Disappointed
Cantinman
Is anybody else out there disappointed with the sorry new Transformers:
Generation 2 toys that are out there? I personally think they suck. I'd
like comments.
Ye old man Ben
Well, many others have defended Generation 2 more thoroughly than
I will but I did like Generation 2 a lot.
First of all, after a one year drought of toys, G2 brought the
TF's back in force (toy wise anyway). I was happy to be able to obtain
versions of classic characters that were revamped (I love the Vacume
metallized Bumblebee). Some of the toys left a bit to be desired, I
agree. I would put the Water Squirting 'bots and 'cons in this catagory.
However, as Generation 2 progressed, it got better and better.
Starting around the time the Cyberjets and Laser Cycles came out, super
posability (as compared to other toy lines) became the norm. Even the
Gobots who were not very posable were a neat concept. I liked their size
and molds. Also, it's not often in the TF line when TF's that small come
with weapons too! I really wish the non-released Gobots had come out.
Other examples of very well made toys are Dreadwing and Laser
Optimus Prime. Few fans would say that those toys were not made very
well. They had great posability, cool looks and neat features.
To me, G2 went 'back to basics' more with TF's than the previous
years when we were swamped with *masters and other assorted gimmicks.
True, G2 TF's had their gimmicks as well, but at least they were usually
self contained TF's (not with parts popping off everywhere transforming
into other things, don't get me wrong, I like *masters, but it did get to
be too much after a while).
Anyone else?
**********************************************
*Name: Benson "Ironfire" Yee *
*a.k.a. Wonko the Sane *
*e-mail: ye...@is2.nyu.edu *
******************************************
*Transformers Beast Wars web page: *
*http://acweb.com/ben/beast.htm *
***************************************
"So let boss monkey and chopper face duke it, no fur offa my tail!"
-Rattrap
NICKZOMBIE
Yep, very true. They suck. They don't look right in either mode, but, in
robot mode they suck the most. The toys of today are soooo lame. Have you
been into the toy stores? Kids don't know how good GI Joe and The
Transformers used be. Nothing's made of metal anymore either, except some
little toy cars. Oh well, I suppose that's why we're all paying week's
worth of salary to buy these guys.
Nick Zombie
Thanks a million ("Larry Parker got 2.1 million, but of course that's why
they have NEVER shown the rest of my body in the commercials!").
CronoT757
nickz...@aol.com wrote
Yep, very true. They suck. They don't look right in either mode, but, in
robot mode they suck the most. The toys of today are soooo lame. Have you
been into the toy stores? Kids don't know how good GI Joe and The
Transformers used be. Nothing's made of metal anymore either, except some
little toy cars. Oh well, I suppose that's why we're all paying week's
worth of salary to buy these guys.
OK I assume you are refering to the discount Gen2 stuff at kaybee. first
off I agree that many of the toys out today are crappy. But there are toys
out there that are better than their predecessors. The toybiz marvel
heroes have improved as time has past( I stopped collecting them because
there are just so many versions of wolverine you can buy). I would also
include GEN2 with these the old molds and the water squirters were not the
greatest but LOP is one of the best versions of prime. He has more action
than an actionmaster and is molded very well. Overall he looks the most
like prime's robot tv form with the exception of his color scheme. I pick
him up out of my display at least once a day posing him in different
fighting stances. He personifies what I hope GEN3 will be like. I compare
the cyberjets to the mibots small forces with once again much greater
poseability and complex transformations. the laser cycles are two of the
best forms I have seen for motorcyles and dreadwing while a little short
looks very good in vehicle mode. Overall the end of G2 was filled with
some very nice tfs i just can't wait for gen3 if most of the rumors of it
are true.
Andrius Schmid
In article <4v1v5e$4...@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Cantinman wrote:
>Is anybody else out there disappointed with the sorry new Transformers:
>Generation 2 toys that are out there? I personally think they suck. I'd
>like comments.
