|
|
Post by Philip Ayres on Dec 1, 2015 11:17:30 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Philip Ayres on Dec 26, 2015 9:18:15 GMT
So, ladies and gentlemen, your 2015 bests and worsts please!
And yes, I have added the missing Leader class
And although the Legions are under RiD there have also been just a couple of Generations Legions you could nominate there.
|
|
|
|
Post by Toph on Dec 26, 2015 9:51:05 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Pinwig on Dec 26, 2015 11:00:22 GMT
But there are still five days left!
MUST BUY MORE TOYS!
|
|
|
|
Post by Philip Ayres on Dec 26, 2015 11:44:04 GMT
GENERATIONS : Legend: Rodimus far better than it had any right to be. However Japan gets a better repaint in. Deluxe: Rook lots of fun as a toy. Voyager: Optimus Prime This is quite a complicated one. In the end Op wins because I felt this did something new and interesting with Optimus finally making him a traditional Combiner Torso. Cyclonus uses the Silverbolt mould and is very very good but the Cyclonus/Galvatron Voyager->Torso doesn't make much sense to me as I feel Megatron->Galvatron or Starscream->Emperor Starscream would have made much more sense. Combiner: Superion Possibly the best combiner Hasbro has ever done. SOLID torso mode which really helps the combined robot and the jet limbs are better proportioned than any of the car based ones. My only complaint is the antennae don't stay straight up on my one but I'm hoping Nick will fix that soon! Leader: Ultra Magnus Lovely toy which captures Magnus' vehicle and large robot perfectly. Silver tank Megatron was OK , the jets were too large and Armaded Tank Megatron ..... wasn't RID 2015 : Legion: Generations Legion Ultra Magnus I didn't buy ANY RID Legions and despite being a fan of the small size I only bought 3 Legions all year, the last wave of "AoE"/Dollar store Generations Legions which gave us two repaints which had previously been only available in Japan and FINALLY a white cab Magnus. Obvious repaint, why wasn't it done before? Minicon: - Deployer: - One Step: - Warrior: Gold Armour Grimlock One of the best Grimlocks for coming close to the g1 version at a smaller size. I want the Legion repainted in these colours! Hyperchange Hero/3 Step: - Larger Toy: Unite Devastator. Much much better than I thought it would be. There's a little something in each of the individual robots and the combined form is just superb, very imposing. Repaint: Adventures Runamuck just so so good in black, what it should have been all along. In the west this probably goes to the aforementioned CW Legends Rodimus. Remould: CW Cyclonus Some great work on the Silverbolt jet to produce a stand alone Voyager that's better than the original and forms a great combiner core. As I said above the relationship between the two is a little dodgy. Reissue: Trypticon Of course. Never been properly reissued before despite a close shave with Gigastorm. A walking stomping dinosaur with superb base mode and accesories. Love it. Masterpiece: Star Saber - due to an issue with mine I didn't go as wild over this as I might but it's still good stuff. Japanese Toy: Adventures Runamuck. Just superb. Never seen a Japanese general release toy sell through so quickly at HLJ. Exclusive: TFCC/Convention: Toyshow Nemesis Prime. I wanted Scourge from RTS Prime when I first saw the RTS toy. I wasn't paying what the club wanted for it but this version, effectively the same toy, was half the price and is just superb. Exclusive: Internet/Shop: Quickslinger/ Brake Neck. Uses existing moulds to plug the irritating replacements in the shop released versions of the first two combiners. Exclusive: Japan: Toyshow Nemesis Prime. See above Worst Toy Seen: Super Bumblebee what was the point? Worst Toy Bought: Armada Megatron - I bought the Japanese toyshow version and still regret it. it's just not Armada Megatron. Hasbro's Biggest Mistake: Putting Dragstrip in Wave 1 instead of Air Raid. Hasbro's had years of problems with not having all the limbs of the combiners being available at one time so you'd think they'd know better. Cancelling wave 2 in the UK was then inevitable but wouldn't have been quite as bad if we'd have completed Superion in Wave 1! Best Older Toy bought this year: Armada Megatron This had been top of my "must buy again" list at the start of the year and did not disappoint when I got it. Such a fun toy packed with features! I didn't have a bad year with older toys also acquiring Micron Legend Shockwave, the superior Japanese version of Tidalwave, the X-Dimension version of the Sea Team Minicons which matches him, a robot/cab to go with my Pyro Trailer, Sunstreaker to complete my Diaclone Autobot Cars and Grimlock to restart my Dinobots. Best Toy: Superion Just fabulous. As I said above possibly the best Hasbro Combiner ever. 2016 toy announced/leaked that you're most looking forward to: Blaster with Twincast/ Powermaster Optimus Prime Bases and Headmasters are back!
