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Hasbro/Takara roundup: Whatever happened to toy X?


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NOTE to mods: I can't edit the old thread due to constant database errors. I have to start a new one. Sorry everyone who replied to the old thread. :(

 

That being said:

 

There's been lots of speculation about what happened to this and that toy. This thread is intended to give you an overview on what happened to them, or what to expect.

And yes, some of this has already been posted by my in older threads, but I'd like to have it collected in here for completeness' sake.

Note I didn't include anything about Galaxy Force/Cybertron yet, because the line has only just started, and everything is still possible.

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Part 1: COMMEMORATIVE SERIES

 

This is moot now anyway, since Hasbro won't continue their reissue line anymore, but still I'd thought I collect this stuff nevertheless.

 

--

 

CS VIII Side Swipe:

 

Was released in Canada (June 2004) and Australia (December 2004), but has been confirmed by various credible sources NEVER TO HAVE SHIPPED to US TRUs. So, if anyone is reporting having seen reissue Side Swipe in US retail, he's either lying, confusing him with another toy or it's a mystery that's yet to be solved (imported from Canada/Australia? Though that's not likely). Keep in mind that if you insist having seen him in US retail, I won't necessarily accuse you of being a liar, just write it off as a "mystery". No official US release.

 

--

 

Astrotrain:

 

In June 2004, a prototype surfaced in China (sorry, no pics available anymore).

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread49834.html

 

Hasbro actually displayed Astrotrain in Takara colors at last year's San Diego Comic-Con.

http://TFormers.com/ig.php?mode=view&a...600&start=0

 

And they also displayed him at last year's OTFCC.

http://TFormers.com/ig.php?mode=view&a...00&start=25

 

However, this is moot now anyway, since we have confirmation that the reissues have indeed been cancelled, or at least been put on hiatus.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost939519-p102.html

http://forums.transfandom.com/invboard/ind...showtopic=27267

 

--

 

Ramjet:

Was found listed in Canadian TRU computers last June.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showthread.php?t=47573

 

Was also found listed in Australian TRU computers last June.

http://www.theyareamongus.com/news/2004/06...ng-reissues.htm

 

Then, last October, a prototype surfaced in China.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread58119.html

 

This February, we got confirmation that he was now being listed as "discontinued" in Canadian TRU computers.

http://www.TFans.com/talk/index.php?act=ST...t=0#entry336269

 

March/April 2005: Hasbro reissues confirmed as having been cancelled/put on hiatus.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost939519-p102.html

http://forums.transfandom.com/invboard/ind...showtopic=27267

 

--

 

Sunstreaker:

 

Canadian and Australian TRU listings were actually placeholders for CS IX Ricochet, as evident by the identical SKU #s. Never actually planned to be reissued.

 

--

 

Thrust and Ironhide:

 

Once again, we have an Australian TRU listing from last June.

http://www.theyareamongus.com/news/2004/06...ng-reissues.htm

 

March/April 2005: Hasbro reissues confirmed as having been cancelled/put on hiatus.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost939519-p102.html

http://forums.transfandom.com/invboard/ind...showtopic=27267

 

--

 

And finally:

 

Trailbreaker:

 

Found listed in Canadian TRU computers last June.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showthread.php?t=47573

 

Also, found listed in Australian TRU computers last June.

http://www.theyareamongus.com/news/2004/06...ng-reissues.htm

 

This February, we got confirmation that he was now being listed as "discontinued" in Canadian TRU computers.

http://www.TFans.com/talk/index.php?act=ST...t=0#entry336269

 

March/April 2005: Hasbro reissues confirmed as having been cancelled/put on hiatus.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost939519-p102.html

http://forums.transfandom.com/invboard/ind...showtopic=27267

 

------------------------------------

 

Extra service: When was the last time certain G1 molds were used?

 

--

 

Ironhide, Ratchet, and Trailbreaker:

 

All released by Takara as part of their 2001 "Collector's Edition" series.

 

--

 

Sunstreaker and Wheeljack:

 

Released by Hasbro Europe as part of their "Classic Heroes" line in 1990.

 

--

 

Mirage:

 

Now, that one's tricky. The last time the mold was used was when Takara re-released Ligier as part of the "Good Bye Convoy" giftset in 1986.

 

There might be legal issues involved in here. Allegedly, Guy Ligier (whose company manufactured the real-life cars G1 Mirage was based on) was about to sue Hasbro for using the likeness of one of his cars after seeing the Transformers cartoon on TV:

http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread....amp;#post304887

http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread....amp;#post304619

 

This is also the reason why Takara is now spelling the name of the character "Rijie" in English (first used on the Robot Masters toy), because "Ligier" might get them into legal trouble.

