Toy Review - JP Masterpiece Rumble & Jaguar

[griffin]

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

Rumble (red) & Jaguar (Ravage)
Series - Masterpiece
Sub-line - none
Size/class - n/a
New/remould/redeco - Both New
Wave - MP-15
Released here - not here (released in Japan February 2013)
Approximate Retail Price - 4,400yen (about AU$50)
Approximate Size - 4-8cm
Allegiance - Decepticon
Alt-mode - Cassette/robot (Rumble), Cassette/jaguar (Jaguar)
Main Features/Gimmicks - Pile Drivers (Rumble), cassette cases.
Main Colours - Red, black, silver (Rumble), black, grey, silver (Jaguar).
Main Accessories - 2x Pile Drivers, "battery" cover, 2x guns (Rumble), 2x cassette cases.

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/tftoys/jp2013a17.jpg

[Hursticon]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEBREoBCAAAx7FC.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEBTJTnCMAIix6-.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEBZz_8CIAA3UNR.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEBerUYCEAAjSrR.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEBhiK_CQAAeEYm.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEBm54xCQAEVO98.jpg:large


Quick thoughts:

Both figures are on an equal complexity level with MP Laserbeak. ;)
Both have slightly more fiddly transformation steps, though purely due to the size of some parts (Ravage's Nose/Rumble's Fists). :)
Chrome (Gold) is only present on Rumble (Chest, Pelvis & Knees), absolutely no chrome to be found anywhere else in this set. :cool:
Ravage's Cassette mode suffers in-order to achieve his Bot mode's superior sculpt, posture & poseability - IMO the best iteration to date. :cool:
Rumble's guns are quite fiddly to place into his back ports, they also have swappable pegs for being held in his hands. :)
Both figures have very thin paint applications, BE WARNED: Handle with care. :eek::o
Both figures are extremely worthy of the MASTERPIECE title, they continue the astoundment of what is achievable with the same form-factor & mass found in the G1 cassettes. :D
Their transformations are quite enjoyable, Rumble's more-so than Ravages', instructions certainly aren't required. ;)
As this pair cost me $51.00AUD from HobbyLink Japan to my door, I am very comfortable in saying that 'a piece' there's $25 worth of value here; I'm extremely pleased and happy with both of them. :D:cool:

[kaiden]

no coin hursti? D:

[Hursticon]

no coin hursti? D:

Nah, not with my order as I bought direct from Japan aka TakaraTomy, only those sold via the Hasbro HK market receive those coins ;); The ones for this pair do look quite cool, but I wont miss them at all (Not compared to MP Soundwave's anyway). :o:p

[Shirokaze]

Thanks for giving me confidence that they're worth the money Hursti :)

I'm still waiting for HLJ to move this to my private warehouse so I can have it shipped along with AM-33 Megatron. Since you've got yours already, I now have a reason to ask them 'what's up?'

[gamblor916]

Nice review Hursti, these guys really look good. Still waiting on my HLJ warehouse stuff til I get mine.

[5FDP]

Glad to hear you are happy with them Hursti. From what I have read / heard / seen I was worried it might end up being a regrettable purchase. They do say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

When you consider that they are scaled in between legion and commander class and have no diecast, I voted 'Not worth it' considering what you get for how much online stores are asking for them. Price alone doesn't make them a high-end collectors piece and if anyone thinks otherwise, I've got some expensive rocks I'd like to sell to you ;) :p

[UltraMarginal]

I voted only if... you have the Takara MP Soundwave, in that case, why wouldn't you?

If you are like me and still waiting for the June/July release of the Hasbro version then, it's a no for this guy till he turns u pin that box. and then a Hell yea for the whole lot.

for the time being I just get to drool at all Hursti's and everyone elses awesome pictures.

[griffin]

I should have put in as a voting option "waiting for the Hasbro version". Hmmm... that can be included in the "only if" category... as in, "only if it is the Hasbro Version.
???

[Kazza]

I got my Rumble/Ravage (with coin) today and i quite enjoy playing with them, well articulated and detailed for something as small as a legends toy. The transformation is quite easy but well thought out for something so small, very good engineering for these toys. Whether if you should buy it or not, I would say 'Only If' :

1. you already have takara tomys MP-13 Soundwave
2. your willing to fork out 50-70 to get it delivered to your door

Otherwise there is really nothing so special about these toys that would compel you to buy it, waiting for the Hasbro release would be wiser.

[Hursticon]

Thanks for giving me confidence that they're worth the money Hursti :)


Nice review Hursti, these guys really look good. Still waiting on my HLJ warehouse stuff til I get mine.