|
|
|
|
Post by Toph on Dec 28, 2015 1:53:12 GMT
GENERATIONS
Legend- bombshell
Deluxe- Dead End/Prowl
Voyager- Silverbolt
Leader- Ultra Magnus
Combiner- Bruticus
RID 2015
Legion- N/A
Minicon- N/A
Deployer- N/A
One Step- N/A
Warrior- N/A
Hyperchange Hero/3 Step- N/A
Larger Toy- Devastator
Repaint- Vortex
Remold- Cyclonus (not terribly fond of the toy, but it's amazing how well it became him)
Reissue- N/A
Masterpiece- Nothing. MPs are horrible.
Japanese Toy- Slipstream
Exclusive: TFCC/Convention- G2 Starscream
Exclusive: Internet/Shop- N/A
Exclusive: Japan- N/A
Worst Toy Seen- Pretty sure it comes from the NuRID line
Worst Toy Bought- NuRID Minicons
Hasbro's Biggest Mistake- NuRID
Which Show had the best reveals Toyfair, Botcon, SDCC, NYCC or the recent Fansite announcement- NYCC
Best Older Toy bought this year- BW Insecticon
Best Toy- CW Dead End/Prowl
2016 toy announced/leaked that you're most looking forward to- TR Powermaster Optimus Prime
|
|
Jim
Thunderjet
Micromaster Backside Monitor
Now in glorious Ultra HD 4K
Posts: 4,916
|
Post by Jim on Dec 29, 2015 11:40:23 GMT
Now it always happens that someone (Jim) fins a category I've missed so this year Didn't manage it this year! Possibly because it's been one of my lightest years ever, and I was taking a bit of a break for the first 4-5 months. GENERATIONS Legend - n/a. Both Powerglide and Blackjack look nice though. Deluxe - n/a Voyager - Brainstorm! Probably only qualifies because I got the Takara version that was released this year. Leader - n/a Combiner - Superion, of which I have the Unite Warriors version. My biggest complaint is that the feet don't offer enough stability; the combined mode is technically fairly posable, but getting it to reliably stand another matter. Might get one of those 3rd party sets, RID 2015 Legion - n/a Minicon- n/a Deployer -n/a One Step - n/a Warrior - n/a. Drift looks fairly decent though, and I think Jazz looked okay? Hyperchange Hero/3 Step - n/a Larger Toy - Trypticon! Repaint - Blue Bluestreak! How long have we waited for this? Remould - no idea Reissue - Trypticon, of course! Masterpiece - Blue Bluestreak! What's not to love? Japanese Toy - " Exclusive: TFCC/Convention - TFSS Krok. Haven't opened mine yet but so much looks the part. Exclusive: Internet/Shop - I guess Trypticon is internet-exclusive? I don't know Exclusive: Japan - no idea Worst Toy Seen - I don't pay enough attention to say, though I'm sure I've seen some stuff in the RID line which made me shake my head. Worst Toy Bought - n/a, think I made pretty decent choices this year Hasbro's Biggest Mistake - teasing us with Dinobots which were not G1 reissues! Which Show had the best reveals Toyfair, Botcon, SDCC, NYCC or the recent Fansite announcment? - I don't recall at all! Best Older Toy bought this year - MP10. People have hyped this so much I expected to be disappointed, but it really is an amazing Transformer. Best Toy - UW Superion, I think. I got a lot of play value out of Brainstorm though. 2016 toy announced/leaked that you're most looking forward to - hmmmm, maybe Titans Return Blaster as it looks really fun. MP Shockwave is a bit too cartoon-coloured for my taste but the toy itself looks great. -Jim |
|
|
|
Post by Philip Ayres on Dec 29, 2015 15:04:32 GMT
Now it always happens that someone (Jim) fins a category I've missed so this year Didn't manage it this year! Possibly because it's been one of my lightest years ever, and I was taking a bit of a break for the first 4-5 months. as it happened nobody spotted the category I'd missed out till I did on Christmas Eve! |
|
|
|
Post by The Doctor on Dec 29, 2015 17:58:29 GMT
The Tiny Titans are my favourite Transformers things this year, followed by the japanese version of CW Ultra Magnus then CW legends scale Groove then CW Silverbolt. Honourable mention for Cw legends scale Warpath which is just fabulous. Not a big year for acquiring Transformers stuff for various reasons but what I have got I have enjoyed. I can't think of any stinkers. Even the one new-RID toy I got is pretty good (deluxe orange Drift). I did hanker after UW Devastator but just couldn't afford it. A shame but then there are somewhat more important things in life. I can admire it from the very nice pictures in the Japanese Generations book anyway so no harm done.
