More Prototype Images of Transformers Titans Return Blaster

Looking forward to better pictures. Been wanting a decent Blurr upgrade for years as he was one of my fave G1 toys despite his simplicity (No I don't care for Animated style, and the Drift retool is no good cos I don't like IDW Blurr or his awful head redesign)

Hardhead still looks good and at least the Headmaster gimmick makes sense for him since he already was one.

Maan, Blaster looks amazing. This makes me glad I skipped the FoC one. I want him, the future Soundwave and ALL OF THE MINIONS!!!

Blaster is looking pretty decent, for a base bot no less. Sadly as much as I would love to get him, leader class is a bit of a stretch for the space I have.

SKIP! I'll stick with FOC Blaster.

I love the look of him, I love the fact that he's got the tape gimmick.

Base mode I could live without. I'd rather the generations line didn't go the way of the japanese late G1 stuff ("Everyone gets a base mode!") which just strikes me as pointless and intrusive to the overall engineering and parts count on a figure. I guess it makes a bit of sense if you want to have that play pattern of it interacting with the titan master minifigs though.

It's the size that's my biggest concern. Yeah, blaster is a big guy, and he needs to be for his gimmick to work and his chest be in proportion. It's not that I don't like the size, or that he doesn't look great in it, or even that he makes him out of scale. It's more that my G1 Season 2 autobots shelf is already kind of cramped and I just worry he'll not fit in that same carefully sized slot in the roster as my FOC blaster does.

Either Twin Cast was given a new head mode to look less like Perceptor or whoever got this put him together with the wrong parts.

From NYCC


From prototype


If it is the wrong face then it doesn't match any we've seen so far unless it's PM Prime's or Sentinel's under their helmets.

Emerje

Having the FoC version makes this an easy pass for me. I am completely content with my FoC versions of Blaster and Soundwave

jogunwarrior wrote:Having the FoC version makes this an easy pass for me. I am completely content with my FoC versions of Blaster and Soundwave

People bring up these two a lot but I think Hasbro has made this leader different enough that he isnt meant to replace anyone, just a new playability option and a different scale to interact with.

The more I see of Blaster the more I like him. I need to clear off space, but I've got a spot just ripe for all these base bots. It's going be pretty cool to create Autobot/Decepticon cities.

I don't really get the "I've already got a better version" arguement. If I stopped at the "best" version I wouldn't be having as much fun, but I'd have a lot more room. I do like to organize and put collections together on various shelves, but I pick up figures I think will be fun to transform and/or pose.

Blaster looks like a fun bot with a play style I don't have represented in my collection.

Ill stick with my Unique Toys Soundblaster who is actually made to scale with existing figures rather than being kiddie size like hasbro is trying to pull here.

Here's something I don't think anybody's brought up yet.

Why is the helmet assembly made of clear plastic?

Assuming that if this is a plastic material test-shot, the helmet piece is implied to be on the same sprue as the chest window.

There's no light-piping, and clear plastic seems to be an odd choice for what is a comparatively thin and delicate part to the rest of the figure.

Does this mean he'll have a transparent visor part on the helmet on the final colour production model, I wonder.

carytheone wrote:I don't really get the "I've already got a better version" arguement. If I stopped at the "best" version I wouldn't be having as much fun, but I'd have a lot more room. I do like to organize and put collections together on various shelves, but I pick up figures I think will be fun to transform and/or pose.

Blaster looks like a fun bot with a play style I don't have represented in my collection.

That's pretty much my chain of thought when I add any TF's to my wishlist. I have like, 5 Optimus Prime, and I will add more when one is released that has me interested. But I'm also ready to pass a toy I simply don't have any interest in or anything like that.

One thing I'm glad that's benn happening to Transformers in recent years is that the brand seems to be embracing once again its 'ridiculous' side. After the release of the first three live-action films, Transformers was pretty serious and taking itself seriously and gritty and with realistic altmodes, and this reflected directly on the Generations toyline.

Now, however, it seems they're more eager to approach the toys with this light-hearted and fun way of doing things. Now we have Combiners, Targetmasters, completely fictional altmodes, and now the return of headmasters and a whole line of Legends figures that turn into tablets...

I find it very nice when a toyline remembers that it is a toyline and embraces it.

