Takara Transformers

[Goldbug]

I think he meant to put SC or Starscream.
I need Hasbro to release the new Starscream & Skywarp.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

No I meant Thundercracker.

We got a US release but that doesn't mean dick in Japan. I'd likely skip a Takara Thundercracker but I'm sure there are folks who'd buy it. I do want a MP-11 based Skywarp, still, and then the only Decepticon I'll really be wanting is a Megs 2.0. After that, it's all bonus to me whatever they do. I just want a perfectly matching set of official Seekers, and I prefer the MP-11 update over the weird original.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

You guys getting the "MP Not-Huffer" from Cubex?

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=CBX10004&mode=retail

$70 is a tad high for a fucking 3rd party minibot, and a character that is low on the totem pole for me, but he DOES look good.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Aren't there two companies making him?

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Yeah, but I feel like the other one's too… kibbly?

The main thing I dislike about the Cubex design is that they couldn't manage to hide those fucking wheels behind his head. That was an empty box in the G1 cartoon, and it looks weird with all of it crammed in around his head like that.

http://www.x-transbots.com/products_detail.asp?id=953&cataid=122

X-Transbots: Krank.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

I guess on second look, the X-Transbot one looks more badass, but he just looks too… badass and old.

The other one at least looks more like the toon appearance? I dunno, sigh.

 

[nacho]

Yeah, I'm getting Cubex Huff. I personally don't care for x-transbots Krank's look, not nearly G1 enough.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

The Cubex one...it looks like there's a flap over the wheels behind the head...

But I think I like the Xtransbots one more...I like the chrome...but I like the legs/feet more on the Cubex...

Eh, I'm not getting either so no big deal to me...

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Yeah, I kinda want a hybrid. Not sure if these are high on Takara's list, and they're almost $70, so I am not sure if I'll pull the trigger. It would be nice to flesh out the Autobot ranks a bit more, though.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

After comparing the two, I preordered the Cubex Huff. It just looks more G1, and I prefer his build better than the other one. And while I like chrome on my MPs, it was a tad much on the X-Transbot version. The X-T one also just looks too old, like Ironhide or something.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

The face on the XT version looks suspiciously Asian...did the G1 look Asian?

 

[Mandingo Rex]

No the G1 toy had a weird faceplate and the Sunbow one looked exactly like the Cubex face.

 

[nacho]

Yeah, the old asian face is the biggest issue I have with the XT version. But the alt mode is so much better on the Huff version too, very G1 animation. The XT Alt mode is really plain and uninspired.

But, over on TFW, I'd say that people are split 50/50. I don't understand it, but the XT version is clearly appealing to some folks for some unknown reason.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Yeah, I was catching up on the review/discussion threads for both. That's what made me finally decide.

Huffer has a slighter build than the other bigger cars, despite him being a truck… And had a somewhat dopey/innocent face, which the Cubex one captures. And standing side-by-side with Prowl and Sideswipe, he just feels like the cartoon character.

Besides a head sculpt that just looks too old (maybe like Huffer Prime or something?) his body is too broad and strong looking on the X-T version.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

I'm glad I don't have to make the choice...it'd be a lot harder for me than it is for you guys...I think both alt modes are equally good looking...I really like the chrome on the XT one...I also like his beefier arms too...the torsos/upper legs are equal for both in my eyes...but the head is FAR superior on the Cubex along with the lower legs...

Again, glad I don't have to make a call...

 

[Goldbug]

yeah a lot of 3rd party TFs are over my budget
for a 3rd party MP Huffer I would pay $30 max

 

[Mandingo Rex]

$30 is a little unrealistically low, but I think the $45-50 range is more the right speed. $70 is a tad much for what you get.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Until we quit paying any price they ask, the sticker price is gonna keep going up...we complain, but then buy anyway...

 

[Mandingo Rex]

3rd parties are getting out of hand...

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/...ium=email&utm_campaign=Marketing&utm_content=

 

[nacho]

Problem is that it isn't in-scale with Scoria by FT (MP-not-Slag). FT is supposed to do a true MP-scaled swoop, so this one is a little small and a little expensive. I see it being an also-ran.

