COUNTDOWN: 6 more of the repaints of all time

We often talk about repaints on this blog, but that’s for good reason: they’re awesome.

Seriously, there’s something about taking a well-known or beloved Transformers mould and chucking it out in a random new colour scheme that makes this hobby just a little bit more enjoyable, especially when such a makeover allows you to appreciate a fantastic toy all over again.

So today, let’s celebrate some more of the best repaints of all time – the ones that often surpass the original releases and deserve to become staple re-release options for any new moulds of these designs forevermore.

#6: Baldigus

Whether you know this turn-of-the-century Combaticon conversion by its original Japanese moniker of Baldigus or the arguably more intimidating Western name Ruination might depend on which continent you grew up on, and preferences for the unique colour schemes delivered by the very separate cartoon-accurate Takara and subsequent Hasbro releases will no doubt abound. Whatever the case, there’s little denying that in terms of a second bout at the Bruticus design, this camo-themed colossus is a winner all round, delivering something so strikingly separate from the original 1986 use of the mould and proving itself equally worthy in the minds of many fans over the years. With another new set of the classic military Decepticons soon on the way in Age of the Primes, collectors will surely be hoping that Ruination awakens again before too long, and rightly so, considering what a showstopper this scheme truly is.

#5: Black Zarak

This vintage 1988 retool is synonymous amongst the fandom with exactly two things. The first is (rather unfortunately) having gold plastic syndrome, as the original Black Zarak toy is one of the most-desirable-but-oh-so-likely-to-crumble high-end Japanese G1 items going. The second is looking absolutely sleek AF. Seriously, nothing says worthwhile overhaul than taking a massive green and purple triple-changing scorpion and delivering something so absurdly unique as what you see here, complete with brand new head design and a large red spear thrown in for good measure. It’s as handsome a repaint as ever there was, which, again, makes it a crying shame that it’s most certainly one to be handled with kid gloves. More modern attempts have also shown its worth, mind, including the equally awesome Generations Selects release. Given you can actually play with the thing minus the crippling fear of breaking it, that may just be worth its weight in gold.

#4: Shining Magnus

Admit it, we all saw the G1 Shining Magnus repaint for the first time and raised our eyebrows quite significantly. There’s no way Takara could deliver such an absurdly lemon-fresh overhaul of the classic Ultra Magnus toy and not elicit a few titters, not to mention endless cries of a word we won’t repeat here, but which will be forever associated with the figure in collector circles. Really though, the last laugh belongs to anyone who picked up this chap on the cheap at the time because, as it turns out, Shining Magnus has gone on to become one of the most desirable releases of the early 2000s, especially given there are only 800 of them in existence! It commands an unprecedented price on today’s aftermarket, once again proving that none of us should ever underestimate the long-term love for such outlandish repaints, no matter how eccentric they might seem at the time. Regardless of its monetary pull, this is one makeover that continues to shine on its own merit.

#3: Scourge

The mere mention of Scourge may conjure up images of soap-shaped spaceboats to diehard original series fans, but just as many will associate the name with the 2001 Robots in Disguise rebranding of what is still more typically known as Black Convoy. However, this specific interpretation of the now well-worn dark Optimus formula remains its own thing and, perhaps for that reason, is beloved by many beyond the more typical Nemesis Prime trope. The placement of teal, the piercing red eyes, the upside down Generation 2 Autobot logos, the silver – it’s subtle enough stuff that arguably doesn’t strike the most immediate distinction from your more generic black repaints of its type, but it all adds up to a crucial ensemble in the eyes of its fans, as perhaps evidenced by reactions to the changes made on the recent Legacy take. Even looking beyond this exact colour scheme, it’s fair to say black Primes will never go out of style, but there’s no doubt this early 2000s classic did it best.

#2: Armada Galvatron

We all know the formula: Megatron becomes Galvatron and gets turned a bit purple. Yet Armada dared to deliver something different with the early 2000s take on the trope, landing one of the most distinctive and independently handsome character upgrades of all time in the process. Sure, the original’s green, grey and orange had already rewritten the rulebook by depicting Megatron in a colour scheme entirely unfamiliar with the character by that point. Still, this Powerlinx-propelled paint job took it to the next level by boasting Takara’s signature lilac set against a rather delicious off-grey, and the results allow this spin on Galvatron to stand as entirely its own thing. It all means one can never truly be happy with just one version of this toy design, be it the original or Legacy efforts.

#1: Pink Hot Rod

I will be taking no questions on this. After all, the very notion of a pink Hot Rod repaint was pure fan wishlisting for decades, ever since the days of glimpsing the glorious vintage prototype in the toy catalogues of the time. That it might ever one day become reality seemed highly unlikely until our collective prayers were answered in the form of what remains the singular best Retro reissue of them all. And sure, call it ‘magenta’ if it makes you feel better, but real ones know what this release represents, and that’s the turbo-revving young punk in all the eye-popping pink glory of the classic 1986 movie. Now, we just need the SS86 toy to follow suit, eh?

So that’s our list! What are some of your favourite repaints?

TTFN