Trans Art Toys Skateboard Gorilla (Transmetal Optimus Primal)

Discussion in 'Transformers 3rd Party Discussion' started by Cheem The Rup, Mar 24, 2020.

  1. TRANZ4MR

    TRANZ4MR General Thud

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    You have to remember, the animation team at Mainframe used the original toy's CAD files to create the TM character models.
    Likewise, they mimicked the transformations (where it made sense) as best they could.
    ANY "Masterpiece" is going to try and do the same thing... as best they can.
    So it only made sense that TransArt would follow the SAME transformations.
    I get that there were no real surprises, or mind-blown moment of bliss... but none was simply warranted.

    My ONLY complaint with SB Gorilla, is that has hands are a bit too small.
    NOT MP-Rodimus tiny... but small enough to look out of place.
     
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  2. Alpha_&_Omega

    Alpha_&_Omega From the Covenant of Primus...

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    has any company made alternative maces for SBG? The handles are way too short and thin to fit on the back pack and in the gun. It would be nice to have even after market handles that could split down the middle with long hinges on each half. Collapsed in storage mode, split open for turret mode and then extended for weapon mode.
     
  3. LiamK

    LiamK Well-Known Member

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    Er, the maces don't attach to the backpack by the handles so I'm not sure what you mean? They store fine on the backpack in the regular way.

    (They are a bit rubbish at being held in the hand though, I agree. And also a way of opening them up for mounted weapon mode would be cool.)
     
  4. Joalro

    Joalro Well-Known Member

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    Alright, I caved. Picking this up finally.
     
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  5. Robogeek28

    Robogeek28 Proud grandpa

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    Now that's just Prime.:thumb 
     
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  6. Mister D

    Mister D Bloosh Compatible

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    Really want this and Wasp Tiger, but so much is hitting now with the main lines! I'm waiting a bit for things to slow down so I can appreciate them as they come in. Though my GT White Gorilla could use a playmate...
     
  7. Joalro

    Joalro Well-Known Member

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    Alright, so I ended up getting this guy. Gotta say, in person it's a lot nicer than I was expecting.

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    Definitely a lot more dynamic than the original toy. Far more expressive.

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    While you could pose the original in both upright and on all fours, he was definitely stuck looking downwhen you did it. This allows for a lot more interesting pays of posing.

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    The stand obviously does a lot for him as well. Can really get him in some fun dynamic, surfboard poses.

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    You can KIND of move his beast mode feet on the surfboard, which I REALLY like. You start to have some clearence issues with the front foot if you try to turn it too much, causing the board to bed a bit. You can kind of make that disappear at some angles, but it'd have been really nice if they made it so the feet can turn a bit more without that issue.

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    Transformation is only marginally more involved than the original toy. A few tweaks to the overall experience, but nothing major.

    The result is pretty nice and dynamic robot mode, with more character than the original figure had.

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    The backpack gun works a lot better this time around, the blast effects really help to sell it:

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    Size wise, he's obviously larger than MP Primal, as he should be

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    I can't quite tell... but he might be a TAD too short, as when looking at scale charts I think he should be a liiiittle bit more comparible in size to Dinobot, but it's pretty close.

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    He lived a warrior... and died a hero. Let his spark join the Matrix, the greatest of Cybertron.

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    Honestly, my biggest complaint is I HATE the way you change faces in gorilla mode. It sticks on SUPER tight, and getting a face off requires a lot more force than I feel comfortable with. It really doesn't feel like it's going to survive the pressure. It's probably fine, but it FEELS terrible. Robot mode, changing faces is fine and easy.

    Arm articulation isn't incredible. That isn't really the figures fault too much, and more about how big and chunky the arms are. I'm not sure if they could have gotten a lot more articulation in there, but it definitely feels limited. Getting to do the salute was really challenging, and only really achieved with camera angles. He can't really touch his face, which is unfortunate as Primal is a thinker.

    Otherwise, really fun. I like it.

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  8. sdmacleod

    sdmacleod Well-Known Member

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    Great review, Nice pictures. Thanks for taking the time to do all the comparison shots!
     
  9. Joalro

    Joalro Well-Known Member

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    [​IMG]
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  10. jru42287

    jru42287 Ass Möde is a way of life.

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    Does anywhere still have this in stock?
     
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  11. Smartbill

    Smartbill Well-Known Member

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    It looks like bababobo has him for preorder for the next batch. TF Source, Terrys TFS Club, Aliexpress, Ebay, and probably a few others have him
     
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  12. Joalro

    Joalro Well-Known Member

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    I"m assuming this is well known, but I only just figured out you can put one blast effect into another, and the effect is so cool.

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    Meanwhile, Primal tries to shake hands with Transmutate...

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  13. iRoller

    iRoller Well-Known Member

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    I don't know why I need this guy so urgently but I suppose he's speaking to my inner child being reminded of the Masters of the Universe stature charm.
    Honestly,he's Ram Ape Man!
     
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  14. Illiterate Scholar

    Illiterate Scholar Well-Known Member

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    Weird question, does the base on this figure work with Beast Wars Masterpiece Megatron? I know they're completely different companies, but some of them like to make their stuff support unrelated products.
     
  15. Robogeek28

    Robogeek28 Proud grandpa

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    I wonder if this or any of their other figures will get repaints.
     
  16. iRoller

    iRoller Well-Known Member

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    Don't think it would simply by the shear weight of Megatron,irrespective of whether it would physically fit. The stand seems very wobbly on reviews and the guy is pretty lightweight. Megs not so.
     
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  17. Mister D

    Mister D Bloosh Compatible

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    Arrived today! 7D1B25A2-543F-4469-96A9-9A1E112B743B.jpeg
     
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  18. Robogeek28

    Robogeek28 Proud grandpa

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  19. Illiterate Scholar

    Illiterate Scholar Well-Known Member

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    Here's another weird question, what is the point of being able to flip in the robot/gorilla hand when they both look exactly the same? At least from the reviews I've seen, both mode's hands look pretty much exactly the same. I wouldn't know if someone skipped that step.

    I'm still debating on buying this figure. It's very nice, but the price is a bit steep for what it does. I hope their TM Megatron (if they make it) isn't $200+.
     
  20. mags2424

    mags2424 TT and 3P MP Advocate

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    They are slightly different. The beast mode has some molded robotic detail. This goes back to the orignal idea for transmetals. Beast modes that have no noticable beast parts. and bot modes that have the organic beast influences. On the orignal toy, the bot mode hands had hair details. Primals and Cheetors hairy chest are examples. The skin like tectures on megatron. The muscles on rattrap. Also the thumbs would be the wrong way lol.
     
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