The Energon Pub

News Credits: 4877 · Thu May 19, 2016 3:54 pm

Hey everyone. As you know, I write lists for the site. While I scour the internet to get an idea of what people find best and compare it to my own opinion to hopefully give the most well rounded lists, there are some topics that just arent easy to narrow down. Like the best Galaxy Force molds.

Over a year ago, I started a top 10 best Dinosaur Transformer toys list but man, its not easy. There are like 3 awesome ones and the rest are all average. Here are all my questions:
Beast Wars Megatron is an obvious choice, and Killer Punch is pretty awesome but do an other Dinosaurs from BW belong on this lsit?
And then there is MP Grimlock, do we count him? Because he wins the number 1 spot by default right?
What about the animated line, are they stellar toys? I always found them ok but not great.
Then we have Archadis who is really cool but do we count that as a dinosaur?
And then we have 2 main lines of dinosaurs, G1 and Age of Extinction but is any G1 toy a better toy than toys with modern engineering? Should they be included in the same list?
Do any dinosaur molds from Age of Extinction deserve a spot on a list of best dinosaur molds?
Universe Dinobot is a good toy but far too small as dinobot, so would he make it?
And what about Grimstone? Should that count?

These are all the questions I have while making this list. Any help from you guys to narrow it down or make sense of it is welcome.

News Credits: 293 · Thu May 19, 2016 4:22 pm

william-james88 wrote:Beast Wars Megatron is an obvious choice, and Killer Punch is pretty awesome but do an other Dinosaurs from BW belong on this list?

william-james88 wrote:Universe Dinobot is a good toy but far too small as dinobot, so would he make it?

OG BW Dinogot. He's more solid that the Universe/Henkei fella. But before him, TM2 Dinobot. That might even be my number one.

william-james88 wrote:And then there is MP Grimlock, do we count him? Because he wins the number 1 spot by default right?

Tough call. I wouldn't, for the same reason I didn't include MP10 in my top masterpiece list.

william-james88 wrote:What about the animated line, are they stellar toys? I always found them ok but not great.

My feelings are the same as yours.

william-james88 wrote:Then we have Archadis who is really cool but do we count that as a dinosaur?

Totally! Scorn for the win!

william-james88 wrote:Do any dinosaur molds from Age of Extinction deserve a spot on a list of best dinosaur molds?

Totally!

william-james88 wrote:And what about Grimstone? Should that count?

Totally!

Here's my favorites:

News Credits: 4877 · Thu May 19, 2016 4:33 pm

Thanks for all your answers. One thing though:

shajaki wrote:
william-james88 wrote:Then we have Archadis who is really cool but do we count that as a dinosaur?
Totally! Scorn for the win!

william-james88 wrote:Do any dinosaur molds from Age of Extinction deserve a spot on a list of best dinosaur molds?
Totally!

Those answers are to be reverse right? And oh man I forgot about that Megatron. And like you I agree that TM2 Dinobot is superior to BW Dinobot but I find the Universe mold better than it too (though I am not sure if I like it more than the TM2 Dinobot). And just curious, does your TM2 Dinobot's beast hands keep falling?

News Credits: 60 · Thu May 19, 2016 5:35 pm

Magmatron

News Credits: 4877 · Thu May 19, 2016 7:19 pm

fenrir72 wrote:Magmatron

Does he really beat most other Dinosaur toys? How many dinosaur tfs are better than him to you?

News Credits: 10 · Thu May 19, 2016 8:30 pm

Energon Grimlock and Swoop. My favorites! It's like getting G1 but with better articulation, and I liked the combining gimmick.

Though I do also like Classics Grimlock for the more accurate T-Rex mode.

I got Platinum G1 Trypticon, and he is more fun to play with than most Movie era TFs I own.

(Can't wait to see this list!)

[Edit] Ooh, I also liked the TF Animated Dinobots we got... I might have to pull a bunch of these out of storage...

News Credits: 4877 · Thu May 19, 2016 8:54 pm

Agamemnon wrote:I got Platinum G1 Trypticon, and he is more fun to play with than most Movie era TFs I own.
(Can't wait to see this list!)
[Edit] Ooh, I also liked the TF Animated Dinobots we got... I might have to pull a bunch of these out of storage...

Thanks for the comment, that reminded me that Trypticon is probably the best G1 toy that turns into a Dinosaur.
Which is the best of the animated dinobots to you? Mine is Swoop. I am not too fond of that Grimlock, but I think its more the design.

News Credits: 10 · Thu May 19, 2016 10:29 pm

william-james88 wrote:
Agamemnon wrote:I got Platinum G1 Trypticon, and he is more fun to play with than most Movie era TFs I own.
(Can't wait to see this list!)
[Edit] Ooh, I also liked the TF Animated Dinobots we got... I might have to pull a bunch of these out of storage...

Thanks for the comment, that reminded me that Trypticon is probably the best G1 toy that turns into a Dinosaur.
Which is the best of the animated dinobots to you? Mine is Swoop. I am not too fond of that Grimlock, but I think its more the design.

