More news just in from Hasbro is details about what's going on with Transformers toys now that we are between the second film, Revenge of the Fallen, and the third tentatively named Transformers 3 movie. Dropping the "Revenge of the Fallen" sub-line name, and continue under the the modest "Transformers" name with a few sub-lines under it as N.E.S.T., Power Core Combiners, Activators and some misc stuff like Battle Ops Bumblebee and the new role play products.
As we've heard about and started seeing in stores already, the N.E.S.T. Global Alliance line is the continuation of the ROTF toy line with some interesting offerings of G1 nods as well as some complete redesigns for figures like Lockdown. Hasbro has brought back the old mail-away program that was popular 80s offering fans a not so exclusive Ravage toy if they complete the program by April 30th.
Those dying for a movie fix can check out the "Cyber Missions" that will be posted online. Fans can follow the Autobots who have teams up with humans to form the N.E.S.T. global alliance in their struggle to defend planet Earth from the evil Decepticons. Hasbro has announced 12 episodes will be shown through out the year. From what we've seen already, the episodes could use some work.
As for the toys, Hasbro's not got a lot of surprises for us. The leader class figures for Bumblebee, Starscream and Megatron are well known by now. Starscream being the clear winner of the lot, we're all dying to get our hand on him. Hasbro's also rolling our some more goodies for the kids. They are pimping the Activators hard as simpler Transformers for younger hands. Junior fans will be glad to know Optimus Prime has a Cyber Sword with lights and sound so kids can be the bot.
Finally, we get the scoop on what looks to the meat and potatoes for many fans in 2010. The Power Core Combiners. It is a bit odd offering a whole new concept as a sub-line of the Revenge of the Fallen sub-line, but there you have it. Themed after some G1 gestalts, the similarities end there. These new toys are supposedly made to combine in all sorts of ways. Which takes Transformers in a somewhat familiar direction that we saw in series like Energon where toys could randomly combine regardless of faction or function. What's a little crazy is the configuration: Offering scout class TF with robot and vehicle modes that is paired with a Mini-con figure that has 4 modes: robot, weapon, vehicle and Power-up Armor. Read the official write up from Hasbro about these new toys:
TRANSFORMERS POWER CORE COMBINERS
The TRANSFORMERS POWER CORE COMBINERS introduce fans to an all-new assortment of figures that expand on the classic play pattern of the popular “ROBOTS IN DISGUISE.” This new expression of figures combine with one another, in dozens of variations, to create a wide variety of larger COMBINER robots, with each figure serving as various body parts and weapons. Available in 2-packs and 5-packs.
* TRANSFORMERS POWER CORE COMBINERS 2-Pack
(Approximate retail price: $9.99; Ages 5 & up; Available: Fall 2010)
The TRANSFORMERS POWER CORE COMBINERS 2-Pack includes one SCOUT scale TRANSFORMERS figure and one MINI-CON scale figure. The SCOUT scale figure features a ‘robot’ mode and a ‘vehicle’ mode. The MINI-CON scale figure has four modes: ‘robot’ mode, robot weapon, vehicle weapon and Power-up Armor for combining with the central SCOUT scale figure in both robot and vehicle mode. 2-Pack figures are interchangeable with 5-Pack figures.
* TRANSFORMERS POWER CORE COMBINERS 5-Pack
(Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages 5 & up; Available: Fall 2010)
The TRANSFORMERS POWER CORE COMBINERS 5-Pack features teams of TRANSFORMERS characters that can combine together to form one large TRANSFORMERS figure. Each team consists of one SCOUT scale figure and four LEGENDS scale vehicles. The SCOUT scale figure features one ‘vehicle’ mode and two ‘robot’ modes and each of the LEGENDS scale vehicles can plug into the specially marked ports on the central SCOUT scale figure to instantaneously convert into an arm or leg using auto-conversion technology. All figures can be swapped out with one another to form multiple different combinations and new figures. 5-Pack figures are interchangeable with 2-Pack figures.
Stay tuned to Tformers.com for more details as they are made available. Your best resource for all the Transformers news and community every day.
Link to TFormers.com
