Ok Ok, before we start lets get the obligatory 'Kiss Players' love jokes out the way, fnarrr fnarrr lol etc.

Spoiler

Buncha pervs.

So yesterday I was taipsing through my loft putting/rearranging some TF's into storage when I stumbled across my old SWTF crossovers Millenium Falcon, the one that splits into Han and Chewie. For whatever reason I grabbed him, put batteries into both halves (never store with batteries kids! It won't end well) and was promptly blown away by the figure all over again.

And I'm not even talking about the engineering or the quality of the figure (and it is a flawed figure), but rather how much thought and attention I feel has been put into it. From moulding details (every expected Millenium Falcon detail is present in some form, from engine vents to landing strut pistons) to the electronics (that engine light! Proper movie phrases!) to the action features (Cockpits for the Han and Chewie Minifigs, included in both modes? Spring loaded Quad laser? Transforming Bowcaster?) it's clear this toy was a labour of love for the designer.

Han Solo and Chewbacca (Millenium Falcon) - Transformers Crossovers - TFW2005

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/trans...swtf-millenium-falcon-han-solo-chewbacca.html

Thinking about it I could compare the 'love' between Takara's MP-01 and the subsequent TakTom MP-10 Convoys. (To me) it feels like the designers had a brief for MP-10 (smaller scale, Cartoon accurate, include the trailer/Roller) and dialled in his design whereas for MP-01, with no precursor to the figure they went all out to create the best TF they could possibly envision at the time. Pistons on his knees/elbows? Flip out Communicators? Moving mouthpiece (with freaky Marvel comics #76 mouth behind it)? Shin vents? Light up Matrix? Truck suspension? The list goes on and on for this guy.

Thinking about it the current Masterpiece line feels 'dialled in'. Sure they do the job but the inflated price (discounting local prices) and the lack of accessories (which are store exclusives) and it feels like they're not about the love, but more about the money.

Which leads me to my question.

What figure do you think was made with the most love?

I'll be honest, this is going to purely subjective opinions from everyone. Not everyone will agree with each others choices. So when you say which figure you think try and take some time to explain why you think that's the case.

For me? Nah, I'm not going for the SWTF Millenium Falcon, nor even MP-01 Convoy, for me it's definitely...

SWTF Crossovers Darth Vader/Death Star.

Darth Vader (Death Star) - Transformers Crossovers - TFW2005

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/trans...wars-transformers-death-star-darth-vader.html

WTF am I smoking I hear you ask? Well, after looking at the Millenium Falcon and MP-01 there was only one figure I felt the designers love during the creation process. Reading through my old review (from 2007!) I can see myself gushing over this fig, and revisiting it today I'm doing it again.

It's clear the designers aren't the best TF designers of all time (he is the ultimate shellformer and getting him to Death Star mode can be a fiddly mess) but it's clear they are Star Wars fans.

His feature set kinda tells it all.
-Death Star Laser lights, with different phrases depending on how long you press the activation button?
-Movie phrases with a really good sound alike? (So good it might even be James Earl Jones?)
-When you insert his Lightsaber it lights up with Lightsaber noise? Then plays the deactivation sound when you remove it?
-Lightsaber clash sounds off a wrist button?
-But with the blaster instead that button makes blaster sounds?
-4 Minifigures and Tie Fighters?
-Evil cape?

Plus loads more I'm sure I'm missing. Seriously WTF? HE'S EVEN GOT WAIST ARTICULATION AND ANKLE TILTS!

Vader/Death Star is the very idea of that nameless toy Designer going above and beyond for us, the consumer. I love this fig so much I even went back to my old review and fix the picture links so you can all see him again. That's how much I love this guy.

So sound off on who you think deserves recognition!

 

I have a pretty limited collection, so based on that, I've got to say MP-8. That guy has pretty much everything - nods to the cartoon, nods to the toy and all the esoteric stuff like the intelligence transfer device and waiter kit.

Yes, some of the gimmicks misfire, but it was clearly made by someone who didn't want to miss out on even the smallest element of Grimlocks (fairly diverse) character.

