After however many years since I bought grapple new, I pulled him out to transform him this week for the second time ever. I've been regularly going through my collection to revisit toys that have just been sitting on display. It's an unintuitive transformation, which I enjoyed a lot. There are some mp-moments that surprised me. The head and crane going into the chest in their respective modes was very clever. The paint is beautiful, and the accessories are iconic. The toon/toy options are appreciated. To continue my enjoyment of grapple I came back to rewatch this review, and it worked.
love how Takara have really conquered the cartoon accuracy factor but along with all those QC issues it makes me glad I'm done with them. My last two purchases from Tak was Ironhide & Ratchet. Great review as always, SF.
Both Grapple and Inferno are excellent MP TF action figures. The sculpt, paint, overall engineering, materials, hardware, built and look in both modes are very good and if this was the standard for my MP collection I would be happy. Thanks for the review Mr. Skullface.
Two points: 1. you can get a much deeper ab crunch, just remember to hold the backpack (and the butt flap) when bending him. 2. Waist tires have a tab near the front of the wheel well. Great review as always. Got mine and I'm definitely feeling the reuse of the mild symptoms, one hell of a figure nonetheless.
Great review as always Skull Man!!! As far as a G1 master piece shelf there is no question this is the way to go. But for my money I think the quality of the MMC version is much better not to mention a less fiddly transformation. Keep up the great work bro...
I saw the Chosen Prime's Review (only because it was one of the first ones up) and he just put the screwdriver in-between Grapples fingers like a pencil. Great review man I can wait to get this thing.
Fantastic review Bobby! If I didn't already have MT and or wasn't happy with it, I'd probably go in on this. Due to my nerve problems I have a hard time transforming anything in front of the camera like that, so I totally understand where you're coming from. Great job none the less.
I think this toy is the perfect example for anyone to appreciate how paint can make a big difference. As is the toy had minimal molding details and color break up, now imagine if they didn't add that finish (can see the bare plastic in some of the inner joints and armatures that haven't been painted). I think you can reduce some of the fans backlash over no color accents and details significantly by bribing them with a head to toe solid finish
Thanks for showing this guy next to MT's version! While watching your review I was actually looking up both figures (and MMC's Artfire, but I didn't see that one. Am I crazy to think they had pre-orders up for him a bit ago?) to kind of gauge what I want for my collection. MT's looks and fits better for me (but those Takara's accessories! First time I want a figure for those throw ins) but the weird paint errors and flaking kind of decided it for me.
great review as always Bobby. I caught your live stream a day late but it was fun. You're the right kinda nerd and if you're ever in Houston feel free to come by the Shoky cave and we can pop some Cardboardeaux. lol. Cheers brother!
I got mine today and I wanted to tell you I had same white in eyes. I realized that it was white over sprayed on the blue. I used a knife and was able to gently scrape the excess white away. His eyes look great now. Also, no paint imperfections on line except at the base of crane hydraulic.
Dude the screen shot of Grapple holding the gun pose you did should be a picture on the box it was beautiful! I want this although he was rarely in cartoons but a must. When are you gonna do something about how NO COMPANY will attempt a better Ultra Magnus?! He is the missing piece to my collection and the MP22 was pathetic and wont divert to that. Please give me news
yea i saw it but then it sits on top of the thumb and thats just absurd lol. If thats REALLY the way its supposed to be im glad i didnt know that, i would have been very critical of that lol
way better than MP inferno for all the reasons you pointed out. however, I'm keeping the MMC version for all the bells & whistles. awesome review! thx for your help!
Great review as usual! I've got the MMC Grapple and I am grappling (yup, I said it) with grabbing the Takara version cause it is so nice looking. I'm also wondering with the new direction they're going if they'll be redoing previous releases to match this esthetic. I'm not buying 6 more seekers, but I'd be on the line for Prowl, Bee, Prime, Sidewsipe etc. I'm looking forward to your discussion video.
Bobby when are we gonna get the video on the takara MP line direction. I myself love the direction of Soundwave back in the day over the latest animation offerings.
