I went shopping for the highly desirable Transformers Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF) toys yesterday!  They were officially launched here in Singapore at all major retailers on 30 May 2009!  And of course, the entire local toy collecting community knew it too.  I also believe that most of them (who want the ROFT toys) made sure they had no other appointments for that very special Saturday!

When I was on my way to my selected store in Orchard Road yesterday morning, I expected to see at least 10 other customers waiting at the entrance for the store to open (yes, I was that early).  Upon reaching the place, there was only 1 person waiting for the shutters to be brought up, and that was me, haha!!  I guess I was too paranoid about the potential competition for my choice ROTF toys!  Somehow I imagined that there would be pushing and shoving with other people for the ‘freshly baked’ oven hot ROTF toys and fortunately, there wasn’t such a thing!

This is the handsome and sleek silvery Autobot action figure that I picked up yesterday.  ROTF Deluxe Sideswipe was a ‘hot’ and ‘must-have’ choice for almost every other ROTF collector out there, so I made sure I got him first!  It’s just that you probably had to check through at least 20 Sideswipe candidates before deciding which one can make the grade into your collection!

Nearly every ROTF Deluxe Sideswipe had some sort of faint and tiny ’scratch marks’ on the silver paint.  I think the factory must had been very dusty and dust landed on the toy surfaces before being spray painted over with silver paint.  Then during inspection or touch ups by the factory workers, they removed the lumpy dust particles but the surface below where the dust settled were not spray painted.  Well, it’s just my random guess. 

I’ve seen the Takara Tomy versions (priced at SGD 35.00 each) of ROTF Deluxe Sideswipe at some Toy Specialty stores and they also have very fine ’scratch’ marks on them, but in less visible spots.  So it doesn’t mean that all Takara Tomy ROTF Deluxe Sideswipes are better.  They could be all from the same production lines and the same dusty environments…

On the back of the packaging, it shows Sideswipe’s robot and car modes (man, he’s 1 tough guy!), his brief description, and his stats (which I do not find useful, unless you plan to play a card game with his backcard).  You also see the blue GM logo at the base of the backcard, and that’s where Hasbro got the license to design this futuristic car mode for ROTF Sideswipe.  The Covette Stingray Concept car somehow looks like a cross breed between a Lamborghini and an Aston Martin, but with a windshield of a mini space craft!

I’ve removed my ROTF Deluxe Sideswipe from his packaging but I haven’t taken any photos of him yet.  His transformation process is nearly opposite from the ROTF Deluxe Bumblebee.  The most obvious differences are that his booth forms his chest, while his arms are with the back wheels and his legs are with the front wheels.  He stands partially on his front wheels, supported by his heels.  In robot mode, he sort of resembles a cross between Robocop and Edward Scissorhands! 

His face makes him look a little ‘matured’ and some people feel that his head looks like that of a white tiger.  Hmmm, quite true there.  Overall, I think he seems to fit in better with the Decepticons as he doesn’t look too friendly as a robot!  As usual, the instructions sheet that he comes with isn’t that clear on his transformation process, but I managed to get it figured out, thanks to YouTube once more! 

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Here’s the video review of ROTF Deluxe Sideswipe.  If you are still deciding whether to add this action figure to your toy collection, I hope the video helps.  For me, I’m glad I secured him early.  Although he is likely to be re-stocked eventually, I decided to get him yesterday, partly to satisfy my current ROTF toy craze, and partly so that my ROTF Deluxe Bumblebee has a friend!  Now the 2 of them are inseparable pals on my desk!

The long awaited date of 30 May 2009 is finally here!  The Transformers Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF) Movie toys are officially launched in Singapore at all major retailers today!  I read from LEon and Joshua’s blogs that was a Midnight Launch by our local Toys ‘R Us (TRU) at midnight today.  Joshua went for it and you can read about his experience and haul at his blog post!

I thought of going for the Midnight Launch just for the experience but in the end I didn’t.  I don’t think I can wait that many hours in the queue.  I mainly wanted that free Transformers ROTF movie guide book that was meant for the first 200 people in the queue.  I wonder if anyone who managed to receive that free ROTF guide book is kind enough to take some photos and show us how it’s like!

This morning I’ll be off to an early shopping trip to Orchard Road to pick up some of the ROTF toys that I’ve been targeting for a long time.  Since there was a Midnight Launch at TRU, I’ll probably check out the other departmental stores instead.  It’s gonna be a long shopping day for me!  Hopefully I can get my choice ROTF toys without ‘racing madly’ against too many other buyers for them!  I’ll feel very ’stressed’ if that happens!

Yes, we’re almost there, just 1 day more to go!  And then the ‘race’ to get those highly desirable Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF) toys will be on!  Here are the list of ROTF toys expected to be seen in our local departmental stores from tomorrow:

Deluxe Class (SGD 27.90):

Autobot Wheels, Breakaway, Bumblebee (preview version), Chromia, Desert Brawl, Rampage, Sideswipe, Sideways, Skids, Smokescreen & Soundwave.

