The Soapbox VI: Don’t like Gimmicks? Start dealing with it.

[GoktimusPrime]

Going on from dirge's sentiments, I don't like gimmicks where it overwhelms or detracts from the Transformer as an action figure/play-toy. And I'm sure many of us felt the same as kids... look at the Battlechargers from G1... how much did you enjoy playing with those toys as a kid compared to other TFs that weren't as dominated by their gimmicks.

There's nothing inherently wrong with gimmicks, it's how they're executed in the toy and how much of the toy's playability which is of paramount importance for a child... I hated(still hate) toys that I cannot have fun playing with, and to me - even as a child - that meant action figure role-playing. Gimmicks are fine with me so long as they don't detract from being to play with the toy.

[Lord_Zed]

It's not Gimmicks that bother me so much as the lack of creativity in implimentation.

As long as where talking gimmicks I think it would have been cool if they had used the slime gimmick for Oil Slick, I understand why they couldn't but it still would have been a funky change.

[Sky Shadow]

Gimmicks ruined the Transformers toyline. The first wave was excellent - small Autobot vehicles that transformed into robots: the 'real' Transformers. However, most fans don't know what on Earth Hasbro was thinking with the second wave. Cassettes? Transformers just don't transform into cassettes, as the now much quoted phrase "M1N1CaR NOT KaSETE!!!" sums up perfectly. These cassettes, considered by most fans to be worse than GoBots, also had a gimmick, the first of many lame and pointless gimmicks. Rather than being Autobots, as all previous Transformers had been, these tapes were called 'Decepticons,' a supposed *second* race of Transformers and enemies of the peace-loving Autobots. The 'Decepticon Tapes' also came with another gimmick: weapons - a blight upon everything the Transformers stood for.

Of course, most Transfans had long since stopped collecting by this point, but after this failure, Hasbro continued to try and keep the franchise alive with more gimmicks; planes, cassette recorders, guns and even larger cars, which were an obvious attempt to reclaim what fans originally liked about the series. The last hope for the line was a toy they called 'Optimus Prime,' which was basically like the much-loved Huffer, but bigger and with lots of gimmicks.

Naturally, Optimus Prime was a failure. Kids couldn't carry him to school in their pockets, and he came with lots of what is now known as 'kibble'; guns, a trailer, missiles etc.: lots of extra gimmicks that ignored the fact that what most fans of the 'real' Tranformers liked was the fact that the toys were self-contained and peaceful. With the addition of guns and an enemy to fight, Hasbro had sealed the fate of the Transformers line, which, after some further pitiful attempts to revive the line, would draw to a close in 1990 in the U.S. (The toys continued in Europe and Australasia, continents that still hoped to see a return to that one great month in 1984.)

Of course, as we all know, the U.S. line returned in 1993 with Transformers Generation 2, heralded with a gold vacuum-metallised Bumblebee. But that's a different story...

[GoktimusPrime]

lawl.

Naturally, Optimus Prime was a failure. Kids couldn't carry him to school in their pockets,

Actually, Optimus Prime does fit into kids' pockets - I used to carry him in pockets as a kid. He only just fit but he did. Only the cab though.

[roller]

some gimmicks are good some are bad

i dont really like electronic ones, they make the toy heavier, fragiler, i have to unscrew the lid to put a battery in, i have to buy a battery... where does it stop?!!!!

The Armada gimmicks i dont really like, what if you buy 2nd hand and there is no minicon? No gimmicky worky! Also, the cybetron keys, they are so lame.

The best gimmick ever was G2s megatron, "Megatron attack" sometimes on those cold lonely nights i push his head down and shiver as that mighty voice roars out in the darkness... wonder who voiced the toy

[SofaMan]

Gimmicks ruined the Transformers toyline.

<snip>

Of course, as we all know, the U.S. line returned in 1993 with Transformers Generation 2, heralded with a gold vacuum-metallised Bumblebee. But that's a different story...

Dude, that's some epic snark. Nice work.

Most of the time, I like gimmicks.

