The Energon Pub

Okay, everyone comes up with a subject about how G1is so great today’s toys don’t just come right out of the box and grab you, so here’s something, what is so great about G1? I’ve always assumed its pure nostalgia, and more than likely, I’m right in most cases. They have no articulation, detail or show accuracy heck, Ironhide doesn’t even have a head! Every now and then, I’ve seen figures that are made of pure win, like Sounwave, but those are far and few between, every thing else is just not that special. So tell me, to you what’s so great?

You also have to realize that G1 was the beginning of everything, and how most things will be judged. Being new doesn't always mean better. I'm also a big Star Wars fan, but the new movies are crap, even though the technology is better.

I may love some of the new toys and TV shows, but they will always be judged by G1. Optimus Prime has to look a certain way. Megatron should and will always be a gun. And while it is true some of the toys didn't look 100% show accurate, when you're a kid it didn't matter because of the imagination factor. Yes, I wanted ratchet to have a head, or Devistator to be six times the size of a normal bot, but they didn't have to be, in my mind, they were.

So for me personally, it'd not just nostalgia, it's the original scale by which everything is judged. Sometimes it's better, sometimes its not ... but it will never be the original.

Imperious Prime wrote:You also have to realize that G1 was the beginning of everything, and how most things will be judged. Being new doesn't always mean better. I'm also a big Star Wars fan, but the new movies are crap, even though the technology is better.

I may love some of the new toys and TV shows, but they will always be judged by G1. Optimus Prime has to look a certain way. Megatron should and will always be a gun. And while it is true some of the toys didn't look 100% show accurate, when you're a kid it didn't matter because of the imagination factor. Yes, I wanted ratchet to have a head, or Devistator to be six times the size of a normal bot, but they didn't have to be, in my mind, they were.

So for me personally, it'd not just nostalgia, it's the original scale by which everything is judged. Sometimes it's better, sometimes its not ... but it will never be the original.

I don't think you could of said it any better.

Until the 2007 film, nothing even compared to G1.

TheStarScreamer wrote:Until the 2007 film, nothing even compared to G1.

Classics, Car robots, Super link none of those compare to G1?

Well, I was thinking more in terms of Gens, like BW, Cybertron, etc.

vulgar_wraith wrote:

Imperious Prime wrote:You also have to realize that G1 was the beginning of everything, and how most things will be judged. Being new doesn't always mean better. I'm also a big Star Wars fan, but the new movies are crap, even though the technology is better.

I may love some of the new toys and TV shows, but they will always be judged by G1. Optimus Prime has to look a certain way. Megatron should and will always be a gun. And while it is true some of the toys didn't look 100% show accurate, when you're a kid it didn't matter because of the imagination factor. Yes, I wanted ratchet to have a head, or Devistator to be six times the size of a normal bot, but they didn't have to be, in my mind, they were.

So for me personally, it'd not just nostalgia, it's the original scale by which everything is judged. Sometimes it's better, sometimes its not ... but it will never be the original.

I don't think you could of said it any better.

Neither Do I. Totally Agree.

I'm just gonna chime in and say well said!

In all things great in life, it's always the origional idea, the break through concept that sets the stage for all things to come that also sets the bar.

Granted the origional G1 bots where taken from various lines, but the single act of bringing those various lines together into a single diverse experimental forum which has led to many things including today's developed lines is the start of what we have today.

G1 was experimental, not only in ways of figure, but package design(does anyone else miss litho's on the back of the package), and use of multiple medias.

The comon design of G1 fugures still rings true today, and when deviated from, fans scream even laoder than normal, which indicated that even fans who weren't even born for G1, still feel the tie.

Yes, G1 was "primative" but it was still the begining. Same as we honor Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and so on as the great forfathers of this nation who all others to come will be compaired to, so G1 will for ever be in the hallows of this fandom.

Nekoman wrote:Okay, everyone comes up with a subject about how G1is so great today’s toys don’t just come right out of the box and grab you, so here’s something, what is so great about G1? I’ve always assumed its pure nostalgia, and more than likely, I’m right in most cases. They have no articulation, detail or show accuracy heck, Ironhide doesn’t even have a head! Every now and then, I’ve seen figures that are made of pure win, like Sounwave, but those are far and few between, every thing else is just not that special. So tell me, to you what’s so great?

I think the details in the vehicle modes in G1 have been more detailed then almost all of the lines since. I think the metal adds to that. Also, G1 has a lot of stuff going on, most series have 1 gimmick and last a year and a half, and that's it. G1 lasted a long time, and through out it's run there were over 500 figures, an average series today has about 100. And besides that, think of all the variations, you had realistic vehicles, animals, bases, etc. Plus you had a complete range of gimmicks from headmasters, to combiners, to sparkabots, to flip changers, to minibots, and of course bases. It just had more play value and variations then any series since.

