TF Views

Is a Generations Astrotrain Voyager toy needed? I think so..

As most here know,there was a recent on-line listing for a Generations voyager sized ASTROTRAIN toy coming out in 2013/2014. I still think this listing is valid & it wasn't a place holder name for Blitzwing. The listing appeared on a popular/highly trusted on-line selling site that some TF fans use to buy stuff. I don't believe those fan rumors about this toy not getting made. I only believe what hasbro has to say not fans. Those hasbro toyfair represenatives are temps & don't know any company secrets nor advanced info,they get hired for a week then fired. they get cliff notes about stuff their in charge of that week at toyfair.

I want a newer Generations Voyager sized Astrotrain toy. Because the Classics 1.0 Astrotrain toy was so horrible,tiny & was riddled with problems like as follows:

1- The 1.0 Astrotrain toy was too small & out of scale with how the original 1985 toy/media character was portrayed. In the 1985 TF G-1 Cartoon,Astrotrain was this huge towering robot that towered over most autobots & decepticons. Astrotrains two alt modes were huge,A real life space shuttle & real like Locomotive Train are not small alt modes. In the 1985 TF G-1 Toy line 1985 Astrotrains robot mode was bigger in height than most autobots car-bots & bigger than the 1984 decepticon seekers toys,bigger than the 1985 constructicons toys,bigger than the 1985 Trio of insecticons that were in the TF G-1 Cartoon series. SO WITH ALL THIS IN MIND,I FEEL THE CLASSICS 1.0 ASTROTRAIN TOY WAS TOO SMALL & NEEDED TO BE VOYAGER OR BIGGER TO ACCURATELY PORTRAY THE SIZE SCALE THAT THE ORIGINAL 1985 ASTROTRAIN TOY/MEDIA CHARACTER HAD.

2- I always thought the Classics 1.0 Astrotrain was a beyond ugly boxy sculpt. Sadly the robot mode was the worst & made sacrifices so the train & space ship mode could look better. I just felt the robot mode could of had higher sculpt & a bit more curves in it. The robot mode looked overly boxy on it's cheast/torso.

3- Replacing the old school Locomotive train design with a bullet train design was the worse mistake ever for this 1.0 Astrotrain toy. The whole selling point behind the original 1985 Astrotrain toy was having a Old school Locomotive train mode & then Transforming into another Alt mode Space ship that was new school,kinda like old meets new. Personally I thought that bullet train for the 1.0 toy made no sense as it looked too much like the space shuttle mode,which no doubt was another short cut for the designers/Hasbro. I'D PREFER A 2013/2014 GENERATIONS VOYAGER SIZED ASTROTRAIN HAVE A OLD SCHOOL LOCOMOTIVE TRAIN MODE,SPACE SHUTTLE ALT MODE & A BETTER MORE CURVY ROBOT MODE WITH HIGHER SCULPT+DETAILS THAN THE 1.0 ASTROTRAIN DELUXE TOY HAD.

4- Another minor thing was the Classics 1.0 Astrotrain toy was not in 1985 cartoon nor media colors. Sure this is a easy fix but Hasbro never gave USA buyers a 1985 color accurate toy or media version for 1.0 Astrotrain. Sure Takara did the cartoon accurate colors for 1.0/henkei Astrotrain but that cost 4X+what the hasbro toy version would have cost not counting shipping fees.

5- Since Generation 2013 Blitzwing's toy will be Voyager sized,we can't have Atrotrain's updated homage toy only be a deluxe sized 1.0 toy. These two 1985 Decepticon Tripple changers were the same exact size scale in the 1985 TF toy line/cartoon series. So another Astrotrain toy needs to get made for the Generations 2013/2014 TF toy line,so both blitzwing & Astrotrain can have the same exact Voyager sized scaled toys.

SO WITH MY #1 THRU #5 POINTS ABOVE,I FEEL ASTROTRAIN DESERVES A BETTER UPDATED TOY THAN THE ONE HE GOT IN THE 1.0 CLASSICS TOY LINE. I WANT EITHER A GENERATIONS VOYAGER SIZED ASTROTRAIN TOY OR A TF MP ASTROTRAIN TOY THAT IS $27 USA ULTRA SIZED WITH A 8 INCH TALL ROBOT MODE. ofcause I want a old school Locomotive train mode,a space shuttle alt mode & a more curvy robot mode,the toy needs to be in 1985 toy or media colors or release both & let buyers decide which color scheme they prefer.

