Seibertron.com Feature Article: To Parts-form or Not to Parts-form

One of the things I saw being discussed in the Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-22 Ultra Magnus thread was the fors and againsts of parts-forming.

For those unsure of what parts-forming is, it requires one or more parts to be removed from a Transformers mode and reattached to create the other mode. G1 figures are the main example, from having to attach fists (Seekers, Optimus Prime), a complete disassemble and reassemble (Omega Supreme) or feet, fists and chest pieces (gestalts).

Modern engineering aims to do away with parts-forming with all the necessary bits and pieces incorporated into the final toy with weapons often being the only loose parts. Some people like that, parents especially would like it as it means fewer parts to lose.

But if I were to pick a camp, I'd be pro-part-former. Why? Maybe nostalgic reasons, though I do not like modern gestalts where they try to incorporate everything. A few add-on bits wouldn't go astray. Which is the main reason I like them. Sometimes, not having things incorporated can make the figure better.


To illustrate my point, I present to you a semi-modern figure that is part-former, but in my opinion, one of the best figures of all time.

Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime

Here we have his alt mode, ignoring the chest part hiding there on the back, we have a good looking fire engine



And then comes the fun part. Taking him apart!



Not a very practical mode of transport that's for sure! But look what it becomes.



A very basic Optimus Prime robot mode. But what about the rest of his parts?





And this is where it gets fun.

Remove the ladder/upper chest/head from the trailer. Slide the chest of the smaller robot up to cover up its head, the fold the large robot chest over the top of it with the ladder hanging down behind. The forward part of trailer comes apart and unfolds to form larger forearms which fit over the smaller robots forearms. The middle part of the trailer comes apart and clips over the shoulder of the smaller robot. The rear part of the trailer also comes apart with panels on top opening up to clip over the smaller robots feet.

And all of that, results in this.



Sure there's a lot of cheating involved, but what makes a good figure?

Good looking alt mode - Check!
Good looking robot mode - Check!

And let's not forget, if you have RiD Ultra Magnus, you can do this!



So in this particular case, is parts-forming such a bad thing? For me, no, it's not. What do the rest of you think?
(And feel free to use the Seibertron.com Toy Galleries for example images!)

Credit(s): Burn