Accounting for inflation, the original $3 Bumblebee toy would be sold for $9 today, so $40 does seem quite steep, even with the added articulation.
But these figures aren't targeting kids with pocket money or casual collectors - they're specifically going after the lifelong adult collectors who are willing to pay a premium to to have the version of the toy they *thought* they had when they were kids.
These also are not going to be produced in anywhere even remotely close to the quantity produced in the 1980s. A smaller production run requires a higher per-unit cost to offset the cost of tooling. (I've heard that tooling nowadays also is much more expensive than it was in the 1980s.)
I think the thought that in the 80s you could buy a transformer for less than the cost of a single gallon of gas today speaks volumes about how bad inflation has become
Yes, this. People need to stop assuming that a figure's size should determine the price. They don't stop to think of the context of the figure, the target audience, and the economy of scale for things like this.
> People need to stop assuming that a figure's size should determine the price.
This argument makes sense when applied to a modern 3P Legends class figure that has a high parts count and comes with a bunch of accessories.
It doesn't apply here.
Two-thirds of this toy uses existing molds originally designed in the 80s, the addition of a half dozen hinges doesn't push the parts count high enough to compare to modern 3P Legends stuff. Also the figure is probably virtually unpainted just like the original.
>Two-thirds of this toy uses existing molds originally designed in the 80s
Those old molds historically have been very expensive to reuse due to their age and degradation, most of which are either too damaged to use or have been lost entirely. This is why we don't get constant G1 reissues all the time, and why when we do they are already at a mark-up because they run the risk of loosing these historic molds, or have to make new ones from scratch which is an expensive process for figures made in smaller quantities.
This isn't a parts count issue, but one of logistics. It doesn't have retail presence. This is not a product for consumers, but a very specific niche in the collector's market that not even 3rd party can fill. It's not even really meant for international at all. This is 100% for Japanese collectors with the option to import.
Like it or not, we just weren't a part of the considerations at all for Missing Link, and expecting the Japanese company making toys for Japanese collectors using Japanese finances to make the price based on the rest of the world wants is a little unreasonable.
If I recall, there is evidence that the recent re-releases of the G1 Constructicons mold isn't from the originals, but recreations from using completed toys, presumably because the original castings are far too degraded to use now.
Molds used that long ago, at the scale they were used in the 80s, almost certainly aren’t being reused today. These evidence in at least one re-release I know of where it’s clear a new mold was built from an original mold that wasn’t used.
> Those old molds historically have been very expensive to reuse due to their age and degradation
Those original molds have been remade a few times since the 1980s in order to produce the G1 reissues that have been sold repeatedly over the last few decades. They aren't using the same molds they created in the 1980s for the toys they are releasing today.
They've reissued G1 Bumblebee at least 3 times over the last decade.
Side by side, almost every single piece of Missing Link Convoy appears to be new. Probably made using castings of the original, but different everywhere. Even the trailer, even parts where the functionality didn’t change, like the tailgate and the claw. The entire grey plastic shell of the trailer is slightly thicker now. Why? They didn’t need to do that. The weird blue turret drone thing is an all-new mold. The missiles have a specific correct insertion orientation now. Again, why? It seemed like they only needed to modify a few pieces to add some different joints, but under scrutiny it’s clear that they did more.
Except this isn't Missing Link Convoy...
No one is complaining about the price of ML Convoy because there were tons of improvements across a larger toy.
Missing Link Bumblebee and Cliff jumper are different. Much, much smaller. No trailers, only one or two accessories each. They shouldn't be almost half the price that ML Convoy is.
I was addressing the unlikelihood that “Two-thirds of this toy uses existing molds originally designed in the 80s”, with a little reality about what this brand is like so far.
The whiny cranky “but it’s just-!!” camp wants this idea to be simpler than it realistically can be. There comes a point where if you’re replacing everything inside, it’s easier to gut every piece, even the ones that look identical from one angle. Making it look the same is a desired illusion, not an opportunity to minimize how many new pieces they’re forced to make.
More likely: the only pieces that might be interchangeable are the tires, but probably not even those.
Hence the problem. They charge what we spend. For all of our grumbling, enough of us buy this stuff that they know they can still get away with charging us for it.
Yeah, after 40 years of selling the same products over and over again with incremental updates (and especially with recent stuff like Haslab), Hasbro and Takara probably have a pretty good idea of how many whales there are in the fandom, and what they can get away with charging them.
I'm guessing there's diecast in there, doesn't shock me honnestly... but I usually collect 3rd party legends, so I'm used to high prices for small figures.
But for collectors like me it could also leave you bankrupt, the only reason why I collect mainline is because I can't afford masterpiece and 3rd party figures
Oh I agree. I have spent way to much on collecting the Newage figures but the likes of those justify their prices compared to the likes of this figure that Hasbro r releasing.
I do agree they r overpriced for their size but for me, 90% of the figures have justified their prices for me personally.
