The Transformers Thread (licensed) Next

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

Go for the MasterPiece Ratchet and don't look back. The MP Ironhide that was released earlier was a great MP so I expect MP Ratchet to be just as good. There are currently two unofficial toys of Ratchet, iGear's PP-05M Medical Specialist, and Voodoo Robots' Salus. PP-05M is a fiddly beast to play with, and is very outdated compared with the MP. I do not own Salus, but I hear of its durability issues often. There is also the official, smaller, Deluxe sized Ratchet from Hasbro under their Classics line and Takara from their Henkei line. They are essentially the same figure, but the Henkei version sports a different deco with more paint apps.

[ArchieNov]

I just looked at some of the pictures of the Masterpiece Ratchet on Google images. Damn, I can really see myself buying one of these.

When it comes to Transformers, I am a total newb in regards to the merchandise. I've not kept up with it the series or the products in anyway over the last two decades, so if I wanted to buy myself a really good rendition of a particular Transformer - like Ratchet - would the Masterpiece be the one to get? What other versions are there that are available and worth the money? Are their also small and cheap versions in addition to the large and expensive collector-grade releases? I'm also seeing images of another, similar style Ratchet on Google images that looks quite good.

Any advice would be welcome.

If you've been out of Transformers for 2 decades, you'll be pleasantly surprised by a lot of the progress they've made in the engineering of these toys. A lot of effort is now being placed on achieving screen accuracy, whilst proving good articulation and an interesting transformation. MP Ratchet fulfills these to a great degree, so you won't be disappointed. If you loved the G1 cartoons as a kid and want to see the best representation of them in toy form, most of the time the Masterpiece line is the way to go.

But the line that really got me back into Transformers toys back then was the Transformers Animated line. That was the first time I got really amazed by how screen accurate TF toys have become while having excellent articulation. They were relatively cheap too since their main market were kids and not collectors.

Gone are the days when our TF toys would have a decent vehicle mode on average, and have a chunky, disproportionate brick of a robot mode (G1 toys).

Edited April 29, 2016 by ArchieNov

[dizman]

Also, can someone verify if the two halves of Ratchet's head are evenly aligned at the top? On my copy, one side of his head is raised slightly higher than the other, which annoys my OCD greatly. I tried looking at some reviews but I can't see it clearly.

From what I've read it seems to be a common issue with MP Ratchet that his head has an uneven ridge down the center, mine has it too. I've also noticed some white paint chipping around the upper arm joint so beware.

[ArchieNov]

Thanks for the confirmation! I was thinking of getting a second copy if mine turned out to be a rare defect. I guess I won't need to anymore. I'll just have to live with that uneven ridge.

[Mr March]

Valkyrie Hunter D

This is good information. Excatly what I was hoping for. Thanks, dude!
Yes, I can see the Voodoo Robots' Salus is the other one of similar design and quality that I saw on Google images. It's a damn fine rendition of Ratchet. But I agree, the MP Ratchet looks amazing too and the quality sounds great.

The classics line looks good, for a small and cheaper version. But I think more and more I'm getting hooked on this Masterpiece edition and these opinions from fans are helping shape that too.

ArchieNov

No doubt. I've kept up with other toy merchandise for years, like the Macross products by Yamato, Arcadia, Revoltech, etc as well as plenty of other non-Macross toys. So I am aware of how toy technology and quality have changed in the last 20 years, just not with respect to Transformers. And all these third party products had me a little confused about what to get.

I appreciate the style and quality of the new animated series and the toy line. But that's not what I'm looking for at this time. I don't own any Transformers as yet (though the RMX-01 Jaguar is on the way, which will be my first and first 3rd-party product), but I wanted Ratchet to kind of be my flagship figure. Sort of a mascot for my old school love of Transformers.

