(JULY-2013) Armada Era Toys - Reviews and Favourites

[griffin]

Armada in 2002 was the beginning of a new era in Transformers, starting a long-term project from Hasbro, jointly with TakaraTomy in Japan.
It was a fully launched (or re-launching) of the brand, in all mediums - toys, cartoon, comic, and even a video game.
But with it came the era of the gimmick... in which each series that followed, had to focus on a binding element to sell it to the retailers (as well as the parents and kiddies).
For Armada, it was the Minicons, and the bonus features they would unlock in the bigger toys. With so many Minicons released during this series, and ever since, it is probably where the name of this series came from.

Details of this series can be read up here (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Transformers:_Armada_%28franchise%29).


What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?

What was your first one, and when?

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?

Show us some pics of your collection of the ones you have.

[millhouse]

Unicron.

Not only did it do a suitable job looking G1, but man, what a sweet toy! My cousin had one and I was jealous until I nabbed the Amazon version years later.

Awesome robot mode, reasonable planet mode, and just overall kickass.

[Lint]

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?


Best: Armada Demolishor - Simple, fun and respectable toon accuracy. A real Transformer.
Worst: Too much to choose from :p



What was your first one, and when?


Armada Sideways, probably about 4-5 years ago.



What ones are you currently most looking for and why?


Not actively seeking. However I'd love to check out Armada Starscream or Jetfire.



Show us some pics of your collection of the ones you have.

To come!


Overall I feel that Armada suffers unfairly from snowballing unpopularity for deciding to go with mostly new characters (I don't count G1 name borrowing), minicon gimmickry which seemed to copy the popular pokemon franchise at the time, the beginning of cost-cutting in materials and decos and post-humous stigma for being part of the Unicron Trilogy.

Poor/questionable design choices did hurt this line. For example Armada Wheeljack would have been one badass toy if he didn't have two gigantic sex toys masquerading as swords. Despite this I reckon toy engineering did generally improve in this era and there were some great minicon integrations such as Cyclonus. It is a real pity that minicon integration became a laughable affair post-Armada.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?
Super Con Optimus was sublime, as was Tidal Wave and I even had a soft spot for Thrust. I just love the way his minicon fits onto the back of his plane. A missile truck stashed on the back of a plane!?!? Crazy!

They FINALLY gave us a Unicron! Oh happy joy. That almost makes up for the Red Alerts (woo woo woo!);)

What was your first one, and when?
Sideways. I've always loved the concept of the side-switching characters. Shame they didn't quite pull it off in the show. Can't remember when though...

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?
Hmm, not really looking for any more as such. I am looking forward to seeing them remade, ala Henkei Hotshot and Generations Starscream.

Show us some pics of your collection of the ones you have
D'oh. All boxed up and hidden away atm. I did have an old picture taken a while ago of my Minicons stashed precariously close to the edge of a shelf though. Oh how my wife hated that display! :D

[Trent]

This was the line that got me back into transformer collecting. I was walking through K-Mart when I spotted armada Starscream.:eek: Bought on the spot and still my favourite from that line. Super-pants Prime was cool in an unarticulated sort of way.

But as bad as this line could be *cough* Scavenger *cough*, it gave us Unicron. And he was decent!! He had articulation and could hold a few poses! And give you the finger with a flashing red hand!:eek: He alone makes the line memorable.

[GoktimusPrime]

Armada in 2002 was the beginning of a new era in Transformers, starting a long-term project from Hasbro, jointly with TakaraTomy in Japan.
Actually back then it was just Takara. :o

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?
Best = Shockwave
Worst = Scavenger

What was your first one, and when?
Smokescreen w/ Liftor and the Mini-Con Race Team.

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?
None.

Show us some pics of your collection of the ones you have.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Collection%202013/201306_armada_zpsb6c1c192.jpg

[Deonasis]

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?
Best = Shockwave

Shockwave was Energon. :o


What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?
I have not seen all the gimmicks but I imagine the amazement when Optimus's trailer automatically configures via INFRA RED!!! :eek: + his extra configurations with said trailer+Overload or Jetfire+Overload. Woah this toy was ambitious!
Best = Demolisher. I love the gritting face, show accuracy, transformation and his minicon interaction.
Worst = Smokescreen. The Happy Meal toy was too accurate for my comfort.

