Current trend?
They've been making them for years.
"Pull my hook"..
"Yeah, we're looking for a fight."
"I'm so easy.. to transform"
"And I have better articulation than these new guys!"
"Just push my button. Then you'll see what kind of Con I am."
"I think I win the one step changer battle..
..just stand me up."
"I don't really look like a Happy Meal toy, do I?"
"Come over there? Well, I seem to be standing on something. Let me transform cause I obviously won't be able to walk over there."
Sorry, in my opinion they haven't taken a 'step' backwards in design and functionality. They've fallen over.
I really like a small Transformer with quick transform and play value.
But lately they've gotten either lazy or think kids are really stupid.
While it's hard to mess up the alt mode, the robot modes are just bad.
Sorry for all of you who like them, they just are.
Many of the Animated Activators were really pleasing. Stepping away from that concept and dumbing down the one steppers is just sad.
But then again I don't get why they are making so many class sizes and unnecessary versions of each character.
Concentrating on less class sizes but making higher quality ones could strengthen the brand.
I see what they are doing by making toys that speak to every level of play development, but jeez. Are we to believe kids are that slow? Rescue Bots seem to encompass a higher intellect than the recent one steppers.
They just seem lacking and not worth most any ones' time, investment and attention. But again, I've never been a collector of Happy Meal level toys.
Not that I don't have a few lying around, I just wouldn't pay for them without getting a burger and fries in the deal ;p
