Toy Review - JP Masterpiece Lambor/Sideswipe

[griffin]

(Please post comments, photos or even a fully comprehensive review - these are just brief details to start you off)

Series - Masterpiece
Sub-line - none
Size/class - n/a
New/remould/redeco - new
Wave - MP-12
Released here - not here (released in Japan October 2012)
Approximate Retail Price - 6000yen (about AU$75)
Approximate Size - 16cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Sports car
Main Features/Gimmicks - Licensed Lamborghini, pile-drivers (and jackhammers with Amazon exclusive)
Main Colours - Red, white, black
Main Accessories - Gun, shoulder cannon, 2x pile-drivers (plus 2x jackhammers with Amazon exclusive)

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/tftoys/jp2012a39.jpg

[Ultra Mackness]

The above pics really are in-hand accurate and do a better job than I could with my crappy phone cam so I'll restrict my shots to a couple of G1 mold comparisons.

The whole reason I jumped on this one was because I loved the character from the show, and it was a new mold for the MP series as well as being the pinup car of the 80's, the magnificent looking Lambourghini Countach.

The first thing I noticed once this arrived however was just how small the box is in comparison to othe MPs. Even though he's smaller scale, Hasbro MP-10 still comes in a big box, but MP-12 Lambor's box is probably the size of the plastic bubble for Classics deluxe size toys and the actual toy is not much bigger, if at all from deluxe.

That said, I am still very happy with MP-12, and here's why.
1. The transformation sequence. While the toy is small, the transformation sequence is very much masterpiece, requiring very clever unfolding of panels and hiding of tabs in car mode. At the same time it is not so complicated as to become counter-intuitive. Articulation is high level as well.

2. The paint job is fantastic. While the only metal in the toy is pins and screws, even holding it in hand it is easy to mistake many of the parts for die-cast metal. The overall look in both car and bot modes is fantastic. I'm also uncertain that if this received a Hasbro release that they could/would replicate the paint job and in this case I feel a Hasbro release would be inferior.

3. They really nailed the Countach form. In car mode it would be pretty easy to mistake the toy for a high end non-tranforming scale model.

Here are a few pics:

Even with the articulation, he can still pull off a G1 pose!

http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy96/eaglenest/IMAG0299.jpg

http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy96/eaglenest/IMAG0300.jpg

http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy96/eaglenest/IMAG0301.jpg[/QUOTE]


While for me there are many pros, there are the cons as well. I was lucky and got mine for the introductory pre-order price ($62 +$20shipping). Holding him in hand, I'm not certain that I'll be dropping that amount on red alert, and the prices now are around $95 shipped (from RK - could be different now, not sure). Another small bug bear for me is the rubber tyres gimmick on MPs. Lambor has plastic tyres and while they look good, mine had a small nub of plastic left from the injection process that means no smooth rolling of the vehicle. It also means that if you want the wheels to turn, you need a grippy surface not a smooth one.

The pros far outweigh the cons for me. 9.5/10 and a definite pickup.

[kurdt_the_goat]

Just got mine and had a quick play. My first impressions are very positive - it definitely feels Masterpiece grade in hand, not like a cheap deluxe. The transformation is elegant and incredible how well they represented the robot mode from such a compact car. He's basically kibble-less and the collapsing doors into backpack is so nice in that it makes his silhouette from the front absolutely perfect.

I only have 2 small gripes: First, the plastic tyres - seemingly a cost cutting measure only, as it seems like there's no other reason not to have done them. They look fine, but sucks for me because of the pedigree and just the overall nicer rolling realism they give on figures like the Alternity range.

Secondly the arm panels which form the doors, are on a pin hinge which doesn't have just the tiny tab it'd require to fully close and align in vehicle mode. This one bugs me the most since it would have been such a simple fix, and considering the lengths they've gone to overall, it's flat out surprising that it wasn't done.

Sitting the gun on the roof is also a tight squeeze on mine at least, i was a bit worried i'd push through the roof! But the self-sealing hole for them is great and i probably won't put them on there anyway as i'm not found of the whole 'roadblasters' look.

I guess you could complain that the play value is limited in terms of hood/trunk/doors not opening, but i think implementing any of them would have compromised the robot mode look and made things too complex, so i feel they've made the right decision not to attempt to include them.

I really hope this leads to some more 1984 cars like Jazz & Prowl, cause Sideswipe here makes even their excellent Classics Deluxes look average.

[sideswipes brother]

No diecast...No rubber tyres....Masterpiece my @$$. You will not get my money this time Takara!! :mad:
(looks pretty though)

[1orion2many]

:confused:I must say I'm underwhelmed so far by mine. I haven't transformed him yet but size (MP size my backside), Red not matching all over (I think due to some of the panels being painted clear plastic) and the plastic wheels:eek:, What the hell is this plastic wheels rubbish with a $65.00 MP Takara:confused: I hope my impression changes when I get a chance to Transform him but at the moment I wouldn't recommend this MP:(. I hope I didn't pay extra for that weird collectors coin, I did get the chisels thrown in at no extra cost from Ehobby:)

[5FDP]

Seriously... there is no diecast or rubber tires, something the original toy has over a MP that came nearly 30 years later! That's just rubbish.


Red not matching all over (I think due to some of the panels being painted clear plastic)

I expected them to get at least this right considering the paint job was done by Lamborghini.

[kurdt_the_goat]

The red differences are very, very subtle and highly dependent on light source and angle. I think they did pretty well, we all know painted over transparent plastic never quite looks the same as painted over regular plastic.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

:confused:I must say I'm underwhelmed so far by mine. I haven't transformed him yet but size (MP size my backside)You do know it was done so his vehicle mode and robot mode would be in scale (according to the G1 Production Bible) with MP10, right?

I would have preferred the rubber tires myself, but I can live without them.
On a semi-related note, stuff is expensive over here. $65 for something like MP Lambor isn't too bad by Japanese standards.

[GoktimusPrime]

I was lucky and got mine for the introductory pre-order price ($62 +$20shipping).
My pre-order for the Amazon version cost me 4436JPY ($53). :confused:


and the prices now are around $95 shipped (from RK - could be different now, not sure).
:eek:


You do know it was done so his vehicle mode and robot mode would be in scale (according to the G1 Production Bible) with MP10, right?
Indeed. And this is the cheapest RRP we've ever seen on a Masterpiece Transformer. I don't know if it's worth the full RRP of 6090JPY ($72)... I'll decide that when I see one IRL. ;)


On a semi-related note, stuff is expensive over here. $65 for something like MP Lambor isn't too bad by Japanese standards.
Actually, traditionally TF pricing in Japan has typically been either better or on par with Australia's TF RRPs. It's only been in some more recent instances that we've seen JP RRPs well exceed AU RRPs in relative terms.

But then... who knows how much Hasbro would sell MP Sideswipe for in Australia. The cheapest RRP I recall seeing for a MP was Rodimus who initially sold at $80. If Hasbro brings the price down to $60-70 that's still not too far off TakaraTOMY's price. If they nearly halve the price to say approx. $45, that would be more impressive. But then again, I paid the pre-order price of $53 for mine, and it's the Amazon exclusive. My current impression is that the pricing seems reasonable for a Masterpiece. Again, whether it really is worth it or not is a judgement I'm still reserving for when I get to see this toy for myself (either when mine finally arrives or hopefully if I can see someone else's first :)).

[kurdt_the_goat]

If you want to get real picky on scale, i have some bad news!
Just looking at the length measurements on the instructions:
Countach: 4140mm
Alternity Orochi: 4560mm
But in toy form they're exactly the same length whilst their height and width is accurate to real life.
I might have to return one of them! :rolleyes:

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Actually, traditionally TF pricing in Japan has typically been either better or on par with Australia's TF RRPs. It's only been in some more recent instances that we've seen JP RRPs well exceed AU RRPs in relative terms.

