Best Transformers Per Catalogue Classes 1984-1987

On a whim I decided to run an opinion poll on favourite Transformers G1 toys according to the categories given them in catalogues (using this site as a reference and preferring the catalogues we had in Australia: http://botchthecrab.com/gallery.asp?gallery=10).

I’m limiting this to the first four years (looking at the 1988 catalogue hurts my brain) but if you can manage it feel free to extend (or alter) this in your responses.

I’m also limiting it only to categories of multiple toys, so the likes of Prime or Megatron are absent. And I’m treating a purchase as the unit, so cassettes have to come in pairs.

The intent of this is that you choose favourite toys in the year they debut. However, as there was a lot of continuation of toys into following years, you can take advantage of that. If, for instance, you most love the first three Seekers, then you could choose Skywarp for 1984, Thundercracker for 1985, and the ghost of Starscream for 1986. :)

And, because there were so many of them, you can choose your favourite two 1984 Autobot Cars.

Finally, if you cannot chose a best toy in a category, go the other way and choose a worst one. I for instance, cannot pick between Springer and Sandstorm, but Broadside is definitely the worst Autobot Triple-Changer. :p

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Best Two (2) Autobot Cars (1984):

Best Autobot Car (1985):

Best Autobot Car (1986):

Best Targetmaster Autobot Car (1987):

Best Headmaster Autobot * (1987):

Best Autobot Deluxe Vehicle (1985):

Best Autobot Triple-Changer (1986):

Best Jumpstarter (1985):

Best Autobot Mini-Car (1984):

Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1985):

Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1986):

Best Throttlebot (1987):

Best Pair Of Autobot Mini-Cassettes (1986):

Best Aerialbot (1986):

Best Protectobot (1986):

Best Technobot (1987):

Best Dinobot (1985):

Best Monsterbot (1987):

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Best Decepticon Plane (1984):

Best Decepticon Plane (1985):

Best Decepticon Plane (1986):

Best Targetmaster Decepticon Plane (1987):

Best Headmaster Decepticon * (1987):

Best Headmaster Horrorcon * (1987):

Best Decepticon Triple-Changer (1985 and 1986):

Best Duocon (1987):

Best Battlecharger (1986):

Best Stunticon (1986):

Best Combaticon (1986):

Best Terrorcon (1987):

Best Predacon (1986):

Best Insecticon (1985):

Best Deluxe Insecticon (1985):

Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1984):

Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1987):

Best Constructicon (1985):

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* Excludes Headmaster Base

Sorry if the ordering is a bit odd. I felt this would assist in decision-making but admit it’s a little idiosyncratic.

Gah... need to rearrange in chronological order...

Best Two (2) Autobot Cars (1984): Bluestreak & Mirage

Best Autobot Mini-Car (1984): Windcharger

Best Autobot Car (1985): Inferno

Best Autobot Deluxe Vehicle (1985): Whirl

Best Dinobot (1985): Snarl

Best Jumpstarter (1985): Topspin

Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1985): Beachcomber

Best Autobot Car (1986): Hot Rod

Best Pair Of Autobot Mini-Cassettes (1986): Ramhorn & Eject

Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1986): Hubcap

Best Autobot Triple-Changer (1986): Springer

Best Aerialbot (1986): Slingshot

Best Protectobot (1986): Hot Spot

Best Targetmaster Autobot Car (1987): Pointblank

Best Headmaster Autobot * (1987): Hardhead

Best Throttlebot (1987): Rollbar

Best Technobot (1987): Afterburner

Best Monsterbot (1987): Grotusque

Best Pair Of Autobot Mini-Cassettes (1987): Dile and Saur

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Best Decepticon Plane (1984): Thundercracker

Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1984): Frenzy and Laserbeak

Best Decepticon Plane (1985): Ramjet

Best Constructicon (1985): Long Haul

Best Insecticon (1985): Shrapnel

Best Deluxe Insecticon (1985): Barrage

Best Decepticon Triple-Changer (1985 and 1986): Blitzwing

Best Decepticon Plane (1986): Cyclonus

Best Battlecharger (1986): Runamuck

Best Combaticon (1986): Swindle

Best Stunticon (1986): Breakdown

Best Predacon (1986): Divebomb

Best Targetmaster Decepticon Plane (1987): Triggerhappy

Best Headmaster Decepticon * (1987): Mindwipe

Best Headmaster Horrorcon * (1987): Snapdragon

Best Duocon (1987): Battletrap

Best Terrorcon (1987): Hun-Grrr

Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1987): Overkill and Slugfest

Ordering is fine Dan, easy to do and does assist in decision-making.