Voyager Class (SGD 51.90):

Demolisher, Desert Tracker Ratchet, Ironhide, Optimus Prime, Starscream & The Fallen.

Leader Class (SGD 109.90):

Optimus Prime & Megatron. 

Scout Class (SGD 18.90): 

Dead End, Depth Charge, Dirt Boss, Knock Out, Ransack & Rollbar.

Legends Class (SGD 11.90):

Autobot Springer, Bumblebee, Jetfire, Megatron, Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Sideswipe & Starscream.

Ultimate Class (SGD 219.90):

Bumblebee

For younger kids:

Fast Action Battlers aka FAB (SGD 27.90):

Beam Blast Ratchet, Cannon Blast Megatron, Devastation Blast Longhaul, Double Blade Optimus Prime, Electro Whip Jolt, Magna Missile Sideways, Photon Missile Jetfire & Pulse Blast Bumblebee.

Gravity Bots (SGD 29.90): 

Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Sideswipe & Starscream.

Power Bots (SGD 51.90):

Bumblebee & Megatron.

Robot Heroes (SGD 12.90):

Assortment to be confirmed.

Robot Replicas (SGD 26.90):

Autobot Springer, Bumblebe, Ironhide, Jetfire, Optimus Prime, Megatron, Ratchet & Starscream.

Robot Weapons & Helmets (SGD 89.90):

Bumblebee Helmet, Bumble Spud, Optimus Prime Helmet & Robot Weapon Bumblebee.

——–

In short, it’s getting more expensive to collect these Movie Transformers toys.  All of them have increased in prices.  Hence, choose your favourite toys first according to your budget.  For the rest, wait for a sale to get them!

I spotted this huge My Little Pony Sweetie Belle’s Gumball House Playset this week and it costs a hefty SGD 69.90!  It has a house that is shaped like a gumball container and comes with a new style Ponyville Sweetie Belle figure.  The ‘gumballs’ that you see in the photo are actually printed cardboard..

Fortunately, the Great Singapore Pre-Sale is already on and there is a 20% discount on regular My Little Pony items in most departmental stores.  The Great Singapore Sale (GSS) will last till July 2009.  Happy toy shopping everyone!

When I got this Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF) Deluxe Preview Bumblebee action figure almost 2 weeks ago, I was a bit unsure of how to store his missile launcher arm in his car mode.  The hinge in the swivel missile launcher looks fragile and might break off if one does not store it correctly in car mode.  The instructions sheet isn’t that clear on that step either. 

Furthermore, I hardly know anyone else who already has this figure to check out with.  Most fellow toy bloggers here prefer to wait for an eventual sale on ROTF toys or wait for the Takara Deluxe Bumblebee action figure instead.  For other overseas bloggers, these toys haven’t even hit the shelves of their local retailers yet!

Fortunately these days, we can find other online help on such Transformers toy matters like their transformation processes, all thanks to YouTube and its members!  Hence if you happen wonder how to get that cumbersome missile launcher on Bumblebee’s arm to store properly in his car mode, you can take a look at the above video.  It helped me, and my ROTF Deluxe Bumblebee action figure is now in car mode!  When stored properly, the missile launcher points downwards at an angle and not horizontally.

Do note that this video was made in response to another toy reviewer’s problem of getting his ROTF Deluxe Bumblebee action figure into car mode.  The missile launcher piece on the other guy’s ROTF Deluxe Bumblebee action figure keeps dropping off.  However, it is now confirmed that other toy reviewer’s Bumblebee toy is defective.  The missile launcher isn’t supposed to be detachable from the arm.  The actual toy should have a non-detachable missile launcher that swivels on the arm, like the one shown the above video.

The full transformation process for Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF) Deluxe Preview Bumblebee action figure from car to robot mode can be viewed at this previous blog post.

This latest wave of My Little Pony Ponyville figures have been spotted online and is expected to be available for sale by July 2009.  Pinkie Pie (with balloons) is a repeated figure from the current earlier wave.  The rest are in new molds, and some with new accessories.

The Ponyville characters are getting more and more human-like and it can be quite disturbing to see them in awkward poses, like doing a split for e.g.  Nevertheless, it’s not the first time that animal characters have been ‘humanized’ in toys.  Some kids and collectors may like them.  Look out for these human-like Ponyville figures in your nearest departmental stores soon!

Perhaps this photo of Transformers ROTF Leader Optimus Prime was the last ROTF photo I saw online before I went to bed last night.  Hence I ended up dreaming that I was at a departmental store where the Transformers Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF) toys have already been launched! 

There were the usual number of shoppers around but I got to take my time to look over all he ROTF toys on display.  Then suddenly, I found myself in some other strange place that I don’t recall.  An incomplete dream…

It’s obvious that I’ve been hit by the recent ROTF hype and excitement.  Many people were disappointed by shortages of the popular Transformers movie figures in 2007.  I hope that there will be enough of the popular ROTF character figures to go around for everyone this time round during the pre-movie and movie period!