I grow weary of hearing people bash every TF produced after 1985. People
keep complaining that the headmasters/targetmasters/powermasters were a bad
concept, that the pretenders were pointless, that the micromasters were too
small, that the action masters were not traditional, that the G2 repaints
were ugly, that the new G2s were not genuine, and that the BW simply stink
for no apparent reason. Why do you not like these? Because they're not
traditional, you say. Granted, transformers changed a great deal over the
years, but if you just took a moment to look past your prejudices, you'd
realize that all transformers have nice qualitites. Regarding the G2 TFs,
granted, some of the recolors were not as nice as the originals. However,
they were made out of better, stronger materials and would therefore break
less frequently. Some of the new G2s had simple designs, however, they were
no less simple than many of the smaller TFs from the mid-eighties. The most
recent G2s, including, but not limited to, the Cyberjets, Laser Rods, Laser
Cycles, Dreadwing, and Laser Optimus are terrific acceivements. These TFs
have the most complicated, intricate transformations I've seen yet. They
are highly posable, which is a great improvement over those TFs that could
only stand, having no leg articulation. The laser-rods, optimus, and cycles
all have ingenious weapons using LEDs. Just because a few figures in a toy
line are not up to par, doesn't mean the entire line is poorly designed.
All lines have low points, and just because they are newer, does not
naturally make them bad. Do you actually own any G2s? which ones? What,
specifically don't you like about them? If you want to make an argument,
you have to be able to support your comments. If you don't own any of the
recent G2s, I'd recommend purchasing the cyberjets and Laser Optimus, both
of which are still readily available at most Kaybees and Toy Works for
2/$5.00 and $14.99 respectively. If you do have some decent arguments
regarding certain problems, please, SHARE THEM!
robophilingly yours,
Andrius
Mike
Falcon wrote:
>
> Out of the blue, cant...@aol.com (Cantinman) jumped in front of me and
> said:
>
> >Is anybody else out there disappointed with the sorry new Transformers:
> >Generation 2 toys that are out there? I personally think they suck. I'd
> >like comments.
>
> Laser OP, the Cyberjets, and DreadWing. The only major gripe I have about
> G2 is that the colors are very ugly.
The Laser rods and cycles were very good too. I don't think that the
constructicon's recolors were ugly. They were just as good as the
originals.
Joseph Neo
Cantinman (cant...@aol.com) wrote:
: Is anybody else out there disappointed with the sorry new Transformers:
: Generation 2 toys that are out there? I personally think they suck. I'd
: like comments.
I think you are heckuva outdated and this has been argued over and over
and over again. Also, G2s are definately not new.
My opinion is that not all of them are bad, there are good ones out
there with good colours (Autobot cyberjets, US version of the
Skyscorchers, laser cycles, etc), good/fair posibility (Laser Rods,
Cyberjets, etc), complex transformations (Dreadwing, US Skyscorchers,
Cyberjets, laser cycles, etc).Sure, I don't like some of their bright
(Autorollers), or loudcolours (Decepticon cyberjets, G2 Megs), simple
transformation (G2 Megs, some Laser Rods, etc.) and lousy tech specs, but I
wouldn't throw them all into one basket, call them names and have
totally no rationale/argument to backup the claims made against them.
--
~~_~~~_~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~
\\_// ___________________^___________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\o\ ____n___H___ ~ Joseph Neo ~
//\\\_____________/[____l].... l\----___ ~ enfi...@daf.com ~
- \-\----------/___________ l_\--\___\__ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
@_____________[__]_\\____\_____ T___[D
`---O___)-----\\==--" U=-- \_o
@ U>
/ \
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chisholm's Law = "Anytime things appear to be going better, you have
obviously overlooked something".
*************************************************************************
CronoT757
cant...@aol.com wrote
Is anybody else out there disappointed with the sorry new Transformers:
Generation 2 toys that are out there? I personally think they suck. I'd
like comments.
What new G2 transformers beastwars are the only ones out now. I actually
like many of the later G2 toys that are at Kaybee( LOP is the best!) if
those are what you are refering to.
FraGMarE
IMHO, the best group of Transformers were the original batch that
came out in the mid 80's. They were constructed from cast iron parts, and
the plastic was much higher quality than was used in all the post-movie
figures. Maybe it's just nostalgia, but I think this view holds some
amount of reason and logic. Also, some the best made TFs of all time came
out in that period... never to be seen again (i.e. Jetfire, Shockwave), and
though some of the figures released after the movie were sturdy and had
well matched colors, overall quality of the Transformers figures seemed to
decline.
Now when I heard about G2 coming out, I was like, "Yes... re-release
of the original batch, with same molds and colors!" ...wrong. G2 had some
of the same molds alright, but much less cast iron parts and horrible color
choices. Now it seems the Transformer line is once again deviating from
the traditional mecha theme with Beast Wars, etc.
