The Energon Pub

Recently, I've embraced the idea that the pack-in Minicons with the latest Generations Legends class figures, along with their Takara partners, are indeed Minicons. They're the latest evolution in a line that started out with Armada, was refined by Cybertron, began to get a little stale during the "Classics" years, was reinvented by Arms Micron, and is now in another phase altogether.



While the ports are gone that activated special features on the Armada toys, these have been gone for awhile in the Arms Micron line and no new toys utilize them, so it doesn't make sense to continue their inclusion.

While the bot modes suffer a bit due to every single new Minicon being a triple-changer, it's a fun trade off knowing that every one of them that comes out has some extra capacity to be a Targetmaster pal for whomever can hold 5mm pegs.

I know there are a lot of Minicon collectors here on the boards, how are you approaching these? Are these an entirely different thing to you? Does that exclude them from your Minicon collection? Or are you like me, and you're enjoying this latest iteration of tiny Transforming fun?

I'm a bit... well, stubborn with classifications. Basically, for me a Mini-Con has to have that signature port and the symbol. With that in mind, those are Mini-Cons:

- All Unicron Trilogy Teams
- All Unicron Trilogy Partners
- All Classics Teams
- Generations Mini-Con Assault Team

... and these are not:

- Universe 2008 Nightstick
- All Generations Partners (those are Micromasters for the most part, different thing altogether)

I'm a bit torn on how to classify the PCC and Arms Micron ones, not to mention repaints.

But I love small Transformers, no matter what they are

I'm not too keen on re-classifying them myself. I'm not even a fan of the newer released minicons because they only turn into weapons and not vehicles.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Basically, for me a Mini-Con has to have that signature port and the symbol.

So I guess Micron Booster Vol. 4 doesn't count then They all have and

ScottyP wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Basically, for me a Mini-Con has to have that signature port and the symbol.

So I guess Micron Booster Vol. 4 doesn't count then They all have and

Yeah, repaints...

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

ScottyP wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Basically, for me a Mini-Con has to have that signature port and the symbol.

So I guess Micron Booster Vol. 4 doesn't count then They all have and

Yeah, repaints...

I'm just being a smart arse.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:I'm a bit... well, stubborn with classifications. Basically, for me a Mini-Con has to have that signature port and the symbol. With that in mind, those are Mini-Cons:

- All Unicron Trilogy Teams
- All Unicron Trilogy Partners
- All Classics Teams
- Generations Mini-Con Assault Team

... and these are not:

- Universe 2008 Nightstick
- All Generations Partners (those are Micromasters for the most part, different thing altogether)

I'm a bit torn on how to classify the PCC and Arms Micron ones, not to mention repaints.

But I love small Transformers, no matter what they are

I definitely count the small transformers that came with the PCCs as minicons. They have the port after allé Their alternate form simply happens to be a gun. You can call them a headmaster minicon if that's better, but they remain minicons to me.

And Scotty P, I too have the clear gunless Roller, I really wish he would have come with the gun. I do LOVE the importance you give to payload, as he is my favourite of this year.

I think Minicons is a good blanket to cover all small robos.
I've also taken to the habit of referring to them all as microns.
Help me. Wasn't the word micron used pre Arms Micron?

Cobotron wrote:I think Minicons is a good blanket to cover all small robos.
I've also taken to the habit of referring to them all as microns.
Help me. Wasn't the word micron used pre Arms Micron?

"Micron" is the Japanese name for Mini-Cons. Don't use "Mini-Con" in Japan, otherwise they'll think you like Prime's Scraplets:

Hey, could any of you Minicon/Micron lovers help me ID this lil' Bee?


He's sooooo cute.

Not sure where I got him.
May have come in a haul someone gave me from their Mom's attic.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:they'll think you like Prime's Scraplets:

In all fairness, they're adorably creepy.

Cobotron wrote:Hey, could any of you Minicon/Micron lovers help me ID this lil' Bee?


He's sooooo cute.

Not sure where I got him.
May have come in a haul someone gave me from their Mom's attic.

Ah, World's Smallest Transforming Transformers Bumble. He was part of a line of downsized G1 Transformers by Takara, copying the transformation to a tee. You should see that line's version of Ravage

Jelze, Jelze, Jelze,
You are amazing.
I can't recall for the life of me where I picked him up.
Was that series available in the States?

I really liked the small iterations of transformers. I would love to collect the entire Armada collection including several "USA edition", 2 Red Thrusts, Sideways variant MISB etc.

Cobotron wrote:Jelze, Jelze, Jelze,
You are amazing.
I can't recall for the life of me where I picked him up.
Was that series available in the States?

Not commercially. Hadda go to ebay or specialty sites.

ScottyP wrote:

They do look great displayed together like that. Especially the translucent ones.

They're more like Micromasters to me. Just...small robots.

Mini-con, Micron...those terms hold a specific meaning tied to a place, time, and line. These guys do not fit that.

Valandar wrote:

Cobotron wrote:Jelze, Jelze, Jelze,
You are amazing.
I can't recall for the life of me where I picked him up.
Was that series available in the States?

Not commercially. Hadda go to ebay or specialty sites.

Hey! I remembered where I got him. A great Japanese "mini mall" outside of Chicago called Mitsuwa. Where I got all my Car Robots before I knew they were coming state side.

Anyway, back on topic...

Microns, Minicons, Micromasters, Lil' Buddies, Shortycons, Tinytrons...
Whatever you call them, they are little in size, but BIG on fun!

I've tried to see them as mini-con, but I can't, they are Targetmasters.

They lack the traditional male and female mini-con ports. I can accept the arms micron, because they are designated as such, but I also see them much more related to targetmasters themselves too.

Silver Knight Primes' sword more resembles a mini-con than this new breed.
There is a male port which allows connection to traditional female



That being said, I think they are wonderful weapons. I've only picked up the Buzzsaw in terms of importing(so far). I'm pairing him with Tailgate until Thundercraker (Skywarp?I can't remember which) is released.