Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

We wish you a Happy New Year! With hindsight, 2011 was a very eventful year for our beloved franchise.

Hasbro was finishing up their touches on summarizing our Generations, while Takara thought we could all get a little United. We were then treated to a blissful BotCon in Pasadena, where we all got a little Animated. With nearly half a year in the books, we were then treated to some eye-catching Michael Bay explosions. Dark Of The Moon was the climax of the much disputatious movie trilogy, and with it came waves and waves of new movie figures. While Transformers: Prime continued throughout the year on the HUB, it was only in the dwindling months in which we were pleased to welcome its toyline into our collections.

Now here I am today along with my fellow colleagues, to reflect on the occurrences of the past twelve months, and to share with you what our favorite things (mostly toys) of 2011 were. Before we get into the meat of the story, let me introduce to you who we are;

• I'm Blurrz - my taste of Transformers is as eclectic as it gets, but please don't call me a hipster!
• From the land down under comes Burn, our succinct, disgruntled and fashionably unfashionable HMW moderator.
• Counterpunch is the revered host of our Twincast/Podcast, and he's into the serious business of having fun.
• Laying the administration law down is Cyber Bishop, so make sure you're a saint (but not in the New Orleans Saints division!)
• The man with the quickest trigger finger in the galaxy, let me introduce our speedy news administrator El Duque
• He's a little bit lost, so please point our News Crew member Lost Cybertronian in the right direction!
• With a pile of loot that's always bigger than yours, say hello to staff member Mkall.
• The completionist ideal is never easy, just ask our News Crew and Twincast/Podcast member Razorclaw0000.

Now that you know a little bit about the men behind the usernames, we are going to share our thoughts on 2011 by explaining our choice in the following categories.

Transformers Figure of the Year
Favorite Transformers Toyline of 2011
Favorite 2011 Generations/Reveal The Shield/United Figure
Favorite 2011 Movie Figure
Favorite 2011 Transformers: Prime Figure
Favorite 2011 BotCon Exclusive Figure
Favorite 2011 Non-BotCon Exclusive Figure
Favorite 2011 Third Party Product
Your Favorite 2011 Transformers Moment
What you're looking forward to in 2012 for Transformers

Enjoy the read, and feel free to emulate us by responding to this topic!




Masterpiece MP-10 Optimus Prime

El Duque: Optimus Prime has always been my favorite character, and I was a G1 kid so this was an easy choice. This is the best representation of G1 Optimus Prime to date, and I never was that big of a fan of MP-01. I was always bothered by the weird shaped truck cab in vehicle mode. MP-10 greatly improved upon his vehicle mode, and alt modes are a big deal for me. Now to wait a few years for MP-20 Convoy Version 3.0!

Transformers Prime - Voyager Prime

Blurrz: Oh, just another Optimus Prime. Can't be that great right? WRONG! Taking this sucker out of the First Edition packaging was the best thing since making turtle burgers. You'll find exceptional articulation, beautiful detailing, a fun transformation, and just a solid toy all around. While it may have the aesthetics of Prime's predecessors 'Animated', and the 'Movieverse', Voyager Prime takes from them and simply leaves them behind. To me, it is the best Voyager Prime of all time. Even if you're not a fan of the series, this figure is designed extremely well. It is hopefully the cornerstone for Transformers toys in 2013 and beyond.

Reveal the Shield Lugnut

Mkall: Probably coming out of left field on this one, however I love the colours on the figure and the homage to the WWII bomber plane. I find that he has a lot of posability and a fairly straight forward transformation. He also came with the Punch of Kill Everything which wasn’t a necessary bonus, but one that many of us appreciate having.

Transformers Prime - Deluxe Starscream

Razorclaw0000: Coming out of left field right at the close of the year, Starscream is a near perfect replica of his on-screen persona. He has a smooth and intriguing transformation, drips charisma, and has as much articulation as some high end Japanese figures, whose main selling points are articulation! My only complaint is the soft rubber, but that's a losing battle to fight.

Generations Warpath

Cyber Bishop: For me, it has to be Generations Warpath. I love this toy, it's transformation is simple yet to the point. Excellent posability and size. Kup runs a close second.

Disappoint

Counterpunch: Probably one of the TF Prime voyagers, but I don't have either one of them yet. Due to this, I am abstaining from answering this question in protest of Hasbro not having these available alongside the show.



Generations/Reveal The Shield

Mkall: Yes they’re two seperate toylines, but we all know that it was a guise to get us more figures for the Classicverse line. With long-awaited characters like Blurr, Kup and Perceptor and even some surprises like Skullgrin and Thunderwing, this line is a G1er’s wet dream.

Counterpunch: This line is the best in my opinion for a few reasons. It provided us with a wide selection of classic characters. In more than a few instances, they are better than their Japanese counterparts (I'm looking at you Wheeljack. Scourge is debatable too). What's really great about the line is its ability to put characters that really define "obscurity" back on the shelves (Thunderwing, Skullgrin, Straxus, Black Shadow). It's astounding that these toys exist at all.

Lost Cybertronian: Generations was the line to make you proud to be a collector this year. The wide range of established characters as well as the obscure characters made this line a collectors dream. The first time I saw the prototype for Warpath, I nearly wet myself.

El Duque: Despite the line's unfortunate distribution issues it's still my favorite line of 2011. Wreck-Gar, Special Ops Jazz, Tracks, Lugnut all great figures. The rub signs are a little cheesy, but being a G1 kid they were a great nostalgia kick.

Cyber Bishop: It gave us superb reimaginings of Generation One figures such as Kup, Tracks, Wheeljack, and Warpath.

United

Blurrz: I just can't resist the shiny. With some fantastic molds decked out in bright shiny paint, and Power Core Combiner mini-cons being converted to Targetmasters, this line is just the best that was offered this year for me. Figures like Jazz, Tracks, Blurr and Frenzy/Rumble feel like musts for anyone buying into the Classics-verse.

Power Core Combiners

Razorclaw0000: Get your pitchforks and torches ready folks. Power Core Combiners ended in a good way, showing us exactly what the line could have been if we got passed the non-starter first Wave in a timely fashion. Heavytread makes a better Guzzle than DOTM Guzzle, while Skyhammer has one of the most distinctive jet modes in years. Finally, the sublime Undertow gives us a double homage to Waverider and Octopunch, and kicks rightful ass on his own. The final, controversial five pack, SpasticOverrun, does a great Stunticon vibe without tarnishing the names of the originals.

