Tag Archives: Autobot

My Transformer Collection Showcase, Transformatorium

Transformers Collection – Prime

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And thus the great cataloging of my personal collection continues.

The Transformers Prime cartoon came out while the live-action movies were at their peak in popularity,  and so took on much of their asthetic.  Prime as a long-nosed cab, Arcee as a motorcycle, Bumblebee having a damaged voicebox – all lifted from the Movieverse.  This meant that poor old Ironhide lost his spot on Team Prime as in the Movieverse, Sentinel had just killed him.

Prime has proven to be one of the most popular Transformer cartoons of all time, and it had a pretty good toyline to go with it, although all the sublines contained within became very confusing, including: First Edition, Robots in Disguise, Cyberverse, Arms Micron, Go!, Adventure, Thrilling 30, Beast Hunters, Beast Hunters: Preadacons Rising and even more!

 

Transformers Prime Autobot Figures

Transformers Prime Autobots

 

*Item #PRA001: Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Autobot Ultimate Optimus Prime

Reference Photo: #P00260

 

*Item #PRA002: Transformers Prime  Autobot  Optimus Prime

*Item #PRA003: Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Autobot  Optimus Prime

Reference Photo: #P00261

 

*Item #PRA004: Transformers Prime  Autobot Weaponizer Bumblebee

*Item #PRA005: Platinum Edition Transformers Prime  Autobot Weaponizer Ultra Magnus (MISB)

*Item #PRA006: Transformers Prime  Autobot Weaponizer Optimus Prime

Reference Photo: #P00262

 

*Item #PRA007: Transformers Prime  Autobot Ultra Magnus

*Item #PRA008: Transformers Adventure  Autobot TAV14 Ultra Magnus

Reference Photo: #P00263

 

*Item #PRA009: Transformers Prime  Autobot Cliffjumper

*Item #PRA010: Transformers GO! Prime  Autobot G06 Smokescreen

*Item #PRA011: Transformers Prime  Autobot Kup

*Item #PRA012: Transformers Prime  Autobot Hot Shot

*Item #PRA013: Transformers Prime  Autobot Wheeljack

*Item #PRA014: Transformers Prime  Autobot Bumblebee

*Item #PRA015: Transformers Prime  Autobot Arcee

*Item #PRA016: Transformers Prime  Autobot Ratchet

Reference Photo: #P00264

 

*Item #PRA017: Transformers Prime  Autobot Bulkhead

Reference Photo: #P00265

 

*Item #PRA018: Transformers Prime  Beast Hunters Autobot Smokescreen

*Item #PRA019:  Transformers Prime  Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising Autobot Smokescreen

Reference Photo: #P00266

 

*Item #PRA020: Transformers Prime  Autobot Fallback

*Item #PRA021:  Transformers Prime  Autobot Tailgate

Reference Photo: #P00267

 

*Item #PRA022: Transformers Prime  Autobot Ironhide

*Item #PRA023: Transformers Prime  Beast Hunters Autobot Huffer

*Item #PRA024: Transformers Prime  Beast Hunters Autobot Trailcutter

Reference Photo: #P00268

 

*Item #PRA025: Transformers Prime  Beast Hunters Autobot Arcee (MOSC)

*Item #PRA026: Transformers Prime  Beast Hunters Autobot Arcee

Reference Photo: #P00269

 

*Item #PRA027: Transformers Arms Micron Orion Pax  (MISB)

*Item #PRA028: Transformers Arms Micron Gold Metal R.A (MISB)

Reference Photo: #P00270

 

*Item #PRA029: Transformers Prime  First Edition Terrorcon Cliffjumper (MOSC)

Reference Photo: #P00271

 

*Item #PRA030: Transformers Prime  Cyberverse Autobot Quickblade Bumblebee (MOSC)

*Item #PRA031: Transformers Prime  Cyberverse Autobot Arcee (MOSC)

*Item #PRA032: Transformers Prime  Beast Hunters Autobot Prowl (MOSC)

Reference Photo: #P00272

 

*Item #PRA034: Transformers Prime  Cyberverse Autobot Wheeljack (MISB)

*Item #PRA035: Transformers Prime  Cyberverse Star Hammer (vehicle) (MISB)

Reference Photo: #P00273

 

*Item #PRA036: Transformers Arms Micron  Shadow C.L

*Item #PRA037: Transformers Arms Micron  Shining B.B

Reference Photo: #P00274

 

