Archer

Just the fact that Yamato is doing something Macross F related is promising to me. It seems like Bandai's clutch on the Macross F license is ever weakening!

lookin' good!

i really hope they don't use ball-jointed ankles for the VF-17... aside from getting loose, it's ugly esp. in GERWALK.

hey Graham, please tell Yamato to go back to ratcheted ankles for the VF-17...

THIS FTW

+1

I've got Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Jazz, and Barricade. Of these, I only dislike Sideswipe (if you want mine, PM me and you can have it for a song). Jazz is probably the best overall, but I really like Bumblebee, too. TFW2005 reports that some discount stores (like Ross) are still receiving shipments of HA Jazz.

Target (in Walnut Creek, CA) had a few yesterday at $34.99, not a bad price for a toy of this size.

Best, MyClone

Lolz, thats fine, I don't need your Sideswipe. Like you, many people I have seen on the internet seem to really dislike the figure. And yeah, I was wooed by that awesome alt mode, but that huge back-pack in robot seems like a wast really. Any thoughts on roadbuster?

I think I might just go ahead and get that one. Jazz looks like an awesome figure, but I really don't like the character. I really LOVED roadbuster's alt mode, so I was hoping to detail it up and mod it to look like this:

Anyone got a (all) human alliance figure? I have been meaning to pick one up, but can't decide which one is the best. My two favs, at least in terms of alt mode, are Sideswipe and Roadbuster. If you got 'em, which one is the better of the two. And also, if its not one of those two, which H.A. is the best overall.

Don't want to waste money on terrible products lol

Don't know if anyone else saw this, but take a look at the G-System-Shop home page:

http://www.g-system-shop.com/

They seem to be offering two new kits, a standard 1/72 rx-78-2, and a new 1/72 Xi gundam. What's interesting is that these figures feature a pre-built (at least, I think) internal frame, that interestingly enough, is made out of ABS plastics. This may be what a lot of people were looking for: A model with the beauty of a resin kit, but the durability/playability of a standard plamo. All I know is, it looks easy enough to build with a pre-build frame and pre-colored parts, so I might get one as my first introduction to resin...

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/new-teaser-image-of-takara-transformers-dotm-da28-dx-optimus-prime/22483/

That article is really the only new news I've seen about that release so far. That picture kinda looks like...maybe he's painted up like buster Prime. But the quality is so bad its hard to say. I'd suggest finding a spot to pre-order him (I have one pre-ordered at bigbadtoystore) and just see what it winds up being. If he is just jetwing prime w/o the trailer and no special paint apps I'll probably pass since he's like 120 bucks. I'll keep the pre-order if he has a sweet paint job.

Otherwise I'll just hope the stand alone retooled leader Prime makes it over here eventually and buy it for 50 bucks.

Wasn't Jetwing Prime around $120 as well? If this was just a better painted DOTM prime without the Jetpack, than I don't think it would warrant a similar price tag, even with the extra gun and shield. I was thinking that maybe the "third mode" or whatever would warrant the extra $$ for the price tag...

Alternatively, the name "striker" suggests that he has something to....strike with. I was hoping that might be a trailer that coverts to a battle station like in the movie, but that really is a pipe dream

Eh...I'll just pick up a Human Alliance Sideswipe in the meantime. I like its Alt mode and design a lot more than prime's anyways..

Has there been any more news regarding the Takara Striker Optimus Prime? I wonder what the details are behind it. I don't have a ROTF leader prime mold, so was wondering if I should swing for the Jetwing, or wait for this one. I don't care too much for the new gun or shield, but I am really interested in that rumored triple changing concept (hopefully to that "stealth" mode or whatever)...

I wonder how the v.2 looks from the back. Whereas the line art shows the wings sort of coming out from the shoulder-ish area, the v.1 looked pretty ugly from the back because the backplate didn't sit high enough, making the wings look like they're coming out of the middle back.

Really? Don't quote me on this, but I was pretty sure that both the V.1, and now the V.2 are getting that part right. I was fairly sure that the wings portrude a little UNDER the shoulders? At least, IIRC, from episode 2, when Micheal turns around in his valk, it seems like the wings are fairly below the shoulder line....

You think this is bad? This is common talk. You should hear some of the angered RT fans.

You don't say?

I try to avoid RT.com, so I am not to aware of "the other side"

That, and no one over there has any idea of what they are talking about, and from what I can tell, anyone who speaks the truth

gets banned

I don't know what the deal is with this Robotech vs. Macross conflict, but man, you guys are harsh

I don't like people who copy other's works just as much as the next guy, but you guys are really beating those Robotechies down to the ground, and defecating on them for good measure

I actually don't feel like it's a "compromise." It's about the only realistic way to do it and I'm fine with that.

How can you tell from the CAD? It's so small.

Well, I obviously don't know for sure, but the aesthetics of the leg and feet seem very similar to that of the VF-19 Kai, and in pure inference, I kinda assumed that there would be a high probability that ball joints would be applied like the VF-19..

This made me laugh: http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS20639&mode=retail&picture=in

They were giving this little guy away in the Gas Lamp district by the convention center for free.

And to each their own, but I honestly hope we never see a resurgence of Armada or RiD, especially the Optimus looks. Those toy lines/shows nearly killed my love of Transformers. Though again, that's just me.

I don't know about RiD or other Armada designs, but I LOVED Armada Optimus Prime, especially the vehicle mode. Sure, the super mode was a little terrible, but besides that, the figure itself was pretty neat imho. The fact that the trailer automatically opened when optimus was transformed to robot mode was especially awesome. For a figure released in 2002/3, that was pretty cool Nothing had that back then

Just wondering, but was anyone as upset as I was that the movie didn't "flow" well? I don't mind the bad editing, and I did like DOTM better than ROTF, its just that I wish that they went with the battle flow of ROTF in DOTM.

