This is the one, among all of the Infernos released to date, this one has the most realistic alt mode, every month I see the real life version of this truck parked outside of the Fire station near my house, nowadays they use it there for training rookies, I even have come to step onto the ladders on the sides, X-transbots nailed it.
6:50 This did it for me. I’m buying XTB Grapple. The Takara looks like a toy robot that’s been transformed into a vehicle that resembles a fire truck. The XTB looks so good, you’d never know it could transform into a great looking robot. I’m buying the Da Vinci/Grapple to go with my XTB Paean/Hoist.
Few tips for anyone interested: 1. A thin line of superglue applied and allowed to dry on the inside of the wrist socket will thicken up the edge enough to make the wrists tab in more securely. Literally to the point where I can now pick my figure up and dangle it by just the hand and the wrist hinge doesn’t come untabbed. 2. You can use a 1.9mm drill bit (no bigger!) to carefully drill a hole in the tip of his arm nozzle. Use a hand chuck not electric. The water effect can then be used in robot mode. Great review dude. I’ve only bought Tirador and Da Vinci so far, but you’ve convinced me to triple dip on Dante as well. Actually I should say QUADRUPLE dip as I’ll be going in on the Bulkhead version too which also looks awesome! Such a refreshing surprise from XTB in terms of quality and finish.
Just got mine in today - I gotta say, except for the hands that don't stay in place, this is one of the nicest 3P figures in my collection. And I also must say "thank you" for helping me sort out the minor issues I was having - namely how to remove the head, and the fact that it does actually have double jointed elbows. And I'm glad it does, because they're fantastic. Great review, thanks a lot!
Excited for that VS. video! I remember a while back on a livestream asking you and Mike Rogers if I should wait for this figure or just get the Takara and you both enthusiastically recommended getting the Takara. I never did, and now I'm kinda glad I waited. Also hello! I took a breather from Transformers for a little bit but I'm easing back in now. Thanks for continuing to make good content!
@@michaelpolston5240 Well between TMReviews upcoming Vs and some other's opinions on the Transformers E.R.C. Facebook group, which if you're on FB and haven't joined I highly recommend, That will help you in your decision making process!
Looking at him he's got some things I heavily love and things I could do without easily... I highly prefer the 'old' designs of MPs with details that weren't so G1 toon accurate, but I do love the fact that Takara is the only one that's actually collapsed the ladder/crane armature (Grapple, obviously) into the chest of the robot to give it a clean backside. I don't really care for the armature that this Inferno's head is attached to as it's pretty unwieldy from the look of it and sticks out like a sore thumb in the vehicle mode, but I love his more realistic looking fire truck. And while the water effect may look nice, there's no way it should be transparent like that. If you were using your garden hose to water something sure, but coming out of a hose meant for fighting fires it's under a hell of a lot more pressure which causes much more of a consistent shotgun blast of millions of droplets and air pockets.
As a kid I had/have G1 Grapple so that is the character that appeals to me the most from this mould. Also Grapple interacts a lot with Hoist my favorite character so seeing him done so well is great to see. I love the Takara engineering for stowing the crane/ladder inside the bot but honestly this version looks way better in my opinion even with the ladder sticking out on his back. One of the things I love about Transformers is when elements of their alt mode incorporate into their Bot mode. I am also a big fan of when real world details of these vehicles are found in the toy. I think the strong push for extreme cartoon aesthetic has gone too far in erasing the appeal of the original toys and the details that build visual interest for both modes. The original line of car bots had these details and the cartoon lacked them because they lacked the artist and time to add all of this the animated version. It was a limitation of the medium and I for one don't enjoy when these toys oversimplify their look to match the show when so much more is possible. The transformation has a few X-Transbots moments where you're forced to push parts past other ones but overall this is a good transformation. If I had this guy I would be worried about the connection that links the head/ladder with the rest of the body but it does seem sound. I do like the narrower hips below the body compared to the Takara one. That seems like one big box from chest to hips. Overall the joint hardware looks great and the alt mode is beautiful. Thanks for the review. I am really looking forward to the verses on this one.
