YEAR IN REVIEW: Counting down the top toys of 2023 (part 2)

We’re back for the final part of our round-up of the best toys of 2023!

And yes, before we begin, I know it’s taken a little longer to cobble this together following part 1 than I had planned – sometimes, that’s just how it goes, after all! But hey, there are some great toys on this list, so let’s get on with it!

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!

So, onto part 2!

#7: Super7 Ultimates Bludgeon

I feel quite certain several entries on this list will raise eyebrows, if only because those specific choices have not been uniformly popular online. So it is with Super7’s stab at the samurai-themed Pretender Bludgeon, launched toward the tail end of 2023 to a fairly muted reception overall. I’ll admit that after the first in-hand reports, I was quite sceptical, although my assertion has since changed.

Here’s the thing: in a world where the classic Pretenders are either distinctly absent from modern Transformers fare or overhauled to the point of being a different thing entirely, it’s remarkably refreshing to see a figure which recreates one of the characters in such ’80s faithful fashion. Sure, there’s no inner robot (a shame), but as far as a representation of the outer shell goes, this is the G1 Bludgeon I grew up reading about in the Marvel comics, made real in surprisingly slavish form at long last.

It makes for a truly evocative experience and a toy that fits in remarkably well alongside other releases. There are indeed some issues – the helmet isn’t a perfect fit for starters (although the alternate option sits significantly better on the default skull) – but there’s also plenty to enjoy, and for my part, I’ve had a great time messing around with Bludgeon and taking lots of photos of him. The articulation is also much more forgiving than you might first imagine, allowing for some decent poses once you put the toy through its paces.

Besides, even though I can happily acknowledge this thing’s flaws, it’s a potent reminder that sometimes the toys which bring you the most joy during any particular year are not always objectively “the best”. Given how much fun I’ve had with Bludgeon, he’s earned his spot.

Check out the original gallery of this toy here.

#6: Legacy Armada Optimus Prime

I was a little late to the party with the next entry, meaning that by the time I finally had the opportunity to asses it, I’d already heard many a rave report about how great it was. As if to prove that sometimes reality does live up to the hype, this Legacy spin of a classic toy design from twenty-two years ago (I know!) is every bit as good as people would have you believe.

To be fair, it has some immediate advantages, such as, y’know, knees. Yet even considering what a bizarre (but undeniably awesome) thing the vintage figure was at the time, it’s fantastic to see this update paying suitable homage to it while still feeling entirely like its own purposeful thing. There’s a strange sense of familiarity to it all despite the Legacy design being so completely different in many regards.

It is also, by the way, a ton of fun. Even just taking the time to transform this Optimus Prime through its various modes and combinations is enough to keep you entertained for a good long while, and the process is so butter smooth and satisfyingly clicky-clacky that you’ll want to repeat it over before long. It’s also surprisingly easy to undertake, considering how much goes into it.

All in all, then, there’s a real sense of a modern overhaul done right on this occasion. I’m not shocked to see it ending up on so many ‘best of’ lists for last year, and whilst it doesn’t quite claim a top-three ranking for me, it’s still undeniably one of the major highlights.

#5: Legacy Transmetal 2 Megatron

There are three things you should know about me. First, I’m a major Beast Wars fan, adoring anything even tangentially related to the ’90s series. Second, I love Megatron toys, especially when they push the boundaries of the classic character archetype by presenting it in new and exciting ways! And third, I adore dragons. Knowing these points, you’ll understand why this particular toy was intriguing for me!

That said, I have more than a few dragon Megatrons in my collection now, so I was curious to see if this latest addition would live up to the legacy (no pun intended). For example, I’ve seen a few people grumbling about it not being entirely cartoon-accurate. If anything, I found that to be a true strength of this design, as it breaks new ground and carves its own identity in feeling distinct from both the animation and the classic 1999 figure which first captured my imagination all those years ago.

It’s also great fun to fiddle with, employing more than a few clever solutions to realise both modes and fully embracing the absurd, over-the-top stylings that are so inherent to this character model. There are so very many ways it could have gone horribly wrong and felt rather silly, yet the powers that be succeeded in creating a product just as striking as it is enjoyable to handle.

There remains one thing to make the situation even better – please repaint it in blue.

Check out the original gallery of this toy here.

#4: threezero DLX The Last Knight Optimus Prime

Hoo boy, this is another entry likely to cause some comment, if only because I’m well aware the updated live-action Optimus Prime design from the latter two Michael Bay films is not everyone’s cup of tea. I completely understand why – it’s incredibly streamlined, with an almost complete absence of truck parts or any other real visual evidence it can transform, which does feel a little alien to more traditional robots in disguise design.

And hey, it’s a double whammy because this is a non-transforming Transformers product, too! It should be illegal. And yet, I can only be upfront and honest and say that threezero’s stab at TLK Optimus Prime has truly captivated me this last year, once again cementing why I enjoy these high-end, uber-detailed, super-articulated releases so much.