But then... who knows how much Hasbro would sell MP Sideswipe for in Australia. The cheapest RRP I recall seeing for a MP was Rodimus who initially sold at $80. If Hasbro brings the price down to $60-70 that's still not too far off TakaraTOMY's price. If they nearly halve the price to say approx. $45, that would be more impressive. But then again, I paid the pre-order price of $53 for mine, and it's the Amazon exclusive. My current impression is that the pricing seems reasonable for a Masterpiece. Again, whether it really is worth it or not is a judgement I'm still reserving for when I get to see this toy for myself (either when mine finally arrives or hopefully if I can see someone else's first :)).In the time I've been living here, TFs have consistently been just slightly above what I remember from AUS RRP.

My MP12 cost me AUS $61 at the exchange rate at the time, which was about as much as I would have liked to pay for it. I could find it cheaper in a week or two if it hadn't been the release date, but I felt like treating myself.

[llamatron]

Argh so frustrated, I've had this guy on pre-order from RK before the price jump, it shipped on release day (27/10) arrived to Australia on Tuesday (30/10) and it's just been sitting there as "ARRIVED AND PROCESSING" ever since! :( :mad: :mad: :mad:

[1orion2many]

The positives I have now found with this MP;)
The smoothness of the joints, plastic quality seems to be far superior to regular releases and the transformation is excellent. At the end of the day I consider this to be superior to the third party items at the same price point. I have limited third party items in my collection so people who have a wider variety of these items please put your 2 cents in. At the end of the day the MP line has changed from what it was originally, For better or for worse is personal opinion. I would have liked them to stick to the original sizing and die-cast. At the least it is far superior to the regular releases, Is there enough of a difference to justify the the price point:confused: I'm not sure but I will be getting MP-14 as well;)

[Kazza]

Hmm i dont feel like i got my 'equivalent exchange' (FMA reference) for this MP-12, cost me $110 all up including pile drivers, coin and postage. And when i saw the size and plastic tyres...it was a bit of a let down.

[Ultra Mackness]

One of the things about the transformation process I was going to mention then forgot, is what I think of as "brain surgery mode" - odd name I know, but I don't know any other TFs that have a flip-top head. I figure it could be a good gimmick for an imaginary play scenario where Sideswipe gets captured and reprogrammed. Did anyone else whose received their Lambor so far think this odd? Are there any other TFs with a 2 part head mold?

[kurdt_the_goat]

Not quite the same, but the ROTF Dirge toy has a case of split conehead!

[VERT]

Argh so frustrated, I've had this guy on pre-order from RK before the price jump, it shipped on release day (27/10) arrived to Australia on Tuesday (30/10) and it's just been sitting there as "ARRIVED AND PROCESSING" ever since! :( :mad: :mad: :mad:

Oh so its not just me. I have the same problem.

[Lordy]

I got my MP12 today (was waiting at the post office). I haven't transformed him yet from car to robot, but first impressions were that I didn't like the fact he had plastic tyres (common complaint in this thread) and the fact that the roof/front pillars on my Lambor were a different red to the other parts of the car. Pretty disappointing for a MP

[Defcon]

Recieved mine today by the post. First impressions are disappointing. The colors dont match up, I think mine probably should not of passed a quality test. The roof is painted , however it appears to be have been made almost maroon in color, perhaps mixed in with the black a little, or needed more paint ? the bonnet is painted a more vibrant red. Some of the paint on the doors is not a smooth finish, some lumpy paint, some red on the windows. Red paint splotch on the white arm. The red plastic is different again. All suptle differences but really ruins the lamborgini mode.

The toy itself dosen't have much weight to it, expecting it to be heavier.

Anyway the upside, the transformation is quite detailed, but really intuitive. I checked the instructions a couple of times and thats it. So this toy can be fun to play with. He displays nicely in robot mode, standing quite a bit taller than a deluxe, probably Voyager size. The car mode is about the same size as a deluxe, so he looks very tiny this way, however this size is accurate when put along side optimus prime.

I feel this release is overpriced. I had expectations of a consistent and quality paint job, but its failed. Mine might be worse than some, probably just from a bad batch. Because of this I just can't justify the retail price. It just dosen't feel all that special. It may very well be an update of the G1 toy, with a superior transformation, but I would of loved some diecast.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Just out of curiosity, those who are unimpressed with the price, are you including postage in that as well?

And I think RK may have done some extra scalping on the rpice. I bought mine through amazon Japan and a mail forwarder and I am looking at about $65 tops, that includes postage.

Having said that, he is sitting in my post box, unable to be retrieved until Monday.:(


Interesting that RK have the yen price listing for Red Alert, Normal Sides and Amazon sides as 5800 yen, but red alert comes to 58.90 U$, Sides 69.90 and A Sides as 79.90U$

So, thats less than an equal yen conversion for Red Alert, about right for Sides and a fair bit extra added for Pile drivers...

[GoktimusPrime]

And I think RK may have done some extra scalping on the rpice. I bought mine through amazon Japan and a mail forwarder and I am looking at about $65 tops, that includes postage.
Was that all? I've been asking my mate in Japan to hold onto MP lambor and send it to me later with some Arms Micron toys to save on postage... but if the postage is only gonna cost $10, maybe I should get it sent now.

Aaargh! Impatience vs. tightwadness! :o (although my tightness is a bit justifiable atm with Encore Fort Max on the horizon :p)

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Was that all? I've been asking my mate in Japan to hold onto MP lambor and send it to me later with some Arms Micron toys to save on postage... but if the postage is only gonna cost $10, maybe I should get it sent now.

Aaargh! Impatience vs. tightwadness! :o (although my tightness is a bit justifiable atm with Encore Fort Max on the horizon :p)

Yeap. 1500 yen EMS. Which I believe is the smallest size box...

[llamatron]

Plastic wheels don't really bother me.

Colour mismatch in car mode isn't that bad, looks pretty nice overall. Transformation is great, robot mode is great. Just wish it had better ankle articulation, horizontal rotation on the knee joints and they could have easily made the inner leg panels longer to go all the way down instead of leaving a big gap.

Overall great stuff, loving the new direction of the Masterpiece line.

[SharkyMcShark]

Mine arrives tomorrow. I am excited.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Picked up mine today and I likes it a lot.

The colouring on the roof and paint isn't so noticeable as to ruin the whole toy. Vehicle mode is very sexy and larger than I thought. To my eye it looks larger than a deluxe, but I know its about the same. care factor zero. :p

Transformation is clever and simple, although most of it is within the legs, which I love. Good balance as well, although as LLamy said the lack of an ankle swivel is a bit sad. I can see why some people don't like the face, but it doesn't bother me all that much.

I got the Amazon Pile drivers and erm, whats the point? he comes with some black Pile drivers as it is.... Comparison below
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/Wootnchoo/IMG_1859_zpsef00e2c4.jpg



http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/Wootnchoo/IMG_1860_zps3a310ba1.jpg

they are super shiny though :D

Although I would have liked to have seen him with a Jetpack as instead, I guess....


the hinge on the missile launcher's handle was annoying me, but then I discovered it's so you can angle the gun on his shoulder as you see fit. Nice!

My biggest complaint is that the shoulder pieces that his upper arms join to aren't secured anywhere, they just kind of float around and the front wheels seem to get in the way a bit under his chest. i thought they would have hidden away a bit more.

Still, I like it a lot. Contauche is one sexy beast. Just a shame the decal saying the countache bit is a bit shoddy. Also, die cast tail lights section I think.

