The Energon Pub

No pics didn't happen right? Well my cam beyond my reach for now but I'll just describe what I got just today from Hobbysearch.

#2 Cassetrons

#2 Barrier cases (aka cassette case)

#2 Rumble machine guns

# 1 Rumble back pack aka "Arms holder" that you hook on his back or Soundwave's arm (turning his pile divers into a sort of double barrel pile diver thingamagig) Btw, you can also store his wing machine guns unto the pile divers and attach it to the barrel back pack.

Another option is to attach it unto Soundwaves left leg slot in cassette player mode ( maybe a sort of power source?)

Also, you can store Rumble's guns onto a compartment inside Soundwave's leg compartment in cassette player mode.

# 1 instruction manual

# 1 biocard with Jaguar and Rumble

Issues? Well, now that I have all 3 cassetrons, the multiple storage feature tends to cause the compartment to get stuck so handle Soundwave carefully when you plan to mimic the scene from episode 3 MTMTE pilot.

Aside from that, I'm really astounded at the engineering involved on both figures. Unlike their G1 counterparts, the only metal parts I can see are the rivets on their joints and a couple of gold chrome apps on Rumble. maybe its a conscious decision on Tomy's but I would have preferred if his feet were made of die-cast to give him more stability.

Over all..........a must buy! Assuming it isn't sold out yet

Cheers for the heads up about the compartment. I wonder if its a widespread issue?

I just picked up the rumble and ravage, which are incredibly well designed. As for the soundwave issue, I have not experienced that with mine, but it is something I will keep an eye on in case it becomes an issue.

Someone mentioned the sticky chest compartment in a video review.

If you put all three cassettes, the first one tend to jam up the entrance instead of ejecting.

@ Mykltron

So there was a video review of this issue? Technically I didn't try this with the G1 cassettes. Was the reviewer using the MP cassette or the G1?

This should be more of a critique on SW and not the cassettes per se but I noticed that despite SWs chest compartment having a catch holder, when you eject the cassette, the holder is kind of loose and the casstes tilts back inside leading to the jam

To really avoid the cassette jamming issues:

1. Keep it to a max of 2.
2. In cassette mode it isn't much of a problem in my version (SW that is)
3. In robot mode, make sure he (SW) is standing on a table/flat and stable surface
4. It really is annoying most of the time (the jamming issues)

I hope(but not too much.....being real here) that the USA edition may correct this.

fenrir72 wrote:This should be more of a critique on SW and not the cassettes per se but I noticed that despite SWs chest compartment having a catch holder, when you eject the cassette, the holder is kind of loose and the casstes tilts back inside leading to the jam

To really avoid the cassette jamming issues:

1. Keep it to a max of 2.
2. In cassette mode it isn't much of a problem in my version (SW that is)
3. In robot mode, make sure he (SW) is standing on a table/flat and stable surface
4. It really is annoying most of the time (the jamming issues)

I hope(but not too much.....being real here) that the USA edition may correct this.

I noticed if you tilt him slighty forward (not bend, just press lightly against his back while he stands) the cassettes don't jam.

Regarding the release of Rumble and Ravage - I am miffed that these two characters share one bio card. What's with that? MP Soundwave and Laserbeak each have their own bio card. Couldn't they have done the same for Rumble and Ravage?

fenrir72 wrote:This should be more of a critique on SW and not the cassettes per se but I noticed that despite SWs chest compartment having a catch holder, when you eject the cassette, the holder is kind of loose and the casstes tilts back inside leading to the jam

To really avoid the cassette jamming issues:

1. Keep it to a max of 2.
2. In cassette mode it isn't much of a problem in my version (SW that is)
3. In robot mode, make sure he (SW) is standing on a table/flat and stable surface
4. It really is annoying most of the time (the jamming issues)

I hope(but not too much.....being real here) that the USA edition may correct this.

Translated the directions for MP Soundwave. Takara recognized the issue when Soundwave was released and there is an extra piece of paper included in the instructions. The translations basically say, jamming may occur with multiple cassettes. If it happens, lay MP Soundwave on his back to realign the cassettes and press the eject button.