Yeah, thank gawd for technology. I remember well the days of my awful NON-ACTION figures from the 1980s. Optimus Prime, Shockwave, Jetfire, Soundwave and Ravage were the best semi-articulated toys. Most of the others were just robot statues

[Mechapilot77]

Valkyrie Hunter D

This is good information. Excatly what I was hoping for. Thanks, dude!

Yes, I can see the Voodoo Robots' Salus is the other one of similar design and quality that I saw on Google images. It's a damn fine rendition of Ratchet. But I agree, the MP Ratchet looks amazing too and the quality sounds great.

The classics line looks good, for a small and cheaper version. But I think more and more I'm getting hooked on this Masterpiece edition and these opinions from fans are helping shape that too.

ArchieNov

No doubt. I've kept up with other toy merchandise for years, like the Macross products by Yamato, Arcadia, Revoltech, etc as well as plenty of other non-Macross toys. So I am aware of how toy technology and quality have changed in the last 20 years, just not with respect to Transformers. And all these third party products had me a little confused about what to get.

I appreciate the style and quality of the new animated series and the toy line. But that's not what I'm looking for at this time. I don't own any Transformers as yet (though the RMX-01 Jaguar is on the way, which will be my first and first 3rd-party product), but I wanted Ratchet to kind of be my flagship figure. Sort of a mascot for my old school love of Transformers.

Yeah, thank gawd for technology. I remember well the days of my awful NON-ACTION figures from the 1980s. Optimus Prime, Shockwave, Jetfire, Soundwave and Ravage were the best semi-articulated toys. Most of the others were just robot statues

IMO Stick with MP (masterpiece) line and some select 3rd party stuff (which is done in masterpiece style). that'll get you good faithful versions of the characters u grew up with. most eveyrthing else is reimagined or follows some other TF fiction. well ther are g1 reissues but those are are lik "robot statues" in bot mode that you grew up with

[mikeszekely]

Skip the Classics Ratchet. It was pretty awful, even at the time.

[Mr March]

Mechapilot77

Yeah, on google images I can see those re-issues you're mentioning. While they may scratch an itch for old-school nostalgia, I'm not really interested in owning those pieces again. I think the MP Ratchet is good for me; possibly the Voodoo Robot's Salus too; the iGear's PP-05M Medical Specialist is a fine figure...but only if the other two never existed

I have seen those other reimagined designs. I think I'll avoid the lot. For certain they have to build products that can appeal to modern sensibilities, but because I've been out of Transformers for decades, I have no positive associations with those lines or series, not like I have for other mecha properties that I've kept up with over the years. Maybe one day I might get into them, but for now I'll stick to the G1 stuff.

mikeszekely

Will do. I'm pretty much sold on the MP Ratchet at this time, with the Salus a very close second. Thanks for the advice!

Edited April 30, 2016 by Mr March

[sh9000]

[Dangard Ace]

Eh. Never had them nor really cared for any of the -Masters series. Except for Fort Max and this version...is okay. No waist guns or minibots. Eh. My wallet thanks you HasTak as I won't be buying this next line.

[mikeszekely]

That Hot Rod looks way better than the old Classics one, and since all the 3P swings at Hot Rod/Rodimus are MP-scaled, I think I might pick him up. A Voyager-class Megatron is also welcome for CHUG collectors who thought the Leader version from the Combiner Wars line was too big, although I'll have to see a lot more before I decide if he's worth replacing Hegemon on my shelf.

Mindwipe and Weirdwolf have the G1 look, but they just look like Happy Meal toys after seeing Fansproject's Function X line. I'll pass there.

I'll also probably pass on Doublecross. I think he looks like a great update from the G1 toy, but I was never a fan of the Monsterbots.

I'm lukewarm on Getaway. I'd like to pass, but he's had a major role in the More Than Meets the Eye comic, so maybe.

Another Optimus Prime just has me scratching my head. We just got a Voyager Prime with Combiner Wars, and we're getting a Leader version with Titans Return. Given the optional head, the yellow on his chest and knees, and the fact that it looks like his trailer is part of him and he doesn't transform into a cab over engine, maybe he's supposed to be Star Convoy?

