When The License Drags The Toy Down |

[@ThatToyGuy]

I don't say Porsche because the car brand is German....there is an e at the end of the name and they pronounce it Porsche.....so I will call it as such because it is proper. Porsch is the more American way of saying it, and I don't live in America so I was taught the German word.

[@brandonjackson9047]

Insisting on a mispronunciation is like me insisting on calling Budweiser by its Canadian pronunciation "Urine Beverage"

[@MaxM210]

Because you mentioned it here, the reason why Porsche, and its parent company Volkswagen are so antsy about their cars being used for "weapons of war" is because they were originally founded as part of Nazi economic programs in the mid to late 1930's and helped produce many of the Nazi's war machines during WW2. It's what "Volkswagen" refers to. It's german for "People's car", the people in this case being the people of Nazi Germany, as part of an effort to promote Nazism to the public. So in the modern day, they're careful about lending out their licensees because the last thing they want is for people to think about their role in war, historically.

[@reyonXIII]

It's why I tell my Japanese ESL students that even though they may have to learn the English names and pronunciations, their pronunciations for non-English words and names are more accurate to the native language, ironically enough. It's why they call pronounce the name of the Parisian tower as it should be, [EF-fel], rather than the "I don't know how to pronounce French names" [AIF-fuhl], and I tell them not to listen to any of us dumb Anglophones that try to "correct" them with the latter.

[@D4rkamusprime]

So basically CAR

[@itsme-notyou]

Porsh is how most Americans say it. But American car enthusiasts all pronounce it correctly as Porsh-uh.

[@lekanraposte6732]

Only Unique Toys will be able to do the character justice.

[@zamoragera13]

Yes a third party will do it better

[@Earthdestroyers99]

Metagate could do it too, their drift and shatter seem well engineered and reviewers say the qc is gud. They excel at movie style triple changers so they could defo nail ROTB Mirage

[@GeoKingNavia]

Hasbro and Takara are able to do it, but they can't do it because the figures are targeted towards children, otherwise it'll be Revenge of the Fallen all over again

[@livingcheese2910]

It's actually kinda sad that we have to rely on 3rd parties for masterpiece movie figures most of the time. Hasbro should produce more too. Especially since studio series figures with all their budget can't completely capture the complex movie designs.

[@Hecker-cu7ng]

toyworld, metagate, magic square, transcraft

[@christophersichler98]

The problem is that the onscreen model is just plain impossible to replicate as a transforming figure with how thin and humanoid the robot mode is.

[@Grindor-FR]

Don't say impossible when Unique Toys and Alien Attack exist.

[@michyoungie]

Exactly, and personally I want the car companies to mandate stuff like these more so the designs be more solid and have more whole chunks of car/vehicle in the future (not just for the toys but extending to the on screen designs). I still love the actual CGI Mirage model that we got, but I would be lying if I didn't wish he had more actual transformation and decipherable parts than the cheaty panel deforming design we got.

[@TACTIK00L]

​@@michyoungieI am not sure on this cuz i heard it awhile ago, but i think the bay films had like some chief of design that worried that the designs were just kibbly enough so accurate toys of them could be made

[@michyoungie]

@@TACTIK00L That's true and certainly helps a lot compared to AOE/TLK/BB/ROTB but I want it a step further, with more solid car parts or chunks that aren't cut or deformed. (granted this is on the car companies to mandate, obviously GM is not fussed about it like Porsche is). 07 Barricade's CGI design has a broken up door which is why the accurate MPM has a break on the white door with the police text. Same with Bumblebee's Camaro chest, it's recognizable but is like 4-6 pieces that are split. ROTB Nightbird just having two halves of the Nissan GTR on her chest for me makes it look better, less busy and the car is more recognizable.

[@xevious1538]

I am sure a masterpiece can find a way for $200 dollars. But yeah, sometimes the way they design movie Transformers makes them way too sleek, too the point where making an official licensed toy on a budget is going to be very difficult.

[@Deinobi]

With all that clear plastic, atleast if he breaks, it will still be accurate!

[@NitroSpidey]

I gotta say, I do really like this figure, but I acknowledge his flaws. The Transformation REALLY takes some getting used to, it’s more complex than most leaders I own lol. Makes him hard to truly recommend. Weirdly enough, he give me more of a WFC/Generations vibe due to the proportions, idk why. Great review as always btw!

