Encore Metroplex & New Henkei released Options

[Darkwing]

I just went to HobbylinkJapan to cancel my Encore Metroplex pre-order but I was too late. It says it has been identified as being IN STOCK & it's being processed.

[NightViper]

It's a tad early for it to be "officially" out, but HLJ does often get items in/list items for sale about a day before the release date.

[Powered Convoy]

Sunstreaker and Prowl are out too, with it being 10 AM September 18th in Japan.

Randy

[Buster Darkwings]

The official release date is the 19th according to Autobase Aichi.

edit: Looks like Autobase Aichi was wrong, the release date was indeed today as they had plenty at retail today.

edit 2: Looking at Japanese fans' postings online, it appears many stores didn't get them in today, so the actual release date might be tomorrow for some places. Takara must be having minor shipping problems.

This post has been edited by Buster Darkwings: Sep 18 2008, 12:13 AM

[Darkwing]

I got my shipping notice.

I was gonna cancel my pre-order for Metroplex & get him later on but now I'm glad I didn't.

[Powered Convoy]

My Metroplex is on his way from HLJ. For some silly reason Sunstreaker & Prowl (3 of each) are shipping separately. I'm hoping this was done to save me on shipping as the 7 figures combined in one box would have been too big.

Randy

[Powered Convoy]

Starting with Sunstreaker and Prowl the Henkei packaging has a illustration of the character on the front bubble insert rather than a photo of the figure.

Randy

[Powered Convoy]

I received my Metroplex today. I can't wait to get this bad boy opened! It's like Christmas 1986 all over again!

Randy

[Powered Convoy]

I got to say the chrome on Sunstreaker and Prowl make a huge difference. For me it just works on these figures as it was place well. Even Prowl's spoiler is nice.

Besides Prowl's chrome, new lights, and red symbol, the entirety of his body is a different white. It's not a yellowish white, but a stark white.

Sunstreaker's changes are obvious. The gray is black now, and the orange is now red/orange.

Randy

[EvilEyeSigma]

What's different on Encore Metroplex compared to the original (besides the Slammer turret thing?)

[ChessPieceFace]

I received my Metroplex today. I can't wait to get this bad boy opened! It's like Christmas 1986 all over again!

Hey, Metroplex was my big toy from Christmas 1986 too! I still remember staying at my aunt's house in Louisiana on Christmas Eve, and seeing that big ol' box on her couch in the morning. I was so careful not to lose any of the pieces when packing up for home.

But I've still got mine, and I never did lose any pieces, so I'm good. Rubber wheels and an extra peg, I can live without.

Prowl's chrome, now, that I'd still like...

[Powered Convoy]

What's different on Encore Metroplex compared to the original (besides the Slammer turret thing?)

I don't know of any other differences. If I can find my old one, I will compare. I hope that they made his waist more secure personally.

I received my Metroplex today. I can't wait to get this bad boy opened! It's like Christmas 1986 all over again!

Hey, Metroplex was my big toy from Christmas 1986 too! I still remember staying at my aunt's house in Louisiana on Christmas Eve, and seeing that big ol' box on her couch in the morning. I was so careful not to lose any of the pieces when packing up for home.

But I've still got mine, and I never did lose any pieces, so I'm good. Rubber wheels and an extra peg, I can live without.

Prowl's chrome, now, that I'd still like...

Yeah, I probably have a video of me opening that thing somewhere. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-fire.gif) The chrome gun is very nice. I much prefer the white and the choices of red on his symbol and crest. The chrome gun is loads better but still won't fit underneath the car mode. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-screamer.gif)

Randy

[ChessPieceFace]

What's different on Encore Metroplex compared to the original (besides the Slammer turret thing?)

The rubber wheels may or may not be different from your original. My Metroplex has plastic wheels.

[Nightbeat TSi]

Hrmmm....

I just got Henkei Sunstreaker and Prowl today in the mail (thank you, BBTS!). Now that I've opened them up and transformed them, I have a few thoughts...


PROWL:

Vehicle mode is identical to the Universe release except for the obvious chrome spoiler and redesigned lightbar. The new lightbar, while I'm sure some people think it's special, doesn't really impress me as being "better" than the original. Different yes, but plainer and less detailed (and without any paint apps). The chrome spoiler is alright. I didn't think it was necessary, but it doesn't stick out too much either. On mine, the gun DOES stay clipped underneath the car, probably helped by the layer of chrome applied to the pistol. Other than a red autobot symbol, all other paint apps remain the same, even the really crummy paint job on the doors and front fenders (which looks EXACTLY the same as the Universe version's paint in those areas). Discounting the chrome and new lightbar, Henkei Prowl is nearly indistinguishable from the Universe version in vehicle mode.

Robot mode, not surprisingly, is likewise similar to the Universe version. The paint apps are all identical as well. As stated above, the white plastic used is brighter than Hasbro's release. It's not a major difference though. I couldn't even see the difference when the toys were side by side in vehicle mode. In robot mode, however, the brighter white becomes apparent. It's.... it's nice. I like it. It actually seems to bring out the molded details better than the shade used on Universe Prowl. The blue light-pipe eyes are a deeper blue as opposed to the more aqua-marine color of Universe Prowl's eyes. Seriously, though, the difference in plastic colors for the white body and the blue eyes is miniscule and nothing major.

