Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys
Friday, January 26th, 2018 11:09PM CST
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top ListsPosted by: william-james88 Views: 37,417
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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 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts/Features in Transformers Toys
These are all parts on Transformers that initially confused me when I got them. They serve no purpose as per the instructions and yet have a functional aspect to them, or appear to. I had fun writing this list and I hope you have fun reading it! Make sure to share other unused parts on Transformers that confused you.
5. Optimus Minor's Four Arms
What was up with that? No seriously, his arms splitting into two is not featured on any art, or
the instructions and has nothing to do with the transformation. We know that one of the most expensive parts of producing toys is doing the molds and yet this odd feature that is never used meant that we needed to have more molds so that each arm (and hand ) could split into two. It's just ridiculous from a product making standpoint, regardless of how fans feel about it.
4. Seats in G1 Dinobots
I am well aware that these flaps in the G1 dinobots are a leftover of the functionality of having pilots ride in these dino mechs in the Diaclone line. But in the Transformers line where the robots are sentient and autonomous, these seats serve no purpose and were sure to confuse kids back in the day. Even though no Transformers came with plot figures, it made perfect sense to see seats in the transforming cars and jets. But not on Dinosaurs.
3. Tank Legs on Universe Galvatron
Anyone transforming Universe Galvatron without looking at the instructions will come across a rather stupefying moment when they pull out these extra legs from the tanks that serve no purpose anywhere. These pieces were actually part of a dropped third mode where you could have a four legged tank (where the other two legs would simply be the robot feet reused).
2. Spark Cockpits in Transmetal 2 Ultra Figures
This one confused me to no end as a child. I got Transmetal 2 Megatron at a comunity yard sale in a church's basement when I was much younger and remember being overjoyed. I also remember by puzzlement at seeing that small seat constantly swiveling inside an orange orb. This wasn't on the show and most toys since season two were quite show accurate so what was going on here? Well, I learnt years later that this was another dropped feature where Megatron and Optimal Optimus had detailed cockpits to house small figures which were anthropomorphic versions of their sparks. It really seems Hasbro is much opposed to any type of piloting so that never saw the light of day... in the west. The Takara version of Cryotek (which has "USA Edition" written on the box, leading to lots of confusion) does have a small figure riding in that sphere and it is made to look like Beast Wars Megatron in his original form (before he took on a beast alt mode).
Transformers Beast Wars Metals Megatron (Dragon Megatron) Gallery
1. Extra Wheel on G1 Perceptor's Back
This is my number one because it is a real shame and unlike everything else on this list, does not need to be dropped. It could easily have been used and to wondrous effect. Notice how G1 perceptor has wheels in his "mobile laboratory mode" (what is commonly referred to as his "tank" mode) ? Well one of them, the one on his back, does not reach the ground. Instead it just stays up in the air. But if you were to just bring down the giant scope/lens/cannon/long cylinder to be parallel to the floor, the wheel would touch and you would end up with a really good looking tank mode that rolls super well. This was one of the 4 modes the original Micrchange toy had and or some nonsense reason (it cant be to tone down violence, they brought the transforming gun over), Hasbro chose to ignore the awesome tank mode and instead give us instructions for the mobile laboratory, which makes no use of that wheel and just looks odd. It was easily the most useless of the 4 modes that were advertised in the toy's original Micrchange release so why did they not drop that mode in favour of the tank? If that would have been the case G1 Perceptor could have easily been the best official G1 triple changer. Instead that tank mode is technically a "fan mode" in Transformers lore and that's pretty nuts. But at least the toy can still pull off the real tank mode and we can all still have fun with it. I only wish it was official and featured in the instructions.
Transformers G1 1985 Perceptor Gallery
Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts/Features in Transformers Toys
These are all parts on Transformers that initially confused me when I got them. They serve no purpose as per the instructions and yet have a functional aspect to them, or appear to. I had fun writing this list and I hope you have fun reading it! Make sure to share other unused parts on Transformers that confused you.
5. Optimus Minor's Four Arms
What was up with that? No seriously, his arms splitting into two is not featured on any art, or
the instructions and has nothing to do with the transformation. We know that one of the most expensive parts of producing toys is doing the molds and yet this odd feature that is never used meant that we needed to have more molds so that each arm (and hand ) could split into two. It's just ridiculous from a product making standpoint, regardless of how fans feel about it.
4. Seats in G1 Dinobots
I am well aware that these flaps in the G1 dinobots are a leftover of the functionality of having pilots ride in these dino mechs in the Diaclone line. But in the Transformers line where the robots are sentient and autonomous, these seats serve no purpose and were sure to confuse kids back in the day. Even though no Transformers came with plot figures, it made perfect sense to see seats in the transforming cars and jets. But not on Dinosaurs.
3. Tank Legs on Universe Galvatron
Anyone transforming Universe Galvatron without looking at the instructions will come across a rather stupefying moment when they pull out these extra legs from the tanks that serve no purpose anywhere. These pieces were actually part of a dropped third mode where you could have a four legged tank (where the other two legs would simply be the robot feet reused).
2. Spark Cockpits in Transmetal 2 Ultra Figures
This one confused me to no end as a child. I got Transmetal 2 Megatron at a comunity yard sale in a church's basement when I was much younger and remember being overjoyed. I also remember by puzzlement at seeing that small seat constantly swiveling inside an orange orb. This wasn't on the show and most toys since season two were quite show accurate so what was going on here? Well, I learnt years later that this was another dropped feature where Megatron and Optimal Optimus had detailed cockpits to house small figures which were anthropomorphic versions of their sparks. It really seems Hasbro is much opposed to any type of piloting so that never saw the light of day... in the west. The Takara version of Cryotek (which has "USA Edition" written on the box, leading to lots of confusion) does have a small figure riding in that sphere and it is made to look like Beast Wars Megatron in his original form (before he took on a beast alt mode).
