The Energon Pub

Website · by **RK_Striker_JK_5** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 7:55 pm

MP Prime. Still at or damned near the top in almost all categories. And unlike ROTF Prime's transformation, it isn't frustrating and/or damned near impossible without getting stress marks on pieces.

News Credits: 1452 · by **Blurrz** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 8:59 pm

Armada Unicron.

by **OptiMagnus** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:02 pm

From an engineering and detail perspective, I'd say ROTF leader class Optimus Prime. Any incarnation of the mold really...even the battle damaged one (the only one I have so far). I mean, it's just amazing how close his robot mode is to the actual CGI design. And then the vehicle mode is just as good as the robot mode (once you manage to get him into vehicle mode from the 100 steps it takes). The truck isn't extremely obvious at first glance that it's a Transformer, I mean, theare aren't gaping holes or robot parts sticking out of the back.
Unless you hate the movies with a passion, you really can't go wrong with him.

News Credits: 1 · by **SKYWARPED_128** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 2:40 am

ROTF Leader OP all the way. Like others have already mentioned, he's a magnificently complex fig, and one of the very few Bayverse TF's to successfully pull off an accurate bot to alt mode.

The fact that even Dreamworks had to cheat and use what they called "smoke and mirrors" for the CGI models, is evidence of just how tough it was to successfully make a physical representation of the character that looks accurate in both modes.

A side effect of all this mechanical accuracy becomes his one and only flaw: he takes a whole lot of effort to transform. No wonder Hasbro had to dumb down his transformation in DOTM; no kid could possibly transform OP on his own without help from another adult. In fact, Dad might end up having to do the whole transformation for his kid, especially where the two chest tabs are concerned.

Like Slip?Stream on Facebook · by **Slip?Stream** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 3:20 am

best TOY in terms of design?

Car Robots JRX / RID RailRacer

News Credits: 7 · by **alldarker** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 4:00 am

Valandar wrote:And the entire Classics / Universe / Generations / Reveal the Shield classic line can't be beat. They managed to make characters with their classic (or updated in some cases) alt modes, and well proportioned, articulated robot modes inspired by basically animators "cheating" to make some of the most popular (among collectors at least) figures in many years.

I have to agree that what Hasbro / Takara are producing with the whole of the Classics to RtS are the best Transformers toys we've ever seen. Low(ish) priced, highly detailed TF's on a deluxe scale with great looks in both modes, but with especial and obvious love for the G1 comics and cartoon. Like Valander, I am simply amazed by the way the designers have used the animation models (which really were 'cheated' and unrealistic re-imaginations of the original G1 bricks toys) as the base for creating REAL, pose-able toys. Who'd ever have imagined, back in the '80's, that one day people would be able to recreate the amazing G1 box art pictures or the heroic poses from the cartoon, with actual physical toys!

This of course also applies to the live action movie Transformers toys, with RotF Optimus as the 'prime' example of taking screen imaginations to a relatively small scale toy and recreating it almost perfectly. Same goes for a lot of the other movie line toys, of course: I don't own RotF OP myself but I do enjoy the intricacies of Ice Cream Mudflap and Skids, Bumblebee and Sideswipe.

Most of all, I guess every TF toy line has its own stars. Some have been targeted more at display value, some have been targeted more at play. For me personally however, my best TF toy will probably always be G1 Scorponok.

by **alternator77** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 1:20 pm

by size class
supreme-unicron
leader-rotf prime
voyager-op/magnus/nemesis classics
deluxe-tie hftd terradive/animated blurr
scout-breacher
honorable mention
mp-5
alternity seekers(who am i kidding i love'em all)

out of all of them top spot would have to be mp-5
very little kibble and imo a flawless robot,alt mode and a very complex transformation

by **swampflight** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 1:35 pm

My vote is going to R.I.D.Scourge(Black Convoy).It's a Leader-Class figure with a basic transformation on the cab/robot,a tanker attachment that open up to become a battle platform or base,along with the standard weapons it comes with an energy sword,and when in vehicle mode,there is almost no visible kibble.

News Credits: 1 · by **adamassc** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 2:10 pm

Slip►Stream wrote:best TOY in terms of design?

Car Robots JRX / RID RailRacer

THIS.

Seriously, the bullet train alt modes show no sign of bot, the robots show that they turn into trains without wearing said trains as kibble, and there isn't much evidence that these three combine into an awesome posable super robot.

RiD Ultra Magnus/Car Robots God Magnus is an impressive toy as well.

by **swampflight** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 3:11 pm

adamassc wrote:
Slip►Stream wrote:best TOY in terms of design?