*Item #PRA038: Thrilling 30 CollectibleTransformers Prime  Autobot Wheeljack

Reference Photo: #P00275

 

*Item #PRA039: Mashems Transformers Prime  Autobot Optimus Prime

*Item #PRA040: Mashems Transformers Prime  Autobot Optimus Prime (2nd unit)

*Item #PRA041: Mashems Transformers Prime   Autobot Bulkhead

*Item #PRA042: Mashems Transformers Prime  Autobot Bumblebee

Reference Photo: #P00276

 

*Item #PRA043: McDonald’s Transformers Prime  Autobot Bumblebee

*Item #PRA044: McDonald’s Transformers Prime  Autobot Optimus Prime

*Item #PRA045: McDonald’s Transformers Prime  Autobot Bumblebee (vehicle mode)

*Item #PRA046: McDonald’s Transformers Prime  Autobot Optimus Prime (vehicle mode)

Reference Photo: #P00277

 

*Item #PRA047: Kinder Surprise Transformers Prime  Autobot Ratchet

*Item #PRA048: Kinder Surprise Transformers Prime  Autobot Arcee

*Item #PRA049: Kinder Surprise Transformers Prime  Autobot Bumblebee

*Item #PRA050: Kinder Surprise Transformers Prime  Autobot Optimus Prime

*Item #PRA051: Kinder Surprise Transformers Prime  Autobot Bulkhead

*Item #PRA052: Kinder Surprise Transformers Prime  Autobot Bulkhead (2nd unit)

Reference Photo: #P00278

 

Transformers Prime Decepticon Figures

Transformers Prime Decepticons

 

*Item #PRD001: Transformers Prime  Decepticon Megatron

Reference Photo: #P00279

 

*Item #PRD002: Transformers Prime  Decepticon Starscream

Reference Photo: #P00280

 

*Item #PRD003: Transformers Prime  Decepticon Soundwave

*Item #PRD004: Transformers Prime  Decepticon Laserbeak

Reference Photo: #P00281

 

*Item #PRD005: Transformers Go! Prime Decepticon G13 Shockwave

Reference Photo: #P00282

 

*Item #PRD006: Transformers Prime  Decepticon Skyquake

Reference Photo: #P00283

 

*Item #PRD007: Transformers Prime  Decepticon Knock Out

Reference Photo: #P00284

 

*Item #PRD008: Transformers Prime  Decepticon Arachnid

Reference Photo: #P00285

 

*Item #PRD009: Transformers Prime  Decepticon Dead End

Reference Photo: #P00286

 

*Item #PRD010: Transformers Prime  Arms Micron Stunticon Wildrider

*Item #PRD011: Transformers Prime  Arms Micron Ozu

Reference Photo: #P00287

 

*Item #PRD012: Transformers Adventure TAV-12 Decepticon Dreadwing

Reference Photo: #P00288

 

*Item #PRD013: Transformers Arms Micron  Decepticon AM-30 Rumble

*Item #PRD014: Transformers Arms Micron  Decepticon AM-31 Frenzy

*Item #PRD015: Transformers Prime  Arms Micron Dago-R

*Item #PRD016: Transformers Prime  Arms Micron Dago-F

Reference Photo: #P00289

 

*Item #PRD017: Transformers Arms Micron  AM-34 Jet Vehicon General

*Item #PRD018: Transformers Prime  Arms Micron Igu S

Reference Photo: #P00290

 

*Item #PRD019: Transformers Prime  Cyberverse Vehicon

*Item #PRD020: Transformers Prime  Beast Hunters Cyberverse Jet Vehicon

Reference Photo: #P00291

 

*Item #PRD021: Transformers Prime  Insecticon

Reference Photo: #P00292

 

*Item #PRD022: Transformers Prime  Cyberverse Decepticon Knock Out

Reference Photo: #P00293

 

*Item #PRD023: Transformers Thrilling 30 Collecible Prime  Decepticon Shockwave

*Item #PRD024: Transformers Thrilling 30 Collectible Prime  Insecticon

Reference Photo: #P00294

 

*Item #PRD025: Transformers Prime  Robots in Disguise Vehicon (MOSC)

*Item #PRD026: Transformers Prime  First Edition Vehicon (MOSC)

Reference Photo: #P00295

 