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Part 2: ENERGON

 

Not much in here. Still, a few mysteries do exist.

 

--

 

Skywarp Interceptor:

 

Placeholder name for Energon "Energon Starscream", as evident by the identical SKU and UPC #s.

 

--

 

"Energon Optimus Prime" and "Energon Megatron":

 

Last May, test shots of these guys surfaced in China (Optimus was also nicknamed "Santa Prime").

http://www.pbasehk.com/AMONtheBrave/POWERLINK_GRAND_CONVOY

http://www.pbasehk.com/AMONtheBrave/BLACK_GALVTRON

http://photobucket.com/albums/v185/Transfa...061%20xRETURNx/

 

Nothing about these guys has been seen or heard of since. Most probably cancelled.

 

--

 

Piranhacons:

 

Probably the most (in)famous ones of the whole lot.

 

The first test shot surfaced last July.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread52380.html

 

Then, in September, more test shots surfaced, this time with parts.

http://photobucket.com/albums/v185/Transfa...ite%20ACT%2026/

http://photobucket.com/albums/v185/Transfa...lor%20ACT%2027/

http://photobucket.com/albums/v185/Transfa...kil%20ACT%2028/

http://photobucket.com/albums/v185/Transfa...ing%20ACT%2029/

 

Back at last year's OTFCC, Hasbro confirmed him to be a store Wal*Mart? exclusive (conflicting reports abound whether he's supposed to be to be an Energon or Universe release, though the people who insist on "Energon" seem to be closer to the source) to be released this spring (March?).

http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread....;threadid=25273

 

Promo pics were even shown as part of the slideshow. Note the pretty prominent "Wal*Mart" logo.

http://www.tfu.info/issue08/HasbroPanel/index.htm

 

March 2005: Piranhacons confirmed "cancelled". Wal*Mart backed out.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost940048-p55.html

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost940366-p85.html

 

April 2005: Official word from Hasbro - Piranhacons "pushed back".

http://forums.transfandom.com/invboard/ind...showtopic=27923

 

--

 

Energon Built to Rule Inferno, Skyblast, Starscream, Ironhide, Scorponok and Optimus Prime:

 

Ever since last year's August, Bill's Toys and Games is featuring in-package pics of Starscream and Ironhide.

http://www.billstoysandgames.com/Merchant2...ategory_Code=T1

http://www.billstoysandgames.com/Merchant2...ategory_Code=T1

 

HOWEVER, it's been recently confirmed by various reliable soures that the Energon BTR line has been officially cancelled by Hasbro. The only toys released to a small test market in Cincinatti, Ohio last October/November recently popped up on eBay.

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Part 3: UNIVERSE

 

Probably the line with the most changes, cancellations and all. Hope I didn't forget anything.

 

--

 

Other "G1" homage Spychangers:

 

I'm not sure if anyone even remembers those, bot I thought I'd mention them here just for completeness' sake. We got a rumor/solicitation dating back to January 2003. Names listed were Wheeljack, Mirage, Sideswipe, Trailbreaker, Prowl, and "another one to be announced" for the Autobots, to be released in April 2003, with Decepticons Breakdown, Drag Strip, Motormaster, Dead End and Wildracer to follow in August 2003.

http://www.TFormers.com/article.php?sid=936

 

In February 2004, Hasbro confirmed that the "Stunticons" were not in their plans.

http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/energon.../dn/default.cfm

 

It's fairly possible the Autobots listed ended up as the "G1" Spychangers (well, Prowl and Wheeljack, at least; "Sideswipe" might have been the original plan for Silverstreak), and "Trailbreaker" was released as Universe "Ironhide" in a Wal*Mart exclusive two-pack with Spychanger Ultra Magnus. Apparently, Hasbro lost the "Trailbreaker" trademark, which might also be the reason behind the Alternators toy ending up as Swindle.

 

--

 

World's Smallest Transformers in Hasbro's "Universe" line?

 

First of all, we got several potential test shots of a Hasbro WSTF Optimus Prime surfacing last May.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread46334.html

http://www.TFans.com/talk/index.php?showtopic=5517

 

In fact, at last year's OTFCC, Hasbro considered releasing Optimus and Soundwave as part of the "Universe" line.

http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread....;threadid=25273

 

Probably cancelled.

 

--

 

Skyjack:

 

Found listed in Wal*Mart computers last March.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread40935.html

 

According to the SKU #, it was a Placeholder name for the Universe Air Raid & Wind Sheer set.