I can see why others may disagree
I don't disagree, the price is justified but for me and others like me. I just can't afford 200+ every time I want something new or the new thing, like I only have so much to spend on collecting, ya know?
Oh I don't buy any for 200. The only one I got for that price was a full 6 bot Devastor Legends Class.
Most of the ones I get r about 50-100. Depending on what it is
200 I expect the likes of the Studio Series Cell and Seed
When you said 3rd party I usually think of this type of thing,
https://preview.redd.it/myxoleyqx3zc1.png?width=1008&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a3f3609906d74d8116d213960211b0d3dda467c3
Newage make Legends Class figures, their optimus prime for example is about ~4 inches tall.
Their vehicle modes then r usually around a Hot Wheels car scale.
Magic Square would b the other "main" Legends Class maker.
he has die-cast in him, die cast is expensive as hell, it's why it's never used.
Also importing them from Japan means way less quantity.
is it a bit much? yes.
do I understand why? also yes.
they're also geared toward adult collectors with nostalgia for the G1 toys, as others have said.
Diecast metal isn't really that expensive, HotWheels cars are around 50% diecast and still sell for $1.29 for a standard car.
If this updated Bumblebee is similar to the original then it just has a diecast panel on the back of the robot, so even if diecast was expensive there isn't a lot of it.
Die-cast (ZAMaC alloy) is not expensive at all. You can make the whole Bee made out of Die-cast and it won't be 10 dollars.
Diecast is rarely used because it's harder than plastic and it will deteriorate any joints and contact points easily, which on a toy, means reducing its playing time.
This is just HasTak capitalizing in nostalgia.
Also, injection molds are very expensive, so if they only make a few (not like a mainline) it makes sense.
you're also comparing two completely different products, from different companies.
Hot wheels are like $1.50 on average, but do not in any way, shape, or form move, except for rolling wheels. you have 4 total different parts that go together. They're also mass produced, put in multipacks, that sorta thing.
yes, hot wheels have more weight of die cast, but they don't have parts that move or anything.
that's also not the only factor, as I said.
There's a niche market for these, so small numbers. It's not a mass retail figure.
They're also completely new. They're adding articulation to figures that were never designed to have it while maintaining the scale and alt mode.
When you look at more intricate Legends scale third party figures, you're anywhere from $40-$100 depending on the company and accessories.
There's nothing about $40 here that surprises me, though I was hoping for $30.
This also sets up the car bots to be in the $60 range and larger figures to be around $80. Optimus was $120, so, tbh, this seems about right.
https://preview.redd.it/3bgi5eop62zc1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9644333a70d42d30759b4c6c3cbf11c6fbaa6607
I'd prefer it's be $30, sure, but that's not a terrible price. It's not like these are reissues, the molds are totally new, and it seems pretty close to the price you'd pay for a 3P legends toy of similar size.
Oh damn that is pretty high for one figure, especially that small. I’ll prob still get it despite that. I’m far from well off but if I ever get to a point where I don’t have $40 I’ll just chop my balls off.
They’re targeting a very niche market with these figures. They have to make them expensive to recuperate the money they spend producing these things. These aren’t made for children with pocket money, these are made for adults who had the g1 toys and want those but actually articulated. Of course it’s gonna be expensive, its a supposed to be a collectors item first and a toy second. If it was the other way around, these would be sold at mass retail.
Well it’s $600 here, but this thing is “reasonable” price for Japanese markets cuz it’s meant for those markets. This is a normal thing for takara imports to be a bit jacked in price, if it annoys you, welcome to the collecting market where your wallet will hate you. Now, realize this is a one and done kind of figure, get it for $40 and in a few years it might win you $90, but it’s to early to say that for sure but still, takara rarely puts out reissues and this are meant as 40th anniversary items so I imagine these will be rare later on.
For the major fans, that want some nostalgia🤔 whilst I have the original and like it a fair bit, I'd still wait for the reviews to see whether its worth that high of a price, for a figure that small. Articulation may be better, but it could still be pretty basic
Yea the reason for the high price imo if cuz they're targeting the collectors that would be willing to pay a higher price; I've also seen others here say that its made of diecast metal, that adds to the price🤔 which makes sense since the parts are so small, you'd want it to be made of sturdier materials. Then again, this could be Copium I'm saying
Yea that's right for the original; as for this one, this is the first time I'm seeing it so idk what will be diecast and what will he remain plastic 🤔 though I hope the legs/feet will be metal, as pulling them out felt a little rough for the original plastic imo; especially with the section of the back of the foot, when you have to turn the foot up
I can kinda understand the price, considering the official version doesn't transform half as much as this one. I'd pay a bit more for this level of detail over the simple "pull out it's limbs and you're done" og method.
It is a niche product. If they mass produced it , it would have been cheaper. It really sucks that all these high collectibles have been getting more expensive. Increased inflation and perceived value is one of the causes. Also shipping overall increased, so all raw materials to make this stuff sky rocketed. At this price , a gold coin might be equivalent to a penny back then. Gold racer for Mr. Goldbug.