What do you think about this

I've been laid off of work for 3 months now. During the first month my PS3 broke down. I got plenty of free hours and playing a few games would be a nice distraction. I have enough in savings but I have a limit of how much I'll spend on fun right now. A benefactor is covering the difference (plus they owed me for breaking something separate from the PS3).

I filled out the repair request forms for my 60 model. Cost to repair/replace is $129. The site bring up this upgrade offer for one their newer 120 units for $99. I went with the one I have. Is Sony running low on my model or trying to get them out of people's hands altogether?

I think that sony no longer makes the "big" models anymore. Beyond that, I think it's cheaper for them to just send you a new slim model rather than fix or supply you with a new 60 or 80 GB big model. A friend of mine with no warranty had to pay only 50 for a new slim sent to him (he got to keep the broken one), or he could pay the full price of a new ps3 to fix the broken one (and he would have to pay to and from shipping as well). Personally, I think Sony is trying desperately hard to make everyone forget the $500 old versions existed. Their $250 slim is much more marketable really.

I think (and I'm not totally sure) that a large portion of the upcoming DotM line isn't coming out until 2012.

Oh, alright, thanks for the info. Hopefully, that means that we may still see a Prime figure better than that pathetic Ultimate version. By the way, for those in the know how, what is the difference between the core prime figure in the Takara Tomy Jetwing Prime set and ROTF leader prime? They look similar save for the chest, but I would like to know if there are any significant differences...

Oh boy, the CAD design seems to show that the design for the feet will be very similar to that of the VF-19 kai....ball joints. Please oh please someone advise Yamato to go with ratchets instead. I don't care if some posability will be sacrificed, as a toy that can stand up for more than a few months is worth more to me than one that will do a cool pose for a few minutes before collapsing...

Anyone know when a figure of Mirage/Dino/whatever he is called (the Ferrari 458 italia), will be coming out? Looking forward to any figure of his to come out...

They always folded back, along the leg, that's the way the transformation is supposed to work. The side cover lifts up, the fin folds back and the cover goes back down.

Sticking out in the back is a bit new, but it's something I can live with for having it finally look right in fighter mode.

Isn't that how the 1/72 model did it? I don't remember for sure, but I could have sworn that the model used the same procedure. Why is it a problem now? The models were quite well recieved imho...

EDIT: That question was toward everyone, not calling you out Eugimon

Finally got home so I could unbox my prize from comic-con (buster Prime)and he really is an unsung Masterpiece. The same could be said of the original, but the paint/chrome work and the buster just make it amazing. I didn't think I'd ever get one, but seeing it there in person was just too much for the wallet and the Optimus fan in me to take. Once the sideshow Maquette shows up I'll have quite a collection of Prime stuff going...probably have to build a special case for them or something.

Holy Cow, you got the Sideshow Collectible Maquette? Lucky guy, you should definitely take pics when you get it. If you mind telling, where did you get it. My searches online showed me that they were sold out everywhere

By the way, come someone fill me in on what "Buster Prime" is? I have been hearing it frequently on multiple forums, and all I get in searches are a slightly better painted version of ROTF Prime....

Finally, it seems someone got smart at Bandai. It looks very much like they took the 1/72 model, and made a 1/60 toy out of it. Now why couldn't they have done this 3 years ago?

Now, another problem arises....which type to get? I like 'em all. Alto has....a cool looking head, Micheal has that sweet blue paint scheme and sniper rifle, Luca has a radome, Ozma has a sweet decal set and most likely an armored set. Jeez, this will be hard....

EDIT: In the pics above that reivaj posted, is that a painted prototype or the real deal? Looks like a painted prototype to me, but can never be too sure

Mine is holding up really fine as well, all the joints are as tight as they should, I am very happy with VF-19.

Sorry to hear about yours, Archer. I wonder how possible you had all the potential problems a transformable toy can have in just one toy…

Just my luck I guess haha

It's not that I hate Yamato, just ones with ball joints

Sooo.....as of now, through ONE full transformation, my VF-19 struggles to even stand. I think I must have gotten one of the worst cases of the ball joint issue, but its likely to pop up over time on others, and trust me, its frustrating beyond belief. Drop a full $300 after shipping for this thing, and it can't even stand

I can only manage a mute pose in Battroid, and Gerwalk can't even stand correctly unless i point the nose straight up or above. No aggressive GERWALK for me

The panels behind the shoulders always pop off for me too, and one of my shoulders cannot keep the speakers open without propping them up against the joint. Finally, my calf joint is ridiculously loose. The second I release the locking tabs in fighter mode, the entire leg drops at a heart racing pace. The first click is somewhat alright, but after that, it just swings down. Seriously, I know I am gonna get some hate here, but I don't think that much weight in solely the legs is warranted, at least on my sample

Seriously, you may be surprised here, but after a few weeks of handling, I think this is one of my least liked purchases that I've done in a long while regarding mecha. Oh yeah, almost forgot, my wing roots are featuring some stress mark issues as well, but thats not too big an issue. I am going back to my trusty VF-1, which, while it may not be as complex, can at least stand up

Maybe forgoing ball joints for actual ratchets would alleviate some of these issues. I, personally, think I am gonna start to try some of Bandai's newer releases....

Will not be purchasing a Yamato anytime in the near future. I have officially been Yamato'd. Rant Over

I think people want a more dilute purple to add some transparency to the canopy, rather than the thick purple applied right now....

By the way, I just found this:

Its from Frenzy_Rumble, the guy that does crazy customs. Looks pretty cool