Your Select 16 Hasbro collection

[Nigel]

Below is a list of sixteen categories, based mainly on periods from the history of Transformers, as released by Hasbro.

Imagine your entire collection could consist only of one toy from each category. Which would you choose? Your choices need not be based on any that you actually own and can be chosen based on personal favourites and/or those that best exemplify the category.

(Also, what do you think of the categories I have come up with?)

1. Classical (1984-1985)
2. New Wave Classical (1986)
3. First/Classical Age of Gimmickry (1987-1989)
4. Industry-Influenced (1989-1991 Actionmasters and Micromasters)
5. Pre Modern (1992-1993)
6. Early Modern (Generation 2)
7. Modern (Beast Wars)
8. Stylized Modern (Beast Machines)
9. Technical Modern (Robots In Disguise)
10. Second/Modern Age of Gimmickry (Armada, Energon and Cybertron)
11. Revisionist (Movie)
12. Revivalist (Alternators, Classics and Universe)
13. Postmodern (Animated, Robot Heroes, Mighty Muggs)
14. Licensed (Animorphs, Star Wars, Marvel)
15. Non-Conformist (toys that don't properly fit in any other other category eg original Universe, Machine Wars, Heroes of Cybertron, GoBots)
16. Wild Card (a second toy from any of the other categories)

[dyrl]

Here's my choices:

1. Classical (1984-1985) ----------------------------------------------> Optimus Prime

2. New Wave Classical (1986)---------------------------------------> Devastator Giftpack

3. First/Classical Age of Gimmickry (1987-1989)------------------> Headmaster Skorponok

4. Industry-Influenced (1989-1991 Actionmasters, Micromasters)---> Actionmaster Thundercracker

5. Pre Modern (1992-1993)---------------------------> Turbomaster Rotorstorm


6. Early Modern (Generation 2)---------------------> Um...none really...


7. Modern (Beast Wars)----------------------------> Transmetal Rampage

8. Stylized Modern (Beast Machines)------------> Blast Punch Optimus Primal


9. Technical Modern (Robots In Disguise)---------> Car Robots Gigatron

10. Second/Modern Age of Gimmickry (AEC)-----> Armada Japanese Color Tidalwave

11. Revisionist (Movie)------------------------------> Barricade

12. Revivalist (Alternators, Classics, Universe)--------------> None (prefer Binaltech/Henkei)

13. Postmodern (Animated, Robot Heroes, Mighty Muggs)--------> Animated Leader Bulkhead

14. Licensed (Animorphs, Star Wars, Marvel)------------------------> None

15. Non-Conformist (toys that don't properly fit in any other other category ie original Universe, Machine Wars, Heroes of Cybertron)-----------> None


16. Wild Card (a second toy from any of the other categories) --------> Armada Unicron

Pete

[Nigel]

Tsk, tsk, Pete's cheating by choosing Takara toys - it's a Hasbro Select 16 - and by choosing a gift set, but he's been caught out, because Devastator was '85, not '86.

[Benn]

1. Classical Mirage
2. New Wave Classical Springer
3. First/Classical Age of Gimmickry Sureshot
4. Industry-Influenced Gunrunner
5. Pre Modern Overlord
6. Early Modern Laser Optimus Prime
7. Modern Transmetal Rattrap
8. Stylized Modern Tankor
9. Technical Modern Optimus Prime
10. Second/Modern Age of Gimmickry Unicron
11. Revisionist Brawl
12. Revivalist Alternators Jazz
13. Postmodern Animated Skywarp
14. Licensed Star wars Darth Vader /TIE Advanced
15. Non-Conformist Revoltech Megatron
16. Wild Card Masterpiece Optimus Prime with trailer

[legios]

I wouldn't have called Machine Wars "Non-comformist" personally, after all the new molds are in many ways just an evolution of design elements from your "Early Modern" period. So if it had been my call I would have rolled it into there. (Out of curiosity, why only Hasbro releases? It makes it an even more artificial exercise for me as in some of the eras my choices would have been completely different otherwise).

