The Energon Pub

Thu Dec 09, 2010 8:49 pm

Hey all you toy fans. I want to begin initiating my nephews into the Transformer universe (they already are hooked on the new series, which is sweet since they are 3 and 5!) and are big Hot wheel fans, so it should be a slam dunk!

I would like your advice as to what toys I could get them that would be age appropriate and really fun to play with (take a licking and keep on transforming). Having busted many a Transformer in my youth I'm hoping for something durable (wishing the Kubricks were still being made!) and reasonably priced.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Thu Dec 09, 2010 9:03 pm

Well, if they love Hot Wheels (like myself) get them some RPMs and Speed Stars! I personally love them. I think they are very nicely done toys for what they are.

As for the real action figures, I'm not sure if either of them are ready for the "real" figures yet. If they aren't, get them some Activators or some of the toys for younger children. If they are, maybe start out with scout class then you can move them up to deluxe. Maybe mix in some Generations too if they're movie-only fans so they can get a taste of the classic stuff, too.
As for durability, I think most of the newest ones are far more durable than the ones I played with as a young child at least, so no worries.

News Credits: 1 · Thu Dec 09, 2010 9:18 pm

i say go with legends and activators and RPMS. I think they are perfect to start young kids off with. and of course powerbots

News Credits: 37 · Thu Dec 09, 2010 9:23 pm

crashhcourse wrote:Hey all you toy fans. I want to begin initiating my nephews into the Transformer universe (they already are hooked on the new series, which is sweet since they are 3 and 5!) and are big Hot wheel fans, so it should be a slam dunk!

I would like your advice as to what toys I could get them that would be age appropriate and really fun to play with (take a licking and keep on transforming). Having busted many a Transformer in my youth I'm hoping for something durable (wishing the Kubricks were still being made!) and reasonably priced.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

IDK about them, but when I was 3 I was getting Beast Wars Deluxes. I remember my first TF was Beast Wars Injector when I was 3...I guess I was just born a TF expert. Like every one else said, RPMs or Activators. And I forgot what they're called, the simple TFs...I forgot! The ones where they take Voyager and Delux figs and scale them down and make their transformations easier.

Thu Dec 09, 2010 9:28 pm

Awesome!! Thank you so much. Exactly the precise advice I was hoping for.

News Credits: 1 · Thu Dec 09, 2010 10:26 pm

I'd say any Scout would be cool. Great figures and moderately-easy transformations. Don't underestimate the kids; they'll figure out how to transform them!

News Credits: 16 · Thu Dec 09, 2010 10:52 pm

The Power Bots are a great choice for the younger ones. They're a non-transforming line of Transformers that have lights, sound, and some catchphrases.

Optimus Prime @ amazon.com
Bumblebee @ amazon.com

Thu Dec 09, 2010 11:16 pm

I suggest legends class and for the 5 year old a scout class or two. Like mentioned earlier. Don't underestimate the kids. RPM's and what not make good stocking stuffers but not for under the tree.

Or the new Speed Stars Stealth Force. I recommend OP. They don't transform but have great gimmicks with pop out, flip out panels and guns with plenty of sound effects.

News Credits: 9 · Fri Dec 10, 2010 5:05 am

I don't have kids but I have a few young students (I teach at home) who love TFs. Based on my experience with talking with them and their parents I'd say avoid most of the 'real action figures' like scout, deluxe, voyager and leader. The transformations are generally too complex for five year olds and ball joints come apart too easily which results in lost parts.

Legends are transformable by five year olds (not three year olds) but there is still the danger of lost parts as toys are designed to fall apart and reattach easily rather than snap and break.

News Credits: 2 · Fri Dec 10, 2010 10:06 am

The movie Activators are pretty good, better than Animated Activators IMO. Because the movie ones are bigger. My son (age 3) has no problem transforming him from car to robot and need a little help from robot back to car. Legend class is also very good to star with. My son has no problem transforming movie legend Bumblebee. Scout class really depends. Hubcap is a good choice since he is really easy to transform. Some others are not. If only for cars or non-transformings bots, people above have very good choices. Oh, the McDonald happy meal toys now. My son loves them.

News Credits: 5 · Fri Dec 10, 2010 10:08 am

My 4 year old can transform Scout Hubcap http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/ ... /2092/1/0/

Scout Oil Pan
http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/ ... /2162/1/0/

And any of the 4.99 "Legends" class figures really well, and they are perfect for small hands
http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/ ... /2000/1/0/

You can find the small, legends class figures and scouts pretty much everywhere right now, so it's easy pickins!

Best of luck, and Merry Christmas!

Fri Dec 10, 2010 2:20 pm

Those "Fast Action Battler" class figures should also be appropriate for the 5 year old at least. The Transformation is considerably less complex, yet it still yields a decent looking figure with a good level of articulation.

Sun Dec 12, 2010 1:24 pm

I got 2 of the Light and Sound Speed Star vehicles for my 9 mth old :-)

Got Bumblebee and Skids?(i think)

They are just plain vehicles without pieces to break off and have the symbol on the hood that activates the phrases.

Figured he can handle those since he loves pushing stuff around on the carpet now