So what does it mean by first-run bonuses? These don't come with the figures normally? Isn't this the main gimmick? Why would the main gimmick be a bonus? Who would buy Drive without getting different tires?

Still really mad at myself for falling asleep when Mach went up... Dang.

Yeah, still only really interested in Max Flare and Midnight Shadow.

The latter I have secured, the former... depends entirely on HLJ coming through.

They're first run bonuses. They're exactly what that implies, they only come with the first runs of each figure. It's an incentive to get you to purchase them. And after how the Fourze Module sets failed miserably at retail this is Bandai's answer to getting these things out there to the people who want them.

And plenty of people don't care about the bonuses. Lot's of people don't collect every piece ever from a show, bonuses of this nature are much easier for people to skip as they aren't necessary to the basic forms of the characters.

I suppose I just thought of these not so much as bonuses, but as parts of the figure, ya know? Like how Super 1 comes with all his different Hands - they're his gimmick. They wouldn't put those in an extra "bonus" set because it's what he does. Drive switches out Tires, and while I don't expect him to come with more than one other (besides Type Speed); I figured he would at least come with the Flare, by itself, as a normal pack-in. Kinda like how the base Fourze figuarts came with two modules, standard. Ya know...give you the basic stuff, but put the rest in bonus packs.

It just seems like they're making a standard item a limited-time bonus. At least Flare; I can understand the others as bonus items attached to the other figures for a limited time, and I don't really expect them to make ALL the tires for the Figuarts guys.

You don't think Bandai likes money?

I totally understand how this works, I just don't understand why they're changing up the money game all the sudden. I get bonus items and the like, and I get that they are gona sell most of the tires as bonus items, I just don't get why Drive can't come with ONE other tire, like other toys before him (meaning: other Figuarts come with at least one other thing, involving their abilities, unless it's changing armor in Gaim, since that's more complicated).

I'm not complaining, because....well, whatever happens, happens. I just thought it was kinda crazy to take out a major gimmick of a character when it seemed like all the others had the things they needed to show off what they could do - at least, in a basic form, like Fourze only coming with two Modules. I wouldn't expect any more with him, honestly.

I mean yeah...Bandai likes money. So if that's the case, then sure. They just changed it up to get more money, I guess. Just seems like there are plenty of Tires to make into little bonuses; the least they could do is give Drive two Tires to work with and then leave it up to the hardcore fans to preorder and get the first-run bonuses for the rest of the tires (or buy them after the fact, what have you).

What's with the strange timing? Why put this out now?

Well unless you plan on getting Drive second hand via Mandarake/eBay (and even then they could still include them depending on the sale) or when he's inevitably reissued (in about a year judging by the Gaim reissue) then Max Flare is practically a standard accessory. Just one that's packaged in a different box and marketed as something more special.

Alright, fair enough. I feel like I've made a big deal out of a little thing, by this point! But I get what you're saying.