For 2016 my must-haves are Titans Returns Powermaster Optimus Prime and Blaster and the wee legends scale Shockwave. MP Shockwave is also a must-have though probably won't be getting it as it is out of my price-range probably. Looks lovely though and I am glad it exists.
-Ralph
|
|
|
|
Post by Philip Ayres on Dec 30, 2015 19:07:47 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Llama God on Dec 31, 2015 18:45:08 GMT
Right then. Time to get my verdict in. I'm sure everyone's been waiting with wormed lungs. This'll only be going off the toys I've ever bought myself or otherwise interacted with.
GENERATIONS :
Legend: Bombshell. Rodimus is fun, but there's something nice and satisfying about holding Bombshell in your hand in insect mode.
Deluxe: Prowl. A nice, solid car mode, and a very Prowl-y robot mode.
Voyager: As with Phil, it's a tough call between Optimus Prime and Cyclonus, but I think I'll have to go with... Optimus. But only just. And only with the added Reprolabels, which are superb. He's a nice and chunky toy, though. And I do like the combined form.
Combiner: Although, conversely, I'll have to say Galvatronus at this point. Because I'm contradictory like that. It's just got a wonderfully expressive head sculpt.
Leader: Ultra Magnus. No question. So much wonderful IDW love, a great, chunky sculpt and a satisfying transformation, and the cutest little Minimus Ambus.
RID 2015 :
Legion: Didn't buy any myself, but had a fiddle with Grimlock. Who was nice. So... him.
Minicon: N/A
Deployer: N/A
One Step: N/A
Warrior: Optimus Prime. Not the greatest toy ever by any stretch of the imagination. But something about it screams late G1 to me. So I love it.
Hyperchange Hero/3 Step: N/A
Larger Toy: Devastator. Because Devastator.
Repaint: Can I say Cloud Rodimus? It wasn't released this year, but I got it this year.
Remould: Adventures Blackarachnia. I've been waiting for that toy since 1997!
Reissue: N/A
Masterpiece: Star Saber. Oh yes.
Japanese Toy: Adventures Blackarachnia again. Because.
Exclusive: TFCC/Convention: Beast Hunter Arcee. Not the world's best mold, but she looks much nicer in black.
Exclusive: Internet/Shop: Cloud Rodimus. If I'm allowed him.
Exclusive: Japan: Cloud Rodimus again. Again. I do love me my Cloud Rodimus, I do.
Worst Toy Seen: RiD Chomp and Stomp Grimlock. I actually really like AoE Chompy Stompy Grimmy, but not at full price. But the thing didn't sell! Why the hell did they decide to release it *again*? When we never had a straight re-paint/re-issue of Metroplex? Madness!
Worst Toy Bought: Beast Hunters Windblade. Lovely paintjob, absolutely terrible mold.
Hasbro's Biggest Mistake: Not RiD Chomp'em Stomp'em Grimlock. But, as has been mentioned repeatedly, the batshit decision to not release all the Aerialbots in Wave 1.
