Welcome to Inkbunny...
Allowed ratings
To view member-only content, create an account. ( Hide )
AlexReynard

Transformers #Top17of2017!

Thew's still doing it, so I will too! 2017 has been a bumpy year for humans, but it's been an amazing year for robots. This is the era where third party companies have truly Stopped Messing Around. There's no more making excuses for figures that look good but have bad alt-modes, or bad joints, or who can't stand up. Third-parties are making some seriously killer bots. And best of all. HasTak has clearly taken this as friendly competition. They are unmistakably using third-party toys to see what characters are in demand, then laying down the gauntlet with their own Titans, POTP or Masterpiece versions. I love it. This is the best time to be a Transformer collector, and this year has been an embarrassment of riches for me. It's unbelievable the quality bots that didn't make the list. But painful trimming had to be done, and here are the superstars that made the cut.

BTW, this is entirely my own personal taste. I can understand why some of you might boo these choices, but hey, I'm weird. Also, I made a rule not to include any of my Christmas gets. Too soon to really judge them fairly.)

17. Fansproject Protector Armor & Sidearm + Dr. Wu face kit
I've wanted this set ever since I got City Commander. I'm usually not a fan of partsformers, but this is some sturdy plastic and solid engineering. Really adds new life to the Classics Deluxe. The remaining trailer transforms more than I expected it to too, And I love the little Rodimus-themed Roller. The new face was the perfect cherry on top.

16. X-Transbots Stax
This little blue fellow is probably objectively bad. Lotsa loose joints and not enough paint. But somehow he's just got this irresistible charm. His sculpt has a lot of personality, he stands surprisingly well for having a backpack that big, his chrome is lovely, and that face-swapping gimmick is just the greatest little 'you totally didn't have to do that but you did' detail.

15. MakeToys Despotron
MakeToys took some risks with this one, resulting in some strange proportions in both robot and gun modes. He's bold. Unique. That insane cackling smile is fantastic. And he has the cleanest, kibble-free back of any large-scale Decepticon tyrant so far. This is a genius transformation, but it's not for the fainthearted. Lots of panels,and lots of 'I could have never thought of that.'

14. Beast Hunters Darksteel + Renderform Death Czar + ToyHax Deathsaurus Upgrade
I buy these to transform them. I do not normally like shelfpieces. So one has to be seriously damn gorgeous to win my heart. This amalgamation of Hasbro, 3D printing and custom stickers (plus a little mace Micron) produces a stunning rebirth of the unattainable-in-the-States Deathsaurus. I put him on display by my monitor and he's been there for six months now. Such presence!

13. The Last Knight Voyager Nitro Zeus
The TLK toyline has been very much quality over quantity. Not many new molds, but I've been happy with all of them so far. Nitro is glorious. Some of the cleverest engineering from HasTak in a long time. The jet mode practically vanishes except for the tailfin. The wings-into-thrusters is especially smart. Plus that menacing cyclopean eye on top. Could this guy be Lugnut in disguise?

12. Ocular Max Artifex
Hoist was one of my earliest Transformers and I've been waiting a while for his MP-esque reboot. The truck is a beauty. The evergreen-and-carrot color scheme is just right. Transformation perplexed me at first, but then I found myself converting him over and over. I love the 'click' of his wheels sliding up and down, and the lovely touch of his hood compressing for a narrower waist.

11. The Last Knight Deluxe Sqweeks
As a kid I was a sucker for big-eyed adorable robots. I watched Short Circuit and Batteries Not Included uncountable times. I squee'ed for Sqweeks as soon as I saw him. The Deluxe had to mess with his proportions to make transformation possible, and I still wish the arms didn't parts form, but he's nonetheless adorable and fun. Oh those big heartmelting eyes...

10. BadCube Wardog
There is some serious mass-shifting going on here. A powerhouse of a tank, dripping with details, compresses down to a respectably-kibbleless robosoldier. I love how he's almost wholly crimson all over, which makes his squinty blue eyes stand out. Set aside some time to transform him. But going from robot to tank, when aaaaallll the pieces finally tab together, is unbelievably satisfying.

09. X-Transbots Glider
This guy is practically ancient in third-party terms, hailing from the bygone year of 2011. Though his design is even older, 'borrowed' from the designer who came up with many of Fansproject's Headmasters. The same inventiveness is in Glider. A charming, easy, fun-to-play-with little chap. The transformation of the legs, and the chest/fuselage redistribution, both deserve applause.

08. Titans Return Voyager Octane
Octane was a toy from my childhood that I really wished I could have liked more. Hasbro made me wait a heck of a long time for a proper update, but he finally drove in and exceeded my expectations. Colors are perfect. Head is spot-on. I love that Murk can sit in either direction for both alt-modes. Plane's a bit wonky, but, eh, triple-changers. The robot's great and the truck's even better.

07. Diaclone Scopeman
I love it when something I've been hunting for a long time ends up living up to expectations. I found Scopeman at a Canadian resale shop for a DOLLAR. Unbelievable. He's got the same charm as all the other original Diaclone bros. Sliding his legs up into binocular mode is indescribably enjoyable. He should've gotten a chance beside Soundwave and Reflector, but at least now he's mine.