MemphisR56 wrote:
Does this mean he'll have a transparent visor part on the helmet on the final colour production model, I wonder.

Yeah I am pretty sure its for the visor.

william-james88 wrote:

MemphisR56 wrote:
Does this mean he'll have a transparent visor part on the helmet on the final colour production model, I wonder.

Yeah I am pretty sure its for the visor.

Using, painted clear plastic seems to be the current trend in the various lines. The Gen line before CW and RID use a lot of it.

Rated X wrote:Ill stick with my Unique Toys Soundblaster who is actually made to scale with existing figures rather than being kiddie size like hasbro is trying to pull here.

Why should he be in scale? Hasbro care about their target market who don't care about scale. If it's in scale, just call that a happy coincidence and leave it at that, you'll have more fun

The base mode kinda ruins this for me. I could ignore that mode easily enough, and the headmaster gimmick , but I feel the base mode really compromised the engineering. I'm just getting a huge "meh" feeling from this, and that's all I can really pin it on. That, and the fact it's over priced, like all recent Hasbro leaders.

Here is what I'm hoping for...

I'd like to be able to leave the headmaster in the helmet as part of the transformation. Wherever the helmet goes, if I can keep the HM in there, I can pretend it is not a headmaster and get on with my Classics collecting life.

Counterpunch wrote:Here is what I'm hoping for...

I'd like to be able to leave the headmaster in the helmet as part of the transformation. Wherever the helmet goes, if I can keep the HM in there, I can pretend it is not a headmaster and get on with my Classics collecting life.

I think we saw in a demo that the little figure must be removed to tuck in the helmet properly. I am a little fuzzy on the details but I just wanted to set your expectations.

Counterpunch, do you consider the TR characters that were already Head Masters to be "Classics"?
Will you slide them into your Classic collection? Just curious.

Rated X wrote:Ill stick with my Unique Toys Soundblaster who is actually made to scale with existing figures rather than being kiddie size like hasbro is trying to pull here.

Great, but you've already said that at least twice now. I don't have a problem with you sticking with him, but please stop proclaiming it every time TR Blaster is mentioned.

Decepticon Sunstorm wrote:

Rated X wrote:Ill stick with my Unique Toys Soundblaster who is actually made to scale with existing figures rather than being kiddie size like hasbro is trying to pull here.

Great, but you've already said that at least twice now. I don't have a problem with you sticking with him, but please stop proclaiming it every time TR Blaster is mentioned.

Wait what, someone mentioned TR Blaster? Well, I guess it's time for me to remind you all how the Unique Toys Soundblaster is the way to go.

william-james88 wrote:

Decepticon Sunstorm wrote:

Rated X wrote:Ill stick with my Unique Toys Soundblaster who is actually made to scale with existing figures rather than being kiddie size like hasbro is trying to pull here.

Great, but you've already said that at least twice now. I don't have a problem with you sticking with him, but please stop proclaiming it every time TR Blaster is mentioned.

Wait what, someone mentioned TR Blaster? Well, I guess it's time for me to remind you all how the Unique Toys Soundblaster is the way to go.

EDIT: And isn't the name of the thing Soundmixer anyway?

I glad so many people are excited for this Blaster figure. I personally don't have the space or the desire for this line. I really feel its a great time to be a collector and a fan, but there is almost too much product on the market recently. I am not complaining, I rather have more than less, but I have to be very picky in what I choose to collect. I hope this does not hurt the franchise in the short run.

carytheone wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

MemphisR56 wrote:
Does this mean he'll have a transparent visor part on the helmet on the final colour production model, I wonder.

Yeah I am pretty sure its for the visor.

Using, painted clear plastic seems to be the current trend in the various lines. The Gen line before CW and RID use a lot of it.

As long as it's never as bad as Universe Prowls doors then I'm okay with them painting whatever they want.

Legends Slipstream has a head made up of painted clar plastic and she looks great!

Also, RID X-Brawn is the king of masterful paintjobs on clear plastic.

Rated X wrote:Ill stick with my Unique Toys Soundblaster who is actually made to scale with existing figures rather than being kiddie size like hasbro is trying to pull here.

Are you tying to insinuate that Hasbro is makimg toys for children and not adults?! My god man! You might be on to something!! What's next? These being found in the toy department of stores?!