Kabaya Transformers Gum Box

Burn: As far as favorite Toyline for the year goes, there's no real one that stood out for me. I could easily pick figures from each line. But, like last year, the fun continued. So again, if I have to choose one, then Kabaya, I choose you!



United Tracks

Counterpunch: Holy Moly. No figure released in this line, this year better personifies its character. Not only is the shiny paint a step up over the domestic release, but it's so in-tune with who Tracks is as a narcissistic jerk that I love it all the more. Seeing the OG logo on the hood was just a bonus.

Generations Scourge

Razorclaw0000: Not the United version, whose strange blues diminish the elegance of the toy, the Generations version is an excellent update to an overlooked, but still iconic, figure. Doing away with the ridiculous flying space boat mode, Gen Scourge adopts a sleek orbital bomber configuration, managing to fit a complicated robot into a very compact alt-mode. In-wing weapon storage caps off an already great figure.

Generations Wheeljack

El Duque: Always been a fan of Wheeljack, and he was due for the Classic universe makeover. My Energon Downshift can finally go back into my Energon collection. Love the mold, and look forward to TFCC Runamuck and Runabout repaints!

United Blurr

Blurrz: While it might be the obvious choice for someone named Blurrz, it's more to it than that. While the mold is fantastic, and the Hasbro colors are solid, United just takes it to a whole different level. Many may complain about the very pale teals of United Blurr, as well as his shinyness, but it's a great homage to the Generation One toy that was plastered in teal and baby blue.

Generations Warpath

Lost Cybertronian: Tank alt modes for Transformers seem to be a dime a dozen now a days. However Warpath was a G1 update that was needed in the worst way. The Universe legends figure was great but the deluxe just blows it away. He was my favorite mini bot in the G1 days and his Generations figures doesn't dissapoint.

Burn: One figure stood out in this line for me. I love tank Transformers and Warpath has always been a rather unique character. This modern day update for him takes a G1 minibot and turns him into a well articulated figure.



Human Alliance Roadbuster

Counterpunch: This toy really marks for me what a movie toy needs to do. It's big enough to show off all the detail in the design and engineered well enough with tabs and slots to connect together that I actually enjoy handling it. The only flaw I'd mention isn't even something this toy did wrong, it's that all the HA Wreckers aren't in Guns-a-blazing mode.

Mkall: I don’t collect movie figures, but if I did, I suspect that Human Alliance Topspin would take this category. He looks to be in a league all his own in the line, with weapons out the wazoo and poseability too! From what I hear, his Transformation isn’t too bad either.

Cyber Bishop: I only have a couple so I will have to say Roadbuster.

Leader Sentinel Prime

El Duque: A complex figure that had me scratching my head several times during the initial transformation, but a great payoff when it's all said and done. Great alt mode, and weapons, big fan of the sword and shield.

Voyager Skyhammer

Burn: This is simple for me. Helicopter TFs i've found are more often miss than hit. Skyhammer not only hits, he blows the target away. Great design in both robot and alt mode. Highly poseable and Hasbro added a great feature with the rotator blades folding back behind him rather than becoming some useless weapon. Had they folded a second time to completely wrap around his body he would have been perfect.

Ultimate Optimus Prime

Lost Cybertronian: I know this is not the most popular choice but he is a very underrated figure that needs some love. Not only do you get Optimus Prime with trailer, it transforms into this imposing battle armor with a BFG. Since I grew up in the G1 era, I don't mind his overall brickness.

Half Track

Razorclaw0000: A cooler repaint to the excellent Sandstorm, Half Track edges out with his "moon buggy" deco. Super posable, with a buttery smooth transformation and cool gimmicks, this figure wins for the sheer fact he can nonchalantly hold his shotgun over his shoulder, ready to slag anything that moves.



NYCC Arcee/Arcee

Blurrz: Disregarding the very superior Voyager Prime figure, Arcee is also quite fun. It seems that as time progresses, the designs for Transformers get slimmer, and the plastic that's being used isn't getting any better. With Arcee's design, I just didn't think her figure would be pulled off well. But alas, I was wrong. Some say the pink and white just doesn't mesh well with the Prime aesthetics. Well you can't spell homage without OMG. Whether it's gaudy, tacky, or lipstick on a pig, it's still signalling back to the 80's, and there's nothing better than that.

Cyber Bishop: So far all I have is BB and Arcee and I really dig Arcee

Starscream

Counterpunch: I'll eventually buy the Voyager Starscream for my display, but this toy is so good that I picked one up just to display/take pictures of with my other non-TF toys. There's more character in this design than in the entire Dark of the Moon Line.

Cliffjumper/Zombie Cliffjumper

Lost Cybertronian: How many opportunities do you get to own an official zombie version of a Transformer? Nuff said.

El Duque: Muscle car alt mode with Boss Hog style bull horns! Plus he's not a Bumblebee repaint. Shame he didn't last longer on the show. Bring on the zombie version! Also didn't hurt that his character was voice by the Rock.



Shattered Glass Thundercracker

Mkall: This figure is the definition of niche, which makes him al the cooler in my eyes. He’s either an add on to a three-years-past Botcon set, OR he’s a near-ringer to Action Master Thundercracker. His colours are *ahem* eye-catching, and the logo was done so that one doesn’t even need reprolabels to re-cast the figure. I love him!

Razorclaw0000: Barring the long in the tooth Shattered Glass concept, G2 Thundercracker is fan-wank incarnate. Stuffing six eye-searing colors into one familiar package, Fun Pub managed to transcend awful, and wrap all the way around to amazing. While the mold is as tired as the SG concept, the execution still brings a smile to my eye.

Toxitron

Lost Cybertronian: This catagory was the hardest one for me to decide. This is the first year that I bought into botcon toys because I love Transformers Animated. The Stunticon Job boxset was a pure genius idea, so my favorite figure is their unofficial member Toxitron. He is an obscure character and a awesome repaint of the Optimus Prime mold and I love the Bizarro type personality he was given in the Stunticon Job comic.

