Hey guys, so was able to pick up MP-12 today after finding a store selling it in Hong Kong.

First off, the packaging



It's pretty standard MP packaging, and I think a lot of people have seen it already, so won't really get into it. It's still gorgeous though, with a huge Lamborghini logo on it.

The unboxing  



Vehicle Mode



Vehicle Battle Mode



Sideswipe's guns and shoulder cannon do not store inside his vehicle mode, but can combine into a mountable cannon on his roof.





edit:
(Hm I might have noticed the first QC issue here, the lower right side plastic beside the front wheel is a different shade, looks like unfinished paint? Plus a bit of a smudge on the upper side)

Robot Mode









I'm loving Sideswipe's robot design. As I mentioned in my Hasbro MP Optimus Prime review, Takara/Hasbro have done a great job of translating the cartoon designs into reality. Oh if only we had toys like these when we were kids!

Action pose



Like the other new MPs, Sideswipe is very very articulate. He has hip articulation as well as joints in all the right places. He's not quite as heavy as people would probably expect from an MP, but I guess the best way to put it is, much like MP Optimus Prime, he's lighter, but still a great toy, in that his lighter form enables him to be set in much more dynamic poses.

More action shots



Some closeups of the figure.



Sideswipe has the standard lock for his gun on his hand like MP10. Doesn't have articulate fingers, but it's not a big deal.





Sideswipe, unlike the Takara MP10, has a closer resemblance with the cartoon version of the toy. Loving the blue eyes on the guy. Really seems the guy jumped out of the cartoon.



Posing with the cannon. Sideswipe, unlike his Classics/Henkei counterpart comes with his classic cannon weapon. It's attachable on either end of his shoulders.

This next part is just some additional observation on the toy



Sideswipe has hollow legs. In my previous edit of this review, I mentioned it had a tendency to collapse in. My bad, sorry guys, I missed out on a part that folds out. The leg is still hollow, but the part folding out prevents the legs from folding in during my earlier attempt at transformation.

The toy, for people who are still curious, does not have rubber wheels, nor any die-cast. Earlier, I was curious as well because certain parts of the vehicle shell kind of looked like it was die-cast, but apparently, is just plastic with some really nice paint. Nevertheless, I don't think these issues take much away from the toy. It's a very very good rendition of the Sideswipe character from G1. His vehicle mode is spot on, and so is his robot mode. He is very posable, and the lightness of the toy, much like MP10, enables him to be posed very dynamically.

All in all, he is a great figure, and I'm looking forward to putting him side by side with Optimus when I get home. Takara/Hasbro has really done a really great job of relaunching the MP line. I'm looking forward to seeing more releases of the Autobot cars.

 

Awesome! thanks for the review great job.

 

Some questions:

• Would filling the hollow leg portions create any clearance problems?
• Do the hollow legs present balancing issues?
• Do you envision it becoming a known design flaw or QC problem?

 

Looks really nice - thanks for the review!

Can't wait to see how he looks with MP-10, Faith Leader, the iGear vans and various Classics/CHUG Autobots...

 

Killer review, much thanks for posting it.

 

Beautiful, can't wait to get mine!

 

Thanks for the positive feedback. Tried my best to put it up fast so it was kind of rushed   Only my second toy review ever  

You can't fill it out, otherwise you'll affect the transformation process. the two parts of the leg flip out to form the rear end.

As far as I could tell no, the hollow legs don't. Sideswipe's pretty sturdy.

I don't think it's a design flaw.

 

Incredible. Thanks for the review. My most wanted Transformer of the year is nearly in my hands.

 

So it looks like this won't be a repeat of MP-09.

 

Can the guns store internally in car mode?

 

Unfortunately no they can't. They're supposed to be attachable to each other and can be attached to the hood of the car as a sort of battle mode. I'll post pics in a while  

 

Guys, apologies, I missed out on a part of the instructions. There is a part on the leg that folds out, which sort of prevents the folding in of the hollow leg problem I mentioned. I'm editing it into the review.

 

Nice pics and review. That's the Sideswipe I remember from G1 episodes.

 

Nice. Any chance we can get some comparison shots with other figures and MPs?

Still on the fence with Sideswipe.

 

I love how it looks, I really do. But with the size shrinkage, I think I'll wait out a Hasbro TRU release.

When I think of "masterpiece" I just automatically think "big" transformer. This one looks about as big as an Alternator. Thats not bad...just not what I am ready to import.

Your pics look awesome. He really does look like he bust out of the G1 TV show screen.

 

awesome cheers for the review! christmas is too far away want mine now lol ...one thing i'm not happy about that you showed is the differnt colour plastic in vehicle mode,,does it really stand out in person?

 

is there a way of making all the side panels sit flush in lambo mode.like it does on the box.the front of the rear quarter panel sticks out like a sore thumb? seems like it shouldnt..nice review man looking forward to some comparison pics

 

Cool review but I too am holding out for a domestic release. Hasbro, we are here, we are waiting.

 

Die-cast content?