Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys
Saturday, August 25th, 2018 2:52PM CDT
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top ListsPosted by: william-james88 Views: 47,919
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Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.
Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys
Insects have been part of the transformers brand since the very very beginning. They are actually the very first animal based Transformers we have ever gotten, thanks to the insecticons. Scorpions and spiders aren't insects, so I didn't include them here. But don't let that stop you when you share your own top 5 list in the comments.
5. Transformers Generations Waspinator
This was a pleasant surprise. With the previous releases of new Beast Wars toys straying very far from the show models (like Universe Cheetor or the Cybertron Optimus Primal and Megatron toys) it was a breath of fresh air to just have a new Waspinator toy looking like his good old clumsy self. The articulation was as good as I could hope for and that headsculpt rocked! The character models were done after the toys and thus took some liberties, making the toys look unlike what we saw on TV, especially for the first year. So seeing Waspinator have such a perfect headsculpt was invigorating. He's a great looking insect too with a neat non intrusive wing flapping gimmick.
4. Transformers G1 1985 Kickback and Shrapnel
I should be frustrated that both the beast mode and the robot mode use the same head, which is almost like an unsaid faux pas, but he makes it work. It looks like a locust head in alt mode and a robot head in robot mode, complimenting the rest of either mode, so I quickly got over it. He even ends up looking more like a bug than his other two insecticon acolytes due to the long grasshopper legs which really go all out to sell the insect like proportions. The deco is also gorgeous in an 80s future way with the fullest deep purple I have ever seen. G1 toys have not aged well for the most part, but when looking at the insecticons, especially kickback, you can see how these striking designs can never die.
3. Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Cyberverse Hardshell
Sure the size isn't great but for a Cyberverse collection, he is imposing. he probably has the best transformation for a Cyberverse commander class figure (well, maybe tied with prime Ironhide) and the size doesn't sacrifice intricacy or detail. He looks awesome in both modes and makes for a mean looking beetle.
2. Transformers Beast Wars Metals Scavenger (Transmetal Inferno)
Man, how I wrestled with the idea of putting this guy as number 1. He really is incredible. As a 10 year old, I truly believed that he was perfection for a Transformers toy and my opinion hasn't changed much. These were formative years and I remember looking at this guy and seeing that unlike most other toys, he didn't reuse animal limbs for his robot limbs, he wasn't a shell former, had many new details for the robot mode and yet remained sleek. Not only is he sleek, he is downright unsettling in his ultimate maniac design. This guy reeks of villainy and not the fun kind, the scary kind. The kind you can have nightmares about. So not only is it a great Transformers toy objectively, when you take a look at the design it just takes it over the top. There are very little toys out there with as much personality as this one. And I haven't even talked about his drill hands that turn when you activate them through his shoulder (well I guess now I have).
1. Beast Wars Powerpinch
I remember being ten and seriously thinking that Power Pinch was the best Transformer toy of all time (the Transformers brand was 18 years at that point). This wasn't hyperbole or a spur of the moment thought we get when we first open a toy, this was after looking at all the toys in my modest collection. While Beast Wars is a great line, the conversions often repeat or are predictable, especially with mammals when either half their limbs or all their limbs serve double duty as both the limbs of the animal and the robot (Beast Wars TM2 Cheetor felt so lazy to me as a kid). But what is amazing with insects is that their anatomy doesn't give the toy designer such an easy way out. The limbs must come from somewhere else. Scavenger above is a gorgeous example, on a technical level, of such an achievement in design. However, I always found Power Pinch to be even better simply because it was based on a realistic bug. Limbs not serving double duty means there is no robot design or kibble found anywhere in earwig mode. The great weapon (a giant pair of shears) integrates perfectly into the tail. The transformation is as complex as we will ever get for a basic class transformer thanks to a nice amount of parts count (seemingly more than modern day legends class figures). The robot mode offers lots of new robot detail. Basically, the bottom half of his body and the head are pieces not seen in insect mode and yet there is minimal alt mode kibble to hide due to how the toy is engineered. It's a little marvel really and due to it being a toy from this era you have all the ball jointed articulation you would need along with a generous amount of painted details we could only dream of getting today. This is one of my favourite Beast Wars figures of all time and easily the number 1 pick for best insect Transformers.
Honourable mentions: There are a bunch of good insect Transformers out there that couldn't make the list. To mention a few off the top of my head, that were up for consideration, we had Beast Wars Mantis and Inferno, Transmetal Waspinator, Transmetal II Scourge and Scarem and Generations Bombshell.
Transformers Beast Wars Inferno Gallery
Transformers Beast Wars Scourge Gallery
Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys
Insects have been part of the transformers brand since the very very beginning. They are actually the very first animal based Transformers we have ever gotten, thanks to the insecticons. Scorpions and spiders aren't insects, so I didn't include them here. But don't let that stop you when you share your own top 5 list in the comments.
5. Transformers Generations Waspinator
This was a pleasant surprise. With the previous releases of new Beast Wars toys straying very far from the show models (like Universe Cheetor or the Cybertron Optimus Primal and Megatron toys) it was a breath of fresh air to just have a new Waspinator toy looking like his good old clumsy self. The articulation was as good as I could hope for and that headsculpt rocked! The character models were done after the toys and thus took some liberties, making the toys look unlike what we saw on TV, especially for the first year. So seeing Waspinator have such a perfect headsculpt was invigorating. He's a great looking insect too with a neat non intrusive wing flapping gimmick.
