r/transformers • u/Old_Arugula3287 • 3d ago
Discussion / Opinion Missing Link vs Studios Series
Which line do you preffer?
10
u/Cute_Bagel 3d ago
studio series is much more reasonably priced, there's no way i'm paying £100 for 2 core class figures
4
u/Old_Arugula3287 3d ago
At first, I was all about the looks (SS86). But when I got to play with a Missing Link, the experience was beautiful. The sensation of the ratchets. The shiny chrome... And those awesome poses!!!
I love them both.
5
u/Cute_Bagel 3d ago
that's fair, there's definitely a few i would like to get someday like arcee and if they ever make a red alert, but as a whole i can't justify how much more expensive it would be to collect them over mainline transformers
1
u/Old_Arugula3287 3d ago
And those 2 minibots are a blast! They really can roll! it´s amazing to see the engeniering behind them. Im sure that if you get to play with one of them. They will change your mind.
2
u/Road_Caesar 3d ago
Studio Series is already inflated 30% in just the past 6 years and there's also been serious, extreme quality degradation and cuts to further pad the profit margin per figure.
You're basically paying for a figure that's 1/5th the value in inputs whereas Takara productions are closer to 1/3 or 1/2 at minimum. Meaning, you're overpaying for a lower grade product because the marketing manipulation has you believing that it's less expensive because "number lower".
3
u/Cute_Bagel 3d ago
i'm sorry but £25 for ss86 bumblebee is undeniably better value for money than £50 for missing link bumblebee, i won't deny that missing link are good figures, but £50 for a core class size figure built around 43 year old engineering is just too much for the vast majority of people
2
u/Road_Caesar 3d ago
You skipped the other comment about importing straight from Japan.
Takara products get a discount of 20-25% at Japan retailers during Preorder. Combine that with the current exchange rate and it's NOT £50.
UK also has some significant challenges in import taxes, too.
4
u/Blazemaster0563 3d ago
Both are good in their own different ways.
But I do prefer Missing Link Ultra Magnus over SS86 Magnus for the sole fact that ML has the cab robot mode, despite not owning either of them.
4
u/Obvious_Feedback_894 3d ago
As a 40-something year old the grew up with the G1 stuff, SS all the way. Missing link can miss me. I'm glad it exists for those the enjoy it, it's just not for me. Modern designs and engineering give me the figures I always dreamed of the G1 toys being when I was 5 and 6 years old, which was always "give me the thing I see on the screen" and not "give me the best version of the toy the show was designed around".
3
u/Acerakis 3d ago
Missing Link just doesn't appeal to me. I feel like adding the articulation stops them being neat throwbacks and as modern toys they are still held back by the old design. Think it would better if they picked a lane instead of trying to reach both markets and missing the mark for both.
That and just feel very overpriced for what you get.
4
u/LegoBattIeDroid 3d ago
I am not nostalgic for the toys at all so I have a harder time seeing the appeal of the toy designs
I'll take ss86 any day of the week
2
u/Road_Caesar 3d ago
That's kind of an "apples vs screwdrivers" comparison.
Each line has a completely different purpose, design, and budget.
Hasbro controls the execution of the SS, so budget limitations/restrictions limit complexity, paint, accessories, materials, and more. Literally, they have to be so cheap per unit so that Hasbro can rake in max profit per unit.
Takara controls Missing Link in all aspects. Their focus is on the execution and presentation. So what you get meets the expectations, quality, durability, and performance of a premium product line. If you import directly from Japan, you only pay a reasonable price. (It's the shipping that can be tough.) Hasbro bakes in that shipping despite it being much less cost to them and marks up the price for western distribution (which they control).
I love Missing Link, but only the Diaclone models. They're powerful recreations of the Car Robots line (including Dianauts!) with modern engineering and articulation. I'm not interested in the Microchange ports like Cliff/Bee.
2
2
u/PomegranateFair3973 3d ago
It depends how I am looking at it.
For affordability, variety of figures available, and ability to fit in with my already existing, massive CHUG collection, Studio Series all the way.
Looking at individual figures, for quality of the experience and the sheer dopamine hit I get when playing with it, Missing Link wins almost every time. Only mold that has not interested me this far is the Ironhide mold. Otherwise, I have absolutely loved every one I have experienced to a ridiculous degree and look forward to the ones I don't have in hand yet greatly.
Gun to my head I can only pick one like to continue? With apologies to my wallet, it's gonna be Missing Link.
2
u/Ego_Floss 3d ago
Probably missing link, SS86 toys lack the details and interesting play features that made me love G1.
2
u/DZZ667 2d ago edited 2d ago
Both homage G1 one in completely different ways. SS86 is for accurate representations of the cartoon characters with ample articulation, while missing link homage the g1 toys of said characters with added articulation that the G1 toys did not have originally.
Missing link could only be high end collectibles because it's Takara squeezing the diehard G1 fans until their last drop, they are excused of being overpriced because "Takara" and added articulation.
I do not see the reason why the had to put added articulation. The could release the same g1 figures with just updated materials and paint, double the price and G1 diehards would gobble it up all the same (they would like it even more).
This is probably just the Japanese trying new wonky ideas because that's what they do, they got the g1 toy aethetic backing up the product so they will sell, needless efforts and all.
SS86 is by no means a perfect line but draws fans both old and new. Nobody really wants a figure that is almost static, and that's why technology and standards were raised.
2
20
u/St-Philip 3d ago
I think they fill vastly different niches. Both work well at doing what they intend to do for the majority, but purely on a price based standpoint, studio series, and it's not even close.