More 3rd Party Minibots: X Transbots Powerglide and Wheelie

WANT WANT WANT!!!!

Ok really guys? Perhaps the 3rd party companies should get on the same page and decide who gets to make what. OOOOOR, perhaps this will start a price war and someones going to have to drop the price of their figure to stay competitive...hmm

Hrmph...

With all these third party companies vying for a piece of the market, I really doubt all of these companies will succeed. Not only that, but they are gonna pretty much wipe each other out producing the same character's. So if that is what's going to start to happen, then I am going to have to narrow what I buy and from which maker. So for I trust FansProject, Perfect Effect, and Headrobots...that's it really.

Make Toys: will keep an eye on, especially since they have a lil connection with FansProj. +1

iGear: 1 good kup head, but I need to see how their non KO full figures are. Looking forward to puchasing their Wreckers line. Cmon Impactor!!

TFClub: For some reason, I'm just not feeling their Hercules.

Everyone else, you are at the lower rung of the latter and will have to do some amazing stuff for me to start dipping into "the bottom end" of your pool.

A third company making the minibots!? Geez. This is ridiculous. A bunch of TFs don't even have classicsesque toys, why doesn't someone tackle them??

But, yeah, hopefully this will lead to competitive pricing.

Now I'm just getting p!ssed off. Two 3rd party Optimus Prime trailers, two 3rd party Arcees, two 3rd party Reflectors, two 3rd party Seasprays, two 3rd party Powerglides, and two 3rd party Devastators. I thought the whole point of 3rd party companies was to fill the gaps that HasTak had no interest in going anywhere near. There's an entire universe of Transformers out there and yet this lot have all decided to do the same things.

Let's not forget two nontransforming Nightbirds and two Autoscouts.

Do the 3rd party guys operate using a hive mind?

Knew I'd have missed something.

If these are the Jizai Toys or KOs of such, I really liked the pictures I'd seen previously. Jizai also did a really neat looking Cyclonus. Since we hadn't heard about a mass release previously and now get a 7/1/11 date, I'm really curious as to what's going on. Checked Jizai's site and there's no mention of mass production. They usually show up at Wonder Fest and have the rights to sell their kits at the event for that one day only.

I really don't have a clue as to what's going on, but with 3 companies tackling the same subset of figures... this is getting to be overkill.

I don't know why this keeps happening, and it's really getting weird.

But there is one thing I don't mind. Since every company has to (or certainly should) produce their own designs each minibot will be different. Not only do you get to pick which would really be your G1 characters, it opens up having a varied army of bots you can ascribe your own fanon identities with.

Doubledealer25 wrote:WANT WANT WANT!!!!

Agreed

Requiem Prime wrote:But there is one thing I don't mind. Since every company has to (or certainly should) produce their own designs each minibot will be different. Not only do you get to pick which would really be your G1 characters, it opens up having a varied army of bots you can ascribe your own fanon identities with.

You are of course right, but I personally find it hard enough to decide between Hasbro and Takara's differing colour schemes, let alone potentially 2+ different molds.

Hrm. Too many choices, but I suppose since they're all being announced around the same time, and not all are likely to succeed, it should be fairly easy to decide.

Didn't Perfect Effect also announce a Wheelie a while back? When they announced the Lazer/Buzzer mold?

Gauntlet101010 wrote:Didn't Perfect Effect also announce a Wheelie a while back? When they announced the Lazer/Buzzer mold?

Yep http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/ ... lie/18751/

With three different choices on each Minibot, possibly 4 with Wheelie, I guess I better sharpen my decision making skills.

Alright alright despite all the talk of third party activity I wanna focus on this topic! Powerglide is all I hoped when first launched as a new fig and more. Though his feet have a high heel look they are waaaaay better looking than that piece of crap DOTM version and over all. Wheelie does look cool but I'm content with my classics version.

The only thing that is making these mini bots better than my fav classics/henkei is these will be armed and that is awesome. Since they did do Wheelie I would dare them to do Cosmos, Pipes, and Outback...'nuff said!