4. Transformers G1 1985 Kickback and Shrapnel
I should be frustrated that both the beast mode and the robot mode use the same head, which is almost like an unsaid faux pas, but he makes it work. It looks like a locust head in alt mode and a robot head in robot mode, complimenting the rest of either mode, so I quickly got over it. He even ends up looking more like a bug than his other two insecticon acolytes due to the long grasshopper legs which really go all out to sell the insect like proportions. The deco is also gorgeous in an 80s future way with the fullest deep purple I have ever seen. G1 toys have not aged well for the most part, but when looking at the insecticons, especially kickback, you can see how these striking designs can never die.
3. Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Cyberverse Hardshell
Sure the size isn't great but for a Cyberverse collection, he is imposing. he probably has the best transformation for a Cyberverse commander class figure (well, maybe tied with prime Ironhide) and the size doesn't sacrifice intricacy or detail. He looks awesome in both modes and makes for a mean looking beetle.
2. Transformers Beast Wars Metals Scavenger (Transmetal Inferno)
Man, how I wrestled with the idea of putting this guy as number 1. He really is incredible. As a 10 year old, I truly believed that he was perfection for a Transformers toy and my opinion hasn't changed much. These were formative years and I remember looking at this guy and seeing that unlike most other toys, he didn't reuse animal limbs for his robot limbs, he wasn't a shell former, had many new details for the robot mode and yet remained sleek. Not only is he sleek, he is downright unsettling in his ultimate maniac design. This guy reeks of villainy and not the fun kind, the scary kind. The kind you can have nightmares about. So not only is it a great Transformers toy objectively, when you take a look at the design it just takes it over the top. There are very little toys out there with as much personality as this one. And I haven't even talked about his drill hands that turn when you activate them through his shoulder (well I guess now I have).
1. Beast Wars Powerpinch
I remember being ten and seriously thinking that Power Pinch was the best Transformer toy of all time (the Transformers brand was 18 years at that point). This wasn't hyperbole or a spur of the moment thought we get when we first open a toy, this was after looking at all the toys in my modest collection. While Beast Wars is a great line, the conversions often repeat or are predictable, especially with mammals when either half their limbs or all their limbs serve double duty as both the limbs of the animal and the robot (Beast Wars TM2 Cheetor felt so lazy to me as a kid). But what is amazing with insects is that their anatomy doesn't give the toy designer such an easy way out. The limbs must come from somewhere else. Scavenger above is a gorgeous example, on a technical level, of such an achievement in design. However, I always found Power Pinch to be even better simply because it was based on a realistic bug. Limbs not serving double duty means there is no robot design or kibble found anywhere in earwig mode. The great weapon (a giant pair of shears) integrates perfectly into the tail. The transformation is as complex as we will ever get for a basic class transformer thanks to a nice amount of parts count (seemingly more than modern day legends class figures). The robot mode offers lots of new robot detail. Basically, the bottom half of his body and the head are pieces not seen in insect mode and yet there is minimal alt mode kibble to hide due to how the toy is engineered. It's a little marvel really and due to it being a toy from this era you have all the ball jointed articulation you would need along with a generous amount of painted details we could only dream of getting today. This is one of my favourite Beast Wars figures of all time and easily the number 1 pick for best insect Transformers.
Honourable mentions: There are a bunch of good insect Transformers out there that couldn't make the list. To mention a few off the top of my head, that were up for consideration, we had Beast Wars Mantis and Inferno, Transmetal Waspinator, Transmetal II Scourge and Scarem and Generations Bombshell.
Transformers Beast Wars Inferno Gallery
Transformers Beast Wars Scourge Gallery
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Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980611)
Posted by boyatlarge on August 25th, 2018 @ 3:15pm CDT
Posted by boyatlarge on August 25th, 2018 @ 3:15pm CDT
"which really go all out to sell the incest like proportions."
An unfortunate typo here...may want to fix that.
An unfortunate typo here...may want to fix that.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980614)
Posted by william-james88 on August 25th, 2018 @ 3:22pm CDT
Thanks, I did
Posted by william-james88 on August 25th, 2018 @ 3:22pm CDT
boyatlarge wrote:"which really go all out to sell the incest like proportions."
An unfortunate typo here...may want to fix that.
Thanks, I did
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980615)
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 25th, 2018 @ 3:26pm CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 25th, 2018 @ 3:26pm CDT
I really liked this list 
good job! I did come across Power Pinch once when I was working in a vintage toy shop, but sadly he was missing...almost every thing. I did find Scavenger though, and I love him, one of my favourite poses for him was to angle his insect mode legs so that it looked like he was accessing multiple computer screens (I head cannoned him into a more tech savy con, who used his drills to get where his hacking couldn't take him).
I'm also happy to see Hard Shell on the list, as he was one of my favourite legion commanders from Beast Hunters, such a fun toy, and a joy to transform.
good job! I did come across Power Pinch once when I was working in a vintage toy shop, but sadly he was missing...almost every thing. I did find Scavenger though, and I love him, one of my favourite poses for him was to angle his insect mode legs so that it looked like he was accessing multiple computer screens (I head cannoned him into a more tech savy con, who used his drills to get where his hacking couldn't take him).I'm also happy to see Hard Shell on the list, as he was one of my favourite legion commanders from Beast Hunters, such a fun toy, and a joy to transform.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980618)
Posted by william-james88 on August 25th, 2018 @ 3:32pm CDT
yeah, I was really impressed with how satisfying it was a transformation for a toy so small. Very unique. And thats a super cool idea with Scavenger, I had not thought of that pose, but it works perfectly.
