The Energon Pub

In a TF toy(most probably applicable with later iterations 'cause technically I'm a G1 focused collector with the exceptions of Shockwave,Trypticon,OS and Skylynx)which would you prefer, a TF figure with electronic features or one without?

In the case of the figures I mentioned:

1. Shockwave, he transforms into a sci-fi gun, the "sound effect" gimmick really fits him to a tee

2. Trypticon? Well for all intents and purposes, he's a mechanized Godzilla

3. Omega Supreme, a walking tank and "train set" type feature

4. Skylynx? Another Godzilla wannabee

But as a whole, their gimmicks really do fit them, but recent releases, well imho, were hit and misses. iPod Soundwave exempted(but of course)

Well, what do you think fellow collectors?

I don't mind electronics that don't result in a brickish, badly-proportioned figure. Movie/ROTF Ultimate Bumblebee has a huge central "core" because of all his electronic gimmicks. DOTM Leader Bee got it right- all the gadgets are in his backpack, removeable.

Leader Starscream is a good example- the lights in the chest and eyes are great. The sounds are good to except for his crappy voice. Therefore, all electronic features should have an OFF switch for each type- one switch for lights, one for sounds. In addition, the lights should have a setting for a timed cycle- they'll stay on, say, 3 minutes, then turn off automatically.

The only thing that gets me about electronics in tf is transforming them and the constant repeating.

I like voice effects when it's the original voice actor (like Cullen as Prime), but, for the most part, they get annoying. Stupid Armada Jetfire's gun goes off every time I need to sort through my closet for something.

Oh, and Transformers that make the "transforming sound" also get a pass. Because that's still awesome.

Solar-powered electronics, so we don't have to worry about batteries.

I could do without them. Only in rare occasions are they necessary, and rarely do I keep the batteries in.

Except for Car Robots Fire Convoy, since he yells at me in Japanese!

Skip them. They're usually more annoying than entertaining. And even when they're not annoying, they potentially hindered the figure being even better because they were forced to make room for the electronics. Not to mention I usually just take the batteries out so even if it was a cool effect, I'm not experiencing it anyhow.

Marcdachamp wrote: Oh, and Transformers that make the "transforming sound" also get a pass. Because that's still awesome.

--B-- wrote:I could do without them. Only in rare occasions are they necessary, and rarely do I keep the batteries in.

Except for Car Robots Fire Convoy, since he yells at me in Japanese!

I could care less for electro gimiks, BUT I do gotta admit that my Fire Convoy shouting "TRANSFORM" is kinda cool. And who in their right mind can argue with the classic transformation sound? Credit where credit is due, G1...'nuff said!

Yah. Ultra Magnus Micron Legend's transform sounds one of the best gimmicks hand's down.

Iirc, Superpants Optimus had a running change in his left arm because of the electronic gimmick. In this case, the electronics did affect its design

Landmine(mine was the Japanese version) had his back pack S.E. components gutted (backpacks make a good exception so it didn't really affect the design only the cost......so in the Japanese market it could have cost more)

Fatimus Prime (the Japanese version) also had the S.E. removed

Black Convoy and G2 Megastrom had the S.E. gutted too.

And God Convoy of Car Robots is a walking ( okay standing), talking hunk of awesomeness. The USA version was less stable than the Japanese version (50%/50% on the S.E. 'cause he could have and not have used it)

I'd gladly skip the electronics. Most of the time figures are hindered by them. Most are annoying. Anything to do with noise is a point against the figure in my book. I AM a fan of appropriate colored LED lights in appropriate places though. MP Prime's light up matrix chamber and MP Grimlock's light up sword/gun gimmick are examples of how it can be done right and contribute to the awesomeness of a figure.

I could do without electronics in my Transformers.

I prefer my TF's to be quiet, and slimmer.

Electronics tend to annoy me. The battery compartment takes up space that could have been used for a more effective transformation and adds weight. The sounds are often annoying and set off way too easily.

The only time electronics on a TF have impressed me since I was nine is RiD Optimus Prime / Ultra Magnus / Omega Prime because of the way combining them brings out new sounds.

No electronics. Unless they are in the weapon only. Otherwise, I feel they get in the way of the transformation.

'I am Optimus Prime'
'I am Optimus Prime'
'I am Optimus Prime'
'I am Optimus Prime'
'I am Optimus Prime'
'I am Optimus Prime'
'I am Optimus Prime'
'I am Optimus Prime'
'I am Optimus Prime'
'I am Optimus Prime'
'I am Optimus Prime'
'I am Optimus Prime'
'I am Optimus Prime'
'I am Optimus Prime'


Lights and sounds are mostly horrible.

I always prefer not to have electronics. They can be annoying, can interfere with features like articulation, and could raise the price (or at least mean fewer paint apps, or other cost-cutting measures like that). I never liked them much, even as a kid.

I think it depends on the figure. I like them for the most part when they are well done. As was said Energon Magnus / Armada Overload's Transformation sound is priceless.

R.I.D Prime is fantastic as is Magnus from that same line.

Animated Megatron's Voice clips are pretty good and non intrusive.

The worst sound gimmick has to be Energon/Cybertron Scorponok. That Tail, that annoying and irritating tail. Every time you so much as look at it it sets off the mechanical whirring sounds. And when you are transforming him that happens 3every time you move anything even just him.

Needless to say, he got his batteries removed very very soon after purchase.

i prefer to have no electronics. they take up loads of space inside the figure, which nowadays usually means some simplified transformation of the torso. and the voice things are usualy annoying and limited (compared to Kaizoku Sentai Gokaigers' Mobirates toy, which houses at least 40 different sound-effects)
i do, however, NOT mind simple electronics like a LED and a button-cell battery. such as the one in MP Grimlock's arm.
it adds to the figure and doesn't get in the way