[sh9000]

Too bad they're reusing molds. I loved G1 Getaway and if the new one had looked as badass as this then I would probably buy it.

[mikeszekely]

image.jpeg

Too bad they're reusing molds. I loved G1 Getaway and if the new one had looked as badass as this then I would probably buy it.

Well, that's Hasbro for you. At least for me, if I buy him, it'll be the first time I buy that mold. I'm going for Fansproject's Function X Code instead of Hasbro's Chromedome.

[M'Kyuun]

With all these G1 toys being redone, I'd like to see redos of the Omnibots, Camshaft, Overdrive, and Downshift (the only one I own). Still want a proper CHUG Reflector, too. For a character who appeared so much throughout the first season, the Reflector figs have gotten little official love. Still have mine from the 80's.

I'm surprised there's another Megatron fig coming so close to the CW release, esp since he looks like he also turns into a tank. Given my druthers, I'll stick with the leader class with real rolling treads. His legs look like ass, but otherwise he's a decent fig, and a realistic looking tank. An all-in-one voyager Prime is an interesting fig, though. I can understand it with Powermaster Prime, but on a voyager OP, it's an interesting design choice. Admittedly, the first time I saw a commercial for Transformers, I thought OP was a combo of his cab and trailer; I was a little disappointed to find out he wasn't, but just a little. Gobots Road Ranger, who I sadly never owned, was always interesting to me, too, for including the trailer in his transformation. So, along with MP and CW UM, and TR PM Prime, I'm quite pleased to see so many tractor-trailer all-inclusive TFs suddenly being produced, and being done rather well, to boot.

The upcoming -masters toys are hit-and-miss for me. Some appeal, some don't. I wasn't into any of the various masters toys in the 80's, but some of those figs updated have their appeal.

I received my MP ratchet yesterday, and like Ironhide, I find him a pretty solid rendering overall. I too, wish they'd found a different placement for the hip panels, and I wish he had onboard storage for some of his smaller weapons/tools. And, stickers. I ended up clipping the little red squares off of his standard crosses to give him his iconic look. Why, I wonder, did Takara, who are so hell-bent on animation accuracy, include those when they have never, to my knowledge, ever been present on any incarnation of the character? Anyway, a few minutes and a good pair of shears made all the difference.

[treatment]

Looks gnarly together...

[Scyla]

Looks gnarly together...

do-you-remember-1985-G1s.jpg

Love the YF-30/VF-31-ish usage of the missile pod.

[Guest davidwhangchoi]

what's the next mp rumored after firetruck?

[M'Kyuun]

what's the next mp rumored after firetruck?

Well, both Arcee and Hound were rumored, I believe, with the now commom silhouette pics teased on TFW2005. I take all these rumors with a bowling ball sized chunk of salt at this point. Moreover, before they start making MP toys of lesser characters, I want them to make more of the first season figs that continue to resonate and appear in nearly every incarnation of the franchise. Jazz is certainly on that list, as well as Hound, Mirage, Cliffjumper, Brawn, just to name a few. Why they did Tracks before any of these guys is beyond me. I would welcome a MP of Arcee, though; her CHUG fig is well done, but I'd hope a MP version would incorporate more of her car into the robot mode...she's very kibble-y.

[dizman]

Hound was rumored around the same time that Hot Rod V2 was as I recall, still no word on that one. I'd assume they did Tracks before many others due to the ease at getting the C3 Vette license from Chevy (hastak has a great reputation with them because of the movies). Here's hoping the next one is Jazz but I wouldn't be surprised if it's another Season 2 bot.

