Top 5 Best Transformers Triplechanger Toys
Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 12:59 pmEvery 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 Transformers Triplechanger Toys
Now a toy that changes from one form to the next is pretty awesome, as you can all attest to. But what about a toy that can change into 3 different forms? Transformers Triplechangers have been around since the G1 era and still thrive today. They are extremely tricky toys to pull off and thus there are very few amazing ones out there. Below are the ones that I feel pulled it off best across different eras and though they all have flaws, they are still pretty remarkable when you think of all the designing and engineering involved. Now all I required for something to be considered a triple changer to me were 3 distinct modes with 3 distinct play patterns.
5. Energon Shockblast
As you can tell from my #5 pick, I am looking at all robots that have three different modes, not just the classically labelled triple changers. Also, it's by looking beyond those that I realized Energon Shockblast does have three distinct forms and they work pretty well. Firstly, it is a gorgeous homage to G1 Shockwave and a much better placeholder in a Classics collection than the Generations figure we eventually got. His heft and size are perfect to represent this imposing robot. His tank mode works fine with a giant cannon that is very indicative of the character. It's also a rather sleek vehicle which hints as having as much speed and maneuverability as power. However, the real standout is the satellite mode. This is a very detailed and intricate third mode that will take anyone by surprise. The tank just splits into a myriad of ends with unfolding panels that give a beautiful sci fi look. The robot mode is very solid while also being sleek and with little kibble so you wouldn't think that he has so much hidden in him and that is why him having two other distinct forms is really surprising and gets him on this list.
4. Titans Return Astrotrain
Titans Return is the reason this list which was started back in 2014 took so long. Just as I was going to publish it, in comes a line which will include several triple changers per wave. So I waited for that one triple changer which really stood out. And it never came. Nothing was earth shattering or groundbreaking, especially when it came to the leaders with base modes which were also labelled as triplechangers. The voyagers had pros and cons all across which al made them about as good from one to the next. The ones with the best robot modes had poor alt modes (Alpha Trion) while there were some toys I found really great once you ignore their plane modes (Optimus and Braodside) which totally defeats the purpose of a triple changer. The one triple changer from all of Titans Return that I did think had redeeming qualities in all three modes was Astrotrain. I love the fluidity of the Transformation which tied back to the Stormbringer design. It is super cool to see older concepts brought to life and finally given a chance (come on Transtech Depthcharge!). Definitely a step up from previous attempts at this transformation scheme. I just find it a very elegant design which gives you an excellent G1 inspired robot mode whos deco rocked no matter which version you got. Plus, while heavily criticized, I think it was pretty cool to see an armoured train concept brought to life in the Transformers brand.
3. G1 Scorponok
Kids must have had a blast with Scorponok in the 80s as he is as fun a toy now, even with everything else that has come out since. Firstly, as a scorpion, his feet move as you roll him across the floor and the pincers have strong ratchets that lets you pick up any pesky autobot. Secondly,he is extremely imposing with his gigantic stature. He was actually the largest Decepticon toy in the G1 era and you can't conceptualize his girth until you see him in front of you, especially in robot mode. He's bigger than Trypticon, and that guy would go up against Metroplex, the CITY! Finally, speaking of cities, he also has a third playset/base mode that is pulled off surprisingly well, better than many of the Return of Convoy toys which also had a base mode as a third mode (especially this guy here). There are ramps for your little cars to roll off of or onto and the middle ramps even has a pushing mechanism so that your car can be pushed off the ramp. Also, the fact that he is a headmaster give you an extra little robot to interact with the base and it's many little interactive areas (like an elevator).