Seriously this looks awesome.

william-james88 wrote:

Counterpunch wrote:Here is what I'm hoping for...

I'd like to be able to leave the headmaster in the helmet as part of the transformation. Wherever the helmet goes, if I can keep the HM in there, I can pretend it is not a headmaster and get on with my Classics collecting life.

I think we saw in a demo that the little figure must be removed to tuck in the helmet properly. I am a little fuzzy on the details but I just wanted to set your expectations right into the trash where they belong.

Cobotron wrote:Counterpunch, do you consider the TR characters that were already Head Masters to be "Classics"?
Will you slide them into your Classic collection? Just curious.

Yes. If the character has history as a Headmaster, I would consider using them in my Classics display.

The updates, like Blaster, are more tenuous. I would have preferred a non-gimmick update. Now with TR Powermaster Prime, he'll probably make the cut because the Powermaster gimmick was always a little poorly defined.

Truth is, it's these little things that bother me so much. Star Wars, GI Joe, MotU all got options to play the modernization of their origins in a straight manner. While certain updates are cool, stuff like the upcoming Blurr being a Headmaster just don't really do what many collectors want (and subsequently send them to buying unofficial merch).

It's all in good fun.

I don't really care whether a 'traditional' Transformers character sports a Headmaster gimmick. If the robot and alt modes look nice, and the transformation isn't painful, it's passed that bar of acceptability for me.

What I do care about is when the gimmick gets in the way of articulation - which is something TR Galvatron's helmet seems to do.

Counterpunch wrote:

Cobotron wrote:Counterpunch, do you consider the TR characters that were already Head Masters to be "Classics"?
Will you slide them into your Classic collection? Just curious.

Yes. If the character has history as a Headmaster, I would consider using them in my Classics display.

How abotu the reverse, like the Club's Chromedom and Gen Nightbeat?

Blaster looks pretty good but I really don't like the size. The kinda lame looking minions confirm I won't be bothering with him, which is a bit of a shame really (though Third Party minions which don't suck might sway me...might).

As it stands I'll either get FoC Blaster and some of Fakebusker's minions or UT Soundmixer.

Counterpunch wrote:

Cobotron wrote:Counterpunch, do you consider the TR characters that were already Head Masters to be "Classics"?
Will you slide them into your Classic collection? Just curious.

Yes. If the character has history as a Headmaster, I would consider using them in my Classics display.

The updates, like Blaster, are more tenuous. I would have preferred a non-gimmick update. Now with TR Powermaster Prime, he'll probably make the cut because the Powermaster gimmick was always a little poorly defined.

Truth is, it's these little things that bother me so much. Star Wars, GI Joe, MotU all got options to play the modernization of their origins in a straight manner. While certain updates are cool, stuff like the upcoming Blurr being a Headmaster just don't really do what many collectors want (and subsequently send them to buying unofficial merch).

It worth noting though that (I assume) few complained when they made Blurr a Targetmaster.

I know what you’re going to say: it was justified by the fiction. However, there’s no reason to assume that IDW won’t include most of Titans Returns as well, just as they included Ultra Prime.

Sure, those inclusions will primarily be for the sake of justifying the toys, but that’s no different than what The Rebirth was, which really only existed to sell that year’s toys (as opposed to just ending the series with The Return of Optimus Prime).

Randomus wrote:It worth noting though that (I assume) few complained when they made Blurr a Targetmaster.

Or Optimus a Powermaster. Or when Grimlock became a Pretender.

But there were massive complaints from kids when they all became action masters.

Randomus wrote:It worth noting though that (I assume) few complained when they made Blurr a Targetmaster.

Not to defend the new-stuff haters, but that was when all of the GEEWUNers were still kids, so they would have seen it as a cool new feature.

Crap. Ninja'd by Will.

Decepticon Sunstorm wrote:

Randomus wrote:It worth noting though that (I assume) few complained when they made Blurr a Targetmaster.

Not to defend the new-stuff haters, but that was when all of the GEEWUNers were still kids, so they would have seen it as a cool new feature.

Crap. Ninja'd by Will.

And I totally see where that logic comes from, and even I feel that way too from time to time (especially when it comes to a character's personality). When you think about it though, we're basically saying that you can tweek a character for the first two years of existence, then he's locked that way forever.