Transformers Beast Wars Metals Megatron (Dragon Megatron) Gallery
1. Extra Wheel on G1 Perceptor's Back
This is my number one because it is a real shame and unlike everything else on this list, does not need to be dropped. It could easily have been used and to wondrous effect. Notice how G1 perceptor has wheels in his "mobile laboratory mode" (what is commonly referred to as his "tank" mode) ? Well one of them, the one on his back, does not reach the ground. Instead it just stays up in the air. But if you were to just bring down the giant scope/lens/cannon/long cylinder to be parallel to the floor, the wheel would touch and you would end up with a really good looking tank mode that rolls super well. This was one of the 4 modes the original Micrchange toy had and or some nonsense reason (it cant be to tone down violence, they brought the transforming gun over), Hasbro chose to ignore the awesome tank mode and instead give us instructions for the mobile laboratory, which makes no use of that wheel and just looks odd. It was easily the most useless of the 4 modes that were advertised in the toy's original Micrchange release so why did they not drop that mode in favour of the tank? If that would have been the case G1 Perceptor could have easily been the best official G1 triple changer. Instead that tank mode is technically a "fan mode" in Transformers lore and that's pretty nuts. But at least the toy can still pull off the real tank mode and we can all still have fun with it. I only wish it was official and featured in the instructions.
Transformers G1 1985 Perceptor Gallery
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Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1933999)
Posted by bacem on January 27th, 2018 @ 12:58am CST
Posted by bacem on January 27th, 2018 @ 12:58am CST
ok, wait a sec. you said perceptor originally has 4 modes? there are 4th mode? i am aware of robot, microscope, and tank, but what's the 4th mode?
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934000)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on January 27th, 2018 @ 1:02am CST
I love this list! Unfortunately I don't have my own to contribute, but this shows how in-depth and creative Willy J can get! Good job!
Actually, I like the 4-legged tank Galvatron, looks like something out of Star Wars. As for Perceptor, I never knew he could be converted into that "tank" mode, I think it looks bad ass, especially with someone riding him. If I still had my G1 Percy I would definitely put him in that mode right now.
Maybe I can come up with my own list later, but now I'm too tired to think of some obscure stuff on 5 different figures.
Posted by Rodimus Prime on January 27th, 2018 @ 1:02am CST
I love this list! Unfortunately I don't have my own to contribute, but this shows how in-depth and creative Willy J can get! Good job!
Actually, I like the 4-legged tank Galvatron, looks like something out of Star Wars. As for Perceptor, I never knew he could be converted into that "tank" mode, I think it looks bad ass, especially with someone riding him. If I still had my G1 Percy I would definitely put him in that mode right now.
Maybe I can come up with my own list later, but now I'm too tired to think of some obscure stuff on 5 different figures.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934002)
Posted by Black Bumblebee on January 27th, 2018 @ 1:26am CST
Posted by Black Bumblebee on January 27th, 2018 @ 1:26am CST
I would have to put the Beast Wars season 1 "beast masks" on this list. They served no purpose. They were pretty much ignored in the animation.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934003)
Posted by WreckerJack on January 27th, 2018 @ 1:27am CST
Posted by WreckerJack on January 27th, 2018 @ 1:27am CST
I thought Percy's buttwheel was so he could roll in microscope mode.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934008)
Posted by ToaLeePrime on January 27th, 2018 @ 2:32am CST
Posted by ToaLeePrime on January 27th, 2018 @ 2:32am CST
I've never known people to shorten Perceptor to Percy, That is adorable. Oh yeah, great list!
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934009)
Posted by Megatron Wolf on January 27th, 2018 @ 3:10am CST
Posted by Megatron Wolf on January 27th, 2018 @ 3:10am CST
Most of these actually never bothered or perplexed me as a kid, the arms on optimus i always figured were for being able to climb while using weapons or being able to navigate through trees more easily, the holds in the dinobots & other g1 figures i assumed were some kind of storage, the seat in megatron was a spark holder (i didnt get the toy until after the show aired so i knew thats where g1 megs spark was stored), galvatron i was an adult when he came out and figure the legs were for an undocumented cannon mode (after not figuring it out i searched online and found the abandoned tank mode so that one i guess kinda made me a bit confused), and perceptor i didnt own until the reissue and by then i knew about the diaclone stuff and had no idea hasbro never showed the tank mode.
Side note: i think the beast war mutant mask things should've made the list, im sure anyone who buys those figures now & doesnt know about them would be pretty confused. Hell even back when they came out im sure people were confused especially when the show finally aired, i know one of the first things i asked when i first watch was "where are the masks?"
Side note: i think the beast war mutant mask things should've made the list, im sure anyone who buys those figures now & doesnt know about them would be pretty confused. Hell even back when they came out im sure people were confused especially when the show finally aired, i know one of the first things i asked when i first watch was "where are the masks?"
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934012)
Posted by noctorro on January 27th, 2018 @ 3:51am CST
Posted by noctorro on January 27th, 2018 @ 3:51am CST
Great article!
Love Transformers toy mysteries.
Well I for one am looking for that Cryotek, is it also the Fox Kids RID one that has the tiny Megatron inside it?
Hope to see more of these articles in the future, love it
Love Transformers toy mysteries.
Well I for one am looking for that Cryotek, is it also the Fox Kids RID one that has the tiny Megatron inside it?
Hope to see more of these articles in the future, love it
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934013)
Posted by Randomhero on January 27th, 2018 @ 4:19am CST
They were not ignored. Tarantulas and Waspinator heads in the cartoon were their mutant masks. They decided to use those instead of the robot heads to make some characters have unique appearances. If they were ignored we would have gotten those two with their generic robot heads. The mutant masks have a couple characters their icon looks.
Posted by Randomhero on January 27th, 2018 @ 4:19am CST
Black Bumblebee wrote:I would have to put the Beast Wars season 1 "beast masks" on this list. They served no purpose. They were pretty much ignored in the animation.
