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Post by Philip Ayres on Dec 1, 2021 23:18:46 GMT
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Post by The Doctor on Dec 2, 2021 8:38:57 GMT
Illegal poll!!!
-Ralph
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Post by Philip Ayres on Dec 19, 2021 23:04:10 GMT
1 week to go
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Post by Philip Ayres on Dec 26, 2021 16:16:01 GMT
Open!
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Post by Toph on Dec 26, 2021 18:06:51 GMT
Toy of the Year imo goes to Kingdom Optimus Primal.
It's not my favorite of the year (though it's close), but it embodies everything you want out of a BW update.
Beautiful sculpting with an amazing gorilla head full of personality.
It hits every mark it needs to, almost perfectly. It does almost everything the MP does, at a cheaper price, and just as well.
Runner up is Blackarachnia, for the same reasons. It gains points for being impossible, but it loses points for (understandably) not being as good a beast mode as Primal.
Worst toy is also difficult because there aren't a lot of stinkers this year.
Technically it's Kingdom Arcee. But I doubt that'd be accepted again.
So Tracks is probably it, with such an unimaginatively bad and unnecessarily complex leg transformation.
Biggest disappointment is an $80 oversized Hotrod with an over expensive trailer it doesn't really connect to, that they're pretending is Rodimus Prime.
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Jim
Thunderjet
Micromaster Backside Monitor
Now in glorious Ultra HD 4K
Posts: 4,619
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Post by Jim on Dec 27, 2021 10:47:50 GMT
WAR FOR CYBERTRON: KINGDOM - See tmukhub.proboards.com/thread/10871/war-cybertron-iii-kingdom and tfwiki.net/wiki/War_for_Cybertron:_KingdomCoren/a - Soundwave looks great, but I'm waiting for a sale Micromastern/a - did we get any micromasters this year? Oh, did that selects pack land in 2021? It's all such a blur... not Kingdom though, is it? DeluxeAirazor. Beautiful toy. Not flawless, but I'm not sure what more we could have asked for at this price point. VoyagerInferno. Kind of by default, but at the same time I am very happy with him, better than Grapple (who I already liked). Larger ToyRodimus Prime. A flawed toy, but I still think he looks great. The sculpting makes him more than just another go at Hot Rod, he really looks older, and I've always had a soft spot for that ridiculous vehicle mode. It helps that I got him down almost half the German RRP in a black friday sale. Kingdom ExclusiveTough call between Red Alert and Sideswipe. Still a wonderful mould. Maybe Sideswipe slightly edges it. Generations SelectSpin-Out and Cordon. Were they really 2021 releases? I'd have sworn they became available in late 2020. But I got them in 2021 anyway (quite late on, even), and they're really great. Kingdom Golden DiscHaven't had a chance to open mine yet, and it could be a tough call. Normally I'd assume Jackpot, being an Action Master homage using a good toy, but Tigatron looks amazing, and the oddball Ranger and Puffer homages tickle me the way Diaclone homages do. I'm going to say Jackpot anyway. Galactic Odyssey CollectionNow these I definitely got in 2020. STUDIO SERIES:DeluxeJazz. Only one I got, but even so... VoyagerWreck Gar. He looked promising from those early images, and he really lived up to it! The RTS mould now just a distant, painful, memory. LeaderI haven't opened either Grimlock or Slag yet! Looking at the pair of them I think this might go to Slag though. Exclusive:Covert Agent Ravage deserves a mention because he's beautiful, with fun packaging, and even the G1 Ravage reissue with him is interesting. Pricey, but no regrets. GENERALWorst Toy:Tracks. What a terrible waste. And one of my favourite characters / designs. The Buyers Regret Award For The Worst Toy You Bought:No regrets really; I'm glad to have Tracks for having the whole lot of them (once Skids turns up), but I don't expect to play with him much. Best Toy:Airazor Best Older Toy You Bought:From my perspective, Cordon and Spin-Out, because it was available for me to buy in 2020. Otherwise it was all new releases this year. 2022 Toy You're Most Looking Forward To:Legacy Skids
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Dec 27, 2021 12:33:18 GMT
WAR FOR CYBERTRON: KINGDOM - See tmukhub.proboards.com/thread/10871/war-cybertron-iii-kingdom and tfwiki.net/wiki/War_for_Cybertron:_Kingdom Core Starscream - the transformation sequence was just grand Deluxe Cheetor by virtue of not being Blackarachnia and the only other Deluxe I have purchased. Voyager Cyclonus - wouldn't have thought another Cyclonus was needed, but there you go. Larger Toy The Ark - finally a Titan that feels like a toy. Well impressed. Kingdom Exclusive Grimlock - by virtue of being the only one I own. Generations Select G2 Sandstorm - even if took Kapow an absolute dogs age to get him. Galactic Odyssey Collection Encounter 1: Paradron Medics - it had Ratchet of course it was going to be the one. STUDIO SERIES: Deluxe Jazz. Voyager Hot Rod - oh aye this is the stuff Leader Dinobot Slug - very, very happy with the big lad. GENERAL Worst Toy: Unicron The Buyers Regret Award For The Worst Toy You Bought: Unicron. BIG LUMP OF SHITE. Best Toy: SS 86 Dinobot Slug Best Older Toy You Bought: Fairly recent but g1 Pyro, A very fun brick. Best Other Toy You Bought: Masters of the Universe Origins Castle Grayskull 2022 Toy You're Most Looking Forward To: Legacy Laser Rod Optimus |
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Post by Kingoji on Dec 29, 2021 10:34:46 GMT
WAR FOR CYBERTRON: KINGDOM
Core
Rattrap - Because it's Rattrap.
