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Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by your fellow editor or a guest writer. These are our opinions 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 RID 2001 Toys


I feel the most underrated lines in Transformers history share the same name: Robots in Disguise. We already spoke about toys from the most recent use of that name so now we will talk about the original RID line. This line is very odd when you look at it since it was the return of G1 characters in a Transformers show with robots changing into cars. But there was also a holdover from Beast Wars with beast based characters among the bad guy ranks. One of the more famous characters from that line, Sky Byte, was a reuse of the previously released Beast Wars toy Cybershark but with a new colour scheme and identity. The line went even further back than Beast Wars for its toys, like the G2 line. Speaking of which the first entry on this list is...

5. Transformers Robots In Disguise Scourge (Black Convoy)

Robots in Disguise was a mishmash of the old and the new and Scourge is the best example of that. He is a redeco of G2 Laser Optimus Prime from a decade prior brought as a new character. Funny enough, due to the character's fan base, this deco is even more popular than the original Optimus Prime release and from here on out that black, red and teal became the defacto redeco of EVERY OPTIMUS PRIME TOY (I exaggerate, but just a bit). Also, people forget, but this was a Toysrus exclusive, making him one of the best within that category too.






4. Transformers Air Attack Optimus Primal (Beast Convoy)

Yes, the best Beast Machines Optimus Primal didn't come out in Beast Machines. This toy came once all was said and done and that toy designers could finally work off the final designs from that show and was released in the Robots in Disguise line. They even wrote that he was a time traveler in his bio just so that this random entry in the line would make some sense in the fiction of it all (at least they tried). And I am glad they went for it, because as I wrote, this is the best Optimus Primal with the Beast Machines design. He looks like in the show and was even voiced by Gary Chalk (first Transformers voice actor clip in a toy ever). That transformation was also really since even though the arms are the same parts for the robot and beast mode, they find a way to alter their look and make them show accurate. That's pretty nuts given the fact that they how he got from one mode to the next in the show was through morphing rather than traditional transforming (reorienting parts).








3. Transformers Robots In Disguise Optimus Prime (Fire Convoy)

It was Robots in Disguise that brought back Optimus Prime as the main hero of the Transformers franchise and he had quite the toy to represent his return. This was a Japanese design so it gave westerners something rather new with the idea of building upon a base figure over and over to create bigger and bigger super modes. It brought upon a whole new level of complexity too. I think my preferred mode though is the standard super mode (Super Fire Convoy) before he becomes a literal god. I find it's the best proportioned and still really imposing. The playability with this guy was through the roof with the extending functional firetruck ladder that was fully loaded with missiles and pop out guns.










2. Transformers Robots In Disguise Rail Racer (JRX)

This is one of the best combiners of all time and one of the most original. It's really impressive how he goes from three bullet trains that look like model trains (no visible robot kibble) which can turn into three individual robots and then also combine into one big robot. And that big robot looks rather uniform for a combiner and it had a great headsculpt. he's just a toy you have to experience to see the genius that went into him.


Transformers Robots In Disguise Midnight Express (J-4) Gallery






1. Transformers Robots In Disguise Megatron (Gigatron)

To be honest, all the robots on this list are rather close in ranking. Any of them could have been number one (well, maybe except Scourge if I am prioritizing original molds for the line). But I picked this one just due to the sheer ambition of it. He has 10 modes. 10 MODES!!!! And while some are forgettable (elephant?) I really like how several modes look rather unique and bring out different aspects of the toy. There's the two headed dragon, the main robot mode, a griffon, the jet, the bat and, my personal favourite, the giant hand. there are these seemingly decorative disks on his wings that become wheels for a car mode. Granted, it's not show accurate but it doesn't take away from the other good modes this guy has. And he looks so majestic and regal in this jeweled version of the decepticon colour scheme.












