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Thanks for that will I can see where you're coming from now. The things you've listed are good points, only thing I can think of to offer a counter view would be is it fun to play with? I bet I could give it to my son and he would have a whale of a time with it. I should point out that I don't own him.

The other possibility is hasbro may be starting to target these leaders at kids who maybe don't care as much about his transformation as we collectors. Best thing to do would be do a comparison with the AoE leaders and new ones like jetfire, Megatron and the next new mold leader.

ZeroWolf wrote:Thanks for that will I can see where you're coming from now. The things you've listed are good points, only thing I can think of to offer a counter view would be is it fun to play with? I bet I could give it to my son and he would have a whale of a time with it. I should point out that I don't own him.

The other possibility is hasbro may be starting to target these leaders at kids who maybe don't care as much about his transformation as we collectors. Best thing to do would be do a comparison with the AoE leaders and new ones like jetfire, Megatron and the next new mold leader.

The ratcheting makes it harder for kids to play with and he is so sharp that he really doesnt seem kid friendly.

As for him being for kids as opposed to generations leaders, he actually has more steps than today's leaders, so once again, it wouldnt be for kids. It's just a lazy ass toy that didnt use the allowed complexity decetly. All you have to do is compare it to the voyager that had a lot less to work with and pulled it off well enough.


Transformers Age of Extinction: Generations Grimlock Gallery


Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Megatron Gallery

william-james88 wrote:

TK415 wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:A recommendation for your underrated list: beast hunters Deluxe upscaled Windrazor, really, really fun to play with.

Also I can see those two lists being analysed a lot. Your going to have to get ready to defend your opinion underrated and overrated are all in the eye of the beholder.

Good points Wolf,

Hey Will,

What will you use to judge overrated and underrated? Just general feel from shelves and forums? Every once in a while people say "I didn't think that one was..."

What is your criteria? Lot's of hype and then the figure falls short? Lot's of talk but the figure is underwhelming? No talk/hype but a great figure?

Just curious.

I believe the best way to make those two lists is to have an extremely biased opinion but to argue it. It will surely have the longest blurbs in comparison to other lists. If I go for a general opinion, I wont be able to defend well enough. It must be figures I own and feel strongly towards and I must express it clearly. But yes, the boards definitely come into the picture when determining why I believe something is underappreciated. Generations Jetfire is a great example since there is a whole thread on this site dedicated to why he is junk. I dont think he is and I will defend that. Other underrated figures will be the kind that went under the radar or that are hated simply because they have a flaw (ie not show accurate) that detracts from how great the figure truly is. My number 1 for underrated will be a figure no one cares about and that is not part of discussions. It will be a figure I feel should be talked about and remembered.

For overrated its the reverse. Easy example, AOE Leader Grimlock is on the best of the year lists and I dont get why. I find a lot of flaws with that toy and while people do acknowledge his flaws, he is still well received and I am very fearful of that since he sets very bad precedents for reasons I will further explain when we get to those lists in a year from now (too much to post before that).

I hope I explained my criteria well enough.

Awesome! You are good, man. I was worried that you might say something like “you will just have to wait and see how it is explained.” Which would have been dismissive and left me with a negative and disinterested feeling. But you clearly and convincing explained it. As a result I am impressed and greatly looking forward to those lists.

What you said makes a lot of sense. Your personal stance, an editorial, since that is what you are doing, but a little bit more than that. It is a thorough, investigative, analysis, based on personal experience, and judging based on certain criteria. Intelligent perspective, supported by evidence, and convincingly argued. Informed opinion and expert analysis.

Dude, thank you, and much respect.

I also happen to agree with you. Generations Jetfire is one of the best Transformer figures ever. I love a good informative discussion but I have stayed away from the thread that wasn’t too happy about the figure. I felt like it was too much based on expectations, preferences, and disappointment. I didn’t need to directly argue against someone who felt that way especially when I understood and agreed about the drawbacks. For me they were minor instead of overwhelming.

Jetmode: beautiful. Robot mode: excellent (I know the open panels are a drawback. Just like FOC Grimlock, who is a little hollow and light, but they both look awesome.) I would deduct 5% for the open panels (10% at most), but for nothing else, thus leaving him with a 90-95% overall rating. FOC Grimlock: -10% for open panels and hollowness, -5% for dinomode. Overall 85%.

Jetfire: The helmet, the guns, the rocket packet, he can be your G1 Jetfire or G1 Skyfire, or just an awesome new figure. I absolutely love him. Sure he isn’t Masterpiece perfect but he is an incredible figure. (I couldn’t wait for the lists, I had to chime in since he was mentioned.)

The lists make sense, great explanation. Thanks.

Thanks so much for the kind words of encouragement. What matters the most to me is that these lists can incite discussion. The brand has so much history and new people are getting into it what while we wait for more news of upcoming toys, there is a whole bunch of stuff we can talk about. People that grew up with it can reflect on the past while newcomers can learn. So by making it personal, people can see my perspective and know that it is not general. That will then hopefully encourage others to speak their minds about the theme in regards to their own opinions using the guidelines I give as an example, instead of it simply being about disproving anything I say outright. It ends up being much more fun and open that way.

