New Image - Takara Tomy Transformers Adventure TAV-21 Optimus Prime

Optimus does look cool. Just wish he had a Hasbro release....

I agree, I don't know why we have to suffer the 5 step brick garbage, when hasbro could get their hands on this; it looks way better, would probably appeal more to kids, and it interacts with the other figures better. Or can they? Was this done in-house by TT and is thus not available for use by hasbro, TT obviously doesn't want too much of the easy brick trash, so

I like how its posed in such an awesome way that hides the hollow legs.

I mean, its cool and I probably will get it, but the hollowness is a little disapointing. I mean, I would have paid a little bit more to have a figure without gaps. Especially from Takara.

Optimizzy wrote:I like how its posed in such an awesome way that hides the hollow legs.

I mean, its cool and I probably will get it, but the hollowness is a little disapointing. I mean, I would have paid a little bit more to have a figure without gaps. Especially from Takara.

The hollow shins is for the trailer function of the figure when it is in truck mode. That's kind of the selling point..........trailer that can carry TAV or TED class figures. Remove the hollowness, then no can carry anything.

Same can be said for Godginrai/PM OPtimus prime. Had hollow shins too.

Optimizzy wrote:I like how its posed in such an awesome way that hides the hollow legs.

I mean, its cool and I probably will get it, but the hollowness is a little disapointing. I mean, I would have paid a little bit more to have a figure without gaps. Especially from Takara.

Well, I mean, isn't the trailer functional on this figure? As in you can load other figures into it; I think that that is a very acceptable reason to have hollow legs. And why is this such a major issue anyways, figures have had hollow bits for decades, sure this may be 'over the top' but this purely for functional reasons.

I'm sure a 3rd Party will come up with an upgrade kit made out of panels to cover the gaps. Panels that can pop on and off easely, of course.

Also, I wonder. How come Takara didnt engeneered some panels that fold up to cover the gaps? Look easy enough to do so.

Anyway, I'm still glad I preordered mine!

quote="Hellscream9999"]
Well, I mean, isn't the trailer functional on this figure? As in you can load other figures into it; I think that that is a very acceptable reason to have hollow legs. And why is this such a major issue anyways, figures have had hollow bits for decades, sure this may be 'over the top' but this purely for functional reasons.[/quote]

fenrir72 wrote:

Optimizzy wrote:I like how its posed in such an awesome way that hides the hollow legs.

I mean, its cool and I probably will get it, but the hollowness is a little disapointing. I mean, I would have paid a little bit more to have a figure without gaps. Especially from Takara.

The hollow shins is for the trailer function of the figure when it is in truck mode. That's kind of the selling point..........trailer that can carry TAV or TED class figures. Remove the hollowness, then no can carry anything.

Same can be said for Godginrai/PM OPtimus prime. Had hollow shins too.

lol. you guys.

It just floors me how much there is of TAKARA=Good, HASBRO=bad. The trailer is a selling point?? Really?

-Kanrabat- wrote:I'm sure a 3rd Party will come up with an upgrade kit made out of panels to cover the gaps. Panels that can pop on and off easely, of course.

Also, I wonder. How come Takara didnt engeneered some panels that fold up to cover the gaps? Look easy enough to do so.

Anyway, I'm still glad I preordered mine!

Yes I agree Kanrabat, it seemed liked a simple thing to do. I mean, it's just panels. You can't see it straight on, but man...is it noticeable when you do see it.



I mean, really. I think it's fair to point out that this is a failing of the design. If there was some panels in the original design, I would not hesitate to buy this...however, as it is I really cant say this is a must buy. And guys, thats all Takara.

But I digress. Too many of you cant see them as a real company that makes mistakes so. Whatever.

Optimizzy wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:Well, I mean, isn't the trailer functional on this figure? As in you can load other figures into it; I think that that is a very acceptable reason to have hollow legs. And why is this such a major issue anyways, figures have had hollow bits for decades, sure this may be 'over the top' but this purely for functional reasons.

fenrir72 wrote:

Optimizzy wrote:I like how its posed in such an awesome way that hides the hollow legs.

I mean, its cool and I probably will get it, but the hollowness is a little disapointing. I mean, I would have paid a little bit more to have a figure without gaps. Especially from Takara.

The hollow shins is for the trailer function of the figure when it is in truck mode. That's kind of the selling point..........trailer that can carry TAV or TED class figures. Remove the hollowness, then no can carry anything.

Same can be said for Godginrai/PM OPtimus prime. Had hollow shins too.

lol. you guys.

It just floors me how much there is of TAKARA=Good, HASBRO=bad. The trailer is a selling point?? Really?

-Kanrabat- wrote:I'm sure a 3rd Party will come up with an upgrade kit made out of panels to cover the gaps. Panels that can pop on and off easely, of course.

Also, I wonder. How come Takara didnt engeneered some panels that fold up to cover the gaps? Look easy enough to do so.

Anyway, I'm still glad I preordered mine!

Yes I agree Kanrabat, it seemed liked a simple thing to do. I mean, it's just panels. You can't see it straight on, but man...is it noticeable when you do see it.



I mean, really. I think it's fair to point out that this is a failing of the design. If there was some panels in the original design, I would not hesitate to buy this...however, as it is I really cant say this is a must buy. And guys, thats all Takara.

But I digress. Too many of you cant see them as a real company that makes mistakes so. Whatever.