I have to say that it has to do with the fact that it was bold experiment like who had ever heard of a robot that could turn into three different things before the triple changers there were so many first during the g1 era and I think that what makes people still love them.

My point was that no one accepts anything new if it differs from G1 the slightest bit, Classics Prime was no good just because he doesn’t have a cab? Cliffjumper was horrible because he didn’t have a new head?
True, G1 is the founding father of transformers, but does that mean nothing else is any good? And by the way, I love the show and plan on buying most, if not all of the encore line, I like G1 don’t get me wrong.

GetterDragun wrote:I think the details in the vehicle modes in G1 have been more detailed then almost all of the lines since. I think the metal adds to that.

How about Binaltech/Alternators?

G1 Rocks!

Give every bot a Classics upgrade, and that would be awesome.

However, it wouldn't change the fact that collectors both young and old wouldn't still clamor for the origionals.

Diecast, lithos, and versatility on an expanding long term basis, ...

...sadly, .....

"...It's a lost art"

To bad only one series since has acknowledged the diverse mastery of the first.

Nekoman wrote:My point was that no one accepts anything new if it differs from G1 the slightest bit, Classics Prime was no good just because he doesn’t have a cab? Cliffjumper was horrible because he didn’t have a new head?
True, G1 is the founding father of transformers, but does that mean nothing else is any good? And by the way, I love the show and plan on buying most, if not all of the encore line, I like G1 don’t get me wrong.

GetterDragun wrote:I think the details in the vehicle modes in G1 have been more detailed then almost all of the lines since. I think the metal adds to that.

How about Binaltech/Alternators?

Which was nothing more than a (sucesful) atempt to update the origional quality of the G1 bot in reference to the alt mode with modern technology.

If G1 wasn't influencial here, these figures whould not have caried G1 namesakes, or likeness.

Now as for the Classics, Prime was only a cab, the complaint is that their is no trailer to compliment him.

The argument over CliffJumper is that, although he shared an identical transformation to BumbleBee, his alt mode sculpt and certain aspects of his robot design(mainly the head) where very different.

A red repaint of BB into CliffJumper is no different than people complaining about every Prime getting a white redeco as Ultra Magnus without add on armor.

And rightfuly so!

See the complaint is over the general laziness of the designers, not the actual character in question.

G1 is great stuff to me. I love the G1 story and toys very much. I grew up with that stuff so it's closest to my heart. Nowadays, I still get really excited about finding out all kinds of obscure G1 information, weither it's about the toys or the stories (especially the Japanese G1 stories). Plus, if it wasn't for G1, none of the TF things to come thereafter would've even existed at all.

You asked a good question. I hope I have answered it correctly.

In terms of toys, what was so great about G1 was the overall designs.

G1 Prowl/Streak/Smokescreen was a limited articulation brick, but the actual design in terms of bonnet chest, boot legs, etc is a great design.
The Alt Subaru improves the toy tech and adds complexity, but the overall design is still there and imo, remains on of the best Alts.

They were also unique.

As a kid, I knew Jetfire wasn't a TF as I knew Macross, but thought all other Transformers were original, as they seemed to be the same style.

When someone showed me Roadbuster and Whirl and the Deluxe Insecticons, I thought they were fake.
Their designs just looked so unlike any "proper" Transformers I just couldn't believe they were from the same people.

I liked Roadbuster and Whirl, didn't the deluxe Insecticons, but thought all of them looked like those "typical Japanese robots".

They weren't fake, but I was right in that they were not made by the same people, and it's that difference that made them so special.

So it's not nostalgia, it's that a couple of bunches of designers came up with a set of designs that appealed to some people in a way no others would.

However, I do still think that some figures jump out in the same way.
Figures like Rid Scourge, GF Vector Prime, BW Tigerhawk, Big Convoy, Cybertron Unicon, and a few more have designs as timeless and unique as the ones that made G1 so special.

Nekoman wrote:My point was that no one accepts anything new if it differs from G1 the slightest bit

Funny thing is, in G1 Prime was a truck. Then Prime was a truck that merged with what is essentially a minicon and combined with his trailer.
Then he died and Prime was a Caravan called Rodimus.
Bumblebee also became Goldbug, then he, Starscream and Grimlock all got new Alt modes and human outer shells.

G1 was constant change and many of us do still welcome that.

For not, I'm guessing reasons vary.

Some don't think the changes are for the better, which is fair.
If something pulls you in, especially to the point you're a fan 23 years later, it must have plugged in to your tastes very highly.
Every step away from that is a step away from your tastes and you're not going to like it.