Honourable Mentions: The new autobot brothers Side Burn, Prowl, and X Brawn

RID is known for bringing back the the robot cars in a big way (it is called Car Robots in Japan after all) so I wanted to mention the new take on the concept of car bots this line brought. The cars were realistic, like in G1 but the transformations were very different. The car kibble was asymmetric in robot mode with a lot of new robot mode detail, like in the chest area which used to be a prominent piece of the car instead. I always like new concepts so these definitely gold a nice place in the legacy of cars transforming into robots.


Transformers Robots In Disguise X-Brawn (Wildride) Gallery


Transformers Robots In Disguise Prowl (Mach Alert) Gallery

Hard to argue with this list, however I would place the bullet trains higher and replace Air Attack Primal with Ruination, simply for the awesome deco.

Another great list Will! Can't fault it at all. I wish I could get my hands on a rail racer but his ebay prices are a bit much for my poor budget. RiD Optimus though is a fantastic toy and looks great against his rival.

Lastly, is that Optimus Primal playing air guitar in that last picture?

Can't fault this list at all and Gigatron is simply sublime. I always wished His had been the design for Beast Wars Megatron with the merger of G1 Megs' spark, instead of the nonsensical Dragon. Which coincidentally, someone at Botcon made the same conclusion via a rare and extensive redeco...



Any one of these altmodes could have been utilised for the show itself, of course, as he didn't need to be a multiformer.

Fantastic list. I ate up this toyline with gusto, and am saddened at having to sell off my entire Autobot crew. Currently doing the same with the cons. Gotta admit, though... I'm seriously considering keeping both Scourge and Megatron, as they are just beautiful.

Optimutt wrote:I'm seriously considering keeping both Scourge and Megatron, as they are just beautiful.

I had done the same thing, and coincidentally, those are the 2 I kept, for sentimental reasons.

Good timing. I just happened to unpack and set up the RID figures yesterday.

Hands down for me, Optimus Prime is the best. A lot of people hate parts forming, but it works perfectly in his case.

Definitely like the line up in general. While I am far from having the entire line, what I do have is pictured. The only one not in the photo is my RID Scourge. I had him on another shelf.

SGM

The Robots in Disguise 2001 line is very collectible, not just because of its size, but the line-up being mostly redecos of older toys of various groups with various gimmicks, often with better decos than the originals (looking at you, Wind Sheer & Skyfire). The creativity with the characters should also be commended.

One thing to note with the Gigatron mold, and something that I haven't seen anywhere:


Transformers Robots In Disguise Megatron (Gigatron) Gallery



Transformers Robots In Disguise Galvatron (Devil Gigatron) Gallery

Note the position of the ring holding the tail: it's on wrong on the Galvatron specimen, and it was wrong on my RiD Megatron one. In the CR Gigatron one, that position allows the tail to slide all the way to the correct spot for the thumb, while allowing it to stop in the center for all other modes.

I love the RID01/CR cartoon and toyline.

Kept all the show characters and really hope one day Hasbro or a 3rd party will redo/modernize the spychangers (&Skidz and Towline) as most of the other toys are fine as they are.

RID was just a little bit before my time, collecting wise, but the legacy the designs left is cool to see even today with siege. I kinda wish the asymmetric design would cross back over from RID and the movie toys, it really breaks up nicely

Man, I've never understood why people like that air attack primal. Just doesn't make sense to me. Ah, well....


My list tosses out Primal and Megatron. Moves Super Fire Convoy (god, I love that Japanese name) to the number one spot. Then I fit Ultra Magnus in at four, and the Autobot brothers in for a 3 way tie at number 3.

I always loved Rail Racer. It's a really awesome combiner.

The Megatron figure was also really cool. I think it should've been retooled into Deathsaurus at some point.

BATTLEMASTER IIC wrote:I always loved Rail Racer. It's a really awesome combiner.

The Megatron figure was also really cool. I think it should've been retooled into Deathsaurus at some point.

It has been back in 2005 for BotCon, but only the head was changed:



Simple color switch otherwise, but the bat snout was removed in order for the head to fit.

Yeah, Primal may have been sold in RID packaging, but I wouldn't really consider him an RID figure, just a leftover.