It's not which company is good or bad, it's about their offerings being good or bad, TT's optimus is awesome, hasbros only equivalent is either the deluxe (which TT is using, so) or the giant brick one; I just wanted to know why hasbro did not or could not use this figure.

As for the trailer being a feature, of course it is, it has been since G1 when kids could load up magnus, or o/p and play with them; same as rid2000, and masterpiece and cw magnus...you can say it isn't a feature, but we'd flip if it couldn't


As for the panels, they would be kinda large, where would they go, and how would they get there? Would they fold down from the bottom of the ceiling, flip around from the exterior sides?

Optimizzy wrote:quote="Hellscream9999"]
Well, I mean, isn't the trailer functional on this figure? As in you can load other figures into it; I think that that is a very acceptable reason to have hollow legs. And why is this such a major issue anyways, figures have had hollow bits for decades, sure this may be 'over the top' but this purely for functional reasons.

fenrir72 wrote:

Optimizzy wrote:I like how its posed in such an awesome way that hides the hollow legs.

I mean, its cool and I probably will get it, but the hollowness is a little disapointing. I mean, I would have paid a little bit more to have a figure without gaps. Especially from Takara.

The hollow shins is for the trailer function of the figure when it is in truck mode. That's kind of the selling point..........trailer that can carry TAV or TED class figures. Remove the hollowness, then no can carry anything.

Same can be said for Godginrai/PM OPtimus prime. Had hollow shins too.

lol. you guys.

It just floors me how much there is of TAKARA=Good, HASBRO=bad. The trailer is a selling point?? Really?

-Kanrabat- wrote:I'm sure a 3rd Party will come up with an upgrade kit made out of panels to cover the gaps. Panels that can pop on and off easely, of course.

Also, I wonder. How come Takara didnt engeneered some panels that fold up to cover the gaps? Look easy enough to do so.

Anyway, I'm still glad I preordered mine!

Yes I agree Kanrabat, it seemed liked a simple thing to do. I mean, it's just panels. You can't see it straight on, but man...is it noticeable when you do see it.

I mean, really. I think it's fair to point out that this is a failing of the design. If there was some panels in the original design, I would not hesitate to buy this...however, as it is I really cant say this is a must buy. And guys, thats all Takara.

But I digress. Too many of you cant see them as a real company that makes mistakes so. Whatever.[/quote]


The "Upsized" TAV version which can carry other cars not the selling point? So what makes this different from the domestic releases? Ohhh, they, the other Optimus' of the TAV line are all weenie sizes that can't "carry" any other figure when in truck mode.

If following your logic, you'd be getting an upsized "lazy" mold of Optimus for the sake of it? I'm getting this for the added interactivity and functionality not found in the other TAV Optimus'.

This has nothing to do with Tomy being good or bad . Well, the good is that it IS being released by TT for the Japan market and not by Hasbro worldwide.That was never the issue. Seems like some are just complaining or looking for issues when there is NO issue at all. Just like the posing by TFYuki over Arcee.

Just pushing the point, if the shins are whole and not hollow, how then where will you park/carry the other Autobot cars in trailer mode? Add extra folding panels? Then we'll be hearing complaints that the figure is waaaaaaaaaay too expensive. Like it or not, TT is also aiming to keep certain figures in a certain SRP. I don't need to be an engineer to figure that out and you seem to see that all TT does is make mistakes. Whatever.

You might want to close the bracket around my username to fix the quote, it makes it a little difficult to read.

Hey Hellscream, I saw your question on whether or not Hasbro can use a mold Takara made in house and I dont know the answer. I have had that question for as long as I have been collecting. In G1, the design was all Takara and Hasbro licensed out the toys. But with Beast Wars, it was all Hasbro's idea. And they commissioned Takara to do the engineering based off their designs. Takara then made their own in house designs and Hasbro never distributed them (Korea did though, in the same way that Hasbro had licensed Takara toys for G1, which is why you can have dirt cheap Beast Wars Neo toys made in amazing Takara quality). However, Hasbro did eventually use some of those molds in later lines, like Guiledart for it<s Dinobot line and Big Convoy as Nemesis Prime for the Universe line. So there is precedent for Hasbro repurposing a Takara design.

Even recently, funpub used the Takara in house designed Tranformers Prime Breakdown mold to make their Botcon 2015 Megatron (which sucks cause its a mold everyone wanted and it's now here as simply another megatron toy and more expensive than the actual Takara product).

So there is precedent for Hasbro using a Takara designed mold but I have no examples of using it for the same line aside from the Masterpiece line (with years in delay and far from every figure accounted for). Which means that I am really not sure this cool Optimus toy will see a stateside release, and same goes with the Takara deluxe Groove.

Also, Hasbro never distributed the Takara Infinity toys either. That's a whole line of Takara designed molds we will never see here and it is a very recent example.

william-james88 wrote:Also, Hasbro never distributed the Takara Infinity toys either. That's a whole line of Takara designed molds we will never see here and it is a very recent example.

Did you meant "Alternity"?

william-james88 wrote:Hey Hellscream, I saw your question on whether or not Hasbro can use a mold Takara made in house and I dont know the answer. I have had that question for as long as I have been collecting. In G1, the design was all Takara and Hasbro licensed out the toys. But with Beast Wars, it was all Hasbro's idea. And they commissioned Takara to do the engineering based off their designs. Takara then made their own in house designs and Hasbro never distributed them (Korea did though, in the same way that Hasbro had licensed Takara toys for G1, which is why you can have dirt cheap Beast Wars Neo toys made in amazing Takara quality). However, Hasbro did eventually use some of those molds in later lines, like Guiledart for it<s Dinobot line and Big Convoy as Nemesis Prime for the Universe line. So there is precedent for Hasbro repurposing a Takara design.