\Final pic
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/Wootnchoo/IMG_1857_zpsb2fa797a.jpg


"I gots me Some pile drivin' to do!"

[Tober]

The mis-matched coloring is a let down, I expected better from Lamborghini. So is the splatter of silver paint on the bumper-bar of one of my Lambors - will be a pain to remove that. :mad: Plastic tires and lack of diecast doesn't worry me so much.

Black square attachments are pile drivers. Chrome pointy attachments are jackhammers. Okay? Cool. :cool:

[Robzy]

Mine is on the way... can't wait!! :o I don't care about the silver pile drivers/jackhammers. I just want the figure. I really, really love the new direction the MP line has gone. I hope it's a regular thing, as in a handful of characters released every year!

[Shirokaze]

All this negative feedback is kind of dampening my excitement for Sideswipe. While having rubber tyres and die cast bits would've been a nice touch, it's not a deal breaker for me as long as he's solidly built.

The price doesn't bother me, because if this was released by a third party, I'm sure a lot of us would've paid up to $100 for him. After all, I paid between $65-$70 delivered for the fansproject insecticons each, and they are much smaller while also lacking in die-cast parts.

Either way, I'll see how I feel about ol' Sideswipe once my RK order arrives.

[Trent]

All the comments about the paint have made me glad I decided to wait for a Hasbro release. Seems as though the design was a good idea, just a flawed execution of paint. Lamborghini probably aren't happy either if it's as shoddy as you all lead me to believe.

[VERT]

Got nine today. Only had a short time to look at him but is bigger than I thought. A good size for him. Looks great and im happy with him. But like others have said. Does have some small paint issues. But nothing major. :-)

[SharkyMcShark]

Got mine yesterday, and I bloody love it. If this is the direction of that the MP line is going in (ie Alternator-ish sized highly detailed figures) then I'm all for it. I can only muster three complaints.


1. The forearms forming the door in vehicle mode - the left side forearm doesnt sit flush with the rest of the car on mine, protruding out about 1 or 2 mm. Nothing deal breaking obvious, its just kind of annoying. I have seen this flaw on other samples, which is a fancy way of saying one of the youtube reviews I watched of this figure mentioned it.
2. Skirt/underpant piece restricts leg movement - This seems to happen with every single MP release so I'm assuming it's something in their design MO rather than just them getting it wrong over and over.
3. The lack of ankle articulation - my only real gripe. The feet are wide and long enough such that it won't tip over, but it doesn't really look that dynamic at times.

As for paint issues, a close inspection of my figure shows that I didn't get runny/streaky roof painting, but the tail light paint application could have been better, specifically the black light housing paint (which appears to have been applied both slightly unevenly and slightly sparsely).


Bring on Sunstreaker is all I can say to this.

[kurdt_the_goat]

What issues were u having with his skirt? It flips up and i thought allowed for full range of motion. The bigger posability hindrance is the single jointed knee.

[SharkyMcShark]

Nothing strictly mechanical, I'm mainly annoyed it wasn't molded with enough clearance so that you could move the legs forward without flipping it up

[Doubledealer]

Received mine today and I can't fault it, it's a work of art! After this and the recent Prime I'm totally sold on the MP line. :)

[1orion2many]

Received mine today and I can't fault it, it's a work of art! After this and the recent Prime I'm totally sold on the MP line. :)

Really:eek: Your MP must have a better paint job than mine and there is no excuse for the cheap plastic wheels for what we have to pay for the MP line;) But that's just me :o

[VERT]

It still may only have plastc wheels. But rubber can split or crack over time. It may be a good thing. Most of my RID wheels have split.

[5FDP]

It still may only have plastc wheels. But rubber can split or crack over time. It may be a good thing. Most of my RID wheels have split.

My G1 Sideswipe was the first Transformer I ever bought (technically, my parents bought it for me :p) and I still have it to this day. His tires are as mint as when I first pulled him out of his box - yes, I used to open my Transformers back then. Just saying is all...

[GoktimusPrime]

It still may only have plastc wheels. But rubber can split or crack over time. It may be a good thing. Most of my RID wheels have split.
That's because Hasbro used a cheap grade of rubber for RiD's tyres. My Car Robot tyres are fine, as well as all my G1 rubber tyres.

[UltraMarginal]

That's because Hasbro used a cheap grade of rubber for RiD's tyres. My Car Robot tyres are fine, as well as all my G1 rubber tyres.

the tyres on my G1 primes trailer have gone flat over time from sitting in the same spot on the shelf at my parents house.:o

[Robzy]

Got mine today (RK is awesome; ordered Mon, arrived Fri!) :cool:

He's FANTASTIC!! Much bigger than I thought, and very solid. Yeah, the tires not being rubber is a shame, but I really don't care either way tbh. I just can't decide which mode (alt or robot) looks better!

Highly recommended!! :)

[VERT]

Yeah and almost all my G1 rubber tyres are fine too. They had good rubber. Same with car robots its just my rid versions that suffer. But my original G1 Bumblebee tyres kinda melted over time.

All I was saying if it had the rubber and even chrome its just more to worrie about. Those two things I love on a transformer. But some times its those things that cause trouble down the road 10 years.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I just can't decide which mode (alt or robot) looks better!

This is my main issue too....:o

But remember, especially with this masterpiece line, in vehicle mode, it is just a model car...:p

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Transformed him today. He's a great piece.
Really hope we get a Sunstreaker to accompany him.

[VERT]

Im feeling a little slow. I just found two extra black flaps for the inside of his lower legs. Sure does help keep his legs together :rolleyes

[Lord_Zed]

I've been playing with mine a bit, the colour matching and paint aps could be better, but it's all pretty minor on mine.

He's bigger than I expected to, standing about the same height as Voyager toys like Powerdive and Classics Prime. And he definitely has an MP feel even if he does lack die cast and rubber tyres.

Also his smaller size and interesting but not to complex transformation make him a lot more fun to play with than some of the older MP's.

All in all I'm more impressed than I expected, and now I want MP Sunstreaker.

[Hereticpoo]

I'm really impressed by MP Lambor. The size is not even a problem once you open the box and hold it. The alt mode is just so dam sexy, it's like a diecast model, only plastic :)
The transformation was such a breeze and you can tell that the designers have learned lessons from other lines such as Alternity and Binaltech. Where Alternity was a menace with tiny moving parts everything in Lambor is smooth and almost fluid in the way things fold and move. Plastic wheels, no biggy most won't even notice because the rim design is muscular. I have all of the MP Moulds and I am going to put it out there, maybe the best yet. Megatron was a nervous breakdown in a box. Rodimus might as well be a statue, you can't touch him because it's such a floppy misaligned mess. The original seekers can't stand and v2 Starscream is Hasbro colored plastic. The Original Optimus alt mode is brick on wheels and V2 is debt inducing. Grimlock and Sideswipe are the standouts so far.
My only gripe with Lambor is the lack of foot movement parallel to the shin, no striding poses. For $55 to $70 depending where you get Lambor, it's a good example of the Masterpiece series.

[griffin]

The square chest and limited paint apps makes me think more of the Actionmaster version than the Gen1 version.
Disappointed about the hollow legs, but all up, it isn't too bad.

From the comparison thread...
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/806.jpg
From left - Worlds Smallest, Actionmaster, Gen1, Classicverse, Masterpiece, Binaltech.

[Sky Shadow]

The square chest and limited paint apps makes me think more of the Actionmaster version than the Gen1 version.

I'm pretty sure that's because both the Action Master and the robot mode of this toy were meant to be based on his Marvel/Sunbow character model rather than 1984 toy, (which would also be why this one doesn't have wheels on his shoulders, but Masterpiece Red Alert does.)

