Fortress Maximus - Is he worth the high prices?

[rampagesss]

Just wondering for the people who have Fortress Maximus is he worth paying the high prices that a good example? I have never owned or even seen one before so would like other peoples opinions if he’s worth it or not.
But in the end ill probably just get him anyway :D

[bruticus]

-its a holy grail for some.
-centrepiece for most collectors collection.
-largest transformer toy ever officially released
-appreciates in value over the years provided its not yellowed, missing parts or broken
-base mode looks wicked and action packed.
-Its never going to be reissued again (does not comply with new toy regulations, fails drop test requirements)

only downside i can think of is that once you have him you may get a bit paranoid about it breaking or yellowing etc....lol

just get him anyways if you have the cash. But just dont pay the really high prices.... since AUD is strong atm, you can pick up some for relatively cheap and its only ever going to go up in price so you might as well buy one while the opportunity is there.

[STL]

I paid about $800 for mine and to me that's not too pricey. I think that no toys really worth it unless it means something to you. I have it and only keep it now b/c I do own one. If however, I hadn't been such a purist in my 1st two year of collecting I doubt I would've ever really wanted one. My primary reasons is although I love the character in the comics and the cartoon blew me away, he as a toy just doesn't interest me. He doesnt' do very much apart from scale. And that's probably his biggest draw card. The nostalgia has a small role to play but it's fairly minor.

I don't think he's worth it anymore b/c I find many modern toys to be a lot more playable, posable and full of life. Fort Max is a brick. his transformation ultimately is a "lie me down". He's great I guess though if you have a lot of G1 micromasters as he's a very large play set but to me, he's not that great or worht the price anymore and as I've said, if I hadn't bought him early, I doubt I would've bothered later on.

[dirge]

Why not take a look at a SAers Fort/Grand/Brave max at some stage, rampagesss?

I had never seen either of the Maximii when I ordered Brave Max, but that was back in 2001 (when I could get him for retail plus EMS), at $300. At that price the choice was a bit easier to make. So I knew what I was getting into when I paid more than double this for a Fort Max a couple of years ago. I wouldn't recommend the blind leap for a toy which is still going to cost close to $1000 (or more than), so if you can sample, that's what I'd recommend.

When it's all said and done, as STL alluded to, if it's worth it is ultimately going to depends on your own feelings towards the toy.

[GoktimusPrime]

Why not take a look at a SAers Fort/Grand/Brave max at some stage, rampagesss?
+1. When it comes to something that expensive, always try before you buy. :)

[liegeprime]

what they said. I for one wanted a fort max first time I saw it on display at the Wharf * toy convention griffin had set up.... but then I saw Brave max and preferred that color scheme... saw it in city mode in Goks collection which further reaffirmed that I prefer that version (brave max) instead and finally got mine for $700. I think its still worth it. I guess yeah it depends if you really like it first otherwise it may end up as your biggest " I told you so" purchase... and man is it a big one..... make sure you have a space to place it in if you do buy it.

[rampagesss]

Thanks Everyone

The main reason I asked is because when I buy transformers I like to buy there counter part e.g.
Bought Optimus, so had to get Megatron
Bought Metroplex so had to get Trypticon
Bought Ultra Magnus so had to get Galvatron

And now I just received Scorponok so now want to get Fortress Maximus. And my tax return will cover a very nice one I have found. Only draw back is that I will have to modify my shelving to fit him in as he is so big.

But in the end I will probably just go ahead and get him as he looks so awesome! And he is one that I have never owned so am looking forward to him :D

[AussieJason]

As mentioned, it's a holy grail for some, especially die-hard G1 fans. I have two of them, one with it's box so I am obliged to say yes it can be worth it.

The toy itself is dated, with very limited gimmicks by today's standards. As a toy in the 80's though, it would have been awesome to unwrap on on your birthday or Christmas. The size is impressive, but hard to visualise from a pic. You really need to see one in real life, or from a comparison photo to Metroplex or similar. I can post one later if that helps.

If you decide to get one I wouldn't pay the Ebay rate, look elsewhere. This also applies if you want a Brave Maximus instead.

[Fungal Infection]

Its okay as far a display centerpiece goes but I personally aint too fond of it as a toy. I've never owned a Fort Max but I did have a Brave Max which I sold because it took up too much space, and which I felt really didn't hold much value in my collection. I find classics Jetfire, (one of my top 5 favourite toys of any line, Macross/TFs/Gundam etc...), despite being smaller and cheaper, a better designed toy in every regard compared to Fort Max. But thats just my opinion.