*Item #PRD027: Transformers Prime  Beast Hunters Decepticon Soundwave (MOSC)

*Item #PRD028: Transformers Prime  Beast Hunters Decepticon Ravage (MOSC)

Reference Photo: #P00296

 

*Item #PRD029: Transformers Prime  Cyberverse Decepticon Flamewar (MOSC)

Reference Photo: #P00297

 

*Item #PRD030: Transformers Prime  Decepticon EZ-SP2 Breakdown (MOSC)

*Item #PRD031: Transformers Prime Cyberverse  Decepticon Breakdown (MOSC)

Reference Photo: #P00298

 

*Item #PRD032: Transformers Arms Micron  Decepticon AM-22 Dreadwing (MISB)

*Item #PRD033: Transformers Arms Micron  Jigu (MISB)

Reference Photo: #P00299

 

*Item #PRD034: Transformers Prime Cyberverse Decepticon Knock Out

*Item #PRD035: Transformers Prime Cyberverse Energon Driller (vehicle)

Reference Photo: #P00300

 

*Item #PRD036: Transformers Prime Star Seeker Thundertron

Reference Photo: #P00301

 

*Item #PRD037: Transformers Arms Micron  Shadow Gora

*Item #PRD038: Transformers Arms Micron  Shadow Balo

Reference Photo: #P00302

 

*Item #PRD039: McDonald’s Transfomers Prime Breakdown

Reference Photo: #P00303

 

*Item #PRD040: McDonald’s Transfomers Prime Decepticon Megatron

*Item #PRD041: McDonald’s Transfomers Prime Decepticon Starscream

*Item #PRD042: McDonald’s Transfomers Prime Decepticon Megatron (vehicle)

*Item #PRD043: McDonald’s Transfomers Prime Decepticon Starscream (vehicle)

Reference Photo: #P00304

 

*Item #PRD044: Kinder Surprise Transfomers Prime Decepticon Megatron

*Item #PRD045: Kinder Surprise Transfomers Prime Decepticon Starscream

*Item #PRD046: Kinder Surprise Transfomers Prime Decepticon Starscream (2nd unit)

*Item #PRD047: Kinder Surprise Transfomers Prime Decepticon Soundwave

*Item #PRD048: Kinder Surprise Transfomers Prime Decepticon Soundwave (2nd unit)

Reference Photo: #P00305

 

Transformers Prime Predacon Figures

Transformers Prime Predacons

 

*Item #PRP001: Transfomers Prime Predacon Predaking

Reference Photo: #P00306

 

*Item #PRP002: Transfomers Prime Predacon Skylynx

*Item #PRP003: Transfomers Prime Predacon Vertebreak

Reference Photo: #P00307

 

*Item #PRP004: Transfomers Prime Predacon Cindersaur

*Item #PRP005: Transfomers Prime Predacon Rot Gut

Reference Photo: #P00308

 

*Item #PRP006: Transfomers Prime Predacon Blight

*Item #PRP007: Transfomers Prime Predacon Windrazor

*Item #PRP008: Transfomers Prime Predacon Hun-Grrr

*Item #PRP009: Transfomers Prime Predacon Rippersnapper

*Item #PRP010: Transfomers Prime Predacon Twinstrike

Reference Photo: #P00309

 

Transformers Prime Gods Figures

*Item #PRG001: Transfomers Arms Micron Unicron

*Item #PRG002: Transfomers Arms Micron Bogu

Reference Photo: #P00310

 

Transformers Prime VS

*Item #PRV001: Transfomers Prime Robots in Disguise Autobot  Bumblebee (MISB)

*Item #PRV002: Transfomers Prime Human MECH Soldier (MISB)

*Item #PRV003: Transfomers Prime Human Silas (MISB)

*Item #PRV004: Transfomers Prime Robots in Disguise  Starscream (MISB)

Reference Photo: #P00311

Transformatorium, Transformer Toy Reviews

Toy Review – Studio Series Ultra Magnus

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Every year we get a new Commander Class Transformers figure and these are usually highly anticipated by the fans.  Likewise, as the rate of live-action movie releases has slowed and the 40th anniversary of the franchise grows ever closer, we have been getting more SS86 toys, giving us screen accurate tfigures of characters from the 1986 The Transformers: The Movie.

Transformers Movies: All 8 ranked from Worst to Best!

