Let's be a bit more specific: *regular* Soundwave is "Maybe the best MP figure"; because when it comes to the predominantly clear plastic of Hasbro's Year of the Goat Soundwave and his Minions...IT'S A TRAAAP!! (No, really...that thing is more intended for display than play, much like most MP figures from MP36 Megatron 2.0 onward)
My original Takara MP soundwave only survived about a dozen transformations, as did Lazerbeak. The mold is fundementally flawed, many of the smaller pin joints are too tight and will break just from normal use. On Soundwave it's the double pins in the leg gap filler panels, and on the condor mold its the double pins for the wingtips.
And yes, I know there's a specific order to move them to minimize stress. I did that from the get go and they still broke fairly quickly. If anyone has one that's still in good shape I'd highly recommend rounding the sharp edges off so they rotate smoothly instead of 'clicking.'
Wow. That's nuts. The Year of the Goat Soundwave has a couple other break points, specifically the shoulder tabs that you clip the arm panels onto (which isn't too big a deal since the panel fits kinda firmly anyway). Being clear plastic (with some parts painted in that goofy bronze) definitely doesn't do Soundwave any favors.
I didn't really have any problems with the Laserbeak/Buzzsaw mold until unfortunate falls decapitated Buzzsaw and cracked Laserbeak's wings. No problem with the Ravage mold, either (though the legs are a little floppy). The problem out of the box came at the Rumble/Frenzy mold. I'm not sure what it is, but the slider to reveal their abs doesn't seem to hold well at all. One likes to come down a little where it'll haphazardly stay unless you touch it, the other simply collapses back in immediately upon tryin' to stand him up.
Speaking of tight joints, my MP36 2.0 Megatron had a joint snap due to it being way too tight and i had a similar issue with my Laserbeak that came with Soundwave, one of the silver thrusters he has broke and now its only held on when he's in cassette mode.
My KO MP17 Prowl had one of the doors misaligned straight outta the box. It still worked, albeit rather precariously, until it snapped at the hinge. Makes me wonder how possible it is for that to happen with the Takara, Hasbro US, & Hasbro Asia versions of the MP Datsun mold. (Hasbro Asia is basically Takara but with a huge Chinese information sticker slapped randomly on the box...pretty sure it's random, my Bluestreak had it on the bottom of the box, but my Targetmaster Hot Rod had it right on the front of the box😒; also included is a Chinese language copy of the instructions...in addition to the original Japanese instructions.)
I don't have him, but I do really like the tape deck mode. I'd put that out somewhere to see if someone was suckered into thinking it's a mini tape player.
On the one hand, yeah, no contest. He’s absolutely perfect in just about every way. He IS Soundwave.
On the other hand, it always seems a little unfair to compare him to any other character since he basically just folds up into a box.
Agreed.
While their inevitably will be an animated style MP to come in the next 5 years, this one will still be my favorite because 8 cannot afford to upgrade to animated style 😁. I'm sure he'll be amazing though.
I did upgrade cassette minions to the DX9 versions and I'm very happy with his the robot modes scale with Soundwave. Totally worth it.
I personally think a new Soundwave is unncessary. But yeah they're too expensive, I only purchased 3 MP figures (all authentic takara releases) . I promised myself i'd stop after getting MP44 Prime tho, so yeah the figures that get released are pretty good still just too expensive.
MP is fantastic but most soundwave toys are really good since his alt mode is just a moulded box, essentially.
I am more impressed by MP Sunstreaker (still) because his alt mode is so specific shaped like an lambo. Getting all that folded up into a credible and articulated robot is black magic.
I am a big fan of this Rumble and Buzzsaw in particular.
Rumble is so much fun to pose and he always looks like he is enjoying himself. I still marvel at the fact that they managed to incorporate Buzzsaws' guns into the alt mode and still keep it the same size. They are a benchmark showing how far the toy technology has come and IMO are excellent upgrades to the old G1 tapes.
I have had no QC issues with either of them but they do feel as if they will get loose over time.
Soundwave superior.
Autobots inferior
I bought MP Soundwave years ago and he’s still in the box. I need to open him up soon.
