Toy Review - Hasbro MP Thundercracker

[griffin]

This feels so cheap or half-assed. The packaging has a single bit of character art on the back and side, which is actually the Classic-verse Thundercracker. And it doesn't have anything like the different modes or accessories shown (just a big portion of the back being blank with nothing on it). Plus, the instructions are of the MP3 mould, which is another sign of it being a rush-job, for not generating new instructions for the new mould.
It just means that if anyone buys one and doesn't have or know about the MP3 Starscream figure, it could be a bit confusing to have instructions that aren't accurate, and no product images on the packaging to refer to.

**Griffin - the accessory list needs to be updated. He doesn't come with the Megatron gun or gun-clip.

Mine came with the gun clip, pilot and missiles.... so I think Megatron is the only thing missing from the MP3/Hasbro Starscream release. Which is kinda stupid to have the clip, but no Megatron to use with it.

[twisted_belly]

This feels so cheap or half-assed. The packaging has a single bit of character art on the back and side, which is actually the Classic-verse Thundercracker. And it doesn't have anything like the different modes or accessories shown (just a big portion of the back being blank with nothing on it). Plus, the instructions are of the MP3 mould, which is another sign of it being a rush-job, for not generating new instructions for the new mould.
It just means that if anyone buys one and doesn't have or know about the MP3 Starscream figure, it could be a bit confusing to have instructions that aren't accurate, and no product images on the packaging to refer to.

Instruction for the new seekers mold can be found here http://www.hasbro.com/common/documen...77B7688DC8.pdf. I got mine few days ago and really like the new mold, especially the fact that it can stand on its own now. The only thing bothering me is the torso which can be easily disassembled if you play around with it. I think the issue was present in the old mold as well as I can remember my Hasbro Skywarp behaving the same way. Has anyone figured out a way to fix this?

[Hursticon]

Really really pleased to finally have a complete line-up of MP Seekers, I've been waiting for Thundercracker for quite some time now & thanks to Jazzcomp I finally own him.

He also doubles as a trip down a re-laid, familiar road; yes that issue regarding the shoulder assembly not locking in is a pain (My Skywarp is fine though ) but I found his new arm tabs that plug into the wing particularly frustrating if one doesn't follow the correct sequence of manipulations.

Alll in all though, I've very impressed with this retooling & very much welcome his ability to stand on his own 2 feet; for display consistency though, like his cohorts, he is perched on his stand.

[Trent]

FINALLY picked this guy up from a board member at the Parra fair last weekend.

As I already own MP-11 I knew what to expect, and overall it's a very good toy but not without it's problems, which have previously been stated in this thread.

I wish they had used something other than Hasbro grey on his torso, it makes it look a little unfinished which sucks for a high end figure like this. Paint apps are ok but mine has a paint scrape about 7mm long in the grey just above the heel on his right leg. :/

I know a lot of people don't like them but I'm a fan of the sonicboom artwork thingy on his tailfins. They break the blue up a bit and to me at least, seem to fit in with Thundercracker. Not so much the Reflector image on his arms.

So yeah, not bad for $80. Just need Skywarp to round out my elite guard now.

[GoktimusPrime]

I still can't get over the 10 seconds of effort Hasbro went into designing the packaging for this toy!

[lancalot]

I still can't get over the 10 seconds of effort Hasbro went into designing the packaging for this toy!

i wonder how many people try to change faces but couldn't !! me included and i didn't know where the back foot thing go until i saw a review!

[Jinto]

The most interesting of the seekers and thanks to IDW, a character I've come to expect an interesting future from. Definite buy for me; eventually.

[kup]

So the Hasbro Thunderracker comes with a stand? The Tomy MP Sunstorm did not!

[GoktimusPrime]

So the Hasbro Thunderracker comes with a stand? The Tomy MP Sunstorm did not!

Yeah but Sunstorm did come with the crown, cape and shoulder pads. Although being more expensive than Thundercracker it probably should've come with the stand too. The new MP Starscream didn't come with a stand either, did he?

More and more TakTOM's MPs are offering less value than Hasbro's. I skipped Alert and I'm hoping that Hasbro does Red Alert. I'm considering skipping Bluestreak, Smokescreen and Prowl and waiting for Hasbro versions of those too. Whaddaya reckon?

[kup]

Yeah but Sunstorm did come with the crown, cape and shoulder pads. Although being more expensive than Thundercracker it probably should've come with the stand too. The new MP Starscream didn't come with a stand either, did he?

More and more TakTOM's MPs are offering less value than Hasbro's. I skipped Alert and I'm hoping that Hasbro does Red Alert. I'm considering skipping Bluestreak, Smokescreen and Prowl and waiting for Hasbro versions of those too. Whaddaya reckon?

It's hard to say really. It was certainly a good idea to skip MP-10 for the Hasbro one as we got a considerable price reduction without much loss. We still got the same accessories and toy, just with a lesser paint job (which was still decent enough).

Thundercracker also appears to be good value for money despite the lack of crown and cape which doesn't really suit the character anyways.

In reality, you are right. The last few MPs have shown that buying Tomy may not necessarily be the best thing to do when it comes to value for money. The Tomy MPs may have better paint jobs but the QC is atrocious and the accessory count not great to justify the risk/price. With a Hasbro release, the paint job may be a level or two below but considerably cheaper and with a comparable accessory count to the Tomy release. There is also the option of being able to return the toy to the store in the event of bad QC.

However there is also the possibility that due to the 3rd party car licensing (Nissan, Lamborghini, etc) that Tomy is paying for, they may not reach the Hasbro market. The MP line is aimed at collectors but Hasbro only aims at kids (even their MP toys are marketed that way) so would they want to pay the extra license fees for kids? Remember that Alternities work in a similar way with car licensing and we haven't seen any interest from Hasbro in releasing them.

Unless we see an announcement, there is the potential risk that Hasbro may never release those car Masterpieces.