I'm so glad this turned out well. I'm in for Hauler and probably Artfire. If I like them enough, I might even replace my official Inferno and Grapple, since the only thing I like about those two are their accessories (and the transformation is clever, to be fair).
Going to be honest I fast forward bcause I wanted to see how the ladder folded up. Well it’s a bunch of noodles. And it’s still hanging there! Really good review.
I went in on the Artfire variant because I have Takara Inferno & Grapple & I'm happy with them...the Artfire variant is going on display with my Japanese figures...that said I may have to bite the bullet because of this review & the fact that at their size if I get 1 of the 2 G1 variants I would have to get both because of the size...This is how to make ppl will think about replacements...good review
Takara's is still my go-to MP Inferno but if you're unhappy with or if you're not a fan of it, you've got lots and lots of good options. Looking forward to your comparison video, Sony!
Was watching mangmotions video and thinking how simple the transformation was for XTB and then he got to that insane backpack step😂 sure it’s not as crazy in person as it looks haha
I'm commenting before the transformation so I might be back. One thing seems kind of off to me is they went super realistic on everything and then the ladder is just plain white plastic. Now I know that's accurate for him but it clashes with the realistic nature of everything else to me.
16:53 I think the front stabilizers are meant to fold up in robot mode, not back down. It may take some spinning of them though to fit them in. You can see Mangmotion did it in his video.
This reminds me of the more detailed version that MMC did. I have that version for grapple and the takara version for inferno. I like this one too, may get this mold for a hauler stand in when the redeco comes out.
@@TMReviews oh of course cool, thanks.. Are you reviewing any of the other color releases? I assume its a bit of a remold too for the grapple crane version?
I like this, especially truck mode. Personally I think I like maketoys and takara better for robot mode. But I have no beefs with owning multiple versions of characters/designs I really like.
That ladder and head section is using *SIX* different armatures just to avoid "parts-forming", even tho it's still just parts-forming. Manufacturers and designers, please listen: parts-forming is preferable to 2+ armatures in place of parts-forming.
I used to think I needed to buy everything Xtransbots puts out, even if Fanstoys or Takara had already done it. Not anymore, Takara did this guy and I’m good with it. I just want the green one, the rest are up for everyone else.
It looks really nice, unfortunately it's just not toon accurate enough for me to replace my Takara, but for the people that don't really care for toon acuate figures, this is a win
@@GareWorks to be clear, wasn’t insinuating that the engineering was stolen. Just found it interesting that HasTak mainline is incorporating MP style engineering
straight outta 2017... weird things is that all the detail in the alt-mode goes away in bot mode. without the ladder hidden in bot mode, scale issues, and it being an xtb product super easy pass for me but if you like it you win
I got the Artfire from XTB and it’s almost amazing… those thumbs are the reason I didn’t pick up the rest of them… ooooof they’re terrible. Cant put a gun in without them popping off. Can’t believe this is still an issue with XTB/KFC. Xtb keeps hitting homeruns… just to run the wrong way on the bases😂
Great review and this is one of the best XTB figures personally looks way better than the Takara as 100% toon can be too plain. This figure is a great balance of real life alt mode high details while the robot mode is toon accurate. Will be getting this along with XTB Artfire.
Still beats me WHY they left the armature that holds the had in white, when they could have made it in red t hide it better? Or green, orange, etc. depending on the character (Caravaggio, daVinci or Matador)
Nice review. Since I already have the Takara this will be an easy pass for me, but I can see the appeal of an accurate real world firetruck. I do find it odd that the water effect is in 2 pieces but cannot work with the robot mode nozzle hand. It kind of makes me wonder if there was supposed to be another piece that you could swap out for robot mode that they scrapped for some reason.
Plain and simple there is no versus, Takara has the Superior engineering having the ladder collapse and literally disappear how can you even compare the two.
Depends on whether you value the clever engineering and toon accuracy over a more realistic alt mode and nicer G1 toy aesthetics. I think a versus is entirely appropriate.
