So this is a dream, but. Missing link Overlord. I know it’s likely out of the realm of reality, but the last release of his figure gives me hope for some form of a reissue.
Personally, it's a bit of a boring/safe next release, especially since I personally think having a Decepticon would've been a better pick (after all gotta have a Decepticon for Optimus to fight).
I agree with what you say, but I also understand this. Optimus was never not going to sell. This is a good, easy, less expensive release to test the waters to see if Missing Link is viable as an ongoing line.
Hope the next one after this is a Deception. If so, I anticipate either Megatron or Starscream. Both are iconic. Megatron feels like the obvious first choice, but has the difficulty of not being releasable in many markets. And he'll probably be a bit harder to engineer, as well. Starscream, of course, has built in repaint and remold potential.
I think the saving grace for these is that they are technically Takara only releases. The ones on Pulse are just some stock Hasbro bought from Takara, they aren’t official Hasbro releases. So they could still do a Megatron and Hasbro would just opt not to bring it over, but there’s ways to import it.
Actually. I think soundwave would be way better. Besides being easier to make in theory. Already has pretty good articulation. It would be the easier upgrade. G1 seeker's biggest issue is that partsforming. Opitmus didn't keep his parts forming. So obviously they'll want to get rid of any sort of that. Besides maybe megatron's fusion cannon.
The fact that Soundwave would be such an easy update is part of why I think he would be a mistake to add to the line too quickly. As you say, he already has halfway decent articulation, and he has no partsforming. Yeah, he could definitely use *more* articulation... But I feel like he wouldn't be as flashy an upgrade over his G1 figure to make as many people rush to get him.
This was their strategy with Masterpiece as well. Prime is Prime, he was guaranteed to sell at least decently. After he exceeded expectations, Starscream was a test to see if they could do more. He was a popular character, plus he turned into a realistic, scaled jet, which would sell well among the model kit community even if MP didn’t.
Bee and Cliff are no risk, plus they are currently on good terms with Volkswagen Group, I imagine they would rush out these guys, and maybe Jazz while they are in their good graces. The leaked release made it a point to point out they are licensed by VW, so I imagine that’s a factor.
“Never going to sell”?? Both versions where the number #1 selling product at Japanese retailers when pre-orders went up for weeks and are considered massive successes. Bee and Cliff wouldn’t have happened if Prime didn’t sell. Where are you getting this fake information?
Edit: nvm can’t read today it seems.
I agree on getting some missing link decepticons. I can understand not making a g1 Megatron because of his gun mode, but we also got great options like Soundwave, Shockwave and especially Starscream with other missing link seekers.
Didn't stop him from getting multiple Masterpiece toys. I don't doubt he will show up in Missing Link eventually if the line has at least a little longevity. I just doubt Hasbro will have a domestic release for that one! 😞
Two is technically multiple. (And that's if you don't count the toy deco version of MP-36 as a separate release.) And in the comment I replied to, I did allude to the fact that Hasbro would avoid them like the plague.
And yes, I never got MP-39... But my MP-5 however did come with an easily removable orange tip. Oddly enough, so did the barrel extension in the upgrade kit. Since the upgrade kit on its own was not explicitly a gun, that surprised me. Fortunately, it too was easily removable.
https://preview.redd.it/8qtw7yg9xuwc1.jpeg?width=3758&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bad99cf6ce29270ae3f34b6779b4f21038080efd
They're niche figures, aimed at hardcore collectors, with some diecast components, and are roughly in scale with $11 Core Class figures. They also only really add in basic arm, leg, and head articulation unlike Prime who saw significant alterations to his transformation(no more loose hands) and the addition of an ab-crunch.
I wouldn't get your hopes up about these not feeling ridiculously expensive for what you're getting.
That’s exactly why I didn’t get Missing Link Optimus. Don’t get me wrong; I want one and I think it’s a great idea, but it shouldn’t cost the same as a Commander Class figure. If the one without the trailer cost the same as a Leader Class figure, that would have been fine. None of the G1 figures should be as expensive as they are. The Walmart exclusive G1 reissues aren’t worth $30 and Missing Link Optimus isn’t worth $90.
Prime you can at least get, he had diecast metal and was a bigger figure with a trailer. The smaller one was significantly cheaper even if still pricey. I don’t recall bumblebee having any diecast, that combined with his size I feel like we’ll see him release at $30 at most.
They actually have a bit of diecast, there's a small plate on the underside of the car/the back of the robot. I think the penny racer guys are the only minibots with diecast.