[Lord_Zed]

Yeah I noticed Red Alerts fake shoulder wheels too, they really have gone all out to make them look like the old animated versions this time. I'm particularly impressed by the way Sideswipes back folds up to mirror his cartoon look.

I particularly like the new head sculpt on the MP. Looking at the Sideswipe line up above, it feels like he is a character who Hasbro and Takara seem to mess up at least in terms of looks, Classics has a sad upset face, and Binaltech has put on a bit of weight and looks upset about it, but this time I think they got him right.

[Cat]

MP Sideswipe finally arrived, emerging from the abyss of temporarily lost packages.

Haven't Transformed him yet, but I've done okay, paint-wise. Some areas of streaking, some of insufficient coverage (the black parts on the door aren't fully blocked in on my right).

There's also a wonky line on the windshield strut.


Overall, it's fine. I was expecting the worst, so this was a pleasant surprise.

The hood is clean, and that was my main concern, as he'll be in robot mod permanently, so all eyes will be on it.

No pile drivers or coin. (They had the piledrivers available at $16 a set, no coins made available) Annoyed I now have to pay $15 to get the coin off eBay though.

[GoktimusPrime]

IMHO the toy is fine - the plastic tyres don't bother me. Given the nature of the transformation, I think rubber tyres would slip or get scraped too easily. The robot looks fine to me and the pile drivers are a nice touch.

I have three main gripes about this toy:
+ I can't figure out a way to make the shoulders lock into place in robot mode. So they get easily displaced during play. :( IMO this is the toy's greatest flaw.
+ Ankle articulation is not the best. Makes it difficult to put the toy into some more dynamic poses.
+ The chest is quite wide which inhibits some arm movement across it.

Overall I find this to be a satisfactory toy, but it has its flaws and diminutive size. As a result I'd only recommend getting this toy if you can get it at RRP or preferably less.

----------PHOTOS-----------

Vehicle mode
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/misc%20photo%20skits/mplambor01.jpg

Robot mode
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/misc%20photo%20skits/mplambor02.jpg

With flat black piledrivers
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/misc%20photo%20skits/mplambor03.jpg

With pointed chrome piledrivers
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/misc%20photo%20skits/mplambor04.jpg

[Bidoofdude]

Your pics actually make him look pretty snazzy, Gok.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I
I have three main gripes about this toy:
+ I can't figure out a way to make the shoulders lock into place in robot mode. So they get easily displaced during play. :( IMO this is the toy's greatest flaw.
+ Ankle articulation is not the best. Makes it difficult to put the toy into some more dynamic poses.
+ The chest is quite wide which inhibits some arm movement across it.

Overall I find this to be a satisfactory toy, but it has its flaws and diminutive size. As a result I'd only recommend getting this toy if you can get it at RRP or preferably less.


I agree that the shoulders not locking in place are a pretty large flaw, but I don't think the limited articulation for the ankles and wide chest are that much of an issue there are plenty of Transformers that have much worse. Plenty can be done with the feet with some clever use of the heel spurs that I have found.

It wouldn't surprise me if there was some reason for keeping the car hood as large as it is for the chest. After all it has a recognisable look to it.

I wouldn't recommend paying much more than RRP either TBH. It's certainly not worth a high mark up (assuming you find one as such)

[5FDP]

After seeing the toy IRL, my opinion of it has changed slightly for the better. Still not worth what some people are paying for it though IMO.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Pic request: can anyone post a robot-mode shot of him next to the blue BT Tracks?
Thanks in advance.:)

[Bidoofdude]

Are the shoulders like RTS Perceptors? Do they droop and have nowhere to lock?

[GoktimusPrime]

Pic request: can anyone post a robot-mode shot of him next to the blue BT Tracks?
Thanks in advance.:)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/comparisons/tracksbt_mplambor.jpg

Are the shoulders like RTS Perceptors? Do they droop and have nowhere to lock?
They lift up and they kinda lock. It's some kind of internal mechanism that sets them in place which is meant to lock them into position in theory... but in practice it's urine-weak... it's strong enough to hold them in place for display and if you move the arms _really_ carefully, but I find during toy play they get displayed all too easily. :( So technically the answer is yes, they lock... but practically the answer might as well be no.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Cheers Goki.:)

[gamblor916]

I picked up mine toady. The paint is not exactly flawless but I'll live with it. Paint apps are misaligned and sloppy. There's a scrape mark behind the left rear window and it just looks dirty with fingerprints as if the assembler didn't wash their hands.

[5FDP]

...and it just looks dirty with fingerprints as if the assembler didn't wash their hands.

Being the clean freak that I am - ewwwwww... :eek:

[GoktimusPrime]

I have one tiny black speck of paint on one of the doors (it can probably be easily removed with rubbing alcohol when I can be ceebs :p), and someone else at the Parra meet said that they had a black speck somewhere on their MP Lambor too. So yeah, looks like QC on paint apps wasn't so good with this toy. The online survey doesn't let you specify problems/issues, but I did give it a less than satisfactory rating score in terms of value for money (even though I managed to get it at preorder discount, I based my evaluation on the full RRP when filling in the survey).

[GoktimusPrime]

Just out of interest -- who's planning on getting MP Red Alert? I'm currently not... don't really know if the MP Lambor mould has impressed me enough to get Red Alert.

[Kazza]

Just out of interest -- who's planning on getting MP Red Alert? I'm currently not... don't really know if the MP Lambor mould has impressed me enough to get Red Alert.

I will be, just cause i collect masterpieces.

[Lord_Zed]

Just out of interest -- who's planning on getting MP Red Alert? I'm currently not... don't really know if the MP Lambor mould has impressed me enough to get Red Alert.

I am tempted, because I was pretty impressed with Sideswipe, one of only three Has-Tak purchases this year that has done anything for me. Although i'm not a huge Red Alert fan so I may change my mind. The cost is also an issue, although considering what passes for a deluxe toy these days Transformers can be pretty much said to have gone through a brand wide price rise.

[Tober]

Yeah, pre-ordered from Amazon too.

[GoktimusPrime]

Hmm... yeah, I dunno... maybe I'll wait and see if Hasbro releases Red Alert (which will hopefully come out here for a cheaper price, though the colours will probably be inferior :rolleyes:). Got enough stuff on pre-order (esp. Fort Max) that I'm still saving for... really shouldn't add more big items to the list.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Just out of interest -- who's planning on getting MP Red Alert? I'm currently not... don't really know if the MP Lambor mould has impressed me enough to get Red Alert.

Definite yes. Although Red Alert is just a smaller character, I like the Lambor body enough to say, "Yes! Give me more Lamborghinis please!!!"

Cos Lamborghinis are just AWESOME

[Jim_jim]

I bought one. Let's face it, the QC of this toy sucks. Missing paint, bad lining, light weight, no metal parts.... some of them even spoil the Lamborghini logo.

Yet, however, the transformation is excellent! Good posture, good G1 outlook. If you are a G1 fans, you would be satisfied.

The price is a bit on the high side (I bough it overseas for $60 Aussie), of which I would rate this a $50 one. I think the delay of Sound wave would due to the poor QC of the manufacturer.

Because of the box design, it' pretty much like lucky draw when I bought it.

[aaron2]

Despite being just as large as MP-01, the complex transformation demanded by his alternate mode meant his lanky appearance and fragility could not match the solidity of Optimus. Next came MP-08 Grimlock whose show accurate appearance, well executed gimmicks, and solid construction were a welcome return to the supposed core ideals of the Masterpiece line. His size, however, was still lacking compared to the mammoth MP-01. With the lukewarm reception of MP-09 Rodimus Convoy, Takara Tomy decided to re-evaluate the direction the line was going. Despite some grumbling on the part of fans, MP-10 Convoy Renewal Version was a chance for Takara Tomy to use a new Optimus Prime figure to set the tone for the rest of the line in what some are calling a "soft reboot" of Masterpiece Transformers.