Even recently, funpub used the Takara in house designed Tranformers Prime Breakdown mold to make their Botcon 2015 Megatron (which sucks cause its a mold everyone wanted and it's now here as simply another megatron toy and more expensive than the actual Takara product).

So there is precedent for Hasbro using a Takara designed mold but I have no examples of using it for the same line aside from the Masterpiece line (with years in delay and far from every figure accounted for). Which means that I am really not sure this cool Optimus toy will see a stateside release, and same goes with the Takara deluxe Groove.

Also, Hasbro never distributed the Takara Infinity toys either. That's a whole line of Takara designed molds we will never see here and it is a very recent example.

That's it exactly; I new that hellscream big convoy and breakdown have been used; and that sometimes hasbro licences molds from TT, and sometimes TT licences molds from hasbro.

It really irritates me that a toy line aimed at being fun for kids continues to regurgitate crappy bricks, when vastly superior versions exist. It probably wouldn't be too expensive, hell they could even drop the electronics if they had too. This just seems to be a conscious effort, on the part of pr or the bigwigs, to make these bricks as a way to rebrand themselves, when it kinda isn't working - like a half-a$$ed publicity stunt.

Yes they sell some places - not anywhere I live though, but they aren't fun, don't have much longevity, and just kinda blow for the pricepoint of some of them.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Also, Hasbro never distributed the Takara Infinity toys either. That's a whole line of Takara designed molds we will never see here and it is a very recent example.

Did you meant "Alternity"?

lol, I actually googled it and got a bunch of beyblade type stuff; so now I have no idea what anything means anymore

One thing is sure, the Alternity line is Japan exclusive. My and my friend both ordered that sexy mofo. One for each of us. Pretty expensive at 80$CAN shipped (each), but WE NEED IT!

-Kanrabat- wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Also, Hasbro never distributed the Takara Infinity toys either. That's a whole line of Takara designed molds we will never see here and it is a very recent example.

Did you meant "Alternity"?

Yes, I meant Alternity. Those molds were never licensed.

I still love this very fatalist line from BBTS:

Please Note: These items are bought at retail in Japan and marked up before being sold to us - the price is high for an Alternity, but it is the only option.

Hellscream9999 wrote:You might want to close the bracket around my username to fix the quote, it makes it a little difficult to read.

My bad man. I'm sorry.

Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

Yeah, and they were bloated, kibbly, ugly, and based on the same failed design of rid railracer Still don't miss that line, the beast hunter beast redeco's HOWEVER were all sexy beasts.

Optimizzy wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:You might want to close the bracket around my username to fix the quote, it makes it a little difficult to read.

My bad man. I'm sorry.

It's cool, just wanted to point it out.

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

The EX Prime as a robot was great. Reminds me of the current TT Shinkansen line. The dragon mode and torso mode Really for the diehard fan if you want to track them.

Why it never made the cut to the domestic market.......mystery for the ages (that or Hasbro wasn't interested).Also noticed that TFGo! combiner teams were very limited. Not even hobbysearch carried it.

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

Yeah, and they were bloated, kibbly, ugly, and based on the same failed design of rid railracer Still don't miss that line, the beast hunter beast redeco's HOWEVER were all sexy beasts.

Hell yeah they were! We got some of the all time best headsculpts to come out of Japan:

fenrir72 wrote:
Why it never made the cut to the domestic market.......mystery for the ages (that or Hasbro wasn't interested).Also noticed that TFGo! combiner teams were very limited. Not even hobbysearch carried it.

I didnt know they were limited. That means their current low prices are even more indicative of the lack of interest.

william-james88 wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

Yeah, and they were bloated, kibbly, ugly, and based on the same failed design of rid railracer Still don't miss that line, the beast hunter beast redeco's HOWEVER were all sexy beasts.

Hell yeah they were! We got some of the all time best headsculpts to come out of Japan:

fenrir72 wrote:
Why it never made the cut to the domestic market.......mystery for the ages (that or Hasbro wasn't interested).Also noticed that TFGo! combiner teams were very limited. Not even hobbysearch carried it.

I didnt know they were limited. That means their current low prices are even more indicative of the lack of interest.

They were so beast The sexy paint jobs and minute detailing on some of them; Kinda wish the sky lynx mold was re-released as a fembot, slightly retool the chest and give her straxus' pick axe

so far thats the best looking robots in disguise optimus prime toy i have seen

william-james88 wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

Yeah, and they were bloated, kibbly, ugly, and based on the same failed design of rid railracer Still don't miss that line, the beast hunter beast redeco's HOWEVER were all sexy beasts.

Hell yeah they were! We got some of the all time best headsculpts to come out of Japan:

fenrir72 wrote:
Why it never made the cut to the domestic market.......mystery for the ages (that or Hasbro wasn't interested).Also noticed that TFGo! combiner teams were very limited. Not even hobbysearch carried it.

I didnt know they were limited. That means their current low prices are even more indicative of the lack of interest.

The Ninja lion was hard to get hold off during the first release (amiami even cancelled my order. as I had to go through other channels to get him). Same with the Samurai team. I wasn't even able to score the special weapon that came with the early release version.

