Fans Toys FT-56 Variator (Masterpiece Scale Gears) Gray Prototype

that's the balance, trying to get the screen bot mode and the real life alt mode. and for me throw in a bit of the toy deco as far as the decals and such. I would like to see one of them take a crack at making the Firebird have fender flares and the wide tires, lol.

I'll be honest, the chibi alt modes is my favorite part to the new minibots, so if they come out with that I'd be extremely happy

Zentropy

I like XTB Boost and Hatch, but agree that the leg transformation is cumbersome. I don't expect XTB will design a second version, and Fanstoys would ruin the alt mode by making it look like a preschooler's toy. Takara might do a respectable job with it, depending on their direction. I think a design from the MP Skids philosophy would be nice, but they're more likely to go the MP-45 route, which I have no desire to see at all.

yea, I don't know if I could handle all the little panels that would be needed to make the bot mode screen accurate.
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DrunkSkunk

Is it just me or does his face look really odd in 3d sticking out like it does? To me he should have a flat face that blends in with the other parts of his spherical head. Almost Jugggernaut sphere-like in appearance.

I think it's his forehead/brow. It sticks out way too much and makes him look like a caveman. I spent a while looking at it when it was first shown off and I think that's the issue with the face. If they just pulled that in a bit, it'd look much better.

While I wouldn't call XTB Windcharger a bad figure (I mean, that robot mode is so fuckin screen accurate, especially for the time), but that transformation makes me excited for a new one, like a 2.0 from XTB, or one from Fans Toys, or (hopefully) Takara :>

Optimus Prime23

Funny thing is, this exact same thing happens in Takara and XTB threads.

It's the world we live in. Everyone needs a polar-opposite position, and to be argumentative about it. It's tiresome really, but there we go…

Ultimate access

Tazman66gt

silver might be a touch too light, steel might be a little better choice.

Agreed, anything but/ white grey.

CigarJackal

I want metallic (silver) arms instead of the off white ones, which I find to be off putting.

Oh, I agree completely— that’s one of my pet peeves with FT designs. Ideally I would want chrome, but metal-flake silver is acceptable. White may have been an easy way to represent chrome in the old cartoon, but when translated back into a modern figure, it shouldn’t remain white. That makes figures look cheap, in my opinion.

crdavismusic

I agree, it's not an easy decision to replace Grump. He as the status quo is quite good, especially for a character that, as many have noted, isn't exactly spectacular, memorable, or has a cool alt mode. I like Gears but that's a tough call.

In the end, I preordered Variator despite having and liking Grump… My reasoning is that I'll have FT Rig, Hunk, Parkour, and most likely their Bee and/or Windcharger should it come out. Having BadCube Grump in that lineup just doesn't feel right.

If it was a more equal balance of companies it would be fine; as of now I have Takara Bee and XTB Boost, so the blend is welcome, but if Fans Toys ends up putting out all the minibots I'm going to want a complete set. That's my reasoning anyway. The fact that the paint and sculpt will be more noteworthy on Variator is another bonus.

If these were huge big expensive characters like seekers, I might not be up for swapping in and out, but for a minibot or two it's worth it.

EDIT – XTB Boost is a very easy decision. If Fans Toys came out with a Windcharger ("magnet"? Who knows what they'll call him), I will be taking Boost and throwing it out the window.

Huff was a tough decision to replace with Rig. Both look really good, but Rig has several points where the improvements are big enough to make replacement a doable option. Grump is tougher, because from the head to the ankles, he’s great. From the ankles down, it’s nasty.

Xtb Boost, however, will be the easiest to upgrade. Nasty proportions, ridiculously over complex transformation. Even when it first came out, I knew it was going to merely be a placeholder until an inevitable better figure comes out.

Zentropy

I love stuff like this. Thanks for sharing the link!

You're welcome, enjoy!