My list goes like this:

Honorable mention: Landfill - Easily one of the most atypical combiners ever made with four figures combining to create a giant robot with three different configurations. A little awkward to play with but still a fun.

5: Scourge - Not the first time we'd get a black repaint of Optimus/Convoy, but certainly the most iconic and the one that future Black Convoys and Nemesis Primes would be based on for years to come. Not just the figure itself, but also birthed the trademark red sword. The mold itself is a fantastic one ahead of its time when first released in 1995 that still holds up reasonably well today.

4: Ultra Magnus - Once you get past the legs he's a fantastic figure with a lot to like. He's huge, has articulated hands, appropriate use of chrome (why did chrome eyes stop being a thing with RID?), a neat weapon, and probably the best car carrier mode we'll ever see unless they decide to make an MP.

3: Rail Racer - The best 3 member combiner ever and we've had a few of them by now. He has the type of combined mode that doesn't look like a combiner, he looks like a cohesive single figure that turns into one big train, not three of them!

2: Megatron - Not much to add that hasn't already been said. Easily one of the face sculpts in any transformers lines. For an authentic Megatron feel try pegging his swords to his forearms since they do double as guns in some modes.

1: Optimus Prime - One of my most favorite Transformers EVER! I have this guy FIVE times over now (three originals, one yellow and one Encore). Just an amazing figure with tons of play value between firetruck mode, bot mode, base mode, battle mode, and super mode. Then you add Ultra Magnus to the mix and it's one of the most beautiful things ever created.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:
5: Scourge - Not the first time we'd get a black repaint of Optimus/Convoy, but certainly the most iconic and the one that future Black Convoys and Nemesis Primes would be based on for years to come. Not just the figure itself, but also birthed the trademark red sword. The mold itself is a fantastic one ahead of its time when first released in 1995 that still holds up reasonably well today.

Really? What was the first black Optimus before this?

Primal doesn't count as it isn't a recolor. But Nucleon Quest Convoy didn't come out until 2001, while Scourge (the original Japanese version, at least) came out in 2000. True this Scourge officially came out in 2002, but what other black prime was there?

Optimutt wrote:

Emerje wrote:
5: Scourge - Not the first time we'd get a black repaint of Optimus/Convoy, but certainly the most iconic and the one that future Black Convoys and Nemesis Primes would be based on for years to come. Not just the figure itself, but also birthed the trademark red sword. The mold itself is a fantastic one ahead of its time when first released in 1995 that still holds up reasonably well today.

Really? What was the first black Optimus before this?

Primal doesn't count as it isn't a recolor. But Nucleon Quest Convoy didn't come out until 2001, while Scourge (the original Japanese version, at least) came out in 2000. True this Scourge officially came out in 2002, but what other black prime was there?

Black Lio Convoy from Beast Wars II.

Black Convoy reuses the color palette plus an adapted copy back story. Coincidentally RiD Scourge was a Toys 'R Us exclusive like him.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Optimutt wrote:

Emerje wrote:
5: Scourge - Not the first time we'd get a black repaint of Optimus/Convoy, but certainly the most iconic and the one that future Black Convoys and Nemesis Primes would be based on for years to come. Not just the figure itself, but also birthed the trademark red sword. The mold itself is a fantastic one ahead of its time when first released in 1995 that still holds up reasonably well today.

Really? What was the first black Optimus before this?

Primal doesn't count as it isn't a recolor. But Nucleon Quest Convoy didn't come out until 2001, while Scourge (the original Japanese version, at least) came out in 2000. True this Scourge officially came out in 2002, but what other black prime was there?

Black Lio Convoy from Beast Wars II.

Black Convoy reuses the color palette plus an adapted copy back story. Coincidentally RiD Scourge was a Toys 'R Us exclusive like him.

Pretty sure Optimutt was referring to trucks.

Also thanks for all the kind words people!

Huh. Would you look at that. A full 2 years before Black Convoy appeared in Car Robots.

What a great color palette. I'm a huge fan of it. The teal highlights add so much to the silver, red, and black.

