Takara Tomy Transformers MP-26 Road Rage Video Review

mooncake623 wrote:Thanks to Youtube reviewer OptimusPrimeSG we get to take an in-depth look at the newly released Takara Tomy Transformers MP-26 Road Rage! MP-26 Road Rage is a redeco and retool of the previously released Masterpiece 25 Tracks and this video review gives us a good comparison with some of the differences as well. Check out the video we've embedded below and remember keep your optics tuned to Seibertron.com for the latest in news and updates!

That's 2 in one for OPSG.

Amiami just received their stock.

HLJ too, and put in a shipping request immediately.

We receive news via site admin Burn and the OTCA boards - namely usual suspect GoktimusPrime - that the latest Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-26 Road Rage will make its appearance at Australian retail, distributed by the Toys'R'Us store chain, through Hasbro Asia Pacific. Check out some of the packaging material below, and read through the full translation changes that Goktimus made right here!

Picked mine up at lunch time and had some time this evening to tinker with her a bit. Thoughts below, a bit stream-of-consciousness like:

Wish this also had a stand, but not the end of the world. Inner bubble was double taped, outer box just had one, wonder what caused that if they're all like that. Wish it came with a stand. Either I'm doing something wrong with the gun or she can't hold it well, probably the former. Not crazy about the head, the forward/back tilt on the neck has nowhere to lock in. Mirrors are a bit easier to get in as opposed to Tracks, likely due to the lack of a metallic painted overcoat.

Nice to look at, looks great when posed, but somehow I'm having a tough time getting her to stay together when moving things around. Painted details are super crisp, A+ job on that. Even Twincast's paint is superb for what it is.

ScottyP wrote:I'm doing something wrong with the gun or she can't hold it well, probably the former.

Make sure the flat tab behind the gun handle goes into the slot on the top of the hand (same slot where the mushroom peg is). She holds it solidly.

ScottyP wrote:Not crazy about the head, the forward/back tilt on the neck has nowhere to lock in.

Oh good I thought it was just mine. Kinda weird that Track's head clicks forward but hers doesn't.

LOST Cybertronian wrote:

ScottyP wrote:I'm doing something wrong with the gun or she can't hold it well, probably the former.

Make sure the flat tab behind the gun handle goes into the slot on the top of the hand (same slot where the mushroom peg is). She holds it solidly.

Bingo! That did it. Thanks man.

Last fig from 2015. Just got RR and Beacon General. Same as the previous, when TT said they'd re-tool her, they really did. At least Tracks' neck can lock (sort off). RR doesn't lock anywhere.

Just like scotty, I can't seem to keep her grip on her black beam gun. (Tried following the instructions but the grip is still wobbly.)

Finally got it with the tab thingie. Thanks LC for the tip!

Cobotron wrote:

They're supposed to be giving her a complement from behind right? Like the way construction workers do to human females?

Yes Fenrir.
That is the correct interpretation of the joke.
Thank you.

Cobotron wrote:Yes Fenrir.
That is the correct interpretation of the joke.
Thank you.

Now put a "Gangnam Style" background......and Roadrage proxies as Yuna......

Cobotron wrote:Yes Fenrir.
That is the correct interpretation of the joke.
Thank you.

So, like this.

Sabrblade wrote:

Cobotron wrote:Yes Fenrir.
That is the correct interpretation of the joke.
Thank you.

So, like this.

Cobotron wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Cobotron wrote:Yes Fenrir.
That is the correct interpretation of the joke.
Thank you.

So, like this.

So clearly it's time to break out the camera and Combiner Wars Constructicons?

megatronus wrote:

Cobotron wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Cobotron wrote:Yes Fenrir.
That is the correct interpretation of the joke.
Thank you.

So, like this.

So clearly it's type to break out the camera and Combiner Wars Constructicons?

