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M'Kyuun

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  1. M'Kyuun
    I passed on MP UM, but the UW version looked great to me in promo pics, and he turned out to be a fantastic figure. Not perfect: I wish his wrists could swivel and that he had ankle tilts in bot mode, and that his loading ramps (shin armor) could sit flush to the ground, but these are fairly minor issues. I love the all-in-one transformation; despite the two part UM from the 80's, which I feel was due to toy tech limitations, this is the way I've always felt Magnus should be. Beyond that, I love the engineering involved to accomplish the transformation and still make him a fully functional tractor-trailer. I wish they'd done something similar for CW Motormaster, but you can't have everything. Initially, I wasn't too interested in the upcoming Powermaster Prime, as I generally don't buy multiple versions of a mold, but there are enough changes to the figure to justify it. Looking forward to getting Titans Return Galvatron. TT did a great job on this figure, IMHO: http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/03/08/new-colored-images-takara-transformers-legends-titans-return-figures-311001
  2. M'Kyuun
    While not exactly Transformers, it looks like Bandai & Action Toys are making progress on their new Machine Robo figs. https://www.facebook.com/loopaza/videos/1065790020149179/ There hasn't been much news about these since they were first shown last Feb, so I'm happy to see a few painted protos among the group. I'm interested in snapping up most of these guys, esp Leader 1, Snoop, and Spay-C. I'm surprised there isn't a Crasher or Cop-tur in there, but then these aren't based on the American Gobots show. Happily anticipating preorders. You may now return to the Ultra Magnus discussion already in progress.
  3. M'Kyuun
    Unfortunately, Toynami is not known for its build or material quality. My Bernard Legioss sits on my desk with his crumbly hands and poor glue applications as a constant reminder. Also, $400 is a steep price, esp for Toynami. I also wish they'd contract better factories and improve their overall quality to at least near-Arcadia standards. I think their Legioss is the best looking of all the various releases, but the poor quality made me stop at one. I love their hand design, as it's one of the best poseable hands I've seen on a toy this size, but the rubbery, crumbly material from which they're made just adds a further frustration. Anyway, if anyone here gets the new Voltron, I'd be interested in a review. Maybe they've made improvements (not holding my breath).
  4. M'Kyuun
    Toynami's Ultimate Voltron is available for preorder over at BBTS. It looks nice, and has some excellent articulation, both individual lions and Voltron. http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TOY10645&mode=retail&utm_source=retail_news&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=BigBadToyStore-Retail&utm_content= Personal pass for me, but for die-hard fans, I thought this might be interesting.
  5. M'Kyuun
    After discussing MP Shockwave, I looked up some pics online out of anticipation. Concerning whether he has a waist swivel, I'm thinking yes. Look at the second pic from the top. It's slight, but noticeable: http://www.collectiondx.com/news_item/10215/transformers_masterpiece_mp29_shockwave_laserwave_updated
  6. M'Kyuun
    Dr. Smoov is the reason I love the Mighty Shockwave. That video has become my default image of the character.
  7. M'Kyuun

    Bandai DX VF-31

    M'Kyuun replied to UN Spacy's topic in Toys

    Well, unfortunately, unless the valks had longer bulkier thighs to accommodate the mains, the only part of most valks capable of housing them are the shins, thus necessitating their location far aft of CG. Having worked on aircraft landing gear, it always looks a little dodgy to me to have the mains located so far aft, but I realize it's a necessary compromise. I'm just glad they have retractable gears and doors at all; consider most aircraft TFs.
  8. M'Kyuun
    LOL. So true, and so fair. I've never been a big fan of Hot Rod, anyway, but I'll buy any good figure if it looks decent to me. This doesn't, and hasn't since it was first revealed. Animated Hot Rod is my favorite version of the character, and I have Classics HR on my CHUG shelf, who still looks better than MP HR, IMHO. I think the MP figure could have been significantly improved if that hood had been shortened a bit (get rid of the Matrix slot) and if there'd been a nice taper from the waist out to the shoulders for a little bit of "v" to his torso. Also, lose that single piece crotch plate and just make small hinged panels for forward thigh movement. Those two changes alone would have made him a better looking figure, IMO. I also passed on MP UM, but I like the CW version. Fun figure, but he would have been even cooler had they scaled him up just a little more to make his truck cab in scale with the rest of the CHUG/CW cars.
  9. M'Kyuun

