Transformers Top Lists News on Seibertron.com

Got Transformers News? Let us know here!

Goto Page: 1, 2, 3 >>
27 total news articles in this section, 10 per page.

Top 5 Best Transformers Robots in Disguise 2001 Toys

Date: Sunday, December 15th 2019 3:06pm CST
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top Lists
Posted by: william-james88

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 58,142

Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by your fellow editor or a guest writer. 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 RID 2001 Toys

I feel the most underrated lines in Transformers history share the same name: Robots in Disguise. We already spoke about toys from the most recent use of that name so now we will talk about the original RID line. This line is very odd when you look at it since it was the return of G1 characters in a Transformers show with robots changing into cars. But there was also a holdover from Beast Wars with beast based characters among the bad guy ranks. One of the more famous characters from that line, Sky Byte, was a reuse of the previously released Beast Wars toy Cybershark but with a new colour scheme and identity. The line went even further back than Beast Wars for its toys, like the G1 and G2 line. Speaking of which the first entry on this list is...

5. Transformers Robots In Disguise Scourge (Black Convoy)

Robots in Disguise was a mishmash of the old and the new and Scourge is the best example of that. He is a redeco of G2 Laser Optimus Prime from a decade prior brought as a new character. Funny enough, due to the character's fan base, this deco is even more popular than the original Optimus Prime release and from here on out that black, red and teal became the defacto redeco of EVERY OPTIMUS PRIME TOY (I exaggerate, but just a bit). Also, people forget, but this was a Toysrus exclusive, making him one of the best within that category too.

4. Transformers Air Attack Optimus Primal (Beast Convoy)

Yes, the best Beast Machines Optimus Primal didn't come out in Beast Machines. This toy came once all was said and done and that toy designers could finally work off the final designs from that show and was released in the Robots in Disguise line. They even wrote that he was a time traveler in his bio just so that this random entry in the line would make some sense in the fiction of it all (at least they tried). And I am glad they went for it, because as I wrote, this is the best Optimus Primal with the Beast Machines design. He looks like in the show and was even voiced by Gary Chalk (first Transformers voice actor clip in a toy ever). That transformation was also really since even though the arms are the same parts for the robot and beast mode, they find a way to alter their look and make them show accurate. That's pretty nuts given the fact that they how he got from one mode to the next in the show was through morphing rather than traditional transforming (reorienting parts).

3. Transformers Robots In Disguise Optimus Prime (Fire Convoy)

It was Robots in Disguise that brought back Optimus Prime as the main hero of the Transformers franchise and he had quite the toy to represent his return. This was a Japanese design so it gave westerners something rather new with the idea of building upon a base figure over and over to create bigger and bigger super modes. It brought upon a whole new level of complexity too. I think my preferred mode though is the standard super mode (Super Fire Convoy) before he becomes a literal god. I find it's the best proportioned and still really imposing. The playability with this guy was through the roof with the extending functional firetruck ladder that was fully loaded with missiles and pop out guns.

2. Transformers Robots In Disguise Rail Racer (JRX)

This is one of the best combiners of all time and one of the most original. It's really impressive how he goes from three bullet trains that look like model trains (no visible robot kibble) which can turn into three individual robots and then also combine into one big robot. And that big robot looks rather uniform for a combiner and it had a great headsculpt. He's just a toy you have to experience to see the genius that went into him.

Transformers Robots In Disguise Midnight Express (J-4) Gallery

1. Transformers Robots In Disguise Megatron (Gigatron)

To be honest, all the robots on this list are rather close in ranking. Any of them could have been number one (well, maybe except Scourge if I am prioritizing original molds for the line). But I picked this one just due to the sheer ambition of it. He has 10 modes. 10 MODES!!!! And while some are forgettable (elephant?) I really like how several modes look rather unique and bring out different aspects of the toy. There's the two headed dragon, the main robot mode, a griffon, the jet, the bat and, my personal favourite, the giant hand. There are these seemingly decorative disks on his wings that become wheels for a car mode. Granted, it's not show accurate but it doesn't take away from the other good modes this guy has. And he looks so majestic and regal in this jeweled version of the decepticon colour scheme.

Honourable Mentions: The new autobot brothers Side Burn, Prowl, and X Brawn

RID is known for bringing back the the robot cars in a big way (it is called Car Robots in Japan after all) so I wanted to mention the new take on the concept of car bots this line brought. The cars were realistic, like in G1 but the transformations were very different. The car kibble was asymmetric in robot mode with a lot of new robot mode detail, like in the chest area which used to be a prominent piece of the car instead. I always like new concepts so these definitely gold a nice place in the legacy of cars transforming into robots.