What was your first one, and when?
ML Megatron in 2009 I guess. He had a great look, heaps of interaction with mincons and a knife. After seeing how cool his 4 main paint variants looked online all together I decided to begin tracking them all down.

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?
The Armada mould I am most looking for is Lucky Draw Black Megatron. I guess the show toy I am most looking for is ML Starscream. Followed by any and all repaints of Demolisher, an Overload-Jetfire-Optimus, all Starsaber teams.. the list goes on but I am not in a position to buy any of them.

Show us some pics of your collection of the ones you have.
I only have ML Megatron, Galvatron, Megazarak and a Demolisher.

[Trent]

Shockwave was Energon. :o

The Tidal Wave mould was used as Shockwave by Takara.

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Tidal_Wave_(Armada)#Armada

[griffin]

Yeah, but he used Hasbro names for all the rest, so if it was meant to be the JP version, he'd have put in the ML or JP prefix.

(the JP version is the nicer looking one though, with none of that "exorcist green vomit" on it)

[Lint]

The Tidal Wave mould was used as Shockwave by Takara.

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Tidal_Wave_(Armada)#Armada

Japanese Tidal Wave (i.e Shockwave) has the toon-accurate deco and a much better colour scheme in general.

[Deonasis]

The Tidal Wave mould was used as Shockwave by Takara.

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Tidal_Wave_(Armada)#ArmadaThanks and D'OH! I thought Gok was referring to Shockblast/Laserwave from Energon/Superlink.. damn crazy name swapping.

[Golden Phoenix]

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?
Nemesis Prime - Hands down the best toy of the line. Awesome figure, good design and play value. Way better colours than the Optimus Prime version. And the mini-con that goes with him turns into a Gun.


What was your first one, and when?
Nemesis Prime - Near the end of the line. Got him at Myer. Got me back into Transformers.


What ones are you currently most looking for and why?
Tidal Wave and Megatron. I keep meaning to pick these up. I have Prime/Jetfire/Overload, and I need someone for them to fight.

[Kapryiath]

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?
best: wheeljack - absolutely loved playing with this toy!
worst : cyclonus - really not that fun to play with far to simple imo

What was your first one, and when?
wheeljack ( cant remember when i got it )

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?
the blue star saber because i only have the dark one :(

[Paulbot]

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?

I recently reviewed my Armada toys, and found I didn't want to keep any of them, but one. So by default my favourite toy is supercon Optimus Prime. He's a nice size, got a classic OP feel, and one of the best minicons in Over-Run.

I did think the Targetmaster Mini-Cons (Emergency team and particularly the Air Military team) were the best ones. The Star Sabre team, particularly in the Decepticon colours were also good, and better than the Sky Boom Sheild and Requiem Blaster. Hmm, maybe I will keep the Dark Star Sabre.

I thought Scavenger, with that silly auto-walking gimmick was pretty poor. And the "role-play" Autobot (?!?) Laserbeak was not a good idea. I didn't like the Beast Wars repaints that they mini-con'ed up either.


What was your first one, and when?

Got Demolisher from Kmart Fountain Gate back in 2002, probably on the way to work, when I first saw the toys in store.


What ones are you currently most looking for and why?

Happy with my drastically reduced collection. But I will get the Generations Armada Starscream


Show us some pics of your collection of the ones you have.

Last man standing

http://24.media.tumblr.com/ae7421d4f3a2db99215ff2b21002449e/tumblr_mqsskb0ujU1qbguy1o1_500.jpg

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah I meant Micron Legend Shockwave, the Japanese version of Armada Tidal Wave. I was posting that in a hurry cos I realised that we had 2 rented DVDs that had to be returned before Blockbuster closed (and thus slapping us with overdue rental fees) :o But yeah, it's my favourite mould in Armada, and I prefer the colours on the Japanese figure (which also happens to be the colours used in the show). The Hasbro one might've been nicer if they'd used a darker olive green like we saw in the PlayStation game, but sadly it was this "sick" green that didn't appeal to me at all.

[BigTransformerTrev]

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?
Best: Unicron!!! Combining Optimus, Jetfire & Overload was very cool, Starscream looks great and Megatron has tremendous play value! Oh and who can forget Tidal Wave - fricken awesome!
Worst: Some of the Mini-Con team recolours - what was the point?