Can also be applied with the Legends ladies (though I don't think Slipstream would much oblige).....and the Constructicons, personality wise, I see Bone Crusher and Scavenger would most likely doing this as Longhaul is kind off an Eyore type and Scrapper is the shy psycho while Hook is the overbearing know it all I can be bothered with trivial things like girls.

Ok, so I finally go this figure and it is my first experience with the mold and I dislike it, quite a bit too. It's just very dissapointing, especially at that price point.

There are basic things it totally dissapoints on like:

- the gappy and awkward midsection
- how the wings interfere with the shoulder articulation
- how the autobot symbol on the chest doesnt lock, meaning it pivots looslely
- how the head doesnt lock and just floats around
- how the chest keeps untabbing from the arms when posing or playing

Those are basic things it totally fails on, which I find kind of nuts. I mean your standard retail product, like Gen Roadbuster doesnt have problems like that. Whats the use of all that extra artiulation if things get undone when taking advantage of it?

And this si besides the point that the transformation is quite uninspired. It's pretty much the alternator transformation, done better of course. But still, nothing really surprising or ingenious aside from that cool triangular slot when flipping out the wrists.

I will talk about my biggest pet peeve though, in the enxt post when I can write more.

Ok so round 2 of my negative review (sorry guys).

Above I stated the basic things I would expect from a toy as such and didnt get but now I will explain an issue I have that puts the whole line in question. To me, the MP line was about giving us perfect transformations that replicated G1. Not just the awesthetic, but the engineering and transformation too. Like Optimus and Wheeljack, for instance. While they are highly detailed and complex, they still transform like they seem todo on the show. It's really cool to imagine how that totally imaginary transformation sequence would actually work in real life. By transforming the toys, you uncover new robot mode detail through the pieces that now unfold from the alt mode.

With Roadrage and Tracks, they do that with the arms, which is standard and totally fine, but with the legs, they introduce somethign new. They add that robot detail panel and I have a tough time accepting it. For one, it doesnt seem part of the car or the robot. I can still tell there is a shin under that panel and I am in no way seeing that panel as being part of the car. It looks more like a snap on 3rd party add on kit for people who didnt feel the detail on the shin was G1 enough, where you have to try hard to go with the illusion that this is the shin and not just a clip on pannel. It just feels forced and unwarranted. Takara wanted a more G1 look and instead of achieving it with the car pieces, they just stucka panel over it and called it a day. It's not like they couldnt make the actual shin have all that detail/paint because of the fear that it wouldn't look good underneath. Unlike Sideswipe and Wheeljack, this mold doesnt look smooth underneath, you see the wings, the feet, there is no hiding its a robot. So why not just give us that robot mode detail directly on the shin like the G1 toy. It would be more efficient. And wouldnt it be cool how you would need to turn the front headlights inorder to complete the mosaic of shin detail? Because as of now, turning the front grill is just aesthetic choice and not really essential.

I just dont like what this panel means. It means that Takara will do anything to achieve G1 accuracy. If it doesnt like a part resulting from transformation, it will just cover it up by some random panel which pops from nowhere. It feels less like the characters actually transforming and more like a model kit where you paint over things to make it look the way you want.

And plus, there is a bunch fo sculpting on that red shin that is now never seen or used.

SO yeah,for me these leg panels are a big deal and take the fun out of the transformation. While it will sound very dumb, the fact that I know there is no way this is how Tracks or Roadrage would transform if they were real bugs me.

fenrir72 wrote:Unbiased feedback from a very biased fan

guarayakha wrote:

Cobotron wrote:

guarayakha wrote:Quick fix for the head tipping backward: Just pull on it so it "clicks" forward a notch and have it tip forward instead Looks better that way too. Also pretty sure his gun stores on either pegs on his buttcheeks for altmode.

GENIUS! Thank you! I knew there had to be a alt mode storage. I just couldn't find it. This is why these forums are great.