[@_Chops_]

Transformation got easier for me when I just cut off the clips on the backpack that connect to the feet

[@zaink7037]

Agree there with the transformation. I'd worry not to scratch the paint when transforming plus the worry of the transparent plastic. Mine also has a paint problem on one of the headlights where it looks like a paint scratch or smudge there plus a little black bit on the fender or wing just before the headlight like exactly shown on the one on video.

[@yoy5903]

I still like this more than the mainline. Sure its not perfect in robot mode but the silver paint makes it look good regarless, and obviously porsche mode is insanely perfect. Thanks for the review

[@cyberextreme86]

I Totally Agree With You Dude I Totally Agree With You and Yeah Robot Mode Isn't Perfect But I Don't Care About and I'm Definitely Getting a Studio Series Version Of Mirage From R.O.T.B and The Rest Of Transformers Studio Series Rise Of The Beasts Toylines Including The Rest Of Transformers Studio Series The Bumblebee Movie Toylines Too.

[@Deutalios818]

All the silver paint is gonna be completely chipped off in 3 weeks.

[@Dookiejiggler]

It blows my mind that your getting a replacement figure just because one tiny part of the shoulder is a different color than the other one

[@KRBrickBot]

6:01 By replacement it means monetary value "replacement" that is a random toy but at least it’s free!

[@Kitzune-kun119]

Wait.. so if u have a random thing that is messed up they’ll give u an entire toy!?

[@ProjectTerra]

studio series Mirage is definitely flawed, but honestly, after sitting with him for a week, he's really grown on me. Car mode is *fantastic*, and the robot mode still looks really good! But yeah, the car kibble is the worst part of the whole deal, dragging down the whole experience, and the transformation definitely is more complicated and demanding compared to other deluxe figures (I'm fine with that myself, but i can definitely see other folks getting a bit more frustrated with it). I'm still really happy with it, but yeah, this definitely feels like it could have been better.

[@cyberextreme86]

Same Here and It is Better Than The Dull Mainline Version.

[@ixadorcraine6736]

The easiest fix this figure could’ve had was if there were ball joints attached the the doors that went into the legs to connect the two parts, easy to remove if small enough and more range plus might help get the clearance for the doors

[@YourBizarreJoe]

Mirage kinda carried the movie tbh

[@MrMajorasmask101]

It really made me appreciate all multiverse versions of him now

[@chasen0436]

that robot design is kinda like AOE/TLK Prime where it is near impossible to translate into toy form since the robot designs have very little car kibble on them

[@Deinobi]

Atleast this guy has wheels and lights and whatnot. All you got with Prime were smokestacks and even those were different from the vehicle mode. Plus the grill things on his pecs

[@A_Calm_K2]

"get some oil pumpin! Damn!" -Mirage

[@TheRedKazer]

I like Mirage but damn that transformation. I actually cracked the back window from trying to get it all fit together

[@makswolanski5549]

One thing i admire about this figure is that they still tried to put the kibble in the correct places for the most part. The wheels on the back, the headlights on the collar- all supposed to be there. This figure is really good concidering all the conditions porsche made them comply to when making it. I really gope we can one day get a more accurate robot mode with maybe a different altmode, maybe they could give us the miscoloured one from the ending scene without the porsche licensig, i would even be down for a garbage truck mirage if it meant having a more accurate robot mode. And i mean, the mainline already does it so Studio Deries could very well do it later down the line too

[@lockout5731]

mirage become a toy mirage be a car MIRAGE big is just a movie still brings me joy

[@EmaRussoUltra]

Did you suffer from a stroke when writing this? Are you still alive after 1 year?

[@Shockwave-ob2tx]

Some of the figures from this line, including this one, seem to be a step back in appearance and transformation from the Bumblebee movie

[@HANDEL_03]

I can definitively say mine did yellow. I remember one of the chest hinges not being this weird orange color when I got it out the box, and when I left it by the heater overnight that’s when it became that brown/orange color

[@owene2530]

The bot mode was always going to be terrible, especially without fauxforming. Hes far too humanoid in the film for it to translate well into a toy. Best car mode I've seen in a long time tho. Heres hoping for a masterpiece model with wicked complex transformation to achieve accurate proportions

[@FennekinTF]

I love Mirage's CGI model from the movie, but I hope for the sequels he look identical to how he did in RotB, but just a little bit bulkier, to match the design aesthetic of Bee, Optimus, Arcee, & others. & I love Mirage's character ofc!

