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News Credits: 4495 · by **william-james88** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 8:21 am

Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are our opinions so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.

Top 5 Beast Wars Toys of Show Characters

I did a list of non show characters before, and even a list for the best Beast Machine toys, but there was one list just waiting to happen. That being of the Beast Wars toys for the characters found in the CG show that lasted for three seasons. Well, here it is!

5. Transformers Beast Wars Transmetal II Megatron (Dragon Megatron)

Hasbro and Takara went all out on this toy. Design wise, I just adore the asymetry that you obviously see in the robot mode with the arms and that is also found more subtly in the dragon mode with the differences on each side of the wings. The deco with the chrome is absolutely lovely and I love all the extra gimmicks like the missiles for a firebreathing effect, the flapping wings that can also remain openned, and the long dragon neck that can be puppeteered. And I always loved the dynamic transformation of Beast Wars megatron where the toy has to be flipped into a different axis.

4. Transformers Beast Wars Transmetals Rampage

I was always impressed with how a robot mode that looks to be so back heavy can actually stand. Rampage pulls it off here and it gives him this very intimidating look. Which is odd when the he doesn't have an alt mode that you'd think would strike much fear. But the designers make you fear that crab by giving him the biggest pincers you could imagine. Also, of all the Transmetal toys, I feel he pulls off that third mode best, especially since it has a nice set of treads dedicated to it. And these treads actually work.

3. Transformers Beast Wars Transmetals Depth Charge

I know, not very original to have this guy right after his sworn enemy but its not my fault Hasbro gave these two rivals excellent toys. Once again, the manta ray is not an obvious alt mode a kid would think of in a show about robots turning into animals but the designers really sell it. The colours are excellent and the chrome is a beautiful touch. They also do something here that I find fun with the chest conversion. In terms of the fiction, the manta ray head morphs to be smaller for his chest and they recreate that by having a smaller manta ray head under the bigger one in the alt mode, which I find to be a nice compromise for a sleeker look. His arsenal is awesome with his chest firing disks, a drone shark which becomes a cannon and his tail becoming a sword.

2. Transformers Beast Wars Fusors Silverbolt

What I truly love here is how they pulled off such a particular design. The flying wolf mode looks really good and feels like its own creature rather than simply adding wings on a wolf. And then from that you get a great looking robot. I especially like all the new robot details, like the chest and skirt, that are nowhere to be found in the flying wolf mode. And those feather missiles have a great dual as both batons and a cool firing feature, along with being well incorporated into the alt mode. You know, I do miss the days when we had absolutely perfect toys that were original and simply wowed us.

1. Transformers Beast Wars Megatron

Yes this is one of my all time favourite toys but that doesn't cloud my judgement in the least because him being the best toy from the original line was also why he was my favourite. I mean, think about it, it's the mid 90s and you get a big beautiful T-Rex toy that also transforms into a badass robot. And one of his hands is the T-Rex head, which can spray water when you open the T-Rex mouth. Which kid would not put this at the top of their Christmas list? I always found the transformation rather inspired with many shifts in axis. Even the MP, while offering more detail, folds and articulation, follows the same transformation steps. I guess if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Honourable Mention: There is one toy that I don't know where to put so I will leave him here. Tripredicus is awesome and I give this combiner his due whenever I can. It was the better of two beast combiners with a very nice mix of components each contributing equal part to the combiner. The reason I leave him here is because these are characters on the show but they looked nothing like this toy.

Transformers Beast Wars Tripredacus (Tripledacus) Gallery

News Credits: 1 · by **Marcdachamp** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 8:44 am

Rock solid list, but I would have put Quickstrike on here. I adore that toy.

News Credits: 6 · by **TulioDude** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 8:44 am

Good list!
Shoutout to the original Cheetor toy,he is really solid!

News Credits: 2 · by **Tigerhawk7109** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 9:26 am

Great list. However, I sincerely object to the exclusion of my namesake.