They were not ignored. Tarantulas and Waspinator heads in the cartoon were their mutant masks. They decided to use those instead of the robot heads to make some characters have unique appearances. If they were ignored we would have gotten those two with their generic robot heads. The mutant masks have a couple characters their icon looks.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934021)
Posted by william-james88 on January 27th, 2018 @ 7:12am CST
I realize I forgot to add 2 images to the article. You can see all his modes in the article now. Its robot, microscope, mobile telescope and tank. The US version never documented the actual tank to the point where the Titans Return toy doesnt let you do it the right way.
Yup! Plus they were part of the original art for some, they were also in the instructions (from what I remember) so they are documented features and while I agree that they are confusing, they are not an abandoned features nor are they remnants of something else. They arent vestigial.
Posted by william-james88 on January 27th, 2018 @ 7:12am CST
bacem wrote:ok, wait a sec. you said perceptor originally has 4 modes? there are 4th mode? i am aware of robot, microscope, and tank, but what's the 4th mode?
I realize I forgot to add 2 images to the article. You can see all his modes in the article now. Its robot, microscope, mobile telescope and tank. The US version never documented the actual tank to the point where the Titans Return toy doesnt let you do it the right way.
Randomhero wrote:Black Bumblebee wrote:I would have to put the Beast Wars season 1 "beast masks" on this list. They served no purpose. They were pretty much ignored in the animation.
They were not ignored. Tarantulas and Waspinator heads in the cartoon were their mutant masks. They decided to use those instead of the robot heads to make some characters have unique appearances. If they were ignored we would have gotten those two with their generic robot heads. The mutant masks have a couple characters their icon looks.
Yup! Plus they were part of the original art for some, they were also in the instructions (from what I remember) so they are documented features and while I agree that they are confusing, they are not an abandoned features nor are they remnants of something else. They arent vestigial.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934022)
Posted by Dude Gatsby on January 27th, 2018 @ 7:26am CST
Posted by Dude Gatsby on January 27th, 2018 @ 7:26am CST
Some of the other Transmetal 2 figures had four arms too. I guess it was a dropped feature. Also, the Dinobot Prime armor kind of looks like the seats on the G1 figures, so we finally have some cannon pilots.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934023)
Posted by Emerje on January 27th, 2018 @ 7:33am CST
You can thank me for this one. Let me explain: I used to be a member on a site called Raving Toy Maniac (toymania.com), for somewhere around 15 years. For a short time Hasbro would contact various toy sites and have them send in questions that Hasbro would answer more often than not for monthly Q&A sessions. On most sites the owners would ask the questions, but on RTM the owners let us forum members and they'd just pick whatever ones they found the most compelling. A few of us had asked about the weird feet on Galvatron so the question was passed on to Hasbro. Hasbro responded that the figure had originally been meant to be Voyager class but came up with the lame excuse that there were too many Voyager tanks at the time (there weren't and really who would complain about such a thing?) so they decide to shrink him down to Deluxe and his walker mode was lost in translation. They (whoever it was that answered the questions) said some day they'd show us how the figure was supposed to look. After months of waiting and it seeming unlikely that the pic would ever surface I basically asked at another Q&A what the hold up was, when are we going to see the image (but nicer)? And that sketch was their response. I thought they'd just take a picture of the figure and call it a day, I never thought they'd do such a detailed drawing which I don't know if was part of the design process or if they got someone from Takara Tomy to throw it together just to answer the question.
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on January 27th, 2018 @ 7:33am CST
william-james88 wrote:3. Tank Legs on Universe Galvatron
Anyone transforming Universe Galvatron without looking at the instructions will come across a rather stupefying moment when they pull out these extra legs from the tanks that serve no purpose anywhere. These pieces were actually part of a dropped third mode where you could have a four legged tank (where the other two legs would simply be the robot feet reused).
You can thank me for this one.
Let me explain: I used to be a member on a site called Raving Toy Maniac (toymania.com), for somewhere around 15 years. For a short time Hasbro would contact various toy sites and have them send in questions that Hasbro would answer more often than not for monthly Q&A sessions. On most sites the owners would ask the questions, but on RTM the owners let us forum members and they'd just pick whatever ones they found the most compelling. A few of us had asked about the weird feet on Galvatron so the question was passed on to Hasbro. Hasbro responded that the figure had originally been meant to be Voyager class but came up with the lame excuse that there were too many Voyager tanks at the time (there weren't and really who would complain about such a thing?) so they decide to shrink him down to Deluxe and his walker mode was lost in translation. They (whoever it was that answered the questions) said some day they'd show us how the figure was supposed to look. After months of waiting and it seeming unlikely that the pic would ever surface I basically asked at another Q&A what the hold up was, when are we going to see the image (but nicer)? And that sketch was their response. I thought they'd just take a picture of the figure and call it a day, I never thought they'd do such a detailed drawing which I don't know if was part of the design process or if they got someone from Takara Tomy to throw it together just to answer the question. Emerje
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934025)
Posted by Dude Gatsby on January 27th, 2018 @ 7:48am CST
Posted by Dude Gatsby on January 27th, 2018 @ 7:48am CST
I think Titians return Galvatron was meant to be a deluxe. His pop up helmet feature is different from every other voyager of the line, and his backpack is only used in a kind of bad jet mode. Also, the chest compartment that holds the helmet seems like it would be a better titian master seat for the cannon mode if he was smaller. I know it’s a weird fan theory, but it would be funny if he had another class change halfway through a design.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934026)
Posted by Randomhero on January 27th, 2018 @ 7:51am CST
Posted by Randomhero on January 27th, 2018 @ 7:51am CST
While I don’t dont support and/or condone oversized KOs like some 3rd party companies are doing, if someone like Weijang took Universe Galvatron, upscaled it to voyager like it was suppose to and maybe fix his smooshed face, I’d buy it in a heart beat. It’s a solid design and looks awesome it’s just scaled too small for its own good which makes it so prone to fall apart in your hands.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934027)
Posted by Omegatron. on January 27th, 2018 @ 7:51am CST
He can actually just about manage it, the legs don't secure though.