Robert A. Jung
In article <4v5oal$b...@news-e2c.gnn.com> dci...@gnn.com (FraGMarE) writes:
> IMHO, the best group of Transformers were the original batch that
>came out in the mid 80's. They were constructed from cast iron parts, and
>the plastic was much higher quality than was used in all the post-movie
>figures.
They were very well-designed, solidly built, and d*mn intricate, yes.
But they were also incredibly un-poseable. I still love them over all the
rest of the Transformers, though.
> Now when I heard about G2 coming out, I was like, "Yes... re-release
>of the original batch, with same molds and colors!" ...wrong. G2 had some
>of the same molds alright, but much less cast iron parts and horrible color
>choices.
Everyone hates the G2 color choices, I think. As for the lack of metal,
that's a problem with the marketplace. Metal parts cost a LOT of money these
days, and it's not cost-effective to make toys with lots of metal.
On the other hand, just because a toy doesn't have a lot of metal doesn't
mean it can't be cool. Laser Optimus Prime and the Cyberjets are the best of
the G2 line, if you ask me -- LOTS of articulation, solidly built, and some
neat features (the missile launchers for the Cyberjets, and Op's trailer,
which has more gimmicks than a Swiss Army Knife). I'd much rather take
Hooligan along with me to BotCon than Jazz, because Hooligan is a lot more
durable.
Face facts, we won't go back to metal again, because of the market. But
the toys can still be incredibly cool.
>Now it seems the Transformer line is once again deviating from
>the traditional mecha theme with Beast Wars, etc.
Some of the Beast Wars toys are pretty neat -- I recommend Tarantulas and
Cheetor, myself. But if it bug you, just let the BEAST WARS fans have their
fun and wait a little. If BWs continue to sell well, Kenner will be releasing
new vehicles and cars late next year...
--R.J.
B-)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I write because I am personally amused by what I do, and if other people are
amused by it, then it's fine. If they're not, then that's also fine."
Send mail to rj...@netcom.com --Frank Zappa
msipher
On Sun, 18 Aug 1996, Robert A. Jung wrote:
> In article <4v5oal$b...@news-e2c.gnn.com> dci...@gnn.com (FraGMarE) writes:
> > IMHO, the best group of Transformers were the original batch that
> >came out in the mid 80's. They were constructed from cast iron parts, and
> >the plastic was much higher quality than was used in all the post-movie
> >figures.
>
> They were very well-designed, solidly built, and d*mn intricate, yes.
> But they were also incredibly un-poseable. I still love them over all the
> rest of the Transformers, though.
Oh, I don't think you're going to find anybody who *doesn't* like the
original cast... after all, they WERE the ones who started the whole
craze. However, I like to think that, when it comes to actual toy design,
they can improve on them... I love my original-cast TFs, but frankly, I
want to see them do better. Make Has/Ken WORK.
> > Now when I heard about G2 coming out, I was like, "Yes... re-release
> >of the original batch, with same molds and colors!" ...wrong. G2 had some
> >of the same molds alright, but much less cast iron parts and horrible color
> >choices.
>
> Everyone hates the G2 color choices, I think.
Depends on which ones you're talking about. I think Sideswipe looks GREAT
in gloss black, and I like the G2 Ramjet color scheme (even if I say it's
a new character instead of the classic Ramjet)... Also, the small G2
Aerialbots had okay color schemes (even if Silverbolt was *ugly* with a
capital UGH)... Slag and Snarl look decent in red or green. And I LIKE
Hubcap in chrome cherry red... matches the Penn Jilette-ish personality I
like to think he has...
And actually, I think the G2 Constructicon colors were closer to
"real-life" construction vehicle colors than the original green...
Frankly, I'm GLAD the G2 came with different colors. Lessens the chances
of some rat-bastard toy pirate trying to fobb off a G2 as a G1 on some
poor kid who doesn't know to look for the G2 stamp... (and you know
they'd try it, too.)
> As for the lack of metal,
> that's a problem with the marketplace. Metal parts cost a LOT of money these
> days, and it's not cost-effective to make toys with lots of metal.
Yep. Aside from the cost of the metal itself, there's the cost of the paint
used on the metal, PLUS it adds to the weight of the toy, which adds the
the cost of shipping them, which means the toy makers have to charge
more, which means the retailers have to charge more...
