Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

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 Best Dinosaur Transformers Toys of all Time

With some of the biggest news coming out of the 2017 Toy Fair being dinosaur themed, I felt it would be fun to look back on dinosaur themed transformers and I cam up with this list of the top 5 dinosaur Transformers toys we have gotten so far. Enjoy!


5. TIE Between Transformers Beast Wars Metals Dinobot 2 and Animated Swoop

The fifth spot is always the toughest. We all know toys better than these two, but are these better than most other dinosaur Transformer toys? I think so, but I can't tell which is the better between the two. Both are exceptionally stylish for dinosaur Transformers. Transmetal 2 Dinobot has an external metallic skeleton look which reminds me of a mechanized version of the dinosaur skeletons we see in museums. I especially love that segmented tail. He is a rther interesting reimagination of a mechanical raptor. Every raptor element is still there (claws, snout, tail), but done anew, as if HR Geiger decided to draw a raptor on day. And it works.




Animated Swoop is also full of style, being from the animated line and all. However, unlike Grimlock and Snarl, this doesn't involve any element of the figure being exaggerated. Everything is proportional and while the angular nature is there, it only adds to the figure. I especially love how this reincorporates the robot head and pteranodon head being the same, but with a more involve transformation of the upper torso making both modes look very unique. Another great aspect is how the wings (which become a cape in robot mode) connect to the robot arms to become the pteranodon arms. This works very well and makes both modes a lot more sleek by integrating kibble rather than trying to hide it.





4. Killer-Punch

How I wish Hasbro had released this toy. Ok, so here's the deal. Takara designed and released a ticeratops Transformers mold during Beast Wars Neo. It was ok but there was a lot of kibble since, as with many Beast Wars Neo toys, they wanted as much new robot mode detail. They even brought in an odd third mode which gave the impression that the triceratops was dead. Seriously, you could transform him into a dead dinosaur by showing his bloody ribs, tail and stick out his tongue. The robot mode ended up with the dinosaur head as an arm (classic). Before this mold could be released by Hasbro, Takara doubled down on their dinosaur mold and retooled it into Killer-Punch. Now this was one hell of a retool because not only did they change the aesthetics (and turned it from a triceratops into a styracosaurus) but they added an extra functionality: he could now shoot his springloaded robot arm dino head. His name is probably the most appropriate I have seen. Oh and they kept the dead dinosaur mode, just because.




3. Transformers Age of Extinction: Generations Scorn

I really like how he is a new dinosaur we didn't get before when the Dinobots were finally brought back to the big screen in live action. He's good, no gorilla arms (unlike most of the AOE Dinobots), and the lance tail(even though more of a whip in the film) is very striking. I also like the little extra details in the transformation, like how the legs fan out, how the spine changes orientation and how the hips fill out the back to hide some robot detail in dino mode. He's the most easy to recommend of a line which was all about bringing the Dinobots back for a new generation.








2. Transformers Masterpiece Grimlock (Grimlock (MP-08))

As I wrote above, I had a hard time with this list. The G1 dinobots are iconic G1 toys, but engineering and articulation has improved since and those toys have grown more niche as they age and new fans discover the hobby. They look like little Transformer jewels though and I didnt know where they would go or which to choose. But then I saw this great post that rang so true with waht I was thinking:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I think the G1 dinos count collectively as one. Individually they're good, but as a set they're fantastic. Great colors, iconics in both moulds and they defined "dinobot" for many. But if we're going for just one, I think MP Grimlock would overtake them simply for having everything they have, but better.

This is so true. MP Grimlock is a love letter to those G1 toys and can show new fans how awesome the Dinobots are while giving old fans the best possible toy of one of their most cherished characters. Even if you aren't into G1, an MP Grimlock will always be a standout in any collection, he is an excellent Transformer and worth every penny.








1. Transformers Beast Wars Megatron

I LOVE this toy. I will always be impressed at how this toy really gave kids a Megatron that captured what they saw on screen. Not necessarily the details (he isn't perfect) but the stature, the style and transformation. That of course has more to o with the show model being close to the toy but it is indeed the toy that is responsible for how awesome he looks on the show. So it's a circular loop of awesome. He is full of gimmicks, but doesnt suffer because of them. The water pistol is actually quite fun and provides a chomping gimmick, which ever good Tyranosaurus toy needs. Also, this toy is a great example to show how toys pulls from science and can change as our knowledge of the world improves, since this toy portrays the Tyranosaurus as not standing straight. That was something learnt in those 10+ years since Grimlock's standing T-Rex, and it makes Beast Wars Megatron the best Transformers T-Rex toy with a more realistic alt mode (until they come out with one with feathers, but lets not go there). He is also a perfect example at how a toy could pull off being a shellformer while still integrating alt mode detail and giving the shell style that adds to the robot mode rather than taking away from it. Him being a shellformer also helps give a very convincing T-rex mode with no exraneous robot parts. So he has a phenominal realistic T-Rex mode, a bad ass and regal robot mode, and a fun transformation. I cannot think of a better toy to be number 1.










