Saw FXFranz's video on those new dollar store Joe figures. I know he said they would be around $1-$2, but I doubt that's actually gonna be the case. Though it would be nice if they did cut out all the fancy packaging and useless "weapons" to give us all a break on the prices.

 

Well with all the talk of Joes, and Starscream showing up and DG...I may just have to stop by a couple to see if they've hit around here yet or not.

I have the original RTS SS, but if this one is in a slightly different deco, I'll probably snag another for $6.  

 

I went into my Dollar General just for the heck of it and found them. Bought Starscream. I already have an RTS one, but it has a loose hip joint AND sloppy paint apps.

The Dollar General one is a lot better than the RTS one in terms of quality control. Plus he has proper con symbols instead of rub signs.

 

I just snagged one of the Starscreams the other day, and noticed that there are several differences between the RTS version besides the rug signs.

The molding on the "Null Rays" and the copyright stamp are different that the RTS version, but identical to the EZ Chronicles one. I don't have the Takara version for direct comparison, but judging by the pics I've been able to find online, the paint apps seem to be the same as the EZ Chronicles one too!

I don't have any pics on hand at the moment, but here's a link to my video review that points out the differences and similarities between the Hasbro and Takara versions.

Review 020 Transformers RTS: "Dollar General" Starscream - YouTube

Kinda cool IMO, considering I was thinking about getting the EZ Chronicle one already.  

If anybody has any pics of the DG v EZ versions, I'd like to see them to see exactly how similar they are.

 

I wonder if they are Takara Overstock

 

I was kinda thinking the same thing, but didn't think it warranted a new thread (although it was tempting LOL). If they are, I think it's a hell of a deal to get the Takara version for $6 at US retail. Granted the differences are minor, but there's that whole Takara > Hasbro thing that a LOT of collectors have.

 

I have yet to see these guys in any of the DG's around my area. Any clue if they'll show up at the other usual dollar store chains like Fred's and Family Dollar?

 

No sightings yet, but its hard to believe Hasbro would make a whole assortment for one chain. Last years "Dollar General" toys were the dino-scouts packaged on Generations cards as well as a re-issue of the optimus vs megatron set (crappy deluxe molds), and some places got leftovers of the walmart exclusive sets. All that stuff turned up at multiple retailers eventually, so I'd think that through the summer/fall/christmas they'll end up everywhere sooner or later.

 

Very good possibility.

 

Skywarp and Thundercracker need to see a release next.

 

Agreed. I've never seen any of these that show up at the dollar stores as a specially made assortment but Hasbro simply continually putting their product out in other places such as these. Surplus stock that gets a different packaging. These figures showed up at the Five Below stores as well.

YES.

 

I'm pretty sure they'er the Takara EZ Chronicles ones (at least SS), but I've never heard of TakaraTomy overstock ending up at the Dollar Stores here in the States, it's usually just Hasbro overstock as far as I know.

 

Its definitely not any kind of overstock, as Hasbro has reported (via answers about the Joe figs) that they're trying to "expand their brands" by putting core characters into these el-cheapo stores. So we got Prime, Megs, BB, and SS; joes are cobra commander, duke, snake eyes, storm shadow, cobra trooper and shipwreck (who isnt quite as 'core' as the others); and marvel gets Iron Man, spider man, captain America, etc.

This was a conscious choice, so its not overstock.

That said, the joe figs are apparently getting repaints, so we *might* get them too, but with the joes its the same guys in new colors. with us if we get them they'd be other characters, so who knows...

 

That's enough confirmation for me, I'm not gonna bother with an EZ Starscream then. Thanks for the info man!

...and how in the heck do you have negative 4 news credits?! LOL

 

I saw these, and didn't buy them...

I hope they're still there.

 

Double Post Error.

 

As an addendum to this, these are also available at Big Lots, and the Big Lots versions are the GDO remolds in Starscream and Optimus colors. Not news, but since this thread got revived, I figured I'd put it out here.

 

This is where I found mine. I couldn't find them at the Dollar General/Family Dollar stores.

 

I like the RTS Megatron Gun more but this looks cool too.
Now make a Soundwave Legend!