Car Robots JRX / RID RailRacer

THIS.

Seriously, the bullet train alt modes show no sign of bot, the robots show that they turn into trains without wearing said trains as kibble, and there isn't much evidence that these three combine into an awesome posable super robot.

RiD Ultra Magnus/Car Robots God Magnus is an impressive toy as well.

I like the RID Ultra Magnus myself but I think it could have been engineered better in the legs because they just end up looking like a folded-up trailer and are too large for the whole robot.

Website · by **RK_Striker_JK_5** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 5:56 pm

The biggest problem with RID Magnus is his legs are a bit too long, but he can combine well with Prime and his trailer can be configured in multiple ways.

And ROTF Prime's ultra-hard and frustrating transformation puts it below MP Prime, who looks like he stepped off the TV screen and isn't frustrating to transform.

News Credits: 35 · by **Goldbug794** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 7:49 pm

Don't know if I can choose 1. But I'm a big fan of the classics line at the moment. All the classics figures I have have great articulation, they look fantastic in both modes, and a couple ingenius ideas on how to get things in (bumblebee's jetpack turns into a jet ski on a trailer, GENIUS, but I do wish his feet weren't so klunky).

by **Trigaba** » Tue Sep 04, 2012 4:35 pm

Animated Prowl

Motorcycle mode is almost completely free of kibble from every angle, only the fingertips are visible from the rear, that's it. Robot mode is also extremely free of kibble, where the usual motorcycle bots have nose blocks that become hunchback growths or wheels that become extra appendages, all of those elements have been integrated cleanly and beautifully into robot mode. The only thing that can even be construed as kibble are the back fins, and even those flow nicely.

This flows right into the posability, this being one of the most posable bots ever made. Not only is he all ball joints, but the side effect of the wheel integration is that his knees are double-jointed, making him one of the few transformers that can crouch.

With perks like show accuracy and little extras like his ninja star hubcaps, I would qualify Animated Prowl as not just the best motorcycle tranformer ever designed, but one of the best transformer designs ever.

(Yes, MP Prime is a much more engenious design and transformation, but this is one of the few bots whose posability rivals MP Prime.)

News Credits: 7 · by **TulioDude** » Tue Sep 04, 2012 5:34 pm

Leader Class Optimus :michaelbay:

alldarker wrote:This of course also applies to the live action movie Transformers toys, with RotF Optimus as the 'prime' example of taking screen imaginations to a relatively small scale toy and recreating it almost perfectly. Same goes for a lot of the other movie line toys, of course: I don't own RotF OP myself but I do enjoy the intricacies of Ice Cream Mudflap and Skids, Bumblebee and Sideswipe.

This.These guy get overlooked too much.
ROTF Optimus is only scary the first time,once you get the hang of it,is alot easier.

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Tue Sep 04, 2012 10:00 pm

icenemesis wrote:Out of curiosity what toy do you think has the best design and transformation. No bashing on movie, animated or unicron trilogy please.

I just HATE when people ask what is the "best" something. There's too many variables to consider, most of them being personal tastes.

News Credits: 2 · by **Nemesis Destron** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 12:04 am

Kibble wrote:
icenemesis wrote:Out of curiosity what toy do you think has the best design and transformation. No bashing on movie, animated or unicron trilogy please.

Can we still bash Beast Wars?

News Credits: 2 · by **Banjo-Tron** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 2:56 am

Why are people reacting to this thread with horror? Yes it is subjective but I'm sure that the OP knows that and isn't trying to start WWIII. Opinions are like arseholes - everyone has one. Let's embrace that and move on

Anyway without further ado, here are my bestest ones.

Supreme: Armada Unicron - it's Unicron, nuff said.
Ultra: Masterpiece Grimlock - Simplistic transformation, awesome aesthetics
Voyager: Cybertron Vector Prime - Beautifully detailed, well proportioned, badass
Deluxe: 'Battle in Space' Cyclonus - Superb from pointy ears to toe
Scout: ROTF Air Raid - a really neat, poseable figure
Legends: Perfect Effect Reflector - perfect being the operative word

by **Rushie** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 4:41 am

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Primus yet. He's superior to Unicron in alt-mode, transformation scheme (love that key system) and robot detaling. Sure, the character was designed as a toy and hasn't existed for as long as Unicron, but the figure is just incredible. His Cybertron mode also manages to fit in any universe you'd like, from G1 all the way to Aligned.

News Credits: 10 · by **gavinfuzzy** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 5:25 am

Buster Prime, or the ROTF Optimus mold.