[@TheSilverwolf97]

So much clear plastic, my god...

[@ZeldaGamerLd401]

Jobby would absolutely hate this

[@KRBrickBot]

Car windows are the bane of almost every car Transformer toy.

[@PhelesDragon]

This thing doesnt feel like a labor of love, it just feels like labor

[@Windcharger84]

Actually the articulation is perfect, you have to move a few things around but after that you can put him in any position you want.

[@seankately4411]

This little fella, after 2 hours trying to get him into car, will join SS Hot Rod on the " never to leave car" shelf

[@coffeeinhandproductions3238]

I think my only real hang up getting this guy is the painted clear plastic. A paint job is only as good as it's durability and in this particular case I wouldn't have been opposed to silver plastic with with painted windows. Would make for a better more durable toy without the risk of paint chipping or breakage which you really hate to see. Nice that the wheels are properly pinned on though painted rims would've been nice. Problems aside hasbro did what they could with the bot mode despite the kibble, and for the most part the car looks great.

[@Deinobi]

I feel like they could've made the windows seperate clear plastic inserts that just glue onto his arms. Sort of what they did with Bee. His doors had clear inserts for windows

[@treebotreviews]

We get another movie with mirage in it and I’m sure we will get a better figure like we did with bumblebee. The Volkswagen one has a lot of problems that this same figure has! And they all went away when the Rotb one came out. Great review brother!

[@xevious1538]

He does transform into a Lamborghini and F1 racer briefly in the film. They could make a better robot mode based on those.

[@masterproductions1179]

whoever got prosche even to agree to this should be getting a fat raise

[@devilwithin1738]

i'd just wait for either those 3rd party figures to become more of a reality. those look really good.

[@calebschwartz7048]

They also designed the robot model like it was a halo spartan skin, which is another problem

[@mattloebig6108]

My SS Mirage & Nightberd will forever stay in their cah modes. Cinnamon Toast Crunch is awesome.

[@jkliao6486]

I personally never understand people pointing out the panel lines on the alt mode. Like that's the charm of a transformer, if you don't have panel lines, it's gonna be a shell former, and I don't think many people would like that either. Also, it's still weird to me that a blue and silver porsche is called Mirage rather than Jazz.

[@Grimm196]

Probably was going to be Jazz but they changed it to Mirage because possibly someone didn't want it to be Jazz. Even though Mirage really gives off the smooth coolness of Jazz in the movie. It actually is possible the directors did Mirage so they could use the holograms for the police chase at the start of the movie and the battle between Mirage and Scourge

[@Deinobi]

​@@Grimm196I feel like ROTB Mirage's personality is a tad bit too immature/young for Jazz

[@lesterantenor1026]

Still can't get over about Mirage being a porsche instead of Jazz? move on!!!

[@FennekinTF]

Um, Mirage is ALOT younger/immature compared to Jazz. For some reason ppl just think Jazz is "The Cool & Smooth" (& fun) one, even tho he is, yes, but hes still older & more mature & knows when to be more serious. Mirage is a rebellious teenager in RotB, Jazz was never like that. Tbh, Mirage reminds me more of TFP Smokescreen, than Jazz. Mirage is G1 Mirage but more immature/younger combined with TFP Smokescreen, & ofc, himself too. Jazz could easily be in the next movies as a CRISP white Porsche, NOT silver, with a DEEPER blue stripe that goes ALL the way from the hood to the spoiler, including the roof (without the tapering of the stripe Mirage has), & he can incorporate some red somewhere, maybe 2 thin red stripes bordering the blue stripe. They would look VERY different in bot mode, as well. & Jazz could be Mirage's mentor, maybe. & to add, they could even be different Porsche models, if they (movie creators) want to do that. Also, I actually like Mirage being a Porsche, I got used to it & its cool.

[@FennekinTF]

@@Deinobi One is a rebellious teenager, the other is a fun & cool bot, but knows when to be serious! Jazz & Mirage could EASILY be in the next movies at the same time! Maybe Jazz could be Mirage's mentor!?