> On the other hand, just because a toy doesn't have a lot of metal doesn't
> mean it can't be cool. Laser Optimus Prime and the Cyberjets are the best of
> the G2 line, if you ask me -- LOTS of articulation, solidly built, and some
> neat features (the missile launchers for the Cyberjets, and Op's trailer,
> which has more gimmicks than a Swiss Army Knife). I'd much rather take
> Hooligan along with me to BotCon than Jazz, because Hooligan is a lot more
> durable.
There ya go. Go buy a Laser OP, at Kay-Bee for $15... you'll like him.
Dreadwing is also a good choice.
> Face facts, we won't go back to metal again, because of the market. But
> the toys can still be incredibly cool.
Actually, I'm not all that fired-up over metal parts anyway... yeah, it
does give the toy a little more heft, but the paint chips if you're not
careful... It just doesn't really add anything to the play value, I
think.
> >Now it seems the Transformer line is once again deviating from
> >the traditional mecha theme with Beast Wars, etc.
>
> Some of the Beast Wars toys are pretty neat -- I recommend Tarantulas and
> Cheetor, myself. But if it bug you, just let the BEAST WARS fans have their
> fun and wait a little. If BWs continue to sell well, Kenner will be releasing
> new vehicles and cars late next year...
I dunno, I never considered Transformers to be "mecha"... "ExoSquad" is
closer to "mecha". Transformers are sentient beings in their own right...
to simply call them mecha seems mildly insulting. (Although some of them
do come close... especially in the Japanese series.)
Any rate, the reason we have Beast Wars is because cars and planes and
stuff simply wasn't selling enough to justify keeping the line going...
and despite the coolness of the late-G2 toys, people saw the packaging
and just immediately overlooked them. TFs needed a facelift, a totally
new look, so that people would take notice. YES, the change was shocking.
And YES, almost EVERYBODY seemed scared at first... hell, even some of
BW's staunchest supporters (like me) admit that their initial response
was shock.
But judge the BW toys on their own merits, don't compare them to toys
that are over twenty years old. (Remeber, the original Takara designs
were from around 1974.) Times change, and Has/Ken has to change as well
in order to make a profit. If you must compare BW against something,
you're better off comparing them against themselves and the other toy
lines currently available at your standard retail market... as THAT'S
where Has/Ken earns their money, and THAT'S where Has/Ken has to compete.
And, judging by the fact that BW is the #3 selling "boys" toy line in the
US (behind Star Wars, which would have to REALLY screw it up to drop from
#1, and Power Rangers, which defies every law I can think of...), I'd say
they made the right choice. Has/Ken is putting a LOT of effort into the
line (I'd say more into BW than any other line they produce), people are
noticing, there's a new CGI-animated series in the works, and Has/Ken
plans on bringing back vehicle-form TFs... this would not have happened
without the shot in the arm that BW provided. I'll even go so far as to
say that if Has/Ken had stuck with G2 (especially the "repaint ad
infinitum" plan), we may not have a TF line on the market right now...
Hell, how many toy lines get a *THIRD* chance? Most never even get a
second chance... I get the nasty feeling that G.I.Joe may have both feet
firmly in the grave... and I'm talking toy lines that STARTED as toy
lines. Stuff like Star Wars and Marvel are techincally spinoffs...
merchandising for movies or comics that existed before the toys, so they
don't really count...
Ah well. At least he didn't just type up a one-line "BEEST WARS SUKS!!!"
post... that's DEFINATELY gotta count for something.
M "Okay. We're Now At That Weird Point In Time When We Really Have No
Idea What New Stuff Is Coming Up... Now That The Ultra Beasts And Deluxe
Repaints Are Out, We Only Have A Few Purposely Vague Plans For Future
Toys, But That's About It..." Sipher
Robert A. Jung
In article <Pine.SUN.3.91.960818...@bessel.nando.net>msipher <msi...@nando.net>writes:
>On Sun, 18 Aug 1996, Robert A. Jung wrote:
>>In article <4v5oal$b...@news-e2c.gnn.com>dci...@gnn.com (FraGMarE) writes:
>>> Now when I heard about G2 coming out, I was like, "Yes... re-release
>>>of the original batch, with same molds and colors!" ...wrong. G2 had some
>>>of the same molds alright, but much less cast iron parts and horrible color
>>>choices.
>>
>> Everyone hates the G2 color choices, I think.
>
>Depends on which ones you're talking about. I think Sideswipe looks GREAT
>in gloss black, and I like the G2 Ramjet color scheme (even if I say it's
>a new character instead of the classic Ramjet).
