Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 16

Thread: Best Transformers Per Catalogue Classes 1984-1987

  1. #1
    Join Date
    17th Jul 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    182

    Default Best Transformers Per Catalogue Classes 1984-1987

    On a whim I decided to run an opinion poll on favourite Transformers G1 toys according to the categories given them in catalogues (using this site as a reference and preferring the catalogues we had in Australia: http://botchthecrab.com/gallery.asp?gallery=10).

    I’m limiting this to the first four years (looking at the 1988 catalogue hurts my brain) but if you can manage it feel free to extend (or alter) this in your responses.

    I’m also limiting it only to categories of multiple toys, so the likes of Prime or Megatron are absent. And I’m treating a purchase as the unit, so cassettes have to come in pairs.

    The intent of this is that you choose favourite toys in the year they debut. However, as there was a lot of continuation of toys into following years, you can take advantage of that. If, for instance, you most love the first three Seekers, then you could choose Skywarp for 1984, Thundercracker for 1985, and the ghost of Starscream for 1986.

    And, because there were so many of them, you can choose your favourite two 1984 Autobot Cars.

    Finally, if you cannot chose a best toy in a category, go the other way and choose a worst one. I for instance, cannot pick between Springer and Sandstorm, but Broadside is definitely the worst Autobot Triple-Changer.

    ----------

    Best Two (2) Autobot Cars (1984):

    Best Autobot Car (1985):

    Best Autobot Car (1986):

    Best Targetmaster Autobot Car (1987):

    Best Headmaster Autobot * (1987):

    Best Autobot Deluxe Vehicle (1985):

    Best Autobot Triple-Changer (1986):

    Best Jumpstarter (1985):

    Best Autobot Mini-Car (1984):

    Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1985):

    Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1986):

    Best Throttlebot (1987):

    Best Pair Of Autobot Mini-Cassettes (1986):

    Best Aerialbot (1986):

    Best Protectobot (1986):

    Best Technobot (1987):

    Best Dinobot (1985):

    Best Monsterbot (1987):

    ----------

    Best Decepticon Plane (1984):

    Best Decepticon Plane (1985):

    Best Decepticon Plane (1986):

    Best Targetmaster Decepticon Plane (1987):

    Best Headmaster Decepticon * (1987):

    Best Headmaster Horrorcon * (1987):

    Best Decepticon Triple-Changer (1985 and 1986):

    Best Duocon (1987):

    Best Battlecharger (1986):

    Best Stunticon (1986):

    Best Combaticon (1986):

    Best Terrorcon (1987):

    Best Predacon (1986):

    Best Insecticon (1985):

    Best Deluxe Insecticon (1985):

    Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1984):

    Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1987):

    Best Constructicon (1985):

    ----------

    * Excludes Headmaster Base

    Sorry if the ordering is a bit odd. I felt this would assist in decision-making but admit it’s a little idiosyncratic.
    Last edited by Dan; 6th December 2018 at 11:43 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    27th Dec 2007
    Location
    Sydney NSW
    Posts
    37,637

    Default

    Gah... need to rearrange in chronological order...

    Best Two (2) Autobot Cars (1984): Bluestreak & Mirage

    Best Autobot Mini-Car (1984): Windcharger

    Best Autobot Car (1985): Inferno

    Best Autobot Deluxe Vehicle (1985): Whirl

    Best Dinobot (1985): Snarl

    Best Jumpstarter (1985): Topspin

    Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1985): Beachcomber

    Best Autobot Car (1986): Hot Rod

    Best Pair Of Autobot Mini-Cassettes (1986): Ramhorn & Eject

    Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1986): Hubcap

    Best Autobot Triple-Changer (1986): Springer

    Best Aerialbot (1986): Slingshot

    Best Protectobot (1986): Hot Spot

    Best Targetmaster Autobot Car (1987): Pointblank

    Best Headmaster Autobot * (1987): Hardhead

    Best Throttlebot (1987): Rollbar

    Best Technobot (1987): Afterburner

    Best Monsterbot (1987): Grotusque

    Best Pair Of Autobot Mini-Cassettes (1987): Dile and Saur

    ----------

    Best Decepticon Plane (1984): Thundercracker

    Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1984): Frenzy and Laserbeak

    Best Decepticon Plane (1985): Ramjet

    Best Constructicon (1985): Long Haul

    Best Insecticon (1985): Shrapnel

    Best Deluxe Insecticon (1985): Barrage

    Best Decepticon Triple-Changer (1985 and 1986): Blitzwing

    Best Decepticon Plane (1986): Cyclonus

    Best Battlecharger (1986): Runamuck

    Best Combaticon (1986): Swindle

    Best Stunticon (1986): Breakdown

    Best Predacon (1986): Divebomb

    Best Targetmaster Decepticon Plane (1987): Triggerhappy

    Best Headmaster Decepticon * (1987): Mindwipe

    Best Headmaster Horrorcon * (1987): Snapdragon

    Best Duocon (1987): Battletrap

    Best Terrorcon (1987): Hun-Grrr

    Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1987): Overkill and Slugfest