FWIW,If TF G-1 characters like Optimus,Megatron,bumblebee,Soundwave,Starscream & his seekers,Grimlock,jazz,prowl,ratchet,et,,, can get dozens of updated/homage toys from 1984 thru 2013,then surely Astrotrain can get another updated homage toy for the Generations 2013/2014 TF toy line. WORSE CASE SCENARIO JUST CANCEL A FEW NEW MOLDS TOYS FOR BUMBLEBEE IN 2013/2014 SO ASTROTRAIN CAN GET A NEWER GENERATIONS 2013/2014 NEWER TOY MOLD IN THE VOYAGER SIZE SCALE.

TL,DR: No. We have a decent Astrotrain, if you want one updated from G1, buy that one. We need more different characters like Broadside and Sandstorm and... just about a hundred other characters I can think of before retreading one that's already been done.

Shockwave wrote:TL,DR: No. We have a decent Astrotrain, if you want one updated from G1, buy that one. We need more different characters like Broadside and Sandstorm and... just about a hundred other characters I can think of before retreading one that's already been done.

The on-line TF fans are split 50/50 on that 1.0 Atrotrain toy. 50% of the fans think it's decent,the other 50% thinks it's awful.

Shockwave wrote: We need more different characters like Broadside and Sandstorm and... just about a hundred other characters I can think of before retreading one that's already been done.

Copied & pasted from this thread because you clearly didn't read the whole thread I wrote:
"FWIW,If TF G-1 characters like Optimus,Megatron,bumblebee,Soundwave,Starscream & his seekers,Grimlock,jazz,prowl,ratchet,et,,, can get dozens of updated/homage toys from 1984 thru 2013,then surely Astrotrain can get another updated homage toy for the Generations 2013/2014 TF toy line. WORSE CASE SCENARIO JUST CANCEL A FEW NEW MOLDS TOYS FOR BUMBLEBEE IN 2013/2014 SO ASTROTRAIN CAN GET A NEWER GENERATIONS 2013/2014 NEWER TOY MOLD IN THE VOYAGER SIZE SCALE."

You're right, I didn't read it, in fact, I said as much right out the gate. TL,DR means Too Long, Didn't Read. But I didn't see anything in the quoted part that I didn't already assume was said anyway. And I don't see how cancelling a few Bumblebees is going to give us characters other than Astrotrain. Yeah, the fandom might be split on it's quality but the toy already exists, period. And while the shelves may be flooded with Optimi and Bumblebees it's not like they're getting the Classics treatment every time. In fact, Prime and Megatron are the only ones to have their classics looks updated twice, once for the voyager versions and again for the deluxe sized ones. All of the other characters have had only one domestic release (except Starscream who was repainted. But even that was just a repaint, it wasn't a different "toy").

Shockwave wrote:You're right, I didn't read it, in fact, I said as much right out the gate. TL,DR means Too Long, Didn't Read. But I didn't see anything in the quoted part that I didn't already assume was said anyway. And I don't see how cancelling a few Bumblebees is going to give us characters other than Astrotrain. Yeah, the fandom might be split on it's quality but the toy already exists, period. And while the shelves may be flooded with Optimi and Bumblebees it's not like they're getting the Classics treatment every time. In fact, Prime and Megatron are the only ones to have their classics looks updated twice, once for the voyager versions and again for the deluxe sized ones. All of the other characters have had only one domestic release (except Starscream who was repainted. But even that was just a repaint, it wasn't a different "toy").