Wildrider

El Duque: Can't get enough of this mold, or Tranformers Animated for that matter. Such a great figure in both modes and the new head mold was just icing on the cake. This guy really looks wild.

G2 Sideswipe

Blurrz: Certainly not as fortunate as Razorclaw0000 last year (yes, I'm jelly) when he got a seat in the customization class for the Classics G2 Sideswipe. So getting the Animated version in G2 Sideswipe colors was the next best thing, sort of. Well it's still not as cool. *Shakes fist at Razorclaw0000*. The Rodimus mold is one of my favorites from the Animated toyline, and the Breakdown head sculpt adds to the figure's flair. Racing stripes are a nice addition, and nothing like colorless clear plastic =3.

Autotrooper

Counterpunch: This is the true calling for this mold. The white is crisp and actually...you know, white. (Hasbro, take notice) The details are sharp and the clear blue plastic on these really makes the deco. Well worth picking up a set of three (and a KP Auto Trooper so that you have a little Atari to go with them).



e-Hobby United Autobot Set (Hot Rod, Scrapheap, Kup)

El Duque: I'm cheating but they came in a three-pack so I'm listing all three. I was mainly buying this set to get Scapheap, but upon having them in hand I realized how much more G1 accurate Kup was, and the weird greenish blue translucent Hot Rod ain't bad either. I almost passed up on the set since I initially only wanted Scrapheap, but other two were a pleasant surprise.

Counterpunch: The thing is, they just got Kup right. He's the original toy color, which is really fun and the way in which the damage is detailed onto him is really befitting for Kup. I use this as my original Kup in my Classics display and United Kup as my Targetmaster Kup.

Amazon Unicron

Razorclaw0000: Hasbro found a way for me to like the fat face Takara developed for 2010 Unicron, in a remarkable way. Perfectly capturing Unicron's Movie appearance, Amazonacron stays second only to the near unobtainable Shining Unicron as my favorite treatment of that mold. The light blues and rich oranges pop.

e-Hobby United Decepticon Set (Galvatron, Scourge, Cyclonus)

Razorclaw0000: Speaking of the '86 Movie, the E-Hobby Decepticon set, still comparatively unpopular, captures the scant few seconds during the movie when Unicron reformats the broken husks of Decepticons into his new heralds. Crystal purple so delicious it's almost lickable, the set captures, to me, exactly what an exclusive should be: balls-deep crazy.

Million Publishing United Stepper

Lost Cybertronian: I know I don't own this figure (I will) but I have two versions of the mold. This repaint is the next logical step of the Generations Jazz mold. The pictures that we have been treated to are just sublime and the paint job does the character justice. Plus, he comes with a Targetmaster.

Dark WFC Prime and Megatron

Mkall: This set is completely underappreciated. Not only do you get two solid figures from the Generations line, you get some of their best colourings to date! Prime in Black is always pleasing, and this time he even has Decepticon Symbols! Megatron on the other hand steals the show. I can’t stop looking at the awesomeness that is his paint job. My only question is when are we going to see a Good Guy Megs repaint?

Takara Exclusive United Micron Haywire

Blurrz: Out of all the exclusives, this is simply my favorite. The Power Core Combiners mini-cons were really sloppy in my opinion, so when Takara decided to go out and turn them into Targetmasters for a handful of their United figures, I was ecstatic. He has a bit of a problem staying in Blurr's hand, but the additional firepower is much appreciated. Certainly a must for any hardcore Blurr fans! (Just me, right?)




FansProject Stormbomb

Counterpunch: Three Insecticons...all of which are great fun, but in my opinion, Stormbomb aka Bombshell is the best. His insect mode lacks the issues that the other two have (Thundershred having odd tolerances and Backfiery's wings being immobile for the most part). The weapons grant the figure a lot of versatility in how the figure is posed and displayed..

SFX Scouting Force X

Razorclaw0000: I was tempted to be a dick and say the Night Ops version, but the regular is a great homage from Perfect Effect to the cartoon versions of Spectro, Spyglass, and Viewfinder. Now, however, they're tired of being the little guys come loaded with weapons and ready to take down the likes of Omega Supreme. A crazy amount of accessories, which all neatly and perfectly combine into a somewhat absurd purple camera, this set is tons of fun with tons of character.

TFC Toys Hercules Figures

El Duque: G1 Devastator/Constructicons is my favorite combiner hands down, and to finally have a properly updated version of these guys is a dream come true. Sure they've hit some snags along the way concerning QC, but they've been quick to address them and take steps to correct. I cannot wait to complete this guy. In fact I'm so pumped I'm getting two sets!

FansProject's CA-02 Flameblast

Blurrz:I'm a big fan of space shuttle Transformers, so when you take FansProject's brilliant Explorer figure, and repaint into the colors of an actual space shuttle, I'm game. Dual pistols and a sword are also why I'm drawn to this being my favorite third party figure of the year.

i-Gear MP Coneheads

Lost Cybertronian: I couldn't pick just one conehead as my favorite because they look better in a group. Igear took the MP seeker mold and improved on it with great quality. They gave us MP figures that Hastak may or may not ever get to. They really help fill in the MP seeker ranks.

XTransbots Glider

Cyber Bishop: This is what PG could have been if imagined and executed correctly by Hasbro, not that joke of a PG fig they released with the movie like.



Dark of the Moon

Razorclaw0000: Say what you will about Michael Bay, but he really solidified the Transformers Movie brand with Dark of the Moon. Epic in many ways, and two and half hours of non-stop fun, the movie did a great job of reminding us to not take the franchise so seriously, and lighten up. Also, Alan Tudyk stole ever single scene he was in.

Counterpunch: I don't give a gawddamn what anyone else has to say on the matter. It was a fun movie to watch and I got to do so with ten or so of my closest TF buddies. Those opportunities don't come along every day.

Cyber Bishop: I really enjoyed DOTM.. It was a great summer popcorn action flick that had giant transforming robots blowing each other to hell.. What more could you ask for?

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron VGA Trailer

El Duque: This may seem like a minor event is a year with so much other big Transformers news, but this did it for me. Something about seeing Optimus Prime carrying an injured Bumblebee, Bruticus combine, and Grimlock's transformation with The Humbling River playing in the background sent chills down my spine.

