The Energon Pub

[WasPWNator]

I was born in 1988, one year after G1 first came out and a few years before G2. A a result, I was completely unaware of either of them. I remember knowing about Beast Wars, and being interested, though not a massive fan of it, between the ages of 7 and 10 (when the toys were availalbe) and at 13 I know I saw a few episodes of Armada and thought it was cool. However, there really wasn't a line of transformers that I grew up with.

I only got into TFs in 2006, when I bought some Cybertron toys.I really liked those figures, but typically, I only got into them just as they were going out. Though I know it isn't really important, it's always annoyed me that I don't really have a specific line of TFs that I want to collect for any nostalgic or loyalty reasons, and it's meant that I've only bought the odd toy from whichever line was available at the time. While this isn't a bad thing, I would really like to try and find some kind of focus for my collection.

I'm not asking for advice, I'm just curious to know which of you guys collect a specific line for nostalgic reasons because it was the one you grew up with, or just one you liked the most after researching, or if, like me, you don't really stick to any one series.

[AlienQuiksilver]

I was 6 when the G1 stuff started up. I only own Soundwave (the TRU reissue) that goes with the classics line. I loved EVERYTHING about the cartoon. I was nuts about it.

With that said, all of the toys I owned as a child are gone .. given away over 15 years ago.

I don't have the slightest interest in getting any G1 figs, even now that I have the bank roll to do it. I just am not interested in bricks with simple transformations. Okay, there are exceptions to every rule ... so don't take that as a blanket statement.

I have (what I think are) the best figures from the Masterpiece, RiD, Cybertron, Energon, Universe, Movie, Alts, BTA, KP and Binaltech lines.

I'm always on the lookout for something cool. If I like the way it looks, I buy. If i don't like ... i'll trade/sell it to get something else.

quite an addiction I have going here ...

[Counterpunch]

I think this is a very good topic.

I collect a lot of everything. Recently I decided to give up pursuing Beast Wars & Beast Machines. I realized that I simply to not enjoy the toys.

That being said. I collect G1 slowly. Each piece added in is a sweet little victory. I don't feel any rush to find the things. They'll be around. If I never finish the line, that's fine. I'm along for the ride.

Here's my bend in collecting. Armada, Energon, Cybertron, & Classics when looked at as a whole, present a more unified, better made and more diverse take on the whole Transformers Universe. I want the whole thing. All of them.

I remember when I got back into Transformers and began to research the rare and weird G1 Japanese stuff, I was amazed. I look at the AECC lines and wonder in 10 or 15 years what the rare/weird repaint is going to end up being. What figure are folks going to clamor for and not be able to find because everyone passed up on "yet another stupid repaint". I like that these lines are SO big, so diverse, and to some extent, kind of weird.

I am foregoing buying into Animated in order to pursue rare Armada stuff. I think I got more comfortable collecting when I was able to draw that line out.

[Electron]

I have to say i was also born in the year of 1988, but for sum reason most of my stuff is G1 and G2 based, and thats all i have realy liked.

Didnt take a shining to Beastwars most probably because it was on chanel 5 at the time and i had realy bad reception, so just couldnt be arsed.

The other continuitys after beastwars i kinda watched but didnt by any figures, until the recent movie came out, and i have started collecting more G1 stuff, Alternators/binaltech and the classics line.

Tbh it helps being in uni and having a loan/grant

[Tekka]

I grew up with a massive collection of G1 toys, which were taken from me unfairly by my mother. Ordinarily one would think if I wanted to start collecting again I'd want all that I once had back in one form or another. But even though I grew up with them, the G1 nostalgia isn't enough to make me want to rebuild that collection. Simply because the toys really aren't all that good. All I've done since then is collect one Skywarp toy from each line he's been in.

Now though my interest in making a larger overall collection has been rekindled by Classics, and I adore this line. All the characters really look great and they pose really well.