I love the line. The short time that I had them all was sublime. It was - and probably will be - the only time I had an entire run of a line that was complete. It felt really cool, and the toys in it are such great toys. You honestly can't go wrong with RiD/Car Robots. Even Skybyte was his own awesome.

It just occurred to me, it's interesting that of the Autobot brothers Prowl, who in the show is depicted as the most dedicated to the rules and order, is the least asymmetrical?

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

BATTLEMASTER IIC wrote:I always loved Rail Racer. It's a really awesome combiner.

The Megatron figure was also really cool. I think it should've been retooled into Deathsaurus at some point.

It has been back in 2005 for BotCon, but only the head was changed:



Simple color switch otherwise, but the bat snout was removed in order for the head to fit.

Yes this was another one of those figures I considered hunting down the redecos. But after palette swap Galvatron, they go from ridiculously expensive (BW Megs) to insanely rare and expensive (Deathsaurus)

It's good to see Megatron/Gigatron assume his rightful place as the #1 spot. He might be one of my favourite transforming toys ever.

Anyway, superb list as always! RID2001 was my first TF toyline (though I've still yet to watch the anime) so I have a huge amount of nostalgia for it.

I'd be tempted to remove Primal, however, and replace him with Sky-Byte. An already cool mold with one of the best and most detailed paintjobs in TF history. But that's just me.

Optimutt wrote:Huh. Would you look at that. A full 2 years before Black Convoy appeared in Car Robots.

What a great color palette. I'm a huge fan of it. The teal highlights add so much to the silver, red, and black.

I love the line. The short time that I had them all was sublime. It was - and probably will be - the only time I had an entire run of a line that was complete. It felt really cool, and the toys in it are such great toys. You honestly can't go wrong with RiD/Car Robots. Even Skybyte was his own awesome.

Yeah it's mad one.

bad guy Optimus Primes aren't anything new there been loads

Optimus Prime Clone (1985) - 'A Prime Problem'
Gilthor (1987) a blend of both megatron and OP
False Convoy (1991)
Black Lio Convoy (1998) 1st toy
Black Big Convoy (1999)
Black Convoy/Scourge (2000/2001) - first black 'Optimus Prime' and completely original character not a clone, copy etc. love the design and the character shame about hi last arc in the show though

william-james88 wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Optimutt wrote:

Emerje wrote:
5: Scourge - Not the first time we'd get a black repaint of Optimus/Convoy, but certainly the most iconic and the one that future Black Convoys and Nemesis Primes would be based on for years to come. Not just the figure itself, but also birthed the trademark red sword. The mold itself is a fantastic one ahead of its time when first released in 1995 that still holds up reasonably well today.

Really? What was the first black Optimus before this?

Primal doesn't count as it isn't a recolor. But Nucleon Quest Convoy didn't come out until 2001, while Scourge (the original Japanese version, at least) came out in 2000. True this Scourge officially came out in 2002, but what other black prime was there?

Black Lio Convoy from Beast Wars II.

Black Convoy reuses the color palette plus an adapted copy back story. Coincidentally RiD Scourge was a Toys 'R Us exclusive like him.

Pretty sure Optimutt was referring to trucks.

I was thinking JAF-CON Black Convoy was first, but it turns out after a lot of searching that both that figure and "Scourge" were released in July 2000. I also thought Nucleon Quest Super Convoy (Super Ginrai repaint) was that year, but he was 2001.

Emerje

I dunno about Megs as #1. Lots of Nodes but bot many of them fell complete or practical. (Hand? Really?) I almost regret selling my Deathsaurus but ultimately, other than a GORGEOUS Color scheme I would still rather have a g1 style figure.

For me though, ai would drop Air Attack Primal and slide in Landfill for its unique Transformation style. Especially the Walmart four pack in the Caterpillar Colors. If anything, I would give Cyrotek a second Honorable Mention. I remeber seeing that figure in a Target and didbt know then what I was looking at or how Rare it would have been.