Video Review - Age of Extinction Walmart Exclusive Bumblebee and Strafe Two-Pack

Toys'R'Us Canada may have just listed the pre-orders for the Transformers: Age of Extinction Breakout Battle set, but fellow Seibertronian gema has it in-hand - and has shared a pictorial review of Rollbar (and some shots of Optimus too) with us! You can find the whole piece on his blog, and some of the images mirrored below.

He might not be a popular choice and I doubt a lot of collectors would be looking for him. However, aside from the lack of paint on his head (and should've been a different head altogather), Rollbar is somewhat interesting in his own way...especially if you are a mold collector.

Imported the Takara Tomy version of the One-Step Stinger from HLJ and I have to say I'm more impressed than I had hoped.

He does have balance issues because he has no heels, plus due to the autotransformation, his torso weight pushes down on the legs and tends to make them bow a bit, plus his ONLY articulation is his forearms.

He's well built and sturdy. Nice, thick plastic used on this guy. He's almost as tall as Bumblebee (new version) and almost as long in vehicle mode, so he's really not too terribly out of scale. (That really helped me to like him.)

His robot mode is heavily detailed (molded) and has just enough paint apps to bring them out. (he could use more) His vehicle mode is gorgeous and looks nice next to the rest of the AoE toys. The Takara Tomy version uses a metallic/pearlescent plastic to really shine and show him off, while the Wal*Mart exclusive version is just a matte bright red plastic. (Not saying it's ugly, but the Japanese version is definitely prettier.)

I'm saddened that we're not receiving a reshelled Bumblebee to have a Deluxe Stinger, I'm saddened that the One-Steps are so limited in their range of motion and ability, but it looks good and might be the only transformable Pagani Stinger we'll receive in the line.

On that alone, I recommend picking him up. As a toy goes, it's great for a kid, not so much for a collector, so on that side of the issue, I can't recommend it. However, if you want a Stinger that looks like his movie self and transforms, then this guy is your only real option until someone at HasTak ponies up the dough to make a Deluxe.

TimothyR wrote:i truly hate the fact that these aren't retail exclusives in the states.

non of the decent exclusives from this line can be found in stores here.. that's awful. oh well, i guess it just makes them that much easier to pass on.

maybe hasbro will learn from the mistakes they've made with this line.. but something tells me they won't.. they'll probably just get rid of the main line figures entirely for the next movie.

Which other stores have these platinum sets in the states?

I actually HATE that they are exclusives in Canada, because that means that the boxes dont have to be in more than one language, which in turn means that they are available to everyone except for people in Quebec, like me. I cant even preorder these online since the shipping adress is in Quebec (he worst part is that the actual place they are shipping from is a warehouse in Quebec )

Um...those prices seem way too inflated for what amounts to repaints. The autobot 5-pack includes 2 voyagers and 3 deluxes. That should be around $95. (25+25+15+15+15=95) I know there are slightly better schemes but...just feels like fleecing so I'll probably pass. Shame really. I really like them, but I also like to have SOME money.

Optimizzy wrote:Um...those prices seem way too inflated for what amounts to repaints. The autobot 5-pack includes 2 voyagers and 3 deluxes. That should be around $95. (25+25+15+15+15=95)

You're forgetting the cost of the high quality premium level display packaging that also factors into these prices.

And the limited production quantity of these figures, making them even more expensive than the much more mass produced retail versions that are theoretically easier to come by.

Sabrblade wrote:

Optimizzy wrote:Um...those prices seem way too inflated for what amounts to repaints. The autobot 5-pack includes 2 voyagers and 3 deluxes. That should be around $95. (25+25+15+15+15=95)

You're forgetting the cost of the high quality premium level display packaging that also factors into these prices.

And the limited production quantity of these figures, making them even more expensive than the much more mass produced retail versions that are theoretically easier to come by.

Those are just excuses. Cardboard is not expensive and slight alterations on mold should not incur a 33% increase. Perhaps $10 more sure, but not $35. Sorry no.