What was your first one, and when?
Demolisher, early 2003. Up staying in Sydney with this awesome girl I met at Confest (whom I am now married to :) )

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?
Pretty done with that era. One day may get around to getting the G1-coloured versions of Blurr and Thrust

Show us some pics of your collection of the ones you have.

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b615/BigAngryTrev/Armada_toys_zpsdc2c6a2f.jpg (http://s1294.photobucket.com/user/BigAngryTrev/media/Armada_toys_zpsdc2c6a2f.jpg.html)

[griffin]

Unicron was pretty neat for that time (after having fully rounded planets like Primus and Darth Vader, it just looks like a flat tire). Starscream was one of my favourites, and was recoloured at least four times by Hasbro.
Demolishor and Megatron were good in their alt-modes, but had some flaws.
HotShot and Cyclonus were flawed in many ways. So were Blurr, Smokescreen, Sideswipe, Hoist and Thrust.

Red Alert had so many accessories, it was like a Gen1 toy.
Jetfire was pretty good, without too much being sacrificed for its combiner mode.
Tidalwave was also very good, but the Hasbro colours were odd with no explanation.

Scavenger was an odd one - it was an Autobot, but clearly homaged a Constructicon (in both name and colours). The gimmick turned it into a brick too.

Optimus (superpants) was well thought out, with its auto-transforming feature.... and having the ability to mix and match with combiner elements (something that Energon would later feature as its own gimmick).

The Minicons were quite impressively engineered figures for their size. And each 3-pack had a theme or gimmick, like combining.
It was a shame that the Dark Saber wasn't translucent like in the product images... which was always a tease for me.
It was probably the only redeco I felt was necessary too, based on the story.
Laserbeak was another tease, as the promo images had it coloured black like a cam-corder, but just before it went into production, the colours were changed to fluro orange, due to it's (very vague) gun mode.

Armada gave us a few new interesting characters and concepts...
Wheeljack - An Autobot who joined the Decepticons. (the name was given to a Decepticon because the designer at the time - Aaron Archer - thought it sounded too evil to be an Autobot name).
Sideways - A headmaster with two heads - one for each allegiance, as he was a doublespy.
Overload - Technically was also a Headmaster, as the main robot was basically an exosuit for the Minicon Rollout. I'm not even sure if Overload was sentient to begin with.
Beast Wars recolours - towards the end of the line, several Beast Wars toys were redecoed into this line, with Minicons, because the series was so popular and Retailers wanted more product. This also led to the concept of the "obligatory redeco", that has become another legacy of Armada to this day (to pad out a line, and to reduce the cost of each mould).

(Can you tell that Armada was certainly one of my favourites...)

[GoktimusPrime]

Unicron was pretty neat for that time (after having fully rounded planets like Primus and Darth Vader, it just looks like a flat tire).
Yeah but compared to Primus Unicron was a more ambitious and technically difficult challenge because it's based on a G1 cartoon model that transformed from a ball to a buff humanoid. The G1 prototype (http://home.earthlink.net/~phatal/images/unreleas/unicron.jpg) transformed from a round ball to a round robot. The Beast Wars prototype (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/attach/4/0/5/9/7/Beast-Wars-Neo-Unicron_1315944514.jpg) had a more rounded planet mode, but was more kibbly in robot mode and it exceeded budget so badly that its RRP would've made Fortress Maximus look like pocket change (that was the main reason why it was cancelled -- Takara couldn't get the toy to conform to an affordable price point).

Primus was developed as a toy first, so designers had far greater liberty because there was no preconceived look for the robot mode. If anything, the robot mode's look is a significant departure from that of G1 Primus (http://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/7/7f/Primus_original.jpg)... but that's probably cos they didn't want him to look like an overgrown Rodimus (http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/attachments/radicons-customs/27176746d1281361919-primus-rodimus-prime-marvel-colors-final-p16.jpg). :p Darth Vader/Death Star has the same challenge as Unicron, if not arguably more challenging because the robot mode has conflicting colours with the planetoid mode. But boy is he one massive shellformer!! :eek:

I think Unicron is a very well designed toy for what it is. Trying to give it a round planet mode with a pre-defined robot mode and also giving it Mini-Con gimmicks and making it fun to play with. :)