IMO, it seriously must have taken alot of work to get it that accurate to the movie in both modes. Plus, buster has great paint, down to the pinstriping on the flames. I cant be 100% sure, but it could very well be the TF with the most paint apps. The whole body is silver paint!

:lol:

by **RAcast** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 8:51 am

gavinfuzzy wrote:Buster Prime, or the ROTF Optimus mold.

IMO, it seriously must have taken alot of work to get it that accurate to the movie in both modes. Plus, buster has great paint, down to the pinstriping on the flames. I cant be 100% sure, but it could very well be the TF with the most paint apps. The whole body is silver paint!

HA Jazz is also slathered in silver paint.

For me, based on my collection,

Leader- Rotf Optimus Prime for all of the Previously mentioned reasons
//honorable mention to Beast Machines Ultra Jetstorm, he's great on both modes, his geared gimmickry is superb (and awesome!) and he just looks really good overall, if not totally screen accurate.

Voyager- this one is tougher, but I think I have to give HA Jazz the edge over the original Optimus Primal. Primal is objectively pretty great, but a lot of love(and paint) went into Jazz's design, and his joints are top notch.

Deluxe- tie between Generations Drift and Warpath. They're both awesome in both modes, and are just designed really nicely. Drift has swords, swords man! And Warpath was one of my favorite toys when I was a kid, it's such a great update of the character.

Scout- Easily, Rotf Breacher. I love his modes, transformation, and I immediately fell in love with his head sculpt. His only real flaw are the chunks of arm kibble, but that's completely ignorable.

Legends- Megatron loses points for being difficult to transform, Cybertron Jetfire is pretty cool, but his articulation leaves you wanting a bit more... I'd have to give it to Prime cyber verse Cliffjumper. I really like this mold, it's so well articulated for the size class, and it just looks good.

News Credits: 6 · by **BeastProwl** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 9:21 am

Battle in Space Cyclonus (Or any other version of this mold)

Great alt mode
Kibble free bot mode
Awesome articulation
Genius transformation
Wonderful paint job
Awesome light piping
Targetmaster

Can he get any better?

News Credits: 2 · by **Banjo-Tron** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 9:51 am

BeastProwl wrote:Battle in Space Cyclonus (Or any other version of this mold)

Great alt mode
Kibble free bot mode
Awesome articulation
Genius transformation
Wonderful paint job
Awesome light piping
Targetmaster

Can he get any better?

Hopefully, I am painting his Shapeways gun soon. I much prefer the original gun he had as opposed to Nightstick. Cyclonus is my favourite deluxe as well.

News Credits: 10 · by **gavinfuzzy** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 11:09 am

Hmm... Lets do a personal opinion on every size then. :lol:

Leader: ROTF Prime, Cybertron prime is a close 2nd...

Alternators: Jaguar Ravage. Yep, going with the only animal one.

Ultra/HA : I don't own alot... I'll say HA Jazz/Barricade.

Voyager: I would like to say HFTD Prime, but that's the same as the leader... So, I;ll go with 1st Edition Optimus. Yep, there are many great voyagers out there, but this one is my favorite in terms of mold and look/design.

Deluxe: Alot from the classics line were great. Drift, Jazz, Tracks... But I'm going with the most repaint one of them all. Starscream. IMO this thing really looks like it's G1 self, and looks almost like a mini-MP.

Scout: HFTD Breacher or the Energon Bruticus Helicopter. Something about that vortex-guy is just great. Breacher wins all scouts in terms of design though, IMO. Windcharger is amazing too, but I was a lil disappointed in the transformation.

Cyberverse: People collect these? :lol:

Okay, DOTM Guzzel? Maybe...

Well, that was a long post. :lol:

News Credits: 9 · by **Mykltron** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 9:10 am

First Edition TFP Optimus and RotF voyager Optimus.

Robot modes are amazingly accurate to the animation, truck modes are very realistic with very few giveaways that they're Transformers. Poseability is amazing. Sword(s) AND gun(s).

Why did I pick voyager RotF Optimus over the leader? He comes with swords and guns where the leader has just swords, the voyager's blades dont' get in the way as much and are easyish to remove and he has better articulation. The leader has limited ankles and no real thigh rotation due to an internal limiter (which is easily removed if you take his legs apart).

News Credits: 9 · by **Mykltron** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 9:17 am

BeastProwl wrote:Battle in Space Cyclonus (Or any other version of this mold)

Great alt mode
Kibble free bot mode
Awesome articulation
Genius transformation
Wonderful paint job
Awesome light piping
Targetmaster

Can he get any better?

He could have had a bicep swivel, and a ball joint neck wouldn't hurt.