Glad to hear you are happy with them Hursti. From what I have read / heard / seen I was worried it might end up being a regrettable purchase. They do say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.


for the time being I just get to drool at all Hursti's and everyone elses awesome pictures.

Thanks guys. :D

Of course beauty & opinion is in the eye of the beholder, you're right 5FDP, but I'm glad that my thoughts & pics have been of help to people. ;):cool:
Hopefully the following will continue the trend ;)


As I didn't bother fiddling with them last night, I thought I'd post some pics focussing on Rumble's Piledrivers :cool::

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEGHRErCUAA15fb.jpg:large


His arms seem to only enter the Piledrivers 'One Way', which is in the upward or 'Yay' position; They also only 'Slip' on too, as there isn't any 'clip' or 'plug' that holds them in place so they rely purely on the friction between the arms & the inside of the Piledriver - Hence I feel that people's mileage here may vary :o:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEGIwpJCIAAwKSh.jpg:large


Here I'm aiming to show why you can't enter the arms the other way as that area is taken up by the 'Piston' of the Piledriver & the elbow of his arms simply wont sit correctly within them if one was to use a 'Scarecrow' posture, also this should show the absence of any 'clips' or 'plugs' for the arm's attachment:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEGJhRaCIAAN2wU.jpg:large


Showing down within the Piledrivers, each has a 'One Way' set of guides for either the (His) Left (Shown), or Right hand guns:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEGLJP2CQAEfuGR.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEGLgEMCYAAbuo1.jpg:large


Heres the differing pegs on the gun/s & the hinge for switching between them (Big peg for back, small peg for fists):

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEGNEqYCcAIBLgd.jpg:large


Finally, here's a shot showing Rumble in a crouched/hunched posture with his Piledrivers at Max extension; looks really good I think & very much has that classic G1 Cartoon silhouette:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEGOAILCMAAD2Pu.jpg:large



I'll show a little more about Ravage too, later. ;):)

[Hursticon]

Well?... It IS later. :D

Okey doke; here's some shots of the amazingly poseable, yet sadly (but necessarily) compromised, MP Ravage:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEHj_k6CAAAQ5Sc.jpg:large


This guy is quite fiddly to transform & is probably the least fun of the 3 MP Cassette molds:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEHklMzCUAAitG9.jpg:large


That said, the fun with Ravage is derived from his spot on 'Cat-like' posture & poseability:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEHlROZCMAAfxZk.jpg:large


You can do some REALLY silly things with him though :D:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEHmfQ-CQAEESHu.jpg:large


...finally showing off the compromisation along with Ravage's fold out nose that eliminates a heavy seem in his face:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEHna0pCQAAg_H7.jpg:large


Hope that gives you guys some ideas on what these figures are like, I'm sorry for the horrible 'phone-taken' photos - I'd like to take some better quality shots at a later time though. ;):cool:
(Setting up my whole camera rig is both time & space consuming, getting quite backed up with figures though! :p)

[primatives]

i was going to get this still thinking about it but seriously I'm finding it really hard and sad that the paint app is outrageously shite!!!! only because i had a japanese made G1 tape on my desk and the tampo on it is flawless the lines are straight and doesn't look like a homemade job. the plastic reminds me of the 3rd party why so serious ultra magnus head. looks like from bad moulds i dont know and its not very clean cut. what do u guys think?

[Shirokaze]

I got a reply from HLJ about the status of my MP-15, and it appears that they took more pre-orders than they could fill, so I basically have to wait until they find more. Considering I pre-ordered back in October, it really doesn't instill me with confidence about future orders.... :mad:

[GoktimusPrime]

Hopefully for you the news of the upcoming Hasbro MP Soundwave may reduce the demand for consecutive production runs of TakTOM's MP Cassettes. :confused: <shrug> If you can't find it elsewhere for a decent price, perhaps get the Hasbro version, keep the Cassettes and sell the rest off to partially recover the costs.

[Trent]

Only if.

Waiting for Hasbro version :)

[Bidoofdude]

Who knows? Maybe Hasbro will make Rumble purple...;)

[Hursticon]

I got a reply from HLJ about the status of my MP-15, and it appears that they took more pre-orders than they could fill, so I basically have to wait until they find more. Considering I pre-ordered back in October, it really doesn't instill me with confidence about future orders.... :mad:

That really sucks to hear man, REALLY does as I must've been one of the lucky ones (I'm certain I placed orders for them on October 23rd? :o) - I sincerely hope that they rectify this problem that many are having ASAP.