Well the Commander Class and the Studio Series have finally met, and how appropriate with everyones favorite City Commander!  Thus we have Commander Class Studio Series 86 Ultra Magnus – lets take a look!

 

Robot Mode

Hiya! Remember me? I got to be the leader for all of 80 minutes!

What struck me first about this figure is the size.  Depending on what you need him for he is either too big or too small.  For instance for a Commander-Class figure he is much smaller than the likes of Jetfire, making you feel somewhat ripped off, given the significant price tagged attached.

Magnus doesnt want to apper racist, but deep down he’s nervous about the much larger black guy standing next to him

Likewise for a SS86 figure he is too big, the likes of SS Blurr and Kup should come up to his chest, not his waist.

Kup doesn’t want to apper racist, but deep down he’s worried about the much larger guy dressed like Uncle Sam next to him

Size aside this is a pretty impressive figure.  The articulation is excellent, having ankle-tilts, head tilt, knee and waist movement – perhaps the only letdown is the arm movement is somewhat hampered by his massive chest.   Overall he is a very bulky figure, with his upper body so broad it does not reflect full screen accuracy, but I still quite like the look of him.

‘And you’ll die trying, just like Megatron’

A neat feature is that you can make the chest spring open in order to recreate the scene where he inserts the Matrix of Leadership.

Don’t get too comfy Matrix, you wont be staying long

 

Vehicle Mode

A very faithful representation of the characters altmode, extremely reminiscent of both the original toy and the cartoon.  He is large enough you can fit four of the smaller Deluxe vehicles on his trailer and the ramps at the back lower down to permit loading.

Insert obligatory ‘enter me from the rear’ joke
I can take four at once

Once again, you may feel a little cheated by the size.  Commander class Motormaster is not much shorter than him in vehicle mode, yet is an incredibly solid figure whereas Ultra Magnus is mostly space.

However Magnus on the whole scales quite well, not only with Deluxes but with Kingdom Rodimus, so you are able to recreate those few scenes from S3 of the G1 cartoon where they drive side by side.

Toy Review: Kingdom Rodimus Prime

 

Transformation

Unless you rip my ears off, this is the only detachment you will get.

Unlike many Ultra Magnus figures in recent years, this figure is not a partsformer.  This has its pros and cons.  Some of the Cons are that you cannot easily recreate the scene where he gets blown to bits on Junkion, and there is no inner white robot to replicate the original toy.  Yes, the cab can detach, but does not create an albino Optimus.

The major pro for me is though this has lead to a far more detailed toy with a very good level of transformation – not too easy yet not that hard you get frustrated.  Plus the bonus of there being minimal parts to loose.

 

Worth Getting?

One of these Magnus’ is not like the other one…. oh wait

The majority of Commander Class figures I have picked up in sales so have been discounted.  Given how much smaller Magnus is than most of them I wish I had done the same here so I could feel like I was getting my full moneys worth.  As well as the size I was disappointed with the lack of a ‘blow-up’ feature, and though it did not worry me personally, other fans may be put off by there being no inner robot.  However these detractors aside this is an extremely well made and fun figure who looks great in both modes and has an enjoyable transformation sequence.  Recommended if you can find him a bit cheaper than the current price.

 

Did you pick up SS86 Ultra Magnus?  What did you think of him?  Pop it in the comments section below!

Toys Review – Studio Series Hot Rod & Scourge

Video: Kingdom Galvatron Review

Toy Review – HasLab Unicron

 

Transformatorium, Transformer Toy Reviews

Figure Review – Bishōujo Bumblebee

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Less than 6 months ago we saw the first two Transformers, Optimus and Megatron, of the Bishōjo line (Japanese term for cute girl).  These are a series of statues based off of Shunya Yamashita’s illustrations of various movie, game, and comic characters in the Japanese Bishōjo style.

Review: Bishoujo Transformers

Well now we have the third offering – Bumblebee.  And lets face it, who didn’t see this coming eh?  Bumblebee is in everything.  I mean, who did you think it was going to be – Blot?  Bumblebee continues to bathe in the spotlight in everything Transformers, even if he did take a back seat in Rise of the Beasts.  So how does Bumblebee stack up against his predecessors?  Lets take a look!

Whereas Prime and Megatron were portrayed as young women, Bumblebee is very much portrayed as a teenage girl, befitting his stature as a younger Autobot as well as  being physically smaller than most of his brethren (in G1 anyway).