[Robzy]

Gimmicks ruined the Transformers toyline. The first wave was excellent - small Autobot vehicles that transformed into robots: the 'real' Transformers. However, most fans don't know what on Earth Hasbro was thinking with the second wave. Cassettes? Transformers just don't transform into cassettes, as the now much quoted phrase "M1N1CaR NOT KaSETE!!!" sums up perfectly. These cassettes, considered by most fans to be worse than GoBots, also had a gimmick, the first of many lame and pointless gimmicks. Rather than being Autobots, as all previous Transformers had been, these tapes were called 'Decepticons,' a supposed *second* race of Transformers and enemies of the peace-loving Autobots. The 'Decepticon Tapes' also came with another gimmick: weapons - a blight upon everything the Transformers stood for.

Of course, most Transfans had long since stopped collecting by this point, but after this failure, Hasbro continued to try and keep the franchise alive with more gimmicks; planes, cassette recorders, guns and even larger cars, which were an obvious attempt to reclaim what fans originally liked about the series. The last hope for the line was a toy they called 'Optimus Prime,' which was basically like the much-loved Huffer, but bigger and with lots of gimmicks.

Naturally, Optimus Prime was a failure. Kids couldn't carry him to school in their pockets, and he came with lots of what is now known as 'kibble'; guns, a trailer, missiles etc.: lots of extra gimmicks that ignored the fact that what most fans of the 'real' Tranformers liked was the fact that the toys were self-contained and peaceful. With the addition of guns and an enemy to fight, Hasbro had sealed the fate of the Transformers line, which, after some further pitiful attempts to revive the line, would draw to a close in 1990 in the U.S. (The toys continued in Europe and Australasia, continents that still hoped to see a return to that one great month in 1984.)

Of course, as we all know, the U.S. line returned in 1993 with Transformers Generation 2, heralded with a gold vacuum-metallised Bumblebee. But that's a different story...

[STL]

Skyshadow, I love your randomness.

The gimmick should add to a toy as a Transformer, not subtract from it.

I absolutely agree with you and would dearly prefer for the gimmick to the be transformation itself w/ periphery as weapons. But what I was hoping to argue was that like it or not, they are entirely necessary. Not in our minds but those of the parents inclined to purchase it.

Going on from dirge's sentiments, I don't like gimmicks where it overwhelms or detracts from the Transformer as an action figure/play-toy. And I'm sure many of us felt the same as kids... look at the Battlechargers from G1... how much did you enjoy playing with those toys as a kid compared to other TFs that weren't as dominated by their gimmicks.

I never had a battlecharger as a kid. Actually, still don't. But I do want them. They're just very low on the list of priorities. Well except for when i watch a season 4 intro and really want Flywheels.

Gimmicks are fine with me so long as they don't detract from being to play with the toy.

I agree w/ you completely about the fact that there's nothign inherently wrong w/ gimmicks, it's there execution. But I think there's a very large apprehension in the fandom towards them

That said, I'd say that in the mind of a parent, play value is great when you've got heaps of sounds (as basic as they are) or flashing lights. This doesn't necessarily sync up with most of us as collectors. Especially so often electronics cause figures to be disproportionate and affect their balance. So I think that gimmicks can actually enhance play value of a Transformer but simultaneously impinge its success.

I consider Silverbolt to be a perfect example of this. My cousins, my little sister all love him compared to the others. He's solid and he's so perfect to play with. Even my mate who is a very fringe collector (he refuses to being dubbed one) agrees he looks great and is "neat" to have on display. The downside though is my sister and all her cousins can transform him. They can't figure out certain Legends or Real Gear but Silverbolt is walk in the park. So gimmicks can enhance play value greatly but still damage another facet of a toy.

[GoktimusPrime]

I think that when people say "gimmicks" they tend to mean "gimmicks that detract from the toy" but perhaps they're too lazy to specify that.

Let's face it, making a robot transform into a car, animal, object etc. and back again is a gimmick in itself!!

[Sky Shadow]

Random TF Fact: Did You Know?



Powermaster Optimus Prime's super mode head was originally intended to transform into a roller buggy and robot. Although this idea was abandoned (probably because it was cost-prohibitive), Powermaster Prime's trailer still has a cavity and fold-down ramp for the roller buggy head!

This is an appropriate "Did You Know?" for this thread. (And keep them coming! It's rare to find such a worthwhile sig.)