I do intend to get at least one of every mould in this line and that will probably be my staple collection for some time. I don't however want Megatron, even in his Takara colours. I just don't like him. =/

I really look forward to continuing my new collection with the Universe line though. Octane has me practically salivating with anticipation.

[Mandamus]

I tend to collect characters I like moreso than individual lines.

I still have a bunch of G1 stuff from when I was a kid but all of it is in "played with" condition. As others have said, I'm in no rush to add to that collection or even replace the figures in bad shape.

When I buy a G1 figure, I get reissues since the value isn't important to me. So far I've only bought reissues of stuff I didn't have as a kid, such as Megatron and Hot Rod.

I don't think I'll ever want to collect a whole line of figures because there will always be ones I don't like.

[Aerrow]

I was born in 1988, one year after G1 first came out and a few years before G2.

G1 started in 1984, not 87 (of course that may depend on were you live).

I don't think I have more loyalty for one series of TF over another. For me I just like to buy what I like to buy. Take the movie toys for instance. I got most of the characters from the actually movie but have, thus far, passed on any re-paint or non-movie character. I have pretty much done that for all the TF series, with minor exceptions.

This also applies to any of the other toys lines I collect.


-Aerrow

[Bonger]

I was 6 when G1 came out. However, I lived overseas, where episodes were hard to find at video stores and toys, even harder. Making it more impossible is that they were crazy inflated, so I only got them for really really special occasions.

When I was 10, my parents bought me my prize possesion, a Powermaster Prime. Afew weeks later, someone is school asked to borrow it and gave me a couple of Stunticons to borrow in return. The next week I returned his and his parents promptly transferred him to another school. I was heartbroken and never bought another TF again.

In college I discovered TF shows for download online. I spent days downloading and finally got to watch most of G1 and was stoked.

Then, a couple of years ago, I saw A MP Prime, and all of a sudden I needed to get all they toys I wanted but never had as a kid.

I collect G1, and all the Ehobby, exclusive stuff that goes with. Naturally, as a result I collect the lines that pay homage to G1 like the Classics, Alternaters, Revoltechs, etc.

That is my story. One day maybe I will have bought enough to have satisfied every childish dream.

That day is not here yet.

[zanos]

I always watched the G1 episodes when I was a kid but I didn't start collecting until Beast Wars. So for a while most of my collection was Beast Wars and Beast Machines figures. Then one day I decided to start looking into the G1 line and I slowly began going after the figures of my favorite characters from the show.

Since then I usually just buy the figures that I like instead of trying to complete an entire line. So I have a little bit of each series in my collection.

[Redimus]

I only got into TFs in 2006, when I bought some Cybertron toys.I really liked those figures.

I dont think you can go wrong with centering on the Cybertron line, to my mind (and remeber I started very much as a 'Geewun'er) there has never been a line quite as awesome as Cybertron/Galaxy Force.

I think this is a very good topic.

Seconded.

I collect G1 slowly. Each piece added in is a sweet little victory. I don't feel any rush to find the things. They'll be around. If I never finish the line, that's fine. I'm along for the ride.

That's pretty much my direction for G1, when I first started collecting, I want everything I could lay my hands on that was G1 or G1 inspired (Alt/BT/MP/20th/WSTF at the time). The it began to quickly dawn on me that 1) this was a very expensive plan, and 2) I was missing some truely awesome tfs doing this. So eventully I capitulated (I blame one of the Universe repaints of RiD Prowl!) and got a bit from RiD, a bit from BW/BM (not that i really like those two toy lines at all) a bit from universe and a bit from armada and energon (though both limes were very hit n miss). Then Cybertron came.

I liked Cybertron so much I have a larger collection of that than I do of any other series (I think Im somewhere i nthe reagon of 70 or 80 Cyb/GF figures now). (Of course it helps that it was the first line that started *after* I had begun collecting.)

Since then, well classics were nice, but a bit limited and not as good as cyb, titainium is VERY hit n miss, and frankly wont be missed by me, seeing as it's painfully expensive to get hold of in the UK, and the tfs desperatly need to NOT be made if metal, I got a fair few of the movie line, but only cuase that was what was there, I have no love for the movie line at all.

