COUNTDOWN: 6 Generations retools we never could have predicted

Repaints – and, more specifically, retools – have been a staple of Transformers since the beginning.

Perhaps beyond most toy lines, there’s something about slapping a new colour scheme on a robot and changing some moulding that can make it seem entirely different to what was originally released. So much so, it’s no surprise to see such makeovers built into the design and manufacturing process nowadays, with ‘retools’ being planned from the very beginning of production in many cases.

When it comes to the modern Generations roster, retools are frequently surprising in delivering too completely distinct characters – often entirely unassociated with one another in Transformers history – from one base mould. Here are 6 such examples we never could have predicted!

#6: Galvatron & Straxus

OK, the idea of turning the Kingdom Galvatron design into Comic Edition Straxus isn’t *so* out of the blue when you stop to think of it. After all, they’re both big hench bad guys who turn into massive cannons and, in retrospect, the similarities could always be seen even though there was no commonality in how the characters were originally designed. Still, the extent to which Straxus overhauls the original release to feel completely separate from it is really something, especially as the result feels surprisingly authentic as a representation of the Decepticon warlord. Sure, the thighs are a little more rounded, and he has Galvatron’s treads hanging off the backs of his arms. However, on the whole, this is an exceptionally creative use of a single-core design to deliver not just one but two terrific tyrants.

#5: Needlenose & Windsweeper

Compared to Straxus, this next example stands out for how minimal the retooling involved is, with Windsweeper adding just a new head to the original Needlenose design and then relying on a palette swap to do the rest. Some may have wished for more, but here’s the thing: it works as well as it needs to because if you look at either of these toys in isolation, they do a remarkably great job bringing the respective ’80s character designs back in modern form! True, the classic Targetmaster is by far the more faithful outing here, and no doubt some will bemoan the lack of a spring-loaded Triggercon gimmick on the follow-up. Yet, when it comes to representing D-list Decepticons, it’s hard to argue with the results too much in this case!

#4: Jhiaxus & Vector Prime

There’s been plenty of online discourse about the recent Vector Prime retool, if only because many collectors are disappointed that such a legendary character is represented via a retool rather than having his own dedicated design. And yet, as someone who owns and loves the mid-2000s original toy and adores the more recent Legacy Jhiaxus, I think this makeover is rather inspired! Sure, the lack of Mini-Con is disappointing (as it is with any of the current crop of Unicron Trilogy updates), but beyond that, the new Vector Prime figure is really quite striking in hand and a lot of fun to fiddle with besides, delivering a decent dose of articulation beyond anything the classic outing could claim. Some will cite the wiring detail on the shins as a compromise in this case, but for my money, it fits weirdly well on a character with an intricate clock motif. If anything, the only real letdown here is the visible clips left over from Jhiaxus’ ankle wings. Still, given how extensive the new tooling is just about everywhere else, it’s a comparatively minor quibble on what is otherwise a surprisingly successful second stab at this design.

#3: Gamer Edition Megatron & Flame

When I first caught wind of a Comic Edition Xaaron and Flame 2-pack in the offing, no amount of guesswork could have brought me to predicting which core figure design would be used to bring the errant Autobot scientist to life! Let’s be fair, for such an extremely obscure 1980s Marvel UK comic character to be finally realised in toy form is a minor miracle in itself, but the creative and rather extensive reuse of the Studio Series Gamer Edition Megatron mould makes it all the better. True, the tank mode isn’t entirely accurate to the one we see on the page, and those erroneous tabs at the rear of the knees rather unfortunately remain, but honestly, who’s nitpicking when the overall result is as impressive as it is?

#2: Jazz & Knockout

The G1-ification of several high-profile Prime designs as part of Generations is a matter which continues to cause debate, given that some fans would have preferred wholly screen-accurate takes. Yet as imaginative overhauls of these characters go, it has to be acknowledged that the design team has made intriguing use of several base bots to bring the 2010 cast to life, and that’s exemplified well by Knockout, which goes to great lengths to feel distinct from the already familiar Jazz. Sure, the commonalities are there if you go looking, but these two still feel separate from one another somehow, even if the result makes for a very stylised take on the fan-favourite flamboyant felon. It may not be to everyone’s taste, but there’s little doubting the effort involved here either way.

#1: Mindwipe & Squeezeplay

This 2016 Titans Return toy being reused for the Collaborative Draculus design was already a major surprise in 2021, but I don’t think anyone could have anticipated it then being brought back again for a 2024 turn as fellow Headmaster Squeezeplay some three years later! The lengths to which this mould has been overhauled almost call into question whether you can legitimately consider it one and the same. Still, go looking for it, and you’ll find at least some evidence of shared tooling underneath all the frills. That the updated effort also includes a bonus Browning handgun is but the icing on the cake.

So that’s our list! Which retools do you consider the most successful?

TTFN