The Energon Pub

[Diem]

Please,do ot let this become another topic of "New things suck,original always better".

Since every single proper gestalt team since was WAY better than Devastator, that's not an issue.

[rpetras]

Love me some G1 Devy goodness!

One of my favorites when I was a kid, and I'm still fond of the design today.

[Chaoslock]

G1 Dev... I'm a bigger fan of the character than of the original figure, but with the recent 3rd party upgrades, I must have one.

[Blurrz]

#13 - Generation One Predaking

If we're talking about Gestalts and Combiners, then there's one beauty that just has to be acknowledged - Generation One Predaking.



I'm not going to say that Predaking started off the Beast Era or anything like that, but I do have to say that with the success of Predaking, the developers of Transformers started testing out with other creatures, and look what we have now! The one thing I like about Predaking's components is that they are unique. Not only are the parts interchangeable, but the components are stand alone characters.



Divebomb, I really like because well, it looks so bloody cute. Reminds me of a creature from Aboriginal drawings.



Headstrong... It's Rhinox's ancestor! the one thing I really enjoy about Headstrong is that he looks like a war rhino. The decals fit very well.



My favourite aspect of the Rampage toy is the face. Looks very fierce for a Sabertooth tiger.



Tantrum was the Red Bull before the Red Bull existed. Really like how it was one of the animals chosen to be components.



Lastly, the leader is Razorclaw. Basically a lion with one of the biggest arsenals a toy could have.



Singularly, they are called the Predacons...



...combined they are Predaking! Possibly one of the most beautiful Transformers in my collection. The figure is definitely a centerpiece and still has playability regardless of being a combiner.



You look at some of the combiners now in days, and they just lack it oompared to some of the originals back from Generation One. For it's time, and what it looks like - it's the most creative combiner in Transformers history, and definitely deserves a spot on this list!


Dun dun dun

[Samsonator]

I've never owned Predaking, and that's always bothered me. I'm just way to broke to ever consider getting one. I've got a busted old Divebomb (minus everything including wings) that I got for a quarter... but that just don't do it.

- Sam

[Galvatron X]

Oooh, nice choice! They should be top 10, though! The Predacons were some of the last TFs I had, before I stopped caring (as a kid). They're still badass 'til this day. I say they rival Devastator as the best Gestalt of all time...

[Flux Convoy]

Meh, Abominus is a more sturdy, durable and posable combiner than either Predaking or Devastator. He's also got knees of a sort and hips. I like all three fine but he's the most solid of them.

[goshjosh95]

Great choice, Blurrz! Just got one of my own last week (FINALLY). Do you own the original plasticky one or the reissue with the metal torsos? He's definitely a worthy choice for the top 25, & a centerpiece in my collection as well.

[SJ21]

I got Divebomb for a birthday when I was a kid, and my brother got Tantrum. We never had the whole set, but we both loved those guys. Sadly, Divebomb was lost as I grew up. Recently I had the opportunity to pick up an original G1, die-cast, complete Predaking. He is incredible. He is one intimidating figure. They are fun to play with in their individual modes and combined. Great choice.

PS- I would have ranked them much higher on this list.

[Iron Prime]

I've never owned Predaking, and that's always bothered me. I'm just way to broke to ever consider getting one.

Ditto.

Some day.... Some day....

[Convotron]

Yes, Predaking is on this list, as it should be!

One of my friends had Predaking when we were kids. Man, that combiner team was something I coveted during childhood. Very cool combiner.

[Evil_the_Nub]

This reminds me that about 80% of my G1 collection as a kid was combiner limbs. I never got a full combiner. That's what happens when your parents decide what toys you get.

[Hip-Hoptimus Rime]

I've never owned Predaking, and that's always bothered me. I'm just way to broke to ever consider getting one.

Same here, esp. the too-broke part, except that not owning a Predaking has never bothered me... until now. Someone else posted the one they bought recently, and together with this review-of sorts, me wants. Looks massive and chunky and quite awesome.