EX Prime , well hlj carried him, same as amiami (both sold out quickly). So online wise, it was limited from my usual suppliers.

fenrir72 wrote:
The Ninja lion was hard to get hold off during the first release (amiami even cancelled my order. as I had to go through other channels to get him). Same with the Samurai team. I wasn't even able to score the special weapon that came with the early release version.

EX Prime , well hlj carried him, same as amiami (both sold out quickly). So online wise, it was limited from my usual suppliers.

Well they are now easily obtainable from Amazon for at most the price they were originally at.

In regards to whether or not Hasbro can use molds that Takara makes independently from Hasbro, it might have less to do with "Can Hasbro use them?" and more to do with "Will Hasbro want to use them?" Recall all those Prime toys that Takara made which Hasbro never released at retail (i.e. - War Breakdown, Gaia Unicron, Jet Vehicon, etc.). Every time Hasbro was asked if they would release them, Hasbro never once gave a definite "No", instead always giving their typical answers of "maybe" or "when the time is right" or "if there's the right outlet for it" or "not at this time" or the ever infamous "Stay tuned". They kept leading fans on with a false sense of hope on the off chance that they might decide to release these molds in some way, but ultimately never did.

As far as things like this TAV Optimus mold or the Unite Warriors Groove mold are concerned, they're most likely in the same boat as the Takara-only Prime molds. It mostly depends on whether Hasbro would want to release them since whatever they release would have to fall in line with what their (Hasbro's) plans are. And right now, Hasbro has already released both an articulated "all ages" RID 2015 Optimus mold and a Combiner Wars Groove mold, even if both are much smaller than was several fans would prefer. Thus, Hasbro probably views both cases as unnecessary redundancies that both clash with what they have already released and might be too expensive endeavors to warrant pursuing.

I know it's not what many of us would want to hear, but business is what business does.

Sabrblade wrote:In regards to whether or not Hasbro can use molds that Takara makes independently from Hasbro, it might have less to do with "Can Hasbro use them?" and more to do with "Will Hasbro want to use them?" Recall all those Prime toys that Takara made which Hasbro never released at retail (i.e. - War Breakdown, Gaia Unicron, Jet Vehicon, etc.). Every time Hasbro was asked if they would release them, Hasbro never once gave a definite "No", instead always giving their typical answers of "maybe" or "when the time is right" or "if there's the right outlet for it" or "not at this time" or the ever infamous "Stay tuned". They kept leading fans on with a false sense of hope on the off chance that they might decide to release these molds in some way, but ultimately never did.

As far as things like this TAV Optimus mold or the Unite Warriors Groove mold are concerned, they're most likely in the same boat as the Takara-only Prime molds. It mostly depends on whether Hasbro would want to release them since whatever they release would have to fall in line with what their (Hasbro's) plans are. And right now, Hasbro has already released both an articulated "all ages" RID 2015 Optimus mold and a Combiner Wars Groove mold, even if both are much smaller than was several fans would prefer. Thus, Hasbro probably views both cases as unnecessary redundancies that both clash with what they have already released and might be too expensive endeavors to warrant pursuing.

I know it's not what many of us would want to hear, but business is what business does.

Well, I guess that was what I was angling towards. Personally I don't think it's terribly redundant, the rid line has 4-5 versions of each character across various sub-line, and this one stands out as being a good figure; and Hasbro has to know that the deluxe groove would sell as well as any nemesis prime, even if they offered it exclusively through online retail again. From that stand point it doesn't make sense to hold it back, but whatever, it's not like we'll ever actually know

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

and based on the same failed design of rid railracer

DEM'S FIGHTIN' WORDs. Choose your pistol, and start your 10 paces. I'm taking 3, so you best be lucky.

Seriously though, Railracer was a much better overall than the Go! Combiners. Sure, they suffered from long legs, but then so do I. And really, RR's only excess parts were Rapid Run's legs, which were I believe intended to be jetpack or wings and just not fully executed. (Rapid Run's feet have round black things that look like thrust nozzles uner his arches. If you point the rail wheel down and the toes down, instant ducting.) Otherwise, he's got small waist armor and that's it. And all his parts integrated. No goofy head-dresses, no overly clunky bot modes or humongous blocks hanging off their backs.

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

Yeah, and they were bloated, kibbly, ugly, and based on the same failed design of rid railracer Still don't miss that line, the beast hunter beast redeco's HOWEVER were all sexy beasts.

It's nothing like Rail Racer...not even close I use to own JRX almost over 15 years ago. Failed...nah he is actually one of the best Prime's of the whole Prime series except for First Edition and the Year of the Snake RID edition...with JPN Battle Shield Optimus Prime an honorable mention. The remolded head sculpts and colors are vastly superior to Hasbro's. The Go! Combiners well, you either like them or hate them. And Guren Dragnotron is a nice shade of fiery red.

Flashwave wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

and based on the same failed design of rid railracer

DEM'S FIGHTIN' WORDs. Choose your pistol, and start your 10 paces. I'm taking 3, so you best be lucky.

Seriously though, Railracer was a much better overall than the Go! Combiners. Sure, they suffered from long legs, but then so do I. And really, RR's only excess parts were Rapid Run's legs, which were I believe intended to be jetpack or wings and just not fully executed. (Rapid Run's feet have round black things that look like thrust nozzles uner his arches. If you point the rail wheel down and the toes down, instant ducting.) Otherwise, he's got small waist armor and that's it. And all his parts integrated. No goofy head-dresses, no overly clunky bot modes or humongous blocks hanging off their backs.

