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Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys

Transformers News: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys

Saturday, December 8th, 2018 12:58PM CST

Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top Lists
Posted by: william-james88   Views: 62,599

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Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are our opinions so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.

Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys

Don't mean to be a downer, but this week I wanted to look back on times we were quite disappointed with toys. Most lists that don't have to do with a particular line or time frame usually have a wide range of years. However, this list is mostly recent toys (past 10 years) and there is a reason for that. It's not recency bias, it's simply that as the years pass, patterns develop. We know what to expect and not getting it leads to disappointment. The better the main line, the bigger the disappointment when a figure comes out being sub par. And with the added elements of interaction between companies and fans as well as social media, we are more aware of what is to come and if something is promised and not fulfilled, you know you are in for disappointment. So let's get to it!


5. Transformers Generations Windblade

This is a perfect example of overhype. She isn't a bad toy, she just isn't as great as we all expected her to be. This was the first TF where Hasbro asked fans for help in its design. It was a fembot, it was a new character, everyone wanted it. Bigbadtoystore even charged more for it than the other components of the toy's wave just to cover the cost of all the cases they bought in anticipation of the demand. And... Dissappointed!

Whoever took those official pictures was super sketchy because there is no way to predict that the actual jet has a big gap in the middle of it. I wouldn't mind her visible legs and feet if at least it had a convincing jet body. I have issue with the plastic too. It still had a hint of that FOC el-cheapo plastic which really didn't help in two notable areas: the heels and the wing tabs. Firstly, her heel pieces are always swinging back so you have to constantly adjust them when attempting to make her stand. They will also detach in the process sometimes. These definitely should be tighter to help stability.

Secondly, you have those thin tab clips on the sections that are supposed to attach to the base of the nosecone section. They don't hold well at all. This is where this transformers becomes the fiddliest thing since MP 05. While they can tab into the designed area, they always pop out making it very annoying and quite cheap.

So we have these main defects on a figure that was supposed to come out of Hasbro's efforts to get closer to its fans. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather get a good quality figure than take part in a poll regarding a new figure's alt mode. But that's just me.

Transformers News: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys

Transformers News: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys


4. Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Devastator

This one is simple, the individual components did not transform into robots. Granted they didn't in the film either, but that doesn't mean there were no robot modes. Plus, this was a big expensive toy, not having robot modes made it very simplistic and what you basically got was an ugly Power Ranger Megazord. I know Michael Bay designs varied greatly from the source material but this one to me was probably the biggest downgrade and the worst example of how someone can interpret an iconic G1 character for a new generation. But that's subjective, if we remain objective, we can simply look at the legion class version where each component had robot modes of their own, I mean come on!

Transformers News: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys

Transformers News: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys



3. Transformers Masterpiece Tracks

Masterpiece Tracks and his retool Roadrage were the most discounted MPs (worldwide) since 2009, and probably the most discounted Masterpiece toys of all time in Japan. Word of mouth was simply not good and this was really the first big disappointment from the line since it was rejuvenated with MP 10. The toy was simply not on par with how solid and smart I expect MPs to be, with a very gappy robot mode. Plus, it was a QC nightmare with Roadrage's head not even locking in place and the back half of the figure not connecting securely (at least they eventually got it right on Hot Rodimus). And with all the pose-ability potential of a Masterpiece figure, the back becoming undone easily does not entice you to handle it and pose it much.

Transformers News: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys


2. Transformers Titans Return Galvatron

This was so easy not to screw up, and that is where the massive disappointment comes from. After all these years we finally had a nice voyager Galvatron, who looked great for the most part and had the giant canon alt mode from the film. You could feel the excitement in the air. It did have a Titan Master / Headmaster gimmick, but that didn't seem like it would make much of a difference. RIGHT?! Well, we got the toy and yeah, that gimmick really messed things up. His small headmaster head needed a flip up mask gimmick to actually look like Galvatron. But since the mask is flat, it didn't give him a crown around his head, just the facade of one at the front and it isn't close enough to his face so it looks like crap. Plus, he can't turn his head around enough with it. To add insult to injury, the hole in his chest seemed big enough to house a whole head so we can only imagine how better it would be if he didn't have to work in the head master gimmick (or at least go the full helmet way like the leaders, he has the space for it). We were THIS close to a great Galvatron!

Transformers News: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys


1. Transformers Titans Return Fortress Maximus

A titan class figure's release and reveal is always one of the bigger events of the year, for obvious reasons. We only get 1 and it's always of a character that we haven't had in a decent form since the 80s. Metroplex and Devastator were well liked and seemed to answer the hype even though they were simpler than anticipated (as bigger toys usually are). But with Fort Max, the fandom was unsure of what to feel from his fist reveal. I don't know about you but when I think of Fort Max, I think of 2 things: Turns into a Fortress and has a crap ton of firepower. And then we get this toy, a retool of Metroplex with far less play options than the original.

