Toy Review - MP-18 Masterpiece Streak

[kurdt_the_goat]

Toy Review - Streak
Series - Takara Masterpiece
Sub-line - none
Size/class - MP Car
Wave - MP-18
New/remould/redeco - remould
Released here - No
Approximate Retail Price - 6090Y - $50-70AU (depending on where and when you bought)
Approximate Size - Bit bigger than deluxe
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Datsun Fairlady 280ZX
Main Features/Gimmicks - retractable dual shouder cannons
Main Colours - Black/Silver
Main Accessories - Gun

http://i.imgur.com/rFOxts5l.jpg

I wasn't going to get Streak, foolishly thinking that Prowl and Smokescreen would satisfy me. Wrong!

I think i like Streak more than Prowl now - his silver is a really nice gunmetal (similar to Alternity Megatron), whilst the black is super glossy and just looks superb! I love the extra detailing on the transparent parts of his hood. Happy to report mine also had no QC issues (my Prowl had a bit of a lumpy-paint forehead) - Streaks paint job is immaculate.

I think the only thing i can fault with it is, are his built in launchers. They're not painted, so they look a little cheap next to the rest of the shiny silver.

[kaiden]

I think the only thing i can fault with it is, are his built in launchers. They're not painted, so they look a little cheap next to the rest of the shiny silver.

in comparison to Prowl and Smokescreen he does seem a bit plain. Prowl gets the shiny launchers (from amazon) and sirens and Smokescreen gets his launchers and body kit.

[kurdt_the_goat]

I don't have any Amazon launchers unfortunately! Not the end of the world, though maybe i'll get some 3rd party ones when if/when they come.

[GoktimusPrime]

in comparison to Prowl and Smokescreen he does seem a bit plain. Prowl gets the shiny launchers (from amazon) and sirens and Smokescreen gets his launchers and body kit.
Launcher. Amazon only provided 1 launcher which I felt was disappointing. :( Bluestreak should come with 1 launcher too - Amazon Smokescreen doesn't come w/ any bonus accessories (but I still preordered mine from there anyway just cos it was the cheapest I could find :p). My Bluestreak's still sitting in Japan... gonna have him shipped together with Smokescreen to save on postage. :o ;)

[kaiden]

Launcher. Amazon only provided 1 launcher which I felt was disappointing. :( Bluestreak should come with 1 launcher too - Amazon Smokescreen doesn't come w/ any bonus accessories (but I still preordered mine from there anyway just cos it was the cheapest I could find :p). My Bluestreak's still sitting in Japan... gonna have him shipped together with Smokescreen to save on postage. :o ;)

yes i know that Prowl and Bluestreak come with one launcher each (unless you bought Prowl from RK for $69.90 which included 2 launchers) - what i meant was that the launcher that comes with Bluestreak is meant for Prowl. Which is why he ends up being a bit plain with his default launchers.

[drifand]

Actually for me I felt Smokescreen looks kind of flat compared to this guy. I know, smokescreen has body kit etc...but it didn't seem fierce enough.

[Nevac]

I really like Bluestreak the grey/black color looks great and he looks better with the 2 amazon launchers too. Only gripe is my Bluestreak is a southpaw if I put his gun in his right hand he can't hold it straight I think the groove might need some trimming. Anyone else have this problem?

[Trent]

Unfortunately I have to wait until Smokescreen is released as I bundled them together :( I was like Kurdt and wasn't gonna bother with Bluestreak :o

I'm starting to see why people think he is better than Prowl though :)

[GoktimusPrime]

yes i know that Prowl and Bluestreak come with one launcher each (unless you bought Prowl from RK for $69.90 which included 2 launchers) - what i meant was that the launcher that comes with Bluestreak is meant for Prowl. Which is why he ends up being a bit plain with his default launchers.
Aah right. :) I don't mind the default launchers per se... I like the idea of Prowl, Bluestreak and Smokescreen all having different looking launchers to further differentiate them. :cool:

[lancalot]

i found that this figure got really good paint job ...compare to prowl in which both of my had a little smudge of paint :rolleyes:.... i love the transparent window on the roof also which was a nice touch as prowl one was painted over,, it good how they try to make it different form prowl , and smokescreen , the looks of his body kit doesn't have much detail at all and looks odd , he my favourite character so hoping it look better in person.

