Transforming Model Kits: Why not?

[KingSwoop]

I don't see Hasbro rushing to push Zoids onto Western toy shelves, do you?

Hasbro's been making some iffy decisions of late. What I am saying, though, is that TakaraTomy is in a good position to do this if they want, and I'd love for Hasbro to do it.

If Hasbro would like to continue to not produce toys and license their stuff out to other manufacturers... that's on them. All I can say is what I'd buy, not what Hasbro thinks is the best way to drive their IP into the ground.

 

[CoffeeHorse]

When Zoids were briefly a thing here I saw them in Walgreens and nowhere else. I don't know if other retailers gave them a chance and I missed it, or if retailers just never gave them a chance at all.

 

[LBD "Nytetrayn"]

Haven't Zoids come and gone several times over the years?

 

[Donocropolis]

Maybe the real Zoids were the friends we made along the way

 

[The Mighty Mollusk]

Zoids have been released in the US at least four times now that I can remember. The early aughts run, with the anime airing on Toonami, was the longest lasting, but the last one with Zoids Wild barely even made it to stores at all. I only ever saw them at a comics shop at markup.

 

[unluckiness]

Zoids are basically statues once fully assembled. A few moving parts within very strict ranges of motion doesn't really compare to the rigors of the usual transformers transformation.

Hell, some model kits can barely stand up to handling.

 

[KingSwoop]

When Zoids were briefly a thing here I saw them in Walgreens and nowhere else. I don't know if other retailers gave them a chance and I missed it, or if retailers just never gave them a chance at all.

I only saw Zoids Wild on clearance @ Ross and bit on the whole set, why not?

But when CN was running Zoids and Hasbro was releasing them alongside the 2.5 anime they dubbed for it (including half a season of the craptacular, other studio to cut money, Zoids fuzors) Zoids were right alongside Transformers and had about the same shelf space as contemporary transformers. A different time, for sure, but they did do a big push way back. I didn't bite back then... only so much you can collect at a time... but I sure wish I'd had scooped up quite a few on clearance.

Zoids are basically statues once fully assembled. A few moving parts within very strict ranges of motion doesn't really compare to the rigors of the usual transformers transformation.

Hell, some model kits can barely stand up to handling.

Perhaps Stikfas or Construct-A-Bots are a better example for you; although let's be fair Blockees & assorted smaller model kits have sufficient poseability for our purposes.

Effectively what I'm asking for a Construct-a-Bot that isn't designed to be disassembled or mixed + matched (across molds), with plastic quality on par with Zoids.

The only thing difference is that I'm asking for a near 1:1 adaptation of the Classics seeker design, which might fall short of today's ankle-tilt utopia, but have only a few joints that you'd even have to worry about (maybe something with the nosecone transformation would need to come preassembled and screwed?

 

[LordGigaIce]

I'm asking for a near 1:1 adaptation of the Classics seeker design, which might fall short of today's ankle-tilt utopia, but have only a few joints that you'd even have to worry about (maybe something with the nosecone transformation would need to come preassembled and screwed?

Ok but... why? For the novelty of saying you have a transforming model kit? What does that provide at the end of the day that Hasbro's other offerings don't? The joy of assembling a model kit?
By your own admission your central project of this idea is something that can mostly be assembled via ball joints. Go pop limbs off some figures if putting them back together is what you really want.

'cause the type of model kits model kit enthusiasts like can't transform like Transformers transform.

So either you get a rickety model kit that can barely function as a Transformer or you get basically a Deluxe with ball jointed limbs you assemble yourself.

Again, what's the point here?

I think we all agree with you that more customization options via extra heads, body pieces, and weapons/accessories would be welcome, but actual model kits? No, thank you.

 

[unluckiness]

Gundam Tryon is a humanoid robot that splits into three animals. Despite being towards the higher end of complexity/price and its components barely transforming at all, its model kit is notoriously fiddly to assemble, partsformy and flimsy. They had to go to the more expensive, preassembled Soul of Chogokin line to get it done with any degree of success. I think there’s a reason for that and that reason is every single review of the HG kit. If what is basically fancy Lego suffers from these problems, integrated “perfect transformation” would be a nightmare.

 

[The Mighty Mollusk]

Fun drinking game: look up a few video reviews of the Real-Grade Zeta Gundam and take a shot every time parts fall off just from handling it, never mind actually transforming it. Take two for every time it's called a hand grenade or something similar.

 

[LordGigaIce]

I do think those candy toy model kits from Japan are fun. I have a friend who got into them as a space-conscious way to collect Sentai/Power Rangers mecha, and they seemed like fun sets. I know Transformers had a few of those modelled after G1 moulds, and that might be a fun thing to do now as a side line.

But even then we're talking very basic kits based on very basic designs and transformations.

And it's Hasbro so we know the stickers would be G-d awful.

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Why did no one tell me about the existence of Gundam Tryon? It looks like something out of Eldran. It's beautiful.

I don't care if it's fiddly. I'm buying this thing.

 

[The Mighty Mollusk]

Why did no one tell me about the existence of Gundam Tryon? It looks like something out of Eldran. It's beautiful.

I don't care if it's fiddly. I'm buying this thing.

Have some model cement ready and be prepared to tighten up some joints. It's not a great kit.

There's also a black and gold version with a new head called the Dryon-3, but that one was a Premium Bandai exclusive, so that'll be harder to find. And will need either a lot of stickers or a lot of paint, because they just didn't bother with a lot of the gold parts.

 

[CoffeeHorse]

How bad could it be?

 

[unluckiness]

I’d say that it is a wretched waste of plastic and money that spits on the very concept of transforming toys but knowing you, that would only make you want it more.

 

[The Mighty Mollusk]

How bad could it be?

Have fun.

 

[unluckiness]

This guy actually went fairly easy on it. Various feedback posts across the internet were nowhere near as kind.

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Maybe people are just doing it wrong.

 

[Exatron]

Maybe people are just doing it wrong.

Anger comes next, yes? Followed by offers to anyone who can help improve it?

I tend to fly through stages 1 and 3 myself. 2 and 4 are my sticking points. I still haven't moved on from realizing the Choco Hot Rod kit I bought was defective and unbuildable. I can't even remember how many years ago that was.

 

[The Mighty Mollusk]

MechaGaikotsu is generally very positive in tone, even with kits that aren't all that good. If you want to see him mad, look up his review of the White Glint kit from Armored Core For Answer. Not gonna link it due to cluster F-bombs and comparing the plastic quality to frozen whale semen.