2016 New York Toy Fair Transformers Toys

Over this weekend the 2016 New York Toy Fair was held to announce a planned slate of toys for at least some of 2016. Hasbro was on hand to reveal their planned first wave releases of Transformers: Titan Wars and Robots in Disguise season 2 figures. For Titans War, the main gimmick was Titan Masters which is the catch all name for G1s Head Masters, Target Masters, and Power Masters. The signature figure was Fortress Maximus whose retains the G1 gimmick of his head transforming into Deluxe scaled Cerebros and his head in also a Titan Master called Emissary. Below is a link to the official pictures (really computer renders) and show room galleries for these upcoming Transformers. No release dates but presentation suggested Fall 2016 for Titan Wars (which makes me wonder what the next 8 or so months of TF toys will be).

Hasbro Presentation
- Most of presentation was to reveal the toys below but here are a few additional nuggets
- IDW Robots in Disguise comics (the cartoon) will return in the Fall.
- Fan choice Trypticon still in the design phase but little shorter then Metroplex due to hunch
- Transformers: Robots in Disguise season two begins February 20th, season two trailer here.

Titan Wars
Fortress Maximus - Two feet tall with light and sound effects, comes with Cerebros and Emissary.
Platinum Edition - Sweeps Three pack with Cyclonus, Scourge, and Sweep (modified repaints of previous Generation releases)
Deluxe - Blurr (w/ Hyperfire), Scourge (w/ Fracas), Mindwipe (w/ Vorath), and Chromedome (w/ Stylor)
Legends - Laserbeak, Rumble, and Wheelie. Alt modes no longer a cassette but something new but similar.
Leader - Soundwave (w/ Soundblaster)
Showroom Galleries: One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six
Video - A look at the showroom floor via Seibertron.com.


Robots In Disguise
Platinum Edition Two Pack - Contains Warrior class Bumblebee with Vouager class Grimlock where Grimlock is modified from a Japanese mold for Fall of Cybertron Grimlock.
Power Surge Optimus Prime - A pretty slick take on RID Prime with lights and sounds. Comes with mini-con Aerobolt.
Warrior - Look at really deluxe scale of Windblade, Scorponok and smaller version of Power Surge Prime.
Showroom Galleries: One | Two |
Videos - Two videos from the showroom floor RID toys via Seibertron.com

Misc
Kids Logic Devastator - These are mini-figures with gigantic heads. I don't believe these transform or combine but are really 7 extra figures, six for the Combaticons and 1 bigger one for Devastator. Additional Galleries: One | Two
Comicave - A look at 1/22 scale Age of Extinction Prime and Bumblebee poseable, not transformable action figures (think Hot Toys). Additional gallery.

Linkfest - Christmas Time Is Here

Hopefully just in time for Christmas wish lists and gift giving (to fellow TF fans or yourself), here is a ton of reveals on Hasbro's Combiner Wars figures, Takara Masterpiece figures and a bunch of 3rd party figures with the year long emphasis on combiners. The 3rd party output remains painfully high for wallets with the combiners contining unabated (and most looking amazing) but now there is a more heathly mix of other, often Masterpiece scaled, figures. In addition to the reviews there are galleries to upcoming 3rd party toys, licensed statues, and action figures. To start though is some fan-art including a custom paint job, transforming Lego, and more. On a side note for Transformers: Robots in Disguise fans it has been confirmed the second season is also the final season with only 16 episodes and will end with a "movie" that is equal to 3 episodes. Exactly when it will start airing has not been revealed. On to the info dump.

Fan Art
Custom IDW Optimus Prime and Shockwave - Sadly this version of Optimus Prime and Shockwave isn't available. This custom paint job from LEK Custom Toys was inspired by the artwook from Transformers: Devastation IDW comic book from a few years ago that added a shiny sheen to all the TFs as a kind of hybrid of metal and cartoon look. The result is pretty fantastic looking. Even more images can be found at their Facebook page.

