Last week Singapore Toys R Us held their Transformers: Age of Extinction Toy Madness event to mark the release of the new toy line. Part of that includes a special gold chromed version of various new toys including leader class Optimus Prime available to Star card members only. From r3load.net is the below video that shows of the special edition figure while their are a few picture here from the event.

Two more video reviews for those looking start their Transformers: Age of Extinction toy line collection. The first review is for Voyager Hound that might just be the first toy in the line that I might consider getting with a two great modes despite the simplified transformation. In the second review Voyager Galvatron looks good in truck mode but the robot mode is meh. Might be more interested depending on how the repaint looks (and there is always a repaint, just a matter of when).
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The wait is over as "Cybertron Monday" (as christened by Hasbro) has essentially marked the official launch of the Transformers: Age of Extinction toyline for online stores including HasbroToyShop.com. However it seems once you add shipping costs and the average 5-10 days to get it, might be better off waiting until May 15th (17th I forget which) for the store side release date. Still keep an eye out at your local favorite toy store as I would be surprised if most stores stick to the official date considering Hasbro is essentially giving online competition the illusion of an advance release (once add shipping times not really).

On a related note, below are video reviews to two of the leader class figures from the line with Optimus Prime and Grimlock. For me I intend to skip the entire line and just stick with Generation releases as really have seen nothing that grabs my interest. Update: Added Hasbro's press release announcing Cybertron Monday.
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Hasbro has posted a new video on their YouTube page that discusses the design of the Transformers: Age of Extinction toys with designers John Warden and Bill Paukert. It gives a broad overview of the process probably year long process that ends with the toys on the shelf. Maybe one of these days, perhaps as an extra on the home video release (hint, hint), Hasbro might provide an almost documentary type video that follows a Transformers toy from concept to shelf.

Below is the first toy commercial seen for the Transformers: Age of Extinction toy line coming May 17. While from Poland, I don't imagine the localized versions will be much different. It doesn't really have any movie moments but it does have a "ride em cowboy" moment with Optimus Prime hopping on Flip and Change Grimlock. (via TFW2005)

Below are video reviews of two Transformers: Age of Extinction toys. These are the one-step changers that really is the very definition of simply that Hasbro is shooting for with the new line. These are really designed for younger kids to make Transformers as simple and easy to play with as possible. The result is a work in progress that isn't worth buying. The first video is for Flip and Change Grimlock, the other is Smash and Change Optimus Prime.
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Hasbro has released 13 pieces of character art for the upcoming Transformers: Age of Extinction toy line. The art is what is being used on the various toy packages for each. Over all it looks good even if the same running (or roar) pose is a bit too redundant. Rest of the art after the break. Thanks to Feris O. for the heads-up.
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Below is the video review of deluxe High Octane Bumblebee (the 1967 Chevy Camaro SS alt mode). He is the 4th figure from the wave one deluxes for Transformers: Age of Extinction toy line coming in about a month or so. Really, like all previous movie Bumblebee deluxes, once you have one you basically have all of them. Other maybe because like the alt mode color, it doesn't seem different enough from previous versions to be worth buying.
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Here is another toy review from the Transformers: Age of Extinction toy line coming in mid-May. This one gives us a look at deluxe class Crosshairs. The character is a very simple transformation that reminds me of the legion class figures (or G1 for that matter). The end result is a character that I suspect will be a future peg warmer.

Another Dinobot toy video review is up. Before it was Scorn, now its Slug. In the G1 days the character was called Slag but it turns out in the UK that Slag = slut hence the name change. Again this one has not been confirmed if in the movie (but I assume he is) and if he is as colorful as the toy is. Very simple but surprisingly effective transformation.
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Yep another video review of a Transformers: Age of Extinction toy. This one is for the Dinobot Scorn which I assume will be in the movie but that hasn't been really confirmed. Maybe in a future trailer. The deluxe sized figure looks pretty solid over all with a good transformations sequence.
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Another review for a Transformers: Age of Extinction toy that will be released around mid-May. This one is for voyager class Evasion Mode Optimus Prime. The robot mode is the old dirty truck mode seen in the trailer for Prime only with his Generation One color scheme. The robot mode sorta matches his movie look but of course without the extensive detailing that CGI brings to the table. While not sure if like the robot look, it seems like it demonstrates the difficult dance between satisfying transformation sequence that isn't too easy but not too complex either.
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From the transformers_movie Instagram account, here are new images of some of the deluxe class figure in packaging for the Transformers: Age of Extinction toy line set for release around mid-May. Other than providing a good look at the robot and vehicle mode, it also gives you a good look at the CGI face art for Crosshairs, Bumblebee, Scorn, and Slug. Thanks to Feris O. for the heads-up.

