Kre-O
Kre-O is a new play pattern expression of Hasbro's best brands using quality construction bricks and mini-figurines. No, it's not Built to Rule. It's especially not that thing that begins with an L! But it sure works with that thing that begins with an L.
L employees are asked to please not view this webpage.
Unveiled at Toy Fair 2011, Transformers will be the first Hasbro brand to be released as Kre-O construction brick kits. Kits will center around a Transformers character that can be taken apart and reassembled into a vehicle. Mini-figures called Kreons are also included in the larger kits, and these mini-figures are a mix of Transformers characters and human drivers. Prices will range from $7.99 to $59.99. The line launched June 6, 2011.
The robot/vehicle kits seem inspired by a mix of Transformers aesthetics, while the Transformers Kreons are strongly based on the Sunbow animation designs. Though most of the toys feature heads designed directly from their Classics/Universe/Generations counterparts, a few kits feature heads taken from other sources, such as Megatron's head inspired by the Cybertronian form of Animated Megatron. And while Sentinel Prime's kit is clearly inspired by his Dark of the Moon appearance, his head takes most of its cues from the vastly different Animated version of the character.
We will "enjoy" trying to categorize them.
Sets
- Optimus Prime (568 pieces) w/ Optimus Prime, Skywarp, Bluestreak, and two human motorcycle driver Kreons
- Optimus Prime's trailer can stow two motorcycles, which the humans can ride
- Sentinel Prime (381 pieces) w/ Soundwave, Thundercracker, Sentinel Prime, and driver Kreons
- Sentinel Prime can be rebuilt from a red and black Dark of the Moon-inspired robot mode to a fire truck
- Megatron (30668) (308 pieces) w/ Megatron, Shockwave, and two human Kreons
- Megatron can be rebuilt into a beige semi truck sans trailer.
- Starscream w/ Starscream and pilot Kreons
- A jet
- Sideswipe (31771) w/ Ironhide and human Kreons
- A red sportscar
- Autobot Ratchet (30662) (197 pieces) w/ Ratchet and driver Kreons
- An ambulance
- Bumblebee (36421) (336 pieces) w/ Bumblebee, Red Alert, and driver Kerons
- A Mustang-like muscle car, based on the live-action movies
Basic Series
- Mirage (31145) (119 pieces) w/ Mirage and driver Kreons
- An F-1 racer
- Autobot Jazz (31146) (122 pieces) w/ Jazz and driver Kreon
- A silver sports car with red/blue stripes
- Prowl w/ Prowl and human Kreons
- A police car
Promotional Series
- Smaller Optimus Prime (90 pieces)
- No Kreon included
- Smaller Bumblebee (74 pieces)
- Ditto
- Matrix Optimus Prime Kreon
- Promotional item given at Botcon 2011. Redeco of Optimus Prime Kreon showing the Matrix of Leadership.
Notes
- While the Kre-O bricks and such are compatible with Lego bricks, take care with mixing Kreon and Minifigure parts, particularly helmets. Full-coverage Kreon helmets like Optimus Prime's and Soundwave's are a bit tight, and getting a Lego Minifigure head out of them is exceedingly difficult. They'll pop off the neck before the helmet relinquishes the head. Open-face helmets like Starscream's, where you can get a "grip" on the head with the pad of your finger, should be fine.
