I purchased MPM-12 last Friday (8/24/2021) at Target and I was surprised that he was still in stock when I arrived in the toy section. There was one left and I was the lucky person. I snatched it and ran to check out!

I went home to unbox MPM-12 was I was blown away at the level of detail this figure contains. I do not see why there is such a dislike for MPM-12. The transformation overall is relativity straight forward; MPM-12 isn't super complex nor complicated. To be fair, the transformation to robot mode/truck mode is very enjoyable.

Let's discuss MPM-12's detail for a moment. Overall, it's very well designed. I just enjoy looking at him. The figure's built is solid and well put together. All the joints are tight and I haven't found one thing lose on MPM-12.

Yes, the truck mode isn't exactly like a real Mack truck but, guys, this is Transformers. We'll never obtain a figure that is exactly like the movies without any compromises. Yes, it can be done but the figure will have a lot of panels, lose joints, and the transformation will be too complex.

Overall, MPM-12 is great (Small backpack). I have MPM-12 at my job's desk along with Masterpiece Tigatron (MP-50). I would've like MPM-12's forearms not to be so blockey (I know this isn't a word) and the hands to be more articulate. Other than that, great figure!

4/5

 

The main issue it seems is that there were simple solutions to make sure things like the Cat Ears didn't poke up behind the can, but they just didn't apply them.


And come on, mate. There are a lot of Transformers with more complicated designs than Boximus Prime that nail both modes with little looseness. For example, 09 Leader Optimus, he nails the truck look and the bot mode, all while feeling super solid. UT Challenger, as well. Sure he's a 3rd Party Figure but he exists and I'm grateful for it.

 

As i understand it, its about the budget of the MPM line. I think you'll be able to resolve must of this figure's limitations with an upgrade kit.

 

They couldn't afford to NOT use a spring loaded hinge?

 

Apparently, Rob shrugs.

 

I think the designer just doesn’t seem to use the budget very well. There’s certain things that could have been removed to add better solutions.

 

Could be.

 

So yeah, fun figure if you forget the price. Definitely happy with this as my MP Bumblebee Prime. He'll look great as a trio with the Threezero and SS.

The only real gripe I'm having is the front of the truck mode. I don't mind the trunk or the cat ears, but the front could at least tab together more finely. It all works, but there's little gaps everywhere that are just big enough to be annoying. Any tips for those?

It's especially frustrating because the SS tabbed together so nicely. And it's not like the rest of the transformation is bad, there's tons of tabs and the truck's a brick.

 

Mine is the same way…just had to massage it. The bicep rotation is really tight on mine, and I think that is what makes it tough to get everything to line up in truck mode. It eventually sqeezed in nice and seamless (or relatively so).

 

The gaps on mine went away after heating it.
A lot of the parts contributing to it needing to be massaged are semi ridged blue plastic covered in red paint. A little heat does wonders

 

Dawg, is your fig paint-chipping already???

 

What this figure manages to do better than all previous MPMs I own is transform without extraneous steps. The transformation on this is a step in the right direction. I felt that way with Ratchet and in some ways with Starscream. However that feeling is fully realized here.

Doesn’t excuse the cat ears, I’m surprised a simple hinge wasn’t tooled for those. My main issues are with the inconsistent tolerances for the arm detents.

 

Those tiny scratches on the white stripes? Nah, pretty sure he came that way. Paint seems pretty durable.

 

Durable paint on a HasTak figure? How odd, but welcome.




Currently fighting the urge to order him as soon as I get paid tomorrow.

 

Well, the gap between the truck-brow is an easy fix at least. Just sand down the two red tabs on the top flap, they're too long. Looks a lot better imo.


Not sure what to do about the large grill panel, heat didn't help. It seems like it's sitting just a little too far outwards, so plugging it into the wheels makes the gap appear up above.

 

Seriously Hastak? You put "Head articulation" as a selling point on the box and it isn't even a balljoint?

I thought they stopped doing this.

 

Sorry for the spam, I am really enjoying this figure.
Painted the eyes just now. This headsculpt is really good, it's certainly the best of the transformable BB Primes. The ears need to protrude a little more, but that's about it.

 

Hey, he doesn’t look like he wants to cry anymore.

 

Nah I still see it XD

 

I don't always have a deskbot, but when I do, I prefer MPM-12!