Transformers 5 Temp Logo and Transformers: Micronauts Revealed

At Monday's Hasbro Investor Day, a few tidbits was revealed by CEO Brian Goldner in regards to Transformers. The main takeaway, as the graph shows (purposely dropping the last 3 000s for space reasons), is TFs are selling well but does rely heavily on the movies for boosts in numbers and a cartoon series in non-movie years. Still sales or more than double what they were in 2005 when Hasbro paid far less attention to Transformers. If look in the bottom right you will also see Hasbro's temporary logo for Transformers 5 that will likely be jazzed into a final version once the movie begins pre-production sometime in early 2016.

Nothing newsworthy was mentioned about Transformers 5 but they did share that China will be getting a Kre-O Armor Hero line that currently isn't coming stateside. Of greater interest is the 1980s Micronauts are returning as Transformers: Micronauts. Exactly how and when this merge of two lines will happen was not explained. Hasbro will also continue to provide fans with opportunities to impact the line like they have done the last two years with Generations Windblade and Combiner Wars Victorian. So in short TF is doing just fine. You can find the full slide show from the day at TFW2005.

Titan Wars, All Hail Optimus Announced at NYCC '15

At this weekend's New York Comic Con (NYCC), Hasbro and IDW were on hand to reveal their 2016 plans for Transformers. The key portions include what they are calling the "Prime Wars Trilogy" with part one being the Combiner Wars. Part two of the trilogy is the Titan Return that will be told in the comic books, video games, a Machinima web-based cartoon series and new toy line starting Summer 2016. As for that toy line, it will introduce the return of the TargetMasters and HeadMasters (and maybe eventually the Powermasters). This new group will collectively be called "Titan Masters". For those not familiar with G1 terms, think of these "Masters" as Mini-Cons whose alt modes are a robot head, weapon or transformation trigger. More interesting is the Masters will also be sold separately so if don't like Galvatron's headmaster (yep), you can find one you might instead. IDW also revealed the first story for Titans Return with "All Hail Optimus" were Prime "annexes planet Earth to become part of Cybertron's Council of Worlds - he takes control of Earth to protect it from invasion." Below are a few further details and galleries to the wave one toys for Titan Masters and RID season 2.

SDCC 2015 Day One Transformers News

I had planned to wait until the end of the weekend and just sum up all of the Transformers news from the San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) but it seems just do to the panel schedules that most of the news has already been released. Hasbro had their Transformers Brand Panel where they showed off the Victorion combiner (yep all repaints) and few other sets that are planned for release sometime in the fall. They also revealed a new cartoon web series with Machinima and another trailer for the Transformers: Devastation video game. At this point all that seems left in the news department will be from IDW's panel and usually they just tease the same material already released in the 3 month advance comic book solicitations. On the movie front I seriously doubt there will be any info. Below are the highlights with links to pictures from Thursday's first official day of SDCC.

Generations Devastator Available for Pre-Order

If, like me, you are looking to get hold of Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Devastator, then Amazon might have you covered. The retail site has a pre-order listing for the 18" toy that combines from six Voyager sized Constructicons. The release date is currently set for August 1, 2015 for a price of $150 with free shipping. and you can find a picture review here. As for its retail store release, so far this is all we have but I assume at some point it might hit Walmart, Target, etc in the states at least.

You can pre-order Devastator by clicking here.

Botcon 2015

Botcon 2015 completed its annual TF love fest this weekend in Chicago, Illinois. Since it is a non-movie year the focus was mostly on Combiner Wars and Robots in Disguise with Hasbro on hand to present some of their late 2015 to early 2016 plans which to no surprise includes more Combiners and a whole lot of repaints for both lines. On the Transformers: Hall of Fame front, Frank Welker (voice of Megatron), Prowl, Predaking, and Vince DiCola (composer for Transformers: The Movie) were inducted. No movie news or anything major to report. Since Botcon bans 3rd Party toys (per Hasbro directive), nothing to report there either. Hit the links below for summaries of all the various panels and galleries to upcoming Transformers releases.

Linkfest - Combiner Wars Continue

The Combiner Wars continue for Hasbro with an upcoming release of the Protectobots and for most of the 3rd party companies who have released either completed around four or five combiners this year with another 5 or so set to finish by year end. It is an embarassment of riches for fans but also quite wallet draining if trying to keep up, especially if trying to get all the combiners. That is before you include the 6 or so Dinobot lines that also in works from these companies.