Best Older Toy bought this year: Generations Brainstorm. Well it is older, but only found its way over here this year. Of course I should probably put Cloud Rodimus in here instead. But Rodimus has never been one to comply...
Best Toy: Generations Ultra Magnus.
2016 toy announced/leaked that you're most looking forward to: Fortress Maximus. A close call between him and Powermaster Prime, but... Fortress Maximus! Oh yes.
|
|
|
|
Post by blueshift on Dec 31, 2015 18:49:32 GMT
Worst Toy Seen: RiD Chomp and Stomp Grimlock. I actually really like AoE Chompy Stompy Grimmy, but not at full price. But the thing didn't sell! Why the hell did they decide to release it *again*? When we never had a straight re- I check various listings websites regularly for Transformers. In the past few months, they are dominated by adverts for AoE Chomp N Stomp Grimlocks that parents listed after they spent a ton on them and their kids don't want them. It makes me feel pretty miserable! |
|
|
|
Post by Pinwig on Dec 31, 2015 18:59:22 GMT
If it's only the chomp & stomp I'd look on that as a positive. If kids don't want *any* Transformers then we're heading into GI Joe territory. That's when we get miserable!
|
|
|
|
Post by blueshift on Dec 31, 2015 19:02:53 GMT
Best GI Joe of 2015:
...oh wait. Shit!!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Philip Ayres on Dec 31, 2015 19:13:14 GMT
Worst Toy Seen: RiD Chomp and Stomp Grimlock. I actually really like AoE Chompy Stompy Grimmy, but not at full price. But the thing didn't sell! Why the hell did they decide to release it *again*? When we never had a straight re- I check various listings websites regularly for Transformers. In the past few months, they are dominated by adverts for AoE Chomp N Stomp Grimlocks that parents listed after they spent a ton on them and their kids don't want them. It makes me feel pretty miserable! £25 in the clearance store for the Bentalls dept store in Kingston. And still there in quantity, but cheap enough for me to finally get Jonathan one. |
|
|
|
Post by blueshift on Dec 31, 2015 19:18:26 GMT
£25 seems a reasonable price.
|
|
|
|
Post by legios on Dec 31, 2015 22:06:24 GMT
I check various listings websites regularly for Transformers. In the past few months, they are dominated by adverts for AoE Chomp N Stomp Grimlocks that parents listed after they spent a ton on them and their kids don't want them. It makes me feel pretty miserable! £25 in the clearance store for the Bentalls dept store in Kingston. And still there in quantity, but cheap enough for me to finally get Jonathan one. Excellent! Karl |
|
|
|
Post by Shockprowl on Jan 1, 2016 20:19:11 GMT
I can't fill in all the categories, but here's my offerings.
GENERATIONS
Legend -Bombshell. Please give me a Kickback. Great size class for the Insecticons.
Deluxe -CW Prowl. Top Prowl.
Voyager -CW Motor Master. Dodgy hips, but a huge intimidating nasty looking 'Con.
Leader -none
Combiner -Menasor. My favorite as a child. To have an updated one is fantastic.
Larger Toy -CW Devastator. Although he has some faults (frowns at Mixmaster arse-mixer) he really is a dream come true.
Masterpiece -err... did I buy any official MPs this year?
Japanese Toy -Red thighs Ultra Magnus.
Worst Toy Seen -CW Brawl for the waist, CW Blastoff (for the mold used as Blastoff).
Worst Toy Bought -hmmmmm, none, I'm careful with what I buy.
Hasbro's Biggest Mistake -As others have said, frakking up CW's release in this country. Twatbastards.
Best Older Toy bought this year -err...
Best Toy -hmmmmm, gosh, Devastator. I'd say Appolyon joint though, but obv' he's unofficial.