 

--

 

Overbite (aka "Cybershark") with Repugnus (aka "Buzzclaw"):

 

Listed as "Overbite w/Buzzclaw" and "Cybershark with Buzzclaw" in various retailer listings last year.

http://www.seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=2400

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread40935.html

 

Well, duh. Out of the left field, Hasbro finally put them up on the website, as "Overbite with Repugnus". Some placeholder/trademark issues here once again.

http://www.hasbro.com/pl/page.viewproduct/...gon/default.cfm

 

Not sure whether this means they're actually goin to be released, though.

 

--

 

Cheetor (original Beast Wars Cheetor redeco):

 

Test shots surfaced last May.

http://www.411mania.com/figures/viewscreen...enshots_id=3977

 

Nothing has ever been heard of him since. Probably cancelled.

 

--

 

Tarantulas (original Beast Wars Tarantulas redeco):

 

Test shots surfaced last May.

http://www.411mania.com/figures/viewscreen...enshots_id=3975

http://photobucket.com/albums/v185/Transfa...%20%20ACT%2085/

 

Again, nothing has ever been heard of him since. Probably cancelled.

 

--

 

Waspinator (Beast Wars Transmetal Waspinator redeco):

 

Test shots surfaced last May.

http://www.TFans.com/talk/index.php?showtopic=5516

 

Once again, nothing has ever been heard of him since. Probably cancelled.

 

--

 

Soundwave (Beast Wars Mutant Soundwave redeco):

 

Test shots surfaced last May.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread45936.html

http://photobucket.com/albums/v185/Transfa...ANT%20ACT%2021/

 

And again, nothing has ever been heard of him since. Probably cancelled.

 

--

 

Sonar, Optimus Minor, Optimus Primal and Thrustor:

 

Also listed in that Chinese distributors' listing from last April.

http://www.seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=2400

 

And yet again, nothing has ever been heard of them since. Probably cancelled.

 

--

 

Battle in a Box Smokescreen with Jolt vs. Drench with Wind Sheer (Armada Hot Shot & Jolt redeco in G1 Smokescreen colors, Armada Wheeljack & Wind Sheer redeco in G2 Drench colors):

 

Test shots surfaced last April.

Smokescreen:

http://tfkenkon.com/collection/act222/

Drench:

http://photobucket.com/albums/v185/Transfa...%20%20xRETURNx/

 

It's the same story all over again - nothing has ever been heard of them since. Probably cancelled.

 

--

 

Spacewarp with Comettor and Space Team (Armada Jetfire redeco in G1 Astrotrain colors with Armada Space Team Mini-Con redecos):

 

The first test shots surfaced last April.

http://www.411mania.com/figures/viewscreen...enshots_id=2878

 

Then, in May, he was confirmed to be a G1 Astrotrain homage.

http://www.TFormers.com/article.php?sid=2873

 

The last hint was a Canadian TRU listing from last June that featured him as "Spacewarp", supposedly to be released in August 2004.

http://seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=2818

 

Yes. Most probably cancelled.

 

--

 

Micromaster Railbots:

 

Took them a long time (they were originally hinted at OTFCC 2004, the first protos surfaced in September). Just for completeness' sake, it's the Hasbro version of Micromaster Sixtrain, not Sixliner (three of the six Sixtrain members are straight repaints from their Sixliner couterparts, two are remolded, and one Sixliner component has been replaced by a completely new mold).

 

In early June 2005, the first in-package pics surfaced:

http://www.TFans.com/talk/index.php?showtopic=26621

 

Now, why are they on "Cybertron" cards and not in "Universe" packaging?

 

The question was answered later that month, when we got a look at the back of one of the cards.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread76985.html

 

Note the German, Spanish, Italian and Dutch text. That's European packaing. Europe got Devastator and Defensor in "Energon" packaging before.

 

An eBay auction finally revealed the US packaging, which even uses the name "Railbots" which was originally revealed by Aaron Archer at the Hasbro panel at OTFCC 2005.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=5984936339

 

And Case Fresh are now taking preorders for them as well.

http://www.casefresh.com/transformers/micromaster.htm

 

Since the assortment number (29460) is still the same as for the previous Micromaster teams (Protectobots and Constructicons), chances are they're gonna be KB Toys exclusives as well.

 

--

 

Micromaster Sixwing:

 

Prototype surfaced in Hong Kong this March.

http://TFormers.com/ig.php?mode=album&...800&start=0

 

Status: Probably series IV, after the Railbots.

 

--

 

Universe Bonecrusher & Scavenger and Longhaul & Hightower:

 

Okay, this is odd again.

 

Hasbro originally displayed them at OTFCC 2004.

http://www.alteredstatesmag.com/gallery/vi...ame=otfcc04-tfu

 

Then, last October, they officially announced them on their website.

http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/energon.../dn/default.cfm

Note the pics for Bonecrusher actually depit Energon Bonecrusher, correct pics for Universe Bonecrusher can be found here:

http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/energon.../dn/default.cfm

 

All of them were scheduled for a "November 2004" release.

