Results to the Best/Worst BW toys survey(part 1 of 3)
Griffin
Thanks for your patience on seeing the results to this survey, but now
here it is. This is most of the report that I am giving to my Hasbro
friend who will then hand it onto the VP of marketing in America. This
will have to be posted in three parts because of its length, so look out
for them. Part one will have the basic results, part two will have the
comments and suggestions, while part three will have the 15th
anniversary suggestions. Thankyou to all who had the courage to trust
me and respond to the survey. This will hopefully make the toyline
better for us all in the long run.
After seeing several threads on the newsgroup relating to Best and
Worsts in the BW toyline, I ran it past my Hasbro friend who thought
that it would indeed be a good idea to do an official survey and have
the results sent on directly to those in charge in America. The thing
was, I managed to receive several abusive emails from one person in
particular claiming that I stole his idea. I'm not too sure if he meant
the survey, because he was more interested in saying what he would do to
me instead. However, I will acknowledge the fact that the idea of Best
and Worst voting was not originally mine, but to put it together in a
way that will benifit us(hopefully) was indeed mine. So, apologies to
anyone else upset over this survey, because it was not my intention to
get on anyone's bad side.
Thanks again.
INTRODUCTION
Just on 14 years ago in 1984 a new toyline was released that would
change the world forever. The Transformers was a new name for an old
toy concept of robots that could turn into vehicles and other objects.
But what made Transformers a fad was the added frills of accessories,
stickers, characterisations on the techspecs and the development of two
warring races - the Heroic Autobots and the Evil Decepticons - from the
distant planet of Cybertron. Even though the Gobots toyline was
released four months earlier, it was these added extras that made
Transformers blitz the market. But fads need to evolve to keep up with
current trends or interests, and Transformers appears to be a toyline
that will not be allowed to die. Either the committed fans have kept
the support going, or Hasbro themselves have tried a new version of the
toyline.
It took 12 years, but Transformers has now evolved to become Beast Wars
- robots that could turn into animals instead of mechanical objects- and
it seems to be a winner among new fans. After the failure of the
Generation 2 line, the older fans who have supported Transformers for
years want to make sure that the new fans can enjoy the toyline as much
as they did when they became a fan. Ideas and comments to make the
Beast Wars line continue in its success must be heard if they offer
realistic improvements to the toyline in general. These ideas are being
provided by the older generation of fans who have had years of
experience in what makes a good Transformers toy. A survey was
therefore taken.
The survey itself covered three areas:
-List the five Best Beast Wars toys so far made, and why you like them.
-List the three Worst Beast Wars toys so far made, and why you don't
like them.
-Do you have any comments or suggestions as to what should be in the
Beast Wars toyline, or concepts that should be in the toys themselves?
If so, give a brief response on what you think would make Beast Wars
better.
The reason for asking for specific Best and Worst toys was to encourage
the voters to pinpoint good points(that can be remembered when designing
new toys), and the problem points(to avoid in the future).
The survey also asked for details on Age, Gender and Country of
Residence to give a general idea of who was voting and from where. The
survey was sent out over the internet, and responses could then be sent
back to me before the closing date which was three weeks later. To
encourage hesitant fans to respond, I made the survey anonymous, so no
details of anyone will be found in this report.
The structure of this report will be: the general details of the voters
listed first; followed by the best Beast Wars toys and why; the worst
Beast Wars toys and why; comments and suggestions; a toy list in release
order; the actual responses from the voters; and suggestions received
for the 15th anniversary to consider.
Any improvements that do come about from this survey are not only to
benefit any of the older generation of fans still into Transformers, but
also the many younger children picking up the toys for the first time.
If they can be interested enough to go and get another Transformers toy,
the toyline will continue for many more years to come.
May 1999 is the 15th anniversary of the Transformers toyline in
America, let’s hope that it provides the fans, new and old, with
something to remember it by.