I would probably go for Wheelie, but I;d have to see how well is quality control is.

Looks cool. Will have to wait for pirce, size and qc before making any real comment on them.

I would also like to add that I am now part of the TF franchise

I am the only Transbot on any boards so I know I inspired that name.

Yeah me woot woot.

I like having choices, and I like that these guys have announced the intention before putting out the products.

With the 3rd party Arcees, we got the orders for the first one without ever seeing the second, which was, IMO, much better.

I ended up buying both, only to then be disappointed with the first one.

With this Minibot situation, we are seeing prototypes and images now, and we will be able to make educated choices before we buy.

Hopefully these guys will send out a few freebies to Seibertron (*hint*hint*) so we can see what these will look like, and get a few comparison pics before we plunk down our hard earned cash.

Too many of the same charactrs being done at the same time.....yes, that will help the market grow and sustain future projects I don't think.....

I love the minibots, I'm more than happy that we are getting what look like some very good quality versions of important gaps in the Generations line up but come on 3rd Parties,,,,no more Powerglide!

And if you are all going Mini is it too much to ask that someone finally gets around to Brawn and Beachcomber?

necr0blivion wrote:If these are the Jizai Toys or KOs of such, I really liked the pictures I'd seen previously.

Same here. If these are those rumored remakes in better materials, I am all over them. Both Jizai figures looked perfect to me in person. Man, Powerglide is getting some love lately. That's pretty exciting to me.

TFW has some pics of prorotypes. Evidently these are oversized KOs of the Jazitoys stuff.

Dunno how I feel about that. Hopefully they got permission from Jazi. On the other hand, it goes for $1000+ from the auctions I've seen. Anyhow, I still like the look of their Wheelie, but now .... he just might be too tall!

necr0blivion wrote:If these are the Jizai Toys or KOs of such, I really liked the pictures I'd seen previously. Jizai also did a really neat looking Cyclonus. Since we hadn't heard about a mass release previously and now get a 7/1/11 date, I'm really curious as to what's going on. Checked Jizai's site and there's no mention of mass production. They usually show up at Wonder Fest and have the rights to sell their kits at the event for that one day only.

I really don't have a clue as to what's going on, but with 3 companies tackling the same subset of figures... this is getting to be overkill.

I have talked with the owner/creator of Jizaitoys over the years and he has felt strongly about playing by the book. Each time he releases a batch of garage kit figures at Wonderfest, he gets approval from Takara prior. He does not sell nor give away his kits at any other time. Because of these reasons, I don't think these figures are coming from him. I think these are KO's of his creations. KO's of both figures already float around eBay and sell for about $300 each.

After seeing the prototypes I'm no longer interested. Looks I'm back down between MakeToys and iGear for my Minibots. Perfect Effect will also have my money for Wheelie.

Stormrider wrote:

necr0blivion wrote:If these are the Jizai Toys or KOs of such, I really liked the pictures I'd seen previously. Jizai also did a really neat looking Cyclonus. Since we hadn't heard about a mass release previously and now get a 7/1/11 date, I'm really curious as to what's going on. Checked Jizai's site and there's no mention of mass production. They usually show up at Wonder Fest and have the rights to sell their kits at the event for that one day only.

I really don't have a clue as to what's going on, but with 3 companies tackling the same subset of figures... this is getting to be overkill.

I have talked with the owner/creator of Jizaitoys over the years and he has felt strongly about playing by the book. Each time he releases a batch of garage kit figures at Wonderfest, he gets approval from Takara prior. He does not sell nor give away his kits at any other time. Because of these reasons, I don't think these figures are coming from him. I think these are KO's of his creations. KO's of both figures already float around eBay and sell for about $300 each.

That's interesting. I'll be scratching "X Transbots" off the list until we get some confirmation that they have approval to use Jizai's moulds.

Didn't we just get a pretty decent Powerglide "minibot" in the DOTM Cyberverse toy line? I know I did.

whacko wrote:Didn't we just get a pretty decent Powerglide "minibot" in the DOTM Cyberverse toy line? I know I did.

