For me:
  1. FansToys: FT-03 - Quakewave
  2. FansProject: Function X - Code/Quadruple-U
  3. MakeToys: Mobine Series - Paladin/Chaos


The top pick simply has to be Quakewave - each aspect of this figure is a "Masterpiece" in every sense of the term;
  • Spot-on sculpt.
  • Dancer-levels of articulation.
  • 100% unobtrusive/uncompromised implementation of "Light-up" gimmicks.
  • Engaging/intuitive transformation.
  • Perfectly solid ratchet/friction joints.
  • Impeccable build quality.

To think of what only could've been if FansToys ill-fated Soundwave had been released to the same exacting levels of quality & attention to detail as Quakewave...

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Fansproject's "Function-X" line, for me, was only beaten out by Quakewave's sheer number of positive attributes.

This by no means detracts from the utterly amazing figures that comprise their iteration of 3rd Party Headmasters; the designer/engineer employed on this line (Rumoured to be Jizai) simply "Gets It" in terms of how to take a transforming robot toy with an, up to now, otherwise compromising gimmick and creates something that seems to completely defy the laws of physics by using mass to it's absolute advantage whilst still retaining contemporary levels of articulation.

The sculpts of both Bot & Alt modes echo their 80s HasTak counterparts quite suitably, but each has leaps of improvement however and are simply fun to go back & forth between - I don't miss the "Spec Readout" gimmick whatsoever.

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MakeToys somewhat delayed Chaos/Paladin shows exactly how the "Power Core Combiner" connection gimmick should've been employed, but in the same breath shows just how difficult the gimmick is to work with.

This 3rd Party take on what obviously is The Fallen looks exquisitely evil in his choice of colour palette and form, invoking the sense of cold metal that's imbued with life courtesy of an inferno that peeks out through gaps in its composition.

The smaller robot & his eventual armour look superb in Alt mode, with the PCC joints providing a somewhat modular play gimmick that the HasTak toys simply never considered; the Bot mode of the smaller robot is rather articulate for someone of his stature but certainly could've benefited from some better weight-bearing heels, his transformation & subsequent unification with the various parts available to him that form the larger Bot mode is great if not occasionaly hampered by the PCC joints frictional tolerances.

This is where PCC joints have proven to be difficult to implement, as they just don't afford a solid enough seated-connection to prevent "Pop-offs" from occurring - I can only, off-hand, think of about three 3rd Party products that have attempted to use the Power Core System and 1 of which is merely a repaint of the parts that came with Chaos/Paladin that has been since cancelled.

Simply, Chaos/Paladin represents the pinnacle of the PCC gimmick.

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3rd Party figures are a considerably large market at this point with some manufacturers ascending the hill with strides of self improvement and others stumbling due to questionable retentions of outdated business practises, the scene however is very alive and vibrant with many an offering still coming forward.

I am very much looking forward to seeing what FansToys second outing in "Scoria" turns out like & if it'll be another ball knocked out of the park, as well as the upcoming instalments of the Function-X line with "L.O.O.K.A.T.M.E." shaping up to be catering to my tastes on so many levels it's ridiculous.

I would like to see 3rd Party groups start to employ greater variance in their gimmick lines beyond that of 5/6-Part Combiners, Headmasters & Armour Upgrades; Where is our modern Pretenders?, Duo(Trio)-Cons? & Micromasters?

I'd also like to see more forays into non-referential characters/figures; Bots that aren't based on a HasTak IP but may certainly employ the gimmicks they explored (FansProject's "Retro-Future" Glacial Lords), this is obviously going to be a very slow moving change in direction not only on the behalf of 3rd Party Groups but also their consumers as many still seem uninterested in buying anything that isn't G1-based.


Much like a broader reaching voice of our community, I look forward to the day where the 3rd Party scene completes its evolution into the Independent Transforming Robot scene.