[1orion2many]

:)Sell a kidney he's worth it and you still have one kidney left:p:D

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Having seen Bruty's Maximii I'd rather have the kidney myself...it's freaking big but it still suffers from all the usual '87 TF flaws (i.e. brickishness, not-very-alternate-alt mode).

[bruticus]

Having seen Bruty's Maximii I'd rather have the kidney myself...it's freaking big but it still suffers from all the usual '87 TF flaws (i.e. brickishness, not-very-alternate-alt mode).

well thats cos you are more of a 'con fan anyways... im pretty sure you liked the scorponok and reflector even though they too suffered from 80's aesthetics.

Plus you saw FM behind locked cabinets dude... had i let you play with it...you would have gone, "whoah, a working elevator? prison cells? spike can sit where? he has how many hidden weapons?" :p


Thanks Everyone

The main reason I asked is because when I buy transformers I like to buy there counter part e.g.
Bought Optimus, so had to get Megatron
Bought Metroplex so had to get Trypticon
Bought Ultra Magnus so had to get Galvatron

And now I just received Scorponok so now want to get Fortress Maximus. And my tax return will cover a very nice one I have found. Only draw back is that I will have to modify my shelving to fit him in as he is so big.

But in the end I will probably just go ahead and get him as he looks so awesome! And he is one that I have never owned so am looking forward to him :D

hahaha... sounds like you already made up your mind but just needed one of us to reassure your decision.

If you have a hefty tax return, i suggest you get 2!!!! i have not met or heard of anyone who owns a mint complete fort max and said they regretted buying it.

Heck, talk to linthart and he'll convince you that a grand max is worth it too... lol.

Just note that you will be very disappointed if you try to match up scorponok with FM....the size difference is ridiculous.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Truth be told I probably wouldn't have dared touch Maximus for fear of damaging it. Gimmicks = meh.
Reflector yes 'cos I'm a sucker for unusual alt-modes, Scorpy is also meh.
IIRC the highlights of your collection for me were the MP Primes and Megs, the fully outfitted City-Commander, and the so-many-Dinobots. Vector Prime was surprisingly impressive too, I was fence-sitting on getting him but now he's a must-have somewhere down the track. There were quite a few others but seeing so many awesome TFs in one place made my brain shut down so it's hard to remember them all...

[GoktimusPrime]

Truth be told I probably wouldn't have dared touch Maximus for fear of damaging it.
It's a fairly hardy 5kg toy. ;) So long as you don't hurl it or drop it from a great height you should be right. Maximi tend to suffer from missing parts rather than broken bits.


Gimmicks = meh.
Yeah but they're fun to play with! Gimmicks aren't inherently a bad thing, it all depends on whether they compliment the toy well or not. I don't like gimmicks that aren't very complimentary or worse still, overwhelms the toy. Fort Max's gimmicks aren't like that.

Having said that the overall engineering of the toy _is_ quite simple, but at that size and weight I'm glad that it is because transforming a Maximus is like wrestling a small midget! And who doesn't love midget wrestling eh? :p

[kup]

The engineering on max is simple but effective. The Base outcome is pretty satisfying. The Flying fortress mode is a bit iffy as its more of an 'intermediate' mode, probably somethingthey made up after designing the toy but I like it. Also at that scale you don't want overly complex transformations as you do have to move a lot of large pieces and this would be hard for a kid.

As mentioned, the gimmicks are plenty but they are peripheral to the toy meaning that they do not get in the way like most modern Hasbro Gimmicks. The Elevator, the radar, the dozen or so guns and turrets as well as the jail - all seem to have been added after the toy was designed by taking advantage of hollow space within the toy.

[STL]

The engineering on max is simple but effective.


If you'd consider Classics 2.0 Silverbolt was effective, I guess. Lie me down. Bend my legs and push. Put my arms into the air.



Also at that scale you don't want overly complex transformations as you do have to move a lot of large pieces and this would be hard for a kid.


Same applies with a small toy though too. Don't want kids picking away at little pieces to get them into place. More likelly to snap it off. Large and sturdy I imagine is easier.

[dirge]

If you'd consider Classics 2.0 Silverbolt was effective, I guess. Lie me down. Bend my legs and push. Put my arms into the air.