    Bandai Sv-262 DX valk

    M'Kyuun replied to seti88's topic in Toys

    Whatever the 'Sv' stands for, the fact that Kawamori is using it for this valk's model designation makes me think there's going to be a lineage between it and the Sv-51 and -52. How that plays out remains to be seen, but I doubt the 'Sv' was used randomly, or out of a lack of imagination. That's one resource of which Kawamori-sensei has no shortage. Only a little over a month til we hopefully will finally get to see the Sv-262's battroid.
  10. M'Kyuun
    Y'know, with all the miniaturization that's been achieved with electronics, how difficult would it be to put a small sound chip, powered by a watch battery, in this without compromising the overall design. Same can be said for his eye; they could put an LED in there and it would work great. Once he releases, I doubt it'll be long before we see some nice mods to add those things. I'm honestly not a huge fan of electronics in toys, but sometimes, as in this case, it brings something cool to the figure, and makes it all that much more enjoyable.
  11. M'Kyuun
    $33?! The CW toys aren't worth the $16 MSRP, relatively speaking. That's just pure rip-offery. Concerning MP Shockwave, I wish he were the darker purple like the G1 toy, but I'm not as big a stickler on colors as a few folks around here are. I'm glad they made him, and he looks pretty good to me. I think Cloud 9's version has more accurate feet, though, closer to both G1 toy and animation. Shockwave had some big clodhoppers. I've been looking through the various pics online, and I've not seen one that gives any indication of waist swivel, so they may just have forgone that joint altogether due to his big backpack. I'm curious to see a an early review of this fig to see how that barrel folds and stows. It's a creative solution to what could have easily been written off as a partial parts-former. I'm hoping that more car-bots will be announced for this year...other than the upcoming releases and BW Primal, there hasn't been much MP news.
  12. M'Kyuun

