Top 5 best Transformers Toys with Visible Head Syndrome

Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) 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 best cases of Visible Head Syndrome

Two weeks ago, we saw the worst cases of Transformers toys where their robot head was visible in alt mode. Well this week, we look at the flip side and I present a list of awesome Tansformers toys who happen to also show their heads in alt mode. The reasons for inclusions vary. Sometimes it is because the toy is made more fun because of it, and others, it's because the head being present doesn't detract at all, to the point of you now knowing it is there.

5. Transformers Robots In Disguise X-Brawn (Wildride)

The original RID toyline from 2001 was pretty damn cool since it was a mix of a molds from previous lines like G2 molds (Scourge), Beast Wars (Slapper), G1 (Ruination), as well as taking inspiration from the Brave line (Rail Racer) and, most importantly, marking the triumphant return of transforming cars and trucks featuring new Japanese designs. Three of these new car Transformers were brothers and the one I want to point out is X-Brawn for the fun notion that when transforming him in suv mode, his head ends up in the passenger seat. In reality, since Takara designed this line (another return to form after Hasbro was the main designer for Beast Wars), he should appear to be in the driver's seat, in Japan, driving himself!

Aside from this fun factoid, the difference between this toy and the other Transformers who seem to drive themselves, like ROTF deluxe Breakaway and Armada Sideswipe, is simple : This one's better. It has rubber tires, projectiles, clear plastic, chrome in the right places, and is fully painted too, while being designed by Takara. It was the heydey of Transformers.




4. Transformers Cybertron Galaxy Force Unicron

A good way to disguise a clearly visible head is by not attracting too much attention. This toy completely fails at this because your eyes go straight to the big bold red disk on top of the vehicle mode, and yet you wouldn't think it's the head. I was once witness to a transaction where someone was buying this toy and I asked if he minded that you could see the head in vehicle mode, to which the buyer replied "Why? Where is it?". He couldn't see it no mater how much he looked. You wouldn't think to find it there, when it's base becomes such an important element of the vehicle mode. Hiding in plain sight will be a recurring theme on this list.








3. Transformers G1 1985 Jetfire (Skyfire)

A visible head no distracting you from the alt mode is great but what is even better is when that head adds to toy. For G1 Jetfire, it adds FIREPOWER! While the head is perfectly visible in the jet's undercarriage, it acts as a turret and plays its role quite well.






2. Transformers Beast Machines Jetstorm/Both G1 Scourge and Generations Scourge

Speaking of adding to the alt mode, these three do something very similar. Their heads are all in the back adding a really cool detail to the alt mode. With Jetstorm, it is back fins blending in and culminating in a triangular sci fi design. With the two Scourges, it's a far more obvious alt mode detail, the Disintegrator Ray, which totally changes the look of each alt mode, making them offensive vehicles. Very fitting for a Decepticon.
While these heads are part of the alt mode, their full integration with it makes them just as disguised as if they were not visible at all. I see it less as a robot head visible on the alt mode and more as part of the vehicle visible on the robot head. But it is still more robot head than alt mode in robot mode, which is more than I can say for any Swoop mold who's head is at last 75% alt mode (hence why he isn't on this list).








1. Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Skystalker

This mold is one of the most beloved and praised molds from the movie era, and that's quite a feat considering how much the movie line is generally disliked. He doesnt just have the movie aesthetic against him, but he also has one of the biggest cases of visible head syndrome. His head is right there staring at you front and center with his cold cyclopean stare, in his alt mode. Not only is that accepted by me and fans, but it is also pretty damn cool. While it is very much his head and G1 Shockwave style eye front and centre on the plane, it acts as the plane's eye. This isn't Prime Megatron with his head sticking out of his flight mode, it is actually the head of the plane. Like the tip of a droid scouting the environment, and it totally works. The toys itself is great, one of the best Scout class toys of all time (another list for another time), but what really makes him number one is how he has a very obvious case of visible head syndrome but makes it work like no other.






Honourable Mentions: Cybertron Override but it was like a cross between Jetstorm's and X Brawn's case to be included and doesn't work as well as either of those.