Lol, I just happen to take a look at the manual, that's all... Mini Blaster plugs into that notch in the center, btw (which makes no sense for a car, but I guess Tracks doesn't have a built-in stereo like Jazz does )

Just received and opened my figure. Based on the instruction above about the head tipping backward, didn't happen to my version. Sure it stays there but when you twist the head left or right, it falls back. With great anxiety and cold sweat, I DID managed to extend his head forward after the clicking sound. So now, his head doesn't lean back anymore....only forward this time .

Anyways, just as the other articles have indicated, questioning this fig's "Masterpiece-ness". I'd say, yup. Still a MP but with a single flaw in design implementation.

Flaws:

And that is the aforementioned neck issue. Similar to Legends UM, the head/neck has a similar mechanism but the former has the cab shell to keep the head level once it's been extended out.Maybe a ratchet or some teeth to click the head in place? I'm kind of too scared to push the head beyond else I risk breaking the neck peg.(I'll check again if the neck connection allows for it.)

The so called shoulder back pack gap isn't that bad given the design structure of the Corvette and his G1 appearance, I'm still be hard put to find another remedy unless you go to parts forming.

Also, the clearance space between the shoulder/wheels is a big blunder. Despite several attempt to reposition the "wings', itstill clashes with the shoulde[strike]r[/strike]. This in turn cause stress on the back pack locking mechanism (which is quite weakly implemented) between his back. Angling the wings at around 45 degree more doe allow for clearance but the look ain't as cool as when the wings are parallel to the ground.

Knee joints kind of floppy

Plus:

Shoulder back pack missile launcher.

Flaw now a plus? Implementation, at best, I'll give 4 out of 5. All the Autobot cars implemented a separate you attach them at your preference weapon/accessory. Lambor mold, Prowl mold and WJ mold had you attach their "missile launchers". Tracks' is incorporated into his design.

Maybe this contributed to a lot of junk in his trunk in car mode.

Paint app details. With the exception of Starsaber, Tracks has oodles of detail paint apps that I'd be hardpressed to find what Ocean Designs and Eness can come up with to pimp out Tracks compared to the other the MP products.

Over all anime accuracy......almost to a fault. Very Floro Deryesque.

Recommended buy? If you can go pass the neck issues, I say get him.

P.S. Mine came from BigInJapan hence me get no coin.

Edit: Like MP10, made in Vietnam.

fenrir72 wrote:

Burn wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:Another thing I am taking back about the back gap of Tracks which I severely criticized. This is due to the design limitations of the base figure.

(I think you're talking MP Tracks here)

My biggest problem was with the backpack. The instructions weren't overly clear, may have been in part due to my dodgy eyesight, but it wasn't quite clear to me how, or even if, the boot/trunk of the car is suppose to plug into the upper torso.

I did get it to plug in, but then I'd have the chest unplug from the shoulders and I'd have to put that back into place and then the backpack would unplug ... very fiddly and annoying.

Yup. MP Tracks. My first post concerning my critique on him when I got hold of mine was the ugly gap in the back.

As for setting up the "hood", yes, it was indeed a bit dodgy. Maybe it was mentioned in the manual but hey, who among us is fluent in reading hiragana/katakana/romanji

I too was kind off stumped where to set the back of the car into that slot on the torso to keep the "hoodie" steady.

My previous posts from the original mold Tracks.

This from a biased fan of the line (not the mold itself) Is she a lemon? TT could have done better with her neck but hey......them's the breaks.

I hated the hood on Tracks. Takara should've left that piece of needless kibble out

LegendaryAntiHero wrote:I hated the hood on Tracks. Takara should've left that piece of needless kibble out

It isn't a kibble but a part of the overall aesthetic. Maybe you mean the rocket launchers?

I bought mine on sale and I just transformed her. I think the transformation is brilliant and she look amazing, even with the ackward backpack. My only real regret compared to Tracks is she dont have that shiny metalic finish on the car chassis like him.

