The Energon Pub

For me, it's Primus for obvious reasons. Apart from those Marvel figures that get you to collect all the figures to build your own Onslaught or Galactus figure, Primus is one of the few cosmic entities in a fictional canon to be rendered into a plastic toy. But imo Cybertron is the best toyline and has too many awesome molds, so if someone has a different choice, it wouldn't surprise me at all.

Cybertron Defense Hot Shot

Scouts: Scattorshot(My personal favorite.), Ransack(He can be a 3-wheeler, too!), Armorhide, Scrapmetal(Red), Hardtop(Target repaint), Wreckloose, Shortround, Shadow Recon Minicons, Giant Planet Minicons

Deluxe: Hotshot/Excellion, Landmine, Dirt Boss, Red Alert(Very underrated.), Snarl(Awesome beast mold, best weapon of all the Deluxes.), Sideways(The must-have Deluxe here, double-agent.), Crosswise, CD Hot Shot, Downshift, Blurr(Armada Blurr remold/repaint, G1 homage.), Longrack(Armada Hoist remold/repaint, BW Neo homage.), Thunderblast, Unicron, Optimus Prime(Armada Deluxe Prime repaint sans the Minicon.), T-Rex Megatron

Voyager: Japanese GF Vector Prime(The only way to go.), GF Starscream(Same.), Mudflap(Great mold, boring colors.), Leobreaker(Great beast mode, combines with Prime), Evac(One of the single best Transformers, ever, period.), CD Scattorshot(Great articulation with firepower galore.), Soundwave, Dark Crumplezone(Heads above regular Crumplezone.), Quickmix(G1 Targetmaster Quickmix homage. The Minicon is even painted the same colors as the G1 Autobot small Targetmasters.)

Ultra: Scourge/Cryo Scourge(Superb Ultra beast, wrist articulation would have made him perfect.), Jetfire/Sky Shadow(Jetfire undercover!), CD Red Alert, Menasor(Excellent robot mode and paint scheme, vehicle mode depends on your taste.), Wing Saber

Leader: Prime/GF Prime, Galvaton

And Primus, of course.

Cybertron is indeed an excellent line.

Thanks for all of the responses...
There's obviously a lot of love for this line.
To be honest, I don't get it.
Is it because this line was the first line of your TF's experience?

I did dig through the galleries and look at most of these suggestions,
and found tnat for most of these figures, there's always something that's a turn-off for me.
Usually it's the color schemes...
Sometimes it's the bot modes, some times it's the alt modes.
For a few, it's actually the bot heads that I can't look at.

I would probably like Mudflap and maybe Evac if it weren't for those colors.

I TOTALLY dig Galvatron's alt modes, but his coloring, and that head... Not worth the money that I'd have to pay to get him imo.

Supreme Starsream's alt mode just doesn't do it for me.

Sideways is another figure who's alt mode is ROCKIN', but the bot mode is a huge letdown for me.

If any, I'll probably try and hunt down that GF Optimus and maybe Red Alert.

Sowndwave76 wrote:Thanks for all of the responses...
There's obviously a lot of love for this line.
To be honest, I don't get it.

No, it was not my first line of toys. It wasn't most people's first line either. This line gets a LOT of love because it is fantastic.

I think perhaps you 'not getting it' is a result of not actually having the toys in your hand. These are some of the best TFs ever and many people consider Cybertron to be the best line of TF toys ever.

If you don't like the look of these figures...what exactly DO you like?

Counterpunch wrote:

Sowndwave76 wrote:Thanks for all of the responses...
There's obviously a lot of love for this line.
To be honest, I don't get it.

No, it was not my first line of toys. It wasn't most people's first line either. This line gets a LOT of love because it is fantastic.

I think perhaps you 'not getting it' is a result of not actually having the toys in your hand. These are some of the best TFs ever and many people consider Cybertron to be the best line of TF toys ever.