Rail Racer is awesome and no one can/will convince me of otherwise.

Sabrblade wrote:

Flashwave wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

and based on the same failed design of rid railracer

DEM'S FIGHTIN' WORDs. Choose your pistol, and start your 10 paces. I'm taking 3, so you best be lucky.

Seriously though, Railracer was a much better overall than the Go! Combiners. Sure, they suffered from long legs, but then so do I. And really, RR's only excess parts were Rapid Run's legs, which were I believe intended to be jetpack or wings and just not fully executed. (Rapid Run's feet have round black things that look like thrust nozzles uner his arches. If you point the rail wheel down and the toes down, instant ducting.) Otherwise, he's got small waist armor and that's it. And all his parts integrated. No goofy head-dresses, no overly clunky bot modes or humongous blocks hanging off their backs.

Rail Racer is awesome and no one can/will convince me of otherwise.

I just wish my Midnight;s hips weren't so loose now, he falls over too much. Otherwise, Train+transformer+Combiner=AWESOME.

fenrir72 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

The EX Prime as a robot was great. Reminds me of the current TT Shinkansen line. The dragon mode and torso mode Really for the diehard fan if you want to track them.

Why it never made the cut to the domestic market.......mystery for the ages (that or Hasbro wasn't interested).Also noticed that TFGo! combiner teams were very limited. Not even hobbysearch carried it.

I could never bring myself to get go! Optimus. Go prime, however, is one of of my favorites. And I love the "predacons" from transformers go. Those head sculpts are worth every penny.

william-james88 wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:
The Ninja lion was hard to get hold off during the first release (amiami even cancelled my order. as I had to go through other channels to get him). Same with the Samurai team. I wasn't even able to score the special weapon that came with the early release version.

EX Prime , well hlj carried him, same as amiami (both sold out quickly). So online wise, it was limited from my usual suppliers.

Well they are now easily obtainable from Amazon for at most the price they were originally at.

Depends if the vendor sends it to the country you live in. Amazon Japan is no problem of course, I just use BigInJapan to do my dirty work proxy but back then, when it was pre-released, the prices are kind of more expensive than the online stores.

Optimizzy wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

The EX Prime as a robot was great. Reminds me of the current TT Shinkansen line. The dragon mode and torso mode Really for the diehard fan if you want to track them.

Why it never made the cut to the domestic market.......mystery for the ages (that or Hasbro wasn't interested).Also noticed that TFGo! combiner teams were very limited. Not even hobbysearch carried it.

I could never bring myself to get go! Optimus. Go prime, however, is one of of my favorites. And I love the "predacons" from transformers go. Those head sculpts are worth every penny.

Trukk notMunkyTrain Syndrome ?

Sabrblade wrote:

Flashwave wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

and based on the same failed design of rid railracer

DEM'S FIGHTIN' WORDs. Choose your pistol, and start your 10 paces. I'm taking 3, so you best be lucky.

Seriously though, Railracer was a much better overall than the Go! Combiners. Sure, they suffered from long legs, but then so do I. And really, RR's only excess parts were Rapid Run's legs, which were I believe intended to be jetpack or wings and just not fully executed. (Rapid Run's feet have round black things that look like thrust nozzles uner his arches. If you point the rail wheel down and the toes down, instant ducting.) Otherwise, he's got small waist armor and that's it. And all his parts integrated. No goofy head-dresses, no overly clunky bot modes or humongous blocks hanging off their backs.

Rail Racer is awesome and no one can/will convince me of otherwise.

Whoa, blowin' my words way outta proportion, I have no qualms against RR, I love him, he's a great figure; I meant design from the standpoint of the concept of: 1 figure is the legs, 1 figure is the chest, head, and arms, and 1 figure is the stomach and a massive backpack. Let's all admit it together, it's not the best way to combine 3 robots together.

This leads to overt back-heaviness, and the additional kibble (if there is any - lookin' at you Go! figures) doesn't help. RR shows that it can be done pretty well, the Go! figures show us what happens when it doesn't.

Let's just chill out

Flashwave wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

and based on the same failed design of rid railracer

DEM'S FIGHTIN' WORDs. Choose your pistol, and start your 10 paces. I'm taking 3, so you best be lucky.

Seriously though, Railracer was a much better overall than the Go! Combiners. Sure, they suffered from long legs, but then so do I. And really, RR's only excess parts were Rapid Run's legs, which were I believe intended to be jetpack or wings and just not fully executed. (Rapid Run's feet have round black things that look like thrust nozzles uner his arches. If you point the rail wheel down and the toes down, instant ducting.) Otherwise, he's got small waist armor and that's it. And all his parts integrated. No goofy head-dresses, no overly clunky bot modes or humongous blocks hanging off their backs.

Guess it's all come down to prefference. For me, a combiner must be good in ALL forms. Individual parts, vehicles, bots (if applicable) and combined. Railracer have great vehicle form, but kinda derpy bot modes and the combined mode completely miss-use the 3rd member by making him a tiny waist and kibbles. Combined mode still look decent, but it's shortcoming made me pass it.

The GO! Combiners are much worst. Especially the beast one. Ridiculous bot and beast modes completely ruin the figure. A decent combined mode is the only redeaming feature, but it's not enough for me to buy them. Even on clearance.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Flashwave wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

and based on the same failed design of rid railracer

DEM'S FIGHTIN' WORDs. Choose your pistol, and start your 10 paces. I'm taking 3, so you best be lucky.