Deluxe
Warpath - JUST beats Airrazor as most solid all-rounder of this class, I think.
Voyager
Dinobot - Handsome lad. The beast mode suffers to make the robot, sure, but hasn't it always for this guy?
Leader
Beast Megatron - Only Leader I bought, but from what I've seen of the others, he'd have taken it anyway. Yes.
Larger Toy
Rodimus Prime - Only larger guy I got. Flawed but fun. Wait for the discount sale if you still need him.
Kingdom Exclusive
Grimlock - A contentious choice, I know, given it's inaccuracy to the figure it's supposed to be updating, but the mold itself is so sturdy, and the robot so well-balanced and proportioned that I cam see past all that. Bwsides, the Dinobot version is just as different from his original toy, yet he gets applauded.
Generations Select
Artfire & Nightstick - Only version of this mold I've experienced, and I can see why folks have sung its praises as Inferno and Grapple. Toyhax set really makes it sing.
Kingdom Golden Disc
Terrorsaur - But honestly it could have easily been Jackpot or Tizertron.
NETFLIX
N/A
Galactic Odyssey Collection
The only set I got was Paradron Medic, and that was in 2020.
Buzzworthy Bumblebee
Exclusive
Origin Bumblebee - Has no right to be this nice with all that kibble.
Multipack
"Worlds Collide" 4-pack (Nemesis Primal, Fangry, Bumblebee & Blackarachnia) - Fangry in particular.
STUDIO SERIES 86
Deluxe
Jazz - Damn near perfect.
Voyager
Hot Rod - Damn near perfect.
Leader
Slag - Because we didn't get Sludge yet.
STUDIO SERIES
N/A
CYBERVERSE
Deluxe
Starscream - Nicest of the three I got, but I didn't keep any of them.
Beast Wars Reissue
I didn't get any yet, but I had them all before and it would have been Optimus Primal.
JAPAN:
Takara Selects
N/A
Masterpiece
Starscream - Satusfying in a way no other MP attempt at the jets has been. I'm in on all three this time.
Exclusive
N/A
GENERAL
Worst Toy
Road Rage, sadly. Not TERRIBLE, but should have been sturdier.
The Buyers Regret Award For The Worst Toy You Bought
PCC Skyhammer with Airlift. I bought a bunch of older toys from lines I skipped on originally this year, and this was the one that most made me feel I hadn't missed out.
Best Toy
Tough call, I've been enamoured by most ot the new beasts. I'll give it to Megatron.
Best Older Toy You Bought
As I've said, I did a lot of retro spending this year... Tidal Wave, probably.
Best Other Toy You Bought
Planex X Ismenios (Deathsaurus) - Absolute brute of a figure in either mode, a proper premium display piece.
2022 Toy You're Most Looking Forward To
Legacy Beast Inferno - or any Masterpiece Beasts. None this year was my biggest sad.
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Post by Benn on Dec 29, 2021 11:14:17 GMT
WAR FOR CYBERTRON
Core: Vertebreak
Out of the two Core’s I’ve had this year Vertebreak wins by virtue of being the one I’ve fiddled with the most.