Stormrider wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:This should be more of a critique on SW and not the cassettes per se but I noticed that despite SWs chest compartment having a catch holder, when you eject the cassette, the holder is kind of loose and the casstes tilts back inside leading to the jam

To really avoid the cassette jamming issues:

1. Keep it to a max of 2.
2. In cassette mode it isn't much of a problem in my version (SW that is)
3. In robot mode, make sure he (SW) is standing on a table/flat and stable surface
4. It really is annoying most of the time (the jamming issues)

I hope(but not too much.....being real here) that the USA edition may correct this.

Translated the directions for MP Soundwave. Takara recognized the issue when Soundwave was released and there is an extra piece of paper included in the instructions. The translations basically say, jamming may occur with multiple cassettes. If it happens, lay MP Soundwave on his back to realign the cassettes and press the eject button.

So that's what the drawing was for? Btw for those who don't know, in SWs instruction, there's an extra sheet ) with a cross section of SW (4 drawings with an x-arrow concerning when or how to press the compartment expansion mechanism on his back. Also, on page 9 of his instruction for "Eject", there's a drawing of Sw with a human hand tilting him on a lying position. Maybe that's related to this issue (don't speak Japanese btw.)

Thanks Stormrider!


P.S

Yah! kind of miffed too about the shared biocard. maybe to keep the cost down? Iirc, binaltech Optimus Prime didn't have a biocard too

For MP-13 Soundwave, there is a tab/switch at the back where you can actually eject all three cassettes, obsoleting the stuck / jamming issue

works for me

Stormrider wrote:Regarding the release of Rumble and Ravage - I am miffed that these two characters share one bio card. What's with that? MP Soundwave and Laserbeak each have their own bio card. Couldn't they have done the same for Rumble and Ravage?

Me too, I had the same reaction too when I first opened the box. For the price we are paying and this is the MP Line which is sort of like a premium line for us collectors, I can't believe they're being cheap. I know I'm being nit-picky but still...

As for the figures itself, love the little bugger and his cat. Can't wait to have the blue Rumble and Buzzsaw.

Stormrider wrote:Regarding the release of Rumble and Ravage - I am miffed that these two characters share one bio card. What's with that? MP Soundwave and Laserbeak each have their own bio card. Couldn't they have done the same for Rumble and Ravage?

Your problem is a Bio card???? I just had mine arrive in a Private warehouse shipment from HLJ last week and I have 2 right piledrivers which will only get fixed if I send the whole thing back to Japan, because Takara refuses to send out replacement parts.

A shared bio card is the least of my quibbles atm.

Will the Hasbro release modify the cassettes in any way?

Noob-Sai-Bot wrote:Will the Hasbro release modify the cassettes in any way?

It's not known currently so it's too early to tell, but Hasbro MP releases have 'historically' all been modified in some way. It might be the color of the plastic used, it will probably mean a couple less paint apps, and it might mean some 'safety neutering' (although I don't think any of the tapes really have sharp points or anything).

There are already official pics of Hasbro Soundwave out there showing the yellow visor, which also include pics of the tapes, and in those pics, it looks like they are 1:1 copies of the Takara tapes. However, I wonder if that is how the Hasbro tapes will actually look, or if Hasbro's just used some stock photo's of the Takara tapes.

Bowspearer wrote:

Stormrider wrote:Regarding the release of Rumble and Ravage - I am miffed that these two characters share one bio card. What's with that? MP Soundwave and Laserbeak each have their own bio card. Couldn't they have done the same for Rumble and Ravage?

Your problem is a Bio card???? I just had mine arrive in a Private warehouse shipment from HLJ last week and I have 2 right piledrivers which will only get fixed if I send the whole thing back to Japan, because Takara refuses to send out replacement parts.

A shared bio card is the least of my quibbles atm.

That sucks. Takara really needs to beef up their quality control.