[5FDP]

Here's a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LEAWYXVU2DI) explaining the design process at a very high level.

[Cat]

I got very lucky with my Sideswipe, his paint is all perfect.

I'll be getting Red Alert, I quite like the mold.

[1AZRAEL1]

The paint apps on my figure are quite ok.

I will be getting red alert too, already preordered.

[Tallestblue]

I really like him. But, i've always had a thing for Sideswipe. And i dig that he's compatible with MP10. he fits right in that trailer. neat.

[gamblor916]

I've just transformed mine and I'm really starting to like this mould. The ankles just need ball joints or a two way hinge and it's perfect.
The paint apps still bugs me, it looks like there's dust specks all throughout the body. I may have to do something about that.

[Sworc]

Didn't have high expectations of this mp given its size and some of the comments floating around pre release. Since getting my hands on it, however, I absolutely love it. Now one of my favourites.

A couple of minor paint app issues on mine but nothing that serious. Just such a well executed toy.

Really looking forward to red alert.

[Trent]

Finally opened Sideswipe today and had a play. I must say it's pretty cool. I don't know whether due to all the hate my expectations were really low or it's just a a cool figure but yeah, I'm a fan.

Paint apps on mine are ok. I have a few marks which to me seems as if they were made with a sharp object like a knife digging into the paint:confused: And the arm panels are a slightly different shade than the rest of the red but overall I'm happy. The transformation is complex enough to justify masterpiece (barely!) without being overly complicated and frustrating. Detail is nice. He is small though. Surely they could have gone a bit bigger? I took some comparison shots and Hot Rod dwarf's him not only in bot mode but car mode too! He stands a bit better with the alternators as far as bot mode goes but alt mode is still really small compared.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc88/Wrxus/TFs/17-12-20121_zpsc4245f43.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc88/Wrxus/TFs/17-12-20124_zps6b239236.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc88/Wrxus/TFs/17-12-20127_zps701c88e1.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc88/Wrxus/TFs/17-12-20126_zps17dfc5ed.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc88/Wrxus/TFs/17-12-201212_zps2b5e4c95.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc88/Wrxus/TFs/28-12-20126_zps809e6999.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc88/Wrxus/TFs/28-12-20127_zpsb301d04b.jpg

So yeah, will keep an eye out for a decently priced Red Alert.:)

[GoktimusPrime]

You don't have any issues of the shoulders popping out during toy play? Cos that's a big gripe for me. I find it's stable enough for gentle posing, but once you start playing with it and start making him get into dynamic real-time fight moves etc., it's prone to dislocating -- on my toy and someone else's I saw at the last Parra Fair too. :/

I remain unconvinced for Red Alert. If Hasbro does Red Alert and I manage to find one locally then I'll pick it up for sure - should hopefully be cheaper, although the colours on the TakaraTOMY version will undoubtedly be superior. Any bet the Hasbro version will have the same black head as Sideswipe, which while more toy/comic accurate is less show like and also makes to toy look too similar to Sideswipe (which is possibly why G1 animators made that colour variation in the first place).

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

He is small though. Surely they could have gone a bit bigger? I took some comparison shots and Hot Rod dwarf's him not only in bot mode but car mode too! He stands a bit better with the alternators as far as bot mode goes but alt mode is still really small compared.He's apparently designed to be in scale with MP10 (Masterpiece Optimus Prime V.2) in vehicle mode, i.e. more Classcisverse-scaled (well, Classicsverse Deluxe Autobot cars-scaled) than Alternators-scaled. Robot mode is roughly Alternators-scaled, but a tad on the short side.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I also suspect that Hot rod is 'scaled' more towards being the right height for Rodimus rather than Hot Rod. IIRC Rodimus and Op are about the same height. It would be about right to assume that Hot Rod should be the same size as Sideswipe, but Rodimus should be taller.

[Trent]

You don't have any issues of the shoulders popping out during toy play? Cos that's a big gripe for me. I find it's stable enough for gentle posing, but once you start playing with it and start making him get into dynamic real-time fight moves etc., it's prone to dislocating -- on my toy and someone else's I saw at the last Parra Fair too. :/

I remain unconvinced for Red Alert. If Hasbro does Red Alert and I manage to find one locally then I'll pick it up for sure - should hopefully be cheaper, although the colours on the TakaraTOMY version will undoubtedly be superior. Any bet the Hasbro version will have the same black head as Sideswipe, which while more toy/comic accurate is less show like and also makes to toy look too similar to Sideswipe (which is possibly why G1 animators made that colour variation in the first place).


I see what you mean about the shoulders Gok but mine didn't pop out this arvo. That's probably cause I wasn't playing hard enough;)

As for Red Alert, your probably right about the hasbro release having the black head. In which case the Takara version will Definately be the go. It's just finding one at a reasonable price.


He's apparently designed to be in scale with MP10 (Masterpiece Optimus Prime V.2) in vehicle mode, i.e. more Classcisverse-scaled (well, Classicsverse Deluxe Autobot cars-scaled) than Alternators-scaled. Robot mode is roughly Alternators-scaled, but a tad on the short side.


I also suspect that Hot rod is 'scaled' more towards being the right height for Rodimus rather than Hot Rod. IIRC Rodimus and Op are about the same height. It would be about right to assume that Hot Rod should be the same size as Sideswipe, but Rodimus should be taller.

Fair points to be sure. He's still tiny though.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Those Hot Rod and Lambor pics have got me curious...how does he look next to Rodimus in space-winnebago mode?

[GoktimusPrime]

Fair points to be sure. He's still tiny though.
Which I think isn't necessarily a bad thing per se, but depends on the price you can get the toy for. At full RRP of 6000JPY ($75), I think it's a bit rich. I paid about $53 which is about the same price as a Binaltech (or $8 more expensive than an Alternator), which I find is a good price considering that Voyagers retail here for $50 -- compared to say a full priced FoC Soundwave/Soundblaster, I think MP Sideswipe offers more bang for your buck at around the fifty-something dollar mark. But beyond that price range and especially approaching full RRP, I don't know if the price is worth it. And to be honest, I would be mighty surprised if the Hasbro version ended up selling here for less than $60... not initially anyway (unless it shelf warms and TRUs are forced to reduce prices).

Another benefit of the smaller size/weight is that postage is pretty damn cheap -- about $14 to ship the toy individually, or even cheaper if you ship it in bulk with other toys. :) I had mine shipped to me with some Arms Microns figures to save money on postage per figure.

[Trent]

Those Hot Rod and Lambor pics have got me curious...how does he look next to Rodimus in space-winnebago mode?

Good question. My Takara MP-9 is packed away though. Will try and do it this week.

[Cat]

I don't get the price comparisons between him and a BT.

The line's been dead for ages, and had a successor line, which was much smaller.

Imagine the cost of a brand-new-mold BT figure nowadays?

That increases the value some (Sizewise it's a good comparison. Complexity is personal taste, but I prefer Sideswipe to any Alternity figure).

[UltraMarginal]

That increases the value some (Sizewise it's a good comparison. Complexity is personal taste, but I prefer Sideswipe to any Alternity figure).

Tru Dat

[M-bot]

My gripes are similar to others - would have preferred rubber tyres for an MP. My Sideswipe also has inconsistent paint apps, some around edges and corners are downright messy. Takara's MP-10 was immaculate in this regard so I was a little disappointed.

Scale and complexity of design and transformation was very good though.

[Trent]

Those Hot Rod and Lambor pics have got me curious...how does he look next to Rodimus in space-winnebago mode?