Deluxe: Huffer
I skipped the whole BW/Fossilisers, so slim pickings. In the end its between Huffer and Warpath and while Warpath is good, He’s a little too complicated in the legs to transform as much as Huffer.
Voyager: Cyclonus
Cyclonus takes it for the jet mode. His legs are still too square and stumpy for my eyes, but that jet is just too good.
Leader: Ultra Magnus
Only Leader class I bought.
Exclusive: Road Rage
Road Rage is very pretty as long as you don’t try to do anything with her legs.
Selects: Galvatron
Galvatron in toy colours is such an improvement over the original.
Golden Disc: Jackpot and Sights
Might be my overall winner of new toy of the year. He’s been ever present on my desk since arrival. Hits all the right buttons. If only his gun and Sights could combine.
NETFLIX
Deep Cover
Better in blue, what can I say?
BUZZWORTHY BUMBLEBEE
Worlds Collide
Drawn in by Fangry of course, but the Gorillaz inspired (in my head, anyway) Nemisis Primal is fun, Blackarachnia doesn’t feel as skeevy to play with as Arcee did, and Bumblebee is there, making sure I own every release of that mould so far.
STUDIO SERIES ‘86
Deluxe: Jazz
He’s spot on, isn’t he?
Voyager: Hot Rod
Again, strong contender for toy of the year. Does everything you’d want from a Hot Rod toy.
Leader: Slug
Name change aside, Slug has been the standout for me. Whereas Grimlock was just the Masterpiece done in plastic, Slug has been such a fun toy to mess with, and his Dino mode is adorable.
GENERAL
Worst Toy: Tracks
Sorry, but those legs are just bad design. Shame as he doesn’t really do anything else wrong.
The Buyers Regret Award For The Worst Toy You Bought: Artfire
Much as I’d been looking forward to Artfire, he was the toy where I realised I was buying for buying’s sake. He's not bad, he just doesn’t really do anything that makes him special, looks fairly bland and is coasting on name/rarity value.
Best Older Toy: Titans Return Greatshot
Wasn’t expecting to be as blown away by a toy I technically already own twice as I was with this guy. The colours and slight remoulding make him really pop though.
Best Other Toy: Shattered Glass Goldbug
Not sure why, really, but I do like the headsculpt.
2022 Toy You’re Most Looking Forward To: Sludge
Having seen what unexpected fun Slug was, I can’t help but look forward to the next step on the Dinobot Road.
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Post by Pinwig on Dec 29, 2021 11:24:04 GMT
Going to freestyle a bit here as usual because I don't think I could fill out all the normal categories properly.
NEW Figures
Best Original Mould
1. SS86 Wreck-Gar (this is just brilliant in both modes)
2. SS86 Slag (super update on the best dinobot)
3. Rodimus (he's got the touch)
4. The Ark (I like bigguns)
5. MP Skids (another important missing figure off the list)
(6. Maverick - 2020 toy, but 2021 for me. Oddly fascinating given the poor initial impression)
Best Exclusive
1. SG Optimus Prime (this transfixes me and I still don't know why)
2. X-Spanse (this figure has such character)
3. SG Jetfire (love Jetfire, love the black. Needs a toyhax set for some details)
4. SG Goldbug (running out of options)
5. Road Rage (looks lovely)
JP 93 would be here (an original mould exclusive, not many of those around)
Best Remould
1. SG Megatron (clever thinking for once)
2. Kingdom Inferno (love this mould)
3. Covert Ravage (made something appealing out of a mould that didn't interest me)
4. Terrorsaur (wasn't expecting quite so much effort)
Tyrannocon would be here (only version I'd consider, purely down to the paint job & new head)
Most Effective Repaint
1. G2 Ramjet (glorious)
2. SG Prime (in love with the purple)
3. Golden Disc Ranger (sinister; makes better use of the mould)
4. Sparkless Bot (don't want this, but the paint is amazing)
5. SG Goldbug (more mad recolouring that pops)
Most Impressive Engineering / Best Fiddle-Factor
1. Origins Bumblebee (very unusual and satisfying)
2. Core Starscream (wasn't expecting that in a toy so small)
3. Cyclonus (folds up incredibly well)
4. SS Grindor (no fun but amazing how the robot folds up into the chopper)
If I Could Only Keep Five Toys From This Year They'd Be:
1. The Ark (more play value than anything else despite the expense)
2. SS86 Wreck-Gar (always loved his look and this new version is spot on)
3. SS86 Slag (old school fave redone brilliantly)
4. Rodimus (Wreck-Gar needs his mate)
5. X-Spanse (nicely unique)
Biggest Disappointment
1. Fossilizers generally (looked great initially but turned out to be bobbins. Wingfinger is just rubbish.)
2. Huffer (Too big, doesn't look right, haven't bothered with Pipes)
3. Earthrise Mirage (not enough effort, wrong head)
4. Tracks (fits in well enough until you need to touch him)
5. Walgreens Red Alert (the anime colours are just dull compared to the original)
Most Pointless Toy
1. Megatron from the Skelivor set (simply shameless)
2. Galvatron Companion Pack (wireframing shown up by RED Megatron - wasted opportunity)
3. Takara Volcanicus repaints (arrived just as we got the SS86 ones)
4. Netflix Deep Cover (came at the same time as the one in the right colours)
5. The BW figures that aren't as good as the originals (ie. all of them)
Best 3P Toy
1. FT Seaspray
2. FT Drag Strip
Limited options for me here, didn't go FT Soundwave as I like the MP toy colours better
Best Other Toy
1. The MOTU Revelations line has been fun
Most looking forward to in 2022
1. New Menasor (always up for a new combiner)
2. Victory Saber (obviously)
3. Toy Galvatron (not had this mould at all yet)
4. Sludge (these three together will rock)
5. Velocitron Cosmos (if it's a new mould)
OLDER Figures
Best Purchase From Previous Lines
1. RID TRU Exc Scourge (this is just fabulous, what toys should be)
2. RID Dreadwind & Smokejumper (play features are wonderful, made me realise how boring toys are now)
3. RID Baldigus Set (splendid repaint of some of my fave G1 toys)
4. RID Bludgeon (BELLOWS)
5. G1 Inferno (long, long wanted one, went for it, didn't regret it)
The RID flip changers would be in here probably but I haven't had the courage to open them yet.
Most Surprising Re-Discovery from the Vaults
1. BW B'Boom (the play features I'd forgotten here are amazing)
2. Sticking the Aerialbots on Metroplex (does not get better than that)
3. Energon Megatron (chunky fun I'd never really looked at properly before)
4. Energon Shockblast (he's such a dude)
Pinwig's notes for future use:
Best Packaging/Boxart
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Jim
Thunderjet
Micromaster Backside Monitor
Now in glorious Ultra HD 4K
Posts: 4,619
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Post by Jim on Dec 29, 2021 16:28:51 GMT
If I Could Only Keep Five Toys From This Year They'd Be: Love this idea for a category! 1. Airazor - my favourite of the year, lovely characterful sculpting, posability, intuitive transformation, etc. 2. SS86 Jazz - excellent realisation of a great design 3. SS86 Wreck Gar - somewhat unexpected hit. He looked good from the first photos, but I didn't realise how good he'd be in hand 4. Kingdom Rodimus Prime - he's Rodimus Prime! And they've done enough with the sculpting to really distinguish him from Hot Rod 5. Covert Agent Ravage - classy black two-gunned kitty bot. One to keep mostly in robot mode, but that's fine Looking back over this list it seems toys with character is a bit of a theme. |
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Post by Philip Ayres on Jan 1, 2022 14:08:31 GMT
WAR FOR CYBERTRON: KINGDOM:
Core: Soundwave, for being the first retail small Soundwave. But the Starscream is innovative
Deluxe: Huffer. Fab, finally a decent update for Huffer. Airazor was the best beast
Voyager: Inferno. Cyclonus is rather good
Leader: Galvatron
Larger Toy: Rodimus Prime
Kingdom Exclusive: WFC-K42 F1208 Sideswipe & Maximal Skywarp (Amazon)
Generations Select: HARD: WFC-GS20 Spinout & Cordon, WFC-GS21 G2 Sandstorm, WFC-GS23 Deep Cover, WFC-GS24 G2 Ramjet, WFC-GS26 Artfire & Nightstick are all great. And I haven't even got WFC-GS27 Toy Galvatron yet!!!
Spinout & Cordon for being two repaints of the Sunstreaker Lambo, who'd never had a TF repaint before, who's originals I'd long lusted over.
