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Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.
Top 5 Best Non Screen/Show Accurate Transformers Toys
The idea of owning a part of what you are a fan of is integral to the idea of collecting action figures. And of course, it is important for the object representing what we love to be as faithful as possible. I do remember being disappointed as a kid with the mutant heads on Beast Wars toys so much that I would remove them on Megatron and Dinobot, so even for kids accuracy to a show or movie can be important. However, there are some toys which are still pretty awesome even though they may have major inaccuracies and we will look at the best examples now.
There was very little discrepancy between show models and toys for Beast Wars after the first season, which was great for kids. Tigerhawk was a glaring exception though. It’s not that the differences are numerous but more that they are very obvious and in your face. With this character being a combination of Tigertron and Airrazor, I understand the toy designers wanting to integrate both the alt mode heads in the alt mode, with a hawk battle mask going over the organic tiger head making Tigerhawk look a lot like one of those He Man battle cat toys. That was probably too goofy for the show, which ignored this and gave Tigerhawk a more streamlined look of a flying mechanical tiger with no Hawk head. It definitely makes the toy look way off compared to the show model, but it doesn’t stop the toy from being awesome and having excellent play value. I really like those wing missiles.
Beast Machines will always be one of the oddest eras of Transformers with a show that people are still split on, on show transformations that were closer to morphing than changing parts, and a toyline that looked very different from the show with no sense of scale. Case in point, the toy which looks the most like the Tankor we see on the show is a small unimposing tank drone. We do have a bigger Tankor toy (called Tankor) in the toyline and while it does not look like the show it is one of my favourite toys. Especially with being even more complex than the animation shows him to be by having one head/cockpit for each of his modes.
I only realized waaaay later that the three combining components of Tripredicus were supposed to be the three characters we see on the show. It’s not obvious (especially for a kid) since the three seen in shadows would not have beast modes, and the headsculpts don’t look like the three toys we did get. Plus, it’s not like the Magnaboss components were seen on the show (as part of any Maximal government). It doesn’t stop Tripredicus from being one of the best combiners we ever got of course.
In the later half of the 2000s, here was a big change in Transformers toys where the animated models were created independently of the toys (and have been ever since). Of course, toy designers could get a look at what the artists were working on but since a toy cycle is 2 years, there was a lot of changes from when a toy designer gets a model and what we see in the film. Add to that the fact that toy designers had never dealt with such complex designs as the live action ones and we ended up with an odd first batch of movie toys looking very different than what we saw onscreen. A great example was Optimus Prime, whose toy was much blockier than the onsceen model. But it was still a phenomenal toy with a very different transfomation scheme for Optimus, where the legs are in the front of the cab and not the back, and a new level of complexity we had not been privy to before. Plus, it being blocky made this toy a perfect hybrid easing us in on both the new types of transformations schemes and the new movie aesthetic.
While Hasbro had obtained the license to sell a Macross toy as part of their Transformers line, the show had to change the look of the toy, especially in alt mode. So what you see on the show is very different than the sleek sexy jet we got with the toy. I don’t think too many kids minded though, especially since the toy looked so awesome. And we all know Jetfire is easily one of the best toys of the G1 era.
I am not a huge fan of this toy but I can't deny how lovely the jet mode is. Of course, the perfection of the jet mode means the robot mode ends up with a lot of kibble and not looking as close to the G1 model as the previous Masterpiece mold, Optimus Prime, did. And of course, the colours were completely off.
Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here
Top 5 Best Transformers Parts-Formers
Partsforming has been present since the beginning of Transformers in one way or another. It is the principle where part (or all) of the transformation is done by detaching/attaching/reattaching pieces rather than simply folding or rotating pieces to get from one mode to the next. We are not talking about armour pieces or accessories here. While most people understand what that entails, partsformers have never been fully defined so it gives me the luxury of playing it fast and loose with the notion. It is not often a well liked aspect of transforming since it may feel cheap and not as ingenious but since it has been around for so long, to various degrees, I wanted to look back on five fun toys that truly use partsforming inorder to get to the bot mode. Let's get to it!
While it is possible to transform the G1 seeker mold with removing and adding only a few parts, the most direct way to transform him is taking the plane parts off, transforming the body and then reattaching the parts back. The Landing gear is only used in jet mode and must be removed for robot mode while it’s the reverse for his fists. The fact that he has so many parts that come means that a wingless plain is what is most commonly found on the secondary market, yard sales, and thrift shops.
G1 Godbomber is one of the kings of partsforming (but not THE king, that goes to the bot in the number 1 spot). There is a logic to it of course, he isn’t just a partsformer for the hell of it. He is essentially an add on to Power Master Optimus Prime (Ginrai) in both modes. He becomes an extra trailer behind the main trailer in alt mode and that trailer’s parts completely detach to be placed back onto the robot to give him his ultra super mode (God Ginrai). You would think that is enough, it is for most trailers (like POTP Rodimus Prime’s and RID Optimus Prime’s) but no those pieces also form an extra independent robot mode, which is Godbomber. And this ingenuity in reattaching parts to create three different things (robot, trailer, armour) is why this is one hell of a partsformer.
