I thought I'd take a rest today and not post anything since I'm running the Standard Chartered Marathon (10km segment) tomorrow. However, this set that E and I picked up this afternoon just completely blew me away and got me so excited, I decided to post!
In the afternoon, we went to Yau Ma Tei to pick up the just arrived MP-15: Rumble and Jaguar set (aka Rumble and Ravage). We also picked up eHobby Soundwave and Blaster (Shattered Glass version) giftset.
As many would know, Rumble and Ravage has always been favourites of mine since childhood. It's no surprise that I was very excited to open MP-15 when I got home.
The ingenuity of the designs just swept me off my feet. In their cassette mode, they were G1 sized. But when transformed, they featured all the complexity and articulation that would put even deluxe class figures to shame.
The transformations were simple and fun, the ingenuity of the design, was just mind-blowingly awesome.
I know there must be lots of pictures of these guys floating around the 'net, so I won't take too many here, just a few key shots.
RUMBLE
G1 Rumble on left.
MP-15 Rumble on right.
Design - 8/10
Transformation - 8/10
Poseability - 8/10
Quality - 7/10 (no die cast parts!)
G1-faithfulness - 9/10
Fun factor - 9/10
Overall - 9/10
RAVAGE
G1 pre-rub Ravage on left.
MP-15 Ravage on right. The MP Ravage is actually quite a bit smaller than its G1 counterpart. The transformations, are quite radically different as well.
Design - 8/10
Transformation - 7/10 (not fun to transform)
Poseability - 8/10
Quality - 7/10 (no chrome!)
G1-faithfulness - 8/10
Fun factor - 7/10
Overall - 8/10
And, I would not close this post without this shot - G1 pre-rub Ravage and Rumble MOSC next to MP-15: Rumble and Jaguar MISB.
If you are on the fence about getting this set, wait no longer. Get off the fence and go get it, now!
I am still picking up this set, but I am not picking up the next one because I am feeling like I am being suckered on the price.
ReplyDeleteHasbro is going to release Soundwave with ALL 5 cassettes for a grand total of less than 120 USD.
You are spot on right that Hasbro will probably release these stuff cheaper. However, as to colour scheme, its a hit and miss sometimes. You are right also that these sets are not cheap- MP Soundwave cost about US$154 here and the cassette set costs US$40, that's already close to US$200. So going by your estimate, it'd be better for the budget conservative collector to wait for the US release.
DeleteStill, this set is soooo sweeet....!
A friend showed me his Sideswipe MP. Was shocked how light he felt than commented maybe some diecast would help. He responded with, " He's doesn't need die cast, he's perfect." I thought about it for a second and agree with him. As long as the plastic is of a good quality, why do we really need die cast then?
ReplyDeleteDie cast is overrated, but applied properly (just like anything else) can result in a good figure. One example is when you have a large/tall figure, possibly with a broad upper body. Such figures tend to have a higher center of gravity making it unstable. If you apply some die cast on the lower body to "balance" the center of gravity, it can result in something that won't topple easily.
Delete@ The Pathologist - I agree that if the plastic quality is good and if the center of gravity does not make the figure topple over like mentioned in the above reply, then we don't really need die cast.
DeleteI think die-cast would be nice; it would give the figure a more premium feel; it would feel nicer in the hands; but its ultimately not *essential*
An example of figure that is worse off with die cast is G1 Springer - even with the die-cast metal chest it falls forward all too easily; for the early release metal chest variant, its very difficult to make it stand up and not keel over at the slightest breeze.
However, die-cast would be good (even essential) if its used for easily breakable or highly stressed parts of a figure - an example is MP-05 Megatron. Many thought that the chromed parts (near the legs and crotch area) were die-cast where they were not. Since these were subjected to so much stress for transformation, many just snapped - if they were die-cast, then they would not really snap.
I can't wait for these guys to get to my house! Excellent pictures!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will be blown away by their awesomeness. Can't wait to see you review them too!
DeleteGreat review and pics HD! Seeing those pics, I really can't wait to get my set. I pre-ordered both sets, so they will ship together once the Frenzy and Buzzsaw set are available.