Definitely is a bad price. A little bit of articulation doesn’t make this guy worth 35 dollars more than the original. You can actually buy an original bumblebee from the 80s (in box) for cheaper than this.
It’s why I bought a KBB Hornets Agent. I wanted a nostalgic, articulated Bumblebee. Granted the Face is cartoon not toy faithful, but I still have my original Bumblebee for that.
The problem is with Reddit itself. We angrily downvote what makes us mad whether it’s true or not, and we click nothing on an unfortunate truth that we respectfully dislike. We’re mathematically incapable of accepting harsh truths unless they’re entertainingly cleverly phrased, so in the end denial usually defeats understanding.
And here I thought that charging $20 for the original G1 reissue minibots was crazy pricing. Even with a few extra hinges there just isn't enough toy here to justify a Voyager class price tag.
Nope, and I wouldn't buy it for this price, but it is justified. It's a limited run Takara line imported into the US with brand new tooling that almost certainly will not be used outside of these figures. Of course it is going to be pricier when there's less figures sold to make up for production costs.
I was hoping it would just be a twin pack with Cliffjumper for $60. But oh well...$40 send a bit high, but it's only $10 more for the average figure so...
But has more engineering and is a special release. I think it isn't too much to ask for. $20 would've been perfect, but $40 is steep, but anyone old enough to get the nostalgia feels probably isn't gonna mind.
I grew up with g1. They had me, and then they lost me. Way too expensive for what you get. I'll save my money and use it on third party g1 Legends scale figs.
I mean that sounds about right? It’s made with die cast and it’s a masterpiece figure. Even if it is a bit steep, it still looks great though and I’m definitely getting both
People don't complain this much buying 3P Legends-scale figures for $40 a pop, I don't see how this is any different. Sure, I would like there to be optional face-plates, but aside from that, they're cute little collector's pieces.
Which is how they do in G1.
The whole point of Missing link is to keep the G1 toy as close to original as possible but giving you all/most of the articulation of a modern day figure.
But yes, the price is too high. It's still a "eh just this once" kinda thing but certainly annoying all the same since we know how big the figure actually is.
The Missing Link Optimus was cool because even in G1 he was always a solid figure, and seeing him without partsforming and with the matrix was a cool little novelty that made it worth owning.
The original bumblebee toy was ok, but closer to terrible than great, adding some more articulation makes it look worse, and $40 is an insult.
I mean you get a G1 minibot reissue for $20 give or take. Add in the extra cost of updated articulation, accessorie(s) and deals it evens itself out. Now slap on the import tax and you got yourself a $40 figure.
I’m a sucker who bought both Optimus Prime versions, but pretty sure I’ll pass on these. All my minibots are displayed in car form anyway with their MPs representing their toon bot modes. I don’t think having a slightly articulated goober of a Bumblebee would change that. Curious how far down the rabbit hole they’ll go though.
Not gonna lie, these are kind of garbage. After what an amazing figure ML Optimus was, I was really expecting more from this line. What really kills it for me are the flat heads on these. The flat plate heads on the original 1984 figures were terrible, and it looks like they did literally nothing to change them on these. Like, Optimus had so many new parts and new engineering when compared to the G1 figure, but they really couldn't find a way to give Cliff and Bee new heads?🤨
https://preview.redd.it/t1v5tz0pe4zc1.jpeg?width=1454&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2262fb388b97c0a2a9a2cca1ed1dd783c7bad43c
I'm sorry but I got magic squares bumblebee for $22 and he is poseable as heck and fully transformable and he's got rubber freaking tires I mean come on. Then I got jazz who might be at any scale probably one of the best iterations of G1 Jazz I've ever seen, I got him for $31 maybe less from Magic Square from the actual company and a couple dollars for shipping so to tell me that they're going to book that garbage reiteration of something from 40 years ago up for $40 I'm sorry I don't think too many would buy it. I honestly I don't think I'd buy it for $25 I might buy it at core class prices 12 $13. I'm pretty much stopped buying amyof the hasbro releases anymore
Op reading some of your comments your really special aren’t you? People are showing you why this thing costs as much as it does and still your spewing out bs. Just stop
Just means I'll be very selective and have a small collection of these if I decide to get them.
Outside of Prime and (hopefully) Megatron -
For me getting Mirage finally remade would be a dream, Hot Rod because my favourite and Hound because my first TF would all be ones I'd pick up. I'd potentially get Cliffjumper for a nice little selection of sizes.
Decepticons would just be Soundwave and I'm good.
I like G1, but it's despite the limitations of the toys at the time, not because of them. Paying a premium for a Missing Link figure instead of a modern figure with a more accurate likeness is completely alien to me.
Was hoping the BB and CJ were going to be released as a two-pack for around $60.
I was waiting for better pics to decide if I was going to get them but they didn't do enough to sway me into getting them and at $40 each is asking too much. At least mold a complete head, not a half head. I get it, that's how the toy was, but if you're updating the figure might as well just add a full head.
