Date: Sunday, February 18th 2018 8:48am CST
Categories: Cartoon News,
Toy News,
Event News
Posted by: Va'al |
Credit(s): Hasbro
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In some additional official news from Hasbro directly, we have the official stock images of the Transformers Rescue Bots toyline, of which we saw some of the products on display in the Hasbro Showroom at New York Toy Far 2018 yesterday (covered
here).
Notable in the line-up below is the absence of the Rescan figures, and the presence of some of the Rescue Bots Academy characters we know will be coming, such as Hot Shot. Check out product descriptions and accompanying images, and join the conversation in the Energon Pub!
PLAYSKOOL HEROES TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS KNIGHT WATCH OPTIMUS PRIME Set
(HASBRO/ Ages 3-7 years/Approx. Retail Price: $24.99/ Available: Spring 2018
Little heroes can imagine helping KNIGHT WATCH OPTIMUS PRIME save the day in medieval times! Kids
can pretend to march into battle with OPTIMUS PRIME as a heroic knight, wielding the two MINI-CON
figures as a shield and lance. The KNIGHT WATCH OPTIMUS PRIME figure and his MINI-CONS are
designed with easy-2-do conversion, so kids can easily convert from knight to T-Rex with one simple step
as they race to the rescue! The MINI-CON figures also convert into a stegosaurus and a velociraptor for
an even bigger adventure! Look for other PLAYSKOOL HEROES TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS figures to
build your own rescue team! (Each sold separately.) Includes KNIGHT WATCH OPTIMUS PRIME figure
and SCALE THE SHIELD-BOT and LANCE THE RAPTOR-BOT MINI-CON figures. Available at most major toy
retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com.
PLAYSKOOL HEROES TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS FLIP RACERS BLURR REVERSE RACEWAY Set
(HASBRO/ Ages 3-7 years/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/ Available: Spring 2018)
Stunts, speed, and epic surprises await with the BLURR REVERSE RACEWAY set! For daring stunt action,
simply load the included BLUR FLIP RACERS figure into the launcher and push down the lever to send
him racing up the vertical tower to the landing platform at the top. Once atop the tower, the BLURR
figure will automatically convert from vehicle mode to robot mode right before your eyes! To add to the
fun, little adventurers can then send him racing back down the tower and around the track —
backwards! At the end of the track, watch as the figure launches off the ramp, auto-converting in midair
to land in bot mode. Kids will love watching BLURR’S incredible flips and tricks! The BLURR REVERSE
RACEWAY set is compatible with other PLAYSKOOL HEROES TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS FLIP RACERS
figures (each sold separately). Includes REVERSE RACEWAY track and BLURR FLIP RACERS figure.
Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com.
PLAYSKOOL HEROES TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS FLIP RACERS PULLBACK ASSORTMENT
(HASBRO/ Ages 3-7 years/Approx. Retail Price: $12.99/ Available: Fall 2018)
Pull ‘em back and let ‘em race to the rescue! This fast-wheeling assortment contains pull-back action
FLIP RACERS figures for release-and-race fun! Sized right for small hands, each FLIP RACERS PULLBACK
vehicle converts to a recognizable RESCUE BOTS character with 1 easy flip! Kids can watch these figures
race off by simply pulling them back and releasing them! Each FLIP RACER figure comes with stunt
accessories for exciting stunt action! Figures include BLASTOFF BLADES, BUMBLEBEE, QUICKSHADOW,
HEATWAVE THE FIRE-BOT and SPEEDSTER BOULDER (each sold separately). Available at most major toy
retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com.
PLAYSKOOL HEROES TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS BLIND BAGS
(HASBRO/ Ages 3-7 years/Approx. Retail Price: $2.99Available: Fall 2018)
Small but mighty, these RESCUE BOTS characters are here to save the day! These 2.5-inch figures have
removable arms that include cool features, such as CHASE THE POLICE-BOT’S capture claw and
HEATWAVE THE FIRE-BOT’S fire axe! With so many characters, little heroes can collect them all! (Each
sold separately.) Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com.