1. Classical (1984-1985) - Grimlock
2. New Wave Classical (1986) - Metroplex
3. First/Classical Age of Gimmickry (1987-1989)- Punch
4. Industry-Influenced (1989-1991 Actionmasters, Micromasters)- Air Strike Patrol
5. Pre Modern (1992-1993) - Pyro
6. Early Modern (Generation 2) - Combat Hero Megatron
7. Modern (Beast Wars) - Gorilla Optimus Primal
8. Stylized Modern (Beast Machines) - Deluxe Jetstorm
9. Technical Modern (Robots In Disguise) - Scourge (the Black Convoy-based version)
10. Second/Modern Age of Gimmickry (Armada, Energon, Cybertron) - Cybertron Hot Shot (presuming I recall correctly that this was the US name for GF Excellion)
11. Revisionist (Movie) - Big Daddy
12. Revivalist (Alternators, Classics, Universe) - Classics Skywarp
13. Postmodern (Animated, Robot Heroes, Mighty Muggs) - no nomination
14. Licensed (Animorphs, Star Wars, Marvel) - no nomination
15. Non-Conformist (toys that don't properly fit in any other other category ie original Universe, Machine Wars, Heroes of Cybertron) - MW Megaplex
16. Wild Card (a second toy from any of the other categories) - Roadbuster ('85 version).

Karl

[Kingoji]

1. Classical - Grimlock
2. New Wave Classical - Wreck-Gar
3. First/Classical Age of Gimmickry - Slugslinger
4. Industry-Influenced - Carnivac
5. Pre Modern - Stalker
6. Early Modern - Laser Optimus Prime
7. Modern - Transmetal Tarrantulas
8. Stylized Modern - Tankor
9. Technical Modern - Prowl
10. Second/Modern Age of Gimmickry - Armada Optimus Prime
11. Revisionist - Starscream
12. Revivalist - Universe Cyclonus
13. Postmodern - Animated Megatron (Leader Class)
14. Licensed - Star Wars Boba Fett/Slave 1
15. Non-Conformist - Titanium War Within Optimus Prime
16. Wild Card - Masterpiece Optimus Prime

[Nigel]

Feb 22, 2009 21:46:51 GMT legios said:

I wouldn't have called Machine Wars "Non-comformist" personally, after all the new molds are in many ways just an evolution of design elements from your "Early Modern" period. So if it had been my call I would have rolled it into there. (Out of curiosity, why only Hasbro releases? It makes it an even more artificial exercise for me as in some of the eras my choices would have been completely different otherwise).

Machine Wars is something of a curiosity. As it's composed partly of repainted Pre Modern and partly original Modern styles, I don't think it fits comfortably in either.

I was wondering who'd be the first to ask, why no Japanese? (Yes, it does make it artificial, but these things always are, aren't they?) Part of this exercise was to look at the development of the line. With Hasbro, I think it's fairly clear to see progression in aesthetic design and engineering and the line can be broken up quite easily. With Takara, I don't their releases can be split as straightforwardly for a few reasons: there were often toys brought back into the line a year or two after their original release as repaints/remoulds; in the "Modern Age", lines were sometimes released out of order in terms of aesthetics/engineering (eg Beast Wars Returns/Beast Machines - after Car Robots/RID); there have been more new versions of original characters (WST, Choro-Q, Masterpiece, Mega-SCF, MyClone, e-Hobby repaints etc) - as opposed to versions inspired by the originals (eg Animated) - and these vary so much in style that they are difficult to categorise.

Anyhoo, my choices:

1. Classical - Optimus Prime
2. New Wave Classical - Hot Rod
3. First/Classical Age of Gimmickry - Fortress Maximus
4. Industry-Influenced - Groundshaker
5. Pre Modern - Stalker
6. Early Modern - Megatron (big green tank)
7. Modern - Rattrap (Basic)
8. Stylized Modern - Tankor
9. Technical Modern - Sideburn (red)
10. Second/Modern Age of Gimmickry - Unicron (Armada)
11. Revisionist - Incinerator
12. Revivalist - Mirage
13. Postmodern - Oil Sick
14. Licensed - Darth Vader/Death Star
15. Non-Conformist - Nemesis Prime (Universe Big Convoy repaint)
16. Wild Card (Metroplex)

[Gav]

Being the Transformers novice that I am - i'm going from strained memory here....

