As someone who had the HAVOC, no thanks. It's too big, too stupid. I would love a Snow Cat but I don't need it to be beefed up into something more than it originally was, just the same modest size and Frostbite would be fine.
Then we come to the Mauler. I had one, it was awesome, it's the best Joe tank hands down but even so I'd rather have the MOBAT because it's smaller and it's iconic. Getting Steeler bundled in with a Mauler would just feel fundamentally wrong against all the laws of time and space, he's gotta have his own thing. Besides, done right there is some scope to give the MOBAT extra features to make it something more than the OG, something better.
Finally, I too would love an APC but only if it had the interior of the European version, which I liked way more.
I loved the APC as is, but... I may be the only person who would say this, but if they fudged an APC to be more like the one in Aliens, that would only increase the chances of me getting one.
@leor @docsilence @chooch555 There was no specific reason given for the possible change of plans, but rather just speculation. They think it might be just Hasbro changing direction (more digital) and the usual risk aversion that comes with a big corporation.
I mean let's be honest there are lots of options to get mid-size/priced vehicles out to retail. I mean they do a Titan Class figure every year for Transformers. However Joe isn't Transformers and getting retail to buy in to a new, larger sized vehicle may not be easy. Also I don't know about in the US, but in Canada you can't find the Titan Class figures on store shelves anymore except at Gamestop and sometimes TRU.
Then let's look at the vehicles. The Stinger was more widely released than the Vamp or HMS and yet it is still available at retail outlets (Amazon) and has been discounted a few times. The HMS is also still available on Pulse even though it was an exclusive. The only vehicle priced $75 or more to sell out so far is the VAMP. So while I think the Snow Cat in the more traditional configuration would sell well, I don't think it would sell that well outside of being a Pulse exclusive. Regular retail options would just mean shelf warming and discounts. Great for us who can get a deal, but not as good for Hasbro and justification for larger, more expensive vehicles at retail.
Also for those of you hoping for a sub-$200 Haslab...I hope it happens, but don't expect it. Not a single Joe Haslab has been under $200 to date. While I do think lights and sounds are not necessary, they aren't the big expense people seem to think they are so as to bring the price down to under $200.
Backends as in part of the vehicle or something detachable like the HMS? If detachable it should be offered separate from the vehicle itself like how the HMS was for the Hiss to keep costs down. I don’t know if a lot of people will want something like that that boost the costs up more than necessary. It’s sounding like an excuse to bring the Haslab over $200 when it can be broken down to separate sales.
I should watch Chad's video again, he was implying the vehicle portion under the Snow Cat's missile system was larger to hold troops. Same with the Havok, more space under the hover vehicle for troops. Not a separate detachable section. I guess he saw portions of a slideshow.
This is good link to a summary from Toy Habits: Toy Habits
Toy Habits reminded me of a couple things about the Snow Cat. There are two design possibilities. One very close to Vintage with lights. The other would have the larger troop transport with a pop up missile pod. There they go with the lights and electronics again. Even as a kid, electronics would never make or break a vehicle.
Most importantly a "Snow Bunny" Baroness could be an included figure.
Transformers hit a sub-$200 Haslab with Omega Prime, right? And the Titan class is actually getting scaled down to keep it more affordable. So clearly they can do things between $100 and $300 when they want to. I thought the Dragonfly was pretty good considering it came with 4 figures. Minus $25 each for those the chopper itself was under $200 IIRC.
And for the record, the only place I've ever seen a Titan class figure at retail was Metroplex at Costco that first year. I've only seen Commanders at a few Targets. The larger classes are effectively Fan Channel.
Yeah, I don't think Hasbro would see it as being worthwhile to do a Haslabs under 200, or even under 250. They want the big ticket items there. I do like the made to order thing they did with the Sentinel and and Dragon-Man though, wish they'd do more of that.
Did they mention the reason why the plans changed for the Snow Cat and Thunder Machine being sold at retail? Almost seems like they are trying to justify selling those things at a higher price point aka the Haslab when it should be retail level.
Something to consider about the Snow Cat and Thunder Machine being retail releases. There's no evidence to support this. Someone stated they heard this, but there's never been confirmation of these plans. So it could very well be someone making up stuff to get attention. Which unfortunately happens quite a bit.
The original Snow Cat was about the same size as the HISS if not larger. At the very least, it had more going on with it. And since the HISS was a Haslab item, it stands to reason the Snow Cat would also be Haslab sized. Granted, they could leave out electronics and only pack in one figure, and maybe it could be $150-175, but it's also kinda pushing it. Unless they really scale it down.
There's a rumor (from much more reliable sources) on HISSTank that there's a $150 red vehicle planned for this year. And it's apparently not the Thunder Machine. I'm thinking a Firebat. While the Firebat was small-mid sized, if it's spruced up and comes with a flight stand and maybe landing pad/gantry, I can see it being $150.
I never owned the Snow Cat so I don’t know it’s actual size. Good to know that it was the size of the Hiss. Ok then I can see that being a Haslab. Thunder Machine I can still see at retail though.
Walmart had a bunch of stuff on sale today. I missed out, but the 60th anniversary guys were down to $16 or so, Iron Grenadier was $12. Kinda crazy. They also marked the Captain America 4 movie figures down quite a bit. Dunno what's going on there but cool!
@ashtalon Actually in a live stream, or interview with a Toy Tuber (can't remember which), Lenny himself said they were considering a new price point for vehicles in the range of the Snow Cat or Thunder Machine. That was at least a year ago. Like so many things with Hasbro plans change. A recent example of that was Evan who is a designer with Transformers. He mentioned in a fan stream that Haslabs would never do a Prime because they sell at retail. Then sure enough the next Haslab after that was Omega Prime. He later admitted that it was the plan before, but it changed.
So it is wholly plausible that the plan was to do the Snow Cat and Thunder Machine at a new price point when Lenny talked about it but now, if the leak is true, it looks like the plan has changed and at least the Snow Cat is being considered for a Haslab instead of retail.
If there is still a plan for a $150 vehicle it better not be the Firebat. I love the Firebat, but it isn't anywhere near being worth $150 even with a bunch of add-on accessories. It is a single seater, small jet, not something that should be more than a VAMP. Hopefully we'll see something soon.
@chooch555 @docsilence It was Victory Saber and Deathsaurus that were sub $200. Omega Prime was $250.
I agree that Hasbro probably doesn't see the value in doing a Haslab for under $200. However the preorder model they are using for the ML Sentinel and Dragon Man (as well as SW doing a couple) is probably the best way to go for vehicles in the $100+-$200 range (as already mentioned).
Is the Firebat around the size of a Skyhawk?
I love the HISS. It's pretty much exactly what I wanted, with weapon options, a back hatch for troops (well, *A* troop), and some attention-grabbing lights. It's a really great centerpiece for Cobra. And I'm really starting to think that's what a HasLab should be: an all-out centerpiece for the team.
Just speaking for me, I want HasLabs to be that kind of upscale with working treads and light-up cockpits, with the idea that I'd only get one or two of those per team. Then yer VAMPS and Ferrets and Trubble Bubbles can be smaller and fit in the spaces around them.
Now, whether or not a Dragonfly or Rattler *should* be a centerpiece is another conversation.
There's a rumor (from much more reliable sources) on HISSTank that there's a $150 red vehicle planned for this year. And it's apparently not the Thunder Machine. I'm thinking a Firebat. While the Firebat was small-mid sized, if it's spruced up and comes with a flight stand and maybe landing pad/gantry, I can see it being $150.
What I would hope a red $150 vehicle is:
What I realistically think a red $150 vehicle is — with no electronics and give or take the MMS:
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