Don't feel bad, I don't have hamburger hands and I can't get that screwdriver securely into his hand slot either. But yeah there's a second slot in his right wrist for the big accessory. Not sure if anyone mentioned that yet.
yea i saw it but then it sits on top of the thumb and thats just absurd lol. If thats REALLY the way its supposed to be im glad i didnt know that, i would have been very critical of that lol
The Solar Tower accessory tabs in BEHIND the hand; into the wrist area, and the hand closes up around it.. Look carefully, you'll see a tab in the wrist that corresponds with the angled tab on the Solar Tower.
yea i saw it but then it sits on top of the thumb and thats just absurd lol. If thats REALLY the way its supposed to be im glad i didnt know that, i would have been very critical of that lol
sux about the patch of paint missing on his eye. if can match paint easy fix but if not probably make it look worse. over all great toy and as always great review
Skullface is a great speaker a lyrical master...but each time I watch him transform anything, it always makes me think of that Chris Farley (SNL Sketch) with Nancy Kerrigan
I passed just due to the lame extension of the crane, and of course Takara, which I hate passionately. With the Maketoys guy I get in part his bot chest is huge (and I think the head is too small), but for me that makes up with a bigger looking truck, and woefully tiny trucks is sort of an annoying thing with this whole MP thing, although I guess it is unavoidable. Darn KO for cancelling the oversized MT trucks.
I was so excited for this figure. How that changed quickly. Vehicle mode still looks terrible, the crane arm doesn't extend very far making the bucket and claw kind of useless, and I expect better paint quality from Takara. That said, if you want a toon accurate figure, you can't beat this!
I love the color is looks amazing and chrome heck yeah ! To me it isn't really a transformers without some chrome ! I have the artfire repaint coming also and for this mold I have no problem with repaint.
Great review with honest opinions as always! I've been thinking about getting Grapple due to the mold differences, but as I've mentioned before, I try to stay away from repaints, which this more or less actually is to some extent. I did get Ratchet after getting Ironhide though LOL! But when considering all of what I said above, would you say that is worth it for me to get Grapple when I already own Inferno? I meen... I don't have any particular attachment to neither Inferno or Grapple to be honest. Im in on the MP line strictly for the molds and not the characters themselfs. There is a few differences between Grapple and Inferno, but still... Is it enought differences to put money into this figure for me? I have to consider both display space and my wallet, so Im quite on the fence about getting this one... What to do, Bob? What to do...? Do I shot myself in the left or right foot?
I love that premium look of Takara even if it's the best of characters , just looks finished I love it . .... Except shockwave lol. Darker glossier paint would of set him off.
He does look like a good figure, bit 1 thing is different, how the crane stores, is quite different on how the ladder stores on Inferno. 1 question though, can the crane go down his back, like we on 3rd party versions??
With the more toon accurate(less bells and whistles) look. Shouldn't we be expecting a lower price point? These Takara figures have gone off the rails in price imo. Can't wait for my fanstoys Megatron!! Lol
7:30 "Its funny this, this little bit on top of his head, um, seemed like a bit much to me but I went and looked back and sure as heck it's in there in the cartoon." That's why they're called Masterpiece Transformers :-) No disrespect intended whatsoever. I just wanted to throw a little levity into the mix :-)
yea i saw it but then it sits on top of the thumb and thats just absurd lol. If thats REALLY the way its supposed to be im glad i didnt know that, i would have been very critical of that lol
Still feels great in hand, but the paint and tolerance issues are a bummer, Inferno was better there. Kinda feel I'm at a crossroads with TT MP now, I'm not sure I can stomach the premium price they are charging when the figures aren't perfect and 3p have good offerings already.
Personally, I prefer your reviews to any other figure reviewer's but why do you handle your figures so harshly? I can definitely see why you would if you are stress testing during the transformation for the processes of the review (most reviews not all). Just wondering.
