Original G1 toys broke like crazy. Sometimes due to how parts were constructed or designed (like Optimus Prime's legs having a weak spot), but the plastics weren't by any means superior to what's used nowadays.

 

I feel like the 1986/1987/1988 G1 toys were pretty durable, especially the head/target masters.

 

Yeah, they did get more durable as they moved away from the Diaclone molds. Especially, as you said, the Head/Target masters. Even in those later years though I had several breakages — and I wasn't one who was rough on toys. It was a matter of certain types of plastic not being as strong as they should have been for the parts they were used for.

 

Up for order now at Kapow:

DEPOSIT - Transformers Masterpiece MP-15E / 16E Cassettebot Vs Cassettron Exclusive - Kapow Toys

£1 deposit and a £89.99 price (estimate)

 

New characters are more interesting than "Variant of an old character that looks nothing like them". Plus Takara have historically done it.

I brought Exhaust, and brought a spare CW Wheeljack to customise into CW Exhaust. I wouldn't have bothered if it was just "Wheeljack but looking more different". Delta Magnus is interesting and has more interesting character parts than "Ultra Magnus repainted into different colours"

 

My local toy shop cut the price from 899 to 699 hkd, which seems in line for what the preorder discount would be for a normal MP release.

 

Yes! That's where my Smokescreen broke, not to mention both of the rear windows breaking off.

 

Happened to mine, and my Jazz too! Thank Primus for the re-issues.

 

Probably the most common break on a TF that doesn't have GPS.

 

Can someone please confirm:

These guys were never in the Sunbow cartoon in the US, correct? Like Seasons 1-3, I know they're not in the movie...they were only in the Japanese cartoons, if that, and maybe Marvel, or even an old Hasbro toy?

Thanks and pardon the ignorance.

 

Never in the cartoon.

They were in various stories or existed as toys previously.

 

Yep, never in the cartoon, nor in The Headmasters for example. Asked the very same question earlier myself.  

 

If only there was a wiki in which a person with questions could look up the character to find the answer. Alas, we apparently don't live in such a world with those kind of conveniences.

Anyway, to answer your question, no. It's also been said earlier in this thread.

Nightstalker - originated from a Marvel UK competition in 1985 in which a kid drew a wolf version of Ravage. Nightstalker went on to become a partner of Ravage in a text story for the 1986 Marvel UK annual but did not make a visual appearance. His first toy was made by Takara which was repainted from Steeljaw in Ravage colors who was recently reissued.

Stripes - Was supposed to be included in the movie but was switched out for the cassettes who did. Was repainted from Ravage by Takara a few years ago and sold with Nightstalker and Twincast.

Wingthing - originally an Action Master partner to Soundwave; was repainted from G1 Ratbat a few years ago by Takara and sold with Enemy and Soundblaster.

Enemy - repainted from Frenzy/Rumble in the 1980s as an accessory for a Transformes themed radio. He was attached and couldn't transform or be removed without breaking the toy or radio I believe. He also had a voice changer toy based on his head. His first proper toy wasn't until a few years ago when he was sold with Wingthing and Soundblaster.

 

Not quite, Enemy's colours are based on a Micro Change release, much like Frenzy and Rumble's were.

 

Not surprising. They sell the two-packs for £44.99.

 

Still a bs price though.

 

I'll wait and see what the Japanese online shops, AmazonJP, and Taobao list it for.

 

They won't be on Japanese online shops or AmazonJP, at least not for any substantial discount. Taobao maybe. HK shops are now listing 699 HKD, the Taobao price won't be much different.