Transformers Robots In Disguise X-Brawn (Wildride) Gallery

Transformers Robots In Disguise Prowl (Mach Alert) Gallery

Top 5 Best Transformers Energon Toys

Date: Saturday, November 30th 2019 11:24pm CST
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top Lists
Posted by: william-james88

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 67,629

). So you can see why this line was not a hit in my eyes. But as I learnt more about it, and saw some Decepticons, I saw that there was a lot to enjoy. Especially with the Scout class, and this is the line where we first saw these toys. And Energon Scouts remain to this day the best examples of this class. Now We'll see what other beauties this line had to offer. Also, this list is for a local fan of these lists who reached out to say that they were big Energon fans and were hoping for a list to be made. Well, I hope you (and everyone else reading) have fun with it.

5. Transformers Energon Shockblast (Laser Wave)

With Energon being a 20th anniversary line, it contained a lot of homages and callback to G1. Including the very first Shockwave toy since G1 (and the first one ever designed by Takara). While it wasn't a gun, there was a lot to love, the scale especially making this the defacto Classics Shockwave for years. It's also quite the competent triple changer and has one kick ass robot mode.

4. Transformers Energon Sharkticon

One of the best water based Transformers of all time. An homage to the Sharkticons while being very much something new all of his own. I remember finding the transformation a bit simple but that by no means negates anything about him. And with me realizing that sometimes complexity is not all it's cooked up to be, I see nothing wrong with this well articulated toy that has some great and non obtrusive action features and a unique look.

3. Transformers Energon Megatron (Galvatron)

I know what you are thinking, another Decepticon? Well yeah, that's basically all this line did right. And boy did it do those right. This toy is awe inspiring in design with a ton of call backs. He comes with a tank accessory which is basically Megatron's Armada form and you can either latch it onto the great looking spaceship (which definitely has some X-Wing callbacks) or arm the robot. You can also use it as a sword handle (just don't put eateries in it, that sound will crush your dreams). While the robot looks imposing in his own right, I love how the designers interwove some Galvatron designs, such as the barrel chest, leg designs, abdominal piece and crown.

2. Transformers Energon Omega Supreme

HELL YEAH! I just find this toy so smart. Just as in G1 you do get Omega Surpeme as a giant robot who can breakdown into playsets for your smaller bots. But unlike G1, there are less parts involved and it feels more like a Transformer but with tons of play features. Including a headmaster unit! And speaking of that headmaster, it is an homage to Action Master Omega Spreem. So you get two omega homages for the price of one!

1. Transformers Energon Divebomb (Shadowhawk)

As I said in the intro, while this line has lots to love (surprisingly), the biggest take away is it's invention of the Scout Class. Now this class is extremely important to me since the idea was to create a lower price point where the only thing that changed was the size. Not the amount of parts (like in G1), not the complexity (like in Beast Wars), just the size. So you would still have bots as detailed, complex and articulated as deluxes but for less. And with this being the 20th anniversary, these scouts had lots of homages, including several decepticons reborn (like Ravage). Divebomb encompasses everything I just wrote and is the best scout class transformer of all time while homaging the great Decepticon birds like G1 Laserbeak and Divebomb while being his own bot.

Honourable Mention: Energon Optimus Prime and Wingsabre are both far from being even considered for this list. Optimus' proportions are terrible with a very weak transformation and Wing Sabre is more of a brick than anything from the G1 era. But combined they make for a really cool toy. So good that it was number 1 in my list of best Optimus Super Modes. So I wanted to mention that again here in this section.

Top 5 Beast Machines Transformers Toys

Date: Friday, November 15th 2019 10:51pm CST
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top Lists
Posted by: william-james88

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 65,779

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 Best Beast Machines Toys

If you heard that the best part of the Beast machines toyline were everything aside for the onscreen beasts, well there is some truth to it. It was a return to vehicles and the designers seemed to give their all for anything that flew or had wheels, as if they could finally pour out all the ideas they had been keeping on the side for years during the beast wars. The line is a celebration in a way, of the mixture between styles, the organic and the mechanic, which is the theme of the show. This list will be that too with a mix of the vehicons and beasts, though more the ones that were not seen in the show. You'll see what I mean, now let's get to it!

5. Sonic Attack Jet (Jetstorm)

This is one of the better toys that is based on a show character and also happens to look like the show character, to an extent better than most. It even has a hover mode. Now, I picked this redeco over the original because I feel the vibrant blues are far more accurate to Jetstorm on the show (easily my favourite villain of the three generals). It's a beautiful and sleek cybertronian jet, with no obvious robot kibble (even though it's technically right there in front of you) with a nice transformation and a solid robot mode. Not much more I could ask for in a toy.

