A little bit of love for Henkei Hot Rod.

[GoktimusPrime]

The original was quite crap-py. Remembering that it followed on from Car Robot/RiD - going from the toy line that would inspire Binaltech/Alternators, to Armada where articulation and form gave way to gimmicks... it did leave a bad taste to the palette of many fans.

This is how Armada should have been done back in 2003. (-_-)

[SilverDragon]

This is how Armada should have been done back in 2003. (-_-)

Yes. Never mind that kids are the primary buyers of the toys, everything should cater to OUR demands! No gimmicks! Articulation! Insanely complex transformations!

SARCASM LAWL

Also it's interesting to note that Armada (simplicity, loads of gimmicks) followed RiD (complexity, low on gimmicks). It's possible that the complexity was too much for kids to really handle, and so it was scaled back. I'd love to get my hands on an Armada-era toy one day, so I can see how it was.

[GoktimusPrime]

Complex articulation started with late G2 in 1994-95. It then became standardised during Beast Wars and Car Robot was basically Beast Wars toys done with realistic/licensed vehicular alt modes. And all these lines were aimed at kids, not collectors. It wasn't until 2000 that we had a collectors-targeted line with the Japanese G1 reissues. Then it wouldn't be until 2004 that we got more collector-specific lines (what Takara calls "high end" lines) with Binaltech and Masterpiece. So the suggestion that Car Robot wasn't meant for kids is not true. Just look at the cartoon - that is NOT a story written for adults. It's not necessarily a bad story, but it's definitely written for children. The fact that Brave Maximus is powered by the love of children all over the world (ahem).

And kids aren't stupid. We know when a toy sucks because its integrity has been sacrificed by gimmicks - even back in G1. That's why toys like Battlechargers and Firecons weren't terribly popular. A lot of G1 fans bag out Throttlebots too, but I personally think Throttlebots are cool because it's a reasonably fair balance between gimmick and playability. When Action Masters came out in 1990, I was simultaneously thrilled and bitterly disappointed. Thrilled that we finally had Transformers with articulation, but bitter about the fact that they couldn't transform (and questioned how the hell Hasbro could even dare to call them "Transformers"). Then in 1994-95 I was absolutely ecstatic to see Transformers with full articulation and that could still transform! Combat Hero Megatron gave me all kinds of joy. Then the introduction of 9-point ball-and-socket jointed Transformers (e.g.: Cyberjets) made me fappy. (fap + happy)

It's not as if I've somehow forgotten what Transformers were like when I was a kid or how to appreciate them from a child's POV. I still do play with my TF toys as much as I can - even in public places.

[kup]

Having a toy aimed at children is no excuse for it to be mediocre, specially when it was done better in the past when targeting the same age groups.

[STL]

Having a toy aimed at children is no excuse for it to be mediocre, specially when it was done better in the past when targeting the same age groups.

Yeah there is. It's called what the market will tolerate.

Anyway, onto the Henkei Hot Shot toy itself. Looks stunning. Those chrome guns have me really, really excited about this toy. Our RK order should be here in the next few days... cannot wait!

[Gutsman Heavy]

the launchers are very nice, but for me JAAM is the true winner.

[Bartrim]

the launchers are very nice, but for me JAAM is the true winner.

Agreed. I was going to get the Henkei version until they revealed the universe one would have JAAM number plates. No ammount of chrome can beat JAAM

[kup]

Yeah there is. It's called what the market will tolerate.

Anyway, onto the Henkei Hot Shot toy itself. Looks stunning. Those chrome guns have me really, really excited about this toy. Our RK order should be here in the next few days... cannot wait!

How can you explain the market tolerating this new toy? Its much better than the old one and its fair to say that there are stricter manufacturing budgets now than back then as the retailers want to maintain low prices for their costumers.

Its more about the design mentality and philosophy than what the market would tolerate.

[STL]

How can you explain the market tolerating this new toy? Its much better than the old one and its fair to say that there are stricter manufacturing budgets now than back then as the retailers want to maintain low prices for their costumers.

Its more about the design mentality and philosophy than what the market would tolerate.

I'm just saying that corporations will do what they believe will sell in the market and the market shall therefore vindicaate them. And obviously it worked. What you or I want to say about philosophy or mentality are moot points.

They're philosophical but they're hardly practical. A business at the end of the day has cost/benefit considerations - not just considerations based on the desires of particularly small segment of its overall market. I'd love more technical transformations too but I realise and accept that this is predominantly a kids market and whatever satisfies that market so as to generate the highest return would appear to be the best avenue.