Posted by william-james88 on August 25th, 2018 @ 3:32pm CDT
ZeroWolf wrote:I really liked this list
I'm also happy to see Hard Shell on the list, as he was one of my favourite legion commanders from Beast Hunters, such a fun toy, and a joy to transform.
yeah, I was really impressed with how satisfying it was a transformation for a toy so small. Very unique. And thats a super cool idea with Scavenger, I had not thought of that pose, but it works perfectly.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980624)
Posted by Sabrblade on August 25th, 2018 @ 4:09pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on August 25th, 2018 @ 4:09pm CDT
To think that Powerpinch's toy was released, deco unchanged, as a good guy, and no less a kid character, over in Japan. 
As for any other bug TFs that weren't listed here, I gotta give props to one Animated Waspinator. That is such a fun mold with a very sleek physique and superbly satisfying articulation.
I think I like it even more than the Generations mold for BW Waspinator, and even wish that Fun Pub had instead used it for the BotCon 2015 Waruders. I'd have LOVED to troop build the Animated mold.
Probably helps that he was designed to be a Transmetal version of the crazy scary nutcase that was Inferno (and actually was Transmetal Inferno that when released in Japan).william-james88 wrote:Not only is he sleek, he is downright unsettling in his ultimate maniac design. This guy reeks of villainy and not the fun kind, the scary kind. The kind you can have nightmares about.
As for any other bug TFs that weren't listed here, I gotta give props to one Animated Waspinator. That is such a fun mold with a very sleek physique and superbly satisfying articulation.
I think I like it even more than the Generations mold for BW Waspinator, and even wish that Fun Pub had instead used it for the BotCon 2015 Waruders. I'd have LOVED to troop build the Animated mold.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980626)
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on August 25th, 2018 @ 4:29pm CDT
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on August 25th, 2018 @ 4:29pm CDT
Give this poor guy a hug...
I know, technically he's not an insect, but an isopod, or a type of crustacean. But we lump Pterosaurs and Dimetrodon with Dinosaurs, so...
I kid, I kid.
Good list Will, especially with the inclusion of the non-beetles and non-wasps. Beast Wars was perfect for diversifying with the creepy crawlies, with the dragonflies Jetstorm and Tonbot as a personal favourite:
I know, technically he's not an insect, but an isopod, or a type of crustacean. But we lump Pterosaurs and Dimetrodon with Dinosaurs, so...
I kid, I kid.
Good list Will, especially with the inclusion of the non-beetles and non-wasps. Beast Wars was perfect for diversifying with the creepy crawlies, with the dragonflies Jetstorm and Tonbot as a personal favourite:
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980644)
Posted by Ultra Markus on August 25th, 2018 @ 6:45pm CDT
Posted by Ultra Markus on August 25th, 2018 @ 6:45pm CDT
what about the g1 deluxe insecticons i thought they were superior to the regular ones
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980645)
Posted by william-james88 on August 25th, 2018 @ 6:47pm CDT
They feel much flimsier to me. No die cast. Plus i dodnt feel they dealt with the alt mode kibble as well.
Posted by william-james88 on August 25th, 2018 @ 6:47pm CDT
Ultra Markus wrote:what about the g1 deluxe insecticons i thought they were superior to the regular ones
They feel much flimsier to me. No die cast. Plus i dodnt feel they dealt with the alt mode kibble as well.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980652)
Posted by Emerje on August 25th, 2018 @ 7:27pm CDT
Posted by Emerje on August 25th, 2018 @ 7:27pm CDT
Power Pinch wasn't even on my radar, mainly because the one I bought back then the part where the pincer attaches in insect mode snapped off clean right out of the package. I only ever saw the one (and it was at TRU) so I never got to replace it or enjoy him as a whole insect. 
Anyway, this was one of my favorite insects that is often overlooked.
Cicadacon had an interesting size between a Basic and a Deluxe, and interesting color scheme, a really nice head sculpt, four ball jointed wings, and those massive swords. He was a fun figure that really stood out among his other team members. The only down side was that his chest stuck out a lot, but that was common on some early BW figures so it was forgivable.
Manterror is another one I like a lot, particularly that unique folding transformation of his.
Emerje
Anyway, this was one of my favorite insects that is often overlooked.
Cicadacon had an interesting size between a Basic and a Deluxe, and interesting color scheme, a really nice head sculpt, four ball jointed wings, and those massive swords. He was a fun figure that really stood out among his other team members. The only down side was that his chest stuck out a lot, but that was common on some early BW figures so it was forgivable.
Manterror is another one I like a lot, particularly that unique folding transformation of his.
Emerje
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980658)
Posted by DISCHARGE on August 25th, 2018 @ 8:33pm CDT
Posted by DISCHARGE on August 25th, 2018 @ 8:33pm CDT
+1 on Cicadacon.
https://www.seibertron.com/transformers-toys/gallery/beast-wars/cicadacon/293/1/
Integral to Tripredacus. Great robot mode.
Wing swords that combine
And he's a cicada..I hear them outside..right now. Buzz.
Scavenger is hands down my favorite.
Thanks for including him.
https://www.seibertron.com/transformers-toys/gallery/beast-wars/cicadacon/293/1/
Integral to Tripredacus. Great robot mode.
Wing swords that combine
And he's a cicada..I hear them outside..right now. Buzz.
Scavenger is hands down my favorite.
Thanks for including him.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980666)
Posted by skywarp408 on August 25th, 2018 @ 9:40pm CDT
Posted by skywarp408 on August 25th, 2018 @ 9:40pm CDT
I remember finding Scavenger at a Walmart in the middle of nowhere in Central California coming back from Botcon 1998. He is a terrific figure and was hard to find at the time. Wasn't he supposed to be Transmetal Inferno?