    Bandai Sv-262 DX valk

    M'Kyuun replied to seti88's topic in Toys

    I doubt it, unless Kawamori comes up with some convoluted backstory to explain the lack of their prior appearances throughout the series. I suppose he could say that the prototypes were shrouded in absolute secrecy following development of the SV-51 and -52. Sukhoi has quite a legacy.
  13. M'Kyuun
    Late to the party replying, but I have to wonder if Kawamori told Yamato that the VF-4's shoulders are immobile, or if they made them that way as a cost saving measure, since they knew this was their swan song and were probably under some strain just to get it produced. I remember reading somewhere they made the legs longer than they should be per the lineart to make the fighter look better, so they weren't above taking liberties. As excellent as Yamato's design turned out, I'd still love one that more faithfully produces the battroid...the fighter would be a bit stubbier, but I think it could still be made and look pretty good. It'd also be great if the shoulders were articulated, which is really the biggest weak point for me. Kawamori's lineart really makes the battroid look stocky and imposing, like it can just bash the enemy with those big ass shoulders. A thousand times, yes to both. Some serious tweaking would be needed to achieve those large round engines, though. I've given the matter considerable thought, as I'm of a mind to attempt making a variable Blackbird with LEGO. I'd also be happy if Bandai or Arcadia made the VF-14 Space Pope, er... Vampire. It's the closest thing we could get to a variable SR-71 in the Macross Universe.
  14. M'Kyuun
    I agree absolutely, and until now, I think that market was largely ignored by Hasbro, who I think just wanted to target kids, specifically boys. Their opening presentation at NY Toy Fair showed a shift in their thinking, as it relates to market: they established a 4-tier collector fanbase towards which to target specific toylines, and acknowledged that adult TF sales, by their estimation, was 30%. I imagine it's a greater percentage than that, but it's a promising start towards seeing more complex and sophisticated TF toys intended for adult collectors. Granted, Takara's way ahead of them, but I hope as time goes on, and a clear demand is manifested by virtue of all these Cons and Toy fairs, Hasbro will explore the adult collector market with more enthusiasm, and hopefully good returns on their investments. Hopefully, too, the MP line will see more domestic releases, and more than just overpriced limited runs of specific MP figs at TRU. I suppose the big sell will be to the retailers, though. Hasbro needs to convince the Big Box stores that there's a market. Watching the vid, I got the sense that it was a little too complicated for the reviewer. It looked fairly straightforward to me...it was very clear how the component parts went together. The final result was pretty spindly; I wasn't crazy about the 'hands'. I think a more experienced reviewer would have handled the toy more deftly, and provided a less frustrated review. I'll say this; it's a unique combiner, and I like the three component bots' alt modes. Crustaceans, and insects by extension, make great subjects for translation into mechanical creatures.
  15. M'Kyuun
    Beautiful. It's beyond me how some folks don't like the look of the VF-4's battroid; it's one of my favorites, even over the VF-1. (Ducks for cover)
  16. M'Kyuun
    Definitely one of Kawamori's best fighter designs. That's a sweet diorama setup, Gundam@EFSF. That floor lighting is a nice detail. If I might make a suggestion, open the feet up a little in fighter; they're the main engine augmenters controlling the thrust.
  17. M'Kyuun
    I have Magnaboss, but I don't think I have Tripedacus. Most of my BW figs are boxed up and I haven't seen them in some time. The BW combiners were interesting and unique. I personally wouldn't really be interested in MP versions, but then again I might be tempted if they turned out really well. As it is, having seen MP Primal, I think Takara have their hands full just getting the basic robot to beast down while trying to hide all the bot parts in beast mode. I couldn't remember Tripedacus, so I watched a vid of a rather frustrated Brit trying to get the three parts transformed and connected. It looks like a squirrely thing, rather fidgety, esp those multi-jointed lobster claws-cum- robot legs.
  18. M'Kyuun
    I concede your point, to a point. I must confess having had issues transforming a few of the movieline toys, to the point where I finally had to consult the instructions out of fear of breaking the toy in question, something I very seldom ever do with any of my transforming toys, including my valks. The whole 3D mechanical puzzle system has always come easy to me. The same cannot be said for everyone, and I make the case that a lot of parents, and their kids, may not have a natural prowess for the sort of puzzle solving inherent in transforming toys. For some of those, the current CW toys may even pose a challenge. But most parents aren't TF collectors, and to them, a toy is just that, and they make purchases based on that limited way of thinking. When little Johnny can't figure out his toy, it's the toy manufacturer's fault for making a toy that's too complicated, rather than considering that Johnny may not have an aptitude for a toy of that nature. I'm sure it happens more often than not, esp the with the current 'no kid left behind' mentality that coddles kids rather than pushing them. My own niece is a prime example of this, but I digress. Anyway, I'm definitely not saying that TF's need to be at the Bayformer level of complexity; while cool, they were sometimes a little too complex...I concede. I think they hit a good level of build quality and complexity with the CHUG line until just around 2014 or so, when they started to radically simplify the toys in terms of both build quality and complexity. I'm talking about just the leader, voyager, deluxe, and legend/legion class figs, as they are all I collect. We didn't see large hollow areas near as much in those figs, and wheels were still attached with pins rather than the snap-on things we get now. I could continue, but all these things are known. Anyway, this was a long diatribe to basically say transforming toys may not come easily to everyone, even if they have an interest in them, and the toys shouldn't necessarily be oversimplified to cater to the few that have difficulty with them. Somehow that still sounds dickish, but that's not my intent.
  19. M'Kyuun
    I'm not getting either, but I just searched them both for comparison. That's a tough choice; they both look really good. I think it boils down to which G1 influence do you want your figure to emulate: toon or toy? Personally, I favor Hellfire due to the crotch piece shaping and the black kneecaps-closer to the toy. But I have to say, I love that smiling face and overall head sculpt of MMC's Backdraft. They totally nailed it, and it gives the figure alot of personality. MMC overall, made the more G1 animation accurate version. Both look like comparable figures in most other aspects, although I'll give MMC bonus points for that chrome grill, which is most fitting for an older model firetruck. Sorry I didn't make the choice easier for you...I'd have to mull it over a bit myself if I were picking just one. Whichever you finally settle on, I hope he's an excellent compliment to your collection.