In ROTB Prime was the worried older brother. Here he is the cool older sister

The colour scheme too is very much a shout out to his G1 incarnation.  Yellow dominates the clothing, along with black straps and touches of pale blue (for the windows).

The more you look at this figure, the more nods to Bumblebee’s robot and vehicle modes you notice.  These include headlights on the boots, a spare tyre backpack, a V for Volkswagen on the belt and a hoodie which is very indicative of Bumblebee’s robot head.

Headlights on shoes
Bumblebee Helmet-hoodie
V. V is for Volkswagen
Spare Tyre backpack (wish mine was in a backpack rather than my gut)

A sticking point for me is the price of this figure.  These are static figures with no articulation,  but at least Prime and Megatron came with a couple of removable accessories such as face masks and shoulder cannon.  Bumblebee comes with no accessories whatsoever.  Also Bumblebee is a significantly smaller figure in comparison to the other two.  I was therefore disappointed to see that the vast majority of online stores priced this figure the same as its two predecessors.  Even $10 or $15 cheaper would have been appreciated.

Smaller, yet just as expensive

Overall, price aside, this is a cute kitschy figure which will look good amongst similar figures on your display shelves.  Bishōjo Bumblebeeonce again proves that Transformers can turn into anything, and is much more family friendly than the last time Bumblebee got a human form.

Moonracer & Cyber Bee Mouse Pads

What do you think of these statuettes?  Cool or just weird?  Pop you thoughts in the comments section below!

My Transformer Collection Showcase, Transformatorium

Video: The Transformatorium: EXTENDED CUT

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I’m a Transformers collector.  For quite a while now, people have been asking to see more than just photo’s of The Transformatorium, my specially built shed housing over 4000 Transformer figures!  But doing a quick few vids with a camera phone to post online didn’t seem like it would really do the scope of the shed justice.

So in conjunction with Able Media Productions, for the first time we have proper footage of The Transformatorium in all its glory, as well as questions about the shed answered by yours truly.

The following video is the extended cut with 12 extra minutes of footage, showing through my personal collection a history of Transformers toys going back nearly 40 years!

If that sounds like a little too much looking at toys for you, the shorter 7.30 minute version can be found here.

Did you like this behind the scenes look at my lifes work?  Then say something nice in the comments section below 🙂 

The Transformatorium – most popular FAQ’s

Video: THE TRANSFORMATORIUM!

 

 

 

My Transformer Collection Showcase, Transformatorium, Videos

Video: THE TRANSFORMATORIUM!

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I’ve been collecting Transformers for nearly 40 years.  For quite a while now, people have been asking to see more than just photo’s of The Transformatorium, my specially built shed housing over 4000 Transformer figures!  But doing a quick few vids with a camera phone to post online didn’t seem like it would really do the scope of the shed justice.

A film 39 years in the making

So in conjunction with Able Media Productions, for the first time we have proper footage of The Transformatorium in all its glory, as well as questions about the shed answered by yours truly.

So strap in and enjoy!  And if you like this video and are a rabid Transformers fan, then you might also enjoy the extended cut with 12 extra minutes of toy shelf footage, showing figures spanning the last 39 years!

Did you like this behind the scenes look at my lifes work?  Then say something nice in the comments section below 🙂 

The Transformatorium – most popular FAQ’s

Video: The Transformatorium: EXTENDED CUT

 

Transformatorium, Transformer Toy Reviews

Toy Review – Masterpiece Skids

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Oh Skids you poor dear you – always overlooked.  Skids remains to this day perhaps the least well known and recognisable of the Autobots from the 84/85 G1 cartoon.  With very brief and unmemorable appearances in only 2 episodes, even the likes of Grapple and Huffer have proven more popular and its only hardcore G1 & Comic enthusiasts who really know who Skids is.  Skids appeared in the Movieverse as well but, besides a similar alt-mode, had nothing in common with his G1 counterpart and is a distorted version of the character everyone would like to forget.

However Skids has managed to do something that Hoist, Trailbreaker and even Jazz have not – he’s got himself a Masterpiece toy!  So let’s have a squiz at the new MP Skids.