Much like how combiners wars are a nod to the past so too are some of the links below with a look at potential Action Master designs using combiners as action figures, some behind the scenes info from Transformers: The Movie and 35+ year old commercials from Japan that feature many of your favorite G1 Transformers before they became Transformers. There are also links to galleries to the first 3rd party Grimlock, Prime 1 Studios Age of Extinction statue line, and a stop motion video.

As for reviews, the links include Hasbro's Combiner releases of Cyclonus, the Protectobots, Stunticons, along with Robots in Disguise Jazz & Drift, Playstation Optimus Prime and Masterpiece Star Saber. For third party releases there are a ton of reviews to go with their now overkill output. Iron Factory and 3DX has three releases of their legend scale lines. ToyWorld completes their not Throttlebot combiner after over a year of nothing on that front while also releasing a solid take on not Astrotrain. The number of not Dinobots in the works has reached at least six lines that I can think of including two of them being combiners. Probably need to develop a cheat sheet to keep up at this point. Warbotron has completed their not Bruticus combiner that looks spectacular while Unique Toys reaches the halfway point on their not Terrocons. Those are just some of the many reviews linked below.

Toy Fair 2015: Devastator Revealed and Much More

Over the weekend Toy Fair 2015 was held. Hasbro was also at the event where they unveiled some of their spring and fall releases for Transformers. For Combiners Wars we can look forward to Devastator box set, the Protectobots and Ultra Magnus. Robots in Disguise is getting the full cartoon treatment with lots of toys planned across all sub lines including the return of the Mini-Cons. Below is an attempt to break down some of their plans. Much like other link fests a link equals a gallery so start clicking away. If want to just click through a massive gallery (307 pics) from the show floor click here. All in all, Hasbro has some great Transformers for fans of all ages. Thanks to Silver Knight for heads-up.

Linkfest - Dinobots and Combiners Oh My

It has been a months since did my last linkfest and its shows with an epic ton of video reviews for upcoming figures from Hasbro's Combiner Wars line and all the third party figures. Below are a bunch of reviews for the first wave for the Combiner Wars with an occasional look at an incomplete combiner as Hasbro chose to swap a Stunticon with an Arialbot for each wave to emphasize their ability to swap to create "new" combined robots. Also a look at the first wave of Robots in Disguise toys along with Masterpiece Ultra Magnus and Bumblebee.

For third party reviews the theme is the Dinobots with four lines coming this year. Two of them are Masterpiece scaled figures from Fanstoys while Planet X's are based on War for Cyberton, and one is regular scaled release (from Fansproject) while last is a combiner (from Toyworld). Hopefully the reviews below will help in deciding which of the four to commit to. The 3rd party pattern remains combiners. Other than the Dinobots there are currently takes on the Terrorcons, Combaticons, Technobots and Protectobots. Before the reviews here are links to some upcoming releases, two 80s Transformers videos, and an update on Transformers: Robots in Disguise cartoon series.

Update: Added this reveal of Combiner Wars Devastator. No real deal details except that he may follow the G1 version with six characters merging and come complete as a collection rather than sold individually. Hopefully more will be revealed at the New York Toy Fair that starts Feb 2.

Linkfest - Combiner Wars

The news on the Transformers 5 front remains dead and probably will for a while but that doesn't mean the toys stop coming. In a few cons Hasbro and 3rd party vendors teased about the next six months or so of releases. For Hasbro that means Angry Birds, Combiner Wars and Robots in Disguise toys.

For third party companies, the theme remains combiners with upcoming releases of combiners but it seems the theme for 2015 is Dinbots with at least three separate sets coming one of which will be an actual combiner. Other galleries include a look at Optimus Prime turning into a Playstation 1 console, a look at Ultimetel Prime, and more. On the video review front we have looks at the next wave of Generations Deluxe and Voyager toys, look at two versions of Swoop, reviews of the not Technobots, more Masterpiece figures including Wheeljack, and bunch more.