It was a shame that the Dark Saber wasn't translucent like in the product images... which was always a tease for me.
It was probably the only redeco I felt was necessary too, based on the story.
That's why I got the Japanese version (http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/bvzxa2/100_0364.jpg) ;) (I got the Hasbro version too :p)
Takara's Micron Legend figures often had better colours over their Hasbro counterparts (and also being more show-like since the cartoon was based on the Japanese toys). I didn't like how the Hasbro toys started off with the lazy paint apps on the insignias where they just "blotched" them in red and purple without avoiding filling in the gaps. It's as if they were coloured in by a preschooler (because that's exactly how my preschooler colours in pictures! :p). Takara on the other hand only coloured in the raised parts.

Logos aside, toys that had significantly/notably better coloured Japanese versions IMHO were:
+ Dark Sabre - as aforementioned.
+ Shockwave (http://www.cliffbee.com/reviews/images/tidalwave1.gif)>Tidal Wave (http://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/9/9f/Armada_Tidal_Wave_toy.jpg) - as mentioned in previous posts. Although I prefer the Tidal Wave name.
+ Hot Rod (http://auctions.c.yimg.jp/f34batchimg.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/users/4/0/8/9/kaikodo_net-imgbatch_1371290810/600x573-2013061400099.jpg)>Hot Shot (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41KPRKPC3VL.jpg) - that "hurt your eyes" day-glo yellow on Hot Shot was replaced with a lovely deeper cadmium yellow. Also it had a functioning "Laser Rod" gimmick that Hot Shot didn't (making it cooler when wielding transparent Star Sabres ;)).
+ Rampage (http://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/15/76/61e7208fac8d8304dcc0ca3bd1f86ec8.jpg)>Wheeljack (http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110516080140/transfanon/images/b/ba/R_wheeljack047.jpg) - Wheeljack's colours aren't bad, but Rampage's are much nicer and make him look more 'badass' to me. :o Having said that, I bought Wheeljack (but later received Rampage as a freebie). Rampage is also free of that silly name debacle. :rolleyes: (allowing Takara to name Energon Downshift (http://www.transformerland.com/store/reference_images/22114-r.jpg) Wheeljack (http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/realmonkey/CUSTOMIZATIONS/WHEELJACK/wheeljack15.jpg), which he clearly was meant to be!)

Overload's Headmaster Mini-Con gimmick is incredibly cool. :)

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I liked Overload, but I don't think it was that great of a toy. I never really saw it as a headmaster gimmick as such, more like an exosuit for a Minicon which kind of worked well considering how the body became the trailer. But even then he was pretty big for a minicon. I did like the transformation sound when you plugged him in. The robot was a brick and was a kind of weird looking trailer too, although I saw it was an ammo trailer. I also was a bit sad that he didn't form a convincing weapons platform by himself. Sure he worked fine as over shoulder cannons for Super Pants, but with only a few changes he could have worked well as an artillery cannon by himself, or for the Minicon.

I remember he only showed up twice in the cartoon and they called him the wrong name once. Poor guy.

[GoktimusPrime]

A lot of the Autobots and Decepticons were bricky in Armada. :(


I never really saw it as a headmaster gimmick as such, more like an exosuit for a Minicon which kind of worked well considering how the body became the trailer. But even then he was pretty big for a minicon.
I think that was part of the Ultra Magnus homage in the design of this toy; the idea of the "true" robot being the smaller cab unit who combines with the trailer to form the 'super robot'. The shoulders also evoke G1 Magnus. Overload was called Ultra Magnus in Japan, and of course Hasbro did repaint Overload as Energon Ultra Magnus. ;) (which as nice as it looked, I skipped cos I just couldn't justify getting a second version of this mould -- had I not gotten Overload I probably would've gone for UM)

The thing that I really like about the "Headmaster" gimmick is how Rollout works as a functional Transformer toy in his own right. He has a robot mode and autonomous vehicle mode. If you look at any other Headmaster toy, the head unit is pretty much useless as a Transformer without the 'Transtector' body, but not Rollout. That's pretty cool. :D

[liegeprime]

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?