:BH-PREDACON:

News Credits: 41 · by **Cobotron** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 10:48 am

Tigerhawk7109 wrote:Great list. However, I sincerely object to the exclusion of my namesake.

Was chiming in to say I can't disagree with any on this list but somebody would have to get bumped to make room for Tigerhawk at number 1 on my list.

With Beast Wars for me, it's always easier to make a top 5 worst list than best list. "Best" always feels like I'm choosing which of my children is my favorite. Don't make me choose, I LOVE THEM ALL!!!

News Credits: 18 · by **leokearon** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 10:54 am

Good List, though I never liked putting on Rampage's treads.
Also I would have added The Original Cheetor to the list.

by **Jumpstart1083** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 12:30 pm

Sweet list. Here's mine, but it's based purely on the aesthetics of the robot modes. They're all first season toy choices...

Rattrap.
Cheetor.
Terrorsaur.
Waspinator.
Megatron.

News Credits: 95 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 12:37 pm

I would really love to get Transmetal Dragon Megatron, Beast Wars Megatron and what-its-name that is the Universe repaint of Transmetal Megatron. I was always against paying the asking price for them, especially Dragon Megs, but one day I'll have to bite the bullet.

News Credits: 2 · by **X3ROhour** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 1:17 pm

Fairly good list!
But no Masterpieces?
Oh well.

Mine:

5)Tigerhawk

: Rawr, Mellon Farmers!

4)Transmetal Rattrap

: Eat droppings, roadkill!

3)Optimal Optimus

: The colors he SHOULD be!; perfect_effect_nemesis_gorira_-_copy.jpg (49.57 KiB) Viewed 110991 times

2)Optimus Primal

: THAT'S JUST PRIME!

1)Transmetal Megatron

: Amazeballs!

Honorable Mentions:

: I don't care what you like!

: We're all gonna die!

: Doc Ock wishes he was this bad!

: no beans for me, thanks.

I KNOW!
I cheated.
I don't care.
I stand by my killer list.
:BOOM:

by **M. Spector** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 1:29 pm

Another fun list. I personally only have your No.2 Pick Silverbolt, found him at a garage sale as a kid. The wing feather missile tomahawks where long gone of course but man. It does not hamper the figure at all, the plastic quality, paint and articulation allow him to compete (and in some cases beat) most modern figures

News Credits: 95 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 1:31 pm

The list should have mentioned that it was only about the Beast Wars Hasbro original lines. Because I'm sure some BW2 characters would had made the list like Big Convoy.

If Beast Machines count, I'd include Beast Machine Blackarachnia. Not only is she pretty show accurate, but her transformation is fun and she may be the only sexy, curvy, feminine looking fembot who don't rely on shellforming at all for her transformation (along Animated). Well, her spider-butt could count as a shell, but it only a small part. She's the best fembot Transformers IMO.

News Credits: 1 · by **Bumblevivisector** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 1:40 pm

-Kanrabat- wrote:and what-its-name that is the Universe repaint of Transmetal Megatron.

The one that came with those 2 Minicon cars? Predacon. Ah yes, his use to renew a trademark doomed him to a sort of generic obscurity in hindsight, didn't it.

Glad to say I bought all 6 of your picks back in the day, Will. If toys of show characters representing upgrades that didn't quite happen on the show could count on this list, my only personal alteration would be to bump Megs' first body entirely an make Transmetal Terrorsaur #1. Fun as it is to actually assault your other toys with, his organic T-rex body was to me the least aesthetically pleasing of his trilogy (still looks way cooler than the gator FWIW), while I just loved TM Terrorsaur at first sight. And we did see his arm being Transmetalized as he sank into the lava, so that should be the one unused Transmetal body that technically counts as being in the show, yes?