 

Shortly afterwards, Hasbro put up the "product preview" pages for them.

http://www.hasbro.com/pl/page.viewproduct/...gon/default.cfm

http://www.hasbro.com/pl/page.viewproduct/...gon/default.cfm

 

And then... nothing.

We didn't get any "in-package first looks" or something like that. Just nothing.

Except...

 

There was an alleged sighting this January.

http://www.TFans.com/talk/index.php?showtopic=16842

 

We never got any proof for that except for "I saw them myself", though. Add to that the fact that no-one else ever saw them, they did not show up on eBay and were not stocked by Action-HQ, and you'll come to the conclusion... hmm. Weird.

 

Though the newly released (February) Universe Night Slash Cheetor and Frostbite featured Longhaul & Hightower and Bonecrusher & Scavenger as cross-sells on their packaging.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread65640.html

 

And Wal*Mart are also featuring them on their site:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp...duct_id=3129577

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp...duct_id=3129561

 

It's getting even weirder: Japan might be getting them as "USA Editions" soon (listed under their RiD names "Wedge", "Grimlock", "Heavy Load" and "Hightower").

http://www.TFans.com/talk/index.php?showtopic=21448

 

Update April 2005: The're also in "limbo", similar to the Seacons, because Wal*Mart backed out?

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread73432.html

 

Note they were not actually meant to be store exclusives, therefore this can't be the sole reason.

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Part 4: ALTERNATORS

 

Oh boy. Where shall I start?

 

--

 

Prowl (Acura RSX):

 

Fortunately, Hasbro displaying Prowl at Toy Fair spared me looking up the whole "Wal*Mart listing/photoshopped promo pic/confirmed at European Toy Fair" story again. He's real, and he will hopefully come out in the near future. End of story.

 

Prototypes surfaced in April 2005...

http://www.seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=5062

 

And the Takara version has also just confirmed.

http://TFormers.com/ig.php?mode=view&a...800&start=0

 

--

 

Mitsubishi:

 

First rumored last August.

http://www.TFormers.com/article.php?sid=3390

 

Another rumor for a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, also from August.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread54546.html

 

Finally, a Wal*Mart listing for a Mitsubishi and an Acura (Prowl), from last November.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread61129.html

 

No idea what the current status is. Guess we'll have to wait for Jon's next Wal*Mart update. Also, I have no idea how that thing from Happy Well fits into things.

 

--

 

Dodge Neon and Dodge Ram:

 

Ah, the rumor territory. Oh well.

 

Originally reported/rumored by a Brandweek article last February.

http://TFormers.com/article.php?sid=2517

Full article can be read here:

http://www.TFans.com/talk/index.php?act=ST...=40#entry353226

 

A few days after that, Collectable Kingdom put up preorders for the two toys. Just to show how reliable those preorders are: Collectable Kingdom later also featured "Sunstreaker" for a brief time, and they still have "Wheeljack as a Tracks repaint" up. Check the date for when they added "Wheeljack". What happened on that day? This. So - Collectable Kingdom preorders obviously mean jack.

 

Last May, TFW 2005 (re)discovered the Collectable Kingdom preorder, though there was nothing particularly "new" to it at that point.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread45975.html

 

At last year's OTFCC,  Hasbro said they had "no plans for a Dodge Neon".

http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread....;threadid=25273

 

However, a source that wishes to remain unnamed informed me that he had talked to one of the Alternators designers from Hasbro (no, not Archer) at last year's OTFCC, and said designer hinted that a "full size pick-up truck" was supposed to come out at a new $30.00 price point. Take it with a pinch of salt.

 

Last December, Seibertron ran the infamous "Alternator jets" story, which also included a "deep red pick-up truck" and a Windcharger repaint in "Suzuka Blue Metallic".

http://www.seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=4418

 

January 2005. Red truck to be Ironhide.

http://www.TFans.com/talk/index.php?act=ST...t=0#entry312441

 

Finally, this February, we got confirmation that the Collectable Kingdom preorder was simply made up.

http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?s...p;#entry1232277

 

However, Collectable Kingdom rejected that and claimed that it was merely premature information from a Hasbro representative that evidently didn't pan out.

http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?s...p;#entry1254384

 

Status: Undetermined.

 

--

 

MINI Cooper:

 

Ah. Just for the fun of it. :)

There's still some people who are not aware of the full extent of the story.