Honourable mention: Power Core Combiner Grimstone and G1 Trypticon

Grimstone came out the best he possibly could given what they were going for. The idea of automorphing drones without articulation and the lack of hands is seen as a misstep with the line itself but Grimstone pulls it off better than any other toy. He is by far the most uniform of any PCC combiner and while that deters anyone from mixing and matching him it does make him look better than the others. The hand problem is excused with him having a dinosaur head for a hand, which is a trend seen in this list and by no means a negative point. And he just pulls off the look which is something to be glad about when he happens to be the only official Dinobot combiner we have as a toy. Plus, I really love how he doesn't repeat any of the Dinosaurs that make up the G1 dinobots while still sporting the G1 dinobot colour theme. And man, Takara and Hasbro sure love their styracosauruses.



Trypticon is very similar to Grimstone in the way that it's not a great toy per se but looks really really good. He technically makes no thematical sense as a Mecha Godzilla-like monster who turns into a city. Why would he turn into something he wants to destroy? The city mode is ok, but it is probably the simplest transformation into a city mode ever, where you just pull a swith and he splits in two automatically. However, this is a list that looks at the Dino mode more and it really rocks, even if it is a brick, so I would be remiss if I didn't mention. Here's hoping the new Titan one rocks!



Please tell us who your favourite dinosaur Transformers are in the comments and give us your own list when you have a chance!

The first 2 would be on my WORST list.

The fragility and inflexibility of TM2 Dinobot's pipes makes him unusable in terms of much of his articulation - he looks nice enough though if you don't actually move him - he'd make a terrific 3rd party remake for sure.

As for Swoop - oh he's the Fall-apart rabbit of Transformers I don't think I've ever transformed one without the head falling off. he's also crazy floppy and the alt mode is more of a vague suggestion than a finished result - not unlike ROTF Mixmaster you are not quite sure what the finished result is even supposed to be. he's also way to small for the deluxe price point he cost.

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My own preferences would be many toys in the Beast Wars Neo line especially Magmatron, The Mutants Raptor, the Longisquama in Beast Machines (even if they did forget to paint him) I also like Predacon (i'll say Armada Predacon not TM Megatron as megs breaks so he's a bad suggestion - the mold is good the materials are not).

Some of the Dinosaur Minicons are fun too - heck one of my favs is in the RID line - but the classic dinos are nice too. I can't really suggest the Rescue Bot dinos as having 26 missing paint aps on Blades was a bit to much for me to tolerate.

Sorry dude, but you couldn't be more wrong. The top 5 Dinosaur TFs are the original 5 Dinobots

Galactic Prime wrote:Sorry dude, but you couldn't be more wrong. The top 5 Dinosaur TFs are the original 5 Dinobots

Are you talking about the characters or the toys? And how would you rank them from 1-5?

The interesting thing about this topic is aside from multiple version of the Movie Dinobots there actually isn't that Many Dino Transformers - Oh and I really like TM Terrorsaur's "Dinobots" repaint too. In fact the Beast Wars/Machines Dinobots are a nice little subline overall - I am actually still missing a couple of them though I think.

The third party and KO area is thick with the things though - I rather like a lot of those.

I'm not a big fan of FOC Grimlock though he's to small and gappy for my tastes - shame the overscale KO of him that exists is some crazy nonsense colour scheme like pink & Charcoal.

If you want to just pick a dino at random though the Hero mashers Grimlock is quite good looking overall.

I also like the G1 deco Movie Deluxe Snarl

The RescueBots Optimus Primal is pretty bad ass too (regardless of size) I guess the rescue Dinos are not to terrible if you ignore the paint.

I guess I best not mention that one of the nicest looking Dinos in any Transformers line is the Animorphs Trirex then

Solid list Will. One that I do quite like at least for Dino mode is Cybertron Undermine. The robot mode also has a weird Martian asthetic.

Transformers Cybertron Undermine (Dinoshout) Gallery

Transformers Cybertron Undermine (Dinoshout) Gallery

I like him too - especially as a dinosaur - but the repaint is perhaps even nicer.

Excellent list! It's a shame that TM2 Dinobot's poseability is hindered by those cables, because he looks absolutely fearsome. The BM Rapticon redeco is pretty nice looking too.

BW Megatron is definitely a good pick for number one. I find the colours a bit pastel for my liking, but he does look awesome. I would suggest Transmetal Megatron, but it'd have to be either the Japanese release or the Armada retool, for reasons we're all familiar with.

Another I can think of is BWN Sabreback, though I've only seen rveiews/pics of him and thus can't comment on him that well. Really good Stegosaurus mode, very unique robot mode and a grisly looking weapon- and his actual dino skull forms a necklace in robot mode! A shame he's not very stable (or so I'm told) because he looks so cool, and a witch doctor Transformer is a great concept.

Absolutely disgusting! How can a list of the best Dino TFs not include Triceradon, the ultimate minicon!

Not a bad list... although I woudln't have Swoop on the list. He's pretty floppy and mine doesn't stand up too well.

this 5, and are Legion class, the line I collect

Many will disagree but I love Energon combining Grimlock and Swoop.

