The multipurpose Generations/CHUG retrospective thread

[Philip Ayres]

This last week changes things a bit.

It's obvious that Grapple and Hoist's best versions are Earthrise but I think Wheeljack's is probably still original Generations

And I think Earthrise is probably now best Generations Optimus just by virtue of having a combat deck trailer.

[Shockprowl]

No! Siege Forever!

[Pinwig]

Shockers! Earthrise will eclipse Siege. Earthrise is the ultimate CHUG.

It's a very exciting time. The 'definitive' CHUG set for the 84-87 mob has been my ultimate goal for ages. If Earthrise is going to give us two key absentees in Grapple and Hoist, with the implication that new Infernos and Trailbreakers will follow... it's MAGICAL.

It's just a shame that Hasbro couldn't decide what on earth they wanted to do. I get they want to retell the arrival story so they can give us updates of older figures, but to totally change the aesthetic half way through is just ridiculous. It's like... well, it's like TFTM when half way through 86 we went from Springer to Galvatron, or Silverbolt to Cyclonus.

[Pinwig]

Initial list updated. It may expand a bit because I am very excited about this.

See, I've had a bee in my bonnet about this for years. FIVE years ago I started asking about it:

Aug 6, 2014 21:48:53 GMT Pinwig said:

I do have an idea though I'd love to see implemented, but I doubt it would be because the CHUG line of toys has needed its own promotional tie-in since it was rebooted with WFC (then FoC, then IDW). We've seen the way the Platinum line has blossomed recently, so there's clearly a market for better finishes on existing moulds. So take the 'Greatest Hits' idea the Thrilling 30 line is and give us the full works boxset equivalent. I'd like Hasbro to go back through the whole of the CHUG era and settle on the definitive mould for each of the original G1 characters and give us box sets of them with Platinum quality finishes, and label sheets, and do it in numbered three figure presentation packs (like those Henkei three packs that came out recently?) that go through in sequence. Give us two a year for each faction, one every three months.

I'd love that. Then you could have the definitive collection of remasters with really nice finishes alongside the original G1 collection of the same figures.

Nov 13, 2016 13:35:18 GMT Pinwig said:

...but to be honest if the Prime Wars trilogy gives us anywhere near a full set of new versions of the old 84-87, maybe 88, 89 toys then I'll be over the moon. That's what I want this to give us - the original toy range in modern, more articulated form and I'd be fine with that tapping out around the 1988 lines. A matching style as opposed to the evolving CHUG styles of the preceding decade would be awesome.

[Shockprowl]

Live the dream, baby!



I think your dream is a superb cognitationment. I would cog' it myself if I had the means. I'm happy with my 'Core', though.

But you, Pinwig? YOU?!?!



Live the Dream!

[Shockprowl]

Errr... So hang on, hang on. 'T' out, as the kids say.

PINWIG'S DREAM is... All of '84 to '87, modern, up-dated, as close to definitive as poss'...?



That's a lot of figures there, chief.

[Pinwig]

Yes, but since the Generations reboot around 2010 we've had most of them. There aren't many left - Prime Wars did a ton of them. If you're a sucker like I am and buy most of the retail output, the last five years or so has almost done the lot. The problem I see now is what to do with all the extraneous extra figures that have been put out.

I've just been up in the loft for an hour or so, continuing the root and branch sort out of everything in the house that I started when I thought I was moving house. When I bought heavily back into Generations, from FoC onwards, I was buying figures thinking I'd never want to get rid of them because I'd learned that lesson, but holy hand grenades, I've just been through the T30 box thinking, don't need that, don't need that, that's been replaced, don't need that. Suddenly I'm questioning everything.

Although I'm telling myself it's just Generations that needs looking at - other older lines don't have the same upgrading that goes on. Like I'm not suddenly feeling the need to bin all my Unicron Trilogy/Beast Wars or anything like that. But Generations suddenly doesn't feel as 'forever' as it did a few years ago. All those T30 legends figures - most of those are redundant now.

Where's the peak? Will we be looking at Earthrise toys in five years time saying, nah, don't need that. It doesn't feel like we should, but then 12 months ago Siege Prime felt like the best we'd get.

[Pinwig]

Definitely think I'm going from hoarding everything Generations puts out to keeping one of each character.

Does anyone here still keep every Generations figure from every wave indefinitely?