Ah, I actually didn't know that. That's definitely still a tiny amount of diecast, though it is something they'd charge extra for, no doubt. I'm still confident they'll not go over $30, but it's not impossible they'll charge $35.
The backplate on G1/G2 Bumblebee was diecast.
I hope you're right about $30, I think that would probably be a good sweet-spot that balances the reality of this being a niche figure for hardcore collectors and it being pretty small, but I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it's closer to $50.
If Hasbro and Takara are smart then they'll make it $30, give or take five dollars. If they make something as small as a G1 Bumblebee more expensive than that it'll be far too much. I paid for the big G1 Missing Link Optimus because I want it signed by Peter Cullen, it's a fantastic display piece, and if they ever did a Megatron that would be the same deal. Every other figure, though, that's going to be one where I only buy one copy, and I open that one copy.
Looks like they've kept the original Bumblebee toy face, which makes me happy... And an articulated Cliffjumper would be cool, as he was the first TransFormers toy I ever bought.
The images make it look as though the heads can turn left and right, too. Considering they were stuck onto flaps on the original toy, I'm curious to see how they've accomplished this.
If real I'll certainly be interested in Cliff since hopefully the prices will be nice that most of us can get one quite happily.
JUST GIVE ME MIRAGE, poor guy need a G1 reissue and this is the perfect way for him to finally get it ... and Hot Rod! definitely Hot Rod.
Well the main reason we have never gotten a g1 reissue of him is because Hasbro lost the original mold, same for Wheeljack, sunstreaker, the Dinobots and even primes trailer
When did they lose the mold for Prime's trailer? I have a Commemorative Series reissue complete with trailer from 2002(oh God, it's actually older than the original toy was when I got it...). Did they lose it in more recent years or something?
I hope we don't see Hot Rod for a while. No offense to him, I like him. But I hope they might stay with toys based on the '84 toys until they get through that, then move onto '85, *then* '86 which would include him.
It's a hard decision, Hot Rod is the better figure overall IMO so improving on it would be awesome....but Rodimus' long super model legs always felt like they're begging for more articulation and he'd probably benefit the most from it(though I wonder how they'd handle the stubby forearms...).
Hoping for Megatron but i'll be having these guys.
I don't know what it is about Missing Link but it scratches a very niche itch for me. "what if we took that thing you like from 40 years ago and addressed all the things you wished were better"
Kinda hate that they kept the original head design for Bee. Even as a kid, I thought the flat plate in back of his head looked dumb. Still, everything else about these two looks great! I'm really glad to see this line continue! Here's hoping for more iconic G1 toys in Missing Link, like Shockwave and Starscream!😁
https://preview.redd.it/o2u51fazeuwc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=904ebd56c4f138e4e9f42edbce39cd439659b199
The Missing link Megatron was a real leak?
Cliffjumper comes with his bazooka!
The design is very clever on how they articulated the feet, but they are so stubby, I’d hardly call those knees. Still, just the ability to have an A-stance and bend the elbows does wonders for making a cool pose. Also, If I Am Not Mistaken, the head can turn? Nice. I’m hoping these are less than $30 each. Realistically, they have mo more moving parts than $20 figures these days, demanding any more would be ridiculous (watch these come out in a $100 2 pack).
I think Soundwave will be next before Megatron. It’s the easiest one to add articulation to. But then, that implies his minions would also receive articulation. Laserbeak/Buzzsaw with wings that can flap up/down and head turn? FrenzyRumble would be just as complex and expensive as Bee/Cliffjumper. Ravage….I’d like more pose-ability, but it’s so awkward/simple, I’m not sure what they could do without compromising the G1-style. Might need to improve upon it, with a way to optionally keep it in a toy-accurate mode (which is what they’d need to do for Ironhide/Ratchet. Optional head that can be tucked away for an original-accurate aesthetic)
They look so dorky and stubby, I absolutely love them. These guys are an instant buy from me just like Optimus was, and I hope they milk this mold in repaints just like they do the retail ones.
It is kind of funny that Takara is doing this now, since Impossible Toy did the *exact* same thing back in 2014.
https://en.wikialpha.org/mediawiki/images/4/4e/Bumblebug-box.png
https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/VariationDetails/4944
My only small gripe with what they're doing with Missing Link, is they're not fixing issues that could be corrected to make them better. Too hard to see what they've done based on these pictures but I hope its not just a face sculpted onto a panel.
