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This is what you said.

3x the cost = inflation x import cost from middle men x increased shipping and handling and the price point is more or less the same as the old G1 figure.

From that I take it you're saying MP Shockwave is 3 times the cost of an adjusted for inflation G1 figure.

Except it's not. Straight from HLJ (for the sake of the argument we'll consider it a retail outlet) it's $125US. There's no import costs, no middle men, no increased shipping and handling. $125US is the straight up cost of MP Shockwave from a Japanese retail outlet.

A G1 Shockwave, for $30US bought in 1986, price adjusted for inflation is $65US. A $60 difference.

So again I ask, how do you come up with your figures?

Figures? The figures of wunderkind wj88 mentioned

Not mine but this is your $30 whatever(?)SRP 1984 for Shockwave. Now it's $ 125 for MP. So multiply $ 30 x 4 (1984 prices) = $ 120.00. So now it's four times.

Your inflation calculator (I am assuming) says its $ 65 now. Fine. But nearly 30 years ago, you can buy things mucho for $ 30.00. Even back then, $ 65.00 can buy more.So literally, $30 does buy more back then.

I also mentioned the foreign exchange rate. It fluctuates too ( I don't think you would want to be bored with details on how much the Yen and dollar fluctuated wildly in the 80s but I somehow recall that the Yen's value increased to a point that it caused Harmony Gold to abandon further Robotech development). Does that not factor in the current cost?

I don't know what sweetheart deals various companies make with Hb/TT when they buy in bulk. No middlemen? Are you sure you won't consider amiami/hlj/bbts middlemen? If you don't like the term then proxies.

So back to the original post where I presented a constructive counterbalance to MP Shockwave not worth the cost of the original which then sidetrack to inflation etc.

MP Shockwave

no sfx
no gerwalk mode
more proportional
minimum parts forming
anime color
no rubber rut due to the slinky
improved articulation
different transform sequence which some members don't like (you can't please everyone hey?)

G1 Shocky

rubber rut
great ominous color
limited articulation
awesome
expensive (now due to 2ndary market prices)
dangerous to play with because it'sa fragile now.

then we got a history lesson on inflation etc which degenerated to what we are doing now.

RiddlerJ wrote:I held off on picking up Shocky in case some kind of defect reared its head. Is he a good masterpiece?

Hey, RiddlerJ, I think MP Shockwave is an excellent MP. I have purchased Ultra Magnus, Star Saber, and Hot Rod recently, and really appreciate each for what they are. Of the three four (I am not having a good weekend...), I find Shockwave to be the most enjoyable and playable figure. I'd say Star Saber is really cool too, but I find his transformation pretty simple and he's kinda big to fiddle with. Plus, I am more invested in Shockwave as a character and was happy to get a more modern iteration.

I have the Radio Shackwave, and that figure is showing its age with some aspects of the transformation becoming difficult (like splitting the legs). The MP has had some reported issues with one leg panel not staying in place very well, but that is not the case with mine. (Also, there was some disagreement with the color, though I really like it.)

I'd rate MP Shockwave a solid 8.5 out of 10. So, as a Masterpiece, I would definitely say he is good.

If the question is whether he is worth the cost, I might defer to the last several pages, or just point to Ebay where he goes from $50 or so (I think these are KOs though they are being described as G1 MISB...) to a little less than $100 for loose, good condition, to several hundred for what are probably more legit MIB G1 figures. The MP also comes with translucent hands and gun hand to swap, and a miniature version of himself so he can wield himself.

Oh, and what was mentioned before, the slinky hose of awesomeness!!

RiddlerJ wrote:I held off on picking up Shocky in case some kind of defect reared its head. Is he a good masterpiece?

Yes, in my opinion. My only real complaint is the lack of tampographed symbols.

But you could always wait for a sale (Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Spring Clearance, etc.) He's still available at pre-order price on HLJ and as of writing this, it doesn't look like he's going anywhere any time soon since he's not marked "low stock" yet.

And it wouldn't surprise me if Takara will release another one down the line, sporting a different deco.

Cyberpath wrote:

RiddlerJ wrote:I held off on picking up Shocky in case some kind of defect reared its head. Is he a good masterpiece?

Yes, in my opinion. My only real complaint is the lack of tampographed symbols.

