HasbroToyShop.com Gets Exclusive Transformers

Fans looking for obscure repaints and overpriced repacks, rejoice! HasbroToyShop.com has four (and counting) exclusives for you. ACToys.net revealed the Optimus Prime and Megatron toys earlier today. These are repackaged 2006 "Ultimate Battle" figures, but with some changes. One, they're much more expensive at $15.99 a pop. Two, they come in awesome collector's boxes with a flap and velcro. (Snazzy.) Three, they're repainted. Optimus is barely changed, with a little more yellow and seemingly some alterations to the grey parts, plus his gun is no partially blue. Megatron, on the other hand, is no longer green and is now a very G1-ish silver, red, and grey. One could argue this is a step up.

Now, back to HasbroToyShop.com. Here's the links:
Optimus Prime
Megatron
Overkill (Grimlock redeco)

A fourth figure, Drag Strip, will be a repaint of Classics Mirage. No photography of the toy has surfaced at this time. You can see him here. We'd say the highlights thus far are Megatron and Overkill, particularly Overkill.

Oh, and one more thing-- the online shop has a ton of coupon codes floating around. We're told TF2009 will give you 10% off through 12/31/2009, which might start to cover your shipping charges.

Transformers Orange iPod Speaker Prime, Alternity Convoy Pictures

Apparently there's a big show in Japan and there are new Transformers there! The C3X Hobby 2008 show is going on, and you can see pics of the new orange/red Convoy iPod speakers and the first full-color images of Alternity Convoy here, at TFW2005.

The silver Alternity Convoy doesn't really look like Optimus Prime at all, and early reports peg him at a "deluxe" size-- just a much higher price point. No word on a US release.

The burning flame version of the iPod speakers is pretty neat. It says "Excel Perfect Year 2008" on the side, which would make us think it's an elementary school reward, but it's probably not. Like the previous versions, it features a new head sculpt and is extremely unlikely to see a US release.

Target Exclusive Transformers Animated Boxed Set

According to this post at The Allspark, Target is going to have an exclusive Rescue Ratchet toy-- in yellow. Why yellow? I don't know, but it includes Legends-class animated toys of Starscream and Prowl. Presumably, the boxed set will be $15-$20, but nothing is set in stone yet.

It's interesting. Let's leave it at that.

Transformers' Unicron Returns, With New Box

We reported it before, but now ACToys.net has new, large photos of the packaging of Unicron! This exclusive reissue will be sold at Toys "R" Us and, so far, it appears to just be the Armada Unicron in a new box. It's worth noting that it's a large, reasonably fun toy so if you missed it the first time around you may wish to get one this year.

Transformers Club Skalor Revealed

Over at the TFCC, you can now see Skalor! Photos and a file card were posted, so now you can see what you'll presumably be able to order shortly. It's not bad!

Hasbro Transformers Comic-Con PR, Prices, Artbook

Over at Marketwatch is a big press release with all the exclusives and prices you can expect at Hasbro's Comic-Con store. Of note is an 80-page artbook filled with photos and doodads from the designers, which sounds pretty great. It also lists Nemesis Prime (Universe) as being $24.99 and Titanium Series Skywarp at $19.99.

Transformers Animated Bonus Packs Coming

Chinese auction site Taobao has up two auctions you will want to see, presumably for Q4 exclusives. Toys "R" Us packaged "super value" sets of Leader Class Megatron with Activator Starscream and Leader Class Bulkhead with Activator Bumblebee are coming... but when? Were I a betting man, I'd say October or November. I'd also bet on them being $39.99 or less. As such, I'd say if you haven't yet bought the leader figures, it might be worth your while to wait. (I were going to buy Megatron, but now I'm holding off. Free seems like a good price for Activators.)

Kmart Exclusive Mini-Cons: Packaged on eBay

Feast your eyes on this Kmart Exclusive Mini-Cons Pack coming this Fall. The packaging is really gorgeous, and this is the first Kmart exclusive in recent memory (or perhaps ever) from Hasbro to feature a sticker advertising the product as such. I typically don't swoon over a box, but wow. Yeah, this one's purty.

Unicron Returns to Transformers Universe

Fans of the giant planet eating robot, rejoice! Unicron is apparently coming back for a third repackaging, although some claim the toy showing up in the box on eBay isn't final. (We think it is.) Apparently a Toys "R" Us exclusive, this beast is probably going to appear some time this Fall. Want to know and see more? See the auction on eBay, or see the report on TFW2005.

Henkei Skywarp, Thundercracker Images

If you haven't seen them yet, Ameblo has shots of Thundercracker out of the package and it looks pretty gosh darn good.

The toy is a direct-to-consumer item which, according to most sources, is being made in an edition size based on pre-orders. As such, it could be very large (due to speculators) or very small (due to people NOT speculating.) We hope to get one. Click the image for more, in Japanese.

Deep Space Starscream, Transformers Endcap at Target

On the way home today I noticed my Target had a new endcap filled with $19.99 toys. These include:
Transformers Animated
The Battle Begins Set (Optimus Prime, Megatron, DVD)
Grimlock (Voyager)
Lugnut (Voyager)
Transformers Movie
Deep Space Starscream (Target Exclusive)

As such, it looks like a great time to go hunting for new robots in disguise!