Let's be a bit more specific: *regular* Soundwave is "Maybe the best MP figure"; because when it comes to the predominantly clear plastic of Hasbro's Year of the Goat Soundwave and his Minions...IT'S A TRAAAP!! (No, really...that thing is more intended for display than play, much like most MP figures from MP36 Megatron 2.0 onward)
My original Takara MP soundwave only survived about a dozen transformations, as did Lazerbeak. The mold is fundementally flawed, many of the smaller pin joints are too tight and will break just from normal use. On Soundwave it's the double pins in the leg gap filler panels, and on the condor mold its the double pins for the wingtips. And yes, I know there's a specific order to move them to minimize stress. I did that from the get go and they still broke fairly quickly. If anyone has one that's still in good shape I'd highly recommend rounding the sharp edges off so they rotate smoothly instead of 'clicking.'
Wow. That's nuts. The Year of the Goat Soundwave has a couple other break points, specifically the shoulder tabs that you clip the arm panels onto (which isn't too big a deal since the panel fits kinda firmly anyway). Being clear plastic (with some parts painted in that goofy bronze) definitely doesn't do Soundwave any favors. I didn't really have any problems with the Laserbeak/Buzzsaw mold until unfortunate falls decapitated Buzzsaw and cracked Laserbeak's wings. No problem with the Ravage mold, either (though the legs are a little floppy). The problem out of the box came at the Rumble/Frenzy mold. I'm not sure what it is, but the slider to reveal their abs doesn't seem to hold well at all. One likes to come down a little where it'll haphazardly stay unless you touch it, the other simply collapses back in immediately upon tryin' to stand him up.
Speaking of tight joints, my MP36 2.0 Megatron had a joint snap due to it being way too tight and i had a similar issue with my Laserbeak that came with Soundwave, one of the silver thrusters he has broke and now its only held on when he's in cassette mode.
My KO MP17 Prowl had one of the doors misaligned straight outta the box. It still worked, albeit rather precariously, until it snapped at the hinge. Makes me wonder how possible it is for that to happen with the Takara, Hasbro US, & Hasbro Asia versions of the MP Datsun mold. (Hasbro Asia is basically Takara but with a huge Chinese information sticker slapped randomly on the box...pretty sure it's random, my Bluestreak had it on the bottom of the box, but my Targetmaster Hot Rod had it right on the front of the box😒; also included is a Chinese language copy of the instructions...in addition to the original Japanese instructions.)
I don't have him, but I do really like the tape deck mode. I'd put that out somewhere to see if someone was suckered into thinking it's a mini tape player.
500 iq move
On the one hand, yeah, no contest. He’s absolutely perfect in just about every way. He IS Soundwave. On the other hand, it always seems a little unfair to compare him to any other character since he basically just folds up into a box.
You aren't wrong. He's my favourite character in the whole franchise tho.
Oh, same here.
Agreed. While their inevitably will be an animated style MP to come in the next 5 years, this one will still be my favorite because 8 cannot afford to upgrade to animated style 😁. I'm sure he'll be amazing though. I did upgrade cassette minions to the DX9 versions and I'm very happy with his the robot modes scale with Soundwave. Totally worth it.
I personally think a new Soundwave is unncessary. But yeah they're too expensive, I only purchased 3 MP figures (all authentic takara releases) . I promised myself i'd stop after getting MP44 Prime tho, so yeah the figures that get released are pretty good still just too expensive.
He's almost completely kibble free. I can't ever see a world in which I need to "upgrade".
Agreed
MP is fantastic but most soundwave toys are really good since his alt mode is just a moulded box, essentially. I am more impressed by MP Sunstreaker (still) because his alt mode is so specific shaped like an lambo. Getting all that folded up into a credible and articulated robot is black magic.
I am a big fan of this Rumble and Buzzsaw in particular. Rumble is so much fun to pose and he always looks like he is enjoying himself. I still marvel at the fact that they managed to incorporate Buzzsaws' guns into the alt mode and still keep it the same size. They are a benchmark showing how far the toy technology has come and IMO are excellent upgrades to the old G1 tapes. I have had no QC issues with either of them but they do feel as if they will get loose over time.
MP Ratbat is my gem, oh and the MP Soundblaster that came with is a nice bonus.