After however many years since I bought grapple new, I pulled him out to transform him this week for the second time ever. I've been regularly going through my collection to revisit toys that have just been sitting on display. It's an unintuitive transformation, which I enjoyed a lot. There are some mp-moments that surprised me. The head and crane going into the chest in their respective modes was very clever. The paint is beautiful, and the accessories are iconic. The toon/toy options are appreciated. To continue my enjoyment of grapple I came back to rewatch this review, and it worked.
love how Takara have really conquered the cartoon accuracy factor but along with all those QC issues it makes me glad I'm done with them. My last two purchases from Tak was Ironhide & Ratchet. Great review as always, SF.
many thanks
You are one of the best reviewers out there. You say it as it is.
many thanks
I always thought I was that guy who got all the dinged up toys with chipped paint! I might not be alone :^) Thanks for the awesome Grapple review man!
if it wasnt for bad luck...
If you look closely at the Generation One animation the screwdriver gun is actually... oh.
*Adjusts coke bottle glasses*
hahahahahaha
Both Grapple and Inferno are excellent MP TF action figures. The sculpt, paint, overall engineering, materials, hardware, built and look in both modes are very good and if this was the standard for my MP collection I would be happy.
Thanks for the review Mr. Skullface.
Two points: 1. you can get a much deeper ab crunch, just remember to hold the backpack (and the butt flap) when bending him. 2. Waist tires have a tab near the front of the wheel well.
Great review as always. Got mine and I'm definitely feeling the reuse of the mild symptoms, one hell of a figure nonetheless.
thanks man, yea i mention the front tab i just think the toy operates better with them moved to the back
Bobby Skullface L ah must've missed it.
Great review as always Skull Man!!! As far as a G1 master piece shelf there is no question this is the way to go. But for my money I think the quality of the MMC version is much better not to mention a less fiddly transformation. Keep up the great work bro...
many thanks
I saw the Chosen Prime's Review (only because it was one of the first ones up) and he just put the screwdriver in-between Grapples fingers like a pencil. Great review man I can wait to get this thing.
yea you can do that but i think its supposed to be able to tab in some kind of way
great review as usual bobby
many thanks
Love the comic book guy nod... Got to do the haadoooookin when you sneeze.. Can't stop myself...
hahah
Great review! Thanks again Skullface!!!
thanks for watching
Fantastic review Bobby! If I didn't already have MT and or wasn't happy with it, I'd probably go in on this. Due to my nerve problems I have a hard time transforming anything in front of the camera like that, so I totally understand where you're coming from. Great job none the less.
thanks dude
thumbs up for that adorable skit and i think he looks great too. Bobby your daughter is adorable. does your family enjoy doing skits with you?
they do lol, they certainly do... well... not my wife lol
I think this toy is the perfect example for anyone to appreciate how paint can make a big difference. As is the toy had minimal molding details and color break up, now imagine if they didn't add that finish (can see the bare plastic in some of the inner joints and armatures that haven't been painted). I think you can reduce some of the fans backlash over no color accents and details significantly by bribing them with a head to toe solid finish
totally agree
Thanks for showing this guy next to MT's version! While watching your review I was actually looking up both figures (and MMC's Artfire, but I didn't see that one. Am I crazy to think they had pre-orders up for him a bit ago?) to kind of gauge what I want for my collection. MT's looks and fits better for me (but those Takara's accessories! First time I want a figure for those throw ins) but the weird paint errors and flaking kind of decided it for me.
i hear you
great review as always Bobby. I caught your live stream a day late but it was fun. You're the right kinda nerd and if you're ever in Houston feel free to come by the Shoky cave and we can pop some Cardboardeaux. lol. Cheers brother!
thanks man and same to you if youre in crab country
Great and honest review! And I do believe them wheels are meant to sit up like that in bot mode anyhow, does work and look loads better either way! :)
:)
I got mine today and I wanted to tell you I had same white in eyes. I realized that it was white over sprayed on the blue. I used a knife and was able to gently scrape the excess white away. His eyes look great now.
Also, no paint imperfections on line except at the base of crane hydraulic.
I will try that!