Best Two (2) Autobot Cars (1984): Sideswipe and Prowl

Best Autobot Car (1985): Inferno

Best Autobot Car (1986): Hot Rod

Best Targetmaster Autobot Car (1987): Sureshot

Best Headmaster Autobot * (1987): Highbrow

Best Autobot Deluxe Vehicle (1985): Whirl

Best Autobot Triple-Changer (1986): Sandstorm

Best Jumpstarter (1985): Topspin

Best Autobot Mini-Car (1984): Bumblebee

Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1985): Powerglide

Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1986): Swerve

Best Throttlebot (1987): Chase

Best Pair Of Autobot Mini-Cassettes (1986): Eject and Ramhorn

Best Aerialbot (1986): Air Raid

Best Protectobot (1986): First Aid

Best Technobot (1987): Afterburner

Best Dinobot (1985): Grimlock

Best Monsterbot (1987): Grotusque

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Best Decepticon Plane (1984): Skywarp

Best Decepticon Plane (1985): Dirge

Best Decepticon Plane (1986): Cyclonus

Best Targetmaster Decepticon Plane (1987): Slugslinger

Best Headmaster Decepticon * (1987): Skullcruncher

Best Headmaster Horrorcon * (1987): Snapdragon

Best Decepticon Triple-Changer (1985 and 1986): Astrotrain

Best Duocon (1987): Flywheels

Best Battlecharger (1986): Runabout

Best Stunticon (1986): Breakdown

Best Combaticon (1986): Brawl

Best Terrorcon (1987): Sinnertwin

Best Predacon (1986): Divebomb

Best Insecticon (1985): Kickback

Best Deluxe Insecticon (1985): Barrage

Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1984): Rumble and Ravage

Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1987): Frenzy and Ratbat

Best Constructicon (1985): Bonecrusher

Some categories left out from before...

Best Omnibot (1985): Overdrive

Best Powerdasher (1985): "Drilldasher"

Best Time Warrior (1985): Time Warrior

Best Reflector (1986): Spectro



Okay, let's do the rest of Hasbro G1...

Best Autobot Power other than Optimus Prime (1988): Getaway

Best Autobot Headmaster (1988): Nightbeat

Best Autobot Targetmaster (1988): Scoop

Best Autobot Pretender (1988): Gunrunner^Landmine

Best Triggerbot (1988): Backstreet

Best Sparkabot (1988): Fizzle

Best Pair of Autobot Mini-Cassettes (1988): Grand Slam and Raindance

Best Decepticon Powermaster (1988): Dreadwind

Best Decepticon Headmaster (1988): Fangry

Best Decepticon Targetmaster (1988): Quake

Best Decepticon Pretender (1988): Submarauder

Best Triggercon (1988): Windsweeper

Best Firecon (1988): None of them. Oh, okay... Flamefeather.

Best Pair of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1988): Beastbox and Squawktalk

Best Targetmaster Seacon (1988): Nautilator

Best Autobot Pretender (1989): Bumblebee

Best Autobot Micromaster (1989): Swindler

Best Decepticon Pretender (1989): Bludgeon

Best Monster Pretender (1989): Wildfly

Best Decepticon Micromaster (1989): Whisper

Best Autobot Action Master (1990): None of them^Optimus Prime

Best Autobot Micromaster (1990): Sky High

Best Decepticon Action Master (1990): Devastator

Best Decepticon Micromaster (1990): Barricade

Best Autobot Action Master (1991): Sideswipe

Best Autobot Motorvator (1991): Gripper

Best Decepticon Action Master (1991): Thundercracker

Best Autobot Turbomaster other than Thunder Clash (1992): Hurricane

Best Autobot Rescue Force (1992): Rescue Force 2 ("Jallguar")