Seriously though, Railracer was a much better overall than the Go! Combiners. Sure, they suffered from long legs, but then so do I. And really, RR's only excess parts were Rapid Run's legs, which were I believe intended to be jetpack or wings and just not fully executed. (Rapid Run's feet have round black things that look like thrust nozzles uner his arches. If you point the rail wheel down and the toes down, instant ducting.) Otherwise, he's got small waist armor and that's it. And all his parts integrated. No goofy head-dresses, no overly clunky bot modes or humongous blocks hanging off their backs.

Guess it's all come down to prefference. For me, a combiner must be good in ALL forms. Individual parts, vehicles, bots (if applicable) and combined. Railracer have great vehicle form, but kinda derpy bot modes and the combined mode completely miss-use the 3rd member by making him a tiny waist and kibbles. Combined mode still look decent, but it's shortcoming made me pass it.

The GO! Combiners are much worst. Especially the beast one. Ridiculous bot and beast modes completely ruin the figure. A decent combined mode is the only redeaming feature, but it's not enough for me to buy them. Even on clearance.

Exactly my point, the combined modes didn't even look that good because of the KIBBLE EVERYWHERE; it was atrocious, and offensive, and the bot modes sucked so hard, they were all leg, I think their hips were in their armpits

fenrir72 wrote:

Optimizzy wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

The EX Prime as a robot was great. Reminds me of the current TT Shinkansen line. The dragon mode and torso mode Really for the diehard fan if you want to track them.

Why it never made the cut to the domestic market.......mystery for the ages (that or Hasbro wasn't interested).Also noticed that TFGo! combiner teams were very limited. Not even hobbysearch carried it.

I could never bring myself to get go! Optimus. Go prime, however, is one of of my favorites. And I love the "predacons" from transformers go. Those head sculpts are worth every penny.

Trukk notMunkyTrain Syndrome ?

Actually no. I collect all OPs and the more variety in alt mode the better. When I found out he turned into a train I was stoked. Then I saw pics and was disappointed with the result. And that dragon mode. It just feels like he tries to do everything but doesn't pull it off. You get him? Does the kibble restrict his movement a lot? I'm still considering him but I just don't know. He just doesn't seem that well planned.

Optimizzy wrote:
Actually no. I collect all OPs and the more variety in alt mode the better. When I found out he turned into a train I was stoked. Then I saw pics and was disappointed with the result. And that dragon mode. It just feels like he tries to do everything but doesn't pull it off. You get him? Does the kibble restrict his movement a lot? I'm still considering him but I just don't know. He just doesn't seem that well planned.

That Dragon mode is hidious:



Dont know if Lio convoy counts for your OP collection but his toy was way better:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Flashwave wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

and based on the same failed design of rid railracer

DEM'S FIGHTIN' WORDs. Choose your pistol, and start your 10 paces. I'm taking 3, so you best be lucky.

Seriously though, Railracer was a much better overall than the Go! Combiners. Sure, they suffered from long legs, but then so do I. And really, RR's only excess parts were Rapid Run's legs, which were I believe intended to be jetpack or wings and just not fully executed. (Rapid Run's feet have round black things that look like thrust nozzles uner his arches. If you point the rail wheel down and the toes down, instant ducting.) Otherwise, he's got small waist armor and that's it. And all his parts integrated. No goofy head-dresses, no overly clunky bot modes or humongous blocks hanging off their backs.

Rail Racer is awesome and no one can/will convince me of otherwise.

Whoa, blowin' my words way outta proportion, I have no qualms against RR, I love him, he's a great figure; I meant design from the standpoint of the concept of: 1 figure is the legs, 1 figure is the chest, head, and arms, and 1 figure is the stomach and a massive backpack. Let's all admit it together, it's not the best way to combine 3 robots together.

This leads to overt back-heaviness, and the additional kibble (if there is any - lookin' at you Go! figures) doesn't help. RR shows that it can be done right, the Go! figures show us what happens when it doesn't.

Let's just chill out

You mean I DON'T get to shoot anybody? aww...

I dunno, far as tri-combiners, I really think Railracer knocked it out of the park. Considering his combiner style is what (de)evolved into Energon (Now THERE's a flail of limbs going everywhere) and the alternative to combing three robots together is


Transformers Victory Road Caesar Gallery
Hey! I can replicate this by attaching CW Motormaster to CW Wildrider and Dead-End! REPAINT!

I can't agree with that. I can agree that the Go! figures failed to meet the same standards that Rail Racer set, but I just can't call that a failed concept or a less than efficent way of combining three robots.It would be nice if Rapid Run had been able to integrate batter (more stomach/less backpack), either as a slightly longer and or thicker torso, but as a "massive" backpac, if you turn Rapid Run's hips over 180 before combing, his legs chamber nicely against his spne and his "backpack" is not any deeper than say CW Optimus'. As for back-heavyness, All of the Railracer complaints I've ever heard have come from loose hip and knee joints in Midnight Express. I truely cant even keep ME's own body upright sometimes, he wants to flop over on his hip joint. Back int he day, I had RR in all kinds of poses

Flashwave wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Flashwave wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

and based on the same failed design of rid railracer

DEM'S FIGHTIN' WORDs. Choose your pistol, and start your 10 paces. I'm taking 3, so you best be lucky.

