Now I know that they're kids toys, but...

Seriously, do any adult collectors appreciate Transformers that makes noise? I kind of like that Universe Silverbolt makes the classic transformation sound when his head pops up, but the electronics in my Powerglide were so messed up that eventually the sound effects became stuck on and wouldn't turn off until I took out the batteries. ROTF Leader Prime almost got his batteries taken out before he was transformed properly thanks to unnecessarily introducing himself over and over and over as I tried to transform his chestal region. The G2 seekers' sound effects boxes are kind of funny. There are two buttons. Pressing one makes a machine gun noise for a tenth of a second, unless held down. Pressing the other makes a jet taking off noise, which lasts approximately four days and scares our ferret.

Lights are a little cooler, but only a little. I like MP Megatron's red light of doom. MP Grimlock's gun/sword/hand light up gimmick is nice, but I would've still preferred he be able to shoot the bird like Unicron. Speaking of Unicron, cool glowing hand, bro. Universe Onslaught's eyes are kind of sweet, actually. Other than that though, I could do without sound or voice and be very happy. Actually, having batteries in my toys worries me because I know some sad day in the future I will have to remove the batteries from all my Transformers so that they don't leak battery acid. RID Prime in particular keeps me up at night for this reason.

Missiles are my least favorite gimmick of all time. American G1 reissues either come with dysfunctional missile launchers (that's cool) or ludicrously oversized missiles. Newer toys like 07 movie Starscream come with a half dozen missiles, one of which I spent 20 minutes looking for only to find on the kitchen floor. I'm slightly afraid of blinding myself any time I look at an armed Transformer. The only missiles I can think of that I actually like are Animated Swindles, because it has those cool orange and black stripes when loaded, and original G1 seekers' short missiles, because they blend in well with the launcher and look like little bombs. G1 Prowl (and friends) and Hound's missile launchers are cool for character decoration, but other than that I mostly leave my missiles in ziplock bags.

 

I generally like the lights and sounds. Transformation sound is pure win to me everytime...light is kind of a hit or miss. ROTF Leader Megatron, for example, has a very weird looking face because all the stuff that is supposed to be lit (like his eyes) is dark until you press a button. I feel this destroys the look a little..but flashy lights in guns and boosters are awesome.

Sometimes though, designers don't have a good way to hide the batteries and wires, ending in a very messy transformer.

Not too fond of missiles, though. I have a little chest containing the gazillion missiles I have.

 

I generally like the electronic effects when used sparingly but I hate it when its at the expence of what could be a great toy.

Latest example was ROTF leader Optimus Prime, who has amazing detail and possability (He can stand on one leg!) yet the first time I transformed him to truck mode his soundchip went off abot 50 times while I was only half way through the transformation. It got so anoying I could have thrown it against the wall. I ended up taking the batteries out.

 

"I am optimus prime!"

I almost took the batteries out of rotf prime. Couldn't they have given him a better phrase too? I know he's optimus prime, that's why I bought him...

 

Auuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

Animated Leader Megatron's 'Evil Laugh' amuses me.

I'm easily amused.

 

I could go either way. To keep costs down, I say lose the electronics. Firing missles are fun.....for a little while. Then, it's off to the ziplock baggie that has the instructions.

 

- Missiles - Yes, one of my favorite "gimmicks". If I had my way, every figure would have at least one spring-loaded missile launcher.
- Sound Effects - Depends on the effect. Some of the voice clips are excellent (the Animated Leader Class, especially), others are just annoying or don't really sound like the character (RotF Leader Prime and Megatron). And some sound effects are triggered far too easily and get annoying (E-Scorponok). I like the inclusion of a transformation sound, and even weapon sounds are OK, as long as the figure is large enough that the speaker doesn't get in the way or isn't in a weird place (E-Shockblast).
- Lights - The don't bother me one way or the other. They don't do much to improve a figure, IMO, but aren't as intrusive as speakers.

 

I like electronics when it is the transforming sound (Universe Silverbolt & Armada Overload). Could do without the others. I might try it once or twice but then I just ignore it. I do hate the sounds that go off randomly when the toy is handled.

For missles, it depends on how they look in the figure. If the missle blends into the toy & isn't noticible, I don't mind it. When it is really obvious, I'd rather it be left out.

 

First thing I do after the twist ties come off is remove the batteries, before I even start changing a toy for the first time. I look at electronics as one of those things that is very cool for the kids but far less of a draw for most adult collectors. Also, those "Power Fuel" (or whatever they're called) batteries are garbage. I try to use them elsewhere, but they never last more than a few days in other devices.

I'd also much rather have a creatively-sculpted hand weapon than a missile launcher any day, but given the "OMG you can't sell GUNS to my KIDS" mentality today, I don't expect to see any great rifles/handguns for toys in the near future.

 

I like the missiles. I don't think my dog is too fond of them, however...

 

Most times I just wish they'd left it out. Lights and Sounds (wires/battery packs) usually compromise some part of the design...

There are a few exceptions where they're done well... RID OP & UM come to mind.

 

RotF Leader Optimus Prime's can get annoying during transformation. He say's "I am Optimus Prime" about 50 times, and I'm sitting there thinking to myself "I KNOW!!!".

 

My cats probably wished there were no missile launchers in my toys (how many of those things have launched accidentally while transforming...) but I kinda like them. Sound and lights, well, I haven't purchased a figure with them yet. ROTF Prime is the first one I plan on buying  

 

I don't really like the lights and sounds because it just seems to add to the cost of the figure without really giving me anything extra.

Missiles depend on how they are done. On some figures they are a nice little extra that adds to the fun of the figure, on other figures they have seemed more in the way and just something else to lose. So it's really a mixed bag, but at least Hasbro was nice enough to not work spring loaded missiles into all the figures.

 

All three gimmicks should burn in the pit, along with the people who keep shoehorning them in. Light and sound gimmicks either create unncessary bulk or take up budget that could have been spent better elsewhere (maybe ROTF Prime would have had his articulated hands and wheels that fold away without the electronics?). Missiles get lost, and the springs are so anaemic these days as to be pointless. Just enough to lose the missile, not enough to knock another TF over. I have airsoft and Nerf guns for when I want to shoot stuff.

 

Lights and sounds, don't really mind as long as they don't ruin the look of the figure.

Missiles, hate them, they get lost and they're generally not attractive. Some I can accept though, like Universe Dinobot's, since it's really a "part" of the figure.

 

I don't mind missile launchers as weapons, I'd just prefer they didn't fire or like everyone else said, left out so that more money can be put into less kibble. Battery kibble is especially annoying. Vector Prime's entire front end is just a battery holder, for example... I would prefer more switchblade weapons ala Universe onslaught or Cybertron voyager Starscream than weak missile launchers that barely work. Hell, my preview Bumblebee's missile launcher was so broken out of the package that the missile got stuck in it, and upon forcing it out I removed the entire spring. Combining is the ultimate gimmick...

 

I hate to be Mr. Grouchy, but I really don't like any of them. Lights and Sounds often times make a figure look disproportionate in one region due to the need to hold batteries, and make the figure heavier in general. Missiles just look goofy 99% of the time, the biggest offender I can think of is the Animated Starscream mold. The only figure I leave the missiles inside of is Voyager Movie Prime because it actually adds to the figure.