As requested, pics with MP-9 added to this post (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=331979&postcount=76)

[BigTransformerTrev]

I got mine a few days ago. I have to say I quite like him, though the cost vs size thing threw me a bit. Even with reading other peoples reviews I don't think I realized how small he would be. I love all the little details and the fact he has piledrivers that can attach. I was dissapointed they could not figure out how to put a jetpack in, as even though you only saw it once when he handed it over to Optimus in the cartoon, he did fly in a fair few episodes. I don't think I have had the colour issues others have had, the red on mine seems pretty uniform. While I am very glad I got him, I think I will have to think twice on spending the same money on Red Alert.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

As requested, pics with MP-9 added to this post (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=331979&postcount=76)Cheers dude.:)

[Magnus]

I know I'm a bit late to the party, but I was waiting for either a price drop once initial demand died down or news of a Hasbro release before making a decision to buy. In fact, the opposite happened, at least on eBay - you're lucky if you can get Sideswipe for less than $100 on eBay, now, and there's still no news of a Hasbro release...

I agree with what everyone's been saying about him - paint is a bit iffy (mine has bubbling under the paint in a couple of places, as if the plastic underneath had something on it/wasn't cleaned properly), and rubber tyres would have been nice, but otherwise, it's a good figure, packing a complex transformation into a relatively clean alternate mode. That said, I'm not sure how many more figures I'll be buying at this price point, as the $80-90 I saw Sideswipe go for on eBay when it first came out is pretty much at the edge of what I would consider 'value for money'.

[lancalot]

Look at this.... it came packaged in robot form :confused: the guy said he bought it in korea ... could it be a KO? looks the same , a very good one if it is ....did anyone here came like that?




http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/packaging-variant-for-takara-tomy-transformers-masterpiece-mp12-lambor-and-mp14-red-alert/26856/

[1orion2many]

I Have bought Korean BW figures and Microman figures, The packaging was different but the toys were legitimate releases, Couldn't tell you for sure about the 2 MP's but that very well could just be the way they are packaged for the Korean market.

[lancalot]

It just seem strange that they did that ...wouldn't it cost them more money? Their QC been falling and they spent time and resources to do that .... Plus i didn't know you could take red alert lights of so easy? Time for a LED mod then:D

[kaiden]

It just seem strange that they did that ...wouldn't it cost them more money? Their QC been falling and they spent time and resources to do that .... Plus i didn't know you could take red alert lights of so easy? Time for a LED mod then:D

its bit fast for a KO isn't it? they'd have to properly budget for it and at $60US they'd have to be able to offer it cheaper enough for people to actually not want a licensed version.

as far as i know, only igear have KO'd MPs and that was a smaller scale prime in various colours and then the Seeker mold in rainmaker and coneheads.

[drifand]

I just happened to search on ebay for mps and found a huge list of high quality KO Sideswipes, and was almost tempted to buy one at $42.00 but decided to pass.

[Trent]

I just happened to search on ebay for mps and found a huge list of high quality KO Sideswipes, and was almost tempted to buy one at $42.00 but decided to pass.

As you should. Considering what people like Gok were able to get the official version for, $42 is burglary.

[drifand]

As you should. Considering what people like Gok were able to get the official version for, $42 is burglary.

My reason to pass was simply because I didn't want to start with this different scale of cars. I know once I start means I have to find all the other pieces. Till date, Jazz might be the only one I would buy.

[GoktimusPrime]

I wouldn't even pay 1c for a fake. Sellers can give it to me for free or take a long walk off a short space bridge.

[Trent]

My reason to pass was simply because I didn't want to start with this different scale of cars. I know once I start means I have to find all the other pieces. Till date, Jazz might be the only one I would buy.

But that thinking doesn't make any sense. If you don't want to start a new scale then you are basically saying that you will never own a MP car. Except maybe Jazz.

But of you buy Jazz, then you will own 1 of them, which means you'll have started and as per your previous comment, will be compelled to collect the rest.

If that is the case, shouldn't you just decide to skip Jazz and stay away forever or start to collect them now as opposed to the aftermarket later?

[drifand]

But that thinking doesn't make any sense. If you don't want to start a new scale then you are basically saying that you will never own a MP car. Except maybe Jazz.

But of you buy Jazz, then you will own 1 of them, which means you'll have started and as per your previous comment, will be compelled to collect the rest.

If that is the case, shouldn't you just decide to skip Jazz and stay away forever or start to collect them now as opposed to the aftermarket later?

^ Not saying you are not wrong here. however I have stayed away buying a lot of mp pieces like Skywarp, Thunder cracker, Grimlock, Rodimus and a lot others. Being the way I am, I choose to collect characters I personally like.

I was considering wheeljack but I know I can live without.

[drifand]

I wouldn't even pay 1c for a fake. Sellers can give it to me for free or take a long walk off a short space bridge.

For a Transformers fan is punishable by death. :D

Anyway, I didn't know there was a KO but only by examining closer and reading the seller's description was where I realised it. (price was definitely giving it away)

On the note, that's where I went to do a search and came out with this thread and some of you already stated the QC seems to be bad?

[Trent]

^ Not saying you are not wrong here. however I have stayed away buying a lot of mp pieces like Skywarp, Thunder cracker, Grimlock, Rodimus and a lot others. Being the way I am, I choose to collect characters I personally like.

I was considering wheeljack but I know I can live without.

Yeah I can understand that. The amount of TFs I have said I have no interest in only to end up owning them, and going back to collect a lot of the line, is quite ridiculous. :rolleyes::D

[Jim_jim]

I had all 3 of them, and I think it is wonderful. Good car mode and robot model. the only downside is that the logo is pretty much not being able to recognize.

[GoktimusPrime]

Yours doesn't have problematic shoulders?

[kaiden]

Yours doesn't have problematic shoulders?

You know who has problematic shoulders? Generations Blitzwing. Those shoulders don't even lock into place.

I still think Sideswipe's are fine.

[lancalot]

Yours doesn't have problematic shoulders?

??:confused:... all mine are fine... i have no problems with any of them... I was wondering why you hated this mold .

[Jim_jim]

Yours doesn't have problematic shoulders?

Na. Shoulders are all fine.

[Iriorne]

Yours doesn't have problematic shoulders?

I think you may have just had bad luck. Both my MP-12 and 14 lock in really well, though MP-12's shoulders do feel a little bit more solid. Have you tried tightening the screws on the shoulder pivots? Another thing that might work is using a toothpick to apply a bit of gap-filling super glue like zap-a-gap to the locking nubs.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/233731/OTCA/SS_shoulder.jpg

I was really on the fence about this mould as I'm not really keen on Autobot cars but it's now one of my favourites. :)

[nsm034]

came in 2 different package options for some reason

car mode
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11736&mode=retail
robot mode
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11706&mode=retail

[GoktimusPrime]

Thanks Iriorne; I might try tightening that shoulder screw to see if it helps. This toy really needs something to lock the shoulders solidly into place though rather than just relying on them sitting there. :(


You know who has problematic shoulders? Generations Blitzwing. Those shoulders don't even lock into place.

I still think Sideswipe's are fine.
So your Sideswipe's shoulders aren't prone to popping out when you play w/ it in robot mode? Cos mine are fine if I just pose it about and leave it there as a display... i.e. it can withstand mild handling fine; but once I start playing with it and get it doing fast action fight moves, then the shoulders become a nightmare and keep getting out like an Australian cricketer (:p). Maybe I'm just unlucky.

I do agree that Blitzwing's shoulders are inexcusably awful -- they can't even withstand basic handling for posing, let alone rigorous toy play! :rolleyes: I'm not saying that MP Lambor's shoulders are the worst, but for a toy that is suppose to be a "Masterpiece," and at such an expensive RRP, I expected a lot better. I don't think this toy is worth full retail... but it put me off getting any of the redecos of this mould.

