So I see a lot of threads with the best and worst toys/companies discussions... and I wondered what toy has the best transformation in your collection (not based off reviews or what you've heard). Whether because it's fun, intuitive, clever, addicting, a challenge yet not frustrating, etc. (edit) Just wanted to add, your decision can also be based on "I have no time in my life for complex transformations. Therefore the fastest transformation is the best for me." Yes, your decision of a winner can be because it matches your personality or lifestyle.

Some simple rules:
- only talk about a figure that you own or have played with (a lot).
- avoid what you've heard or seen in reviews as it's about your experience, not someone else's
- only talk about the best transformation, unless you really, really, really have to use the negatives from another Transformer to explain why your figure of choice does it well
- it can be a CHUG, MP, new or old release. Doesn't matter. A good transformation is a good transformation. Whether it's fun or just intuitive... or both!
- optional rule : only talk about one figure, no runner ups or ties. This will push us to find the edge that makes one a winner in our collection

Lastly, be inspirational. Inspire others to see why you love that transformation so much, so we all want to go try it and see what you see.

Now I have to go figure out which one I love out of my top 10 contenders.

 

G1 prime, Shit i own nothing but G1 to start with.

Edit also thunderclash.

 

Masterpiece Laserbeak. Taking something as thin as a the cassete and making a fully realized 3D laserbeak was great. I don't think it's the best masterpiece but to me it has a perfect transformation. I couldn't expect anything more from either mode.

 

I guess what defines 'best transformation' for me is what enables the toy to go from one perfect mode to another without compromising the end result. Not defined by a transformation that is annoying or that I don't like.

Great example is mp10.
An example of a hindering transformation would be Apollyon, as his transformation negatively affects the resulting botmode.

 

I really like the generations legends bumblebee. It's clever, super fun, and I can play with him while I'm on the phone, and it's the one I play with most. (sorry I kind of broke the optional rule) However, my favorite I would say is MP Prowl. The transformation is absolutely awesome. It's intuitive, and the results in both modes are astonishing. I love that toy, and it's one of the main reasons I started collecting again.

 

My favorite 3P transformation is FansProject Smart Robin - clever and satisfying!

 

Since this thread is in the 3rd party section im guessing its about 3rd party toys?
We are talking strictly about fun transformations here not how "the end result" looks right?

 

Smart Robin is still perhaps the only figure I like to transform for its own sake. Just so easy and yet clever.

 

For something more recent, FT Stomp is pretty impressive in hand. It's relatively simple and doesn't have any frustrating moments. Everything just flows on that figure, much more so than Sever or Soar (never owned Scoria).
I wouldn't compare them to the MP "wow" moments but, there's something satisfying with the unlocking diecast hip buttons, the way the forearm claws split to let the bot hands unfold, how the dino neck and head collapse and fit perfectly into the back, or most impressively how the rear dino legs fold up and seemingly mass shift, to make a streamlined robot leg. Just a lot of really nice and polished touches on the figure that make him fun to pick and handle.

 

MP Wheeljack is a shining example. Excellent looks in both modes, rock solid feeling in both, and fun to transform.

 

Smart Robin is my N1 "transformer". Aka his transforming process is the most satisfying out of my whole collection.

The robot itself looks extremely clean and kibble free. The jetmode is very convincing and impressive and of course getting from A to B is pretty amazing a journey itself.

 

if it's 3P only, I'd go with Stomp. Really any of the Dibots. They aren't necessarily super clever, but they are really intuitive  .

 

1) FT Soar: relatively easy, fast, fun, and i love both modes. Wish the arms had a lock or went inside chest a bit, but otherwise really love it.
2) FT Stomp: very good and complete engineering (probably the best i have ever handled), fun, everything lock in, and great two modes. It comes at number two because i did struggle with one of the steps, and also it is a much bigger and figure to manipulate, thus a bit more effort, but really, it is fantastic.
3) FP Columpio: Transformation is just fun and easy, i enjoy doing it, used to transform him everyday for a few months. I do wish the leg kibbles hide away and arm swivel, but otherwise i love it, and the process itself of transformation is very fun. It is a good size to handle on a daily basis
4) FT Grenadier: Simple enough, very satisfying process, very nice size to handle daily, many configuration of bug legs
5) FT Scoria: very satisfying transformation process, both modes look good, engineering is nice, but not as nice and complete as FT Stomp. Also, some parts can get loose with time, this a bit harder to manipulate, but still, very good.
6) MP Bumblebee: small and good transformation, a bit light though, and some issue with back part pegging out
7) MP Wheeljack (sold now because of change of focus at the time): good and complete engineering, nice transformation but a bit more challenging and sometimes needed instructions videos, but out of the normal carbots (other than Bumblebee) from Takara, this was my favorite transformation.
8) FP Smart Robbin: Very interesting transformation.

I may add some more later.

 

Off the top of my head fansproject smart robin. I have the redeco sonic bomber version. I love transforming him. Hasbro did a great job with Sidearm Sideswipe. I love the way the torso and chest form. I like Generations Springer as well from the idw. Nice triple changer. I also think masterpiece Sideswipe has a good transformation too. Evasion mode Optimus is great. I also have the Wei jaing version which steps it up a notch. I might think of more later

 

Smart Robin, Stomp.

 

It's not 3P, but probably the figure I play around with the most are MP Soundwave and Soundblaster. It's easy and quick, and while I love Soundwave's G1 bot design I'm also a sucker for that tape player altmode so the two of them get transformed fairly often. When I'm bored and just want to transform something, that mold is my go-to.

 

For 3P, the leg transformation and the integration of the tail on Stomp is genius. Although his transformation overall is fairly obvious, the efforts to create clean features in bot mode, tucking away the head and hind legs make him fun to show off.
MP Ironhide is the big wow for me because I thought he was going to have parts forming and yet they were able to origami the shit out of it and make it into a chest. When I want to show off the ingenuity of transformers I pick up Ironhide.

I think combiner Wars needs an honorable mention for the leg transformation that seems to be adopted by some 3P

 

Yeah, I gotta agree with this one. It's not my favorite toy and it was never a great rendition of the character in botmode but it was IMMEDIATELY one of the best transformation schemes I've ever seen. In fact, the only reason I haven't sold it off thus far (since the TR Brainstorms have made it redundant) is the fact that it's the best example of a TRANSFORMATION of any toy that I currently own. Like theosteve, it's probably the only non-Legends class TF I own that I transform _just to transform_. (I'm normally a "pose and display" kinda guy)

Another one I'd say has a great transformation is Leader Class Movie Starscream. That and the second Leader Class OP (with the swords and/or hooks) are probably the pinnacle of mass-release Transformers engineering, going from perfect vehicle modes to almost impossibly screen-accurate robots at a $40 price point... Except Starscream's transformation is way, WAY easier and more intuitive than Optimus'

 

Hmm, good question. I don't think it should be strictly 3P. It's better to have your entire collection at disposal for judgment.

 

That's open for you to judge. Payoff can be used as a reason for specific transformations.