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980670)
Posted by Emerje on August 25th, 2018 @ 9:55pm CDT
I think the story (or was it a theory?) was something like Inferno wasn't a big seller despite being on the cartoon so Hasbro changed the name of the Transmetal. We're lucky they didn't just cancel the figure outright.
Posted by Emerje on August 25th, 2018 @ 9:55pm CDT
skywarp408 wrote:Wasn't he supposed to be Transmetal Inferno?
I think the story (or was it a theory?) was something like Inferno wasn't a big seller despite being on the cartoon so Hasbro changed the name of the Transmetal. We're lucky they didn't just cancel the figure outright.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980671)
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on August 25th, 2018 @ 9:57pm CDT
He was. There are two theories of what may have happened:
1) It's an attempt on regaining/reusing a (lost) G1 trademark. Several other toys around the same time sported G1 names, like Silverbolt (the Magnaboss one), Ironhide, Prowl and Grimlock.
2) Inferno shipped in solid cases (like the other 2nd-year Megas), so he ended up a bit of a shelfwarmer. Fearing stores would be reluctant to have another colony form, Hasbro changed the name of the Transmetal toy... which shipped in solid cases as well as a tailender. Guess the result
Thankfully, the Japanese release was dubbed Inferno.
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on August 25th, 2018 @ 9:57pm CDT
skywarp408 wrote:I remember finding Scavenger at a Walmart in the middle of nowhere in Central California coming back from Botcon 1998. He is a terrific figure and was hard to find at the time. Wasn't he supposed to be Transmetal Inferno?
He was. There are two theories of what may have happened:
1) It's an attempt on regaining/reusing a (lost) G1 trademark. Several other toys around the same time sported G1 names, like Silverbolt (the Magnaboss one), Ironhide, Prowl and Grimlock.
2) Inferno shipped in solid cases (like the other 2nd-year Megas), so he ended up a bit of a shelfwarmer. Fearing stores would be reluctant to have another colony form, Hasbro changed the name of the Transmetal toy... which shipped in solid cases as well as a tailender. Guess the result
Thankfully, the Japanese release was dubbed Inferno.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980681)
Posted by Carnivius_Prime on August 26th, 2018 @ 12:42am CDT
Posted by Carnivius_Prime on August 26th, 2018 @ 12:42am CDT
Not usually into insect ones cos they a bit icky, kibbly or just weird but where's my boy Insecticon from the 2010 movie line? He looks cool in both modes, has an awesome robot head sculpt (which even though he's a scout class is not the same head as his insect mode) and has crazy amounts of articulation?
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980725)
Posted by BeastProwl on August 26th, 2018 @ 12:22pm CDT
Posted by BeastProwl on August 26th, 2018 @ 12:22pm CDT
Happy Skavenger is on this list. I know the poor guy's reputation in the fanbase, but I own him and I adore him
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980731)
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 26th, 2018 @ 12:57pm CDT
As far as I'm concerned, everyone should own him
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 26th, 2018 @ 12:57pm CDT
BeastProwl wrote:Happy Skavenger is on this list. I know the poor guy's reputation in the fanbase, but I own him and I adore him
As far as I'm concerned, everyone should own him
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980740)
Posted by Ultra Markus on August 26th, 2018 @ 3:14pm CDT
thats funny because they look like they deal with it pretty well more so than the others
Posted by Ultra Markus on August 26th, 2018 @ 3:14pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:Ultra Markus wrote:what about the g1 deluxe insecticons i thought they were superior to the regular ones
They feel much flimsier to me. No die cast. Plus i dodnt feel they dealt with the alt mode kibble as well.
thats funny because they look like they deal with it pretty well more so than the others
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1980756)
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on August 26th, 2018 @ 3:47pm CDT
The green Barrage actually had the rear set of insect legs fold into the robot lower legs, and the front ones into the chest. That's unheard of!
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on August 26th, 2018 @ 3:47pm CDT
Ultra Markus wrote:william-james88 wrote:Ultra Markus wrote:what about the g1 deluxe insecticons i thought they were superior to the regular ones
They feel much flimsier to me. No die cast. Plus i dodnt feel they dealt with the alt mode kibble as well.
thats funny because they look like they deal with it pretty well more so than the others
The green Barrage actually had the rear set of insect legs fold into the robot lower legs, and the front ones into the chest. That's unheard of!
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981154)
Posted by Bumblevivisector on August 29th, 2018 @ 7:33am CDT
Unheard of, but also unstable. His design was indeed impressive enough to warrant Energon Insecticon being an update of him (and looking far more capable of unleashing a barrage), but when you handle him in bot mode, he just feels too delicate, fiddly, and liable to fall over.
This is true of all 4 to a slight extent once you actually handle them, but the team's rep is probably most hurt by Chop Shop. In stag beetle mode he actually looks scary, only to be undermined by an incredibly goofy bot mode, with arm articulation that only allows him to either flap like a bird or shoot Autobots standing directly beside him. (Okay, so my fav toy Slamdance has similar arm restrictions, but he has plenty of shoulder cannons to shoot forward, and the coolest looking bot mode...getting off topic)
While I am proud to own all 4 D.I.s, even if this were a top 10, I'd say only Venom might make the cut.
But trying to stay positive, I'll second or third Manterror for having negligible undercarriage in in bug mode, and mind-blowing articulation in bot mode, even by BW standards! You can actually pose his legs so that he's standing upside-down with his head between his feet and his butt in the air, and he's stable enough to hold that pose forever if need be. EXTREEEEEEEEEEEEME YOGA!