But you could always wait for a sale (Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Spring Clearance, etc.) He's still available at pre-order price on HLJ and as of writing this, it doesn't look like he's going anywhere any time soon since he's not marked "low stock" yet.

And it wouldn't surprise me if Takara will release another one down the line, sporting a different deco.

Yup. The trouble with the official decals is that when it comes to angle parts (I put the Destron sigil on his chest, the folds bulge. I'm hoping for the official Destron sigil decal from Ocean Designs.

And emphasis again, this MP is worth it. You know you want him

Shockwave from The Search for Alpha Trion, recreated with MP-29 --

Cyberpath wrote:Shockwave from The Search for Alpha Trion, recreated with MP-29 --

by OptimusTimelord

Click for the original animation.

Agamemnon wrote:

RiddlerJ wrote:I held off on picking up Shocky in case some kind of defect reared its head. Is he a good masterpiece?

Oh, and what was mentioned before, the slinky hose of awesomeness!!

Everyone loves the slinky!

My replacement figure arrived today! Looks fine, no missing pieces that I can tell. HLJ was great about it.

Transformed him from memory, really easy. Still impressed with his light piping, all it takes is putting him on the desk -- zoom!

Check out what MP-29 Shockwave can do unaided --

People might still complain that the gun has to point way too high in order to do that.

Cyberpath wrote:Shockwave from The Search for Alpha Trion, recreated with MP-29 --

by OptimusTimelord

Click for the original animation.

Who did he use for Astrotrain?

[BW] Rainmaker wrote:Who did he use for Astrotrain?

"Transportation Captain" from Fancy Cell Toys.

Just finished a set of LR44 batteries after 5 days (what?)

william-james88 wrote:

RiddlerJ wrote:I held off on picking up Shocky in case some kind of defect reared its head. Is he a good masterpiece?

Yes but you don't get as much bang for your buck

HLJ has him on sale now, $95 instead of $125 --

http://hlj.com/product/TKT85488

Cyberpath wrote:Just finished a set of LR44 batteries after 5 days (what?)

Like, they're dead? Cause I've had that problem with my Shockwave since I got it with it draining them within a day. I'm really not sure why though... I just stopped replacing them after the 3rd time. The Other batteries(Wasn't it some AAAs?) are fine though.

Yeah, it seemingly finished two sets of LR44. I tested all four batteries in the tester, two were completely drained; two still had some "energon" left in them (I think one of each set)... so I put them back, and a week later they still work.

AAA's are still okay.

How d'you like them stickers?



I went with the Outline Symbols because Shockwave's forearms are already purple.

One hand took two orders from reprolabels and four stickers till I got it juuust right.

He looked "naked" without them.



(Thanks Ravage XK & Insurgent. And Cobs, for the reassurance. )

Cyberpath wrote:

How did you get your Shockwave's shade of purple to look so dark in that image?

CP - I think you chose the right stickers, and the application looks TIGHT!
Nice work!

Now carry out your dastardly plans Sir Shockwave.

Sabrblade wrote:

Cyberpath wrote:

How did you get your Shockwave's shade of purple to look so dark in that image?

This is what he looks like in-hand. The stock photos are a different shade strangely enough.

Cobotron wrote:CP - I think you chose the right stickers, and the application looks TIGHT!
Nice work!

Now carry out your dastardly plans Sir Shockwave.

Thanks! Heh!

Now what to do about Ratchet... Does alcohol work for painted figures, too?

Looking mighty sharp there. The outline ones were definately a good choice to go for.

Cyberpath wrote:

Which should I wear today?

Kind of wish Takara had included a transparent left hand, too. So he could do this...



Can't put this figure down. He's so fun, and the likeness to the cartoon is too cool.

Insurgent wrote:Looking mighty sharp there. The outline ones were definately a good choice to go for.

Thanks!

Masterpiece MP-29 Shockwave is being reissued by Hasbro Asia and as with the reissue of MP Ironhide, Shockwave comes with a die cast accessory. In Shockwave's case, it's a die cast Megatron in gun mode and we finally have a good look at it thanks to Hobby Base. It is a monochrome die cast gun, different from the Masterpiece Megatron Gun accessory that was previously released with various other toys (ex: MP Soundwave).
This reissue is coming next month and can be preordered at most online retailers, for about $170, except for those that only carry Japanese products, since this is not a Japanese release.

Enjoy the new images!

I'm waiting to see if they glue an orange tip on the end of the barrel.