Stern’s G1 Transformers pinball is shipping, with the Pro version already turning up in arcades — though Brian’s pricier Limited trim came with a $1,500 topper catch he didn’t see coming. The panel digs into in-hand looks at the Studio Series MTMTE Insecticons, the wall-mountable Transformers Icons Optimus Prime (“the least necessary Transformer ever”), and the stacked Blokees Shining “Eternal Rivalry” wave. Yolopark’s Beast Wars Megatron and Blackarachnia hit pre-order, and Don’s Donanomics math breaks down whether to buy direct or through BBTS. On What We Got This Week, Matt scores the missing G2 Dinobots and a screen-accurate Studio Series Kranix, Don adds a Magic Square Shockwave for his Bruticus, and Brian heat-guns a stress mark out of his new Twin Mill repaint.

News

Stern G1 Transformers Pinball Now Shipping — Pro Edition Hitting Arcades
Stern’s G1 Transformers table is officially in the wild, with the Pro version — the more durable, fewer-moving-parts build meant for bars and arcades — already showing up at locations. There are three trims: Pro, Premium, and Limited. Brian ordered the Limited and learned the hard way that the lit, animated topper isn’t included and runs $1,500 on its own, sparking a debate about whether any pinball topper is worth that (Diecast pegged the Star Wars one at $300–$500 tops). Brian’s verdict: he’ll grab it eventually, but he’s not thrilled, and he still rates Godzilla as the best table in 20 years. [Source: Stern Pinball]

Transformers Overgear OG-03 Optimus Prime Transformation Video
A full transformation walkthrough surfaced for the Overgear Optimus Prime, and Brian was relieved it’s simpler than the premium look suggests — landing in the same complexity vein as the JAXA Optimus Prime. Don compared the aesthetic to Bayverse without the knifey, pressurized engineering, and Rob liked that you fold away decorative parts rather than fighting a zillion tabs. Diecast thought it might have more transformation than MPG-17. Brian’s not buying it unless a repaint shows up. [Source: TFW2005]

Studio Series MTMTE Insecticons Bombshell, Shrapnel & Kickback 3-Pack In-Hand
In-hand images of the Studio Series MTMTE Insecticons 3-pack left the panel cold. The paint reads close to the existing Decepticons Part 2 release, with Bombshell swapping the purple for cartoon-accurate grays — which Don and Matt agreed actually makes the trio look less cohesive than the purple version. The clear chest pieces where the Diaclone drivers sit got a thumbs-up, and Kickback’s wings being non-clear is a small plus, but the set landed as decidedly non-essential for anyone who already owns Insecticons. [Source: TFW2005]

Transformers Icons Optimus Prime Autobot Symbol In-Hand Images
In-hand images didn’t change many minds on the Transformers Icons Optimus Prime — the figure that turns into a stubby-limbed Autobot symbol. Rob noted it has a wall mount on the back so you can hang it as a large Autobot symbol, and pointed out the design echoes the symbol-shaped mechs in Gurren Lagann. Brian dubbed it a “Transformers MODOK.” At over $50, Don would rather have a regular Voyager. [Source: TFW2005]

Blokees Transformers Shining Version 05 Eternal Rivalry Official Images
Official images dropped for the next Blokees blind-box wave, the premium Shining Version 05 “Eternal Rivalry,” packing new Optimus Prime and Megatron molds alongside a Quintesson Judge, Cup, Perceptor, Hot Rod, and a clear Chase Optimus Prime with an opening Matrix chest. The panel worked out that Perceptor likely ships with the dying-Prime hospital-bed table and a molded “I fear the wounds are fatal” word balloon, and that the Quintesson’s levitation beam lights up. Diecast talked himself into needing the set; Brian, mid-divestment, declared himself Blokees-free. [Source: TFW2005]

Yolopark AMK Beast Wars Megatron & Blackarachnia Pre-Orders Live
Yolopark’s AMK Beast Wars Megatron and Blackarachnia opened for pre-order at $33 and $27 respectively on Yolopark’s site. Don ran the numbers — Yolopark direct (plus ~$17 shipping) versus BBTS, where the figures run $44.99 each — and figured roughly a $20 savings buying direct, since BBTS carries about a $15 markup per figure. The Donanomics convinced Brian to order direct on the spot; Diecast is out (too simple, too big), while Don is tempted despite owning the Masterpiece versions. [Source: TFW2005]

New Siege Commander Jetfire Reissue Reportedly Coming
Word of another Siege Commander Jetfire reissue surfaced, though Brian flagged it as unconfirmed rumor. Diecast is hoping for an SDCC-style or black-and-purple colorway; Brian, who owns the latter, hopes it isn’t that one so he can still sell his. Matt expects a stripped-down release that loses the blast effects to cost-cutting, and noted this would be the third release / second reissue with the Shattered Glass version still never reissued. The talk segued into Brian’s plan to list his Shattered Glass copy without instructions. [Source: TFW2005]

What We Got This Week

Diecast had nothing in Transformers this week.

Don picked up “Spock,” Magic Square’s Legends-class Shockwave recolor, retooled to fit in the hand of his Magic Square Bruticus — a finicky-but-rewarding $25 build with free shipping that looks great in gun mode. He also grabbed the Super 7 prototype Unicron variant in slightly different box colors for around $12, and loves the look.

Matt scored Studio Series Kranix — spot-on screen-accurate with joints so tight the figure stays exactly where you pose it (he may never transform it). From the Pulse 40-for-40 sale he finally landed the missing G2 Dinobots, Snarl and Slag. Slag’s green is a touch off but rich enough in hand; Snarl’s washed-out maroon is the disappointment, and his stegosaurus spines have warped from years in the box — though they’ll hide in robot mode.

Rob had nothing in Transformers this week.

Brian ordered the red Twin Mill repaint from Hasbro Pulse and loves its laser-rods vibe (he heat-gunned out a stress mark after a transformation mishap, and plans to add a sword). He also got the Missing Link Cliffjumper and Bumblebee anime repaints — his least favorite of the line, since the anime-specific faces don’t jibe with the toy-coded bodies. Tangentially, he snagged the boxed Starriors Armored Battle Station playset from Needless Toys, purely because the box is beautiful.

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