If you don't like the look of these figures...what exactly DO you like?

My dislike really boils down to the colors and a lot of the bot heads.
With less pastel, just strange contrasting color schemes, and even just slightly better heads (on a lot of those bots)
I would probably appreciate them a lot more.

I don't doubt that the overall molds and transformations make them good toys.
For me, the visual appeal is very important.

What I like specifically as far as other lines;
the Movie line--
Not my favorite, but obviously good toys and another step forward for TF's in general as far as engineering, transformations, and detailing.
Now obviously since these are based on actual vehicles, etc., the colors are automatically cohesive.
But even my Nightwatch Prime has consistent colors.
Can you argue that those blues don't match? Maybe, but it's a very limited number of blues, so to me it works.
(Unlike some of the new Allspark figs. where those "accents" (pshhh) of blue are way too brash and don't have any purpose in the areas they "highlight")
My only complaint is that a few of these figures have imo terrible heads. Even though they match the detailing of the overall look, I just don't dig 'em.

the Classics line--
My favorite line. Yes mainly because I'm 31 and grew up watching the cartoon, I know and like the characters,
and like many have said before, they're engineered to have better transformations, pose ability, and most look more accurate to the original characters.
Complaints? Me personally, I'm extremely disappointed with Hasbro's decision with the Classics Devastator, in pretty much every way.
Even if the individual figures are decent, I feel jipped.
Of the (only) 5 figures, only 3 of them are actually different molds.
The overall look of Devastator has been changed too much.
To me, not enough classic, original elements in this figure to even be in the Classics Line.
Seems like more of a knock-off.
I actually don't mind the color scheme of Voyager Megatron...
Somehow I'm okay with it, probably because they did use a triadic color scheme of Secondary colors.
I would prefer a more G1 original color scheme, which is why I'll be ordering from BBTS soon.

the Animated line-- A few variables that are appealing:
The homages to G1
Color schemes
The overall styling, for 2 reasons:
1. Again, with my age, I grew up with cartoons. While I appreciate the movie line's elements of detail and realism,
I almost prefer a more stripped-down, cartoonish Transformer (again, probably due to me being partial to G1).
This leads me to
2. The simplicity. I personally am drawn to stream-lined, sleek, aesthetic characteristics in any object.
An example is contemporary-styled furniture, where there are a lot of simple, straight lines, flush edges... The style that a lot of people would consider sterile, or "cold"; the opposite of ornate.
Everything that I've seen from pix, video reviews, etc. allow me to say that everything that I don't like about the Cybertron figures, are no where close to issues with the Animated figures.
Complaints? Nit-picky-- I would've liked to have seen Soundwave, Lockdown, Slag aka Snarl, and maybe even Swoop included in the Voyager class.

Alright, I know this was a lengthy response, but it should explain why I don't like 95% of the Cybertron line as most people do.

All the cybertron defense guys were very cool!

They are the core of my TF army.

I see some love for cybertron soundwave, but he was a big disappointment for me. Skinny chicken legs and generally flimsy construction. I was so psyched to get him and then he didn't measure up IMO.

Can't believe I forgot Primus. He can occasionally be found at retail, sometimes in the discount aisle!

I just bought a Cyb unicron from the bay. I'm looking for several more for repaints.

Scourge and scorponok are cool too.

Sowndwave76 wrote:Thanks for all of the responses...
There's obviously a lot of love for this line.
To be honest, I don't get it.
Is it because this line was the first line of your TF's experience?

Just for the record, I'm 33 and have collected since '84(except for the time spent in college...I simply could not afford them at the time), I'm G1-biased, but nowhere near a purist.

And I'm agreed with CP here, I think you're relying too much on the pictures. Try to find a friend that has some of these figures, get them in your hands, and then make a decision.

For as much as we're talking this line up, most of the older collectors I know would agree with the following:

1)Cyber Planet Keys are annoying for the most part.
2)Every figure, no matter how good, has at least one way in which it could have been improved upon.
3)Some color schemes were either lazy or cheap.