[@linzifitzgerald1894]

Intro was sick! Awesome

[@vilmerkrogandersen316]

bro is such a cool reviewer! he doesn't sound like a robot or stuff like that

[@CyberCat617]

I just got him today, and even with the definite flaws it has, I really enjoy this figure. The transformation absolutely takes a lotta getting used to, but I've learned to enjoy it and I'm happy to fill out my ROTB Autobots out with it

[@SkyLynx8888-ut6gq]

Loved the review I’m probably gonna get this for car mode and robot mode because for me I follow a thing and that’s if a figure looks a certain way let it be so it’s doing what it wants to do ( love the intro btw )

[@Jude-72]

I very much like this figure; I was incredibly excited to find it at my local Walmart only for it to crack and split all the way I really need to fix it.

[@SidewaysPrimeYT]

I sanded down 3 tabs on each side of the figure. 1 on the back of each arm on the silver pieces, 1 tab on each of the front wheels that point upwards in robot mode and 1 tab on each side of the legs on the l shaped part. specifically the inside tab which is where the clear back of the car pegs in.

[@Rubber_eater86]

Hay man your one of my favorite KZbinrs keep it up

[@jace-vo2xl]

despite seeming fiddly as all hell, and not a toy i'll be buying due to budget & shelf space, i honestly love the more kibbly look more than the movie/mainline design. i like seeing cohesive car parts on transformers, which his movie design really lacks, and this design sort of reminds me of old rotf/dotm era car-formers. the doors and back kibble also sort of look like a cloak, which doesnt really work with his personality, but do make sense for a guy with a mysterious name like Mirage.

[@Donir100]

0:43 if you want to know why, the reason is that porsche builded and projected tanks for germany in ww2.

[@twistedgaming9185]

The founder was also a Nazi.

[@Soulgain15]

I made my SS Mirage doors kibble removable and it significantly increased it's articulate and I missed transform his leg kibble so that he has a 90 degree bend

[@krishacz]

one of the problems i see with him is that the kibble is not very creatively distributed. He already has a piece of the fender on his shoulders, they could have kept the whole fender there, with the headlight, to make him more accurate and reduce the backpack. i'm sure a lot of the other pieces of kibble could have been placed across the figure more evenly.

[@Hrothmeir]

I find that on a lot of Transformers, especially SS, how an individual arranges the kibble really determines how good a figure looks. I had little interest in this after watching a couple other reviews, but seeing how you did the backpack and calf kibble really warmed me to it. Still won't go out of my way to get it, but will snag it if it ever shows up in stores.

[@benconforzi5696]

At least you weren't wrestling with the transformation. Which is more then what I can say for the Buzzworthy bumble bee Jazz figure.

[@PepsiDeadpool]

ngl i remember a long time ago saying that a dna kit would prolly save it but at this rate they might as well make a whole ass new figure 💀💀💀 at least hopefully they could make lambo mirage or formula 1 car

[@MexicanusPrime-gc6zg]

I really hope they make a masterpiece version for Mirage as well as Nightbird. They already failed us by not providing sweet blow off valve sounds from Nightbird in the movie lol

[@V_Nayrr]

the doors remind me of jolt- jolt has those hip skirts which limit movement, which is annoying.

[@jamesrees920]

Had to buy this even tho i haven't bought a transformer since the first movie back in 07. Its.gorgeous

[@gaminuz0191]

I think it's the people who designed his robot mode who are at fault for it's problems , if it wasn't so human And had more Car kibble then maybe the figure wouldn't have suffered, also Porsche Should grow a pair

[@waffletoast7833]

Please do a kibble fix for this figure. He desperately needs it.

[@mortelpaolo]

The doors can be removed with a screwdriver. With that said, an upgrade kit that would let the doors wrap around the upper leg would be conducive (basically, doors that can fold into 3 sections).

[@edwinsullivan922]

He reminds me a lot of Smokescreen from Transformers Prime.. Who in turn was basically Hot Rod.

[@TorchicNidoran1994]

I love the Porsche 911 and Mirage so no matter how finicky it is to transform I'm going to be getting him. Maybe I can customize him a bit to fix those issues he has

[@xolotelx]

WHY IS THE INTRO SO GOOOOD

[@towzone]

My dollar$ say “no”, which used to rarely happen.

