Keep in mind if you don't like the cutesy car mode and you don't like the complexity, MP-21 is not going away. He still exists and is there for you. So you can just skip this, and you still have a Bumblebee and move on. That's really a luxury.

That said, the price is insane despite the features. The other Bumblebee came with an entire second figure, this one does not. There is no way the price only reflects the cost of design and production, they are without a doubt charging a premium to see what exactly we will pay for these. Where is the limit? Looks like we are going to find out the hard way.

I think he looks really nice overall, much like Optimus. I can move past the panels, but the price is the sticking point for me.

 

looks great except the rear feet!!! Dammit.... almost perfect. Maybe get it right on v3, accurate toon, with jet pack, swinging on a vine, repaint, Botcon exclusive, limited to 500 copies...

 

A lot of people genuinely prefer the old mold, though. Like, they really, sincerely do. It's just what they like. For them, it isn't "defending." It's just what they prefer.

A lot of people genuinely like the new mold, though. Like, they really, sincerely do. It's just what they like. For them, it isn't "defending." It's just what they prefer. (I fall into this category for MP-45.)

Neither group is wrong for that.

 

 You might not have been in a Fans Toys thread for a while? They’re getting a lot more scrutiny recently after a couple of transformation and paintissues on recent figs. But none of their stuff has been as much of a kibbly mess as this. They would certainly not be praised.

Again, might have been away from the third party game for a while? A minibot typically retails for $65-80 from 3Ps. The 3P Optimi were around $130?
And honestly folks tend to be a LOT more critical in 3P forum. Official only collectors have to accept Takara’s product or just not have the character. 3P collectors know that if they don’t like one version, there’s a pretty good chance someone else will give it a go.
I see a lot more people around here giving Takara a pass because “engineering is hard and thats probably the best they could do”. That sh!t generally won’t fly in the 3P world because as soon as you say that, another company comes out with a design that proves it CAN be done better.
Takara shouldn’t get a pass because “they tried really really hard”.

 

I'm talking about the people who'll buy it purely to support official TakTom products.

 

I really am on the fence with MP-45. I have always loved MP-21 even with it's wrong color, chubby front, and clown shoes. MP-21 is a fantastic bot and easily the MP in my collection that has had the most transformations. I had high expectations for a v2.0 and this definitely fell short. TT should have based everything off the movie version IMO!

Let's break down MP-45

Alt Mode
-Visible yellow hinge through the front windshield...barf
-Clear windows, all other toon MPs have blue windows...
+Just about everything else (love the included license plate as I had wanted that for MP-21)

Bot Mode
-Headsculpt is straight trash, one of if not the worst TT has ever done. Very disappointing for such a popular character
-Feet and backpack are again the worst/most panel-y TT has ever done
-color is still off from animation (TV or movie)
+Proportions are mostly alright? Front fake chest could be bigger
+Articulation and poseability are vastly improved

I'll probably get this guy as I'm sure in hand these things won't bug me as much and I love the whole toon MP direction this being a mishap or not.

 

X trans bots already did.

 

So it only comes with Spike, 2 additional faces and a gun.

Wow.

 

The color prototype has blue windows.

 

Looks nice I think for cartoon accuracy but why not do the windshield right also?  Especially for this price which is way too high. For same reason as I passed on version 3 prime (crazy price jump) I am going to have to pass.  If it had the windshield right and priced like mp-21 I would have jumped. Seams like some statues are only ones getting it right, but then they don’t transform and you can’t do anything with them. 

 

Those people simply don’t exist. No person in their right mind is going to spend $100+ on a figure to “support official products”.

 

Have you never met a 3rd party hater?

 

Pretty sure someone will. MMC and XTB have to be thinking about how to re-shell their Cliffjumpers right about now.

... that’s not how product pricing works.

 

I’ll admit it’s a side motive, but it’s not the only reason. I’m buying it because I like it. Said the same thing about 44.

 

That’s how toy pricing works. You pay for parts count/complexity first and foremost. Paint, and materials follow.

 

Official PO’s have gone up stateside.

AJP usually puts them out at night/midnight right?


$119.00 at TCP.


No, you know what? Make that $199.99. Fuck it.

 

I prefer tTaktom version of CliffJumper.

 

$160 for a tiny ass minibot?       TT really do realise their MP buyers are total marks.

 

No it’s not.
Design, prototyping, moulding, materials, assembly, painting, finishing, quality control checks, packaging, manufacturer markup, wholesale delivery, wholesaler markup, retail delivery, retailer markup, retailer discounts, volume production discounts, volume order discounts.
Those are just a few of the things that affect the final price of a toy.
Twice as many parts does not double every one of those price factors.