It seems others have been having problems with AmiAmi; as they've been forgetting to email customers stock notifications, but then sending emails notifying said customers of their overdue penalties they've incurred for not responding sooner? :confused:

[GoktimusPrime]

Who knows? Maybe Hasbro will make Rumble purple...;)
As much as I am a staunch RIRFIB supporter, I actually think that's a good idea! :) The TakTOM version is already RIRFIB, so why not make the Hasbro version FIRRIB? I'm all for Hasbro making their MPs more distinct from TakTOM's (in good/sensible ways, not random or cost-cutting cheap ways)

[kurdt_the_goat]

Just got mine and happy to say they both have no QC issues at all and are incredibly awesome!

The back of Ravage's cassette mode leaves a little to be desired but i would have made the same choice in designing him. Fiddly (best with a very tiny screwdriver to carefully pry out the parts) but I didn't have any fear of breakage. Only minor shame with his design is that the built in missiles are permanently aiming at his front legs - ouch!

Rumble is pretty much perfect - again i'm reminded how awesome the originals still are, because his transformation is very similar. But the look is spot on this time.

I have the other set coming too which'll be great, but boy i hope they somehow manage to release even more cassettes, as the standard has been incredible!

[liegeprime]

well my order just got filled in BBTS... after I had my pile of loot shipped, aaaargh, now Ill have to wait to build up another pile so I save a bit on postage. I'm still waiting for my MP Soundwave's arrival and hoping that the toys I get does not have the QC issues I've been reading about in some threads. Of course I'll be getting all cassettrons heheheh:D

[Hursticon]

I have the other set coming too which'll be great, but boy i hope they somehow manage to release even more cassettes, as the standard has been incredible!

Right there with you dude :); it would be really awesome to, some time down the road, see Ratbat, Overkill, Slugfest and Autoscout as that'd do really well to round out Soundwave's Micro-Cassette minion army! :D

I doubt the possibility of ever seeing them, but it'd just be icing on the Design/Engineering cake to also get Beastbox & Squawktalk. ;):cool:

[Jinto]

I voted Not Worth It. Not when the US release will come with all 5 tapes.

[Shirokaze]

I voted Not Worth It. Not when the US release will come with all 5 tapes.

Serious question here; I don't remember reading any news about the Hasbro Soundwave coming with 5 cassettes, so is it official or just speculation at this point? Please excuse my ignorance if I missed the boat :p

[GoktimusPrime]

Serious question here; I don't remember reading any news about the Hasbro Soundwave coming with 5 cassettes, so is it official or just speculation at this point? Please excuse my ignorance if I missed the boat :p
http://otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=15347

[griffin]

He's asking about it having 5 cassettes, not if it was definitely being released.


Serious question here; I don't remember reading any news about the Hasbro Soundwave coming with 5 cassettes, so is it official or just speculation at this point? Please excuse my ignorance if I missed the boat :p

It was announced by Hasbro at the US Toyfair at their product presentation to the media.

[Shirokaze]

It was announced by Hasbro at the US Toyfair at their product presentation to the media.

Thanks for that Griff, I must've missed it in the huge chunk of news that came with that presentation :o

[GoktimusPrime]

He's asking about it having 5 cassettes, not if it was definitely being released.
Oops, my bad

[Bidoofdude]

Wonder if the Hasbro will come with all the data displays and energon cube fillings, or if he will have all three energon cubes. SO EXCITING!!!;):)

[GoktimusPrime]

Considering the awesome price of the Hasbro version, I wouldn't begrudge Hasbro for not including superfluous bonus accessories/features like the Energon Cubes, data displays etc. :)

[Bidoofdude]

That's a good point, but it'd be just fantastic if they did.

[Deceptic_Optic]

http://i831.photobucket.com/albums/zz231/Deceptic_Optics_2010/9536DD28-1157-4637-85DE-91B6C942EB8F-1360-000000FD24E78A15.jpg

[Bidoofdude]

Why the sad face Deceptic?:confused:

[lancalot]

http://i831.photobucket.com/albums/zz231/Deceptic_Optics_2010/9536DD28-1157-4637-85DE-91B6C942EB8F-1360-000000FD24E78A15.jpg

looking good..nice shot love how you left his driver and box in the background like that ...

