Transformers Prexio Mini Figures

Hasbro is not shy about sharing their Transformers license with other companies. Recently a small company from Hong Kong, Prexio Limited released some small PVC mini figures to discount stores. These were based on classic Generation One characters such as Optimus Prime and Megatron. My older brother happened to find all 6 at a Dollar Tree store.

The packaging for these mini figures are quite nice, something I didn't expect from an item manufactured exclusively for discount stores. Each figure comes in a small foil bag featuring the original 80's art from the toy packaging.

Each figure stands roughly 2 inches tall and are made of a hard plastic. The figures are in a fixed position so no articulated arms or legs. The paint apps are ok, but some of the colors used are questionable. Don't even get me started about how the hands are posed!

Outside of the hands, I really like this Optimus Prime mini figure. The mold itself is pretty nice, as are the paint apps. The paint on the face is a mixed bag, but I've seen worse.

I never have liked the Bumblebee character, but with his overexposure today I have come to loathe the character. At least this mini figure is based on his classic animation model and not his original toy.

Hands down Grimlock is the best of the Autobot figures. He's got some heft to him and looks like he jumped off the screen. I love his tiny arms.

Here is Optimus alongside one of Super 7's Keshi figures...which are in similar size to the original rubber Decoys from the 80's.

I have mixed feelings over Megatron. There is something about the face sculpt that I can't get past. Yes, it looks like Megatron...but it doesn't. I'm not sure about the black used on the lower portion of his torso or on his legs.

Starscream perhaps looks the worst of the bunch. The mold itself (minus the hands) isn't that bad, it's the color choices made that detract from the figure. The figure is cast in a metallic like silver plastic and in my opinion is too dark to mimic his original silver color in both animation and original toy. The head should have been painted black, just sans the red used for the eyes lacks any other paint apps.

Finally we have Soundwave, everybody's favorite transforming cassette recorder. The mold used for Soundwave gets the job done. It's not great, but it's better that Starscream. The paint apps are serviceable. I do like the large purple Decepticon insignia on his chest, nice touch.

Megatron with Super 7's Keshi figure of the Insecticon, Shrapnel.

For a buck a piece you get what you pay for. Well maybe a little more or a little less depending on the character, but none the less these make for a nice "desk bot" or just something to look at for a few seconds before discarding in a junk draw on placing into your favorite character collection. I'm glad my brother was able to pick up a set for me because I never saw them in my limited trips to the local Dollar Tree store.

Transformers Oddity: Armada Bubble Twist

About this time, 11 years ago, small tubes of bubble gum started appearing on shelves at Toys 'R Us stores in the United States. Produced by Cap Toys, Bubble Twist contained a stick of gum inside a tube, similar to the Push Pop candy brand. When pressed from below, the gum would push up through a grid in a twisting manner, hence the name Bubble Twist. Inside specially marked containers, the bottom of the tube contained a small PVC figure of various Transformers Armada characters.

   

Similar to the old decoys from the Generation One days, these rigid PVC figures came cast in a variety of color. Ironically enough I got the two G1 colors - red and purple. These static figures stand at about 2 inches tall. Character selection included Hot Shot, Megatron, Optimus Prime (Super Mode) and Starscream. They came in the following colors: black, blue, gray, purple and red.

        

I don't know why I like these, but I do. I guess it's partly because they remind me of the G1 decoys, or maybe it's just because it's one of those Transformers oddities. Every since I bought the two I own, I've never seen or heard anything about them since.

Just a tad smaller than the old Legends size

Transformers Collectible Figurines & 3D Puzzle Piece Collector Cards (Series 1)

It should come as no surprise that Hasbro has revved up the licensing machine and has been issuing the Transformers license to just about anyone willing to slap the robots on their product.  To cash in on the collectible PVC or vinyl and or blind packaged market, Goldie Marketing has released a series of small, super deformed collectible figurines based on the Generation 1, Prime and Movie segments of Transformers.  I found these in a gravity feeder over in the trading card aisle at my local Target.  I was already enticed by the concept itself, then I noticed it also included a weakness of mine...a collectible trading card.

