4877 replies to this topic

[Blot]

Uncommon Opinion:

I have never liked Classics Prime. The excessively angular insect-y aesthetic it has going on just always turned me off. So I skipped it thinking "It's Optimus Prime there will be a new better one soon."

And then that did not happen for literally a decade and I had a big hole in my display until finally Titans Return Optimus filled it.

-ZacWilliam, Earthrise has replaced that now, although I'm keeping it for my 1988 display. After Earthrise I have a hard time imagining needing another G1 Design Optimus ever again.

I don't miss the "mouthplates with extra mandible lines" look of that era.

[TheSupernova]

I was probably one of the few that thought that CW Prime gave Classics a run for its money, but even then it got sold off first.

ER Prime is going to hold the title for quite a while now, though I think it could be improved.

[Shadewing]

I was probably one of the few that thought that CW Prime gave Classics a run for its money, but even then it got sold off first.

ER Prime is going to hold the title for quite a while now, though I think it could be improved.

I kinda get the feeling, or least won't be surprised, if they follow a similar mindset as what followed Classics. He was /the/ modern G1 Optimus Prime, the ones following were all gimmicky versions, and even the IDW Orion Pax seemed like he took design elements from Classics Prime. Combiner, Headmaster, 'Powermaster', G2, Ultimate Battle spin gimmick, multiple legend versions, Kreo, Video Game, POTP evolution, etc. They had a 'definitive' version and just experimented or did other versions of him. Now they have their new Definative version, one that is about as screen accurate as you can get for a normal retail figure, and first they they do? Legend sized version. So maybe we'll once more see more variation on Optimus over the next decade, while they occasionally re-release ER Prime like the 10 or so versions of Classics Prime that exists.

[Sabrblade]

I never even got Classics Prime.

 

My first experience with the mold was with BotCon 2014 Ginrai, and then with Legends LG-EX Magna Convoy.

[NotVeryKnightly]

Classics Voyager Optimus was so oddly proportioned. The head and torso are too small for the legs. Or maybe his legs are too big for the rest of him.

[ChessPieceFace]

Now that I finally have an Earthrise seeker (Thrust), I can say that the Classics mold is still the best Seeker design. The new one has weak joints, a needlessly fiddly arm transformation, thinner and rougher flex plastic all over the chest and arms, no landing gear, weird giant kneecaps, no engine exhausts, a fake conehead, worse colors and paint details, and the same chunky undercarriage. The only improvements are the built-in VTOLs (though really, this giant version was the perfect opportunity to make them actually spin) and the better-proportioned guns and nosecone.

Overall, it's not BAD, it's just not better than the older, more conveniently-sized version.

It's just as well that they only released Skywarp in a two-pack with a stupid face, so I won't be tempted to get him too. I can just stick with Thrust as a curio, and my squadron of 15+ Classics.

[The Predaking]

I have been a bit conflicted as far as Classics. My CHUG collection was my favorite toys for a long time, and the ones I wanted to display the most. However, since Combiner Wars, I have been slowly replacing them with better versions. Now, we have Earthrise and it alone gave us a lot of great versions of the figures that I feel are upgrades over the CHUG toys of the mid to late 2000's. Now we have Studio Series bringing us such great figures from TFTM and onwards, so its only going to get more competitive for my remaining CHUG bots.  I have limited shelf space, and I like my CHUG figures, but I have to admit that the new toys look cooler on the shelf. 

[Gizmoboy]

That's strange that you're seeker has weak joints.  I was thinking about how much of an improvement that has been over the classics mold for me.  I am not getting rid of my classic seekers by any means, but I much prefer the new seeker mold.

[NICK NEMESIS]

Good thing with seekers is that they are the backbone of the Decepticon forces so having a lot of them isn't out of place.

Then again if you're looking to save money maybe not a good thing...

