Top 5 Best Ironhide Transformers Toys
Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 12:28 pmEvery two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.
Editor's note: this list has been updated as of 17/08/2017
Top 5 Best Ironhide Transformers Toys
With us finally getting a Masterpiece Ironhide, I thought it would be a good time to look at all the good Ironhide toys we have had in the past. What is funny about Ironhide is that his initial figure is one of the most unappealing to a Transformers fan (especially a child). The toy itself doesn't have a head. Instead, it has a weird face on a sticker stuck on a seat behind his windshield. This is of course because he is a re-purposed figure from a line where little figures would pilot these mecha toys but while this is fun for toy history buffs, it is a weak consolation to a kid who just sees a toy which looks nothing like he does on the show. His next few toys were also pretty bad and he still doesn't have a decent classics-styled toy to this day. However, he does have some good toys under his diaper belt and here they are:
5. Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Recon Ironhide
Oh man, would you look at this thing! It is bad to the bone. While people have a problem with the Ironhide Voyager mold, I never found it that bad. It definitely gave us a more complex toy. I always preferred the versions which hid his arms and this is one of them. The full load of weapons could hide anything, just look at the pictures below. This is Arnold Schwarzenegger's Commando in toy form. Plus, this was the very first toy to integrate the c-clip system where you could clip on new guns to different toys (like clipping Generations Darkmount's guns onto Generations deluxe Warpath).
Plus, his front bumper becomes a crossbow
4. Transformers Dark of the Moon Leader Ironhide
I really like this toy. Sure, it is easier than every other movie leader since Revenge of the Fallen, but I am not complaining about being able to go from one beautiful looking truck mode to an amazing looking robot quickly. He is by far the best looking movie Ironhide to have next to any leader Optimus Prime on your movie shelf and he has some great gimmicks. He has two sets of guns that can pop up while in truck mode (and end up being deployable from his robot arms) and some hidden armament in his legs, including a really sweet knife when he likes to get up close and personal. Along with that he has his big leader electronics gimmick (is it normal that I miss those?) where his chest open up to reveal a giant cannon barrel which spins and lights up. While he has some negative points, the only one that bothers me aside from the obvious undercarriage kibble is that the truck sides just bunch up under his robot arms. It isn't the prettiest sight but it does add some much needed bulk. While people can dislike movie figures all they want, I feel nostalgic for nice hefty Transformers Leader figures who had a bunch of fun electronics and sublime detail. I mean think about it, you get fully retractable weapons in both bot and alt mode, a gun and big knife hidden in a leg scabbard ala Robocop, great paint apps for a retail release and a battle mask!
3. Transformers Prime: Cyberverse Ironhide
This is fun design, incorporating Ironhide into the Prime line and aesthetic. This design is actually phenomenal since it brings so much together at once. He is a great amalgamation of the G1 and movie look in a more animated aesthetic with the headsculpt and clear chest (G1 cues) working with the pickup truck alt mode and dual cannons (from the Bay films). Also I would like to point out brilliant the transformation is. While the Arms Micron deluxe Ironhide relied on a fake chest, the Cyberverse version actually has the truck's windshield be the robot's chest. It is impressive to see great alt mode integration on a toy which has so much new details in robot mode. Remember when I spoke of an animated aesthetic? This toy's amalgamation (along with the deluxe) also references a shelved design for Animated Ironhide who was supposed to join Optimus Prime on earth and have an earth mode. That is a lot going on for such a little fella.
2. Transformers Animated Ironhide (Armorhide)
This is a near flawless toy. I find it absolutely brilliant how the cartoon made it that both Ironhide and Ratchet share the same basic mold (which has been the case since 1984) but since Ratchet is now on earth and has an earth vehicle mode, you end up with two visually different characters. The toys do that well. Sure, there is a Ratchet who shares the same mold as this toy but I love how Ironhide makes the mold his own (as he always has). The perfect toon accurate headsculpt really helps. The design of this toy is incredible since it was made after the stylistic cartoon character models were done and it imitates that style perfectly. Also, through this mold, you get one of the most creative designs for a cybertronian vehicle. I love how they were thinking outside the box for this one, giving it almost an animal look (like a tortoise) adding some sentience and otherworldly functionality to the vehicle mode. The weapon storage in vehicle mode is also perfectly executed with simplicity and helps fill out the look of the vehicle. It's a smart design that looks just like the cartoon and has great nods to the G1 character. Sounds like pure win in my book.
1. Transformers Masterpiece Ironhide
When was the last time we found a decent representation of G1 Ironhide in stores? Never. Look at this list, it's either animated, movie or a mix of both. But nothing even close to G1. No vans of any kind. And that's because there really hasn't been much aside from the forthcoming honourable mention. But we finally got Ironhide in all hi glory in this Masterpiece offering. I seriously do not care what nitpicks any fan may have, this toy is better than anything I could have dreamed. The Transformation is one of the best Takara ever designed and it is a true spectacle to see that van shape into this robot before your very eyes. I always thought that to have the look of the show, we would need a fake chest, no way around it. But I am proven wrong. The alt mode integration is spot on, no extraneous kibble (aside from some wheels, though they might anatomically represent something related to the bot mode, up to you) and more accessories than you would ever need. Plus, all those accessories come in that sled, bringing a magnificent homage to the G1 toy (along with other neat homages like that G1 face in can mode). I can't speak highly of this toy enough.