But all that doesn't take away from the toys themselves. Most people seem to think that the TF Movie is solely responsible for the resurgence of TF popularity, but it was Armada, Energon, and esp. Cybertron that got the ball rolling. I'm not sure if we would have even gotten the Classics line had not Cybertron been selling so well.

Of course, CP and I are in the minority here, we love Armada and Energon, too.

PorQPine wrote:Of course, CP and I are in the minority here, we love Armada and Energon, too.

Include me in that minority, I love Armada, Energon (Energon is actually my favorite series just about) and Cybertron.

PorQPine wrote:Most people seem to think that the TF Movie is solely responsible for the resurgence of TF popularity, but it was Armada, Energon, and esp. Cybertron that got the ball rolling. I'm not sure if we would have even gotten the Classics line had not Cybertron been selling so well.

So, so right.

A lot of people, collectors included, don't full well understand how important Armada was to Transformers.

That line was more successful than anything after it (with the exception of maybe the movie line). Seriously.

Armada did well enough to spur a subline, Universe, just to meet demand.

Something else? Mini-Cons were so popular that Hasbro was unable to produce or develop enough of them to meet demand.

Counterpunch wrote:

PorQPine wrote:Most people seem to think that the TF Movie is solely responsible for the resurgence of TF popularity, but it was Armada, Energon, and esp. Cybertron that got the ball rolling. I'm not sure if we would have even gotten the Classics line had not Cybertron been selling so well.

So, so right.

A lot of people, collectors included, don't full well understand how important Armada was to Transformers.

That line was more successful than anything after it (with the exception of maybe the movie line). Seriously.

Armada did well enough to spur a subline, Universe, just to meet demand.

Something else? Mini-Cons were so popular that Hasbro was unable to produce or develop enough of them to meet demand.

I thought I heard one time that they actually made so many mini-cons the molds wore out which was the reason we saw the giant planet mini-con team with CC Astrotrain instead of a repaint of the Mini-con space team.

faves: almost all of them?

but the highlight would be Optimus Prime/Galaxy Convoy. simply the best original series (not G1) Prime ever made. it even beats out RID Fire Convoy in my list (i know...so stone me ).

and nope, this is not my first line either (would be G1/Beast Wars). but i'd have to say, compared to Energon and Armada, an overwhelming majority of the Cybertron figs are stellar in terms of design, poseability, durability and quality.

to really appreciate Cybertron toys, you gotta have them in your hands and play with them. in terms of playability alone, the extra mobility most of these toys have beats out Powerlinking and comes short of the sheer fun of minicon activation features, but that has been replaced by silly Cyberkeys.

of course, Cybertron DOES feature its own Minicons and not just remolds/recolors and that's what makes this like kick arse. some toys like Quickmix and GC-03 Vector Prime are the pinnacle of value, offering a Minicon PLUS a cyberkey gimmick in one package.

PorQPine wrote:
For as much as we're talking this line up, most of the older collectors I know would agree with the following:

1)Cyber Planet Keys are annoying for the most part.
2)Every figure, no matter how good, has at least one way in which it could have been improved upon.
3)Some color schemes were either lazy or cheap.

totally agree with the observations. Cyber Keys are easily the most annoying part of Cybertron - hard to keep track of (especially the Takara Galaxy Force versions as most have no codes in the back), easy to lose (if you're not careful enough) and some are used to activate lame/dubious gimmicks just for the sake of gimmick alone.

a good example is Snarl. the Cyber Key activates his jaw-opening gimmick, but it's rendered useless by the lack of a locking mechanism to keep the jaw open when you release your hold on the Cyber Key. another is Hot Shot. puny wings are activated by its Cyber Key. it's really useless because it adds fragility to the toy (springs do wear out over time and toy construction is compromised when spring mechanisms are built in).

but aside from this nitpick, there's really not much to complain about these toys. simply, simply amazing. the best part is, i think this toyline's still readily available there in the US.