Some notes on symbols and abbreviations used:
* = some votes on these included their recolours, but the tally was only
made on the original version if it was voted on for its design.
nss = not sold separately
G1 = Generation 1 - refers to the original series of Transformers
toys(1984 to approx 1991).
G2 = Generation 2 - refers to the Transformers released around 1993-95
labelled as Generation on the packaging or released prior to the Beast
Wars line.
BW = Beast Wars - the toyline.
TM = Transmetals - part of the BW toyline.
MW = Machine Wars - the toyline.
Gestalt = The combiners’ combined form.
Poseablility(articulation) = The ability to move and pose the toy due to
its joints.
Regular sized Beast = Label often given to Basic-sized Beast Wars toys.
Total number of respondents - 59
Ages - Average equals 20.35 (1119/55)
5 - 1 16 - 2 22 - 3 28 - 2
11 - 1 18 - 2 23 - 6 29 - 1
13 - 2 19 - 8 24 - 4 30 - 2
14 - 3 20 - 7 26 - 1 Unknown - 4
15 - 3 21 - 5 27 - 2
A very simple age graph(X=1 vote):
X X
X X X X
X X X X X X
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
X
X X
X X X
X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X X X
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Gender -
Male 55 (93.2%)
Female 3 (5.1%)
Unknown 1 (1.7%)
Country of residence -
America 39 (66.1%)
Australia 13 (22.0%)
Canada 5 (8.5%)
New Zealand 1 (1.7%)
Unknown 1 (1.7%)
-----------
Best Beast Wars toys:
Votes Name Version/subgroup
24 Megatron Transmetal
24 Optimus Primal Ultra Original
22 Tarantulas Transmetal
21 Silverbolt Fuzor
17 Magnaboss
17 Cheetor Transmetal
17 Inferno
11 Optimus Primal Transmetal
10 Rattrap Transmetal
10 Tripredacus
--(top ten)
9 Cybershark
8 Cheetor* Original
7 Megatron Ultra Original
7 Waspinator Transmetal
6 Quickstrike Fuzor
6 Waspinator* Original
6 Powerpinch
6 Manterror
5 Tarantulas* Original
5 Rhinox Transmetal
4 Noctorro Fuzor
4 Insecticon
4 Scorponok
4 Terrorsaur* Original
4 Airazor Original
3 Dinobot*
3 Razorclaw
2 Jetstorm
2 Snapper
2 Lioconvoy (Japanese)
2 Optimal Optimus Transmetal
1 Terragator Fuzor
1 Shadow Panther (Japanese)
1 Convobat (Japanese Bat Primal)(nss)
1 Ironhide Combiner(nss)
1 K-9
1 Retrax
1 Wolfang
1 Polar Claw
1 Scavenger Transmetal
1 Rhinox Original
1 Galvatron (Japanese)
1 Silverbolt Combiner(nss)
1 Megatron Basic Original(nss)
1 Skyshadow Fuzor
Reasons given for Best ten:
24 Megatron Transmetal
-The excellent detail, transformation and weapon.
-The shiny bits because it is a Transmetal(could have had more though).
-Very different between modes.
-Has hands, which seems to be very important among the fans.
-No gimmick to get in the way.
-Sturdier than the original version Dino-Megatron.
24 Optimus Primal Ultra Original
-Loads of features, weapons and accessories that don’t get in the way
like some other Beast Wars toys.
-Good toy size and the toy feels like it is quality made.
-Excellent articulation.
-Just looks damn good.
22 Tarantulas Transmetal
-Good colors, transformation, vehicle mode and overall appearance.
-The molded detail(engine block and exhaust pipes).
-Legs strong enough to support its weight in spider mode.
21 Silverbolt Fuzor
-The detail and color in beast mode.
-Good animal combination and well merged.
-Good transformation, and missile firing system.
-An improved rubsign over the previous year’s toys
-Impressive and powerful looking.
17 Magnaboss
-Nice set of animals chosen.
-Good size.
-The sword!