Best would prolly be the Minicons... I really like the little buggers! So much that I even got some of the recolours, but not all. Armada started the concept of a third race of TFs. Before this TFs are all just plain cybertronians with just "factions", but in Armada - factions become "race". Which I can relate too and plus they're cute like pokemons hehehe:D:D Wish they made a whole lot more of them in the early runs and not a lot of recolours though.

Worst would prolly be that Laserbeak camcorder thing - Had a chance to play with it and almost bought it at Parra fair once... but yeah good thing I had a play with it first... it was rubbish IMO so I didn't pursue buying it. hahahaha

What was your first one, and when?

The Street minicon team - the one that combines into a mini gestalt bot - Perceptor? Anyways yeah started the line with the minicons coz even though these were originally just the gimmick part of the line well, I love the figures even though some minicons had absolutely rubbish looks hehehe. I thought the bigger bots looked blocky and uninteresting but yeah, ended up getting them too hahah.
Cant remember exactly when but it was Armada being the current line at the time.

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?
Not actively looking, prolly if I get to chance upon a cheap affordable one, I will grab it - Red Alert - he's more in the main cast so I wanna have him , but as I said not actively after it.... Armada bigbots are kinda rubbish IMHO but for some crazy reason I don't wanna get rid of them in my collection at the moment...yet. Ill prolly keep all the minicons given the final decision if I was to eliminate the series in my collection.

Before him I was more trying to get an affordable Leader 1 minicon - this one was really hard to find cheap. but Ive since Acquired him so the seat goes to Red Alert. - already have his minicon partner, too.

Show us some pics of your collection of the ones you have.

Ill take a more updated pic when it's day time and add here. Ive recently rearranged again my collection room so need to take happy shots of it in better lighting - daytime hehehe

[KalEl]

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?
Best-
Optimus/jetfire/overload
tidalwave
too many to think of.
Worst-
Hotshot
Sideswipe...........................

What was your first one, and when?
Overload - not sure when around the original release

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?
Starscream and many others

[Bidoofdude]

Where's the popcorn emoticon? :D:p

[Deonasis]

Also about Unicron.. It is only a small thing but when i transform him from planet mode, separating and constructing the arms reminds me of the panels moving and separating from the '86 movie.

I sometimes display him in robot mode with all possible storage open (legs, chest, forearms,?). Not sure if I think it makes him look bigger or remindes me of the different times bots have traversed through him.

[GoktimusPrime]

I think Armada Unicron looks fantastic as G1 Unicron. :) As very nice as the 2010 redecos have been, I've always felt that the original Armada Unicron was good enough that I never felt the need to buy the redecos. I've had a lot of fun recreating iconic moments from G1 using my Armada Unicron toy. :D

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Famous%20Covers/tftm_au.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Famous%20Covers/tftm_us.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Famous%20Covers/tftm_jp.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Photocomic%20Transformers%20The%20Movie/photocomic_tftm0002.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Primal%20Scream%20Photocomic/primalscream018.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Primal%20Scream%20Photocomic/primalscream019.jpg

[liegeprime]

haha, no wonder those spaceships of Kranix and Arblus couldn't get away... those ships have rubbish propulsion systems hahahah. :p

As much as I had the choice of between Armada and Energon version of Unicron - I chose the latter though. Something about the dark colors. Makes that recolour more "sinister" looking. Which, I really like more than the Orangey original or the more face toon accurate re-release. Although that stupid chest gun gimmick in mine keeps popping out so I jammed it with a piece of plastic and haven't removed it since haha.

[Ae-Evolution]

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?
Best-
Optimus, Jetfire and Overload
Worst-
Hotshot, thought it had stance like the Universe model, turns out it was really basic.

What was your first one, and when?
Overload ($12) and Powerlinx Jetfire ($7), clearance at Kmart, I was 8 (?)

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?
Megatron and Tidalwave, already have Dreadwing and Smokejumper to make the super duper ulltimate mega secret mode.

[Sharky]

What are your Best toys of this Era?

Tidalwave/Shockwave Megatron wasnt bad

What are your Worst toys of this Era?

Sideways - i really disliked that figure
Laserbeak - a giant camcorder sucky.

What was your first one, and when?

probably the first week they hit shelves i had all the large bots and probably opened up prime first, the trailer gimmick was cool but kinda sucky at the same time

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?
None that i can think of

Show us some pics of your collection of the ones you have.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h167/Steves_collection/Transformers%20Armada/Armada_01.jpg (http://s64.photobucket.com/user/Steves_collection/media/Transformers%20Armada/Armada_01.jpg.html)

there is a few missing from this picture....