(Sorry I can't find my digital camera...)
Posted by Bumblevivisector on August 29th, 2018 @ 7:33am CDT
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Ultra Markus wrote:william-james88 wrote:Ultra Markus wrote:what about the g1 deluxe insecticons i thought they were superior to the regular ones
They feel much flimsier to me. No die cast. Plus i dodnt feel they dealt with the alt mode kibble as well.
thats funny because they look like they deal with it pretty well more so than the others
The green Barrage actually had the rear set of insect legs fold into the robot lower legs, and the front ones into the chest. That's unheard of!
Unheard of, but also unstable. His design was indeed impressive enough to warrant Energon Insecticon being an update of him (and looking far more capable of unleashing a barrage), but when you handle him in bot mode, he just feels too delicate, fiddly, and liable to fall over.
This is true of all 4 to a slight extent once you actually handle them, but the team's rep is probably most hurt by Chop Shop. In stag beetle mode he actually looks scary, only to be undermined by an incredibly goofy bot mode, with arm articulation that only allows him to either flap like a bird or shoot Autobots standing directly beside him. (Okay, so my fav toy Slamdance has similar arm restrictions, but he has plenty of shoulder cannons to shoot forward, and the coolest looking bot mode...getting off topic)
While I am proud to own all 4 D.I.s, even if this were a top 10, I'd say only Venom might make the cut.
But trying to stay positive, I'll second or third Manterror for having negligible undercarriage in in bug mode, and mind-blowing articulation in bot mode, even by BW standards! You can actually pose his legs so that he's standing upside-down with his head between his feet and his butt in the air, and he's stable enough to hold that pose forever if need be. EXTREEEEEEEEEEEEME YOGA!
(Sorry I can't find my digital camera...)
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981156)
Posted by Carnivius_Prime on August 29th, 2018 @ 7:38am CDT
Posted by Carnivius_Prime on August 29th, 2018 @ 7:38am CDT
is it really just me who loves the lil scout Insecticon from rotf then?
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981170)
Posted by Overcracker on August 29th, 2018 @ 9:31am CDT
Posted by Overcracker on August 29th, 2018 @ 9:31am CDT
Excellent List, but I would have to mention
Beastwars Ramhorn, and Energon Insecticon / Forest Type.
Two of my Favorite insects.
Beastwars Ramhorn, and Energon Insecticon / Forest Type.
Two of my Favorite insects.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981174)
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 29th, 2018 @ 9:47am CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 29th, 2018 @ 9:47am CDT
I really need a tripredacus
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981182)
Posted by triKlops on August 29th, 2018 @ 10:48am CDT
Not at all man. he is a great figure. If there hadn't been so much other great stuff in that sub line, I would have troop built him. He was a great homage to a character that only made it on screen for a few moments. Reminiscent to me of the Real Gear sub line and other random Movie TFs of less name stature. I would have liked some of those KIS dragonfly drones as well from TF5. Struck me as a very innovative idea.
Posted by triKlops on August 29th, 2018 @ 10:48am CDT
Carnivius_Prime wrote:is it really just me who loves the lil scout Insecticon from rotf then?
Not at all man. he is a great figure. If there hadn't been so much other great stuff in that sub line, I would have troop built him. He was a great homage to a character that only made it on screen for a few moments. Reminiscent to me of the Real Gear sub line and other random Movie TFs of less name stature. I would have liked some of those KIS dragonfly drones as well from TF5. Struck me as a very innovative idea.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981185)
Posted by Carnivius_Prime on August 29th, 2018 @ 10:58am CDT
Insecty thanks you with a four armed hug.
Posted by Carnivius_Prime on August 29th, 2018 @ 10:58am CDT
triKlops wrote:Carnivius_Prime wrote:is it really just me who loves the lil scout Insecticon from rotf then?
Not at all man. he is a great figure. If there hadn't been so much other great stuff in that sub line, I would have troop built him. He was a great homage to a character that only made it on screen for a few moments. Reminiscent to me of the Real Gear sub line and other random Movie TFs of less name stature. I would have liked some of those KIS dragonfly drones as well from TF5. Struck me as a very innovative idea.
Insecty thanks you with a four armed hug.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981187)
Posted by DISCHARGE on August 29th, 2018 @ 11:09am CDT
Ramhorn is such a great beetle, but I hate transforming him.
He sat half transformed for about a year cause I got so frustrated with him
Posted by DISCHARGE on August 29th, 2018 @ 11:09am CDT
Overcracker wrote:Excellent List, but I would have to mention
Beastwars Ramhorn, and Energon Insecticon / Forest Type.
Two of my Favorite insects.
Ramhorn is such a great beetle, but I hate transforming him.
He sat half transformed for about a year cause I got so frustrated with him
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981198)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on August 29th, 2018 @ 12:57pm CDT
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on August 29th, 2018 @ 12:57pm CDT
Great list, always been a big fan of the Bug bots. Naturally I have all of the Beast Wars ones mentioned (other than Retrax, which I was told not to buy) and yet no mention of the only (?) Insect Triple-Changer: Transquito?
Bot
Antlion
Mosquito
Three in one creepiness! One of my all time favourites.