Thanks bob. No jokes today. Just thanks for being entertaining.
hahaha thanks for all the continued love and support james
Big Thanks for the shoutout. Appreciate it.🇬🇧
thank YOU
Can't imagine that sneezing in the mask leaves pleasant residue.
lol
Dude the screen shot of Grapple holding the gun pose you did should be a picture on the box it was beautiful! I want this although he was rarely in cartoons but a must. When are you gonna do something about how NO COMPANY will attempt a better Ultra Magnus?! He is the missing piece to my collection and the MP22 was pathetic and wont divert to that. Please give me news
The satellite thing is supposed to peg into the slot where the mushroom peg is on the wrist.
yea i saw it but then it sits on top of the thumb and thats just absurd lol. If thats REALLY the way its supposed to be im glad i didnt know that, i would have been very critical of that lol
way better than MP inferno for all the reasons you pointed out. however, I'm keeping the MMC version for all the bells & whistles.
awesome review! thx for your help!
no harm in that!
Great review as usual! I've got the MMC Grapple and I am grappling (yup, I said it) with grabbing the Takara version cause it is so nice looking. I'm also wondering with the new direction they're going if they'll be redoing previous releases to match this esthetic. I'm not buying 6 more seekers, but I'd be on the line for Prowl, Bee, Prime, Sidewsipe etc. I'm looking forward to your discussion video.
god i hope they never touch the seekers again lol
The way the moved the tires you articulate the waist is the proper way. They should tab in there
Love the English accent, haha! Good review as usual, Bobby.
many thanks
Bobby when are we gonna get the video on the takara MP line direction. I myself love the direction of Soundwave back in the day over the latest animation offerings.
possibly next week
Don't feel bad, I don't have hamburger hands and I can't get that screwdriver securely into his hand slot either. But yeah there's a second slot in his right wrist for the big accessory. Not sure if anyone mentioned that yet.
yea i saw it but then it sits on top of the thumb and thats just absurd lol. If thats REALLY the way its supposed to be im glad i didnt know that, i would have been very critical of that lol
The Solar Tower accessory tabs in BEHIND the hand; into the wrist area, and the hand closes up around it.. Look carefully, you'll see a tab in the wrist that corresponds with the angled tab on the Solar Tower.
yea i saw it but then it sits on top of the thumb and thats just absurd lol. If thats REALLY the way its supposed to be im glad i didnt know that, i would have been very critical of that lol
sux about the patch of paint missing on his eye. if can match paint easy fix but if not probably make it look worse. over all great toy and as always great review
many thanks
Skullface is a great speaker a lyrical master...but each time I watch him transform anything, it always makes me think of that Chris Farley (SNL Sketch) with Nancy Kerrigan
lol
Great review! I stated cracking up out loud when you changed your voice😅😅.
lol
I passed just due to the lame extension of the crane, and of course Takara, which I hate passionately. With the Maketoys guy I get in part his bot chest is huge (and I think the head is too small), but for me that makes up with a bigger looking truck, and woefully tiny trucks is sort of an annoying thing with this whole MP thing, although I guess it is unavoidable. Darn KO for cancelling the oversized MT trucks.
yea alt mode scaling gets tricky
Great review, everytime I see his head I see a Care Bear.
lol
i like the line work on him, much more eye catching than inferno
agreed
Yeah, my crane is the same way. If it sticks together when you adjust the crane, you transformed it right.
many thanks
Will you be reviewing the Planet X Apocalypse ? I heard some bad stories about this figure. Just wondering about your take on it.
I might have a line on one
I was so excited for this figure. How that changed quickly. Vehicle mode still looks terrible, the crane arm doesn't extend very far making the bucket and claw kind of useless, and I expect better paint quality from Takara.
That said, if you want a toon accurate figure, you can't beat this!
yea they certainly seem to be at a crossroads
I love the color is looks amazing and chrome heck yeah ! To me it isn't really a transformers without some chrome ! I have the artfire repaint coming also and for this mold I have no problem with repaint.
i do love chrome as well
Holy shit you did "the voice" again! Cleaning the coffee off the carpet...
hahahaaha
Great review with honest opinions as always! I've been thinking about getting Grapple due to the mold differences, but as I've mentioned before, I try to stay away from repaints, which this more or less actually is to some extent. I did get Ratchet after getting Ironhide though LOL! But when considering all of what I said above, would you say that is worth it for me to get Grapple when I already own Inferno? I meen... I don't have any particular attachment to neither Inferno or Grapple to be honest. Im in on the MP line strictly for the molds and not the characters themselfs. There is a few differences between Grapple and Inferno, but still... Is it enought differences to put money into this figure for me? I have to consider both display space and my wallet, so Im quite on the fence about getting this one... What to do, Bob? What to do...? Do I shot myself in the left or right foot?
dont shoot!!!! :)
@Skullface: LOL! Okey, hahaha!