Decent, yes. Fantastic like this is? No, not by a long shot.

Pertaining to the ethics involved here, I'm torn. I respect and appreciate the hard work that went into the original figures and design. However, it is unrealistic for me to pursue those originals, the prices are quite high. I will be getting these figures for my own collection and I won't hesitate to do so. I am a little disheartened to hear these designs aren't endorsed though. I'm not entitled to these but damn do I want them and the money is mine to spend. I do wish things were more on the up and up here. Well, as far as 3rd parties can be, I suppose.

there's some wonderfully morally grey lines being drawn here in regards to a 3rd party company ripping off a 3rd party (or talented customiser? does Jizai get a break because he does really small runs of what appears to be really quality stuff?) design based upon yet another company's officially owned intellectual property. it's even more confusing than the whole iGear MP Coneheads because AFAIK the original customs of those were one-offs not sold in multiples. of course, regardless of these stepping on any other previous creator's work, they're messing with Hasbro, and I fully expect legal action to be taken with these after seeing the packaging.

of course, i'm staying well out of it. quite fancy a decent Wheelie, but this one doesn't look "Wild Boy Of Quintesson" enough for me. He needs a Sharkticon tooth necklace and a more Chuck D attitude to rhyming as opposed to Barney.

Stormrider wrote:I have talked with the owner/creator of Jizaitoys over the years and he has felt strongly about playing by the book. Each time he releases a batch of garage kit figures at Wonderfest, he gets approval from Takara prior. He does not sell nor give away his kits at any other time. Because of these reasons, I don't think these figures are coming from him. I think these are KO's of his creations. KO's of both figures already float around eBay and sell for about $300 each.

Do they have permission to do the WSTs too or have the rights to those designs already expire? How does that work?

craggy wrote:there's some wonderfully morally grey lines being drawn here in regards to a 3rd party company ripping off a 3rd party (or talented customiser? does Jizai get a break because he does really small runs of what appears to be really quality stuff?) design based upon yet another company's officially owned intellectual property. it's even more confusing than the whole iGear MP Coneheads because AFAIK the original customs of those were one-offs not sold in multiples. of course, regardless of these stepping on any other previous creator's work, they're messing with Hasbro, and I fully expect legal action to be taken with these after seeing the packaging.

One of the facts you seem to be missing is that Jizai product, to date, has been officialy licensed by Takara for sale for the one day event these are offered at. These newer items, we can safely assume, are not. I highly doubt legal action will be taken against these. Though 3rd party groups are getting so much more bold in what they dare. It might be time to stop poking the bear or at least slow down.

Kibble wrote:

Stormrider wrote:I have talked with the owner/creator of Jizaitoys over the years and he has felt strongly about playing by the book. Each time he releases a batch of garage kit figures at Wonderfest, he gets approval from Takara prior. He does not sell nor give away his kits at any other time. Because of these reasons, I don't think these figures are coming from him. I think these are KO's of his creations. KO's of both figures already float around eBay and sell for about $300 each.

Do they have permission to do the WSTs too or have the rights to those designs already expire? How does that work?

I don't think Jizaitoys has permission for the WST. The only Transformers they have made include - Wheelie, Cyclonus, and Powerglide. Ironhide and Octance were slated but not completed.

So how it works - Takara offers a 1-day license for 3rd party creators to sell in a limited quantity (around 40-70) garage kits at the Wonderfest only. The creators have to submit their ideas in advance and wait for approval. Takara is pretty strict about their licenses. If the 3rd party tries to sell them outside of the parameters of the license, then they risk losing the license the next time around.

Well, you'd think if HatTak had a problem with them doing mini KOs, they probably wouldn't allow them a legit license for the other stuff. But what's funny is they look for a license for an origial design, but just go ahead and do the mini KOs. Seems a little backwards...