Bot
Antlion
Mosquito
Three in one creepiness! One of my all time favourites.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981199)
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 29th, 2018 @ 1:01pm CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 29th, 2018 @ 1:01pm CDT
Wait is that antillion mode official? I had him and always wondered about the face on where the wings were.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981203)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on August 29th, 2018 @ 1:07pm CDT
Yeah, it was official (as far as I'm aware) hence why the wings open into mandibles the way they do. I used him in my own writing and I would have loved him to be in the show. I had a couple of Jetstorms (the Dragonfly) and as they share a head sculpt, I head-canon'd them as Transquito drones.
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on August 29th, 2018 @ 1:07pm CDT
ZeroWolf wrote:Wait is that antillion mode official? I had him and always wondered about the face on where the wings were.
Yeah, it was official (as far as I'm aware) hence why the wings open into mandibles the way they do. I used him in my own writing and I would have loved him to be in the show. I had a couple of Jetstorms (the Dragonfly) and as they share a head sculpt, I head-canon'd them as Transquito drones.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981210)
Posted by Overcracker on August 29th, 2018 @ 2:11pm CDT
Yeah, transformation is super fiddly. And even more so to get him combined into Tripredacus. He's just sitting in Beetle mode now. Been a few years since I last combined them.
Posted by Overcracker on August 29th, 2018 @ 2:11pm CDT
DISCHARGE wrote:Overcracker wrote:Excellent List, but I would have to mention
Beastwars Ramhorn, and Energon Insecticon / Forest Type.
Two of my Favorite insects.
Ramhorn is such a great beetle, but I hate transforming him.
He sat half transformed for about a year cause I got so frustrated with him
Yeah, transformation is super fiddly. And even more so to get him combined into Tripredacus. He's just sitting in Beetle mode now. Been a few years since I last combined them.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981215)
Posted by Emerje on August 29th, 2018 @ 2:52pm CDT
Officially it's an attack mode. It doesn't actually look like an antlion, that's just something fans have attached to it for lack of anything better to call it. Real Antlions don't have pincers nearly that big.
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on August 29th, 2018 @ 2:52pm CDT
ZeroWolf wrote:Wait is that antillion mode official? I had him and always wondered about the face on where the wings were.
Officially it's an attack mode. It doesn't actually look like an antlion, that's just something fans have attached to it for lack of anything better to call it. Real Antlions don't have pincers nearly that big.
Emerje
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981217)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on August 29th, 2018 @ 2:57pm CDT
Voila
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on August 29th, 2018 @ 2:57pm CDT
Emerje wrote:Real Antlions don't have pincers nearly that big.
Emerje
Voila
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981220)
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on August 29th, 2018 @ 3:12pm CDT
The name actually came from the Japanese Bigmos release, where the "Mode-3" is dubbed his arijigoku or Antlion (lit. "Ant Hell") form. btw It's only the larvae that have them.
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on August 29th, 2018 @ 3:12pm CDT
Emerje wrote:ZeroWolf wrote:Wait is that antillion mode official? I had him and always wondered about the face on where the wings were.
Officially it's an attack mode. It doesn't actually look like an antlion, that's just something fans have attached to it for lack of anything better to call it. Real Antlions don't have pincers nearly that big.
Emerje
The name actually came from the Japanese Bigmos release, where the "Mode-3" is dubbed his arijigoku or Antlion (lit. "Ant Hell") form. btw It's only the larvae that have them.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981222)
Posted by Emerje on August 29th, 2018 @ 3:19pm CDT
I know what an antlion looks like, they don't look remotely the same and those pincers are tiny compared to its body. I'd sooner believe it was a wingless dobsonfly.
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on August 29th, 2018 @ 3:19pm CDT
AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Emerje wrote:Real Antlions don't have pincers nearly that big.
Emerje
Voila
I know what an antlion looks like, they don't look remotely the same and those pincers are tiny compared to its body. I'd sooner believe it was a wingless dobsonfly. Emerje
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981223)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on August 29th, 2018 @ 3:25pm CDT
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on August 29th, 2018 @ 3:25pm CDT
The image was for those unaware, Emerje.
To that end, I know it will never happen, but I would really like to see Transquito remade. Either MP or not. Really add definition to the two altmodes.
Personally I always felt the design of the 'Antlion' altmode was based less on the real bug, than it's more pop culture namesake:
To that end, I know it will never happen, but I would really like to see Transquito remade. Either MP or not. Really add definition to the two altmodes.
Personally I always felt the design of the 'Antlion' altmode was based less on the real bug, than it's more pop culture namesake:
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981275)
Posted by Sabrblade on August 29th, 2018 @ 8:11pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on August 29th, 2018 @ 8:11pm CDT
Transquito really should have been someone great and grandiose like, say, the emperor of the whole Predacon faction or something, since the faction's insignia is his Beast Mode face. 
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981332)
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 30th, 2018 @ 2:57am CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 30th, 2018 @ 2:57am CDT
Only problem I would have had with that is his bot mode isn't very imposing... Though if you gave him a Cape...
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981367)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on August 30th, 2018 @ 10:04am CDT
That was my assumption too. It's weird how G1 went almost out of their way to assign a bot design to the Faction Symbols, yet Beast Wars was oddly silent on that. When trying to apply a Maximal face to their symbol, to this day I draw a blank.
I can't remember if you could actually do it with the figure or not, but just angle the wings down and you have your cape.
I always envisioned him being taller than Megatron, yet still just as gangly as he otherwise appears. Given his face sculpt and how Megatron already dwarfs everyone else in BW season one, I found that would work well enough to make him imposing.
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on August 30th, 2018 @ 10:04am CDT
Sabrblade wrote:Transquito really should have been someone great and grandiose like, say, the emperor of the whole Predacon faction or something, since the faction's insignia is his Beast Mode face.