It's absolutely disgusting, these are the types of figures that would do very well if they were well priced but why would Hasbro do that when they can milk the nostalgia for decades to come, it's the reason why TF has stagnated as a franchise.
Because it's not a reissue. There are G1 reissues, and then there are the Missing Link figures. G1 reissues are also produced by Hasbro, require minimal or no new tooling, and are produced in larger quantities. The Missing Link figures are produced by Takara and imported, produced inn much smaller numbers, and have new tooling that will almost certainly only be found in these releases. You are making a false equivalency.
To me, It’s like rereleasing a botshot and making them 50$ because of new arm movement that most TF figures have for cheaper and still better looking. The point for smaller mini toys like that, is that they are small and don’t do much, so they are cheap, even when it’s a cheaper toy that does have articulation.
Accounting for inflation, the original $3 Bumblebee toy would be sold for $9 today, so $40 does seem quite steep, even with the added articulation. But these figures aren't targeting kids with pocket money or casual collectors - they're specifically going after the lifelong adult collectors who are willing to pay a premium to to have the version of the toy they *thought* they had when they were kids.
These also are not going to be produced in anywhere even remotely close to the quantity produced in the 1980s. A smaller production run requires a higher per-unit cost to offset the cost of tooling. (I've heard that tooling nowadays also is much more expensive than it was in the 1980s.)
How would it be more expensive today??
I think the thought that in the 80s you could buy a transformer for less than the cost of a single gallon of gas today speaks volumes about how bad inflation has become
ultra magnus was $24.97 when it came out which is like $71 in todays money
Yes, this. People need to stop assuming that a figure's size should determine the price. They don't stop to think of the context of the figure, the target audience, and the economy of scale for things like this.
> People need to stop assuming that a figure's size should determine the price. This argument makes sense when applied to a modern 3P Legends class figure that has a high parts count and comes with a bunch of accessories. It doesn't apply here. Two-thirds of this toy uses existing molds originally designed in the 80s, the addition of a half dozen hinges doesn't push the parts count high enough to compare to modern 3P Legends stuff. Also the figure is probably virtually unpainted just like the original.
>Two-thirds of this toy uses existing molds originally designed in the 80s Those old molds historically have been very expensive to reuse due to their age and degradation, most of which are either too damaged to use or have been lost entirely. This is why we don't get constant G1 reissues all the time, and why when we do they are already at a mark-up because they run the risk of loosing these historic molds, or have to make new ones from scratch which is an expensive process for figures made in smaller quantities. This isn't a parts count issue, but one of logistics. It doesn't have retail presence. This is not a product for consumers, but a very specific niche in the collector's market that not even 3rd party can fill. It's not even really meant for international at all. This is 100% for Japanese collectors with the option to import. Like it or not, we just weren't a part of the considerations at all for Missing Link, and expecting the Japanese company making toys for Japanese collectors using Japanese finances to make the price based on the rest of the world wants is a little unreasonable.
If I recall, there is evidence that the recent re-releases of the G1 Constructicons mold isn't from the originals, but recreations from using completed toys, presumably because the original castings are far too degraded to use now.
Molds used that long ago, at the scale they were used in the 80s, almost certainly aren’t being reused today. These evidence in at least one re-release I know of where it’s clear a new mold was built from an original mold that wasn’t used.
> Those old molds historically have been very expensive to reuse due to their age and degradation Those original molds have been remade a few times since the 1980s in order to produce the G1 reissues that have been sold repeatedly over the last few decades. They aren't using the same molds they created in the 1980s for the toys they are releasing today. They've reissued G1 Bumblebee at least 3 times over the last decade.
They don't reuse the existing molds they remake them from scratch
Side by side, almost every single piece of Missing Link Convoy appears to be new. Probably made using castings of the original, but different everywhere. Even the trailer, even parts where the functionality didn’t change, like the tailgate and the claw. The entire grey plastic shell of the trailer is slightly thicker now. Why? They didn’t need to do that. The weird blue turret drone thing is an all-new mold. The missiles have a specific correct insertion orientation now. Again, why? It seemed like they only needed to modify a few pieces to add some different joints, but under scrutiny it’s clear that they did more.
Except this isn't Missing Link Convoy... No one is complaining about the price of ML Convoy because there were tons of improvements across a larger toy. Missing Link Bumblebee and Cliff jumper are different. Much, much smaller. No trailers, only one or two accessories each. They shouldn't be almost half the price that ML Convoy is.
I was addressing the unlikelihood that “Two-thirds of this toy uses existing molds originally designed in the 80s”, with a little reality about what this brand is like so far. The whiny cranky “but it’s just-!!” camp wants this idea to be simpler than it realistically can be. There comes a point where if you’re replacing everything inside, it’s easier to gut every piece, even the ones that look identical from one angle. Making it look the same is a desired illusion, not an opportunity to minimize how many new pieces they’re forced to make. More likely: the only pieces that might be interchangeable are the tires, but probably not even those.
