Takara Tomy revealed MPG-14 Godbomber, plus a Takara Tomy Mall MPG-14S set with parts to recreate the unproduced catalog prototype. Don likes the look but won’t pay nearly $500 for the full God Ginrai. Hasbro’s 2024 Hall of Fame vote draws fire for including toys that aren’t out yet. Rob calls Legacy Quake a nondescript rectangle failing at tank cosplay, and a $4,500 Manju Netsuke Optimus Prime stuns the crew. In What We Got This Week, Chris calls Studio Series Steeljaw the worst $11 he has spent on Transformers, and Brian falls for the Yolopark AMK Pro Optimus Prime.

News

Hasbro Launches the 2024 Transformers Hall of Fame Vote

Hasbro opened its 2024 Hall of Fame ballot, and several nominees haven’t been released yet. Brian asks why it is still called a Hall of Fame when it is really toy-of-the-year voting. The 13 Primes category reads as a lead-in to next year’s line, and Matt backs Liege Maximo because of G2. Chris suggests moving the vote to Pulse Fan Fest in spring, after fans have handled everything, and running a real consumer survey. The crew notes it now resembles the RFC Awards. [Source: Hasbro]

Takara Tomy Reveals MPG-14 Godbomber

Takara Tomy revealed MPG-14 Godbomber at 25,000 yen, which works out to close to $200 on import. The regular release appears to include the Masterforce kids’ minifigures. Don thinks Godbomber improves the look of God Ginrai, but the full set nears $500. He says he is done with Masterpiece. [Source: TFW2005]

MPG-14S Godbomber Recreates the Catalog Prototype

The Takara Tomy Mall exclusive MPG-14S adds three option parts to match the unproduced catalog prototype Godbomber. It sells for 29,000 yen, about $30 more, and appears to include flight stand parts. One host notes Super Ginrai’s proportions were compromised to make the God Ginrai combination work. [Source: TFW2005]

Dramatic Capture Series Triple Takeover Three-Pack

Takara Tomy’s Triple Takeover packs Starscream, Astrotrain and Blitzwing with heavy paint. It is the first Astrotrain release on this mold without battle damage. Don would want it only if he didn’t already own these molds. One host corrects last week’s report: Starscream’s shoulder pieces aren’t new, just installed backwards. [Source: TFW2005]

Manju Netsuke Optimus Prime Costs $4,500

A handmade Manju Netsuke Optimus Prime, a traditional Japanese button fastener in silver and gold, costs $4,500. Pre-orders require visiting the Transformers Expo in Tokyo. One host likes the style and says it looks more like Lio Convoy, but not at that price. [Source: TFW2005]

First Looks at Studio Series Transformers One Bumblebee and Elita-1

Don hates Studio Series Bumblebee’s knives, cast in solid blue, and says they look preschool. Another host would rather have painted blades than a big clear chunk on the toy. Elita-1 gets an interesting look, though her feet still stick out the back in vehicle mode. One host and Rob see some Gundam 00 in her rifles. [Source: Snakas Blog]

Stock Photos for the 40th Anniversary Retro Optimus Prime

An Australian retailer posted stock photos of the 40th anniversary Retro Optimus Prime. Brian still likes it, but there are no sticker sheets, so the trailer interior is bare gray. The refreshed box art pops. The crew expects it to be a Walmart exclusive and says store stocking will be a crapshoot. [Source: TFW2005]

Leaked Super7 ReAction Listings

Leaked Super7 ReAction listings include Ghost of Starscream, metallic Grimlock, prototype Arcee, G2 Devastator and an Ark playset. One host calls the Ultimates Ghost of Starscream one of the worst Transformers toys he has bought. The crew guesses the Ark playset could be anything from cardboard to a Kenner-style play set. [Source: TFW2005]

Gamer Edition Ratchet In Hand

Gamer Edition Ratchet looks small for a Voyager and comes with little to justify the price. One host may cancel his pre-order and wait to see it in stores. [Source: Snakas Blog]

Legacy Quake In Hand

Rob says Legacy Quake reuses the Skullgrin mold and turns into a nondescript rectangle failing at tank cosplay. The crew prefers the Titans Return version and jokes about a Pretender shell to hide it. [Source: Snakas Blog]

Legacy United Animated Motormaster In Hand

Matt loves Legacy United Animated Motormaster, built on the Animated Optimus Prime mold, and its head sculpt. The crew wishes there were other Animated molds to finish the Stunticons. [Source: TFW2005]

What We Got This Week

Chris

Chris calls Studio Series Steeljaw the worst $11 he has spent on Transformers. The wings and tail are a separate parts-formed piece, the lion has almost no poseability, and it won’t fit in Blaster’s chest without trimming. He paid about $19 for Studio Series 86 Bumblebee, a decent cartoon Bumblebee if you lack the Netflix version. He also got Star Raiders Road Pig and praises its G2-inspired deco and new head.

Diecast

Diecast’s new favorite is the Dr. Wu Einstein figure, a take on Dark of the Moon’s Brains that becomes a laptop. He also got Fans Toys’ Soundwave with its cassettes and Road Pig.

Don

Don got Steeljaw and Road Pig. From Suruga-ya came the new deluxe EarthSpark Elita-1, retooled from the Warrior class figure with separate guns. He also received the final piece of Show-Z Store’s warship combiner and its bonus kit.

Matt

Matt got Steeljaw, whose wing blasters would shoot its own head. He also picked up Legacy Cybertron Hot Shot, whose door panels attach by 5mm ports, and Road Pig for his Junkion shelf. LEGO Bumblebee is now on Walmart shelves, and he got one.

Rob

Rob grabbed Studio Series 86 Bumblebee on sale. He likes that it transforms without parts-forming and has a secure gun tab, but its size pushes the deluxe price.

Brian

Brian bought Studio Series 86 Bumblebee for $21. He finally assembled the Yolopark AMK Pro Optimus Prime, calling it a non-transforming Masterpiece and a bargain at $55. He also got the cheaper $12 Yolopark Optimus Prime and Grimlock, and a G1 Spinister without stickers. Sean sent him a custom rib-eating Don figure.

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