2016 toy announced/leaked that you're most looking forward to -Frakking MP Shockwave, baby.
|
|
|
|
Post by Baron B of Triple B on Jan 1, 2016 23:07:45 GMT
£25 seems a reasonable price. Masterforce were selling it for £15.99 on Black Friday. I'm working on my list for this thread. It'll probably be pretty empty. |
|
|
|
Post by Pinwig on Jan 3, 2016 20:22:33 GMT
Rejigged the categories to match my buying:
Best Generations figure of 2015:
1. Superion - with the correct limbs this is an awesome update on the original.
2. Leader Ultra Magnus - lovely detail and the right size to suit the voyagers.
3. Hotspot - of the cores this one impressed me most
4. LG Blackarachnia - boob-gate aside, this is an awesomely creative remould to turn one style into another.
5. Bombshell - My favourite Insecticon done right as a modern update.
Best Masterpiece of 2015:
1. Ultra Magnus - hands down.
2. Skywarp - his colours make the most of the MP11 mould
3. Tracks - Yes the hollow behind the head isn’t perfect, but he’s far better than people give him credit for.
Best Robots in Disguise figure of 2015:
1. TAV Optimus Prime - huge fun, what Transformers for kids should be these days. Ignore the super hollow legs.
2. Legion Fixit - completely show accurate, perfectly in scale with the warriors and very posable. Brilliantly designed simplicity.
3. Warrior Bumblebee - most of the Warriors are flawed, but this one has no hollow limbs and works really well. Great robot.
Best new figure purchase not in the above categories:
1. Trypticon - because Trypticon.
2. Go! Optimus Ex-Prime - because there aren’t enough train Transformers.
3. Go! Ganoh - Chunky figure in robot and truck modes. Feels like an Armada era figure but with modern aesthetics.
Best second hand figure bought this year released before 2015:
1. G1 Gnaw - my love for this fella is unbridled. His size was a surprise and he more movie accurate than most late 86 figures.
2. G1 Scourge - ebay purchase to complete the trinity of evil and he did not disappoint.
3. G1 Kup - scored from Toy-Fu. His excellent condition helps, but he is great.
Best Third Party figure of 2015:
1. Fans Toys Sever - as close to perfect as is possible. Takara need to learn from this figure
2. Warbotron Bruticus - a cheat, but the combined mode is the most imposing Transformer I’ve ever seen.
3. Fans Toys Grenadier - flawless Bombshell. Cannot wait to get the other two.
Overall Best Figure of 2015:
1. Trypticon
2. Superion
3. TAV Optimus Prime
Worst figure of 2015:
RiD Warrior Steeljaw - truly awful figure that can’t stand under its own weight even WITH a tail prop. A complete mess.
|
|
Dezzeh
Thunderjet
Wait, what?
Posts: 4,886
|
Post by Dezzeh on Jan 4, 2016 9:19:22 GMT
GENERATIONS
Legend - Viper
Deluxe - Tough call, but I think Nightbird
Voyager - Hot Spot
Leader - UM
Combiner - Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Defensor
Larger Toy - Devastator, it was a box set, I'm counting it!
Repaint - Cyclonus/Silverbolt
Remould - Black Arachnia
Reissue - Trypticon
Masterpiece - Star Saber
Japanese Toy - Legends Megatron (leader)
Worst Toy Seen - Some giant Bumblebee POS from RiD
Worst Toy Bought - Strongarm
Hasbro's Biggest Mistake - Scattershot with no other technobots
Which Show had the best reveals - Can't really remember, I think NYCC for me
Best Older Toy bought this year - Not bought much, but I did get a minty mint Cyclous at the last RORC
Best Toy - Legends Megatron - It's great. Rest were 3p, because of the detailing but thats cheating.
2016 toy announced/leaked that you're most looking forward to - Shockwave!
|
|
|
|
Post by legios on Jan 4, 2016 11:08:08 GMT
GENERATIONS
Legend Groove - a fun little toy, if overpriced (like all Legends really)
Deluxe Rook - best CW Deluxe hands down. Well-designed, great fun and a new character to boot.
Voyager Battle Core Optimus Prime - an Optimus Repaint which actually brings some surprises, and a genuinely gorgeous colour scheme.
Leader Ultra Magnus - a decent looking -Diacloneesque- Magnus, with a free Minicon bloke into the bargain.
Combiner Superion - amazing what some technological advancement has done for what was the weakest example of second-generation combiner tech.
RID 2015
Legion - um... Strongarm by default, the only one I saw which wasn't a retread of an existing character.