And animated? Boy I cant wait for animated (and classics V2).

[toxicity]

At first, I wasn't really interested in transformers. Then I watched armada...and although I didn't find them to be the best looking, the show was entertaining. Then came cybertron, which really was fun to watch every now and then. I really liked how Jetfire looked, but he was rare and expensive, so I got the next best thing, sky shadow, along with cryo scourge. I think this was about a year ago. I figured "I have action figures, but no transformers. There's ar eason why they're popular, right? And sky shadow and cryo scourge look pretty neat" That's when I found out anything about deluxe class isn't really for me. I guess I'm used to 6" action figures.

So i had those two for a while. Then, after the movie came out, is when I got into it. From then I've purchased a select few figures that I really like, such as tit scourge, cyb sideways, gf soundwave, and RID scourge. In terms of line loyalty...I think I have really come to like the classics line. With every figure I get I find myself even more impressed with the line. I am seriously considering getting two sets of all the new molds of classics 2.0, but we'll see how that turns out. Right now I am hooked to classics though. So I guess my answer is...research was what led me to into the classics. First came the pictures, then reivews, and now purchases.

Now if only i had the money to get into alternators...

[Downshift7]

I was born in 1976 and had several G1 and G2 TF's. As of recent though- I find the Cybertron line to be of the utmost quality. I own almost the entire collection. The Alternators and Binaltech lines are very nice and extremly collectable. The new Movie line seems to be exceptional as well including the Allspark figures. I find the Classic line is a nice collection to have as well. Whatever the case I personally am selective and choose to spend my cash on TF's worth having. I do not limit my-self to any-one collection, though I do want to have some complete collections, I still enjoy any TF that intrests me.

[devil prime]

i really just buy whats out

[WasPWNator]

I was born in 1988, one year after G1 first came out and a few years before G2.

G1 started in 1984, not 87 (of course that may depend on were you live).

You're absolutely right. I just looked over this topic again before I read your reply and noticed that error.

Thanks for the kudos on the topic, it's been really interesting reading you guys' stories; I hope people continue to post here. Reading this has also really made me remember what it is I liked so much about Cybertron, and I think I may turn my attention to that for a while, at least until Animated shows up. I'm always keen on toy quality- durability and that solid feel that all toy should have. Cybertron has it, the Legends line has it, and by the looks of things, Animated has it. Thanks again for all your replies guys.

Cactus

[Cyberjet #7]

As a kid in the '80s I collected G1 and then lost all of the figures I had through the years. Then I bought maybe 10 figures from G2.

I was huge into Beast Wars, but got out during Beast Machines. I got rid of all of my Beast Wars figures for a very stupid reason.

Between 2000 and 2007 I bought a total of 3 Transformer toys. Then the movie hit and reminded me of why I can't get away from TF. I've always had my eye on it during the years I didn't collect (but never bought anything) and bought SW instead, but now it's exciting again. I have all the movie figures, some Encore and MPs.

I have no interest in buying anything from G1 or Beast Wars again, unless it's reissued. They're just too expensive to find originals. At this point in my life I can collect and appreciate TF unlike in the past.

[thedistinctroom]

I am most loyal to the G1 series of bots that came out as a result of Hasbro bringing over the Takara Diaclone line to the states. The reason why is simple. I grew up with that line. I was 7 years old when G1 came out. I had a pretty good interest in Transformers until Action Masters came out. By then I was "too old" for toys (yeah right) by orders of my Dad.

I will always appreciate the G1 era over any other line.

[DeepWater]

Well, I still have a few of my original G1 toys around from when I was young, but I really don't have any interest in picking up anyone else from it, except maybe the Stunticons I don't have and that's a huge maybe.

The movie got me into collecting and from there I started watching all the series that I'd missed while being a punk rock brat in the late 1990's and growing up and hitting the books for the duration of RiD and Armada (and working full time without cable for Energon and Cybertron).