Also, some have wanted more articulate or show accurate figures since '84. They've waited 23 years now, so when a "G1" based line comes out and they get a totally different design, they'll feel cheated.
Same if a line introduces a figure like Excellion. Great figure, lots of nods to Hot Rod, but to someone whose been craving Hot Rod for years, the nods are a tease. It could have been a show accurate Hot Rod, it's not, it's a wasted chance and they'll never be able to look at it without bias.

As far as Cliffjumper goes, I see it like this.
If G1 can give us two different molds with two different heads, losing that is a step back.
Same with Magnus. Even G1 managed to give us more than just a white Prime repaint. Other lines even gave him a whole new mold, so the simple repaint is a step back.

Honestly, I was always a fan of the G1 cartoon. The character did strike a cord with me when I was a kid. But I was somewhat dissappointed by the toys I got or saw later on. It didn't bother me too much as it was the 80's and no toy looked like it's show counterpart.

So, modern homages or updates, to me, surpass the TOYS of the G1 era. I mean, I much prefer Energon Galvatron over G1 Galvatron. When I but a TF I usually go for the character over the toy itself. Although an awsome toy will grab me, certainly.

But the characters of G1 are what always sold me on the generation. Beast Wars too. The other lines (and even the new movie) not so much. Just couldn't get into them.

yeah g1 toys suck.
But theyre good for nostalgia reasons and they started the whole Transformers concept.
BUT we can't say G1 toys were the best.
I have heard some dumb f**kheads who say bending ankles, curves and balljoints were ruining the toys.
wtf!

Jazzz wrote:yeah g1 toys suck.
But theyre good for nostalgia reasons and they started the whole Transformers concept.
BUT we can't say G1 toys were the best.
I have heard some dumb f**kheads who say bending ankles, curves and balljoints were ruining the toys.
wtf!

Gah, really? Geez.

Well, I don't like the really abstract TFs myself. But even they have their place, you know? You can have a bit of everything in TF.

I'm not one of those guys who thinks everything *has* to be like it was in G1 (like Prime's trailer or Meg's attachments or stuff like that).

I think G1's are the best out there...

Why it's better?
All has been said before.
But there is still one thing:
Everytime I look at a G1 toy, I remember the times I played with my cousin, no I wasn't born during the G1 eara, but I love the look of the altmodes, yea for realistic cars and planes with diecast!

While todays TFs have better articulation and show accuracy, the originals had this flar to them, they had realistic altmodes, OK there were the few odd ones out.
And man you haven't lived if you haven't played with G1 bots and there awesome missile launchers!

Why was and is G1 the best?
- every figure was unique, not just a nod to something before that - every new year that years sets gave something new - gestalts, bases, .masters, micros...
- there was a complete armory for each figure that misses from each of the new figures (I think if we ever will have new figures that has at least 1 sword, 1 gun and 1 rocket launcher with rockets that are smaller than the weapon themself)
- ball joints, etc... they didn't need them! there was enough articulation to get them playable!
- the pure numbers of the figures


I'm not a G1 purist, but since G1 the only new thing in transformers figure-verse were the Beast Wars figures. Some of them were very close to G1 figures' level (like TM Tarantulas)
There were some new and good ideas (Titanium 6" figures, Classics (if the jets weren't a kick in the face for the collectors)) but they lack the numbers of the G1 figures.

as the others have said it, there are alot of great things about G1. i could sum it up in 3 phrases:

1.) car/vehicle detailing
2.) nostalgia factor
3.) PRICE VALUE!

but really, greatness depends on one's point of view. i grew up in G1 also but i find the later toylines as "great" as G1 was. i'm not one of those guys who would say that nothing beats the original. though we could argue that G1 started everything.

vulgar_wraith wrote:

Imperious Prime wrote:You also have to realize that G1 was the beginning of everything, and how most things will be judged. Being new doesn't always mean better. I'm also a big Star Wars fan, but the new movies are crap, even though the technology is better.

I may love some of the new toys and TV shows, but they will always be judged by G1. Optimus Prime has to look a certain way. Megatron should and will always be a gun. And while it is true some of the toys didn't look 100% show accurate, when you're a kid it didn't matter because of the imagination factor. Yes, I wanted ratchet to have a head, or Devistator to be six times the size of a normal bot, but they didn't have to be, in my mind, they were.

So for me personally, it'd not just nostalgia, it's the original scale by which everything is judged. Sometimes it's better, sometimes its not ... but it will never be the original.

I don't think you could of said it any better.

Ditto!!

For me its a bit of nostalgia and theres just something charming about the inanimate shoe box-looking guys. I dont know what it is, but they just make me smile when compared to the more complicated toys of today. It probably just reminds me of a time when things were more simple.

They're great to me because they were the launch pad of so much fun and enjoyment.