Both Silverbolt and Fort Max have effective engineering. Maybe not satisfying or challenging, but they achieve what they set out to do (unlike say Energon Ironhide whose visible head ruins any semblance of "disguise" in vehicle mode, or Energon Vector Prime's poorly moulded wings which can't fold away properly).

We're talking a 1988 toy. For that time, Fortress Maximus' engineering is sufficiently complex for that era, and satisfying alongside other toys of the era.

Silverbolt's engineering works as well - but it's incredibly underwhelming for a 2008 toy - and hence unsatisfying alongside other toys of the era.

Anyone looking to buy Fort Max should make their decision within the context of G1 as a line - if someone is not a fan of G1 they're unlikely to find him satisfying.

[kup]

If you'd consider Classics 2.0 Silverbolt was effective, I guess. Lie me down. Bend my legs and push. Put my arms into the air.



Same applies with a small toy though too. Don't want kids picking away at little pieces to get them into place. More likelly to snap it off. Large and sturdy I imagine is easier.

As Dirge said. You cannot take it out of the context that its a 1987 G1 toy and compare it to a 2008-9 toy of a different scale. It's a bit ludicrous like comparing the performance of a 1930s bus (http://www.skylineaviation.co.uk/buses/ruf186.jpg) with that of a 2008 Van (http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/dj/2008-Chevrolet-Express-lg2.jpg) and arguing that the bus sucks because its not as fuel efficient as the van.

[jgon2098]

if you dont care about wether its the original vintage or not, brave max is the much cheaper alternative, if the notion of 'vintage' matters as it does for everything that i collect, there is no argument. its all about the nostalgia eh? if you dont care about it, no need to fork out that cash.

the longer you wait, the more its going to cost you.

cerebros/spike a few years back use to be 50 bucks each. a normal auction for them now is roughly 100-150.

+ the xchange rate is fantastic atm.

worst case scenario, consider it an investment, its value isn't going to drop in the near future

[GoktimusPrime]

if you dont care about wether its the original vintage or not, brave max is the much cheaper alternative, if the notion of 'vintage' matters as it does for everything that i collect, there is no argument. its all about the nostalgia eh? if you dont care about it, no need to fork out that cash.
+1!

And IMO Brave Max is a much nicer looking toy anyway! Fort Max is rather dull; primarily just white, greys and blue. Quite bland; and of course the whites yellow horribly. Brave Max on the other hand offers a wider palette of colours, and also done in a nicer way, like all those little yellow "windows" painted on towers; really makes city mode look more like a city!

I only got Fort Max because I really like the character in G1 (the G1/G2 comics and Headmasters animé; Rebirth Fort Max is quite forgettable (-_-)). But if you're not a big fan of the G1 character, then yeah... you're better off getting a cheaper version of the same mould.

Also, there is a cheaper version of the G1 Fort Max character with Fortress Maximus Junior (http://tfwiki.net/w2/images2/b/b6/G1_FortressMaximus_Jnr_toy.jpg). :)

[Sky Shadow]

Also, there is a cheaper version of the G1 Fort Max character with Fortress Maximus Junior (http://tfwiki.net/w2/images2/b/b6/G1_FortressMaximus_Jnr_toy.jpg). :)

Which would be a better alternative if Cerebros Junior wasn't one of the creepiest Transformers ever. (Just plug in the Mr Men legs to the back of Fort Max's head, turn Cerebros Junior upside down and... he has an upside-down face on his pecs and a beer belly. :confused:)

[AussieJason]

There is a Fortress Maximus Jr on Ebay now. (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/G1-JRS-set-Fortress-Maximus-Convoy-Chromedome_W0QQitemZ320402823892QQcmdZViewItemQQpt ZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a997f1ad4&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)

It's a giftset with a downsized Optimus Prime and Chromedome, but not much cheaper than an incomplete G1 Fort Max...

[Sky Shadow]

There is a Fortress Maximus Jr on Ebay now. (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/G1-JRS-set-Fortress-Maximus-Convoy-Chromedome_W0QQitemZ320402823892QQcmdZViewItemQQpt ZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a997f1ad4&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)

It's a giftset with a downsized Optimus Prime and Chromedome, but not much cheaper than an incomplete G1 Fort Max...

