Toybox & Games Room

The Master Piece line of toys (known by various names in the US including 20th Anniversary, 20th Anniversary DVD edition & Masterpiece) feature classic characters from the early cartoon/comic book series of the Transformers. Although the first two and fourth releases of the series aren’t as vehicle accurate as the Binaltechs, they are in fact scaled correctly to be able to carry such Alternators within their trailers, unlike the Alternators/Binaltechs, they are extremely ’show’ accurate mimicking many details featured on the original cartoon series which had never been used on other earlier versions of those characters.

Unfortunately later molds that were released dropped the show accuracy in favor of the Binaltech/Aternator Alternate mode scaled accuracy, whilst this can’t be said to be a bad thing, since most collectors were mourning the shelving of those two series, the lengths gone to by the designers has detrimentally effected the original theme of the series (to be as cartoon/comic accurate as possible), hopefully this will change with the announcement of Master Piece Grimlock.

2003

MP-01 - Convoy & Megatron (Enhanced Gun mode only)

Full Height Smokestacks; Matrix; Light-Up Matrix Annex; Energon Axe; Ion Blaster (Grey); Working Suspension; Cardboard Trailer; Immaculate Cartoon Accurate Paint Work

2004

Lucky Draw Electrum Convoy & Electrum Megatron (Enhanced Gun mode only) (Chrome Gold Electroplated)

Full Height Smokestacks; Matrix; Light-Up Matrix Annex; Energon Axe; Ion Blaster (Chrome Gold); Working Suspension; Cardboard Trailer; Immaculate Cartoon Accurate Paint Work ‘Golden Lagoon’

20th Anniversary Optimus Prime & Megatron (Enhanced Gun mode only) - Short Release

Shortened Smokestacks; Matrix; Light-Up Matrix Annex; Energon Axe; Ion Blaster (Grey); Working Suspension; Cardboard Combat Deck; Battle Damaged Cartoon Accurate Paint Work

20th Anniversary Optimus Prime & Megatron (Enhanced Gun mode only) - Full Release

Shortened Smokestacks; Matrix; Light-Up Matrix Annex; Energon Axe; Ion Blaster (Black); Working Suspension; Cardboard Combat Deck; Battle Damaged Cartoon Accurate Paint Work

20th Anniversary ‘Poster’ Optimus Prime & Megatron (Enhanced Gun mode only) - Short Release

Shortened Smokestacks; Matrix; Light-Up Matrix Annex; Energon Axe; Ion Blaster (Black); Working Suspension; Cardboard Combat Deck; Battle Damaged Cartoon Accurate Paint Work; Pat Lee ‘Optimus Prime’ Poster

MP-02 ‘Ultra‘ Magnus & Black Megatron (Enhanced Gun mode only)

Full Height Smokestacks; Matrix; Light-Up Matrix Annex; Energon Axe; Ion Blaster (Grey); Working Suspension; Cardboard Trailer; Immaculate Cartoon Accurate Paint Work

MP-02 ‘Ultra‘ Magnus & Black Megatron (Enhanced Gun mode only) (Target Australasia Release)

Full Height Smokestacks; Matrix; Light-Up Matrix Annex; Energon Axe; Ion Blaster (Grey); Working Suspension; Cardboard Trailer; Immaculate Cartoon Accurate Paint Work; New safety instructions on box back

2005

MP-03 Starscream & Doctor Archaeville

Vehicle Accurate Paint Work; White & Green/Grey Dr. A; Vehicle Mode Scale Accurate; ‘Breast’ mounted shell launchers; 4 Air-to-Air Missiles on 2 Launch Racks; 2 Null-Ray Guns; Clear Display Prop; Display Dais; Gun Clip (For Megatron - Enhanced Gun Mode only from Convoy or Magnus)

MP-04 Perfect Convoy with Combat Trailer (with Arm-Radar) & Megatron (Enhanced Gun mode only)

Full Height Smokestacks; Matrix; Light-Up Matrix Annex; Energon Axe; Ion Blaster (Grey); Working Suspension; Immaculate Cartoon Accurate Paint Work