2. G1 Astrotrain and G1 Blitzwing
These are the best G1 triple changers due to the very accomplished alt modes which do not clash with one another. Let's start with Astrotrain. The train is my personal favourite since it looks like an oldschool steam engine and pulls the look off elegantly, if you ignore the boosters in the back. Also, this toy's genius may not be as evident now as it was then but there are two remarkable aspects about this toy that may be forgotten. Firstly, it is the very first Transformer toy to have ball joints (for his arms), and thus extra articulation. Secondly, this toy is from 1985, just three years after the first operational flights of the space shuttle, so it was a very up to date alt mode at the time and a pretty accomplished one despite the more angular middlesection.
Blitzwing on the other hand has so much win since his two alt modes actually look more realized than Astrotrain's. They don't look odd and each of them don't seem to transform into something else aside of a robot. This is the only toy of the character where there is nothing off about the jet mode, unlike the Animated or Generations version. I especially love the simple and elegant folding mechanism that hides away the thread design for the tank. I really couldn't pick between these two and the fact that I find those alt mode combinations more accomplished than their classic updates really means something. They are both great examples of the potential for triple changers and have been so for 30 years.
1. Generations Springer and Sandstorm
What can be said that hasn't been said before. The Springer toy has been voted the best Transformers toy since the brand began back in 1984, and for good reason. All three modes work. The car is beefy while the helicopter is sleek and best of all, nothing obstructs or brings unnecessary kibble to the robot mode which is one of the sleekest designs ever found for a robot. This is undoubtedly the best articulated robot mode on this list, and he is a joy to pose. His robot mode is the best of the three since both alt modes have some flaws. However, it is the fact that all three modes are distinct while finally accomplishing a faithful interpretation of the character, especially the on spot look of Nick Roache's design, with a kickass robot mode that makes this the very best Triple Changer of all time. The Sandstorm figure takes a few more liberties from the character's roots but it all works just as well. While I am not the biggest fan of those giant wheels and how they add kibble to the robot mode, it does give him some nice bulk and I love how they both look like wheels on one side and VTOL propellers on the other. He tabs in even tighter than Springer! In short, these are both fantastic examples of a triple changer and it is a mold everyone should experience.
Honourable mentions: G1 Broadside, ha! Just messing. There is another toy I wanted to talk about but I don't know if he's a triple changer, so I will only mention him here:
Energon Tidal Wave (Shock Wave)
The reason he is an honourable metion and not on the list is because I didn't see Tidal Wave as a triple changer but instead a robot made up of smaller non transforming toys, like Magmatron or ROTF Devastator. However I realized that unlike those toys, these smaller vehicles do not combine to form a robot, they combine to form the robot's alt mode, which is a whole different ball game (of awesome). This makes this an amazing, intricate and unique Transformer with three distinct forms. Let's go through this. Firstly, there are three very different vehicles, and each of them have their own fun gimmick. The aircraft carrier is actually in scale with the actual airplane it comes with and features an elevator for the plane (which also transforms into a little robot). There is also a shuttle (well supposedly it is a troop landing craft) which has one of the cutest gimmicks ever. You open it up and you get an open area with benches for little robots (minicons) to sit. You then have a cosmic battleship with activated turrets once a minicon is plugged, triggering the action feature. These three ships then combine together to form a big warship, that strikes me more as a bigger version of the lego spaceships from the 80s (SPACESHIPS!). And then, this warship (SPACESHIPS!) formed from three seemingly non transforming vehicles actually transforms into a giant robot. It is really impressive, and totally surreal in a way, how you transform the alt mode as if it was one vehicle and not something made up of smaller vehicles. This means that you do not have to disconnect the separate vehicles to form the robot. Everything is in place for you to transform him from one mode to the next, with the combined warship mode serving as an intermediary between the robot mode and the three separate ships. So he is a triple altmode triple transformer (what would Thew call that?)
Top 5 Best Transformers Triplechanger Toys
Now a toy that changes from one form to the next is pretty awesome, as you can all attest to. But what about a toy that can change into 3 different forms? Transformers Triplechangers have been around since the G1 era and still thrive today. They are extremely tricky toys to pull off and thus there are very few amazing ones out there. Below are the ones that I feel pulled it off best across different eras and though they all have flaws, they are still pretty remarkable when you think of all the designing and engineering involved. Now all I required for something to be considered a triple changer to me were 3 distinct modes with 3 distinct play patterns.