Seen over 40 of your videos and only just subscribed.. I'm going to now put my head in boiling water in sorry. But hi from the UK
welcome!
I love that premium look of Takara even if it's the best of characters , just looks finished I love it . .... Except shockwave lol. Darker glossier paint would of set him off.
agreed or paint at all lol
He does look like a good figure, bit 1 thing is different, how the crane stores, is quite different on how the ladder stores on Inferno.
1 question though, can the crane go down his back, like we on 3rd party versions??
i dont think so, but im not sure
Alright
With the more toon accurate(less bells and whistles) look. Shouldn't we be expecting a lower price point? These Takara figures have gone off the rails in price imo. Can't wait for my fanstoys Megatron!! Lol
i agree the price is feeling disproportionate
Wow! Quality $140 gun right there!
lol
7:30 "Its funny this, this little bit on top of his head, um, seemed like a bit much to me but I went and looked back and sure as heck it's in there in the cartoon."
That's why they're called Masterpiece Transformers :-) No disrespect intended whatsoever. I just wanted to throw a little levity into the mix :-)
lol all good
get ready for the how to tab in solar tower comments lol "whispering" it tabs in at the wrist
"To the wrist!" lol (Points to anyone who gets that reference.)
yea i saw it but then it sits on top of the thumb and thats just absurd lol. If thats REALLY the way its supposed to be im glad i didnt know that, i would have been very critical of that lol
I must say sir, that british accent was amazing.
seems like I could hit the like button 3 x since I watched it and loved it 3 x. only let's me hit it once ,so to speak.
hahaha
Still feels great in hand, but the paint and tolerance issues are a bummer, Inferno was better there.
Kinda feel I'm at a crossroads with TT MP now, I'm not sure I can stomach the premium price they are charging when the figures aren't perfect and 3p have good offerings already.
totally hear you
You might need to lube up your hydraulics there on that crane arm connection haha.
is the into e dubble?
nope, its me
the shaking thing when your struggling fn kills me. lol. gues because I do it.
delicate balance to apply force and not break something for me lol
Bobby Skullface L yea it's like your putting the force on it but holding back. haha. the force. get it. star wars. ok sorry. I was reaching
Are you getting mp cheetor?
no
You couldn't pose him with hoist one time??!
i dont have a hoist bud
Big fingers...hmm, with some kids around. Could've talked one of them into carefully trying to do this for you with some type of snack or treat.
missed opportunities
Haha damn. This was a horrible transformation tutorial haha
Still love your vids
Most convincing English accent ever...
:P
Bobby Spot of Tea Face
hahahahah
20:50 the fan boy returns LOL!!!
lol
Mine has paint caked up all throughout the figure. Takara needs to leave the paint brush alone as they ruin everything they touch with it lol.
they certainly need to sort it out
Youhave a picture of Victor Frances, hahaha ! \m/
;)
I think it looks good on a shelf. If you wanna transform it back and forth, you're gonna ruin that paint, mac!
i think youre right
You know, I would have liked to hear what an African fan would think about the screwdriver gun.
Personally, I prefer your reviews to any other figure reviewer's but why do you handle your figures so harshly? I can definitely see why you would if you are stress testing during the transformation for the processes of the review (most reviews not all). Just wondering.
thanks man, im just a heavy handed dude
5:58 Quick get the Matrix.
lol
bad baby
lol
Grapple, evil face!!!
lol
😲😲😲😲 y ASTROTREIN 🤔🤔🤔🤔
I genuinely thought it was going to break on you.
:)
You need to use that nerd voice in more reviews
lol
Love the limey accent...lol
lol
no offence Bobby but that was a shocking English accent 😂😂
hahahaha
iv had to go back and watch you twitch 3 x already. hope you didn't dent it. that's not funny at all just the shaking.
Sounds like cheap cruchy plastic lol