Transformers Beast Machines Tank Drone Gallery

Transformers Beast Machines Jetstorm Gallery

4. Battle Unicorn

Most of the basic figures in Beast Machines were really solid and it's the class with easily the most consistently good figures. Battle Unicorn is the first of the two on this list. I really like that Hasbro once again gave us a mythological animal in the Beast era. While it may be similar to a horse, they really go out of their way to give it that extra mythical appearance by extending the theme of a central horn onto the robot mode's crest (which also gives it the appearance of a spartan helmet, and we know the Greeks are linked to both horses and myths). Plus we have a fire theme with beautiful clear red plastic. It looks like a jewel.

3. Transformers Beast Machines Blackarachnia

Even when the MP will come out, this will remain one of the better Blackarachnia figures. I really like the transformation, which gives us a great spider mode even though the details don't match up perfectly with the show. And it gives us the multiple eyes gimmick in robot mode too. It is also one of the better toys done for a female character, emphasizing the different body type a female Cybertronian could have. It's just a well done toy all around, conveying the essence of the character and the biotech theme of the show, regardless of its accuracy.

2. Transformers Beast Machines Night Viper Gallery

This is one of the best designs of the beast era. The idea of a limbless creature turning into a robot with 4 limbs could drive some toy designers mad but Hasbro and Takara achieved it and with great success. I really love how the tail becomes not one but two legs. It's also a very unique robot look and for once you don't have itty biddy thighs leading up to big feet. There is a really cool fantasy element to this toy's proportions and the design, at least in robot mode, reminds me a lot of a ancient headpieces. The snake mode looks great too, and even has a biting gimmick. What impresses the most though is all the dedication given to a small toy at a very low price point. This toy is as complex, detailed and articulated as any toy commanding higher prices in its toyline, which is something you don't see these days.

1. Transformers Beast Machines Tankor

Tankor is one of the most overlooked Transformers toys out there. He isn’t show accurate in the slightest, and that’s why no one cares about him now, but he is an incredible transforming toy! He is a beast of a machine in both modes and has an involved yet very intuitive transformation. I love his gimmicks too like his saw blades that can be revealed in tank mode as well as the most complex light piping gimmick ever done. Unlike the show model, this toy actually has two separate heads, one for robot mode and one for tank mode (which I like better, it feels less lazy as a transforming toy) and both heads share an interconnected light piping gimmick which makes it appear as though he is scanning the environment just as he would on the show. Also, his huge size also makes him work as a much worthy opponent to the other non accurate Beast Machines figures out there. In a fit of irony, his size makes him seem more suited to lead an army made up of the more show accurate Tankor that was released in a much smaller scale (also pictured below).

Top 5 Best Beast Wars Toys of Non Show Characters

Date: Saturday, November 2nd 2019 11:10am CDT
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top Lists
Posted by: william-james88

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 75,892

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 Beast Wars Toys of Non Show Characters

We don't see it as much these days, but in the 80s and 90s, the characters you saw on a Transformers show were just a subset of all the toys available. Business-wise, the shows served to advertise the toyline that you would then discover and the toys would have their own appeal based on how they looked. Growing up with Beast Wars, I remember pouring over the back of the cards and boxes of the few I got to see all the other wonderful toys of characters I did not know. And that's what we are looking back on today, the toys from the Beast era of characters that never appeared on the North American CG Beast Wars (Beasties) show.

5. B'Boom (Apache)

Apes are a perfect alt mode if you want a sleek robot mode with little kibble since both the primates and robots are humanoid. But the trick is that you still need to have enough variation between modes for it being worthwhile to play with it and Transform (something the designer of Optimus Minor did not know). B'Boom masters that concept. The Mandrill alt mode is very recognizable and he turns into one cool looking bad ass bot. He stands tall in robot mode, and reminds me of old G1 Joes especially with the heavy artillery theme he has going on and the buzz cut they give him. And that works so well with his puntastic name.

4. Transformers Beast Wars Bonecrusher (Bighorn)

Now this is a robot in disguise. The idea of the first year toys was to have toys that were disguised as real animals and this list highlights some of the best ones, like Bonecrusher. I just love how perfect he looks in alt mode, he looks just like that well known iconic american image of a buffalo that was even on the nickel at some point. He was very unique in his transformation and design where his missile firing weapon was his head, which could pop out of the buffalo body when you pulled it's tail.

3. Power Pinch

What is amazing with insects is that their anatomy doesn't give the toy designer such an easy way out, compared to mammals who have four limbs. The limbs must come from somewhere else. Limbs not serving double duty means there is no robot design or kibble found anywhere in Power Pinch's earwig mode. The great weapon (a giant pair of shears) integrates perfectly into the tail. The transformation is as complex as we will ever get for a basic class transformer thanks to a nice amount of parts count. The robot mode offers lots of new robot detail. Basically, the bottom half of his body and the head are pieces not seen in insect mode and yet there is minimal alt mode kibble to hide due to how the toy is engineered. It's a little marvel really and due to it being a toy from this era you have all the ball jointed articulation you would need along with a generous amount of painted details we could only dream of getting today.

