The Energon Pub

Still having trouble deciding between Hasbro's Titan Class Metroplex and Takara Tomy's TG-23 Metroplex? TF Yuki has tweeted some images of the two side by side. The Takara Tomy version sports some additional painted details, a chromed face, and comes with an extra large red gun, but are these differences enough to merit the additional import costs? Check out the images mirrored below.

I think the dark "runways" on the Hasbro version look way better.

When Metroplex was first announced I could not wait to add him to my collection and I wanted to get both Hasbro and Takara , I already have the Hasbro version and now just waiting for my Metroplex Takara pre-order to arrive soon

Wow. When I got the Hasbro version of this guy I thought to myself "he looks kind of bland."

Now seeing the comparison shots, I was wrong. The Takara one looks downright boring.

Kind of an unfair comparison, considering that the Hasbro version doesn't seem to have it's stickers applied...

Still, Takara's looks a little better in Robot mode, but the Hasbro version looks WAY better in both city and vehicle modes.

Gearslide wrote:Kind of an unfair comparison, considering that the Hasbro version doesn't seem to have it's stickers applied...

Neither of them do.

I have a Hasbro Metroplex on preorder at BBTS, but I still think there's a reasonable chance he'll end up at TJ Maxx or Marshall's in 6 months for $50.

Hopefully that's where my 2nd and 3rd versions come in, so I can display in all 3 modes, and make sure robot 'Plex gets two (or 3!) red guns!!

I was thinking about getting Takara's 'Plex, but I figure all the sticker sets slated to come out (ennes, reprolabels, etc.) will remedy the overly white torso/upper thighs that plague Hasbro's version.

Sabrblade wrote:

Gearslide wrote:Kind of an unfair comparison, considering that the Hasbro version doesn't seem to have it's stickers applied...

Neither of them do.

I thought the Takara version didn't come with stickers? I thought it was all paint apps on it.

The white runways on the Takara version make it look like a KO. I pity the fool who spent 150 bucks just to get a 2nd gun. Ill buy that 3rd party gun coming out.

Gearslide wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Gearslide wrote:Kind of an unfair comparison, considering that the Hasbro version doesn't seem to have it's stickers applied...

Neither of them do.

I thought the Takara version didn't come with stickers? I thought it was all paint apps on it.

It has both. Some of the same stickers as Hasbro's, and some paint apps either replacing the other Hasbro stickers or just adding color to where their was none on Hasbro's.

For instance, the red stripe on his left torso is a sticker on Hasbro's, but painted on Takara's. While the orange circles on his shoulders are painted on painted on Takara's, but are left uncolored completely on Hasbro's.

Yet, both versions have stickers for their runway arrows.

Takara's Metroplex wins in robot mode. Hasbro's Metroplex steals tge show with his vehicle and base modes. I'll still probably end up going for the Hasbro release over Takara's due to funds.

Gearslide wrote:Still, Takara's looks a little better in Robot mode, but the Hasbro version looks WAY better in both city and vehicle modes.

Ehhh, I don't really see how Takara is better in any way. If you live in Japan, sure, get the cheaper Takara one locally. But for everyone else, I only see a chrome face as the primary difference. Really, a lazy job by Takara, IMO.

megatronus wrote:I have a Hasbro Metroplex on preorder at BBTS, but I still think there's a reasonable chance he'll end up at TJ Maxx or Marshall's in 6 months for $50.

Hopefully that's where my 2nd and 3rd versions come in, so I can display in all 3 modes, and make sure robot 'Plex gets two (or 3!) red guns!!

I was thinking about getting Takara's 'Plex, but I figure all the sticker sets slated to come out (ennes, reprolabels, etc.) will remedy the overly white torso/upper thighs that plague Hasbro's version.

+1. All 3 modes in display would be nice - I'm torn between city and robot modes. I'd love to use him as I originally wanted: a base for my legions. But then again, he realy looks best in Robot mode (although, I'm not sure how anyone has a shelf or display stand that can support a 2 ft tall robo! ).

The 3rd party labels will be nice... but I'm putting on my Hasbro labels, so... what do I do later? I hope it doesn't involve peeling off Hasbro stickers to apply new ones... screw that noise. I'd rather do some custom painting - mud splashes, rust, battle damage.

$50 'Plex in TJ Marshaxx.... hmmm... No. Not seeing it happen.
1) Metro will probably have a limited production run to begin with (i.e. BBTS STILL doesn't have it in stock)

2) As far as I know, only TRU is carrying this guy locally. Maybe Target will later, but that's an unknown. TRU does not sell inventory to the discounters as often as Target or other stores presumably do - I guess I have no concrete basis for this statement, other than how TRU seems to carry 5 yr old toys with no discounts. Or, for a better example, look at their $250 Millenium Falcon - only recently "dropped" to $199.98, AND still a no-show at discounters. I think Metro will be like that - possibly a small drop @ TRU, but highly unlikely as a discount store toy.

3) As far as I know, the discount stores do not carry toys worth $100+ originally. Like I said, I think those have a smaller production run and never make it to discount stores.