[Platypus Prime]

In my own case I've had some issues with the fragility of some of the new ones, my older models from Classics/Generations/CW may not be 'perfect' but they're sturdier, and since I have a ten-year-old nephew that has suddenly REALLY gotten interested in Transformers, I'm having to consider the visual upgrades, vs. being able to let a kid play with my stuff as only a kid can (read: Tornado).  They're clearly close enough to work, he's been watching old Shout Factory DVD's while messing with them on the kitchen table when visiting.

[Superomegaprime]

Classics Voyager Optimus was so oddly proportioned. The head and torso are too small for the legs. Or maybe his legs are too big for the rest of him.

 

I actually think he pretty good and I rather like him! Speaking of classics, I would say the deluxe two pack Optimus is the most faithful to the G1 look in terms of robot mode within the deluxe range, thou his head is a bit weird to look at, a few minor alterations he could be a desent OP, the alterations I mainly think of is removing that punching gimmick and alterating the head to look more like OP, sure he doesn't have a space for the Matrix but he is a pretty well rounded figure, while not the best OP figure, he has always certainly stood out for me at least and he does kind recreate OP transformation from the 86 movie pretty well, as well as homaging his G1 toy, the truck mode is a bit of a flop due to transformation and the fact you can't slide his legs away as other deluxes, but if they took the basic desgin and made some changes, we could have a desent OP in the deluxe scale, sure OP had a couple of deluxes in the Generations line but they been recreating the video game looks, thou my definative G1 pre OP is the Generations Orion Pax, the POTP verison is just not really in scale with other figures of the deluxe size.

[lastmaximal]

I'm being won over by the more cohesive, blocky look of the newer stuff, to be honest. It helps that they've been really aggressive about checking off that Have We Given Them Knees Yet list; as easy as it is to call it predictable and slavish and whatnot, it can't be denied that it's been great for amassing a good-sized collection. If you hopped on in the last few years (especially if it was with Prime Wars) and followed along, you'd be pretty close to a robust 84-6/7 lineup (barring the inanity of exclusives last year).

And really, the more that availability of space (display and storage alike) becomes a problem, the closer I am to breaking down and selling off a huge chunk of older CHUG. I've been resistant to this idea, but in the last year or so I've started to come around to it.

Really the main holdback is just practicality and efficiency now. Selling stuff is itself kind of a headache; the secondary market here is kind of iffy (not least because so many are ALSO making that switch).

I will, however, hold on to Classics Prime, Megatron, Rodimus, the Seekers, and a handful of other pieces across each of the Generations generations. (I still really dig Classics Prime as a redo of the G1, even as I fully appreciate what the Earthrise mold does as an update.) But some, like Galvatron, the Datsuns, and so on, I won't really be that sorry to see go.

So with TC and SW being reissued, all I can think is....

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

reissue Dirge and Ramjet.

 
The Earthrise Skywarp and Thundercracker stock at Entertainment Earth right now is existing stock, not reissue stock. (But, noted. There are a few ongoing conversations regarding other rereleases which will be revealed as soon as we can.   Just keep posting about the stuff y'alls want to see a new run of, there are eyeballs on it.)

Definitely seconding the Dirge and Ramjet vote, especially if they're no longer exclusive.

Do the same for Prowl/Ironhide, and the Galactic Odyssey stuff.

Edited by lastmaximal, 18 January 2021 - 07:14 AM.

[Xero Prime]

BBTS has preorder for Skywarp and Thundercracker.

 

x

[The Predaking]

Some guy even wrote an article on it and posted it in here. 

[lastmaximal]

The nerve!

[Kup]

Did he mention the need for Dirge and Ramjet too? Cuz if he didnt he should.

[mic drop]

[Blacknife]

Managed to snag Netflix Soundwave on random late night e-mail for being in stock...Yay completeness...

[Bonebot]

If anyone in the Great Lakes region is still searching for wave 2 & 3 deluxes, Meijer stores are starting to restock with both.