Takara Legends Swerve and Tailgate Comparison Sorry if this doesn't deserve its own thread, but I figured I might make one because there wasn't any pre-existing thread and the Swerve and Tailgate Hasbro threads are pretty old (and separate). Please merge/close if unnecessary. Just a quick overview of the 2-Pack of Legends Swerve and Tailgate that Takara has recently released. I was pretty excited when they were first unveiled because I was enticed by the more accurate flame-less Tailgate, so I quickly pre-ordered them. I won't go over the actual figures because I'm sure by now most people have already owned them and I'll just focus on the differences of deco and whether or not I personally think the set's worthwhile. (Hasbro on Left, Takara on Right) Firstly is Swerve. The differences between the Hasbro and Takara versions are incredibly minor. In order to be more accurate to the G1 toy, Swerve is molded in a darker red and features some black paint on his hood, as well as an Autobot symbol on his roof. In robot mode, the he has less red on his legs, which makes him more G1 robot, but unfortunately at the cost of comic accuracy. (Left to right Gear's Eclipse, Takara Swerve's Phaser and Hasbro Swerve's Flanker) The far bigger pull of the Swerve portion of this set is Phaser! Unlike with Tailgate he is a completely new white Minicon that represents a whole new character, the Micromaster Phaser! As a Generations Minicon/Micromaster collector I am ecstatic that we're getting a new character in this set and he looks pretty cool, by far the most striking of the set. However, his best comes out in his weapon mode... ... In a huge nod to us MTMTE fans, Flanker has been changed into Phaser in order for his weapon mode to be Swerve's famous "My First Blaster" from Remain in Light! It even has the safety-orange end as the big blue circle plus the yellow on the back-bottom. Unfortunately there's no rainbow-colored dots on the sides representing the bulbs, but I can forgive because this is an awesome, awesome homage that I think Hasbro should've done in the first place. It really endears me to this set. Tailgate is where the big changes to the decos occur. Gone are the strange blue flames that homaged the Prime Legion Tailgate that were ill-fitting to the character's personality and we get some nice silver paint on the headlights to replace it. The windows are also now black for maximum accuracy to the G1 toy. Unfortunately, the G1 toy homages carry over completely into the robot mode. Tailgate's head and chest is now silver and the light teal is now replaced with a much, much darker shade. He also sports a new Autobot sigil on his stomach, another nod to the G1 toy. The deco is clearly aimed at G1 fanatics, but honestly I'm really disappointed in it. The mold is very specifically MTMTE Tailgate and I wish that they kept his accurate white head and chest. I can definitely understand why G1 fans would prefer it, but for me I'm happier with the Hasbro version for my collection. Sadly, unlike the Flanker to Phaser switch, Groundbuster is still Groundbuster and instead of giving him a toy-accurate deco they've simply made him a darker teal to match Tailgate. The weapon mode of Groundbuster is still the same, with no clever nods or anything like Phaser got. Group pics Minibots! Micromaster/Targetmaster/Minicon collection! If anyone could tell me a place to find Silver Roller, Buzzsaw and Astrotrain it'd be very much appreciated. All in all, I think this set should be an easy pass to everyone unless you're really into the G1 toy look of Tailgate and aren't a fan of MTMTE for whatever reason. I got this set because I wanted a flame-less Tailgate (ordered before they showed off the G1 toy decos) and while the My First Blaster is a HUGE plus in my books, I don't think its reason enough to double-dip unless you're a big fan of the Micromaster/Targetmasters from Generations. I'm really surprised by the fact that the box has great new artwork (not the fugly monster Tailgate Hasbro packaging got) that displays Tailgate in his MTMTE color-scheme. Its a shame the toy doesn't echo the artwork!
hey! no briefcases allowed! thanks for the pics! i want one of these but i'm not sure which one. the takara swerve looks slightly better to me in alt mode but like you said the hasbro one seems to look closer to the comic interpretation. maybe hasbro it is... do you have the 'my first blaster' from maketoys? i think it's actually intended for the 3rd party swerve 'trashtalk' but does it fit with the official figure?
BBTS but $$$$ Transformers Exclusive Clear Micron Campaign - Bazuso (Buzzsaw) - Transformers 2010 - 2015 Transformers Exclusives Transformers Exclusive Clear Micron Campaign - Jolt - Transformers 2010 - 2015 Transformers Exclusives Transformers Exclusive Clear Micron Campaign - Silver Roller - Transformers 2010 - 2015 Transformers Exclusives Maketoys My First Blaster's handle is too small for 5mm peg holes like Swerve has :-(
I don't read IDW so the G1 decos appeal to me...but on the other hand as you say they're the MTMTE molds...which I already have anyways. One of those cases were Takara makes something that really doesn't interest me in any way. I'm a sucker for flames on cars so the Hasbro Tailgate wins for me aynways.
I'm a sucker for contrasting colors, especially when they compliment each other. That said I definitely was gravitating to Takara's Tailgate only because of how nice he looks with the color selection. Representing the original 80's figure is fantastic. But OTOH, this mold was definitely done with MTMTE in mind, so yeah I have to agree that the G1 coloring really dosen't fit the aesthetic of the figure at all. And Swerve's darker red really doesn't do anything for the figure either. It actually comes off worse of the two, because the white isn't in particularly brighter (if at all) than Hasbro's. So not much delicious contrast there. So yeah, really the only draw to get this set for would be Phaser.
i had a page bookmarked of someone on TFW selling astrotrain but i deleted the bookmark because i was too tempted to buy it, lol. if i find it again i'll send you the link.
Awesome Im looking forward to getting Swerve. I know shapways has a peg adapter for the My First Blaster if anyones interested in finding one for theyre Swerve. Dont know what Im goinga do with Tailgate.
I havent got it myself,but I didnt learn about from a TF Reviewer. Here ya go. MT M-F-B Handle Replacement by glaug on Shapeways