Also, what's up with the side-view mirrors? They cant peg in at all. The just sit there, all loose, and will fall off at the slightest breeze. So I left them in the box. No way am i gonna super-glue them on.

Overall, well worth the 60$CAN shipped I paid, without any custom fees.

-Kanrabat- wrote:I bought mine on sale and I just transformed her. I think the transformation is brilliant and she look amazing, even with the ackward backpack. My only real regret compared to Tracks is she dont have that shiny metalic finish on the car chassis like him.

Also, what's up with the side-view mirrors? They cant peg in at all. The just sit there, all loose, and will fall off at the slightest breeze. So I left them in the box. No way am i gonna super-glue them on.

Overall, well worth the 60$CAN shipped I paid, without any custom fees.

Re: side mirrors. I don't have Road Rage but this probably applies to her too:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=103299&start=575#p1748258

Cyberpath wrote:Re: side mirrors. I don't have Road Rage but this probably applies to her too:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=103299&start=575#p1748258

YASSSS! Thanks dude! It worked!

It's always scary to force things, especially with rare and expensive collectibles.

-Kanrabat- wrote:
Overall, well worth the 60$CAN shipped I paid, without any custom fees.

Even if her head doesnt lock?

william-james88 wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:
Overall, well worth the 60$CAN shipped I paid, without any custom fees.

Even if her head doesnt lock?

You expect RR to be sold even less? Anyway, "K" stuck with her just as the rest of us who got her. We'll live with the decision.........no biggy.

fenrir72 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:
Overall, well worth the 60$CAN shipped I paid, without any custom fees.

Even if her head doesnt lock?

You expect RR to be sold even less? Anyway, "K" stuck with her just as the rest of us who got her. We'll live with the decision.........no biggy.

Her head indeed don't lock into place. However, it's not floppy and make it more posable. So, I think that's a moot point. Also, I don't think that's a bad figure at all. It's not perfect, but I have absolutely no buyer remorse toward her. I'm pretty glad actually. Yes, even with Platinum 1st Ed AoE Silver Knight Optimus Prime.

Want some buyer remorse that I don't think was worth the full price paid? On top of my head:
(All $ in Canadian)
--United Warrior Menasor. Boring colors, floppy mess, overall meh. 150$
--MP-11 Starscream. Complete crap compared to MP-03. 350$
--Alternity Banzaitron. Why did I buy this thing again? 40$
--DOTM Ultimate Optimus Prime. I bought it way too quickly. 120$
--Encore G1 Devastator (animation colors). That set is GARBAGE. Luckily, I sold it. 130$
--MP Bumblebee. Because I bought it from BBTS. Worth only half of what I paid. 130$
And many more.

I'm not the guy who love everything. However, I can recognize the fun and value in things. For me, a good figure can become "bad" if I don't get my money's worth. Other times, the value is right, but nothing can redeem a crappy figure. The pain hurt twice when it's a crappy figure I overpaid.

I own many figures that the general public hate that I personally love. So, that's why I will make my personal "Top Five Underappreciated Transformers". I don't care if that thread get no replies because it won't be featured like Will's lists. I just want to share it.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:
Overall, well worth the 60$CAN shipped I paid, without any custom fees.

Even if her head doesnt lock?

You expect RR to be sold even less? Anyway, "K" stuck with her just as the rest of us who got her. We'll live with the decision.........no biggy.

Her head indeed don't lock into place. However, it's not floppy and make it more posable. So, I think that's a moot point. Also, I don't think that's a bad figure at all. It's not perfect, but I have absolutely no buyer remorse toward her. I'm pretty glad actually. Yes, even with Platinum 1st Ed AoE Silver Knight Optimus Prime.