..cant wait to get my , but i preorder it with frenzy so i have to wait untill the end of this month to get them both! i didn't know that they combined shipping like that :mad:

[Deceptic_Optic]

Why the sad face Deceptic?:confused:

for a masterpiece this size its bloody expensive

[Bidoofdude]

True.:( True. Looks mighty fine though!:cool:

[Deceptic_Optic]

True.:( True. Looks mighty fine though!:cool:

its still good, but cant say im entirely happy with tge price. takara must be raking in the cash for these cassettes

[Bidoofdude]

its still good, but cant say im entirely happy with tge price. takara must be raking in the cash for these cassettes

I'll definitely admit the price made me go off these but I'll hopefully be able to get my hands on the Hasbro version. :cool:
Still pretty detailed without the regard to price, but that's still pretty hard to disregard. :((You'll find my rhymes quite sublime:p)

[5FDP]

for a masterpiece this size its bloody expensive

QFT!

[Deceptic_Optic]

QFT!

either way they are cassettes of Soundwave afterall... suggestion wait for hasblow version

[GoktimusPrime]

^That's why I don't pay full RRP* for TakTOM MPs. They're just not worth it. Even at discounted prices I think they're only just worth it. :/

------------------------------------------
*Except for Sunstorm, which I now regret paying RRP for since it's become a discounted shelfwarmer :(

[gamblor916]

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/3756/deadhorsez.gif

[Autocon]

Recommended Rip-off Price?:p

[5FDP]

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/3756/deadhorsez.gif

I had the image of a broken record in my head but that works just as well :p

[lancalot]

Hey im was just re-watching Gen1 cartoon and rumble BLUE :confused: !! totally forget... so when did he turn red?

[VERT]

Hey im was just re-watching Gen1 cartoon and rumble BLUE :confused: !! totally forget... so when did he turn red?

And off we go again :confused:

The G1 toy was red but in the show they called Frenzy Rumble. (actually he was Rumble they just panted him in Frenzy colours) So thats why people remember him being Blue. In Japan the toy was also red but in the show they called the Blue one Frenzy and the Red one Rumble.

[lancalot]

And off we go again :confused:

The G1 toy was red but in the show they called Frenzy Rumble. (actually he was Rumble they just panted him in Frenzy colours) So thats why people remember him being Blue. In Japan the toy was also red but in the show they called the Blue one Frenzy and the Red one Rumble.

ok cool.... thanks for the info :)

[VERT]

No problem :-):)

[KaRNiV8L PRiME]

Did anyone else get 2x left handed pile drivers :confused:
It doesn't affect the use of the drivers but only one of the guns fit in

[Bidoofdude]

Optibotimus got 2 right ones, so I guess it's a common factory error.
If you got it from BBTS, they should be able to send you a replacement for the other. ;)
RK or anyone else, I'm not sure. Haven't heard anything yet.:D Sorry.:(

[lancalot]

Did anyone else get 2x left handed pile drivers :confused:
It doesn't affect the use of the drivers but only one of the guns fit in

:eek: That very annoying !! i got two left hand on my alternity ultramagus , the seller sending a replacement but didn't came yet :mad:

[GoktimusPrime]

A nice set - the main thing that kinda disappoints me is how front heavy the piledriver arms become... I've yet to figure out a way to pose Frenzy & Rumble with the hammer arms in "alternating" positions (i.e. one piledriver extended, the other retracted). I can pose them with their piledrivers either both extended or both retracted. :/ Other than that it's a reasonably good design. I can see why others have found Ravage to be disappointing... he's by far the weakest MP Cassette design, but he's also the most audacious/challenging robot mode to transform into. The head/neck halves on mine don't lock in very tightly (though no where as loose as say MP Lambor's shoulders :rolleyes:), and the head/neck kinda ends up looking kinda fat (at odds his extremely thin body and legs). I'm personally not engrossed by the choice of colour they've used for the lower legs. I'd prefer something more closely approximating "gunmetal" grey, but I guess they didn't want the legs to "blend" in with the weapons or the silver decos from the cassette mode. :o I don't think Ravage is terrible, but he's certainly the least strongest of the MP Cassettes. They tampographed Decepticon logos on both shoulders is a nice touch.

