New images of MP Tracks on display

[BruiseLee]

Took me a bit longer to find the MP Tracks thread but copy and paste from the MP Road Rage update:

From TFW member Sam comes a link to a flicker page showing a nice clear closeup pic of MP Road Rage MP Tracks. Legs are a wee bit hollow but still looks good.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/97939553@N02/19921229610/in/photostream/

http://i62.tinypic.com/immlbo.jpg

[Bidoofdude]

He's looking a lot better in colour. The proportions are actually decent.

[leej84]

I just got shipping notification from premium collectables of my mp tracks being sent. ETA 26th august?? Has it been released already?

[drifand]

Havent got any notifications. I thought is next month.

[griffin]

Tracks comes out September 26th. Maybe it's blue Bluestreak that is shipping, as it is due out next week, but some HK sources get their stock early.

[MV75]

This is bugging me. Doesn't seem like masterpiece anymore, more like just a tracks toy.

Too many seams in car mode, the things on the door windows, the plastic wheels. Erh. Is there even a cockpit?

There's just no real detail there anymore. Alternators were superior. Just looking up at my alt hound box. Wow, now that's great details. This just looks like a deluxe toy in comparison. As I said, it's bugging me.

[drifand]

This is bugging me. Doesn't seem like masterpiece anymore, more like just a tracks toy.

Too many seams in car mode, the things on the door windows, the plastic wheels. Erh. Is there even a cockpit?

There's just no real detail there anymore. Alternators were superior. Just looking up at my alt hound box. Wow, now that's great details. This just looks like a deluxe toy in comparison. As I said, it's bugging me.

Where were you since Sideswipe? THIS is a Masterpiece man. :)

What you expect from a Top of the line Transformers toy?
Rubber wheels?
Steering wheel looking from inside and seats?
Pop up bonnet?
diecast body?

Sorry, you get premium box.

BTW, I do agree with you. My Binaltech still wins as a Masterpiece over the actual Masterpiece toys atm. These are just FUN accurate action figures.

I don't bother to compare anymore, You either be happy we have Tracks or love the people who would scream for a Red bumble bee. I take Tracks.

[GoktimusPrime]

To be fair, Binaltech/Alternators never had to translate show-accuracy into intuitive toy form. They had far more creative freedom as their modus operandi was about making super realistic licensed vehicles and having them transform into robots that more resemblance to their G1 characters, but weren't actually direct imitations of their G1 robot forms. Translating G1 cartoon designs into toys isn't an easy feat, as the G1 cartoon frequently flouted reality and had parts just morphing, (dis)appearing etc.; things that toys just cannot do. So designers are working within the confines of making toys that...
* Look like their G1 cartoon counterparts
* Obey the laws of physics (no choice)
* Are intuitive to transform and fun to play with. Most MPs are fun and intuitive; the main exceptions would be the Seekers (intuitive but not fun to play) and Megatron (neither fun nor intuitive). Although the relatively slim nature of Megatron's and the Seeker's alt modes does make it a lot more difficult to render as MP toys than bulkier cars, trucks, walkman/cassettes. :o

Binaltechs simply weren't hindered by these creative constraints. I do agree that BTs were better value for money, but nobody wants to hear me harp on about prices again, so let me just say that if the price bothers you, then just pre-order it and pay earlybird discounted prices. And compared to 12 years ago when BTs came out, we're relatively spoiled for choice these days with the number of online import stores all competing for our business, most of whom offer pre-order discounts. :)

[drifand]

would have been easier if they didn't scaled it down to begin with. I would have proudly display them with my binaltechs.

[MV75]

To be fair, Binaltech/Alternators never had to translate show-accuracy into intuitive toy form. They had far more creative freedom as their modus operandi was about making super realistic licensed vehicles and having them transform into robots that more resemblance to their G1 characters, but weren't actually direct imitations of their G1 robot forms. Translating G1 cartoon designs into toys isn't an easy feat, as the G1 cartoon frequently flouted reality and had parts just morphing, (dis)appearing etc.; things that toys just cannot do. So designers are working within the confines of making toys that...
* Look like their G1 cartoon counterparts
* Obey the laws of physics (no choice)
* Are intuitive to transform and fun to play with. Most MPs are fun and intuitive; the main exceptions would be the Seekers (intuitive but not fun to play) and Megatron (neither fun nor intuitive). Although the relatively slim nature of Megatron's and the Seeker's alt modes does make it a lot more difficult to render as MP toys than bulkier cars, trucks, walkman/cassettes. :o

Binaltechs simply weren't hindered by these creative constraints. I do agree that BTs were better value for money, but nobody wants to hear me harp on about prices again, so let me just say that if the price bothers you, then just pre-order it and pay earlybird discounted prices. And compared to 12 years ago when BTs came out, we're relatively spoiled for choice these days with the number of online import stores all competing for our business, most of whom offer pre-order discounts. :)

But this is the thing. Alt hound looks like cartoon hound with amazing detail.

The detail just isn't there and is something of a let down with a premium name attached to it. You only need to look at your mp optimus prime to see my point. Something with masterpiece as its moniker should have premium details. Don't worry about price. It seems that the creators of the line do and so it's gotten cheaped out in quality big time. :(

I think drifand has hit on it too, scale. Should have been bigger.

I'll put one more example; Human alliance sideswipe. I have it on my desk right now. Car looks great, minimal seams over the car mode, (you wouldn't pick it transforms). Go back to the first post of this thread and look at those seam gaps and clumsy looking match ups. Looks like a very floppy figure. Sideswipe has human figure that sits in the seat behind the steering wheel, after getting into the scissor doors! Transforms to movie accurate figure. Sure there is kibble, it is toy grade, but the details of the doors, seats, how it looks in car mode, etc are great. It's the detail in this MP line that bugs me. Sure it looks like g1 tracks, but very cheaply done with no wow factor details.