The only criteria for me personally to do a VS is if they are going after the same character in the same scale. This fits that bill, so here we go 😅. Engineering is only one factor of several that I look at.
This is the one, among all of the Infernos released to date, this one has the most realistic alt mode, every month I see the real life version of this truck parked outside of the Fire station near my house, nowadays they use it there for training rookies, I even have come to step onto the ladders on the sides, X-transbots nailed it.
6:50 This did it for me. I’m buying XTB Grapple. The Takara looks like a toy robot that’s been transformed into a vehicle that resembles a fire truck. The XTB looks so good, you’d never know it could transform into a great looking robot. I’m buying the Da Vinci/Grapple to go with my XTB Paean/Hoist.
Thanks for reviewing this. I kept thinking that this was a reissue because I could have sworn this came out years ago LOL
Lol, thanks Paik, someone else said the same thing but I think that was Maketoys
Few tips for anyone interested:
1. A thin line of superglue applied and allowed to dry on the inside of the wrist socket will thicken up the edge enough to make the wrists tab in more securely. Literally to the point where I can now pick my figure up and dangle it by just the hand and the wrist hinge doesn’t come untabbed.
2. You can use a 1.9mm drill bit (no bigger!) to carefully drill a hole in the tip of his arm nozzle. Use a hand chuck not electric. The water effect can then be used in robot mode.
Great review dude. I’ve only bought Tirador and Da Vinci so far, but you’ve convinced me to triple dip on Dante as well. Actually I should say QUADRUPLE dip as I’ll be going in on the Bulkhead version too which also looks awesome! Such a refreshing surprise from XTB in terms of quality and finish.
Thanks
Just got mine in today - I gotta say, except for the hands that don't stay in place, this is one of the nicest 3P figures in my collection. And I also must say "thank you" for helping me sort out the minor issues I was having - namely how to remove the head, and the fact that it does actually have double jointed elbows. And I'm glad it does, because they're fantastic. Great review, thanks a lot!
Excited for that VS. video! I remember a while back on a livestream asking you and Mike Rogers if I should wait for this figure or just get the Takara and you both enthusiastically recommended getting the Takara. I never did, and now I'm kinda glad I waited. Also hello! I took a breather from Transformers for a little bit but I'm easing back in now. Thanks for continuing to make good content!
Michael. Happy to hear that you did NOT heed my advice LOL...I hope you enjoy the figure. I have mine arriving soon and it may be my definite version
@@MWRogers welll I haven’t pulled the trigger just yet, gotta see how that comparison shakes out!
@@michaelpolston5240 Well between TMReviews upcoming Vs and some other's opinions on the Transformers E.R.C. Facebook group, which if you're on FB and haven't joined I highly recommend, That will help you in your decision making process!
Thanks Mike's (both of you)
Awsome Figure. I will be picking all these versions up.. Great Review ✨️😃
Thanks G
Looking at him he's got some things I heavily love and things I could do without easily... I highly prefer the 'old' designs of MPs with details that weren't so G1 toon accurate, but I do love the fact that Takara is the only one that's actually collapsed the ladder/crane armature (Grapple, obviously) into the chest of the robot to give it a clean backside. I don't really care for the armature that this Inferno's head is attached to as it's pretty unwieldy from the look of it and sticks out like a sore thumb in the vehicle mode, but I love his more realistic looking fire truck.
And while the water effect may look nice, there's no way it should be transparent like that. If you were using your garden hose to water something sure, but coming out of a hose meant for fighting fires it's under a hell of a lot more pressure which causes much more of a consistent shotgun blast of millions of droplets and air pockets.
