HasLab Omega Prime closed with 28,230 backers, the most successful Transformers HasLab ever and second overall. The crew splits on whether they backed it and what HasLab should do next. Hasbro is also bringing plastic windows back to its collector packaging, and Walmart’s Star Raiders capsule shows off Lockdown’s final deco. Origin Wheeljack hits Target, alongside Hot Wheels Transformers, Robo Rally and Super Groupies gear. Don reports from GalaxyCon Richmond with a Peter Cullen autograph in hand.

News

Omega Prime Becomes the Most Successful Transformers HasLab

HasLab Omega Prime finished at 28,230 backers. That makes it the top Transformers HasLab since Unicron and second among all HasLabs, behind Galactus at almost 31,000. It edged out the Razor Crest by about 100 backers and Deathsaurus by roughly 800. Brian is not sure his own backing went through after a PayPal mix-up. Matt skipped it: he owns the original Optimus Prime, still dislikes Ultra Magnus’s look, and it is tax season. Don backed three and asks fans to accept that HasLab does not have to be G1. One host praises the campaign’s steady growth. Another wants Hasbro to untangle the Robots in Disguise broadcast rights. One self-described G1 diehard hopes the result brings Sky Garry or Liokaiser HasLabs. Another bets on Gigatron next. [Source: TFW2005]

Hasbro Brings Plastic Windows Back to Collector Packaging

Hasbro announced new packaging for its collector lines, including Transformers, G.I. Joe, Star Wars and Marvel. Diecast forwarded the press release to the crew. The changes include sturdier materials and the return of plastic windows on open-front boxes. No Transformers samples have been shown yet. The crew welcomes the change, since open windows invited damage and theft. One host who keeps toys sealed worries about bugs getting inside open boxes over decades. The talk turns to Studio Series backdrops, which most of the crew never display. They also note Studio Series is now the longest-running unchanged Transformers sub-brand. [Source: TFW2005]

Hasbro Sets Studio Series Reveals for WonderCon Anaheim

Hasbro will hold a WonderCon Anaheim panel with new Studio Series reveals. The crew hopes Swoop finally appears. RFC was invited, but nobody on the crew lives near Anaheim. [Source: TFW2005]

Possible First Look at Hot Wheels Bumblebee

An image surfaced of what may be a Hot Wheels Transformers Bumblebee. It uses Hot Wheels’ existing Volkswagen Beetle body in yellow with an Autobot badge on the hood. The crew finds it underwhelming and notes it would also be an easy custom to fake. Still, the licensed Volkswagen body makes it plausible. [Source: TFW2005]

Hot Wheels Skate Transformers Fingerboards and Finger Shoes

Hot Wheels Skate revealed Transformers fingerboards and finger shoes. The crew gives the designers credit for G2 Megatron colors on Megatron’s shoes. Otherwise they are not feeling it, though they expect some kid will love them. [Source: TFW2005]

Star Raiders Lockdown Gets Final Deco and a Road Pig Tease

Hasbro designer Mark Maher posted new photos of Walmart’s Star Raiders capsule. Lockdown shows his final deco with more green striping and silver hood spikes. The photos also tease Road Pig, using its arms to extend Lockdown’s legs. The crew says the head follows the Revenge of the Fallen design, not the animated one. Cannonball and Filch have sold out at several stores. One host preordered Filch on Hasbro Pulse as a backup, calling the Kingdom Airazor retool the best of the wave. [Source: Seibertron]

Origin Wheeljack Ships to Target With a March 31 Street Date

Target-exclusive Legacy United Origin Wheeljack is shipping to US stores ahead of a March 31 street date. In-hand photos show Origin Bumblebee packed inside Wheeljack’s truck mode. The crew praises the engineering and the shelf space it saves. Don thanks the finder for posting the store number and urges others to share DPCI numbers too. Preorders were expected to open the next day. [Source: TFW2005]

Renegade Game Studios Reveals Transformers Robo Rally

Renegade Game Studios showed its Transformers version of the Robo Rally board game. One host first hoped it was tied to the 1980s storybook The Great Robot Rally. The crew sees it as a hobbyist game with lots of small parts. [Source: TFW2005]

Transformers Colorforms Sets Turn Up at Michaels

Transformers Colorforms Sticker Story Adventure sets appeared at Michaels. The crew was let down to find modern evergreen art instead of G1. They agree G1 box-art Colorforms would be great. [Source: TFW2005]

Super Groupies x Transformers Apparel Collaboration

Japanese brand Super Groupies announced Transformers gear. It includes a hoodie that folds into a bag, a wallet, and Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron watches. Each watch comes with a colored plastic band or a linked metal band, for about $260. The wallet runs about $120. One host would actually wear the Bumblebee or Megatron watch, but the crew finds the prices steep. [Source: TFW2005]

Convention Report: GalaxyCon Richmond

Don spent the weekend at GalaxyCon Richmond. He waited in Peter Cullen’s autograph line and skipped the $300 private experience. He spotted an AFA-graded sealed G1 Megatron for $900, which the crew calls a strong price. He also saw plenty of Kotobukiya Transformers statues. Don found the show very heavy on anime, with high-priced one-off pieces.

What We Got This Week

Don

Don found a second Legacy Animated Optimus Prime at a Target near his hotel, planning to double display it. His big item is a 25th anniversary Optimus Prime signed by Peter Cullen with “Autobots, transform and roll out…”. He chose it over his US Masterpiece MP-10. Don also got Legacy United Silverbolt from CMD Store. He praises the bronze legs, wing highlights and clever transformation, but finds the wing clips a little loose. He calls the retooling significant and says he will buy every version. Sandstorm also arrived but is still unopened.

Rob

Rob got a Yolopark 10-centimeter Megatron model kit for about $13. It comes assembled, with good articulation and minor ball-joint fit issues. He also got Legacy Toxitron for about $37 shipped. He feels it adds complexity for its own sake but likes the look and the weapon storage. Rob passed on a discounted Grimlock and is holding out for G2 Grimlock.

Matt

Matt received a Super7 jigsaw puzzle of the Japanese movie poster from Big Bad Toy Store. He also got Legacy United Rescue Bots Chase and loves it. Matt says the transformation hits his sweet spot, like Studio Series Hound.

Chris

Chris passed on Gamer Edition Starscream at Walmart but found Studio Series Voyager Scrapheap behind them. He calls it his favorite of the Voyager Junkions. He praises the more solid motorcycle mode, new leg detail, new gun and earthy colors.

Brian

Brian got Legacy Animated Optimus Prime from Amazon. He calls it okay but missing the spark of the original Animated toys. He also found a Dollar Tree Transformers multicolor pen, which he mostly uses as a fidget toy.

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