Okay, Sideswipe in black is neat, but Hasbro screwed it up with the butt-
ugly neon green/yellow stickers. Besides, cherry red is just a classic color
for Lamborghinis.
>Slag and Snarl look decent in red or green.
No way. Give me steel grey any time.
>And actually, I think the G2 Constructicon colors were closer to
>"real-life" construction vehicle colors than the original green...
Depends on what part of the world you're in apparently -- some folks insist
that their regional real-life Constructicons are in lime green. I usually
see light orange and yellow myself, but YMMV.
>Frankly, I'm GLAD the G2 came with different colors. Lessens the chances
>of some rat-bastard toy pirate trying to fobb off a G2 as a G1 on some
>poor kid who doesn't know to look for the G2 stamp... (and you know
>they'd try it, too.)
Are we gunning for Tony or Dennis here, Sipher? B-)
>> On the other hand, just because a toy doesn't have a lot of metal doesn't
>>mean it can't be cool. Laser Optimus Prime and the Cyberjets are the best of
>>the G2 line, if you ask me -- LOTS of articulation, solidly built, and some
>>neat features (the missile launchers for the Cyberjets, and Op's trailer,
>>which has more gimmicks than a Swiss Army Knife).
>
>There ya go. Go buy a Laser OP, at Kay-Bee for $15... you'll like him.
>Dreadwing is also a good choice.
Ehhh, I can't really recommend Dreadwing. In plane mode, he looks bloated
when viewed from any angle other than directly overhead. In robot mode, he's
a little too squat and pudgy for my tastes. Danny DeVito as a Decepticon,
almost. B-)
But Laser Op -- highly recommended, hands down. And I *still* have a soft
spot for Hooligan, who's got the best jet mode and robot mode of all the
Cyberjets. I can't work up my enthusiasm for the Jetfire recolor, because the
cammo grey paint scheme is so wrong...
>Any rate, the reason we have Beast Wars is because cars and planes and
>stuff simply wasn't selling enough to justify keeping the line going...
That's the one thing the anti-Beast Wars people keep forgetting -- HasKen
DID try vehicles, and they bombed. 'course, an endless assortment of
recolors and some rather pathethic toys didn't help the matter any, IMO.
>Has/Ken is putting a LOT of effort into the
>line (I'd say more into BW than any other line they produce), people are
>noticing, there's a new CGI-animated series in the works, and Has/Ken
>plans on bringing back vehicle-form TFs...
If they can give me good stories (that don't contradict the earlier series
too much) and more Hooligan/Laser Op-level toy designs, I'm stoked.
>M "Okay. We're Now At That Weird Point In Time When We Really Have No
>Idea What New Stuff Is Coming Up... Now That The Ultra Beasts And Deluxe
>Repaints Are Out, We Only Have A Few Purposely Vague Plans For Future
>Toys, But That's About It..." Sipher
It's a surprise!
msipher
On Sun, 18 Aug 1996, Robert A. Jung wrote:
> In article <Pine.SUN.3.91.960818...@bessel.nando.net>msipher <msi...@nando.net>writes:
> >On Sun, 18 Aug 1996, Robert A. Jung wrote:
> >>In article <4v5oal$b...@news-e2c.gnn.com>dci...@gnn.com (FraGMarE) writes:
> >>> Now when I heard about G2 coming out, I was like, "Yes... re-release
> >>>of the original batch, with same molds and colors!" ...wrong. G2 had some
> >>>of the same molds alright, but much less cast iron parts and horrible color
> >>>choices.
> >>
> >> Everyone hates the G2 color choices, I think.
> >
> >Depends on which ones you're talking about. I think Sideswipe looks GREAT
> >in gloss black, and I like the G2 Ramjet color scheme (even if I say it's
> >a new character instead of the classic Ramjet).
>
> Okay, Sideswipe in black is neat, but Hasbro screwed it up with the butt-
> ugly neon green/yellow stickers. Besides, cherry red is just a classic color
> for Lamborghinis.
Yeah, the stickers were a bit much. And while I agree that cherry red is
a great color for Lamborghinis, I've seen enough gloss black ones as well
to where I consider it just as "classic"...
> >Slag and Snarl look decent in red or green.
>
> No way. Give me steel grey any time.
Oh, I PREFER the grey, but at least the red and green weren't weird
day-glo or something like that... they looked decent.