The major change is the chromed launchers which look very nice. I've seen some custom-painted U. Prowls with silver-painted missile tips on the launchers. I think that looks as nice, since the launcher body stays white that way. Henkei Prowl's launchers are ALL chrome, launcher body and all. Neither Henkei or Universe Prowl can claim more G1 accuracy since the original 1984 toy had white launchers with chrome missiles. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that you shouldn't buy Henkei Prowl solely for chrome launchers. They aren't that stupendous (though they are nice).

Overall: Henkei Prowl still suffers from the same problem Universe Prowl had: crappy paint on the doors and fenders, and an overall lack of paint apps where it could've helped. And I'm still not a fan of his hot cocoa colored rear windows. The chrome bits are nice, but shouldn't be seen as a reason for N. American fans to import the toy. The remolded lightbar is a strange surprise that might be enticing for some folks, but it really doesn't move me one way or another. In general, Henkei Prowl is probably the closest in deco to the Hasbro release of the entire line.




SUNSTREAKER:

Vehicle mode on Sunstreaker features the same deco as the Hasbro release, right down to the "WE R 84" license plate. Changed this time around is the rear panel's color, which goes from blackish grey to simply black. I also noticed that the windshield is just a smidgen more translucent than the Hasbro release (but only by a tiny amount).

Also, as seen before, Sunstreaker's spoiler, exhaust pipe (robot pistol), and top intakes are now chrome! While the G1-styled chrome spoiler is a matter of personal preference (I love it, some people don't), I think most people will agree that the chromed intakes and exhaust pipes look exquisitely beautiful.

Interestingly enough, the newly chromed bits are not the most striking difference from the Universe release. The yellow plastic of the toy has been changed dramatically! Not merely a deeper yellow like Henkei Bumbelbee, Sunstreaker goes almost orange yellow. The best way I can describe it is "Movie Concept Camaro Bumblebee". That's the shade of yellow he is! It looks phenomenal in vehicle mode.

Robot mode, not surprisingly, is decoed exactly as Universe Sunstreaker. I'm not sure if I like the deeper yellow as much in Robot mode. It's a little jarring, but probably only because I'm so used to Universe Sunstreaker. The chest looks better thanks to the better color-matched paint used. The red on the shoulder stripes is a deeper shade of red than the Universe version, but it isn't a very obvious difference. The chrome intakes on the back look much nicer, but the chrome spoiler bits on the knees don't look as good.

There is a slight difference with the robot head, and I don't like it. On the ears there is a tiny hole drilled next to each eye. It's almost like they mis-drilled the hinge holes before getting it right. At least they did it on both sides so he's balanced. Hopefully this is only a problem on my copy of the toy.

Overall: All in all, Sunstreaker is pretty nice. The chrome use here appeals to me more than the chome use on Prowl. THe new shade of yellow is very bold, and the roof's paint matches better. Other than a few differences in paint hues, the deco is the same as the Universe release. If the new yellow and chrome bits are important to you, Henkei Sunstreaker is worth importing. Otherwise, he's very similar to the Hasbro release.

[C16]

I'm gonna paint the forearms on my American Sunstreaker black and the thighs yellow, then swap them out on the Henkei one.

[Powered Convoy]

Both figure's symbols are different colors than the American ones. They're more standard red. The red lights on Sunstreaker is a different color, as is the crest on Prowl's head.

I was wrong earlier about Prowl's gun not staying in. It stays perfectly, I was just trying to put it in wrong the first time. The Henkei Prowl doesn't suffer from the paint problems the early Universe Prowls did.

Randy

[Buster Darkwings]

The Henkei Prowl doesn't suffer from the paint problems the early Universe Prowls did.

Randy

How did you confirm this? I've only seen one Japanese fan complain about sticky paint so far so it might be limited to only a few specimens, but it was a seemingly honest report nonetheless.

Still have yet to open mine, was planning on getting some Gundam model clear coat or something first.

[lastmaximal]

i really dig the color on Henkei Sunstreaker; might get one to name Sunstreaker and run a headswap deal between a spare Sideswipe and my current TFU Sunstreaker to make Diaclone Red Sunstreaker [name pending] and, er, Tigertrack...

[Powered Convoy]

The Henkei Prowl doesn't suffer from the paint problems the early Universe Prowls did.

Randy

How did you confirm this? I've only seen one Japanese fan complain about sticky paint so far so it might be limited to only a few specimens, but it was a seemingly honest report nonetheless.

Still have yet to open mine, was planning on getting some Gundam model clear coat or something first.

I figured because mine doesn't. I presume the rest don't. Universe Prowl's was mostly widespread until more shipments began. My Gentei Wildrider has sticky paint on his window, not on the roof but the lines that go down to the body of the car.

Randy

[Powered Convoy]

Prowl's eyes are a different color between the two versions.