[Shockprowl]

I think-


1. You're not married to Mrs Shockprowl.

2. You've reached some kind of Higher Collecting Consciousness .


I think there's a Ballance between what you want to keep as a collector 'cos it's your hobby, and what you feel you should keep. There's no right or wrong, and each collector must find his own path. But I am firmly in the camp of 'if stuff just sits in a box year after year- move it on'. Let's take Hoist. The older Generations Hoist is now redundant. Move him on. Jetfire? That old bugger-bo? The previous couple are now redundant. Move them on. Every now and then there will be an older figure that means something a little extra to you, for whatever reason, keep them. Now I suspect I'm far harsher than you are, Pins darling, but fundamentally if you're going for that Dream of the near-as-damnit perfect version of the '84ers onwards, then the redundant figures can be moved on with a clear conscience.



I forget what the question was now, but the above is what I think any road.

[blueshift]

Oct 5, 2019 17:13:56 GMT Shockprowl said:

Errr... So hang on, hang on. 'T' out, as the kids say.

PINWIG'S DREAM is... All of '84 to '87, modern, up-dated, as close to definitive as poss'...?



That's a lot of figures there, chief.

How would a Time Warrior update be done

[Shockprowl]

Is Time Warrior that watchformer?

[blueshift]

Oct 5, 2019 17:53:44 GMT Shockprowl said:

Is Time Warrior that watchformer?

yup

[Bogatan]

Oct 5, 2019 17:27:47 GMT Pinwig said:

Definitely think I'm going from hoarding everything Generations puts out to keeping one of each character.

Does anyone here still keep every Generations figure from every wave indefinitely?

*sigh*

*raises hand*

[Shockprowl]

Oct 5, 2019 18:07:44 GMT blueshift said:

Oct 5, 2019 17:53:44 GMT Shockprowl said:

Is Time Warrior that watchformer?i

yup

Like a Rolex.

[Bogatan]

Oct 5, 2019 17:25:17 GMT Pinwig said:

Where's the peak? Will we be looking at Earthrise toys in five years time saying, nah, don't need that. It doesn't feel like we should, but then 12 months ago Siege Prime felt like the best we'd get.

I mean quite possibly, but personally ER is looking like the sequel to classics Ive been waiting for for 11 years.

Its funny, MP going cartoony completely put me off, but its exactly what I liked about classics and what was mostly lost in the follow up lines.

Honestly if these are as good as they look then I'll be thrilled if we end up with superior versions sometime down the line.

[Pinwig]

There is that too. The ever changing, upgrading, refining. I think I need to re-evaluate my CHUG stuff and accept I don't need it all. Why will I ever need T30 Hoist when the Earthrise one looks so good?

[Pinwig]

Oct 5, 2019 18:18:04 GMT Bogatan said:

Oct 5, 2019 17:27:47 GMT Pinwig said:

Definitely think I'm going from hoarding everything Generations puts out to keeping one of each character.

Does anyone here still keep every Generations figure from every wave indefinitely?

*sigh*

*raises hand*

I had a feeling you would because I know you've been big on clean sweeping the Botcon releases. How far back?

[Bogatan]

From Classics through Titans Return I probably have over 90-95% of everything Hasbro put out. From the main retail lines (not including store exclusives) Im probably just missing a few things from WFC/FOC into T30 that just didn't interest me like the data discs or just didn't show up due to TRU not getting past wave 1 and me not having enough interest to track them down online.

Theres probably a bunch of store exclusives Im missing, but the ones that spring to mind are one of the TFTM platinum boxes ( I think the Rodimus one) the classic bumblebee that came with 2 movie Bees and those Argos legends boxsets (ive probably got most of them now in varying degrees of completeness from car boot sales)

100% on Botcon 2005-206 (unless you count the cybertron Ramjet? legends toy Hasbro gave out at BC05)

Non Botcon FP stuff Im missing Tarantulas, Eject and Rewind, Sepent O.R., Frenzy and Stylor and some of the GiJoe crossovers.

I am contemplating a streamlining of some of this at some point.

[Pinwig]

That is a considerable collection!

You may have just caused Shockprowl to explode.

[Shockprowl]

KABOOOMM!!!

[Pinwig]

Shockprowl set me thinking so I updated my own list of 'good' CHUG versions of the original toyline. Having been through it I reckon we're almost there now.