Linkfest - Dinobots and More

If last few years seemed like 3rd parties focused heavily on combiners, it seems this year has become about the Dinobots as at least three or so companies are prepping their own Dinobot homages. In that realm we have galleries for not Computron, not Swindle, not Sky-Byte, and early look at the not Throttlebots combiner. On the official products front, Takara is working on their take of the Sega Genesis Transformer and a new paint job for Evasion Mode Prime. Hasbro has released images of some of their Angry Birds Transformers line and a look at some TF4 exclusives. In the licensed products realm, Hot Toys is releasing their take on Optimus Prime while Prime 1 Studio has movie inspired busts in the works along with a large and expensive Starscream statue, and Kubrick is releasing their own Bearbrick Transformers. In addition have a look at apartments that kind of transform through creative use of space. On the review front, a look at 28+ toys that have been released or about too. A few favorites include a look at Generations Jetfire, iGears new design of the Seekers, not Skullcruncher, Guardian, not Sludge and a Dinobot combiner.

SDCC 2014: Hasbro Teases Robots in Disguise Cartoon, New Combiner Toys

Thursday was the official start of the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con. The yearly convention is nowadays used as a big old smorgasbord of movie and TV news but the comic book and toy side still gets a little of the spotlight. Hasbro was on hand and held their panel that picked up where Botcon 2014 left off. At the panel they introduced two new Generations combiners, teased the new Transformers: Robots in Disguise cartoon series along with a few toys and spoke about a few other things. Summary and links to the galleries are below along with the teaser video for the cartoon. All slides from the panel are here.

Botcon 2014

Botcon 2014 was held this weekend in Pasadena, California. Like previous one, it was a chance to get a look at some of Hasbro's plans for the Transformers line for the next year. No major news was revealed but Hasbro is continuing the lines along the same paths as this year. For Age of Extinction they showed off a bunch of upcoming one-step changers and multi-packs that use existing molds. The most interesting toy news was on the Generations front with plans for a G1 inspired designs for Megatron and Optimus Prime, official return of the headmasters with Brainstorm. Part of that is two firsts - after nearly 30 years getting a true G1 Transformers: The Movie inspired version of Arcee along with for the first time to my knowledge having a Chromia figure that isn't simply a repaint of Arcee but an actually new mold (Cybertronian motorcycle). IDW revealed a few of their upcoming mini-series plans involving Windblade and Drift. Below are highlights from each of the panels. After that are links to a ton of official photos along with galleries from the floor. Last but not least is a video of Hasbro's toy display. Basically the news looked good but I also get the impression that Hasbro was holding back for San Diego Comic-Con.

Linkfest - Masterpiece Kre-O

Botcon is this weekend so figured better push this out as has been a while. As usual 3rd party releases dominate as they are constantly announcing something including two different versions of not Computron, a take on G1 Jetfire, Metroplex, repaints, and more. Takara has revealed their repaint of Evasion Mode Prime, a look at Masterpiece Bumblebee, Wheeljack, MP Ultra Magnus and yet another repaint of MP-10 Optimus Prime. Hasbro also is planning to release their own official take of Jetfire for the Generations line. On the cartoon front, no news on the new series but Shout Factory is planning something for Botcon along with the release of Transformers Animated and Beast Machines box sets. As usual, lots of video reviews including generations toys, not Cy-Kill, not Blaster, a $2000 statue and more. To start though is this cool Kre-O take on the classic Generations One line.

Angry Birds Transformers Line Announced

Soon it will be Autobirds vs. Deceptihogs as Angry Birds Transformers was announced today by Hasbro. The plan is to essentially follow the Angry Birds Star Wars model with games, Telepod toys (no idea what this means), and more. If the Angry Birds image to the left looks familiar, its a take on the 20th Anniversary DVD release of Transformers: The Movie. It will be interesting how all the toys come out but based on the image at least, the result is going to be very strange for long time TF fans but I imagine kids will love it.

