Chalk up one more for the “rumors” column – an auction has appeared on Taobao listing a pre-order for something called G-02 Titan. The listing comes with a silhouetted Fortress Maximus, suggesting that this is a third party manufacturer’s attempt at creating a modern update of Fortress Maximus, although what we here at TFW2005 can gather from translations of the auction listing is misleading at best. We’re guessing it is a new version, though, due to the way the name is given in a typical format for a third party release. As always, watch this space and we’ll update with more information as it becomes available.
One question remains though – if this is a G-02, what is G-01…?
doomboy536
LOL. I want one now
Billzilla
I can see it now. "Sir, why are you getting a refrigerator box from China?"
Geminii
A four-foot version would be kind of cool, if only because the original's transformation isn't really that impressive. He's a robot lying down or a robot lying down with his knees drawn up. About the only thing he does have going for him is size, the double-Headmaster gimmick, and various extras (Cog etc).
A straight repro could really only boost the size factor to make it more interesting. A complete revamp of Max would be more to my personal liking, given the advances in Minicons and the complexity of transformation available to larger toys before they overstress their plastic, but that would probably cost an arm and a leg. Not to mention that citybots have kind of fallen by the wayside recently.
Torque
wonder when we'll get more news on this…
Dr. Grimlockisking
Exactly. It's all fine and dandy, but let's see if it actually happens first. I'm all for a Fort Max, preferably a genuine reissue from Has/Tak since that Car Robots one came out not THAT long ago, but I'll have to see it happen to believe it first
nathan_s82
I agree 100%, KOToys said they were going to have a KO Fort Max, and got everyone ramped up about it, and failed to deliver. I'm going to wait until I see a real price and real pictures of it.
grimlock1972
you have very good and legitimate points. if this KO sees the light of day its going to create massive head aches for people in the market for genuine FM parts.
I am just going to wait and see if it comes out or is a wash out like the last one.
CURAMEN
I hope this doesn't happen, but if I was in the market to buy a Fortress Maximus… I would do my best to buy one before the KO is released in order to prevent the possiblity of purchasing a complete Fortress Maximus with KO parts down the road.
I could only imigine more controversy down the road IF and WHEN this KO is released.
exomega255
damn, looks like I missed some good drama watchin here.
doomboy536
Never mind Autobots vs Decepticons: the real battle in Transformers is between those who believe in KOs and those who don't. I don't think they could have picked any figure to KO that would have created such a controversy.
Easterling Capt
his max is not complete and not in a box.
To determain the value and going rate of a max you need to take into considaration alot of things.
Is the box and styro present?
Are all the smaller styro buts present?
Is he yellowed in any way?
Box condition?
Toy condition besides yellowing as stickers and joints come in?
A very nice boxed US max has no probs reaching the 1500-2000 depending on how many that are fighting for it at the momment.
The Jap one is even more expensiv if it is in MIB status.
3.8TransAM
I am in process of purchasing an original Fortress Maximus for less than the cost of 2 of these knock off's that may or may not be real.
As such I also have an original Spike and Cerebros for sale if anyone reading this is looking for one before the knock off's hit and people start passing them off as originals
Here is my sale thread if your interested:
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/items-sale-trade/334049-3-8transams-trade-o-rama.html
grimlock1972
very true. there is a reason why the price is so high, the cost of materials per unit while higher than any other KO to date don't come close to the MSRP the bulk of it it is costs accrued doing just what you stated. weather its in the form of bribes or actual development costs.
rapid_fire
Makes you wonder, cuz not only do you gotta replicate the plastic moulds perfectly, but all the screws and paint applicators, decal cutters have to be set to replicate the materials exactly to pass off as an original. It's a lot of work! and I find it hard to believe they did it all from some "random" factory.
payton34
Most people who purchase directly from the KO makers (chingmungmung, KO Toys, etc) know that they're getting a KO. However, I'd imagine that a good percentage of those that purchase the KO Fort Max will be the ones reselling it (either the figure or accessories) as "authentic" and trying to screw over the vintage collectors.
motorhead9999
Many (if not all) of the KOtoys reissues have been having the trademark still put on. Off hand, I know reflector, Cyclonus, Scourge still have the trademark info. That's part of what bothers me, just in general. If they're not trying to fool and confuse people, what would be the harm in simply removing the copyright info? A)I'm sure it would help them a little in production, as it's one less thing to have on the figure and b)it would make it far easier to differentiate the figures. At least with the KO jap exclusive headmaster figures, the copyright was removed, making IDing them a dead give away.
However, the accessories pose another issue. Its difficult enough telling the figures apart, its even worse telling the accessories apart. With a Fort Max, lots of those pieces (Cog's parts, spike, cerebros and guns, ramps) are big money parts when sold separately. How are people trying to buy authentic G1 parts going to tell them apart when those pieces don't have TM info on them. At the very least, the KO companies could have put something on the accessory, like a letter, number or something to differentiate it.
grimlock1972
not necessarily it would not be that difficult to remove the trademark info on piece/pieces they appear on. Its an Extra step of course but once these reach the hands of our members we shall see if the original trademarks are there or not.
As for the molds, we will never know for certain if they created new molds , stole existing molds or just bribed the right people as they aren't going to tell us. if It proves to be worth the price and I can find it at a price I can agree with and through a reputable seller I will buy one. I would of course prefer one of the legit versions and would still go for one over this .
Wheelie
Just a question but if they were original moulds would they not have the registered trademark info on them? They said that these would not have them. Wouldn't that mean it's a new mould?
03Mach1
Who's on what horse, exactly?
If you are going to discredit R/D costs please give us some links to back your claim. 'He tell me' doesn't cut it. Secondly, how do you know where this KO Max's mold comes from. For all we know it is the same molds that were used to create the CR Brave Max/Lucky Draw Brave Max. It has been stated repeatedly by FunPub and Hasbro that the factories are used by multiple entities. This could simply be the case of the KO company greasing the right people to get access to the molds. Bottom line? No one has any idea what these cost to produce or the procedures used to create them.
Rodimus_Prime
Too many what if scenario. At the end of the day, if you want it and you can afford it and you want to buy it, then buy it. If for other reasons, circumstances keep you from buying the item, then don't buy it. You have control over your spending.
And it's too early for all this speculations. I'm glad actually somebody's making an attempt at this, but we'll wait to pass on any criticisms or judgement till then.