If Rollbar was general retail, I'd get him. He'd make a good Generations Throttlebot. Maybe Freeway or Searchlight.

But not Rollbar though.

RiddlerJ wrote:If Rollbar was general retail, I'd get him. He'd make a good Generations Throttlebot. Maybe Freeway or Searchlight.

But not Rollbar though.

I'd like to repaint him as Runamuck and Runabout. Maybe use crosscut mold.

also on my price rant: If those are in Canadian dollars then the price is a little more justified. Still a few bucks more than I'd like but reasonable. I should have checked that before I ranted.

Are the Dinobots included in that Dinobot set the fully articulated and decent toy ones or are they the smaller scale and shittier ones?

NuclearConvoy wrote:Are the Dinobots included in that Dinobot set the fully articulated and decent toy ones or are they the smaller scale and shittier ones?

No Platinum Edition AOE sets contain anything but AOE Generations molds (Deluxes, Voyagers, Leaders), or in one case the AOE First Edition Optimus mold. To use the simpler toys in a collector-centric line would be counterproductive.

I reported these ToysRus listings several days ago. Maybe even on Friday or Thursday

welcometothedarksyde wrote:I reported these ToysRus listings several days ago. Maybe even on Friday or Thursday

Please make sure you also email us at news@seibertron.com, or we may miss posts that are newsworthy or at least worth of our attention! There is only so much we can do.

Do you have a link to the reports?

Optimizzy wrote:Um...those prices seem way too inflated for what amounts to repaints. The autobot 5-pack includes 2 voyagers and 3 deluxes. That should be around $95. (25+25+15+15+15=95) I know there are slightly better schemes but...just feels like fleecing so I'll probably pass. Shame really. I really like them, but I also like to have SOME money.

The prices are in canadian dollars, so this amounts to part of the explanation.

It's actually 29.99 for voyagers and 16.99 for deluxes making it 111$, so the premium factor only amounts to 20$ more canadian.

If you guys want american dollars, this set will go for anything bewteen 100-115$ which may be more digestible in terms of the pricing's logic.

All of these packs look great!

Of course it would be the MOST expensive option to have a cohesive look for the Dinobots. SDCC set + Amazon Slog = Only uniform color scheme. The Platinum series doesn't even include the five G1 dinos, they put Scorn instead of Snarl. I mean, what the heck?

Ugh.

Autobot032 wrote:Of course it would be the MOST expensive option to have a cohesive look for the Dinobots. SDCC set + Amazon Slog = Only uniform color scheme. The Platinum series doesn't even include the five G1 dinos, they put Scorn instead of Snarl. I mean, what the heck?

Ugh.

Is it so far-fetched that the Platinum Edition Dinobots set that strives for movie-accuracy would choose to go with the specific Dinobots who appeared in the movie (plus Slog, for some reason) and omit the ones that didn't (save for Slog, for some reason)?

Seriously, Slog's inclusion in this is the real baffler, here.

Rollbar's lack of paint on the head makes me want to rip all of my teeth out with pliers and sell them for $15 each.

OptimalOptimus2 wrote:Rollbar's lack of paint on the head makes me want to rip all of my teeth out with pliers and sell them for $15 each.

That's going too far. Don't let shit escalate.

Sabrblade wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:Of course it would be the MOST expensive option to have a cohesive look for the Dinobots. SDCC set + Amazon Slog = Only uniform color scheme. The Platinum series doesn't even include the five G1 dinos, they put Scorn instead of Snarl. I mean, what the heck?

Ugh.

Is it so far-fetched that the Platinum Edition Dinobots set that strives for movie-accuracy would choose to go with the specific Dinobots who appeared in the movie (plus Slog, for some reason) and omit the ones that didn't (save for Slog, for some reason)?

Seriously, Slog's inclusion in this is the real baffler, here.