Awesome. The official MPs are way to small. Happy Xtrans went larger
As a kid I had/have G1 Grapple so that is the character that appeals to me the most from this mould. Also Grapple interacts a lot with Hoist my favorite character so seeing him done so well is great to see. I love the Takara engineering for stowing the crane/ladder inside the bot but honestly this version looks way better in my opinion even with the ladder sticking out on his back. One of the things I love about Transformers is when elements of their alt mode incorporate into their Bot mode. I am also a big fan of when real world details of these vehicles are found in the toy. I think the strong push for extreme cartoon aesthetic has gone too far in erasing the appeal of the original toys and the details that build visual interest for both modes. The original line of car bots had these details and the cartoon lacked them because they lacked the artist and time to add all of this the animated version. It was a limitation of the medium and I for one don't enjoy when these toys oversimplify their look to match the show when so much more is possible.
The transformation has a few X-Transbots moments where you're forced to push parts past other ones but overall this is a good transformation. If I had this guy I would be worried about the connection that links the head/ladder with the rest of the body but it does seem sound.
I do like the narrower hips below the body compared to the Takara one. That seems like one big box from chest to hips. Overall the joint hardware looks great and the alt mode is beautiful. Thanks for the review. I am really looking forward to the verses on this one.
Thanks for watching
I love the play on his name. DANTE'S INFERNO.
I'm so glad this turned out well. I'm in for Hauler and probably Artfire. If I like them enough, I might even replace my official Inferno and Grapple, since the only thing I like about those two are their accessories (and the transformation is clever, to be fair).
Going to be honest I fast forward bcause I wanted to see how the ladder folded up. Well it’s a bunch of noodles. And it’s still hanging there! Really good review.
Yep
It seems like it’s an older design, which I’m all here for!
It looks so premium! Man now idk which one I want in bot mode. Toon vs realistic/premium is separating my collection more and more 😅
Realistic premium is the way I'm leaning lately.
It'd be great to display him in alt mode! Robot mode too!
I went in on the Artfire variant because I have Takara Inferno & Grapple & I'm happy with them...the Artfire variant is going on display with my Japanese figures...that said I may have to bite the bullet because of this review & the fact that at their size if I get 1 of the 2 G1 variants I would have to get both because of the size...This is how to make ppl will think about replacements...good review
Such a good looking bot. I want hauler in this mold. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching Memo
Takara's is still my go-to MP Inferno but if you're unhappy with or if you're not a fan of it, you've got lots and lots of good options. Looking forward to your comparison video, Sony!
Thanks. Coming today!
Great review man! Inferno is one of the few G1 originals that I had as a kid. This one looks pretty darn good.
Thanks
Like the mold so much couldn't help myself and got all 4. Reminds me so much of my original g1 inferno toy.
Late to the party...just opened this one up. Its amazing because no I have 4 repaints of this mold.
This seems like a solid win. Great review as always and I’m excited! Question: if you split the water piece in two will it then work in bot mode?
No, but there is a fix if you want to do it. See my post above.
I don't see any way to get the water effect into bot mode even when split, thanks for watching
Great review! Looking forward to the versus!
Thanks!
Great review! Thank you
Thanks for watching
Was watching mangmotions video and thinking how simple the transformation was for XTB and then he got to that insane backpack step😂 sure it’s not as crazy in person as it looks haha
Does the Artfire repaint come with the water effect and flames too? Or did they skip out due to the Targetmaster?
Yes, I didn't get him tho
I'm commenting before the transformation so I might be back. One thing seems kind of off to me is they went super realistic on everything and then the ladder is just plain white plastic. Now I know that's accurate for him but it clashes with the realistic nature of everything else to me.
Seems to be a cross between realistic and toon,
16:53 I think the front stabilizers are meant to fold up in robot mode, not back down. It may take some spinning of them though to fit them in. You can see Mangmotion did it in his video.
In hand it made more sense downwards because upwards they are visible from the front
@@TMReviews thank you, that is useful to know.
This reminds me of the more detailed version that MMC did. I have that version for grapple and the takara version for inferno. I like this one too, may get this mold for a hauler stand in when the redeco comes out.
It’s out already on TCP
@@PSYCHOWORLD cool, whats TCP
The Chosen Prime, my channel partner
@@TMReviews oh of course cool, thanks.. Are you reviewing any of the other color releases? I assume its a bit of a remold too for the grapple crane version?