I wasn't just using classics/Generations,I was using all TF toy lines from 1984 thru 2013 as a reference when I was talking about certain TF characters getting newer molds in the form of updates/redesigns from various different TF toy lines from Generation one,Generation 2,machine wars ,CR/RID,AEC,Universe,MP,Alternators,AlternityAnimated,Movie-verse,alternators,titanium,TFP/BH, ETC... Characters like optimus,megatron,starscream,ratchet,soundwave,prowl,jazz,bumblebee,etc.. have all received dozens of newer toys from 1984 thru 2013. instead of giving all these characters in this paragraph 3+ newer toys each year,take a new toy away from them & give it to voyager astrotrain instead for generations 2013/2-2014.

You are WRONG,For the Classics 1.0,classics 2.0,FOC,Generations,RTS TF toy lines, Bumblebee,starscream,megatron,optimus have received various newer toys in various dfifferent sizes ranging from legends to deluxe to voyager.

Optimus didn't just receive 2 newer toys for classics/generations. Optimus received the following classics/generations newer toy molds: 1.0 voyager,1.0 deluxe,classics legends toys,WFC deluxe toy,HOC Deluxe,IDW Generations 2013 orion pax deluxe toy,RTS Laser rod optimus deluxe toy & the list goes on.

Megatron also received more than 2 newer molds for classics,generations,rts like as follows: 1.0 Nerf gun voyager toy,deluxe tank toy,legends gun-bot toy,wfc deluxe megatron toy,IDW Deluxe megatron toy & the list goes on.

other characters like Bumblebee,jazz,prowl also got a few classics/generations/rts toys in various toy sizes in various toy sizes. bumblebee got a 1.0 deluxe,a few legends new molds,wfc deluxe bumblebee toy,IDW Deluxe bumblebee toy. prowl & jazz got a few legends & deluxe toys for classics/generations.

At this point i'd even settle for a 2014 TF 4 live action movie toy for Astrotrain done in the voyager,ultra or leader size scale. having a live action movie toy for Astrotrain wouldn't be that bad. Because the live action TF movie toys get a higher toy budget which results in less short cuts on the toys,most live movie TF toys have higher sculpt,more poseabilty,higher adult themed realistic alt modes. better engineering,more colors,more details. most movie toys either get liscensed vehicles or realistic military alt modes.

I also think Astrotrain would be the perfect candidate for a Masterpiece TF toy done in the 8 inch ultra or 9.5 leader size class toy.
the designers can give astrotrain two realistic alt modes like a Nasa space shuttle alt mode & a old school locomotive train alt mode. with a robot mode that is highly themed with adult aimed sculpt,strong plastic,extremely poseable,superb colors/details. tons of weapons & accessories. to milk the mold for extra cash & justify the exspences,hasbro/takara release the toy in various different color schemes like the 1985 toy colors,1985 media colors,diaclone toy colors etc.....

1984-2013? Really? That's it I'm done.

No we don't need another Astrotrain in this line. Not only are there plenty of unrealized characters left to do, but there are far more important characters deserving of a new figure before Astrotrain, such as Starscream and all the Seekers, Ironhide and Ratchet, Smokescreen especially but that whole trio, a US release of Rumble, could use another pass on Megatron and Optimus even. I don't hear anybody bitching about not getting Octane and he's twice as awful as the Classics Astrotrain was. Would a better Astrotrain be nice? Sure. Is it needed? No.

JediTricks wrote:No we don't need another Astrotrain in this line. Not only are there plenty of unrealized characters left to do, but there are far more important characters deserving of a new figure before Astrotrain, such as Starscream and all the Seekers, Ironhide and Ratchet, Smokescreen especially but that whole trio, a US release of Rumble, could use another pass on Megatron and Optimus even. I don't hear anybody bitching about not getting Octane and he's twice as awful as the Classics Astrotrain was. Would a better Astrotrain be nice? Sure. Is it needed? No.

Starscream & his seekers get almost 6+ new molds/repaints in various size scales& in various different alternate universe TF toy lines every year. in 2012-2013 Starscream & his seekers have a whole bunch of new/repaints/various sized toys for FOC/TFP/BH. SURELY STARSCREAM & HIS SEEKERS CAN AFFORD TO SKIP A YEAR OF NEW MOLDS/REPAINTS SO THAT ASTROTRAIN CAN GET A NEW VOYAGER SIZED SCALE GENERATIONS TOYS FOR 2013 OR 2014.