I'm not saying right or wrong here; it's just interesting to me how we all think.

I look forward to being a much older man reading these forums as holograms and seeing the following comment after Hasbro reveals a voyager sized Blaster that is not a headmaster:

"Blasphemy! Everyone knows Blaster should be a headmaster and turn into a base? Why did they cheap out by not adding these two features?!"

Randomus wrote:

Decepticon Sunstorm wrote:

Randomus wrote:It worth noting though that (I assume) few complained when they made Blurr a Targetmaster.

Not to defend the new-stuff haters, but that was when all of the GEEWUNers were still kids, so they would have seen it as a cool new feature.

Crap. Ninja'd by Will.

And I totally see where that logic comes from, and even I feel that way too from time to time (especially when it comes to a character's personality). When you think about it though, we're basically saying that you can tweek a character for the first two years of existence, then he's locked that way forever.

I'm not saying right or wrong here; it's just interesting to me how we all think.

That's as it should be. I hate it when they change established an existing characters for the sake of something new. If you want something new, then create a new character, don't mess with something that's already established.

william-james88 wrote:I look forward to being a much older man reading these forums as holograms and seeing the following comment after Hasbro reveals a voyager sized Blaster that is not a headmaster:

"Blasphemy! Everyone knows Blaster should be a headmaster and turn into a base? Why did they cheap out by not adding these two features?!"

Every time a new Galvatron comes out, the third parties will make replacement heads that turn into little Megatons!

So, since Blaster turns into a stage, how long do you think it'll take for a third-party company to whip up some 5mm-compatible instruments for Rewind?

Ironhidensh wrote: If you want something new, then create a new character, don't mess with something that's already established.

Then we would never have the G1 Powermaster Optimus Prime.

Ironhidensh wrote:The base mode kinda ruins this for me. I could ignore that mode easily enough, and the headmaster gimmick , but I feel the base mode really compromised the engineering. I'm just getting a huge "meh" feeling from this, and that's all I can really pin it on. That, and the fact it's over priced, like all recent Hasbro leaders.

Well considering they went the G1 route of him doing the splits while shrugging to get into alt mode, I'm glad they included a rather large and interactive base mode; trust me, it'll be fun when you get the cessett-icons and clip it together with fort max and pm/op for a super-base

Randomus wrote:It worth noting though that (I assume) few complained when they made Blurr a Targetmaster.

I know what you’re going to say: it was justified by the fiction. However, there’s no reason to assume that IDW won’t include most of Titans Returns as well, just as they included Ultra Prime.

No, it's different. When Blurr was made a Targetmaster, something was added. He got a gun partner that you could ignore if you so chose.

The core toy and character were unchanged.

william-james88 wrote:

Randomus wrote:It worth noting though that (I assume) few complained when they made Blurr a Targetmaster.

Or Optimus a Powermaster. Or when Grimlock became a Pretender.

But there were massive complaints from kids when they all became action masters.

Oh, people complained about Pretenders at the time and moreso about the characters that became Pretenders.

BUT...

When this all happened, Prime, Grimlock, Bumblebee etc had been off the shelves for a long while and kids were happy to be able to get ANY version of that character.

Decepticon Sunstorm wrote:Not to defend the new-stuff haters, but that was when all of the GEEWUNers were still kids, so they would have seen it as a cool new feature.

First off, I don't think I was so obtuse as to be mentioned in the same breath as anything that could be considered a "new-stuff hater." Before most current board members were on their way to see the 2007 movie, I was taking up the sword and shield for RiD and Armada, two franchise elements much harder to defend that CW or TR, against a sea of G1 purists.

So I'll have no one on this board inferring any bit of close mindedness on my part.

On to the point...

Make whatever cool, different, radical, innovative updates you care to make for any character. I support all of it.

The only thing I'm arguing and I cannot understand why I have to do so with such frequency or in such plain blunt terms, is that classic, traditional characters should be given a quality toy, with modern engineering, without gimmicks, that homages the original character.

Is this point really so hard to digest?

If the only Classics/Generation Soundwave we ever get is a Headmaster, then we really haven't gotten a Classics/Generations Soundwave; have we?