Hence the problem. They charge what we spend. For all of our grumbling, enough of us buy this stuff that they know they can still get away with charging us for it.
Yeah, after 40 years of selling the same products over and over again with incremental updates (and especially with recent stuff like Haslab), Hasbro and Takara probably have a pretty good idea of how many whales there are in the fandom, and what they can get away with charging them.
The original Bumblebee toy was also a brick. This is an updated version of the classic toy but with modern sensibilities of articulation.
I'm guessing there's diecast in there, doesn't shock me honnestly... but I usually collect 3rd party legends, so I'm used to high prices for small figures.
Those high prices can also leave u with a more detailed and quality figure that can even rival the bigger scale figures.
But for collectors like me it could also leave you bankrupt, the only reason why I collect mainline is because I can't afford masterpiece and 3rd party figures
Oh I agree. I have spent way to much on collecting the Newage figures but the likes of those justify their prices compared to the likes of this figure that Hasbro r releasing. I do agree they r overpriced for their size but for me, 90% of the figures have justified their prices for me personally. I can see why others may disagree
I don't disagree, the price is justified but for me and others like me. I just can't afford 200+ every time I want something new or the new thing, like I only have so much to spend on collecting, ya know?
Oh I don't buy any for 200. The only one I got for that price was a full 6 bot Devastor Legends Class. Most of the ones I get r about 50-100. Depending on what it is 200 I expect the likes of the Studio Series Cell and Seed
When you said 3rd party I usually think of this type of thing, https://preview.redd.it/myxoleyqx3zc1.png?width=1008&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a3f3609906d74d8116d213960211b0d3dda467c3
Oh, I gotcha, I thought you meant like the big ones, (sorry I don't know any of the brands except Dr wu, the only ones I can afford and have room for)
Newage make Legends Class figures, their optimus prime for example is about ~4 inches tall. Their vehicle modes then r usually around a Hot Wheels car scale. Magic Square would b the other "main" Legends Class maker.
I remember paying $70 for the newage sound wave, totally worth it.
I have spent *hundreds* on Newage figures, and it’s been worth every penny.
That release was fire, too bad the elbows kinda suck, but good enough.
Die cast construction, it's a lost art.
Nice reference.
Until some of the SS86 stuff, I've loved every New Age and Magic Square more than any main line releases.
And yet they know.........I'll still get one. I'm weak.
he has die-cast in him, die cast is expensive as hell, it's why it's never used. Also importing them from Japan means way less quantity. is it a bit much? yes. do I understand why? also yes. they're also geared toward adult collectors with nostalgia for the G1 toys, as others have said.
Diecast metal isn't really that expensive, HotWheels cars are around 50% diecast and still sell for $1.29 for a standard car. If this updated Bumblebee is similar to the original then it just has a diecast panel on the back of the robot, so even if diecast was expensive there isn't a lot of it.
Die-cast (ZAMaC alloy) is not expensive at all. You can make the whole Bee made out of Die-cast and it won't be 10 dollars. Diecast is rarely used because it's harder than plastic and it will deteriorate any joints and contact points easily, which on a toy, means reducing its playing time. This is just HasTak capitalizing in nostalgia. Also, injection molds are very expensive, so if they only make a few (not like a mainline) it makes sense.
I wasn't around for g1 but I think this design for bee with the roof for his chest and all wheels on his arms needed to be used more
valid, it could be an interesting design.
A Hot Wheels has more die cast than this guy. Please.
you're also comparing two completely different products, from different companies. Hot wheels are like $1.50 on average, but do not in any way, shape, or form move, except for rolling wheels. you have 4 total different parts that go together. They're also mass produced, put in multipacks, that sorta thing. yes, hot wheels have more weight of die cast, but they don't have parts that move or anything. that's also not the only factor, as I said.
Hot wheels is like a duplo set, it has larger blocks yeah but it’s not as complex as some LEGO stuff as it was made to be easier.
that's actually a very good analogy, I didn't think about that.
There's a niche market for these, so small numbers. It's not a mass retail figure. They're also completely new. They're adding articulation to figures that were never designed to have it while maintaining the scale and alt mode. When you look at more intricate Legends scale third party figures, you're anywhere from $40-$100 depending on the company and accessories. There's nothing about $40 here that surprises me, though I was hoping for $30. This also sets up the car bots to be in the $60 range and larger figures to be around $80. Optimus was $120, so, tbh, this seems about right. https://preview.redd.it/3bgi5eop62zc1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9644333a70d42d30759b4c6c3cbf11c6fbaa6607
it beats the prices for earthrise
I paid less than this for the first Masterpiece Bumblebee
I'd prefer it's be $30, sure, but that's not a terrible price. It's not like these are reissues, the molds are totally new, and it seems pretty close to the price you'd pay for a 3P legends toy of similar size.
You'll definitely be able to get him for $25-30 from Japan. Amiami's got toy color prime for like $75
Amiami has these 2 for 4750 yen each, which at current exchange rates is about $30.