G1 Cog was not the greatest of partsformers. There was not much going on for that bot with some a minimal transformation that resulted in a lackluster bot mode. But man, what an update he got. In Siege, Cog got all the articulation he could have ever dreamt of in robot mode, as much as any other deluxe class figure. But, unlike those figures, he could still detach himself to resemble the G1 vehicle modes. But Hasbro didn’t stop there, oh no. They made him fully detacheable so that his body could turn into shields, cannons and guns for both offensive and defensive configurations on other robots. He is the first of a new type of toy called a Weaponiser which is essentially the long awaited answer to fans wanting weapon packs. So now we have weapons packs, disguised as deluxe robots, which is simply awesome. I mean look at what someone was able to do with a few Cogs, they gave Optimus a trailer!
2. Transformers Power of the Primes Rodimus Prime
This toy isn’t talked about much in relation to him being a partsformer, but that’s what he is and he’s a damn good one at that. Transforming him from his space Winnebago alt mode into Rodimus prime requires that you detach the arms from the trailer and convert both the trailer and the car component and then reattach it all together. The result is an imposing one. He is very solid for a partsformer and a good example of that technique done right. Sure, he could do with better articulation for his arms but I think that’s a small sacrifice for all that he accomplishes.
When I think of partsformers, this is the toy I think of and I doubt I am the only one. Unlike every other toy on this list, this was not designed by Takara and was intended for a totally different kind of toyline, hence why the transformation is so different from everything else. What impresses me so much though is that it works. This is the toy that makes you see the value of partsforming and its possibilities for fun gameplay. You essentially get a traintrack (with a tank that goes along it) which turns into a giant walking robot. That sounds like the ultimate toy, and it was to many kids growing up in the 80s. Knowing how well partsforming can work, I welcome the idea that the update we are getting this year will be similar.
This is mainly due to the gimmick. This smaller version of Bruticus can transform from a full robot into an Cybertronian Osprey-type vehicle and the rotors spin in vehicle mode. A big part of that transformation is removing the rotors from the robot shoulders and placing them on his fists in vehicle mode. His giant sword becomes vehicle wings and also require attaching and detaching so his vehicle mode is made relevant due to the partsforming.
Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. This week, I am joined by Cobotron. These are our opinions so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.
Top 10 best toys from the Cybertron / Galaxy Force line
Unlike other lists I write for the site, the order here was chosen through a poll I organized a while ago where fans selected which toys they would include in their top list. The more times a toy was chosen, the higher it appears on the list so while I will vouch that all the toys below are excellent and well worth your time, with this line being one of my all time favourites, the order does not come from me. So this will be lighter on words than usual. Let’s get to it.
10. Transformers Cybertron Cybertron Defense Hot Shot (Exigeyser)
I really like how the essence of the previous form of Hotshot is felt here, but at the same time it is a totally new toy. And I really like that knife, along with the loads and loads of weapons.
9. Transformers Cybertron Downshift
What a fantastic alt mode! It’s very old fashioned in terms of robot mode and transformation for a carbot, with the front of the car becoming the chest, but with a nice modern flair. Plus I love that Wheeljack headsculpt.
This transformation is so good, you can find it again on the more recent Leader Megatron from Combiner Wars. It was revolutionary at the time and the fact that the technology to have a rotating turret is still used today comes to show how timeless this toy is. I also like how the feet are formed with alt mode kibble. I really wish we had more of this instead of having barely hidden feet on bots (like with Siege Megatron).
This is just a cool looking toy. Both modes give you the feeling that they are larger than they really are due to some massive proportions. But he carries it very well, and this is another winner in the headsculpt department in the Cybertron line (there are lots of great headsculpts here).
6. Transformers Cybertron Megatron (Master Megatron)/ Galvatron (Master Galvatron)
The Unicron Trilogy had an odd habbit of reversing the colours of Megatron and Galvatron with Megatron having purple and Galvatron being silver/grey. Both decos rock of course but the silver just give it that extra edge. While the robot mode can be a bit clunky with the giant calves, they are a result of a super cool alt mode which looks like what Batman would be driving on Cybertron.
5. Transformers Cybertron Hot Shot/Excellion
This is one of my favourite car Transformers of all time due to how great and different both modes look while being a smart and swift transformation. This efficient and elegant transformation is the basis for many of the combiner limbs we got once Combiner Wars started. And of all the great headsculpts in the line, this is the one that I feel tops them all. Plus he is a really neat homage to Hot Rod.
4. Transformers Cybertron Vector Prime
This is my personal favourite from the line and it is the one toy from this line I would deem essential to a collection. Nothing like this has been done since with a very different space ship mode that leans more towards the fantasy side of science fiction. He is also gorgeously adorned in clockwork detail and has one of the best weapon integrations of all time.
3. Transformers Cybertron Starscream
It is really too bad that the voyager Starscream toy in his show colours was never released by Hasbro, but at least fans got to experience this excellent mold in other colours, such as a very Thrust like burgundy and in blue with Dirge.
I really like how this is a full-on planet former where the alt mode is a sphere and yet it gives us a really nice robot mode which does not feel confine to its alt mode to define its proportions (unlike that never released Unicron toy). That’s especially surprising given how basic the transformation is. And yet we end up with two very different looking modes including a drop dead gorgeous robot mode.
This is one of the best Optimus Prime toys out there. When it came out, it was a new design with some nice homages. You have the cab robot like in G1 and you can combine it with the trailer, like Power Master Prime, to make a super robot. While the articulation is lacking, it has fun play features, looks imposing and has this nice chunky feel to him.
Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here. Thanks to fellow staff member Kurona for helping me with this one, along with fellow Seibertronian TK415 for helping me shape this list.