Kibble wrote:Well, you'd think if HatTak had a problem with them doing mini KOs, they probably wouldn't allow them a legit license for the other stuff. But what's funny is they look for a license for an origial design, but just go ahead and do the mini KOs. Seems a little backwards...

Their Nano-scle (WST) figures are also sold under the TakaraTomy licence.
They made the following:
Springer
Ultra Magnus
Arcee (?)
Predaking
Sixshot

A post on ACtoys has revealed the instruction sheet for the X Transbot TB01 Glider/Air Robot. This should give you a little more insight if you want to add this 3rd party product to your collection.

After seeing this, I will be picking up this version. The other one just had a huge head. (That's what she said)

DavidT wrote:I like how the instruction sheet has him named Powerglide... you see it?

I didn't until you pointed it out. Also calls him an Autobot.

This one might just cross the line for Hasbro and TakaraTomy.

Even iGear didn't go that far. Close, but never used the logos or names.

This might be the first step towards the 3rd parties getting shut down. Dammit.

Autobot032 wrote:

DavidT wrote:I like how the instruction sheet has him named Powerglide... you see it?

I didn't until you pointed it out. Also calls him an Autobot.

This one might just cross the line for Hasbro and TakaraTomy.

Even iGear didn't go that far. Close, but never used the logos or names.

This might be the first step towards the 3rd parties getting shut down. Dammit.

If the Henkei and G1 KOs didn't get KOToys shut down, HasTak won't act on this.

I'm sticking with the Maketoys version, myself......

Autobot032 wrote:

DavidT wrote:I like how the instruction sheet has him named Powerglide... you see it?

I didn't until you pointed it out. Also calls him an Autobot.

This one might just cross the line for Hasbro and TakaraTomy.

Even iGear didn't go that far. Close, but never used the logos or names.

This might be the first step towards the 3rd parties getting shut down. Dammit.

Did you notice the bottom left corner "Copyright" but instead of a circled "C" it's "X"

That's like the Chinese company that named itself "Made in USA" so it could stamp its logo legitimately on its products and fool people into thinking the product was made in the U.S. I think this Powerglide is a rip off from Jizaitoys. Too bad.

For those who might be interested, the Wheelie instructions have also popped up on ACToys:

Depending on cost, Powerglide will be having a good year for me. That Wheelie is so bought.

These guys just aren't doing it for me for some reason. Looks like I'll be going with MakeToy or iGear for my Minibots.

amcgrath929 wrote:These guys just aren't doing it for me for some reason. Looks like I'll be going with MakeToy or iGear for my Minibots.

Agreed. These guys just ain't my style for whatever reason.

here's a size comparison with classics hot rod

There are pics of the final product over on TFW... I might actually be interested in it as a Masterpiece Wheelie, if the price is fairly reasonable. Looks higher quality than that crappy Arcee Valkyrie figure I wasted my money on.

Where are these going to be available?

kirbenvost wrote:There are pics of the final product over on TFSource... I might actually be interested in it as a Masterpiece Wheelie, if the price is fairly reasonable. Looks higher quality than that crappy Arcee Valkyrie figure I wasted my money on.

Where are these going to be available?

Where at on TFsource?

kirbenvost wrote:There are pics of the final product over on TFSource... I might actually be interested in it as a Masterpiece Wheelie, if the price is fairly reasonable. Looks higher quality than that crappy Arcee Valkyrie figure I wasted my money on.

Where are these going to be available?

woah, hold up, link por favor? call me retarded but i can't seem to track it down myself...

Sorry guys, I meant TFW, not TFSource...massive brain fart...

If we're allowed to link to there:

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/3rd-party-unlicensed-41/x-transbots-wheelie-final-sample-images-173234/

If not, mods please delete...

kirbenvost wrote:Sorry guys, I meant TFW, not TFSource...massive brain fart...

If we're allowed to link to there:

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/3rd-party-unlicensed-41/x-transbots-wheelie-final-sample-images-173234/

If not, mods please delete...

It's fine, I had a feeling that's what you meant. Not a bad looking figure for a glorified ko, depending on availability I'll probably pick him up.