2. Transformers Beast Wars Metals Scavenger (Transmetal Inferno)

As stated above, it's always impressive when a beast former doesn't reuse animal limbs for his robot limbs. Also, Scavenger wasn't a shell former, he had many new details for the robot mode and yet remained sleek. Not only is he sleek, he is downright unsettling in his ultimate maniac design. This guy reeks of villainy and not the fun kind, the scary kind. The kind you can have nightmares about. So not only is it a great Transformers toy objectively, when you take a look at the design it just takes it over the top. There are very little toys out there with as much personality as this one. I also love those drill hands that turn when you activate them through his shoulder.

1. Transformers Beast Wars Cybershark

An extremely efficient transformer whose body length shell serves as a great disguise to a very poseable robot. The shark mode has beautiful deco which looks as good as any plastic shark toy found in toy stores in the 90s. What is amazing is that, despite it being a shellformer, it has great alt mode integration that is very reminiscent of traditional transformers with having the head of the alt mode as the chest. A main aspect of the original toys that make up what we call G1 was the disguise component and how they could infiltrate other toylines which didn’t transform. With its phenomenal alt mode, this shark-former is a perfect example of this legacy. The deco on this toy is as masterful as that headsculpt and he comes armed to the teeth with extra shark themed projectiles (that can be stored within his back) and his pincertail. Of course, that is aside from his hammerhead shark head which he can shoot from his body!

Honourable Mentions: ALL the Transmetal II deluxe toys are great. They have super cool designs that scream the extreme of the 90s but done right. While they all look different, it is still hard to set them apart when considering which is better. Jawbreaker is cool but is he better than Iguanus? Is Prowl better than Ramulus? They are all as good (and as likely to chip) so I am mentioning them here since they stand out most as a group of awesome toys.

Transformers Beast Wars Scourge Gallery

Top 5 Best Prowl Transformers Toys

Date: Saturday, October 19th 2019 8:02pm CDT
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top Lists
Posted by: william-james88

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 53,525

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 Prowl Transformers Toys

While Optimus prime may be the most popular Transformer of all time, I always felt Prowl had the archetypal look. He is the quintessential car bot, a car turning into a robot where the car hood ends up as the robot's chest. However, with such a typical design, this list was rather vanilla at first, with similar looking toys all transforming similarly and getting incrementally closer to the character model over time. But that's because I was just thinking of Prowl's G1 design and as soon as I thought outside the box, writing this list became a hoot! Now let's get to it.

5. Transformers Robots In Disguise Prowl (Mach Alert)

The Lamborghini is one of the greatest (if not the greatest) alt mode a Transformer can have. And with prowl being the quintessential carbot, giving him the alt mode of the coolest car is just awesome. RID was a time of going back to the basics of cars transforming into robots but for a new century (literally) and audience, with new designs and transformations. This Prowl toy achieves all of that by giving us something that I don' think any of us will forget.

4. Transformers Generations Siege Prowl/Combiner Wars Prowl

I find these two toys far too vanilla to separate. I find them both better than the Universe mold, on account of the head sculpt alone, but when it comes to comparing the two they each have their pros and cons and neither really stand out among the other toys either on this list or on the pegs. They both make very good Prowls for a classics collection. I like the overall look of the Combiner Wars toy, especially the head and alt mode, along with the added fun that it combines. At the same time though, I like the use of the real front of the car for the chest of Siege Prowl and while the car mode isn't my favourite, I do like the tech detail on the clear plastic. They both get the job done for a classics display and you get two great looking choices, which is more than other established characters can say.

3. Transformers Beast Wars Prowl

Many G1 names resurfaced in Beast Wars as totally new characters (ie. Scorponok, Rampage, Silverbolt) with no relation to their G1 namesake. Prowl is an exception to that, with his toy bio referencing "another life" and his skills centering around analysis and reliance on logic. So he's Prowl, but in Beast Wars, awesome! Plus he turns into an owl, has a cybernetic eye and is an excellent toy with an original design, as was customary for all those great Transmetal II toys.

2. Transformers Masterpiece Prowl

I really love this era of Masterpiece toys where they idea was building off of the original toy/transformation but updating it with all the design advancements acquired since. And turning that into both an accurate portrayal of this beloved character as he appeared in the cartoon while also incorporating real world elements from a realistic alt mode. I personally prefer feet on my Transformers, but it's Prowl's thing not to have any so I can see why the priority here would be to give us the familiar design rather than reinventing his looks.