I greatly respect the G1 toy era but we can all agree that objectively toys since then have offered more simply due to added articulation and complexity. However, Titans Return Fortress Maximus is the exception. The G1 toy is more complex, has a more impressive city mode (it actually looks like towers in downtown Iacon), more play features (like a legit jail door) and so many accessories. A fortress should be a place to hunker down and fight the invading enemy right? So where are all the damn weapons? And that's all aside from him being far less of an extensive retool than it appeared at first. The carrier like appendages on his arms are the same Metroplex had instead of having actual ramps, and there is not one but two vestigial features: the legs that still open and the giant arm hinge. When looking at the entire franchise history, I would say that G1 Fortress Maximus is one of the top 10 must own Transformers toys, this one doesn't hold a candle to it and if any new fan is interested in him, I truly suggest you spend that money on the Encore G1 Fortress Maximus release we got a few years back. Should still be available at a decent price and you will get much more value out of it. I spent $115 USD on the Titans Return toy and still feel underwhelmed.

Transformers News: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys

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Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997635)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 8th, 2018 @ 1:09pm CST
Re: #4
What, no mention of the fact that it left three members out?

Re:#2
A. No, he was always supposed to have the Headmaster gimmick, I know I've seen people quoting official statements on this.
B. I think people blow his issues out of proportion, frankly.

Re #1:
TR Fort Max is a victim of the rigid price-point structure, sadly
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997637)
Posted by TheForgottenTaxi on December 8th, 2018 @ 1:10pm CST
I'd agree with most of this list, but the hate has just gone too far on MP Tracks. He may be the runt of the Autobot MP litter, but he's still a very nice toy with a great alt mode.

Now MP-03, THAT deserved a spot on the list! Everyone's hyped for an Masterpiece Starscream, just like Masterpiece Prime and we get... that?
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997639)
Posted by Quantum Surge on December 8th, 2018 @ 1:13pm CST
I would add MP-05 and replace Windblade. The rest of the list is fine but you forgot to mention that Studio Series Devastator will have BOTH individual robot modes and the ability to combine.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997640)
Posted by william-james88 on December 8th, 2018 @ 1:16pm CST
Quantum Surge wrote:I would add MP-05 and replace Windblade. The rest of the list is fine but you forgot to mention that Studio Series Devastator will have BOTH individual robot modes and the ability to combine.

Didnt forget, I am simply not talking about that toy and didnt want to confuse any issue.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Re:#2
A. No, he was always supposed to have the Headmaster gimmick, I know I've seen people quoting official statements on this.


Whenever someone says that I ask for a link to said quote and never see anything definitive. If you have an actual quote from hasbro, please share. We do instead have official quotes saying that certain toys in the Titans Return line were planned earlier and did not feature the headmaster gimmick with Alpha Trion given as the specific example.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997641)
Posted by Dr. Caelus on December 8th, 2018 @ 1:20pm CST
Airachnid should be #1 on this list. Maybe followed by Classics/Generations Galvatron and Ironhide.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997642)
Posted by Ironhidensh on December 8th, 2018 @ 2:05pm CST
I'm always amazed at the lack of love for MP Tracks. Yeah, he is one of the weakest post MP-10 molds, but its still a MP.


Two of my most disappointing figures are CW/UW Devastator & PotP Prediking. Yeah, I know I'm in the minority on that, but I found both figures not worthy of their price points.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997649)
Posted by Randomhero on December 8th, 2018 @ 2:29pm CST
william-james88 wrote:
Quantum Surge wrote:I would add MP-05 and replace Windblade. The rest of the list is fine but you forgot to mention that Studio Series Devastator will have BOTH individual robot modes and the ability to combine.

Didnt forget, I am simply not talking about that toy and didnt want to confuse any issue.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Re:#2
A. No, he was always supposed to have the Headmaster gimmick, I know I've seen people quoting official statements on this.


Whenever someone says that I ask for a link to said quote and never see anything definitive. If you have an actual quote from hasbro, please share. We do instead have official quotes saying that certain toys in the Titans Return line were planned earlier and did not feature the headmaster gimmick with Alpha Trion given as the specific example.


Emiliano Santalucia was given the task of making a design for Galvatron only. He wasn’t told he’d be a headmaster. We’ve seen plenty of this from his other designs that omit the gimmicks such as overlord where overlord straight up had the power masters in him.

He’s not always told the gimmick, just hired to make a new modernized character.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997655)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 8th, 2018 @ 3:21pm CST
I mean, aside from the poorly executed Headmaser gimmick on Galvatron, that is one of my favorite TF figures of all time.

Chunkular, angular, with original artillery alt-mode and even a decently executed third mode added in for shits and giggles.

Yes, the head sucks as-is. But at least it’s easy enough to customize a good head for him, with little no no effort.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997657)
Posted by mazingaspidey on December 8th, 2018 @ 3:30pm CST
Just for the record, if anyone is wanting to unload their Titans Fort Mac I want one...
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997658)
Posted by Emerje on December 8th, 2018 @ 3:32pm CST
william-james88 wrote:To add insult to injury, the hole in his chest seemed big enough to house a whole head so we can only imagine that him being a Head Master was a later change in the toy design. We were THIS close to a great Galvatron!

