A final production sample of HasLab Liokaiser gets a full unboxing and transformation video, and the crew is suddenly wishing they had bought two. Generation Selects Monstructor goes up for preorder with an August date, and Missing Link Ultra Magnus shows up in hand. Retro Wheelie and Outback reach US retail. In What We Got This Week, Brian finds a “sealed” Transmetal 2 Blackarachnia, the first toy ever reviewed on RFC, is not quite sealed.
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Transformers HasLab Liokaiser Demonstration Videos
Hasbro’s Evan posted an Instagram video covering the unboxing, transformation and combination of a final production sample. He gave no date but said it should reach backers soon. The crew loves it. Two hosts wish they had bought a second set, since the individual robots turned out better than expected. With no skeleton or connector parts, the closest comparison is Devastator or a Micromaster combiner. One host is relieved to see ratchet joints everywhere, a step above Studio Series Devastator. One host plans to open it the day it arrives, unlike his other HasLabs. Small gripes include the asymmetrical wings, the Death Cobra shoulder cannon and rough vehicle modes for Killbison and Drillhorn. The crew has seen summer mentioned for shipping. [Source: TFW2005]
Generation Selects Monstructor Preorders Live
Monstructor is up for preorder with an August release date. One host ordered from both Hasbro Pulse and BigBadToyStore as insurance. Don reminds the crew that the base mold is Volcanicus, which surprises them given how much better this looks. One host says the Dinobots should never combine, but the Dinoforce absolutely should. Diecast and another host wish it came in a team box like Dinoking, though others are happy to open theirs. One host who dislikes Legends-scale combiners preordered anyway after seeing the photos. Suggested upgrades are minor, like covers for the exposed robot arms. One host would welcome Legends-scale versions of the Japanese six-changers Sixliner, Sixturbo, Sixwing and Sixbuilder. [Source: TFW2005]
Transformers Missing Link C-10 Ultra Magnus In-Hand Images
Brian calls it the most beautiful thing he has seen, at least until Delta Magnus. Don canceled his preorder because he already has Siege, Studio Series 86 and City Commander Ultra Magnus. He is keeping Delta Magnus, since he has always wanted a Powered Convoy. The crew confirms the original Diaclone helmet storage in the chest is intact. One host says he posted on alt.toys.transformers around 1998 that this is exactly what Transformers needed to be. The crew agrees the line is aimed at people who had the G1 toys as kids. One host now needs Shining Magnus and would buy this mold in those colors. [Source: TFW2005]
Retro Wheelie and Outback Found at US Retail
Walmart shipping notices are going out, and some hosts expect theirs by Monday. One host buys two of every Retro figure to keep one on card. Wheelie means more to one host, who calls him the Bumblebee of season three. The crew worries more about Outback, since it is unclear whether another version will follow. One host wishes the cards showed the original toy alongside the original art. [Source: not found]
Age of the Primes Deluxe Transformers Prime Smokescreen In-Hand Images
One host doesn’t hate it, though he is surprised Hasbro revisited Prime Smokescreen. Another notes the original US Beast Hunters release looked like the show model, while Japan got a Knock Out recolor. This new figure resembles that Japanese recolor, and he expects a Knock Out repaint. The vehicle mode wins praise and the transformation looks interesting. Most of the crew calls it an easy skip. [Source: not found]
Dr. Wu Flight Track and Micromaster-Scale Dinobots
Dr. Wu’s Flight Track is a Micromaster-scale Flywheels for about $40 at domestic retailers. The crew calls that a rare bargain for third-party figures. One host mistook the Battletrap and Flywheels photos for an official release. Renders also show Micromaster-scale Swoop and Slag that will form Volcanicus, which Matt wants no part of. Matt would rather Dr. Wu make more cassettes. One host is tempted by the set at Show-Z Store but fears the rabbit hole. [Source: not found]
NFL x Transformers Found at US Retail
Star Blitz, the Dallas Cowboys helmet figure, turned up at a Walmart in Kentucky. Only that team was reported, so the crew wonders whether stores will get regional assortments. One host expects NFL stadium stores to be an obvious outlet. [Source: TFW2005]
What We Got This Week
Don found the single-carded Hot Wheels Optimus Prime at Target, lying on the floor, after hunting it since release. He also got his first Metal Cardbot, Taichi, a female cheetah sports car, from a Korean importer on eBay. He praises her grace and poseability compared with the chunkier Metal Cardbots. He has the pirate ship on preorder and is trying not to fall down the rabbit hole.
Matt found Hot Wheels Transformers Twinmill and Boneshaker on deep clearance. Twinmill has great blues but hollow legs, and its engine weapons are needed to keep the arms straight. Boneshaker is the better of the two, with a Decepticon-looking head and a fantastic car mode. Brian recommends the Nonnef Productions laser rod swords, and Matt agrees he needs them.
Diecast opened his Dark Awakening Optimus Prime. Some reds don’t match, and the stiff butterfly joint made him fear breaking it. The chest shard’s shallow peg won’t stay put, and he would pay for a better third-party replacement. Overall he calls it amazing.
Rob had nothing in Transformers this week.
John had nothing in Transformers this week.
Brian is filling G1 gaps and picked up a red Bumblebee and a Hubcap. He also bought a “sealed” Transmetal 2 Blackarachnia, the toy he reviewed on the first episodes of RFC in October 1999. The tape had popped on both sides, so he calls it unused rather than sealed. It is the second time this seller has done this, but he is letting it go given the price. He also got a sealed Beast Wars Neo Killer Punch from Mandarake for far less than loose ones sell for on eBay.