COUNTDOWN: Attention third parties! 30 G1 Masterpiece ideas still to do (part 3)

Right then, it’s time for the third and final chapter of our extended look at the many myriad ideas still left from Generation 1 Transformers that have yet to be tackled in Masterpiece form! You might think that it’s mostly been done on the third party scene already, but this list is here to show you that’s not the case. Be sure to check out part 1 and part 2 if you haven’t seen them yet and then let’s crack on below!

 

#10: Yet more Pretenders!

Yes, I know, I know – I’ve already mentioned Pretenders more times on this list than you can probably even remember at this point! If anything though, it just reinforces my stance that someone has to give them a crack at some point soon! After all, with so many potential characters just sitting there waiting for an overhaul, why wouldn’t it be a good idea? Last time I’ll mention them, I *promise*, but how could we forget about the likes of the transformable Mega & Ultra variations, not to mention the Pretender Classics, of course! I need a Masterpiece-styled Pretender Grimlock in my life.

WHICH THIRD PARTY MIGHT GIVE IT A GO? Just… whoever, really. Make it happen. Someone. Anyone.

 

#9: Metroplex

Oh, you didn’t think I came here to play, did you? Yes, I am talking about the one-and-only hulking city bot himself! There may be a well-known Generations toy already but most would agree it’s far too stylised to really be considered a Masterpiece-styled attempt at the classic Metroplex animation model and besides, we’d really be hoping for something a little bigger, no? After all, if FansToys are going to follow through with that *insane* Fortress Maximus figure they teased a while back, why not? How much space does one need in their house, anyway? It would be fun to see Trypticon done too, no doubt, although I’d argue the Titan figure we have of him is a much closer thing to the cartoon already, so Metroplex takes the spot here.

WHICH THIRD PARTY MIGHT GIVE IT A GO? Feels like if FansToys can pull off Max, then ‘Plex wouldn’t be beyond their levels of ambition.

 

#8: Action Masters

Now we’re talking. Action Masters may have an unfortunate reputation in some parts of the fandom, but in my house, we stan the blighters. Yes, they’re “Transformers that don’t transform” but just look at all the amazing robot designs that subline pumped out and tell me they’re not just waiting for a re-emergence! Rad, Skyfall, Jackpot, Rollout, Kick-Off, Powerflash, Rumbler, Circuit, Axer, Krok, Treadshot, Take-Off, Charger… these are names that have been sadly under-utilised since the early 1990s and should be given another chance to shine. Mainframe may have become popular again thanks to the new Titan Ark toy and there’s a Super 7 Ultimates take on Banzai-Tron on the way too, but how fun would it be to see these characters given Masterpiece-styled takes on their classic forms, potentially even with alternate forms built in? Come on, third party – do it!

WHICH THIRD PARTY MIGHT GIVE IT A GO? Hard to imagine anyone tackling this, really, but maybe X-Transbots are niche enough to give it a go.

 

#7: Duocons

These lads are memorable for two things – dual vehicle forms and massive feet. Oh, and they were a fun pair of toys back in the ’80s too and have had some focus here or there in the years since, but would be great candidates for a full-on Masterpiece-styled re-do. It would be fascinating to see the engineering employed to make them happen, including whether the auto-transform gimmick would be retained or not!

WHICH THIRD PARTY MIGHT GIVE IT A GO? Hard to say again but maybe someone like Ocular Max?

 

#6: Emirate Xaaron & Impactor

I’ve put these two together are they’re characters that are entirely synonymous with one another in the original Marvel comics fiction, although it would be great even if just one of them was brought to life in classic form. Impactor has had a couple of attempts over the years but none that really resonates as being a faithful depiction of his comic appearance, whilst Xaaron has been all but ignored. What’s weird is that you wouldn’t even need to make an alternate form for him… although I do kind of like the idea of a toy that only transforms part of the way and then gets stuck in position!

WHICH THIRD PARTY MIGHT GIVE IT A GO? Again, I feel like either XTB or Fans Hobby are the only ones mad enough to maybe think about giving this a go.

