformers Hot Wheels Color Shifters car. Alpha Trion arrived from Amazon, prompting a debate over whether the mustache makes him A-3. Target had Mixmaster with the Thundercracker wave. The tight, multi-point leg hinges made vehicle mode tough, and the arms must unlock for ankle tilt. Don is very whelmed by Devastator, because the Hook and Long Haul torso connections keep popping apart. Scrapper is his favorite, but he isn’t astounded by the set.
Matt
Matt received a second Hook and Long Haul set and bought Mixmaster. The legs are a little fiddly, but he tabs together solidly once figured out, though the cement mixer pops off. Matt likes all six Constructicons and plans to combine Devastator right after the show.
Rob
Rob had nothing in Transformers this week.
Chris
Chris ordered a replacement Studio Series 86 Megatron, since he likes it so much he wants one that isn’t broken. He’ll keep the best copy and return the other as defective.
Brian
Brian got Cyberworld Grimlock and might like it better than Scorponok, thanks to its chain gun. He lost the instructions, so Grimlock stays a robot for now. He also grabbed Studio Series Gamer Edition Thundercracker at Walmart. Six Gun joins the Metroplex he got last week. A carded Technobots set now includes Scattershot after another buyer’s purchase fell through. He also found a Classics Hot Spot still sealed on its bubble, with unused stickers.