Figures who don't have a CHUG representation at all (or one that fits with the current style/scale):
Hubcap, Eject, Pointblank, Sureshot, Freeway, Goldbug, Rollbar, Searchlight, Wideload
Barrage, Ransack, Venom, Slugfest, Overkill

Those who have a figure but one that really doesn't do the character justice/is the wrong size:
Bumblebee, Gears, Huffer, Blaster, Skids, Warpath, Wreck-Gar, Pipes, Ramhorn, Steeljaw
Dirge, Ramjet, Thrust, Snapdragon

So really, to have a collection that contains a modern articulated update of the original G1 range 84-87 we just need Hubcap, Eject, two targetmasters, the throttlebots, three DX Insecticons and two tapes.  

[Pinwig]

And the working out:

1984	First Choice	Other Options
AUTOBOTS
Optimus Prime	Earthrise	Siege Voyager, Classics
Bluestreak	Siege	CW TFCC, Classics
Hound	Siege	Henkei Henkei, CW Dlx
Sideswipe	Siege	Universe
Jazz	RTS	PotP Deluxe
Mirage	Siege	Classics, CW Dlx
Ratchet	Siege	UW Dlx
Ironhide	Siege	CW Deluxe
Prowl	Siege	CW Deluxe, Universe
Sunstreaker	Universe	CW Dlx
Trailbreaker	T30/CW
Wheeljack	Generations	Earthrise
Brawn	TR Legend
Bumblebee	TR Legend
Cliffjumper	Earthrise	T30
Gears	T30	Mechanic Studio 3P
Huffer	CW	Mechanic Studio 3P
Windcharger	PotP	CW
DECEPTICONS
Megatron	Siege	TR Voyager
Soundwave	Siege
Skywarp	Siege	Universe
Starscream	Earthrise	Siege, Universe, PotP
Thundercracker	Siege	Universe
Buzzsaw	CW Legend
Laserbeak	Siege	TR Legend
Ravage	Siege	TR Legend
Rumble	TR Legend/Siege
Frenzy	BB Pack Legend
1985
AUTOBOTS
Jetfire	Siege	T30
Omega Supreme	Siege
Blaster	TR
Perceptor	TR
Grimlock	PotP
Slag	PotP
Sludge	PotP
Snarl	PotP
Swoop	PotP
Roadbuster	T30
Whirl	T30
Topspin	TR
Twintwist	TR
Grapple	Earthrise	RTS
Hoist	Earthrise	T30
Red Alert	Siege Dlx	Generations
Skids	Takara Legends	T30
Inferno	PotP	Universe
Smokescreen	Siege	Henkei, CW Deluxe
Tracks	United	Generations
Beachcomber	PotP
Cosmos	T30
Powerglide	CW
Seaspray	TR
Warpath	Generations Dlx	CW Legend
DECEPTICONS
Shockwave	Siege
Dirge	Classics
Ramjet	Classics
Thrust	Classics
Astrotrain	Siege	TR
Blitzwing	TR
Bombshell	CW
Kickback	TR
Shrapnel	T30
Barrage
Chopshop	CW
Ransack
Venom
Bonecrusher	UW	CW
Hook	UW	CW
Longhaul	UW	CW
Mixmaster	UW	CW
Scavenger	UW	CW
Scrapper	UW	CW
1986
AUTOBOTS
Metroplex with Scamper	T30
Six Gun	Siege
Ultra Magnus	CW/Siege
Skylinx	CW
Rodimus Prime	PotP
Wreck-Gar	CW	RTS
Broadside	TR
Sandstorm	T30
Springer	Siege	T30
Blurr	Takara Legends	TR
Hot Rod	PotP Leader	TR, Classics
Kup	Takara Legends
Hotspot	CW
Blades	CW
First Aid	CW
Groove	CW
Streetwise	CW
Silverbolt	CW
Air Raid	CW
Fireflight	CW
Skydive	CW
Slingshot	CW
Hubcap
Outback	PotP
Pipes	CW	Mechanic Studio 3P
Swerve	T30	Mechanic Studio 3P
Wheelie	TR
Tailgate	PotP	T30
Ramhorn	TR Titanmaster
Eject	TFSS
Rewind	TR
Steeljaw	TR Stripes
DECEPTICONS
Trypticon with Full Tilt	TR
Brunt	Siege
Galvatron	TR
Cyclonus	Classics Two Pack	CW
Scourge	TR
Octane	TR
Runabout	TFCC Over Run
Runamuck	TFCC
Gnaw	TR
Divebomb	PotP
Headstrong	PotP
Rampage	PotP
Razorclaw	PotP
Tantrum	PotP
Motormaster	CW
Breakdown	CW
Dead End	CW
Dragstrip	CW
Wildrider	CW
Onslaught	CW
Blast Off	CW
Brawl	CW
Swindle	CW
Vortex	CW
Ratbat	Siege
Reflector	Siege	Retail or 3 pack
1987
AUTOBOTS
Fortress Maximus with Cerebros	TR
Brainstorm with Arcana	TR/Legends
Chromedome with Stylor	TR/Legends
Hardhead with Duros	TR/Legends
Highbrow with Gort	TR/Legends
Blurr with Haywire
Hot Rod with Firebolt
Kup with Recoil
Crosshairs with Pinpointer	Siege
Pointblank with Peacemaker
Sureshot with Spoilsport
Fastlane	Takara Legends	TR
Cloudraker	Takara Legends	TR
Punch-Counterpunch	PotP
Scattershot	UW	CW
Afterburner	UW	CW
Lightspeed	UW	CW
Nosecone	UW	CW
Strafe	UW	CW
Chase	TR
Freeway
Goldbug
Rollbar
Searchlight
Wideload
DECEPTICONS
Scorponok with Lord Zarak	Earthrise
Brunt	Siege
Sixshot	TR
Mindwipe with Vorath	TR/Legends
Skullcruncher with Grax	TR/Legends
Weirdwolf with Monzo	TR/Legends
Apeface with Spasma	Siege
Snapdragon with Krunk
Misfire with Aimless	Takara Legends
Slugslinger with Caliburst	Takara Legends
Triggerhappy with Blowpipe	Takara Legends
Cyclonus with Nightstick
Scourge with Fracas
Doublecross	TR
Grotesque	TR
Repugnus	TR
Pounce	Takara Legends	TR
Wingspan	Takara Legends	TR
Battletrap	PotP
Flywheels	Siege
Hun-Gurrr	PotP
Blot	PotP
Cutthroat	PotP
Rippersnapper	PotP
Sinnertwin	PotP
Slugfest
Overkill	Universe