2006

(Classics) 20th Anniversary DVD Edition Optimus Prime with Electronic Dais & Megatron (Enhanced Gun mode only)

Shortened Smokestacks; Matrix; Light-Up Matrix Annex; Energon Axe; Ion Blaster (Black); Working Suspension; Cardboard Combat Deck; ‘Movie’ Animé Style Paint Work; Dais plays phrases from the Animated Movie (voiced by unknown actor - not Peter Cullen)

MP-05 Megatron & Kremzeek

Immaculate Gun Accurate Paint Work; Walther P-38 Hand Gun Mode Scale Accurate; Sight/Fusion Cannon; Laser Pistol & Laser Dagger (Featured in the Animated Transformers Movie);Sculpted Energon Flail (Chained Mace as featured in the original cartoon series)

2007

(Classics) Master Piece Starscream & Doctor Archaeville

Immaculate Cartoon Accurate Paint Work; White/Grey & Pink Dr. A; Vehicle Mode Scale Accurate; ‘Breast’ mounted shell launchers; 4 Air-to-Air Missiles on 2 Launch Racks; 2 Null-Ray Guns; Clear Display Prop; Display Dais; Gun Clip (For Megatron - Enhanced Gun Mode only from Convoy or Magnus)

MP-06 Skywarp & Doctor Archaeville

Immaculate Cartoon Accurate Paint Work; White & Black Dr. A; Vehicle Mode Scale Accurate; ‘Breast’ mounted shell launchers; 4 Air-to-Air Missiles on 2 Launch Racks; 2 Null-Ray Guns; Clear Display Prop; Display Dais; Gun Clip (For Megatron - Enhanced Gun Mode only from Convoy or Magnus)

2008

MP-07/8 Thundercracker & Doctor Archaeville (Unannounced & unreleased at this time)

Immaculate Cartoon Accurate Paint Work; White & Blue Dr. A; Vehicle Mode Scale Accurate; ‘Breast’ mounted shell launchers; 4 Air-to-Air Missiles on 2 Launch Racks; 2 Null-Ray Guns; Clear Display Prop; Display Dais; Gun Clip (For Megatron - Enhanced Gun Mode only from Convoy or Magnus)

MP-07/8 Grimlock (Announced, but unreleased at this time)

Cartoon Accurate Tyrannosaurus Rex & Robot Mode; Immaculate Cartoon Accurate Paint Work; Energo-Sword; ??’Tiran LaMenace’ (Pretender Shell Figure); Anti-Aircraft Tank (Actionmaster Weapon); Swoop (Energon/Dinobot Partner); Intelligence Upload Helmet (’Grimlock’s New Brain’ TV Episode)??

Fans of the series were disappointed when design sketches of Starscream revealed that a Crown and possibly shoulder Pads and Cape (as worn by Starscream during his coronation in the Animated Movie) were designed but later dropped from the final toy. MP-03 has since had an unlicensed set of accessories released to correct this omission.  They were further disappointed when the release of Starscream had the Tail Fins & Rudders on hip mounted armatures instead of being attached to his ankles, it was also a little unfortunate about the design of his feet which make him look like he’s wearing high-healed shoes.

There was similar disapointment with MP-01 Convoy/Optimus Prime not coming with his Combat Trailer or Roller, MP-04 partially rectified this with the Trailer being included, but Roller is still absent despite rumors of one being designed that was able to transform into a robot mode resembling ‘War Within’ Orion Pax. When MP-01 was released an unlicensed Trailer was issued to go with it, this was disappointing since it couldn’t open up into Combat Deck.

MP-05 is so far a Japan only release, and as such it wasn’t surprising that it didn’t come with it’s silencer or shoulder stock (the original releases on Megatron in Japan lacked these as well), but it was appreciated when an unlicensed set of these complete with shells and a launcher was issued in 2007.

As it currently stands Takara is issuing (at least) one recolour (on one occasion a reissue with a new component) and one new mold each year, lets hope this trend continues…