Japanese Transformers Masterpiece Sideswipe

 
The Good:  While he doesn’t transform exactly like the original, Sideswipe is a perfect cross between the G1 animation and the G1 toy.  Just look at the pictures.  Obviously the G1 guns couldn’t be mounted on the roof, but I really like that change.  He’s got a really nice transformation, detailed without being super complicated like some Masterpiece toys are.  He includes pile driver hand attachments, which are very cool.

The Bad:  He’s about half the size I wanted him to be.  I know, they are doing the new Masterpieces to scale, but he’s just too small, about the size of TF: Prime Voyager toy.  I’d rather a bigger toy than the scale accuracy.  He’s WAY overpriced for the size.  This toy is barely 50% larger than the G1, and it was $84.  I pay about $50 for the Arms Micron Voyagers that are this size.  All the cost is in the name “Masterpiece.”  It’s a complete rip off.  (I’m not blaming the online sellers.  I’m blaming Takara.)  Also, there is very little (if any) die cast metal in him.  The worst part of all is that he has plastic tires.  Even the G1 toys had rubber tires.  This is just really cheap.  You’re overpaying for the “Masterpiece” name and they don’t even give it as much detail as the G1 had.  How they can do such a good job on the toy and then completely blow it on something as simple as the rubber tires?  Also, there is an exclusive version of Masterpiece Sideswipe available only via Amazon Japan that comes with jackhammer accessories.  So, after the overpricing and lack of rubber tires, it doesn’t even come with all the accessories.  I don’t even know if anyone is going to carry it online since Amazon Japan won’t ship it out of Japan (I believe, I think that’s what it said, the English translation wasn’t completely clear).  So, that really sucks royally.

Overall:  In short, it’s a great looking toy if you can swallow the exorbitant price, small size, lack of obviously needed details, and missing accessories.

Thanks for reading!