Transformers Armada, Energon and Cybertron, Anyone have them?

[Zaul]

I'm interested in finding someone who owns them all to ask some advice regarding where I can buy them? If they are worth getting? Ect

Anyone?

[TheDirtyDigger]

where I can buy them?

Ebay.

If they are worth getting?

Yes.

[GoktimusPrime]

You can get Super Link and Galaxy Force on DVD from stores in Chinatown - original Japanese dialogue; SL has "Engrish" subtitles and GF has proper English subs!

[jaydisc]

If they are worth getting?

Whenever I comb through sale threads on this board and others, it is these figures that people are selling. Take from that what you will. I certainly don't think it's worth it.

[SMHFConvoy]

I'm confused. Are you after the figures or series? 'Cause if you're after figures I might be able to help you with that...

[TheDirtyDigger]

I certainly don't think it's worth it.

I gotta say though there's definitely some good moulds in all of them. That's why they've been reused for Universe/Classics, Movie and Botcon figures. Especially the Cybertron line. And aesthetically, I feel they usually come off much nicer than the Movie lines.

[GoktimusPrime]

JMHO - and I am making generalisations about these lines...

Armada: Generally disappointing (especially considering that it followed CR/RiD). Some of the Mini-Cons are nice, but a lot of the larger figures are overwhelmed by gimmicks which detract from their integrity as action figures. Scavenger is a classic example of this and is full of fail.

Energon: The Super-Link/Powerlinx gimmick was an attempt at updating the old 1989 G1 Multi-Force gimmick, but really didn't work as well (especially by 2004 standards). Figures pretty much tack onto each other, whereas in Multi-Force they also become new gestalt characters (e.g.: Wingwaver is a different entity from both Wing and Waver); and on top of that, the MultiForcers could all combine into a bigger gestalt (Landcross). None of the Super-Link/Powerlinx TFs are able to do that. On top of that some of them are also overwhelmed by gimmicks - Ironhide is an example of this. Some of non-Powerlinking figures are okay, particularly the Basic/Scouts.

Cybertron: As Digger said, there were some nice moulds in this line which have been reused in more recent lines such as Universe, movie etc. Unlike Armada and Energon, most Cybertron Transformers aren't overwhelmed by their gimmicks in a way that it detracts from their action figure integrity. Downshift (later repainted as movie Big Daddy) is a good example of this. He has a decent muscle car mode, good transformation to a good robot mode. He has a Planet Key activated gimmick, but it doesn't overtly intrude on the either mode or the transformation.

[Pipesqueak]

Cybertron is still my favourite post-G1 toy line, there are musts in every size class from scout to supreme (Primus). Start here.

Energon is slightly more hit and miss, but still a solid line. Some suffer a little for the compromises necessary to make their lame combiner modes possible, but generally still work well as individual toys.

Armada is much underrated, even though I am no fan of pointless minicons. In many cases toys that others deride for having poor articulation or being too gimicky I believe are actually ten times more fun and less frustrating than fiddly movie toys or alternators. Armada Hot Shot, for example, is SOOO much better than the recent Universe/Henkei mould.

[Ironhide63]

the way I see it he is after the series...im probably wrong, but, after recently aquiring the G1 boxed set on DVD obviously. Im now moving onto aquiring the rest of the series...starting with...*drum roll* G2. then RID and Energon, armada, cybertron, beast wars, blah blah blah
till i have every last transformers dvd on the planet. how much will this set me back...like, i mean pricing for each series.

[GoktimusPrime]

You know that the G2 cartoon is basically the SAME as the G1 cartoon only with different opening/ending themes and intermittent graphics (which are really annoying!), right? If you want real G2 canon you'll need to get the comics, which have been reprinted. Unlike the G2 cartoon, the G2 comics actually feature G2 Transformers! What a concept! It also introduces cool new characters like Jhiaxus and his Second Generation Decepticons - and of course, the Swarm (whose story ties in with Beast Wars).

Links:
An introduction to G2
G2 comic reviews (Warning: contains plot synopses)

If you already have the G1 cartoon on DVD then I wouldn't bother with the G2 cartoon - you'll find that it's just a massive WOBTAM Waste Of Bloody Time And Money. :/ But hey, don't just take my word for it... just have a look at the G2 version of "More Than Meets The Eye Part 1" here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MAjbv1pDNc
Now do you really want to spend money collecting that?