That was my assumption too. It's weird how G1 went almost out of their way to assign a bot design to the Faction Symbols, yet Beast Wars was oddly silent on that. When trying to apply a Maximal face to their symbol, to this day I draw a blank.
ZeroWolf wrote:Only problem I would have had with that is his bot mode isn't very imposing... Though if you gave him a Cape...
I can't remember if you could actually do it with the figure or not, but just angle the wings down and you have your cape.
I always envisioned him being taller than Megatron, yet still just as gangly as he otherwise appears. Given his face sculpt and how Megatron already dwarfs everyone else in BW season one, I found that would work well enough to make him imposing.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981371)
Posted by william-james88 on August 30th, 2018 @ 11:28am CDT
I always thought it was a bat, which is the first toy release of the maximal leader:
It works for both the robot and beast head.
I hve lots of replies to all the other great commetns, but not that much time, so it will have to wait for later.
Posted by william-james88 on August 30th, 2018 @ 11:28am CDT
AllNewSuperRobot wrote:
That was my assumption too. It's weird how G1 went almost out of their way to assign a bot design to the Faction Symbols, yet Beast Wars was oddly silent on that. When trying to apply a Maximal face to their symbol, to this day I draw a blank.
I always thought it was a bat, which is the first toy release of the maximal leader:
It works for both the robot and beast head.
I hve lots of replies to all the other great commetns, but not that much time, so it will have to wait for later.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981761)
Posted by Rogue-Primal on September 1st, 2018 @ 7:25pm CDT
Posted by Rogue-Primal on September 1st, 2018 @ 7:25pm CDT
He may not be amazing bug he was the first animal Transformer i had as a kid. Sometimes i miss him 
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981837)
Posted by RK_Striker_JK_5 on September 2nd, 2018 @ 6:09pm CDT
Posted by RK_Striker_JK_5 on September 2nd, 2018 @ 6:09pm CDT
A good list. I would've included the Tripredacus Council as a group, but oh well. One question, though. Why only Kickback and Shrapnel in number five? Did i miss why Bombshell wasn't included?
One question, though. Why only Kickback and Shrapnel in number five? Did i miss why Bombshell wasn't included?
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981838)
Posted by Sabrblade on September 2nd, 2018 @ 6:34pm CDT
Though they are eight-legged like Airachnid arachnids.
Posted by Sabrblade on September 2nd, 2018 @ 6:34pm CDT
Lobsters aren't insects, though.RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:A good list. I would've included the Tripredacus Council as a group, but oh well.
Though they are eight-legged like Airachnid arachnids.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981841)
Posted by william-james88 on September 2nd, 2018 @ 6:50pm CDT
I didnt write why since I only wanted to talk about why toys should be on the list rather than why one wouldnt be. I just dont think Bombshell is as good as the other 2. Its robot mode is very weak by comparison.
And the problem with Tripredicus is that he isnt made up only of insects and one of those insects, Ramhorn, is a toy I really dont like. I loves Beast Wars toys but Ramhorn was one of those toys I just didnt care for enough to figure out how to transform him. It didnt help that I didnt really own him until later and only saw him when playing at my friends' or cousins' house and they had gotten an adult to turn him into tripredicus and didnt want to bother undoing it knowing they couldnt do it again. We talk about elegance in transformations and toys and Ramhorn just lacks that.
But its not the insect mold I like least. That would go to the Energon insecticon. How this toy was made at the same time as the other energon scout gems is beyond me since he feels so limited and has such a lackluster transformation in comparison.
Thanks so much for describing everything so perfectly, Bumblevivisector (now THATs a username!). Everything you mentioned is exactly why the deluxe insecticons did not get on the list, for me. Thats definitely what I meant when I mentioned kibble, it was more in terms of how fiddly the transformation is when it comes to panels, and Chop Shop is definitely the one i was thinking of.
Posted by william-james88 on September 2nd, 2018 @ 6:50pm CDT
RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:A good list. I would've included the Tripredacus Council as a group, but oh well.
I didnt write why since I only wanted to talk about why toys should be on the list rather than why one wouldnt be. I just dont think Bombshell is as good as the other 2. Its robot mode is very weak by comparison.
And the problem with Tripredicus is that he isnt made up only of insects and one of those insects, Ramhorn, is a toy I really dont like. I loves Beast Wars toys but Ramhorn was one of those toys I just didnt care for enough to figure out how to transform him. It didnt help that I didnt really own him until later and only saw him when playing at my friends' or cousins' house and they had gotten an adult to turn him into tripredicus and didnt want to bother undoing it knowing they couldnt do it again. We talk about elegance in transformations and toys and Ramhorn just lacks that.
But its not the insect mold I like least. That would go to the Energon insecticon. How this toy was made at the same time as the other energon scout gems is beyond me since he feels so limited and has such a lackluster transformation in comparison.
Bumblevivisector wrote:Unheard of, but also unstable. His design was indeed impressive enough to warrant Energon Insecticon being an update of him (and looking far more capable of unleashing a barrage), but when you handle him in bot mode, he just feels too delicate, fiddly, and liable to fall over.
This is true of all 4 to a slight extent once you actually handle them, but the team's rep is probably most hurt by Chop Shop. In stag beetle mode he actually looks scary, only to be undermined by an incredibly goofy bot mode, with arm articulation that only allows him to either flap like a bird or shoot Autobots standing directly beside him.
