Np man, this is the internet and sometimes people don't type exactly what they mean and dont mean exactly what they type, lol. I just read it as a 'version of a mold' in his question and to me it meant Thundercracker. I do agree that Takara seems to do the leg work for making the MP's designs.

 

Tape is a dead format allright. But we can probably presume a Hasbro version of MP Soundwave would be another exclusive, likely a TRU exclusive, and that TRU see most of the target audience as being older than kids.

*PERHAPS* because somewhere along the line they don't see Soundwave as being quite as marketable as Prime? Ideally, they would market additional tapes, although maybe they could decide it's better to make them optional... a separate set.

 

Ha!

 

Please let there be a cheaper Hasbro release!

 

I think the kicker for the tapes is more marketing. Lets assume the molds are (or will be done) before the Hasbro release of Soundwave is announced.

Does Hasbro think that they'll make more money selling Soundwave at $70 with Laserbeak, then also selling 2 $20 pairs of Ravage/rumble/ratbat/etc?

OR

Do they think they'll make more money selling Soundwave with all 4(5?) tapes for $100?

If it were me, I'd lean more towards putting 1 version of each tape mold in with soundwave as a one-shot deal, so you don't have to piss around with re-marketing a second and third "accessory pack" for your Masterpeice Soundwave. It just makes more sense to do one-offs and let Takara do all the weird re-colors for US fans to buy online. Also remember, they have to sell TRU on this guy, and I don't think TRU would want to deal with 2 "accessory packs" either.

 

I dont foresee hasbro marketing the cassettes separately. Hopefully they all will be released in some kind of set. I'd be happy if it came with 1 of each mold I.e. no buzzsaw and either frenzy or rumble.

 

That's what I'm guessing too. It just makes more sense for them, as the market is a bit different over here. So we'll probly get Laserbeak, either rumble *or* frenzy, ravage, and RatBat (if TT has a mold for that guy planned). And the rest we'll have to import.

 

i'd expect to see packs of tapes tbh - they won't get many people buying three soundwaves to get a full set of tapes. Sadly $20for a pair is almost certainly optimistic  

I wouldn't want to hazard a guess at the prices of tapes, but honestly? i wouldn't be surprised to see them at $40 for a pair, given the price bump mp13 saw to incorporate laserbeak.

The amount of assembly and engineering involved with the tapes will belie their size imo - it will be interesting to see what they come in at though, they'll be the first non-big-bot MPs and would pave the way for MP minibots (omg windcharger plz) and other bits and pieces.

 

Soundwave has proven to be a popular character so a Hasbro release is a definate possibility. the problem is that we are already getting a voyager foc soundwave that they wouldn't want competing for shelf space. If there is enough time for stock to clear it could happen

 

I honestly don't see the minions ever coming to the US. SW is pretty likely IMHO and I would almost guarantee that he will come with at least Laserbeak.

He could also come with blue Frumble, but that would be the extent of the minions making the US shore.

 

Yes. But I'm waiting for the Hasbro release. Why pay near $200 for something that's incredibly likely to come out for less than $100?

 

I'll probably get mine from RK and can't wait either! I've been wanting to get my hands on a Soundwave like this ever since i was a kid!  

 

I think that FOC Soundwave is supposed to come out Q1 2013? And just based on recent trends it seems like the Hasbro MP's come out late Q3, closer to Q4, so the earliest I'd expect to see an MP Soundwave (if at all) would be around this time next year. So it's definitely possible/enough time not to overlap...

But the earliest we might even know if a Hasbro MP Soundwave is coming would probably be late Spring/early Summer (Botcon or SDCC). That's a long time to wait and not know and read/watch the sure-to-be shining reviews of Soundwave and see the sure-to-be-awesome Soundwave photos in the "Cool Stuff" thread etc. I don't know about you guys but the second the pix of this Soundwave started surfacing I was like "NOW PLEASE."

 

Yeah, I felt that same way. Felt that way about MP-10 as well, but $250 was just so far outta the ballpark I had to wait. Sure I _could_ afford it but it seemed excessive.

Not sure how just under $200 is making me feel different - I've always been more of a Optimus fan.

 

I'm a "have a badass toy in my case fan".

The way I see it, pay $170 now or pay $300 later.

 

I think it's notable that BBTS only has Substandard units available now for whatever reason.

 

I think that's just them covering their asses.

 

It's a deterrent in my case. My boxes don't have to be factory mint, but I'm not forking over $160 for a "sub-standard" box.

 

It actually bugs me slightly they haven't used the usually terrible Mcdonalds 'regular' -> 'large' -> 'supersized' naming convention in this case.

if something is 'substandard' i'd want a discount to make up for its shitness, not pay a premium to avoid getting a crappy one  

'standard' -> 'premium' -> 'basement-dweller grade'*






*i'm kidding! don't hurt me!

 

because it's soundwave.

waiting on hasbro releases is all and well and can save you a good bit of money, but the earliest your gonna see a hasbro mp soundwave hit the states is this time next year.

also the panic of finding, ordering with tru, having your order canceled, yadda yadda. I can just preorder him now with tfsource or something (free shipping) and be done. That to me is worth a bit more to buy it now and not worry about that other garbage.