COUNTDOWN: Just 10 more RID 2001 toys that deserve an update!

The results are in!

Not only did Omega Prime achieve its funding target, but it ended up being the most successful Haslab Transformers effort thus far, with a whopping 28,230 backers overall!

That’s an incredible result and capably shows there’s a real interest in high-end projects outside of the traditional Generation 1 sphere, all of which bodes well for more variety in the future.

It also demonstrates there are plenty of fans of Robots in Disguise still in the fandom! Sure, an Optimus Prime figure was always going to have a broader appeal, but it still feels like the 2001 series is attracting some attention right now.

So, with that in mind, here are ten more RID 2001 toys which could (and should!) make a comeback in new form soon!

#10: Car Robots Brothers

Come on, they had to be mentioned first, no? This trio of toys is one of the most recognisable bits of RID (or, indeed, its Japanese Car Robots equivalent) outside of the fire truck Optimus Prime and would surely be welcomed in updated form by plenty of fans. Rumours have persisted about a Legacy Sideburn for some time, as Shadowstriker is very clearly a “pre-tool” for just such a toy. Yet Prowl and X-Brawn deserve their time to shine, too! Like many toys on this list, these three have never been redone since back in the day, so it’s long overdue.

#9: Skid-Z

With Tow-Line’s distinct Mystery Machine vibes already gracing Legacy as a Scraphook repaint, it leaves the idea of a Skid-Z counterpart that much more tantalising! True, this particular pairing wasn’t “a thing” as far as the cartoon was concerned, but the two toys have a long history together at least, having both started out as unreleased Generation 2 prototypes. From there, they were finally realised in the small Machine Wars line before really coming into their own as part of Car Robots and RID, and honestly the Skid-Z take on the Indycar mould is one of its finest and most fabulous outings overall. It might lack the classic version’s straightforward but sublime spring-loaded stylings, but a modern spin would be neat to see all the same.

#8: Spychangers

OK, I know I said “ten toys” like that would be the total number overall, but it’s worth mentioning this entire clan of loveable lads, right? After all, they’re all equally adorable and pack in a real fun-sized punch. Plus, the Spychangers were a notable enough part of the show to warrant a modern update, even if it is hard to conceive of such a thing surpassing the originals in terms of teeny tiny toy design – they’re just too great already! However, one imagines a new attempt may be a little larger, potentially Core or even Deluxe class, to better match the animation.

#7: Sky-Byte

When we talk about ‘breakout characters’ in Transformers, surely Sky-Byte here must be towards the top of the list, yes? Well, OK, he was actually #5, but you get what I mean! Anyway, this fan-favourite shark has gone on to find new-found fame in later cartoons such as Cyberverse, with new toys in the process, but no doubt an updated Legacy effort would be just the thing to sink your teeth into.

#6: Rail Racer

Imagine it. A modern Transformers combiner made of TRAINS! Whacky, eh? Almost loco? All joking aside, I know about Masterpiece Raiden, but Rail Racer here is still a project that deserves to go full steam ahead in the minds of many fans. Sure, the original may be one of the best combiners of all time (come at me), but it’s still strange to think it’s the only attempt at the character we’ve ever seen! Full steam ahead on this one, methinks.

#5: The Predacon trio

Alright, I’m lumping this lot together because, honestly, does anyone really want just one of Slapper, Dark Scream or Gas Skunk without the other two? I didn’t think so. The beauty of these designs being updated is that they come with built-in repaint potential, having all first appeared as Transmetal 2 toys during Beast Wars, for starters. No doubt modern interpretations may lack the chrome of the originals, but they still have the potential to be quite endearing.

#4: Landfill

It’s shocking to consider how well-served Robots in Disguise was for combiner teams, especially as such a short-lived line! In addition to Man of Trains, we have the four-bot Built Team, who merge to form the ungainly but awesome Landfill. The classic toy had a unique and, thus far, never replicated gimmick whereby the three limb lads could be rotated into different configurations. Would a new spin bring fresh delight? Perhaps we’ll find out one day.

#3: Megatron

With Omega Prime now on the way, surely fan attention will soon be turning towards the idea of Robots in Disguise Megatron (or his inverted-colour upgrade, Galvatron) as a potential companion piece. The original is one of the more bizarre Transformers toys of all time, but in the absolute best possible way, showcasing a tour de force of design as it configures through no less than six modes (or ten, depending on which version you have)! It’s hard to imagine a new effort wouldn’t be something equally admirable, especially if it was sized up to stand in scale versus the Haslab Autobot commander. Just one thing – it needs the hand mode, yeah?

#2: Bruticus

Sure, this handsome lad wasn’t in the show, but he was a *vital* part of the 2001 toy line, finally realising a much-in-demand design from Beast Machines and giving fans what many consider one of the best toys of the era. I’m sure there would be equal enthusiasm for a new version, right? Right? HELLO?

#1: Fortress Maximus (Brave Maximus)

We may as well end on the largest possible suggestion of them all, right? It seems unlikely to ever happen now, but it’s strange to think we never saw a RID-inspired repaint of the Titan Fort Max design back when such an idea was still hot in the minds of collectors. True, that thing has only recently come up for reissue, so perhaps it’s too soon to say it’ll never happen, although honestly, would people prefer such a thing over an equally very unlikely new mould instead? Perhaps some things are best left to wishlists, eh?

So that’s our list! Which of these items would you be interested in?

TTFN