PLAYSKOOL HEROES TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS OFF-ROAD RESCUE HOT SHOT Figure
(HASBRO/ Ages 3-7 years/Approx. Retail Price: $24.99/ Available: Fall 2018)
Meet the newest hero from the TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS ACADEMY entertainment, OFF-ROAD
RESCUE HOT SHOT! This 10-inch tall converting figure features a button on his chest to activate
awesome lights and sounds! With “Easy 2 Do” conversion, kids can transform HOT SHOT from a figure
into an awesome rescue vehicle to save the day! Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and
HasbroToyShop.com.
PLAYSKOOL HEROES TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS BUMBLEBEE RESCUE GUARD Figure
(HASBRO/ Ages 3-7 years/Approx. Retail Price: $39.99/ Available: Fall 2018)
Little heroes can power up their favorite RESCUE BOTS figure with realistic lights and sounds! This 10-
inch tall RESCUE GUARD BUMBLEBEE figure easily converts into a race car and comes with two 4.5″
RESCUE DOG figures for even more action packed fun. Perfect for small hands, the RESCUE DOG figures
quickly convert into armor and rescue tools that attach to the BUMBEBLEE figure in either vehicle or bot
mode! Kids can assist BUMBLEBEE in action-packed fun as he races in to save the day! Available at most
major toy retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com.
CARRY FORWARD
PLAYSKOOL HEROES TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS RESCAN Assortment
(HASBRO/ Ages 3-7 years/Approx. Retail Price: $9.99/Available: Now)
The RESCUE BOTS are back and ready to roll with a team of recruits! Kids can easily convert the MEDIX
THE DOC-BOT, HOIST THE TOW-BOT, QUICKSHADOW, and BOULDER THE CONSTRUCTION-BOT figures
from bot to vehicle as they play out exciting, imaginative adventures. In 2018, HEATWAVE THE FIRE-BOT,
BUMBLEBEE, CHASE THE POLICE-BOT, SALVAGE, BLADES THE FLIGHT-BOT, and OPTIMUS PRIME will join
the RESCAN assortment. Each sold separately. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and
HasbroToyShop.com.
PLAYSKOOL HEROES TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS EPIC FIGURE Assortment
(HASBRO/ Ages 3-7 years/Approx. Retail Price: $9.99/Available: Now)
Little heroes can join in on epic RESCUE BOTS adventures with the TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS EPIC
FIGURE assortment’s recruits! Standing at 12-inches tall, the OPTIMUS PRIME figure will be added to the
mega-sized assortment in 2018. When little ones are ready to begin their mission, open each figure’s
chest to reveal a command center for the 2.5-inch RESCUE BOTS mini-figures (sold separately)!
Available at most major toy retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.
PLAYSKOOL HEROES TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS FLIP RACERS SINGLES Assortment
(HASBRO/ Ages 3 –7 years /Approx. Retail Price: $5.99/ Available: Now)
TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS FLIP RACERS vehicles offer a new way to play! By easily converting from
vehicle to bot mode with a simple flip, little ones can race and roll to the rescue! The FLIP RACERS
SINGLES vehicles includes four favorite characters – BOULDER THE CONSTRUCTION-BOT, BUMBLEEBEE,
BLADES THE FLIGHT-BOT, HEATWAVE THE FIRE-BOT AND QUICKSHADOW (sold separately). Available at
most major toy retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.
PLAYSKOOL HEROES TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS FLIP RACERS Multipack Assortment
(HASBRO/ Ages 3 –7 years /Approx. Retail Price: $15.99/ Available: Now)
Help is on the way! When the mission calls for a full rescue team, the TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS
FLIP RACERS Multipack provides the perfect pals to save the day for whatever is in store. Little heroes
can roll their three FLIP RACERS vehicles into action. TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS FLIP RACERS
Multipack includes three FLIP RACERS vehicles, available in two themed 3 packs. (Each pack sold
separately.) Kids can imagine speeding to the rescue with the GRIFFIN ROCK EXTREME TEAM pack,
featuring OPTIMUS PRIME, CHASE THE POLICE-BOT, and BLURR FLIP RACERS figures! Or race to the
scene of an emergency with the GRIFFIN ROCK OFF-ROAD RESCUE pack, featuring BRUSHFIRE,
BUMBLEBEE, and CHASE THE POLICE-BOT FLIP RACERS figures! Each pack sold separately. Available at
most major toy retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com.
