darkSpyro

Nitro Freeze Blade will be similar to Nitro Magna Charge. Only people that are interested, and I am one of them, will buy him. People have varying views on purchasing variants.

Quote: hotboyinpcola

got both in fl now i wondering how is that going to effect nitro freese blade as most got him now

Wait what? Nitro Freeze Blade is out? So most got him now?

Walked into Toys R Us this morning, about 30 minutes after the store opened. There were no other customers in the store; eerily quiet. The TRU staff had not even yet put the new boxes of Trap Shadow and Freeze Blade out on the shelves. I had to ask an associate to look in the backroom, and they did find them.

Safe to say that there is no where near the same level of "buzz" this year when compared to the midweek Ninjini "Hot Toy" release around this same time of year in 2013. I think it's also safe to say that although Skylanders is still very, very popular overall, the franchise has lost some of its "steam" compared to 12 months ago. I would attribute most of that to SwapForce being a lesser quality game when compared to Giants, but that's just my own personal speculation.

Regardless, Trap Shadow is a very cool looking figurine in-person. He also appears surprisingly small in the game on-screen, kind of like Slam Bam.

picked up Trap Shadow at TRU in Wichita, KS...passed on Freeze Blade because I am waiting for Nitro Freeze Blade at Target on Mar. 23 according to their website

I was able to get both of them around 2:30 this afternoon in the Milford CT store. They had plenty...at least a dozen of each.

Still no luck on Fryno and the gang at Walmarts in my area, though. Toys R Us may be more expensive, but at least it's seldom a wild goose chase with them...I'm sure I'm spending less on the TRU markup than I am on wasted gas driving around to different Walmarts.

Quote: BahamutBreaker

Walked into Toys R Us this morning, about 30 minutes after the store opened. There were no other customers in the store; eerily quiet. The TRU staff had not even yet put the new boxes of Trap Shadow and Freeze Blade out on the shelves. I had to ask an associate to look in the backroom, and they did find them.

Safe to say that there is no where near the same level of "buzz" this year when compared to the midweek Ninjini "Hot Toy" release around this same time of year in 2013. I think it's also safe to say that although Skylanders is still very, very popular overall, the franchise has lost some of its "steam" compared to 12 months ago. I would attribute most of that to SwapForce being a lesser quality game when compared to Giants, but that's just my own personal speculation.

Regardless, Trap Shadow is a very cool looking figurine in-person. He also appears surprisingly small in the game on-screen, kind of like Slam Bam.

I think the fact that the rest of the wave ha also hit recently doesn't help the case. They have released the 4 new cores and enchanted star strike all in the past 2 weeks. So anyone that had a limited budget has probably already used it.

Quote: thunder1648

I think the fact that the rest of the wave ha also hit recently doesn't help the case. They have released the 4 new cores and enchanted star strike all in the past 2 weeks. So anyone that had a limited budget has probably already used it.

Exactly, people forget most Skylanders fans (the kids) don't find new figures and go "I'll get one of each new one". Most times their parents will go "Pick one". I think we all lose a bit of perspective at times. Heck, I still have some of Wave 1,2 & 3 packed away in the stash, we don't go overboard on events where my son gets figures, and due to the volume of stuff out this year and other stuff I haven't run out (or even close) yet. And when he does get stuff, I usually pick the coolest ones he will like best - which is usually swappers first, newlanders second, lightcores then reposes. I'm still trying to come up with a good reason that will fly with my wife to give him Trap Shadow and Scratch this weekend, I want to try them out ...

What I meant was that last year around this time of year, there were more people lined up outside the local Toys R Us before doors opened, and the store sold out of Ninjini in less than one minute.
This year, similar situation: highly anticipated previously-unreleased unique character given a "surprise" midweek release at TRU, and not only was nobody lined-up to buy, but the store hadn't even yet taken them out of the stockroom 30 minutes after opening.

I'm not saying this is a death knell for Skylanders ... people can be quick to create hyperbole on the 'net. I'm just saying that the "buzz" around Skylanders has cooled somewhat compared to 12 months ago.

No, it is not the death knell, just the return of sanity. I've noticed a change this year from previous years. Previously when new figures arrived, not only were they in smaller numbers in initial shipments, but people would frequently buy multiple and proudly boast of it here and elsewhere - one for them, one for each of their kids, one for the neighbor, a co-worker, the guy on the corner, their sister's son's best friend, their fourth cousin twice removed, etc. (many times "code" for EBay scalping fodder). I think people are realizing they don't need or want to be Skylander Claus for everyone they know that has even mentioned Skylanders and doing that is silly. And the numbers are putting a dent in the scalper market (how much is Trap Shadow worth if every TRU got in several dozen and now they are showing up at Walmart too?). Take for example last year on Molten Hot Dog and Ninjini, people showed images of four or more in their cart. Now people buy one for themselves, and maybe a packaged one - although even those people are more willing to hold off on the second for a sale.