-Very complicated(the line needs a few on each end of the difficulty
scale)
-It’s a combiner.
17 Cheetor Transmetal
-Good transformation(not to hard, not too easy).
-Looks great in cat mode.
-The bright colors.
-The articulation(the waist turns even though it isn’t part of the
transformation).
17 Inferno
-Color scheme, detail and the translucent plastic.
-The rocket pack feature.
11 Optimus Primal Transmetal
-Looks good with heaps of shiny parts.
-Decent transformation and firing weapon.
-The detail in robot mode.
-Has a full range of movement with its articulation.
10 Rattrap Transmetal
-The quality of the toy and the tail weapon.
-Design, appearance and the transformation.
-Feels like an old style Transformer.
10 Tripredacus
-Mostly the same reasons as Magnaboss above.
-Packaged as a set, so no hunting for individual members.
-Goes together well.
-----------
Worst Beast Wars toys:
20 Retrax
12 Drillbit
10 Snarl
9 Airhammer Fuzor
8 Dinobot*
7 Rhinox Original
7 Armordillo
6 Rattrap Original
6 Polar Claw
6 Injector Fuzor
--(top ten)
5 Ramhorn Combiner(nss)
4 Transquito
4 Megatron Ultra Original
4 Bonecrusher
4 Tripredacus
3 Ironhide Combiner(nss)
3 Iguanus
3 Terrorsaur* Original
3 Optimus Primal Basic Original(nss)
3 Scorponok
3 Razorbeast
2 Prowl Combiner(nss)
2 Silverbolt Combiner(nss)
2 Optimus Primal Transmetal
2 Spring-loaded Beasts
2 Optimus Primal Ultra Original
2 Snapper
2 Quickstrike Fuzor
2 Blackarachnia
2 Cheetor* Original
1 Megatron Transmetal
1 Airazor Original
1 Tarantulas Transmetal
1 Razorclaw
1 Skyshadow Fuzor
1 Noctorro Fuzor
1 Tarantulas* Original
1 Rhinox Transmetal
1 B’boom
1 Microverse Playsets
1 Jetstorm
1 Waspinator Transmetal
1 Megatron Basic Original(nss)
1 Cybershark
1 Grimlock
1 Powerpinch
1 Spittor
1 K-9
1 Rattrap Transmetal
1 Scaveger Transmetal
Reasons given for Worst ten:
20 Retrax
-Gimmick ruined robot mode.
-No weapons.
-Awkward to move.
-Limited arm movements(looks like he is either trying to land a plane or
give you a hug).
12 Drillbit
-Bad Transformation and colors.
-Doesn’t look good in either mode.
-Gimmick doesn’t really work.
-Insect legs get in the way and don’t move.
10 Snarl
-Tail gimmick wasn’t strong enough and wasn’t much of a gimmick anyway.
-Doesn’t look anything like a Tasmanian Devil(not even close).
-Difficult to stand up.
9 Airhammer Fuzor
-Falls apart too easily.
-Hard to stand and balance(too much stuff on its back).
-Not original enough with the two animals chosen.
-No hands or weapons.
-Lack of colour in robot mode.
8 Dinobot
-Bad Beast mode with robot parts showing.
-The cartoon corrected its appearance so much that the toy is looked
upon negatively.
-Tail can fall off easily, and the spinning weapon gimmick wears off
fast.
-Needs better hands and a gun.
7 Rhinox Original
-Unstable and bulky because of all the beast bits hanging off his robot
mode.
-Ugly looking head.
-Not that moveable in Rhino mode.
7 Armordillo
-Shell interferes with robot mode(too much hanging off its back).
-Ugly.
-Bad looking hands and face.
6 Rattrap Original
-Hard to stand(too much hanging off its back).
-It’s an auto-transformer.
-No moving parts in rat mode.
-Dull colors.
6 Polar Claw
-No decent weapons.
-Too simple for a Mega-sized Beast.