But hey, I'd love to be proven wrong. The problem is if Metro hits $50 (and we will most likely know by Black Friday/Thanksgiving, at earliest), you can bet your @$$ he will be sunspot hot and will not last in stores for more than a few seconds - every scalper on this side of the universe will swoop in on him with divine fury.

Ergo, buy him while he's available now (hopefully with coupon), cause IMO he won't be easy to find at a discount store.

megatronus wrote:I have a Hasbro Metroplex on preorder at BBTS, but I still think there's a reasonable chance he'll end up at TJ Maxx or Marshall's in 6 months for $50.

I doubt that will come to pass but what trip it will be if it does.

I think Takara's Metro does a better homage to the G1 and I really dig his center chest than that of Hasbro's.

Metrosuplex wrote:Ehhh, I don't really see how Takara is better in any way. If you live in Japan, sure, get the cheaper Takara one locally. But for everyone else, I only see a chrome face as the primary difference. Really, a lazy job by Takara, IMO.

The painted details & extra gun are the main attractions for me, not the chromed face. It's hard to see those painted details in pics because there's so much 'Plex - the apps get lost. But they're there, and look great. Just not great enough to pay $120 more.

Metrosuplex wrote:$50 'Plex in TJ Marshaxx.... hmmm... No. Not seeing it happen.
1) Metro will probably have a limited production run to begin with (i.e. BBTS STILL doesn't have it in stock)

2) As far as I know, only TRU is carrying this guy locally. Maybe Target will later, but that's an unknown. TRU does not sell inventory to the discounters as often as Target or other stores presumably do - I guess I have no concrete basis for this statement, other than how TRU seems to carry 5 yr old toys with no discounts. Or, for a better example, look at their $250 Millenium Falcon - only recently "dropped" to $199.98, AND still a no-show at discounters. I think Metro will be like that - possibly a small drop @ TRU, but highly unlikely as a discount store toy.

3) As far as I know, the discount stores do not carry toys worth $100+ originally. Like I said, I think those have a smaller production run and never make it to discount stores.

1) I think BBTS is working on their restock/second shipment - correct me if I'm wrong, but they already had a huge quantity in. Unless that was only for SDCC?

2) It's not a TRU exclusive; it may show up elsewhere, as you say. But, regardless of that, discounters like T.J Maxx & Marshall's buy product directly from manufacturers. It's a matter of whether Hasbro can sell its stock to other retailers first. If not, it may show up at a discounter.

3) I'm not sure Millenium Falcon is a great example - it's more than twice as expensive as 'Plex, and the box is 6 times larger. That presents a lot of challenges. That said, I've seen expensive playsets and figures show up at discounters - that's how I got my Cybertron Primus (!). And that was 6 or 7 years ago. Since then, the discounters have shown greater willingness to expand their toy departments and buy Transformers outright, as evidenced by their Black Friday pushing of movie figures.

I'm not saying it's definitely going to happen, or even likely. But "reasonable chance" is, I think, a good descriptor.

Metrosuplex wrote:But hey, I'd love to be proven wrong. The problem is if Metro hits $50 (and we will most likely know by Black Friday/Thanksgiving, at earliest), you can bet your @$$ he will be sunspot hot and will not last in stores for more than a few seconds - every scalper on this side of the universe will swoop in on him with divine fury.

Ergo, buy him while he's available now (hopefully with coupon), cause IMO he won't be easy to find at a discount store.

That's why I'm getting one now!

Thank goodness there are 3 T.J. Maxx's and 3 Marshall's in the are I frequent. If he shows up there, I'm gonna know it.

I'M F-ing glad I grabbed the hasbro version.

he's way better than the takara version!

i just got my hasbro version and i'm reaaaaally digging him. It's like xmas 1987 again. Besides already costing an arm and a leg due to importation... I wouldn't have been able to afford the takara version. But honestly the only thing I like better is the 2nd gun, the rest doesn't do it for me. I am disappointed to find a paint splash from the open shoulder helipad going over the breast missile.

My main comparisons are with the original g1 toy... obviously as you'd expect the new guy does lots better but I feel something were better executed on the g1 version. These include the hidden should cannons, the arms that shorten and the car ramp. The g1 version also had a car launching mechanism. The hands not hiding away doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would.

I now actually want to buy a couple of legends figures to go with him...

People tell me they wouldnt buy metroplex hes to big to put anywhere but hes sold out at toysrus when we get him in stock

megatronus wrote:1) I think BBTS is working on their restock/second shipment - correct me if I'm wrong, but they already had a huge quantity in. Unless that was only for SDCC?

I've had the retail version in hand for some time now and he was purchased from BBTS. They must've got, at least, a small shipment of him and are restocking.

Yeah, this definitely didn't change my mind about getting the Takara version. The preorder stays.

I must admit that the Hasbro version looks way better in carrier mode though as those dark runways look far better than the plain white ones on the Takara version, at least in these photos they do. Of course, he's staying in bot mode on my shelf so the alt modes aren't really a factor in which one I'm getting.

I think they both look great. I however, like the Hasbro version better for a change.