5. Energon Shockblast
As you can tell from my #5 pick, I am looking at all robots that have three different modes, not just the classically labelled triple changers. Also, it's by looking beyond those that I realized Energon Shockblast does have three distinct forms and they work pretty well. Firstly, it is a gorgeous homage to G1 Shockwave and a much better placeholder in a Classics collection than the Generations figure we eventually got. His heft and size are perfect to represent this imposing robot. His tank mode works fine with a giant cannon that is very indicative of the character. It's also a rather sleek vehicle which hints as having as much speed and maneuverability as power. However, the real standout is the satellite mode. This is a very detailed and intricate third mode that will take anyone by surprise. The tank just splits into a myriad of ends with unfolding panels that give a beautiful sci fi look. The robot mode is very solid while also being sleek and with little kibble so you wouldn't think that he has so much hidden in him and that is why him having two other distinct forms is really surprising and gets him on this list.
4. Titans Return Astrotrain
Titans Return is the reason this list which was started back in 2014 took so long. Just as I was going to publish it, in comes a line which will include several triple changers per wave. So I waited for that one triple changer which really stood out. And it never came. Nothing was earth shattering or groundbreaking, especially when it came to the leaders with base modes which were also labelled as triplechangers. The voyagers had pros and cons all across which al made them about as good from one to the next. The ones with the best robot modes had poor alt modes (Alpha Trion) while there were some toys I found really great once you ignore their plane modes (Optimus and Braodside) which totally defeats the purpose of a triple changer. The one triple changer from all of Titans Return that I did think had redeeming qualities in all three modes was Astrotrain. I love the fluidity of the Transformation which tied back to the Stormbringer design. It is super cool to see older concepts brought to life and finally given a chance (come on Transtech Depthcharge!). Definitely a step up from previous attempts at this transformation scheme. I just find it a very elegant design which gives you an excellent G1 inspired robot mode whos deco rocked no matter which version you got. Plus, while heavily criticized, I think it was pretty cool to see an armoured train concept brought to life in the Transformers brand.
3. G1 Scorponok
Kids must have had a blast with Scorponok in the 80s as he is as fun a toy now, even with everything else that has come out since. Firstly, as a scorpion, his feet move as you roll him across the floor and the pincers have strong ratchets that lets you pick up any pesky autobot. Secondly,he is extremely imposing with his gigantic stature. He was actually the largest Decepticon toy in the G1 era and you can't conceptualize his girth until you see him in front of you, especially in robot mode. He's bigger than Trypticon, and that guy would go up against Metroplex, the CITY! Finally, speaking of cities, he also has a third playset/base mode that is pulled off surprisingly well, better than many of the Return of Convoy toys which also had a base mode as a third mode (especially this guy here). There are ramps for your little cars to roll off of or onto and the middle ramps even has a pushing mechanism so that your car can be pushed off the ramp. Also, the fact that he is a headmaster give you an extra little robot to interact with the base and it's many little interactive areas (like an elevator).
2. G1 Astrotrain and G1 Blitzwing
These are the best G1 triple changers due to the very accomplished alt modes which do not clash with one another. Let's start with Astrotrain. The train is my personal favourite since it looks like an oldschool steam engine and pulls the look off elegantly, if you ignore the boosters in the back. Also, this toy's genius may not be as evident now as it was then but there are two remarkable aspects about this toy that may be forgotten. Firstly, it is the very first Transformer toy to have ball joints (for his arms), and thus extra articulation. Secondly, this toy is from 1985, just three years after the first operational flights of the space shuttle, so it was a very up to date alt mode at the time and a pretty accomplished one despite the more angular middlesection.