[nsp.prime]

Call me crazy, I've never liked Predaking... I'm now into chunky figures but I always thought he was kinda (wow i'm gonna some hate here ) power ranger looking chunky. Love the concept of predators/beasts ect but i've looked into beast wars stuff... I actually think beast wars (considering Predaking the "godfather" pre BW) is what lost me the most late childhood/teens when I got rid of my G1 stuff.

Crazy I know! just like I LOVE ZELDA ( LINK! ) but when I was a kid and got lost in the woods... I didn't play Zelda again for years. Still haven't beaten MOST Zelda titles becasue of the hatred of that gaming moment. (only beaten 2 Zeldas) So yeah maybe a screw loose guys n gals.

But... I can't wait to see your guys top ten. Love the insight!

[Mykltron]

So I guess this advent calender is actually counting down to Christmas 2010...

[Blurrz]

LOL.

Yeah, I'll finish it - I promise. Just not soon as I wanted it to. Whatever... I'll take my good grades at University over finishing this list on time ..

[zodconvoy]

Blurrz, I think the 12 Days of Christmas count down after the day is done so you still have nine more days counting today. There's still hope!

[Mykltron]

LOL.

Yeah, I'll finish it - I promise. Just not soon as I wanted it to. Whatever... I'll take my good grades at University over finishing this list on time ..

Geez dude, get your priorities straight!

[Blurrz]

Hehe. I promise I'll get something done this day after my flight back to University.

[Blurrz]

Back from the grave due to unbelievable popular demand - I'll try to finish this as fast as I can so we don't get another time lapse like that.

#12 - Generation One Soundwave and the Cassettes

Another G1 batch hits this list, and I think we all know why. Generation One Soundwave is a fan favourite character. While the figure isn't exactly stunning, by taking media from real life and turning it in to a Transformer - absolute genius.



I'm awfully too young to remember exactly what a tape deck looks like, but you get the idea. The best thing that Soundwave has going is the interchangeability of cassettes. When we talk about Soundwave, it's the cassettes that drive the figure's admiration.



I can't say all too much about the figures' articulation, it's one of the figures that I unfortunately don't own in person. But we see that Soundwave has been one of the most influential personalities and toy in the modern era of Transformers. To this day we see Encore re-releasing cassette formers. You'd think 25 years later, relics like that wouldn't sell but that's not the case. Another scenario that has developed in the past 25 years are the amount of toys that are trying to recreate the fun of G1 Soundwave.



You can look at them all. Cybertron Soundwave, awful Titanium Soundwave, Monkey ROTF Soundwave, Animated Soundwave.... while they have the same style of character and they have the same attitude, it just never has the same feel to the original, and that's why G1 Soundwave and his Cassette minions are on this list. Soundwave is just too iconic to be left out.

[Duke of Luns]

I'm awfully too young to remember exactly what a tape deck looks like, but you get the idea. The best thing that Soundwave has going is the interchangeability of cassettes. When we talk about Soundwave, it's the cassettes that drive the figure's admiration.

Please tell me your joking, I don't want to start feeling old at 24, even though sometimes I do . Of course, I'm not a techno geek, and we still have a working rotary phone in the house....

But about Soundwave, I do agree, he rocks . Love the character, and love the tape army. Heck, Hasbro/Takara could almost have built an entire toyline around just Blaster and Soundwave, though they'd need a couple dozen or so more tapes each.

[Blurrz]

Face it Duke... you're getting old!

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

Soundwave was an awesome toy and holds up today. He's better than Diaper-wave, that's for sure! :p The Music label version is probably the one that recaptures him the best.

[Mykltron]

I'm awfully too young to remember exactly what a tape deck looks like, but you get the idea. The best thing that Soundwave has going is the interchangeability of cassettes. When we talk about Soundwave, it's the cassettes that drive the figure's admiration.

Please tell me your joking, I don't want to start feeling old at 24, even though sometimes I do . Of course, I'm not a techno geek, and we still have a working rotary phone in the house....

A rotary phone? What is that, pray tell? Is it one of those new-fangled devices whereby one can talk to another from a different room or even house?

[Nujevad]

Next thing you know, they'll be coming out with things like the horseless carriages and indoor plumbing....bah, humbug!