No one would disagree with me if this was a discussion about Masterpiece figures. Classics/Generations does for retail lines what MP figures do for collector lines. Sure, there is more leverage to alter/update the design. If Blaster was a set of turntables or Starscream's jet mode was updated to a more modern jet, I have no issue with that. Must like Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Hound etc all got updates but still kept their core attributes. Prime went from an 80's flat nose cab to a sleeker more modern semi.

They didn't have designs that diverged into a different category.

You don't see me complaining about Combiner Wars Autobot cars who can combine now. For one, they all have true classic styled versions. For another, the design change could be ignored for those who don't like it or embraced by those who do.

Disagree with me or not over the scale of the problem, but turning non-headmasters into HM characters is not a similar update.

Randomus wrote:When you think about it though, we're basically saying that you can tweek a character for the first two years of existence, then he's locked that way forever.

I am 100% specifically NOT saying that. Tweak away! Change ad nauseam. Pervert beyond all recognizable distinction! Change. Transform. Kiss Play for all I care.

But give me that one, unadulterated, modern update first.

Then proceed on your way to any and everything ya'll can imagine.

william-james88 wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote: If you want something new, then create a new character, don't mess with something that's already established.

Then we would never have the G1 Powermaster Optimus Prime.

Yeah, I mean, no one complained about funpub violating an 'established character' in Enegron Scorponok, when they stuffed the headmaster gimmick into him for Pirates Scorponok; because G1 or some such reason

william-james88 wrote:

MemphisR56 wrote:
Does this mean he'll have a transparent visor part on the helmet on the final colour production model, I wonder.

Yeah I am pretty sure its for the visor.

I don't know, maybe they're just using different colors to show what mold they came from, or they use whatever plastic they have left over, plus, hasbro hasn't used clear plastic for anything - other than Shockwave - in over a year; plus haven't other prototypes used clear plastic, but the retail version then lacked it?


But beyond anything else, this mold is starting to look really dynamic, and fun, I may actually get Soundwave - just hope he comes with a tank cassette, as the bird cassettes are really weak

Hellscream9999 wrote: plus, hasbro hasn't used clear plastic for anything - other than Shockwave - in over a year; :

Anything? So you forgot about RID Drift and Bumblebee too?

william-james88 wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote: plus, hasbro hasn't used clear plastic for anything - other than Shockwave - in over a year; :

Anything? So you forgot about RID Drift and Bumblebee too?

Didn't get them, don't look at anything bumblebee; but yeah the blue sword I guess; but that's quite the drop in the ocean for the year

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote: plus, hasbro hasn't used clear plastic for anything - other than Shockwave - in over a year; :

Anything? So you forgot about RID Drift and Bumblebee too?

Didn't get them, don't look at anything bumblebee; but yeah the blue sword I guess; but that's quite the drop in the ocean for the year

blue sword?! Did you miss his windows? The whole roof is painted cear plastic. He is 1 fifth clear plastic, same as Drift (who you should get)





The platinums have a bunch of lear plastic too as did te Hasbro MPs, but thats another thing.

Counterpunch wrote:

Randomus wrote:It worth noting though that (I assume) few complained when they made Blurr a Targetmaster.

I know what you’re going to say: it was justified by the fiction. However, there’s no reason to assume that IDW won’t include most of Titans Returns as well, just as they included Ultra Prime.

No, it's different. When Blurr was made a Targetmaster, something was added. He got a gun partner that you could ignore if you so chose.

The core toy and character were unchanged.

william-james88 wrote:

Randomus wrote:It worth noting though that (I assume) few complained when they made Blurr a Targetmaster.

Or Optimus a Powermaster. Or when Grimlock became a Pretender.

But there were massive complaints from kids when they all became action masters.

Oh, people complained about Pretenders at the time and moreso about the characters that became Pretenders.

BUT...

When this all happened, Prime, Grimlock, Bumblebee etc had been off the shelves for a long while and kids were happy to be able to get ANY version of that character.

Decepticon Sunstorm wrote:Not to defend the new-stuff haters, but that was when all of the GEEWUNers were still kids, so they would have seen it as a cool new feature.

First off, I don't think I was so obtuse as to be mentioned in the same breath as anything that could be considered a "new-stuff hater." Before most current board members were on their way to see the 2007 movie, I was taking up the sword and shield for RiD and Armada, two franchise elements much harder to defend that CW or TR, against a sea of G1 purists.