[Jim_jim]

The use of colour is less plastic. The shiny coating gives it a wonderful outlook. I do find it looks better then Prowl, although it is truly identical, just like sideswipe and red alert, I still like it. In fact, I am also looking forward to see smoke screen as well.

[Hursticon]

Bluestreak is currently my favourite of the 2 Masterpiece Datsuns that I own; To me, he pulls off the "Robot in Disguise" approach far better than his mold cohorts. :cool:
But then, I also prefer the "Domestic" application over the "Law Enforcement" & "Racing/Tourer" anyway when it comes to most automobiles. :D

Can't wait to complete the trifecta with Smokescreen in December though. ;)


Here's some photos for your viewing pleasure:

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a409/Darkone666au/2013%20Acquisitions/DSCI0035_zps29886ae3.jpg

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a409/Darkone666au/2013%20Acquisitions/DSCI0029_zpsd66876a4.jpg

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a409/Darkone666au/2013%20Acquisitions/DSCI0034_zps5cce7d9a.jpg

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a409/Darkone666au/2013%20Acquisitions/DSCI0030_zpsd0235369.jpg

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a409/Darkone666au/2013%20Acquisitions/DSCI0036_zps36a318db.jpg

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a409/Darkone666au/2013%20Acquisitions/DSCI0031_zps55df20b1.jpg

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a409/Darkone666au/2013%20Acquisitions/DSCI0033_zpsfd61176d.jpg

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a409/Darkone666au/2013%20Acquisitions/DSCI0032_zpsc4728d8f.jpg

[UltraMarginal]

While I don't have this guy. (I keep mentioning in other places that I ordered all 3 together.)

I am starting to think he will be my favorite, the paint job and vehicle details are pristine.

[kaiden]

very nice photos hursti, you make streak look like a spy car that someone like bond would drive.

[GoktimusPrime]

Bluestreak was my very first boxed Autobot car, so he's always been my favourite Autobot car. ;) Can't wait for mine to arrive w/ Smokescreen later this year. :D

[Lint]

I'm definitely lovin my Streak over Prowl. My only gripe with this figure is that I wish they varied the facial expressions of the 3 Datsun brothers to better reflect their personalities, like how they did with the original MP Seeker mold.

[Omega Metro]

It looks a really nice figure. Nice and shiny. I've been contemplating getting this but I'm not into the tiny Masterpieces.

[christalcase]

A beautiful figure, I really like the glossy paint in car mode, I was pleasantly surprised at how great it looked. This is my first experience with this mold and felt that the transformation was well done, simple yet effective. Robot mode is nice but the shade of unpainted grey used for the hands and launchers feels odd compared to the premium feel of the rest of the figure. I still feel that his thighs are too long causing a slight proportion issue but otherwise, a wonderful figure.

[gamblor916]

I agree with the grey plastic for the hands looking cheap. At least with the grey launchers you can cover them up with the add on launchers.

[drifand]

I find this figure had very good paint job.

For what I paid $60 delivered, no complaints. The canons also look better in this colour.

[liegeprime]

I got both Prowl and Streak on the same delivery. I opened Streak first. Joints were really tight. was scare at some point Id break it while transforming in bot mode. As with everyone I like the paintjob, although, in some areas it's just plain gray plastic. The engineering on how they executed the lower legs is awesome. Can't believe how they pulled it off. Needless to say I had an easier time transforming Prowl. Plus Prowl's joints was less tight. Im just disappointed a bit coz my prowl has a scratch on the bonnet. in some angles its not visible coz he's mostly white.:( Im so getting the launchers for both of them. When is Dr. Wu coming out with their press released launcher versions? I want to have a variant launcher for Streak...

[drifand]

It seems to me there is more effort on the Nissans than the Lambor range. By this I meant the quality control.