The large chest cavity is from when the figure was originally being designed to have a much larger and better looking (and possibly head covering) crown rather than the partial face mask. Why it changed so drastically between development and our first look I couldn't guess, but I doubt he was ever intended to store a whole head in there.

Image

As for the rest of the list, I rarely find main line figures "disappointing", just underwhelming. I tend to start finding things more disappointing the more I spend on them. So for me I'd have certainly included MP-3 and MP-5 in place of Windblade and Galvatron.

Emerje
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997659)
Posted by Cyberpath on December 8th, 2018 @ 3:39pm CST
I've had a different experience with MP-25 Tracks, I think he looks great. It's all in the posing.
I feel that maybe that bad first grey prototype pic gave him a bad rep.

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As for most disappointing Transformers, it's hard to say, I generally know what to expect from the figures I order. (And skip the ones that would let me down.)

* I guess AD31 Optimus Prime -- that backpack is terrible. I knew about it beforehand, but it still sucks and maybe in retrospect was an unnecessary purchase.

* I got MP-11 Starscream only in 2017, and after stuff like Ladder Magic, swappable faces, less kibble and so on, he felt outdated. Add to that the issues with the locking. I had thought about returning him, but then I'd have a huge gap in my humble Decepticon cast. He very quickly grew on me. Despite its shortcomings, I actually do like it now.

* And the fact that the Decepticon Targetmasters were done as Headmasters. I got them because I figured they wouldn't redo such obscure characters a second time and overall they're cool toys. But it's still disappointing to have to remove their heads for transformation.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997665)
Posted by RK_Striker_JK_5 on December 8th, 2018 @ 4:15pm CST
Out of the figures I own, the two biggest disappointments are...

1. ROTF Leader-class Jetfire.

I have mixed feelings about the movie. One thing I loved though was Jetfire. So when his Leader-class figure came out, I got him! And...

Image
Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Jetfire Gallery

That is inexcusable. That is horrible. Doesn't help the transformation is a bunch of frustrating panelforming.

The second is MP-05 Megatron. After the glory of MP-01, I was so looking forward to MP-05. I spent a pretty penny importing him. And... he's a floppy, ill-proportioned mess that I still have yet to transform for fear of him snapping in half.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997667)
Posted by X3ROhour on December 8th, 2018 @ 4:22pm CST
well done!

except:

1. MP-04 should ALWAYS be THE #1 most disappointing.

2. i love my Fortress Maximus!
now, that being said,
i had to spend close to as much $ as it cost to buy him
on accessories!
Accessories that should have been included in the first place!!
https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/VariationDetails/43568
https://tfsource.com/dk-04-fortress-maximus-foot-upgrade-kit/
NOT TO MENTION, THE ONES I HAVE NEVER SEEN!
https://www.thechosenprime.com/DNADK03

3. i LOVE TR Galvy!
(of course i had to fix the 2 issues he had:
head/mask/crown thing
& the weird top-of-his-bicep cannon placement.)
THANK GODS FOR SHAPEWAYS!
https://www.shapeways.com/product/GSQEY76EM/tr-galvatron-cannon-adaptor?optionId=60260517&li=marketplace
710x528_15085667_8946026_1504657145.jpg

710x528_15298512_8946026_1504657145.jpg

https://www.shapeways.com/product/W5AJTBJCQ/g1-styled-helm-for-tr-galvatron?optionId=60466578&li=marketplace
710x528_15511596_9082576_1504657036.jpg

710x528_16542288_9082576_1504657036.jpg


4. Titan Devastator. US Version.
no elbows for half the bots.
no weapons.
poop.

but
the list is ulimately subjective.
and u do good work.

:HEADHURTS:
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997669)
Posted by beastwarsbrah on December 8th, 2018 @ 4:57pm CST
Tlk leader dragonstorm is my biggest disappointment. He has stress marks on the heads and wings and just feels like he will break if I move him around to much. I transformed him a few times when I first got him but he's been sitting in dragon mode ever since.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997671)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 8th, 2018 @ 5:06pm CST
You know who ought to have at least an honorable mention? G1 Ratchet and Ironhide.

Randomhero wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Quantum Surge wrote:I would add MP-05 and replace Windblade. The rest of the list is fine but you forgot to mention that Studio Series Devastator will have BOTH individual robot modes and the ability to combine.

Didnt forget, I am simply not talking about that toy and didnt want to confuse any issue.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Re:#2
A. No, he was always supposed to have the Headmaster gimmick, I know I've seen people quoting official statements on this.


Whenever someone says that I ask for a link to said quote and never see anything definitive. If you have an actual quote from hasbro, please share. We do instead have official quotes saying that certain toys in the Titans Return line were planned earlier and did not feature the headmaster gimmick with Alpha Trion given as the specific example.


Emiliano Santalucia was given the task of making a design for Galvatron only. He wasn’t told he’d be a headmaster. We’ve seen plenty of this from his other designs that omit the gimmicks such as overlord where overlord straight up had the power masters in him.

He’s not always told the gimmick, just hired to make a new modernized character.

This is what I was on about.