Transformers Prime

Lost Cybertronian: After that tease we got with Darkness Rising last year, the cartoon went full steam ahead this year. While the episodes were hit and miss sometimes, this season sets up what will turn out to be a worthy series.

Victoria Toy Fair 2011

Blurrz: Meeting great people, meeting the masterminds behind the third party scene, and being able to cover all of that for this wonderful site. Certainly a great event hosted by Cherry Bomb Toys, and a taste of even greater times to be had in the upcoming years

Botcon 2011 Hall of Fame: Erector

Mkall: Right from the outset I knew that the campaign to get Erector into the Hall of Fame would fail. Call it intuition, logical thinking, psychic ability, whatever; I knew that the campaign to get him in would not work. What I did not expect was the extent Hasbro would go to to at least make it fail with flare. I still want to see the Erector concept art they came up with during the video they showed. Finally I laughed a lot when Aaron Archer came out on stage and basically said “We all had our fun, but this isn’t going to happen again.” To me that showed how seriously Hasbro holds the TF brand – they’re willing to have a bunch of fun with it, but they know when to say that’s enough.

The Unpacking

Burn: This one is strictly personal, but for me, it was getting my own home and finally being able to unpack my boxes and boxes of TF's and get them on display.



More Transformers Prime Toys

Mkall: It’s going to rock, plain and simple. I don’t know if the Prime characters were designed with toys in mind, or if Hasbro had to get creative in coming up with the likenesses, but each figure is an uncannily accurate version of the show, and there’s human figures (whether you like them or not). There is very little I can find in any of the figures previewed that makes me not want them more! 2012 may be the end of the world, but at least I’ll die a happy collector!*

Razorclaw0000: I'm very excited for the rest of the First Edition figures to make their way to retail in the US. (Damn you Canada!) With three figures in my hand, and a few exclusives already sealed away, I'm giddy at what more we will get. Bulkhead and Prime look to be standup figures, and some of the prototypes we've seen at SDCC have me excited for a full size line.

Burn: The only thing interest me currently is getting Prime figures into Australian stores.

Cyber Bishop: Seeing the new Prime toys and whatever generations surprises they pop out @ Toyfair and Botcon

Finishing TFCToys Hercules

Counterpunch: It'll be a long time coming, but when that bad-boy is all together, shelf space will be cleared. Autobots will cower in fear. Devastation will have come
home...

El Duque: This has been a long and costly endeavour, but I think the end result will be worth it. To finally have a proper six figure Devastator figure on my Classics shelf is something I've dreamed about since the first Classics figures debuted.

Mastermind Creations Sixshot

Blurrz: Seeing this prototype in person blew my mind. I never grasped the thought of it being of such size, but it's a freaking behemoth. I simply can't wait to get this when it's released! A leader class figure, with a multitude of weapons and a plethora of different modes, it's just simply amazing.

G1 Uppers Menasor Combiner

Lost Cybertronian: I love combiners and I love the Botcon Stunticon Job boxset. They are two great tastes that taste great together and I have high hopes that these guys can turn the Animated Stunticons into the lovely Menasor they deserve to be.


There you have it. Once again, Happy 2012!

~Blurrz
Seibertron.com News Crew

Couldn't agree more about the Zombie CJ... that's gonna be such a sweet addition to my collection, all twisted in torment.

Here's my 2 cents:

My favorite 2011 TF toy is: Takara MP-09 Rodimus Convoy.

My Favorite 2011 TF 3RD party toy reveal was Hexatron.

My favorite 2011 DOTM Movie scene was the ending fighting scene between optimus,sentinel & megatron.

my favorite 2011 DOTM movie toy is Sentinel prime.

My most dis-liked 2011 Dotm movie toy that i bought,didn't like & returned was: Target store exclusive Dotm $29.99 HA Leadfoot.

most dissapointing 2011 repaint: Hasbro TRU MP Rodimus prime.

Best 3rd party toy i bought in 2011: Protector armor/trailer for classics deluxe rodimus.

the best TF 2011 toy I bought off ebay: RTS Wreckgar.

best 2011 hub network transformers episode: seeing FFOD part 4 on december 31,2011

best ebay custom i saw on ebay in 2011: that tripple changer blitzwing using the MP seeker toy mold.

Favorite up comming TF prime toy I saw in 2011: voyager sized Skyquake.

Best human character in the 2011 TF media: Miko Nakadai

most dis-liked male human character in the 2011 media year: Shia le bouf.

most dissapointing news of 2011: KOtoys.com closing down. becasuse i was looking forward to buying that 2012 3rd party new mold CHMS leader sized G-1 Ultra magnus combiner toy mold. I was also hoping KOtoys.com would KO g-1 1988 overlord & the botcon 2012 toys.

Most best 2011 botcon 2012 figure reveal: Gigatron,as I might buy this & make believe it's a classics styled G-1 galvatron.

my favorite 2011 TF prime cartoon episode: the episode thaty first revealed unicron in rock form fighting other transformers.

best TF store exclusive of 2011; I have none this year.

most dissapointing IDW 2011 comic: the entire Choas saga that lasted from july to december.

Best 2011 IDW comic saga: Hearts of darkness starring galvatron.

most dissapointing 2011 DOTM toy news: the news we were only getting 6 new mold voyagers for 2011 & thats it.

best find at those discount stores in america in 2011: RTS Voyager sized Grappel.

most beautiful real female in the TF 2011 media year: rosie huntinton in the dotm movie.

favorite 2011 TF toy line: Masterpiece,as I wasn't a fan of the DOTM toy line. technically their were no newer molds be created for RTS/generations in 2011,So their was only left over 2010 stuff from rts/generations on shelves in 2011.

best score in 2011: it's a tie. getting 2 free DOTM Movie tickets from fandago.com & seeing the DOTM movie for free. Taking advanatage of the Hasbro TRU MP Rodimus prime in demand. by buying up 7 Hasbro MP Rodimus prime,scalping them on ebay. using the profits to get myself a freebie hasbro tru mp rodimus prime.

worst TF related news in 2011: reading that micheal bay was getting begged to come back & do a TF4. then further reading shia was also returning.

most weird non-sense TF related thread in 2011: The hasbro suing asus Thread.

best TF related thread in 2011: those top 10 masterpiece toy selection character/toy threads.

most weird TF related product revealed in 2011: that outdated pinball machine.

best alt mode choice in 2011 in the media: sentinel primes in dotm.

worst alt mode choice in the 2011 TF media: DOTM hyper modes.

