Haslab Unicron and Zeta Core Star seems a fair example to look at. Pretty clearly different products that had a clearly different and original approach. But given the result, it might also be an argument for hastak to take more queues from third party. Or, who knows? maybe they have demographic research that says their market favors a turtle-ish product.
But, I digest. Given TT could essentially repackage any third party product as their own (and probably double the price tag) they essentially have multiple already-designed versions of most characters to pull design queues from. As well as feedback on those designs. why they wouldn’t is beyond me. It seems borderline irresponsible NOT to, while being an appropriately ironic response to KOs and IP infringement.

You mention sunsurge, I can’t really tell if TT bites third party designs or not. but if they do, they’re not doing it right.

 

I also question why TT does not do it more often and better. I have hound on its way, I want to compare it to FT Willis and see by myself how good of a job they did with this one. There are good examples of how good TT can be, like with inferno, but I feel they are slipping. Hopefully a TT Jazz would be more like Inferno and less like V2 Bumblebee.

 

I don't have FT Willis to compare it to but TT Hound is a phenomenal design (especially if you like the toon aesthetic), but it's been completely let down by seemingly non-existent quality control. If they got the QC right it would probably be my favourite MP carbot so far. Hope you're one of the lucky ones to get a problem-free copy.

If Takara do eventually get the Porsche licence and do Jazz, I'd be fully OK with copying the top half of Downbeat because other than the lack of butterfly shoulders it's pretty much everything it needs to be. There's room for improvement on Downbeats legs though. I doubt Takara would actually directly copy anything, but I hope they take inspiration from the way Downbeats car hood narrows down for the bot mode chest.

 

What does Takara do in the case of qc issues? Do they do anything at all?

 

I think your use of the word inspiration is a better description of what TT is doing with 3rd party designs. I had no idea TT Hound is got QC issues, fingers crossed mine is not one of those. My bumblebee was fine, but felt very cheap when handling it, I use to expect more from TT. Its not helping that prices have gone crazy and quality down.

 

Sunsurge is based on toon Sunstreaker. MP Sunstreaker is too. Of course they'll have aesthetic similarities.

I'll believe an official MP Jazz when I see it, though. Unless TT chooses to do it without licensing, I don't think Porsche is going to come around. I could be wrong, but I doubt it. All these rumors I think are just wishful thinking.

 

I think Jazz is my most wanted TT potential release. But masterpiece was very average last year. Only 3 New G1 moulds and only 1 new character in Hound. So odds (and expectations) are shockingly low for me. Still MP-44 was definitive to me (even with the high price tag) and necessary. Bee v2 would have been a nice update if not for the feet and backpack. But can't think of anything more glaring in the lineup than Jazz...it's time.

 

Welcome to the boards. Do you collect 3rd party or only official?

 

Thanks. It's been exciting (and expensive) to start collecting and reliving my 80's nostalgia. In some ways it's been the perfect time because there's been so many amazing figures in the last few years. I've just started 3rd party (FT Sovereign last month) because I wanted the movie bots. (Only Springer to go now and holding out for XTB). I started last January when I bought myself a late Christmas present with POTP Predaking and it quickly went from there. Now I've got most of S1/2 that i care about (aside from Jazz, Reflector, Insecticons and a few unreleased FT minibots), and there's a couple of glaring holes in my collection that are just infuriating me: Namely Springer, Scourge and FT Stomp. I'd like to start with FT or XTB combiners but waiting til they finish them and maybe re-release as a set like Zeta before settling.

 

Given that the latest MP announcements seem to have made it clear that we won't be getting an MP Jazz this year (boo), I decided it was time to give my second Downbeat the full cartoon treatment:



(Inspired by the one @TigerBlade did - thanks to him for some tips too.)

Fortunately, despite the lack of a TT Jazz, Downbeat is still a fantastic figure, and is still, for me, the best 3P car-bot. It's a shame that MakeToys seem to have gone down the pan, as I'm sure a cartoon-coloured reissue (with blue windows and everything) would have gone down a storm.

 

Looks great!

 

That looks fantastic! Those blue headlights really add a lot!

I'm really glad I got mine. I considered getting a second one for a while, but the time passed. I have no hope on TT doing a Jazz with all the Porsche Licensing issues. I think downbeat would probably fit in better with the first MP Carbots than anything TT would release today, so I'm happy with Downbeat as my MP Jazz.

 

I said it in my review of Downbeat, he is the ONE, and shame on Has/Tak for not having a Masterpiece Jazz or Blaster, but multiples of other characters; that was like 3 years ago...since then, they have dipped into Beast Wars and one TF Victory, but still no Jazz or Blaster. Really shows a lack of incite and diversity in their offices and creative teams.
carry on...

 

As much as I hate the full toon look, I gotta' give respect when it's pulled off so well. I do wish Maketoys would do an "X" version of him with more of the toy livery and such, though. But really, I've already got mine that I customized so I'm not sure I'd buy it even if they did.

 

This looks great. I’ve waited too long to get Downbeat it seems, his supply on the aftermarket has dried up quite a bit.

 

I'd like to say he'll get an additional reissue but is MT still in business? Btw, it's a good toy @ StayingInTheBox.

 

Looks Great! Guess I'll have to go buy some supplies.

 

I'd go for MT Downbeat. They're will never be a Takara MP Jazz.

 

MT are out of business? That's annoying, since I found out recently that I've misplaced downbeats shoulder launcher. Was hoping I could mail them and ask for a spare.  

 

To be fair, I just posed the question. I don't know for sure, I'm just going based off of their lack of product releases and sub-par QC of late. "But don't take my word for it!" FWIW, I want them to succeed.