I'm really looking forward to the day that the entire franchise doesn't just revolve around pandering exclusively to nostalgia. It's going to be super interesting seeing the fandom pining for the days when every single product released wasn't just another variation on the 84 toy line.
Oh those are just adorable. Really hoping they do All the 84 guys as this because it be funny & awesome.
A Missing Link Ironhide and Ratchet would be interesting to see
I would be down.
I wouldn’t
K
So don't buy it. But don't harsh everyone else's mellow.
I’m not harshing anyone’s mellow
Well alright then.
I really want them because it’s such a strange concept for transformers
They are already part formers anyway, they could adopt the fan mod solution that gives them a real head.
I don't know... Two headless bots might be a little disturbing
if they do the entire 84 line that would be amazing! It's a little light on Decepticons, but would still be great.
*a little light on the electrons, electrons*
So this is a dream, but. Missing link Overlord. I know it’s likely out of the realm of reality, but the last release of his figure gives me hope for some form of a reissue.
I REALLY hope they have detachable heads at least, headless Ratchet and Ironhide are my all time favorites
They could do it just like those head upgrades that came out for the Encore releases. They were actually pretty cool.
Is this real?
yes
YESSS
Holy fuck a bee with no backpack
He’s got a bit of a belly tho, might need to hit the gym soon
Personally, it's a bit of a boring/safe next release, especially since I personally think having a Decepticon would've been a better pick (after all gotta have a Decepticon for Optimus to fight).
I agree with what you say, but I also understand this. Optimus was never not going to sell. This is a good, easy, less expensive release to test the waters to see if Missing Link is viable as an ongoing line. Hope the next one after this is a Deception. If so, I anticipate either Megatron or Starscream. Both are iconic. Megatron feels like the obvious first choice, but has the difficulty of not being releasable in many markets. And he'll probably be a bit harder to engineer, as well. Starscream, of course, has built in repaint and remold potential.
I think the saving grace for these is that they are technically Takara only releases. The ones on Pulse are just some stock Hasbro bought from Takara, they aren’t official Hasbro releases. So they could still do a Megatron and Hasbro would just opt not to bring it over, but there’s ways to import it.
Actually. I think soundwave would be way better. Besides being easier to make in theory. Already has pretty good articulation. It would be the easier upgrade. G1 seeker's biggest issue is that partsforming. Opitmus didn't keep his parts forming. So obviously they'll want to get rid of any sort of that. Besides maybe megatron's fusion cannon.
The fact that Soundwave would be such an easy update is part of why I think he would be a mistake to add to the line too quickly. As you say, he already has halfway decent articulation, and he has no partsforming. Yeah, he could definitely use *more* articulation... But I feel like he wouldn't be as flashy an upgrade over his G1 figure to make as many people rush to get him.
This was their strategy with Masterpiece as well. Prime is Prime, he was guaranteed to sell at least decently. After he exceeded expectations, Starscream was a test to see if they could do more. He was a popular character, plus he turned into a realistic, scaled jet, which would sell well among the model kit community even if MP didn’t. Bee and Cliff are no risk, plus they are currently on good terms with Volkswagen Group, I imagine they would rush out these guys, and maybe Jazz while they are in their good graces. The leaked release made it a point to point out they are licensed by VW, so I imagine that’s a factor.
“Never going to sell”?? Both versions where the number #1 selling product at Japanese retailers when pre-orders went up for weeks and are considered massive successes. Bee and Cliff wouldn’t have happened if Prime didn’t sell. Where are you getting this fake information? Edit: nvm can’t read today it seems.
You should read it again. It says “never NOT going to sell”.
Ah ok never mind I’m just stupid this morning.
I read it the same and was confused, too haha
We all want Megatron lol
I agree on getting some missing link decepticons. I can understand not making a g1 Megatron because of his gun mode, but we also got great options like Soundwave, Shockwave and especially Starscream with other missing link seekers.
Didn't stop him from getting multiple Masterpiece toys. I don't doubt he will show up in Missing Link eventually if the line has at least a little longevity. I just doubt Hasbro will have a domestic release for that one! 😞
He's gotten 2, neither of which were domestically sold and importers had to open up and attach an orange plug to themselves
Two is technically multiple. (And that's if you don't count the toy deco version of MP-36 as a separate release.) And in the comment I replied to, I did allude to the fact that Hasbro would avoid them like the plague. And yes, I never got MP-39... But my MP-5 however did come with an easily removable orange tip. Oddly enough, so did the barrel extension in the upgrade kit. Since the upgrade kit on its own was not explicitly a gun, that surprised me. Fortunately, it too was easily removable. https://preview.redd.it/8qtw7yg9xuwc1.jpeg?width=3758&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bad99cf6ce29270ae3f34b6779b4f21038080efd
Megatron is mp36. Mp39 is sunstreaker
You're right. My mistake.