At full RRP you're looking at about $22 per cassette - which is nearly the price of a cheap Deluxe Class figure. I personally don't think it's worth paying that; I pre-ordered these toys, so I paid $16 per cassette, which is $1 above Scout Class RRP (or a few dollars below Commander Class), so I'm voting "Only if" you can get it for below RRP. Otherwise just wait for the Hasbro version. :o

[GoktimusPrime]

My MP Rumble came with two right Piledrivers. Did anyone get two Left piledrivers with theirs? If so, let's swap! :)

[KaRNiV8L PRiME]

My MP Rumble came with two right Piledrivers. Did anyone get two Left piledrivers with theirs? If so, let's swap! :)

See above :)

[GoktimusPrime]

I've updated the How to answer the TakaraTOMY online survey (http://otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=201&page=2) thread with more specific questions for Masterpieces, especially for the Cassettes. Unfortunately TakaraTOMY still don't leave any 'free space' to leave specific comments (like telling them that you've received two R-side piledrivers :(). That's something I really miss from the old Takara self-addressed survey cards. But anyway, I've given the toy a lower score in some areas reflecting my dissatisfaction with the double R piledrivers.

I've also voted for "Ultra Magnus" as the MP I'd like to see next. :) Odd that they still have Bluestreak/Prowl as an option considering that it's already being made! (mebbe they need to update this part of the survey)

[KalEl]

Video Review if anyone is interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKnQ6dIRVOw

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Just busted mine out today and I gots ta say I am pretty impressed with these bad boys. I have all required pile drivers and the articulation on Rumble is noice. Does he have a waist twist by any chance? From my exploration I am going to say no, but maybe he does and it's just really incredibly tight.

Ravag is pretty impressive as well. Nice sleek looking mode clever transformation that makes him more than wafer thin and fun articualtion. Although iirc, g1 Rabage was pretty well done.

So far out of all the cassettes, the one that impressed me the most was Buzzsaw/Laserbeak. I think they show the most impressive design advances from the original toys over all the others.

but then (once again) I guess it shows how well the other cassettes were designed in the first place.

[GoktimusPrime]

Update on my RR piledriver situation (http://otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=352635&postcount=15) - TakTOM have come good, supplying me w/ replacement part and letter of apology. :)

[Omega Metro]

I still need to get these but nobody has them at a decent price.

[GoktimusPrime]

Wait for the local Hasbro version, dude. It'll work out cheaper. ;)

[philby]

so after debating and waiting a while i decided to get one of these with some other purchases on ebay. i seem to have a bad QC version which is annoying. I've watched a couple of videos and I don't think it is the KO version but with these it is very hard to tell it seems.

My issues are that the Decepticon logo tampograph on Rumble is off-centre and his left hand and part of the arm seem to be perhaps painted shut or something. I can't flick out the hand and I can't move it at the elbow joint at all not matter how hard i try. There is definitely some sloppy or extra silver paint in those areas. FFFFUUUUUUUUUUUU

One thing that might be interesting is that it seems to be a Hasbro China version or something. On the box there is a white sticker or label covering part of the box with chinese writing, phone numbers and hasbro.com.cn web link. I have a separate Chinese instruction sheet as well as the Japanese one.

I will contact the seller about options.

http://i.imgur.com/R030MV0.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/XLRFHsj.jpg

http://imgur.com/ivHN20U.jpg

http://imgur.com/25IIo88.jpg

[Borgeman]

White sticker on box? KO Im afraid
Can you post a pic of the box to be sure?

[philby]

Ok sure. The figure and box both have C2414 on them, whereas in online reviews I have seen A2113.

http://i.imgur.com/guTJdMy.jpg?2

http://i.imgur.com/r4UArG1.jpg?2

http://i.imgur.com/XZBWBtc.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/WCNneJM.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/t9uuZGD.jpg?1

[MEEEGGGAAATTTRRROOONNN!!!]

How well do the guns tab into his back?

I've found with the KO's that it's very loose.

[philby]

How well do the guns tab into his back?

I've found with the KO's that it's very loose.

guns are good, i did see that in the reviews/comparisons cheers

[GoktimusPrime]

I recommend exercising your consumer rights and asking for a refund/exchange as the product is defective (I'm assuming that it wasn't in the description). Another reason why I never use eBay... (-_-)

[Borgeman]

Ok that looks orite, beat up but orite :p

The white sticker that gives away a KO is the one visible on the top of the box seen on the right hand side MP box in this vid:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF8N_YceqzQ

Otherwise it just looks like you got unlucky with the qc

[GoktimusPrime]

I lucked out with mine too because my Rumble came with two of the same side piledriver, but I contacted TakaraTOMY and got replacement parts. But that was because mine was purchased in Japan. As a toy that's been purchased outside of Japan I would recommend contacting the seller for recompense which you are legally entitled to as the product is not fit for its purpose.

[philby]

thanks :) i will get onto it tomorrow. in the same transaction i purchased MP-25L and a star wars black series figure, i will have to go through and look at those too.