Transformers Icons Megatron leads a light preorder week, with Yolopark’s Shockwave, Mirage, and The Last Knight Optimus Prime giving us more reasons to find shelf space. We debate whether turning into a faction symbol is enough, and whether non-transforming figures can scratch the collecting itch. Don fights an Age of Extinction Bumblebee, David shows off Missing Link Delta Magnus and vintage Dinoforce knockoffs, and the crew compares Blaster, Swindle, and Cyberglow pickups. Brian closes out the collecting discussion with a $253 Matrix of Leadership pinball upgrade that lights up the wrong color.

Transformers preorders

Transformers Icons Megatron

BigBadToyStore preorder · Hasbro Pulse · Preorder report

Megatron turns into a Decepticon symbol, and we debate how much mileage that one trick gets. Owners of the matching Optimus Prime make the case for its articulation, finish, and usefulness as a display piece. Others would rather wait for a sale. Brian also explains why he has moved on from collecting Titans, even with the temptation of an Ark-versus-Nemesis display.

Yolopark AMK Pro Shockwave — Bumblebee

Yolopark preorder · Manufacturer announcements

Shockwave’s movie design earns praise for its detail and finish. At roughly $63 as quoted during the recording, the question becomes whether a good-looking non-transforming figure fills a gap or starts another collection. We compare Yolopark’s pace and assembly approach with Blokees.

Yolopark AMK Mirage — Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Yolopark preorder · Manufacturer announcement

Mirage prompts a discussion about the value of a roughly $30 action figure that does not transform. We talk through the assembly process and the appeal of a display-focused movie figure.

Yolopark AMK Optimus Prime — Transformers: The Last Knight

Yolopark preorder · Preorder report

The approximately $30 Optimus Prime discussed on the show is expected in October. Diecast is tempted by a design that benefits from skipping the transformation engineering, although fitting it into the collection is another question. Prices and availability here reflect the recording discussion, not a live shopping guide.

What We Got This Week — Transformers hauls

Don Ferguson: Soundwave, Bumblebee, Cyberglow, and Blitzwing

Don picks up Transformers One Soundwave, then explains why his new Age of Extinction Bumblebee has become a transformation project for another day. Hard-to-see black connection points and unhelpful instructions turn an impressive-looking transformation into a frustrating experience.

His Walmart-exclusive Cyberglow pickups lead to a discussion of their colors, the store display, and the Megatron tooling. Studio Series 86 Blitzwing fares much better: Don prefers its colors for his Generation 1 and movie shelf. The Herald of Unicron disappoints enough that he cancels a second preorder intended to flank HasLab Unicron.

David: Cyberglow Optimus Prime, Missing Link Delta Magnus, and Dinoforce knockoffs

David enjoys the blue finish on Cyberglow Optimus Prime and considers ways to light the figure from below. Missing Link Delta Magnus prompts comparisons with the older movie-preview Ultra Magnus and vintage Powered Convoy.

He also shares vintage Dinoforce knockoffs collected through a cross-border pickup. We discuss their rubber shells, a missing tail, and how their inner robots compare with his Monstructor. The group does not establish when these knockoffs were made.

Sean Hamilton: Blaster, Optimus Prime, Jazz, and Swindle

Sean picks up the Transformers Collaborative Blaster crossover and opens the cereal-box-packaged Optimus Prime and Jazz. Optimus Prime gets praise as an affordable taste of the Missing Link concept, while Jazz could use some extra height.

Swindle works for Sean despite the price and visible kibble, and he is ready for more repaints. Cliffjumper and Tailgate round out the clearly identified pickups, with discussion of their proportions and possible cosmetic improvements.

Spider-Bob: Blaster and a transforming football helmet

Spider-Bob opens his Transformers Collaborative Blaster and displays it alongside Shattered Glass Soundwave and Soundblaster. He likes the sparkle, guitar pose, and included cassette figures.

His transforming Buffalo Bills helmet inspires a Jazz-style customization plan using labels intended for Alternators Meister. A second helmet is on order, while other purchases wait in his Pile of Loot.

Diecast: Super7 Optimus Prime in VHS-style packaging

Diecast picks up Super7’s dead Optimus Prime figure in movie-themed VHS-style packaging. He likes the presentation, opening chest, and Matrix, and plans to display it with his previously purchased Soundwave package. He also reflects on Peter Cullen while discussing the purchase.

Brian Kilby: A Matrix of Leadership with the wrong glow

Brian’s Transformers pinball shooter upgrade cost $253 with shipping and tax, but its Matrix lights up red instead of the expected blue. It works mechanically; the disappointment is the appearance and the prospect of taking the assembly apart again to replace the lighting. That opens a broader discussion about expensive pinball add-ons and paying for more features after buying the machine.

Transformers collecting follow-up: Possible knockoff Seekers

After the social plugs, we return to a previous conversation about potentially counterfeit Seekers. A guest suggests comparing sprue marks with a known original before treating the figures as knockoffs. It is a proposed check, not a confirmed identification.

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