PLAYSKOOL HEROES TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS RESCUE MINI-CON Assortment
(HASBRO/ Ages 3-7 years/Approx. Retail Price: $4.99/Available: Spring 2018)
Grab a buddy and get ready for action with the TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS RESCUE MINI-CON
assortment! Sized right for little hands, these bots can easily convert from animal mode to tool mode or
bot mode in one simple step. Little heroes can imagine the biggest adventures with these small robotic
sidekicks, including DRAKE THE DRAGON-BOT, HEATWAVE THE RESCUE DINO-BOT, CHASE THE RESCUE
DINO-BOT, and FREEZERBURN MINI CONS figures! Each figure is compatible with the RESCAN
Assortment (Each sold separately). Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and
HasbroToyShop.com.
PLAYSKOOL HEROES TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS 10-INCH Converting Bot Assortment
(HASBRO/ Ages 3-7 years/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Now)
BOULDER THE CONSTRUCTION-BOT is tougher than ever as a 10-inch converting figure in backhoe
mode! Sized right for small hands, BOULDER THE CONSTRUCTION-BOT figure features easy-to-do
conversion from bot to backhoe vehicle. Kids can imagine dangerous earthquakes or rockslides, then
send BOULDER THE CONSTRUCTION-BOT in to use his mighty backhoe scoop! RESCUE BOTS fans can get
ready to dive into deep sea adventures with HIGH TIDE! The HIGH TIDE figure can fully convert from bot
mode to RESCUE RIG ship for epic rescue missions. Featuring easy-to-do conversion and a rescue crane,
this 10’’ tall figure is ready to take on his next assignment! The assortment also includes an OPTIMUS
PRIME figure that converts from semi-truck to bot mode and a NIGHT RESCUE HEATWAVE who converts
from fire truck to bot mode. Each sold separately. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and
HasbroToyShop.com.
PLAYSKOOL HEROES TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS FLIP RACERS CHOMP AND CHASE RACEWAY Set
(Ages 3 –7 years /Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/ Available: Now)
Little heroes can imagine high-speed, dino-sized adventures with the FLIP RACERS CHOMP AND CHASE
RACEWAY set! Sized right for little hands, this exciting playset includes a mischievous MORBOT figure
kids can launch, race, and try to capture. Launch the MORBOT vehicle through the track to activate a
pop-up image of CHASE THE POLICE-BOT. Launch the MORBOT vehicle again to activate OPTIMUS
PRIME’s chomping jaws and drop the MORBOT figure into the jail cell! Gotcha! The day is saved thanks
to the RESCUE BOTS and great teamwork! The TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS FLIP RACERS CHOMP AND
CHASE RACEWAY set comes with a 2.5” tall MORBOT flip racer vehicle and CHOMP AND CHASE
RACEWAY set, and is compatible with the other FLIP RACERS vehicles (sold separately). Available at most
major toy retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com.
Date: Tuesday, January 9th 2018 3:39pm CST
Categories: Cartoon News,
Reviews,
Site Articles
Posted by: Bronzewolf |
Credit(s): Go90
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Views: 53,359
Another Tuesday brings another episode of Machinima's Titans Return animated series. We're finally up to the final episode this week, episode ten, and boy are we in for a big one. That's not necessarily saying it's good or bad, just that it's packed to the brim with new, interesting, and slightly confusing moments. So without further ado, let's take a look at the final episode of Titans Return!
We rejoin the action with Trypticon having just eaten Victorion, the Enigma of Combination, Perceptor, and the Matrix of Leadership. This is obviously too much power for even the giant Titan, so he automatically rejects them all, coughing up the two Autobots and the two relics. Starscream's ghost is also released from Trypticon's body, and he falls, having basically been turned into an empty shell. The former council member says his final words to the Megatron and the rest of the cast, and then disappears into the ether. Sort of an anti-climatic end to the main plot thread of the series, but it at least makes some sort of sense. For the first time in a few episodes, Overlord is shown again, now
overlooking (badumtiss) the aftermath of the battle.
"Well ain't that downright...finger lickin' good."
Victorion tries to retake the Enigma, but it catches her on fire, burning her right forearm, an entire half of Dust Up (Who may or may not exist as a separate personality in this continuity, given this series' track record with Combiners), completely off.
She recoils from the attack as the fire spreads, creating a ring around both the Enigma and the Matrix. The fire climbs higher and creates the shape of a...fairly non-threatening smiley face?