Toy Review – Masterpiece Grapple

Vehicle mode

Skids turns into a fairly realistic rendition of a 1980’s Honda City Turbo hatchback. Whilst not a sexy sportscar, it’s a pretty nice looking vehicle form.  What I particularly like is the sloping roof and front grill.

Different parts of Skids open up as well, much like an Alternators figure.  The side doors open, the bonnet opens to reveal an engine inside and the hatchback opens to reveal storage space.  This storage space will contain a little scooter in the retools of Skids such as Crosscut, and it is a shame Skids did not come with one himself.

Toy Review – Masterpiece Inferno

Robot Mode

Because Skids appeared so little and so infrequently in the cartoon, the designers were not forced to incorporate all the different gimmicks shown on screen, like with so many other Masterpiece figures.  So Skids is very basic in that he comes with no interchangeable faces, no special gimmicks and only his two guns like the original toy had.

That said it’s a very nice looking figure with articulation in the neck, shoulders, elbows, knees and ankles, making him very easy to pose.

Toy Review – Masterpiece Thrust

Transformation

Much more basic than a lot of other Masterpiece figures, but not irritatingly simple either.  In fact I find it a nice change of pace for a MP to have a straightforward transformation with a few clever moves (such as his ankles and shoulders) rather than something overcomplicated which is going to require you give up a portion of your day to complete.

Toy Review – MP-11ND Dirge

Overall

Skids is perhaps the most basic Masterpiece we’ve had in a long time, harkening back to the days of MP Sideswipe.  He is pretty no-frills with no interchangeable faceplates, special gimmicks, intricate engineering or vast assortment of accessories. However what he is also lacking is the exorbitant price tag that most MP’s go for as well.

I*’m the cheap one

At around $100au he’s eminently more affordable than most of his counterparts.  Add to that a fun and straightforward transformation and Skids becomes a breath of fresh air in a line that is replete with expensive and often overly complicated figures.  Skids is well worth his reasonable price tag and a welcome addition to the MP Autobot Cars line-up.

Got something to say about this figure?  Pop it in the comments section below!

Toy Review – Masterpiece Shockwave

Toy Review – Masterpiece Ratchet

Transformer Fan Interview – Dallas

Transformatorium, Transformer Toy Reviews

Toy Review: Kingdom Tracks

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I’ve always thought Tracks was a very underrated character.  Despite getting a couple of spotlight episodes in season 2 of the Generation One cartoon, he’s never really done a lot otherwise.  Has never been a stand-out in any of the comics and, with the exception of a cameo in Animated, has never cropped up in any other Transformer universes.  Very odd considering how interesting he is; a vain, posh speaking narcissist yet still a warrior who took has taken on the likes of Megatron and Starscream.  Add to that he had a very sexy alt-mode that could also become a flying car!  His toy was my absolute favorite out of the 84/85 cars and I still love it to this day.

Tracks being underrated has been reflected in the amount of figures he has gotten over the years – maybe because it’s hard to get more uses out of a figure that has a flying-automobile mode.  We haven’t had a Generations version since Reveal the Shield many, many years ago so he was well overdue.

Well Tracks has finally gotten another figure, in the Kingdom toyline, so let’s look at Deluxe Tracks.

 

Robot Mode

‘Indeed I am still most slim and pristine’

Probably the most show accurate Tracks figure we have had outside of the Masterpiece version.  He looks good with his signature red face & white helmet, backpack guns and slim form.  He certainly looks an improvement over the RTS version, though comparing the two you can see how much Hasbro has shrunken the Deluxe Class over the last decade.  He has decent articulation and overall is a good representation of the character.

 

Vehicle Mode

Very nice looking, though getting everything to stay tabbed together can be very irritating.  I would have liked to see some yellow in his hood flame rather than simply red like the cartoon.  He lacks that certain sexiness that the G1 and Masterpiece toys have and the flashiness of the RTS toy.  His weapons can be mounted on the back or the sides of the vehicle.

 

Flying Car Mode

Here is where the toy stands out – looks really good!  The little tailfins that pop up are a nice addition, though it would have been good to have them and the guns slightly different shades of white so they don’t blend together so much.  Cerainly better than the awful RTS version and even the MP version to my mind, coming in 2nd only to the original G1 toy itself.

 

Transformation

What a friggin pain in the arse this is!  There have been QC issues reported with his legs and it is very evident here.  Whilst you can transform him without making the necessary fixes, its very annoying to do and takes all the fun out of the conversion process.