[Trent]

I think Armada Unicron looks fantastic as G1 Unicron. :) As very nice as the 2010 redecos have been, I've always felt that the original Armada Unicron was good enough that I never felt the need to buy the redecos. I've had a lot of fun recreating iconic moments from G1 using my Armada Unicron toy. :D

I agree. I got the Armada version and the colours are fine. I've never wanted another.

[doublespy]

Ownd only 2 or 3 Armada figures. Played with fellow collectors' other toys quit a bit but never liked this gimmick-focused idea. Probably also because the line before it was so good (even it was only supposed to be a filler), Armada was quite disappointing for me. And by the time Superlink came out there was already the 20th anniversary awesomeness happening with BT and Masterpiece. So the Unicron trilogy never interested me that much.

What are your Best toys of this Era?

Unicron. Still remember when I saw the pre-order pics on BBTS for the first time, I almost busrt into tears:D

Also quite liked Overload. I think it was the first toy to have the G1 transforming noise built in?

What are your Worst toys of this Era?

Too many to choose from...Laserbeak would be in the top 3.

What was your first one, and when?

Overload around 2002.

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?

Not collecting the Unicron trilogy figures so none atm.

[GoktimusPrime]

Ownd only 2 or 3 Armada figures. Played with fellow collectors' other toys quit a bit but never liked this gimmick-focused idea. Probably also because the line before it was so good (even it was only supposed to be a filler), Armada was quite disappointing for me. And by the time Superlink came out there was already the 20th anniversary awesomeness happening with BT and Masterpiece. So the Unicron trilogy never interested me that much.
Very interesting point. I suspect that Hasbro had gotten rather complacent after Beast Wars. The reason for this was because I remember in Dec 2000/Jan 2001 as Beast Machines/Car Robot was winding down, we still hadn't heard any news about what Hasbro was planning next for Transformers. I called a US contact of mine who has close links w/ Hasbro to see if I could sniff out any news and specifically asked if Hasbro had any plans on bringing over Car Robot for their market. The response at the time was a definitive "no" and assured us that there would be a wholly new line up for 2001. Then a few weeks later Toy Fair happened, and lo and behold Hasbro's booth had "Robots In Disguise" -- which was Car Robot! But there were NO physical products on display, only cardboard mock ups of Car Robot toys and RiD packaging; and the packaging looked rushed. No artwork, just photos of toys, and the tech specs looked really rushed too (their functions were just descriptions of their alt modes! :eek:). :rolleyes: So considering what I knew prior to Toy Fair, I've always suspected that RiD was a last minute decision when Toy Fair was looming and Hasbro realised, "Oh crap, we haven't actually got a new line of Transformers planned for this year... let's bring over Car Robot!"

Then 2002 rolled along and still NO new line up announced at that year's Toy Fair. We just had another year of RiD a trickle of repaints - and most of us will remember how dry 2002 was for new toys. :( Though it was a good time for G1 reissues - but even fans in Japan were massively complaining about the lack of new product. It was only toward the end of that year that Armada was announced; the USA got the first wave of toys in late 2002, but most markets (such as Australia) didn't get them until early 2003 (so I see Armada as a 2003 line). So as much as Armada has its flaws, I think a lot of fans (myself included) got really excited because it was the first new Transformers product series that we'd seen in nearly three years! :eek: It's like that joke Eddie Murphy once made, if you were stranded on a desert island starving to death and someone saved you and gave you a stale cracker, you'd think that was the best damn cracker you ever had in your life. ;) :p

And I agree that Energon continued Armada's legacy of being an overtly gimmicky line. But IMO they actually started getting the formula right with Cybertron in terms of making the gimmicks far less intrusive and compromising of engineering/design. Cybertron gimmicks on the whole tended to compliment the toys and work with them rather than against them as we saw with so many Armada and Energon figures. Sure, there were a few duds in Cybertron too (Leo Breaker springs to mind... guh), but overall I felt that Cybertron was by far the strongest of the Unicron Trilogy toy lines. :)


Also quite liked Overload. I think it was the first toy to have the G1 transforming noise built in?
I believe you're right :D

[Lint]

But IMO they actually started getting the formula right with Cybertron in terms of making the gimmicks far less intrusive and compromising of engineering/design. Cybertron gimmicks on the whole tended to compliment the toys and work with them rather than against them as we saw with so many Armada and Energon figures. Sure, there were a few duds in Cybertron too (Leo Breaker springs to mind... guh), but overall I felt that Cybertron was by far the strongest of the Unicron Trilogy toy lines. :)


I totally agree with this. Can't wait till a couple months time when Cybertron discussions kick in.