> >And actually, I think the G2 Constructicon colors were closer to
> >"real-life" construction vehicle colors than the original green...
>
> Depends on what part of the world you're in apparently -- some folks insist
> that their regional real-life Constructicons are in lime green. I usually
> see light orange and yellow myself, but YMMV.
Okay, I can see that. Most of the construction vehicles around here are
kinda yellow/orange... halfway between the G2 colors.
> >Frankly, I'm GLAD the G2 came with different colors. Lessens the chances
> >of some rat-bastard toy pirate trying to fobb off a G2 as a G1 on some
> >poor kid who doesn't know to look for the G2 stamp... (and you know
> >they'd try it, too.)
>
> Are we gunning for Tony or Dennis here, Sipher? B-)
No, but I don't mind if they get hit. I'm talking about ANY toy pirate
out there. There's a lot of them... people who don't deal in old toys
(which SHOULD cost more), but just run through the TRU and take as much
as they can, mark them up %200-%300...
> Ehhh, I can't really recommend Dreadwing. In plane mode, he looks bloated
> when viewed from any angle other than directly overhead. In robot mode, he's
> a little too squat and pudgy for my tastes. Danny DeVito as a Decepticon,
> almost. B-)
Ah, but Smokescreen... Dreadwing is okay, but the addition of Smokescreen
makes him much cooler.
> But Laser Op -- highly recommended, hands down. And I *still* have a soft
> spot for Hooligan, who's got the best jet mode and robot mode of all the
> Cyberjets. I can't work up my enthusiasm for the Jetfire recolor, because the
> cammo grey paint scheme is so wrong...
Yep. I like the tiger-stripe color scheme... that and I like his
character. Skywarp to the extreme.
> >Any rate, the reason we have Beast Wars is because cars and planes and
> >stuff simply wasn't selling enough to justify keeping the line going...
>
> That's the one thing the anti-Beast Wars people keep forgetting -- HasKen
> DID try vehicles, and they bombed. 'course, an endless assortment of
> recolors and some rather pathethic toys didn't help the matter any, IMO.
I don't know if there were any actually *pathetic* toys... I bet you're
referring to the Go-Bots. I think that had they just stuck with the first
six (High Beam, Gearhead, Double Clutch, Motormouth, Blowout and
Firecracker), maybe the launcher/truck set, that would have been fine...
I mean, they were okay toys, especially for the price... but making them
part of the repaint-o-rama just seemed wrong...
> If they can give me good stories (that don't contradict the earlier series
> too much) and more Hooligan/Laser Op-level toy designs, I'm stoked.
Yep. Looks like that's what's on the way...
> >M "Okay. We're Now At That Weird Point In Time When We Really Have No
> >Idea What New Stuff Is Coming Up... Now That The Ultra Beasts And Deluxe
> >Repaints Are Out, We Only Have A Few Purposely Vague Plans For Future
> >Toys, But That's About It..." Sipher
>
> It's a surprise!
Goodie.
M "Ah Well. At Least We Know More's On The Way..." Sipher
msipher
On Sun, 18 Aug 1996, Robert A. Jung wrote:
> In article <Pine.SUN.3.91.960818...@bessel.nando.net> msipher <msi...@nando.net> writes:
> >On Sun, 18 Aug 1996, Robert A. Jung wrote:
> >> Ehhh, I can't really recommend Dreadwing.
> >
> >Ah, but Smokescreen... Dreadwing is okay, but the addition of Smokescreen
> >makes him much cooler.
>
> Smokescreen doesn't quite click with me, either -- maybe it's his lack of
> real hands or something.
(Shrug.)
> >>I *still* have a soft
> >>spot for Hooligan, who's got the best jet mode and robot mode of all the
> >>Cyberjets.
> >
> >Yep. I like the tiger-stripe color scheme... that and I like his
> >character. Skywarp to the extreme.
>
> I've always envisioned him as sounding like the Joker from the Batman
> cartoon series. Go back and read my story, "Fire of the Soul," with Mark
> Hamill doing Hooligan's voice, it's more fun that way... B-)
Oh yeah. GREAT voice... Hmm. I don't think I actually have that one on
the computer... and don't send it to me, Rob. I still haven't figured out
how to save stuff from this program as simple .txt files on my computer
proper... (grrr...) I've got a transcript of the MST3K episode "The
Slime People" that has been sitting in my "saved files" directory since
November... I can get the fanfic off the Web later.
