Would you like MP Ironhide/Ratchet to have a detachable platforms or not?

As we all know, the original G1 Ironhide and Ratchet toys have detachable mobile platforms. These platforms were featured in their G1 cartoon model guides, and Ratchet's was seen in More Than Meets The Eye Part 1. Both Ratchet and Ironhide were seen standing on their platforms in the early G1 comics, which featured more toy-accurate art. Even after switching to cartoon-model art, Ratchet's platform was seen again in #3 when repairing Gears. Ratchet's platform was also used in the IDW comics when Ratchet was repairing Broadside and Jetfire. Ratchet's Repair Bay has had more canonical appearances than some other MP accessories, such as Wheeljack's anti-hypnochip lunchbox or Red Alert's kuh-razy head sparks etc. And MP Rodimus Convoy came w/ a detachable platform, and that thing never made a canonical appearance (other than in the Commodore 64 game :p). Although Ironhide's platform was never seen in canon, we did see him use his platform's cannon/launcher, in More Than Meets The Eye Part 2, and More Than Meets The Eye Part 3. So perhaps another neat feature would be to make the launcher detachable and attachable to the robot's back.

Another advantage of making the platform detachable, is that it should make engineering the rest of the vehicle into the robot mode relatively easier, as designers don't have to worry about making all that caboose kibble "disappear" into the robot mode. Universe/Henkei Deluxe Ironhide/Ratchet already does this, and I think they did a reasonably good job for what they are, but simply removing the platform from the equation would make things easier for designers. It'd be something similar to what they did w/ MP Rodimus, only on a smaller MP Car scale/price point.

So I'm personally in favour of having MP Ironhide/Ratchet having detachable mobile platforms, but I wonder what others think. :) Also, due to cost-cutting measures, TakaraTOMY would definitely use the same base design for both Ironhide and Ratchet. For this reason, I haven't included any options to indicate having the platform for Ratchet only but not for Ironhide -- either they both come w/ the platform or they both don't.

Related poll: Which heads would you like to see for MP Ratchet & Ironhide?

I voted other, it's something that would be really hard to achieve but it would be spectacular if they could engineer the back of the van to be partially hollow to allow for the gun emplacement to be seen from the open back door.
Follow that up with the transformation placing the gun emplacement on the back like in that flying view linked to above.

That would suit the character better, especially for Ironhide. I feel the separable mobile base is incidental to the character.

On the other hand, the separable mobile base is something that is rare among transformers and a neat idea, in the case of these guys though I think it takes too much away from the character. they are bulky dudes and the bulk of the van would potentially be wasted if not used in the robot.

I voted yes, assuming it didnt impact the bulk/scale of the figure compared to other MP's (and not be almost stick figuresque).

Other.

Because I'm not fussed one way or another

I voted no since I'm all for cartoon accuracy and the original toys for Ironhide/Ratchet are so far off from the cartoon it's atrocious. Most G1 toys resemble their toon chars but these are frankly put are an abomination and I want the MP's to go for a figure that does these chars justice and be as far removed from their toy origins as possible that said I believe having the sleds would be more pandering to toy accuracy with added partsforming which is what the MP line is trying to steer away from as they did with Magnus.

I'd only accept the sleds as an optional accessory like a gun or missile launcher that isn't required for transformation maybe as an amazon exclusive.

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Originally Posted by Trent

Other.

Because I'm not fussed one way or another

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You're so hard to please!:mad:


;)

Doesnt worry me either way as long as the result looks good.

The more masterpiece, the better! But my wife is gonna kill me!!!!!!:rolleyes:

It seems that no matter which direction HasTak takes, they're damned if they do, damned if they don't. Hasbro releases more show accurate colours on their MP10, people complain. Hasbro puts toy accurate colours on MP Soundwave & Rodimus, people complain. Takara Tomy use toon accurate colours on ultra Magnus, and some people still complain. I'm just grateful that these toys exist as MPs, at the end of the day, if you don't like a toy, don't buy it/sell it off! :p

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

It seems that no matter which direction HasTak takes, they're damned if they do, damned if they don't. Hasbro releases more show accurate colours on their MP10, people complain. Hasbro puts toy accurate colours on MP Soundwave & Rodimus, people complain. Takara Tomy use toon accurate colours on ultra Magnus, and some people still complain. I'm just grateful that these toys exist as MPs, at the end of the day, if you don't like a toy, don't buy it/sell it off! :p

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This is an opening concern, I have seen too many of these comments floating about being G1 and cartoon accuracy.

What TT could do is release both? and let Hasbro decides which one they want.

Frankly speaking, I prefered compromised and realistic. I am not fussed over toon accurate and G1, but dont turn bumblebee into some red car and make me believe that is bumblebee, thats all I am saying.

I went with yes - the platforms have made canon appearances, as Goki has pointed out, and it would be a cool homage to the original Diaclone toys.

I did consider the possibility that having the platforms would take away mass/volume from the robots (I've never owned G1 Ironhide or Ratchet, but looking at online pictures, they're barely bigger than Jazz when standing on the platforms), but another idea could be to make the platforms into gun emplacements on treads that Ironhide and Ratchet man from behind, as opposed to platforms they ride.

Gok, can I ask a straight up question and get a straight up answer? I hope so.

Personally I think it is amazing and excellent that you have an involvement with Hasbro Australia with the Japanese translations etc, but are you asking these questions (referring to other MP polls you have put up) and putting out polls for their market research?

I am well aware of your history with polls so yeah, I may be looking into this a bit too deep and need to apply my aluminium foil hat :p

Love your work mate, but would just like to know. :)

Nah, this is purely for my personal curiosity. Nice hat. ;)