Via TFND on Facebook, we can report that the Autobot Triple Changer, Broadside, will be getting a Voyager class release for the Titans Return line! This image shows a mold test prototype of the third of the Autobot triple changers – the only one of the three yet to receive an update as a part of the Generations line. Broadside’s design is an update drawing inspiration from both IDW and Generation 1 versions of the character, and he has some nice, chunky proportions.
There’s also been rumors of a new version of Armada’s Tidal Wave as a part of the Titans Return line. These rumors seem to be corroborated with this Broadside, whose shoulders seem to have some of Tidal Wave’s design to them – so it might be we’re going to see a fan-favorite from the Armada years up the road, too.
Hoffman
Yeah every other toy is going up in price. If TF doesn't follow suit they'll be left behind.
SouthtownKid
If stickers are the future for Hasbro, I certainly hope they will be better quality than the thin, wrinkly, instantly peeling and falling off ones that come on TR Voyager Optimus.
It's all well and good to wish prices could stay the same on everything forever. But at some point, these figures are going to end up being one solid piece of plastic in one color with a transformation that only exists in your imagination, if they have to keep cutting costs and corners to maintain this price.
Masktique
I'm pretty sure it is the same head both times, people just thought it looked different because of the darker plastic and lighting.
SouthtownKid
And almost all of them suffer for it (I think Astrotrain looks pretty great all around, though). As long as the robot mode and one alt mode is decent, I can live with it. But it's hard knowing that those modes could have been even better if they didn't have to make sacrifices to accommodate the usually awful third mode.
Also, I should say I am prepared to accept a weak third mode for characters that are triple-changers. It's mostly unfortunate in the pre-tools of characters who don't need a third mode, like Laser Optimus and Megatron.
Autovolt 127
That one never gets old. though it's funny how its based off the prototype head and not the final design.
Looks amazing.
Rewind
I'm kind of in love with how rotten the jet mode is.
This is the TR figure I'm looking forward to the most.
Bass X0
All Titans Return Voyagers are Triple Changers. No matter what.
Foster
Also the Prime/Octane and Megatron/Blitzwing molds.
RKillian
What's he competing with? A completely orange thing, a white repaint of that, and Galvatron with a dopey head covered by a dopier mask. Not exactly a tournament of champions.
They should've just dumped the jet mode if they couldn't figure it out. They dump features all the time for more frivolous reasons.
SouthtownKid
I actually don't mind the jet mode so much. Maybe just because I had my expectations so much lower after the abysmal TR Voyager Optimus plane mode. And like someone else mentioned, it kind of did remind me of the Mospeada jets.
I really do wish it was bigger, though. Especially since it's a pre-mold of Tidal Wave. Voyager is way way way way waaaaaaaaaaay too small. Too small even to interact with Legends class figures. But oh well. Still looks like a cool figure.
T-Hybrid
I think the moving forearms were going to be the answer. I think you're right and if those get out of the way it looks like the legs straighten easily.
Windsweeper II
He is instabuy in any case.
But i would like to know wether he can still transform into the toilet.
DesertDog
Well I wasn't planning on getting Broadside but he looks pretty good, aside from his jet mode. He's the only G1 Triplechanger that I don't have a figure of in any form and I really like his carrier and Bot modes. Plus, watercraft are tragically underrepresented in my collection. If I find him at retail I'll grab one for sure.
I noticed that too. They did the same thing with CW/UW Skylynx and it drives me crazy. I flipped the fins on my CW Skylynx because I couldn't handle it. It would be nice if I could do the same to UW Skylynx but it makes Lynxmaster's chest look daft. Hopefully someone comes up with a fan mode for Broadside that makes them look less ridiculous or I'll be flipping these as well.
Cheebs
Bot and Boat are awesome.
Jet is…not awesome.
I'll take it. Two modes is all I ever really need on these things anyway!
motorthing
I think I'll get this Guy.
Zula
The Robot and Carrier modes look great.
The jet mode doesn't look as bad as I thought it did from the the render. Perhaps its just me getting used to it.
Not bad.
But I still think this should have been at least a Leader class figure.
Perhaps we'll get luck and Hasbro will pull a Brawn (TitanMaster -> Legends) on us?
MegaMoonMan
I'll bet anything the rear of jetmode can stretch out, if you move the forearms and/or mod a little.
There will be better jet modes possible for sure. Just looking at the backwards fins, I bet they had something better in mind but had to cut a part or joint out for costs.
80sforged
If the space ship went kind of Starcraft-ish, that would be cool ,and different enough from the carrier. The appeal of this Broadside is the decent bot and G1 carrier mode, and the price. I still see Assaulter as a superior figure for what it pulled off.
knoted
Just the nosecone / canopy. The rest looks space cruiser-ish already, and different enough, from Alpha Trion' space cruiser.