Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

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 Wheeljack Transformers Toys


Wheeljack is the seminal Autobot. He was the very first Transformers character we see in the G1 cartoon and he has been around for several incarnations of the brand, and no matter how redefined his character may be, there is always a throughline in terms of design cues for the toys, similar to Optimus Prime. To keep things simple for this list, we will simply look at toys labelled as Wheeljack with the Wheeljack design cues. Now let's get to it!

5. Transformers G1 1984 Wheeljack

One of the better original toys from the 84 line. Unlike other Diaclone toys, G1 Wheeljack works very well as a toy meant to convey a sentient robot, and he has no partsforming. He has that very recognizable headsculpt and since this is a Diaclone toy, the alt mode is perfect.






4. Transformers War for Cybertron: Earthrise Wheeljack

It was a toss up between this and the "Classics/Generations" version but in the end, the Earthrise toy makes the previous Generations Wheeljack obsolete due to the better proportions. While I love how the chest transforms to get a different shape in robot mode from what we see in the alt mode, that does cause him to be extra fiddly, which was also an issue with the "Classics" toy, and that's why he is not higher on the list. Looks great though!






3. Studio Series Bumblebee Movie Wheeljack

Man, what a breath of fresh air these Bumblebee designs were. Firstly in terms of looks, showing us that there can be a middle ground between G1 and the designs in the early Bay films, when it comes to live action. And secondly in terms of toys where the Hasbro team gave us completely new alt modes that they designed themselves to fit with the already conceived robot mode. So you end up with an interesting bot mode, giving a more realistic take on the G1 design and a really cool alt mode, that gives us a new take on a Cyertronian version of the Wheeljack's alt mode. And the transformation to get from one mode to the next is perfect, showing that after decades of car formers, Hasbro can still give us new transformations. hats off to everyone who had a hand in making this toy.






2. Transformers Prime: Robots In Disguise Wheeljack

With all the accolades I gave to the number 3 pick, the next two should be damn near perfect right? Well they are. Starting with Prime Wheeljack. Stellar transformation that is still as intricate as ever and a very screen accurate toy in both modes. Plus it's a new take on Wheeljack, personality wise, with a new set of accessories/weapons not typically associated to Wheeljack. The toy gives us two options for weapon storage, including an offensive car mode.














1. Transformers Masterpiece Wheeljack

Perfect. I mean I could go on, but do I need to? This is the ultimate MP toy for me. A nice meaty transformation, not fiddly, turning a real world alt mode (like the G1 toy) into a screen accurate bot mode. This was truly the toy to satisfy any fan.











Honourable mentions: Cybertron Downshift is a great toy but I had to be clear with this list so he didn't really fit. Still I wanted to mention him so here's the best spot. Really cool alt mode, solid toy, and non intrusive gimmick. A great example of why he Cybertron line was aces.


Transformers Cybertron Downshift Gallery


Transformers Cybertron Downshift Gallery

Uh, yah, definitely do not agree. Earthrise should easily be #2 on the list, and Prime should be #5 at best, as it is hideous in both modes.

Been a while since they posted one of these! Well done

Cool to see this feature return! I'd have probably put the G1 toy at #2 myself, but it's impossible to argue with the #1 choice. That was when the MP line really just couldn't be beat. Someday a third-party company or even Takara itself will come along and do a more cartoon accurate mold that removes stuff like the hand kibble, and some people will prefer it. But I bet it'll be a worse toy.

I can only but agree on 1st place: although I only own the mold as Exhaust, it's one of my favourite MPs ever.

A bit dubious about the Prime toy placing 2nd, personally I'd probably switch places with the Earthrise one.

adamage1 wrote:Earthrise should easily be #2 on the list

Why? What makes that toy better?

Earthrise should totally be number 2.

And Prime should be number 1, if only because I don't own the MP.

Earthrise is as close to a perfect G1 incarnation of wheel jack as one could expect. He's also a really fun toy to mess round with.
I think the only thing I'd deduct points for is the tiny windshield sections that rotate into the legs. Mine has a stress mark on the lone on the left leg already and keeps popping out.