 

#5: Predacons

OK, hear me out. Yes, there have been *many* attempts at these characters already, even by a number of third party companies. And yes, there’s an already fairly cartoon-accurate set from the Power of the Primes line. Yet still, I yearn for the day we see a true reimagining of these amazing animation models on a toy that can then smush together into a true behemoth of a combined form. PotP comes close but you mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.

WHICH THIRD PARTY MIGHT GIVE IT A GO? If you want a massive combiner, it’s normally a Zeta job, isn’t it?

 

#4: Sparkabots & Firecons

These chaps never made it into the G1 cartoon but they did have a few memorable outings in the UK comic and would be great fun to see done in MP-style, in my opinion. The Autobots all have outstanding vehicle forms, for one thing, and just imagine those Decepticon beast modes with appropriate flame-effect accessories, eh? Plus there are even a few Japanese variant repaints to be had.

WHICH THIRD PARTY MIGHT GIVE IT A GO? I kinda feel like this is another obvious Fans Hobby job… they’ve shown they can do impressive car forms and fab monster modes all the same!

 

#3: Devcon

If you’re sat here looking at this and puzzling, “who he?” then you perhaps have never seen the G1 cartoon episode, The Gambler, as that’s where Devcon originates. He has popped up in other fiction since but it remains arguably his most memorable turn so far, and enough that I can’t help but imagine how much fun a Masterpiece-styled toy of him could be. A bounty hunter that turns into a pretty cool-looking spaceship? Sign me up.

WHICH THIRD PARTY MIGHT GIVE IT A GO? I hate to be repetitive, but with the way XTB are going, I’ll be surprised if they don’t do this guy eventually.

 

#2: Triggerbots & Triggercons

Another set of classic lads who barely made much of a dent in terms of fiction and thus have been mostly relegated to the sidelines of the franchise ever since, at least in terms of toys. Yet with a memorable 1980s gimmick behind them and characters such as Crankcase cropping up for a star turn in more recent comics, it strikes me that they could be good candidates for a 3PMP revival at some point. Time to, ahem, pull the trigger on that, then…

WHICH THIRD PARTY MIGHT GIVE IT A GO? Maybe another one for Ocular Max?

 

HONOURABLE MENTION: Autobot Headmasters

I’m sure some will have been expecting this lot to pop up on this list at some point. Indeed, I haven’t forgotten about them, but of course, they were at least started off my Maketoys some years ago now, with two very successful toys put out at that time. The remaining members of the crew, Brainstorm & Highbrow, were teased and even seen in prototype form… but it’s yet to come to pass and looks like it may never happen, sadly. Here’s hoping I’m wrong!

 

HONOURABLE MENTION: Micromasters

And yes, I haven’t neglected Micromasters either, don’t worry! The only reason they haven’t made it onto this list other than here is that, well, I kind of feel like they were perfected on their first outing, to be honest! Seriously, the 1980’s toys were so wonderful that it’s hard to see anyone matching the charm of them with a new attempt (see the recent examples for evidence, in my humble opinion), and given their small stature, they arguably work well enough alongside MP toys as it is. I’m not saying it wouldn’t be fun though…

 

#1: Death’s Head

And now we come to what could be one of the most exciting 3PMP projects imaginable, it’s the iconic bounty hunte– er, freelance peace-keeping agent himself. Death’s Head has been through many iterations in the years since, even tangling with the likes of Iron Man in more recent Marvel comics, but he began life as a Transformers character and will be forever synonymous with the franchise in the eyes of many. There’s obviously no alternate form to speak of but just imagine how much fun you could have with all those weapons, eh? It’s unlikely to happen for a number of reasons but still, this one could be a real thrill to see, yes?

WHICH THIRD PARTY MIGHT GIVE IT A GO? Maybe another one for X-Transbots to tackle.

 

 

So that’s our list! Did we miss any other obvious candidates?

TTFN