1. Classical (1984-1985): Optimus Prime
2. New Wave Classical (1986): Hot Rod
3. First/Classical Age of Gimmickry (1987-1989): Headmaster Scorponok
4. Industry-Influenced (1989-1991 Actionmasters and Micromasters): Greasepit Micromaster Base
5. Pre Modern (1992-1993)- Pass
6. Early Modern (Generation 2) - Pass
7. Modern (Beast Wars): Silverbolt
8. Stylized Modern (Beast Machines): Wee Scavenger
9. Technical Modern (Robots In Disguise): Optimus Prime
10. Second/Modern Age of Gimmickry (Armada, Energon and Cybertron): Cybertron Evac
11. Revisionist (Movie): Nightwatch Optimus
12. Revivalist (Alternators, Classics and Universe): Universe Cyclonus
13. Postmodern (Animated, Robot Heroes, Mighty Muggs): Animated Sentinel Prime
14. Licensed (Animorphs, Star Wars, Marvel): Marvel Captain America Transformer - amazing monstrosity.
15. Non-Conformist (toys that don't properly fit in any other other category eg original Universe, Machine Wars, Heroes of Cybertron, GoBots)- Do Robot Heroes count? RiD Optimus if so!
16. Wild Card (a second toy from any of the other categories) : RiD Scourge with the wee air pump!

[KoshNaranek]

My picks are:

1. Classical (1984-1985) - Shockwave
2. New Wave Classical (1986) - Metroplex
3. First/Classical Age of Gimmickry (1987-1989) - Fortress Maximus
4. Industry-Influenced (1989-1991 Actionmasters and Micromasters) - Thunderwing
5. Pre Modern (1992-1993) - Overlord
6. Early Modern (Generation 2) - Laser Optimus Prime
7. Modern (Beast Wars) - Optimus Primal
8. Stylized Modern (Beast Machines) - Tankor
9. Technical Modern (Robots In Disguise) - Optimus Prime
10. Second/Modern Age of Gimmickry (Armada, Energon and Cybertron) - Energon Scorponok
11. Revisionist (Movie) - Optimus Prime (leader class)
12. Revivalist (Alternators, Classics and Universe) - Onslaught
13. Postmodern (Animated, Robot Heroes, Mighty Muggs) - Animated Megatron (leader class)
14. Licensed (Animorphs, Star Wars, Marvel) - Darth Vader/Death Star
15. Non-Conformist (toys that don't properly fit in any other other category eg original Universe, Machine Wars, Heroes of Cybertron, GoBots) - Masterpiece Optimus Prime (US version as it's Hasbro)
16. Wild Card (a second toy from any of the other categories) - Cybertron Primus

- Tony

[Nigel]

Ah, this is interesting. I came up with the Industry-Influenced category as a place for Actionmasters and Micromasters because they can be seen as Hasbro's reaction to then contemporary popular brands (action figures and Micro Machines). Several people have chosen Pretenders for this category, which I'd considered Classical Age of Gimmickry; I'd never thought of them in this way before, but they can also be seen as a reaction to other action figures.

[legios]

Feb 23, 2009 10:17:50 GMT Nigel said:

Feb 22, 2009 21:46:51 GMT legios said:

Machine Wars is something of a curiosity. As it's composed partly of repainted Pre Modern and partly original Modern styles, I don't think it fits comfortably in either.

Fair enough - I can see the logic to that.

I was wondering who'd be the first to ask, why no Japanese? Part of this exercise was to look at the development of the line. With Hasbro, I think it's fairly clear to see progression in aesthetic design and engineering and the line can be broken up quite easily. With Takara, I don't their releases can be split as straightforwardly for a few reasons

Ta muchly, I was curious about the thought process behind the decision. You have satisfied my curiousity now.

Karl

[Nigel]

Mind you, if you apply my Machine Wars logic to Robots In Disguise, I suppose that range is even more problematic! (It also illustrates my points about Takara's releases being "out of order" (Machine Wars, Transmetal 2) and the reuse of earlier toys (Gobots, Combaticons, Laser Optimus, Maximus).)

[Philip Ayres]

1. Classical Devastator
2. New Wave Classical Ultra Magnus
3. First/Classical Age of Gimmickry Fortress Maximus
4. Industry-Influenced Skystalker
5. Pre Modern Rescue Force Jet
6. Early Modern Cyberjet Hooligan
7. Modern Ultra Optimus Primal
8. Stylized Modern Night Slash Cheetor
9. Technical Modern Optimus Prime (Super Fire Convoy)
10. Second/Modern Age of Gimmickry Armada Hoist
11. Revisionist Longarm
12. Revivalist Classics Bumblebee
13. Postmodern Animated Grimlock
14. Licensed -
15. Non-Conformist Reissue Powermaster Optimus Prime
16. Wild Card Tigerhawk

[Bogatan]

This is one of those things were Im torn between me now as an adult collector and what I wanted at the time of release.