Plus it has a tiny chubby...

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Yeah, FT gets my money on Swoop. I wonder if this will force their hand to show previews early? I hope so!

 

[nacho]

The way I see it, no self-respecting collector is going to buy one dino from company A, and then buy a slightly different-scaled one from unknown company B. Unless you were just jonesing for dinos that are in-scale with MP-08 (but smaller than all the recent MP's), this has to be a non-starter.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

These things are ringing up for $200 now and people are still lining up to buy them?

 

[Mandingo Rex]

We've gone full-retard Eddie. You pipe down!

 

[nacho]

Well, official MP's in the leader-size have been going over $200 for quite some time. The latest release of MP-08 Grimlock is priced around 200 shipped. So it's not hard to imagine a low production 3P product getting up there. I'm not saying I like it, but it's in keeping with the market.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Official MPs go for $200?!...I had Prowl on preorder for a while and he was only $78ish...though, I guess he is smaller...but $120 smaller

Ehh...like the point I made earlier...if they keep raising the prices, and people keep paying...

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Well, only the "big" ones go for $200-up. The only one that I felt wasn't worth the "standard" $200 was the Starscream redo. That silly cape and crown was not worth the extra money. Hell, the box was basically empty, it was so silly.

Rodimus, MP-10 Optimus, and Soundwave are more complex, and you get trailers and other extras with those guys. I think the jets were in the $120 range when I got them, but that was years ago. I have no idea how much a Thundercracker 2.0 would go for, but I'd say in the $150-180 range would be pushing the limits of its worth.

 

[nacho]

Sure they used to be much cheaper years ago. I paid $80 for MP-01, and I thought I'd lost my mind when I hit $100 for MP-02 & MP-03. Then Megs was like $150, and they crept up to nearly $250 for MP-10 with the trailer on the initial Tak release.

Yes, the autobot cars are cheaper, but they're barely larger than a Hasbro Deluxe. That's a huge difference from a 10-12" MP.

Huff is 75% the size of an MP autobot car. He costs 88% as much. Is that a great deal? No. Is it a complete ripoff for a low volume niche product? Not really.

I'm not arguing that 3P prices aren't high... they're damn high. But low-volume cottage industry type figures are not going to be as good of a value (I use the term loosely) as mass produced, big company products. In the grand scheme, they're ALL really high. But in a relative sense, the 3P prices are not out of line given what official MPs cost.

 

[WVMojo]

Anyone know of any transformer or robot that would be around 20" or so tall?

 

[nacho]

The new Metroplex is approx 24" tall.

 

[WVMojo]

wow that thing is pretty badass. I had the G1 when I was a kid...but I'm looking for something I can tear apart for a custom...too expensive for that.

 

[nacho]

Where are you going to find a 20+" transformer for cheaper than $100? I think Metroplex is crazy cheap for what he is. Sure that's a lot of money for a base for a custom, but at the scale you're talking about, I'm not sure you'll beat that.

 

[nacho]

That is pure plastic sex right there.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

No way I can pass up WJ...he looks too dang cool!

 

[Goldbug]

I just got my MP Prowl & Bluestreak from Japan today.
Then this happens...
http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/masterpiece-prowl-found-in-toys-r-us-computers/29217/
Luckily I paid less than what they will be at TRU.


OK where can I get Bluestreak some missile launchers?

 

[Mandingo Rex]

BBTS has the Dr. Wu red ones for $15 for 2.

 

[Goldbug]

hmm na don't really want those

 

[Mandingo Rex]

hmm na don't really want those

What are you looking for then? Those are about the only option you have. All the 3rd party versions are basically the exact same.

 

[nacho]

I'm going with the punishment upgrade kit that has enough for all three Z-cars.

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=GUH10005&mode=retail

 

[Mandingo Rex]

I only wanted ones for Bluestreak, and I jumped the gun and got 2 official ones for $15 each (ugh, I know) but the all-black was too much. So I got the Wu red ones, and love them. I can always gear up Prowl for battle, but I prefer him without, Bluestreak with his factory cannons and/or missiles, and Smokescreen with his weird laser… things.