? about JPN/USA Transformers Binaltech/Alternators...

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 3:57 am

I recall that in Japan, the Transformer Binaltechs have a nice combination of both die-cast metal and plastic parts whereas in the USA Hasbro released Transformer Alternators versions, they're all just plastic parts to begin with. Why is that? I'd be willing to pay a bit more for better made Alternator Transformers made with such combination of both metal and plastic. ^_~

I understand that in Japan, the mindset of paying more for higher quality made toys is the norm whereas in the USA, that isn't so. Going shopping inside a big-ass Japanese Toys-R-Us store and inside a USA one, I'd rather spend more yen and buy better made products. Of course, both regional store chains cater to different clientele, that is a given.

Some of those Alternators have very complex transformations (i.e. Battle Ravage in black colored Corvette form & ShockBlast better known as Shockwave in Mazda RX-7 form) compared to the Generation 1 and Generation 2 type of Transformers back in the day.

I can't believe how much such a brand new MISB G1 Transformer such as Jetfire commands on the secondary market these days. It seemed better to buy them up when they went on clearance back in the mid 1980s for pennies on the dollar. Such is the price to pay to rekindle memories of lost youth. ^_~

The original G1 Transformers that first appeared on American retail shelves back in 1984 had both die-cast metal and plastic parts. Plus the fact that they were made in Japan by Takara (and sometimes by Bandai along with ToyBox).

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

Strider77 · Post by **Strider77** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 5:36 am

yeah the US ones blew.... took the cheap route

Battlesmurf · Post by **Battlesmurf** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:08 am

took the cheap route

The US ones aren't bad- I use them for display purposes. Friend that worked at Hasbro said that they just wanted to go the cheaper route- in the US it's hard to swallow a 20-30 $$ toy that kids can't actually 'play' with.

That being said- they have some WONDERFUL sticker sets for these guys. I've converted my prowl to the G1 colors- and several of the others have gotten some nice sticker sets as well

But yeah- buy those stupid Binaltechs when they first come out- and in bulk- they see some rough price hikes as soon as they sell out : /

Strider77 · Post by **Strider77** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:16 am

buy those stupid Binaltechs

diecast and paint jobs.... they do look/feel nicer. I wouldn't say they are stupid.

something about diecast makes a toy feel nicer... like the soul of chogoken line of toys and yamato's stuff.

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:07 pm

I can see why Hasbro took the cheaper route for their Alternators.

I recall that some of the Galoob Titanium Transformers used a combination of die-cast metal and plastic parts (along with paint applied to the die-cast metal parts). The prices for them would be more than the Hasbro released ones of course, that is to be expected.

For the adult Transformer collector, spending $20 to $30 (or more) seems reasonable for buying a USA region Transformer with such die-cast metal & plastic parts.

I like how detailed and cool some of the Alternators are, complete with real rubber tires, detailed interiors and sometimes steerable front tires functionality. Pretty impressive stuff from Takara indeed. Reminds me of how the original G1 Transformers were made but with more detail and more complex transformations. Hasbro should bring back the Alternators again. That I'd like to see. ^_~

I see that Takara is still making their Binaltechs for the Japanese market even today:

http://www.ncsx.com/2008/072108/binaltech_bt21.htm

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

kernow · Post by **kernow** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:42 pm

Binaltechs are excellent.

its a pity because they are a lot better than the alternators in build quality, those G1 reissues are pretty poorly built too.

Also, Masterpiece Convoy was obviously too expensive for them to make because all the masterpieces since have been a LOT cheaper built and have far more plastic. MP1 weighs a good 1.5KG just for the figure. it is excellent.

I have MP4 JP starscream and that is excellent too, but 100% plastic

great looking figure though

Battlesmurf · Post by **Battlesmurf** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:12 am

I wouldn't say they are stupid.

Lol..I may have sent my point across wrong. I have 99% of the Binaltechs, and all of the Alternators released so far (preordered on the newer stuff as well). I just think the Binaltechs are stupid- on average they cost around 40-60 where as the US toys are 20-30. God forbid you want a more hard to find binaltech

Sly Cherry Chunks · Post by **Sly Cherry Chunks** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 4:00 pm

Alternators are better.

The nature of the toys, with all those moving parts scraping against one another, means that they get easily scratched up unless you never touch them.
The first figure I bought, Smokescreen, seemed to have pretty solid paint apps on a par with the chogoukins and is still in perfect condition - but the quality of subsequent realeases got worse and worse, hitting an all time low with Binaltech Asterix.
I already replaced my metal Tracks with a plastic one. Weight issues mean that figures like Grimlock and Skids dont stand up/cannot be posed well.

AFAIK there is no metal Ford GT which is arguably the best figure. I dont think theres a metal Dodge Ram either.

kernow · Post by **kernow** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 4:27 pm

Sly Cherry Chunks wrote:Alternators are cheaper.

Correct.

Sly Cherry Chunks · Post by **Sly Cherry Chunks** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:06 pm

kernow wrote:
Sly Cherry Chunks wrote:Alternators are cheaper.
I am butthurt because someone has a more informed/accurate opinion about my overpriced japanese imports.

Correct.

8 1/2 · Post by **8 1/2** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:22 pm

Why did the Titaniums seem to fail? They had that great first run, and I have most of them, but toward the end with the second version of Megatron they started to have less metal, though they were always a bit cheap. Some of the transformations looked a bit goofy, but I had to give them credit for using so much metal. Titanium Jetfire is one of my favorites in my collection. It's too bad that no new line seems to be planned.

I agree that the GI remakes are a bit cheaply built, but they still look pretty good on the shelf, and allow me to have a lot of my favorite figures in mint condition without having to spend thousands on ebay to get them.

I also am really loving the 25th anniversary GI Joes that are out now. Great sculpts and quality for the most part. I recently got the Doc figure from sending in six proofs from the comic 2 packs.