@@capac2 yes, the green one next
I like this, especially truck mode. Personally I think I like maketoys and takara better for robot mode. But I have no beefs with owning multiple versions of characters/designs I really like.
That ladder and head section is using *SIX* different armatures just to avoid "parts-forming", even tho it's still just parts-forming.
Manufacturers and designers, please listen: parts-forming is preferable to 2+ armatures in place of parts-forming.
I used to think I needed to buy everything Xtransbots puts out, even if Fanstoys or Takara had already done it. Not anymore, Takara did this guy and I’m good with it. I just want the green one, the rest are up for everyone else.
Sometimes Takaras' size charts are dumb. Inferno is a Firetruck. If anything he would be bigger than Optimus.
It looks really nice, unfortunately it's just not toon accurate enough for me to replace my Takara, but for the people that don't really care for toon acuate figures, this is a win
Love the high gloss look but man that transformation looks eerily similar to the mainline WFC Kingdom Inferno
And yet this was designed in 2015, so it's likely just a coincidence.
@@GareWorks to be clear, wasn’t insinuating that the engineering was stolen. Just found it interesting that HasTak mainline is incorporating MP style engineering
Yes XTB did great here, but with a character that’s already made well from Takara and don’t really feel a need for.
straight outta 2017... weird things is that all the detail in the alt-mode goes away in bot mode. without the ladder hidden in bot mode, scale issues, and it being an xtb product super easy pass for me but if you like it you win
Thanks Sony.
Thanks Lowell
I got the Artfire from XTB and it’s almost amazing… those thumbs are the reason I didn’t pick up the rest of them… ooooof they’re terrible. Cant put a gun in without them popping off. Can’t believe this is still an issue with XTB/KFC. Xtb keeps hitting homeruns… just to run the wrong way on the bases😂
Very very impressive :D
Great review and this is one of the best XTB figures personally looks way better than the Takara as 100% toon can be too plain. This figure is a great balance of real life alt mode high details while the robot mode is toon accurate. Will be getting this along with XTB Artfire.
Thanks
Hasn’t this figure come out already a while back?
No it's brand new
They advertised it years ago, but they are just now releasing it.
Yeah
@@TMReviews yeah that’s what I thought because I remember that name Dante. Thanks :)
Still beats me WHY they left the armature that holds the had in white, when they could have made it in red t hide it better? Or green, orange, etc. depending on the character (Caravaggio, daVinci or Matador)
I'm guessing on this bot it's not so bad because it blends in with the ladder, but on others it is gonna stand out
Nice review. Since I already have the Takara this will be an easy pass for me, but I can see the appeal of an accurate real world firetruck. I do find it odd that the water effect is in 2 pieces but cannot work with the robot mode nozzle hand. It kind of makes me wonder if there was supposed to be another piece that you could swap out for robot mode that they scrapped for some reason.
Thanks
Could you please release a transformation video bot to alt mode?
The transformation is part of this video, you can use chapters to jump to it
So xtransbots made a fun figure without a nightmare transformation... is this the sign of the apocalypse?
Lol
I'm OK with the ladder, but not that neck-spine armature.
I'll stick with TT
I usally never ever complain
About the back of a figure but
Man that ladder looks terrible.
HUGE pass.
A bot from an earlier age
FT better
This ain’t it fam. Toon accuracy is the way.
Plain and simple there is no versus, Takara has the Superior engineering having the ladder collapse and literally disappear how can you even compare the two.
Takara is smooth and ugly with no surface detailing
Depends on whether you value the clever engineering and toon accuracy over a more realistic alt mode and nicer G1 toy aesthetics.
I think a versus is entirely appropriate.
The only criteria for me personally to do a VS is if they are going after the same character in the same scale. This fits that bill, so here we go 😅. Engineering is only one factor of several that I look at.
big facts, its probably better to compare this vs mmc or maketoys versions
The hidden ladder is a downside for some. They toy had it out and on his back and it was the original. Takara is based on a simplified drawing.