I think Animated Grimlock was fantastic, fun to play with, and very reminiscent of his G1 transformation. The look was very stylized, but that was true for nearly all of animated. Swoop was pretty cool, but I didn't like how simple the transformation was. Basically he stood up, folded the beak onto his chest, and folded his wings back. I liked the legs as thruster packs on Energon just a bit more. But, my favorite is...

Transformers Animated Snarl (Slag) Gallery

Transformers Animated Snarl (Slag) Gallery
I love me a Triceretops, so this isn't exactly fair.

He's squat, that club!, and the transformation was just a bit more complicated than Grimlock and Swoop. I found it more satisfying. Sure, he didn't like to stay on his feet much in bot mode, but I just remember having a lot of fun with him.

News Credits: 174 · Thu May 19, 2016 10:34 pm

Agamemnon wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Agamemnon wrote:I got Platinum G1 Trypticon, and he is more fun to play with than most Movie era TFs I own.
(Can't wait to see this list!)
[Edit] Ooh, I also liked the TF Animated Dinobots we got... I might have to pull a bunch of these out of storage...

Thanks for the comment, that reminded me that Trypticon is probably the best G1 toy that turns into a Dinosaur.
Which is the best of the animated dinobots to you? Mine is Swoop. I am not too fond of that Grimlock, but I think its more the design.

I think Animated Grimlock was fantastic, fun to play with, and very reminiscent of his G1 transformation. The look was very stylized, but that was true for nearly all of animated. Swoop was pretty cool, but I didn't like how simple the transformation was. Basically he stood up, folded the beak onto his chest, and folded his wings back. I liked the legs as thruster packs on Energon just a bit more. But, my favorite is...

Transformers Animated Snarl (Slag) Gallery

Transformers Animated Snarl (Slag) Gallery
I love me a Triceretops, so this isn't exactly fair. He's squat, that club!, and the transformation was just a bit more complicated than Grimlock and Swoop. I found it more satisfying. Sure, he didn't like to stay on his feet much in bot mode, but I just remember having a lot of fun with him.

Huh, cool, I actually like the looks of him, might try and nab the TAV version, if it goes down in price a bit :-?

News Credits: 4877 · Thu May 19, 2016 10:38 pm

Hellscream9999 wrote:Huh, cool, I actually like the looks of him, might try and nab the TAV version, if it goes down in price a bit

Wont go more down than this amazing price: http://www.amazon.com/TOMY-Transformer- ... T9WFSJPH8C

Thats as if he was rereleased at retail in the states and plu the shipping is free

Thu May 19, 2016 10:41 pm

Taking into account the era it was released, G1 Grimlock is pretty much the best ever. Or to put into other words "Grimlock king".

I also liked those two later G1 cassette decepticons that turned into dinosaurs. Well, Overkill at least. Slugfest looks a little derp.

Non-g1, TAV-30 Grimlock looks pretty swell. Probably a much better rid15 Grimlock than the original WFC version of the mold was of G1 (which he was clearly supposed to be, regardless of how tfwiki sorts him based on misguided Hasbro marketing talk)

News Credits: 174 · Thu May 19, 2016 10:43 pm

william-james88 wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote:Huh, cool, I actually like the looks of him, might try and nab the TAV version, if it goes down in price a bit

Wont go more down than this amazing price: http://www.amazon.com/TOMY-Transformer- ... T9WFSJPH8C

Thats as if he was rereleased at retail in the states and plu the shipping is free

Nice

News Credits: 4877 · Thu May 19, 2016 10:55 pm

Optimum Supreme wrote:Taking into account the era it was released, G1 Grimlock is pretty much the best ever. Or to put into other words "Grimlock king".

I also liked those two later G1 cassette decepticons that turned into dinosaurs. Well, Overkill at least. Slugfest looks a little derp.

Non-g1, TAV-30 Grimlock looks pretty swell. Probably a much better rid15 Grimlock than the original WFC version of the mold was of G1 (which he was clearly supposed to be, regardless of how tfwiki sorts him based on misguided Hasbro marketing talk)

That's a damn fine argument for that TAV Grimlock. I might use that :-?

However I dont take eras into account. The fact that the Animated and Beast Wars molds are better than many of the ones we got for Age of Extinction should be rightfully claimed and appreciated. Also for G1 dinos, I find Snarl to be a better toy than Grimlock. I am far more impressed at how they deal with his back stegasore legs for the robot mode.

News Credits: 174 · Thu May 19, 2016 10:58 pm

I never managed to get him, but AoE Scorn looked amazing, and seemed to be pretty well received. I always loved Saberback the most, an evil pharaoh-looking dinobot, hell yeah 8-)

News Credits: 293 · Fri May 20, 2016 12:26 am

william-james88 wrote:Thanks for all your answers. One thing though:
shajaki wrote:
william-james88 wrote:Then we have Archadis who is really cool but do we count that as a dinosaur?
Totally! Scorn for the win!

william-james88 wrote:Do any dinosaur molds from Age of Extinction deserve a spot on a list of best dinosaur molds?
Totally!

