David Hingtgen Posted January 6, 2004 Posted January 6, 2004 Credible sighting at Target in Eugene, OR. (not me). Seems the new case is 2 Smokescreens, 2 Sideswipes. Didn't the JP one come out only like a week or two ago? http://www.toymania.com/toybuzz/messages/50584.shtml
Anubis Posted January 7, 2004 Posted January 7, 2004 Good, I need to go to Best Buy tomorrow anyway, Target is next door. Maybe I'll get lucky and find one.
Solscud007 Posted January 7, 2004 Posted January 7, 2004 Ngahhhh I went to two Targets cause of this thread and nothing!!! but I caved in a got the Alternator Smokescreen (my GF bought me one in Vancouver before X-mas) but she doesnt arrive till tmw.
Apollo Leader Posted January 7, 2004 Posted January 7, 2004 Credible sighting at Target in Eugene, OR. (not me). Seems the new case is 2 Smokescreens, 2 Sideswipes. Didn't the JP one come out only like a week or two ago?http://www.toymania.com/toybuzz/messages/50584.shtml I was at a Super Target this evening and I saw that they had two Smokescreens (they also had several Gundam Arch Enemy Wing Zero Customs and Tallgeese III's... this is the first time I've seen these at a department store other than Toys R Us). This incarnation of Smokescreen is one of the best looking Transformers I've ever seen... both the car and robot modes look great. I just might have to get one...
Solscud007 Posted January 7, 2004 Posted January 7, 2004 This incarnation of Smokescreen is one of the best looking Transformers I've ever seen... both the car and robot modes look great. I just might have to get one... Well Duh!!!! haha cmon its only 20 bucks!!! Just look at teh Arch nemisis they are 20 but do they look as cool? no!!!!
Apollo Leader Posted January 7, 2004 Posted January 7, 2004 This incarnation of Smokescreen is one of the best looking Transformers I've ever seen... both the car and robot modes look great. I just might have to get one... Well Duh!!!! haha cmon its only 20 bucks!!! Just look at teh Arch nemisis they are 20 but do they look as cool? no!!!! Heh, I like the Arch Enenmy figures and I can't wait 'till the RX-78 and Char's Gelgoog are released.
GreenGuy42 Posted January 7, 2004 Posted January 7, 2004 This incarnation of Smokescreen is one of the best looking Transformers I've ever seen... both the car and robot modes look great. I just might have to get one... Well Duh!!!! haha cmon its only 20 bucks!!! Just look at teh Arch nemisis they are 20 but do they look as cool? no!!!! Heh, I like the Arch Enenmy figures and I can't wait 'till the RX-78 and Char's Gelgoog are released. Mm.. Gelgoog... ..though, I'd rather have Sideswipe!
Dat Pinche Haro! Posted January 7, 2004 Posted January 7, 2004 i'd rather buy the sideswipe that's on hlj right now... **drools at the pretty pictures**
GobotFool Posted January 7, 2004 Posted January 7, 2004 My BT sideswipe came in. Very nice but watch out for the paint. I am definantly getting the alternators version to as soon as amazon starts selling them.
trueblueeyes Posted January 8, 2004 Posted January 8, 2004 My BT sideswipe came in. Very nice but watch out for the paint. I am definantly getting the alternators version to as soon as amazon starts selling them. Yep, I've only had the BT Sideswipe for a few days and the paint is already almost completely gone from where the hood meets the right fender...nasty. Keep in mind this is after only about two complete transformations. I never had this many paint scratches with my Smokescreen. ..This is one where I'll recommend Alternator Sideswipe if you want to play with or transform the toy. BT Lambor is pretty much just for display only.
drifand Posted January 8, 2004 Posted January 8, 2004 Here's another vote for the all-plastic Sideswipe over the diecast Lambor. My bro picked up BT-02 a couple of weeks ago and already it's chipped severely around the edges of the hood and both doors. Stupid construction! There's practically no way to avoid chipping the hood in either mode, whereas Smokescreen got away with scrapes in places you might not notice at all. Bottom line for BT-02: too much metal-on-metal contact. Get the Alternator and you'd be a happier owner. The glossy red plastics look just as good as the BT's paint job! Make the mod for the trunk/chestplate and it looks even better!
eriku Posted January 8, 2004 Posted January 8, 2004 Interesting. I've had my Binaltech Sideswipe for two weeks now and no paint has come off yet.