1. Classical (1984-1985) - Prowl
2. New Wave Classical (1986) - Metroplex
3. First/Classical Age of Gimmickry (1987-1989) - Powermaster Prime
4. Industry-Influenced (1989-1991 Actionmasters and Micromasters) Countdown (I also really want to say AM Sideswipe and AM Thundercracker as it really defines a mad few years of toys)
5. Pre Modern (1992-1993) - Rotostorm (was going to go with Overlord but really thats a powermaster and dooesnt belong here as much as Rotorstorm)
6. Early Modern (Generation 2) - Laser Optimus Prime
7. Modern (Beast Wars) - Rattrap
8. Stylized Modern (Beast Machines) - Buzzsaw
9. Technical Modern (Robots In Disguise) - Optimus Prime
10. Second/Modern Age of Gimmickry (Armada, Energon and Cybertron) - Voyager Cybertron starscream.
11. Revisionist (Movie) - Nightwatch Prime
12. Revivalist (Alternators, Classics and Universe) - Hound
13. Postmodern (Animated, Robot Heroes, Mighty Muggs) - Black Arachnia
14. Licensed (Animorphs, Star Wars, Marvel) - ?
15. Non-Conformist (toys that don't properly fit in any other other category eg original Universe, Machine Wars, Heroes of Cybertron, GoBots) - Fractyl And Packrat
16. Wild Card (a second toy from any of the other categories) Sludge

MW Megaplex as an example of a linethat never was also deserves a mention. It was between him and Fractyl and Packrat who I chose as an example of how to do an exclusive.

The selection is pretty good Nigel, the only area I feel is too broad is the Micromaster actionmaster grouping, two such different approaches are hard to compare and choose between. For me anyway.

Andy

[Grand Moff Muffin]

Feb 22, 2009 17:50:50 GMT Nigel said:

(Also, what do you think of the categories I have come up with?)

Rather limiting to someone who only cares to own TFs from one era (classical).

I could always cheat I suppose:

1. Classical (1984-1985) - Skywarp
3. First/Classical Age of Gimmickry (1987-1989) - Soundblaster
4. Industry-Influenced (1989-1991 Actionmasters and Micromasters) - Classic Heroes Prowl from 1990
5. Pre Modern (1992-1993) - yellow Constructicons
6. Early Modern (Generation 2) - G2 Optimus Prime
15. Non-Conformist (toys that don't properly fit in any other other category eg original Universe, Machine Wars, Heroes of Cybertron, GoBots) - Bumblebee on a keyring
16. Wild Card (a second toy from any of the other categories) - Jetfire

But I fear that is going against the spirit of your poll.

Martin

[Shockprowl]

Can't do it. Too hard. (I'm still thinking though...)

[The Doctor]

I'll do it for you!

1: Prowl
2: Prowl
3: Prowl
4: Prowl
5: Prowl
6: Prowl
7: Prowl
8: Prowl
9: Prowl
10: Prowl
11: Prowl
12: Prowl
13: Prowl
14: Prowl
15: Prowl
16: Prowl

Tee hee!

-Ralph

[Shockprowl]

AAAAARRRGH!!!!! HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT?!

[Shockprowl]

All right, here we go...

Classical - Soundwave
New wave - Blitzwing
First Gimmickry - Predaking
Industry - Action Master Prowl
Pre-modern - ?
Early Modern - ?
Modern - Magnaboss
Stylized Modern - ?
Tech Modern - RiD Prowl
2nd Gimmickry - Unicron
Revisionist - 'MP' Prowl (Binaltech Alert converted into Prowl)
Post Modern - ?
Licensed - not interested
Non-conformist - ?
Wild Card - toss up between Titanium War Within Megatron and Classics Prowl


Healthy number of Prowl's in there, me thinks.

[primenova]

1. Classical OPTIMUS PRIME [with multi trailers]
2. New Wave Classical GALVATRON
3. First/Classical Age of Gimmickry (1987-1989)
4. Industry-Influenced TOTE
5. Pre Modern SKYQUAKE
6. Early Modern MEGATRON
7. Modern OPTIMAL OPTIMUS
8. Stylized Modern MEGATRON
9. Technical Modern GALVATRON
10. Second/Modern Age of Gimmickry MEGATRON
11. Revisionist RATCHET
12. Revivalist STARSCREAM
13. Postmodern MEGATRON
14. Licensed HULK
15. Non-Conformist JAPAN TOYS - DINOKING
16. Wild Card MP STARSCREAM