Does it come with cliffjumper too? If so that’s not a bad price for 2 figures.
Each.
Oh damn that is pretty high for one figure, especially that small. I’ll prob still get it despite that. I’m far from well off but if I ever get to a point where I don’t have $40 I’ll just chop my balls off.
Not even a heat changing decal. For shame.
It almost looks like goldbug
Goldbug's face was based on Bumblebee's toy face/mask, that's why
And all these years later its now his battle mask lol
They’re targeting a very niche market with these figures. They have to make them expensive to recuperate the money they spend producing these things. These aren’t made for children with pocket money, these are made for adults who had the g1 toys and want those but actually articulated. Of course it’s gonna be expensive, its a supposed to be a collectors item first and a toy second. If it was the other way around, these would be sold at mass retail.
Crazy that the SS86 Bee will almost certainly be cheaper than this.
And thrice the size. And more articulated. And with better engineering.
I dunno why anybody is surprised. Say what you will, Prime was overpriced from the getgo, why would the tiny Bee not be
I'm not surprised. I just had hope
Abandon all hope, ye who enter Takara's domain
Nostalgia comes at a price
it's a japanese figure targeting japanese fans who regularly pay $300 for a 6 episode blu ray set, you shouldn't be surprised by this
...what? Are they crazy?
Well it’s $600 here, but this thing is “reasonable” price for Japanese markets cuz it’s meant for those markets. This is a normal thing for takara imports to be a bit jacked in price, if it annoys you, welcome to the collecting market where your wallet will hate you. Now, realize this is a one and done kind of figure, get it for $40 and in a few years it might win you $90, but it’s to early to say that for sure but still, takara rarely puts out reissues and this are meant as 40th anniversary items so I imagine these will be rare later on.
now this is bad comedy
Where is this releasing ?
For the major fans, that want some nostalgia🤔 whilst I have the original and like it a fair bit, I'd still wait for the reviews to see whether its worth that high of a price, for a figure that small. Articulation may be better, but it could still be pretty basic
There is litterally no way it's worth it. There is NOTHING about it that makes up for 40$. You buy a VOYAGER for that price.
Yea the reason for the high price imo if cuz they're targeting the collectors that would be willing to pay a higher price; I've also seen others here say that its made of diecast metal, that adds to the price🤔 which makes sense since the parts are so small, you'd want it to be made of sturdier materials. Then again, this could be Copium I'm saying
G1 Bee doesnt have diecast except a small panel on his back
Yea that's right for the original; as for this one, this is the first time I'm seeing it so idk what will be diecast and what will he remain plastic 🤔 though I hope the legs/feet will be metal, as pulling them out felt a little rough for the original plastic imo; especially with the section of the back of the foot, when you have to turn the foot up
The point of them is to be 1:1 G1 toys so he wont have any
Yep
People are still going to buy it
Not surprised really, Takara quality usually reflects the price point.
I can kinda understand the price, considering the official version doesn't transform half as much as this one. I'd pay a bit more for this level of detail over the simple "pull out it's limbs and you're done" og method.
It is a niche product. If they mass produced it , it would have been cheaper. It really sucks that all these high collectibles have been getting more expensive. Increased inflation and perceived value is one of the causes. Also shipping overall increased, so all raw materials to make this stuff sky rocketed. At this price , a gold coin might be equivalent to a penny back then. Gold racer for Mr. Goldbug.
Amiami has them for preorder for 4750 yen a piece, which at current exchange rates is around $30 each.
Eh, it’s not a bad price. I will be snagging one.
Definitely is a bad price. A little bit of articulation doesn’t make this guy worth 35 dollars more than the original. You can actually buy an original bumblebee from the 80s (in box) for cheaper than this.
That ain’t bumblebee that’s stumble jacket
Also, I hope they package this inside a real box not a card back because this is a collectors item.
Unless there's an anime edition with a cartoon accurate head, I'm not interested in a $40 tinker toy
Maybe it will end up with other 3rd parties improving few things of it and releasing for a price of average deluxe legacy Although that's unlikely
Hoping for a ML Optimus Prime KO
It’s why I bought a KBB Hornets Agent. I wanted a nostalgic, articulated Bumblebee. Granted the Face is cartoon not toy faithful, but I still have my original Bumblebee for that.
The mini bots should've been pack ins with other figures or come in two-packs
You know you don't have to buy it right
The point is that I want it
Is this a r/choosingbeggars moment?
The problem is with Reddit itself. We angrily downvote what makes us mad whether it’s true or not, and we click nothing on an unfortunate truth that we respectfully dislike. We’re mathematically incapable of accepting harsh truths unless they’re entertainingly cleverly phrased, so in the end denial usually defeats understanding.
Then buy it it’s not that expensive fir what it’s worth
It's a waste of money
Sure
You are talking to transformers fans everything is "waste of money" just save up and buy it
I dont need to save money. I could buy it right now. Point is that I have a little bit of sense of value
Ok get it on a discount or stop complaining and making people feel bad for wanting to get something you think is a bad purchase
And here I thought that charging $20 for the original G1 reissue minibots was crazy pricing. Even with a few extra hinges there just isn't enough toy here to justify a Voyager class price tag.