Posted by Omegatron. on January 27th, 2018 @ 7:51am CST
william-james88 wrote:The US version never documented the actual tank to the point where the Titans Return toy doesnt let you do it the right way.
He can actually just about manage it, the legs don't secure though.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934028)
Posted by Randomhero on January 27th, 2018 @ 7:53am CST
No he was always intended to to be a voyager becuase he’s a triple changer. His jet was designed along with him. Wasn’t an upscaled after thought. It was always intended to the size it is becuase he’s a Decepticons leader and was rival pack for his wavemate
Posted by Randomhero on January 27th, 2018 @ 7:53am CST
Dude Gatsby wrote:I think Titians return Galvatron was meant to be a deluxe. His pop up helmet feature is different from every other voyager of the line, and his backpack is only used in a kind of bad jet mode. Also, the chest compartment that holds the helmet seems like it would be a better titian master seat for the cannon mode if he was smaller. I know it’s a weird fan theory, but it would be funny if he had another class change halfway through a design.
No he was always intended to to be a voyager becuase he’s a triple changer. His jet was designed along with him. Wasn’t an upscaled after thought. It was always intended to the size it is becuase he’s a Decepticons leader and was rival pack for his wavemate
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934031)
Posted by Windsweeper on January 27th, 2018 @ 8:14am CST
Posted by Windsweeper on January 27th, 2018 @ 8:14am CST
I had G1 Scorponok 19 years before I realised there was a cover on Zarak's back to cover Scorponoks face.
It wasn't mentioned on the instructions. Scorponok and Snapdragon were the only Headmasters I had as a kid and while I discovered early on that Snapdragon's mouthplate could flip, I assumed it was for when Krunk became the dragon head.
It wasn't until 2006 when I got Kabaya Highbrow and Brainstorm that I made the discovery. Building them both, their forehead panels were obvious which encouraged me to examine Zarak.
It wasn't mentioned on the instructions. Scorponok and Snapdragon were the only Headmasters I had as a kid and while I discovered early on that Snapdragon's mouthplate could flip, I assumed it was for when Krunk became the dragon head.
It wasn't until 2006 when I got Kabaya Highbrow and Brainstorm that I made the discovery. Building them both, their forehead panels were obvious which encouraged me to examine Zarak.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934034)
Posted by Emerje on January 27th, 2018 @ 8:27am CST
Plus the mask is a necessary part of giving him the right head shape (even if the end result was a mess). The spring loaded mask is the equivalent of the other Voyagers all having spring loaded parts that pop up next to their heads to make them look a little bigger (Op's "ears", Alpha Trion's horns, etc). So yeah, no matter how you look at it he's always been a Voyager.
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on January 27th, 2018 @ 8:27am CST
Randomhero wrote:Dude Gatsby wrote:I think Titians return Galvatron was meant to be a deluxe. His pop up helmet feature is different from every other voyager of the line, and his backpack is only used in a kind of bad jet mode. Also, the chest compartment that holds the helmet seems like it would be a better titian master seat for the cannon mode if he was smaller. I know it’s a weird fan theory, but it would be funny if he had another class change halfway through a design.
No he was always intended to to be a voyager becuase he’s a triple changer. His jet was designed along with him. Wasn’t an upscaled after thought. It was always intended to the size it is becuase he’s a Decepticons leader and was rival pack for his wavemate
Plus the mask is a necessary part of giving him the right head shape (even if the end result was a mess). The spring loaded mask is the equivalent of the other Voyagers all having spring loaded parts that pop up next to their heads to make them look a little bigger (Op's "ears", Alpha Trion's horns, etc). So yeah, no matter how you look at it he's always been a Voyager.
Emerje
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934039)
Posted by Yotsuyasan on January 27th, 2018 @ 9:14am CST
While he has always been a Voyager, I think I recall hearing once that he wasn't originally designed as a part of Titans Return. (If anyone can back me up with a source, awesome.) Hence why he has a flip up mask rather then the pylons on either side of his head that every other Titans Return Voyager has, and why the compartment that the mask folds into being cavernous enough to hold an entire head.
So I suppose the size of the chest compartment is a bit of a vestigial feature... But, on the bright side, it allows for storage of the plethora of third party helmet options, such as this nifty one I got from Toyhax:
Posted by Yotsuyasan on January 27th, 2018 @ 9:14am CST
Emerje wrote:Randomhero wrote:Dude Gatsby wrote:I think Titians return Galvatron was meant to be a deluxe. His pop up helmet feature is different from every other voyager of the line, and his backpack is only used in a kind of bad jet mode. Also, the chest compartment that holds the helmet seems like it would be a better titian master seat for the cannon mode if he was smaller. I know it’s a weird fan theory, but it would be funny if he had another class change halfway through a design.
No he was always intended to to be a voyager becuase he’s a triple changer. His jet was designed along with him. Wasn’t an upscaled after thought. It was always intended to the size it is becuase he’s a Decepticons leader and was rival pack for his wavemate
Plus the mask is a necessary part of giving him the right head shape (even if the end result was a mess). The spring loaded mask is the equivalent of the other Voyagers all having spring loaded parts that pop up next to their heads to make them look a little bigger (Op's "ears", Alpha Trion's horns, etc). So yeah, no matter how you look at it he's always been a Voyager.
Emerje
While he has always been a Voyager, I think I recall hearing once that he wasn't originally designed as a part of Titans Return. (If anyone can back me up with a source, awesome.) Hence why he has a flip up mask rather then the pylons on either side of his head that every other Titans Return Voyager has, and why the compartment that the mask folds into being cavernous enough to hold an entire head.