[Guest davidwhangchoi]

Well, both Arcee and Hound were rumored, I believe, with the now commom silhouette pics teased on TFW2005. I take all these rumors with a bowling ball sized chunk of salt at this point. Moreover, before they start making MP toys of lesser characters, I want them to make more of the first season figs that continue to resonate and appear in nearly every incarnation of the franchise. Jazz is certainly on that list, as well as Hound, Mirage, Cliffjumper, Brawn, just to name a few. Why they did Tracks before any of these guys is beyond me. I would welcome a MP of Arcee, though; her CHUG fig is well done, but I'd hope a MP version would incorporate more of her car into the robot mode...she's very kibble-y.

Hound was rumored around the same time that Hot Rod V2 was as I recall, still no word on that one. I'd assume they did Tracks before many others due to the ease at getting the C3 Vette license from Chevy (hastak has a great reputation with them because of the movies). Here's hoping the next one is Jazz but I wouldn't be surprised if it's another Season 2 bot.

thanks guys

[David Hingtgen]

I had FP NotWeirdWolf on pre-order, but cancelled it. Snout is ridiculously long, and the colors are all wrong----which is strange, as FP/MT has the best paint and color matching of ANY toy company.

Hasbro's has perfect colors (wish their Triggerhappy did) and a much better wolf head.

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

Hasbro's has perfect colors (wish their Triggerhappy did) and a much better wolf head.

Those paws look awfully big though. It gives Weirdwolf a goofier look.

[anime52k8]

image.jpeg

Sixshot a headmaster? is being a six changer not gimmick enough these days? I'm gonna face-palm so hard my skull might collapse if this doesn't have six modes in the instructions.

[David Hingtgen]

Those paws look awfully big though. It gives Weirdwolf a goofier look.

True, but I find them easier to accept than UUUU's weird paw-thumbs.

[mikeszekely]

I had FP NotWeirdWolf on pre-order, but cancelled it. Snout is ridiculously long, and the colors are all wrong----which is strange, as FP/MT has the best paint and color matching of ANY toy company.

Hasbro's has perfect colors (wish their Triggerhappy did) and a much better wolf head.

Too bad you cancelled your preordered... Then I could have bought him off of you.

[David Hingtgen]

My Smart Robin is the result of cancelling my Mania King order. I came very close to getting the later correct colors Mania King, but never did.

[mikeszekely]

My Smart Robin is the result of cancelling my Mania King order. I came very close to getting the later correct colors Mania King, but never did.

I'd still suggest him. I actually dig the darker purple on the first release, but you need Reprolabels to cover the white on the cannon.

He's missing wrist swivels, but his hands are kind of in the position you'd want them anyway. He's been my favorite of my 3P toys for a long time, but (spoilers for the 3P thread) I'm really digging these Warbotron dudes.

[Dangard Ace]

Out you 3P talkers. Out!!

[vlenhoff]

Ha ha ha Ace.

Apparently tomorrow i'll get my Ratchet, along with the Arcadia 19, and the HMR Regult. It will be a while before I get anything else, so this rocks. This is the coolest shipment i've had in many years!

[M'Kyuun]

Ha ha ha Ace.

Apparently tomorrow i'll get my Ratchet, along with the Arcadia 19, and the HMR Regult. It will be a while before I get anything else, so this rocks. This is the coolest shipment i've had in many years!

Very nice haul. Hope you enjoy!

I'm curious why Hasbro changed Weirdwolf's name-- couldn't get the trademark, I assume. Anyway, while the color scheme doesn't enthrall me, his Zoid-like appearance in wolf mode has my attention. His bot mode is decent, too, so he'll likely end up on my shelf once he's released.

[treatment]

[JB0]

Is that what happens when Shockwave and his mini-me laser pistol transform?

[sh9000]

15% off and free standard shipping on most Transformers products at hasbrotoyshop.com until 5/24 with code MAYMAYHEM.

[JET7]

Perfect effect hands hinge repair fix works!

[JB0]

Looks like Devastator's ready to kick the boss down and squish him like a bug.

"Megatron must be stomped, no matter the cost."