 

Worth Getting?

This is a good rendition of Tracks, but it is not a stand out.  As yet, for me at any rate, they have not made a Tracks toy that is able to pull off all 3 modes as well as the original.  Whilst some of his modes are better than others, the whole toy is pulled down by the fiddly and annoying transformation sequence.  Recommended only if you are not happy with your current Tracks figures.

 

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Toy Review: Kingdom Rodimus Prime

 

Transformatorium, Transformer Toy Reviews

Toy Review: Autobot Ark & Teletraan 1

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As the years progress, we are getting more and more obscure characters from Generation 1 turn up in the Transformers Generations toyline. Characters such as Greenlight and Lifeline who were non-speaking background femmebot characters from single episodes, Zetar & Chromar who were mail-away figures from 1984 that never showed up in any media, and even characters like Scrounge who appeared in a single comic 30 years previously only to die.

Well today we are looking at character/s, who while certainly not obscure, has never really been characters.  And they’ve gotten their first transforming toy in a big way!  So let’s look at, from the Kingdom line, the Titan-Class Autobot Ark with Teletraan-1.

 

The Ark

Ship Mode

Perhaps the most recognisable ship in all of Transformers lore, The Ark has been in everything from multiple different comics to multiple different cartoon series to video games.  It’s the legendary ship that first transported the Autobots from Cybertron to Earth.  And it’s been lovingly recreated here.  It’s very big and bulky as befits a ship that is meant to be able to carry 300 Autobots across the galaxy.  The details on it are beautiful, if somewhat plain due to the overriding orange colour scheme.

Time for take off!

The Ark comes with different play features such as an opening loading ramp and fold down landing gear.  You are able to open up the front to put the tiny Optimus Prime that comes with the figure onto the bridge, which you can then see by looking through the front window.

It is covered in gun ports but sadly none of these are able to rotate.  Also disappointing is the lack of paint apps on the ship.  It certainly would have helped to break up the orange to have the windows in the observation tower at the back painted blue and for there to be more colour on the internal bridge.  However these minor detractions aside, this is truly the ship we all know and love.

Robot Mode

I must admit I would have much preferred the Ark to be able to open up and become an interactive play set, much like the DOTM Ark, than turn into a robot.  Don’t get me wrong, the robot/transformation gimmick is cool, and it has been explained in the Kingdom Cartoon, but it still seems odd.  However this is a very nice looking Titan-class toy with good articulation, though no individually articulated fingers and the ratchet joints in the shoulders and arms really grind.

Some detractors from the robot mode are the once-again plain orange and grey colour scheme and the fact the gun ports can’t rotate.  Since there are some located on each forearm it would have been great to be able to rotate them so as to blast his enemies instead of his own elbow joint.  He scales very nicely with Titan-Class Omega Supreme, and one could imagine in fiction that in size they would be on par with each other.

‘Us giant Spaceship bots got ta stick together!’

 

Teletraan-1

Computer Mode

Teletraan-1 – the famous computer of The Ark, who was consulted episode after episode in the first two seasons of the G1 cartoon.  Like The Ark, Teletraan has shown up in various media over the years but as a computer rather than a character.

The figure starts off life as the bridge of The Ark (with a BIG cube of kibble underneath) but can be removed in both modes.

Transformation to the Teletraan-1 computer is basically folding out of panels to make a hollow display, but it looks the business and is infinitely cool.  Makes for a lot of play value with your Deluxe-class Autobot figures.

Perceptor goes to look up Femmebot pics, totally unaware that Teletraan is now Mainframe in disguise

It also comes with some very well-known accessories, such as Sky Spy which was the probe used by The Ark and controlled by Teletraan back in the G1 cartoon, and the Golden Disks that make up a hefty portion of the plot in the Beast Wars and Kingdom cartoons.

Yeeesssss

 Mainframe

This…. is an interesting choice.  The original Mainframe was a non-transforming G1 Action Master character whose bio described him as ‘a walking talking computer terminal’ rather than a regular Transformer.  So making him the robot mode of Teletraan-1 is a kinda cool concept.  However the two have always been distinct entities to each other so making them one and the same doesn’t really seem to sit right canonically.  Still, it’s a nice enough robot mode, though like The Ark itself suffers from being one big blob of orange when it comes to the colour scheme, and he comes with no weapon.