And as awesome as all these toys are, the other posters who mentioned not having acquired some yet makes me think your next list should be top 5 breakage/degradation problems to watch out for when buying vintage Beast Wars. Rampage suffers the same red Transmetal flaking problem as Rattrap, I broke one of my TM2 Megs' joints by yanking the pelvis apart at the hips instead of prying at the bottom (thankfully repaired with crazy glue and constant swiveling while holding it tight to dry), and I'm not sure how well either of their rubber parts are holding up over time. And there's always good ol' glittery GPS to destroy my personal favorite BW Megs among others. Seeing all the prefab Easter baskets in stores now makes me miss the days when their unlicensed contents were so awesome that I could've bought KO replacements for some of my now broken Beast Wars toys right in the Kmarts where I bought the originals...you don't know what you've got 'till it's gone.

I know you already did "Top 5 toys that'll break and make you cry", but a new list focused on Beast Wars like a field guide would be cool in the near future, what with the BW MPs surely spurring more and more fans to seek out the now 20-25 y/o stuff.

News Credits: 2 · by **X3ROhour** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 2:03 pm

I LOVE BEASTS!
Both Wars and Machines
And still have about 98.3% of each and every figure in minty condition.

Appreciate the love of the list.
Thanks, william-james88

by **Rogue-Primal** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 5:10 pm

I know this is a weird spot to say this but i'd be hesitant about rampage. His treads are fiddly to get into positions and...they made out of rubber only and it's uncertain how long they last before breaking before he cant be repaired.

How long have you guys owned a mint condition out of box one with healthy tank treads?

News Credits: 18 · by **blackeyedprime** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 5:17 pm

Rogue-Primal wrote:I know this is a weird spot to say this but i'd be hesitant about rampage. His treads are fiddly to get into positions and...they made out of rubber only and it's uncertain how long they last before breaking before he cant be repaired.

How long have you guys owned a mint condition out of box one with healthy tank treads?

Up until I sold mine three years back. I was very wary that the treads are going to die on him at some point.

News Credits: 95 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 5:24 pm

Rogue-Primal wrote:How long have you guys owned a mint condition out of box one with healthy tank treads?

This apply to any toys with rubber tires or threads.
It depend of what the rubber is made off chemically first. Some material last basically forever while other either "dry up" or become slimy over time. Plus there's the environment the toy is kept in that could influence how it can degrade. Humidity and sunlight being direct factors.

So how can you know if the rubber of your favorite toy can last?
It suck to say this but only time will tell. Things can be fine... or not. It mostly depend on luck.
Oh, and this dosent just apply to rubber but to ALL plastics. I had toys that became very brittle with age and there was no GPS involved. Just regular plastics. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

News Credits: 4495 · by **william-james88** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 6:08 pm

Rogue-Primal wrote:
How long have you guys owned a mint condition out of box one with healthy tank treads?

Almost 25 years now.

by **ZeldaTheSwordsman** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 7:25 pm

Z3ROhour, this list is about the original Beast Wars toys, not 3P or MP.

-Kanrabat- wrote:I would really love to get Transmetal Dragon Megatron, Beast Wars Megatron and what-its-name that is the Universe repaint of Transmetal Megatron. I was always against paying the asking price for them, especially Dragon Megs, but one day I'll have to bite the bullet.

The redeco of Transmetal Megatron is called Predacon, and he was from Armada, not Universe. The story behind Predacon is that the Armada toyline's sales substantially exceeded expectations and its own molds couldn't keep up with retailer demand, so Hasbro had to scramble and slap Mini-Con ports onto older molds to shore up the line. They chose Transmetal Rhinox, Terrorsaur, Cheetor, Airazor, and Megatron. Megs had to get a new name since they already had a Megatron (although Archer would handle that differently during Cybertron), and Aaron Archer was making damn sure Hasbro didn't lose any more trademarks.

I would have put the Ultra-Ape Optimus Primal on here in place of the original Ultra-class Megatron. I find his arm gimmick a bit less awkward than Megatron's tail pincer, and I love his launchers.