ReplyDeleteI love the designs of the Masterpiece figures and wish they continue making all of the 1984 and 1985 transformers. The all plastic design of the new figures will make them last longer and display nicer down the road because you won't have to worry about rubber tires cracking or paint chips from diecast metal, but I still can't help but feel that although the designs are near perfect, the toys would still be a better homage to the originals if they used chromed parts, some diecast and rubber for parts like wheels. Still awesome toys : )
hi VF1!
DeleteI agree that the all plastic design would result in less worry down the road. Chrome parts would certainly be good - eg: Rumble's guns should be chrome; Ravage's cluster bombs too.
These are really pushing the envelop of design and are so impressive - in fact, I think these are the most impressive designs from Takara in years (if I can be allowed to say that).
I really hope that Takara plans to eventually make all the cassettes into MPs... Ratbat, Slugfest, Overkill, Steeljaw, Ramhorn, Eject, Rewind, Grandslam, Raindance, Beastbox, Squarktalk, Gurafi, Noize, Diaru and Zauru (did I miss any?).
Good to see you back HD. Your a huge influence on my collecting goals (I like all G1 except action/micro masters) . I made great use of your toy shop maps on a recent trip to Japan.
ReplyDeleteIve documented it here
http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=15365
Just wanted to personally thanks for your tips, it made my holiday such an amazing experience, keep up the good work.
Ps, Love seeing your collection in that awesome cabinet! Please keep the pictures coming
Regards
TheShape
hey Tom, nice to see you here! I just read through the link you posted above of your trip - very amazing stuff. The TF wall with the grey streaks across it in Nakano is new to me, have not see that before.
DeleteI realise now also, how slack I have been because I have not been on OTCA in months and months. There were a number of shout outs / call outs to me in your thread which I would like to have chirped in and responded to a bit, but I wasn't around OTCA. *sob*.
I'm very happy that my Maps managed to help out a fellow collector, but my gosh, you did all the hard work. Your acquisitions on that trip were very good - Twincast, Soundblaster, Galaxy Shuttle, P-38, etc.
BTW, where is Golden Age Toys? somewhere in Shibuya?
Thanks so much for the feedback!
DeleteGolden age toys is in akihabara on Chuo Dori.
Heres a video of what its like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGR9XhIkYJg&feature=player_detailpage
Thank you sir! I'm going to have a look at this place next time I'm in Japan...
DeleteKnowing that Hasbro is releasing SW and all his minions I'm going to wait, but man I'd import the cassettes 1) because I'm impatient and 2) I want their tech spec cards!
ReplyDeleteagree with your 1) and 2), plus the Takara versions are just plain nice. If Hasbro releases nicer versions, I'd get them too!
DeleteNow that I have them in hand, they are indeed really cool. No complains about Rumble, but Ravage feels a little bit small, in fact he is almost tiny.
ReplyDeleteyes, Ravage does feel a lot smaller than his G1 counterpart. But the panther mode and articulation is top notch!
DeleteMany thanks for your review.
ReplyDeleteHave you also tried out these cassettes with the original G1 Soundwave? I've read that they will fit inside his chest, but have not, so far, seen any user comments on how well these guys go with 1980s Soundwave.
hiya, yes, I have tried them, they do fit inside G1 Soundwave's chest and in some cases, fit even better than the G1 cassettes themselves!
DeleteNice, do you collect a few marvel legends/select too? I have crap loads, noticed Thanos and Red Hulk in the background, they are awesome figs.
ReplyDeletehey dude, I don't collect Marvel Legends per se, but I have very few of them.
DeleteIn recent years (ie: 10 years or so), I have been very disappointed with Marvel comics and their storylines and no longer find their characters even compelling or interesting anymore - the stories are literally paper-thin puke-boring and how could, say, the Avengers (in any incarnation) match up to the class and sophistication of the Justice League.
Yeah, that's my view.
But I do have Thanos (still love "Thanos Quest" by Jim Starlin), Juggernaut (love this guy from the SpiderMan story about him and Madame Web), Punisher (my childhood favourite) and Apocalypse. Modok I also have but for $5, I just bought that for fun.
The figures are great, but these are the only Marvel figures I have, heh. =)