The Energon Pub

So, what's the most complicated transforming robot toy made to date?

Seems like a simple question, but I'm not so sure. Back in the '80s, I would have easily given the title to the large-scale Gakken Mospeada armor bike (AKA third-generation Robotech Cyclone). True, it wasn't technically a robot, but for its time it was amazingly complex.


But what robot/mecha toy is the most complex these days?

Is ROTF Leader Prime the most complex Transformer of all time?
Are there Yamato 'bots more complicated? Bandai? Max Factory?

I'd say Studio Half Eye Perfect Change Getter Robo. It is three vehicles that can transform into three different robots.

As far as the figures I own are concerned, I'd say it's Yamato's 1/60 scale VF-1 series. Watching the 1980's anime Macross/Robotech, it looks deceptively simple, but it's actually a lot of work to transform from jet to battroid without all the anime magic.

A lot of parts have to be disengaged and moved at the same time, and you have to keep an eye on using too much pressure on the tight joints due to the fragility of the plastic hinges.

The YF-21 prototype and its mass-produced incarnation the VF-22S Sturmvogel, also produced by Yamato, aren't exactly figures you can figure out how to transform without a manual, at least, not without potentially breaking something. While the cockpit folds down to form the torso just like the first-generation VF's, much of it's overall design is based on Zentraedi power armor, and it also stows its legs underneath its thruster backpack and is shielded from view with panels; all these design elements work to make it a rather complex figure to transform.

GetterDragun wrote:I'd say Studio Half Eye Perfect Change Getter Robo. It is three vehicles that can transform into three different robots.

Oh yeah - how could I have forgotten to mention Studio Halfeye? Amazing stuff..

That thing looks pretty cool.

For Transformers though, the most complex would be MP Megs or ROTF leader Prime. Not sure which is actually more complex but Megs has lots of tiny, tiny parts to move. People tend to consider him the hardest to change because they're scared of breaking him!

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:As far as the figures I own are concerned, I'd say it's Yamato's 1/60 scale VF-1 series. Watching the 1980's anime Macross/Robotech, it looks deceptively simple, but it's actually a lot of work to transform from jet to battroid without all the anime magic.

I throw in my vote for Yamato's Macross action figures too!

As far as Transformers with the most complexity in transformation, I think the MP figures are up there(except MP Grimlock though its legs are pretty neat in their transformation design). The Binaltech/Alternators as well as Alternity lines have complex transformations. The live action movie toys also have complex transformations.

Mykltron wrote:That thing looks pretty cool.

For Transformers though, the most complex would be MP Megs or ROTF leader Prime. Not sure which is actually more complex but Megs has lots of tiny, tiny parts to move. People tend to consider him the hardest to change because they're scared of breaking him!

You took the words right out of my mouth. I transformed MP 05 once just to say that I did it and haven't messed with him at all since then.

Yeah, answering this question when related to TFs basically comes down to those two. I've transformed ROTF Prime, but not MP Megatron.

mp-5 by a mile to me he is pinnacle of the transformers not the most colorful,biggest,or smallest but nonetheless a great figure.

You guys are all chickenformers! I've transformed my MP Megs loads of times. I just take the phone off the hook and cancel my appointments for the day. After, I have a glass of wine and bubblebath to unwind.

Kaijutron wrote:

GetterDragun wrote:I'd say Studio Half Eye Perfect Change Getter Robo. It is three vehicles that can transform into three different robots.

Oh yeah - how could I have forgotten to mention Studio Halfeye? Amazing stuff..

Do they actually transform? I thought they were part joining formers.

In my collection, it's gotta be Blazemaster.
I'm still unsure If I have it right.

Stormrider wrote:

Kaijutron wrote:

GetterDragun wrote:I'd say Studio Half Eye Perfect Change Getter Robo. It is three vehicles that can transform into three different robots.

Oh yeah - how could I have forgotten to mention Studio Halfeye? Amazing stuff..

Do they actually transform? I thought they were part joining formers.

Each ship transforms into the three parts. The only parts are like the fists and feet...no different than most Transformers combiners.

Not sure if Mixmaster would rank as number 1, I'm sure he would be in the top 5 or 10 list for the most complex robot toy.

It' basically MP5 Megatron then a very big gap then leader Prime. Leader prime is easy in comparison to MP Megs

Mykltron wrote:You guys are all chickenformers! I've transformed my MP Megs loads of times. I just take the phone off the hook and cancel my appointments for the day. After, I have a glass of wine and bubblebath to unwind.

I have a smoke after transforming mine...

I hate transforming MP5. I don't think he is the most complex, though. I have no problem getting the parts where they should be. I just hate trying to massage the little clips that hold the thing together. Very frustrating.

My collection is all US release G1 and current line stuff. The most complex in my collection would be ROTF Leader Prime. Lots of steps involved there.

