I think Agamemnon hit the nail on the head. It
would be easier to list the stinkers.
So glad to see Transmetal Waspinator, and Tarantulas in the list. I think TM Rattrap is a real stand out too. He has a great bot mode and also has that cool tail weapon. 2nd only to TM Megatron's as Dead Metal mentioned.
I think Beast Wars is my favorite era of Transformers ever, and Beast Wars Neo has some of my favorte designs of all times. Folks complain that they have an excess of kibbly hang down, and they are correct, but if you can look past it, Neo has some of the most far out and interesting designs. I thought it was real nice, after all the Transmetal toys, to get back to some really organic designs. I like 'em so much, I decided to take my own photos. If for no other reason than to get 'em down and play with 'em. Again.
My top 5.
5.
HeinladFor me, maybe the most appealing thing about this guy is all the little Japanese cultural things he represents. I don't even understand them all, but don't have to. He is just a fun and funny toy.
So he's a time traveling drunk with giant scrodalions? OK, but a smart drunk, 'cause he packed a lunch! He is fun in both modes and an easy, enjoyable transformation. Anybody with flip down goggles gets a win for me.
4.
StampyGotta give the basic class some love. He's a rabbit. Who doesn't like bunnies? They're so cute and soft.
Even if their ears double as razor sharp swords.
3.
LongrackWhat?! A giraffe? Who cares? I do! One of the most fun toys I have ever owned, and just a wild transformation unlike other quadrupedal Beast Wars toys. He just looks stunning in that animal print jump suit.
He just has such a massive presence in bot mode. the arm gimmick is really fun, and he sports one of my favorite head sculpts of ALL TIME!
2.
Killerpunch/TriceradonIf I had to recommend just one Neo toy. It would be this one, or any of the many mold mates he has had. The character design on this guy is just Tuff Stuff! Sure he has the ass end of a dead rhino hanging off his shoulder, but he makes up for it in so many ways. Awesome bot modes and great alt modes with really cool weapons storage. And again some of my favorite head sculpts.
In beast mode he has a really funny "play dead" gimmick, except Killerpunch, who can shoot his head at you. KP is a BW Neo release.
Triceradon was a Beast Machines release in a subline simply called, Dinobots. He is a repaint of Neo Guiledart.
1.
Big ConvoyNow i don't have Big Convoy proper. I have Black Big Convoy, and just last weekend scooped up Ultra Mammoth. This toy is truely a Beast. I think one of the most interesting forms Prime has ever taken. The robot mode is covered in amazing sculpted detailing. He is fun to transform and despite all that kibble, super possable. His articulation is articulated.
Did I mention he has a stinkin' removable Matrix in his chest. I know there is a ton of kibs, but I like to imagine this amazing robot is made more fantastic by wearing a luxurious fur coat.
...and pants.
I think Ultra Mammoth is one of the smartest repaints the club has ever done. Using those tusks as a nod to Maggie's shoulder stacks was genius. I'm so happy to have Ultra Magnus represented in beast form in my collection.
Honorable mention goes to
Magmatron. He is an amazing concept and combiner. I was gonna work him into the 5, but when I was posing him for photos, I realized, although riddled with articulation, his pose-ability is really limited. His robot mode is beautifully terrifying. Still very worth looking at.