[tron07]

I got the big ass armada prime overseas... only play with it once and didnt like the automatic trailer transforming part, very worry about snapping the gears if I force it.

Energon Prime wasnt that impressive, fat looking prime, though I havent touch as my takara version is still MISB. Hopping to grab a cheap YOTS version.

Galaxy Force Prime is one of my favourite prime, and I can combine with few other robots.

[doublespy]

Very interesting point. I suspect that Hasbro had gotten rather complacent after Beast Wars. The reason for this was because I remember in Dec 2000/Jan 2001 as Beast Machines/Car Robot was winding down, we still hadn't heard any news about what Hasbro was planning next for Transformers. I called a US contact of mine who has close links w/ Hasbro to see if I could sniff out any news and specifically asked if Hasbro had any plans on bringing over Car Robot for their market. The response at the time was a definitive "no" and assured us that there would be a wholly new line up for 2001. Then a few weeks later Toy Fair happened, and lo and behold Hasbro's booth had "Robots In Disguise" -- which was Car Robot! But there were NO physical products on display, only cardboard mock ups of Car Robot toys and RiD packaging; and the packaging looked rushed. No artwork, just photos of toys, and the tech specs looked really rushed too (their functions were just descriptions of their alt modes! :eek:). :rolleyes: So considering what I knew prior to Toy Fair, I've always suspected that RiD was a last minute decision when Toy Fair was looming and Hasbro realised, "Oh crap, we haven't actually got a new line of Transformers planned for this year... let's bring over Car Robot!"

Then 2002 rolled along and still NO new line up announced at that year's Toy Fair. We just had another year of RiD a trickle of repaints - and most of us will remember how dry 2002 was for new toys. :( Though it was a good time for G1 reissues - but even fans in Japan were massively complaining about the lack of new product. It was only toward the end of that year that Armada was announced; the USA got the first wave of toys in late 2002, but most markets (such as Australia) didn't get them until early 2003 (so I see Armada as a 2003 line). So as much as Armada has its flaws, I think a lot of fans (myself included) got really excited because it was the first new Transformers product series that we'd seen in nearly three years! :eek: It's like that joke Eddie Murphy once made, if you were stranded on a desert island starving to death and someone saved you and gave you a stale cracker, you'd think that was the best damn cracker you ever had in your life. ;) :p

And I agree that Energon continued Armada's legacy of being an overtly gimmicky line. But IMO they actually started getting the formula right with Cybertron in terms of making the gimmicks far less intrusive and compromising of engineering/design. Cybertron gimmicks on the whole tended to compliment the toys and work with them rather than against them as we saw with so many Armada and Energon figures. Sure, there were a few duds in Cybertron too (Leo Breaker springs to mind... guh), but overall I felt that Cybertron was by far the strongest of the Unicron Trilogy toy lines. :)


I believe you're right :D

Ah indeed before Binaltech and MP-01 came out I was busy collecting the Takara book-style re-issues. Those were great times for G1 re-issues.:D

[crankcase76]

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?

Best toy would have to be unicron and sideways.
Worst would have to be Optimus with the trailer as he couldn't move his legs even though the trailer was automatic fold out. But also with the smokestacks on prime as figure they just kept falling off.

What was your first one, and when?

Optimus prime with the trailer. Like the idea, but not a refined toy.

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?

UltraMagnus as Overload.

[Sharky]

To Celebrate Armada Month i have decided to do a little bit of Reminiscing, to see what it is like to open one of those figures for the first time the smell of the plastic the awesomeness tht was the twist ties and the cool little mini comic and colour catalogue. ahh The good old days.