I am glad however Alternators / Binaltech did not make the list. That is one convoluted toy, and does not even get the green and red decals. Just blue racing stripes for some reason. It works better as Grimlock which I own, but is still not a fun toy to mess around with.

This list is exactly right. I own all of them and they're the right toys to include and the correct order to put them in. Nicely done.

I'd replace Earthrise Wheeljack with anything, his square torso is annoying and not at all g1 like. Doesnt matter for his other incarnations but for something trying to emulate g1 it shoudl at least have the shape. Not to mention the grey wings.

Nice list.
Let's hope that in the future, HasTak give us an updated Armada Wheeljack.


Day 931 of waiting for Transformers Armada Masterpiece news.

Studio series bb movie #3? No way. I've found dozens that have shoulders that don't connect in robot mode. A factory defect. He wouldn't make my list at all.

william-james88 wrote:

adamage1 wrote:Earthrise should easily be #2 on the list

Why? What makes that toy better?

Almost every aspect. It is the best representation of the character in the history of the mainline, the head sculpt is virtually perfect, the articulation is incredible as with most of the WFC trilogy/Legacy lines, the car mode looks fantastic, etc. The only downside is the lack of a hand weapon, which is a small nitpick.

Interesting list, I like it.

I don't own the G1 toy, but I own the other 4 in some capacity, so my list would go:

5) Earthrise Wheeljack: I rank this as #5 pretty much only because it is better than the CW figure and Cyberverse Scout. To me, this mold is ridiculously boring. Yeah it is a good Wheeljack and a solid figure, but it is not an interesting figure. It's good, but has no personality, no flash, no stand out features, it just is there. It's boring, very boring.

4) SS BBM Wheeljack: This is a solid mold. It is a bit small, but well built and designed, and I love the headsculpt. I wish he was a bit bigger and that his feet had more posability, and also maybe remove the clear plastic? But it's still a solid mold.

3) Transformers Dark of the Moon Wheeljack: I am counting this one since that name was on the package, even though in my heart he is Que. I love that toy a lot. The car mode is slick, the robot mode is well built, and the transformation is quite involved. Plus, the accessories add a lot to him too. He is a lot of fun.

2) Prime Beast Hunters Wheeljack: I rate this one here since I don't own the standard Wheeljack. This mold is so wonderful, it has so much personality and some great shapes and posability. It is a super fun toy.

1) MP20 Wheeljack: this is the perfect MP toy, the perfect Wheeljack toy, it is perfect in so many regards. it is wonderful, it will most likely always be #1.

TulioDude wrote:Nice list.
Let's hope that in the future, HasTak give us an updated Armada Wheeljack.

I'm surprised they didn't just retool a new front end/chest for WFC Sideswipe and put him out in Selects or as a retailer exclusive. I'd buy it.

Cheetron wrote:Studio series bb movie #3? No way. I've found dozens that have shoulders that don't connect in robot mode. A factory defect. He wouldn't make my list at all.

"Dozens"? The first and only one I bought had perfect shoulders. I haven't heard of any complaints of the shoulders not connecting.

Anyway, I like the list, but I don't have the vintage or Prime toys so including Downshifts this is my list:

5. Energon Downshift
4. Cybertron Downshift
3. WFC Wheeljack
2. Bumblebee Movie Wheeljack
1. Masterpiece Wheeljack

Only other Wheeljack I have is Alternators which isn't a great figure and a really poor Wheeljack. I did paint his eyes light glossy blue which at at least improved that.

Emerje

While I hold a lot of respect for this list, Earthrise’s inclusion on here is a crime when Energon Downshift was a much better toy. The ER mold is just so boring. Anyway, major props for this list, hope we can get another one soon!

Tigerhawk7109 wrote:While I hold a lot of respect for this list, Earthrise’s inclusion on here is a crime when Energon Downshift was a much better toy. The ER mold is just so boring. Anyway, major props for this list, hope we can get another one soon!

