AcademyofDrX wrote:"Almost exactly like the original, just remove the play features" really is a Generations collector mindset, huh.
I wanted to come to this quote, because this is an interesting concept that I am split on. And I will use 2 easy figures to compare:
Armada Optimus vs Megatron.
Armada Optimus is my figure of the year. They took the original, removed the electronic gimmicks, gave him a matrix gimmick and more posing, as well as a more complete trailer transformation. They took what to me was not an overly exciting gimmick, and traded it for a much more involved transformation that provided a much more satisfying combination gimmick. In my mind, they complete overhauled him and made him different but the same but made him better.
Armada Megatron is sort of the opposite, he is one of my Top 5 disappointments in 2023. They took the original, removed all of the gimmicks but the torso turret part, and gave him articulation. Problem is, they did not supplement the removal of his old gimmicks with more convincing good ones. He can actually pose sure, but the original Megatron is such a fun toy, and all that was fun about him was removed and not really replaced with anything. We will see if Tidal Wave helps make him a better/more fun toy.
And that sort of is my deal: is what was taken from the original at least equated by what was given to the new one? A couple other examples:
Cyberverse Windblade now has articulation and a sword, something none of her toys actually had. She is a win.
Animated Optimus has a much better head and weapon, and there really weren't any sacrifices outside of the waist autotransformation, which was not a very good gimmick to begin with to me. To me, both are winners, but in different ways thanks to the different approaches.
Transmetal 2 Megatron swapped the wing flapping gimmick and 3rd mode for articulation, and included the effects for fire breath. To me, he wins out over the original because the original was hindered by those gimmicks.
So it all comes down to the opinion on the gimmicks really. Ones named above show how they found a balance of a trade off, as well as Armada Megatron showing how they didn't.