It's been quite a few years now since Hasbro started trending towards packaging all size classes in their robot modes rather than their alternate modes (trying to remember the last line where the opposite was the case, I think it was Dark of the Moon where more and more were packed in robot mode..though deluxes were still in vehicle mode IIRC).

It's a small thing, but to me that first transformation into robot mode after getting the figure out of the box was always kinda special. Unfolding this puzzle and seeing the robot mode for the first time, there's something so pure and satisfying about that rather than the reverse. I get that it may look better on the shelves and pegs (especially given how much more space robots take up in the packaging) to have the robots showing rather than the vehicles, but given that these are supposed to be in disguise, I like that aspect all the more.

I feel like I had more to say on this subject, but I'm not exactly finding the words for it, so rather than rambling I'll just turn the discussion over to you guys.

 

I've always seen alt mode packaging back in the day as a necessity. A compromise for selling the toy. Because the "robot modes", especially in the '80s looked like mangled parts of their alt mode, with occasional heads/fists you might be able to make out. The alt modes were more clearly "a thing". But now, Transformers can be just like every other action figure on the shelves, since their bot modes are much more clearly humanoid figures.

But I may be way off on that thought. =p

 

I agree, but I understand why Hasbro packages in bot-mode. It is a personalization of the figure, where it becomes a character rather than just a vehicle, which is more appealing to buyers.

I miss the packaging in alt-mode because it just feels easier to learn to transform a figure from that in a bot, rather than the other way around. And 90%+ of the video reviews are set-up to transform from vehicle to bot, which makes following them in reverse a trick.

Plus, a great looking alt-mode in a box with that clear window just looked so great.

 

Not after Titans return run on Takara legends for me . Had a few mishaps with missing/messed up eye paints with it . As a bot mode displayer , I rather be able to see those minor issues face front , and not pick it up/find another copy than wasting time and resources after the fact .

 

Exactly, the robot modes for many left a lot to be desired in years past, hence the need for packaged displays in alt modes, todays engineering really showcase how wonderful todays robot modes are.

 

if they ever do a generations bw line I would love them to return to alt mode packaging.

mostly just for nostalgia..

 

I do have a slight preference for alt-mode. The first transformation from vehicle to bot does feel like a bigger "reveal" than the other way around. My most significant gripe on robot mode packaging though is more practical. It requires more ties to secure, and sometimes mis-transformations in package. That I hate. I get why it's probably not going to go back, but I wish it would.

 

I'm not one to be down on Hasbro, but I do think it wasn't a coincidence that as the toys got smaller in comparison to price, the switch was made to package more and more of them in robot mode until now all of them are. The robot modes take up more space in a package and thus it looks like you're getting more for your money. Can you imagine Hasbro trying to sell Studio Series Jazz displayed in vehicle mode in the box for $20?

 

Bot modes have really come a long way, but there was something extra special about looking at those vehicle modes and knowing there was a robot concealed within. That's always been my personal packaging preference.

I used to get very excited about it, looking at those cracks in the vehicle shell, and trying to figure it out. I always like my TFs to have fully resolved altmodes. This is the primary reason I got into movie TF toys, despite the quality of the movies. The return to realistic altmodes was a long time coming.

Three advantages to vehicle mode packaging, as previously,mentioned in the thread:
1) less twisty ties
2) vehicle to bot transformation generally less frustrating and more straightforward
3) discourages sloppy vehicle modes (although perhaps the reverse is also true).

Advantages to botmode packaging:
1) allows for inspection of botmode paint apps
2) easy appeal for those with no imagination
3) allows for inflated package size to justify inflated price.

 

I agree. That first transformation to robot mode was so much more exciting. The vehicle modes are cool but it’s like you were taking it from “just” a car into the robot mode, playing around with it, seeing what poses you could get with it was part of the adventure. The puzzle was getting it into the actual character.

 

I miss them in vehicle mode as well, especially when a lot of robot modes look the same.

The G1 reissue line has been a nice change of pace

 

Some would be problematic in alt mode. MP36 could cause shipping issues packed in alt mode and Siege Soundwave would likely shelf warm for decades if presented in alt mode.

 

Yeah, alt mode packaging FTW.
Luckily most Masterpieces are still packaged like this.

 

they've been packaged in bot mode for at least 9 years now, the wfc figures (part of generations 2010) were packaged in bot mode. its nothing new with the figures getting smaller because it started when they were larger

 

One good thing I can say of robot mode packaging is that it spared little me the disappointment of unfolding this lovely little Lamborghini:

Into this coffee-coloured gorilla:

Weirdly enough, I also miss how 07-DOTM boxes were dark and mysterious in colour, something SS might’ve unintentionally homaged. Hell, I even miss how bios were detailed paragraphs instead of multilingual one-liners. I don’t even have any of my 07-ROTF boxes anymore..

 

It as like unwrapping a present, it had it´s own charm.

 

I prefer vehicle mode packaging, myself. It emphasizes the robot's "disguise", which is what Transformers is honestly all about. Emphasizing the robot just says "here's a character. BTW, it turns into something". It just feels less like "two toys in one" off the shelf...something 1980's Transformers did very well at.

 

Bought a deluxe TFP Vehicon recently, I actually liked seeing him in his alt-mode in packaging. It was a joy to see how his transformation worked from such a sleek alt to his robot-mode. I can see the point of doing robot-mode packaging, after all it's rare for me to display my transformers in their alt-mode (save for animal-based alts).

 

Completely agree that it feels much easier to transform from alt.mode to robot.

I tend to skip reviewers who don't start their TF review correctly from what was factory packaging. Unless I know for sure that reviewer will do both way like Optibotimus who I prefer to watch from.

 

I'm going against the grain here and say I prefer the robot mode on display in the package . I do get the satisfaction of "revealing" the robot mode after going through the transformation after opening it. It's the main feature, sure. From a marketing POV, it's cooler and more distinct to show off the robot first. There are already lots of regular cars and vehicles in the boy's toy aisle but not a whole lot of robots. Packaging the toy in robot mode is just like putting your best foot forward.