 

It all started last March, when this obscure "project" website was discovered:

http://www.r50rd.co.uk/research/internal/v2i/engin/

 

Last June, the same robot suddenly showed up on MINI's intro page.

http://www.miniusa.com/crm/mini_entrance.jsp

 

Also, there was that giant billboard in NYC.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread50901.html

 

Okay, so this obviously was all part of MINI's new advertizing campaign. But was there going to be a licensed Transformers toy?

 

Last July, BBTS put up a preorder for an unnamed MINI, supposedly to be based on the robot from the campaign. Now, since BBTS had only recently before that fallen for the infamous "Tracks to be remolded into Wheeljack" hoax, people were initially sceptical.

 

Still in July, we got a preorder listing from Japan - Swindle, Grimlock and the MINI.

http://TFormers.com/article.php?sid=3245

 

And yet, at last year's SDCC, Hasbro insisted that they had not yet attempted to obtain the license from MINI.

http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/headlines.php?Headline=1103

 

Several people, including myself and the guys running TF @ The Moon, were repeatedly contacting MINI in order to find out more. All responses were deliberately vague and ambiguous ("we do not plan on releasing this", i.e. no word about Hasbro not releasing it, "this is not an official MINI product", i.e. it can very well be a licensed Hasbro product, etc.).

 

Then, at last year's OTFCC, Hasbro said that they were still "trying" to get the license from MINI.

http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread....;threadid=25273

 

Finally, last August, BBTS cancelled the preorders for the MINI and confirmed that Takara had not been successful trying to obtain the license form MINI.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread53625.html

 

So, what happened? This is where details get sketchy. Some say that it was all just a hoax similar to "Tracks-Wheeljack", or a misconception based on the MINI campaign. However, other people cite "inside sources" claiming that Hasbro/Takara had indeed planned to do a MINI (reportedly, he would have become Bumblebee, with the remold being Bombshell). They did even produce a prototype, but allegedly, they made a huge mistake: When they first approached MINI about this, MINI said "okay, you can do it, but please - no guns." Hasbro/Takara then designed the prototype, but they gave him the standard engine/gun accessory. Therefore, MINI decided to revoke the license.

As I said, this is in no way to be taken for face value, it's just what I have gathered from various sources. It's also very well possible that those who claim it was simply the follow-up to the "Wheeljack" hoax might be right after all. We'll probably never know for sure.

 

In March 2005, we got another clue: MINI are now offering their own (non-transforming) version of the robot.

http://www.motoringgear.com/Flash/motoringgear.asp

 

And in April 2005), Michael Smith (the guy who did the transforming VW New Beetle video years ago) revealed more about the original campaign: MINI didn't want a transforming robot in the first place, but just a robot made from MINI parts.

http://home.comcast.net/~msmith1015/VWVideo.htm

 

--

 

Citroën C4:

 

Anyone who hasn't seen the TV commercial yet that debuted last November has probably spent the past few months under a rock.

 

I myself instantly contacted the German branch of Citroën about it, and they responded that there were "currently no concrete plans" for a C4 Alternator - but it wouldn't be completely impossible either.

 

January 2005, European Toy Fair. Hasbro hinted that they were having to "change their plans" for the line because of the Citroën commercial.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php...762&postcount=9

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PART 5: ALTERNATORS (continued)

 

Sunstreaker (and Trailbreaker?):

 

Oh boy. This is going to be a long story.

 

March 2004. The first prototypes surface.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread39609.html

http://www.tfclub.com/tffiles/toy/toynews/200403010001.shtml

Note the molded Autobot logo on his chest, which is not a carry-over from Side Swipe since that section is one of the remolded parts.

Needless to say, everyone thought he was going to be Sunstreaker.

 

But then, only a few days later, Hasbro officially announced him - as Dead End.

http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/energon.../dn/default.cfm

Note that the molded Autobot Logo had been replaced by a painted Decepticon logo.

 

It's widely assumed that Hasbro did in fact plan him to be Sunstreaker at first (see the molded Autobot logo), but then decided to change that because fans were asking for Decepticons.

 

This is backed up by the Japanese "Transformees Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide" book, which depicts "Dead End" next to G1 Sunstreaker:

http://www.fantofan.jp/news/bt-tfcguide5.jpg

 

Now, what many people probably didn't know yet: Sources informed me that Hasbro didn't plan Sunstreaker to be yellow. The prototype was pretty close to what the final toy would have looked like. Take a look at the real-life car he's based on (pics can also be found in Binaltech Dead End's instruction booklet):

http://www.vipercompetitioncoupe.com/home/home.html

 

Collectable Kingdom, whom I mentioned before, initially had a preorder for "Sunstreaker" up, plus there was a rumor from last March listing him under the name of "Blackstreaker".

http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread....;threadid=22083

 

Now, I know some of you will say now that this could just be some bulljive that guy pulled out of his Hotspot. Only problem: That listing also contains the first public revelation of a "Swindle" repaint of Hound and a Ford Mustang. The latter one is still listed as "Freeway", which in turn was backed up by a Wal*Mart listing, also from last March.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread40935.html

 

This leads me to the conclusion that at one point, Hasbro indeed used "Blackstreaker" as a working name for Sunstreaker/Dead End - not all that different from the recent "Decepticharge" situation, in fact.

