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Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 10:17 pm
by william-james88
Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) 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 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

I was totally thrown the first time someone told me a transformer had "VHS". I then learnt it was an acronym for "Visible head syndrome" which is when a Transformer's robot head can be seen in alt mode. Sometimes, it isn't noticeable at first glance, but there are times when it is just bad. The worst part is usually how they try to "cover" it, which is usually quite laughable. Lets look at the worst cases of the robot head found on the alt mode.


5. Generations Fall of Cybertron Seeker mold

People seem to really like this mold and I never understood why. Sure, it's accurate to the game but that doesn't mean it is an amazing design. G1 Ironhide was accurate to his debut appearance in Marvel comics and nobody finds that awesome.
Back to these FOC seekers, the robot head is right there, literally center stage for all to see. The face is just flipped on the other side but that doesn't in any way help hide his head which is just a black square front and center. It doesn't blend in with anything and doesn't seem part of the alt mode at all. It is just a vestigial part of the robot, and it happens to be his head. There are many jet transformers where the head is just brought under the jet and we call those lazy, so what's this?

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4. Transformers (2007) Megatron Gallery and Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Megatron

These are both dumb to me. I get that the movie and "aligned" universe take hints from one another and one of them is the boldness of Megatron to have his robot head be exposed in alt mode. I would assume he has optics elsewhere than his head, and this also throws the robots in disguise idea out the window but OK, he wants to be bold. He wants to stick it to the man by exposing his head, fine. So why is there this minute and poor attempt to still "hide" it? In both of these movie toys, there is this ever so small panel that is placed over his exposed face. This, to me, just adds insult to injury. Sure, the idea of a voluntarily exposed robot head is dumb to me and takes away from the robots in disguise idea where you wonder what the point of transforming is, and results in very lazy and uncreative alt modes and engineering, but at least it's justifiable in terms of the creator's intention. Trying to then hide that voluntarily exposed head and have it both ways doesn't make a lick of sense and just results in an even lazier looking alt mode and a terrible case of visible head syndrome. And we are only at number 4.

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3.Transformers Beast Machines Blastcharge

This guy's visible head is just sad. Like the seekers above, the only "attempt" to hid it is by turning it around to hide his face. But it's worse than Starscream since it isn't in this neat little kibble bed, filling up the alt mode. Instead it is just an extra piece of kibble hanging off the truck's butt. It looks totally out of place and can be spotted a mile away. It's like the engineers got to a point where they had this nice alt mode but were stuck with a left over piece of robot they just couldn't fit anywhere which lead them to set it down randomly. And once again, that extra piece is the head!

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2. Transformers Energon Ironhide

This guy is like those earlier mentioned Megatrons only worse due to his exposed face not being intentional (he wants to disguise himself right?). They even have his helmet tilt down ever so slightly to hide his eyes but that doesn't take anything away from having his head and face right there in front of you on top of the truck. This is laughably bad, and I can only think of one toy worse than this.

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1. Transformers Beast Machines Silverbolt

How could Beast Machines Silverbolt beat Energon Ironhide? Not only is there nothing done to hide the head in any way, which is not boldly meant to be exposed, but it is placed right between his legs! He becomes a literal d%&khead. This was one of the easiest number one picks ever.

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In two weeks you will get the Best cases of Visible Head Syndrome, see you then!

Honourable Mentions: He might be loved by all, and might possible be one of the best Transformer toys of the first decade of this new millennium, but Galaxy Force Optimus Prime still has a very exposed noggin. It is stark blue against a full red cab, instantly taking away any illusion. I mean come on, the G1 toy found a way around that. But hey, it’s Cybertron / Galaxy Force Prime, I couldn't put him on this list. But I will give you a picture!

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Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 10:29 pm
by fenrir72
FOC ver1 Optimus Prime. Darn great mold but when in vehicle mode, you run the risk of scraping his face guard on the surface.

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 10:38 pm
by EagleBot13
I don't count figures whose heads are visible due to the design of the character, such as a cybertronian mode or its that way in the show/movie/comic, as having vhs.