Best voice actor signing on board in 2011: tie between leonard nimoy in DOTM & frank welker in TF Prime.

most retro moment in the 2011 TF media: seeing optimus use & uleash the matrix leadership on unicron in the TF prime cartoon series.

Best DOTM Optimus prime new mold: DA-15 Striker optimus prime.

Worst dotm optimus prime 2011 new mold: hands down deluxe size DOTM deluxe walmart store exclusive.

Best 2011 botcon convention toy: Their was none for me. they all looked horrible & were all dissapointing.

Worst 2011 botcon convention toy in 2011: the trio set of Autotrooper.

best & worst 2011 TFCC club toys: best:transtech cheetor. worst: G-2 Ramjet,only because his seeker mold has been recolored a dozen+times.

what I thought of the 2011 TFCC club free membership toy: I think sideburn is the best one they've ever released.

I've got some mixed feelings on this year. While it's been good for toys I've had some personal problems. Genevieve managed to break my nose with low flying, compost filled tupperware and that was really the beginning of the end for us. Things are looking up for the new year. I'm moving to a nicer house in a couple of weeks and my new housemate is my best friend Hannah. We should probably have got a place topgether years ago, and I can see us being nicely settled for years to come.

Anyway, onto the toys. My favourites this year have been the Generations/United/non movie mould RtS figures. Lots of good stuff here. Warpath, Tracks/Wheeljack, Jazz, Grapple, loads of great additions to the Classics shelves (my main collecting priority these days). Of particular note are the Scourge and Wreck Gar figures, I havn't had this much fun troop building since the Energon Terrorcons.

PCCs have kind of snuck up on me as a fun little line. I took a punt on my first few when I saw them on deep reduction (half price 5 packs and 2 packs with about 40% off) and have managed to pick up almost the full line since either at a reduced price or in trade. Sure, these guys ain't perfect but the later waves did get better and they just have a certain charm all of their own. Only needing to track down another 3 5 packs makes it easy to focus on getting these done and out of the way.

I havn't had any experience with the Prime toys yet, but I'm certainly looking forward to them. I have been picking up bits and pieces of the DotM line, mainly characters that are new for this movie/line and some of the more interesting (to my mind at least) store exclusives. Theres good and bad in this line, certainly seems that HasTak have finally managed to do movie based transformation schemes that aren't as counterintuative as a lot of what's gone before. Space for display is going to be more limited at the new house (I have at least been blessed with a huge bedroom in my current flat, sleeping quarters in the new place are a bit nore compact) so the movie toys from across the last, what 4 or 5 years(?), will probnably be going into storage for a while with more traditional bots getting the shelf space. The Bay designs have never been a favourite for me.

Now on to the best bit. This year I've been in a better position than ever before to help out fellow board members with figures they've had trouble locating. Whether this was buying up as many Windchargers as I could find locally to trade to people Stateside rather than them having to pay an ebay gouge price, setting up one of our more extreme Minicon collectors with a couple of sets of the UK version blind bagged Minicons, Splitting cases of Generations figures that never made it to UK shores to help out folks this side of the pond or giving members a shout when I've had something going spare from their wishlist, I've hooked up quite a few people. My preference for only asking for fair trades or below after market prices has led to a great sense of well being and I've ended up with people going out of their way to throw in freebies on their trades or hook me up with some hard to find pieces, including a Head Robots Gyro kit. To me it just goes to show that if you give a little you get some back.

So in all looking forward to 2012. Having Prime as a main line should prove awesome, FoC toys should they ever appear will likely be very cool, and we know that there are still unused variant heads for a lot of the Classics styled figures, so whatever line those end up coming out under it's another thing to look forward to. Cash doesn't always flow as freely as it could so I'm going to have to be a bit picky in what I go after in the way of 3rd party items and high end exclusives, but should be able to fit some of the high price tyag items in over the year. Plus of course with Gen mone I've been so much more relaxed and happier than I was for most of last year. I'm starting 2012 on something of a high and hope that things carry on that way for a good long while to come.

Happy new year everybody.

Just want to add to that ^
I'm glad to find that the TF fandom, atleast on Seibertron, is a bunch of great, helpful, and goodwilled fellows and dames, who are willing to help other collectors out in finding figures. Good bunch, I salute you.

Blurrz wrote:Transformers Figure of the Year

Leader Class Sentinel Prime. Hands down.

Blurrz wrote:Favorite Transformers Toyline of 2011

Four to choose from: Dark Of The Moon, Generations, Prime, Rescue Bots.

Generations: Some nice molds, others I couldn't care less about. A mixed bag.
Dark Of The Moon: Yielded the most TF purchases this year, for me. Horrible distribution.
Prime: I have to say, this one surprised me. Bumblebee's not the greatest, in fact he down right pisses me off, but the rest of them have been consistently excellent. Horrible, horrible distribution.
Rescue Bots: No comment, seeing as I don't own any.

I have to give my vote to Prime. Arcee looks amazing and her transformation isn't horrible. Bumblebee has a craptastic transformation and a lot of loose parts. Meh. Cliffjumper rivals Starscream for Deluxe #1, really an amazing figure. Megatron deserves to be Voyager Class, at least, but his Deluxe is still quite an impressive feat. Starscream? Quite possibly one of the best TransFormers figures of all time. (No, I'm not kidding.) They made him really stand out.

Voyager Bulkhead is a work of art. His sweetly dumb face, his massive proportions, his show accurate vehicle and robot mode look, just a jaw dropper.

Voyager Optimus has some issues, such as parts rubbing together and scratching off paint, plus he's gappy and doesn't seal up in vehicle mode all that well, but his robot mode looks like it stepped off the screen. Incredibly posable, too. Sword's rubber sucks, but looks nice. The fact that the gun and sword combine is neat. Though, I still haven't figured out what the slot on the sword is for. I know it has a function, it's just not mentioned in the instructions.

