Thanks to our very own 2005 Boards member Lazerwave we can share for you what could be our first look at a new Walmart Retro G1 Hound Reissue.
This is a re-release of the classic G1 Hound mold with some noticeable differences compared to the original release from 1984. We can spot a lighter shade of green plastic, no chromed parts, die-cast pieces, tampograph stars, details and Autobot insignia instead of stickers, and cartoon-accurate paint apps in robot mode. This figure is likely to be part of the new Walmart exclusive Retro G1 re-issues which we have already seen Hot Rod and Starscream. We are yet to learn about and official confirmation about this figure but stay tuned with this space for more updates.
Update: Additi0nal images from different angles courtesy of Lazerwave.
See the new images after the jump and share your impressions on the 2005 Boards, the place where the news come from!
unpunk
It’s still available on Pulse if you’re looking for one? Maybe you could put the other one in the BST thread to try to recoup some of your costs? Hopefully you can get one that’s complete.
thesiege_2005
UPDATE: instead of a replacement Thundercracker Hasbro sent me a Legacy Wreck 'n Rule Springer, which I guess is OK cause it goes for about $4 more at retail. I already have the Siege Springer and had passed on the Legacy deco as the gray looked too light to me. I wish Hasbro at least gave us a few different options for a replacement so we'd get something we actually want. Though what I REALLY want is a #$*! complete reissue Thundercracker…
Dark Jedi
Safe and sound
View attachment 29928018
tturbozx66
Okay fixed the missile launcher. Just needed a correct sized spring. I used donor a from a retractable pen. The spring was a little too big in diameter so I had to resized it by using a plier. You need to remove the little nubs on both sides of the launcher's opening circled in red. They will prevent the missile from launching. I just used a hobby knife to give it a clean cut. With the spring installed, now there is tension on the missile and it can shoot.
Some caution should be taken when disassembling the front part of the missile launcher. A bit of glue had been applied from the factory. It holds fine with just friction. I didn't glue it back just in case I need to disassemble it again.
tturbozx66
Walmart delivers. Liking hound a lot. Need to fix its limp missile launcher.
View attachment 29924349 View attachment 29924350
View attachment 29924414
Wh33l JcK
Just got him yesterday, wow really awesome … never thought I’d own a g1 Hound!
Hound003
Mines was delivered today. I pre-ordered with Wal Mart for about $35 for both Hound and Thundercracker. Both came with all their accessories.
I have to say that if THIS is what was given in the 80s as far as the quality – wow! Die cast, rubber tires, and ultra realistic modes. You can tell that he is of good quality due to the heft. Someone was saying that these new ones are all plastic – not true! Starscream, Thundercracker, and Hound all definitely have large quantities of metal.
Hound is super dope – I have never owned a brand new Season 1 toy (got Jazz off Ebay), but he feels super tight. Paint apps are nice and crisp. No stickers – which is a great thing. And accurate to the colors in the show – which again is a great thing.
I really hope Hasbro releases all of the original Autobot cars – an Original G1/Masterpiece/Alternators shelf in Alternate mode would be super cool I think.
Fingers crossed Hasbro goes with Sideswipe or Prowl or Trailbreaker next!
Dark Jedi
Hound $ TC shipped!
wideload
Got mine a couple of days ago. Was lucky enough to have it delivered in a cardboard box, so the box is mint. Really hoping they keep these harder to find molds coming.
flik68
Man I love that new packaging and the new cartoon deco is awesome as well.
thesiege_2005
My TC missing the tailfin really irks me. I would be fine with one of the way-too-long cluster bombs missing or even the landing gear as I could just grab one from another seeker, but the tailfin is pretty integral. I contacted Hasbro support about it but I doubt they'll do anything except send me some crappy Earthspark figure I don't want or something. Last time I had a QC issue they sent me a crummy Cyberverse figure that I just gave to a friend's young son.
Yes they're all like that it seems. Though TBH I first noticed this issue with the Encore TC and SW 2-pack, which IMO is even worse, so I think this issue with the mold goes back at least that far.
Predakwon
Got mine from Walmart today via USPS. Thundercrack via Fedex tommorrow (hopefully).
View attachment 29921405
What a fantastic mold. Glad the US can have easier access to it.
WM vs TFC reissue
View attachment 29921402 View attachment 29921403 View attachment 29921401
unpunk
Nothing beats G1 packaging. I liked what they did with those Headmasters in vintage packaging and I think a continuation of something like that could be really cool. Reissues of the Kingdom/Earthrise figures that are tough to find in retro G1 packaging would be amazing. I’m not real keen on the packing design they’ve chosen for this line, but the boxes just go in a tub anyway.
Blue Meanie
Mine showed up from walmart in a bag and completely trashed. Again. However, hound is a distinct improvement to the last reissues. Joints are all super tight and the dimples on the hood of the book reissue are barely noticeable. Smart color choices too. Hate the windowless boxes, takes the greatest toy packaging every and ruins it. They got me to buy one copy of each at least, if they matched the old school window boxes I would have double dipped for sure.
galvatran
My Hound arrived today (Australia) from local retailer Big W. It has a slight but visible crease on the front of the packaging. *sigh*
Skywarp would be an obvious contender in the line up. Or Hasbro could entirely skip him just to pee off the G1 fanbase. Ouch.
03Mach1
Why is the underside of the rubber nosecone on both Starscream and Thundercracker not molded to properly seam with the rest of the jet?
It’s the same on both of mine and on multiple copies of SS that I have seen.
Max Rawhide
Well, nobody said life was fair
Local price here is almost 50 euro, so that's around $ 55. At that price I'm very hesitant and skipped everything so far (though tempted by Hound, because I never had Hound and he's different from my MP (Gundog)). If I could get them for 35, I'd buy quite a few more.
Ravewind
Mine arrived earlier today. So far, so good.
Now to see who is the next reissue.
VenomGTSR
My Hound is missing his shoulder cannon. Anybody else missing accessories?
thesiege_2005
Got my Thundercracker today. Hound is a separate shipment for some reason and it is delayed. (Both are via Walmart.)
He is missing a blue rear tailfin.
Very disappointing.
Just realized both TC and Hound had no lines in the 86 movie, so kinda weird they're packaged in TFTM branding. His short bio on the tech spec reads: "Thundercracker may believe himself to be superior to other ground-dwelling Cybertronians, but his destiny lies beyond being a Seeker as the threat of Unicron looms." Couple thoughts: 1. how often has Hasbro used the term "Seeker" officially (and as a proper noun)? 2. His destiny??? To die in space and get turned into Scourge or a Sweep?
Here's how he compares to Encore Thundercracker:
View attachment 29919964