[GoktimusPrime]

Got Streak and Smokescreen today -- haven't opened Smokescreen yet but I've been playing Streak all day. :D (see pics here (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=393484&postcount=2322) :))

See my comments on MP Prowl (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=379617&postcount=53) about my thoughts about the MP Nissan mould in general, I'll just cover the differences here. As others have noted, Streak is the visually least striking of the three MP Nissans, but I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing. Bluestreak is meant to be a regular Nissan Fairlady 280Z-T, not a police car or race car, so naturally he's not gonna be decorated in as much vehicle bling as Prowl or Smokescreen. But I like that, because it makes him more like a 'robot in disguise' as just a regular street car, which is what the original Bluestreak was like anyway. And if anything, MP Bluestreak's vehicle mode is less bland than the original G1's because it does have the black bonnet and roof that offsets the rest the silver of the rest of the vehicle.

I quite like the look of the default launchers on Bluestreak, because that's how they were drawn in the cartoon, and unlike Prowl, Bluestreak was more commonly seen with his launchers so I see them as being a more iconically Bluestreak thing. I'm gonna give the Amazon launcher to Prowl so he'll have the two more toy-inspired launchers - I also like having all three MP Nissans having different launchers too. :)

I still don't think the MP cars are worth full RRP so I would personally only recommend them if you can get them for under RRP.

[drifand]

I think 5200yen plus shipping is reasonable?

[GoktimusPrime]

I think 5200yen plus shipping is reasonable?
I reckon so. The RRP for this toy is 6090JPY (AU$65).

[GoktimusPrime]

Comparison pics between all 3 MP Nissans w/ G1, BT and Classicsverse posted on the MP Nissans Comparison Thread (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?p=393543#post393543)

[BigTransformerTrev]

Streak was the last of the Nissans I got. Glad I did get him but I prefer the police paintjob of Prowl and I like how Smokescreen is differentiated from the rest somewhat. Like the other two, quite a good transformation and great detail in both modes.

That said, Streak has one of the most young and kinda noble faces I have seen on a Transformer toy! He could be a bot-model with a Chevy-Chase like that :D Only thing that could have made it better was if he was sporting a big grin since he is such a cheerful chatterbox :)

[GoktimusPrime]

That said, Streak has one of the most young and kinda noble faces I have seen on a Transformer toy! He could be a bot-model with a Chevy-Chase like that :D Only thing that could have made it better was if he was sporting a big grin since he is such a cheerful chatterbox :)
I prefer neutral facial expressions as it allows you to play various emotions on the character rather than having a constantly pre-determined emotion sculpted on the face. Also, remember that Bluestreak's jolly disposition is something that he uses to mask his emotional pain; similar to IDW Swerve, although for entirely different reasons. While Swerve presents a jovial persona to hide his low sense of self-worth and poor self-image, Bluestreak does it to suppress emotional pain born from experiencing the ongoing conflict and violence which he hates. I think the MP facial sculpt works well in showcasing Bluestreak's propensity for being a chummy fellow, but at the same time serious enough to make his deeper underlying persona evident as well.

[Sinnertwin]

If i had to rate them

Bluestreak
Prowl
Smokescreen

[Trent]

If i had to rate them

Bluestreak
Prowl
Smokescreen

Pfft. What do you know. Smokescreen is always first ;)

[AJ_Prime]

If i had to rate them

Bluestreak
Prowl
Smokescreen

+1

I have a general rule when I collect transformers - I don't buy the same mold twice. So when releases like this come out, I pick the nicest (in my opinion) out of all of them.

So for me, Bluestreak was the obvious choice. He definitely has the nicest overall appearance in my opinion.

Likewise, I preferred G2 Lambor (black) as I felt his face sculpt, paint job and general appearance was nicer than the original (especially with those spiked wheels on his shoulders and those bad-ass guns!).

[BigTransformerTrev]

I prefer neutral facial expressions as it allows you to play various emotions on the character rather than having a constantly pre-determined emotion sculpted on the face. Also, remember that Bluestreak's jolly disposition is something that he uses to mask his emotional pain; similar to IDW Swerve, although for entirely different reasons. While Swerve presents a jovial persona to hide his low sense of self-worth and poor self-image, Bluestreak does it to suppress emotional pain born from experiencing the ongoing conflict and violence which he hates. I think the MP facial sculpt works well in showcasing Bluestreak's propensity for being a chummy fellow, but at the same time serious enough to make his deeper underlying persona evident as well.