By the way, the official ROTF toy launch date at leading departmental stores is 30 May 2009!  ‘Revenge’ is coming soon…at last!!

Many departmental stores are starting their Great Singapore Sale early by having a series of preview sales.  My Little Pony products at some stores are now selling on 20% discounts!  Get ready to go pick up your favourite ponies soon!

Super Long Hair Rainbow Dash and Cheerilee My Little Pony. (Usual price: SGD 19.90 each).

Large Styling Pinkie Pie My Little Pony (Usual price: SGD 39.90 each).

 My Little Pony (normal hair length) single packs: Starsong, Sweetie Belle, Toola Roola, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo and Cheerilee. (Usual price: SGD 10.90 each).

I came across these YouTube videos some time back and found them interesting.  If you face the same or similar problems in your action figures and toys that have ball joints, you may consider these suggested solutions.  However, do note that I bear no responsibilities if you follow the steps and do not get the desired results!

 Using clear nail polish or clear nail strengthener.

Using super glue, but more skill and effort required. 

Well, at least now we know there are some alternative solutions to getting replacement toys, which may sometimes be very hard to find.  Especially when it had been years since you got those ‘loose joints’ toys!  Besides, some toys are just not ‘replaceable’ for sentimental reasons!

The contents in my toy lockers at Toy Outpost (situated at Plaza Singapura, 7th floor, diagonally opposite the Cinema box office) have a mixture of all kinds of miscellaneous toys for sale.  If you are looking for collectible toys to play with or to add to your toy collections, there are many collectible toys looking for new homes and owners at my toy lockers now! 

These toys for sale are also posted on the toy catalog pages of my website at ToyzToSell.com.  Go check them out and let me know if you are keen on getting any of them!  If you live outside Singapore, you can email me through the “Contact Us” page at ToyzToSell.com or email me via my blog for the shipping charges.

If you are in Singapore and are keen to check out my sale items in person, they can be viewed in lockers 28E & 28F at Toy Outpost.  Just seek the help of the friendly store personnel at Toy Outpost if you need to examine the items up close or purchase them.

The sale list in my toy lockers are My Little Pony, plus miscellaneous bits of G.I.Joe, Marvel Universe and Transformers.

My Little Pony toys for sale (lockers 12G & 12H) - updated on 19 February 2010

G3’s (MIB):

Baby Sparkleberry Swirl w/CD-Rom MIB

Star Shimmer MIB

Sweetsong MIB

Wondermint MIB

Set of 3 G3 Easter Ponies MOC 2005

G3’s (loose):

Scented Ponies:

- Coconut Grove

- Tropical Surprise

Pinkie Pie

Royal Rose

Rainbow Dash & Picnic accessories

Serendipity & Tea Party accessories

Sky Wishes & Dress Up accessories

G3’s (exclusives)

MLP Fair 2007 Exclusive Pinkie Pie Pony

NYC Comic Con 2005 TAF Project Pony

San Diego Comic Convention (SDCC) 2008 Ninja Pony

UK Ponycon 2008 Exclusive Pony

G3’s (playsets):

Cotton Candy Cafe

Amberlocks Celebration Salon

G3.5’s

Pinkie Pie (loose in box)

Starsong (loose in box)

View my complete My Little Pony online catalog here.

My other toys & items for sale (lockers 28E & 28F) - updated on 19 February 2010:

DragonBall Evolution (set of all 7 pieces of 3.75-inch action figures)

Fast Food toys (McDs set of 8 The Spectacular Spiderman toys); Doraemon toys - Monkey, Rat & Cow.

G.I.Joe Rise of the Cobra - Assorted MOC 3.75-inch figures.

Gundam (model kit)

Littlest Pet Shop (SDCC 2009 Exclusive Super Hero Kitty)

Lord of the Rings - Legolas & Horse MIB.

Marvel Universe - Selling now at lockers 12G & 12H. Individual pieces for sale, while stocks last. View sale list here.

Saint Seiya - Set of 5 Japanese action figures, comes in plastic display case.

Spiderman - Set of 8 McDs 2009 Spectacular Spiderman toys; Spiderman and Green Goblin Fast Food toys.

Transformers

- Transformers Movie 1:

Deluxe Bumblebee MOC; Voyager Starscream (movie colors, loose).

- Revenge of the Fallen aka ROTF:

The Fallen - Voyager & Legends The Fallen + Exclusive Fallen Poster 3-pack; The Fallen Dual Tag Dangler, The Fallen Dangler; Set of 15pcs of Motion collectible cards.

If there are another toys you are looking for but are not found on my website or toy lockers, feel free to email me to enquire if I could possibly have them for sale.  In time to come, I will consider putting up my other toys not mentioned above for sale in my toy lockers at Toy Outpost too.

View my complete Toys Catalog online catalog here.

Also read: A new toy place to check out in town.