News Credits: 95 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 7:45 pm

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:The redeco of Transmetal Megatron is called Predacon, and he was from Armada, not Universe.

Oh, right. There IS a "Predacon" in Universe but it's the repaint of Cybertron Scourge.

Looking up on Ebay, there are ZERO Armada Predacon available right now.
Holy crap... This guy sure is popular. No surprise because it's TM Megs without GPS.

by **ZeldaTheSwordsman** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 8:11 pm

-Kanrabat- wrote:
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:The redeco of Transmetal Megatron is called Predacon, and he was from Armada, not Universe.

Oh, right. There IS a "Predacon" in Universe but it's the repaint of Cybertron Scourge.

Actually, the Scourge redeco is RiD Bruticus. Although he is explicitly labeled as a Predacon (has the wasp faction sigil and all).

-Kanrabat- wrote:Looking up on Ebay, there are ZERO Armada Predacon available right now.
Holy crap... This guy sure is popular. No surprise because it's TM Megs without GPS.

Yeah, I've noticed that.
I treat Cybertron T. Rex Megs as a different form of Armada Predacon because of the colors.

News Credits: 226 · by **Burn** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 9:12 pm

I can easily disagree with the 5-3. All three of them are incredibly bulky. Megatron can be a bastard to pose because of the tail. Rampage and Depth Charge can also be top heavy in robot mode.

But because this is a top five list, and because anyone who disagree with his Holiness is automatically forced to justify why and give their own, here's mine.

Five - Terrorsaur - Okay, the toy isn't great, BUT ... the concept of these basic figures is, and it's the concept that really should make the list. One step (well aside from the feet/hands change at it's finest.

Four - Waspinator (original) - Okay the toy isn't exactly fantastic, but it's Waspinator. You love the character, you're going to enjoy the toy.

Three - Transmetal Rattrap - Honestly, you get this figure for the rat mode. The robot mode is okay, but there's more fun to be had with him in rat mode, and his "vehicle" mode.

Two - Rhinox (original) - Chain guns. 'nuff said.

One - Dead set tie between Optimus Primal (Original Gorilla) and Megatron (Original T-Rex). Both are fantastic toys that are damn near perfect, a lot of modern figures wish they were this good.

by **VioMeTriX** » Sun Mar 29, 2020 3:27 am

hmmm how was Transmetal Tarantulas not in there, he is the most show accurate of any figure in the beast wars line....id have personally left off Depthcharge as he's not too poseable, and he has that big odd-shaped backpack sticking way out. even Transmetal Cheetor was 100% show accurate too and Quickstrike.

just my thoughts

I hope everyone is safe during this quarantine time. Be well my friends.

News Credits: 2 · by **X3ROhour** » Sun Mar 29, 2020 4:14 am

Rogue-Primal wrote:I know this is a weird spot to say this but i'd be hesitant about rampage. His treads are fiddly to get into positions and...they made out of rubber only and it's uncertain how long they last before breaking before he cant be repaired.

How long have you guys owned a mint condition out of box one with healthy tank treads?

since the day they hit stores
out of the box
feelin fine

News Credits: 12 · by **Evil Eye** » Sun Mar 29, 2020 5:31 am

Always good to see my boy Rampage getting some love. He was a holy grail of mine and I'm so glad I have him.

TM2 Megatron is an amazing looking toy, but man I wish the tail transformation wasn't so...unfinished. It doesn't seem to properly connect to the dragon butt (sitting on top instead) and his face seems to be visible.

I'd like to nominate Transmetal Tarantulas as an honorable mention- sideways ankle tilts and bicep swivels would make him perfect (as opposed to just very very good) and his colours are gorgeous. He's simple to transform, decently poseable, has a fantastic spider mode and in general is just cool. Shame his "vehicle" mode is ridiculous even if I do like the way the back wheel forms.