That one's way overpriced. They're readily available for a quarter of that price at the most:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Transformers-Japanese-G1-TF-JR-3-pack-MIB_W0QQitemZ250438608216QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item3a4f4de558&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Or this one for a bit more:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Transformers-Jr-Optimus-Fortress-Chromedome-Set-Takara_W0QQitemZ180201705944QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0?hash=item29f4dbd1d8&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[reillyd]

I've always wanted to buy one, hang the expense, but after seeing Encore Skylynx and Omega Supreme, i just *know* the day I'd bought it TakaraTomy would announce Encore Fortress Maximus. Its not like the mold is lost, or that its even been that long since a Max has been released, albeit in wrong colours

[funkyaw]

Until you actually get the opportunity to see one live in person, I don't think any photos can really do him justice.

I saved up for a while to get Brave Maximus instead because I preferred the colour scheme more (and then I wouldn't have to worry so much about yellowing either).

When this huge box arrived at work, nobody could believe that it was actually a single transformer.

[Paulbot]

I don't have Fortress Maximus or his brothers. I would like one but the high price puts me off. I just can't justify spending that much on a single Transformer. :o

[canofwhoopass_87]

I've been wanting an original fort max for so long now but the fear of an encore or reissue of some kind keeps me from buying. I'm worried this would mean a $200-$300+ loss in an instant...

Plus the shipping rates from overseas...

[TheDirtyDigger]

Mine was definitely worth it!

Thanks again jgon!

[bruticus]

Also, there is a cheaper version of the G1 Fort Max character with Fortress Maximus Junior (http://tfwiki.net/w2/images2/b/b6/G1_FortressMaximus_Jnr_toy.jpg). :)
Hey is it me or is chromedome's stats all maxed out??


I've been wanting an original fort max for so long now but the fear of an encore or reissue of some kind keeps me from buying. I'm worried this would mean a $200-$300+ loss in an instant...
According to chatter on the net, Brave max never sold too well so from a financial point of view, i doubt hasbro will embark on that train again. Plus further chatter keeps mentioning that Fort max fails the "drop test" and shatters into sharp harmful pieces therefore does not pass today's toy regulations.

It up to you guys, but i reckon the longer you wait, the more expensive it will be.....

[Sky Shadow]

Hey is it me or is chromedome's stats all maxed out??

Chromedome Jr's Tech Specs meter is on an endless spinning wheel - you can pretty much spin his stats to whatever level you like.

[TheDirtyDigger]

I'm tossing up buying a second one with part of my tax return. He's definitely worth it!

[GoktimusPrime]

I get sweet bugger all from my tax returns. :( I wouldn't even be able to afford a G1 Scorponok. (-_-)

[Lord_Zed]

I get sweet bugger all from my tax returns. :( I wouldn't even be able to afford a G1 Scorponok. (-_-)

That's still better than having to pay the government more money. :(:(:(

As for Fort Max, i'd need a hell of a huge bounty Tax Return to consider getting hm, he's just to big and pricey and not that interesting to me for the cost. I prefer modern toys that combine nostalgia with modern day ingenuity and toy making. I do like the comic Fort max character, but the toy is just to big to stand next to his companions. That said I'm not really a big G1 collector so take that into account when considering my criticisms.

[heroic_decepticon]

I personally like the Fort Max colour scheme the best. I just like the greys with the whites. The colours for Grand Max and Brave Max are just too sharp and contrasting and dull, respectively.

Definitely worth it to buy. Imagine the hours of fun you're going to have with your Takara SCFs or WSTs with Fort Max in base mode...


Just note that you will be very disappointed if you try to match up scorponok with FM....the size difference is ridiculous.

http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/41203/2125959910100811158S500x500Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2125959910100811158slxdYt)

http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/22002/2070814860100811158S500x500Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2070814860100811158TKyYoa)

http://inlinethumb19.webshots.com/43602/2644487450100811158S500x500Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2644487450100811158qoZnQN)

http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/45003/2123624440100811158S500x500Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2123624440100811158QhtYFJ)

... and Gok is going to crap all over this one...

http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/44390/2302762150100811158S500x500Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2302762150100811158HfiBOd)

[kup]

I had not realzied that Overlord was about the same height as Scorponok. However his 'largest Decepticon' crown has not been taken away as his antennas make him a bit taller :)

[dirge]

I once tried to take a picture of Brave Max (didn't have Fort Max at the time) next to WST Ravage. I couldn't get a shot where Ravage was really in focus while all of Fort Max was visible - there's just too much of a scale difference!