The kids... Amazing detail for such small figurines, not to mention, show accurate. Downside is they do nothing but turn their heads, but they look cool doing it. (Although my Miko's won't turn. Almost ripped her head off by trying to turn it.)

Prime wins by a landslide because it's been overwhelmingly outstanding.

Blurrz wrote:Favorite 2011 Generations/Reveal The Shield/United Figure

Tough one. Jazz surpassed my expectations. Wreck-Gar wasn't all he cracked up to be, in the long run, but it was nice to get him. Wheeljack turned out to be something special, considering he's a redecoed remold. Warpath was simplistic, but got it right. Lugnut....love the punching gimmick.

I would say Jazz probably wins my vote.

Blurrz wrote:Favorite 2011 Movie Figure

Leader Class Sentinel Prime.

Blurrz wrote:Favorite 2011 Transformers: Prime Figure

Toss up between Bulkhead, Cliffjumper and Starscream. I'm leaning towards Starscream.

Blurrz wrote:Favorite 2011 BotCon Exclusive Figure

Can't answer that as I own none of them and don't give two craps.

Blurrz wrote:Favorite 2011 Non-BotCon Exclusive Figure

This one's a bit tricky.
Dark Of The Moon Deluxe Autobot Que. Hang on a sec, before someone cries foul here about it being Wheeljack, technically you're right, but in Japan he is called Que and the packaging states it's for sale in Japan only, so technically he is an exclusive to them. He's a nice figure and I hope he gets the love he deserves.

Blurrz wrote:Favorite 2011 Third Party Product

I own none of them, but this year's offerings were a mixed bag for me. However, my vote goes to Scouting Force X/Perfect Effect's Reflector. (None of that "not-" crap, here. I hate that with a passion, Makes me want to smash my screen with a hammer.)

Blurrz wrote:Your Favorite 2011 Transformers Moment

Dark Of The Moon, as a whole. That was just a slam, bang, fun experience from beginning to end. Exhausting by the end, but well worth the ride.

Blurrz wrote:What you're looking forward to in 2012 for Transformers

Movie Trilogy, IF we get Dino, as we were led to believe by "sources", will come in second.

Prime will be the first place winner if the main line continues the quality trend that First Edition has provided us.

Transformers Figure of the Year
War For Cybertron Megatron
- He's great in the game and he has that authority feel + the head sculpt is great.
Favorite Transformers Toyline of 2011
War For Cybertron
- I love the fresh designs of the game and it's awesome Hasbro made a small line. I do wish they made Starscream, I love these versions of the seekers + repaintz!
Favorite 2011 Generations/Reveal The Shield/United Figure
Warpath
- He just looks awesome, strong, well proportioned. I do wish he had the War For Cybertron Warpath face, that would've been awesome.
Favorite 2011 Movie Figure
Crankcase
- I love the Dreads, whish they made a deluxe one that turned into the beast with the same alt-mode as the rest. I got 3 of them. If Ultimate Prime was voyager sized in naked-mode and had more movie-accurate guns then that would've been my #1
Favorite 2011 Transformers: Prime Figure
Arcee
- I only have the pink version, but the figure looks very screen accurate. It would've been Vehicon, but I don't have that one yet
Favorite 2011 Third Party Product
TFC Hercules
- I ordered the first 4 an hour before the new year, so I don't have them yet. But they look great as a team. Expensive yes, but he's just to awesome to pass up.
Your Favorite 2011 Transformers Moment
Dark Of The Moon
- Mr. Bay really made it the best of the three. I enjoyed it alot, loved the fact that it had some serious/dramatic moments. And Optimus also showing a different side. And the Transformers talked to each other. I always love how the characters interact.
What you're looking forward to in 2012 for Transformers
A few things:
- Completing Hercules
- Fall Of Cybertron
- Fall Of Cybertron toyline!!!
- Getting a lot of Vehicons!
- Hopefully the beast Dread from DOTM
- DOTM Leader Megatron
- DOTM Leader Shockwave
- DOTM Leader Blackout (or was that a rumor?)
- Third Party g1 Megatron (voyager sized I think)
- Third Party g1 Optimus Prime / Ultra Magnus (voyager sized I hope, still no news past weeks/months on that )

Once again B, another fine job putting the "Best of..." article together!

Transformers Figure Of The Year
DOTM Thundercracker
I love this figure so much. The robot mode is really good and has virtually no kibble, the transformation is interesting but not too complex and the alt mode, save for a bit of undercarriage, is perfect! Shame about the mechtech weapons though as I really liked Starscream's Darth Maul Meat Cleaver.

Favourite Transformers Toyline Of 2011
Generations/Reveal The Shield or DOTM
For me Generations/Reveal The Shield (which are the same toyline except for one tiny fan-pleasing difference) provided some really excellent figures for me this (last?) year. Thrust, Scourge, Jazz, Drift, Lugnut, Windcharger, Rodimus, G2 Optimus Prime they are all outstanding toys.
However DOTM also gets my vote simply because it has better distribution in my area. I last saw reveal the shield on the shelves in march of last year and generations in December 2010. Even DOTM has it pretty bad as I can't find any leaders or any of the human alliance basics. All I can find is Legion class up to Voyager class, Ultimate Bricktimus Prime and Tons of speed stars.

Favourite 2011 Generations/Reveal The Shield/United Figure
Reveal The Shield Lugnut
This figure is GLORIOUS! I loved Lugnut in Animated but his figure was far too small and it lacked some articulation such as head and waist. This figure cleans up all the originals faults and then adds a few more layers of awesome sauce. The robot mode looks like Lugnut would look if he was in G1, he's got articulation out of the wazoo and above all else, its just a really great robot mode. Also, the POKE is a nice touch. The transformation is perfect and whilst his vehicle mode does have some undercarriage issues, because of the way his arms transform, he has a hidden third mode. A plane, doing a press-up.

Favourite 2011 Movie Figure
DOTM Thundercracker (Again)
See Above for details

Favourite 2011 Transformers Prime Figure
I still haven't found any in my area yet but the one I'm most anticipating is Voyager Bulkhead. I love his vehicle mode, the transformation looks really intriguing and the robot mode looks awesome. Plus Bulkhead's one of my favourite characters from Prime along with Starscream, Knock Out, Megatron and Miko.