No, striving for film accuracy is not a far fetched idea. (In fact, it would've made the most sense.) It's also not the point I was trying to make, either. I'm trying to say there are no exclusive sets that have all the figures in a unified color scheme except the most expensive one, and the rarest. Even the general release figures aren't unified, except that they're all crazy colored and that sorta ties them together.

$179!!!!!!
That prime set better be made with gold. Why is it sooooo freakin expensive? the sideswipe figure alone is worth $16.99, prime is $69.99, and you're telling me the trailer is worth $92.00!!!!!?????
And to make things worse the Masterpiece Prime set from Hasbro was priced at $99.
$99!!!!!
And this set is worth $179!!!!!
Eat my stool!

Why is it so hard to understand that Platinum Editions are uber expensive by nature?

These toys are as specially decoed as most BotCon exclusives, and those sets usually cost three times as much as these, yet few make a fuss over those prices.

What part of "high end, collector grade, limited production quantity, specially packaged, super detailed" exclusives is so difficult to understand?

Do I wish that they were more affordable? Of course. But I hold no expectations about that. Platinum Editions are simply of a complete different league than standard retail toys. They are not aimed at kids with cheap allowances, but at the adult markets with deep wallets and bank accounts who are willing pay such high prices to get what they want.

Don't like it? Don't buy it. Simple as that. It may sound elitist, but this line is pretty elitist in and of itself, and shows no signs of changing.

Sabrblade wrote:
Don't like it? Don't buy it. Simple as that. It may sound elitist, but this line is pretty elitist in and of itself, and shows no signs of changing.

This.

Sabrblade wrote:Why is it so hard to understand that Platinum Editions are uber expensive by nature?

These toys are as specially decoed as most BotCon exclusives, and those sets usually cost three times as much as these, yet few make a fuss over those prices.

What part of "high end, collector grade, limited production quantity, specially packaged, super detailed" exclusives is so difficult to understand?

Do I wish that they were more affordable? Of course. But I hold no expectations about that. Platinum Editions are simplt of a complete different league than standard retail toys. They are not aimed at kids with cheap allowances, but at the adult markets with deep wallets and bank accounts who are willing pay such high prices to get what they want.

Don't like it? Don't buy it. Simple as that. It may sound elitist, but this line is pretty elitist in and of itself, and shows no signs of changing.

Words that every Transformers collector should live by.

Optimizzy wrote:Um...those prices seem way too inflated for what amounts to repaints. The autobot 5-pack includes 2 voyagers and 3 deluxes. That should be around $95. (25+25+15+15+15=95) I know there are slightly better schemes but...just feels like fleecing so I'll probably pass. Shame really. I really like them, but I also like to have SOME money.

Up in Canada, the prices are around $17 a deluxe and $30 for a voyager. The prices are not equivalent to the US. To me, living in Canada, the price increase is minimal. These ARE Canadian listings after all.
(17+17+17+30+30=111) So really, it is much less of a difference than you think. The cost of paint, the packaging, and the sheer fact that this is a Platinum Edition set all bump up the price a little.

MrGameAndToy wrote:

Optimizzy wrote:Um...those prices seem way too inflated for what amounts to repaints. The autobot 5-pack includes 2 voyagers and 3 deluxes. That should be around $95. (25+25+15+15+15=95) I know there are slightly better schemes but...just feels like fleecing so I'll probably pass. Shame really. I really like them, but I also like to have SOME money.

Up in Canada, the prices are around $17 a deluxe and $30 for a voyager. The prices are not equivalent to the US. To me, living in Canada, the price increase is minimal. These ARE Canadian listings after all.
(17+17+17+30+30=111) So really, it is much less of a difference than you think. The cost of paint, the packaging, and the sheer fact that this is a Platinum Edition set all bump up the price a little.

$111? That's an interesting price...

Sabrblade wrote:Why is it so hard to understand that Platinum Editions are uber expensive by nature?

These toys are as specially decoed as most BotCon exclusives, and those sets usually cost three times as much as these, yet few make a fuss over those prices.

What part of "high end, collector grade, limited production quantity, specially packaged, super detailed" exclusives is so difficult to understand?

Do I wish that they were more affordable? Of course. But I hold no expectations about that. Platinum Editions are simply of a complete different league than standard retail toys. They are not aimed at kids with cheap allowances, but at the adult markets with deep wallets and bank accounts who are willing pay such high prices to get what they want.

Don't like it? Don't buy it. Simple as that. It may sound elitist, but this line is pretty elitist in and of itself, and shows no signs of changing.

Here here,

noctorro wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Why is it so hard to understand that Platinum Editions are uber expensive by nature?

These toys are as specially decoed as most BotCon exclusives, and those sets usually cost three times as much as these, yet few make a fuss over those prices.

What part of "high end, collector grade, limited production quantity, specially packaged, super detailed" exclusives is so difficult to understand?

Do I wish that they were more affordable? Of course. But I hold no expectations about that. Platinum Editions are simply of a complete different league than standard retail toys. They are not aimed at kids with cheap allowances, but at the adult markets with deep wallets and bank accounts who are willing pay such high prices to get what they want.

Don't like it? Don't buy it. Simple as that. It may sound elitist, but this line is pretty elitist in and of itself, and shows no signs of changing.

Here here,

You mean "Hear, hear" right?

Sabrblade wrote:Why is it so hard to understand that Platinum Editions are uber expensive by nature?

These toys are as specially decoed as most BotCon exclusives, and those sets usually cost three times as much as these, yet few make a fuss over those prices.

What part of "high end, collector grade, limited production quantity, specially packaged, super detailed" exclusives is so difficult to understand?

Do I wish that they were more affordable? Of course. But I hold no expectations about that. Platinum Editions are simply of a complete different league than standard retail toys. They are not aimed at kids with cheap allowances, but at the adult markets with deep wallets and bank accounts who are willing pay such high prices to get what they want.

Don't like it? Don't buy it. Simple as that. It may sound elitist, but this line is pretty elitist in and of itself, and shows no signs of changing.

I'm surprised at all the support for this statement. Sure, naysayers of the sets' prices could be more graceful in their disappointment, but these are NOT Botcon and NOT SDCC exclusives. These are RETAIL products found at DISCOUNT retailers like Kmart.

What's so hard to understand about that?

Note the strategic use of caps.

megatronus wrote:I'm surprised at all the support for this statement. Sure, naysayers of the sets' prices could be more graceful in their disappointment, but these are NOT Botcon and NOT SDCC exclusives. These are RETAIL products found at DISCOUNT retailers like Kmart.

What's so hard to understand about that?

Note the strategic use of caps.

They are not "mass" retail items, though. They are limited edition retail exclusives being sold by only one or two stores (the fact that one of them turned out to be Kmart of all things is beyond belief), and have been giving all the same bells and whistles that BotCon and SDCC exclusives get and which standard mass retail figures do not get. That extra pizzazz doesn't come cheap.

Sabrblade wrote:

megatronus wrote:I'm surprised at all the support for this statement. Sure, naysayers of the sets' prices could be more graceful in their disappointment, but these are NOT Botcon and NOT SDCC exclusives. These are RETAIL products found at DISCOUNT retailers like Kmart.

What's so hard to understand about that?

Note the strategic use of caps.

They are not "mass" retail items, though. They are limited edition retail exclusives being sold by only one or two stores (the fact that one of them turned out to be Kmart of all things is beyond belief), and have been giving all the same bells and whistles that BotCon and SDCC exclusives get and which standard mass retail figures do not get. That extra pizzazz doesn't come cheap.

Botcon and SDCC figures are not produced en masse. Presumably, these are. It's like how we see a Takara MP reissue just when a Hasbro MP releases. The deco might differ and add some additional cost, but it's not like the actual production of the mold was limited for the purpose of these sets. That by and large has a bigger effect on cost than a premium deco does.