Linkfest - not Everything

Just realized allowed the toy side of news to stack up. Guess was distracted by the Age of Extinction reviews. Still while AoE has been a bit underwhelming, that doesn't mean upcoming 3rd Party plans have slacked in their awesomeness with versions of not Metroplex, not Cy-Kill (yep the GoBot) and not Ultra Magnus. This isn't to say that Takara and Hasbro are not up to some none Extinction plans. Takara has revealed their 30th Anniversary plans that includes a new truck alt mode for Optimus, a look at Masterpiece Wheeljack, and agreements for a slew of products including statues, play sets and ties. In the not quite toy news department we have a look at G1 cartoon concept art and news that the entire "Unicron trilogy" is getting a DVD release. Of course no link fest is complete without a ton of reviews. The highlights include the wave 1 Generation deluxes, Masterpiece Ratbat, not Sharkticons, not Ultra Magnus, not Masterpiece Slag, first figure of a not Bruticus combiner, not Blaster and more. Basically a series of budget busting awesome. As always hit the links for more details and pictures.

Behind Scenes of Peter Cullen Recording Session for Toy Line

Below is a short video that gives a tease of some of the lines that may be heard with upcoming toys. The video is part of a recording session between Peter Cullen and voice editors Rick Sellers and Wes McCraw in Ohio. While not specified the only toys I can think of coming out that could use the voice of Optimus Prime is for Transformers: Age of Extinction. While always nice to hear the voice, the lines do nothing to suss out any potential AoE spoilers. (via Seibertron)

Linkfest - Introducing the Transformers

Time to play catch-up on Transformers non-movie news. A few treats this month with the main one being a great video that from the 1983 Tokyo Toy Fair that introduces to the world what would become the Transformers. On the upcoming third party front, the theme this year is once again combiners with various companies doing their own take on the Protectobots, Combaticons, and another Predaking. Hasbro and Takara have their own non-TF4 news with MP Wheeljack tease, MP Prowl coming stateside, and new Rescue Bots inspired Transformers cartoon coming. In G1 news there is an interview with the guy that killed Optimus Prime, toy design art, official release of Transformers: The Movie score and a new TF book. Finally on the review front lots of great new toys with Warden (IDW Fortrest Maximus), Year of the Horse Prime, Mania King (Galvatron), Bii and Intimidator being on my to buy list. Hit the links and vids to learn more.

1983 Tokyo Toy Fair Video - A substantial piece of Transformers history is now available on YouTube with an old video that shows off the Generation One Transformers for the very first time. Taken at the 1983 Tokyo Toy Show, this was when Hasbro saw the concept and introduced it in 1984 to US audiences. So basically this show and a simple booth launched multi-billion dollar franchise.

Linkfest - Happy New Year Edition

The end of 2013 is here with final toy linkfest of the year. Its been a good year in toys with Generations line, Takara's new additions to the Masterpiece line and most of the 3rd party makers knocking out some outstanding Transformers that often put Hasbro's and Takara's offerings to shame. As the the galleries show, 2014 is going to be the same, especially as Hasbro shifts to the Transformers 4 toyline. In 3rd party news we have a look at not Galvatron, not Menasor, not Ratch, and not IDW Fortress Maximus. Hasbro abd Takara are doing another repaint of MP Prime, more Generations coming, and few other official products. Other topics include Botcon 2014 has a location and time, Gingerbread Prime, new The Touch video, and movie statues. Per usual also have a bunch of new video reviews including look at latest Masterpiece Prowl, not Motormaster, not Brainstorm, new not Throttlebot, not Swoop and more.

3rd Party Galleries
Unique Toys Mania King - This 3rd party figure recreates the original G1 Galvatron but with a whole lot more detail and color scheme while keeping his Cybertronian alt mode. No estimated release date or price.
FansProject not Menasor - After a bit of a delay, the final piece of Fansproject's Intimidator combiner is coming next month. Diesel (aka not Motormaster) is set for release by the end of January for $150. Hit the link for the look at their final combiner and head below for a preview review of Diesel and Intimidator. Another gallery is here.
iGear not Ratchet - Hit the link for a re-release of iGear's not Ratchet release from early last year. This version is about $30 cheaper as they eliminated most of the unnecessary accessories that came with the figure. I got the first version and do recommend getting as it is a faithful re-creation of the G1 Ratchet robot and vehicle modes that fits with the Masterpiece line. Out now for $100.