YEAR IN REVIEW: Counting down the TOP TOYS of 2023 (part 1)

I promised I wouldn’t delay with my ‘best of’ list this year, and here I am, fulfilling that commitment!

All joking aside, considering how horrifically late I realised the previous year’s list, I felt it was only proper to do so. Besides, with so much amazing stuff soon to be unleashed in ’24, now’s the perfect time to briefly look back – an eye of the storm before the Transformers 40th-anniversary shenanigans get underway!

As ever, these lists are purely personal and highly subjective – a reflection of my own collecting choices and preferences throughout the year, as opposed to a definitive or objective ranking. You may disagree with my list (I many will), and that’s absolutely fine. If anything, it’s what it’s all about!

After our recent repaint round-up, it’s time for the new moulds. Presented here are my favourite designs debuting during 2023, both third-party and official alike; let’s get to it!

#15: FansToys FT-53 Parkour

I was beginning to think it couldn’t be done. The idea of a Masterpiece-styled Cliffjumper was proving alarmingly elusive for the greatest time, despite multiple varied attempts from a raft of unofficial toy producers and an AWOL legitimate attempt which, thus far, has yet to be even properly confirmed. It’s a frequent cliche for third-party collectors to say they’ll wait for the FansToys attempt, but it was more than merited in this case. Parkour may just be the best not-MP Cliff’ we ever get.

I offer such a sentiment without hyperbole and in the full knowledge that many will disagree, especially given the inevitability of the official figure (it has to happen eventually, surely!). Even I will freely acknowledge how that design’s licensed Porsche alternate mode is undoubtedly superior to Parkour’s somewhat stylised offering, but knowing full well the inherent limitations of the MP-45 design, I can only be so excited for such a prospect otherwise. Meanwhile, Parkour delivers a decent enough stab in terms of alternate form, sure, but it’s the robot mode where things truly shine.

In my estimation, that head sculpt is spot on, whilst the overall design and articulation prove irresistible. If the Masterpiece never happens, consider me well served already, thanks.

Check out the original gallery of this toy here.

#14: Fans Hobby MB-23 Destroyer / MB-23A Fright Storm

I’ve gone back and forth on which colour scheme I prefer for this next entry so often that I’ve concluded it really doesn’t matter – as the gif goes, both is good! In truth, they appeal in different ways, but perhaps that speaks to what a fluid and enjoyable figure Fans Hobby has crafted for their not-Dreadwind/ Buster double feature.

After all, it has all the trademarks that have made the company so popular with many collectors, including a sharp yet unfussy design, a surprisingly straightforward transformation and a decent dollop of inherent play value. Their output never neglects its status as being toys first, and showstopping collectables second, to the point where you’re happy to pick up and fiddle with them as much as whack them on a shelf to be admired, and so it is here.

It all leaves me excited for their Darkwing-themed follow-up, despite the knowledge that I’ll likely face a similar conundrum and end up eating far more display space than I’d perhaps bargained for. Still, when the robots look as good as this, who’s complaining?

Check out the original galleries of these toys here and here.

#13: Masterpiece MP-56 Trailbreaker

Technically, this is a 2022 figure, released at the very tail end of the year in its native Japan. However, considering these things take a minute to import and also throwing in my own delay in assessing anything new around that time thanks to moving house, Trailbreaker here firmly sits in the 2023 category as far as I’m concerned! Besides, ’22 already had its own MP-styled Trailbreaker offering from FansToys, which finally arrived after many years of teasing despite this official release being hot on its heels.

In truth, I’m glad they ended up not going head-to-head in the same year’s rankings because they both feel like they somehow bring something valid to the table! That says a lot about this figure’s ability to charm in hand, as honestly, I thought it would be no match for the FansToys effort based purely on photos alone, as something about the look of it just failed to convince me before its arrival. As is often the case, a spot of proper posing works wonders, and I’m happy to report MP-56 is genuinely more than meets the eye.

That it hasn’t quite dethroned the unofficial effort enough to leave just one definitive option in my collection also speaks volumes, mind, and no doubt the sheer plethora of similar attempts at this one character over the years explains why the Masterpiece doesn’t rank a bit higher in my estimation overall. Still, there’s no denying this is a top-tier release that some have severely overlooked.

#12: FansToys FT-48 Jive

Speaking of Masterpiece-styled attempts at classic G1 characters we’ve seen done numerous times over now, here’s one that still managed to create quite a bit of hype, and for good reason. Put simply, any Jazz toy is worthy of some attention, but when they’re as superbly styled as this, it makes them especially hard to ignore! As soon as Jive was unveiled, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy.

