Transformers Masterpiece MP-12 Cybertron Warrior Lambor (Sideswipe)

Takara Tommy released their latest Masterpiece Transformer with the Cybertron Warrior Lambor or, as most of us in the states know him, Sideswipe. Transforming from robot to Lamborghini Countach LP500S, we take a look at the latest high-end toy to see if it meets the standards of the MP line.

Check out hi-res images for this figure in our GALLERY below.






Packaging - The MP-12 comes packaged in the same type of box as the previous MP’s, a fairly generic-looking black box with an image of the toy in both robot and car mode on the front as well as the name of the figure. The box also features the official logo for Lamborghini since this product is based on an actual licensed vehicle. The back of the package features some images of the toy in different modes as well as an image of it with the MP Optimus Prime. The back also contains a bunch of foreign language which I can’t read. Since this is an imported toy, I can’t really knock it for that. Overall, the packaging does its job but I do think it would be much cooler if the packaging resembled the Hasbro G1 packaging and artwork.



Sculpt - The sculpt for this toy in both vehicle and robot mode are near perfect. The vehicle mode looks like an exact replica to the Lamborghini Countach LP500S down to the Lamborghini logo sculpted on the hood of the car and the lines on the body of the car. It would have been cool if the car doors could swing open like an actual Countach. The robot mode is a dead ringer for the G1 Sideswipe including the head sculpt.



The only faults I really can find is that Sideswipe seems a little small scale-wise to me. I know he is supposed to be more in line with the MP-10 Optimus opposed to the larger MP-01, but he still strikes me as a bit small. To me, Sideswipe should be a similar size to Starscream. This Sideswipe is even a bit smaller than the Binaltech counterpart. The size probably wouldn’t bother me as much if the price wasn’t so high. The other thing I might call a fault is that the wheels are plastic instead of rubber.



Paint - The paint on Sideswipe is decent but a little on the dull side. There are no flaws with the paint, but it looks flat. It would have been nice if Takara had used diecast metal for this toy instead of plastic, but at the very least they could have given it a paint job to give it a shiny metallic look. The paint on the face is good and has a nice metallic feel to it.



Articulation - Sideswipe has good articulation and mobility. Knee joints, moveable thumbs and ball joints at the waist give him good possibility. Upward movement of the head is a little limited. Being a smaller MP gives him some advantages over his larger counterparts. When you move him or pose him, he doesn’t have things fall off as easily. He is also easier to transform than the other MP’s.



Accessories - Sideswipe comes with a blaster, shoulder rocket and piledrivers that can be attached to the figure’s wrists. You can purchase some jackhammer style piledrivers separately. The shoulder rocket has a hole in it like a missile is supposed to fit inside it, but there is no missile included.



Fun - Overall, I think Sideswipe is still a fun toy to pose and transform. He isn’t as complex as the other MP’s but to me that is actually a positive. Many of the other MP’s are so complicated to transform that it makes it frustrating to play with. There is also the nostalgia factor for those of us who grew up with the original G1 version. There is a Red Alert coming soon which used the same sculpt as the G1, but I hope we eventually get Sideswipe’s brother Sunstreaker to go along with this one. Sunstreaker was also a Lamborghini but used a different mold than Sideswipe and Red Alert.



Quality Control - No issues to speak of. The transformations are tight, and the pieces fit well together.



Overall - I like Sideswipe though I wish he was a little bigger. To date, this is the smallest MP to be released. Alhough he is cheaper than the previous MP’s, he is still pretty expensive for what you get. Of course being an imported toy, that’s not terribly surprising. If you are a G1 fan and have been collecting MP’s, then you more than likely will want to pick this one up as well.

GRADE: 3 1/2 Out Of 5