Seriously though, Railracer was a much better overall than the Go! Combiners. Sure, they suffered from long legs, but then so do I. And really, RR's only excess parts were Rapid Run's legs, which were I believe intended to be jetpack or wings and just not fully executed. (Rapid Run's feet have round black things that look like thrust nozzles uner his arches. If you point the rail wheel down and the toes down, instant ducting.) Otherwise, he's got small waist armor and that's it. And all his parts integrated. No goofy head-dresses, no overly clunky bot modes or humongous blocks hanging off their backs.

Rail Racer is awesome and no one can/will convince me of otherwise.

Whoa, blowin' my words way outta proportion, I have no qualms against RR, I love him, he's a great figure; I meant design from the standpoint of the concept of: 1 figure is the legs, 1 figure is the chest, head, and arms, and 1 figure is the stomach and a massive backpack. Let's all admit it together, it's not the best way to combine 3 robots together.

This leads to overt back-heaviness, and the additional kibble (if there is any - lookin' at you Go! figures) doesn't help. RR shows that it can be done right, the Go! figures show us what happens when it doesn't.

Let's just chill out

You mean I DON'T get to shoot anybody? aww...

I dunno, far as tri-combiners, I really think Railracer knocked it out of the park. Considering his combiner style is what (de)evolved into Energon (Now THERE's a flail of limbs going everywhere) and the alternative to combing three robots together is


Transformers Victory Road Caesar Gallery
Hey! I can replicate this by attaching CW Motormaster to CW Wildrider and Dead-End! REPAINT!

I can't agree with that. I can agree that the Go! figures failed to meet the same standards that Rail Racer set, but I just can't call that a failed concept or a less than efficent way of combining three robots.It would be nice if Rapid Run had been able to integrate batter (more stomach/less backpack), either as a slightly longer and or thicker torso, but as a "massive" backpac, if you turn Rapid Run's hips over 180 before combing, his legs chamber nicely against his spne and his "backpack" is not any deeper than say CW Optimus'. As for back-heavyness, All of the Railracer complaints I've ever heard have come from loose hip and knee joints in Midnight Express. I truely cant even keep ME's own body upright sometimes, he wants to flop over on his hip joint. Back int he day, I had RR in all kinds of poses

RR is good, not great, but really really good. He could've used a bit longer on the ol' design table; longer thighs, detented thighs and knees, etc. Also, I wasn't really speaking of just transformers (you forgot magnaboss and tripredacus, those were really successful) but power rangers had the megazord with the dolphin, lion, and falcon, it had a unique and balanced design and an interesting way to combine - don't say they didn't have ind. bot modes, I'm talking success of merging 3 figures into one - you could even look at armada o/p jetfire and overload, technically overload adds as much to the overall figure as rapid run.

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Flashwave wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Flashwave wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

and based on the same failed design of rid railracer

DEM'S FIGHTIN' WORDs. Choose your pistol, and start your 10 paces. I'm taking 3, so you best be lucky.

Seriously though, Railracer was a much better overall than the Go! Combiners. Sure, they suffered from long legs, but then so do I. And really, RR's only excess parts were Rapid Run's legs, which were I believe intended to be jetpack or wings and just not fully executed. (Rapid Run's feet have round black things that look like thrust nozzles uner his arches. If you point the rail wheel down and the toes down, instant ducting.) Otherwise, he's got small waist armor and that's it. And all his parts integrated. No goofy head-dresses, no overly clunky bot modes or humongous blocks hanging off their backs.

Rail Racer is awesome and no one can/will convince me of otherwise.

Whoa, blowin' my words way outta proportion, I have no qualms against RR, I love him, he's a great figure; I meant design from the standpoint of the concept of: 1 figure is the legs, 1 figure is the chest, head, and arms, and 1 figure is the stomach and a massive backpack. Let's all admit it together, it's not the best way to combine 3 robots together.

This leads to overt back-heaviness, and the additional kibble (if there is any - lookin' at you Go! figures) doesn't help. RR shows that it can be done right, the Go! figures show us what happens when it doesn't.

Let's just chill out

You mean I DON'T get to shoot anybody? aww...

I dunno, far as tri-combiners, I really think Railracer knocked it out of the park. Considering his combiner style is what (de)evolved into Energon (Now THERE's a flail of limbs going everywhere) and the alternative to combing three robots together is


Transformers Victory Road Caesar Gallery
Hey! I can replicate this by attaching CW Motormaster to CW Wildrider and Dead-End! REPAINT!

I can't agree with that. I can agree that the Go! figures failed to meet the same standards that Rail Racer set, but I just can't call that a failed concept or a less than efficent way of combining three robots.It would be nice if Rapid Run had been able to integrate batter (more stomach/less backpack), either as a slightly longer and or thicker torso, but as a "massive" backpac, if you turn Rapid Run's hips over 180 before combing, his legs chamber nicely against his spne and his "backpack" is not any deeper than say CW Optimus'. As for back-heavyness, All of the Railracer complaints I've ever heard have come from loose hip and knee joints in Midnight Express. I truely cant even keep ME's own body upright sometimes, he wants to flop over on his hip joint. Back int he day, I had RR in all kinds of poses

RR is good, not great, but really really good. He could've used a bit longer on the ol' design table; longer thighs, detented thighs and knees, etc. Also, I wasn't really speaking of just transformers (you forgot magnaboss and tripredacus, those were really successful) but power rangers had the megazord with the dolphin, lion, and falcon, it had a unique and balanced design and an interesting way to combine - don't say they didn't have ind. bot modes, I'm talking success of merging 3 figures into one - you could even look at armada o/p jetfire and overload, technically overload adds as much to the overall figure as rapid run.