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Another Transformers: Age of Extinction toy was accidentally leaked to Canadian store shelves. The below is detailed review of TF4 Voyager Grimlock that is part of Hasbro's mandate to simply the transformations sequences and make the toys more play worthy for younger kids. The result is a toy that will probably please kids but long time fans will probably not be impressed.

Back in January a partial product list for upcoming Transformers 4 toys was leaked from Takara. The list included indicates of a direction separate from Hasbro's plans. Now a new gallery of images have helped clarify that plan. For example, it apparently has the name of Transformers: Lost Age. The toys in this line are essentially re-decos of previous movie toy releases and in some cases repaints of new Transformers 4 molds.

One toy that got people excited was Dispensor which was hoped to be a transforming Mountain Dew machine from the first movie. Nope, instead its a Dew truck homage using the 2007 deluxe Payload mold. I am not aware of Hasbro choosing to follow Takara's plan in the US but from looking at the pics, I don't see the point of it. In most cases the molds have been re-used three or more times already stateside and many were peg warmers. The full gallery of current images head to Unicron.com or TFW2005.

From the Idle Hands blog via the Transformers_Movie Instagram account below are a bunch of images of the packaging for Hex Bug Transformers: Age of Extinction line. The "bugs" are themed to the major characters of the movie. For fans, the key bit is it appears the art isn't based on the toys but on the actual movie CGI art resulting in our best look yet at the new characters of Galvatron, Lockdown, STinger, Drift and the bearded visage of Hound. All images of the Toy Fair TF Hex Bug display is here. Thanks to Feris O. for the link.
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Toy Fair 2014 continued today in New York. Today provided a look at what Hasbro plans for teens (and adult collectors) that are not going to be quite satisfied with the simplistic transformations introduced yesterday. The reveals do indicate that teen and adult fans will get their chance to enjoy multi-step transformations for Transformers: Age of Extinction characters that is based on what Hasbro learned when doing the Generations/Classic toys from the last few years. From those revealed, it is now officially confirmed that Galvatron is the black and dark grey 2014 Freightliner Argosy and likely the other big bad of the movie (besides Lockdown). In addition five Dinobot characters are now confirmed: Grimlock (T-Rex), Strafe (two-headed pterodactyl), Scorn (spinosaurus), Slash (velociraptor), and Slug (triceratops). So far only Grimlock and Strafe have been spotted in the Super Bowl trailer, hopefully upcoming trailers will tease the other three and apparently all five of them do transform at some point in the movie.
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In preparation for Toy Fair 2014 being held in New York this weekend, Hasbro has revealed their initial line-up of Transformers: Age of Extinction toys for "youngsters" called the One Step Changers via USA Today (and mirrored on TFormers). The official images (below) show the robot mode of Grimlock (which seems more like a mash-up of Grimlock and Beast Wars Dinobot). The images also provides the first official confirmation of what fans had already worked out for Crosshairs (Autobot, green 2014 C7 Corvette Stingray), Drift (Autobot, black & blue 2013 Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse), Lockdown (Decepticon, dark gray 2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Coup) and Stinger (Decepticon, blood red 2013 Pagani Huayra). In addition there is a "new" Dinobot called Slash with a Velociraptor alt mode. I assume that means that is a fourth Dinobot confirmed for the movie (outside of Grimlock, Slug, and Strafe) but it could just be a toy and not have a movie appearance.
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Normally I save video reviews for various linkfests, but this provides a first real look at the simplified transformation sequences that is being introduced with the Transformers: Age of Extinction toy line. We have seen it a touch with Beast Hunters and Generations but not at the Leader class scale. The result is a surprising good looking vehicle mode and not all that bad robot mode. The previous leader class transformations were often very complex and time consuming to transform. Basically not all ages could enjoy them. I agree with the reviewer's take. For collector's its "meh" but since it is aimed at kids then Hasbro can consider it mission accomplished. I am curious to see how it works line wide. The toy is available now at Amazon.com.
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Turns out that you do not have to wait until May to get one of the first toys from Transformers 4. Amazon has First Edition Optimus Prime available now for $59.99. The new design, officially revealed at the London Toy Fair, is Hasbro's new attempt at simplifying the transformation sequence to make the toys more enjoyable to play. A worthy goal, but does the final result retain its articulation and detail? According to a bunch of pictures and text review, it just might. Pics here, review here. Order now here. Press release from Hasbro below.
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