  3. #3
    Join Date
    27th Dec 2007
    Location
    Chadstone, Vic
    Posts
    15,772

    Default

    Ordering is fine Dan, easy to do and does assist in decision-making.



    Best Two (2) Autobot Cars (1984): Sideswipe and Prowl

    Best Autobot Car (1985): Inferno

    Best Autobot Car (1986): Hot Rod

    Best Targetmaster Autobot Car (1987): Sureshot

    Best Headmaster Autobot * (1987): Highbrow

    Best Autobot Deluxe Vehicle (1985): Whirl

    Best Autobot Triple-Changer (1986): Sandstorm

    Best Jumpstarter (1985): Topspin

    Best Autobot Mini-Car (1984): Bumblebee

    Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1985): Powerglide

    Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1986): Swerve

    Best Throttlebot (1987): Chase

    Best Pair Of Autobot Mini-Cassettes (1986): Eject and Ramhorn

    Best Aerialbot (1986): Air Raid

    Best Protectobot (1986): First Aid

    Best Technobot (1987): Afterburner

    Best Dinobot (1985): Grimlock

    Best Monsterbot (1987): Grotusque

    ----------

    Best Decepticon Plane (1984): Skywarp

    Best Decepticon Plane (1985): Dirge

    Best Decepticon Plane (1986): Cyclonus

    Best Targetmaster Decepticon Plane (1987): Slugslinger

    Best Headmaster Decepticon * (1987): Skullcruncher

    Best Headmaster Horrorcon * (1987): Snapdragon

    Best Decepticon Triple-Changer (1985 and 1986): Astrotrain

    Best Duocon (1987): Flywheels

    Best Battlecharger (1986): Runabout

    Best Stunticon (1986): Breakdown

    Best Combaticon (1986): Brawl

    Best Terrorcon (1987): Sinnertwin

    Best Predacon (1986): Divebomb

    Best Insecticon (1985): Kickback

    Best Deluxe Insecticon (1985): Barrage

    Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1984): Rumble and Ravage

    Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1987): Frenzy and Ratbat

    Best Constructicon (1985): Bonecrusher

  4. #4
    Join Date
    27th Dec 2007
    Location
    Sydney NSW
    Posts
    37,637

    Default

    Some categories left out from before...

    Best Omnibot (1985): Overdrive

    Best Powerdasher (1985): "Drilldasher"

    Best Time Warrior (1985): Time Warrior

    Best Reflector (1986): Spectro



    Okay, let's do the rest of Hasbro G1...

    Best Autobot Power other than Optimus Prime (1988): Getaway

    Best Autobot Headmaster (1988): Nightbeat

    Best Autobot Targetmaster (1988): Scoop

    Best Autobot Pretender (1988): Gunrunner^Landmine

    Best Triggerbot (1988): Backstreet

    Best Sparkabot (1988): Fizzle

    Best Pair of Autobot Mini-Cassettes (1988): Grand Slam and Raindance

    Best Decepticon Powermaster (1988): Dreadwind

    Best Decepticon Headmaster (1988): Fangry

    Best Decepticon Targetmaster (1988): Quake

    Best Decepticon Pretender (1988): Submarauder

    Best Triggercon (1988): Windsweeper

    Best Firecon (1988): None of them. Oh, okay... Flamefeather.

