On the plus side, given the size of deluxe Optimus, if you're a fan of core class figures it won't be too long before all deluxes are that size.
I will miss the Core Class. I've loved having tinier versions of characters ever since they first introduced Legends of Cybertron back in the day. It's nice to have a smaller scale set of figures to go with Titans or what have you.
For characters that are supposed to be small, it sounds like they'll stiff figure out ways to get them out into the world, pack two in a box and call it a deluxe or whatever, so that's good.
For characters that are supposed to be small, it sounds like they'll stiff figure out ways to get them out into the world, pack two in a box and call it a deluxe or whatever, so that's good.
While you do have a point re: the Studio Series Dinobots, there was a 5 year gap between POTP Volcanicus and the Legacy version.
(I mean you could count the Selects repaint from 2021 but IDK that just feels kinda cheeky at that point like 'online-only release of a Takara-initiated set'' isn't really comparable to everything else being general retail releases)
I don't think even selling them as Dinoking or Monstructor would have changed much. Even Dinoking with a stronger thematic connection to dinosaurs wouldn't have been all that accurate regardless of what route they took with the colors, the individual toys would still be iffy, they'd still be subject to the distribution problems and they don't even have as much name recognition. The concept was half-baked from the start.
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On the one hand, I am very sad to see the Core class go. On the other hand:
1) I miss the simpler transformations of the Legends/Legion scale figures. The Core figures were quite a bit more complicated, which I'm sure increased parts count and assembly costs.
2) With some notable exceptions, Core very rarely got the retooling afforded to Deluxe and larger figures, so a lot of the weirder, obscure, and more interesting figures were never going to make it to that size.
On the other, other hand: I want Core Blurr, Sideswipe, and Sunstreaker, Hasbro!
1) I miss the simpler transformations of the Legends/Legion scale figures. The Core figures were quite a bit more complicated, which I'm sure increased parts count and assembly costs.
2) With some notable exceptions, Core very rarely got the retooling afforded to Deluxe and larger figures, so a lot of the weirder, obscure, and more interesting figures were never going to make it to that size.
On the other, other hand: I want Core Blurr, Sideswipe, and Sunstreaker, Hasbro!
I know most fans resort to online shopping now, but I still lean retail.
I have never seen a single core class Dinobot on the shelf. Ever. At any store.
Let that sink in. Multiple nearby Walmart and Meijer stores. Even when visiting Target locations in bigger towns.
Zero Dinobots. Plenty of that Pretender character though.
I lean heavily toward this being a distribution issue. I know Hasbro can’t fix the “assortment” policy retail demands of them. But if your toys don’t make it to shelves…yeah, it’s gonna fail.
I have never seen a single core class Dinobot on the shelf. Ever. At any store.
Let that sink in. Multiple nearby Walmart and Meijer stores. Even when visiting Target locations in bigger towns.
Zero Dinobots. Plenty of that Pretender character though.
I lean heavily toward this being a distribution issue. I know Hasbro can’t fix the “assortment” policy retail demands of them. But if your toys don’t make it to shelves…yeah, it’s gonna fail.
Damn, I don't buy many Toyhax sticker sets, but this one got me. They made stickers to turn any of the Autobot 5 Pack into new characters, and this one in particular was an insta-buy:
Stickers and a new head to turn my extra Trailbreaker into the V.E.N.O.M. Jackhammer! The new helmet even incorporates into the vehicle mode to allow it to simulate the Jackhammer's attack mode! Loving this so much.
This one I didn't buy, but it unlocked a memory I didn't realize that I had:
A sticker set based on the car from the obscure Disney Condorman movie. I have extremely vague memories of having seen this on the Disney Channel as a child.
Stickers and a new head to turn my extra Trailbreaker into the V.E.N.O.M. Jackhammer! The new helmet even incorporates into the vehicle mode to allow it to simulate the Jackhammer's attack mode! Loving this so much.
This one I didn't buy, but it unlocked a memory I didn't realize that I had:
A sticker set based on the car from the obscure Disney Condorman movie. I have extremely vague memories of having seen this on the Disney Channel as a child.
Oh, that's kinda cool. Are there sets for Jazz and Wheeljack too?
Damn...now I wish I'd bought a set...
Maybe Hasbro could give accessory sets another try, but throw a Core in the box instead of a Deluxe.
Right? he was the one out of the pack that I was absolutely going to get rid of. Wheeljack I was undecided on which version I wanted to keep, but Trailbreaker was already packing his bags. Then this thing happened and I'm out another 20 bucks.
Personally, I think some "Versus" packs would be the way to go; get an Autobot, Guardian, or Maximal vs a Decepticon, Renegade, Quintesson, or Predacon Core figures , throw in a couple accessories for a MacGuffin and maybe a cardboard diorama, and bring back the Battles in a Box!
I also tend to lean on retail (partly because I work in retail, and don't appreciate the whole "everything's cheaper/better/plentiful online" attitude), and I will say that while I have seen a couple of the Core Dinobots in stores, they have been pretty scarce. Target has been better than Walmart in my area. Walmart got those wave 1 Core assortments in for Christmas (after clearancing them out once for $3-5), and never really moved any after that.
Unfortunately, there's not a great solution here; but I agree, a lot of Hasbro's new Transformers have not been getting to shelves very well lately, particularly Core class.
Yeah, I think a lot of toymakers underestimate how much a kid and their parents enjoy being able to buy one package that contains everything you need to start an adventure.
I'd say that's less an attitude than it is the reality of the current retail climate.
If the rumours are true, Hasblo are back to their anti-consumer shenanigans by selling off core-class Ramhorn and Ratbat with an unwanted/irrelevant Perceptor.
Every time Hasblo does this, they leave my money on the table.
As for shopping preferences, I use online 100% now. It's just cheaper and with pre-orders at Amazon Japan, TT Mall (for the handful of exclusives) and/or ShowZ, I'm guaranteed availability. I gave up on even bothering to look for TFs at retail about 10-15 years ago in Japan after Toys R Us Japan stopped carrying them consistently.
Every time Hasblo does this, they leave my money on the table.
As for shopping preferences, I use online 100% now. It's just cheaper and with pre-orders at Amazon Japan, TT Mall (for the handful of exclusives) and/or ShowZ, I'm guaranteed availability. I gave up on even bothering to look for TFs at retail about 10-15 years ago in Japan after Toys R Us Japan stopped carrying them consistently.
With this recent M.A.S.K.-related interest, just casually throwing it out there that a new M.A.S.K. toy is coming here.
I don't really see this as Anti-Consumer in any way. If the Core Class is going away, they had to find something to pack it in with. These being Studio Series figures, they were going to be with someone from the movie. Blaster would make more sense, but since that's a voyager that would make for a more expensive set, and would be just as redundant. Perceptor is also in that scene, so he's the next most logical character to pack them in with.
If I had my druthers, they'd come with opaque Eject and Rewind as a 4-pack of cassettes, but since Eject/Rewind is built into the Blaster mold (I believe), I don't think that's an option.