And yeah, awesome points about Jetfire, I agree with them. My main argument will be style over substance. He may not be hefty and cheat with his chest piece but both modes are just so good looking that he stands out in a collection. He is one of the most stylish transformers I have ever seen and also the most affordable macross style toy by a large margin.

Once again, thank you so much for the kind words. These pieces might not be out in a while though since I havent completed them, while I already have a year's worth of stuff already ready to go.

william-james88 wrote: Once again, thank you so much for the kind words. These pieces might not be out in a while though since I havent completed them, while I already have a year's worth of stuff already ready to go.

Thanks for the heads up on the time frame, and no problem on my end, I have enjoyed all of your lists and look forward to any and all lists as they come out. Thanks for all of your effort and work. And I agree with another one of your points, I love having a positive focused discussion about Transformers. Including arguments and disagreements (as long as they are polite and respectful), because they can be informative and eye-opening, and show others an interesting perspective.

Indeed, always a pleasure to be able to discuss things without trolls coming in to spoil things for everyone.

William, thanks again for all this effort, almost wish there was a way to help with work load you've given yourself. anything I can do, just give a shout

ZeroWolf wrote:Indeed, always a pleasure to be able to discuss things without trolls coming in to spoil things for everyone.

William, thanks again for all this effort, almost wish there was a way to help with work load you've given yourself. anything I can do, just give a shout

No worries, I am having fun. And you helped inspire me with the stuff we did in the design thread. If I need help or consultation I will not hesitate

william-james88 wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:Indeed, always a pleasure to be able to discuss things without trolls coming in to spoil things for everyone.

William, thanks again for all this effort, almost wish there was a way to help with work load you've given yourself. anything I can do, just give a shout

No worries, I am having fun. And you helped inspire me with the stuff we did in the design thread. If I need help or consultation I will not hesitate

glad to help

I got one.

Top Five Planetformers

1. Armada Unicron (and various remolds and repaints). Points lost for being a hemisphere and not actually a sphere. But still awesome, especially the robot mode.

2. Primus. Transformers into an actual sphere, this was an improvement. Good figure, not as good as Unicron’s robot mode (leg articulation and leg look), but still pretty cool.

3. Darth Vader Death Star. Like Primus transformers into an actual sphere.

…… uh …

4. 80s Prototype Unicron. Not bad for the 80s.

… uh …

Oh no! Not enough to form a top five. Why Hasbro? Why no more planet Transformers?

TK415 wrote:I got one.

Top Five Planetformers

1. Armada Unicron (and various remolds and repaints). Points lost for being a hemisphere and not actually a sphere. But still awesome, especially the robot mode.

2. Primus. Transformers into an actual sphere, this was an improvement. Good figure, not as good as Unicron’s robot mode (leg articulation and leg look), but still pretty cool.

3. Darth Vader Death Star. Like Primus transformers into an actual sphere.

…… uh …

4. 80s Prototype Unicron. Not bad for the 80s.

… uh …

Oh no! Not enough to form a top five. Why Hasbro? Why no more planet Transformers?

Haha, your wish is my command. It's one of my upcoming lists and like you, I ran into the problem, so I made it like this (PREVIEW!):

Top 5 Best Giant Transformers Toys

Remember that scene in the Transfomrers movie where Unicron transformed? The whole time you just saw a big planet that destroyed other planets ala Deathstar. But then it Transformed and our notions of the limit to Transformers flew out the window. This was the instance where we all gazed at the wonder of this brand and saw that it was boundless. Since then, there have been many giant Transformers in the fiction and better yet, we eventually got their toys. And this is what this list is all about. This is about those awe inspiring towering Transformers from the fiction and their wonderful toys. So even though several are of supreme class (of course) this is not a top 5 supreme class list (not that Supreme Cheetor or Starscream would have a chance, but Air Attack Primal might)and it's not about gestalts either. To be on this list you better be either turn into a battlestation, a playset or a planet.

william-james88 wrote:

TK415 wrote:I got one.

Top Five Planetformers

1. Armada Unicron (and various remolds and repaints). Points lost for being a hemisphere and not actually a sphere. But still awesome, especially the robot mode.

2. Primus. Transformers into an actual sphere, this was an improvement. Good figure, not as good as Unicron’s robot mode (leg articulation and leg look), but still pretty cool.

3. Darth Vader Death Star. Like Primus transformers into an actual sphere.

…… uh …

4. 80s Prototype Unicron. Not bad for the 80s.

… uh …

Oh no! Not enough to form a top five. Why Hasbro? Why no more planet Transformers?

