Drew Eiden:
Classics Rodimus – THE Hot Rod/Rodimus figure. If there was ever a figure that you could point to and say ‘that’s the kind of technology we have today’ for updates of G1, Classics Rodimus is it. Look at the Hot Rod figure from the 80’s and look at Rodimus: same character and same alt mode to a degree but everything in between is better. The first Classics figure I knew I wanted from the start and my personal favorite in the year that was 2006.
Runners up: Darksyde Megatron, Galaxy Force Soundwave, Alternators Nemesis Prime, Galaxy Force Primus
Super_Megatron:
Cybertron Primus – When I saw the first image of this figure it blew my mind. I never realized how much I wanted a toy of Primus until I saw the picture. It was a long wait from that point until the Notha American release date but opening it up was as satisfying as I expected. I love big toys (I have all 3 variations of Fortress Maximus and they are my all time favorites) so anytime a Supreme size class figure is released I know it’s being added to my collection. As much as I absolutely love the Classics line I have to choose Cybertron Primus as my pick for favorite toy of 2006. Here’s hoping for a repaint!
Runners Ups: Kiss Players Hot Rodimus X Syao Syao, Classics Megatron, E-hobby Reissue Twincast, Classics Rodimus
Soundwave.ca:
Noisemaze (Mass Production Version) – While a limited edition Japanese exclusive repaint of a toy that was initially released over a year ago might not be at the forefront of people’s minds when discussing the top Transformer toy release of 2006, but for me it ranks as heads over shoulders, as my favorite Transformer of 2006. Despite the many great releases this past year, this was the toy I was looking forward too the most. Once I heard the news of a redeco Noisemaze in it’s mass production colors from the TV series I was sold immediately, and I was not to be disappointed. Though a repaint, this simple silver with white and gold trim paint scheme works amazingly well, and a perfect representation of a Noisemaze drone. The toy itself represents the best of what a Transformer should be, great overall look, articulated, with great pose-ability, excellent in both vehicle and robot modes, and just really fun to play with. Despite the many other great Transformer releases over the past year, this has been the one toy I have not been able to put down since I got it, which makes it my pick for 2006.
Runners up: Galaxy Force Primus, Alternators Nemesis Prime, Kiss Players Hot Rodimus X Syao Syao, eHobby Shop Exclusive Laser Ultra Magnus
Buzzbeak:
Masterpiece Starscream – Fragile wing joints and spotty paint apps be damned, coming out of 2005 where there where very few TFs I gave a damn about I love this toy. The realistic jet mode and color schema is fantastic. On the robot side we get a fateful recreation and update of G1 Starscream and the choice of two faces is a fun extra touch. Detractors will point out color, price, wing problems and other things but I feel the parts they got right over rule the weaknesses.
Best of the rest: Classics Optimus Prime, Titanium 6 Inch War Within Optimus Prime, Classics Astrotrain, Classics Bumblebee
Sol Fury:
Cybertron Primus – an awesome monolith of a Transformer. He’s our first Planet Cybertron in toy form, loaded with details drawn from all eras of the Transformers. He has an excellent robot mode too, loaded with details. He occupies a commanding position within any collection. The various extras (Unicron Head, bonus Minicons, Takara’s box with the awesome group shot of all the leaders from the past 20 years) are the icing on the cake.
Plus, if you are lucky enough to own the Master Sword that came with Omega Prime’s Japanese boxed set, it fits in his hands and looks beyond awesome.
Honourable mentions – Titanium Rodimus Prime, Alternators Mirage, Classics Jetfire, Classics Grimlock
REDLINE:
Cybertron Primus – I STILL have so much fun with this guy that it’s a bit hard to believe. I was extremely excited while waiting for this guy to come out because he looked so cool in pictures. But MAN, seeing him in person, and holding him… its mind-blowing. The sheer heft alone makes you go ga-ga, and that’s before you even TRY to take in the unprecedented amount of molded in detailing! There’s not one single spot on his entire surface(of either mode) that is covered by some sort of detailing or another. He completely blows Armada Unicron out of the water. Extremely fun transformation, detail, poseability, and he turns into a WHOLE planet, and not just half. A definite must-buy Transformer.
Runners-up: Classics Megatron, Alternators Nemesis Prime, Classics Optimus Prime, THS-02 Convoy
Deefuzz:
Classics Bumblebee – The perfect fusion of old and new, and what I feel is one that most represents what the Classics line is all about. When I first opened up the figure I said to myself “Now THIS is finally a real Bumblebee figure!”. I was amazed at how well the new alt mode and attachment worked with this figure, because when I first saw the pictures I had some doubts. Easily my favorite in the Classics line, and my favorite of 2006. Much thanks to Hasbro for such an amazing update to an iconic Transformers figure.
Runners up: E-hobby Reissue Twincast, Cybertron Metroplex, GX-03 Soundblaster, Alternators Nemesis Prime
KidDynamite:
Classics Mirage – Up until the last month of the year, I didn’t have a clear-cut favorite toy of 2006. And then, along came Mirage. He’s not only the best toy I’ve bought this year, I think he may go down as one of my all-time favorite Transformers toys as well. Where to begin? He’s got unprecedented articulation that I find more posable than even Masterpiece figures, including two shoulders joints and three separate elbow joints in each arm. His lanky design is different aesthetically from most vehicle based Transformers, and fitting to his function as a spy. The bulkier legs and rotating feet give him a solid base that mean he can stay balanced in a wide variety of poses. Even the head sculpt is a beautiful update of the original design. While his robot mode is clearly his strongest suit, the vehicle mode is no slouch either. Everything locks together well, and the sponsor detailing make for some nice in-jokes. Mirage handily takes the title of my favorite toy of 2006.
Runners up: Classics Megatron, WST Snarl, Beast Wars 10th Anniversary Deluxe Megatron, THS-02 G1 Convoy
Boardwise:
Classics Bumblebee – Bumblebee was one of the first Transformers I remember owning way back in 1984 and has managed to survive to this day, though he has seen his fair shares of battles and isn’t in such a great condition. When the sketch images of what would have been Alternators Bumblebee surfaced I was disappointed that the idea was scrapped and one of my favourite characters had been passed over again, however when news of his inclusion to the Classics line came through I eagerly waited for pictures to surface and when they did I was not disappointed as it is a perfect upgrade to one of my favourite Transformers, and one I was glad to get hold off.
Runners Up: E Hobby Twincast, Alternator Mirage, Classics Optimus Prime, Cybertron Primus
Kickback
Classics Jetfire – I’m still astonished I’m the only one of the staff members here to pick Classics Jetfire as the best toy of 2006. Where do I even start with this figure? He is the absolute shining example of what every Generation One fan has wanted in a Transformers toy since the idea of homages started in Beast Wars. With amazing articulation and an incredible look and feel to his G1 counterpart (a Macross toy … zomg!) without that whole “illegal copyright infringement” part, this figure is hands down not just the best toy of 2006, but one of the best toys ever created in the Transformers brand. You get the classic Macross look, the classic cartoon look, combined with amazing articulation … one cannot describe how much joy this figure is. If the Transformers are going to look and feel like this figure in the future, we collectors are in for a very special treat for years to come.
Runners Up: Alternators Mirage, Cybertron Primus, Cybertron Soundwave, Classics Optimus Prime
Tony_Bacala
Titanium 6 Inch War Within Optimus Prime – I chose Titanium War Within Optimus Prime for one reason; it finally gave the fans what they had been asking for. This figure was the first to show a War Within character in toy form, something desired since the comic came out years ago. It is a dead-on representation of an awesome design previously only seen in comic book format, both in robot and vehicle modes. Add some die-cast, a great custom box perfect for displaying in-package, and a reasonably cheap price point for what you get, and it’s a hands down winner in my book.
Runners Up: Titanium Optimal Optimus, Classics Jetfire, Classics Mirage, Classics Bumblebee