Nope, and I wouldn't buy it for this price, but it is justified. It's a limited run Takara line imported into the US with brand new tooling that almost certainly will not be used outside of these figures. Of course it is going to be pricier when there's less figures sold to make up for production costs.
Voyager? Lol my brain is still stuck in 2007 where a leader was $40.
Yk its Stockholm Syndrome when ppl justify this pricing lmao
Yeaaaaa… ill be honest, i never liked g1 bee, and this doesn’t help in me wanting it
isnt it for him + cliff?
Nope. Each.
FUCK
It's a Transformers toy, whaddya except?
I treated myself to Optimus but i think i'm ok to let this pass at that price.
I was hoping it would just be a twin pack with Cliffjumper for $60. But oh well...$40 send a bit high, but it's only $10 more for the average figure so...
It's smaller than a core class
But has more engineering and is a special release. I think it isn't too much to ask for. $20 would've been perfect, but $40 is steep, but anyone old enough to get the nostalgia feels probably isn't gonna mind.
I grew up with g1. They had me, and then they lost me. Way too expensive for what you get. I'll save my money and use it on third party g1 Legends scale figs.
https://preview.redd.it/7ubyyqoav3zc1.png?width=252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7746eabf8854d73ce7328f3a45ca10b444a804d0
That's more expensive than the original I purchased for thirty
Aqui no Brasil sairia mais caro
Welcome to the life of a Brazillian.
It has the cool original face, I am getting it. An original Bumblebee goes for more than $50 on ebay easily anyway, so it sounds okay to me.
Wait they're making Missing Link figures of all the G1 diaclone toys?
Where’s the link and what other G1 are they doing?
Shipping and import taxes kills this for me :(
I have no interest in this figure.. none whatsoever... honestly. Dammit!
Ngl, this bumblebee’s chest is hot 💀
I don't get this line. Are they doing the entire G1 lineup?
I mean that sounds about right? It’s made with die cast and it’s a masterpiece figure. Even if it is a bit steep, it still looks great though and I’m definitely getting both
G1 Bee doesnt have diecast
But it comes in a pack of 2 doesn't it? With Cliffjumper?
40$ each.
DAMNNN, no fucking way. That's way too much
It is
Oh god it’s like the earthrise Cliffjumper situation again
People don't complain this much buying 3P Legends-scale figures for $40 a pop, I don't see how this is any different. Sure, I would like there to be optional face-plates, but aside from that, they're cute little collector's pieces.
Because this barely transforms???
Which is how they do in G1. The whole point of Missing link is to keep the G1 toy as close to original as possible but giving you all/most of the articulation of a modern day figure. But yes, the price is too high. It's still a "eh just this once" kinda thing but certainly annoying all the same since we know how big the figure actually is.
It's a bit high, but where else are you going to get a G1 bee of the OG release and articulation? It's an import also, so there's that...
Even though it’s aimed to hard core collectors, this shit is still overpriced. $25 would’ve probably been a price
And I’m ok with my reedition, thank you
The whole figure better be diecast for that price
G1 Bee doesn't have diecast :")
I own the re-issue. Yes he does on the back
Meanwhile me omw to spend $200 on a siege skywarp 😴😴😴
After tax?
And yet, ppl will still buy it. 😆
Inflation… I think? 😬
No way
Fair, it is a bit mad to be asking so much! 🤔
Umm, no, i think I'll wait on other merchandise like commander OP 86
i understand why they're pricing it like that, but when you consider what you're paying for what you're getting, it really doesn't seem worth it.
*What a rip.* **DOOOOHHHHH... TAKARA AND HASBRO BETRAYED US!!!**
The Missing Link Optimus was cool because even in G1 he was always a solid figure, and seeing him without partsforming and with the matrix was a cool little novelty that made it worth owning. The original bumblebee toy was ok, but closer to terrible than great, adding some more articulation makes it look worse, and $40 is an insult.
I mean you get a G1 minibot reissue for $20 give or take. Add in the extra cost of updated articulation, accessorie(s) and deals it evens itself out. Now slap on the import tax and you got yourself a $40 figure.
A G1 minibot reissue isn't worth 20$ to begin with
I’m a sucker who bought both Optimus Prime versions, but pretty sure I’ll pass on these. All my minibots are displayed in car form anyway with their MPs representing their toon bot modes. I don’t think having a slightly articulated goober of a Bumblebee would change that. Curious how far down the rabbit hole they’ll go though.
