COUNTDOWN: 10 3PMP updates from TFCon

Another TFCon has come and gone, and as usual, the third-party panel clearly did not disappoint!

The presentation has become a staple part of the event, and with the slides and information later released online, those of us who couldn’t physically attend can join in the excitement, too. As always, there’s plenty to talk about, although, for today’s list, we’re limiting it purely to the Masterpiece-styled stuff on show and choosing ten examples that have been handily ranked in terms of anticipation, natch.

#10: Unique Toys Skids & Mudflap

Perhaps it was inevitable that some enterprising third-party outfit or other would eventually see fit to tackle this much-derided duo from 2009’s Revenge of the Fallen, and given that, it’s no surprise Unique Toys got their first. After all, they’ve carved out a relative niche of bringing the live-action movieverse characters to life in faithful yet surprisingly straightforward form, summoning engineering witchcraft on more than a few occasions in how they realise the complexities of the designs in a manner that rarely feels offputting. The big question in this instance is… WHY? Don’t get me wrong – every area of Transformers has its fans, and no doubt there will be some who are happy to see Skids and Mudflap finally made real in 3PMP style. Sadly, the rest of us will likely remain a little bemused as to why these racially insensitive monstrosities got the pick before the extensive roster of alternative candidates. Still, for better or worse, they look very screen-accurate. 

#9: Star Toys Tracks

OK, who had money on a new unofficial take on Tracks in Masterpiece style? Anyone? Certainly not me. Yet we seem to have ticked off so many potential G1 names by this point that we’re now circling back to characters who have already undergone the official TakaraTomy treatment (more on that in a moment), so perhaps it shouldn’t be a great shock, either. For what it’s worth, this has some strengths, and no doubt captures the essence of Tracks’ cartoon vibe. That said, it will be a tough sell for it to usurp MP-25 in my book.

#8: X-Transbots Ron & Ratliff

Yes, like Tracks above, we’ve known for a little while now that X-Transbots had a stab at Ironhide in the works, and here they are showing off what looks to be a close-to-completion look at the figure. No one should be shocked to see a Ratchet tease following swiftly on its heels, although again, how much such a thing is required for your collection will depend largely on your opinions of MP-27 and MP-30. For my part, I certainly didn’t feel a new attempt was *needed*, but these do look like they have merit and will no doubt draw interest from some quarters.

#7: X-Transbots Van Guard

We’ve been eagerly anticipating updates on X-Transbots’ ongoing Protectobot roster for some time now (with the initial team member having dropped just a little shy of three years ago…). We’ve seen various teases along the way, but here we have more of a concrete look at what we can expect from team leader Hot Spot and no doubt it fits the bill pretty well! The design for this one looks excellent overall, yet I can’t help but feel a pang of hesitation, given the first two releases in this roster failed to set the world on fire (to varying degrees, admittedly). Let’s see how it pans out.

NOTE: Turns out this was the Legends scale release and not the Masterpiece scale version! Still fun to see.

#6: Fans Hobby Wingman

I love everything about this. The character choice (it’s a favourite era of Transformers), the mould use, the retooling, the colours… it’s just sublime from top to bottom. My only reason for not ranking it higher is I’ll sadly never own it. It’s fab these Euro G1 ‘bots are getting their time to shine, but their being con exclusives puts them slightly out of reach. Still, it’s great to see!

#5: Ocualr Max Shiftlane

Now, this wasn’t entirely unexpected, but it’s still incredible to witness! Yes, it appears Ocular Max is taking their celebrated Bruticus design and overhauling it as Robots in Disguise 2001 Ruination! Considering what short shrift this series generally gets in the weird world of third party (despite a high-end Haslab project currently showing how much interest there is in it!), this is a delight indeed. Do I *need* a third set of the team? No. Am I intrigued? Yes.

#4: FansToys Warhorse & Doc

Take everything I said above about a new attempt at Ironhide and Ratchet feeling a little superfluous and throw it in the bin. Seriously. All it took was one glimpse of the FansToys designs for these characters, and I was immediately convinced they could be something I might want in my collection before too long. Yes, the official Masterpiece toys are pretty fab, by my estimation, but there’s no doubt an allure here that is hard to deny. I will be watching with interest.

#3: Ocular Max Destructor

Again, this is a project we’ve seen various updates on already, but here’s Ocular Max’s rather spectacular take at Devastator, fully revealed in all its glory! True, this is seemingly an unfinished render, but still, it gives us a great idea of the journey we’re about to go on with this set, and given what a smash they made of their Combaticons, I can’t wait. Sign me up already.

#2: FansToys Wright

That I’ve notched this higher than the Ocular Max attempt is highly misrepresentative of the actual smidgen of difference in excitement I feel for both projects. Still, I have to acknowledge that the super glossy finished product shots got me on this occasion and nudged FansToys’ effort just that little out in front. After all, those colours! However, I hope FT keeps up the pace here, given we’ve been waiting to finish off the Stunticons since (checks notes) half a decade ago.

#1: FansToys Margh

Oh, hi, Margh! Sorry, someone had to. Anyway, after multiple attempts at a Masterpiece Ultra Magnus (including one of my favourite official releases of the entire line, no less), here comes FansToys again, albeit with something very different on this occasion! Yes, they’ve only gone and brought us a ‘white Prime’ inner robot encased in a removable trailer armour, haven’t they? Not that you’d know it from the sublime look of the full humanoid mode or the stunning vehicle form, mind!

As if that wasn’t enough, they also dropped an initial first look at said inner robot in the more expected red and blues, meaning FansToys Optimus Prime is definitely on the way! That’s sure to keep some folks happy.

So that’s our list! Are you excited about the reveals?

TTFN