Best Decepticon Predator other than Skyquake (1992): Talon

Best Constructicon (1992): "Bonecrusher"

Best Autobot/Decepticon Obliterator (1993): Clench

Best Autobot Lightformer (1993): Deftwing

Best Autobot Aquaspeeder (1993): Jetstorm

Best Autobot Axelerator (1993): Skram

Best Decepticon Trakkon (1993): Calcar

Best Decepticon Skyscorcher (1993): Tornado

Best Decepticon Stormtrooper (1993): Drench

Best Lister of Extending On an Existing Best Transformers By Year And Category (2018): Goktimus Prime

In all seriousness these lists are actually fantastic reference material and gives me some good tfwiki reading when I'm bored :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paulbot

Ordering is fine Dan, easy to do and does assist in decision-making.

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There are plenty of ways of mentally sorting things and I guess this worked for two of us. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

Some categories left out from before...

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Thanks for expanding into mail order and later catalogues. It drives home just how much variety there was, even back then.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TaZZerath

In all seriousness these lists are actually fantastic reference material and gives me some good tfwiki reading when I'm bored :)

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I agree. There are kinds of TF I’m barely aware of, worth delving into.

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I should decide on my own responses soon, and might be influenced by the choices of others…

Best Two (2) Autobot Cars (1984): Mirage and Hound

Best Autobot Car (1985): Tracks

Best Autobot Car (1986): Hot Rod

Best Targetmaster Autobot Car (1987): Sureshot

Best Headmaster Autobot (1987): Hardhead

Best Autobot Deluxe Vehicle (1985): Whirl

Worst Autobot Triple-Changer (1986): Broadside

Best Jumpstarter (1985): Twin Twist

Best Autobot Mini-Car (1984): Bumper (abandoning my own rules here)

Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1985): Beachcomber

Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1986): Outback

Best Throttlebot (1987): Goldbug

Best Pair Of Autobot Mini-Cassettes (1986): Steeljaw & Rewind

Best Aerialbot (1986): Skydive

Best Protectobot (1986): Hotspot

Best Technobot (1987): Afterburner

Best Dinobot (1985): Swoop

Best Monsterbot (1987): Grotesque

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Best Decepticon Plane (1984): Starscream

Best Decepticon Plane (1985): Thrust

Best Decepticon Plane (1986): Scourge

Best Targetmaster Decepticon Plane (1987): Triggerhappy

Best Headmaster Decepticon (1987): Skullcruncher

Worst Headmaster Horrorcon (1987): Both! (more rule-bending)

Best Decepticon Triple-Changer (1985 and 1986): Octane

Best Duocon (1987): Flywheels

Best Battlecharger (1986): Runamuck

Best Stunticon (1986): Dead End

Best Combaticon (1986): Onslaught

Best Terrorcon (1987): Rippersnapper

Best Predacon (1986): Rampage

Best Insecticon (1985): Bombshell

Best Deluxe Insecticon (1985): Venom

Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1984): Ravage & Rumble

Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1987): Ratbat & Frenzy

Best Constructicon (1985): Bonecrusher

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The factors that I resorted to in close contests varied greatly. Sometimes it was the novelty of not owning it (Swoop won over Grimlock for this reason). Sometimes it was the nostalgia of having owned it for the longest time (hence Bombshell won over the other two Insecticons). Sometimes it was a very personal thing (I find cicadas cute so chose the poorly named Venom). Sometimes it was the cartoon character that won me over (for instance Octane).

Three voters is a small number. Nonetheless it's interesting to note which toys got chosen by all of us - Hot Rod, Whirl, Afterburner, Grotesque. In some cases I suspect this says more about the competition than the winners.

If nothing else, I'm thinking this exercise might help me decide a wish-list for future second-hand purchases. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan

Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1987): Ratbat & Frenzy

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Ratbat and Frenzy was 1986.

