Times change man, that's it and all that's all. Standards are different now. Kids can't carry around replicas of guns, and metal parts would make every TF a floppy mess *COUGH*Titaniums*COUGH*.

 

Can't wait to see what these guys will look like in comparison to the Generations line. Hopefully we'll see some pictures well before these figures get stateside.

I should of bought Henkei Ironhide, Ratchet, and Hound over their Classics 2.0 counterparts to begin with and I'm not making that mistake again. I'm picking and choosing between the lines this time.

 

True, times change but doesn't mean I have to change with them or my tastes to fit in. Again, just because things change doesn't always mean it's for the better.

Anyways, back on topic...from the few United pics I've seen so far I didn't notice any chrome like the Henkei figures had. Just the metallic paint which doesn't justify spending 3x as much over the Hasbro Generations figures.

 

How the heck does "Hoilgaru" come even close to "san-da-wingu"? I've said this before, but "hoil" is the way the Japanese pronounce "wheel".

And don't even bet that Hasbro will release Rumble as purple. Every single Hasbro release of Frenzy and Rumble has been FIBRIR. Why would they change that?

...

Oh wait, you were joking about that weren't you.

 

I am really hoping they don't just release all these gems outside the states and make us wait til they cancel the line and start it up again as something new a year later like they did with Red Alert, Thrust, and Dirge.

 

First: I think we'd all like to see them.
Second: Takara targets Collectors with the Henkei/United lines. Kids get Animated and the movie stuff right now.
Third: They don't always put the toys out first and there is no reason to assume that most of these figures will be out before Hasbro does them. (Jazz and Tracks are slated to be released before Christmas.)

I'm sorry that you are having trouble trying to buy these figures, but there are a number of reasons as to why they're so expensive compared to Hasbro's versions. As I stated above, Takara markets these figures more to collectors on both sides of the Pacific. Chrome and extra paint apps cost more so those expenses are passed on to the collectors.

Also, keep in mind, that unless you are taking a trip to Japan yourself, the only way to get these figures over here in the US, is to pay to import them. Online stores like Tempting Toys and BBTS put up a lot of upfront money to bring these toys over to US collectors and have to make a little profit otherwise there's no point in them doing it in the first place. And even if you had a pal over in Japan who would pick you up a few at retail there, You would still have to pay shipping to get them sent to you. (trust me those costs can add up.)

The main reason why Hasbro doesn't release these figures over here like Takara does is the same reason why you're complaining about them now... they'd cost too much. Take the Masterpiece Rodimus, Japan is releasing him with the trailer for about $200.00. Not many collectors would pay that over here if Hasbro released the whole toy here. They wouldn't want to even pay half that. Most of us would want to wait until they went on clearance. So who would carry it if they can't make money off of them?

It's the same with the Deluxe toys. Wal-Mart/Target/K-Mart/TRU would never buy those figures at the prices Hasbro would have to charge for them to make them exactly like Takara's figures. Period. How many people here complained over the last couple of years about the lack of paint apps or the seemingly poor quality of plastic on some of theses figures? The reason for that... The discount stores didn't want to pay more for them than they have since Beast Wars started back in '96. Since Hasbro couldn't raise the prices to meet the cost of rising materials, they had to cut back of the toys themselves.

That is until a couple of years ago when the discount stores finally raised the prices a couple of bucks. But even then fans complained about the costs going up even tho the Deluxe figures stayed the same price for 12 years.

Now I don't want you to think I'm picking on you here, as I've stated, there are a lot of fans who feel the same way you do too. But, you have to understand that Hasbro and Takara as well as any retailer who will carry these toys for you to purchase, have to make a profit so they can continue to make and sell more toys. That's the way the industry works. Call it a necessary evil if you must, but all of these people who bring you these toys have to make a living too.

 

Welcome to the UK!  

 

Thanks man for the eye opener. "ya right"

 

^You pretty much are 100% spot on, man!  
Couldn't have put it better myself!