Those answers are to be reverse right? And oh man I forgot about that Megatron. And like you I agree that TM2 Dinobot is superior to BW Dinobot but I find the Universe mold better than it too (though I am not sure if I like it more than the TM2 Dinobot). And just curious, does your TM2 Dinobot's beast hands keep falling?

Durpadur

Yup, I had'er backwards.
And U/H Dinobot while being more screen faithful was lacking in posability and was too thin. Like if the real Dinobot was on a diet :lol:

And everything falls and droops on TM2 Dinobot with age. Ball joints *shrug*

News Credits: 60 · Fri May 20, 2016 8:14 am

william-james88 wrote:
fenrir72 wrote:Magmatron

Does he really beat most other Dinosaur toys? How many dinosaur tfs are better than him to you?

3 dinos in one? In my opinion, aside from MP Grimlock he be the best for me, and he gives you more bang for the buck. Plus the Dinos are almost authentic real.

News Credits: 4877 · Fri May 20, 2016 8:22 am

fenrir72 wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
fenrir72 wrote:Magmatron

Does he really beat most other Dinosaur toys? How many dinosaur tfs are better than him to you?

3 dinos in one? In my opinion, aside from MP Grimlock he be the best for me, and he gives you more bang for the buck. Plus the Dinos are almost authentic real.

My big problem with him is that the 3 dinos dont have thir own robot modes. That always took points away from him in my book, dont know if I am the only one who feels that :-?

News Credits: 90 · Fri May 20, 2016 11:21 am

I'm a sucker for Beast Wars Megatron's Tyrannosaurus mode he first had.

News Credits: 4877 · Fri May 20, 2016 12:34 pm

Tyrannacon wrote:I'm a sucker for Beast Wars Megatron's Tyrannosaurus mode he first had.

F&#K YEAH! To be dead honest, I beleive that is the best dinosaur tf of all time, jsut for that perfect T-Rex Mode.

News Credits: 12 · Fri May 20, 2016 2:16 pm

In terms of Dino-formers I actually own (so...one) I'd like to nominate Energon Cruellock. Great raptor/T-Rex mode, cool robot mode and an awesome weapon.

In terms of figures I like the look of but don't actually own, Cybertron Undermine and Brimstone are pretty damn cool, as is Armada Terrorsaur (who edges over his original Transmetal self by virtue of that sweet colour scheme and Mini-con compatibility).

News Credits: 2 · Fri May 20, 2016 2:22 pm

My three favorites would have to be Cybertron Undermine, AoE Scorn, and Universe 2.0 Overkill. They all have excellent Dino modes and Scorn and Overkill have great robot modes too.

News Credits: 4877 · Fri May 20, 2016 2:52 pm

Man this list is as difficult as i thought, everyone has a different idea of what makes a good dinosaur tf toy. I might never get around to it afterall. But its all good, at least we have this forum of discussion to go at it without needing a list

News Credits: 1 · Fri May 20, 2016 5:22 pm

I think the G1 dinos count collectively as one. Individually they're good, but as a set they're fantastic. Great colors, iconics in both moulds and they defined "dinobot" for many. But if we're going for just one, I think MP Grimlock would overtake them simply for having everything they have, but better.

I have the SDCC Dinobots and was actually surprised at how much I liked them. I'm not sure which I liked best individually, but I was surprised at ho much I liked them because I really dislike the movie look overall. I'd definitely pick out one from one of the sets - either the G1 one or the platinum one.

The Energon set? I'm surprised someone likes that. It was pretty disappointing.

TM2 Dinobot was great. It was one of the first toys I grabbed when I started collecting.

I think Animated Swoop is probably the best of all the Swoops. He has a believable robot AND beast mode. I really like the sleek look and he pulls off both well, unlike many other attempts.

I have the Cybertron version of Beast Megatron and liked him a lot. Unfortunate Cyber Key placement aside he's tons of fun to mess around with. I think the Takara BW version would edge it out due to colors alone.

News Credits: 10 · Fri May 20, 2016 5:55 pm

Gauntlet101010 wrote:The Energon set? I'm surprised someone likes that. It was pretty disappointing.

Really, what didn't you like about them?

Transformers Energon Grimlock Gallery

Transformers Energon Swoop Gallery

Transformers Energon Swoop Gallery
Swoop's alt mode was highly articulated, more so than I remember Animated Swoop being. I don't know. I just had a lot of fun fiddling with these. Plus, they combined! (I do have to admit that the combination result was a bit derpy, but was pretty much in line with the other duocons of the Energon line.

)

News Credits: 4877 · Fri May 20, 2016 6:42 pm

Gauntlet101010 wrote:A bunch of stuff I might use

Thanks Gauntlet! You just helped me make up my mind about how I will do things. There will be an article after all (like in a year from now) and it will be thanks to your crafty and succint way of explaining the beauty of the G1 dinos and how they can be summed up in one awesome toy

Agamemnon wrote:Really, what didn't you like about them?

Well there is this:

Mind you, if you are a fan of this Grimlock mold, then I encourage you to track down the reissue that came during Age of Extinction, they actually remolded him to be a bit better. BWTF goes into depth in his review: http://www.bwtf.com/toyreviews/aoe/grimlock-evolution