Blitzwing on the other hand has so much win since his two alt modes actually look more realized than Astrotrain's. They don't look odd and each of them don't seem to transform into something else aside of a robot. This is the only toy of the character where there is nothing off about the jet mode, unlike the Animated or Generations version. I especially love the simple and elegant folding mechanism that hides away the thread design for the tank. I really couldn't pick between these two and the fact that I find those alt mode combinations more accomplished than their classic updates really means something. They are both great examples of the potential for triple changers and have been so for 30 years.
1. Generations Springer and Sandstorm
What can be said that hasn't been said before. The Springer toy has been voted the best Transformers toy since the brand began back in 1984, and for good reason. All three modes work. The car is beefy while the helicopter is sleek and best of all, nothing obstructs or brings unnecessary kibble to the robot mode which is one of the sleekest designs ever found for a robot. This is undoubtedly the best articulated robot mode on this list, and he is a joy to pose. His robot mode is the best of the three since both alt modes have some flaws. However, it is the fact that all three modes are distinct while finally accomplishing a faithful interpretation of the character, especially the on spot look of Nick Roache's design, with a kickass robot mode that makes this the very best Triple Changer of all time. The Sandstorm figure takes a few more liberties from the character's roots but it all works just as well. While I am not the biggest fan of those giant wheels and how they add kibble to the robot mode, it does give him some nice bulk and I love how they both look like wheels on one side and VTOL propellers on the other. He tabs in even tighter than Springer! In short, these are both fantastic examples of a triple changer and it is a mold everyone should experience.
Honourable mentions: G1 Broadside, ha! Just messing. There is another toy I wanted to talk about but I don't know if he's a triple changer, so I will only mention him here:
Energon Tidal Wave (Shock Wave)
The reason he is an honourable metion and not on the list is because I didn't see Tidal Wave as a triple changer but instead a robot made up of smaller non transforming toys, like Magmatron or ROTF Devastator. However I realized that unlike those toys, these smaller vehicles do not combine to form a robot, they combine to form the robot's alt mode, which is a whole different ball game (of awesome). This makes this an amazing, intricate and unique Transformer with three distinct forms. Let's go through this. Firstly, there are three very different vehicles, and each of them have their own fun gimmick. The aircraft carrier is actually in scale with the actual airplane it comes with and features an elevator for the plane (which also transforms into a little robot). There is also a shuttle (well supposedly it is a troop landing craft) which has one of the cutest gimmicks ever. You open it up and you get an open area with benches for little robots (minicons) to sit. You then have a cosmic battleship with activated turrets once a minicon is plugged, triggering the action feature. These three ships then combine together to form a big warship, that strikes me more as a bigger version of the lego spaceships from the 80s (SPACESHIPS!). And then, this warship (SPACESHIPS!) formed from three seemingly non transforming vehicles actually transforms into a giant robot. It is really impressive, and totally surreal in a way, how you transform the alt mode as if it was one vehicle and not something made up of smaller vehicles. This means that you do not have to disconnect the separate vehicles to form the robot. Everything is in place for you to transform him from one mode to the next, with the combined warship mode serving as an intermediary between the robot mode and the three separate ships. So he is a triple altmode triple transformer (what would Thew call that?)
Starting off the list with Shockwave doing I'm a Little Teapot.
.
). I personally love the satellite mode, and whilst the big electronic cannon arm is awkward, it sure looks cool. It'd be less of a pain where it not for that worthless waist.
on this list. Yes his satellite mode is pretty cool, but the tank just looks like the robot lying on his side. 
should been on this list, if you look at the vehicle mode you would never think it could change into that hawk (it is a hawk right 
), yes I know it is his "Decepticon" mode, but it still is not a robot mode. 
.........just kidding. 
from G2 on the list, sure maybe his tank mode is not the best, but he is one AWESOMELY RAD figure, and one of my all time favorites.