1. Transformers Animated Prowl Gallery

As great as the MP is, I must say I love this toy even more. I am just a sucker for originality in this brand and in Animated, the designers went all out. We still have Prowl at this core, and we still have the police theme, but it's just taken somewhere else (and, personally, somewhere better). This is one of the best Transformer Toy design out there with a sleek robot mode full of personality that turns into a beautiful bicycle. He also has a Japanese theme going on where on one toy the wheel centers become throwing stars and on another toy the sidecar becomes a samurai armour. Plus he has great articulation to go with his slender physique and, as with many animated toys, the fact that they were able to replicate such an exaggerated style into a physical and transforming toy will forever be one of the brand's greatest achievements.

Transformers Animated Prowl Gallery

Transformers Animated Samurai Prowl Gallery

Honourable Mention: Transformers G1 1984 Prowl

As I wrote in the intro, this is the toy that started it all. It is the quintessential Transformer toy and a design that lives on to this day. It cannot be ignored in the conversation of the best Prowl toys the brand has given us.

Top 5 Best Sideswipe Transformers Toys

Date: Saturday, October 12th 2019 1:28pm CDT
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top Lists
Posted by: william-james88

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 66,307

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 Best Transformers Sideswipe Toys

Sideswipe has been part of the Transformers brand since the very beginning. He also happens to be one of the main body types for autobot characters so it is interesting to see how designers play with that style over the years and refine it as time goes on. Aside from that, no intro really needed for this one, it's rather cut and dry so let's get to it!

5. Transformers Universe - Classics 2.0 Sideswipe

Its a smart mold that accomplishes a lot but it works best when you have both Sideswipe AND his sibling oriented differently, showing you how great it is. But since this result is better than the sum of its parts, that means the parts themselves aren't the best. Plus I find those headsculpts lacking (same with Prowl and those Universe Datsuns) but I won't deny how smart it was to get such a different looking car bot using the same mold.

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Transformers Sideswipe Toys

4. Transformers G1 1984 Sideswipe (Lambor)

The car mode is excellent, as it is with many G1 toys. Of course, it is especially cool with Sideswipe since the Countash is one of the most iconic sports cars of all time. The robot mode, while having the limitations of any early G1 toy, it fine and the die cast just feels so right for this vintage toy.

3. Studio Series Sideswipe

While I personally find many of the studio series toys are not as pleasant to transform as previous releases of the same characters, often due to these toys being smaller, that is not the case with Sideswipe. He takes what worked in the previous release and makes it better. this is easily the best movie sideswipe toy we have gotten and a good toy to have in a collection. I especially love how the swords come from parts of that stellar alt mode.

2. Transformers War for Cybertron: SIEGE Sideswipe

While not very complex, it is impressive how he still achieves a great look and stellar articulation. The vehicle mode, while not really cybertronian, is still really nice and sleek. Plus he has 5 mm ports to weaponize him up as much as you wish.

1. Transformers Masterpiece Sideswipe (Lambor)

It has almost been a decade since the MP line rejunivated with this being the first carbot and I think it holds up as a masterpiece. I much preffer this attempt in the MP line to give us the best version of the character in all that it encompasses. So rather than simply being accurate to the animation, this MP also has the car have realistic elements and the robot using the parts from his car to make his bot mode, replicating his transformation on the show. I love how the legs are built, especially how the tailgate lights end up above his ankle and how the back transforms to be sleeker. There is a lot to love here and it is easily one of my favourite carbots to Transform.

Honourable Mention: Sideswipe was a main character in the Robots in Disguise show but his toys left a lot to be desired, especially his main warrior class toy which was very badly engineered. if I had to recommend one from the entire line, it would be the Battle Pack Sideswipe.

Top 5 Best Optimus Primal Transformers Toys

Date: Saturday, September 21st 2019 1:28pm CDT
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top Lists
Posted by: william-james88

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 53,581

4. Throne of the Primes

Because of how big and bold that original Optimal Optimus was, the Power of the primes version felt quite underwhelming. Sure, it did a lot that the original did and more (due to the evolution gimmick) but it did't have the heft nor presence. It just didn't do enough different to feel worthwhile. Enter throne of the primes which gave us a deco no one expected, but that everyone welcomed. A big disappointment from the first release of this mold was a lack of a gorilla mode for the smaller primal. No black and grey gorilla. Well Throne of the Primes gives us that gorilla but for the bigger bot. This ends up being a super version of Season 1 Primal instead, which is one of those fun things where we are given something we didn't even know we wanted. Plus we get a throne where Primal can be the king of the jungle, resting on the etched faces of contestants that just weren't good enough. Add to that an awesome scepter containing all the remaining primes you need for your Prime Master collection, all in one go. The only thing holding this toy back from the rest is that it's still based on a rather lackluster mold.

