Who would have thought this day would ever come? It’s here though and it’s for real. After many rumors and speculations (even a bogus knock off that was supposedly in the works) an official Takara reissue of Fortress Maximus is coming to the G1 Encore line. Excuse me as I jump and scream with nerdboy happiness!!!
Fortress Maximus is hailed among many collectors as their grail: the one figure they want to “complete” their collection. For many years I have been watching numerous auctions for this figure on eBay and they always have flown right past my spending limit. I dedicated a small “savings” pile that I started in hopes of being able to save up for a complete Fortress Maximus – my hopes were I’d be able to buy one in a decades time. But what does this Encore release mean for the G1 Journey? It means that you can bet your sweet ass this figure will be added to my collection come February/March!
A lot of debate, or maybe even controversy, has been brought to discussion regarding this Encore reissue. How will this affect the vintage 1980’s Fortress Maximus figures? Is this reissue the “real deal?” Does this upset the people who have kept their Maximus figures from their childhood, or maybe the ones who paid upwards of thousands of dollars for theirs? It’s hard to answer any of those questions and in all honesty I’m not interested in doing so.
Is this reissue the “real deal?” Are vintage collectors mad? What do YOU think?
As a collector trying to obtain a G1 collection, my goal is to have these figures in my hands so I can experience what they feel like, the play value, and the personal “value” they are to me. Although I’m much more of a fan of the vintage figures, I believe reissues are a beautiful thing to collectors and only good can come out of them. I will say this: nothing will ever replace the history that comes with a 25 year old or older G1 toy. How can it? Those toys from the 80’s will have been through sooo much and the stories attached to them can be endless! But for such an unattainable figure, until now, this reissue is such a great opportunity for collectors like me .. and I have no doubt it’ll create just as many stories.
In my opinion, as many collectors as possible should have the opportunity to experience the Transformers we know as Generation 1. Those collectors who have the Fortress Maximus from 1987 … I’m absolutely jealous of you. Although my collection will have this 2 foot tall badass come early next year, someday I’ll get my vintage figure. There are just certain figures from the G1 line that you need to have the vintage feel with … I can’t say I’m still not going to try and get a vintage Fortress Maximus someday.
What do YOU think?
***review coming early 2013***
Oh I absolutely can’t wait. If you’ve been watching eBay you’ve already seen the flood of vintage FM’s people are trying to unload before the reissue hits. It is hilarious. I’ve never been in it for the money, so I couldn’t care less about the value dropping on the vintage pieces. Actually it will be great because I will now be able to pick up a Japanese C-114 at a reasonable price! I can’t decide if I will get the reissue or not though. It is very tempting.
If I wasn’t getting married this year I probably already would have tried getting one of the vintages on eBay! The prices are dipping a bit … regardless, I’m so excited for this reissue. I’m with you – the monetary value means nothing to me. Thanks for reading!
I don’t even collect anymore, and even *I* preordered this. I feel an obligation to the me of a decade ago, the me that DID collect and would have freaked out about a Fort Max reissue. I had a Brave Max at one time but had to sell it somewhere along the way and always would have preferred Fort Max anyway.
You know, good for you for jumping on this pre-order then! It sounds like this might be something real special for your collection! Love hearing stuff like this man.
I’m glad they are re-issuing him. I’m not biting as I have a vintage one I’m still trying to piece together, but I’m glad you and others like yourself will finally be able to own him. He’s one freak-tastic brick!
I think I have a little over $300 invested in mine with only the hips cannons, both ramps, Cog/Gasket and Cerebros’ gun left to buy. With vintage prices dropping maybe I can FINALLY complete mine!
Yeah man, I’m definitely jealous of your position. I think with this reissue you’ll have a lot more opportunities to complete your set. Good luck!
Great read Matt! This really is a dream come true for is TransFans. I look forward to your review and I hope this figure does not disappoint (which I doubt it will).
Hey thanks Nick! I really have no doubt this figure will be a home run. It’s going to be awesome to finally have him on the shelf.
Also, HEAD ON!
I have the vintage one from when I was a kid, and I’m still getting the reissue. I could care less about value, I just want two Fort Maxes, one on each side of my base area of my collection acting like bookends. Sweet.
Dude that’s friggin’ awesome! I want to see pictures of that as soon as you set it up lol! Thanks for reading!
Man…99 bucks at Toys R Us back in the day…..I’m pretty sure Time Travel would destroy the collector market. Lol. I’m okay with Reissues as well, I have encore Metroplex, Soundblaster and Twincast, they’re all awesome and have a place in my G1 shelf.
You have to admit, if we did have time time travel we’d all have a blast seeing ALL those G1 toys back on the shelves 🙂 Thanks for reading!
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