"Children of my third cousin twice removed's wife's sister's bank teller!"
The Emoji from hell reveals himself to be some sort of God to the Transformers, and Optimus wants to defend Cybertron from his obvious evil intentions, but Megatron convinces Prime to let him talk to the mystical being first. As Megatron approaches, the being reveals himself to be none other than
Megatronus. Megatron speaks to him, reminding the God that he has, for eternities, fought under his name with respect and honor, and united the Decepticons Megatronus created. Megatronus tells him to move on to his point, so Megatron continues.
I have a few issues with Megatron's speech here.
The first is that Megatron curses Megatronus, saying "Goddamn you!". It caught me so off guard that it totally pulled me out of the episode. I haven't really shared my thoughts on the PG-13 nature of this series' dialogue yet, so I'll throw those two cents in now. It's not the principle of swearing that bothers me specifically, I think it's fine to use for effect, but in this series it feels like they're including it just because they can. There's no drama to it, no anguish, it's just there. Not only that, but in this specific case it makes no sense, as he's the God doing the damning. Perhaps it would have been more of an effect had he said "Primus Damn you!" or something to that effect, referencing a power higher than Megatronus. I digress.
My second issue with this scene is Megatron himself. Megatron's voice actor is one of the best parts of both this series and its predecessor, Combiner Wars. The sarcastic and flippant take on the classic character is seriously one of the best Megatrons we've seen since G1, but in this specific scene, it doesn't completely work. He's lamenting to his God and Idol about all of these things he's done to try and honor Megatronus, but he still maintains his indifferent exterior. It actually would have been an interesting scene to have him perhaps become slightly vulnerable at the feet of his idol when he's so buffed against vulnerability toward everyone else. It would have deepened his character, and would have really shown that he felt betrayed about doing all these things to gain approval of Megatronus just to receive nothing in response.
It's awesome to see our podcast staff in official media...
Anyway, Optimus and Fort Max use this opportunity to try to attack Megatronus, and it ends, uh, very poorly.
Fort Max actually uses the Master Sword, which is pretty awesome to see in an American series, but Megatronus easily blocks his attacks. He then gets rushed by Prime, though Optimus is similarly no match for the god, and gets blasted through the chest by a lazer. Yep, we get to deal with this again.
Oh, guys, no. Why? Didn't Transformers: The Movie teach you anything about what happens when you kill Optimus Prime?
As the life drains from Optimus's eyes, Megatronus warns of an apocalyptic event that will bring an end to the Transformers. With that cryptic warning, he disappears. Megatron realizes he knows where to find Megatronus, and asks the rest of the team to follow him there, promising the new adventure for the cast in the next series.
Overlord is still on a nearby hill watching what's transpiring before him, and for one final twist to this huge episode, it's revealed to us that he has turned Hot Rod into Rodimus Unicronus. With that, the episode, and the series, ends.
While on the whole this was a very enjoyable episode, there were bits and pieces that irked me. Line deliveries, pacing issues, the norm for this series. It answered a few questions and ended a few plot threads, but started quite a few more, but does lead in to a cliffhanger to transition into Power of The Primes. The amount of new characters and plot twists has definitely peaked my interest, and was an exciting episode, but I feel that spreading some of them out over the past couple of episodes would have been better. Some of the more recent installments have felt a bit too dull and filler-like, but it did make for quite a nail-biting episode today, like I said. And if there's one thing you can say for these Machinima shows, they're always unpredictable.
Looking at the series as a whole, it was not bad by any stretch. I've maintained since the beginning that it is leagues ahead of Combiner Wars, and it really is. In voice talent, animation, pacing, even the mouth movements on the characters, everything is a huge improvement. I can say unequivocally this production team learned a lot from their past mistakes and tried to remedy some of them. There lies the problem, though: They didn't fix enough of them. The pacing still feels off, some of the conversations
need, desperately, to feel more natural and flowing. Character movements need to be more natural, and need to express more emotion when someone's talking. It's all very close to being good, and they have made vast improvements and learned a lot, I just think they need to learn a bit more.
Thanks for reading this review, and, as always, please share your thoughts down in the Energon Pub forums. Sorry today's review was a tad longer than what I normally do, there was a lot to unpack. Tell me if you agree with the points I made, or if I'm way off base. See you later this year, with the release of Power of the Primes!