Has the Classics Line Hit a Dead-End?

Apriorion · Post by **Apriorion** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 3:05 pm

Given the appearance of repaints, the emergence of the live-action action line, and the general lack of new test-shots, has the classics line run out of steam? Seems a major shame, given all the potential. I really would have liked an Ironhide from this line, since I hated the original toy but loved the character (and I can't afford an ebayed Botcon exclusive Towline version). But they really could have done much more with this concept--a real Ultra Magnus would have been nice, a new Shockwave, etc. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Nevermore · Post by **Nevermore** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 3:10 pm

The Classics line has always been intended to be a "filler" line between the end of Cybertron and the launch of the movie toyline.

lars573 · Post by **lars573** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:32 pm

Sadly. I wouldn't have minded only 3 waves. If they'd been consistant. You know 2 voyagers, 4 deluxes, and 3 mini-con teams per wave.

Post by **Denyer** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 8:36 pm

Hasn't run out of steam or anything -- as Nevermore says, it was a time-limited set of releases...

Wouldn't be surprised to see the official fan club capitalise on the moulds and be using them to gouge people for the remaining seekers in a year or two.

Target · Post by **Target** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 9:42 pm

I was really hoping for a Classic Wheeljack to come out...oh well I'll have to one day find an old G1. HAd a go with the Alternator one, but just didn't like the way it transformed. Robot and Car looked great, but I don't want to spend 20 mins trying to do it!!

Cliffjumper · Post by **Cliffjumper** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 9:48 pm

Energon Downshift may be worth a look - http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/Downsh ... nshift.htm

Civ · Post by **Civ** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 9:54 pm

I could be mistaken but wasn't it announced that Botcon would have five repaints (and maybe remolds) of the Classics there?

ColdBain · Post by **ColdBain** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 11:23 pm

Ah the Classics Line, ever since I saw test photos of the line last year I had been looking forward to it. I can't help but feel a little disappointed at the lines longevity, but there is something contained and controlled about the whole thing. Despite some of the repaints of other moulds and what not (especially the Legends), I've never been a huge collector of the Armada, Energon or Cybertron or even RiD lines. Of those lines, all I have is an RiD Optimus, Armada Unicron, Cybertron Optimus, Cybertron Metroplex and Cybertron Primus, so it's nice to collect toys that are homages of characters and their colour schemes for me because I've never been interested in them before.
The thing that is frustrating with the Classics Line is that here in New Zealand, the shops seem to be aware of the lines purpose, so they haven't had in store a Grimlock, or a Ramjet, or a Cliffjumper, which is amazingly frustrating as everything else, Jetfire, Optimus Prime, Megatron, the Optimus Versus Megatron pack, the anniversary prime, Mirage, Bumblebee, Rodimus, Astrotrain, Starscream, all the legends and mini-bot sets, the whole lot is here. Which of course means going on ebay to buy them.
I would have loved to see the Classics line have a little more characters, (perhaps at little more Decepticons if nothing else!) but it is ultimately unsupported by a television series. I'm glad, though, that another of my favourite Transformers lines ever, the 6" Titaniums, seems to have a lot of life left in it. G1 Styled Ultra Magnus here I come!

Sir Auros · Post by **Sir Auros** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 11:38 pm

I've all but stopped buying new figures and I'm still mourning the Alternators line. The Classics stuff was ok and I do have the whole line so far, but how many versions of Prime, Grimlock, Starscream, and Hot Rod do we really need?

Ravage · Post by **Ravage** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 2:59 am

but how many versions of Prime, Grimlock, Starscream, and Hot Rod do we really need?

As many as Hasbro thinks people will be foolish enough to buy?

lars573 · Post by **lars573** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 3:36 am

Originally posted by Sir Auros
I've all but stopped buying new figures and I'm still mourning the Alternators line. The Classics stuff was ok and I do have the whole line so far, but how many versions of Prime, Grimlock, Starscream, and Hot Rod do we really need?

That's why I cherry pick. The only Alterantors I'm ever going to get are about 6-8 Autobot cars. Hound, Prowl, Jazz, Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, and Wheeljack, maybe Bluestreak.

Apriorion · Post by **Apriorion** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 4:30 am

Originally posted by Nevermore
The Classics line has always been intended to be a "filler" line between the end of Cybertron and the launch of the movie toyline.

Thanks for the information.

Post by **Warcry** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 5:03 am

Originally posted by Sir Auros
The Classics stuff was ok and I do have the whole line so far, but how many versions of Prime, Grimlock, Starscream, and Hot Rod do we really need?

That's really what's so unfortunate about the line being so short, IMO. Guys like Prime, Megs, Screamer and other big names make up almost the entire line. We get new versions of Op and the rest at least once a year, and every second or third one is usually pretty good. And, sure, their Classics versions are awesome, but they didn't pique my interest nearly as much as, say, Astrotrain or Ramjet did. Getting a new version of second- or third-tier character is something special. Getting a new Optimus...m'eh.

In a longer line, we might have seen new versions of guys like Springer, Cyclonus, the Insecticons...characters who haven't seen a stream of homage releases in recent years. A bit of a pity, really.

Sir Auros · Post by **Sir Auros** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 5:35 am

Springer had that crappy Energon figure.

RID Scourge · Post by **RID Scourge** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 6:37 am

I dunno about crappy. If you ditch the undercarriage, both modes are fairly decent. Not really worth the price of the size category it was in, but really, none of the stuff that's larger than deluxe has really been worth what's been charged for it from Energon/Cybertron (well, both versions of the Scorponok mold have been worth it, but not much else in either line). They really need to bring back the mega ($15) class, and bump the $30 class down to $25, or something.

tahukanuva · Post by **tahukanuva** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 6:39 am

Yeah, $20 is a steep step up from ten, especially since most of the figures are only about 1.5 times the size of a deluxe, and not really worth double the price.

Target · Post by **Target** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:39 am

Originally posted by Sir Auros
Springer had that crappy Energon figure.

Can someone point me in the right direction for a pic of this Springer?

Tetsuro · Post by **Tetsuro** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:05 am

Originally posted by Cliffjumper
Energon Downshift may be worth a look - http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/Downsh ... nshift.htm

Not in the least because his Japanese name IS Wheeljack. And if you're willing to push it, Towline will make a nice stand-in for Ratchet.

Petatron 2006 · Post by **Petatron 2006** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 11:16 am

Originally posted by Target
Can someone point me in the right direction for a pic of this Springer?

http://www.cobraislandtoys.com/tf/2004/bulkhead.html

he's called Bulkhead in the energon series but his Japanese Superlink name was Sprung which was the name of the G1 character in japan.

Target · Post by **Target** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 11:58 am

Thanks for the link!! HE comes in 2 parts then? or is that what all Energon TF's do?