Micro-Changer
From Transformers Wiki
| This article is about the Kreons with alternate modes. For the pre-Transformers toyline, see Micro Change. |
- Micro-Changers are a subgroup from the brick-based world of Kre-O.
It was only a matter of time before Kreons became so advanced that they were able to transform like their larger counterparts. Transforming Kreons are known as Micro-Changers. Some of them have even gained the ability to join into Combiners.
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Fiction
Kre-O cartoon
A story in the Autobot City News reported that scientists were baffled by the appearance of Micro-Changers. A number of them assisted Megatron in stealing energon Quest for Energon, Part 1 so he could make a grilled cheese sandwich. Quest for Energon, Part 2
Toys
Blind-bagged figures
This portion of the line features individual blind-packaged Kreons. Thankfully, code numbers printed on each bag allow you to know which figure is inside, or at least avoid buying two of the same by accident.
The Preview Series and Collections 1 through 4 were originally available at normal retail in the US, though the number of retailers offering them steadily declined over time. Collections 1 through 4 continued to be re-released through drug stores and discount chains like Family Dollar, though later runs omitted the ID numbers on the bags, plus had some changes to the contents, replacing the stand-brick with a new logo plate and using slightly retooled arms with sharper edges on the cuffs to make the function as studs better.
"Age of Extinction Collection 1" ended up being functionally a Toys"R"Us exclusive (as most of the entire Kre-O series was at that point) in the US, while the followup Collection 2 was only available in Canada, Australia and some Asian markets until it (very) briefly appeared at Dollar Tree stores. Collection 2 also lacked ID codes, a change made to all blind-bagged toys from all companies, as apparently there's some gambling law this butts up against. No, we're not sure how that works either but that was what Hasbro told us so well.
Starting in 2016, Collections 1 through 3 were re-released through the Dollar General chain. This new run uses the heavily-retooled 2015-style Kreon body, alters and adds tampographs to every figure, changes add-on pieces on a couple figures, and replaces the logo block with a 3x4 "KRE-O" logo plate. Sadly, the identification numbers for individual Kreons were omitted from the packaging, so hope you're good at feeling parts through the bag.
Preview Series (2012)
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Collection 1 (2012)
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| Collection 2 (2013) | Collection 3 (2013) |
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Collection 4 (2014)
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Age of Extinction Collection 1 (2014) |
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| Age of Extinction Collection 2 (2014) |
Combiners
Four Kreons per pack combine into one larger robot. Extra detailing is provided by customer-applied stickers. Each set also comes with a single red stand-block. Just in case. As most of the original teams these sets are based on have five to six members, the "lost" members were released through the blind-bagged series.
| Wave 1 | Wave 2 | Wave 3 | Wave 4 |
- Combiner Robot Mega Pack
- Released in 2016(!), this three-pack was part of a "red box" series of Kre-O re-releases sold through Dollar General in the US. This set (and others its size, including some Dungeons and Dragons sets) sold for a whopping $12. Considering the individual kits originally cost $10 USD, that's a steal. The Kreons inside are mostly the same as the originals, using the 2014 arm retooling, though a couple of the Kreons have minor color differences (indicated by an * in the listing below), and a few different names due to changing Trademark situations.
Beast Force Figure packs
- These small boxed sets include a buildable non-transforming Predacon beast and an Autobot Micro-Changer figure.
- Dragon Assault
(Trailcutter & Grimwing)- Dragon Assault
- Mech Venom Strike
(Windcharger & Corhada)- Mech Venom Strike