I mainly only went after Cybertron chcracters with G1 names and or looks.

I really like Blurr in robot mode, for instance,

A lot of these guys fell into the same general category for me, meaning cool looking but a little awkward to transform, especially Deluxe size and larger ones.

I'm hunting Cybertron figures like there's no tomorrow. Unfortunately, I came into collecting at the Classics era. At any rate... My first Cybertron figure was Soundwave. Which, if you ask the folk 'round here, he's much loved. Needless to say, I was quickly hooked. The Cybertron line rocks & I love it. Somehow, I managed to score three of the leaders (GF Prime, Metroplex, & Megatron) for twenty bucks a piece and then at least one each of every Scout-class mold from retail. What a stroke of luck.

Unfortunately, prices have skyrocketed on the Cybertron figures. I could point my finger at the inflation at the movie, but in the end... Pointing fingers gets me nowhere. Like Seibertron's very own Counterpunch said to me once, you gotta pay to play. I find it hard to swallow eighty bucks for a figure that was on the shelf for just twenty (See: BBTS) just a wee bit over a year ago, but CP is right. Either I shutup and shell out, or I get the hell out of his way.

But as for right now, I'm enjoying things like Black Friday's Search for the Pirate Moon two pack & guys like the recent Jolt & Grindcore.

I don't know guys, around here Cybertron sold like crap.

I'm not saying there were not some good figures in there but compared to the way Classics, Movie and yes Titanium figures sold Cybertrons just lingered on the shelves here in Pennsylvania (Philly burbs)

Send them to me, I'd be happy to take those Cybertron shelfwarmers

It sounds really corny, but I remember walking into Hong Kong TRU (I live in HK) in 2006 and seeing rows upon rows of ALL the Cybertron toys. I had stopped collecting long ago after Beast Machines but I still checked out every Cybertron toy and I just had this feeling, aside from all the awesome molds and stuff, that this was probably going to be one of the biggest and most popular/epic TF lines ever.

Since restarting with the movie, I've only got 4 Cybertron toys - CD Scattorshot, Cybertron Primus, GF Vector Prime and Quickmix. None of these toys have disappointed me in the least and I can say my intuition 2 years ago was right. Apart from the movie line and Animated, most of my energy goes to hunting Cybertron figs.

As eveyrone's said, there's quite a few cool characters.

If you collect classics, I'd recommend Cybertron Soundwave. He fits in fairly well with the classics. He's got a nice design and definitely looks like an updated Soundwave.

Outside of that, I liked Scourge and CyberScourge. They both could have used wrist articulation, but none-the-less, cool toys. I'm partial to dragons, though.

Cybertron Galaxy Force Optimus Prime (with brown) linked up with Wing Sabre is an amazing looking figure. Probably my signel most favourite Optimus Prime figure. I think he looks better than 20th Prime, actually. If you're not planning on linking with Wing Sabre, though, I prefer the standard Cybertron Optimus Prime (with blue).

Sideways looks cool in both modes. Thunderblast is definitely one of my favourite female transformers (not that there's many to compare to). Unicron, even in the form of a tank is always awesome...

Rounding it out, I'd check out Galvatron, Vector Prime, Dark Crumplezone, the Cybertron Defence team (especially Hot Shot), Cannonball and Evac.

Hmmm... I guess I mentioned a lot of figures.

The Cybertron line has got a lot of great molds so I find it hard to pick the very best one. Although my top 10 in no particulart order are as follows;

- Primus
- Optimus
- Starscream (Supreme)
- Hot Shot / Excellion
- Downshift
- Scourge
- CB Hotshot
- CB Scattershot
- CB Red Alert
- Evac

Counterpunch wrote:Mini-Cons were so popular that Hasbro was unable to produce or develop enough of them to meet demand.

I didn't know that! Interesting.