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 11:03 pm
by Ultra Markus
dont forget metroplex his head sticks out like a sore thumb on G1 and Generations

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 11:18 pm
by Super Megatron
I don't understand why Cybertron/Galaxy Force Leader Class Optimus Prime isn't #1 on your list. The look of its head sticking out so obviously like that makes it looks like a Thomas the Engine toy. One of the worst alt modes from that series because of it.

"But hey, it’s Cybertron / Galaxy Force Prime, I couldn't put him on this list" is a really poor reason not to and it reflects on your not being able to assess a toy based on its design but rather your bias to favor a character regardless of how bad its toy incarnation may be.

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 11:19 pm
by NOBODY LOVES WHEELIE
I gotta add as an honorable mention...Transformers Prime Megatron.

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 11:23 pm
by Hellscream9999
lol, how about rid X-brawn? or armada side swipe ( :SICK: <= necessary) or energon hoist/inferno? or most (all?) of the basic bw figures?

Didn't energon ironhide even flip his visor up when he wanted to talk to kicker?

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 11:33 pm
by Jeddostotle7
Super Megatron wrote:I don't understand why Cybertron/Galaxy Force Leader Class Optimus Prime isn't #1 on your list. The look of its head sticking out so obviously like that makes it looks like a Thomas the Engine toy. One of the worst alt modes from that series because of it.

"But hey, it’s Cybertron / Galaxy Force Prime, I couldn't put him on this list" is a really poor reason not to and it reflects on your not being able to assess a toy based on its design but rather your bias to favor a character regardless of how bad its toy incarnation may be.


It's not the character that halts his inclusion, it's the toy itself. Cybertron/Galaxy Force Leader OP is generally regarded as a great toy (minus the VHS). There's no character-related "bias" here, only him pointing out one flaw in an otherwise great toy.

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 11:52 pm
by Burn
Come on ... Beast Machines Tankor! Makes no effort to hide his "face". Image

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Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 12:01 am
by Hellscream9999
Burn wrote:Come on ... Beast Machines Tankor! Makes no effort to hide his "face". Image

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Or how 'bout bmach tank drone or cycle drone, or generations tankor ;)

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 12:39 am
by Carnivius_Prime
I find the comments about the movie Megatron figures odd. He cares not for disguise. He transforms for transport or battle reasons. It's only in the third movie that he chooses to disguise himself as an earth vehicle after realising previous strategies have failed.

Maybe he just covers the face bit with a panel to stop dirt and bugs splatting in his eyes. :P

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 12:45 am
by Hellscream9999
Carnivius_Prime wrote:I find the comments about the movie Megatron figures odd. He cares not for disguise. He transforms for transport or battle reasons. It's only in the third movie that he chooses to disguise himself as an earth vehicle after realising previous strategies have failed.

Maybe he just covers the face bit with a panel to stop dirt and bugs splatting in his eyes. :P


Space bugs Image

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 1:28 am
by BERSEKAEL
That megatron ROTF tank mode is a fail in this top 5, the original concept actually has a head

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Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 2:54 am
by Va'al
May I also add:
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I love the mold to pieces, but it does have a peekaboo head. :P


Also, whoever suggested Prime Megatron - sup.
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Hey.
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Howyadoin.
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Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 3:50 am
by Mechastrike
where's Cybertron Unicron? then again his "head" in vehicle/alt mode looks like a radar so that should have points, right?

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 5:24 am
by griftimus prime
all of the beast machines figs were awful anyway.

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 5:59 am
by Desslok2201
This is screaming out for G1 Omega Supreme, but no mention? There's no way he's an example of best case

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 6:17 am
by Lockdownhunter
Anyone mentioned this guy?
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His tail is his head.Surprised he is not on this list.

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 6:21 am
by Burn
Can't hotlink from TFU.

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 6:30 am
by Yotsuyasan
Va'al wrote:May I also add:
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I love the mold to pieces, but it does have a peekaboo head. :P


Ah, but in the case of Scourge, you can't say it isn't accurate to the character:

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As far as toy's I've owned as an adult... Yeah, Cybertron Optimus Prime is a pretty big offender. Similarly, Classics Deluxe Optimus Prime and Robot Masters Convoy have a similar issue. And I am just glad I've never lost the wind vane on my Classics Voyager Optimus Prime!

