Graham

Did Hasbro fix the legs on the current release of the AT-TE? Thinking of getting one for my son for Christmas, as he really likes "the walking tank" as he calls it. But don't want to buy it if the legs still fall off all the time. Graham

There's more to VF defensive systems than just Chaff. There's, chaff, flares, Pin-Point Barrier, defensive (anti-missile) head lasers, SWAG energy converting armor and the VF-25 super shoulder missile pods are referred to as 'close-in weapons systems', which if following the real-life example implies a defensive nature. This tech sheet, if it goes into detail, could potentially be fascinating to mech-heads like me. Graham

On the quantity of Frontier products, Bandai have been doing pretty good and get an 8/10 from me. My only complaints are the omission of a VF-171 toy, not even in the 1/250 scale fighter collection!!!! . And would it kill them to release a DX cannon-fodder tan VF-25!? Quality-wise, I'd give them a 7.5/10, with only poor paint apps and easily damaged tampo markings being the only real negatives. Regarding actual toy design (which is not related to quality), this is where they score lower and get only a 6.5/10 from me. Both the DX's and VF100s line have numerous design related issues, which I'm not going to repeat here as they have been discussed to death already. But it's obvious that Bandai still has a ways to go before they hit the right balance, but they do seem to be learning and improving, all be it slowly. Graham

Bandai, where's my frackin' DX VF-171 / VF-171EX????? Nuff, said! Graham

Nevermind, found it.

Forgot, how do you enter the passwords? Couldn't find where on the menu.

Here's a couple of quick pics. First the Robot Tamashi Klan Klang Q-Rare and VF-25F Super side-by-side and then with the VF100S VF-25F in battroid mode for size comparison. Graham

Picked up both last night from the 111 Richmond Center on Argyle Street. The Q-Rare is great, but I wish they had used the same gloss red ABS plastic for the limbs, not just the body. The red parts of the limbs appear to be PVC & the color doesn't quite match the red ABS of the body. Still a great toy though. The VF.-25F Super is OK, but I'm not that excited about it, as I'm not that into non-transforming battroids. Graham

Definitely need Bobby from Frontier to pilot the Quarter and Global from SDFM. Also, the renegade Zent powered armor from Mac Plus. Graham

Playing through Mac Plus and disappointed that the renegade Zentradi powered armor from ep 1 of the Mac Plus OVA is still not in the game. How could they leave it out twice now!? Also, are there no Super Packs for the VF-11B? Graham

I don't have the Konig Monster yet. As I mentioned, I'm playing through the MUF eras chonologically and not moving onto each new era until I have levelled up all the mecha in that era first. I started with Zero, went onto SDFM then DYRL, which I've just finished. Next is Mac Plus, which I'll start on the train home from work tonight. So, it will still be a while before I get to Frontier, as I've got to work my way through Plus, 7 and D7 first. But yes, once I've gone through all eras and can use any mecha in any era, then I'll go back and try SS everything using the more advanced mecha. Graham

I also got SS on all but one of the Zero missions. Probably the same one as you. Nothing really tricky about the SDFM and DYRL missions, although I found it much harder to SS them. I think I've only got 1 or 2 SS, with the rest being S and 1 pesky A on SDFM and 1 pesky A on DYRL. Graham

Hang on, thought they were called Tornado Packs, not Typhoon Packs. Graham

Yep, definitely. Graham

Not at all, I think MUF is a HUGE improvement on MAF. MAF was obviously rushed and did seem a bit unfinished. While MAF is still a great game. MUF gives you much more of a Macross experience, or far more of a Macross feel if you like. While each individual improvement in MUF, by and of itself is relatively small, added all together, they really make MUF a far superior game to MAF in my opinion. The ability to shoot down missiles, the addition of Super and Armoured packs and the ability to purge them (or have them destroyed), the improved graphics, the ability to import your own MP3 tracks, the neat visual effects, for example the lens flare, the seemingly slightly larger playing areas, the full Zero, D7 and Frontier campaigns, the inclusion of Macross II and VF-X2 mecha, all add up to a fantastic gaming experience IMO. I’m playing MUF in chronological order. Finished the Zero, SDFM and DYRL campaigns. Got S or SS or all but 2 missions. Just finished leveling up all the mecha from those 3 eras and buying the last few characters from them. Currently at 60 hours. Going to start on Mac Plus tonight. Graham