Blaine23 Posted January 9, 2004 Posted January 9, 2004 Here's another vote for the all-plastic Sideswipe over the diecast Lambor. My bro picked up BT-02 a couple of weeks ago and already it's chipped severely around the edges of the hood and both doors. Stupid construction! There's practically no way to avoid chipping the hood in either mode, whereas Smokescreen got away with scrapes in places you might not notice at all. Bottom line for BT-02: too much metal-on-metal contact.Get the Alternator and you'd be a happier owner. The glossy red plastics look just as good as the BT's paint job! Make the mod for the trunk/chestplate and it looks even better! I'll take chipped paint and die-cast any day of the week... they don't look better, I'll agree with that. But they feel better. And you can hurt people with them. Yeah!
moose Posted January 9, 2004 Posted January 9, 2004 ok before you guys go and waste your time going to TRU speaking from experience I was a former manager TRU is in the process of doing a phase change and they will not be getting any product till end or mid feb depending on when they get done with doing there inventory so you should go to walmart or target these larger stores are albe to acquire product much faster then TRU due to there market share. i would say next week would be a good tiem states closer to the west cost recieve products earlier then stores on the east cost.
Opus Posted January 9, 2004 Posted January 9, 2004 How is the die-cast distibuted in the BTs? Is it like the G1s where it mostly just feet and internal parts? I have the Hasbro Smokescreen and he seems OK to me without die-cast.
eriku Posted January 9, 2004 Posted January 9, 2004 (edited) How is the die-cast distibuted in the BTs? Is it like the G1s where it mostly just feet and internal parts? I have the Hasbro Smokescreen and he seems OK to me without die-cast. Actually, pretty much the whole body of the car is die-cast. Think Matchbox car, only bigger. Edited January 9, 2004 by eriku
waylandcool Posted January 9, 2004 Posted January 9, 2004 Chicago seems to be at the end of the list of TF's. I finally found a Alt. Smokescreen two weeks ago while everyone and thier second cousin's uncle got theirs for Christmas. If Alt. Sideswipe is out now, It'll be at least three weeks before he shows up in this area.
ComicKaze Posted January 9, 2004 Posted January 9, 2004 (edited) Although personally, I hate ricers and tuning crap, I can't resist a Silvia. BT Smokecsreen is pretty much entirely diecast on the outside. Feels like any other 1:24 diecast car...Except that he can open his trunk while many others can't! Edited January 9, 2004 by ComicKaze
GreenGuy42 Posted January 9, 2004 Posted January 9, 2004 on the subject of snagging Sideswipe... The guy at Wal-Mart wouldn't tell me... Does anyone know when Wal-Mart NORMALLY gets in shipments?
David Hingtgen Posted January 9, 2004 Author Posted January 9, 2004 Pretty darn variable in my experience. But I'll tell you what I can: Overall best day for toys: Friday. TRU, Wal-Mart, and ESPECIALLY Target. If you only check once a week, do it around 2PM on a Friday... Decent/good times to check Wal-Mart: Sun. afternoon, Tues. or Wed. night.
GreenGuy42 Posted January 9, 2004 Posted January 9, 2004 Well, damn. 2PM? Rightin the middle of Fluid Mechanics... -groan- Yea, I got Smokescreen on a Sunday. =D Thanks, David.
Skippy438 Posted January 9, 2004 Posted January 9, 2004 No sideswipes here yet, but plenty of smokeys, not to mention new SD Gundam sets from Char's Counterattack
Solscud007 Posted January 9, 2004 Posted January 9, 2004 on the subject of snagging Sideswipe...The guy at Wal-Mart wouldn't tell me... Does anyone know when Wal-Mart NORMALLY gets in shipments? Simple child does thou not know the holiest days of the holy? haha Thursday midnight is when Wal-Mart stocks it's shelves. If you are like me and my friend and other vultures you lurk at midnight at a 24 hr. Walmart and wait for the palettes to roll in then you grab a box and tear it open to reveal the spoils.
Myriad Posted January 9, 2004 Posted January 9, 2004 (edited) Um Guys........... I hate to break this to you but I think he got that piece from Hong Kong. The number for Smokescreen and Sideswipe are the same number in the Target computer. I think the Fanboy ,who "alledgedly" bought it at Target, is blowing smoke up everyones bum. Edited January 9, 2004 by Myriad
Solscud007 Posted January 9, 2004 Posted January 9, 2004 No sideswipes here yet, but plenty of smokeys, not to mention new SD Gundam sets from Char's Counterattack Really? Pics please!!! I got a GP-01 FB SD gundam and surprised at the detail. Like it has a core fighter and everything. Plus it doesnt look retarded like all the other SD gundams US Bandai has been cranking out.