Minicon- er... Pass.
Deployer Best is a relative term...
One Step -
Warrior Strongarm - not the best Deluxe in NuRiD (that is Curry Drift), but the fact that she is a new character rather than a rehash puts her out ahead.
Hyperchange Hero/3 Step - these are not the droids I'm looking for.
Larger Toy Masterpiece Star Saber - it is the only toy larger than a HH I've seen this year.
Repaint Battle Core Optimus Prime
Remould CW Cyclonus - such a clever redesign
Reissue Insecticons - three great toys in a great piece of packaging design.
Masterpiece Star Saber.
Japanese Toy Star Saber
Exclusive: TFCC/Convention -
Exclusive: Internet/Shop-
Exclusive: Japan-
Worst Toy Seen Hyperchange Heroes Bumblebee
Worst Toy Bought -
Hasbro's Biggest Mistake The case makeups for Wave One and Two of Combiner Wars. The shelfwarming of Wave One, and subsequent cancellation of Wave Two in the UK is going to have left a lot of kids with orphaned Drag Strips, or one-armed Superions. It has also likely contributed to the tendency of Cyclonus to shelfwarm in his turn.
Which Show had the best reveals Toyfair, Botcon, SDCC, NYCC or the recent Fansite announcment?
Best Older Toy bought this year Didn't buy any
Best Toy Masterpiece Star Saber, probably my favourite MP since the redesigned MP Prime.
2016 toy announced/leaked that you're most looking forward to Masterpiece Shockwave, finally a chance to get my mitts on a really good Shockwave toy.
Karl
|
|
|
|
Post by Bogatan on Jan 5, 2016 19:49:32 GMT
GENERATIONS
Legend I shoulkd be saying Bombshell, but Warpath - which works so much better than it has any right to - kept my attention longer.
Deluxe Tempted to go Streetwise, but it went cartoon over toy so Rook wins from Hasbro, Legends Arcee, not perfect but finally the G1 Arcess I have wanted for nearly 30 years from TT.
Voyager Cyclonus or Hotspot er... though I did also pick up Cloud Rodimus last year. And General Optimus Prime. Er......... Hotspot.
Leader Ultra Magnus only had a quick go at one at Phils but it seemed every bit as good as I had hoped.
Combiner Devastater - no contest. Superion was good, but 66% of it was 2014. Defensor is good, but I better as individual robots. Unite Devastator (mixmaster aside) is everything I hoped for
RID 2015
Legion Fixit - I think thats the right subgroup
Minicon the one that came with fracture is the only one I got
DeployerIs Fracture a deployer?
One StepN/A
WarriorDidnt get any, but I did like the looks of G1 Grimlock
Hyperchange Hero/3 Step I dont know what this is
Larger Toy Unite Devastater
Repaint Too many, FP done good last year. CarZap and GB are fantastic (so too is Goshooter, but dont know if thats the previous year) so to the Diaclone pair and Gen Prime and Sgt Hound. Lio Convoy, Nova Prime.
winner Carzap or Carzap and Goshooter (if it was 2015)
Remould Black Arachnia
Reissue Trypticon - who saw that coming.
Masterpiece I think I only bought Star Saber this year.
Japanese Toy Arcee/Black Arachnia
Exclusive: TFCC/Convention Carzap/Goshooter again.
Exclusive: Internet/ShopQuickslinger and Break Neck or Goshooter (again if 2015)
Exclusive: Japan Black Arachnia
Worst Toy Seenerm..
Worst Toy BoughtFracture
Hasbro's Biggest MistakeYeah CW Wave 1.
Which Show had the best reveals I guess botcon, Sky Lynx was the biggest surprise of the year. Well okay German Toyfair with Devastater ws bigger but hadnt there been rumours ahead of that? Sky Lynx seemed to come out of nowhere.
Best Older Toy bought this year Cloud Rodimus
Best Toy Unite Devastater
2016 toy announced/leaked that you're most looking forward to Still not excited about TR. Shockwaves the only MP I'm really focused on, but not eagerly awaiting. Impactor. Yeah an official Impactor that looks like Impactor.
|
|