So I suppose the size of the chest compartment is a bit of a vestigial feature... But, on the bright side, it allows for storage of the plethora of third party helmet options, such as this nifty one I got from Toyhax:
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934043)
Posted by Randomhero on January 27th, 2018 @ 9:24am CST
That looks hideous. All those ridiculous options are awful because they’re all stupidly oversized and looks like he’s wearing a helmet becuase he has a soft spot.
I’m 100% fine with the helmet version TR Galvatron came with. That little featured gimmick doesn’t ruin my enjoyment of the entire toy
Posted by Randomhero on January 27th, 2018 @ 9:24am CST
Yotsuyasan wrote:Emerje wrote:Randomhero wrote:Dude Gatsby wrote:I think Titians return Galvatron was meant to be a deluxe. His pop up helmet feature is different from every other voyager of the line, and his backpack is only used in a kind of bad jet mode. Also, the chest compartment that holds the helmet seems like it would be a better titian master seat for the cannon mode if he was smaller. I know it’s a weird fan theory, but it would be funny if he had another class change halfway through a design.
No he was always intended to to be a voyager becuase he’s a triple changer. His jet was designed along with him. Wasn’t an upscaled after thought. It was always intended to the size it is becuase he’s a Decepticons leader and was rival pack for his wavemate
Plus the mask is a necessary part of giving him the right head shape (even if the end result was a mess). The spring loaded mask is the equivalent of the other Voyagers all having spring loaded parts that pop up next to their heads to make them look a little bigger (Op's "ears", Alpha Trion's horns, etc). So yeah, no matter how you look at it he's always been a Voyager.
Emerje
While he has always been a Voyager, I think I recall hearing once that he wasn't originally designed as a part of Titans Return. (If anyone can back me up with a source, awesome.) Hence why he has a flip up mask rather then the pylons on either side of his head that every other Titans Return Voyager has, and why the compartment that the mask folds into being cavernous enough to hold an entire head.
So I suppose the size of the chest compartment is a bit of a vestigial feature... But, on the bright side, it allows for storage of the plethora of third party helmet options, such as this nifty one I got from Toyhax:
That looks hideous. All those ridiculous options are awful because they’re all stupidly oversized and looks like he’s wearing a helmet becuase he has a soft spot.
I’m 100% fine with the helmet version TR Galvatron came with. That little featured gimmick doesn’t ruin my enjoyment of the entire toy
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934048)
Posted by Yotsuyasan on January 27th, 2018 @ 9:38am CST
It didn't ruin it for me either, but I like what I have now soooo much better. I think it looks proportional, and has the benefit that it gives him full use of his head articulation. But, to each their own. The beauty of options is that we can each enjoy our toys the way we want to!
Posted by Yotsuyasan on January 27th, 2018 @ 9:38am CST
Randomhero wrote:That looks hideous. All those ridiculous options are awful because they’re all stupidly oversized and looks like he’s wearing a helmet becuase he has a soft spot.
I’m 100% fine with the helmet version TR Galvatron came with. That little featured gimmick doesn’t ruin my enjoyment of the entire toy
It didn't ruin it for me either, but I like what I have now soooo much better. I think it looks proportional, and has the benefit that it gives him full use of his head articulation. But, to each their own. The beauty of options is that we can each enjoy our toys the way we want to!
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934123)
Posted by RK_Striker_JK_5 on January 27th, 2018 @ 4:03pm CST
Posted by RK_Striker_JK_5 on January 27th, 2018 @ 4:03pm CST
Okay, this list definitely gives one food for thought. 
Quite a clever one this time, Willy.
Quite a clever one this time, Willy.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934124)
Posted by ZeroWolf on January 27th, 2018 @ 4:05pm CST
Posted by ZeroWolf on January 27th, 2018 @ 4:05pm CST
I loved the split arms gimmick on optimus minor, again I recall it was something that was dropped (the ability to gain extra appendages) I think I knew about all of them on this list.
What would be neat us if you could get access to abandoned designs and show us the top 5 tfs we would never get.
What would be neat us if you could get access to abandoned designs and show us the top 5 tfs we would never get.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934126)
Posted by Zeedust on January 27th, 2018 @ 4:12pm CST
Posted by Zeedust on January 27th, 2018 @ 4:12pm CST
Not QUITE the same as the rest of this list, but the connector piece FunPub made for Double Pretender Megatron. The pegs are too big to use it as a gun, the instructions don't say a damn thing about how to get the figures into the shell, and even when you find out what it's for, it isn't actually necessary and doesn't really work.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934185)
Posted by william-james88 on January 27th, 2018 @ 8:35pm CST
Thanks a bunch!
I have been wanting to do something like that for a while. One about planned redecos we never got and another about another about planned toys we never got (like that unicron toy). And for that I would need some database since i dont know them all and I cant go on every TFwiki page to see.
But the more I think about it, most of those toys we ended up getting (like we finally got a unicron for instance) and they are better than the toys we might have wantd initially. Like an MP Blue Bluestreak instead of a G1 blue bluestreak. Sorry for going off topic, just wanted to say taht I have been thinking about that but not sure how to go about it to give you guys something good.
Posted by william-james88 on January 27th, 2018 @ 8:35pm CST
RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:Okay, this list definitely gives one food for thought.
Thanks a bunch!
ZeroWolf wrote:What would be neat us if you could get access to abandoned designs and show us the top 5 tfs we would never get.
I have been wanting to do something like that for a while. One about planned redecos we never got and another about another about planned toys we never got (like that unicron toy). And for that I would need some database since i dont know them all and I cant go on every TFwiki page to see.
But the more I think about it, most of those toys we ended up getting (like we finally got a unicron for instance) and they are better than the toys we might have wantd initially. Like an MP Blue Bluestreak instead of a G1 blue bluestreak. Sorry for going off topic, just wanted to say taht I have been thinking about that but not sure how to go about it to give you guys something good.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934200)
Posted by Emerje on January 27th, 2018 @ 10:34pm CST
The compartment is big because he was supposed to come with a bigger, possibly better fitting, helmet.
