In Hand Images Of Encore Fortress Maximus

The only thing that could possibly make this cooler for me is if there was an option for Fort Max to come in a replica of his original American box. But seeing as how this is an Encore release by a Japanese company from (what was essentially) a Japanese-only cartoon toyline, I totally get why he's in the box that he is.

Either way, when mine shows up in a few weeks, 26 years of waiting and wanting will come to an end.

Finally. We've waited a long time for this.

I'm going to get him later on, possibly for Christmas. I also want to see if Takara will repaint him into Grand Maximus.

Hey good lookin', where you been all my life

I read that some retailers might get him with a slight delay, due to all packages needing to be re-checked for extra QA. It'll mean double-taping on all Encore FM boxes.

Bounti76 wrote:The only thing that could possibly make this cooler for me is if there was an option for Fort Max to come in a replica of his original American box. But seeing as how this is an Encore release by a Japanese company from (what was essentially) a Japanese-only cartoon toyline, I totally get why he's in the box that he is.

Either way, when mine shows up in a few weeks, 26 years of waiting and wanting will come to an end.

He'll fit so nicely with my Megazarak box.

I'm sorry to say I've cancelled my pre-order. Tightening wallet strings and the new Generations Metroplex conspire against him. Will pick him up during a quiet month (if he's still around. Good numbers at BBTS so not too worried).

Sodan-1 wrote:Good numbers at BBTS so not too worried

I have seen others say things like this in the past. How can you tell how much of an item BBTS has in stock? I can't seem to find anywhere that states that.

Thanks!

Ketchup wrote:

Sodan-1 wrote:Good numbers at BBTS so not too worried

I have seen others say things like this in the past. How can you tell how much of an item BBTS has in stock? I can't seem to find anywhere that states that.

Thanks!

its simple. Just go on fort max put him in your cart and change the quantity to some crazy number like 100,000 and update they should tell you have many they have instock once refreshed. then quickly change the number back to zero and make sure you don't check out lol

Anyway can't wait for my Fort Max!!
Although in my mind Fort Max is the character that got destroy by overlord in LSOTW and in MTMTE. It still confuses me a lil how different these two characters are in terms of looks (they look almost nothing alike lol)

Biggest irony to this is that I wanted to be surprised by this, but the packaging looks exactly like the way I expected it to look. But even then, I am anticipating the day I get this bad boy!

Very nice indeed. I'm not into the encore figures but this is the exception. I've come to terms with more than likely never owning an original.

From the TFSource Facebook page:

Here is an Encore Fortress Maximus Update - be sure to read through! Preorder yours at TFsource here:
http://tfsource.com/encore/fortress-maximus/
http://tfsource.com/encore/fortress-max ... y-release/

Today Takara pulled back all of the Fort Max stock for a second QC inspection. Due to this some stock did not pass, and Takara has to do a new run. This will not be finished until the end of April. The good news - TFsource will receive all of our stock on schedule shipping out later this week. Many shops will not.

The bad news - all of the first run of Fort Max will be double-taped. Some collectors are very particular about this, so be aware all stock we receive will be double-taped. It's unavoidable due to the circumstances, but also a check to show that the product passed the QC check. Takara did not release any information on what the QC issues are that caused this.

A delay? The anticipation is killing me.

alldarker wrote:From the TFSource Facebook page:

Here is an Encore Fortress Maximus Update - be sure to read through! Preorder yours at TFsource here:
http://tfsource.com/encore/fortress-maximus/
http://tfsource.com/encore/fortress-max ... y-release/

Today Takara pulled back all of the Fort Max stock for a second QC inspection. Due to this some stock did not pass, and Takara has to do a new run. This will not be finished until the end of April. The good news - TFsource will receive all of our stock on schedule shipping out later this week. Many shops will not.

The bad news - all of the first run of Fort Max will be double-taped. Some collectors are very particular about this, so be aware all stock we receive will be double-taped. It's unavoidable due to the circumstances, but also a check to show that the product passed the QC check. Takara did not release any information on what the QC issues are that caused this.

I sent them a message about this, as I did order mine through them and also plan to submit it to AFA - Which means that if even the second release (as in not the early release) has this issue, I might have to wait a bit longer for them to send me mine.

Can't wait!!!

Takara Tomy's TFYUKI has updated his twitter account with some updated images of their soon to be released Transformers Encore #23 Fortress Maximus!

We also have an update from site sponsor TFsource:

Here is an Encore Fortress Maximus Update - be sure to read through! Preorder yours at TFsource here:
http://tfsource.com/encore/fortress-maximus/
http://tfsource.com/encore/fortress-max ... y-release/

Today Takara pulled back all of the Fort Max stock for a second QC inspection. Due to this some stock did not pass, and Takara has to do a new run. This will not be finished until the end of April. The good news - TFsource will receive all of our stock on schedule shipping out later this week. Many shops will not.