Top 5 Most Show Accurate Transformers Toylines
This list has been mulling in my head for quite sometime. I always find it hard when a list is a tad bit lest subjective since it means there are measures that have to be clear rather than it simply being "I think this toy is awesome while this one blows". However, this idea of comparing the toys we get with what we see on screen is a longstanding theme in this brand and it's a request I get quite a bit. Now, to make it more diverse and add some variety, I have chosen to deal with this subject of screen accuracy while looking at toylines rather than the individual toys themselves. Feel free to discuss which toys within the mentioned (or unmentioned) toylines you find superior to others in terms of accuracy though, it should make for a fun discussion. Now off with the list!
Transformers Prime was supposed to take this spot at first, especially since the RID line still had the defacto inaccuracies that come with using G1 toys to represent your show characters. But you know what, I realized the Prime line had less to offer for show accuracy. Sure, there were some heavy hitters, but then you realize that Hasbro never gave us anything close to a screen accurate Voyager Megatron, none of the black Beast Hunter Bees had the right paint scheme, neither Arcee really looked like the character model (which I admit is hard to pull off) and the crappier Cliffjumper toy was the one with the screen accurate legs.
And then there is RID, a show that went out of its way to show us all the wonderful modes Megatron had, including the hand mode and griffin mode. All the new molds made for RID, such as Optimus, Railracer and the brothers had toys which seemed to jump off the screen. And while Ruination's proportions were off as expected, the colours were well represented. And we finally got to see some of those Beast Wars molds in action on screen in North America and they looked great. And let's not forget Scourge whose toy looked a lot like the show model. I especially love the sticker detail being very similar to the details we see on the screen. Its these peculiar and recognizable details, like the chest stickers, found both onscreen and on the toy that drive home how good a representation you have of the badass you see on screen.
I remember very well being a kid and being turned off by those odd masks the first year Beast Wars toys had. They weren't on the show. And while the inner Rhinox head looked more like the show, it looked too small on the body so young WJ88 settled on that brutish face when making him exchange blows with his Bane action figure. But then in that second year line, Beast Wars Transmetal, it was as if you were holding the characters you saw onscreen in your very hands. And that is the first time that ever happened for the brand. Tarantulus and Cheetor looked perfect, so did Rampage and both faction leaders. Plus you had the gimmicks at work too, like the surfing gorilla and thruster t-rex. I would even throw in Quickstrike and Silverbolt who were released at the very same tie within the Fuzors subline. And it culminated with Optimal Optimus and Depthcharge which really looked the part. That dedication between toy and screen was not as impressive with what followed in Transmetal 2 where toys like Tigerhawk looked different and gimmicks not being carried through to the screen (like the rollerblading dragon, though I do understand). Plus there were many many toys that had no onscreen counterparts. And that worsened with Beast Machines. But man, Transmetal, those toys still hold up and I honestly don't see how much better those toys would be if they were released today.
Yeah, if we are going to talk about the Masterpiece line and screen accuracy, you have to let go of all that came at the beginning. It didn't help that MP 01 Optimus Prime wasn't based on the G1 show model, and neither was Starscream, and that MP 05 Megatron was more of an homage to the G1 toy than the cartoon. But MP 10 came along and BAM, we got ourselves a gorgeous line with a unified scale that to this day keeps getting closer and closer to being as screen accurate as possible. It's not perfect, unlike the name would suggest, what with Red Alert still not getting the molding changes he deserves and Optimus not having a white crotch, plus the deal with Hot Rod's non show accurate backpack and extraneous bits. But then you have Bumblebee, Soundave, Shockwave, Ultra Magnus and Inferno who are just so striking in terms of show accuracy. Right down to the smooth surfaces devoid of sculpted detail and even stickers for Sunbow inspired Decepticon symbols in one case. It even got to the point where fans would rather the toys strive less for cartoon accuracy and go for a happy medium of detail and smooth surfaces. What that tells me is that this line is of course right at home on this list.
And here is a fun video I found. Sure, not everything it uses it official but it gives a good idea of how far we have come.
I will always be amazed at what the Animated line was able to pull off. For the fist time, we had character models created before the toys in a Transformers show and these designs had exaggerated features. They were not proportioned, with some having ultra sleek waists, bigger feet, huge chins and so on. This was a more heroic style found across the 2000's and it persists now, which can make for very dynamic animation. We know that worked for a show, but now you had to engineer toys out of them which was extra tricky since these exaggerated proportions were more present in the robot modes than the vehicle modes. But Hasbro found a way. They were able to make transforming toys which really did have those dynamic looks. That deluxe Prowl toy still fascinates me for being so sleek in both modes and yet having that elongated head and huge feet. He's an easy example to show but that goes for all toys which found a way to have animated features in robot mode that did not have vehicle kibble (like forearms and legs) while not turning them all into shellformers. Even if you don't like the designs, you have to admit that turning this into one of the most show accurate lines is quite a feat.
While Armada was naturally very toy-accurate and if you got an Armada toy just to get something that looked like what you saw on the show... well, unless you got Sideswipe, you wouldn't be terribly disappointed.
But Energon and Cybertron take it to whole new levels. The CGI models might as friggin' well just be the toys -- it gets to the extent that the models have the toy's buttons on them. The button you press on Cybertron Evac's toy to make his rotors turn? That's on his CGI model. Why is it there? What possible actual function would it serve to Evac as a character or soldier or disguise? Who the heck knows, but he has it.
Cybertron's toys are by far the most screen-accurate toys there have ever been because of how stupidly accurate to the toys Cybertron's animators were. Pretty much the only difference is in articulation for character expression (individual fingers moving, extra waist movement, that sort of thing). The Transformations were replicated too, which makes it even better!
Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are our opinions so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.
Top 5 Hot Rod / Rodimus Transformers toys
Even though he was the autobot leader, Hot Rod/Rodimus often had the short end of the stick when it came to toys in the past. It's all due to his design that, while really cool and sleek looking, didn't have enough shared elements between both his modes. He transforms at least three different ways in the original film and, unless I am very wrong about this, it seems the entire dome of his car mode shrinks into becoming his crotch. So not an easy design to have a toy imitate. There were attempts, of course, but as time went on we definitely got some gems. His evolved form, Rodimus Prime, also had a rocky start with the G1 toy but we eventually go something better, as you will soon see.
5. Transformers The last Knight Hot Rod
Ok so this will look like the odd duck in this list, but he is still a version of Hot Rod and a pretty good toy at that. A pretty awesome toy actually. I know people will be turned off by his looks but the alt mode is gorgeous (and to me the most appropriate real life alt mode he would have if futuristic cars are not an option), the transformation is smart, especially for the arms, and he has very nice alt mode integration, reminiscent of his G1 self with the front of the sports car becoming his torso and folding vertically the same way (as opposed to it sticking out ala Datsuns). I find him really fun to mess with and I think he looks kick ass in both his modes. Easily one of the best deluxes from the Transformers: The Last Knight toyline. - William-James88
4. Power of the Prime Rodimus Prime with Hot Rod
It's first and foremost a great toy with a lot of playability options. Secondarily, it can be good display piece and offer a lot of different display options, though some are better than others.
It's nice to finally have that form of Rodimus Prime in a big, chunky toy for the first time in the "Classics" era of Transformers. It looks pretty good, all told. He really looks like a viable Autobot leader. I love the face sculpt, which conveys the increase in experience, wisdom, and confidence that Rodimus Prime cultivated during his tenure as "Prime." Much of the "super armor" to form Rodimus Prime is in a darker, more maroon leaning shade of red, contrasting the brighter "cherry red" that dominates more of his "unevolved" self in both robot and alternate modes. Again, this gives a nice sense of maturity in the evolution of the character and calls back to details from the original cartoon as well. - Wolfman Jake
He. Might be. My... FAVORITE Masterpiece yet. And I do NOT say that lightly.
Out of the box, he's in car mode. And I'm not even kidding, I just starred at it for a good 10 minutes. It's just so friggin sleek! I couldn't take my eyes off that engine block or the rear end, he looked EXACTLY like he did in the movie. I got tingles.
Transformation flows naturally and is a joy. The backpack doesn't look like anything out of the ordinary to me and neither does the chest.
What do I love? Posability is a dream. Arm cannon thingies are somehow more satisfying than MP09. Head sculpt and shades are perfect. The hood panels that become the shoulders, just fill him out and give him a real organic look.
I %^&*#$@ing LOVE this figure. And I'm almost positive I'm buying a second one just to have in car mode. - Shajaki
2. Titans Return Hot Rod
Yeah, this is a better toy than the MP, especially when you look at cost to value ratio. When I look at this toy and how compact and streamlined the transformation is, I can't help but wonder how making a sleek MP with a minimal backpack could be so hard. This toy also has a better silhouette at every angle, with his magnificent spoiler, he has his own car mode detail at the bottom of the car which doesn't look like a robot hiding, and I am much less scared of breaking him when transforming. The fact that he is a headmaster greatly helps and works in this case because of all characters, Hot Rod is the one where the alt mode's cockpit area begs for use in car mode since it totally dissapears in robot mode, like several headmasters. So its a perfect fit to have someone make use of that cockpit and add functionality to it. Plus, him being a headmaster means there is one less part to hide in vehicle mode, helping the sleek transformation and resulting robot.
I fear this is a toy that does everything so right without doing anything overly special that it may not get the spotlight it deserves and hopefully this entry cements the achievement of this toy. - William-James88
To me, this is still the Rodimus/ Hot Rod toy to beat when it comes to engineering/price point ratio and overal style. Everything is just so elegant in every mode. Everything you want from a Hot Rod toy is there and done expertly while also adding a few details that are specific to this rendition, setting him apart. The sleek alt mode even goes one step beyond the usual idea of the futuristic car by giving him back windows as well. The front wheels hide like a charm and the effect of the continuing exhaust pipes in alt mode will never grow old. Plus we have the most minimal backpack on any Hot Rod toy. He is one of the transformer toys I enjoy transforming the most and I recommend him every chance I get. - William-James88
Honourable Mention: I realize this list only has newer Hot Rod/Rodimus toys but that is because his design is so tricky (due to having minimal alt mode integration) that only more recent engineering has been able to pull it off effectively. The other way to do a good version was to totally change his alt mode, which they did in the Energon line. I have to admit, the design is pretty awesome and the alt mode is cool. I also like how the feet are front and center in vehicle mode but work perfectly as being part of the truck. He can't pose very well though and ends up having a truncated torso due to being able to form both the pants and shirt of a two part combiner. Easily the best of the Autobot Deluxes from the Energon line, but to be honest that isn't saying much.
Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.
Top 5 Transformers Wishes Come true
Let's have some fun here and look back at toys that were once only a pipe dream to man many fans, and that somehow came true. Once you are done reading the list, let us know of other toys that you simply couldn't believe were finally happening.
This was a dream come true for many fans, but the reason it sits so low on the list is because this is a toy we didn't really know we wanted precisely (until it was out, of course). I mean sure pie in the sky a nice big Optimus with light up matrix that poses super well and transforms just like it did on the show is something any fan wanted, but you could say that about any character, Optimus just happens to be the main one. And then after that, we just got more dreams of MP releases, many of which still have yet to come 10 years later (while we are instead getting the 3rd MP Optimus). But this was the one that started it all, an awesome toy that we could have only dreamed of before.
Springer is one of the main characters of the Transformers film, a mainstay in the third season, one of the main bots in line to be a matrix bearer and the main character of one of the best Transformers stories of all time. And for 30 years, the only toy even remotely indicative of him was the G1 toy. Sure, Hasbro released other bots as "Springer" but it was always just a redeco of another bot and worse yet it was never a triple changer. He was either just a car or just a helicopter. But then the generations Thrilling 30 line came. It provided us not only a good to honest triple changer Springer, but it also gave him to us in a nice voyager scale and with design references to his appearance in The Last Stand of the Wreckers.
3. So many Shockwaves
For a long time (30 years), we just couldn't get a decent looking Shockwave figure. People thought, and it may be true, that it's because the original toy was not a Takara/Tomy product and thus there were some licensing issues at play that meant a design similar to the original may be caught up in red tape. But then we just got inundated with them. The past few years have seen Shockwave toys with robot modes much closer to the G1 character than ever before. We got G1 style Shockwaves for kids in both Cyberverse and the Cyber Battalion line, and we got 3 "gun" Shockwaves with the MP, Combiner Wars (which Bruticus can hold) and Siege. That's 6 G1 style Shockwaves in 3 years, enough to satisfy any collector or their kids at any scale.
While we waited a long time for a good Shockwave and Springer update, at least they had toys to begin with. Arcee was always a fan favourite and yet she had no toy of her G1 self for decades. But finally, in 2014, we got an Arcee figure representing her G1 self as the appeared in the film. It still feels a bit uncanny to have that toy in my collection.
Fans have wanted this ever since the surprising moment where we see that the giant killer planet Unicron, actually had a robot mode. There was a very well known attempt at such a toy in the G1 era and the prototype lingered in everyone's mind after being revealed in 1996 (10 years after the movie came out). A physical toy of what we saw could be achieved, but would be ever get it?! And then in 2003, it happened, we finally got our Unicron. Sure, it was meant for the Armada show, but the looks weren't that far off from the look of him in the movie (more accurate than that prototype anyway) and it truly was a dream come true. I still find a lot of that design to be genius all these years later, with the wings becoming the ring for instance.
As written above, the MP line provided lots of fans to start wishing for figures they could never get before. This includes a masterpiece version of toys that were mere fantasy, like Blue Bluestreak, or the reintegration of Diaclone toys into the transformers Universe, or E-Hobby exclusives or toys that were previously rarer than chicken teeth, like Artfire.
Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.
Editor's note: this list has been updated as of 06/05/2019
Top 5 Best Ironhide Transformers Toys
While Ironhide has been a staple of the Transformers brand for over 3 decades, his toys have always left fans rather underwhelmed. His initial figure is one of the most unappealing to a Transformers fan (especially a child). For some reason, there was always something off with his toys, be it in the Energon line, the universe line and even some of the movie toys. However, since the initial top 5 list in 2015, there have been 4 lines dedicated to look back on the brand's various aspects and release the best version of the character. So, we can finally have a nice list full of gems and here it is:
This is fun design, incorporating Ironhide into the Prime line and aesthetic. This design is actually phenomenal since it brings so much together at once. He is a great amalgamation of the G1 and movie look in a more animated aesthetic with the headsculpt and clear chest (G1 cues) working with the pickup truck alt mode and dual cannons (from the Bay films). Also I would like to point out brilliant the transformation is. While the Arms Micron deluxe Ironhide relied on a fake chest, the Cyberverse version actually has the truck's windshield be the robot's chest. It is impressive to see great alt mode integration on a toy which has so much new details in robot mode. Remember when I spoke of an animated aesthetic? This toy's amalgamation (along with the deluxe) also references a shelved design for Animated Ironhide who was supposed to join Optimus Prime on earth and have an earth mode. That is a lot going on for such a little fella.
4. Transformer Studio Series Ironhide
The Studio Series line is providing collectors with some great updated versions of characters from the movies. Yes, there's a Movie Masterpiece line, but it's plagued by every other release having engineering/tolerance issues and only puts out about two toys a year. Studio Series is where it's at, movie toy wise, and this was the best figure from 2018's selection. Taking some of the smarter cues from Dark of the Moon's Deluxe Class figure and refining them while adding new touches in the much more scale-friendly Voyager Class results in an Ironhide toy that is super fun to transform back and forth between modes. When he's a robot, envision how he collapses down onto his own legs and becomes a truck, and you'll end up with a truck. I'm all for following the instructions, and on Masterpiece toys I absolutely recommend it, but this is absolutely a case of intuitive design making them not necessary. If the entire Studio Series lineup were this fun, we'd all be having a blast with movie toys like it's 2007 all over again. - Scotty P
3. Transformers Siege Ironhide
I love this guy. He has the right build, a good headsculpt, a very fluid transformation that gives you a great Cybertronian vehicle, similar to what we have seen in various comic interpretations. The size is good too. This is not the greatest toy ever made but it also feels like some sort of miracle to have a deluxe Ironhide that just ticks all the boxes.
This is a near flawless toy. I find it absolutely brilliant how the cartoon made it that both Ironhide and Ratchet share the same basic mold (which has been the case since 1984) but since Ratchet is now on earth and has an earth vehicle mode, you end up with two visually different characters. The toys do that well. Sure, there is a Ratchet who shares the same mold as this toy but I love how Ironhide makes the mold his own (as he always has). The perfect toon accurate headsculpt really helps. The design of this toy is incredible since it was made after the stylistic cartoon character models were done and it imitates that style perfectly. Also, through this mold, you get one of the most creative designs for a cybertronian vehicle. I love how they were thinking outside the box for this one, giving it almost an animal look (like a tortoise) adding some sentience and otherworldly functionality to the vehicle mode. The weapon storage in vehicle mode is also perfectly executed with simplicity and helps fill out the look of the vehicle. It's a smart design that looks just like the cartoon and has great nods to the G1 character. Sounds like pure win in my book.
Before this guy came out there really hadn't been much love towards G1 Ironhide. But we finally got Ironhide in all his glory in this Masterpiece offering. I seriously do not care what nitpicks any fan may have, this toy is better than anything I could have dreamed. The transformation is one of the best Takara ever designed and it is a true spectacle to see that van shape into this robot before your very eyes. I always thought that to have the look of the show, we would need a fake chest, no way around it. But I am proven wrong. The alt mode integration is spot on, no extraneous kibble (aside from some wheels, though they might anatomically represent something related to the bot mode, up to you) and more accessories than you would ever need. Plus, all those accessories come in that sled, bringing a magnificent homage to the G1 toy (along with other neat homages like that G1 face in can mode). I can't speak highly of this toy enough.
Oh man, would you look at this thing! It is bad to the bone. While people have a problem with the Ironhide Voyager mold, I never found it that bad. It definitely gave us a more complex toy. I always preferred the versions which hid his arms and this is one of them. The full load of weapons could hide anything, just look at the pictures below. This is Arnold Schwarzenegger's Commando in toy form. Plus, this was the very first toy to integrate the c-clip system where you could clip on new guns to different toys (like clipping Generations Darkmount's guns onto Generations deluxe Warpath).
Plus, his front bumper becomes a crossbow
I really like this toy. Sure, it is easier than every other movie leader since Revenge of the Fallen, but I am not complaining about being able to go from one beautiful looking truck mode to an amazing looking robot quickly. He is by far the best looking movie Ironhide to have next to any leader Optimus Prime on your movie shelf and he has some great gimmicks. He has two sets of guns that can pop up while in truck mode (and end up being deployable from his robot arms) and some hidden armament in his legs, including a really sweet knife when he likes to get up close and personal. Along with that he has his big leader electronics gimmick (is it normal that I miss those?) where his chest open up to reveal a giant cannon barrel which spins and lights up. While he has some negative points, the only one that bothers me aside from the obvious undercarriage kibble is that the truck sides just bunch up under his robot arms. It isn't the prettiest sight but it does add some much needed bulk. While people can dislike movie figures all they want, I feel nostalgic for nice hefty Transformers Leader figures who had a bunch of fun electronics and sublime detail. I mean think about it, you get fully retractable weapons in both bot and alt mode, a gun and big knife hidden in a leg scabbard ala Robocop, great paint apps for a retail release and a battle mask!
Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. Nathaniel Prime also joins us this week. These are our opinions so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.
Top 10 Best Shockwave Transformers Toys
The last time we looked at Shockwave was in February 2016 and while it might only be 3 years, it feels like an eternity for this character since it was just a few months later that the floodgates opened for Shockwave toys unlike we had ever seen. With the MP line going full gear the year after followed by both two toylines betting it all on G1 right now, we are getting more of Shockwave than we probably need (or are we?). Point is, lots has happened for that character since the first list so we are doing another one. But to still keep it fresh, we are now doing a top 10 instead of just 5. So let's go!
A nice retool that works way better than plain white Jazz IMO. Plus the colors, chunkiness, and the cannon are all there, and he has nice articulation too. -Nathaniel Prime
Now this is a fun figure and a nice new take on Shockwave. He has all that you would expect from a Shockwave figure such as a gun arm (the biggest he has ever had!), a perfect headsculpt, and a hexagonal chest. This is a solid figure where everything perfectly clicks and fits together just fine. What I really love is how his cybertronian cannon mode has his head and chest visible (since as with most Shockwaves, the alt modes are rearranged robot parts with no new alt mode detail) but the angle of his head is flush with his shoulder making a smooth uninterrupted surface, hiding the head in plain sight. The robot chest also blends well by being mirrored on the back, adding a nice sense of symmetry and integrating the chest as the alt mode’s body. This figure is an interesting study of contrast between symmetry in the alt mode and asymmetry in the robot mode. It’s like Shockwave himself, perfectly logical, but dark and twisted. -William-James88
And for fun, he also has a 4th fan mode that works ok.