Evidence that the figure was always meant to be part of TR can be found all over the figure, stuff that would have made it easier to perhaps just make an entirely new mold rather than modifying an existing one. You've got the seat in the cannon, the entire flight mode cockpit, and there's all of the places for the Titan Masters to be pegged onto. There's nothing that indicates the figure was meant to be used somewhere else.
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on January 27th, 2018 @ 10:34pm CST
Yotsuyasan wrote:While he has always been a Voyager, I think I recall hearing once that he wasn't originally designed as a part of Titans Return. (If anyone can back me up with a source, awesome.) Hence why he has a flip up mask rather then the pylons on either side of his head that every other Titans Return Voyager has, and why the compartment that the mask folds into being cavernous enough to hold an entire head.
The compartment is big because he was supposed to come with a bigger, possibly better fitting, helmet.
Evidence that the figure was always meant to be part of TR can be found all over the figure, stuff that would have made it easier to perhaps just make an entirely new mold rather than modifying an existing one. You've got the seat in the cannon, the entire flight mode cockpit, and there's all of the places for the Titan Masters to be pegged onto. There's nothing that indicates the figure was meant to be used somewhere else.
Emerje
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934235)
Posted by Qwan on January 28th, 2018 @ 1:52am CST
I quite like the idea of a "Top 5 Remakes of Toys We Never Got" kind of list. Obviously the title needs some tweaking, but it'd probably be easier to research than a plain ol' "Toys We Never Got" type list. Either one of those sounds really interesting though!
Posted by Qwan on January 28th, 2018 @ 1:52am CST
william-james88 wrote:ZeroWolf wrote:What would be neat us if you could get access to abandoned designs and show us the top 5 tfs we would never get.
I have been wanting to do something like that for a while. One about planned redecos we never got and another about another about planned toys we never got (like that unicron toy). And for that I would need some database since i dont know them all and I cant go on every TFwiki page to see.
But the more I think about it, most of those toys we ended up getting (like we finally got a unicron for instance) and they are better than the toys we might have wantd initially. Like an MP Blue Bluestreak instead of a G1 blue bluestreak. Sorry for going off topic, just wanted to say taht I have been thinking about that but not sure how to go about it to give you guys something good.
I quite like the idea of a "Top 5 Remakes of Toys We Never Got" kind of list. Obviously the title needs some tweaking, but it'd probably be easier to research than a plain ol' "Toys We Never Got" type list. Either one of those sounds really interesting though!
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934247)
Posted by ZeroWolf on January 28th, 2018 @ 3:06am CST
Well you haven't done a list that I've dissapointed with yet, so no matter how you go about it I'm sure we'll be entertained
Posted by ZeroWolf on January 28th, 2018 @ 3:06am CST
william-james88 wrote:RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:Okay, this list definitely gives one food for thought.
Thanks a bunch!ZeroWolf wrote:What would be neat us if you could get access to abandoned designs and show us the top 5 tfs we would never get.
I have been wanting to do something like that for a while. One about planned redecos we never got and another about another about planned toys we never got (like that unicron toy). And for that I would need some database since i dont know them all and I cant go on every TFwiki page to see.
But the more I think about it, most of those toys we ended up getting (like we finally got a unicron for instance) and they are better than the toys we might have wantd initially. Like an MP Blue Bluestreak instead of a G1 blue bluestreak. Sorry for going off topic, just wanted to say taht I have been thinking about that but not sure how to go about it to give you guys something good.
Well you haven't done a list that I've dissapointed with yet, so no matter how you go about it I'm sure we'll be entertained
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934254)
Posted by Ultra Markus on January 28th, 2018 @ 4:13am CST
Posted by Ultra Markus on January 28th, 2018 @ 4:13am CST
speaking of diaclone or microman leftovers the G1 megatron toy originally shot red plastic pellets that hasbro left out when they sold it in the us
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934267)
Posted by Emerje on January 28th, 2018 @ 5:46am CST
Posted by Emerje on January 28th, 2018 @ 5:46am CST
Top canceled/unproduced figures wouldn't be hard to source, TFWiki keeps a list. My own list would include G1 Unicron, Alternators Bumblebee, and the G.I.Joe crossover missile launcher.
Emerje
Emerje
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934269)
Posted by Qwan on January 28th, 2018 @ 5:57am CST
Ah, now that's some clever reverse-engineering right there to get a list of cancelled figures. Well Will, you've got no excuse now!
Posted by Qwan on January 28th, 2018 @ 5:57am CST
Emerje wrote:Top canceled/unproduced figures wouldn't be hard to source, TFWiki keeps a list. My own list would include G1 Unicron, Alternators Bumblebee, and the G.I.Joe crossover missile launcher.
Emerje
Ah, now that's some clever reverse-engineering right there to get a list of cancelled figures. Well Will, you've got no excuse now!
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934270)
Posted by ExciKaiser on January 28th, 2018 @ 6:12am CST
Posted by ExciKaiser on January 28th, 2018 @ 6:12am CST
Snarl's seat never bothered me as a child. I thought it was to store the missiles and it's what I used it for.
I also I don't know how it looks on grimlock and the others, but on snarl it doesn't looks like a seat at all.
I also I don't know how it looks on grimlock and the others, but on snarl it doesn't looks like a seat at all.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934278)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on January 28th, 2018 @ 7:43am CST
Posted by -Kanrabat- on January 28th, 2018 @ 7:43am CST
It's a pretty limited list, but bringing up G1 Perceptor's "fan mode" justify it.
Ignoring a perfect tank mode that was previously official. Seriously? Because Autobots cannot be tanks? We did had Warpath and Guzzle though. So what gives?
Ignoring a perfect tank mode that was previously official. Seriously? Because Autobots cannot be tanks? We did had Warpath and Guzzle though. So what gives?
