One thing your missing is that for combined purposes the back of the car is on the back. Also for Scramble City you need that simplicity as well if these were arms. Simplicity in design is something to be applauded if the figure's attributes warrant it. They look identical to the original character. If that is flat and boring to you, why will it matter what they do? All car designs have some variation of the legs coming from the back flipping over with the front end splitting the arms to the side and folding over. The roof of the car is always on the back. Sunstreaker and Tracks went in reverse. A car doesn't get more complex or you are doing something wrong. I think the admirable trick here is that they kept all of the G1 authentic design details that can be painted so no stickers are needed. Also keep the car theme in mind when thinking about this. How different really are Sideswipe, Red Alert, Sunstreaker, Laster, Breakdown, Wildrider, Dead End? Mirage, Jazz, Prowl, Wheeljack, and others all relied on color and that big hood as the chest to provide character. When the hood is not the chest and everything is hidden on the back you get a flat profile. If you notice the flat chest on both of these, again I believe that is on purpose. The outer shin profile on Monolith is supposed to be flat and same for Scramble City mode if arms. In fact they may have the ability to plug into the side of combiner arms without knowing more about the transformation. [/QUOTE]

 

I'm hoping these have simpler transformations than certain previous XTB stuff, not just for the enjoyment of them in hand but for the sturdiness of combined mode. Maybe a lower parts count is what's allowing Breakdown to be so cheap?

I love them for being so accurate; those blocky robot modes are exactly how I want to see the scramble city guys done. Keep it up XTB!

 

As a Stunticon lover (my only combiner back in the 80s), these are hitting all the right notes for me. Even if the combiner doesn't hold up, these are great individaul bots.

 

They make for excellent s2/s3/early Headmaster troop building.

 

Fans: third parties are too expensive, I'm being priced out of the hobby.....

Third party: here you go, cheap robits for all!

Fans: that's too cheap! Charge us more!

 

Coooool

Love that alt mode

 

I know the saying is supposed to be "drive it like you stole it" but my mind just keeps telling me to steal it and figure out how to drive it later. Instructions too complicated.

 

they nailed it, the cartoon look. its not exact but does evoke the toon. i would say add a bit more detail (as i love mp-10 level detail and kinda don't like ,p inferno level), but not sure where they'd get it from....the toy stickers could provide some inspiration for molded details i suppose, but at the price point....i won't complain if these are otherwise solid.

 

I hope xtb go with the dark grey like the toon

 

I used to think this would be impossible to do, but if X-Transbots can do this, I will be ecstatic.

 

If they go off that then yes. But if they go off how the toon depicts him mostly then hell no

 

Man.. I am so in for this set. They are nailing the G1 look. Dying to see that Motormaster and Combiner mode!

 

Oooo I like. I would LOVE a Magnum variant.

 

I too hope they dont do him an exact replica of the animation model. They have to take some liberties akin to mp10 in order to ensure that the figure both aesthetically but also functionaly will be awesome. If the end result will be dead on toon accurate it will suffer like Megs and Sunstreaker.

 

Both of those aren't even toon accurate. Megs is too panley and streaker is just plain ugly

 

Welcome to the interwebs, where people can have opinions, especially having the pos in hand and not liking it.

 

It's funny that you say this, yet megs is vastly superior to MP-10 in almost every way, and sunstreaker, while he hasn't been released yet, would appear to trump sideswipe in finish and articulation st the very least.

 

Well...Dont tell me, tell it to those that believe they are.TT too.

It may be funny to you, but its tragic to me. Vastly superior to articulation I wont dissagree looks and general aesthetics as well as build mp36 doesnt even hold a candle to mp10.

I wont dissagree with the articulation of Sunstreaker either however his looks leave a ton to be desired.

 

MY GOD! Oh glorious day to be alive!

 

They did good with grapple and inferno bit not sure what happened with megs.