Favourite 2011 Botcon Exclusive Figure
I can't afford Botcon nor do I have access to it but I loved the 2011 set as I am a massive Animated Fan. That's about all I can say since I loved absolutely all of the figures but if I had to choose one it'd probably be THE MOTORMASTER!

Favourite 2011 Non-Botcon Exclusive Figure
It's not actually from 2011 but I bought it in 2011 so it still counts (I think?)
Toy Dreams Project Galaxy Force Dark Fang Wolf
I picked this guy up when I was at Auto Assembly and I love him. He came missing his everything except his weapon (His box, instructions, Cyber Key, even missile). However because of this I picked him up for £10. Is that a good deal? I think it is seeing as how there's only 6000 of him in the world.

Favourite 2011 Third Party Product
I'm broke so I couldn't afford any third party toy this year but from just seeing pictures and video reviews of them, my favourite this year would have to be the Hercules set. I love Devastator and after the disappointment of Classics 2006 Devastator, this set was just what was needed. Now if only I could afford it

Your Favourite 2011 Transformers Moment
Auto Assembly 2011
Choosing this was as easy as breathing. Simply put, it was AMAZING! It was my first Auto Assembly and what a first experience. No one around where I live is into Transformers (At least, no one my age) so to be in a room with about 600 other people who all adore the same thing as you is wonderful. Plus, my birthday was 4 days before Auto Assembly so I had amassed about £300 in birthday money and I spent every single penny at Auto Assembly. I bought around 55 Transformers over the course of two days. I even answered a question in the quiz! The question was "What is Captain Fanzone's First Name?". Neither quiz team knew so the announcer asked the audience and I'm fairly sure I was the only person who put their hand up. The announcer asked me what the answer was and I replied "Carmine". Even though I pronounced it wrong, I still got it right! I can't wait to go next year!

What You're Looking Forward To In 2012 For Transformers
I'm looking forward to Auto Assembly 2012. I had my taste last year and now I want more! I'm also looking forward to Transformers Prime season 2 and the rest of Rescue Bots. Finally, I'm hoping that some Prime figures will show up in my area.

Transformers Figure of the Year
United Jazz is insanely good. Close second for Sentinel Prime and yes, DOTM voyager Optimus.

Favorite Transformers Toyline of 2011
Generations.

Favorite 2011 Generations/Reveal The Shield/United Figure
Designation Jazz!

Favorite 2011 Movie Figure
Sentinel Prime really hit me on screen. I already had the toy, afterward I was sort of pissed off at that thing. I'm a geek.

Favorite 2011 Transformers: Prime Figure
Don't own any. Cliffjumper looks good, though.

Favorite 2011 Third Party Product
Nope, never, not in a million years.

Your Favorite 2011 Transformers Moment
Sentinel killing Ironhide. Bastard! Also Megatron being batsh*t insane, greeting elephants and having his conversation with Carly.

What you're looking forward to in 2012 for Transformers
More Generations figures for sure. They have been excellent so far and I hope Hasbro and Takara keep listening to the fanboys. I appears they do, so hurray to that.

Transformers Figure of the Year
I do not know. Big fight between Kup and Jazz.

Favorite Transformers Toyline of 2011
Generations and Reveal the Shield. I agree with Zottoman in that they are pretty much the same line, but with rubsigns. I mean, they gave us Darkmount, Perceptor, Kup, Drift, Blurr, Warpath, Wheeljack and Jazz!

Favorite 2011 Generations/Reveal The Shield/United Figure
Hm. This is hard. I have a weak spot for Kup, mostly because of the chest transformation.
Drift and Blurr would compete, but their legs annoy me at times. I guess Jazz and Kup.

Favorite 2011 Movie Figure
I really like Deluxe Crankcase and Cyberverse Commander Hatchet. They're new characters, they have cool transformations and neatly packed alt modes, all round really good figures!

Favorite 2011 Transformers: Prime Figure
Not sure I'm planning on getting any. Not until Soundwave in 2012.

Favorite 2011 Third Party Product
I was really tempted to get the Kup head replacement, but decided not to.
For both money and trying-to-keep-the-geek-at-bay reasons.

Your Favorite 2011 Transformers Moment
The trailer for Fall of Cybertron. My gart the nerdgasms that thing induced.

What you're looking forward to in 2012 for Transformers
It will possibly be my first year at Auto Assembly, I still have to decide. But that would be a nice highlight of an otherwise library-heavy summer! And the next season of Transformers Prime. With the Soundwave figure. Both Prime and Movie Trilogy.

Ah, now this is the year-end synopsis I've been pining for.

Well executed as per usual, gentlemen.

I suppose I have time to add my opined dual pennies:


Transformers Figure Of The Year: MP-10, hands down, what MP-01 should have been.

Favorite Transformers Toyline Of 2011: United/Generations.

Favorite 2011 Generations/Reveal The Shield/United Figure: Various and sundry; United Tracks/Jazz, Generations Wheeljack/Scourge/Warpath, RTS Grapple/Lugnut...it's insanely hard for me to pick one favorite.

Favorite 2011 Movie Figure: Leader Sentinel Prime, Voyagers Megatron/Skyhammer, Deluxe Thundercracker, HA Roadbuster.

Favorite 2011 Transformers Prime Figure: I only currently possess Starscream/BB/Arcee. Starscream is the limpid winner of the Deluxe 1 wave. Both Voyager 1's look excellent, but they just aren't here yet.

Favorite 2011 Botcon Exclusive Figure: SG/Actionmaster Thundercracker, bully, also, Scorch/SG Ravage.

Favorite 2011 Non-Botcon Exclusive Figure: E-hobby United Autobot/Decepticon 3-packs, Amazon Unicron, Target Space Case(How has nobody mentioned this one yet??).

Favorite 2011 Third Party Product: Sundry; Hercules, Insecticons, PE Reflector(For the size, this set is just AAA tops. Aesthetic, Articulation, Accessories...worth every copper Lincoln.), and finally, Maketoys Battle Tanker, transforming a mediocre figure into a must-have for the G2 nostalgic/enthusiast.