Is it boring? I was just playing around with the Netflix figure the other day and still get a kick out of part of the windshield being hidden in the legs. Engineering wise it's a clever figure.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:

Tigerhawk7109 wrote:While I hold a lot of respect for this list, Earthrise’s inclusion on here is a crime when Energon Downshift was a much better toy. The ER mold is just so boring. Anyway, major props for this list, hope we can get another one soon!

Is it boring? I was just playing around with the Netflix figure the other day and still get a kick out of part of the windshield being hidden in the legs. Engineering wise it's a clever figure.

Emerje

While an interesting concept, I don't really get why they went out of their way to make the windshield be so angular and square in robot mode. That removes one of the main design cues of G1 Wheeljack which is the curved Lancia windshield as the chest. We finally have the most accurate Wheeljack in this scale and they go and do that, why? Plus those two pieces can get annoying when transforming.

I'll be honest, I am surprised the Earthrise mold is getting so much love in these comments. It's a fine toy (hence why it's on the list) but I never picked up any passion over it when it first came out. Also, it tended to be the remaining toy from the Netflix line in stores, even though that was the first time it was ever reissued, as if it was the one people were least excited about.

And of course, as counter to all that, there are comments wondering why this boring toy is even there. All have as much weight and I won't judge opinions (you already have mine) but it's interesting that this is the toy that is being talked about most from either points of view.

I think the list is fine, I would move the ER WJ to #2 and move the other two up but that is just my preference.

5 G1
4 SS
3 Prime
2 ER
1 MP

Tigerhawk7109 wrote:While I hold a lot of respect for this list, Earthrise’s inclusion on here is a crime when Energon Downshift was a much better toy. The ER mold is just so boring. Anyway, major props for this list, hope we can get another one soon!

Thanks a lot Tigerhawk, sure I'll have another one for you.

I had no idea so many people harbored enmity and/or apathy for ER Wheeljack for *checks notes*....being a good G1 Wheeljack? Like I get that some people still don't like the windshield in the legs, but other than that it has no issues...and apparently that's a negative because that means it's "boring"? Or are people just annoyed that it keeps getting repacked?

Can't critique the actual list though, since I haven't touched most of those figures (although I did admittedly let out a groan of "of course" to see another list where the Masterpiece wins by default of being a Masterpiece figure).

william-james88 wrote:Also, it tended to be the remaining toy from the Netflix line in stores, even though that was the first time it was ever reissued, as if it was the one people were least excited about.

I feel like this wasn't the fault of the ER WJ mold so much as the following factors:
-That Netflix wave came out in late 2020, so that Wheeljack had already hit shelves earlier that year with ER wave 1 without the unnecessary amount of extra bird crap paint with a better paint job (and because of Covid's effects on distribution, that meant in some areas ER WJ and Netflix WJ were sharing shelf space)
-The other Deluxes in the wave were Bee & Elita-1 (who were exclusive to the line, prominent in the show, and also one was Bumblebee) and Impactor & Red Alert (who hadn't been on the shelves earlier in the same year like WJ had, were somewhat prominent in the show I guess, and were shortpacked)
With that in mind, of course it was the one people were least excited about.

Am I the only one who prefers the Generations version to the Earthrise? I think the wings/doors are way better and more distinctive, the proportions are less generic square humanoid, and he has c-clip wrenches! In my opinion a way better representation of the characters.

I happen to own Cybertron Downshift myself and it's great.

But Masterpiece winning number 1st spot yet again? Haven't you guys ever considering banning Masterpiece entries in these polls for a while so other toys get a chance to shine?

TFfan1 wrote:Am I the only one who prefers the Generations version to the Earthrise? I think the wings/doors are way better and more distinctive, the proportions are less generic square humanoid, and he has c-clip wrenches! In my opinion a way better representation of the characters.

I like him a lot too. When ER Wheeljack came out I felt loath to replace him ... so I didn't. Although I did get Exhaust. I don't know if I like him more per-say, but I didn't feel like the price for ER was worth replacing a figure I was happy with already.

I have only the one from PRIME and dislike all of his alternate versions,no disdain for BH but this one.

I found the STUDIO SERIES one close to me,30 euros is huge,he interests me a bit except that his chest is too big,maybe for the strangely formed car but not at this price.