The bad news - all of the first run of Fort Max will be double-taped. Some collectors are very particular about this, so be aware all stock we receive will be double-taped. It's unavoidable due to the circumstances, but also a check to show that the product passed the QC check. Takara did not release any information on what the QC issues are that caused this.

Text in 2nd picture: "The sticker sheet was folded into two halves."

Text in 3rd picture: "The styrofoam block is missing."

Text in 4th picture: "The eyes are painted."


EDIT: checked original tweets for exact context

Nice to hear at least one of the companies making Transformers cares about QC.

I'm not a serious MISB collector, so could someone tell me....double taping? Does that just mean the box is sealed at various points with two applications of tape? How does that affect the toy's value?

Optimum Supreme wrote:Nice to hear at least one of the companies making Transformers cares about QC.

Given the size and cost of him TT have no choice BUT to make sure there aren't any QC issues with him.

Guessing that means it was taped.... RE-OPENED to re-inspect... the re-sealed with a second piece of tape. To MISB collectors, it would appear that their MISB item was opened, thus ruining it's resale value.

If you're planning on keeping it MISB, best to get the re-issue sealed one. Planning on opening it, this early run is for YOU!

I'm cracking that thing open AND I DESERVE IT.

Deruji wrote:Text in 2nd picture: "The sticker sheet was folded into two halves."

Text in 3rd picture: "The styrofoam block is missing."

Text in 4th picture: "The eyes are painted."

EDIT: checked original tweets for exact context

Thank you, Deruji. You told me exactly what I wanted to know. I may not be able to pre-order, but I hope the price isn't UNGODLY when I do finally get to buy one.
-- Cybertronian.
P.S.: (Fantasizes of a new centerpiece for my dream model railroad layout. Lionel... meet FM!)

RhA wrote:I'm cracking that thing open AND I DESERVE IT.

RhA, if this were Facebook (or Twitter), I'd "like" your comment. I couldn't agree more.

I hope everyone post pictures after getting theirs! Would love to see that Lionel train set run around Fort Max!

As for me, I'm going to try to figure out a good way to combine two of them (i.e. old one and reissue) into an attractive, believable city mode. Any inspiration you know about? I managed a great combined G1 metroplex city from two, but haven't seen or heard of anyone tackling one from Fort Max.

Cybertronian wrote:

RhA wrote:I'm cracking that thing open AND I DESERVE IT.

RhA, if this were Facebook (or Twitter), I'd "like" your comment. I couldn't agree more.

I'd 'like' it as well. I've waited so long for a Fort Max. No way in HELL am I keeping mine in the box!

gothsaurus wrote:Guessing that means it was taped.... RE-OPENED to re-inspect... the re-sealed with a second piece of tape. To MISB collectors, it would appear that their MISB item was opened, thus ruining it's resale value.

If you're planning on keeping it MISB, best to get the re-issue sealed one. Planning on opening it, this early run is for YOU!

From a strict MISB collector, I see this as such. However... I was given good news from Jeremy at TFsource. It appears that this is only affecting the early bird orders, not the other release. However, if you still want a single taped MISB piece, it is best to email the store requesting one... Instead of just holding off.

I'm a fan of G1 and have bought as many reissues as I can but I just can't get excited about Fort Max and I don't know why.

KUMA-NIN Maximus wrote:From a strict MISB collector, I see this as such.

Not necessarily, but alot depends on how thoughtful TakaraTomy are here.

If TakaraTomy are just using standard tape to retape the box then your point is spot on.

However I'm reminded of how customs approaches retaping packages, where the tape is printed with writing stating that the box has been opened and inspected by them. Brown goods companies have done the same with things like DVD players. If TakaraTomy have properly thought things through on this and if the run is large enough to justify it, then there's no reason why TakaraTomy couldn't use tape with writing on it to that effect - especially if other items, such as an Encore Overlord are released down the track (if the demand for Fort Max proves high enough, it's a definite possibility) where the same process will happen.

If they were to go down this road, then technically they have remained sealed from before leaving the manufacturer and therefore should be classed as MISB as it could be proven that the retaping had been done by the manufacturer themselves.

Site sponsor Robotkingdom has posted some additional shots of Takara Tomy's Transformers Encore #23 Fortress Maximus. These images include the packaging, an up close of the head, the commemorative coin, and promotional phone earplug jack plug. Check out the images mirrored below.

Regarding its FREE premium, we are happy to announce that all encore23 preorder will be included the Fotress Maximus phone plug and exclusive coins !!! But the exclusive coins has been limted and it will be "first come first serve" til it runs out, and the free exclusive coins will not be offered after 31March orders.