Not one that bothers me much, but the Classics Seeker mold can have this issue. It isn't so bad on Skywarp or Thundercracker, but Starscream's is kind of obvious in his alt mode:

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And the coneheads, due to their design, do have visible faces when you look at them from underneath. (Usually not an issue... but these guys are jets!)

Generations Metroplex doesn't bug me. I mean, it is accurate to the G1 version of the character. And some effort is made to reconfigure the head into a weapons turret. Frankly, I am more bugged by his visible hand syndrome. (But maybe that is being saved for another list! :lol:

The biggest offender in my collection has to be this guy:

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He doesn't look too bad from most angles, but look at him from the side, and...

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...hello, Onslaught's head! How's it going in there? Having a nice day?

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 7:32 am
by RiddlerJ
Yeah, on a mode that's cybertronian, I don't fret about a visible head. In those cases, the alt mode isn't a disguise, it's just a mode to get around, or fight, or perform some other purpose.

If anything, cockpits or passenger areas on cybertronian forms make less sense. Who are they for? Maybe after they met humanoids, it might make sense to install one but I don't think too many Decepticons would feel the need for one.

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 7:45 am
by Solrac333
Really? These? How about these...
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Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 7:53 am
by Yotsuyasan
omega666 wrote:Really? These? How about these...


Visible heads on the undercarriages of ground based vehicles never bugged me, personally. How often do you look at the underside of a car?

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 8:15 am
by Va'al
Yotsuyasan wrote:
omega666 wrote:Really? These? How about these...


Visible heads on the undercarriages of ground based vehicles never bugged me, personally. How often do you look at the underside of a car?



Ah, childhood. Endless hours during long summers, lying on the road to get a glimpse of that sweet sweet underside.

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(I was always a hairy child.)

Re: Top 5 Worst Cases of Visible Head Syndrome Among Transformers Toys

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 8:18 am
by william-james88
omega666 wrote:Really? These? How about these...


Well firstly, the fact that it's under the car hides the head. I really went for obvious ones that weren't hidden well at all. But don't worry, the day of reckoning will come for these guys in another list.

Yotsuyasan wrote:...hello, Onslaught's head! How's it going in there? Having a nice day?


Oh Hai Onslaught !

Desslok2201 wrote:This is screaming out for G1 Omega Supreme, but no mention? There's no way he's an example of best case


Dont worry, he isn't on the best.

griftimus prime wrote:all of the beast machines figs were awful anyway.


Have you ever played around with that Tankor? Or Battle Unicorn, Air Attack Optimus Primal and Jetstorm? Those are all pretty great toys.

Mechastrike wrote:where's Cybertron Unicron? then again his "head" in vehicle/alt mode looks like a radar so that should have points, right?


That gives him a lot of points in my book, glad you brought him up :)

Va'al wrote:I love the mold to pieces, but it does have a peekaboo head. :P

Also, whoever suggested Prime Megatron - sup.


More on peekaboo heads in two weeks ;) As for that Prime Megatron, I think it worked far better than the 2 movie ones since the alt design is done so that a hole in the alt mode lets his face pop through to convey that he wants his head to be seen in alt mode. That is totally the opposite with the other 2 which instead have a piece of the alt mode there to "hide" the face. It's a subtle difference in design but it makes all the difference to me. If the concept is to see his face, show me his face. Don't half ass it. I think they are all lame designs regardless and I won't pardon a toy being weak because it is based off a lame design.

Carnivius_Prime wrote:I find the comments about the movie Megatron figures odd. He cares not for disguise. He transforms for transport or battle reasons. It's only in the third movie that he chooses to disguise himself as an earth vehicle after realising previous strategies have failed.

Maybe he just covers the face bit with a panel to stop dirt and bugs splatting in his eyes. :P


See above. Thanks for that last sentence though :)

Jeddostotle7 wrote:
It's not the character that halts his inclusion, it's the toy itself. Cybertron/Galaxy Force Leader OP is generally regarded as a great toy (minus the VHS). There's no character-related "bias" here, only him pointing out one flaw in an otherwise great toy.


Yeah, exactly. I couldnt bare to have this toy be next to the likes of any of these, but he had to be mentioned. It is an amazing toy.