What would everybody like to see in a MUF sequel for the PSP? Here’s my wish list: - Full VF-X2 campaign, including all mecha and characters. Full Macross M3 campaign, including all mecha and characters. Full Macross II campaign, including all mecha and characters. Full Macross Frontier Movie campaign, including the new Tornado Pack as well as any other new mecha or Vajra that appear in the movie. Ability to use tune points to improve Super Packs and Armored Packs. Stampede Valk! Slightly larger Playing areas. Players able to use their own Command and Auto Skills, rather than using the support Character’s skills. In fact, you can probably just get rid of the support character function. In the Macross 7 campaign, add the following: Super Packs for the VF-17D/S and VF-19F/S, Atmospheric Super Packs for the VF-11C, oh and add the VF-11D Jamming birds. Ability to customize missions, i.e. you can chose the type of battlefield and the number and type of enemy. Graham

MUF is definitely the best Macross game I've played, and probably the most enjoyable overall game as well. I'm lovin' it! Graham

I'll have a lok when I get home. Graham

To be honest, the guide book is not really much use if you don't read Japanese (which I don't). I'm sure there's tons of useful info in there, but about the only thing I find useful is the points needed to S or SS a stage. Graham

Anybody know which day in November set 2 is scheduled to be released? Graham

Saw one in the basement of Sino Center last week when Danguard Ace was visiting HK, but decided not to buy it. Haven't seen pics online yet, but you should be able to order it through either HMV Japan or Amazon Japan. Graham

OK, had a long talk on the phone with Yamato last night and here's what I was told. The $2,000 SDF-1 is an exact replica of Yamato’s prototype and is being marketed as such. It is neither a toy, or a model kit per say. Each one is being individually built by the prototype maker, not mass produced in a Chinese toy factory. This is why the high cost. I was told that it can often cost a million yen getting prototypes made. Yamato will only be having a small run of these made and had to negotiate quite hard with the maker to get the price they did. It will be sold unpainted. It will be sold partially assembled. The major sub-assemblies, such as the ARMDs, body, legs, etc will be pre-assembled and then the customer just has to bolt everything together. The joints will be ratchet joints and will be made of hard nylon for durability. The main material IIRC is High Density Polyethylene (HDP), which has excellent tensile strength and impact resistance. I was told it is 6 times stronger than the type of resin used for garage kits. As mentioned, HDP is widely used on cars. Why are Yamato even selling this? – Well, when they originally had the prototype made, Yamato thought that it would be possible to produce it in ABS at a lower cost. Unfortunately, with the tooling limitations of the toy factories they use, it was not possible to mass produce it. So rather than scrap the whole project and write it off as a loss, they decided to still offer it to those hard-core fans who just had to have a large scale SDF-1. For those wanting a smaller, more affordable SDF-1, I’ll just say that patience is a virtue and the virtuous are often rewarded. And yes, for those curious, I have been offered one and call me crazy, but I will probably turn it down, as a) it's too big for my shoebox sized Hong Kong appartment and b) I'd honestly feel guilty about accepting such an expensive gift for free. Graham

I have the game guide book for MUF, so if anybody wants to know how many points you need to S or SS a specific stage, please ask. Just let me know the era and the stage name. Graham

I have the game guide books for MAF and MUF, so if anybody wants to know how many points you need to S or SS a specific stage, please ask. Graham

have requested clarifying information from Yamato, stay tuned. However, as far as I know (although this information is a bit old), it will be sold assembled and pre-painted. The resin used is not the same type of resin used for garage kits, I was told it is used in the automobile industry and is supposed to be very strong. The reason I was told for not using ABS is that the injection molding machines in the Chinese toy factories cannot handle the large size of some of the parts. Graham