If this came with a G1 Bumblebee toy-inspired head I'd likely fall over trying to get the toy. I thought I wanted it, but the more I look at the pics the more the Classics BB I already have looks just fine.

 

Exactly. It's been re-shelled to a photo realistic VW Bug from a featureless glop of a car Hasbro invented because they couldn't do a bug (and even if Volkswagen was licensing their stuff- hasbro still might not have paid- look at Sideswipe).

Personally, I'm not a big fan of the cars hasbro uses when they make them up. They tend to be very underdetailed.

But yes, it is subjective. You're certainly allowed to like what Hasbro gave us more than a VW. I won't hold it against you.  

 

The makers of this posted some clarifications on ACToys today, confirming it is indeed Classics size:

Answers to some issues raised about AF Bumblebee (Chinese)

(I'm going off Google Translate's rendition of that page, which seems to result in Bumblebee being called "rhubarb"...)

They also seem to indicate that they are going to start shipping (to resellers, I guess) tomorrow. Could be wrong, though. They also posted some more in-hand pics:















The rest can be seen here:

Bumblebee in hand (Chinese)

AF Bumblebee has finally come (Chinese)

(I think I lost count of the amount of trademarked material they are using...)

 

Is this thing up for pre order anywhere like BBTS?

 

Am I just slow or is Acetoystore not his username? I'm trying to search his name, but nothing 

 

daelite20 is his name.

 

Normal e-tailers are not going to offer this.

 

I would put money on BBTS not offering this. They seem to avoid KOs and 3rd Party product that skirt too close to 'the line'. This is pretty much a combo platter of those things.

 

I'm so 50/50 on this. I just can't decide where he would go in my collection. I really wish they had designed the bot mode itself, instead of it being a re-shell. I honestly think they could have done better.

Right now it just looks like a cheap robot inside an expensive shell. Kudos to the packaging though. Definitely overboard in terms of infringement, but damn!

 

Have I missed something, but how come this 3rd Party toy has Autobot symbols and is using Bumblebee as a name? Isn't that breaching copyright, or did they get permission?

 

I'm sure they don't have permission. What they do have is balls. Lots of balls.

 

If this was the first version of that mold, people would say it's the best thing since bread came sliced.

 

Just put on ordered. Can't wait!

 

KOs have used the symbols and names for a long time. Why is this so surprise?

 

So torn.

I've never been a HUGE fan of G1 BB, and besides having the Classics toy this is based on, I've also got the alternity version. So I'm a bit BB'd out. But this is really nice, and given VW won't license- this very well could be the best G1 accurate iteration we ever get.

If it cost a little less, or there were fewer things I want coming out I'd absolutely jump. (I'm sure it will only be harder to get and more expensive later)

Torn.

 

yuck. i hope the final product yellows are better matched. the inside of him is the old Bee colors, but the outside shell is almost hi-lighter yellow.

 

I'm liking it, but I agree that you probably have to be a bit of a BB fan to want it, because if you already have the Classics mould and aren't bothered about the Beetle alt mode, there's not much else on offer here (beyond nice packaging "borrowing" IDW and Sunbow artwork, ahem...). But the VW alt mode is the clincher for me (despite the enormous mirrors). The updated head mould is pretty decent, too, though, especially in these prototype pics (I'm hoping the final product looks as good and that those earlier painted in-hand photographs are either just poorly shot or represent a rough test product):

 

Some companies are more willing to infringe on Hasbro IP than others. Some copy molds, some steal names, some copy Autobot symbols, others do not. Often times stores with good relations with Hasbro refuse to carry products with these qualities, which is why many stores won't carry this toy.

 

Sorry I guess I should have been more clear

I should have included this in the post as well.

 

Yuck! Horrible match! That's an easy pass if it's final, ankle tits or no.