    Best Pair of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1988): Beastbox and Squawktalk

    Best Targetmaster Seacon (1988): Nautilator

    Best Autobot Pretender (1989): Bumblebee

    Best Autobot Micromaster (1989): Swindler

    Best Decepticon Pretender (1989): Bludgeon

    Best Monster Pretender (1989): Wildfly

    Best Decepticon Micromaster (1989): Whisper

    Best Autobot Action Master (1990): None of them^Optimus Prime

    Best Autobot Micromaster (1990): Sky High

    Best Decepticon Action Master (1990): Devastator

    Best Decepticon Micromaster (1990): Barricade

    Best Autobot Action Master (1991): Sideswipe

    Best Autobot Motorvator (1991): Gripper

    Best Decepticon Action Master (1991): Thundercracker

    Best Autobot Turbomaster other than Thunder Clash (1992): Hurricane

    Best Autobot Rescue Force (1992): Rescue Force 2 ("Jallguar")

    Best Decepticon Predator other than Skyquake (1992): Talon

    Best Constructicon (1992): "Bonecrusher"

    Best Autobot/Decepticon Obliterator (1993): Clench

    Best Autobot Lightformer (1993): Deftwing

    Best Autobot Aquaspeeder (1993): Jetstorm

    Best Autobot Axelerator (1993): Skram

    Best Decepticon Trakkon (1993): Calcar

    Best Decepticon Skyscorcher (1993): Tornado

    Best Decepticon Stormtrooper (1993): Drench

  5. #5
    Join Date
    9th Aug 2018
    Location
    Allendale North, SA
    Posts
    635

    Default

    Best Lister of Extending On an Existing Best Transformers By Year And Category (2018): Goktimus Prime

    In all seriousness these lists are actually fantastic reference material and gives me some good tfwiki reading when I'm bored

  6. #6
    Join Date
    17th Jul 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    182

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Paulbot View Post
    Ordering is fine Dan, easy to do and does assist in decision-making.
    There are plenty of ways of mentally sorting things and I guess this worked for two of us.

    Quote Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime View Post
    Some categories left out from before...
    Thanks for expanding into mail order and later catalogues. It drives home just how much variety there was, even back then.

    Quote Originally Posted by TaZZerath View Post
    In all seriousness these lists are actually fantastic reference material and gives me some good tfwiki reading when I'm bored
    I agree. There are kinds of TF I’m barely aware of, worth delving into.

    ----------

    I should decide on my own responses soon, and might be influenced by the choices of others…

  7. #7
    Join Date
    17th Jul 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    182

    Default

    Best Two (2) Autobot Cars (1984): Mirage and Hound

    Best Autobot Car (1985): Tracks

    Best Autobot Car (1986): Hot Rod

    Best Targetmaster Autobot Car (1987): Sureshot

    Best Headmaster Autobot (1987): Hardhead

    Best Autobot Deluxe Vehicle (1985): Whirl

    Worst Autobot Triple-Changer (1986): Broadside

    Best Jumpstarter (1985): Twin Twist

    Best Autobot Mini-Car (1984): Bumper (abandoning my own rules here)

    Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1985): Beachcomber

    Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1986): Outback

    Best Throttlebot (1987): Goldbug

    Best Pair Of Autobot Mini-Cassettes (1986): Steeljaw & Rewind

    Best Aerialbot (1986): Skydive

    Best Protectobot (1986): Hotspot

    Best Technobot (1987): Afterburner

    Best Dinobot (1985): Swoop

    Best Monsterbot (1987): Grotesque

    ----------

    Best Decepticon Plane (1984): Starscream

    Best Decepticon Plane (1985): Thrust

    Best Decepticon Plane (1986): Scourge

    Best Targetmaster Decepticon Plane (1987): Triggerhappy

    Best Headmaster Decepticon (1987): Skullcruncher

    Worst Headmaster Horrorcon (1987): Both! (more rule-bending)

    Best Decepticon Triple-Changer (1985 and 1986): Octane

    Best Duocon (1987): Flywheels

    Best Battlecharger (1986): Runamuck

    Best Stunticon (1986): Dead End

    Best Combaticon (1986): Onslaught

    Best Terrorcon (1987): Rippersnapper

    Best Predacon (1986): Rampage

    Best Insecticon (1985): Bombshell

    Best Deluxe Insecticon (1985): Venom

    Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1984): Ravage & Rumble

    Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1987): Ratbat & Frenzy

    Best Constructicon (1985): Bonecrusher

    ----------

    The factors that I resorted to in close contests varied greatly. Sometimes it was the novelty of not owning it (Swoop won over Grimlock for this reason). Sometimes it was the nostalgia of having owned it for the longest time (hence Bombshell won over the other two Insecticons). Sometimes it was a very personal thing (I find cicadas cute so chose the poorly named Venom). Sometimes it was the cartoon character that won me over (for instance Octane).