8. Takara Transformers Cloud Shockwave
What impresses me so much about this figure is how it is a straight redeco (all the parts are the same) and yet he totally owns that Whirl mold he is from. Shockwave always had this cold creepy mad scientist vibe to him and the tall lanky bot mode just works so well for him. He ends up with the same perfect headsculpt which is very reminiscent of Energon Shockblast and the claw hands (reminiscent of Animated Shockwave) lend themselves perfectly to this bot who is always known for having odd appendages. He is also a great scale if you want a slightly taller Shockwave in your collection of updated toys from the G1 era. -William-James88
Combiner Wars Legends Shockwave is a perfectly fine legends class toy and deserves some praise. His alt mode can be both a space ship or a gun which fits in the hands of Combiners, like Bruticus, letting fans recreate a favourite G1 scene. - William-James88
6. Transformers Cyberverse Ultra / Warrior class Shockwave
The general concensus behind the Cybrverse line is that while this gimmick heavy line is far more for kids, there could be one figure that transcends it all: Shockwave (both the Warrior and the Ultra figure).
The colour, is a nice full grape colour. Not too dark ala G1 toy but still very full. The deco is pretty great, with a nice use of panel lining. There are some neatly painted pink highlights across the figures, as if to give a sense of the energy coursing through him. While the alt mode is new for Shockwave, a spider-tank, the desgners did keep gun barrel element from the G1 design on his legs. It's a nice touch. Check out the images below to see how well he can fit in anyone's collection (particularly RID for the warrior class one).
Say what you want about the Bay movies, the design for Shockwave was pretty spot on for that world. He looked like a badass sci fi robot. The portrayal is another story, but the movie design translated perfectly well into the toy, who looked a bit smoother than the usual movie figures up to that point. -William-James88
One of my favorite Bayverse designs that works well with the figure. I really like the inclusion of the rubber hose too. -Nathaniel Prime
This toy is unlike any other Transformer ever designed by Hasbro. Spoilers for the Transformers Animated series abound. The idea behind this toy is for it to be Shockwave disguised as an Autobot who looks completely different with a different alt mode. The real fun is converting him from small stocky Autobot Longarm into the Decepticon Shockwave. The little hands turn into claws, the normal looking autobot face loses his mouth, nose and eyes for only the red cyclops eye to remain and the stocky limbs lengthen to reveal a tall and lean creepy silhouette. Speaking of height, this is a tall voyager figure, just look at that picture of him next to Megatron. I can’t think of that many Transformers which had as much value as this one. Definitely one of the best Transformer toy designs of all time. -William-james88
Animated Shockwave is one of my favorite Animated figures. I love his proportions and his look. Longarm is pretty cool too, and I really like the tank mode in my opinion. - Nathaniel Prime
The G1 toy is still an amazing toy. Any lack in articulation is offset by the playability factor and heft. It's an awesome space gun that turns into a cool looking robot, the argument stops right there! -William-James88
It still holds up and I really like how he looks, his articulation, and his lights and sounds. - Nathaniel Prime
2. Transformers MP 29+ Shockwave
This is THE Shockwave anyone could ask for. I love that they just modernized his transformation, and added more articulation from his G1 toy. However, the + version is much nicer IMO, I like that purple and grey more. I personally find this to be the best Shockwave figure we have. -Nathaniel Prime
1. Transformers Siege Shockwave
I love how unlike the Mastepriece version, this being a definitive Shockwave figure was just a building block to build more upon. To me this is not the Shockwave figure to own if you can't own the MP (ala POTP Leader Prime). Instead it is simply THE Shockwave to own. - William-James88
He has everything a Shockwave could have in a CHUG size package( properly voyager size too). I really like his extra bits he comes with, and some of his combinations with them are really cool. I really like his superstarship mode, but come on, he finally gets a gun mode in this size, even if he has to Sixshot his way for one. Did I mention his colors and articulation are perfect too? -Nathaniel Prime
Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor, or a guest like this week's Optimutt. These are personal opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.
Top 5 Best Beast Wars Nicknames
5. “Bowser”
Black Arachnia to Silverbolt.
Of all the nicknames that the former Predacon, Black Arachnia has for her Fuzor boyfriend, this is the most common one, and it plays up his doggie aspect quite a lot. It’s just kind of touching.
4. “Doggie-Bot”
Waspinator to Silverbolt.
“Wazzpinator not a funny character! Wazzpinator only a Predacon with vocal glitch. Why world question Wazzpinator? Doggie-Bot not question Wazzpinator. Doggie-Bot only one in whole entirety of Beast Warzz that treat Wazzpinator like actual person. He still liked to slag Wazzpinator, though. Mean old Doggie-Bot.”
3. “Chopperface”
Rattrap to Dinobot.
Much to everyone’s sadness, this is one that mostly disappeared in the second season, when Dinobot died. All throughout his time as a Maximal, Rattrap insisted upon cruelty and insult as his primary means of communication, and no nickname was more prominent or more idiosyncratically affectionate than this.
2. “Vermin”
Dinobot to Rattrap.
[youtube]Oifs6ulpd9A [/youtube]
The love shared between the former Predacon, Dinobot, and the New-York-like cynic, Rattrap, was not one-sided. In fact, the jibes they hurled at each other without abandon was one of the most enjoyably consistent parts of Season One. But this, more than any other insult thrown at him, summed up Rattrap to a T. That said, the last time it was used, in “Code of Hero,” it was given not as an insult, but to show the brotherly love that these two actually had for one another.