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934283)
Posted by durroth on January 28th, 2018 @ 9:43am CST
Posted by durroth on January 28th, 2018 @ 9:43am CST
honestly, I would mind galvatron a bit less if his titan master wasn't inexplicably slightly bigger than every other titan master and he didn't end up shelfwarming so hard my toys r us ended up with an endcap of galvatrons at one point that called back to endcaps of inferno/scavenger.
more on topic, the dinobot seats are more confusing when you consider that only four of them have one, swoop has no seat at all
more on topic, the dinobot seats are more confusing when you consider that only four of them have one, swoop has no seat at all
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934410)
Posted by WreckerJack on January 29th, 2018 @ 1:50am CST
Posted by WreckerJack on January 29th, 2018 @ 1:50am CST
Ok now what bugs me is Jazz's wrists have mushroom pegs and no way to rotate them. Someone explain that.
https://youtu.be/OcAOhD_zO54?t=10m20s
https://youtu.be/OcAOhD_zO54?t=10m20s
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934419)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on January 29th, 2018 @ 4:22am CST
Yeah, why? It just increase the number of parts and the production cost for no reasons.
Posted by -Kanrabat- on January 29th, 2018 @ 4:22am CST
WreckerJack wrote:Ok now what bugs me is Jazz's wrists have mushroom pegs and no way to rotate them. Someone explain that.
https://youtu.be/OcAOhD_zO54?t=10m20s
Yeah, why? It just increase the number of parts and the production cost for no reasons.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934420)
Posted by Qwan on January 29th, 2018 @ 4:26am CST
I've seen it thrown around, as a possible explanation, that the mold is designed with another set of hands in mind, so the mushroom-pegged hands allow that part to be swapped out without needing to make an entirely-new set of lower arms that are otherwise identical above the wrist (a la some Combiner Wars figures). That idea makes a bit of sense to me, but it is still an odd choice for sure either way.
Posted by Qwan on January 29th, 2018 @ 4:26am CST
-Kanrabat- wrote:WreckerJack wrote:Ok now what bugs me is Jazz's wrists have mushroom pegs and no way to rotate them. Someone explain that.
https://youtu.be/OcAOhD_zO54?t=10m20s
Yeah, why? It just increase the number of parts and the production cost for no reasons.
I've seen it thrown around, as a possible explanation, that the mold is designed with another set of hands in mind, so the mushroom-pegged hands allow that part to be swapped out without needing to make an entirely-new set of lower arms that are otherwise identical above the wrist (a la some Combiner Wars figures). That idea makes a bit of sense to me, but it is still an odd choice for sure either way.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934421)
Posted by Emerje on January 29th, 2018 @ 4:28am CST
So it'll be easier to swap in a gun, duh.
I'm joking, but I might have just convince myself it's true...
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on January 29th, 2018 @ 4:28am CST
WreckerJack wrote:Ok now what bugs me is Jazz's wrists have mushroom pegs and no way to rotate them. Someone explain that.
https://youtu.be/OcAOhD_zO54?t=10m20s
So it'll be easier to swap in a gun, duh.
I'm joking, but I might have just convince myself it's true...
Emerje
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934588)
Posted by Uncommon on January 29th, 2018 @ 3:21pm CST
Posted by Uncommon on January 29th, 2018 @ 3:21pm CST
I nominate TR Fort Max's shoulder swivel, left over from Metroplex. It's a huge joint, taking up a lot of space in the chest. Was it really cheaper to produce that joint - with its redesigned exterior - than it would have been to change it to something simpler?
But I try to be positive about it - maybe the corners they cut on Fort Max enabled them to make Trypticon that much more awesome.
But I try to be positive about it - maybe the corners they cut on Fort Max enabled them to make Trypticon that much more awesome.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934630)
Posted by cruizerdave on January 29th, 2018 @ 6:45pm CST
Posted by cruizerdave on January 29th, 2018 @ 6:45pm CST
The ass wheel on Perceptor never bothered me. I just figured that's what the mobile lab was supposed to look like.
Sure enjoy these lists though. Thanks Seibertron men.
Sure enjoy these lists though. Thanks Seibertron men.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934673)
Posted by william-james88 on January 29th, 2018 @ 11:15pm CST
it doesnt touch the grond in microscope mode
I just realized, looking at the pic of the microchange toy, that I mistransformed his tank mode by not pulling out the inside of the legs. But that should be forgiven, its not like Hasbro ever published instructions for it
Posted by william-james88 on January 29th, 2018 @ 11:15pm CST
WreckerJack wrote:I thought Percy's buttwheel was so he could roll in microscope mode.
it doesnt touch the grond in microscope mode
I just realized, looking at the pic of the microchange toy, that I mistransformed his tank mode by not pulling out the inside of the legs. But that should be forgiven, its not like Hasbro ever published instructions for it
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934675)
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on January 29th, 2018 @ 11:45pm CST
I think it has more to do with plastic colors and saving on paint for any given redeco, in addition to facilitate swap-outs.
Let me explain: The total tooling for any given toy is broken down into several molds (if we are to go by leaked deco sheets 6 to 8 for a Titans Return Deluxe), and each mold can accommodate a single color of a given plastic type (ABS or PA), clear included. By strategically planning which parts can be combined in color, one could save drastically on paint.
I will say that making PotP Jazz's hood out of clear plastic, just for the sake of the headlights is rather unnecessary...
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on January 29th, 2018 @ 11:45pm CST
Qwan wrote:-Kanrabat- wrote:WreckerJack wrote:Ok now what bugs me is Jazz's wrists have mushroom pegs and no way to rotate them. Someone explain that.
https://youtu.be/OcAOhD_zO54?t=10m20s
Yeah, why? It just increase the number of parts and the production cost for no reasons.
I've seen it thrown around, as a possible explanation, that the mold is designed with another set of hands in mind, so the mushroom-pegged hands allow that part to be swapped out without needing to make an entirely-new set of lower arms that are otherwise identical above the wrist (a la some Combiner Wars figures). That idea makes a bit of sense to me, but it is still an odd choice for sure either way.
