Radio Free Cybertron 919 kicks off the new year with the crew’s annual 2025 predictions, followed by a packed news block and an extended What We Got segment covering several weeks of hauls.

2025 Predictions

The crew goes in order around the virtual table. Chris predicts a Fire Guts God Ginrai as a Tokyo Toy Show exclusive, a Diaclone Reboot Cross Missing Link Exclusive Spinout (the red Sunstreaker), yet another canceled Cyberverse Prowl redeco from TakaraTomy, and a Collaborative A-Team van reveal. He closes with the perennial call for Deluxe prices to hit $32.99. Rob predicts a Rathian recolor of the Monster Hunter Rathalos Prime, suggests the Transformers model kit boom could push Hasbro to allow transforming kits from licensees, and recycles his annual prediction that Hasbro will have another bad year and get sold for parts. Diecast calls for Hasbro layoffs, a Masterpiece Jazz (again), and a Studio Series 86 Titan — settling on Metroplex after some discussion. Don holds over two predictions from last year — MP-51+ Headmaster Arcee and Killing Jar-inspired recolors — and adds a Combiner Wars Predaking reissue riding the wave of T-Spark Predaking buzz. Matt predicts the next HasLab will be Car Robots Gigatron, the G2 Stunticons will still be incomplete by year’s end, a proper fluorescent Sunstorm on the Earthrise Seeker mold, a Deluxe Powerglide or Windcharger announcement, and Thunderclash. John delegates his predictions to ChatGPT, which offers AI-interactive Transformers smart toys, a Transformers x Mario Kart crossover, and modernized micro diorama sets — all received with varying degrees of mockery and genuine interest. Brian predicts a shake-up in the Hasbro executive team, more licensed product across the board, Missing Link Masters of some variety, and something related to Operation Combination.

News

MPG-15 Masterpiece Rattrap Full Reveal — The complete Beast Wars Masterpiece lineup photo showing Rattrap alongside Optimus Primal, Cheetor, Dinobot, and Tigatron drives the discussion more than the figure itself. The crew notes the line is tracking show-accurate scaling better than any previous Beast Wars toy line, though the Predacon side remains almost entirely untouched with only Blackarachnia and Megatron. Rattrap is priced at $90–$110 depending on retailer. Brian, who has previously stepped back from Beast Wars Masterpiece, admits it’s working on him.

Swapitcons — First real look at the new micro concept where two small non-transforming robots connect and flip to form a combined vehicle. Wave 1 pairs include Optimus Prime/Ultra Magnus and Hot Rod/Bumblebee. The crew finds the concept charming if limited, and several plan to pick up a set primarily for novelty.

T-Spark Zone Event / MPG Nucleon Quest Super Convoy / Transformers x Macross Basara Prime / AMT-02 Predaking / Missing Link Arcee Still in Development — A cluster of TakaraTomy reveals including the black Nucleon Quest Super Convoy redeco (positioned before God Bomber’s June release), the Transformers x Macross Basara Prime model kit with guitar-equipped Optimus Prime, and the AMT-02 Predaking — confirmed as a full transforming combiner team rather than a statue. The AMT-02 styling divides the room. The Missing Link Arcee prototype shows visible engineering progress over the earlier gray prototype, with new hands and visible wheels.

Transformers Cyberworld — Early looks at the apparent successor to Earthspark, featuring a new Bumblebee design that draws comparisons to Alternators Grimlock and a Megabull character the crew broadly likes. Brian notes approvingly that the Optimus Prime character model appears to retain toy-specific details like forearm wheels, suggesting a toys-first design approach.

Age of the Primes Wave 1 / Wrecking Doom Collectors: Top Spin vs. Spinister — Age of the Primes wave 1 is hitting retail in Indonesia. The Top Spin/Spinister two-pack brings Diaclone-colored Top Spin (long requested) and Spinister with his Target Masters, though the crew debates whether Spinister’s colors accurately reflect any specific comics source — conclusion: probably not, but he’s still a good toy and the Target Masters are welcome.

Studio Series 86 Scrapper In-Hand — Size comparison confirms he’s smaller than Combiner Wars Scrapper as expected, scaling with the cartoon, and now features proper elbows. The crew is positive overall.

Star Convoy Behind-the-Scenes, Part 2 — Focus on the Micromaster Hot Rod that rides in Star Convoy’s chest. Brian, previously indifferent, reverses position after seeing it in context. The Micromaster Hot Rod is slightly taller than Kingdom Core Class Hot Rod but matches the design intent.

Silverbolt Behind-the-Scenes, Part 2 — Confirms cross-compatibility between the limb frame parts and Menasor. Discussion of whether the skeletal frame approach is “cheating” — the crew generally lands on “yes, but it’s more stable and functional than Combiner Wars, so it’s fine.”

What We Got This Week

Brian received a 3D-printed Bot figure from Matt (a TFCon pickup), Studio Series 86 Galvatron, an Energon Core Class Galvatron, Leader Class Overcharge, and a Kid Rhino VHS clamshell release of Transformers: The Movie for CRT viewing — which is currently skipping near the start of the tape.

Chris (covering several weeks including his birthday) picked up Super 7 Ultimates Bludgeon at Ross for $20, Beast Wars Masterpiece Optimus Primal sourced through Discord member Rusty Cross at cost from a Habitat for Humanity find in Northern California, and Non-F’s Slipstream Upgrade Kit with ToyHax sticker sheet. Birthday gifts included Legacy G2 Breakdown from JoshBealJack64, a 52 Toys Beast Drive Sky Tail (orange squirrel robot turning into an airship), Marvel Legends Retro Series Iron Man Model 09, a LEGO Creator Retro Camera set from Diecast, and the complete series DVD set for Seven Days from Rob.

Rob picked up the Transformers One Prime Changers Bumblebee for $7 on Amazon — and also bought a Transformers: Dark of the Moon Academy Awards consideration screener DVD on eBay for $15 after Brian found it listed mid-show.

Diecast got MPG-09 Masterpiece Optimal Optimus, two G2 Breakdowns, Armada Universe Wheeljack, two Cosmos figures, Fans Hobby Tsunami (Tidal Wave), KFC Raijin (Jinrai), Ocular Max Groove for Defensor, and Unique Toys Dumb (Mudflap).

Don got two G2 Breakdowns and an Optimus Prime Nook bookshelf standee, spotted on clearance at Walmart for $10.

Matt got two G2 Breakdowns. Notes the Aquamarine color is slightly paler than the prior G2 Combiner Wars release, the clear plastic has shimmer flake that looks great but raises durability concerns, and the light piping was painted over despite being molded in.

John got Armada Wheeljack, praising the storytelling clarity of the scratched-out Autobot symbol design.

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