 

Dead End was not the only Alternator who got changed from Autobot to Decepticon at the last minute. The difference is that in Swindle's case, this is not nearly as obvious as with Sunstreaker/Dead End. To make the story short: When the first prototype pics surfaced last June, people were desparately trying to identify the head.

http://community.webshots.com/album/155986759laFxgh

 

Many of them yelled "Beachcomber", until Might Gaine of The Allspark and David "It's Walky" Willis of Allspark and ATT identified it as a toy design/cartoon model hybrid version of G1 Trailbreaker's head, which was looking surprisingly similar to Trailbreaker's head as depicted in 3H's "Universe" comics.

http://www.itswalky.com/transformers/stuff...mforweirdos.jpg

 

This is further backed up by Binaltech Swindle's system description, which explains that Swindle's "body frame" was originally planned to be, just like Dead End's, to serve for an Autobot. One feature of the body originally intended for said Autobot was a "force field emitter", which is a dead giveaway for Trailbreaker.

http://www.bwtf.com/binaltech/swindle/booklet.shtml

 

And an early concept sketch from the Japanese "Transformees Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide" book depicts him with a head design that still looks more like G1 Trailbreaker's toy head:

http://tfkenkon.com/g/?mode=view&album...000&start=0

 

Now, I got conflicting reports again, claiming that at one point, Hasbro had planned him to be called "Searchlight" (take into consideration that Grimlock was originally listed as "Freeway").

 

I mean, G1 Searchlight's head is indeed not to too dissimilar from that of Alt Swindle, plus you have the white parts on the prototype. Might indeed have been a backup plan on Hasbro's behalf that didn't pan out. Oh well.

http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/mainrevie...MainReviewID=76

 

Now, let's return to Sunstreaker. When it became apparent that Hasbro had decided to drop a new Sunstreaker toy (which fans had asked for numerous times), they now yelled for a repaint. Many of them even ended up kitbashing their Dead Ends into Sunstreakers.

 

OTFCC 2004 rolls around. Hasbro hint that they might be doing a store exclusive Sunstreaker in the near future.

http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread....;threadid=25273

 

Quick question: Do Hasbro currently own the name "Sunstreaker"?

Yes.

http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=...&entry=76453412

Thanks to the OTFCC 2003 toy.

 

Okay. Now, about that exclusive.

Back in August, Bigbot put up a listing for a store exclusive Sunstreaker, originally scheduled for "late 2004" (it now says "2005").

http://www.bigbot.com/transformers-reissues/

 

There was also a rumor about him being planned as a "Christmas surprise" or something, though I couldn't find the link anymore. Didn't pan out anyway.

 

I also have an unconfirmed rumor, dating back at least half a year, coming from a so-called "inside source", claiming that Hasbro are indeed planning Sunstreaker for the near future, in yellow, since Dodge are said to be pretty cooperative in that regard. However, while Sunsteraker is a fan favorite, Hasbro don't actually care much for Trailbreaker.

 

September 2004. Sunstreaker AND Trailbreaker, as straight repaints, coming out in spring?

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread55849.html

Okay. Wait a second. Red Meister as Wildracer? Yellow Tracks as Drag Strip? Prowl as a Silverstreak repaint, with LAPD deco? Oh. Yeah. Suuuure. Thank you...

 

January 2005. TRU exclusive Sunstreaker repaint of Dead End coming June or July 2005.

http://www.TFans.com/talk/index.php?act=ST...t=0#entry311922

 

Status: Undetermined.

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PART 6: ALTERNATORS (continued)

 

Windcharger's gun:

 

According to Hasbro, the barrel was removed "so the accessory would not look like a weapon".

http://www.TFans.com/talk/index.php?showtopic=13088

 

Ever since then, it was assumed that it was Honda who had asked for the barrel to be removed. Once again, an "inside source" told me that Hasbro actually didn't tell Honda about the whole "weapons" deal at first (see also "MINI Cooper"), even though I can't seriously see Honda not being aware that Transformers are robots fighting a war.

 

Now, we know that Binaltech Overdrive DOES come with the barrel. So how is that possible, when Honda said "No!"? Well, the best suggestion would be that Honda USA and Honda Japan have different licensing departments with different policies in that regard.

