Im a huge transformers fan in terms of stories and characters but as a kid never really liked the toys. Back in the 80's I had a bunch of transformers but never thought they looked, moved, or played very well. That being said, I havent bought a transformers toy probably since 1985 (Im a casual gi joe/action figure collector). Among transformer toy enthusiasts such as yourselves, which line is considered to be the "best" or "definitive" or just most popular? In my terms best would be the ones that look most true to the characters and are the most articulated. thanks in advance.
Animated is one the most accurate toon to toy lines. Classics/Henkei/Universe 2.0/Generations- AKA CHUG- are the best lines for upgraded G1 characters.
If you ask 10 collectors this same question, you will get 10 different answers. All of which should be considered. I personally think Generation 1 is the best line of toys, characters and cartoon.
Right now Animated, Beast wars and ROTF are my favourites. I'd like the classics, universe and generations lines a bit more if they included more Beast wars characters though...
Masterpiece (if you want to put down the cash) or the Movie line (yeah, bite me). Animated was pretty radical, too.
Personally, Energon is one of my all-time favorites. Not all of the ideas were executed well, especially the Autobot dual-combiners, but there were a number of outstanding figures and we got actual Scramble-style gestalts (which everyone proceeded to bitch about anyway) for the first time in a long time. They also tried out a few unique ideas, such as Alpha-Q and Kicker, which marked a rare appearance of non-TFing supporting cast figures.
I think so far, the Transformers Animated toyline was by far the best. It was true to the cartoon and the figures had so much possability and fun in them.
If you treat Classic, Universe, and Generations as one big line instead of seperate lines (as most people do without questioning it), then that is my favorite. However, trying to catch up on the older Classic figures to complete the newer figures can be pricey (I am so glad I had money in hand when the line was new).
lol, i'm watching the 49ers State of the Franchise address and I hit F instead of R. Masterpiece or Beast Wars figures. Not sure why all the hate from the old fans (I'm old too), Beast Wars made Transformers relevant again.
I know man... I just don't like the designs... Second least favorite after movie bots... But this is all beside the point of this thread... Sorry for the sidetrack...
lol, its cool but on subject... The Masterpiece transformers are the best. Complex transformations, toon accurate robot modes (The seekers need some work with the hip parts), real world alt modes, and they just frankly don't feel like toys but monuments to our beloved friends of the past. The Masterpiece line is the Oscar, Golden Globe, Heisman of the Transformer world if you will.
I'd say the best for me would be the Classics/Universe/Generations line. I've been a GI Joe collector since the 80's so articulation is a big deal for me. So now the figures have some really nice articulation to them. The cartoon look keeps getting better each time the line comes back from it's time off, I think we can give Animated some credit for that. Topped off with they can draw characters from any era so they could do figures for years and years. Being a fan of things like Gundams the look also works for me. I almost need a time machine so I could go back and tell my past self not to worry because one day Transformers will look like this.