[kaiden]

came in 2 different package options for some reason

car mode
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11736&mode=retail
robot mode
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11706&mode=retail

the robot mode packaging is the korean release (if i remember correctly)

[GoktimusPrime]

Has anyone gotten the Korean version or any other Korean Transformer since the licence changed from Sonokong to Mocom? Cos all my Korean TFs are from Sonokong who are renowned from releasing toys of the same quality as Takara, but sometimes in inferior packaging and often w/ badly designed tech spec cards... if indeed you even get the right tech specs card! (and of course, Sonokong Brave Maximus' famous upside down Autobot logo sticker in city mode)

[GoktimusPrime]

This is how pathetically easy it is to dislocate my MP Lambor's shoulder, using absolute minimal force and a pencil rubber. :mad:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/mplambor_shouldershurt_zpsa8a53d41.jpg

[Iriorne]

Really sounds like you have a dud - I can hang 200 grams off the arm just fine (hanging just above the elbow, arm bent 45 degrees at the shoulder). I'd take a picture but my camera is hanging off Lambor's arm. :p

I assume exchange is out of the question now but have you tried my suggestion (post 108 in this thread (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=372381&postcount=108)) for building up the locking nubs with superglue/epoxy? Seems like it could significantly enhance your enjoyment of the figure.

[loophole]

This is how pathetically easy it is to dislocate my MP Lambor's shoulder, using absolute minimal force and a pencil rubber. :mad:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/mplambor_shouldershurt_zpsa8a53d41.jpg

Dude, how many times do you have to keep bringing this up. It does get a little tiring forever hearing about his shoulder problems.... maybe you should sell if your not happy with it.

[MayzaPrime]

I have to say how often does someone actually transform Lambor with a pencil? :p

[Trent]

I have to say how often does someone actually transform Lambor with a pencil? :p

More often then you think, but less often then is required ;)

[MayzaPrime]

More often then you think, but less often then is required ;)

I must have missed that memo ;)

[GoktimusPrime]

Dude, how many times do you have to keep bringing this up. It does get a little tiring forever hearing about his shoulder problems.... maybe you should sell if your not happy with it.
I paid fifty dollars for this toy. I don't about you, but by my standards that's NOT cheap! :eek: We wouldn't accept this kind of standard from a non-MP toy (e.g. Generations Blitzwing), I don't see why I should accept it from a Masterpiece toy. Besides, I (and many other collectors) continue to complain about toys years or even decades after purchase (e.g. Action Masters, Beast Machines Silverbolt, MP-3 Starscream etc.). On the other side of the coin, I do also compliment good toys long after purchase too (e.g. original G1 Soundwave, G2 Laser Optimus Prime, BT Meister etc.), so it does work both ways.

And don't get me wrong... it's not that I dislike this toy per se, I just strongly dislike this one weakness in the toy. I'm quite happy with other aspects of the toy and overall I do find it a likeable toy. Shoulder issues aside, the rest of the toy is reasonably good and the attention to detail on the vehicle mode is exquisite. I do quite like the way that the roof and window panels fold up to form the back (works better than the way that the MP Nissans fold their roofs into their backs IMHO), and the pop-up concealing panel on the roof is a really clever touch. The shoulders stay in place for displaying and posing and general fiddling, but they just hopeless when it comes to remaining in place during play. :( And there doesn't appear to be any feature in the design that's meant to lock or retain the shoulders in place either.

And I'm aware that this isn't a problem for all MP Lambor toys, which is why I said "my MP Lambor's...". But I've seen two other MP Lambors IRL which had the same problem, so it doesn't appear to be a completely isolated problem either. I haven't handled an MP Alert IRL yet, but I've heard a few people report the same issue with that toy.


I have to say how often does someone actually transform Lambor with a pencil? :p
These were screen caps from a video I made this morning to demonstrate just how little force was required to push the shoulder down.

[MayzaPrime]

I guess my sarcasm missed the mark :confused:

[Trent]

I paid fifty dollars for this toy. I don't about you, but by my standards that's NOT cheap! :eek: We wouldn't accept this kind of standard from a non-MP toy (e.g. Generations Blitzwing), I don't see why I should accept it from a Masterpiece toy. Besides, I (and many other collectors) continue to complain about toys years or even decades after purchase (e.g. Action Masters, Beast Machines Silverbolt, MP-3 Starscream etc.). On the other side of the coin, I do also compliment good toys long after purchase too (e.g. original G1 Soundwave, G2 Laser Optimus Prime, BT Meister etc.), so it does work both ways.

And don't get me wrong... it's not that I dislike this toy per se, I just strongly dislike this one weakness in the toy. I'm quite happy with other aspects of the toy and overall I do find it a likeable toy. Shoulder issues aside, the rest of the toy is reasonably good and the attention to detail on the vehicle mode is exquisite. I do quite like the way that the roof and window panels fold up to form the back (works better than the way that the MP Nissans fold their roofs into their backs IMHO), and the pop-up concealing panel on the roof is a really clever touch. The shoulders stay in place for displaying and posing and general fiddling, but they just hopeless when it comes to remaining in place during play. :( And there doesn't appear to be any feature in the design that's meant to lock or retain the shoulders in place either.

And I'm aware that this isn't a problem for all MP Lambor toys, which is why I said "my MP Lambor's...". But I've seen two other MP Lambors IRL which had the same problem, so it doesn't appear to be a completely isolated problem either. I haven't handled an MP Alert IRL yet, but I've heard a few people report the same issue with that toy.


These were screen caps from a video I made this morning to demonstrate just how little force was required to push the shoulder down.

Gokman, I just went and pushed down out the shoulders of Sideswipe, Red Alert and G2 Sideswipe (Tiger Track is in alt mode) in the same way as your video (with my finger though) and with all of them the legs buckled and they hit the ground without the shoulders budging. So I definitely do not share your issues. While they do not click in as solidly as you would like they aren't as bad as you make out either. I think that you just got a bad toy dude.

[GoktimusPrime]

The right shoulder on mine doesn't buckle down easily like the left, but both are prone to dislocation during proper toy play. And the two other MP Lambors that I've handled were the same. :(

[Trent]

The right shoulder on mine doesn't buckle down easily like the left, but both are prone to dislocation during proper toy play. And the two other MP Lambors that I've handled were the same. :(

Why only Sideswipe though? Why do I never see complaints from you about the MP seeker mould's shoulders? That is a FAR worse and more obvious problem that has been present in every iteration since MP-3. I have six versions of the mould and every one has this problem.

You say you are upset because you paid $50 for Sideswipe. How much did you pay for your seekers? Because if the cost of the figure is what is concerning you, then you should be seriously pissed over the seeker mould. What about MP-09?

It just that it seems you are directing a disproportionate amount of rage at Sideswipe over something that the rest of us see as not that big of a deal.

[GoktimusPrime]

Some comments I made in October 2006 re: MP03 Starscream included...

MP-03 may still arguably be a toy, but as an action figure it's pretty freakin' mediocre... :mad:

Starscream really looks like he cannot handle going toe to toe with any other toy... so IMO he's a pretty $h!7 toy. Impressive model/display piece, sure... but craphouse action figure.

(even at RRP) he's not terribly good value for money.


