Hasbro addresses the fallout from the canceled Target Studio Series MTMTE exclusives this week, while TakaraTomy steps in with a TS-37 Starscream worth getting your pre-order in on. The crew also covers Transformers landing in Minecraft, official photos of Blokees Galaxy Version 11 “The Lost Light,” a possible mystery Godzilla collab, Energon Optimus Prime hitting retail, and in-hand shots of the new Studio Series Blitzwing. In What We Got This Week, Don brings home Herald of Unicron, Megazarak, a boxed Titanium Rodimus Prime, and a combined Bruticus Swindle, while Diecast finally lands the Fans Toys Rambo alongside an SDCC cereal-box Optimus Prime and Jazz.
News
Hasbro Responds to Cancelled Target Studio Series MTMTE Exclusives Starscream, Prowl, and Insecticons
Hasbro acknowledged the fumbled Target-exclusive Studio Series More Than Meets the Eye wave and committed to making it right for collectors who missed out. Source: Tformers
Takara Tomy Steps In With Studio Series MTMTE Collection TS-37 Starscream
The Takara version of the cancelled Starscream is going up for pre-order as a workaround, and Brian recommends grabbing it now if you want a guaranteed shot at the figure. Source: Tformers
Minecraft Transformers Add-On Revealed
A new Transformers add-on for Minecraft is out, though most of the panel admitted they’re too out of date on Minecraft’s current state to weigh in with authority. Source: TFW2005
Transformers Galaxy Version 11 “The Lost Light” Fully Revealed
Official photos are out for Blokees Galaxy Version 11, “The Lost Light.” Source: Tformers
Godzilla Collab Listing Leaked Alongside a Mystery “Secret” SKU
A possible Godzilla collaboration listing surfaced, though Rob raised the possibility that “Godzilla” is an internal Hasbro code name rather than an actual licensed tie-in — Brian’s best guess if so is a Godzilla-style Megatron built on the Leader Grimlock mold. Source: TFW2005
Energon Optimus Prime Found at US Retail
The Energon Optimus Prime figure is now on store shelves, with Diecast noting his store’s price tag ran a few dollars under the usual retail. Source: TFW2005
New Legends Nemesis Star Optimus Prime Web Comic English Translation
The English translation of the New Legends Nemesis Star Optimus Prime web comic is out, covering his origin and Unicron ties; Brian’s picking this one up. Source: TFW2005
New Legends NL-04 Gigastorm Web Manga Part 1 & 2 English Translation
The Gigastorm web manga translation covers a team-up against Liege Maximo and Jaxis, with Unicron and G2 tie-ins — Brian’s skipping the figure itself but liked the story beats. Source: TFW2005
In-Hand Images of Transformers Studio Series Leader Class Blitzwing
New in-hand photos show this Blitzwing running close to the Triple Takeover mold with a lighter purple and brighter blue; Don wasn’t sold enough to double-dip since his original Triple Takeover Blitzwing is still sealed. Source: Tformers
What We Got This Week
Don
Herald of Unicron — impressed with getting the Fallen mold reused, less impressed with the plastic feel and thin peg tolerances. Megazarak, kept sealed for the shelf display. A box copy of Titanium Rodimus Prime, picked up at a Burlington toy show for $20. A metal Tobot named Dozer, notable for its die-cast (not plastic) transformation key. And a boxed Swindle that completes his Bruticus combiner set.
Diecast
Finally landed the Fans Toys Rambo (their unofficial Sideswipe) — happy with it in hand despite some online complaints about the lower leg sculpt. Also picked up the SDCC-exclusive cereal-box Optimus Prime and Jazz two-pack, plus the Blaster Gem crossover figure on a whim.
Matt
The SDCC Blaster Gem crossover set, bought primarily for the cassette figures — Sundor, Rosanna, and Glit — all of which he rated well despite some concerns about the gold hinge finish aging over time. Also grabbed another Breakdown from a recent Hasbro Pulse sale to round out a set of Stunticons.
Rob Clay
Nothing new on-topic this week — gave an update instead on last week’s Sunstorm pickup, which Walmart’s eBay outlet ultimately issued a partial refund for.
John DeLuna
Also picked up Herald of Unicron and largely agreed with Don — liked the plastic quality more than expected but found the reuse of the Fallen’s lower body from the waist down to be a letdown overall.
Brian
Also picked up Herald of Unicron (dubbed him “Ralph Wiggum” for the look) and wasn’t a fan. Like Don, also got Megazarak, but opened his rather than keeping it sealed. Finally displayed a long-shelved Age of the Primes Voyager Alpha Trion, calling it the best Alpha Trion toy to date.