When was the last time you picked up a Transformers toy? For me, it was a few years ago, I picked up a smaller Optimus Prime on clearance for $1.50 (I don’t remember which one it was specifically). I was following the multiple page instructions to transform him into his truck form at least once before back to robot then on my shelf. That is when I realized just how complicated these toys have become. That, or I am just old. Before this purchase it was probably a G1 Optimus Prime in the late 80s for me. I left the toy line right after Scorponok and such started hitting shelves – I just could not afford them on what I could earn at that age.
Simpler Designs in My Day
I know, the older stuff didn’t have articulation like the newer stuff does. I looked at these Transformers toys today and think they look great, at least the G1 inspired designs and in robot mode. Posable, all that fun stuff. I also understand that if I buy it, it will be in one of two states, probably forever, either in robot mode posed or halfway transformed because I gave up on getting it to the vehicle mode.
For the price, which I understand due to inflation is not much higher than what we paid in the 80’s, I just can’t do it. The characters I want I have already in G1 form, and the limited posing is fine with me.
I think back in the 80’s they were more focused on the characters looking their best in vehicle mode. To the point that the robot mode was held back, a lot.
Look at Megatron for instance, or Optimus Prime himself. Or the smaller, cheaper, guys like Bumblebee and Cliff Jumper. They all looked like their traditional toy versions that didn’t transform.
Change to robot and some, looking at Megatron, Bumblebee, Iron Hide/Ratchet here, barely looked like their cartoon counterparts. Soundwave probably came out the closest in my opinion.
Megatron was an abomination in robot form, but I cannot remember any of my friends that had him ever changing him from the pistol altmode. Why would you? He was obviously “cooler” in pistol form where you didn’t have that robo boner going on.With that realism in altmodes we lost doing much than having our Transformers look like they were waiting to take a picture at the DMV.
They were simpler to transform too
Steps were often quick and easy, not much “forcing” going on to get something to clear something else for the transformation to be complete.
Parts lined up well, at least while the figure was new, and were often tight. Sure, as the toy was rough housed by kids it would slowly work its way out.
I think Hasbro understood those robot forms were all around kind of crappy. That is why they probably sold these toys in the altmodes. Saving on packaging could be part of it (I am sure Optimus Prime would have been in a box bigger than Devestator’s 5-character gift pack if not for being in his altmode as a semi and trailer.
I was watching a video review of a newer Megatron with his tank altmode. It was showing off his “hidden” pistol altmode and how to achieve it. This is nothing new as most of Megatrons newer iterations had a gun altmode of some kind – most were not very good though.I realized after a few minutes; he was still moving pieces around and was holding a ball of plastic that if he stopped there would be considered a broken toy by most. Those same people would have no idea that that ball was both a robot and a tank, and an iffy looking pistol.
I view the newer stuff on shelves and see Hasbro markets them in robot mode. I wonder if this is due to the altmodes being “meh” for many? Optimus will always look good as a truck, not much they can do to mess his altmode up.
As the reviewer on the Megatron toy said, in altmode, there are so many little pieces that just don’t line up “…or stay in place.” It is so true.We seem to have sacrificed looking good in one mode for looking good in the other.
Are there any Transformers toys that hit the spot in both modes? Let me know in the comments below your favorites.
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