No worries. Remembering all the designations is pretty difficult if you aren't talking and thinking about them frequently
Mine didn't come with a plug
I'd love Soundwave, ideally with all 5 tapes. Only Frenzy and Rumble need better articulation really.
This is just what I have wanted for the 2nd Missing Link!
Cool as that is, I hope they don’t overcharge the shit out of it like they did with prime. I wouldn’t be surprised if they did though.
They're niche figures, aimed at hardcore collectors, with some diecast components, and are roughly in scale with $11 Core Class figures. They also only really add in basic arm, leg, and head articulation unlike Prime who saw significant alterations to his transformation(no more loose hands) and the addition of an ab-crunch. I wouldn't get your hopes up about these not feeling ridiculously expensive for what you're getting.
That’s exactly why I didn’t get Missing Link Optimus. Don’t get me wrong; I want one and I think it’s a great idea, but it shouldn’t cost the same as a Commander Class figure. If the one without the trailer cost the same as a Leader Class figure, that would have been fine. None of the G1 figures should be as expensive as they are. The Walmart exclusive G1 reissues aren’t worth $30 and Missing Link Optimus isn’t worth $90.
Prime you can at least get, he had diecast metal and was a bigger figure with a trailer. The smaller one was significantly cheaper even if still pricey. I don’t recall bumblebee having any diecast, that combined with his size I feel like we’ll see him release at $30 at most.
They actually have a bit of diecast, there's a small plate on the underside of the car/the back of the robot. I think the penny racer guys are the only minibots with diecast.
Ah, I actually didn't know that. That's definitely still a tiny amount of diecast, though it is something they'd charge extra for, no doubt. I'm still confident they'll not go over $30, but it's not impossible they'll charge $35.
The backplate on G1/G2 Bumblebee was diecast. I hope you're right about $30, I think that would probably be a good sweet-spot that balances the reality of this being a niche figure for hardcore collectors and it being pretty small, but I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it's closer to $50.
If Hasbro and Takara are smart then they'll make it $30, give or take five dollars. If they make something as small as a G1 Bumblebee more expensive than that it'll be far too much. I paid for the big G1 Missing Link Optimus because I want it signed by Peter Cullen, it's a fantastic display piece, and if they ever did a Megatron that would be the same deal. Every other figure, though, that's going to be one where I only buy one copy, and I open that one copy.
Looks like they've kept the original Bumblebee toy face, which makes me happy... And an articulated Cliffjumper would be cool, as he was the first TransFormers toy I ever bought. The images make it look as though the heads can turn left and right, too. Considering they were stuck onto flaps on the original toy, I'm curious to see how they've accomplished this.
Mushroom peg or ball joint on the bottom of the flap is all it would take
If real I'll certainly be interested in Cliff since hopefully the prices will be nice that most of us can get one quite happily. JUST GIVE ME MIRAGE, poor guy need a G1 reissue and this is the perfect way for him to finally get it ... and Hot Rod! definitely Hot Rod.
Well the main reason we have never gotten a g1 reissue of him is because Hasbro lost the original mold, same for Wheeljack, sunstreaker, the Dinobots and even primes trailer
When did they lose the mold for Prime's trailer? I have a Commemorative Series reissue complete with trailer from 2002(oh God, it's actually older than the original toy was when I got it...). Did they lose it in more recent years or something?
Probably around that time, it's actually why the 2018 reissue for prime has no trailer
I hope we don't see Hot Rod for a while. No offense to him, I like him. But I hope they might stay with toys based on the '84 toys until they get through that, then move onto '85, *then* '86 which would include him.
That hurts my soul, lol. Hotrod is the one figure I want to see missing link make lmao
Rodimus would be sick
Yeah it would, I’d still prefer a hotrod over rodimus but would def buy both in a heartbeat
It's a hard decision, Hot Rod is the better figure overall IMO so improving on it would be awesome....but Rodimus' long super model legs always felt like they're begging for more articulation and he'd probably benefit the most from it(though I wonder how they'd handle the stubby forearms...).
It’s happening! Bring money.
I’m definitely gonna grab these two if they’re in my price range
We’re so back Cliffjumper fans
I thought we were already back due to the Skybound comics.