 

transformer united preview pic

saw this on another site. its a picture of the new wreck-gar, and perceptor.

http://transformersclub.com/_images/ish_35.jpg

 

m so excited bout the generations line....with this united line a couple figs I know will be better then hasbros version... I might have to up and spend the cash for em....I only have 1 henkei and thats Astrotrain...his colors were far superior to hasbros...I am betting the japan Jazz and Tracks will sport way better paint apps and those are the ones I will be purchasing...I also will be picking up hasbros version too though ...all these great classic figs coming will definitely keep the stink of those movie toys away from me and that makes me very berry happay!!

 

  I.MUST.OWN.THAT.WRECK-GAR!

EDIT: and that's what I get for not opening my Collector's Club mag when it comes in I guess

 

Could these release dates be correct? Approx 20 toys over Dec-Jan.
IIRC, Takara don't usually pump TFs out that quickly... and it's faster than Hasbro are turning them out.

I'm loving all these complaints from people who think that because a Delxue costs 10-12 in their local Target, or TRU that's what they should cost everywhere.

SECOND: Because toy prices in the US are kept artificially low as a result of volume retailers like Wal-Mart who refuse pointblank to pay more than price X for a toy.

From those of us in markets who have to bear that cost 'You're welcome'.


THIRD: No.

FOUR: You get no chrome because of the answer in "SECOND".

The ones i grew up with generally had limited articulation and often looked nothing like their animation models.
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

 

My gut is telling me Hoilgaru is Wheeljack. The fact you can confirm Hoil = Wheel helps me there. Makes me wonder where the hard syllable at the end should come in though.

For comparison:

YouTube - Wheeljack Transformers Energon/Super Link

 

Well when i first heard the news about the pre-orders would be up soon at bbts for Takara United line, i was soooo damn happy, then a friend told me about that he pre-ordered every freaking Transformer from bbts for the United line and he said he's total came to $611 and didnt include shipping or tax. So i was thinking, this didn't sound right, so i headed over to bbts myself and saw that deluxes are $31.99 and voyagers are $50 each!! I really had my hopes set high to get all of these, but do the prices increase, i wont be able to get much at all and not only that, theres no chrome on these toys, just a shinier finish thats it! and too me what made Takara's line way different than Hasbro was the chrome, not so shinier paint job! Well, i might get a few, but theres NO WAY, im spending that kind of money on Japanese toys and i don't care how top notch they are.

 

I think Hoilguru is Thunderwing. I mean where's Thunderwing on the list?

 

No pictures yet?  

I suppose these are to Generations what Henkei was for the Classics/Universe.

I hope so because Henkei versions were more G1 accurate. Then I will only get the United versions.

Frenzy and Rumble are unexpected. I already have the ones from Perfect Effect. I hope these will be better quality then Ravage.
Hopefully this means more casettes:
I want: Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, Eject, Rewind, Ramhorn and Steeljaw.
Ratbat, Overkill and Slugfest would also be nice but optional.

 

In my opinion, those Titaniums were poorly engineered. Metal parts didn't make those old toys floppy, so I doubt metal parts was the main reason for Titaniums being that way.

Just sayin...

Ok, sorry for the off topic post.

Back on topic. I don't know if that post about people ranting about the prices was directed me as well, but I just want to clarify that I was pointing out the higher prices from previous Takara deluxe size figures. I didn't pay that much for any Henkei, mainline release.

 

Indeed, they were rather poorly engineered. Still, it just goes to show you how badly placed metal parts can really mess up what could otherwise be a pretty cool toy, i.e. WWI Prime's diecast arms and plastic shoulders or all of that tank Megatron.  

 

Autovolt, I've already said this but there is no way in heck that "Hoilgaru" can be Thunderwing... unless Thunderwing suddenly has wheels for some reason. Skullgrin/Dauros isn't on the list either.

Honestly, I have a hard time believing many of these until I see pictures.