Yeah, the mini pilot figurines were cool. But the main problem w/ the Crossovers really had to do with trying to engineer the robot modes to resemble the pilots. That was such a stupid idea. It's so restrictive on engineering and just looks ridiculous. Why should a mecha resemble its pilot??? Macross Valkyries' Battroid modes don't resemble the pilots, the Macross (SDF-1)'s robot mode doesn't resemble Captain Gloval, none of the Diaclone Car Robot toys look like the Diaclone pilots etc. Imagine if Human Alliance TFs tried to resemble their partners, e.g. Bumblebee's robot mode attempting to mimic Sam Witwicky... or if BTA Sunstreaker's robot mode tried to mimic Shiragami Junko! (imagine what Kiss PLAY TFs would look like if they followed the same logic!) It honestly seems like such a stupid idea.

Just let the toy designers design their own original robot designs from the vehicles, and then package it with the character-pilot. Just look at Energon Snowcat -- it's a great example of what a Crossover toy should be (and it's not even marketed as one!). The vehicle mode is a good facsimile of the G.I. Joe Snow Cat, and the robot mode makes no attempt to resemble Snowjob. It's a nice solid robot mode, whose legs can even transform to give it skis! Now of course, since this toy was never intended to be a Crossover figure, the cockpit doesn't open, but it is hollow and has a detailed interior where you could easily imagine Joes sitting there piloting. It could be easily retooled with a hinge to make the cockpit open and then just give it a small Snow Job figurine to fit inside. Simple!