DarthGzus33 of our sister site the Toyark (a great place to find out about all the other action figure coolness out there) reports that the Age of Extinction One Step Changer Stinger figure has been released.
Stinger is an unusual one – the One Step Changer was originally included in solicits for a mass-retail Wave 3 One Step Changer assortment which did not resemble the one we were shown at Botcon. We since learned that some toys of the Stinger character would be released as Walmart exclusives, and sure enough, One Step Changer Stinger has an “only at Walmart” sticker on him.
Only thing is, DarthGzus33 spotted Stinger here at a Target!
So, misdirected stock, a misapplied store exclusive sticker, or a return from a Walmart in the locality of this Target in Frederick MD? We’re not entirely sure – though when we spoke to Hasbro about Stinger toys they said more information would follow at SDCC 2014, so we might have more of an idea in a few weeks time.
Until then, happy hunting everyone!
Jalaguy
That's not really how toy development works. Even if Hasbro could get data on how well Stinger's case assortment sold at retail (which is unlikely – they'll just know how much stock the retailers bought), it would take a year at minimum to sculpt, tool, and manufacture a new Deluxe, maybe a little less since it could reuse parts from Bumblebee. And by then, the movie toyline is well and truly over.
influence82
At Botcon Hasbro was only able to confirm that the 1 step changer was the only licensed Pagani Huyra, thus a deluxe version is highly unlikely. Our best hope is if these 1 step changers sell out everywhere, Hasbro may be encouraged to make the deluxe version. But based on the feedback of 1 step changers in general, it will not happen.
Nevermore
Not trying to sound like a smartass, but you might be able to answer your own question simply by reading the title, which says "found @ Target".
megatroptimus
Check the other 1-Step changers next time you go to a store? They're smaller.
outsider
Has anyone seen this guy lately?
Lazerwave
Is this released yet?
How big does this scale to a Deluxe?
Nevermore
That might explain it… if the factory just went by the product code/assortment numbers, they might simply figure "okay, this is part of the mass retail assortment".
LegendAntihero
Why doesn't Hasbro send all their masterpieces toys to Walmart by mistake? Then I don't have to camp outside TRU to get my hands on them
Deceptigtar
Hope I can find one soon
worldsgreatest
Seems to match…
Jalaguy
We know from Entertainment Earth that One-Step Stinger is or was intended to ship in regular retail case Wave 3. BBTS's listing for Wave 3 lacks Stinger.
Presumably either Walmart lost exclusivity on One-Step Stinger, but toys had already been stickered, or Walmart gained exclusivity last-minute but the short timescale caused some kind of flub where the toys got stickered but shipped per the original case assortment.
SpinalCord
Thanks for the reply! Ok cool, I didn't understand what I was missing, but I guess there's no explanation to their decision. Bizarre they'd make every iteration of 1 of the only 3 Decepticons from the movie a store exclusive…
Thank you! This was extremely helpful I have definitely been on the hunt for Tankor, Rattrap, and the Beast Wars Dinobots, but I will stop since no sightings have been reported.
Soundwinder
What a fantastic resource. I'll bookmark it, thanks.
… geez, I had no idea Skrapnel and Tailgate were out in the US. Geez.
Nevermore
Those who have found One-Step Stinger, does he have a product code/assortment number listed on his packaging, or just a product code without an assortment number?
Stinger's product code number should be A7071. The mass retail One Step Changer assortment number is A6151.
Click the image in my sig and you get the full lowdown.
Soundwinder
Have other Wal-Mart exclusives been sighted yet? Specifically, the Strafe from BW Terrorsaur and Grimlock from Energon Cruellock.
I need those, desperately.
Nevermore
Note that worldsgreatest says that Stinger apparently ships in a case with other figures.
Store exclusives usually ship in their own separate case, not in a shared case with non-exclusive figures.
User_136440
God knows. It's a bit random, especially as he's such a minor character.
The Cyberverse versions make sense as they're all Walmart exclusives, but the RID and possibly Generations versions don't seem to have much rationale, unless Hasbro really don't think he'll be popular enough to mass market :/ (They're wrong).
Exodus
Any time it's my job on the Ark side Plus I submitted it to them first before even doing a thread or anything in case it wasn't actual news and I know the staff here does their hw
Always great to have the back up
SpinalCord
So why is Stinger only suppose to be sold at walmart? I get Leadfoot at Target for obvious reasons, but why Stinger for walmart?