Want some buyer remorse that I don't think was worth the full price paid? On top of my head:
(All $ in Canadian)
--United Warrior Menasor. Boring colors, floppy mess, overall meh. 150$
--MP-11 Starscream. Complete crap compared to MP-03. 350$
--Alternity Banzaitron. Why did I buy this thing again? 40$
--DOTM Ultimate Optimus Prime. I bought it way too quickly. 120$
--Encore G1 Devastator (animation colors). That set is GARBAGE. Luckily, I sold it. 130$
--MP Bumblebee. Because I bought it from BBTS. Worth only half of what I paid. 130$
And many more.

I'm not the guy who love everything. However, I can recognize the fun and value in things. For me, a good figure can become "bad" if I don't get my money's worth. Other times, the value is right, but nothing can redeem a crappy figure. The pain hurt twice when it's a crappy figure I overpaid.

I own many figures that the general public hate that I personally love. So, that's why I will make my personal "Top Five Underappreciated Transformers". I don't care if that thread get no replies because it won't be featured like Will's lists. I just want to share it.

MP-11,Alternity and DOTM OP. Don't own them but you mean MP-11 TT version with the crown? It sucked? Is it because of the Blitzwing shoulders?

As for Devs, the subdued avocado green made it look, well less lively but the added face details made up for it ( personal pref anyway)

Never got to Alternity and the Bayformer line so I can't judge.

fenrir72 wrote:MP-11,Alternity and DOTM OP. Don't own them but you mean MP-11 TT version with the crown? It sucked? Is it because of the Blitzwing shoulders?

As for Devs, the subdued avocado green made it look, well less lively but the added face details made up for it ( personal pref anyway)

Never got to Alternity and the Bayformer line so I can't judge.

Yup, Takare MP-11 with crown/cape kit. WAAAAAYYYY overpriced. I wouldnt have felt so bad if I paid 120$ shipped like I did with my old G1 colored MP-03. That MP-11 felt cheap to the touch, had a floppy chest, amd didnt feel "premiun" at all. With the $ conversion and a hefty custom fee, I paid like double or triple what that thing was worth.

As for G1 Devy, it could have been good... If it was well designed. Unfortunately, for maybe new security reasons, parts keep flying off all over the place on the individual bots like arms and feet. As for the fully built Devastator, the slightest breeze made him fall appart like a card castle. Fortunately, I could sell the thing for the exact same price that I paid to a friend. I warned him about it's flaw, but he was more than okay to pay 130$CAN for it because all the other ones available on Ebay were at 200$US+ for some reasons.

Finally, you seriously have NO Bayformers? You should because there is a lot of gems for those lines.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:MP-11,Alternity and DOTM OP. Don't own them but you mean MP-11 TT version with the crown? It sucked? Is it because of the Blitzwing shoulders?

As for Devs, the subdued avocado green made it look, well less lively but the added face details made up for it ( personal pref anyway)

Never got to Alternity and the Bayformer line so I can't judge.

Yup, Takare MP-11 with crown/cape kit. WAAAAAYYYY overpriced. I wouldnt have felt so bad if I paid 120$ shipped like I did with my old G1 colored MP-03. That MP-11 felt cheap to the touch, had a floppy chest, amd didnt feel "premiun" at all. With the $ conversion and a hefty custom fee, I paid like double or triple what that thing was worth.

As for G1 Devy, it could have been good... If it was well designed. Unfortunately, for maybe new security reasons, parts keep flying off all over the place on the individual bots like arms and feet. As for the fully built Devastator, the slightest breeze made him fall appart like a card castle. Fortunately, I could sell the thing for the exact same price that I paid to a friend. I warned him about it's flaw, but he was more than okay to pay 130$CAN for it because all the other ones available on Ebay were at 200$US+ for some reasons.

Finally, you seriously have NO Bayformers? You should because there is a lot of gems for those lines.

Just one. The First Movie 2007 inaccurate head leader OP with rubber tires. Only one.

So MP-11 you feel the price isn't justified. Wished I could have gotten him like MP-09. Cash was tight back then

By Eness aka as Ocean Designs but is not, well official yet.