> >> That's the one thing the anti-Beast Wars people keep forgetting -- HasKen
> >>DID try vehicles, and they bombed. 'course, an endless assortment of
> >>recolors and some rather pathethic toys didn't help the matter any, IMO.
> >
> >I don't know if there were any actually *pathetic* toys... I bet you're
> >referring to the Go-Bots.
>
> Them, and the Laser Rods, and the Laser Cycles, and the Autorollers, and the
> Power Masters. Eh, maybe I'm just a very picky toy buyer...
Perhaps. But let's see...
Laser Rods : Hey, they started the super-posability gimmick in the TF
line... you have to credit them for that. Admittedly, they hadn't
perfected the LED gimmick, and the posability was a bit loose, but it was
a start... plus the vehicle modes were neat... above-average, I'd say.
Laser Cycles : Well, they fixed the LED problem, at any rate... the only
problems I have with the Cycles are kinda hard to get around when doing a
TF with a modern motocycle mode... roughly average, maybe a bit less due
to weird proportions and REALLY weak techs. But then again, they DID have
the neat pop-up tech cards (hey, I really liked those. I wish they had
kept that for Beast Wars...)
Auto-Rollers : I wouldn't call them pathetic. Mediocre, maybe. The
auto-transform gimmick is admittedly pretty weak, but they DO make some
pretty good heavy assault troops in robot mode... big, wieghty,
mean-looking, plus nasty missile launchers and close-range weapons...
okay, they may not stand out, but every side needs some grunt troops...
POWER MASTERS : Egh... um... y'know, I can't really defend them. They
stink. I just forgot about them, as they didn't get released here... I'm
still GETTING them, but that's because I'm attempting a "complete set"
(which will be almost impossible, unless I get a LOT of money so I can
get those unreleased Go-Bots, Combat Heroes and Megatron ATB)... I took a
close look at the Power Masters, and I noticed that they don't have a
TAKARA stamp on them... that explains a lot...
GO-BOTS : Again, I think they were better off as just a team of six or
seven... or, if you're GOING to do about a dozen of them, do about a
dozen different molds!!! Cripes! Why not those Go-Bots that were almost
released in Japan? They looked cool... (anybody get to see the robot
modes on them? I know that their weapons actually stored under the
chassis in vehicle mode... now that I think about it, did anybody on the
newsgroup who attended BC96 actually GET any of the boffo items from the
auction? I bet not... I bet they all went to dealer types. *Krunk*) But I
actually like the Go-Bots... minibots that MOVE in vehicle mode, plus
weapons. And cheap. Sure, they're no CyberJets, but they were allright...
M "Ah Well. At Least They Nipped The Repaint Plan In The Bud" Sipher
Robert A. Jung
In article <Pine.SUN.3.91.960818...@bessel.nando.net> msipher <msi...@nando.net> writes:
>On Sun, 18 Aug 1996, Robert A. Jung wrote:
>> Ehhh, I can't really recommend Dreadwing.
>
>makes him much cooler.
Smokescreen doesn't quite click with me, either -- maybe it's his lack of
real hands or something.
>>I *still* have a soft
>>spot for Hooligan, who's got the best jet mode and robot mode of all the
>>Cyberjets.
>
>Yep. I like the tiger-stripe color scheme... that and I like his
>character. Skywarp to the extreme.
I've always envisioned him as sounding like the Joker from the Batman
cartoon series. Go back and read my story, "Fire of the Soul," with Mark
Hamill doing Hooligan's voice, it's more fun that way... B-)
>> That's the one thing the anti-Beast Wars people keep forgetting -- HasKen
>>DID try vehicles, and they bombed. 'course, an endless assortment of
>>recolors and some rather pathethic toys didn't help the matter any, IMO.
>
>I don't know if there were any actually *pathetic* toys... I bet you're
>referring to the Go-Bots.
Them, and the Laser Rods, and the Laser Cycles, and the Autorollers, and the
Power Masters. Eh, maybe I'm just a very picky toy buyer...
--R.J.
Adam Casey
> they made the right choice. Has/Ken is putting a LOT of effort into the
> line (I'd say more into BW than any other line they produce), people are
> noticing, there's a new CGI-animated series in the works, and Has/Ken
> plans on bringing back vehicle-form TFs... this would not have happened
> without the shot in the arm that BW provided. I'll even go so far as to
You know, there was this guy on a local BBS that, after I posted
something about TFs in the Sci-Fi message base, said, "Wouldn't it be
cool if they had took computer animation to make a new movie!!!" and I
said, something to the effect of talking about the guy who said "why
couldn't they have saved their money and given us another movie?" and
what I said was:
That's just it, Hasbro won't "give" anything out. They want to make
money and there is no way that they can make money of a dying toy line.