While I do agree with you in theory (Bluestreak's anguish about seeing his home city destroyed by the Cons' really came out in the Keepers Trilogy) I like to see different facial expressions on my toys now and then. For the most part they are either neutral, slightly grumpy, serious or (seemily less these days) they have a faceplate. I like to see a different facial expression portrayed simply for the sake of novelty :)

[GoktimusPrime]

I love neutral expressions because it makes it easier for me to imagine different expressions on their faces when I'm playing with them. I find it harder to say, imagine the character expressing an emotion that's opposed to what's sculpted on their face. e.g. BW Ultra, TM & TM2 Megatron all have snarling "poo eating grin" faces (as do BW Galvatron and Magmatron). This makes it look weird when I'm imagining the character say laughing ("bwahaha!"), having an evil smile ("Yesss"), being stoic etc. The other day I was playing with Animated Ironhide who was in charge of guarding an extra-dimensional prisoner... there was a prison break and Ironhide was overwhelmed. Yet the toy has this smirk on his face, which looks weird when I'm trying to imagine him being terrified. So I prefer a neutral expression as I find it more 'versatile' during play. Pre-fixed expressions work well on busts and statues, but I don't like them so much on action figures. :o They're toys, not poseable/transformable statues (IMHO). ;)

[Sinnertwin]

Pfft. What do you know. Smokescreen is always first ;)

Meh. He's the Dolly Parton of the Datsun Brothers; All chest & no style
;)

[drifand]

Smokescreen is last for me.

The head looks a bit stiff and not enough up down movement.

I think I like Streak as best painted figure, followed by Prowl. This is despite I do not have the launchers for any of them.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Meh. He's the Dolly Parton of the Datsun Brothers; All chest & no style
;)

LMAO :D

[GoktimusPrime]

Toy Review - Bluestreak
Series - Hasbro Masterpiece
Sub-line - N/A
Size/class - MP Car
Wave - MP-06
New/remould/redeco - remould
Released here - Yes, Toys R Us exclusive
Approximate Retail Price - $130
Approximate Size - 16cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Datsun Fairlady 280ZX
Main Features/Gimmicks - retractable dual shoulder cannons
Main Colours - Black/Silver
Main Accessories - Rifle

Here's a pic of the box for now, I'll open this toy up and do a comparative review after I get home tonight.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/acquisitions/mp_bluestreak_HAS_zpskybbkzoy.jpg

[GoktimusPrime]

Okay, I've opened the toy but haven't taken it out of the plastic tray. As far as I can tell, the Hasbro version is practically identical to the TakaraTOMY version. The only difference I could spot is that the tail lights on the Hasbro version have been applied with thicker coats of paint. You can barely notice it though.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Masterpiece%20Nissan/mp_bluestreak_taillights_zpsifdoimv0.jpg

Comparison between the TakaraTOMY and Hasbro boxes shows us that the Hasbro version comes with a bonus 50% more air! ;)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Masterpiece%20Nissan/mp_bluestreak_box1_zpsqbxkxgjh.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Masterpiece%20Nissan/mp_bluestreak_box2_zpsnfvtfb8l.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Masterpiece%20Nissan/mp_bluestreak_box3_zpssqeuaoth.jpg

The toy in tray.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Masterpiece%20Nissan/mp_bluestreak_intray_zpskpndbjug.jpg

[Krayt]

Prowl's got a plane white insert if I remember.... Any interesting observations on what this guys decorated with?

[Paulbot]

In both your pics it's too blurry; What does it say under Autobot on the front of the box? Clearly not "Gunner".

[GoktimusPrime]

In both your pics it's too blurry; What does it say under Autobot on the front of the box? Clearly not "Gunner".
Commando (bilingual).
How dare they change his function -- it's ruined forever! :p </cheek>
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Masterpiece%20Nissan/mp_bluestreak_function_zpsasawari5.png

[drifand]

So we paying more for 50% air? :)

Technically, people buy this if they want the hasbro "reboot" numbering in their mp line.

Seeing that there are hardly any differences, you got to be skeptical about Magnus by Hasbro if it does release.

I am waiting to see their MP-11 colours.

[Paulbot]

Commando (bilingual).
How dare they change his function -- it's ruined forever! :p </cheek>
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Masterpiece%20Nissan/mp_bluestreak_function_zpsasawari5.png

Thanks.