Emerje wrote:
william-james88 wrote:To add insult to injury, the hole in his chest seemed big enough to house a whole head so we can only imagine that him being a Head Master was a later change in the toy design. We were THIS close to a great Galvatron!

The large chest cavity is from when the figure was originally being designed to have a much larger and better looking (and possibly head covering) crown rather than the partial face mask. Why it changed so drastically between development and our first look I couldn't guess, but I doubt he was ever intended to store a whole head in there.

Image

As for the rest of the list, I rarely find main line figures "disappointing", just underwhelming. I tend to start finding things more disappointing the more I spend on them. So for me I'd have certainly included MP-3 and MP-5 in place of Windblade and Galvatron.

Emerje

I think the final version of the mask hews closer to the cartoon in shape:
Cartoon front view
Cartoon back view
The cartoon has the prongs of the crown all mounted on the front, and it flares out at the front while the rest is narrow except at the base. The final mask matches up better with that aside from wrapping all the way around. The beta mask has a more helmetlike look and puts the left and right prongs more on the sides like IDW or Energon
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997674)
Posted by Solrac333 on December 8th, 2018 @ 5:20pm CST
Cyberpath wrote:I've had a different experience with MP-25 Tracks, I think he looks great. It's all in the posing.
I feel that maybe that bad first grey prototype pic gave him a bad rep.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image




Agreed. I looked at all the "terrible" pictures of Tracks and when I got him, all I did was pose him right and he looked good. I guess people don't play with their toys.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997677)
Posted by zko on December 8th, 2018 @ 5:25pm CST
I would have thought this entire list would be made up of scout figures from the current Cyberverse cartoon line of toys...

EDIT:

By the rules of this list I would have to say number one for me is the Armada reissue of Armada Demolishor in Cybertron line, that was refitted to have a Cyberkey. He just feels so flimsy next to the rest of the line, that said, I do realize he originated in another part of Unicron trilogy as a figure... but still probably the weakest of Cybertron line of toys.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997681)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 8th, 2018 @ 5:36pm CST
zko wrote:I would have thought this entire list would be made up of scout figures from the current Cyberverse cartoon line of toys...

To me by the rules of this list, Id say #1 would be Cybertron Demolisher, I loved the character in the cartoon, and the toy tries hard and looks good, but that waist connection is just so obviously flimsy I'm afraid of it breaking at any time. While almost all the rest of Cybertron line was amazing both in look and stability.

*shrug* This is about disappointment, hopes being trod on. Cyberverse is overall a "what you see is what you get" line that I don't think sets people up to expect things from its basic toys that they won't deliver.

I love the Cybertron line and I love Leobreaker, but he probably earns at least an honorable mention here because of the incomplete transformation his arm mode got reduced to, compared to the original plan and the show.
And I see somebody goes by the Galaxy Force names. Allow me to translate: zko's referring to Mudflap, everyone's favorite shelfwarming powder-blue crane. Oops, mistaken
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997684)
Posted by zko on December 8th, 2018 @ 5:44pm CST
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:
zko wrote:I would have thought this entire list would be made up of scout figures from the current Cyberverse cartoon line of toys...

To me by the rules of this list, Id say #1 would be Cybertron Demolisher, I loved the character in the cartoon, and the toy tries hard and looks good, but that waist connection is just so obviously flimsy I'm afraid of it breaking at any time. While almost all the rest of Cybertron line was amazing both in look and stability.

*shrug* This is about disappointment, hopes being trod on. Cyberverse is overall a "what you see is what you get" line that I don't think sets people up to expect things from its basic toys that they won't deliver.

I love the Cybertron line and I love Leobreaker, but he probably earns at least an honorable mention here because of the incomplete transformation his arm mode got reduced to, compared to the original plan and the show.

And I see somebody goes by the Galaxy Force names. Allow me to translate: zko's referring to Mudflap, everyone's favorite shelfwarming powder-blue crane.


Ah, actually I was talking about the reissue of the Armada toy, after they took away his minicon and gave him a Cyberkey instead, seemed like hollowing him out for the key actually made him weaker, I actually love the Mudflap and later reissue as Grapple toy from Cybertron like the rest of the line (aside from the evil Armada reissue)... I edited above post to more correctly state this as well as I could.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997689)
Posted by Rogue-Primal on December 8th, 2018 @ 6:06pm CST
Cybertron Backstop, if i had known how bad he was including his gimmick i would have never bought him. I took him apart with a screwdriver a few years later out of spite. then tossed the remains.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997691)
Posted by Randomhero on December 8th, 2018 @ 6:17pm CST
I don’t think galvatronorn derserves it be on the list. We don’t know the entire story with him but we do know the designer is not always told the gimmick and sometimes just told to make a newer version of the character. Him being on there becuase of his helmet gimmick doesn’t justify it being there when there are toys that almost have zero articulation to their name or have too much articulation and make them a giant mess. I think any shellformer from beast wars or RID is far more disappointing than Galvatron. The fact that no armada toy is on here and Galvatron is kinda ridiculous and I like armada toys but they’re bricks. Just looking at them you see huge flaws. RID ultra Magnus. I mean come on.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997692)
Posted by GreenGald on December 8th, 2018 @ 6:23pm CST
I'd say that a DIShororable #6 would have to go to PotP Starscream. The mold itself was deeply flawed before the revision, it also just didnt feel like a starscream. Even the combiner wars leader starscream i.m.o was just decent. Im really hoping this new siege one will be better. :WRECKERS: >:oP
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997696)
Posted by NeonPrime on December 8th, 2018 @ 6:49pm CST
Always look forward to these Top 5 lists :APPLAUSE: I don't own the Fort Max or Tracks so no comment. Totally agree with Windblade and Galvatron though. While I loved the fan built bot concept she just didn't seem to fit and always felt forced. To me the toy reflected that. Galvatron always has been and will always be my favorite Con. That said the toy was ok but the Headmaster gimmick just didn't work for me. Fortunately, Open and Play's Big Cannon corrected this.
As for ROTF Dedvastator(don't own him but still kick myself for not getting him back in 2009 when I had the chance) I never thought his vehicles had robot modes. There were so many separate Constructicons running around I just thought Devi was so big he had to split into separate drones. Which honestly is pretty cool :DANCE:
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997697)
Posted by Carnivius_Prime on December 8th, 2018 @ 7:02pm CST
william-james88 wrote:When looking at the entire franchise history, I would say that G1 Fortress Maximus is one of the top 10 must own Transformers toys,


I wouldn't. It was oversized, overpriced garbage even back in the 80s. Blocky boring robot turns into reconfigured arrangements of blocks. Not a convincing city (none of the so-called city modes of any Transformer are) and not even attractive alt-modes at all. At least Scorponok turned into a pretty cool and imposing scorpion and his 'city' mode made a cool temple of sorts. I dunno. G1 was already struggling at that point once it had shifted away from detailed realistic alt-modes.

I know Michael Bay designs varied greatly from the source material but this one to me was probably the biggest downgrade and the worst example of how someone can interpret an iconic G1 character for a new generation


Actually RotF Devs makes a lot more sense than the G1 because of the physics involved at that scale meaning that RotF Devs' posture is much more realistic to what a creature of that size would have to have just to support it's own weight. Plus it looked like a beast who could level a city in no time. G1 Devs always looked like a total dimwitted dork. Always hated it.


I kinda agree with TR Galvatron apart from the fact it's not just the head that bothers me, the general shapes of the robot mode parts, and the awful alt-modes spoil it too. It's pretty poor all over. I'd put other TR figures there too. I had some high hopes for Hardhead cos i liked his G1 toy when I was a kid cos of it's kinda neat sci-fi tank mode but the TR figure was garbage. And they even messed up the tank and made it look like crap mostly by moving the cockpit and ruining the neat look of it. Sold that within a week too. Had Chromedome and Highbrow as well and those went soon after.

I can't think of any I've bought that I'd call outright disappointing for many reasons but Studio Series Grimlock is the only one from the SS series (and I own nearly all of the current released figures) that I felt regret from purchasing as I hated so many things about it that ruined what was otherwise a beautifully detailed sculpt. And I sold it soon after and am now much happier with the Black Mamba Ancient Leader copy of it due to it's increased size, enhancements, light up eyes (in both modes) and die-cast metal in some places.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997704)
Posted by blackeyedprime on December 8th, 2018 @ 8:30pm CST
TR Gnaw, whilst not a bad figure the deceptive packaging of him with hus legs out to look taller, I display hims with his legs as he was packaged but have to stand other things in front of him to hide that. A few bots have to have other things in front of them to look good/passable but can't think of any others at the mo and other bots with fisapointing size issues (POTP dinobots etc though they can go with legends sixed figures/hotsoldiers at least in dino mode).

Protoform Baynus toys were a...thing, robots to lumps. I think they were even used as sneak peek figures for the films, yowsers. Even the devestator design outshines them and it is hard for that imagining of devestator to do (tho the seperate robot forms are nice and I have found myself wanting the new SS version but can't think why).

Don't really agree with the MP Tracks (the third use of the mold is never discounted and omitted) where as Roadrage fills the nostalgia of finally having a toy that was on the back art of G1 boxes and with a toy accurate gun and twincast.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997714)
Posted by TAAO on December 8th, 2018 @ 9:20pm CST
I would have to say that the Combiner Wars Titan Metroplex was the biggest disappointment to me. I was so hyped up when he was first announced, it was all the more of a let down to see him, then get him in hand. Instead of a powerhouse we got an overly tall, gangly robot with comically long legs. Not to mention a chest ramp that doesn't go to the ground, hands that are just there and a non-hideable head. To me, this was the 1 figure Hasbro should have gone better on, not necessarily bigger.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997715)
Posted by BATTLEMASTER IIC on December 8th, 2018 @ 9:33pm CST
I was most disappointed by FOC Bruticus. That was combiner execution gone horribly wrong. Fortunately Hasbro demonstrated that they learned from that in Combiner Wars!
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997717)
Posted by Nemesis Primal on December 8th, 2018 @ 9:40pm CST
BATTLEMASTER IIC wrote:I was most disappointed by FOC Bruticus. That was combiner execution gone horribly wrong. Fortunately Hasbro demonstrated that they learned from that in Combiner Wars!

Seconded.

I would also add SS VW Bee somewhere, as much as I love his robot mode, because transforming him is an aggravating ordeal every time and his vehicle mode won't tab together/stay tabbed together.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997723)
Posted by Optimutt on December 8th, 2018 @ 9:54pm CST
Expensive, explosive, and embarrassing. Stunningly beautiful but ridiculously disappointing for me. This was the only Transformer that I felt a weight disappear upon its sale.

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Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997734)
Posted by MaverickPrime on December 8th, 2018 @ 11:54pm CST
I'd add Airachnid for obvious reasons and PotP Predaking, that thing is so bad that I refuse to believe those saying it's good are being honest, not a single sword, they are all kibbletastic and when you manage to outbrick G1, you know you screwed up.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997735)
Posted by Bucky on December 9th, 2018 @ 12:26am CST
Another good list. It’s always nice to see these. I get where most of this list is coming from, but my personal disappointments are different. I think that’s why I like the comments on these lists so much. We’re all part of the same community of collectors, but we’re all divided into these little sub factions, in a way, in terms of what we look for in a toy, what works, or doesn’t work for us, what disappoints us, what’s refreshing, and ultimately what makes or breaks a toy. So I think this list’s subject is very interesting. There’s a lot of different perspectives.

For as great as some of the TF Prime figures were, there were some massive disappointments in that line. Airachnid, Smokescreen, RiD Bee, RiD Arcee, the modified Beast Hunters toys with their bizarrely swirly plastic and unnecessary extra bits. There’s a few others that were disappointments to me, but not as egregiously so as the above mentioned,

Pretty much all of the Fall of Cybertron line. I bought that first wave online, and the level of disappointment I felt when I opened that box...I was expecting the same level of quality and scale from the WfC toys. That experience was a massive let down.

Titans Return Galvatron is definitely on my list.

As a whole the PotP Dinobots were a disappointment to me. Even knowing that they were going to be combiners, and that that was going to hinder each one in a fairly significant way, I was still hoping they’d be better than they turned out to be. The Dinobots deserve a better representation in modern toys than what they got.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997739)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 9th, 2018 @ 1:02am CST
I say THBBBBT to the "The Dinobots were hindered" thing. I'm highly satisfied with mine. Lots of juicy G1 detail, gains in robot mode height even on the Deluxes, Slag's tail being dealt with waaaay better... Trading the cockpits and Swoop's chest closure for the combiner stuff doesn't hurt them, really the only disappointments for me were Slag losing his wings and no included weapon for Volcanicus. But I'm not too bothered because of how much I enjoy everything else about them.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997743)
Posted by Combat Zero on December 9th, 2018 @ 1:28am CST
Here are mine(in no particular order, mind you):
1. FoC Bruticus for wonky proportions and being completely inaccurate to the game. And the individual Combaticons being pretty lackluster on their own.
2. Generations Blitzwing for some really bad QC.
3. CW Menasor, while the individual Stunticons are pretty cool on their own, the combined mode needed a more work to put into it.
4. FoC Jazz/Sideswipe, doesn’t seem to hold well together.
5. Voyager Class Animated Cybertronian Megatron, cannon too heavy for the figure to hold, poor stability, poor transformation, has so much potential but completely wasted.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997744)
Posted by PerfectVision on December 9th, 2018 @ 1:31am CST
[quote

For as great as some of the TF Prime figures were, there were some massive disappointments in that line. Airachnid, Smokescreen, RiD Bee, RiD Arcee, the modified Beast Hunters toys with their bizarrely swirly plastic and unnecessary extra bits. There’s a few others that were disappointments to me, but not as egregiously so as the above mentioned,[/quote]

I disagree,except for Smokescreen and Bee but because they are originally ugly,the ugliest being Sound and Shock.The first is a foreshadowing to...RID 2015:he has a small head like Scream and Arcee but with giant épaulette like the other Bee,Optimus and Fracture which heads are worst.This list is coming from someone who like their figures and design presumably,no credibility for me.Just a better head...Fracture doesn't even have a proper punk hairstyle...

My main problem with the colorful BH line is some common production blemishes,some kind of plastic oxydation,Dreadwing can have black stain on his dull grey,i suggest a black paint,much better looking(don't open his wings),his feet are much better than the horrible blade-feet.

EDIT
"unnecessary extra bits"...Nothing outside of Wheeljack.Don't make generality out of exception,classic critic mistake.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997756)
Posted by Kyleor on December 9th, 2018 @ 4:21am CST
No 'Butterfly Optimus' on the list? Disappointed.
That robot armor mode is so bad I keep him in alt mode always.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997759)
Posted by PerfectVision on December 9th, 2018 @ 5:31am CST
I don't remenber an overhype about Airachnid,just a "PLASTIC ADDICT" video,she's a deluxe with a decent,original vehicule:a "copter-lobster" OUHOUH!Really,there's worse like the overrated vehicon and Soundwave.

Overhype,enthousiasm...Dissapointing suggest that...I remember that about 2015 Sideswipe before the handle.

Also,who like the movie devastator?I don't like combiner invariably.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997763)
Posted by Emerje on December 9th, 2018 @ 6:33am CST
PerfectVision wrote:My main problem with the colorful BH line is some common production blemishes,some kind of plastic oxydation,Dreadwing can have black stain on his dull grey,i suggest a black paint,much better looking(don't open his wings),his feet are much better than the horrible blade-feet.

That's intentional, some of the BH figures had very pronounced swirly plastic on certain parts.

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Emerje
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997764)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 9th, 2018 @ 6:43am CST
Have Power of the Primes Dreadwind and Blackwing been mentioned here yet?
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997766)
Posted by PerfectVision on December 9th, 2018 @ 6:52am CST
Emerje wrote:
PerfectVision wrote:My main problem with the colorful BH line is some common production blemishes,some kind of plastic oxydation,Dreadwing can have black stain on his dull grey,i suggest a black paint,much better looking(don't open his wings),his feet are much better than the horrible blade-feet.

That's intentional, some of the BH figures had very pronounced swirly plastic on certain parts.

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Emerje


Okay,thank you.
I found a very dirty Wheeljack with a missing wheel,awful on white.It's not a problem on the Bulkhead's hood.
This line is colorful,any lack of color is memorable.What is this dull grey?That want to be black by the way.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997769)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 9th, 2018 @ 7:36am CST
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Have Power of the Primes Dreadwind and Blackwing been mentioned here yet?

Blackwing and Dreadwind are good toys on their own, just so long as you don’t combine the jets.

Never combine the jets.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997770)
Posted by ScottyP on December 9th, 2018 @ 8:01am CST
I usually agree with these to some extent but I think these are all poor choices. Maybe Galvatron belongs here. Tracks is also a good toy and I'll repeat here what I said on the podcast a while back - not liking the backpack is 90% likely due to transforming it wrong >:oP
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997772)
Posted by noctorro on December 9th, 2018 @ 8:43am CST
Okay, nice list. Very much agree on Revenge of the Fallen Devastator. In fact, I'm really trying to enjoy him, he stands on the tables now. But man, he's heavy and looks like a gorilla pug. Really hard to like him and his alt mode is a coulpe of vehicles.
I don't mind Galvatron as much, don't have that Masterpiece. Windblade was very underwhelming and shoddy.

My top 5 most dissapointing Transformers from the past years (no particular order)

1. Combiner Wars Optimus - his head is terrible, they even redid that with the white one. FAKE CHEST (again). I've been wanting a good chest-cab voyager Optimus for years. We're finally getting one!

2. Movie Dinobots (well most of all movie figures so far) - Spikey, not staying to gether robot modes, strange hand positions and posability. Man I tried to 34 year old man play with these but I couldn't do it. They'll be on ebay soon, I LOVE power of the primes Dinobots

3. Power of the Primes Optimus - I know, this is blasphemy, everthing Combiner Wars and up has been solid decent to excellent figure. But I was expecting no fake chestery. Other than that, this is one sexy figure only to be topped by (for me) the Siege Optimus

4. Classics/Universe Ironhide and Ratchet, well they are terrible and I recently bought both of them for a crap ton (sealed). Got rid of the front and probably will 3d design/print a piece to make it a van again. And then pictures of Siege started showing up, so that probably won't happen

5. Walgreens / Cyber Battalion Starscream - reason: I can't find him!!! This hoodlum is a voyager sized Starscream, painted worse, of the Cyberverse/Legion class which is a very decent little Seeker. The Combiner Wars Leaders are crap, sorry guys, but fake chestery again and didn't need to be. I have Cyber Batallion Jetfire, a simple little easy to transform voyager. And he has the right chest, he has decent articulation. They have a Starscream, why not repaint him twice and give everybody easy to transform little voyager Seekers?

Offtopic:

My surprises from the last years:

1. Cyberverse Beeftank Megatron - Man I love this guy, huge, imposing, cannon, tank = win

2. Authentics Megatron - I bought 3 of these dudes, they're perfect little Megatron drone soldiers. Great robot mode, good articulation, cheap as hell and bigger than a legion.

3. Cyberverse Shockwave - Cool little Scientist army builder soldier guy

4. Cyber Battalion Shockwave - A very cool G1 voyager classic style Shockwave (altmode's a bit whatever) But he's a perfect Classics Shockwave. Cheap, easy transformation and excellent robot mode

5. Siege Sideswipe - This guy is just perfect imho, perfect robot mode, perfect alt-mode. Mayeth the HasTak gods giveth him manyeth repaints and remolds (Redalert/G2/ArmadaWheeljack/etc.)

ZZ. Cyberverse Ultra Slipstream - Man she looks good, I love the War for Cybertron game character and it looks like this will be a solid toy (and not a shoddy remold like what we got before)
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997785)
Posted by Ironhidensh on December 9th, 2018 @ 11:25am CST
Man, I completely forgot how much of a total fail the PotP Dinobots were. Especially Grimlock, god I hate that toy.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997800)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 9th, 2018 @ 1:00pm CST
I don't get the hate for the Power of the Primes Dinobots. I really, really don't. I own all 5 G1 Dinobot toys and think they're awesome, and I find the Power of the Primes versions to be wonderful Generations versions. The only knocks against them are the lack of accessories (an issue with most CHUG figures) and Slag losing his robot mode wings. But in my book that's more than made up for by the gains, Like, say, the way Slag's tail is dealt with.
Here's the original:
Image

Yeah. Now that is some epic clunky kibble. And the only way to deal with it is to awkwardly tuck it under the legs. It gets it out of the way, sure, but it still feels awkward. PotP Slag on the other hand has the tail split and fold into the legs. Much better.

I really do think G1 Ratchet and Ironhide should be here in some capacity. Like, I knew what I was getting into since I got my G1 Ratchet as an adult collector. But I just know that those two must have disappointed countless kids back in the eighties.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997804)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 9th, 2018 @ 1:22pm CST
Ironhidensh wrote:Man, I completely forgot how much of a total fail the PotP Dinobots were. Especially Grimlock, god I hate that toy.

I’m with ya, Densh. We’ve wanted CHUG Dinobots for YEARS, and what should have been as big a deal as Devastator (I know you don’t care for him, but you can’t deny he was an event of a toy release) ended up being Grimlock featuring scrawny dino-babies.

I’ll admit that Volcanicus is cool, but the dinobors should be barbaric. Instead they look like dweebs IMO.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997805)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on December 9th, 2018 @ 1:24pm CST
I did wonder why I saw a random ad with MP Roadrage at £20? I was far too skeptical of an MP figure being That Cheap to buy it.

A decent list. I would have to disagree about TR Fort Max though. While he is currently being defended in City Mode by my four Wolfang variants on my shelf, he doesn't look out of place beside Generations Metroplex or Trypticon. If anything the reuse of the Metroplex mold endears him to me even more, given I am a fan of the concept.
I did see on a YouTube vid that you can position his legs upright in City Mode, with Guns facing forward. It does look a bit more like an actual (armed) City with two giant skyscrapers.

I do patiently await the future New Scorponok to complete my City Bots. His transformations were always the best of the four.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997807)
Posted by Ultra Markus on December 9th, 2018 @ 1:38pm CST
i thought ultimate optimus prime from DOTM was pretty disappointing
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997817)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 9th, 2018 @ 2:31pm CST
Nemesis Maximo wrote:
Ironhidensh wrote:Man, I completely forgot how much of a total fail the PotP Dinobots were. Especially Grimlock, god I hate that toy.

I’m with ya, Densh. We’ve wanted CHUG Dinobots for YEARS, and what should have been as big a deal as Devastator (I know you don’t care for him, but you can’t deny he was an event of a toy release) ended up being Grimlock featuring scrawny dino-babies.

They're not scrawny, I don't get how people see them as such. Also, the Dinobots got a better deal than the Constructicons did. The Dinobots all actually have proper arm articulation. And Slag, Sludge, Snarl, and Swoop also have significant added articulation in dino mode. Snarl's forelegs aren't any more articulated, but still.

Nemesis Maximo wrote:I’ll admit that Volcanicus is cool, but the dinobors should be barbaric.

Why? These are the G1 Dinobots, not the Animated ones. They have as much barbaric look as the G1s did, no more and no less
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The G1 toys for reference.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997872)
Posted by IHaveQuestions on December 9th, 2018 @ 5:03pm CST
Rogue-Primal wrote:Cybertron Backstop, if i had known how bad he was including his gimmick i would have never bought him. I took him apart with a screwdriver a few years later out of spite. then tossed the remains.


Funny that. I had him as a kid and loved him to bits. Easy and fun to convert for quick play. Awkward-looking and impossible to pose for the adult collector? Yes. Does a kid care about that? Not so much.
Re: Top 5 Most Disappointing Transformers Toys (1997873)
Posted by IHaveQuestions on December 9th, 2018 @ 5:13pm CST
Cyberpath wrote:I've had a different experience with MP-25 Tracks, I think he looks great. It's all in the posing.
I feel that maybe that bad first grey prototype pic gave him a bad rep.

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As for most disappointing Transformers, it's hard to say, I generally know what to expect from the figures I order. (And skip the ones that would let me down.)

* I guess AD31 Optimus Prime -- that backpack is terrible. I knew about it beforehand, but it still sucks and maybe in retrospect was an unnecessary purchase.

* I got MP-11 Starscream only in 2017, and after stuff like Ladder Magic, swappable faces, less kibble and so on, he felt outdated. Add to that the issues with the locking. I had thought about returning him, but then I'd have a huge gap in my humble Decepticon cast. He very quickly grew on me. Despite its shortcomings, I actually do like it now.

* And the fact that the Decepticon Targetmasters were done as Headmasters. I got them because I figured they wouldn't redo such obscure characters a second time and overall they're cool toys. But it's still disappointing to have to remove their heads for transformation.


okay but why is he standing on bread

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