3. Transformers Legends Optimus Primal (Beast Convoy)/ Beast Wars 10th Anniversary Optimus Primal

This is simply the best version (so far) of that original Optimus primal toy we all know and love. The bot mode is super cool and it's fun to have a synergy between the transformation you see on screen and the way the toy transforms. The best part is most probably the weapon storage with swords, missiles and a skull mace!

2. Transformers Beast Machines (RID) Air Attack Optimus Primal (Beast Convoy)

This was my number 1 primal for a long time. I just really loved the transformation and how smart it was in terms of recreating the character model from the show. The gauntlets becoming shoulder pads is quite smart and really changes the look of the arms from one mode to the next. Plus you have Gary Chalk voicing the toy and the best electronic gimmicks we have ever gotten with a belly disc blast (I really like just spamming that sound effect) and the backpack that changes sound depending on how you hold the toy.

1. Masterpiece Optimus Primal

For about the same price as the Throne of the Primes mentioned above, you can get a much nicer toy in the form of this Masterpiece Optimus Primal. I remember seeing a non transforming version of his when he was first shown thinking there was no way they could pull this off (and also thinking, "oh right, his defacto stance was on two feet, totally forgot about that"), but they did. While the original toy used a lot of similar parts for both modes, we realize here that a full inversion was necessary to get from a gorilla that is more bottom heavy to a robot which is more top heavy with it's more heroic proportions. And they do exactly that with the transformation. My favourite part is actually the beast hip transformation where the same part acts as a completely different part in robot mode and yet feels like it belongs as much for each mode. It's a genius step. there is a lot of genius at play here inorder to minimize the extraneous kibble to keep both modes as lean as they should be, and aside from a problem with the back of the feet in beast mode, I would call it a success.

Honourable Mention: Transformers Beast Machines Deluxe Optimus Primal

This toy gets an F for screen accuracy and for a long time, that put me off on it. But after experiencing the toy I think it has a lot to offer. I always feared the toy would have an ultra lame transformation where there isn't much in terms of transformation aside from a head swap and making the figure stand differently (which was the case for lots of Cheetor toys of the era). But this is not the case here. The robot mode and techno-organic gorilla have two totally different proportions and even different parts. I really love the shape of the gorilla mode where it has a really elegant curve in the back, making this a cool take on a gorilla mode. A gorilla is already more humanoid than any other beast mode so it's cool to see the distinguishable beast proportions at play. In the end it's no different than the Bat Primal toys out there, meaning a cool take on a character in a form we will never see on screen.

Top 5 Best Cyberverse Commander Class Transformers Figures

Date: Sunday, September 8th 2019 10:32pm CDT
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top Lists
Posted by: william-james88

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 75,288

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 Cyberverse Commander Class Figures

Cyberverse didn't always refer to a Transformers cartoon. It once was a fun idea of a subline, which started in Dark of the Moon and continued into all of Transformers Prime. It had it's own sense of scale and even redefined those smaller toys. It was a contained smaller scale made up of Legion class and Commander class figures. While the Legion class was well known by fans (it was previously known as the Legends Class, let the confusion BEGIN!), the Commander Class was a new idea. It was made of figures that were a tad bit smaller than Scout Class figures and yet more complex than Legion figures. It could have been seen as the "new" Scout Class, especially since it replaced the ROTF Scout class initially, but then it developed into this nice sweet spot where you could use it for smaller versions of characters who were usually bigger than deluxes to then interact with the legion figures (like faction leaders and lieutenants). In short, this was a fun class which gave us some excellent toys and I want to share some jewels from this short lived Commander class.

5. Transformers Dark of the Moon Hatchet

I really liked this little guy due to the originality of the concept. It reminded me of Skylynx where you go from a vehicle to a more animalistic robot mode. And it was the only way to get what I found to be the one of the most original Decepticon designs from the film Dark of the Moon. They did an excellent job with this toy at the smaller Commander class scale where you feel the complexity was not sacrificed. Great looking tiny jet too!

Transformers News: Top 5 Cyberverse Commander Class Figures

4. Transformers Prime: Cyberverse Dreadwing

You want o know something nuts? I like this guy more than the voyager version. It is the perfect proof that you can still accomplish so much at a small scale. The voyager may be imposing, but his transformation is more complicated than it should be, especially for a bot who's legs aren't disguised in jet mode. Here instead, you get a very pleasant transformation with a great looking two modes, helped by the undercarriage being more compact in jet mode than with the voyager. I especially love how they made him scale with Megatron and the vehicon underlings.

3. Transformers Dark of the Moon Guzzle

This toy reminds me a lot of ROTF Bludgeon. Not just because they are both tanks, but because this is still to date the best toy of guzzle out there and a very loving homage while still being new and distinctive. Even though it is a movie toy, it has that same amazing energy of the classics line where you see a love for G1 and the want to bring those design cues back for a new era. It's a very inventive design, given the homage and an excellent mold.

2. Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Cyberverse Hardshell

I always felt this is one of the very best Commander class toy from the Cyberverse line, if not the best. It is too bad we never got a voyager Hardshell for our Prime collection but at least we can recreate his might and scale in the cyberverse line. The transformation is quite complex for a Commander class figure, to the point where an upscale into voyager could use the same transformations scheme and not feel in any way simpler than regular voyagers (but I would hope for some more articulation if it ever happened).

1. Transformers Prime: Cyberverse Ironhide/Huffer/Trailcutter

I know what it says for the state of Ironhide toys, but this is one of the top 3 best Ironhide toys we have ever gotten, and I include the Masterpiece in that. This is leagues better than the deluxe mold that also came out (which Hasbro only released as Kup). You see as a deluxe, Ironhide looks puny, but here as a Commander class, he looks perfect, towering over the smaller bots like Bumblebee and Prowl, ready to either lend them a hand or share some wisdom. He has a great look that really works with the Prime idea of merging the movie aesthetic with G1, where you have the movie alt mode and weapons but with a G1 helmet and chest piece. And unlike the deluxe, that chest piece is actual alt mode kibble from his truck mode and not a fake piece. Easily the best engineered Commander class figure I have ever seen and a toy I enjoy transforming so much I went and tracked down the other retools and redecos stemming from this mold. I cannot recommend this tough soldier (or any of his retools) enough for your tiny army.

Top 5 Nicest Licensed Car Modes Among Transformers Toys

Date: Saturday, August 24th 2019 3:30pm CDT
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top Lists
Posted by: william-james88

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 48,595

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 Nicest Licensed Car Modes Among Transformers Toys

Whenever this topic gets suggested on the boards, it always seems like the result will be from the same line, either Alternators or Masterpiece. While of course those lines have amazing licensed vehicles, in doing this list I found that gorgeous licensed cars have been found in multiple lines throughout the brand's history, even lines paired with cartoons. So I found diversity was indeed possible while also being true and listing what I felt was the best. Also, while we are mainly looking at the alt mode here, I am picking toys that are good all around. These are Transformers toys after all and them transforming into cool looking robots can't be totally ignored, even though that may not be the main factor being looked at here.

5. Transformers Alternators Mirage as a Ford GT

Alternators Mirage is easily one of my favorite car modes. No real love for the car model, but I feel like this one really went above and beyond in hiding any indication that it turns into a robot. They did an incredible job of making use of all the existing panels and only adding a few very well hidden ones. Just a fantastic looking car in that nice deep blue.

- Emerje

4. The last Knight Hot Rod as a Lamborghini Centenario

The alt mode is gorgeous. It is to me the most appropriate real life alt mode this character would have if futuristic cars are not an option. Easily one of the best deluxes from the Transformers: The Last Knight toyline and a great recreation of the real life car (and a more interesting model than the Lockdown toy that came before it). It even has the same framing lines highlighted in a bright colour like the lower part of the doors and a nice contour of the windows. Lamborghinis have always been present in the Transformers brand so it is nice to see the latest models still represented and as sexy as ever. I am also very impressed at the quality of the Lamborghini logo in the front which is as detailed (if not more so) as what we find on masterpiece toys. - William-James88

3. Transformers Robots In Disguise Side Burn as a Dodge Viper

RID Side Burn is the best looking of the RID brothers. Seriously, he did an MP Tracks before MP was a thing. That metallic blue, man... Not to mention the car mode is SO good that Hasbro had to add the viper logo for their release to avoid a lawsuit from Dodge. Sure he has the kind of comical looking engine block (with beautiful but short-lived chrome) but he not only has chromed rims, but rubber tires too! - Black Hat

R.I.D Sideburn is a fully licensed and realized Dodge Viper. No modifications or hiding that fact at all. Chrysler made Hasbro license it when bringing the Car Robots figures from Japan. By contrast, Prowl and X-Brawn went unlicensed however. This repaint and all subsequent uses of the mold have the required emblem. He has a very very nice vehicle mode. I own the Super Side Burn repaint version, and chrome is still very much intact. -Overcracker

2. MB Soundwave as a Mercedes Benz SLS AMG

The Mercedes Benz SLS AMG is one of the coolest real car modes. It's very sleek and has those vertically opening doors. The silver paint job given to MB Soundwave's alt mode really makes it gorgeous. While it has some panel lines, I forgive it for how good it looks overall. As with the Alternators, we get an alt mode closer in both looks and scale to a collectible car model, especially with details in the interior and opening doors. However, unlike the Alternators, this Soundwave has a much cleaner robot mode, making it an engineering marvel. - William-James88

1. Transformers G1 1984 Sideswipe/Masterpiece Sideswipe (Lambor) as a Lamborghini Countash

Lamborghinis are my favourite alt modes when it comes to Transforming cars (maybe my favourite alt mode in general). And while all different models and eras bring something great to the table, the Countash just works so well. It is the most iconic car from the era Transformers were born and its angular yet sleek nature just works perfectly with the idea of a transforming robot and both G1 and MP Sideswipe are a great proof of this. I really love how the flat front gives a great opportunity to use it for the robot's chest. It gives as much alt mode integration as one would wish while giving it the heroic silhouette of a robot hero (much like Optimus Prime).

