Post by Rodimus Prime on Jan 9, 2009 0:01:03 GMT
So here it is folks, our favourites from last years production line of shape shifting plastic, compiled by yours truly.
Nemesis Prime:
1. Universe Nemesis Prime
2. Universe Stormcloud
3. Shattered Glass Rodimus
Honourable Mentions:
If they were that honourable, they would have made the top three.
-
Soundwave (From MySpace page, Not "SOUNDWAVE" on Forum) :
Picking some of my favourites from 2008's releases was not something that I could decide on easily. So instead I just went with the ones that as soon as I opened them up they instantly shouted "oh hell yeah!!"
1. Animated Lockdown
The Boba fett of TF:A! It looks tiny in vehicle mode but this adds to the fact he is one tough rough bastard Bounty Hunter! This is a great example of a Transformer toy - a deluxe size muscle car that when you have completed transformation stands taller than nearly every Voyager class toy so far. Okay, the legs make up a lot of the height, but overall this figure is just badass. Some great articulation apart from the shoulder pads, and he looks exactly as he does in the series. If Death's Head was ever going to be turned into a TF , he would be Lockdown.
2. Animated Megatron Leader Class
When I first saw the design for the vehicle mode way before I saw the series, I was thinking "pass", then I saw the redesigned robot mode as opposed to the Voyager size Cybertron mode. It was as close to the original Megatron design from the 80's than anything since(up until Henkei Megatron). The look, the colour scheme, the attitude and the all important fusion cannon! The moment I opened up the box, I was sold. Great size, great articulation, and then what topped it off was the Transormation sound and voice effects.
3. Universe Galvatron
Animated nearly had a hat trick, but I took out Leader Class Ultra Magnus in favour of this guy. He is one of my favourite characters and was one figure I was looking forward to as soon as he was announced. My only gripe with it is a common one with most fans. It's too feckin' small! It should have been Voyager or Ultra class. Apart from that, he is every bit an updated Galvatron(complete with new tank mode) from the colour scheme and orange particle cannon to the evil maniac grin! Not an entirely perfect figure but a great representation none the less.
Honourable Mentions:
Stealth Lockdown - transparent and gives off that cloaked Predator vibe.
Animated Leader Class Ultra Magnus - when you absolutly have to kill every Decepticon in the room, accept no substitute.
Universe Ultra class Onslaught
City Commander Armour for Classics Ultra Magnus - I left this out 'cos it would have been No1, but I chose from stuff that was generally available.
Animated Grimlock - he is G1 Grimlock just done in Animated style!
-
Scourge:
1. Animated Leader Megatron
2. Universe/Classics Cyclonus
3. Universe/Classics Sunstreaker
Honourable Mentions:
Universe Ironhide & Galvatron. Both good ideas, with great robot mode homages to their G1 selves, but for different reasons(Galvatron being too small and Ironhides awful alt-mode) they fall short of the mark.
-
Ready2Rumble:
1. Animated Ultra Magnus
By far my favourite release this year. Robot mode especially.
I love the simple, uncomplicated colour scheme and his proportions are spot on. He looks chunky and sturdy and powerful. The strong jaw and brow lines scream "Commander", and demand respect. I havent got much else to really say, my review is clear cut and honest just like this figure.
'Consistency is Victory' - like motto, like toy.
2. Animated Jazz
I might be a bit biased here, as my inherent love of Jazz is probably going to negate any of the downsides to this figure. Of which I see very few. The build of the figure is well balanced, tough but agile and looks like he could spring into a breakdance at any given second. I particularly love the facial features. He is the epitomy of cool and the icy angled visor and chiselled cheekbones only add to this.
If I were to nitpick I would prefer to see him a bit more colourful in keeping with his character, but saying that the same must then be applied to the G1 figure also.
Animated Jazz is stylish, streamlined and cooler than cool.
3. Materpiece Skywarp
As the wife of the owner of Masterpiece Starscream, it's always been a favourite figure of mine and this repaint(with a slight face remould) is no different. I love his bold contrasting colour scheme as it suits his dark and sneaky character and the build is slinky and mischievous.
The term Masterpiece is dead right. This, in my opinion, is the best figure I have ever seen that is evolved and well developed, yet stays true to a G1 character.