Its finish is customarily spectacular, rendering the character model from the screen in a fashion I’ve yet to see done nearly as well by any of the transformable toys on the market, either official or otherwise. Given what an arduous process some of those have proven to be when forcefully cramming them into their vehicular modes, and considering how free of compromise the humanoid form is here minus such complications, I can’t help but feel the whole endeavour is better off without it in this case.

Anyway, it won’t be for everyone, but this is, to me, a truly stunning piece, showing off threezero’s output at its absolute finest. Well, almost.

Check out the original gallery of this toy here.

#3: Masterpiece Gattai MPG-04 Suiken / MPG-05 Seizan

It feels strange to think that MPG-01 Shouki took this exact spot on last year’s list, and now here we are, skipping forward to the fourth (and fifth!) release in the set for the follow-up. That’s not an indictment of the two toys in between, as both are enjoyable enough (although points were definitely shaved off for Yukikaze’s fragile knees!). Rather, it says more about what a top-drawer toy Suiken has proven to be in hand, showcasing yet again why these MPG Trainbots are so engaging.

Consider: breathtaking train mode with an accurate scale model feel to it and the kind of intricate detailing not often seen on a Transformers release; involved and challenging yet enjoyable and repeatable transformation with some genuine surprises along the way; and, finally, a super smart-looking and handsome robot form, boasting a real presence and a distinctive vibe. What’s not to love?

The same is largely true of follow-up effort Seizan, given they share at least the bare bones of a design, which is why I’ve opted to throw them in as a job lot here. It also feels peculiar to single out this duo for a ‘best of’ list at a time when many online are currently ensconced in detailing all the apparent flaws of the finished combined form.

I’m not there yet, but as I eagerly await the arrival of MPG-06 and the inevitable culmination of a Big Man mode, I can’t help but feel like, come what may, I still hold a lot of love for the individual releases all the same.

Check out the original gallery of this toy here.

#2: Legacy Nemesis

In case you haven’t yet noticed, I often feel the need to start these year end entries with a disclaimer about how I appreciate each specific choice won’t be for everyone, but… and this next entry is no different! After all, whilst there’s no doubt a fair amount of excitement for Legacy Nemesis online, I’m sure some will be surprised to see her pipping the penultimate spot on this list.

Titan-class Transformers have become somewhat notorious for all kinds of reasons in recent times, which is not surprising when you consider such big-budget space-eating efforts will naturtally come in for a decent dose of scrutiny. I myself was quite critical of this lass’ spaceship-themed predecessor, 2021’s Autobot Ark, mostly because apart from being A Big Toy, it largely lacked the long-lasting play value one would hope for out of an event release of this kind. Fortunately, the Nemesis makes some Titan-sized strides to correct that and throws in a generous helping of creativity alongside it.

It says everything that, for me, the main draw here hasn’t even been the impressive – and gigantic – alternate mode realisation of the Decepticon’s most famous battleship. Instead, the robot form here has occupied my full and unwavering attention since it first arrived. It’s so unusually creepy, with nightmarish, ungainly limbs and a hugely idiosyncratic silhouette. At a time when so much Transformers output is looking to recreate the past, it’s truly exciting to see something so wholly original occupying the largest retail price point in this fashion, allowing the Nemesis to feel like a breath of fresh air.

And look, that’s not me saying this is perfect by any means. It’s a majorly expensive item and still has one or two compromises baked in (yes, I’m talking about those shoulder flaps!). Yet it does so much right and represents a real attempt to deliver something a little different that I can’t help but adore almost everything else about it. Sometimes bigger is better.

And now we come to my favourite toy from the year…

#1: threezero MDLX Rodimus Prime

I will freely admit that I seriously considered giving the Nemesis the top spot, and even though I’m sat here typing up a different result, I also want to make it clear it was an exceedingly close run thing. That said, when I think about the toys which have most demanded my attention since their arrival over the last year, the choice becomes obvious, putting threezero’s latest MDLX offering into prime position.

I was convinced of this figure from first sight, as soon as the promotional pics dropped, and nothing about the in-hand experience has turned me off that positive assertion. Sure, it may not transform, but everything else it delivers in spades more than makes up for the lack of the line’s key gimmick. It boasts the kind of spectacular finish, nuanced and plentiful articulation, and striking good looks few toys can honestly claim.

And yes, there are some quibbles, including all-too-ready-to-pop-off hip flaps and a slightly hard-to-unsee sunken flame motif on the chest, but really, when you put those nitpicks in the context of whatever else Rodimus brings to the table, you quickly realise what non-problems they are. It’s everything I wanted it to be and more, confidently and capably debuting as the most accomplished MDLX release so far.

I will forever bang the drum for these sorts of alternative Transformers releases as long as they remain as enjoyable as this, even if they may not represent what absolutely everyone is looking for from the brand. Really, though, there’s no agenda beyond being wholly enamoured with one of the most beautiful figures of the year, so much so that even if it was a close-won thing, Rodimus is a truly deserving top spot.

That puts MDLX Rodimus Prime in a very prestigious line-up with previous ‘toys of the year’, all of which continue to be highlights of my collection.

Check out other previous “year in review” articles here and here.

Thanks for reading!

TTFN