BERSEKAEL wrote:this 5, and are Legion class, the line I collect

what would be your ranking from 5-1?

MP Grimlock should be #1.

Oh, you forgot to include G1 Skylynx. His combined mode is a "mecha dino bird".

My personal preference is that robot modes do not use heads and tails for hands.

I get that it's part of what makes Beast Wars Megatron iconic, but it always bothered me.

Awesome list.



All I can say about the pick for #1 is:

Thanks for all the kind comments guys!

fenrir72 wrote:MP Grimlock should be #1.

Oh, you forgot to include G1 Skylynx. His combined mode is a "mecha dino bird".

I didnt forget, I just didnt think he was a great example of a dino and didnt fit on a list of the best. And he's appeared in enough lists already for different attributes.

RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:Not a bad list... although I woudln't have Swoop on the list. He's pretty floppy and mine doesn't stand up too well.

The one i have is the TAV version and it doesnt have those problems. But hey, if you dont like Swoop, its all good, just look at the list and remove Swoop from it with having TM2 dinobot take the number 5 spot all to himself

Terrsolpix wrote:Absolutely disgusting! How can a list of the best Dino TFs not include Triceradon, the ultimate minicon!

You know whats hilarious, by some odd coincidence, I have that toy in front of me now

Y'know what's funny, I was playing with my Animated Snarl this week and thinking about suggesting this exact topic for a future list.

I feel like TM2 Dinobot should be struck from the list for one glaring flaw. Yes it has a cool design, and the skeletal design is genius, but those cables on his claws/forearms are prone to snappage. It's a huge engineering flaw that limits the "lifespan" of the toy.

AoE Voyager Grimlock is easily my fave Dinosaur TF. It's a beautiful thing in both modes. Fondness for the original G1 toy too and Snarl despite their age.

I really don't care for any where they end up having obvious dinosaur head/tail as 'hands'.

That is another point as long as you reaise how to transform him correctly (many people don't) Animated Snarl is way better than Swoop.

Pteranadons arn't actually dinosaurs there pterosaurs.

william-james88 wrote:Thanks for all the kind comments guys!

fenrir72 wrote:MP Grimlock should be #1.

Oh, you forgot to include G1 Skylynx. His combined mode is a "mecha dino bird".

I didnt forget, I just didnt think he was a great example of a dino and didnt fit on a list of the best. And he's appeared in enough lists already for different attributes.

RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:Not a bad list... although I woudln't have Swoop on the list. He's pretty floppy and mine doesn't stand up too well.

The one i have is the TAV version and it doesnt have those problems. But hey, if you dont like Swoop, its all good, just look at the list and remove Swoop from it with having TM2 dinobot take the number 5 spot all to himself

Terrsolpix wrote:Absolutely disgusting! How can a list of the best Dino TFs not include Triceradon, the ultimate minicon!

You know whats hilarious, by some odd coincidence, I have that toy in front of me now

He is officially designated a dinobird.

Also, the best example of a 3 package combiner would be Beastwars Neo Magmatron. Now that's a no brainer dino!

RAR wrote:The interesting thing about this topic is aside from multiple version of the Movie Dinobots there actually isn't that Many Dino Transformers

What? There's a ridiculous amount of dino transformers out there, nearly every line has had at least one.

Here, let me just name (I think) all of the ones found in G1:

Grimlock
Slag
Sludge
Swoop
Snarl
Trypticon
Sky Lynx
Slugfest
Overkill
Dile
Saur
Graphy
Noise
Snapdragon (despite the name)
Goryu
Doryu
Gairyu
Kakuryu
Rairyu
Yokuryu

That's 20 entirely different figures right there in G1 alone.

Emerje

Tough list to do...

There is so much good dinozords. (Sorry, I was fan of power ranger when i was kid).

I think I would have do a list of ten, this way, every one would be happy.

In your list I especialy like Transmetal Dinobot, Swoop and Scorn.

I would have add, War of Cybertron Grimlock, Dinobot Beast Wars, Strafe & Snarl (TF Age of extinction).

Besides, if you don't like feathers on dino, beware the futur. I've you seen the new look of T-rex ?



Could you imagine the futur for Grimlock ?

Despite being a lifelong dinosaur fan, I think I only have, like, 4 Dinosaur TFs -- Undermine, Grimstone, Slog, and Rav -- and they're all kinda at that novelty level, really. Slog is a Voyager Sauropod, Grimstone is a pack of B-list dinosaurs, Rav has an interesting wing transformation (and articulated feet to allow for a more natural-looking flying and standing poses), and Undermine has a neat otherworldly robot mode. Fun toys, but nothing really amazing.

Also had the G2 Dinobots and that green Pachycephalosaurus from... Beast Machines? Neither of those were that great either...

(I regret not picking up that Deluxe Scorn, even if it was impossible to find the actual Deluxe against those other versions of him. Although now there's a Voyager coming out, so maybe it was a good thing.)



I'd LOVE to see more feathered dino-bots. Provided they're designed more as "weird birds" and not "Jurassic Park dinos with some spikes glued on."

Yesssss