Honourable mentions: My lists usually always look at toys that were released at retail, especially since I care more for the toy itself and thus the mold as opposed to the character it represents. In this case though, the character it represents is a big deal and Ironhide is no stranger to redecos since that is what he started as. So I will include his Botcon 2005 Exclusive toy here, even though I am not a big fan of the mold itself. Fellow Seibertronian Sabrblade says it best:
Editor's note: this list has been updated as of 17/08/2017
Top 5 Best Ironhide Transformers Toys
With us finally getting a Masterpiece Ironhide, I thought it would be a good time to look at all the good Ironhide toys we have had in the past. What is funny about Ironhide is that his initial figure is one of the most unappealing to a Transformers fan (especially a child). The toy itself doesn't have a head. Instead, it has a weird face on a sticker stuck on a seat behind his windshield. This is of course because he is a re-purposed figure from a line where little figures would pilot these mecha toys but while this is fun for toy history buffs, it is a weak consolation to a kid who just sees a toy which looks nothing like he does on the show. His next few toys were also pretty bad and he still doesn't have a decent classics-styled toy to this day. However, he does have some good toys under his diaper belt and here they are:
5. Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Recon Ironhide
Oh man, would you look at this thing! It is bad to the bone. While people have a problem with the Ironhide Voyager mold, I never found it that bad. It definitely gave us a more complex toy. I always preferred the versions which hid his arms and this is one of them. The full load of weapons could hide anything, just look at the pictures below. This is Arnold Schwarzenegger's Commando in toy form. Plus, this was the very first toy to integrate the c-clip system where you could clip on new guns to different toys (like clipping Generations Darkmount's guns onto Generations deluxe Warpath).
Plus, his front bumper becomes a crossbow
4. Transformers Dark of the Moon Leader Ironhide
I really like this toy. Sure, it is easier than every other movie leader since Revenge of the Fallen, but I am not complaining about being able to go from one beautiful looking truck mode to an amazing looking robot quickly. He is by far the best looking movie Ironhide to have next to any leader Optimus Prime on your movie shelf and he has some great gimmicks. He has two sets of guns that can pop up while in truck mode (and end up being deployable from his robot arms) and some hidden armament in his legs, including a really sweet knife when he likes to get up close and personal. Along with that he has his big leader electronics gimmick (is it normal that I miss those?) where his chest open up to reveal a giant cannon barrel which spins and lights up. While he has some negative points, the only one that bothers me aside from the obvious undercarriage kibble is that the truck sides just bunch up under his robot arms. It isn't the prettiest sight but it does add some much needed bulk. While people can dislike movie figures all they want, I feel nostalgic for nice hefty Transformers Leader figures who had a bunch of fun electronics and sublime detail. I mean think about it, you get fully retractable weapons in both bot and alt mode, a gun and big knife hidden in a leg scabbard ala Robocop, great paint apps for a retail release and a battle mask!
3. Transformers Prime: Cyberverse Ironhide
This is fun design, incorporating Ironhide into the Prime line and aesthetic. This design is actually phenomenal since it brings so much together at once. He is a great amalgamation of the G1 and movie look in a more animated aesthetic with the headsculpt and clear chest (G1 cues) working with the pickup truck alt mode and dual cannons (from the Bay films). Also I would like to point out brilliant the transformation is. While the Arms Micron deluxe Ironhide relied on a fake chest, the Cyberverse version actually has the truck's windshield be the robot's chest. It is impressive to see great alt mode integration on a toy which has so much new details in robot mode. Remember when I spoke of an animated aesthetic? This toy's amalgamation (along with the deluxe) also references a shelved design for Animated Ironhide who was supposed to join Optimus Prime on earth and have an earth mode. That is a lot going on for such a little fella.
2. Transformers Animated Ironhide (Armorhide)
This is a near flawless toy. I find it absolutely brilliant how the cartoon made it that both Ironhide and Ratchet share the same basic mold (which has been the case since 1984) but since Ratchet is now on earth and has an earth vehicle mode, you end up with two visually different characters. The toys do that well. Sure, there is a Ratchet who shares the same mold as this toy but I love how Ironhide makes the mold his own (as he always has). The perfect toon accurate headsculpt really helps. The design of this toy is incredible since it was made after the stylistic cartoon character models were done and it imitates that style perfectly. Also, through this mold, you get one of the most creative designs for a cybertronian vehicle. I love how they were thinking outside the box for this one, giving it almost an animal look (like a tortoise) adding some sentience and otherworldly functionality to the vehicle mode. The weapon storage in vehicle mode is also perfectly executed with simplicity and helps fill out the look of the vehicle. It's a smart design that looks just like the cartoon and has great nods to the G1 character. Sounds like pure win in my book.
1. Transformers Masterpiece Ironhide
When was the last time we found a decent representation of G1 Ironhide in stores? Never. Look at this list, it's either animated, movie or a mix of both. But nothing even close to G1. No vans of any kind. And that's because there really hasn't been much aside from the forthcoming honourable mention. But we finally got Ironhide in all hi glory in this Masterpiece offering. I seriously do not care what nitpicks any fan may have, this toy is better than anything I could have dreamed. The Transformation is one of the best Takara ever designed and it is a true spectacle to see that van shape into this robot before your very eyes. I always thought that to have the look of the show, we would need a fake chest, no way around it. But I am proven wrong. The alt mode integration is spot on, no extraneous kibble (aside from some wheels, though they might anatomically represent something related to the bot mode, up to you) and more accessories than you would ever need. Plus, all those accessories come in that sled, bringing a magnificent homage to the G1 toy (along with other neat homages like that G1 face in can mode). I can't speak highly of this toy enough.
Honourable mentions: My lists usually always look at toys that were released at retail, especially since I care more for the toy itself and thus the mold as opposed to the character it represents. In this case though, the character it represents is a big deal and Ironhide is no stranger to redecos since that is what he started as. So I will include his Botcon 2005 Exclusive toy here, even though I am not a big fan of the mold itself. Fellow Seibertronian Sabrblade says it best:
Sabrblade wrote:It's still arguably the best Classics-style Ironhide toy there is in terms of resembling the character and [is] a good toy overall.
