Transformers: Alternators: Difference between revisions

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The ''Binaltech'' line proper was effectively cancelled (or, to put it politely, put on "indefinite haitus") in early 2006 after the release of [[Skids]], apparently due to slow sales.  Reportedly two more releases were cancelled; "[[Blackarachnia|Blackwidow]]" (a silver and purple [[redeco]] of [[Decepticharge]] as the ''[[Beast Wars]]'' femme fatale) and [[Ginrai]] ([[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]) had been solictited, but only the first was shown in any capacity.
The ''Binaltech'' line proper was effectively cancelled (or, to put it politely, put on "indefinite haitus") in early 2006 after the release of [[Skids]], apparently due to slow sales.  Reportedly two more releases were cancelled; "[[Blackarachnia|Blackwidow]]" (a silver and purple [[redeco]] of [[Decepticharge]] as the ''[[Beast Wars]]'' femme fatale) and [[Ginrai]] ([[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]) had been solictited, but only the first was shown in any capacity.


In late 2005 (not too long before it went on "indefinite haitus"), ''Binaltech'' gained a sub-series called ''Binaltech Asterisk'', using old molds in new decos as previously-unreleased Autobots, but also including small PVC figurines of human girls, each one based on a female human character from a previous ''Transformers'' series.  These figurines had alternate arms and lower bodies so they could "drive" the Autobots in car mode.  These toys were also packaged in robot mode as opposed to the normal car mode (presumably to encourage transformation to car mode so the girls could drive).  Reportedly, the addition of the PVCs was to try and reach a broader market to help the line's flagging sales... though the higher price tag probably didn't help.  This series only had three releases before it was cancelled; a "Black Convoy w/ [[Marissa Fairborne|Marissa]] set was solicited as the fourth set but never released as originally planned... it got changed for the latest incarnation of the 1:24 line, [[Kiss Players]].
In late 2005 (not too long before it went on "indefinite haitus"), ''Binaltech'' gained a sub-series called ''Binaltech Asterisk'', using old molds in new decos as previously-unreleased Autobots, but also including small PVC figurines of human girls, each one based on a female human character from a previous ''Transformers'' series.  These figurines had alternate arms and lower bodies so they could "drive" the Autobots in car mode.  These toys were also packaged in robot mode as opposed to the normal car mode (presumably to encourage transformation to car mode so the girls could drive).  Reportedly, the addition of the PVCs was to try and reach a broader market to help the line's flagging sales... though the higher price tag probably didn't help.  This series only had three releases before it was cancelled; a "Black Convoy w/ [[Marissa Faireborn|Marissa]] set was solicited as the fourth set but never released as originally planned... it got changed for the latest incarnation of the 1:24 line, [[Kiss Players]].
 


==Fiction==
==Fiction==

Revision as of 03:35, 17 November 2006

Alternators is a line of Transformers that started in late 2003. The toys in this series transform into fully-licensed, 1:24-scale accurate representations of real cars from automobile manufacturers around the globe, complete with opening doors, hoods, trunks, plus "realistic" open driver/passenger compartments.


Pre-release development

Alternators

The future of Alternators is highly questionable right now. After Rumble and Ravage are released in early 2007, the line is going on "haitus" while the product for the 2007 movie (which also happens to include licensed representations of real-world vehicles) takes the spotlight. It is unknown if Hasbro will revisit the line afterwards, though it doesn't look all that promising.

Binaltech

In Japan, the line is known as Binaltech, with the primary difference being that Binaltech figures are more "collector"-oriented, featuring fully-painted car bodies and die-cast metal parts, in comparison to Alternators' color-molded plastic construction. Additionally, various Binaltech figures have variants that Hasbro did not release (though there are numerous redecoes and remolds in Alternators that never saw release in Binaltech). Also, Binaltechs cost twice or thrice as much as a standard Alternators figure.

The Binaltech line proper was effectively cancelled (or, to put it politely, put on "indefinite haitus") in early 2006 after the release of Skids, apparently due to slow sales. Reportedly two more releases were cancelled; "Blackwidow" (a silver and purple redeco of Decepticharge as the Beast Wars femme fatale) and Ginrai (Optimus Prime) had been solictited, but only the first was shown in any capacity.

In late 2005 (not too long before it went on "indefinite haitus"), Binaltech gained a sub-series called Binaltech Asterisk, using old molds in new decos as previously-unreleased Autobots, but also including small PVC figurines of human girls, each one based on a female human character from a previous Transformers series. These figurines had alternate arms and lower bodies so they could "drive" the Autobots in car mode. These toys were also packaged in robot mode as opposed to the normal car mode (presumably to encourage transformation to car mode so the girls could drive). Reportedly, the addition of the PVCs was to try and reach a broader market to help the line's flagging sales... though the higher price tag probably didn't help. This series only had three releases before it was cancelled; a "Black Convoy w/ Marissa set was solicited as the fourth set but never released as originally planned... it got changed for the latest incarnation of the 1:24 line, Kiss Players.

Fiction

There is no actual fiction for the Alternators line, and it is highly unlikely there ever will be, the line's questionable future regardless. According to Hasbro representatives, they never persued the licensing rights for "2D" representations of the car models. Though the reasons were never stated, it is not hard to extrapolate numerous reasons not to; additional costs for securing rights for an indefinite period, debatable ability to utlize those rights ina timely manner, plus clearing whatever fictional protrayal is made with every car company involved, which would massively bog down any publication.

Unlike Alternators, Binaltech has its own storyline written by Hirofumi Ichikawa, though it is only told in small text chunks within each toy's instruction booklet. Taking place during the 'lost years' between the Generation 1 cartoon's second season and The Transformers: The Movie. The story heralds the return of the Cosmic Rust virus, which infects both Autobots and Decepticons alike, and forces them to team up with various name-brand car companies to create new bodies for the infected, which would be immune to the plague. A sub-plot of the story involves Ravage's Beast Wars incarnation returning in another attempt to change history, and the Autobots' attempts to stop him and reverse the damage.

Binatlech Asterisk has its own fiction that appears to be utterly unconnected to any other Transformers timeline.


Toys

Alternators

(Note: Since Alternators do not come out in waves so much as in groups of one-three roughly every season, they'll simply be listed in order of release without differentiation as to when that release happened.)

Binaltech

  • BT-01. Smokescreen (Subaru Impreza WRC 2003)
  • BT-02. Lambor (Dodge Viper SRT-10)
  • BT-03. Streak (Subaru Impreza WRX)
  • BT-04. Hound (Jeep Wrangler Sport)
  • BT-05. Dead End (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
  • BT-06. Tracks (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 yellow version)
  • BT-06. Tracks (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 blue version)
  • BT-07. Smokescreen GT (Subaru Impreza WRC 2003)
  • BT-08. Meister (Mazda RX-8 white version)
  • BT-08. Meister (Mazda RX-8 red version, aka Zoom-Zoom)
  • BT-09. Swindle (Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom)
  • BT-10. Grimlock (Ford Mustang GT)
  • BT-11. Ravage (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible)
  • BT-12. Overdrive (Honda S2000)
  • BT-13. Laserwave (Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version II)
  • BT-14. Wheeljack (2005 Ford Mustang Street Tuning)
  • BT-15. Prowl (Honda Integra Type-R police version)
  • BT-15. Prowl (Honda Integra Type-R blue version)
  • BT-16. Skids (Toyota bB)

Binaltech Asterisk




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