[Linthart]

Naturally i wasn't going to let this one pass up before offering my 2c.

There are some very good points made here. yes he's a brick and not one to really 'play' with but he brings a god like presence to a collection.
Many of you have noticed i'm a maximi (new word for me) nut.
He works for me on a pure nostalgic measure.

I first discovered fortress maximus in 2007 and i just had to have him. the biggest and baddest TF ever made. so big he could kick a 5y.o ass.
i bough them to display them. i just love to look at them. of course i enjoy transforming them but i haven't done it for a long time and now that they're finally on display, thats where they'll stay and one day, way way way down the track i'll buy a second FM for city mode display.

IMO you'd only buy him to display him, not to play with him. he's just too stiff and huge to change all the time. it can take some strength to move the joints.

If i had to give up my maximi if i was really desperate for the money, i would stop collecting. wouldn't be the same without them. they are my favorite display piece so much that i've dedicated an entire wall for them (thats a 3 meter long shelf for those of you playing at home)

as for the money?
god it hurt. it really hurt. especially grand. when i tell people how much i spent on him people give me the most wiped out look. i've suffered for a long time paying them off (finally did it) but i dont regret it for even a second.

the worst part is the shipping. hands down that part sucks. if you get one MIB its even worse as the seller has to make a custom box


http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv281/LintHart/DSC07752-1.jpg

[GoktimusPrime]

I think the mould is fun to play with, but in a different way/sense from most other TF toys. I really love how the Headmasters animé portrays the primary transtector as a battlecruiser like the Macross (SDF-1) or Space Battle Cruiser Yamato etc. That's how I like to play with this toy. :) It's more of a playset rather than an action figure I suppose.

[kup]

I think the mould is fun to play with, but in a different way/sense from most other TF toys. I really love how the Headmasters animé portrays the primary transtector as a battlecruiser like the Macross (SDF-1) or Space Battle Cruiser Yamato etc. That's how I like to play with this toy. :) It's more of a playset rather than an action figure I suppose.

I agree. Fort Max is more like a play set base than an Action figure. The designers also appear to have taken that into consideration given that they included Cerebros as the 'Action Figure' component of the set.

[heroic_decepticon]

I agree. Fort Max is more like a play set base than an Action figure. The designers also appear to have taken that into consideration given that they included Cerebros as the 'Action Figure' component of the set.

I just love the city mode Fortress Maximus. Portions of it is so reminescent of Autobot City in TFTM (maybe that was the inspiration).

This is the reason why I have so many of these babies, because when I get a big enough platform or table, they are all going to be aggregated together (and joined by the 6 metroplexs, 3 Omega Supremes and 2 Guardian Robots) into one huge Transformer city that is going to be populated with Takara SCFs/Heroes of Cybertron and WST figures.

[funkyaw]

Well for anyone interested, there is a Brave Max on ebay aus for sale from Hobart. Current bidding is at $200 but not sure how much shipping is.

[Linthart]

Well for anyone interested, there is a Brave Max on ebay aus for sale from Hobart. Current bidding is at $200 but not sure how much shipping is.

Either way it will be bugger all compared to having it shipped from the states.
Infact it would be cheaper to go to Hobart and get the thing personally on a sale fare than have one shipped from US

[blackie]

Either way it will be bugger all compared to having it shipped from the states.
Infact it would be cheaper to go to Hobart and get the thing personally on a sale fare than have one shipped from US

ima win it :P

[Linthart]

ima win it :P

Not if I beat you to it fool. But in all seriousness I wish a 4th maximi was on the cards right now. Think it will have to be a second fort over brave, but I do love the city colours in base mode more Of brave but the nostslia of fort overrules

Plus I'd need a solid display idea first and I fear there's no where for him

[Paulbot]

All this talk of Fortress Maximus has made me want to buy one now. :o

(Well I'm looking at the Brave Max version because it's cheaper and that local auction has my attention!)

[d*r*j*]

...He works for me on a pure nostalgic measure.

I first discovered fortress maximus in 2007...

So you are nostalgic for 2007?

[Kyle]

All this talk of Fortress Maximus has made me want to buy one now. :o

(Well I'm looking at the Brave Max version because it's cheaper and that local auction has my attention!)

I think Brave Max's colours are the best of the 3.

[heroic_decepticon]

All this talk of Fortress Maximus has made me want to buy one now. :o


Same here, heh :D