I bulked up

 

Worth Getting?

For the spaceship mode of The Ark and the computer mode of Teletraan-1 one I’d have to say yes.  These are by far the best representations of these iconic mainstays of the franchise we have ever had.  The robot modes add some play value too and of course make the Transformer toys actually transform.  However the uninspiring colour scheme and the lack of rotating turrets prevent this figure from being a must have.  Personally, I’d recommend grabbing as long as you can find it as a reasonable price and have room on your shelf.

Got something to say about this Titan-Class toy?  Pop it in the comments section below!

 

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Transformatorium, Transformer Toy Reviews

Toy Review: Kingdom Rodimus Prime

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Two years ago the Transformers line saw the introduction of the Commander Class – a toy scale a size up from the Leader Class.  In 2019 we got a fantastic Jetfire, followed last year by an equally great Sky Lynx.

This year with the release of Unicron, we are seeing a slew of figures based around the 1986 Transformers animated movie.  One of these was Hot Rod in the Studio Series line.  Now we get to see him all grown up as the Commander Class Kingdom Rodimus Prime.

 

Robot Mode

Extremely nice, and much better proportioned than the POTP Rodimus we got several years ago.  He looks extremely character accurate, both in proportions and colour scheme and even has the trademark grimace he usually wore since he was always stressing he wasn’t Optimus.  The figure has tight joints and numerous points of articulation.

Rodimus Prime also comes with his signature rifle, as well as the Sword of Primus that he wielded in the ReGeneration One comics.

Like most Prime toys, this Rodimus comes with a Matrix that can be removed.  Can make for some great scenes from the movie such as his transformation from Hot Rod and his destruction of Unicron.

Have Matrix, will travel
Growth Spurt
‘Light our darkest hour!’

 

Vehicle Mode

Good luck trying to overtake this on the cyber-highway

Damn that’s big!  Much bigger than the leader class POTP Rodimus we mentioned earlier.  For the most part he is cartoon and toy faithful, though the front of the car sticks out a little too far for my liking.  But perhaps there is no hard and fast rule as to what a Cybertronian Winnebago should look like.

This Rodimus has some features that most previous figures of the toy haven’t had.  One is that you can open up the back of his trailer which is a nice touch.  Another is that you can take the cannon emplacement from inside and put it on the top of the trailer for a sick battle mode.

What old people wish their Winnebago’s would do when other drivers honk

Rodimus can detach from his trailer and for once he still looks like Rodimus rather than Hot Rod.  The vehicle mode is stockier and makes it look a beefier version of Hot Rod, which Rodimus himself actually is.  In both modes you can attach what is shaped like exhaust flames, but coloured like exhaust fumes.  Whether they chose this so as to not add more yellow/orange I don’t know but its an odd aesthetic choice.

 

Battle Platform

The original G1 toys trailer could open up to reveal a cannon platform and that has been recreated really nicely here.  The cannon can swivel 360 degrees and can also detach with little tank tracks on the bottom.  Personally I would have liked to see the ramp at the front be able to fold down to touch the ground, but that is rectifiable by the connecting of a Battle Master, which also allows the platform to hook up to other playsets.

 

Transformation

The trailer is dead easy.  I found the robot mode a tad fiddly in places but everything locks together very tightly and there was no point I got overly frustrated.

 

Worth Getting?

This would be the best mass-release Rodimus that we have had so I would say yes, despite the larger than usual price tag.  However if you already have the POTP version it’s pretty good and also has the option of turning into Hot Rod, so I wouldn’t trade in just yet.  It will be interesting to see if the upcoming Galvatron figure scales well with Rodimus, then we really will see if this toy is capable of lighting ones darkest hour!

Got anything to say about this figure?  Pop it in the comments section below!

 

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Transformatorium, Videos

Podscussion: Bad Toys you Still Love

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Toys you think are objectively bad but for some reason you still love the things.

We all have a few in our collections, or at least we can think of ones out there that would fit the description.

G1. Home to the 3-step changers.

For his first foray into the Podcast world,  Tets of Tets’ Toys & Shenanigans decided to do a Podcast on this very topic, centered around Transformer toys specifically.  This included several guests including Paul and in the latter half yours truly (I come in at the 33:30 mark).  

So sit back and listen to what TF nuts do best – talk about the toys we love (even if we think they are not very good).

 

 

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