Masterpiece Sideswipe Alt Mode Review
This past summer, rumors began to surface of the next wave of Masterpiece Transformers that Takara will produce. I’m always excited to hear of new MPs, and the characters that Takara chose to do this time certainly did not disappoint. I don’t remember who came first, but it was announced that they will do Sideswipe, Red Alert, and Soundwave. Actually, I’m guessing Sideswipe must have came first since that’s the only one I pre-ordered.
On Thursday when I got home, I see a mail pickup slip left at the front door. Lo and behold, it was for MP Sideswipe! I didn’t have time to go pick it up til Saturday. And today, here are some pics of the box and his alt mode.
I did not know that Takara obtained rights from Lamborghini to make this figure. Bravo! The Lambo logo is shown proudly on the front of the package. It was too bad that they could not secure Lambo rights when they did Binaltechs and Alternators, but I’m happy they worked out something now.
Also from the back of the box, it’s clear that this figure is made to scale with the new MPs, like MP-10 Optimus Prime. Looks like the alt mode will go into the Prime trailer just fine, and in bot mode he comes up to about Prime’s lower abdomen. Very cool. I still have not opened MP-10 (don’t even know what the heck I’m waiting for), but after I transform Sideswipe, that will be my next priority.
This has got to be the smallest box ever produced for a MP! Actually, I think that’s a good thing, since space is always an issue when you got as many TFs as I do. Anyway, check it out next to RTS Jazz.
Sideswipe comes in clear plastic like all MPs. Pic below shows him in the package.
I wasted no time taking this guy out. This is pure G1 Sideswipe! If there are any hardcore G1-ers out there that actually have complaints about Sideswipe not appearing G1 enough, they need to be shot. Check out some pics below.
Paint job on this figure is superb. I don’t detect any die-cast pieces, which is a shame. But the paint job is so good that some pieces look die cast. He is mostly in his iconic red. On the hood, the Autobot emblem is painted on. It’s rare to see such a large faction emblem painted on any TF, but in this case it works and it looks great. And right below the Autobot symbol, there is the Lamborghini badge. Very cool. Headlights are made of clear plastic.
At the rear of the vehicle, the taillights are all painted. There are also the words “Lamborghini Countach” written in what I’m assuming is the official Lamborghini font for this vehicle. Windows appear to be clear black plastic. Side mirrors are painted black as well. On my figure I don’t detect any paint splatters for goofs.
Like all other MPs, the tires area made of rubber. I wish they would make the tires of all TF figures out of rubber, but that’s probably too much to ask for.
Functionally, in alt mode, the figure feels like one cohesive unit. I don’t detect any dangling pieces, or parts that easily come apart from anything else. Sideswipe is robust and solid to say the least.
Below is a pic of the MP next to Generations Sideswipe.
The MP is slightly bigger. Initially, I was worried that this MP would be deluxe size. But now that I see he’s bigger, I feel slightly more justified in paying what I did (about $75, shipped from Japan).
Now I do have one small complaint. This seems to be the trend with many of the new premium car Transformers, and it’s that there’s too much stuff underneath the vehicle. Place Sideswipe on a flat surface, and the large black pieces near the rear will make contact with the surface. In my opinion, the tires should be the only thing touching the ground, but for this figure it’s simply not so. Masterpiece Rodimus has this problem, many of the Human Alliance figures has this problem, and MP Sideswipe also shares this problem. Here’s a pic of the bottom of the figure in alt mode.
I have not transformed this figure at all. Let’s see if this problem will go away when I transform him back from robot mode. But even so, don’t let this small gripe distract you from buying the figure if you’re eyeing one. He’s got way too many positives to warrant a purchase.
I’m gonna transform him real soon. Look for a follow up review on his robot mode. Transform and Roll Out!
EDIT 11/18/2012:
Click here for review of the robot mode.
Oh please dear lord let them do a MP Jazz next! That would be amazing! Lol.
Now a few things – I know you said it’s a shame there’s no die-cast metal, but really its for the best. Die-cast actually causes more problems than anything. I’d prefer them to skip it all together in the future if it makes the figure more sturdy and well made.
I was fretting at first too about the black sections rubbing on the surface, now that I’ve transformed him and reverted him back to alt-mode, mine clears the surface just fine. Not but a ton of room, but it does clear it and rolls just fine.
Can’t wait for pt-2, robot mode!
Yes I want MP Jazz too! I must have been subconsciously thinking about it, so I posed Jazz next to the box LOL.
You have a point about the diecast. Several years ago I wrote a review on the Toynami Masterpiece Beta. In the review I echoed the same sentiment, that I wish the fighter was all plastic because the weight of the diecast pieces are pulling it apart.
http://transformersrollout.wordpress.com/2010/03/13/toynami-robotech-masterpiece-beta-review/
Though on something as small as Sideswipe, diecast may work if used sparingly. Take the Alternity figures for example. The only one I opened is Cliffjumper (or red Bumblebee), and the structural integrity of that figure seems to be ok.
I’m glad to hear that there is enough bottom clearance after transforming him back. Now I can’t wait to do the transformation!
You know HP, I think you’re right. Maybe the feet being Die Cast wouldn’t be an issue, though it would tarnish as it always does. I guess we can leave it for both of us as :”It’s not a big issue that he doesn’t have any, he’s a great Figure!!” lol. Yep, basically, if something doesn’t seem right on his alt mode, keep fiddling around. I usually have trouble getting his hands in his forearms just right so that the door panel doesn’t want to stick open a bit. I think I’m going to have to buy Red Alert….lol.
Dude, I still haven’t had a chance to transform Sideswipe, but I’ve looked at your pics many times so even now I’m tempted to just go ahead and say he’s excellent 🙂 I’ll keep that in forearms thing mind when I transform back.
I already decided to get Red Alert after seeing colored pics, before I even had Sideswipe in hand. I’m kicking myself for not pre-ordering on amiami when I had the chance 🙁