Honourable Mentions:
Universe Galvatron, Animated Lockdown and the City Commander Armour for Classics Ultra Magnus.
-
Browning:
1. Animated Blitzwing
He is playful with the old character with the addition of his multiple personalities which was added into the figure. I always keep the crazy face out. I thought it was a stroke of genius.
2. Animated Voyager Bulkhead
He has a charm that to him that most of the other figures in the line do not have. How many Autobots can you make do a handstand? Apart from that, he maintains his series look a little better than the bigger leader version.
3. City Commander expansion for Ultra Magnus
I know the quality control can be a little strange in places but having said that it does what it is meant to do to - complete the look and finish the job that Hasbro should have started.
Honourable Mentions:
Binaltech Arcee - I know it was intended for Dragstrip but she is a character that is overlooked far too often in G1. Heres hoping for a Universe figure in the future.
Universe Sunstreaker/Sideswipe - 2-bots-for-the-price-of-1 idea, even if Hasbro's Sunstreaker didn't come off as well as Sideswipe.
-
Hot Rod:
1. Universe Galvatron
What a fantastic update to an iconic character. I absolutely love this dude. Great colour scheme, great redesign and an excellent, crazy ass head mold. And he's in perfect scale with Classics Hot Rod.
2. Animated Lockdown
So he's a deluxe size car that transforms into a voyager size robot, he's Boba Fett via Predator and he's voiced by Lance Henriksen. Everyone should have this dude.
3. Animated Leader Class Megatron
Tall, imposing, voice chip/moving mouth gizmo, he's got swords(a la G1), a massive arm cannon and he turns into a futuristic helicopter. I love this toy with a passion and I got him at a bargain price. It's been a slow year generally for me, but it got alot better in the last couple of months, particularly thanks to this guy. I don't really have any of the Autobots from the Animated line, but the I'm totally addicted to the Decepticons thanks to this guy.
Honourable Mentions:
Movie Stealth Bumblebee - great colour scheme, better head mold
Universe Powerglide - great representation of a classic character and a fave of mine
Universe Prowl - because I'm a Prowl fan(shame about the quality control issues)
Universe Sunstreaker - the vanity machine gets a good update but coulda done with a bit more muscle.
Nemesis Prime:
1. Universe Nemesis Prime
2. Universe Stormcloud
3. Shattered Glass Rodimus
Honourable Mentions:
If they were that honourable, they would have made the top three.
-
Soundwave (From MySpace page, Not "SOUNDWAVE" on Forum) :
Picking some of my favourites from 2008's releases was not something that I could decide on easily. So instead I just went with the ones that as soon as I opened them up they instantly shouted "oh hell yeah!!"
1. Animated Lockdown
The Boba fett of TF:A! It looks tiny in vehicle mode but this adds to the fact he is one tough rough bastard Bounty Hunter! This is a great example of a Transformer toy - a deluxe size muscle car that when you have completed transformation stands taller than nearly every Voyager class toy so far. Okay, the legs make up a lot of the height, but overall this figure is just badass. Some great articulation apart from the shoulder pads, and he looks exactly as he does in the series. If Death's Head was ever going to be turned into a TF , he would be Lockdown.
2. Animated Megatron Leader Class
When I first saw the design for the vehicle mode way before I saw the series, I was thinking "pass", then I saw the redesigned robot mode as opposed to the Voyager size Cybertron mode. It was as close to the original Megatron design from the 80's than anything since(up until Henkei Megatron). The look, the colour scheme, the attitude and the all important fusion cannon! The moment I opened up the box, I was sold. Great size, great articulation, and then what topped it off was the Transormation sound and voice effects.
3. Universe Galvatron
Animated nearly had a hat trick, but I took out Leader Class Ultra Magnus in favour of this guy. He is one of my favourite characters and was one figure I was looking forward to as soon as he was announced. My only gripe with it is a common one with most fans. It's too feckin' small! It should have been Voyager or Ultra class. Apart from that, he is every bit an updated Galvatron(complete with new tank mode) from the colour scheme and orange particle cannon to the evil maniac grin! Not an entirely perfect figure but a great representation none the less.
Honourable Mentions:
Stealth Lockdown - transparent and gives off that cloaked Predator vibe.