Haha, your wish is my command. It's one of my upcoming lists and like you, I ran into the problem, so I made it like this (PREVIEW!):

Top 5 Best Giant Transformers Toys

Remember that scene in the Transfomrers movie where Unicron transformed? The whole time you just saw a big planet that destroyed other planets ala Deathstar. But then it Transformed and our notions of the limit to Transformers flew out the window. This was the instance where we all gazed at the wonder of this brand and saw that it was boundless. Since then, there have been many giant Transformers in the fiction and better yet, we eventually got their toys. And this is what this list is all about. This is about those awe inspiring towering Transformers from the fiction and their wonderful toys. So even though several are of supreme class (of course) this is not a top 5 supreme class list (not that Supreme Cheetor or Starscream would have a chance, but Air Attack Primal might)and it's not about gestalts either. To be on this list you better be either turn into a battlestation, a playset or a planet.

No way man! I was totally just joking. It is funny, the planetformers are epic thus they come to mind when you think of great Transformers, but then you are like:
"but there are only three of them, so... never mind."

After reading your post it seems obvious, you just have to have a broader criteria, (it is funny that you have to find just the right criteria, sometimes broad, sometimes narrow, sometimes in between) most awe inspiring transformer, or Top 5 Best Giant Transformers Toys. You're right, you can make a list with that. I like it. Looking forward to it!

Thank you for the preview.

Grand Maximus better be on that list (I would say Fortress but I like to go one step beyond )

New list: Top 5 Best Homages and Callbacks in Transformers Toys

New article:

2015-04-04 Top 5 best G1 Transformers Toy updates

New article

2015-04-18 Top 5 Transformers figures who look most like non transforming action figures

How about the top 5 Transformers that shouldn't be transformed, because one mode or the other is well agreed to be horrible/ugly/awful, or one mode is well agreed to be head and shoulders awesome/amazing over the other(s).

Kyleor wrote:How about the top 5 Transformers that shouldn't be transformed, because one mode or the other is well agreed to be horrible/ugly/awful, or one mode is well agreed to be head and shoulders awesome/amazing over the other(s).

That's very good. I have a "most indistinguishable alt mode" list coming up so it should cover that. Umm.. thats all robot modes though. I could do one where its all vehicle modes to balance it out.

Top 5 {type of} weapon, you could do bows, swords, melee in general, etc.

Best headsculpt would make a great list also

LegendaryAntiHero wrote:Best headsculpt would make a great list also

Already in the works! I was also gonna do top robot modes but for some reason it was practically the same figures as the best headsculpt list. I guess because the head is such a vital component of an action figure these days that a lot of how great the robot mode is ends up factoring on the headsculpt. I am finding it hard to distance myself from the head when I look at a robot mode as a whole.

New List: Top 5 Best Celebrity voice actors in Transformers History

oh wow. I had no idea Dreadwing was voiced by a celeb

New List Top 5 Transformers Generations Figures not made yet

ZeroWolf wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

TK415 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:
As for best beast modes and cars, since its only top 5, it might be tough and restirctive. Like, for cars, since we are looking at the best car modes, its pretty much just g1, alternators and MPs that I'd be looking at. But if I go, say, best lambourghini, then I could throw in maybe a movie figure or RID Prowl. Same goes with animals. Best dinosaurs, felines, water based animals would be more precise than best animals.

True, but some time from now (years?), you could do the Top 5 beast modes and draw from the previous lists such as: "Best dinosaurs, felines, water based animals". You could pull from only the previous lists, or use all of your research.

How about the weirdest looking Transformers. Off the top of my head, I would include ROTF Fallen, Prime RID Soundwave, Thunderwing. Those guys look alien, even to Transformers. Doesn't someone even say to Soundwave something like "are you even Cybertronian?"

Thanks! Been enjoying the lists and the discussions!

I have enough for about 3 years now (not all finished of course) so yeah thats exactly what I will do with the car transformers, thats a great idea!

I am working on a "most indistinguishable alt mode" list right now and the Fallen is on it

Does that list include animated voyager Megatron? That toy never looked like anything much.

how about blot the G1 terrorcon or DoTM LASERBEAK

conbot3 wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

TK415 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:
As for best beast modes and cars, since its only top 5, it might be tough and restirctive. Like, for cars, since we are looking at the best car modes, its pretty much just g1, alternators and MPs that I'd be looking at. But if I go, say, best lambourghini, then I could throw in maybe a movie figure or RID Prowl. Same goes with animals. Best dinosaurs, felines, water based animals would be more precise than best animals.

True, but some time from now (years?), you could do the Top 5 beast modes and draw from the previous lists such as: "Best dinosaurs, felines, water based animals". You could pull from only the previous lists, or use all of your research.

How about the weirdest looking Transformers. Off the top of my head, I would include ROTF Fallen, Prime RID Soundwave, Thunderwing. Those guys look alien, even to Transformers. Doesn't someone even say to Soundwave something like "are you even Cybertronian?"

Thanks! Been enjoying the lists and the discussions!

I have enough for about 3 years now (not all finished of course) so yeah thats exactly what I will do with the car transformers, thats a great idea!

I am working on a "most indistinguishable alt mode" list right now and the Fallen is on it

Does that list include animated voyager Megatron? That toy never looked like anything much.

how about blot the G1 terrorcon or DoTM LASERBEAK

Blot's a great pick, but I think DOTM lazerbeak was a vtol, no?