So here it is what i will be opening for the very first time

Armada Powerlinx Optimus Prime with Corona Sparkplug

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/001_sm_zps39ec445b.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/001_sm_zps39ec445b.jpg.html)


The Unboxing

do you remeber what the armada boxes where like the curved front 3 pieces of tape holding the flap closed keeping the toy sealed in its plastic.cardboard prison...nothing a good old fashioned Stanley cand fix

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/002_zpsd50ae8de.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/002_zpsd50ae8de.jpg.html) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/003_zps020693dc.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/003_zps020693dc.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/004_zps8104b22b.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/004_zps8104b22b.jpg.html)

Close up

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/005_zpse7ebb8f6.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/005_zpse7ebb8f6.jpg.html) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/006_zpsfb67453a.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/006_zpsfb67453a.jpg.html)

ohhh shiney

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/007_zps8421767b.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/007_zps8421767b.jpg.html)

THE TWIST TIES

not like the modern marvels of paper ties these were the heavy duty wire tiess with plastic coating..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/012_zps97a7b84d.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/012_zps97a7b84d.jpg.html) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/013_zpsd45b359d.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/013_zpsd45b359d.jpg.html)

now there are to ways you can do this... painstakingly untwist them or the prefered method....Sidecutters...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/008_zps4787e4c1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/008_zps4787e4c1.jpg.html) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/009_zps28582f3f.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/009_zps28582f3f.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/010_zpsf8f094a0.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/010_zpsf8f094a0.jpg.html) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/011_zps1458a243.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/011_zps1458a243.jpg.html)

ten to 15 minuttes later...a mess

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/014_zpsf02cbaf0.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/014_zpsf02cbaf0.jpg.html)

FREEEEEDOMMMMM UPDATE 23/8/13

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/015_zpsb721b79e.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/015_zpsb721b79e.jpg.html)

and whats in the baggy

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/018_zpsf9baf1ad.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/018_zpsf9baf1ad.jpg.html)

Sparkplug

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/017_zps6001707a.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/017_zps6001707a.jpg.html) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/016_zps751f98e6.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/016_zps751f98e6.jpg.html) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/019_zps52693b92.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/019_zps52693b92.jpg.html)

this little guy really is shiney but has a nice coolness feel to him, i guess deep down i think he is to shiney (is that possible) i think his face needs to be normal

Optimus Prime UPDATE 24/8/13

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/020_zps395e43dd.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/020_zps395e43dd.jpg.html)


a blocky looking thing, but it did have a matrix in the chest kinda

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/021_zps33f688e6.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/021_zps33f688e6.jpg.html) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/022_zps50baf478.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/022_zps50baf478.jpg.html)

Base

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/023_zps7c4ab336.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/023_zps7c4ab336.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/025_zps7076ed38.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/025_zps7076ed38.jpg.html) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/024_zps9c2f2db7.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/024_zps9c2f2db7.jpg.html)

as far as trailer bases go this wasnt to bad, great for the minicons to use for the final battle... but then if there was to be a final battle i doubt very much prime would go in to battle without his pants

Pantimus Super Optimus Prime

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/029_zps17be405a.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sharkysparky/media/Transformers%20Misc/Armada%20Optimus%20Unboxing/029_zps17be405a.jpg.html)

blocky and brikky but it did have its cool points like the IR activation and self transforming.... someting we really have not seen again since


and that ladies and gentlebots is the unboxing of Powerlinx Optimus Prime.

hope you enjoyed it!

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Nice work sharky. I remember that prime took ages just to open the box! I kinda hated the shape of the armada boxes.

[Sharky]

Nice work sharky. I remember that prime took ages just to open the box! I kinda hated the shape of the armada boxes.

yeah he really did take some time getting out of the box, and the boxes while displayed nice i thought were dreadfull for storing

i have finished updating the pictures too Powerlinx Optimus Prime is now a free bot.

[christalcase]

My favourite would be Armada Starscream, while he wasn't the best toy, it was good enough and a lot of fun. I remember that he was the one I had always wanted to get but he disappeared from shelves before I could :(.

Sideways is an interesting one, with the head gimmick and I guess Armada Prime with Jetfire is pretty cool with the combiner gimmick (but not as well done as RiD).

On the whole, I think that while the gimmicks did compromise the toys a lot, they were quite fun to play with (yes, even Hot Shot with his axle-zooker). Plus, with a minicon in every toy, the figures felt like they have better value.