Underrated Transformers Toys Thread

[GoktimusPrime]

From G1 I think that Quickswitch gets overlooked a bit.

The problem with Transformers that have more than one alt mode is that you invariably sacrifice the look of some modes -- the more modes you chuck in, the harder it is to get each mode looking good. Sixshot pulled it off fairly well in 1987. Then comes 1988 and we get Quickswitch... by comparison it feels like a big throwback from Sixshot. Usually we expect gimmicks to improve with time, not worsen. Sure, 1988 was the year we saw a lot of downsizing - smaller Headmasters, smaller Targetmasters... but I dunno, I wasn't disappointed with the '88 Headmasters and Targetmasters as I was with Quickswitch. The only thing that disappointed me with the '88 Headmasters was the loss of the interchangeable tech specs meter (i.e. their stats remain the same regardless of which Nebulan you plug in). And I loved the Targetmasters... they were much cheaper carded figures (which made them a lot more affordable!) and they came with two Nebulan guns!

And there are quite a few really good BW figures that probably dont get the love they deserve.

Really? I love most of the BW line... the only ones I would gripe about would be:
+ Retrax - robot mode is stuck in "Christ the Redeemer" pose; and his gimmick is far too sensitive
+ Injector - he really is one uuugly sucker. But even as far as Fuzors go... he transforms into a lionfish vomiting a hornet... oookay. (having said that, I bought him anyway )
+ Transmetal 2 Cheetor - like Quickswitch, felt like a backward step in engineering from Transmetal Cheetor. Little did I know at the time that there was further disappointment down the road with Beast Machines...
+ The Mutant Beasts. Such a fail concept. (although Beast Changer pulls it off well, but he's not a Mutant Beast, nor a BW toy ).

I love Cybertron Longrack with the lovely reference to BW Longrack.

+1. Cybertron Buzz Saw works really well in that regard too. A lot better than Blurr who's just too chunky.

Voyager Animated Bulkhead, Cybertron Red Alert and Backstop were another two of my favourites that I think were overshadowed by other figures from their series.

Red Alert is indeed full of win. Cybertron Defence Red Alert is also really nice.

Bulkhead... I think the main thing that hurt him was his size, plus the fact that he was sold at a Voyager price point. There's something about paying $40-45 for a toy that's shorter than Deluxe Bumblebee. I have the same gripe with Animated Lugnut too... but I don't necessarily dislike Bulkhead (other than the size, I think he's a nice toy) -- but I found Lugnut to be really disappointing, size issues aside. But yeah, usually when I pay for a Voyager, I expect it to be as be about the size of a Voyager... not a "You're a little short for a Deluxe Stormtrooper"

[Vector Prime]

Voyager Animated Bulkhead, Cybertron Red Alert and Backstop were another two of my favourites that I think were overshadowed by other figures from their series. Red Alert in particular as that awesome mold was reused to make Cannonball, who was just dripping with awesomesauce.

Red Alert is indeed full of win. Cybertron Defence Red Alert is also really nice.

+2 on Red Alert.

The original Deluxe mold is awesome - love the leg transformation and how everything just fits together.

The weapon/hand attachments that store under the bonnet/legs is also quite clever.

CD Red Alert I'm not a big fan of since the rocket launcher is just too ridiculously large and should have at least split into smaller weapons or something for bot mode.

[dirge]

Hauler. He appeared - with both his hands - in TF:TM long before his toy was released; meaning he doesn't get enough love.

Cross Cut is a close second - a diaclone mould not used in G1 & released as a new character years later. Yet he's often dismissed as a "Skids repaint".

[Sky Shadow]

Hauler. He appeared - with both his hands - in TF:TM long before his toy was released; meaning he doesn't get enough love.

I think it's more impressive that Hauler appeared in More Than Meets The Eye Part 1, the very first episode of the cartoon, 29 episodes before Grapple. (And 19 years before Hauler's green toy, which I love.)

[jaydisc]

Movie Longarm rocks

[gamblor916]

Binaltech Skids. Nice bot mode and modern car mode is a great homage to G1. Also paint scheme, head sculpt and general proportions are fantastic.

[Gouki]

I thought a majority of the Cybertron line were top figured, even with the Cyber keys. But I don't really see them getting a lot of love anywhere.

[Hursticon]

I thought a majority of the Cybertron line were top figured, even with the Cyber keys. But I don't really see them getting a lot of love anywhere.

Primus and Soundwave have my vote!

[GoktimusPrime]

I thought a majority of the Cybertron line were top figured, even with the Cyber keys. But I don't really see them getting a lot of love anywhere.

I think because some people were disillusioned with Armada and Energon that they didn't give Cybertron much of a look in. But I agree with you, Cybertron did give us some really nice toys. The problem with some Armada and Energon toys is that they had engineering compromised and too much focus given to gimmicks. e.g. Armada Scavenger, Energon Ironhide etc. Not all Armada/Energon toys are that bad, but I just picked two nasty examples. But I think by time we got to Cybertron, HasTak had learnt to strike a reasonably good balance between making good toys with gimmicks. Not too many Cybertron TFs had their engineering adversely compromised by the Cyber Key gimmick; e.g. Red Alert, Downshift etc. - all nice toys, even with their Cyber Key gimmicks. And Optimus Prime was just pure win. There were a few disappointing toys too (e.g. Jetfire, Megatron etc.), but on the whole I found Cybertron to be the best line of the Unicron Trilogy series.

[Vector Prime]

I found Cybertron to be the best line of the Unicron Trilogy series.

Well one would think so, seeing as it was the last toy line in the series and that the prior two just sucked monumentally - they couldn't make them any worse!