You should be protesting this sort of thing and be annoyed by it, not apologise for it. ;)

[GoktimusPrime]

Simply put...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/flowchart_btmp_zpsabo1yhk8.jpg
As fantastic as BT Hound is, he isn't entirely show-accurate. An MP Hound toy would aim to achieve a greater level of show-accuracy.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/comparisons/comparison_BTG1hound_zpsultyv2od.jpg

I love both. :)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Masterpiece%20Nissan/mp_nissansbt1_zps69717b61.jpg

[Kranix]

Its interesting, without wanting to offend anyone I look at that BT Hound in robot mode and think it looks like rubbish. I would expect an MP Hound to look much better and more show accurate. Despite being a car guy but couldn't get into BT. It did nothing for me. However I love MP, so far its everything I want it to be.

[Lord_Zed]

Yeah BT Hounds alt mode is great, but the bot mode is clunky and not that much like his cartoon self.





The detail just isn't there and is something of a let down with a premium name attached to it. You only need to look at your mp optimus prime to see my point. Something with masterpiece as its moniker should have premium details. Don't worry about price. It seems that the creators of the line do and so it's gotten cheaped out in quality big time. :(



I'm not sure what you mean about MP Optimus, in terms of the details finish and engineering I feel MP 10 and the other recent toys can be considered of a Masterpiece standard. I wont deny that 10 years ago when Binaltechs highend TF toys were out such standards might have been higher. But compared to the standard of todays main TF lines I think the MP tag can be justified.

If they renamed the MP line to just Transformers toys, I guess they have to call today's main lines like Combiner Wars the KO quality line.

[drifand]

I felt mp-10 was an incomplete product.

lacked paint apps on Takara, a foldable gun which wasn't necessary and made it looked small.
Truck mode looks not great
no fully articulated fingers which was done by KFC.
poor coloured eyes.
All plastic.

Yes it is posable, but is a action figure. I have spoke to many other collectors for toys and the one thing I am only getting feedback is "Its cheap"

BT Hound isn't my fravourite , I prefered Smokescreen Subaru WRX. Hound had a lot of hollow areas. But being said, the car mode is almost perfect.

We have debated this many times, and I actually just don't care anymore.
Waiting on Ratchet Jazz and mirage, and I am so called done. Other than an Omega Supream or Jet fire, or an unlikely Magtron. I be calling it quits.
Titans Devy basically dashed all hopes of a mp combiner so there actually isn't much more to look forward. Other than Red Bee, I think it looks SOLID.
Wow, can't actually wait for the Blue one.

Oh Acid Storm by Takara to be release next year as last exclusive seeker.
Thats COOL too!

can't wait man.

Back on to Tracks mp, yeah is not the best but I still buy it as its in my list.

[griffin]

(created a new topic for this toy, as it will be on display more as it's release gets closer, and the existing topic was now long enough for news updates to get missed)

[MV75]

Well put Goktimus. :)




I'm not sure what you mean about MP Optimus, in terms of the details finish and engineering I feel MP 10 and the other recent toys can be considered of a Masterpiece standard. I wont deny that 10 years ago when Binaltechs highend TF toys were out such standards might have been higher. But compared to the standard of todays main TF lines I think the MP tag can be justified.

If they renamed the MP line to just Transformers toys, I guess they have to call today's main lines like Combiner Wars the KO quality line.

Details;

Energon axe
Matrix
Megatron gun
Rubber wheels
Painted metal bits.
Painted bits. :)

The standard of todays toys is fantastic. You do have combiner wars don't you? ;) The have articulation and combine with articulation. The mp I'm seeing now is just as much quality, not higher. There's what is bugging me, we have a toy that is mass market level in a fancy box. Guess I have the rose coloured glasses on a bit, but damn, the past looks so good on premium toys.

Also I thought you guys would be salivating over a yellow cliffjumper. lol. What is special about a red bumblebee?

[Sinnertwin]

I love reading the same BT vs MP comparisons over and over again.
Please, continue, it's doing wonders for my insomnia.

[Starscream77]

I love reading the same BT vs MP comparisons over and over again.
Please, continue, it's doing wonders for my insomnia.

^ this

[drifand]

Actually is not a vs thingy is a drop of standard that a lot are pretty happy to accept.


And if you keep it misb anyway you has less things to whinge about. As the boxes are the only thing that did not drop in quality.

[Sinnertwin]

Actually is not a vs thingy is a drop of standard that a lot are pretty happy to accept.


And if you keep it misb anyway you has less things to whinge about. As the boxes are the only thing that did not drop in quality.

No, it is. It's like clockwork... every time a new MP is announced it's Binaltech had this or Alternators had that or why aren't there any rubber tyres, the cheaper paint, unrealistic interiors or some other comparison regarding two completely different lines & design philosophies . I can't roll my eyes any harder

[UltimateGalvatron]

No, it is. It's like clockwork... every time a new MP is announced it's Binaltech had this or Alternators had that or why aren't there any rubber tyres, the cheaper paint, unrealistic interiors or some other comparison regarding two completely different lines & design philosophies . I can't roll my eyes any harder

LOL

Can we just continue talking about Tracks?

[drifand]

LOL

Can we just continue talking about Tracks?

Yeah I agree, would prefer a different topic on another thread as every mp is going to be the standard anyway.

As far as "Masterpiece" line is concerned, I think this is pretty much what it is. Some of us may not like it, I personaly just "deal with it", till there is a better standard. It is the direction that TT took.