Animated Leader Class Ultra Magnus - when you absolutly have to kill every Decepticon in the room, accept no substitute.
Universe Ultra class Onslaught
City Commander Armour for Classics Ultra Magnus - I left this out 'cos it would have been No1, but I chose from stuff that was generally available.
Animated Grimlock - he is G1 Grimlock just done in Animated style!
-
Scourge:
1. Animated Leader Megatron
2. Universe/Classics Cyclonus
3. Universe/Classics Sunstreaker
Honourable Mentions:
Universe Ironhide & Galvatron. Both good ideas, with great robot mode homages to their G1 selves, but for different reasons(Galvatron being too small and Ironhides awful alt-mode) they fall short of the mark.
-
Ready2Rumble:
1. Animated Ultra Magnus
By far my favourite release this year. Robot mode especially.
I love the simple, uncomplicated colour scheme and his proportions are spot on. He looks chunky and sturdy and powerful. The strong jaw and brow lines scream "Commander", and demand respect. I havent got much else to really say, my review is clear cut and honest just like this figure.
'Consistency is Victory' - like motto, like toy.
2. Animated Jazz
I might be a bit biased here, as my inherent love of Jazz is probably going to negate any of the downsides to this figure. Of which I see very few. The build of the figure is well balanced, tough but agile and looks like he could spring into a breakdance at any given second. I particularly love the facial features. He is the epitomy of cool and the icy angled visor and chiselled cheekbones only add to this.
If I were to nitpick I would prefer to see him a bit more colourful in keeping with his character, but saying that the same must then be applied to the G1 figure also.
Animated Jazz is stylish, streamlined and cooler than cool.
3. Materpiece Skywarp
As the wife of the owner of Masterpiece Starscream, it's always been a favourite figure of mine and this repaint(with a slight face remould) is no different. I love his bold contrasting colour scheme as it suits his dark and sneaky character and the build is slinky and mischievous.
The term Masterpiece is dead right. This, in my opinion, is the best figure I have ever seen that is evolved and well developed, yet stays true to a G1 character.
Honourable Mentions:
Universe Galvatron, Animated Lockdown and the City Commander Armour for Classics Ultra Magnus.
-
Browning:
1. Animated Blitzwing
He is playful with the old character with the addition of his multiple personalities which was added into the figure. I always keep the crazy face out. I thought it was a stroke of genius.
2. Animated Voyager Bulkhead
He has a charm that to him that most of the other figures in the line do not have. How many Autobots can you make do a handstand? Apart from that, he maintains his series look a little better than the bigger leader version.
3. City Commander expansion for Ultra Magnus
I know the quality control can be a little strange in places but having said that it does what it is meant to do to - complete the look and finish the job that Hasbro should have started.
Honourable Mentions:
Binaltech Arcee - I know it was intended for Dragstrip but she is a character that is overlooked far too often in G1. Heres hoping for a Universe figure in the future.
Universe Sunstreaker/Sideswipe - 2-bots-for-the-price-of-1 idea, even if Hasbro's Sunstreaker didn't come off as well as Sideswipe.
-
Hot Rod:
1. Universe Galvatron
What a fantastic update to an iconic character. I absolutely love this dude. Great colour scheme, great redesign and an excellent, crazy ass head mold. And he's in perfect scale with Classics Hot Rod.
2. Animated Lockdown
So he's a deluxe size car that transforms into a voyager size robot, he's Boba Fett via Predator and he's voiced by Lance Henriksen. Everyone should have this dude.
3. Animated Leader Class Megatron
Tall, imposing, voice chip/moving mouth gizmo, he's got swords(a la G1), a massive arm cannon and he turns into a futuristic helicopter. I love this toy with a passion and I got him at a bargain price. It's been a slow year generally for me, but it got alot better in the last couple of months, particularly thanks to this guy. I don't really have any of the Autobots from the Animated line, but the I'm totally addicted to the Decepticons thanks to this guy.
Honourable Mentions:
Movie Stealth Bumblebee - great colour scheme, better head mold
Universe Powerglide - great representation of a classic character and a fave of mine
Universe Prowl - because I'm a Prowl fan(shame about the quality control issues)
Universe Sunstreaker - the vanity machine gets a good update but coulda done with a bit more muscle.