I could not have anticipated the level of excitement I felt seeing those pics. Looking forward to him in the next few weeks.

Bowspearer wrote:

KUMA-NIN Maximus wrote:From a strict MISB collector, I see this as such.

Not necessarily, but alot depends on how thoughtful TakaraTomy are here.

If TakaraTomy are just using standard tape to retape the box then your point is spot on.

However I'm reminded of how customs approaches retaping packages, where the tape is printed with writing stating that the box has been opened and inspected by them. Brown goods companies have done the same with things like DVD players. If TakaraTomy have properly thought things through on this and if the run is large enough to justify it, then there's no reason why TakaraTomy couldn't use tape with writing on it to that effect - especially if other items, such as an Encore Overlord are released down the track (if the demand for Fort Max proves high enough, it's a definite possibility) where the same process will happen.

If they were to go down this road, then technically they have remained sealed from before leaving the manufacturer and therefore should be classed as MISB as it could be proven that the retaping had been done by the manufacturer themselves.

You missed the point I was making. Customs does not inspect packages shipped by major companies. They only check out specific packages that are sent to people and stores that do not pass the first part - namely x-rays (if the info I was given is still up to date).

Meaning that unless you live in a country where they open up every package, regardless of the business, this is not an issue. Because the stores will be shipping them MISB and it is highly unlikely the double tape "ordeal" (which, as I stated, only applies to the early shipments) is just going to have them using the same tape and double tape it. And that is not an issue unless you plan to submit it to AFA.

After seeing the classics Metroplex coming out later this year, this re-issue seems to be a little less awesome.

Rated X wrote:Edit: double post.

I think it's time to allow people to delete their own posts. Was there ever a logical reason as to why we cant ?

In case someone decides to get abusive before a Moderator can deal with it.

Back on topic ... had to pay an extra $32 as due to his size, he has to come EMS to Australia.

Does anyone else think it's strange that the headphone plug is marked Hasbro for a release that they won't / can't sell?

Rated X wrote:After seeing the classics Metroplex coming out later this year, this re-issue seems to be a little less awesome.

Agreed. My interest is invested in Metroplex. FM is a monumental release mind you but i'm more stoked on Metro. That F@*!er is gonna be awesome! Least i hope so anyways.

Hey guys Im new to this site, on holiday for the easter break and decided to do a little transformers shopping around the shops today picked up the fortress maximus and a couple of other things. anyways question about the head. is it suppose to have he eye stickers already applied?

These came free

Unboxed

Are the Eyes stickers uppose to be already applied?

TFYUKI continues to tease fans with images of Takara Tomy's soon to be released Transformers Encore #23 Fortress Maximus. Check out his latest tweets mirrored below.

Fort Max will definitely look so awesome decorated with a mess of Legends and Cyberverse figs fighting for control of this mighty behemoth...'nuff said!!

prototype33 wrote:Are the Eyes stickers uppose to be already applied?

for the Encore release, they aren't stickers this time. The eyes are painted to look like the old eye stickers.

Sabrblade wrote:

prototype33 wrote:Are the Eyes stickers uppose to be already applied?

for the Encore release, they aren't stickers this time. The eyes are painted to look like the old eye stickers.

I think it also comes with the eye stickers, so you can apply them over the painted ones for a more vintage look.

Wait, what's that Black Fort Max repaint in the middle of the top picture?

Gearslide wrote:Wait, what's that Black Fort Max repaint in the middle of the top picture?

Brave Maximus

El Duque wrote:

Gearslide wrote:Wait, what's that Black Fort Max repaint in the middle of the top picture?

Brave Maximus

Oh right. I've never seen Brave in anything but Robot mode, so I was expecting him to be mostly blue.

I'd love a solid BLACK version... or a white Metroplex "Autobot City" style version with nice painted windows.

Oh yeah, or a Grand Max. (ha) Or all of the above.

El Duque wrote:

Gearslide wrote:Wait, what's that Black Fort Max repaint in the middle of the top picture?

Brave Maximus

aka RiD Fortress Maximus. By 2001, US Toy Safety Laws would not allow Fortress Maximus to be released here.

Gearslide wrote:

El Duque wrote:

Gearslide wrote:Wait, what's that Black Fort Max repaint in the middle of the top picture?

Brave Maximus

Oh right. I've never seen Brave in anything but Robot mode, so I was expecting him to be mostly blue.

I haven't launched Brave Maximus' gallery yet because I haven't had a chance to do comparison shots of him with the other RID figures from that series. However, I do have his pics done so hopefully some time in the next few months I'll bust out the RID tub o' figures.

In the meantime, Brave made an appearance in Grand Maximus' gallery which you can view by clicking on the images below.

Isn't that black one the prototype they showed a few months ago?