Shaxper's Guide to Transformers: Titans Return
Jan 5, 2018 22:21:21 GMT -5
lobsterjohnson likes this
Post by shaxper on Jan 5, 2018 22:21:21 GMT -5
Shaxper's Guide to
TRANSFORMERS: TITANS RETURN
The series is over (though much of it is still available in stores), but my infatuation with this series hasn't fizzled. While I have generally avoided new Transformers toy lines over the years, believing nothing held a candle to the G1 originals, this series has so much going for it, and I want to make sure others don't miss out on it the way I almost did.
The PROS: Clever transformations, highly articulate sculpts, wide array of characters from the later G1 series that are clearly of a higher quality than the originals. And the headmaster concept was always a fun one.
The CONS: The headmasters themselves are a bit skimpy and not as satisfying as their G1 counterparts, and a few of the designs for this series were really phoned in (Fort Max, Broadside, Leader Optimus Prime), even while most of the rest were tremendously impressive.
THE ESSENTIALS:
The absolute best of the line; the guys you NEED to own.
If you want a cheap crashcourse on all that's amazing about this series, start with Kup. He's gorgeous in both robot and vehicle modes, and his transformation is both complex and satisfying. He's a GREAT example of all that's right with many of the mid-range robots from this series.
Intrigued? Good!
Next up, give these three mid-sizers a try. They won't disappoint:
And then try stepping it up a notch with the Japanese version of Blur. The Japanese versions cost more but often contain higher quality detail, and Blur is a great example of this.
Finally, it's time to pick up the most awesome of the Leader Class Titans, including a kick a$$ robot, spaceship, tank, and base mode. It's Leader Class Overlord, who (while smaller than the enormous G1 original) is detailed, well designed, and ridiculously affordable considering the quality.
Okay, okay. You're in and really ready to go all the way with this line? Bring on THE PRICEY ESSENTIALS:
Hey big spender, check out the TRU Exclusive Chaos on Velocitron giftset, containing the best possible repaints of the Voyager Optimus Prime and Sixshot molds, four new headmasters (the Rodimus Prime one is gorgeous and looks better on Laser Optimus Prime than the one he's supposed to come with), and a really cool tweaking of the Blur mold (don't worry -- you'll want to own both).
Trypticon, who is far far larger and better designed than his G1 counterpart (BTW his upright Godzilla mode is super impressive but not pictured on the linked page).
And my new favorite, the Japan-exclusive God Ginrai, who is superior to the G1 original in nearly every way.
Can't let go of the idea that you should own Fortress Maximus? Go for Metroplex instead. Though released as part of the previous Combine Wars series in the States (and no, he isn't a Headmaster) he is considered part of this series in Japan and is undoubtedly the most quality Transformers base EVER designed. There are so many intricacies to his base mode that don't show in the pics. And yes, he is LARGER than the G1 Fortress Maximus.
I owned a fleet of three G1 Metroplexes that I promptly sold off as soon as I got this guy. There was just no point in keeping them around anymore.
WHAT NOT TO GET:
The following are all serious disappointments that should be avoided as far as I'm concerned.
Fort Max looks better than the original in robot mode but has the most lackluster unimaginative base mode possible.
Leaderclass Soundwave and Blaster just seem...pointless.
Leader Optimus Prime is a very lazy, disappointing version of the Japanese God Ginrai I recommended above. Avoid.
Broadside seems like a great toy until you get to his jet(?) mode, which is pretty much the most pathetic thing I've ever seen as a TF collector.
Astrotrain, Alpha Trion, Scourge and Skullsmasher are all just...bleh.
The Legends figures do not have headmasters. Some are okay, but they are missing the theme that pervades the rest of the series.
Everything else is pretty darn good, though tastes and mileage will vary. This is an incredible series, and I hope this little guide helped to inspire a few others to check it out.
TRANSFORMERS: TITANS RETURN
The series is over (though much of it is still available in stores), but my infatuation with this series hasn't fizzled. While I have generally avoided new Transformers toy lines over the years, believing nothing held a candle to the G1 originals, this series has so much going for it, and I want to make sure others don't miss out on it the way I almost did.
The PROS: Clever transformations, highly articulate sculpts, wide array of characters from the later G1 series that are clearly of a higher quality than the originals. And the headmaster concept was always a fun one.
The CONS: The headmasters themselves are a bit skimpy and not as satisfying as their G1 counterparts, and a few of the designs for this series were really phoned in (Fort Max, Broadside, Leader Optimus Prime), even while most of the rest were tremendously impressive.
THE ESSENTIALS:
The absolute best of the line; the guys you NEED to own.
If you want a cheap crashcourse on all that's amazing about this series, start with Kup. He's gorgeous in both robot and vehicle modes, and his transformation is both complex and satisfying. He's a GREAT example of all that's right with many of the mid-range robots from this series.
Intrigued? Good!
Next up, give these three mid-sizers a try. They won't disappoint:
And then try stepping it up a notch with the Japanese version of Blur. The Japanese versions cost more but often contain higher quality detail, and Blur is a great example of this.
Finally, it's time to pick up the most awesome of the Leader Class Titans, including a kick a$$ robot, spaceship, tank, and base mode. It's Leader Class Overlord, who (while smaller than the enormous G1 original) is detailed, well designed, and ridiculously affordable considering the quality.
Okay, okay. You're in and really ready to go all the way with this line? Bring on THE PRICEY ESSENTIALS:
Hey big spender, check out the TRU Exclusive Chaos on Velocitron giftset, containing the best possible repaints of the Voyager Optimus Prime and Sixshot molds, four new headmasters (the Rodimus Prime one is gorgeous and looks better on Laser Optimus Prime than the one he's supposed to come with), and a really cool tweaking of the Blur mold (don't worry -- you'll want to own both).
Trypticon, who is far far larger and better designed than his G1 counterpart (BTW his upright Godzilla mode is super impressive but not pictured on the linked page).
And my new favorite, the Japan-exclusive God Ginrai, who is superior to the G1 original in nearly every way.
Can't let go of the idea that you should own Fortress Maximus? Go for Metroplex instead. Though released as part of the previous Combine Wars series in the States (and no, he isn't a Headmaster) he is considered part of this series in Japan and is undoubtedly the most quality Transformers base EVER designed. There are so many intricacies to his base mode that don't show in the pics. And yes, he is LARGER than the G1 Fortress Maximus.
I owned a fleet of three G1 Metroplexes that I promptly sold off as soon as I got this guy. There was just no point in keeping them around anymore.
WHAT NOT TO GET:
The following are all serious disappointments that should be avoided as far as I'm concerned.
Fort Max looks better than the original in robot mode but has the most lackluster unimaginative base mode possible.
Leaderclass Soundwave and Blaster just seem...pointless.
Leader Optimus Prime is a very lazy, disappointing version of the Japanese God Ginrai I recommended above. Avoid.
Broadside seems like a great toy until you get to his jet(?) mode, which is pretty much the most pathetic thing I've ever seen as a TF collector.
Astrotrain, Alpha Trion, Scourge and Skullsmasher are all just...bleh.
The Legends figures do not have headmasters. Some are okay, but they are missing the theme that pervades the rest of the series.
Everything else is pretty darn good, though tastes and mileage will vary. This is an incredible series, and I hope this little guide helped to inspire a few others to check it out.
This was before I got God Ginrai. Otherwise, it's all there.