If I'm ever going to end up with a complete set of anything, it'll be for RiD or maybe even the movie. I've only passed on a couple of movie toys thus far and the number of random repaints in RiD is not so much annoying as confusing. RiD is a glorious mishmash of toys and the cartoon managed to give everyone personality in spades. (I like characters with personality, so thus far I've been enjoying Animated and look forward to those toys)

Right now, though, I'm more interested in certain characters or even variations on a mold. I love the Beast Machines Jet Storm body and am getting ahold of all of those. And I'm exceptionally fond of the G2 Cyberjets and want the variations on them up through Timelines and Robot Masters.

My hunting buddy collects anyone named 'Thrust' (or at least any jet named Thrust). I haven't quite found a character to be that specific with (that offers a decent challenge without being impossible), but I figure that at some point, someone will jump out and demand my attention.

Almost forgot - I do like the wacky alternate universe toys, like the Universe line and Machine Wars. I would like to get an entire set of Machine Wars at some point, just because I'm already most of the way there.

Mostly, though... if it looks nice and there seems to be something to the character, I'll buy the toy. But no nostalgia involved, other than perhaps involving Starscream... the most memorable character in my mind.

[Agent 007]

I get alternators because they're g1 characters but without all the brickyness But I grew up with Beast Wars, so the bulk of my collection is beast wars.

[Sowndwave76]

I was born in '76, and growing up wasn't able to have but a few of the G1 toys... And they were lame ones at that.

To keep it short and sweet, the lines I'll be/continue buying from are:

Classics
Movie
Robot Heroes
Animated

I have no interest in any other lines.

[Liege Evilmus]

I've been into this since the start, si I can go on and on about everything you missed.

So I'm gonna say this, since you are basicly looking at everything in a knowedgly fresh manner.

Look Around, And Just Get What You Like.

[Jazzz]

I grew up with Armada and feel so nostalgic when I look at toys like Sideways(head minicons), Optimus(selftransforming trailer)(chrome minicon)(minicon gun), Star Saber, Perceptor(combiner), Megatron(secret sword in hand),Unicron(he's a planet!!!!!!!) etc.
I like G1 too and plan on collecting Classics and Alternators. They do feel quite nostlgic. but not quite as much as Armada.

[Blurrz]

Armada.. all the way!

[neliz]

Although I only used G1 as play material. My collection clearly focuses on that part, the masterpieces, alternators, some classics. and a reissue here and there.
Although the Armada or the other lines are "okay" to me (hey, I even like the PS2 a little bit) I can't be arsed with anything "beast."

It hurts when I watched it on tv (maybe puberty has something to do with that) and the story maybe "great" and all, but I'm not going to eat a truffle that's packed inside dog poo.. no matter how fine that truffle may actually be.

[zemper]

Beast Wars got me into the game, so Beast Wars it is. followed by Classics, Cybertron, Alternators, Masterpieces.

RID, a few more Autobots and MY GRAIL, Brave Maximus. heck, i'll try to focus my finances so i can get it this year (hoping and praying). saving up is not the problem; locating one MISB IS the problem (unless you live in Japan that is).

Armada and Energon, only the Superprimes and Powerlinking Autobots that go with them, pass/sell the others to streamline my collection. ok, so maybe a few others but overall i won't go headfirst into these lines getting all those that i missed.

Encores, will still have to think about that.

i've sold most of my TFTM toys and plan only on collecting/completing the Premium Autobots (ok, so maybe not Premium Prime...one TFTM LC Prime is enough).

i guess one thing that i learned the last year is that you can't get them all, no matter how much money you've got. i even stopped eBaying (though now would be a good time since the Dollar is weakening against the Peso) so that i could focus on what i want to add to my collection, not to head out and get the first TFTM restock that hits the shelves.

[Bonger]

I've been into this since the start, si I can go on and on about everything you missed.

So I'm gonna say this, since you are basicly looking at everything in a knowedgly fresh manner.

Look Around, And Just Get What You Like.

Knowedgly?