[@HardHeadtfreviews2008]

I here that in Japan he’s called Pete Davidson robo

[@Kyleriley5000]

Unique toys Megatron is so clean you couldn't even tell it's transform

[@randomchannel3638]

They didn’t want to be associated with war machines…

[@Silvercubestudios]

Guess they just wanted to let the past die

[@deang5386]

I started out collecting Alternators back in 2005. This Mirage feels like a shruken down Alternator. I bought two, to have one for each mode.

[@SkywardEmerald]

mirages design in rotb doesn’t lend itself well for toys and that’s my biggest problem with it and i really hope unique toys or some other third party company can make a really good mirage figure

[@cecihoney]

My main issue with car mode and I saw nobody commenting on that is how the lower line of the roof doesn´t follow the lower line of the back window roof, like it is raised or needs more material to stay flush with the side windows making the roof feel square instead of curvy...

[@slickmanfonzthatanti-troll]

This figure makes me wish Mirage in the movie wasn't too humanoid, & looking almost like he had an AOE Prime thing going-

[@thegotlandisfarmer8774]

Ferrari and Porsche: don have the logo broken up by the transformation Lamborghini: make it look cool the logo it’s just a logo

[@hostiledodo1150]

I tried the trick with the headlights behind the head and while it looks a lot better than the out-of-the-box transformation, trying to undo it scares me so it's not a trick for the faint of heart lol. Also thanks for the tip on the hip doors!

[@ChicoSinCriterio1999]

I just want to say that right now I'm bleeding to death xd

[@thatmazdaguy5612]

Good

[@evanmeirweber]

i'd be willing to get this if they gave the figure wings using the backpack or doors

[@trubluhue9969]

This figure is far from perfect, but it does satisfy my itch for a mirage figure well enough. Hopefully they’ll revisit this guy someday

[@killianadams4779]

I would've head lights sculpted headlights into the shoulders like in the movie, fold the wheels onto the back making for a better robot mode. And the leg transformation from the mainline but w/ better articulation and clean up some other things on the back.

[@SpankerSauce]

I feel like if they wanted to make a screen accurate mirage in the deluxe scale, they would have to use partsforming. maybe the extra kibble could form a weapon or armor but I doubt they would do that for studio series

[@Zenith-zb8op]

I don’t know but the song you used for the intro really reminded me of the drop from one of the official geometry dash levels

[@Insect3]

literally the definition of a shellformer

[@FennekinTF]

I don't have this guy, but I think hes definitely pretty good! He doesn't look too bad! But, the license definitely drags him down. I really hope we can get a Studio Series V2 (Version 2) for Mirage, either from RotB or the sequels, cuz hes obviously a mainstay! Maybe a figure without the Porsche License would work? Maybe Garage/Clunker Mirage!? Or Garbage Truck, F1, or Lambo!? & I really hope Mirage AND Bee can be main characters for the next movies, cuz Bee wouldn't partially die again (I say partially cuz other characters fully died, like they can never come back), & they're both now fan fav characters, so it would be awesome to see them both as mains in the next movies!

[@Darkus_Da_Arcadian-Dragon]

I just got this guy in the mail and honestly I don’t think the pictures do him justice. But, I honestly don’t mind the doors and stuff in the back I’m one or those collectors that’s looking for actual effort put into the toy and as long as it can stand on a shelf. I do wish the feet were better if anything I feel like the lower part is what’s wrong with the figure everything else is fine also I wish the rims on the tires were painted but I’m sure I can paint those myself 🤔

[@MexicanusPrime-gc6zg]

Hasbro can never seem to nail transformers with popular car alt modes. They always seem to leave the entire hood and roof of the car on their backs….

[@tonk5711]

>Porshe dont want to br associate with war machines >Tiger

[@JMMF698]

Idk why they made mirage so sleek and compact in the movie, thats some AOE, TLK shit The toys can never capture those looks that well

[@krimsonklaww611]

Wish the windows were solid black, it would have fixed that problem, and I just don't like when the inside of the alt mode is visible because of see thru plastic.