This is a pack from series 1, but as you can tell there will be a total of 30 figurines between series 1 & 2.  When I picked this up I assumed the character assortment would be from G1 since Optimus Prime and Megatron were so predominantly displayed.  These foil packs retail for $2.99 each.  I should also mention these come packaged on a blister card with one figurine (that you can see) for $3.99 at Toys R Us and also in multi-packages for each segment.

So what's inside the pack and what do these figurines look like?  Well here you go.  In addition to the figurine, you also get a collector's base, the aforementioned trading card / puzzle piece as well as a checklist insert.  I was beaming when I saw Optimus Prime staring back at me from within the pack!

 

The figurines are small, one inch or so at best.  However they appear to be well sculpted and well painted. The paint applications are well placed and I wouldn't have expected so many different colors (I count 5) on a toy this small / cheap. Well played Goldie.

The included collector's stand is nothing more than a small rectangle piece of plastic with two pegs that insert into the bottom of the figurines' feet.  I should note that this Optimus Prime figure stands just fine without any additional support.  The bottom of the stand has the Thrilling 30 Transformers anniversary logo sticker.

The collector card is not your standard trading card size, but more narrow like a credit card.  The front features some nice artwork along with the tech spec rankings for that character.  Underneath the faction symbol you can see the character's number in the set.  Optimus Prime is #01/30.

The back side of the card is the 3D puzzle piece done up with the lenticular technology that is commonly seen on trading cards.  The back of the checklist insert shows off the assembled puzzle image.  While I like the idea of the puzzle, the front of the card captures more of my attention than the 3D backs.

Front, inside center and back of the checklist.

I was surprised to see that not only did this line of collectibles include G1 characters, but also a selection of characters from the Prime and Movie universes.  While I can't say the movie characters excite me at all, I like the inclusion of the Prime characters.

In my opinion, Goldie Marketing did a good job w/ the character selection.  G1 has some more of the iconic characters (of course Bumblebee had to be included) as well as Prime.  However I'm scared to buy another pack in fear of getting stuck with one of the movie characters!

Transformers Suntory Boss Coffee: Megatron

A few months back I shared a sort of oddity in my Transformers collection, a Suntory Boss Coffee PVC figure of Astrotrain. What good is a Decepticon without his leader?

Megatron features a fairly accurate on screen look, lacking of course paint apps.  Made of a soft PVC plastic, this little guy fits nicely into my miscellaneous items.  While it's no Myclone figure, I still really dig these.

I loved how the Nemesis ship sat at the bottom of the ocean in the old G1 cartoon, so I was excited to see this image from the show on one side of the paper insert.

I originally had the entire series of these PVCs, but for whatever reason these are the only two that I can put my hands on.  Guess that's the problem of having so many dang toys!

Transformers Suntory Boss Coffee: Astrotrain

In 2008, Japanese beverage company, Suntory ran a Transformers promotion on their line of Boss coffees.  The oversized plastic caps contained a random Autobot or Decepticon PVC figure based on the color of the cap, red or purple.

The figures are small and rather simple, but there is more than meets the eye here!  Underneath the cap is a small hexagon shaped paper insert that shows off the other figures in the series.  On the flip side are different little diorama images.  Simply fold the insert to display the image you want and then insert it into a small ridge in the top of the cap and you've got yourself a rather nifty diorama display!

I should have put a SFC figure in the picture for scale purposes as these little guys are fairly small.  There is a small bit of assembly required when you first remove the figure from the cap.  Usually it's just attaching the legs to the upper half of the body.  To be so simple of a figure, I was surprised to see a few paint apps.  I also didn't expect the PVC figure to contain much detail, but if you look carefully on Astrotrain's wings you'll see a small Decepticon symbol!

I know these type of things don't appeal to every Transformers fan, but I find them fascinating and best of all, they don't take up much space on my display shelves!