Various reports of an extremely fiddly transformation certainly gave me pause prior to his arrival. Still, fortunately, the figure more than won me over in hand, delivering what may be the definitive take on the character in Masterpiece form so far, by my estimation – enough even to oust the previous toy to earn such a determination. Sure, it’s highly complex stuff, but when the results are as good as this? Worth it.

The only thing that could top it is the just-released toy-styled FT-48X repaint, complete with lawsuit-baiting decals to put the car mode over the top, but that’s a story for another time.

Check out the original gallery of this toy here.

#11: Legacy Evolution Buzzworth Bumblebee Origin Autobot Jazz

What’s better than one Jazz? How about two! OK, that turn of phrase has horrific connotations for Transformers, but the point stands, especially when they’re as inventive as the next entry. I was hooked on this ludicrously-named specimen as soon as it was revealed, as the very idea of seeing the character’s pre-Earth Cybertronian alternate mode recreated in toy form was simply irresistible. That it ended up also being a super fun fiddle-former is the cherry on top!

Sure, it looks like a vacuum cleaner, but that’s just part of the charm and par for the course in seeing such a silly but memorable moment from the 1980s carton brought to life at long last. In truth, I almost managed to hold off on picking this guy up, but the realisation that Hasbro will soon follow suit with a bread van Wheeljack figure promoted it immediately into unmissable territory. Creativity loves company.

It’s a testament to the age we live in where these kinds of blink-and-you-miss-them niche nods from bygone era animation are being brought to life in plastic form, but I, for one, can’t help but love the results.

#10: Legacy Evolution Tarn

Here’s another toy I initially tried to resist but was convinced to finally pick up after significant in-hand praise following its release (including a decent helping during a Triple Takeover chat!). Thus, my Tarn only landed at the very end of the year but managed to win me over pretty swiftly! Many of the positives of this toy should be obvious to anyone with eyes, but as it turns out, it’s great fun to pick up and pose, too.

There’s an overwhelming feel of ‘Generations toy done right’ with this guy, even down to some notably non-hollow limbs and an exceptional jolt of poseability in many of the joints. He looks great, handles well and boasts a fluid yet surprisingly complex transformation, meaning there’s not a lot to grumble about here!

In truth, he’d have scored even higher if not for some slightly less-than-tight joints on my copy, which is a shame but not enough to take too much of the sheen off, considering everything else the toy does so well. More of this kind of thing, please!

#9: FansToys FT-49 Phantasm

The final FansToys figure and the highest-ranked third-party offering on this year’s list, I can’t even begin to tell you all the ways Phantasm blew me away after he arrived. In truth, it probably helped that I was somewhat underwhelmed about the prospect prior, with several unofficial stabs at Mirage under our belts and a fairly solid cartoon-styled option already sitting firmly on my shelf. That’s all changed in record time now Phantasm is here, as this thing proves how untouchable FansToys can be when they really get it right.

The robot mode benefits should be obvious (although no doubt some of the pre-release hype was muted by the fact that, yes, he does look a smidge bland without the addition of an Autobot emblem for a much-needed pop of colour). Yet it’s the alternate mode and truly sings on this occasion, not to mention the enjoyable process of getting there. I was struck by how inventive yet repeatable the whole thing is as much as the final result, leading to a total package I’ve found hard to put down.

All in, it’s been quite the bumper year for FansToys, delivering three truly solid figures of fan-favoruite characters that I honestly couldn’t be happier with. Epic stuff.

Check out the original gallery of this toy here.

#8: threezero MDLX Megatron

Put aside any concerns you may have about Megatron here being a non-transforming item for a moment and just consider *how good it looks*. Add to that equation how much fun this MDLX effort is to handle, with butter-smooth joints in all the right places and the kind of nuanced articulation that makes it a joy to pose, and you’ve got yourself a truly potent package. Oh, and did I mention how good it looks?

Seriously, this stylised take on the Decepticon leader is exactly the kind of update I enjoy in that it’s different and interesting enough to warrant your attention yet still respectful of the past without being boring. Ask yourself, do you even really need it to turn into a gun, considering everything else that’s on offer here? I know I don’t.

threezero’s MDLX range has only gone from strength to strength so far, but I have no hesitation in saying Megatron proved to be my absolute favourite so far at the time of release. But more on that later.

Check out the original gallery of this toy here.

Be sure to join us for part 2 soon!

TTFN