Another theory is that licensing laws in Japan might be different from those in the US, so it could be possible that even while Honda insisted on "no weapons", Takara could release him with the barrel regardless.

 

UPDATE: The Japanese booklet, bio card and packaging don't sport any "Copyright Honda" notes, and no indication whatsoever that Overdrive has been licensed by Honda at all. Could it be that Overdrive comes with the long barrel because... Takara, unlike Hasbro, simply didn't bother to ask Honda for permisison? It worked with Car Robots, after all...

 

--

 

Decepticharge:

 

Okay, it's official now.

 

His US name is "Decepticharge".

 

But whose head is it? Is it Megatron? Is it Thrust?

 

The Japanese "Transformees Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide" shows early concept designs of the head sculpt.

http://tfkenkon.com/g/?mode=view&album...000&start=0

http://tfkenkon.com/g/?mode=view&album...000&start=0

 

Note that the head was originally supposed to go on the Ford Mustang body. Also note the name "Windcharger" (!) in English next to it.

 

So, what's the story?

 

Apparently, Hasbro originally planned the first version of the Ford Mustang to be Grimlock, with the remold being supposed to be Windcharger, in red (and yes, the head does not really look like Windcharger at all... even less so than Swindle looks like Trailbreaker).

Then, they decided to make the second Mustang Wheeljack instead. The head sculpt was given to the remold of the Honda S2000 (the original Honda was designed to be Overdrive, the Omnibot, which is what Takara are calling the BT version).

Then, Hasbro realized that they couldn't get the "Overdrive" trademark. So they decided to use the already secured "Windcharger" name on the original version of the Honda instead, while the remold got changed into a Decepticon. The name "Decepticharge" was apparently a last-minute decision which somehow reflects the origins of the head sculpt ("DECEPTIcon with a WindCHARGEr head").

 

Now we finally have confirmation that the Binaltech version is going to be named "Wildrider".

http://www.TFans.com/talk/index.php?showtopic=21448

http://TFormers.com/ig.php?mode=view&a...800&start=0

 

Other online retailers are listing him as "Wild Laser" or "Wild Lazer", which could be an Engrish interpretation of "Wildracer" (a name that first surfaced in the context of the never released Spychangers based on the Stunticons)... or someone simply mistook a Katakana "Da" for a "Sa".

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/toystan.asp?Queryid=pr540

http://www.greenpigtoys.com/store/product_...products_id=129

 

And now, thanks to HLJ, we know his colors will be different from the Hasbro version after all...

http://www.hlj.com/product/TAK64265

 

So, to sum it up, we have:

 

a) Ford Mustang version 1: Designed to be Grimlock with Grimlock head sculpt, named "Grimlock" both by Hasbro and Takara.

b) Ford Mustang version 2: Designed to be Windcharger with "Windcharger" head sculpt, then given a new Wheeljack head sculpt. Named "Wheeljack" by both Hasbro and Takara.

c) Honda S2000 version 1: Designed to be Overdrive with Overdrive head sculpt, named "Windcharger" by Hasbro and "Overdrive" by Takara.

d) Honda S2000 version 2: Not sure whether he was originally designed to be someone else, but was given the "Windcharger" head sculpt that was originally planned to be used for the second version of the Mustang. Named "Decepticharge" by Hasbro and "Wildrider" or "Wildracer" by Takara.

 

Status: Upcoming.

 

--

 

Jet and motorcycle Alternators:

 

Big fan favorites. But what do the facts say?

 

OTFCC 2004: Whatever Hasbro are going to do next (Jets? Motorycles?) will depend on the results of the survey.

http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread....;threadid=25273

 

September 2004: Motorycles to include Axer and Arcee?

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread55849.html

 

December 2004. 1/72 scale jets coming up.

http://www.seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=4418

Also note the "deep red pick-up truck" and the Windcharger repaint in "Suzuka Blue Metallic".

 

Status: Undetermined.

 

--

 

Motormaster as a Hummer H2, plus Hot Shot (Armada character), plus Rodimus:

 

Originally coming from the same "inside source" that told me about the MINI Cooper gun affair thingie, the planned "Bombshell" MINI, the "Hasbro didn't tell Honda about Windcharger's gun" thing and some other stuff, all of them reported to me more than half a year ago. The Hummer is allegedly based on the commercial with the "transform yourself" slogan.

 

The same source that told me about the Hasbro designer from OTFCC 2004 hinting a "full size pick-up truck" at a new $30.00 price point also told me that said designer confirmed to him that Hasbro had obtained the license for a Hummer. He's supposed to come out in 2005, also at the new $30.00 price point. As for characters, said source evidently asked the designer whether they could do a regular version as an Autobot and the redeco a military version with a big gun, as Megatron. The designer allegedly laughed at that and called it a "really good idea". Again, take it with a pinch of salt.