1. “My Queen”
Inferno to Megatron.
[youtube]X7FoPV0ILmw [/youtube]
That this nickname also references my name (Rob Queen) has no bearing on this choice. Instead, this is a fun glitch in poor Inferno’s mainframe that insists he refer to his commanding office (Megatron) as an ant would the leader of his “colony.” Each time he is called this, Megatron’s comments and exasperation are ignored by the addle-minded minion. Much to great viewer enjoyment.
So there you have it! The Nicknames that we will forever associate with the colorful cast of Beast Wars. Agree? Disagree? Feel free to give your two Golden Disks’ worth in the comments below.
Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor, or a guest like this week's Optimutt. These are personal opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.
Top 5 Best Beast Wars Catchphrases
Beast Wars. To many in the Transformers fandom, they are the two words that started two decades of love and joy. For countless others, it was the series that reinvented the franchise and brought the concept of transforming alien life forms back into existence. Not only did the line provide toy fans with ball-joints, transparent elements, colorful chromey bits and beasts, beasts, and more beasts, but it brought a whole new television show along with it.
Beast Wars (or Beasties to you Canucks out there) the cartoon was the first fully-digitally-animated Transformers cartoon. Produced by Mainframe, its renderings of its beasts evolved in very visible and interesting ways over the three years of the show’s existence. Unlike the original Transformers cartoon, which tried to include as many of its toys in as many of its cartoons as possible, Beast Wars focused instead on a small cast that carried on the tradition of fantastic voice acting established in the G1 cartoon. This excellent voice acting, coupled with the deeply character-driven story-telling headed up by Larry DiTillio and Bob Forward, made Beast Wars a wonderfully memorable series that even after 20 years is still celebrated as one of the finest examples of Transformers media since its inception.
Today, I’m bringing the voice acting and the excellent scripts together to look at one of the greatest elements of the Beast Wars, in
The Top 5 Beast Wars Catchphrases!
5. “For the Colony! / For the Royalty! / Burn!”
Inferno (Jim Byrnes)
When a crashed stasis pod is damaged, it leads to the faulty wiring that erroneously attaches the social habits of the beast form to the protoform inside. As the beast form is that of a worker ant, this creates in Inferno an implacable drive towards the protection of his home, which he calls his “colony, and everything he does is in service of his “queen.” Couple that obsession with his love of making things burn, and we’ve got a walking Catchphrase. But wow is he a fun character.
4. “Well, that’s just Prime.”
Optimus Primal (Garry Chalk)
Right from the first episode, this statement was one that was mostly used by the Maximal’s commanding officer as a sarcastic statement depicting poor humor with an unfortunate situation, but every once in a while, it really did evoke the awe and wonder that some situations called for. Though it’s never totally clear just what is so “Prime” about it all.
3. “We’re all gonna die.”
Rattrap (Scott McNeil)
With his Brooklyn accent and world weariness, Rattrap has been a little bit of everything, seen a little bit of everything, and pissed off everyone he has ever met. At least twice. Vocal and a better complainer than an American student in a classrom, Rattrap sure knew how to interject. Of all his quotes, none better described what he lived for than the simple avoidance of this particular fate. And often to very amusing responses from those around him.
In Beast Wars, we got multiple nods to the Generation One cartoon: Starscream’s ghost, the Ark, the Nemesis, but none hit us with as much force as Ravage’s appearance in the series. At the end of Season Two, in “The Agenda,” Covert Agent Ravage (who was the original Decepticon infiltrator before being reformatted into a Predacon) appeared, and was convinced by Megatron that his mission was the same as the original Megatron’s mission. During a point that elicits fangasms all over the world, this covert kitty screams this phrase before transforming into his classic cassette mode. Few moments in any series ever convey the kind of sheer joy that this one unleashes.
1. “Yesssss…”
Megatron (David Kaye)
What? Did you really think that anyone said anything with as much grace and sweeping grandeur as Megatron? Or was it conceit that drove you to consider something less ubiquitous than his signature statement? The only thing even remotely so abundant in this series are the diodes of Waspinator littering the ground after any encounter with the insect. Spoken more than one hundred times in the three seasons, and amounting to nearly 4 minutes of screen time, nothing could even remotely be so… defining of the show. No.
Honorable Mentions:
“Shut up, Rattrap!”
From Primal to Cheetor, Megatron to Dinobot, and even in a wonderfully-played joke, Rattrap, himself, just about every single member of the Beast Wars said these two wonderful words to Rattrap. Sometimes, it was a variation of it, and more often than not, it was precipitated by his trademark “We’re all gonna die,” comment, but whatever the reason, the obnoxious rodent certainly knew how to get on everyone’s nerves.
“I need no help hunting Predacons. And I prefer to hunt alone.”
Tigatron (Blu Mankuma)
As I’m classifying catchphrases here as things that people say again and again, this doesn’t actually count. Instead, it would count as more of a motto that sums up Tigatron’s essence. A loner and a hunter, the Bengal tiger was one beast of incredible love for his planet, and ferocity against those who would spoil this place. And if this really was his catchphrase, man, that would just be chilling.
So there you have it! The catchphrases that we will forever associate with the colorful cast of Beast Wars. Agree? Disagree? Feel free to give your two Golden Disks’ worth in the comments below. Special thanks to everyone on Youtube who posted the collections of the amazing vids on the site.
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