06. MakeToys Contact Shot
Is a toy allowed to be this handsome? Just LOOK at him!! Yet again, G1 Pointblank was a special toy to my heart, and two decades later he's back. I could not throw money at MakeToys fast enough. The car looks like Tron and the transformation is nicely efficient. I so love the color scheme of brick red, turquoise and black. All that and a fun little partner that fits into his cleverly-assembled cockpit.

05. Masterpiece Artfire
Speaking of gorgeous... The only problem I had with MP Inferno was that he was too freakin' red. I am so glad I waited half a year for the recolor. The milk white and icy blue balances it wonderfully. And the transformation's as good as the look. The ladder-vanish is flat-out the most impressive magic trick a Transformer has ever pulled off. Nightstick is also impressively complex for a gun guy.

04. The Last Knight Tiny Turbo Changers Sqweeks
Why is the equivalent of a gumball machine toy on this list? Because I adore little complicated things, and I love Sqweeks anyway, so a tinier version of him was a total bullseye for me. The short transformation has that same enjoyable hand-feel as a non-knockoff fidget cube. And he's got better proportions than the Deluxe with his big dome of a helmet. Such a cutie.

03. The Last Knight Deluxe Cogman
The word for TLK Cogman is 'exemplary'. Elegant in every pose and both modes. This is what ROTF Deluxe Soundwave was trying to be. Easy to transform without much we haven't seen before, but each step puts things right where they need to be. The real star is the unbelievable density of sculpted detail and the inkwash that brings it out. Why haven't they done this with other figures?

02. Masterpiece Megatron v2
Not in my wildest dreams could I imagine a transformation this complex could be this enjoyable. Takara nodded to DX9 and MakeToys, then topped them both. The headsculpt and silhouette are superb, but more than that, the engineering is miles ahead. Aside from a few necessary mod-tweaks, this transformation feels STURDY. And he's the best-proportioned gun of the three by far. All hail!

01. BadCube Sunsurge
What could possibly top the greatest MP toy I've ever gotten? This yellow badass. His transformation would send most fans fleeing in tears, but for me, I have always wanted one that challenges me every single time I transform it. And he beams personality. That smirk on his face, those striking eyes, the way his sculpt screams for action posing... He's the best and he damn well knows it.

So that's my list! Apologies to all the robots I got this year who didn't get a mention, and honorable mentions (for non-Transformer transforming toys) go to:

Tobot Athlon Metron He's a train that's as long as my arm! He weighs a freakin' ton! His ratchets are loud AF! He's got a wrestler's mask for a helmet! His weapon is a GIANT BARBELL! Sweet Jesus!
Switch 'n Go Dinos Quiver The Stygimoloch Dead simple, but he's got that 'clicky chunks of indestructible plastic' feel that reminds me of my favorite 1987 TFs. Just plain fun.

Let me know what your favorite finds were below, and have a happy new year! May all your bots be bright and merry!
Viewed: 50 times
Added: 6 years, 2 months ago
 
Matrixbeast
6 years, 2 months ago
This year has probably been the first year in a while where I bought a Transformer off the shelf and didn't regret any of those purchases. Goddamn~
AlexReynard
6 years, 2 months ago
What'd ya get?
Matrixbeast
6 years, 2 months ago
TLK Nitro Zeus, Voyager Megatron, RID Thunderhoof (I know he was released last year, but I only found one this year), TR Blitzwing, Octane, and Topspin

This year has been amazing for 3rd Party figures, and I've been eyeing quite a few, but I'm broke, so I typically wait until they go on sale for some sites.
AlexReynard
6 years, 2 months ago
<high five> All of those that weren't on my list were contenders. I love that Thunderhoof is a gangster reindeer.

What I usually do is have eBay do saved searches for me. Takes a long time, but usually nets me stuff at the price I'm willing to pay. I'm lucky in that Transformers are pretty much the only thing I want to spend my loose funds on.
Matrixbeast
6 years, 2 months ago
Thunderhoof is easily my favorite member of Steeljaw's gang. A mafioso reindeer tractor? Fucking gorgeous~

I use eBay fairly often (Like I said, I'm broke, so getting things at a lower price is a godsend for me), but finding 3rd party figures on eBay at a good price is pretty difficult for me. I guess I don't have the patience (Or memory).
AlexReynard
6 years, 2 months ago
>Thunderhoof is easily my favorite member of Steeljaw's gang. A mafioso reindeer tractor? Fucking gorgeous~

A lobstermobile is fine too.

>I use eBay fairly often (Like I said, I'm broke, so getting things at a lower price is a godsend for me), but finding 3rd party figures on eBay at a good price is pretty difficult for me. I guess I don't have the patience (Or memory).

How about a definitive compilation of every third-party figure? https://www.dropbox.com/s/qg0fljtswcl7hmf/3rd%20Party.x...
AlexReynard
6 years, 1 month ago
I just now noticed that, purely by coincidence, I put Titans Return Octane at the eighth place.
New Comment:
Move reply box to top
Log in or create an account to comment.