A few weeks later, the guy said something to the effect of "I still like
the cars and wish they would bring them back"
and I said:
"Just go out and buy one Beast Wars toy. It can be the biggest one you
can find or it can be a small one, which ever you choose. By buying just
one, you put some money in Kenner's pocket telling them that people are
still interested in Transformers. This will motivate them to bring back
cars."
And I urge all Beast Wars haters/non-believers/skeptiscts out there to go
buy just *ONE* BW toy. It doesn't have to be a new Ultra, it doesn't
even have to be a deluxe. Just something as small as Rattrap or
Terrosaur. This will put money in Kenner's pocket and, like I said, a G3
isn't far away.
And, if you were a child just discovering these things called
"Transformers", wouldn't you want to know their hertiage? I mean, a kid,
he goes picks up a BW toy, his father sees it and sees the name Megatron
and Optimus and Transformers written on it and he goes "Hey,
Transformers! We had these back in the 80's!" and the kid's like "Woah!
Tell me about them!" and then, in the next year, year and half, the
child can experience car TFs..
dag, I'm tired..
Sideswipe
Yes I am disappointed however I just collect the old stuff. I
consider TFs gone since they stopped for a year or so. That was the
fatal mistake on stopping a good thing dead in its tracks.
--
"More than meets the eye." should be changed now to "Transformers
are more than meets the eye."
Drogn
In article <Pine.SUN.3.91.960818...@bessel.nando.net>,
msipher <msi...@nando.net> wrote:
> GO-BOTS : Again, I think they were better off as just a team of six or
> seven... or, if you're GOING to do about a dozen of them, do about a
> dozen different molds!!! Cripes! Why not those Go-Bots that were almost
> released in Japan? They looked cool... (anybody get to see the robot
> modes on them? I know that their weapons actually stored under the
> chassis in vehicle mode... now that I think about it, did anybody on the
I don't know about G1, but if G2 Sideswipe's (small white) gun was about
half as long it would not only fit into the space between his legs in car
mode but be closer to the size TF guns were usually shown as being in the
cartoons. The big lame green missle launcher I leave where I don't have to
look at it, so I don't bring it into consideration.
-Drogn, who can't remember the BWADL
URL to sign on
--
Transfan Code: G++++, FR+/FW, M+.5, #25.5, AA+, N+++, B, Q++
"Now look what you've done! You went and confused me! FURTHER!!" -Me
"All you of Earth, are IDIOTS!" -Plan 9 From Outer Space
"Surrealism is my rhinoceros." -Ben Brown
Lodi the king
I think that they suck too, but the Optimus lazer rod and ace evader
kick ass!
msipher
On 19 Aug 1996, Sideswipe wrote:
> Yes I am disappointed however I just collect the old stuff. I
> consider TFs gone since they stopped for a year or so. That was the
> fatal mistake on stopping a good thing dead in its tracks.
Hey, I like Action Masters a *LOT*, but Hasbro did NOT stop "a good thing
dead in its tracks"... the whole TF line wasn't selling, so, because
Hasbro is out to make money FIRST, they ended a line that wasn't selling
enough to justify continuing. Remember, toy lines are driven by the
MARKET, not by the whims of a few collectors.
> "More than meets the eye." should be changed now to "Transformers
> are more than meets the eye."
Whatever. "More than meets the eye" isn't even the line's slogan
anymore...
M "Oh Well." Sipher
Gregg T. Allinson
Cantinman (cant...@aol.com) wrote:
: Is anybody else out there disappointed with the sorry new Transformers:
: Generation 2 toys that are out there? I personally think they suck. I'd
: like comments.
New? The G2 line ran from '92-'95. There's still a lot of them on the
shelves, but AFIAK, no new ones were made past the end of last year.
IMHO, they're like the old TFs-some are very very good, and some are very
very bad. Laser Prime is a proud addition to the ranks of the TFs, while
Go-Bot Soundwave isn't.
--
Au Bon Pain!,
Gregg "Dave" Allinson
Visit The Scrapyard ("The 'G' is for great!") @ http://miso.wwa.com/~roscoe
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