I vividly remember passing up on this set many times because I already had Laserbeak and Frenzy. Thankfully this set was kind of a pegwarmer, and months later I eventually caved and got it. This was the first time that I bought a variant of a toy I already owned, and also my earliest memory of deciding not to get a toy only to later renege and get it. ;)

Ok I'll have a turn.

Best Two (2) Autobot Cars (1984): Jazz* and Hound

Best Autobot Car (1985): Skids* (sentimental being my first Transformer, Smokescreen objectively)

Best Autobot Car (1986): Hot Rod*

Best Targetmaster Autobot Car (1987): Sureshot

Best Headmaster Autobot * (1987): Hardhead

Best Autobot Deluxe Vehicle (1985): Roadbuster*

Best Autobot Triple-Changer (1986): Sandstorm

Best Jumpstarter (1985): Twintwist (never realised these were so early in the line)

Best Autobot Mini-Car (1984): Windcharger

Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1985): Warpath

Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1986): Pipes

Best Throttlebot (1987): Searchlight*

Best Pair Of Autobot Mini-Cassettes (1986): Eject/Ramhorn

Best Aerialbot (1986): Air Raid*

Best Protectobot (1986): Groove*

Best Technobot (1987): Scattershot*

Best Dinobot (1985): Sludge

Best Monsterbot (1987): Grotesque*

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Best Decepticon Plane (1984): Skywarp

Best Decepticon Plane (1985): Thrust*

Best Decepticon Plane (1986): Cyclonus*

Best Targetmaster Decepticon Plane (1987): Triggerhappy

Best Headmaster Decepticon * (1987): Skullcruncher

Best Headmaster Horrorcon * (1987): Apeface

Best Decepticon Triple-Changer (1985 and 1986): Octane*

Best Duocon (1987): Flywheels

Best Battlecharger (1986): Runabout

Best Stunticon (1986): Wildrider

Best Combaticon (1986): Swindle*

Best Terrorcon (1987): Hun-Gurrr

Best Predacon (1986): Razorclaw*

Best Insecticon (1985): Shrapnel

Best Deluxe Insecticon (1985): Chopshop

Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1984): Frenzy/Laserbeak*

Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1987): Ratbat/Slugfest

Best Constructicon (1985): Hook*

* Denotes I own it

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

Ratbat and Frenzy was 1986.

I vividly remember passing up on this set many times because I already had Laserbeak and Frenzy. Thankfully this set was kind of a pegwarmer, and months later I eventually caved and got it. This was the first time that I bought a variant of a toy I already owned, and also my earliest memory of deciding not to get a toy only to later renege and get it. ;)

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I've had that indecision (or rather a sequence of different decisions approximating indecision) even in adulthood. :)

The re-packaging of Frenzy with Ratbat always seemed annoying. Mind you Ratbat did look amazing with his minute level of articulation. It was as if he was moving forward while much of the line was moving backwards.

I also remember wondering why bats are always evil. Ratbat would have been a cool Autobot.

Oh, and I listed that pair as 1987 to prevent them from competing with the original two pairs. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DaptoDog

Ok I'll have a turn... Best Autobot Car (1985): Skids * (sentimental being my first Transformer, Smokescreen objectively)...

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Skids was almost my first boxed (rather than blister packed) Transformer. Or at any rate that was my intention after a classmate showed him off at school. However on getting to the local toy store with sufficient cash for an Autobot Car, I was faced with only Prowl, and got him instead.

I feel Prowl is the better toy, as well as having nostalgia value for me, but Skids always had a lingering charm, and I eventually got a recentish re-issue. All his working doors and hatches are damned nifty. :)

Btw, will you be doing the rest of G1? Cos seeing your list is like looking at a 40% complete progress bar. :p ;) :p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan

The re-packaging of Frenzy with Ratbat always seemed annoying. Mind you Ratbat did look amazing with his minute level of articulation. It was as if he was moving forward while much of the line was moving backwards.