JRock Posted January 9, 2004 Posted January 9, 2004 Um Guys...........I hate to break this to you but I think he got that piece from Hong Kong. The number for Smokescreen and Sideswipe are the same number in the Target computer. I think the Fanboy ,who "alledgedly" bought it at Target, is blowing smoke up everyones bum. http://www.transfandom.net/forums/index.ph...=post&id=172900 If this is a HK store, it sure as hell looks Americanized. I was as skeptical as you, Myriad. Until I saw this.
Myriad Posted January 9, 2004 Posted January 9, 2004 (edited) I think he took the toy into the store and took the picture. The guy put that picture up after everyone doubted it. Why would there be only two sightings on the entire planet? HK and Oregon??? The Target I am familiar with just got in two cases and no Sides. I can't find any on ebay either....... strange....... Edited January 9, 2004 by Myriad
Skippy438 Posted January 9, 2004 Posted January 9, 2004 No sideswipes here yet, but plenty of smokeys, not to mention new SD Gundam sets from Char's Counterattack Really? Pics please!!! I got a GP-01 FB SD gundam and surprised at the detail. Like it has a core fighter and everything. Plus it doesnt look retarded like all the other SD gundams US Bandai has been cranking out. I can't give you a quick link, but all I can say is go to the SD Gundam Force website and click on products, then playsets. I have the Ra Callium set, but I'm definitely buying Rewloola! The figures look just like the wing operation meteor sets, only for CCA, and you get a neat little stand
GreenGuy42 Posted January 10, 2004 Posted January 10, 2004 There are two Side Swipes on E bay... US releases... both with price hikes. One's got a BIN of 65 bucks. God how I love scalpers.
Myriad Posted January 10, 2004 Posted January 10, 2004 I guy in Minnesota claims to have found it at a K Mart. A few more sightings then I will believe. TF fans are notorious for hosing each other about sightings.
NeoverseOmega Posted January 11, 2004 Posted January 11, 2004 (edited) Hmmm. Any St. Louisans out their find any alternators? Until I get myself a car, my range of transportation is a bit limited - nonetheless with all the Wal-marts, K-marts, and Targets I can get to on bus you'd think my raids would have turned up at least one smokey! Oh well, this seems to be one of the last places in the U.S. to get much of anything. Unless of course it involves cock-fighting or the WWF (NeoverseOmega sighs deeply and proceeds to beat his head against the wall). Edited January 11, 2004 by NeoverseOmega
David Hingtgen Posted January 20, 2004 Author Posted January 20, 2004 Found Sideswipe myself tonight at Wal-Mart, so he's definitely out. A few comments: Not as shiny/glossy as Alt. Smokescreen. He's not FLAT plastic, but noticeably not as smooth a finish as Smokescreen. Seems a bit orangey, too. More of a Ferrari red than classic Viper red. (But I haven't seen this particular Viper color in real life, so I dunno) Awesome engine--chrome valve covers with red accents and the Viper lettering. WAY more accurate engine than Smokescreen. Has intake plenums, cylinder heads, etc. Hood's a bit finicky to open though. Steering gimmick much better executed that Smokescreen. Doesn't get in way of transformation at all. More kibbly than Smokescreen. The whole back end and hood just hangs off, and the front bumper really interferes with his foot positioning. Like Smokescreen, Hasbro tossed out a few minor transformation steps. (like the steering wheel, tonneau cover, steering mechanism, headrests, and other things that need to be moved/lined up to form the robot chest, and allow the floorboards to fold up) There's like 6 joints in EACH shoulder. You can arrange the doors and sidesills and wheels however you want. I think the "official" way is the worst, making him look like G1 Sideswipe is the best. No, he doesn't need to have *widely* splayed legs. Just a bit. Actually, if you transform it right and figure out what the instructions left out, his "windshield as chest" looks quite nice. The whole interior folds up (kinda like Smokescreen) so there's no hollow areas underneath the windshield. I haven't tried out the "trunk as chest" transformation yet, as it will require a bit of plastic-cutting at the joint. I think the main point of that variation is actually to reduce the amount of back kibble, and make him more balanced. (He's not nearly as stable as Smokescreen). Overall---about as good as Smokescreen, maybe a little worse. Some areas better, some worse. But G1 Sideswipe is my all-time fave Autobot, so a new one is great.
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