    Three voters is a small number. Nonetheless it's interesting to note which toys got chosen by all of us - Hot Rod, Whirl, Afterburner, Grotesque. In some cases I suspect this says more about the competition than the winners.

    If nothing else, I'm thinking this exercise might help me decide a wish-list for future second-hand purchases.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    27th Dec 2007
    Location
    Sydney NSW
    Posts
    37,637

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Dan View Post
    Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1987): Ratbat & Frenzy
    Ratbat and Frenzy was 1986.

    I vividly remember passing up on this set many times because I already had Laserbeak and Frenzy. Thankfully this set was kind of a pegwarmer, and months later I eventually caved and got it. This was the first time that I bought a variant of a toy I already owned, and also my earliest memory of deciding not to get a toy only to later renege and get it.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    23rd Sep 2014
    Location
    Wollongong
    Posts
    2,217

    Default

    Ok I'll have a turn.

    Best Two (2) Autobot Cars (1984): Jazz* and Hound

    Best Autobot Car (1985): Skids* (sentimental being my first Transformer, Smokescreen objectively)

    Best Autobot Car (1986): Hot Rod*

    Best Targetmaster Autobot Car (1987): Sureshot

    Best Headmaster Autobot * (1987): Hardhead

    Best Autobot Deluxe Vehicle (1985): Roadbuster*

    Best Autobot Triple-Changer (1986): Sandstorm

    Best Jumpstarter (1985): Twintwist (never realised these were so early in the line)

    Best Autobot Mini-Car (1984): Windcharger

    Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1985): Warpath

    Best Autobot Mini-Vehicle (1986): Pipes

    Best Throttlebot (1987): Searchlight*

    Best Pair Of Autobot Mini-Cassettes (1986): Eject/Ramhorn

    Best Aerialbot (1986): Air Raid*

    Best Protectobot (1986): Groove*

    Best Technobot (1987): Scattershot*

    Best Dinobot (1985): Sludge

    Best Monsterbot (1987): Grotesque*

    ----------

    Best Decepticon Plane (1984): Skywarp

    Best Decepticon Plane (1985): Thrust*

    Best Decepticon Plane (1986): Cyclonus*

    Best Targetmaster Decepticon Plane (1987): Triggerhappy

    Best Headmaster Decepticon * (1987): Skullcruncher

    Best Headmaster Horrorcon * (1987): Apeface

    Best Decepticon Triple-Changer (1985 and 1986): Octane*

    Best Duocon (1987): Flywheels

    Best Battlecharger (1986): Runabout

    Best Stunticon (1986): Wildrider

    Best Combaticon (1986): Swindle*

    Best Terrorcon (1987): Hun-Gurrr

    Best Predacon (1986): Razorclaw*

    Best Insecticon (1985): Shrapnel

    Best Deluxe Insecticon (1985): Chopshop

    Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1984): Frenzy/Laserbeak*

    Best Pair Of Decepticon Mini-Cassettes (1987): Ratbat/Slugfest

    Best Constructicon (1985): Hook*

    * Denotes I own it

  10. #10
    Join Date
    17th Jul 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    182

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime View Post
    Ratbat and Frenzy was 1986.

    I vividly remember passing up on this set many times because I already had Laserbeak and Frenzy. Thankfully this set was kind of a pegwarmer, and months later I eventually caved and got it. This was the first time that I bought a variant of a toy I already owned, and also my earliest memory of deciding not to get a toy only to later renege and get it.
    I've had that indecision (or rather a sequence of different decisions approximating indecision) even in adulthood.

    The re-packaging of Frenzy with Ratbat always seemed annoying. Mind you Ratbat did look amazing with his minute level of articulation. It was as if he was moving forward while much of the line was moving backwards.

    I also remember wondering why bats are always evil. Ratbat would have been a cool Autobot.

    Oh, and I listed that pair as 1987 to prevent them from competing with the original two pairs.

    Quote Originally Posted by DaptoDog View Post
    Ok I'll have a turn... Best Autobot Car (1985): Skids * (sentimental being my first Transformer, Smokescreen objectively)...
    Skids was almost my first boxed (rather than blister packed) Transformer. Or at any rate that was my intention after a classmate showed him off at school. However on getting to the local toy store with sufficient cash for an Autobot Car, I was faced with only Prowl, and got him instead.

    I feel Prowl is the better toy, as well as having nostalgia value for me, but Skids always had a lingering charm, and I eventually got a recentish re-issue. All his working doors and hatches are damned nifty.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •