Alt modes

[GoktimusPrime]

Considering that all Trainformers come from Japan ('cept for Astrotrain), I wouldn't hold my breath on seeing a Tangara. I'd like to see a train-TF that either transforms into or comes with a realistic passenger carriage! The carriage could become a combat deck or combine with the engine to form the robot mode. Or it could be another Transformer altogether, but a carriage-former would be hard to market/sell to most folks (cos who would buy a TF carriage on its own?) unless it came packaged with another TF that transformed into the engine... but that would make it more expensive.

The G1 Micromaster trains had carriages which were basically their gestalt component/weapons - they weren't passenger carriages. I would like future train TFs to have couplings that are compatible with the CR/RiD trains' couplings so that it could attach onto say J-Five (Railspike) etc.

Now Archer argues that trains don't sell well in Hasbro markets but how well did the Railracer Autobots sell in North America? (shame they never came out here) As I recall, Universe Railracer (Hasbro repackaged reissue Sixtrain) sold reasonably well here. And the G1 Transformers electronic train set seemed really popular in the 80s (and they're not even really Transformer action figures).

I think train Transformers can sell well here... it's not so much an issue of alt mode but an issue of execution. If you make a train TF and you do it well, then people will buy it and like it. Look at Classics Astrotrain. Even as a triple-changer with a 'compromised' train mode it still sold reasonably well. Granted part of its appeal is the G1 Astrotrain character, but again - Universe Railracer - that seemed to sell well didn't it? And that mould was 11 years old when it came out (and let's face it, are pretty ordinary toys).

With a few exceptions like plants and humans (as much as I would love a Botanica toy, I don't think it would market/sell well no matter how well engineered it was) I think you can make a Transformer transform into anything and it would still sell well so long as the toy is well designed and well made!

Look at the Footpath PatrolStreet Action Mini-Con Team; you have a Vespa scooter, push-bike and a skateboard... yet they're pretty well designed/made toys considering their size and price-point (and the fact that they're a gestalt).

A skateboard! Once upon a time people would have laughed at the suggestion of a skateboard Transformer.

[Robzy]

I think Gok put up a picture of it once but the Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters. I would so buy that.

+1
I remember the picture you're talking about... absolutely awesome!

[dirge]

isnt snarl a tasmanian devil?

thats why they called him Tasmanian kid in the jap series?

In theory. He's based on that "Taz" cartoon character. Nevermind the fact that Tassie devils are black, not brown. The bodyshape is wrong, the ears are those of a _bat_...

He does look essentially like a marsupual, but I think that's largely by fluke. He's really just based on that cartoon character.

Thing is, he doesn't really look much like any actual marsupial species - he sort of resembles the dunnarts, but even with a degree in biology, I can't say I'll recognise the look of a dunnart anywhere.

I'm holding out for a wallaby, kangaroo, koala or wombat... or even a thylacine!

We've had a forklift Transformer, although not a terribly realistic forklift mode.

I love how Liftor's forklift mode has jets... ya know, in case he needs to lift something PRONTO!

Liftor's a fork lift? I never knew that. I always just figured he was the result of someone taking all the labels off the bottles in the medicine cabinet

[i_amtrunks]

I'm holding out for a wallaby, kangaroo, koala or wombat... or even a thylacine

You know if we ever get new original Beast mode formers, I'd wager that the thylacine would have the most likely chance of being made, since it is a more ferocious looking animal.

I'm sure non-Australian designers wouldnt have a clue that the wombat is the most dangerous creature on your list. (yes I know you are much more likely to be hurt from a roo, but have you seen what wombats can do when they get peeved?)

[GoktimusPrime]

Well we do have an Australian working in Takara now... of course, as a designer he may not have any authority or say in terms of what alt modes they'll choose - that's probably all above him. :/ But at least if they ever do decide to do another Australian animal hopefully he might ensure that the mode looks more convincing or accurate... unless of course he's instructed from his bosses to make it look cartoony. I get a feeling that Hasbro (Kenner) specifically instructed Takara to design Snarl to look like "Taz" as it might be how a lot of Americans would perceive a Tasmanian Devil. :/

Takara did a better job with Heinlad who can change between looking like a mythological and realistic Tanuki - of course it was Japanese designers working on it so they would've been more conscious of the how the animal should look like (only to have Westerners confuse it for a raccoon )

[Geminii]

Nevermind the fact that Tassie devils are black, not brown. The bodyshape is wrong, the ears are those of a _bat_...

Just different enough for copyright purposes.

[klystron]

A realistic submarine that's not a Minicon. We've never had one!

+1
As a former submariner, i'd pay big bucks for a submarine TF!

[Geminii]

Bonus points if the submarine isn't chibified and the robot mode isn't stretched out/lanky or sporting humungous curves of kibble everywhere.

I figure: split the rear of the sub and stick it alongside the lower legs like Springer's tailboom. Have the robot hands raised over the head to form the front of the sub, with the forward hull splitting and retracting over the forearms like Lugnut's cockpit (but pegged, not springloaded). Fold out the front halves of the sub to thicken up the sides of the chest like a vertical version of G1 Magnus's chest hinges. Collapse the torso into the chest a bit. Do another Lugnut-chest on the shells surronding the upper legs, retracting them down to the outside of the lower legs. Use double joints at the hips to allow the tops of the upper legs to rotate slightly up and outwards to form a wider stance and reduce the robot height. Split the chest and move each piece outwards. I'd suggest folding the conning tower into the torso behind the panel that hides the storage hold for the head.

This should allow for a robot mode which is nicely chunky, has very little kibble sticking out, and has full articulation as well as fists and feet which don't have to be part of the hull proper.

[Geminii]

As for other altmodes, this from another thread:

[Tiby]

Have we have a Chinook helicopter? I also agree with the human alt mode, and the transport vehicles (buses, taxis, etc).

Also, bring back the real baseformers!