 

September 2004: Hot Shot coming up?

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread55849.html

 

September 2004: Hasbro got the license for a Hummer, coming up at a new price point?

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost744862-p25.html

 

September 2005: Hummer to be Megatron?

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost750447-p5.html

 

January 2005. Motormaster as a Hummer H2.

http://www.TFans.com/talk/index.php?act=ST...t=0#entry312441

 

And Hot Rod/Rodimus as a Chevy Cobalt SS.

http://www.TFans.com/talk/index.php?act=ST...=20#entry312469

 

Status: Unlikely, though not completely impossible.

 

--

 

Windcharger repaint in "Suzuka Blue Metallic":

 

Reported last December.

http://www.seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=4418

 

Status: Highly unlikely.

 

--

 

Red Meister redeco as "Wildracer", Yellow Tracks redeco as "Drag Strip", Hound redeco as Red alert (Armada character), Rampage (?), NASCAR licenses, and a "three-man combiner team":

 

Originally rumored last September.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread55849.html

 

--

 

Breakdown (Brakedown):

 

At OTFCC, Hasbro allegedly said they were planning a toy based on the Breakdown character for the Alternators line (sorry, link broken).

 

However, since the name "Breakdown" is obviously unlikely to be accepted by car companies, it would have to be modified.

 

Possible alternative: "Brakedown". Currently trademarked by Hasbro, originally planned for use on the redeco of Mini-Con Oval that was originally supposed to come with Energon Ultra Magnus.

http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=...;entry=76548562

 

September 2004: Possible confirmation from OTFCC.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost744862-p25.html

 

--

 

Bumblebee & Cliffjumper as Volkswagen New Beetles:

 

Not sure who was it, but someone from the 2005 staff told me that Aaron Archer had confirmed backstage at OTFCC that VW had denied them the license (something along the lines of "NO, and please NEVER bother to ask us as again!").

 

March 2005: Pics of early concept designs were printed "hidden" under the dust covers of the Japanese "Transformees Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide" book.

http://www.fantofan.jp/news/bt-tfcguide10.jpg

http://www.fantofan.jp/news/bt-tfcguide11.jpg

 

SDCC 2004: Hasbro said they were still attempting to get the license from VW.

http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/headlines.php?Headline=1103

 

OTFCC 2004: Hasbro said they really want to do Bumblebee and try to get him done.

http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread....;threadid=25273

 

The latter part could also refer to the MINI Cooper, which, as I mentioned before, was also planned to be Bumblebee.

 

--

 

Porsche 986 Boxster:

 

According to an interview with Binaltech designer Kobayashi Hironori, the first car actually designed for the Binaltech/Alternators line was supposed to be based on a "certain well-known German sports car" (dead ringer for Porsche), but the car company rejected any attempts by Hsbro/Takara to get the license.

Interview:

http://www.takarahobby.com/kaihatsu/0312tr...rmer/index.html

English translation:

http://toyboxst.inwards.com/phorum/read.php?3,97799

 

And here, we even have former Hasbro designer Joseph Kyde confirming having seen the original prototype at Hasbro's offices in 2002.

http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?s...p;#entry1268290

 

March 2005: Pics of the prototype were depicted in the Japanese "Transformees Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide" book.

http://tfkenkon.com/g/?mode=view&album...000&start=0

A fellow German fan (who recently quit the fandom, unfortunately) who happens to work for Porsche confirmed that it's based on a 986 Boxster (he said that with 99% certainty, baseds solely on the pics).

 

June 2004. Long before knowing about the existence of the proto, that same German fan got in touch with Porsche's licensing department. Unfortunately, their response was once again "no".

http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread....;threadid=24622

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Part 7: WORLD'S SMALLEST TRANSFORMERS

 

Yay! We got Takara in as well!

 

Wave 3 - Skids, Tracks, Hot Rodimus (Hot Rod), Megatron parts, and... Cliffjumper? Anime Megatron? Ramjet or Dirge?

 

First of all, we have a preview for what was originally planned for wave 2 back in June 2003. There's Skids, Tracks, Hot Rod, Prowl, Meister (Jazz), and Megatron with his gun accessories.

http://TFormers.com/article.php?sid=1423

 

Meister, Megatron (without extra parts) and Prowl were released in wave 2. Hot Rodimus came out as part of wave 2.5.

 

Finally, we have a rumor for wave 3, from last year's April. Supposed to include Skids, Tracks, Hot Rodimus (again), Megatron ("anime" accurate redeco), Cliffjumper and Ramjet or Dirge.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread43912.html

 

Status: Probably cancelled.

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