From Hasbro's official release:

(Approximate retail price $19.99; Ages 5 & up; Available: June 2008 with additional waves throughout the year) Images from the classic 1980s G.I. JOE cartoon series are captured in the new battle packs, which include a 5-episode mini-series DVD and 3 to 4 highly articulated 3-3/4-inch figures pulled from these episodes. The five packs slated for June release are: The MASS DEVICE, WEATHER DOMINATOR, ARISE SERPENTOR ARISE, PYRAMID OF DARKNESS, and G.I. JOE FAN FAVORITE EPISODES.

Collect all 5 packs for your chance to build the Cobra MASS Device from the GI Joe Cartoon Series!



Now, this leads me to believe that we need to get all 5 of the sets to complete the MASS device and that the Weather Dominator included in that set is in lieu of a fourth figure. So each set will have 3-4 figures (with a larger accessory in place of the 4th figure as warranted) and a piece of the MASS Device. So the Weather Dominator set should have the Dominator plus one of the 5 MASS pieces. Am I correct in my belief? Because the press release reads as though that's the case. It's not important really, since I'd probably have bought all the sets anyway (20 bucks MSRP is a good deal for what you get, cartoons that I already own notwithstanding) but I am curious to know the answer.

Also, would anyone else have preferred the BET as a build-a-vehicle instead of the MASS device?

Sounds to me like that's what it is. A piece in each pack. The word "chance" makes it sound like pieces are inserted at random so you could end up with all the packs and still no MASS Device, but that's not how it'll come out though. But yeah, although I hate that it'll be like that since some of the packs I really don't want.

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I would like to eventually own a BET, but I think the MASS Device was the better playset to go with.

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Yep one piece of the MASS Device in each set. The BET could have been in the movie set. Maybe the channel BET didn't like that.
I wonder what episodes will be in the fan favorite set.

Yes, each pack will contain a segment of the MASS Device, including the Weather Dominator set. It will have a piece of MASS as well as the Dominator itself (you are correct, the Dominator was inserted in lieu of a fourth figure).

They're not packed randomly, you will definitely be able to build the MASS Device simply by purchasing one of each multi-pack.

First two packs should hit in July/August, and the others will round out the end of the year.

Justin

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$200 for a pair of Mass Device machines...It's a lot, but I'm sure I'll do it....hopefully I can get some $ back from the figures and they're not just more crap fodder like a CC or SS.

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"I wonder what episodes will be in the fan favorite set."

If this were really, REALLY the fan's choices, it would be the second half of season 2.

Memories of Mara??? The Viper?? 20 Questions? - I'm hoping for those.

I figured you'd know. Thanks for the clarification man.

Over on the JoeClub boards there is a poll asking for your favorite episodes of season 1 and 2, I wonder if they are running it for Hasbro to help determine the what 5 episodes to include. Would be cool to see the female from the Phantom Brigade in figure form!!

Michael
Bulletman Big B
All Hail DOB!!

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You guys are weird.

Fan Favorite? Worlds without End,

I don't know, I'll probably buy whatever they put out, I think I'm beginning to be a hasbro robot(no offense to their actual robot, General Hawk, sir).

I think the mass device would be cool, as long as they stay in the original cartoons, anything would really work.

A Red Rocket would be fun as well, lol.

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