But of course, we are here to talk about alt modes and G1 Sideswipe's Diaclone roots is truly all about that. These toys were meant to look the same as non transforming toy cars, and what made these extra special was that they could convert as well (that was the main fiction behind the line, that these were disguised as toy cars and thus had to look just like them including their scale). Hasbro carried that idea over (but dropping the idea of scale) with the tagline of Robots in Disguise and it's thanks to toys like Sideswipe that we can see this concept brought to life. Adding to all this fun is the Masterpiece version which came out almost 30 years later and retains the gorgeous car mode, but made bigger for us to admire even more. - William-James88

Top 5 Best Transformers Armada Toys

Date: Friday, August 9th 2019 11:18pm CDT
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top Lists
Posted by: william-james88

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 48,195

Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by your fellow editor or a guest writer. 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 Best Transformers Armada Toys

This is the line that saw the advancements in articulation and complexity of the Beast Era and went "na, were good, lets go back to late G1 articulation with poor proportions and obtrusive gimmicks". And then the same thing happened again 15 years later for the Cyberverse line. You see, Transformers are cyclical that way. But it's not to say there isn't a lot to love in Armada and this list will go through some toys that I feel anyone should have in their collection as a keepsake of this era. Plus with all the hubub over the new Unicron, it was fun to revisit the line that gave us our first Unicron toy.

5. Transformers Armada Demolishor (Iron Hide)

I like this toy all around. The mobile missile launcher alt mode looks good and works well. I especially like how the robot fingers double as rocket launchers. The minicon integration is also nice as it fills in the alt mode. And we get a very original looking robot mode out of it with a cool headsculpt.

4. Transformers Armada Sideways (Double Face)

Ths toy is all about the playability aspect. It incorporated the duality gimmick of previous Transformers, like Punch/Counterpunch and the headmaster gimmick by combining both into one. Like that Sideways gets a different head depending on his allegiance. He also happens to have a nice looking bot mode and a great looking motorcycle which the headmaster unit can ride.

3. Transformers Armada Megatron

Speaking of playability, the Megatron in this line was like his own playset with lots of action features and ports for minicons, including ramps, trap doors and hidden areas. Plus he has a hidden blade/shiv if ever he has to get extra nasty. Of course he isn't without firepower with a fun himage to the G1 ty by having a massive cannon under his arm pit. I love the facesculpt too with the giant horns that act as shears in tank mode, just to add to its ferocity.

2. Transformers Armada Tidal Wave (Shockwave)

Armada was all about the gimmicks and while some did not turn out great, they really knocked it out of the park with this one. This toy is one for the ages with three seperate vehicles, all with their own individual gimmicks (like a fold out seating area, or an elevator) that combine into a massive ship which then transforms into a giant robot. I really love all about this toy and I feel any fan is missing out by not experiencing this mold. There is nothing else wuite like it out there.

1. Transformers Armada Unicron

I think everyone saw it coming. With Tidal Wave at number 2, the only bot that could beat it would be none other than Unicron. Unicron at the time was a dream come true. Not only was it a great representation for the main villain of the Armada series but it was finally a transforming toy of the villain from the 86 film, which may fans longed for. I love how it serves this dual purpose. I think what I find smartest of all in its design is the rings the turn into the wings. I am really impressed at how they did manage to give us a planet-like alt mode and a well proportioned bot even if there is some shellforming involved. Due to its popularity, this mold keeps being released over and over so anyone wanting it can get it with ease.

Honouable Mentions:

Destruction Mini-Con Team

A big part of Armada were the minicons and the special ports can still be found on certain toys released a decade later. The mincons I liked best were the ones that had an extra action gimmick. They were already simpler toys with odd proportions so adding an action feature didn't hinder anything that wasn't there already. And of those, I liked the Destruction Mini-Con Team best due to the irony of these massive alt modes being rserved to tiny bots. I mean you have a Gepard anti-aircraft tank, a tunneling machine and a kreaken bucket-wheel excavator. The bucket-wheel spins and so does the drill. Plus, the bucket-wheel excavator can be attached under Armada Cyclonus and interact with its gear-wheel rotor system.