Favorite 2011 Transformers Moment: Not sure. Haven't seen the movie yet, no longer read the comics, only watched a few eps of Prime. I guess I really like when Counterpunch says words.

What You're Looking Forward To In 2012 For Transformers: Completing Hercules, Maketoys Giant, Botcon and TFCC Exclusives, rearranging my display.

Happy New Year to all collector brothers, thinking all the best for another 365.

Transformers Figure of the Year
I guess that would be between DOTM Jetwing or Striker OP. Can't decide.

Favorite Transformers Toyline of 2011
DOTM. The only reason being that I've bought almost every figure from this line except some repaints(got Thundercracker though) and 3 cyberverse playsets. To me I feel I've completed a toy line, finally. Now all is left are the 2 deluxes.. (SW and Que)

Favorite 2011 Generations/Reveal The Shield/United Figure
United Lugnut. And I consider him Movie Lugnut though I know many of you thinks he belongs in classic.

Favorite 2011 Movie Figure
Have to flip a coin between Stiker and Jetwing OP..

Favorite 2011 Transformers: Prime Figure
Arcee, have both hasbro's and takara's version. I was so worried that I could not get a hold of her that I pre-ordered Takara's one..

Favorite 2011 Non-Botcon Exclusive Figure
Jetwing Prime Black Ver. Really awesome figure, love the teal on black!

Favorite 2011 Third Party Product
Did not get any, if I were to choose though; Hercules. Saw the combined form in person, its even bigger than ultimate prime!

Your Favorite 2011 Transformers Moment
DOTM. I watched it in IMAX and then a 2nd time in a Lucas Film event, freaking awesome and I finally got over Que's design..

What you're looking forward to in 2012 for Transformers
Prime and Movie Trilogy Toys of course. Though I have to say I really hate toy hunting nowdays.. why can't toys be easily available like games..

...

You guys picked some great choices. It was definitally a year for us G1 fans to remember. I was pleasantly surprised to see the I-Gear Coneheads and the Jizai Powerglide sharing the spotlight with Hasbro and original 3rd party products. I always felt the ultimate classics collection would be a combination of all venues that each contributes something different for the fandom.

My personal choice for 2011 would have to be the CHMS Rainmakers:





Whether in broad daylight or under a blacklight, these guys stand out just as much as they did in the G1 cartoon. Their one minute cameo appearance gave them a mystique that the regular seekers could never hold. The minute I saw them as a kid, I knew these guys were the toys I really wanted. Glad to finally have them in my hands 25 years later.

See you guys in Dallas at Botcon !!!

Peace

Transformers Figure of the Year
RtS Voyager Lugnut. He's huge for a voyager. His transformation is perfect. The robot and alt mode are the best you can get. Truely, one of the best TF ever.

Favorite Transformers Toyline of 2011
I'll have to say the DotM movie line. So much variety, so many great transformers!

Favorite 2011 Generations/Reveal The Shield/United Figure
Once again, RtS Lugnut win all.

Favorite 2011 Movie Figure
Leader class Sentinel Prime. His transformation is fun and complex without being frustrating. Also, he start from a very square firetruck to become a very Gundamesque robot! Plus, deluxe Lazerbeak stand so well on his shoulders. How much cooler can this get?

Favorite 2011 Transformers: Prime Figure
I just got deluxe Bumblebee and deluxe Starscream. So, the way superior Starscream is the clear winner.

Favorite 2011 BotCon Exclusive Figure
Favorite 2011 Non-BotCon Exclusive Figure
I never went to Botcon and I never plan to. I also will never buy these overpriced repaints. So, NOTHING.

Favorite 2011 Third Party Product
Does my GEEWUN BRIX count?

Your Favorite 2011 Transformers Moment
Every times I find an unexpexted TF in store, or I score a great deal on Ebay. But I guess buiding GEEWUN BRIX was my best TF moment.

What you're looking forward to in 2012 for Transformers
All the new Transformers that will come out, of course!

Great article guys. I love the "Best of" stuff.

There were some nice figures from UInited/Generations/Reveal the Shiled this past year, but overall I spent less in 2011 than in 2010. And the reason was a lack of interesting figures. I actually spent more on 3rd party figs than Hasbro.

My biggest frustrations in 2011 - finding RTS Windcharger and the announcement of MP10.

LOST Cybertronian wrote:...

Are you implying that so few people don't care at all for this thread?
...
It's sad that you are right.

Come on, people, Blurr locked my similar thread for a reason! Make this here thread count!
Don't make me beleive nothing great and noticable happened in 2011!

Rijie wrote:Favorite 2011 Transformers Moment: Not sure. Haven't seen the movie yet, no longer read the comics, only watched a few eps of Prime. I guess I really like when Counterpunch says words.

lol

Just saw this. Good stuff man.

Hoping to catch up with you at botcon this year.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

LOST Cybertronian wrote:...

Are you implying that so few people don't care at all for this thread?
...
It's sad that you are right.

Actually, I originally said something that would probably start a huge arguement and derail this thread. Thought better about it and since I can't delete my comment, this was the next best thing. But I like your explanation better.

LOST Cybertronian wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

LOST Cybertronian wrote:...

Are you implying that so few people don't care at all for this thread?
...
It's sad that you are right.

Actually, I originally said something that would probably start a huge arguement and derail this thread. Thought better about it and since I can't delete my comment, this was the next best thing. But I like your explanation better.

I find it very sad that no one want to share their favorites for the year 2011. One would have thought that such a tread would interest all the users, not just the mods, admins, and the veterans.

So why not just go ahead and type back what you deleted? Maybe this thread will go somewhere.

ALRIGHT fine... Generations Wheeljack, Generations Kup, Generations Wreck-gar, Prime Bulkhead, Prime Arcee (special thanks to my good buddy monstergrotusque \m/) Prime Starscream, Causality StormBomb, HFTD Lugnut, and surprisingly, DOTM Shockwave. I know not all of those released in 2011, but thats when I got them.

I also got Cybertron Skyshadow, and damn do I love this figure. Sick in both modes, and massive. Great Poseability and definitely fitting as a Decepticon opposed to his Autobot version. Also looks great in jet mode next to Lugnut