Kingdom Golden Disc: Road Ranger & Puffer
Galactic Odyssey Collection: Encounter 1: Paradron Medics
NETFLIX :
W3 Deluxe: Deep Cover
W3 Voyager or Leader: Megatron with Fossilizer Skelivore
Buzzworthy Bumblebee:
Exclusive: Deluxe Class Origin Bumblebee
Multipack: "Worlds Collide" 4-pack (Nemesis Primal, Fangry, Bumblebee & Blackarachnia)
STUDIO SERIES 86:
Deluxe: Gnaw
Voyager: Wreck-Gar
Leader: Grimlock
Beast Wars Reissue: Tigatron. Followed by Rattrap
JAPAN::
Takara Selects:: Volcanicus
Masterpiece:: Reboost
GENERAL:
Worst Toy::
The Buyers Regret Award For The Worst Toy You Bought:: Earth Mode Mirage. Tracks. Road Rage. Kingdom Scorponok
Best Toy:: Huffer
Best Older Toy You Bought:: CR Black Convoy
Best Other Toy You Bought:: PR Zeo Megazord
2022 Toy You're Most Looking Forward To:: Velocitron Black Convoy
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Post by Pinwig on Jan 1, 2022 14:32:26 GMT
What this tells us is that Phil should be banned from picking Lamborghini moulds.
Go on then, Phil. If you could only keep one Lamborghini from last year, which one?
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Post by Philip Ayres on Jan 1, 2022 14:35:30 GMT
That's like being asked to choose which child to keep! I love them all!!!
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Post by Pinwig on Jan 1, 2022 14:40:10 GMT
Exactly! Come on, come on.
I'll bet it isn't Netflix Deep Cover.
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Post by The Doctor on Jan 1, 2022 14:48:01 GMT
Point of order: the BW reissue Tigatron isn't out yet.
-Ralph
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Post by Philip Ayres on Jan 1, 2022 15:50:01 GMT
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Post by Pinwig on Jan 1, 2022 16:09:42 GMT
Stop avoiding the question!
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Post by Philip Ayres on Jan 1, 2022 16:23:22 GMT
Exactly! Come on, come on. I'll bet it isn't Netflix Deep Cover. I like Netflix Deep Cover a lot! |
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Post by Pinwig on Jan 1, 2022 16:24:34 GMT
Yes but he's nothing compared to the proper one.
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Post by Pinwig on Jan 1, 2022 16:27:39 GMT
He was in stock at Star from midnight. |
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Post by The Doctor on Jan 1, 2022 17:42:31 GMT
But you can't vote for a toy in 2021 when you did not own it in 2021! Impossible! Not out in the UK until 2022, also. -Ralph |
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Post by The Doctor on Jan 1, 2022 17:43:06 GMT
He was in stock at Star from midnight. Midnight is 2022. -Ralph |
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Post by Pinwig on Jan 1, 2022 17:55:49 GMT
Not disputing that, just alerting the hub to his immediate availability.
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Post by Bogatan on Jan 2, 2022 17:28:36 GMT
WAR FOR CYBERTRON: KINGDOM -
Core Rattrap, nice little figure but more importantly he is McBeast class sized, making him the best.
worst - megatron I suppose, nothing wrong just less good than Rattrap and Prime.
Deluxe Best - Ive honestly been mildly underwhelmed by most of Kingdom Warpath or scorponok. Gonna go scorpy as I wa surprised by how much I liked it.
Worst - Track, doesnt do anything better than the RTS version and those legs. In may respects I should opt for Arcee but at least shes a decent action figure even if shes a rubbish transformer.
VoyagerBest - Cyclonus because Dinobot has those silly arms
Worst -
Leader Best Megatron. Ultra Magnus a close second
Worst
Larger Toy
Kingdom ExclusiveSideswipe
Eh I really dont have strong enough views on most of these to go through them all.
GENERAL
Worst Toy: Tracks
The Buyers Regret Award For The Worst Toy You Bought:
Despite the fact I did buy Tracks special mention for getting Arcee AFTER getting Elita and Paradon Medic.
Best Toy: SS Hot Rod and Buzzworthy Bumblebee that should be Bumblejumper.
Best Older Toy You Bought: Microman Browning
Best Other Toy You Bought:I think I averaged a Powermaster Prime/Ginrai once every other month
2022 Toy You're Most Looking Forward To: Sludge
Edit: And Tigertron reissue to add to my rock bubble collection.
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Post by Llama God on Jan 3, 2022 10:48:38 GMT
He was in stock at Star from midnight. I saw him in Singapore before Christmas Day. So yeah, he definitely counts. |
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