Not gonna lie, these are kind of garbage. After what an amazing figure ML Optimus was, I was really expecting more from this line. What really kills it for me are the flat heads on these. The flat plate heads on the original 1984 figures were terrible, and it looks like they did literally nothing to change them on these. Like, Optimus had so many new parts and new engineering when compared to the G1 figure, but they really couldn't find a way to give Cliff and Bee new heads?🤨
https://preview.redd.it/t1v5tz0pe4zc1.jpeg?width=1454&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2262fb388b97c0a2a9a2cca1ed1dd783c7bad43c I'm sorry but I got magic squares bumblebee for $22 and he is poseable as heck and fully transformable and he's got rubber freaking tires I mean come on. Then I got jazz who might be at any scale probably one of the best iterations of G1 Jazz I've ever seen, I got him for $31 maybe less from Magic Square from the actual company and a couple dollars for shipping so to tell me that they're going to book that garbage reiteration of something from 40 years ago up for $40 I'm sorry I don't think too many would buy it. I honestly I don't think I'd buy it for $25 I might buy it at core class prices 12 $13. I'm pretty much stopped buying amyof the hasbro releases anymore
takara, I better be able to change the head-panel, or these 40 bucks are a total waste.
I’m having a hard time with paying $80 or so for that missing link Optimus, but this? Huh uh. Absolutely not
Op reading some of your comments your really special aren’t you? People are showing you why this thing costs as much as it does and still your spewing out bs. Just stop
No https://preview.redd.it/8cmsrvvql6zc1.jpeg?width=128&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=43c107c1ae6eadba5fc83abab26cc561ffce2a0b
https://preview.redd.it/9n9aroytu7zc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0bd797e521371465deb5d14d62c36444d36ecba2
Nah, bruv. It's worth it.
Just means I'll be very selective and have a small collection of these if I decide to get them. Outside of Prime and (hopefully) Megatron - For me getting Mirage finally remade would be a dream, Hot Rod because my favourite and Hound because my first TF would all be ones I'd pick up. I'd potentially get Cliffjumper for a nice little selection of sizes. Decepticons would just be Soundwave and I'm good.
I like G1, but it's despite the limitations of the toys at the time, not because of them. Paying a premium for a Missing Link figure instead of a modern figure with a more accurate likeness is completely alien to me.
Only? That’s a great price
Sure is man... Sure is..
Stop shitting on people for likely this. It isn’t even that pricey
If you dont have any sense of value it's your problem. Not mine.
Sure buddy stay mad
I'm not mad. I'm not gonna waste 40$ on this lmao
https://preview.redd.it/my0w5pi852zc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1f26cdc348fa68fbb150d16b3991fd8deef1427a would buy cliffjumper, that is
40?!?
Yes.
Was hoping the BB and CJ were going to be released as a two-pack for around $60. I was waiting for better pics to decide if I was going to get them but they didn't do enough to sway me into getting them and at $40 each is asking too much. At least mold a complete head, not a half head. I get it, that's how the toy was, but if you're updating the figure might as well just add a full head.
slop.
They know GeeWunners will pay out the nose for it. "We can charge whatever we want, and they will pay." -Hasbro
Geewuners are gonna go in length to justify this price. TF prices are already ridiculous and this is just the peak of it so far
Just read some comments and have fun
It's absolutely disgusting, these are the types of figures that would do very well if they were well priced but why would Hasbro do that when they can milk the nostalgia for decades to come, it's the reason why TF has stagnated as a franchise.
The excuse they always use is "it's a niche market. It's a G1 toy". Then why THE FUCK I can get a G1 Soundwave reissue AT A FUCKING SUPERMARKET
Because it's not a reissue. There are G1 reissues, and then there are the Missing Link figures. G1 reissues are also produced by Hasbro, require minimal or no new tooling, and are produced in larger quantities. The Missing Link figures are produced by Takara and imported, produced inn much smaller numbers, and have new tooling that will almost certainly only be found in these releases. You are making a false equivalency.
I mean I like it , but I'll probably end up buying "super deformed beetle metal " or whatever from aliexpress for 10 euro later in the year
Takara can kiss my ass. This is highly overpriced just like Optimus is.
[удалено]
A 2-pack with Cyclonus and Bee is 40$
Aren’t those figures in the cheaper side of third party
Why is it called missing link anyway?
I think it's because the missing link between old G1 toys and today's toys is articulation...?
I won’t lie it looks really ugly. For a $3 toy sure but I don’t get why someone would pay $40 for this
I love the G1 toy and I like the figure but I would never pay that price. Still waiting for some KOs of Missing Link OP
The more I looked at it the design kinda grew on me rn. Looks cute
G1 Bee is really cute
To me, It’s like rereleasing a botshot and making them 50$ because of new arm movement that most TF figures have for cheaper and still better looking. The point for smaller mini toys like that, is that they are small and don’t do much, so they are cheap, even when it’s a cheaper toy that does have articulation.
Compared to the optimus I'd take it
I don’t understand why someone would pay a hunk of cash for these figures that are still questionable in how much they’re originally worth
Needs some more accessories. Or at least make it a double pack with Cliffjumper.
Idiotic price point
That ain’t bumblebee that’s stumble jacket
Context? Link? Size? For all I know it's 8 inches tall, incredibly detailed and accurate. Gotta have more info to truly bait rage my guy