 

Yeah, MP-08 included all those little bits that made no sense except for that one cartoon episode, the pre MP-10 Masterpiece moulds were all labours of love, Rodimus Prime included, flaws and all.

 

oh wait, I miss read the title of this thread

 

Generations Rhinox was the first figure I thought of. A Voyager-class figure, with very little obvious repaint possibility, complete with every detail, of a character whose role in the fiction has been over for almost fifteen years. There had to be love at work there.

 

I can only think of two at the moment - MP10 and ROTF Leader Class Optimus.

The designers I feel really put in a lot of 'effort' into those two. The more I think about it, I'm leaning towards movie Prime...it looks quite accurate (for a mass retail toy) to the movie counterpart and the way it's engineered to transformed.

 

I put off getting this guy for a bit, but man, it is awesome. I feel almost like I got a small MP figure for a voyager price. Somebody at Hasbro LOVES Rhinox.

 

I would say mp01, arm com flaps, light up matrix, working suspension, Axe, megatron gun, shin vents that activate when pushing feet down.... Just a solid figure and a work of art, makes mp10 feel cheap in hand.

 

I agree ....

 

About 12-15 years ago at a TF convention (maybe even Botcon) someone made a transformable custom/kitbash figure that turned into a dildo (or something approximating one). It was one of the "figures" on display for the customized figure competition.

I swear to God I am not making this up! I did a double take when I saw the picture of it and for some reason I have never seen the pic of it again....

 

The topic sounds like some Italian broad from Tuscany on a kitchen set on Food Network.

 

Prime First Edition Voyager Class Bulkhead. It's one of the best (if not the best) figures from the entirety of the Prime series, and for good reason. There was so much careful thought put into that guy's engineering it's not even funny. Great plastic quality, amazing transformation, a characterful sculpt, and just the right amount of articulation to accentuate his personality. I'm proud to own it in my collection.

 

Generations voyager springer. Somebody at hasbro had some love for the character from beginning of rough drafts to the end of final productions. Top to bottom this is hands down one of top fav figs great alternate modes amazing bot mode so much detail and a rip from the idw pages come to life. Now I'm patiently waiting for a megatron, star saber, dia atlas, optimus, ultra magnus, fortress maximus, rodimus and starscream to get the same treatment.

 

Did you really need to use that language here to make your "joke"?  





Anyway, I'm going to nominate the Alternators/Binaltech line. Almost every one had working doors, opening trunks/hoods, steering wheels, seats, dashboards, etc. The designers really made those cars shine, even if some of the transformations are fiddly as hell.

 

While I'd agree that was the case for the majority of the line, I can't help but think one of those designers really really hated Prowl.

 

Little new, little overrated atm, but Evasion OP. He's designed with such complexity in this day and age it surprises me with the transformation they used for him, from G1 Prime to Movie Prime, and in no easy fashion. The empty chest area is sweet because now we can put a possible 3rd-party matrix should it ever be made.

 

For modern figures I'd agree on Springer and that Rhinox got made at all shows someone somewhere was keeping a torch burning all this time. Add new Rattrap too. He may be a shill for the comics but all the little touches on him shows the same guy/gal is keeping the BW flame alive.

 

It could be any MP. All the little touches, all the gimmicks, accessories, nods to the show, the way they're now made to interact with each other, I really get the sense that Hasui, Kobayashi, and their teams eat, sleep, and breathe this stuff. I have MP-08 - 19 with 20, 21, & 22 preordered and they all give me that impression.

 

I think I know what it is...

Faggatron

Its horrifying!!


Anywho... the toy that got a lot of love? Cybertronian Optimus prime. pretty decent articulation, and, while it didn't come with a slew of weapons, it did come with plenty of places to put others. I'll never regret buying that toy.

 

Both International & Japanese versions of RTS/United Jazz is one of those who I think was also made with love and affection.  

Though the United Jazz is my fave of the mold in terms of art deco, but the RTS is also a lot of fun to play with.

That has been closely followed by HFTD Bumblebee, TFP FE Bulkhead, Generations Swerve so far.  

I haven't touched Masterpiece for a while, but maybe that might get rectified soon.