Yes, MP03 is a worse MP than Lambor. And back when the toy came out, I did criticise it a lot. As I said before, aside from the shoulders, I find MP Lambor to be a decent action figure. There's nothing about the MP03 mould that I find makes it a good action figure. And I had great hopes for MP03 considering that it was designed by Kawamori Shouji. :( But to HasTak's credit, they have attempted to improve the MP03 mould with subsequent versions of it (e.g. use of better quality plastic, significant retooling with the MP11 mould). I'd be curious to know if TakTOM have similarly attempted to improve the MP Lambor mould with its subsequent uses. I've heard a few people report the same shoulder issue with Alert, but I've yet to hear anyone report it with Tigertrack or G2 Sideswipe, nor have I heard any reports from the re-released Lambor, which seems like a good sign. I'm seriously considering getting the re-released MP Alert if I can find it at RRP or less. I'd pick up a Hasbro MP Red Alert in a heartbeat if they released it here. :o

[Megatran]

That's so awesome Ultra Mackness. Those Collectors Edition characters make me weak at the knees (& worth a pretty penny). :cool:




http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy96/eaglenest/IMAG0299.jpg

[Nevac]

Gokman, I just went and pushed down out the shoulders of Sideswipe, Red Alert and G2 Sideswipe (Tiger Track is in alt mode) in the same way as your video (with my finger though) and with all of them the legs buckled and they hit the ground without the shoulders budging.

I agree did the same with mine and his legs buckled first overall I find Sideswipe better then the Datsuns. My friend has 3 of this mold too and I haven't heard him complain about the shoulders either.

[Megatran]

I thought the shoulder issue was put to bed & a distant memory.

I whole heartedly apologise for reviving this thread.

:p

[GoktimusPrime]

Since my last post on this thread, I have acquired MP Alert which doesn't have the shoulder issue. :) So it does appear to be an isolated issue w/ my MP Lambor and the others that I've seen IRL -- perhaps there was a bad batch? :confused: But yeah, it was for this reason that I skipped MP Alert and later had to get it off the aftermarket for $100; double what I usually pay for pre-ordered MP cars (and the only time I've ever paid above RRP for an MP). :o But yeah, pretty happy with the quality of my MP Alert. :D

[kurdt_the_goat]

Just total up what you've spent on the MP cars overall... then average it out to wipe the memory of that $100 :D

[GoktimusPrime]

Comparison pic between original and reissue MP12 Lambor/Sideswipe
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Masterpiece%20Lamborghinis/mp_lambor_original_reissue_zpsi5pnbygc.jpg
I cannot see any discernible difference between the two. My reissue has nice and tight shoulders (yay!), but that may be simply due to me having just gotten unlucky w/ my original Lambor, and the reissue may just represent what is typical for this toy. :o

[FruitBuyer]

I'm a bit disappointed with Sideswipe. I received him after I've already played with Wheeljack and Prowl, both of which I deem as superior figures, especially Wheeljack. The hollow legs and shoulders irk me a bit not to mention the open head/brain stands out.

Still, like with all Masterpieces, he does look very good in both modes.

[drifand]

I'm a bit disappointed with Sideswipe. I received him after I've already played with Wheeljack and Prowl, both of which I deem as superior figures, especially Wheeljack. The hollow legs and shoulders irk me a bit not to mention the open head/brain stands out.

Still, like with all Masterpieces, he does look very good in both modes.

This is why the mp- cars made a bad start not to mention mp-10 did not kick off well either.

1. People were not happy with the down size scaling
2. Sideswipe was not fantastic at all to convince people to collect this line.

The Nissans, probably saved the car line. I only started off when Prowl came in.

[Thurmus]

I started with Prowl too. I have MP-10 and I have Sideswipe on order with Tracks so I have to wait a bit longer to get both.

Will be interested to see what you guys mean.

[drifand]

I started with Prowl too. I have MP-10 and I have Sideswipe on order with Tracks so I have to wait a bit longer to get both.

Will be interested to see what you guys mean.

It isn't that "bad", is just not having a good wow factor as compared to the others. I am pretty sure Tracks is going to blow away sideswipe.

[ZoonMaster5000]

I thought the exact same thing as I got prowl and wheeljack before sideswipe and thought to myself it's a bit bleh compared to them.

But we have to remember it came before them and I'm sure if I had got mp-12 first I would of seen how far they've come as far as improving their masterpiece line. Still a great little figure but I'm now not as excited to get mp-14 next week.

[Kranix]

I had the Datsuns before Sideswipe and actually preferred Sideswipe when I got the reissue. Wheeljack didn't pip Sideswipe for me either. I think Tracks may be the best yet though.

[Trent]

Sideswipe wowed with the Lamborghini license. The fact that it is a beautifully proportioned Countach that transforms is amazing.

G2 version is even better.

[gamblor916]

Sideswipe wowed with the Lamborghini license. The fact that it is a beautifully proportioned Countach that transforms is amazing.

G2 version is even better.

I agree with this.

[Meister]

Sideswipe wowed with the Lamborghini license. The fact that it is a beautifully proportioned Countach that transforms is amazing.

I also agree, it's a bloody Lamborghini Countach!, if you were around for most of the 80's, you'd know there is nothing cooler than that :)

[drifand]

Except it was a poorly painted Lamborghini to begin with. The G2 is far way better.

[UltraMarginal]

Sideswipe wowed with the Lamborghini license. The fact that it is a beautifully proportioned Countach that transforms is amazing.

G2 version is even better.

Tru Dat!
I really liked it, I have no connection to the G2 character at all but I couldn't pass up the Black Countach.

[drifand]

Tru Dat!
I really liked it, I have no connection to the G2 character at all but I couldn't pass up the Black Countach.

Black countach was well painted almost on par with mp streak IMO they are the two best painted car mp till date.

[Kranix]

I have the second run Sideswipe and he is painted really well as in my G2 version.

[drifand]

I have the second run Sideswipe and he is painted really well as in my G2 version.

I second this. The paint just pops, is such a disappointment when Tracks does not give me the same effect,

[Kranix]

I second this. The paint just pops, is such a disappointment when Tracks does not give me the same effect,

I now have the recent third run MP12 and I think it's painted just as well as my second run. I still think MP12 is the best MP carbot made.

[prjkt]

I second this. The paint just pops, is such a disappointment when Tracks does not give me the same effect,

I have both, and both wow me in different ways in terms of colours.

Imo Sideswipe's the better figure in bot mode, but not by a huge margin, yet I think Tracks' car mode is a little better - just the "depth" to the metallic colouring in the plastic,more seamless appearance and weapon storage. Not to mention the unnecessary yet awesome flight mode.

However Sideswipe is still really solid, I love how smooth the transformation is, and how his lower legs form up, and just the little touch of rotating the "air intakes" forward to fill out the shin profile and folding up the side windows to maintain his silhouette just show amazing attention to detail

[Gasaraki]

I have very fond memories of the expectation leading up to this first MP Autobot car (Rodimus notwithstanding as that wasn't a license vehicle)... here's my video review of MP-12 (https://youtu.be/3fzkDfTgDXY) plus a comparison with the very good Universe Deluxe Sideswipe figure:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/iling79/OTCA/MP%20Sideswipe.jpg (https://youtu.be/3fzkDfTgDXY)

[GoktimusPrime]

Did you import your MP12? Cos if you bought it locally at TRU then it should have an English language booklet which basically contains a wonderful (:p) translation of a lot the info that you pointed at on the back of the box.

[Gasaraki]

Did you import your MP12? Cos if you bought it locally at TRU then it should have an English language booklet which basically contains a wonderful (:p) translation of a lot the info that you pointed at on the back of the box.

What, really!? I never knew about the translated booklets! Oh well, in the end I probably would still have gotten him on import as the AUD/USD rates were very favorable at that time IIRC. I will have to Google those translations!

[GoktimusPrime]

Or you could check out this thread (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=21038&page=4) :) Some of the images on the Hasbro version have also been changed (as detailed on the thread).