[@Cdr2002]

The insistence on clear plastic still baffles me. I don’t understand the assertion that using a more durable material makes the toy look cheaper

[@Vavalry]

The transformation is one that should be simple but somehow ends up being more complex than some Mps

[@connot145]

The brown shoulder could be accurate to his appearance to the end of the movie

[@MaxwellWurme]

I think it’s pretty good considering how challenging it would be to convert the design to a functioning toy

[@12oz-MAN]

I could see this figure customized into a Generations Drift

[@fisitron6018]

What i find ironic for me is that when i got him out in the wild, i was intending to just keep him in alt mode. I was already writing off his robot mode. But after having him in hand and messing more and more with it, i actually started to have it grow on me, and recently i cant seem to put him down. Yeah he has flaws and the transformation isn't the most fun thing in the world, but i've grown to like him more than i first expected

[@bustedsim]

As a Mirage fan, I'm left wondering why this isn't just Jazz? Like the characters aren't that lacking in depth and personality that they're interchangable.

[@OreWaGundam00]

When they first released the trailer I knew the mirage robot mode ain't gonna be accurate. There's literally no car parts showing in his robot mode

[@warmachinemkx2308]

I dunno why but he feels like an SS nightbird retool

[@studiotk4]

Ah. A Mirage who's alt mode is Jazz...

[@mecha53107]

Im hoping they do a F1 Mirage or that one dude on Twitter decides to mass produce his version.

[@trollsome]

11:42 Is that just a custom wheeljack?

[@JohnWilliams-wl9px]

It’s the mainline figure with the toyhax labels

[@cesarjuarez931]

No way he thinks mirage is better than hot rod

[@AJOlaks]

My Mirage seems to have a loose left elbow, so it seems that his left arm in general is wonky

[@TheThundermation]

Things I don't understand is that why they didn't painted the rims? Like, they did painted the rims on Dotm SS Soundwave.

[@ronaldpaterni5081]

ThatToyGuy, I respect your opinion of figures, which always takes into account budget, size, and complexity of the robot/alt-mode. Therefore, my great enthusiasm for this figure…is now greatly tempered. Now, my enthusiasm would be back if I were a frequenter in the 3rd party market. Unfortunately, I’ve only bought a few figures on the low end. Just staying within my means… However, I had the thought, what about the 3rd party upgrade makers? Could they create fixes? If so, I will get this figure. Thanks very much!

[@NightmareZerogbs]

I hope they do like they did with Jeep Bumblebee and take that second chance to give us a much more accurate Mirage using the F1 car which is also MUCH slimmer than the Porsche, so it would be easier to get the robot proportions right.

[@gialanamoon5094]

Here’s hoping there’s an MP ROTB Mirage down the line somewhere that does the figure better justice.

[@E15E5]

Its actually not that bad after you accidentally break the rear glass, AND fully cut the 2 tabs that wont let go the legs from the rear roof... Pretty damn good afterwards

[@TheSonicfan91]

They did my boy dirty 😭

[@exc911ence_channel]

The Super GoBots BARON VON JOY is still a more accurate Porsche in car-mode.

[@carl5025]

Ok I have a theory here, what if they make the garbage truck one and pack it as like a leader or a voyager but the truck parts forms or shell forms and we get a very accurate mirage and the rest can be say the computer station for the trans warp key (sure it might be difficult and weird for that computer but this way we can display the key in that and have a neat display of the key isn’t displayed in some transformers hands

[@Ravenfellblade]

I get why you don't recommend him, but I want him. He definitely does look very "Revenge Of The Fallen" levels of panel lines and kibble, but there's plenty to like in there. I adore that car mode, even with the egregious panel lines, and I really dig several bits of the transformation, especially the chest.

[@ThatToyGuy]

It def does feel like a 2009-2011 styled toy and I like that aspect of it. By modern standards it's not the greatest but as someone who also likes that era I like it for that

[@Ravenfellblade]

​@ThatToyGuy So I did end up getting him back around Christmas. I don't regret getting him, but this is definitely one of those rare figures where I prefer to display him in alt mode. The car is amazing. The robot is ok. Not terrible, just ok. I really do love they compression in the chest transformation, it's one of my favorite transformation gimmicks in recent history, and is the main reason mine ever gets transformed. It's a satisfying bit of engineering.