Please, please get it into your head that this is NOT Botcon, which is being run by TFCC and necessitates higher price points by sheer nature of exclusivity and cost. And this isn't SDCC 2014, where more exclusive 4-packs with more expensive decos, add-ins, and packaging cost not much more than some of these sets will cost at retail.

You can bring up Botcon or SDCC all you want, but it's apples and oranges. Just because these molds have premium decos does not mean they should cost as much as convention exclusives. I don't mind ambivalence to high prices, but your blind defense of them, and odd suppression of those who grimace at the price tag, doesn't just seem elitist, but is, in the truest sense of the word, elitist. And when it comes to retail product, mass or not, that's not cool in my book.

A fellow fan, by the name of Jeremy Boutwell, has shared a link to his video review of the Wal*Mart Exclusive Decepticon Stinger (Legion/Legends Class) and Dinobot Slug (Deluxe Class) 2-Pack, on our Facebook page. Consisting of a redeco of the Legends Class ROTF Sideways figure and a redeco (and faction change!) of Beast Wars Neo Guiledart, the set is affordable at it's current price of $14.88 and it's available now at most Wal*Mart stores across the country.

Check out the video review below:



Keep your optics tuned to Seibertron.com for the latest in news and updates, plus the best galleries around!

megatronus wrote:Botcon and SDCC figures are not produced en masse. Presumably, these are.

According to what, exactly?

megatronus wrote:Please, please get it into your head that this is NOT Botcon, which is being run by TFCC and necessitates higher price points by sheer nature of exclusivity and cost. And this isn't SDCC 2014, where more exclusive 4-packs with more expensive decos, add-ins, and packaging cost not much more than some of these sets will cost at retail.

And Hasbro itself isn't allowed to also create high-end uber expensive exclusives in the vein of convention exclusives on its own?

megatronus wrote:You can bring up Botcon or SDCC all you want, but it's apples and oranges. Just because these molds have premium decos does not mean they should cost as much as convention exclusives. I don't mind ambivalence to high prices, but your blind defense of them, and odd suppression of those who grimace at the price tag, doesn't just seem elitist, but is, in the truest sense of the word, elitist. And when it comes to retail product, mass or not, that's not cool in my book.

Why should Hasbro be obligated to give us only affordable goods and be forbidden to once in a while try its own take on the same variety of expensive collector grade items as seen with convention exclusives?

To put it simply megatronus, just save your ass and end the flame-war. It's a lost cause.

The repaint trend continues, with another video review by fellow Seibertronian grimdragon2001, who was able to find a Walmart exclusive two-pack Transformers: Age of Extinction Grimlock and Optimus Prime! This is the one featuring the Energon Cruellock repaint for the Dinobot leader, and a redeco of Revenge of the Fallen Legends Class Optimus Prime. Check it out below.

For that Walmart Exclusive Basic Grimlock and Optimus set:

That video reviewer is not really good, camera wise. I couldmt see shayt for Grimmy's transformation and hyis hands are always in the way when he try to show something. Nevertheless, I've seen enough to want the set. Mainly because I don't have that energon dino mold. If the price is roughly that of a deluxe and if I can find it in stores, I would defenitely buy it.

dalekslayer96 wrote:To put it simply megatronus, just save your ass and end the flame-war. It's a lost cause.

There's no flamewar going on. He and I have kept things civil.

Sabrblade wrote:

megatronus wrote:Botcon and SDCC figures are not produced en masse. Presumably, these are.

According to what, exactly?

This is my inference based on how companies make money generally, and the specific evidence we've seen with Hasbro & Takara's shared MP production runs. Those measures cut costs, and I see no reason why Hasbro wouldn't share production runs with Takara or the mainline figures. Especially with premium sets that cost more anyway. Is that thinking really a stretch?

Sabrblade wrote:And Hasbro itself isn't allowed to also create high-end uber expensive exclusives in the vein of convention exclusives on its own?

Sabrblade wrote:Why should Hasbro be obligated to give us only affordable goods and be forbidden to once in a while try its own take on the same variety of expensive collector grade items as seen with convention exclusives?