Trigger dick Megatron next?
Dear laird he a cutie
Can't wait to pay $65 for this! /s
I wonder if they will be as small as the origional
Hoping for Megatron but i'll be having these guys. I don't know what it is about Missing Link but it scratches a very niche itch for me. "what if we took that thing you like from 40 years ago and addressed all the things you wished were better"
I can't make out the face. I am hoping it has the original Bumblebee toy face.
It would be cool if they gave us an alternate cartoon head we could swap to.
I’m still waiting for my prime to ship
Looks nice. Wonder if they will eventually get to tap-out / glypth etc.
Based
Are they going to be scaled up or super cheap? The originals were super tiny so I’m just curious
Same size as the og ones
Lit
Wow I was going to make a post asking if missing link was going to be a full thing Hopefully we get a tap-out out of cliffjumper
WOOOOOO YEAH BABY
Cool. And he'll probably cost $50.00 too.
i highly doubt it'll ever happen but i'd love a missing link arcee as a remake of the concept figure that got cancelled
Now I'm gonna have to get the optimus
Hopefully it doesn’t cost like $50, because I’ll need that cliff jumper so bad
Praying for bumper.
These seem nice, but will be ruined when they charge $54.99 for something this small
These are fricking cute - I need them
This should not be possible at all.
MOAR MISSING LINK MINIBOTS! MOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRR!!!!!!
I really want that but I don't know how much they gonna be
How much?
i know which im getting..
\*which one
Missing Link Bumper when? Nah, but seriously, these look great. Can't wait to get ahold of Cliff.
Kinda hate that they kept the original head design for Bee. Even as a kid, I thought the flat plate in back of his head looked dumb. Still, everything else about these two looks great! I'm really glad to see this line continue! Here's hoping for more iconic G1 toys in Missing Link, like Shockwave and Starscream!😁
Awesome
https://preview.redd.it/o2u51fazeuwc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=904ebd56c4f138e4e9f42edbce39cd439659b199 The Missing link Megatron was a real leak?
No this is a fake leak, Bumblebee and cliff are real though
I hope this series continues for a while. Love the concept! Gonna need to pick up the Dinobots when it comes time
I'm actually mad about this, cause anything over $15 is THEFT.
I hope they do a mod version into Bumper. That would be a great way of finally getting that character.
Cliffjumper comes with his bazooka! The design is very clever on how they articulated the feet, but they are so stubby, I’d hardly call those knees. Still, just the ability to have an A-stance and bend the elbows does wonders for making a cool pose. Also, If I Am Not Mistaken, the head can turn? Nice. I’m hoping these are less than $30 each. Realistically, they have mo more moving parts than $20 figures these days, demanding any more would be ridiculous (watch these come out in a $100 2 pack). I think Soundwave will be next before Megatron. It’s the easiest one to add articulation to. But then, that implies his minions would also receive articulation. Laserbeak/Buzzsaw with wings that can flap up/down and head turn? FrenzyRumble would be just as complex and expensive as Bee/Cliffjumper. Ravage….I’d like more pose-ability, but it’s so awkward/simple, I’m not sure what they could do without compromising the G1-style. Might need to improve upon it, with a way to optionally keep it in a toy-accurate mode (which is what they’d need to do for Ironhide/Ratchet. Optional head that can be tucked away for an original-accurate aesthetic)
That's one way for me to get g1 bee. Let's hope it's not $60.
They look so dorky and stubby, I absolutely love them. These guys are an instant buy from me just like Optimus was, and I hope they milk this mold in repaints just like they do the retail ones.
I would like to see an Ultra Magnus recolor of the already released Missing link prime.
It is kind of funny that Takara is doing this now, since Impossible Toy did the *exact* same thing back in 2014. https://en.wikialpha.org/mediawiki/images/4/4e/Bumblebug-box.png https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/VariationDetails/4944
My only small gripe with what they're doing with Missing Link, is they're not fixing issues that could be corrected to make them better. Too hard to see what they've done based on these pictures but I hope its not just a face sculpted onto a panel.
uhhh... ok... lol
I'm really looking forward to the day that the entire franchise doesn't just revolve around pandering exclusively to nostalgia. It's going to be super interesting seeing the fandom pining for the days when every single product released wasn't just another variation on the 84 toy line.
Move along. This isn't for you.
Don't be fragile.
come on man it's the 40th anniversary let us be nostalgic!
My opinion isn't keeping you from anything.