[Philip Ayres]

Cyclones and Nightstick was done in Generations

Scourge and Fracas was done in a combination of TR and Siege, for Fracas.

The first Wreck-Gar was RTS not Generations.

Eject and Reqind were done for TFSS

There's an Overkill repaint of Classics Grimlock

Krunk wasn't done as a Titanmaster

Blurr, Hot Rod and Kup were all done with their Targetmasters in Legends

[Pinwig]

Oct 6, 2019 10:34:34 GMT Philip Ayres said:

Cyclones and Nightstick was done in Generations
Blurr, Hot Rod and Kup were all done with their Targetmasters in Legends
Scourge and Fracas was done in a combination of TR and Siege, for Fracas.

Those are greyed out because they're repeats of earlier toys that are higher up the list. I haven't done the targetmasters individually yet, I was just looking at the main toys. I'll do those later.

The first Wreck-Gar was RTS not Generations.

Right.

Eject and Reqind were done for TFSS

Okay, but I don't think that Eject would work with the TR Rewind. It's too big.

There's an Overkill repaint of Classics Grimlock

Alright, but there's no way I'd have that representing that character.

Krunk wasn't done as a Titanmaster

That's referring to Snapdragon.

[Philip Ayres]

Oct 6, 2019 10:53:52 GMT Pinwig said:

Krunk wasn't done as a Titanmaster

That's referring to Snapdragon.

Snapdragon wasn't either, Apeface was the Titanmaster

[Pinwig]

So no Snapdragon at all since the original! Wow. Let's hope Apeface isn't a one off.

[Philip Ayres]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/blue_moon_jelly/status/1185188961817219073

[Pinwig]

Sept 24, 2019 18:47:40 GMT Philip Ayres said:

I think you'll think the Siege Mirage is better when you get it

Showdown later! Looking forward to the, er, Mirageoff.

[Pinwig]

I can't decide! They're both great. Siege doesn't quite tick the G1 box like Sideswipe does but is obviously trying to, whereas Classics takes cues from the original and develops them into something unique. As has been said, the fan vote head on the retail toy might help.

[Toph]

The unnecessary fake chest and clear plastic legs ruins him as mirage for me. A different chest design with solid plastic would do wonders to improve the mold as it is.
I think it was intended to be slapdash, but done up as mirage to appease the Warden.