Kaijutron wrote:So, what's the most complicated transforming robot toy made to date?

Back in the '80s, I would have easily given the title to the large-scale Gakken Mospeada armor bike (AKA third-generation Robotech Cyclone). True, it wasn't technically a robot, but for its time it was amazingly complex.

Yes, I would agree that it's very complicated. So complicated in fact, that as a child of the '80's, I broke my friends copy!

I still struggle with ROTF Leader OP. I want to pick up MP Megatron at some point.

@ Stormrider, that bruiser actually TRANSFORMS! I'm putting it on caps because I'm also shocked in disbelief. Costing around US $ 1,000, those engineers at HalfEye actually did it!A friend of mine owns one and actually showed me the item in all it's glory.All three Getter machines interchange to become the Getter 1,2 and 3.(It's made of hard PVC/ABS with some die-cast parts, it puts Bandai's SOC version to shame.........but at that price, it's more than worth it.

I'd also mention another transformable Getter Machine (whose manufacturer's name currently escapes me ) That also is similar to the one made by Half Eye but it only transforms into Getter 1(but comes in 3 Getter components :eagle,puma and bear).And made of ABS/PVC with probably die-cast frames.

Anyway back to the subject, besides MP Megs and Convoy, I also vote for THS-02, quite complex given his size and CMS' Legioss and Tread.
For pre-MP tfs, I'd go for Big Convoy and Beastwars 2 Galvatron(those two really are a pain in the @ss to transform)

I remember that Robotech cycle. My cousin in California has one of those (or had one) and I couldn't even start to transform that thing. Even nowadays the G1 Jetfire sometimes confuses me. Personally, any transformer that refuses to move when I start to transform it suddenly becomes complex. I think to myself "wtf, how do I start this thing?"

Jacob P. Galvatron wrote:In my collection, it's gotta be Blazemaster.
I'm still unsure If I have it right.

That's funny. I was just thinking about that. He is a true pain in the arse. I kind of hate that sucker, actually.

fenrir72 wrote:@ Stormrider, that bruiser actually TRANSFORMS! I'm putting it on caps because I'm also shocked in disbelief. Costing around US $ 1,000, those engineers at HalfEye actually did it!A friend of mine owns one and actually showed me the item in all it's glory.All three Getter machines interchange to become the Getter 1,2 and 3.(It's made of hard PVC/ABS with some die-cast parts, it puts Bandai's SOC version to shame.........but at that price, it's more than worth it.

I'd also mention another transformable Getter Machine (whose manufacturer's name currently escapes me ) That also is similar to the one made by Half Eye but it only transforms into Getter 1(but comes in 3 Getter components :eagle,puma and bear).And made of ABS/PVC with probably die-cast frames.

Anyway back to the subject, besides MP Megs and Convoy, I also vote for THS-02, quite complex given his size and CMS' Legioss and Tread.
For pre-MP tfs, I'd go for Big Convoy and Beastwars 2 Galvatron(those two really are a pain in the @ss to transform)

Do all Getter Dragons transform, or just the one that GetterDragun showed in his comment?

I saw a lot of Getter Dragons in Japan by Bandai but thought most of them were parts formers.

Stormrider wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:@ Stormrider, that bruiser actually TRANSFORMS! I'm putting it on caps because I'm also shocked in disbelief. Costing around US $ 1,000, those engineers at HalfEye actually did it!A friend of mine owns one and actually showed me the item in all it's glory.All three Getter machines interchange to become the Getter 1,2 and 3.(It's made of hard PVC/ABS with some die-cast parts, it puts Bandai's SOC version to shame.........but at that price, it's more than worth it.

I'd also mention another transformable Getter Machine (whose manufacturer's name currently escapes me ) That also is similar to the one made by Half Eye but it only transforms into Getter 1(but comes in 3 Getter components :eagle,puma and bear).And made of ABS/PVC with probably die-cast frames.

Anyway back to the subject, besides MP Megs and Convoy, I also vote for THS-02, quite complex given his size and CMS' Legioss and Tread.
For pre-MP tfs, I'd go for Big Convoy and Beastwars 2 Galvatron(those two really are a pain in the @ss to transform)

Do all Getter Dragons transform, or just the one that GetterDragun showed in his comment?

I saw a lot of Getter Dragons in Japan by Bandai but thought most of them were parts formers.

Not all of them. As far as I know, the Studio Half Eye is the only one where three components make the Robots. But they have two versions, the one shown above where all three ships can become all three robots and the Simple Change where all three ships become one robot (either Getter-1 or there is a Getter Dragun version).

SOC Getters are only figures and there is some company that makes a $500 Diecast 12" Getter that is non Transforming. The original Bandai/Popy Getters were just figures as well.

Edit: I left out Neo-Getter as it kind of sucked and wasn't the same kind of Robot as the real Getters.

i would have to say that rotf mixmaster was the most complex transformer for me