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I guess because he was engineered to be compatible with Microman whereas other figures were uniquely made for Transformers and thus severed their direct ties with Diaclone, Microman and other pre-TF lines
(i.e. greater influence from Hasbro over Takara)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan

Oh, and I listed that pair as 1987 to prevent them from competing with the original two pairs. :)

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The original Decepticon Cassettes were 1984. Frenzy/Laserbeak was no longer available in 1986.

Another factor that helped push me into getting Frenzy/Laserbeak was that my original Frenzy was really worn out. Heh, my first taste of a reissue. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan

Skids was almost my first boxed (rather than blister packed) Transformer. Or at any rate that was my intention after a classmate showed him off at school. However on getting to the local toy store with sufficient cash for an Autobot Car, I was faced with only Prowl, and got him instead.

I feel Prowl is the better toy, as well as having nostalgia value for me, but Skids always had a lingering charm, and I eventually got a recentish re-issue. All his working doors and hatches are damned nifty. :)

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So nifty. I used to remove his rubber wheels and store them in his boot. That toy had so much play value. At some point it broke (probably thanks to my brother). I recently opened my reissue of him and it brought back fond memories.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DaptoDog

So nifty. I used to remove his rubber wheels and store them in his boot. That toy had so much play value. At some point it broke (probably thanks to my brother). I recently opened my reissue of him and it brought back fond memories.

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His wheels came off (and went back on again)?

I'm having more specific recollections to do with the Skid toy a classmate showed off. Everyone was impressed and yet, some of the boys referred to his alt-mode as a 'jap crap' car, showing that even at the age of 12 they had been inculcated into some kind of car-based prejudice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

Btw, will you be doing the rest of G1? Cos seeing your list is like looking at a 40% complete progress bar. :p ;) :p

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This took some research, as I'm barely familiar with the latter part of G1, and my energy flagged by 1990, but that's still a lot more than I originally listed, so here I go...

Best Autobot Powermaster (1988): Getaway

Best Autobot Headmaster (1988): Hosehead (and as a result I would possibly change my Protectobot from Hotspot to Groove)

Best Autobot Targetmaster (1988): Quickmix

Best Autobot Pretender (1988): Sky High

Best Autobot Pretender Beast (1988): Catilla

Best Triggerbot (1988): Override

Best Sparkabot (1988): Guzzle

Best Pair of Autobot Mini-Cassettes (1988): Grand Slam and Raindance

Best Decepticon Powermaster (1988): Dreadwind

Best Decepticon Headmaster (1988): Squeezeplay

Best Decepticon Targetmaster (1988): Spinister (mostly for that name)

Best Decepticon Pretender (1988): Bugly

Best Decepticon Pretender Beast (1988): Snarler

Best Triggercon (1988): Crankcase

Worst Firecon (1988): Cindersaur

Best Pair of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1988): Beastbox and Squawktalk

Worst Seacon (1988): Tentakil

Worst Autobot Pretender (1989): Doubleheader

Best Autobot Micromaster (1989): Erector

Worst Decepticon Pretender (1989): Stranglehold

Best Decepticon Monster Pretender (1989): Sorry I gotta pass on this…

Best Decepticon Micromaster (1989): Flattop

Best Autobot Action Master (1990): Rad

Best Autobot Micromaster (1990): Autobot Astro Squad

Best Decepticon Action Master (1990): Treadshot

Best Decepticon Micromaster (1990): Decepticon Battle Squad

One thing this has driven home for me is how cool Micromasters were. They were more nicely detailed than many larger Transformers of the time. They had some cool playsets (something lacking from the Transformers brand overall). And you could get a bunch of them quickly. Had I been younger (while still being discerning) I can see an alternate past version of me collecting Micromasters exclusively. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan

His wheels came off (and went back on again)?

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Actually I should have said tyres rather than the whole wheel.

I can't be bothered doing the rest of G1 since I also didn't get much past the 86 topline except for some Micromasters.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DaptoDog

Actually I should have said tyres rather than the whole wheel.

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I guessed at tyers. Still, that's dedication to play features. :)