Thanks so much for describing everything so perfectly, Bumblevivisector (now THATs a username!). Everything you mentioned is exactly why the deluxe insecticons did not get on the list, for me. Thats definitely what I meant when I mentioned kibble, it was more in terms of how fiddly the transformation is when it comes to panels, and Chop Shop is definitely the one i was thinking of.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1981977)
Posted by Emerje on September 3rd, 2018 @ 5:39pm CDT
We call them "bugs" up here so that must count for something. He's more crayfish than lobster anyway with his symmetrical claws.
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on September 3rd, 2018 @ 5:39pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:Lobsters aren't insects, though.RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:A good list. I would've included the Tripredacus Council as a group, but oh well.
Though they are eight-legged like Airachnid arachnids.
We call them "bugs" up here so that must count for something.
He's more crayfish than lobster anyway with his symmetrical claws. Emerje
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1982915)
Posted by Railbomb on September 8th, 2018 @ 3:55am CDT
Posted by Railbomb on September 8th, 2018 @ 3:55am CDT
Well after getting Powerpinch based off this list I sure can say he's a really fun little guy. Only complaint is I feel like those legs need a little more room to get through for the transformation but both modes are great. Most of my experience with original Beast Wars toys have been with the Japanese only one but after finding the store where I got him still on card I'm definitely looking forward to getting more of the original Beast Wars line. Also the card says there's supposed to be an energon chip underneath that tail pincer weapon but I don't even see anything like that on there. Is this just a thing the first year of them did?
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1982919)
Posted by Sabrblade on September 8th, 2018 @ 7:42am CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on September 8th, 2018 @ 7:42am CDT
"Hidden Energon Chip" is what a rubsign was called in the Beast Wars line.Railbomb wrote:Also the card says there's supposed to be an energon chip underneath that tail pincer weapon but I don't even see anything like that on there. Is this just a thing the first year of them did?
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1982936)
Posted by Railbomb on September 8th, 2018 @ 11:45am CDT
Ahhhhh okay now that you said that I see where it its. It wasn't on the weapon at all but on the part that ends up inside the chest on the very top of it.
Posted by Railbomb on September 8th, 2018 @ 11:45am CDT
Sabrblade wrote:"Hidden Energon Chip" is what a rubsign was called in the Beast Wars line.Railbomb wrote:Also the card says there's supposed to be an energon chip underneath that tail pincer weapon but I don't even see anything like that on there. Is this just a thing the first year of them did?
Ahhhhh okay now that you said that I see where it its. It wasn't on the weapon at all but on the part that ends up inside the chest on the very top of it.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1989943)
Posted by Evil Eye on October 19th, 2018 @ 4:59pm CDT
Posted by Evil Eye on October 19th, 2018 @ 4:59pm CDT
Yes, this is a list I can get behind! Late to the party as always but oh well.
For my money, Transmetal Waspinator is a superb insect toy. The robot mode is perhaps a bit weak but that wasp mode, oh man! Also he had a vehicle mode that actually looked kinda cool.
For my money, Transmetal Waspinator is a superb insect toy. The robot mode is perhaps a bit weak but that wasp mode, oh man! Also he had a vehicle mode that actually looked kinda cool.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1989949)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 19th, 2018 @ 6:04pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on October 19th, 2018 @ 6:04pm CDT
To me, Transmetal Waspinator is a figure that would be cooler than it is if it wasn't so fragile. Mine and many others had their figures' large wings break off at the swivel joints that attach the wings to the figure's body. If the plastic had been made of a stronger and longer-lasting durability, it'd be much better in the long run.Black Hat wrote:Yes, this is a list I can get behind! Late to the party as always but oh well.
For my money, Transmetal Waspinator is a superb insect toy. The robot mode is perhaps a bit weak but that wasp mode, oh man! Also he had a vehicle mode that actually looked kinda cool.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1989950)
Posted by Evil Eye on October 19th, 2018 @ 6:05pm CDT
Ouch, that sounds bad. I'd better be careful with mine.
Posted by Evil Eye on October 19th, 2018 @ 6:05pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:To me, Transmetal Waspinator is a figure that would be cooler than it is if it wasn't so fragile. Mine and many others had their figures' large wings break off at the swivel joints that attach the wings to the figure's body. If the plastic had been made of a stronger and longer-lasting durability, it'd be much better in the long run.Black Hat wrote:Yes, this is a list I can get behind! Late to the party as always but oh well.
For my money, Transmetal Waspinator is a superb insect toy. The robot mode is perhaps a bit weak but that wasp mode, oh man! Also he had a vehicle mode that actually looked kinda cool.
Ouch, that sounds bad. I'd better be careful with mine.
Re: Top 5 Best Insect Transformers Toys (1989958)
Posted by william-james88 on October 19th, 2018 @ 8:12pm CDT
Yeah, thats why my memories of that toy are not the best and why I did not seek him out again once I got back into collecting (and why he was not a finalist for the list).
Posted by william-james88 on October 19th, 2018 @ 8:12pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:To me, Transmetal Waspinator is a figure that would be cooler than it is if it wasn't so fragile. Mine and many others had their figures' large wings break off at the swivel joints that attach the wings to the figure's body. If the plastic had been made of a stronger and longer-lasting durability, it'd be much better in the long run.Black Hat wrote:Yes, this is a list I can get behind! Late to the party as always but oh well.
For my money, Transmetal Waspinator is a superb insect toy. The robot mode is perhaps a bit weak but that wasp mode, oh man! Also he had a vehicle mode that actually looked kinda cool.
Yeah, thats why my memories of that toy are not the best and why I did not seek him out again once I got back into collecting (and why he was not a finalist for the list).