I did that for the first game a couple times, until I realized the neighbor I was "hooking up" really didn't care that much. He liked them and played with his son, but wasn't really all that into it. If he wants one, he will go get it. Now, I have bought an extra on occasion lately (including this Wave), but only after talking to the interested party who specifically wanted me to pick them up for him since he couldn't get to the store due to being out of town. I don't mind helping out a good friend that asks for assistance, but I'm long since done "stocking up" for people that can't be bothered to even be aware of new releases. I'll gladly tell them where to find them if they care.

My TRU in Dublin, CA had plenty (~15 boxes), though apparently 3 boxes worth sold out in the first hour they were open...

Stopped by TRU at "The Pavilions" in Scottsdale, AZ after work and they had lots and lots of them on the pegs still. No shortage whatsoever. TRU drone said that "these were just put out this AM" and I said "that is why I am here" and "it's a shame you do not have the other four new ones" and she just clammed up after that. Hmmmm...

-VM

Quote: ViDeOmAnCiNi

Stopped by TRU at "The Pavilions" in Scottsdale, AZ after work and they had lots and lots of them on the pegs still. No shortage whatsoever. TRU drone said that "these were just put out this AM" and I said "that is why I am here" and "it's a shame you do not have the other four new ones" and she just clammed up after that. Hmmmm...

-VM

She thought that the Spy Rises, Stink Bombs, and Rubble Rousers that are in the assortment were new.

"It's a shame?" Ha!

Quote: Matteomax

Quote: ViDeOmAnCiNi

Stopped by TRU at "The Pavilions" in Scottsdale, AZ after work and they had lots and lots of them on the pegs still. No shortage whatsoever. TRU drone said that "these were just put out this AM" and I said "that is why I am here" and "it's a shame you do not have the other four new ones" and she just clammed up after that. Hmmmm...

-VM

She thought that the Spy Rises, Stink Bombs, and Rubble Rousers that are in the assortment were new.

"It's a shame?" Ha!

She probably had already gotten the boxes for Sunday's release already ...

Quote: defpally

Quote: Matteomax

Quote: ViDeOmAnCiNi

Stopped by TRU at "The Pavilions" in Scottsdale, AZ after work and they had lots and lots of them on the pegs still. No shortage whatsoever. TRU drone said that "these were just put out this AM" and I said "that is why I am here" and "it's a shame you do not have the other four new ones" and she just clammed up after that. Hmmmm...

-VM

She thought that the Spy Rises, Stink Bombs, and Rubble Rousers that are in the assortment were new.

"It's a shame?" Ha!

She probably had already gotten the boxes for Sunday's release already ...

Ah, true, street date broken, I assume?

Quote: defpally

No, it is not the death knell, just the return of sanity. I've noticed a change this year from previous years. Previously when new figures arrived, not only were they in smaller numbers in initial shipments, but people would frequently buy multiple and proudly boast of it here and elsewhere - one for them, one for each of their kids, one for the neighbor, a co-worker, the guy on the corner, their sister's son's best friend, their fourth cousin twice removed, etc. (many times "code" for EBay scalping fodder). I think people are realizing they don't need or want to be Skylander Claus for everyone they know that has even mentioned Skylanders and doing that is silly. And the numbers are putting a dent in the scalper market (how much is Trap Shadow worth if every TRU got in several dozen and now they are showing up at Walmart too?). Take for example last year on Molten Hot Dog and Ninjini, people showed images of four or more in their cart. Now people buy one for themselves, and maybe a packaged one - although even those people are more willing to hold off on the second for a sale.

I did that for the first game a couple times, until I realized the neighbor I was "hooking up" really didn't care that much. He liked them and played with his son, but wasn't really all that into it. If he wants one, he will go get it. Now, I have bought an extra on occasion lately (including this Wave), but only after talking to the interested party who specifically wanted me to pick them up for him since he couldn't get to the store due to being out of town. I don't mind helping out a good friend that asks for assistance, but I'm long since done "stocking up" for people that can't be bothered to even be aware of new releases. I'll gladly tell them where to find them if they care.

Excellent post and great attitude!

As mentioned, eBayers are going to "chill out" now. They won't be out in "full force" unless Doom Stone or the Easter figures are limited.

This wave is the type of wave scalpers hate. Me, I LOVE IT!!!! There are so many TS and FB at the Pinole, CA TRU. YAY!!! They had quite a few of almost every swapper except Fire Kraken. No wave 4 corelanders, but i already scored them from the Wally. Happy hunting my friends! It's like shooting fish in a barrel. Good luck scalpers. Lol

Quote: GameMaster78

I bought enough Traps and Freeze's, that all I need to have 16 of each, is 5, lol. Almost done with my project of displaying all 256.

Damn, son, that's dedication! I cannot wait to see pics when you are done!

At any rate, found on mine on Thursday: