Prime had the recipe to be a really stellar show, and it did have some FANTASTIC moments. Overall, though, the show just felt really slow and boring. It also had a problem with overly explained build ups with really terrible resolutions. Don't get me wrong, Prime is decent when compared to some of the other garbage on the current airwaves but top two? No way.

I despise Animated, but even it was a better show than Prime.

 

.....

 

Crap, I meant to vote Beast Wars.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FopyRHHlt3M

 

Beast Wars and Animated.

No, I'm not going by the ludicrous poll above.

 

Prime is in my top three, but Beast Wars is #1 for me.

 

Transformers: Beast Wars

 

Animated.

 

I went with Prime. I've never gotten around to actually watching Beast Wars...I suppose I need to one of these days. I've heard great things about it.

 

Yes....Yes you should.

 

Prime

 

Beast Wars, hands down with no contest! As much as I enjoyed TF: Prime, it just seemed lackluster when you compare it to other shows such as G1, Beast Wars and Animated. In my opinion those three series brought something fresh to the table. Looking at Prime, the show's visuals were fantastic, but the achilles heel was undoubtably the story itself.

 

Alright serious answer.

One problem of course is that the vast majority of TF shows have been Japanese and for the most part aimed at a bit of a different audience (bar the Takara Trilogy and maaaaybe Micron Legend) with definitely more effort on style than substance. So in terms of best shows, you only have five options. G1 is a lot of fun and was years ahead of its time...but noooo.. Non runner. I honestly think Beast Wars is one of the finest shows, animated or otherwise, I have ever seen, although it did peak somewhat in S2 and too much of S3 is unfortunate gags/filler for my taste at times so it is the best. For the number 2 spot...Beast Machines is a deep, dark, philosophical show drenched in maturity. but in a similar vein as Gurren Lagann, I watched and said "That was an awesome show, but it didn't quite click with me". So it's down to TFA and TFP for number 2.

In terms of con cast, I'd say its a close tussle. Both shows had excellent villains. Easily the best in TF and to be honest I'd argue the best villain casts of almost any animated series, bar maybe the sprawling epic that is the united DCAU. Animated edges ahead in the Autobot cast. While Bumblebee was a bit irritating, the other four were excellent. And the introducing of the idea that Autobots were not squeaky clean was great. Prime on the other hand had strong characters in Arcee, Bulkhead and Ratchet, but Prime and Bumblebee def hampered things. And while fun, Wheeljack and magnus didn't stir things up thaaaat much. Action on the other hand, firmly on Prime's side. Humans, Animated has annoying human villains, but it also had the sublime Sari. Prime has Jack and Fowler but also has the dead weight of Raf and S1-2.5 Miko. But well written shows but TFA just kept getting better while mid to late S2 of Prime was a def dip overall before the megarise of BH. Animation, prob more technically proficient in Prime but more personality in TFA.

Honestly, I love TFA while I appreciate Prime. So...Animated for number two based wholly on preference.

 

If Beast Machines is considered the fourth and fifth seasons of Beast Wars, I'd say the race is a bit closer. The original Beast Wars show paid a bit too much continuity homage to G1, and I think that was its Achilles heel.

 

TFP. I'm usually not one to dislike a show just for poor animation, but I've never been able to get past Beast Wars' CGI. I mean, it feels like watching a 1990s video game. I've also never liked the names like 'Cheetor' that are obvious synonyms for what they turn into, it didn't feel as creative as what TFP offered. I hear BW had good writing, but I think TFP had pretty good writing, and pretty much the best characterizations ever, so TFP wins my vote.

 

This.

 

Beast wars. Tfp and tfa only dream of being equal with it. No hate intended.  

And I hope no feelings were hurt.  

 

Prime? Top two?



Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

No.

 

In terms of story quality, I'd rank it Beast Wars, Animated, TF: P, Beast Machines, then G1. In terms of overall enjoyment, I'd rank it G1, Beast Wars, Animated, TF: P, then Beast Machines. What can I say, the nostalgia factor really covers for a lot of G1's flaws, even re-watching it as an adult.

 

I enjoyed TFP, but Beast Wars is still my personal favorite.