I never said Hasbro shouldn't create high end items. Just the opposite - they should, and I think these Platinum sets are great.

That said, you bring up the fact that convention exclusives exist as if that's a justification for bloated retail prices... and it's a completely different situation. What I don't get are people complaining about the high cost or limited availability of convention exclusives - if you want the exclusive, go to the convention. But these are retail products, and I think it's flawed to apply convention logic here, even if these products are retailer exclusives. I have no problem paying a slight premium for a premium product, but I still don't understand how a large premium (which I will still pay) is somehow defensible just because things cost more at conventions. What??

If this is just an agree to disagree thing, fine. But that's my position.

dalekslayer96 wrote:To put it simply megatronus, just save your ass and end the flame-war. It's a lost cause.

I see what you did there!

Sabrblade wrote:There's no flamewar going on. He and I have kept things civil.

Indeed! And for that I am thankful.

The Optimus Prime with trailer looks like that nasty-ass, stubby First Edition version, so that's an easy pass. I wouldn't mind having some of the others, but since they are in multipacks with figures that I DON'T want, Hasbro gets no money from me. Again.

megatronus wrote:

dalekslayer96 wrote:To put it simply megatronus, just save your ass and end the flame-war. It's a lost cause.

I see what you did there!

Sabrblade wrote:There's no flamewar going on. He and I have kept things civil.

Indeed! And for that I am thankful.

Yay! Someone who got the really hidden pun!

I don't know for how long this has been up, but:

Lost Age Series LA13 Battle Attack Nemesis Prime

A Nemesis repaint of Power Attacker Optimus Prime. And I see s many yays and cringes

Fellow Transformers fan Rubin Kumar from Malaysia was able to find, purchase and take some photos of the Transformers: Age of Extinction Platinum Edition two-pack Optimus Prime and Grimlock, each figure being a redeco of their respective Leader Class figures. Check out the images he sent us below from te Aeon Seremban 2 shopping mall in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, and make sure to flag up any sightings of your own in the appropriate section and forums!

The AOE toyline is starting to reek of desparation.

RhA wrote:The AOE toyline is starting to reek of desparation.

Well it is already half-way in, if we're to believe it'll end within the year.

I wouldn't mind getting this set even tough it'll be quite pricey in-store.

These are one of the few Transformers AOE toys that make sense along with Drift and that Breakout Battle Optimus Prime.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:I don't know for how long this has been up, but:

Lost Age Series LA13 Battle Attack Nemesis Prime

A Nemesis repaint of Power Attacker Optimus Prime. And I see s many yays and cringes

I like it but my review of the regular release is kinda dying off in views so I'm not sure if I'll get it.

Transformers Colombia, a Facebook fan page, has provided the first official in and out of package images of the upcoming Age Of Extinction G1 Deco Voyager Slog, courtesy of group member Felipe León Nájera. Slog is an Amazon.com exclusive and can be preordered here. (His release date is scheduled for December 15th, but dates are not always set in stone.)

Slog shares the same deco as the G1 Dinobot set from this years San Diego Comic Con. You can see more of that set here.

You can see the regular retail release in our always detailed, always awesome figure galleries, by clicking right here!

We've mirrored the updated images below:







Keep your optics tuned to Seibertron.com for the latest in news and updates, plus the best galleries around!

1. I'm very, very excited for these Platinum sets. That Platinum Leader Grimlock is the best of the bunch, I think.

2. G1-deco Slog looks awesome! Can't wait for Amazon to ship him out.

I really like this figure, even more so now that I have removed all those weird clunky weapons, even down to the black pegs that hold the lances. He now looks sleek and uncomplicated, and actually like a dinosaur.

Personally I don't think Dinobots need these weapons; they can rely on their sheer brute force. But Slog and Slug suffered the most by poor incorporation into the figure.

I am passing on this and all of the AOE Dinosaurs, i think they all look terrible. Way too simplistic in design and there is no consistency colour wise.