Ironhide & ratchet are other character toys that have been flooding the market with new molds/repaints in various different alternate universe TF toy lines for the past 6+ years. SURELY Ratchet & Ironhide CAN AFFORD TO SKIP A YEAR OF NEW MOLDS/REPAINTS SO THAT ASTROTRAIN CAN GET A NEW VOYAGER SIZED SCALE GENERATIONS TOYS FOR 2013 OR 2014.

Smokescreen,silverstreak & prowl are other TF characters that have been flooding the market with new molds/repaints in various different alternate universe TF toy lines for the past 7+ years. SURELY SMOKESCREEN,SILVERSTREAK & PROWL CAN AFFORD TO SKIP A YEAR OF NEW MOLDS/REPAINTS SO THAT ASTROTRAIN CAN GET A NEW VOYAGER SIZED SCALE GENERATIONS TOYS FOR 2013 OR 2014.

Megatron & Optimus don't need to have two to three+ new molds in almost every single newer TF toy line. If Hasbro/Takara would just release one big toy for optimus & megatron,they'd be enought toy slots to release some of the 1980's TF characters/toys that never got a new mold or only got one awful new mold.

1980's Octane,is a more obsecure TF character than Astrotrain & Blitzwing. Obsecure characters only deserve one new mold. Sure I wouldn't mind Hasbro releasing a Generations Voyager sized Octane toy,As I prefer the bigger size scaled TF toys more. I must admit I was well pleased with the Classics 2.0/25th deluxe toy Octane got.

DEPENDS ON A TF FANS TOY PREFERENCE. I actually thought 2.0/25TH Octane was a better sculpted toy than 1.0 Astrotrain was. 2.0 Octane I felt had a less boxy robot mode with a cooler hand weapon. 1.0 Astrotrain,I felt was under sculpted in robot mode & the robot mode was a mess of squares & rectangular shapes.

Megatron & Optimus don't need to have two to three+ new molds in almost every single newer TF toy line. If Hasbro/Takara would just release one big toy for optimus & megatron,they'd be enought toy slots to release some of the 1980's TF characters/toys that never got a new mold or only got one awful new mold.

Except you do that, and Jimmy's poverty-level single mom can't afford to buy him his favourite TF character, which will be his 'only' Transformer for the next three months.

I was thinking about how it's important that we don't immediately condemn decisions Hasbro makes because it's not something *we* would prefer them to do, in our collector interests. This toyline is, after all, supposed to--at least partially--be aimed at children.

I may not be interested in the umpteen versions of Optimus Prime released at retail, but at the same time, I realize that they exist for a lot of reasons. I'm interested in the Huge Predaking because it's Huge, and I want a huge toy of that dude, but I realize that the Voyager exists so that kids--or even other collectors--can get a smaller, more affordable version of the character.

Onslaught Six wrote:

Megatron & Optimus don't need to have two to three+ new molds in almost every single newer TF toy line. If Hasbro/Takara would just release one big toy for optimus & megatron,they'd be enought toy slots to release some of the 1980's TF characters/toys that never got a new mold or only got one awful new mold.

Except you do that, and Jimmy's poverty-level single mom can't afford to buy him his favourite TF character, which will be his 'only' Transformer for the next three months.

I was thinking about how it's important that we don't immediately condemn decisions Hasbro makes because it's not something *we* would prefer them to do, in our collector interests. This toyline is, after all, supposed to--at least partially--be aimed at children.

I may not be interested in the umpteen versions of Optimus Prime released at retail, but at the same time, I realize that they exist for a lot of reasons. I'm interested in the Huge Predaking because it's Huge, and I want a huge toy of that dude, but I realize that the Voyager exists so that kids--or even other collectors--can get a smaller, more affordable version of the character.

The Optimus & Megatron new molds don't need to be made in almost all the sizes whenever a newer TF toy line with a cartoon/movie attached to it happens. Optimus & megatron getting made in the legends,commander,deluxe,voyager,leader & sometimes bugger sizes are really not needed,these toy slots can be filled with TF G-1 characters that never got a new mold or received one new mold that was pure awful.