-less articulated than most Basic-sized Beasts.
-Bad color scheme(red/white), looked better as brown/yellow in the
prototype ‘Barbearian’.
6 Injector Fuzor
-Ugly.
-Oversized head.
-Transformation is too simple for a Deluxe-sized Beast.
----------------
Toy listing by American order of release:
Name Size For Against
1st season(1996) 1st set - 10 toys
Iguanus Basic -3
Rattrap Basic -6
Razorbeast Basic -3
Terrorsaur Basic +4 -3
Optimus Primal (nss) Basic -3
Megatron (nss) Basic +1 -1
Twin Pack Leaders Twin Pack
Cheetor Deluxe +8 -2
Dinobot Deluxe +3 -8
Tarantulas Deluxe +5 -1
Waspinator Deluxe +6
1st season 2nd set - 12 toys
Armordillo Basic -7
Insecticon Basic +4
Snapper Basic +2 -2
Blackarachnia Deluxe -2
Buzzsaw Deluxe
Rhinox Deluxe +1 -7
Tigatron Deluxe
Wolfang Deluxe +1
Polar Claw Mega +1 -6
Scorponok Mega +4 -3
Megatron Ultra +7 -4
Optimus Primal Ultra +24 -2
2nd season 1st set - 7 toys
Airazor Basic +4 -1
Razorclaw Basic +3 -1
Cybershark Deluxe +9 -1
Jetstorm Deluxe +2 -1
Inferno Mega +17
Aracknid Ultra
Orcanoch Ultra
2nd season(1996-97) 2nd set - 6 toys
Claw Jaw Basic
Drillbit Basic -12
Lazorbeak Basic
Bonecrusher Deluxe -4
Grimlock Deluxe -1
Manterror Deluxe +6
2nd season 3rd set - 9 toys
Powerpinch Basic +6 -1
Snarl Basic -10
Spittor Basic -1
K-9 Deluxe +1 -1
Retrax Deluxe +1 -20
B’boom Mega -1
Transquito Mega -4
Magnaboss Ultra +17
Ironhide (nss) Combiner+1 -3
Prowl (nss) Combiner -2
Silverbolt (nss) Combiner+1 -2
Tripredacus Ultra +10 -4
Cicadacon (nss) Combiner
Ramhorn (nss) Combiner -5
Seaclamp (nss) Combiner
3rd season(1997-98) 1st set - 9(11) toys
Airhammer Basic -9
Quickstrike Basic +6 -2
Silverbolt Deluxe +21
Skyshadow Deluxe +1 -1
Cheetor Deluxe +17
Rhinox Deluxe +5 -1
Tarantulas Deluxe +22 -1
Megatron Mega +24 -1
Optimus Primal Mega +11 -2
(Airazor) Video pack
(Razorclaw) Video pack
3rd season 2nd set - 6 toys
Noctorro Basic +4 -1
Terragator Basic +1
Injector Deluxe -6
Rattrap Deluxe +10 -1
Waspinator Deluxe +7 -1
Scavenger Mega +1 -1
3rd season 3rd set - 8 toys
Bantor Basic
Buzzclaw Basic
Torca Deluxe
Airazor Deluxe
Terrorsaur Deluxe
Depth Charge Ultra
Rampage Ultra
Optimal Optimus Extra +2
Extras
Lioconvoy Japanese Extra +2
Convobat Japanese (nss) Basic +1
Shadow Panther Japanese Deluxe +1
Galvatron Japaneses Extra +1
Both Microverse Sets Ultra -1
Spring Loaded Beasts Basic -2
(Continued in part 2...)
-Griffin
/--------------- THE GRIFFIN'S WEBSITE IS NOW AT
//--------------
_/ ///------------- http://www.powerup.com.au/~griffin
/o \////------------
\/\/////----------- mailto:gri...@powerup.com.au
\ \
\ ________ /\_, AusTrans Fanclub Member
_/ / _/ /
{__/ {__/