So I'll have no one on this board inferring any bit of close mindedness on my part.

On to the point...

Make whatever cool, different, radical, innovative updates you care to make for any character. I support all of it.

The only thing I'm arguing and I cannot understand why I have to do so with such frequency or in such plain blunt terms, is that classic, traditional characters should be given a quality toy, with modern engineering, without gimmicks, that homages the original character.

Is this point really so hard to digest?

If the only Classics/Generation Soundwave we ever get is a Headmaster, then we really haven't gotten a Classics/Generations Soundwave; have we?

No one would disagree with me if this was a discussion about Masterpiece figures. Classics/Generations does for retail lines what MP figures do for collector lines. Sure, there is more leverage to alter/update the design. If Blaster was a set of turntables or Starscream's jet mode was updated to a more modern jet, I have no issue with that. Must like Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Hound etc all got updates but still kept their core attributes. Prime went from an 80's flat nose cab to a sleeker more modern semi.

They didn't have designs that diverged into a different category.

You don't see me complaining about Combiner Wars Autobot cars who can combine now. For one, they all have true classic styled versions. For another, the design change could be ignored for those who don't like it or embraced by those who do.

Disagree with me or not over the scale of the problem, but turning non-headmasters into HM characters is not a similar update.

Randomus wrote:When you think about it though, we're basically saying that you can tweek a character for the first two years of existence, then he's locked that way forever.

I am 100% specifically NOT saying that. Tweak away! Change ad nauseam. Pervert beyond all recognizable distinction! Change. Transform. Kiss Play for all I care.

But give me that one, unadulterated, modern update first.

Then proceed on your way to any and everything ya'll can imagine.

Okay, I get you...and I'm on board with all of that.

I think therefore that the real debate here is not whether this is an appropriate Blaster, but whether Blaster should have received an MP toy by now. If I had to choose between a Generations or and MP figure, I’m with you...MP all the way...but I don’t think we should have to. Ultra Magnus was allowed to have both, in under a year no less. (How great is it that we had a year-end review where you guys had to choose between them?)

I guess I just don’t want to see a situation where midrange designs like Generations get forced into complying with MP expectations, much like has happened with third parties.

william-james88 wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote: plus, hasbro hasn't used clear plastic for anything - other than Shockwave - in over a year; :

Anything? So you forgot about RID Drift and Bumblebee too?

Didn't get them, don't look at anything bumblebee; but yeah the blue sword I guess; but that's quite the drop in the ocean for the year

blue sword?! Did you miss his windows? The whole roof is painted cear plastic. He is 1 fifth clear plastic, same as Drift (who you should get)





The platinums have a bunch of lear plastic too as did te Hasbro MPs, but thats another thing.

Yeah, I did miss bumblebee on the shelves - like he wasn't even there

And from that pic, I couldn't even tell you that he had clear windows; I wanted him, but his unpainted facial hair went too far for me to try getting him

I just don't know if I'm buying this new Blaster. I like the Fall of Cybertron version of him and Soundwave. They scale well with my Classics. Their minions also scale well and they have the storage/eject gimmick.

As someone said above, Blaster wasn't a headmaster. He also never turned into a base and he's too big.

But he looks so good in bot mode.

I'm so conflicted.

william-james88 wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote: If you want something new, then create a new character, don't mess with something that's already established.

Then we would never have the G1 Powermaster Optimus Prime.

I'm not seeing the downside to that.

Seriously though, I'd would have much rather had a new character, then a new Optimus. Incremental, not supplemental.

I'll grant you, kids don't care, and as a child I didn't care. Thing is, I'm not a kid, I'm an adult and my tastes and preferences have changed, and now days I don't like change all that much. I do like updates, however, and I don't feel like I've gotten one for Blaster. I refuse to get FOC Blaster as he is a repaint, and the original Blaster was no Soundwave repaint.

Like I've said in other threads, it may be time for me to move on. I keep tabs on this thread, hoping to see something that makes me feel different, but I don't. Plus, with more and more children showing up on the threads (sorry, if your under 25, I now consider you a child), I'm starting to feel like the creepy old man, trying to hang on to his youth.