  20. M'Kyuun
    Those are extreme examples; I was talking about the current CW line, which is also the Generations line for all intents and purposes. Leader class Ultra Magnus, Jetfire, and Megatron all have much more simplified transformations compared to previous leader class figures. That simplification runs through all the class sizes. One need only look at leader Optimus from Revenge of the Fallen, probably the pinnacle of complexity in a in a retail mainline toy, and set it next to the aforementioned current batch of leader class toys to get a sense of the decline in engineering. I needn't mention the drop in quality due to methods of reducing material and manufacturing costs, which unfortunately has even affected the MP line. I hope you're right about the 'kneejerk' part, that perhaps Hasbro's new 4-tier collector classification system will also mean a restoration, at least in part, of the better build and engineering quality we've seen in past figures, esp in the Generations line. I don't include the MP line in my statement, as that has always been geared toward the Japanese teen and up collector, and there's really no reason for them to change what they're doing. The baseline for quality has already been set. In the end, I just hope the quality of the Generations line continues to improve.
  21. M'Kyuun
    Well, at least the CW/UW toys...they are simple on purpose for high reuse of molds. I get that, just don't always like it. The mainline Generations deluxe toys are a little different; they are usually more complex, better designed toys, which makes me glad this combiner line has about run its course. It's cool that Has/Tak did it; I'm sure there are a lot of happy TF collectors out there who finally got the combiner team(s) of choice. Despite my misgivings about Blast Off in particular, and the overall simplicity and oft lazy designs in general, I'm very happy with my Menasor, and look forward to getting Bruticus in a few months. I really wish the individual Constructicons had been better designed; even the UW versions just didn't do it for me, as most of their individual bot modes were sacrificed to make Devastator better. I sat on the fence about getting the UW version, but after looking at their bot modes, I just couldn't bring myself to commit. I hope a better official version will be made in the next 10 years. Honestly, the 2007-2011 live action movie toys spoiled me; Takara demonstrated what extraordinary levels of engineering they can achieve in TF toys. Like 'em or not, they were amazingly complex and ingenious toys, and I lament that the line has taken a gradual 180 degree turn. It's like enjoying a Renaissance period and then segueing into a Dark Age. The knowledge of what has come before influences my opinion of what's out now and coming, and I can't help but feel a bit of disappointment. It doesn't help that I have probably 200+ TFs on display in my mancave, from Animated, G1, CHUG, Prime, Bayformers, Binaltech, Star Wars TFs, and a few RiD figs, which makes it easy for me to compare them to each other. So, knowing what they've already achieved, I kinda do expect Takara to do better, whether it's realistic to do so or not. I want them to do better b/c they already have, and b/c I really love well designed transforming toys.
  22. M'Kyuun
    You're right about Blast Off being consistent with the rest of the line, but I can't help but wanting him to be better than that, somehow. Rise above the mediocrity, little shuttle robot! Mike, you humble me with that pic of old school Blast Off. I had no idea the original design looked like that. It still looks like crap, but in all fairness to Takara, the UW toy bears a decent resemblance to the G1 art (except the original managed to integrate the arms better, and had rounded OMS pods in shuttle mode- it's fair criticism, methinks).
  23. M'Kyuun
    QFT. At least make proper toes instead of having engine bells. Proper rounded OMS pods. Integrate the arms into the transformation...even the Gobots managed all of these in a much smaller figure. I realize it has to combine, but I'd expect a company with 30+ years experience designing transforming toys to do all these things and still make a nice shuttle TF. Guess not. There was a lot of settling for mediocre designs in this line. I'm still getting UW Bruticus, but man I had such high expectations for how Takara's shuttle guy would look...and then this. I think it'd have looked better had they gone with a Vortex remold. Ah well, he may prove to be a fun little figure (all the CW figs are simple fun figures, really), but he'll still be ugly as sin in both modes.
  24. M'Kyuun
    The VF-4 is one of my favorite valk designs, and I'm one of the few that loves its battroid mode probably as much as its fighter mode. Yamato's version is a solid toy in all three modes, and the fighter mode is simply gorgeous from any angle. For those among you getting one for the first time, congrats and I hope you enjoy it. I already have two of the Yamato releases, and skipped on the re-release. The toy is great, but not without it's flaws, nearly all of which are in its battroid mode, IMHO. I would have gladly ordered an Arcadia if they had fixed/redesigned the following: made the battroid a little shorter ( the 'b' mode is shorter and stockier in the lineart); design the shoulders to rotate and swing out from the body; redesign the forearms to accommodate the poseable hands (honestly, they only need be extended by a few mm to allow the poseable hands to retract. Boggles my mind why they didn't); fix the many missile tabs for tighter adherence, or just embed them and their recesses with magnets; more tampo; and get rid of those damned ball jointed ankles and use ratcheting joints (that goes for all their valks). Overall, I'd say this valk has the tightest overall joints, both articulation and transformation, of any valk I own from either Bandai, Yamato, or Arcadia, and it locks together in all modes solidly. Definitely swooshable without fear (except maybe a missile or five falling off). It's a lovely piece, and I can't recommend it highly enough, if at least for the fighter mode.
  25. M'Kyuun
    Glad you're having fun with Hun-gurr, Mike. I remember messing with my friend's G1 version many moons ago. They did a great job of capturing the G1 look while bringing the engineering and articulation into the present. That pic of him sleeping is awesome. Slight derail: For Fall of Cybertron fans, a new Optimus fig is coming. http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/02/17/planet-x-fall-cybertron-inspired-optimus-prime-grey-prototypes-310142 I generally don't care for the WFC and FoC aesthetic, but Game Informer featured FoC Prime on their cover a few years back, and I was totally sold. I'm usually not a fan of Cybertronian alt modes, but this particular design just strikes a high chord with me. The game designers imagined him in his truck mode as a fist on wheels, and I find it an apt description. I bought the little Hasbro version (fun figure), but it's quite simplified and lacking. Planet X's take seems much more faithful to the game art. I'm curious to see the final painted version. Anyway, thought I'd share.
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