COUNTDOWN: 4 recent Transformers Generations toys that were unfairly written off!

It’s not uncommon for new Transformers toys to be met with a mix of reactions when they’re first revealed and released.

Even the most popular designs have their detractors, and that’s to say nothing of the countless toys which landed to lukewarm vibes initially but went on to earn a widespread reappraisal later on. Besides, it’s also fair to say that sometimes the less favoured figures still have some merit to them and can be enjoyed for what they do well despite not being objectively ‘perfect’.

So today, we’re looking at recent Generations toys that have, for various reasons, garnered a slightly less than stellar reputation online but are actually pretty good fun in hand if you give them a go!

#4: Legacy Pointblank

I recently picked up Pointblank on a deep discount and was intrigued to finally experience him in hand, given the somewhat overwhelming volume of opinions online. Much had been made of some of the design decisions employed, and there was a more general critique of a ‘cost-cutting’ vibe, which made the final release feel less than it could have potentially been. Here’s the thing: such observations can all be objectively fair and accurate, and yet the figure itself might still prove to be a lot of fun in hand, and so it is with Pointblank. After all, the compromises here are all too apparent; as soon as you try to manipulate those arms, you’ll be immediately aware of how baffling they are, with no upper bicep swivel of any kind and part of the car mode front bumper severely impeding the elbow bend, meaning you cannot position them in many of the ways that would feel natural for posing (especially egregious considering this guy’s Targetmaster status, something which naturally lends itself to display in dynamic firing positions). Even more bizarre, if you rotate the forearms around 180 degrees, a swivel and double-jointed elbow come into play, meaning there were definitely ways it could have shaken out differently – it’s just a shame this ‘solution’ leaves the hands upside down and too much kibble on the inside of the arm, or it might just work! Equally, the car mode does feel a smidge bare without the character’s trademark winged spoiler attachment, but, these rather notable grumbles aside, there is actually a lot of good going on here besides. For one thing, the toy looks amazing and superbly captures Pointblank’s likeness from The Rebirth to a very handsome degree. More than that, it’s surprisingly fun to handle (even taking the frustration of the arms into account) and proves enjoyable to pose despite the drawbacks. Throw in a super-sleek alternate mode, a surprisingly nifty take on the Targetmaster companion (and perhaps consider some of the upgrade kit options available to remedy the inherent issues), and overall, there’s a lot to like for your typical Deluxe price point, especially when it’s been discounted!

#3: Legacy Dreadwing

Dreadwing was another example I had read all kinds of harsh assessments of, mainly in relation to the toy’s aesthetic and the decision to use a ‘blend’ of influences when bringing this Transformers Prime character and his on-screen brother, Skyquake, to life. Again, it’s a fair critique given that, yes, neither of them is exactly accurate to the classic 2010 cartoon, opting instead for a stylised design which also incorporates elements of the 1992 Predator Skyquake toy and a somewhat more ‘Generations’ vibe overall. I’d also read reports of the figure featuring several notable flaws, such as a cumbersome waist design which refuses to lock in properly, and I must admit, my initial experience had me fearing this may well be the case. As it turns out, there are some very specific ways you need to manipulate various parts during transformation, but if you get it all just right, then Dreadwing proves pretty solid when done and a lot of fun to handle and pose as a result! As for the choice to go a non-slavish route for the toy’s appearance, I have to be honest and say it’s just not something that bothers me, personally. It’s understandable some fans will disagree as they want uber-accurate takes on these characters, but much in the same way we’ve seen countless super-stylised makeovers of G1 Transformers over the years, I also think there’s room for a bit of experimentation with other areas of the franchise too, and for my money, Dreadwing here looks pretty snazzy! It all adds up to a real sleeper hit, in my estimation, given that I ended up enjoying it way more than I thought I would, based on the general reputation it enjoys online. Enough to consider getting Skyquake, too, let’s put it that way…

#2: Legacy Strongarm

Strongarm is another recent Legacy effort that has been consigned to deep discount, endless shelf-warming, and a generally lacklustre online estimation. That’s a real shame, considering how memorable and charming the character is in her native Robots in Disguise 2015 heyday and how much general excitement there was for seeing a modern Generations makeover before the eventual toy’s reveal. Some will cite the decision to realise Strongarm as a retool of Elita-1 as an inherent problem here, given how she is typically portrayed as being notably bulky and robust on-screen, something which the Deluxe design here doesn’t necessarily capture as obviously as fans might like. However, there are further divisive choices made in the translation to toy form, which many have taken umbrage with, including giving her a nose in a rather obvious departure from the stylised aesthetic of RID. Still, even acknowledging these points, Strongarm proves to be an enjoyable enough figure in hand and does capture at least some of the boxy presence many will be looking for. True, if her head was a little smaller, the general proportions might feel more in keeping with her animated portrayal, but for a Generations-styled makeover, there’s honestly not too much to fault here overall. In fact, my only real grumble is the truly awful feet – just a baffling design choice that neither looks nor feels good up close! Still, this one critique aside, you may find Strongarm proves to be significantly more enjoyable than many might give her credit for.

#1: Legacy Shadowstriker / Side Burn

Oooh, boy, what an entry to finish on, eh? After all, this design has been harshly critiqued multiple times over, both as Shadowstriker and then again as Side Burn, and sometimes for different reasons! Many felt the former was hamstrung for not sticking closer to the overall look of the character’s on-screen Cyberverse portrayal, to say nothing of it employing an unusual solution for the shoulders and being a fairly obvious ‘pretool’ for the latter. However, prior to the inevitable Car Robots makeover being unveiled, it was hoped that a serious overhaul would be performed on the alternate form to somehow bring it closer in line to Side Burn’s classic Dodge Viper guise. When that didn’t happen, with the only updated moulding being a newly designed head, there was fresh outrage aplenty, to say the least. And look, I’m a card-carrying diehard fan of the 2000s series from which this particular Autobot hails – I was there for his debut, and I own many multiples of the vintage mould – but here’s the thing: the Legacy update is still a highly enjoyable take on the character. Sure, the car form can’t claim the same prestige as that delectable Dodge disguise, but the toy still does plenty of good besides this to make it worthwhile. For one thing, it’s a highly repeatable transformation and a superbly poseable robot mode, meaning that even if you have some reservations about how either one of these characters has been realised in such stylised form, you can still likely have a blast when giving them the once over. Besides, if the Viper is something you absolutely need in your life, the classic toy can still be acquired pretty easily! Meanwhile, for the price of an oft-discounted Deluxe, you can enjoy what the modern equivalents have to offer: just good, fun toys.

So that’s our list! Do you agree with the choices?

TTFN