Ah. yes, you're right. I did forget Magnaboss. Don't have Trip[edacus, so I;ll take your word for him. Liked Magmatron too, althouigh since the individuals don't have their own Robot modes, not sure that counts as much.

Flashwave wrote:Ah. yes, you're right. I did forget Magnaboss. Don't have Trip[edacus, so I;ll take your word for him. Liked Magmatron too, althouigh since the individuals don't have their own Robot modes, not sure that counts as much.

He certainly made a much more satisfactory megazord than most megazords (he even had knees ) tripedacus is better overall than magnaboss, if only due to the decrease in the number of joints in the legs, and a ball-jointed neck; ramhorn outright blows, but the other two are solid. Ramhorn has one of the most over-the-top, obscenely complex designs ever, and his robot mode is dumb and ugly and pointless (as a kid I hated trying to transform him, the instructions sucked so hard) BUT the 3 clawed hand mod he creates is so boss

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Flashwave wrote:Ah. yes, you're right. I did forget Magnaboss. Don't have Trip[edacus, so I;ll take your word for him. Liked Magmatron too, althouigh since the individuals don't have their own Robot modes, not sure that counts as much.

He certainly made a much more satisfactory megazord than most megazords (he even had knees ) tripedacus is better overall than magnaboss, if only due to the decrease in the number of joints in the legs, and a ball-jointed neck; ramhorn outright blows, but the other two are solid. Ramhorn has one of the most over-the-top, obscenely complex designs ever, and his robot mode is dumb and ugly and pointless (as a kid I hated trying to transform him, the instructions sucked so hard) BUT the 3 clawed hand mod he creates is so boss

I could not agree more with everything being said here. Yes, the beast wars combiners are great examples of 3 robots pulling their weight to make a great combiner. Yes, Tripedicus is better since it is more evened out with one bot making the arms, one making the torso and another making the legs. And yes, Ramhorn is an overly crazy design but works well in combined mode. For some reason, he is so simple when it comes to combining him, and you would never think that.

Also, while I wish Ironhide (the elephant) didnt have a robot mode, that Prowl is so detailed and has such accomplished beast and robot modes that would wouldnt think it could combine as well.

william-james88 wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Flashwave wrote:Ah. yes, you're right. I did forget Magnaboss. Don't have Trip[edacus, so I;ll take your word for him. Liked Magmatron too, althouigh since the individuals don't have their own Robot modes, not sure that counts as much.

He certainly made a much more satisfactory megazord than most megazords (he even had knees ) tripedacus is better overall than magnaboss, if only due to the decrease in the number of joints in the legs, and a ball-jointed neck; ramhorn outright blows, but the other two are solid. Ramhorn has one of the most over-the-top, obscenely complex designs ever, and his robot mode is dumb and ugly and pointless (as a kid I hated trying to transform him, the instructions sucked so hard) BUT the 3 clawed hand mod he creates is so boss

I could not agree more with everything being said here. Yes, the beast wars combiners are great examples of 3 robots pulling their weight to make a great combiner. Yes, Tripedicus is better since it is more evened out with one bot making the arms, one making the torso and another making the legs. And yes, Ramhorn is an overly crazy design but works well in combined mode. For some reason, he is so simple when it comes to combining him, and you would never think that.

Also, while I wish Ironhide (the elephant) didnt have a robot mode, that Prowl is so detailed and has such accomplished beast and robot modes that would wouldnt think it could combine as well.

YEAH BW combiners rule

I think they may have been the heinous case of having too many joints; bet that hasn't been said before

Optimizzy wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:

Optimizzy wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:Don't forget the Transformers Go! Optimus EX Prime we never got as well.

Oh man, and all those combiners!

The EX Prime as a robot was great. Reminds me of the current TT Shinkansen line. The dragon mode and torso mode Really for the diehard fan if you want to track them.

Why it never made the cut to the domestic market.......mystery for the ages (that or Hasbro wasn't interested).Also noticed that TFGo! combiner teams were very limited. Not even hobbysearch carried it.

I could never bring myself to get go! Optimus. Go prime, however, is one of of my favorites. And I love the "predacons" from transformers go. Those head sculpts are worth every penny.

Trukk notMunkyTrain Syndrome ?

Actually no. I collect all OPs and the more variety in alt mode the better. When I found out he turned into a train I was stoked. Then I saw pics and was disappointed with the result. And that dragon mode. It just feels like he tries to do everything but doesn't pull it off. You get him? Does the kibble restrict his movement a lot? I'm still considering him but I just don't know. He just doesn't seem that well planned.

Also got him for the clunky combiner formation. As a train (plain what else can a choo choo can do ) and robot he's bad@ss good. Excellent detailing on the head especially. But his "gattai" mode leaves a lot to be desired as he is just a glorified cog. Don't get me talking about his dragon mode

I don't have no evidence but I think he was just a proto/break in for TT's Shinkansen train robo line. Very similar his structural design.

Some of those were pretty cool (Railracer does look sexy) and some look like an epic joke (Go OP dragon mode).

As for the adventure line, trying to steer things back on track, They need a good optimus like that over in the USA. It actually works in size and I love a working trailer.

Guys please, watch the heavy quotes.