I think it has more to do with plastic colors and saving on paint for any given redeco, in addition to facilitate swap-outs.
Let me explain: The total tooling for any given toy is broken down into several molds (if we are to go by leaked deco sheets 6 to 8 for a Titans Return Deluxe), and each mold can accommodate a single color of a given plastic type (ABS or PA), clear included. By strategically planning which parts can be combined in color, one could save drastically on paint.
I will say that making PotP Jazz's hood out of clear plastic, just for the sake of the headlights is rather unnecessary...
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934679)
Posted by WreckerJack on January 30th, 2018 @ 12:52am CST
Posted by WreckerJack on January 30th, 2018 @ 12:52am CST
I would know that if I owned a Perceptor. Darn you Target and HTS for being not helpful, oh and amazon for wanting 44 bucks...
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934759)
Posted by primalxconvoy on January 30th, 2018 @ 9:32am CST
Posted by primalxconvoy on January 30th, 2018 @ 9:32am CST
Ages ago, I wrote an unofficial TF encyclopedia. I addressed vestigal features, such as cockpits in the Dinobots, etc as part of their Quintesson past. As TFs originally were made as products to be sold, many of them had cockpits. However, as the species evolved after freedom from the Quints, vestigal features, akin to our own moles, or polyps, etc, would surface, as cockpits, unused wheels, etc. This is also evidenced in BW/BM characters, having wheels for legs, etc.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934774)
Posted by Gauntlet101010 on January 30th, 2018 @ 10:36am CST
Posted by Gauntlet101010 on January 30th, 2018 @ 10:36am CST
One toy that has a LOT of vestigial parts is TR Fort Max. I think i would have been VERY confused as a child about how much just goes unused since it's unlikely I'd have owned both Metroplex and Fort Max. From the swinging arm to the hollow legs to the hole in his arm ... there's just so much leftover parts from Metroplex that they didn't even bother remoulding. As an adult it's disappointing, but as a child I would have been so confused.
As far as I know no 3rd party group has even managed to make something of those legs. Reprolabels gave 'em some stickers, but that's about it.
I think the RotF Arcee triplets could also use a mention. Was a verified combination of those three ever released? I seem to recall that they just aborted the idea at some point and the combination just didn't work very well.
And G1 Ironhide is just one, big, vestigial part. The whole toy!
As far as I know no 3rd party group has even managed to make something of those legs. Reprolabels gave 'em some stickers, but that's about it.
I think the RotF Arcee triplets could also use a mention. Was a verified combination of those three ever released? I seem to recall that they just aborted the idea at some point and the combination just didn't work very well.
And G1 Ironhide is just one, big, vestigial part. The whole toy!
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934778)
Posted by william-james88 on January 30th, 2018 @ 10:58am CST
Yes I agree. But since its the whole toy, i felt that needed its own list. So I did just that and now I also have a list of top 5 TF toys which were better in their original Diaclone/Microchange line. But since there is one overlap in entries, I will post that one much later inorder to sound less like a broken record.
And about Fort Max, yes those are big time vestigial parts. But what sucks about them is that they arent fun or interesting. Unlike the others here, which give hint to added functionality or dropped gimmicks (and can all still be used for some added fun to an extent), the fort max one is just a sign at how lazy and cheap Hasbro was.
Posted by william-james88 on January 30th, 2018 @ 10:58am CST
Gauntlet101010 wrote:And G1 Ironhide is just one, big, vestigial part. The whole toy!
Yes I agree. But since its the whole toy, i felt that needed its own list. So I did just that and now I also have a list of top 5 TF toys which were better in their original Diaclone/Microchange line. But since there is one overlap in entries, I will post that one much later inorder to sound less like a broken record. And about Fort Max, yes those are big time vestigial parts. But what sucks about them is that they arent fun or interesting. Unlike the others here, which give hint to added functionality or dropped gimmicks (and can all still be used for some added fun to an extent), the fort max one is just a sign at how lazy and cheap Hasbro was.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934783)
Posted by Gauntlet101010 on January 30th, 2018 @ 11:16am CST
Posted by Gauntlet101010 on January 30th, 2018 @ 11:16am CST
Yeah, I don't think Fort Max really beats out other mentions on the list. The most confusing part about him is how HasTak could be so lazy and cheap for such a high priced item. I just felt like this thread should have him mentioned by someone. Because damn. Just damn, I cannot think of a toy with more vestigial parts than TR Fort Max.
I think there is some aborted functionality for Mega Dinobot that allowed Grimlock and Swoop to combine better is also a thing, but I can't really remember.
Maybe under the note of "confusing design choices" (as opposed to vestigial parts) are the trailer hooks for Classics Prime and Energon Rodimus. They're just there for looks ... which is odd since neither really enhances the toy looks-wise. I seem to recall the hook for Rodimus was a design choice, but it's an odd one. The truck mode has rocket boosters - wouldn't that incinerate the trailer? That's what I couldn't help but think when I saw that hook.
Similarly Classics Prime's connecter port was put to good use by many 3P companies, but I can't help but wonder at the design choice there. It hints at functionality that just couldn't have been intended. But, instead of getting a more realistic sculpted trailer hatch you get this toyetic block for a trailer that was never planned. It's weird.
Edit: Another toy with vestigial parts that was actually disappointing just hit me: World's Smallest Megatron. His toy hinted at being able to accommodate a stock and silencer (and I think I saw prototypes for those somewhere), but those were never released. I'm glad someone else made attachments for that but still.
I think there is some aborted functionality for Mega Dinobot that allowed Grimlock and Swoop to combine better is also a thing, but I can't really remember.
Maybe under the note of "confusing design choices" (as opposed to vestigial parts) are the trailer hooks for Classics Prime and Energon Rodimus. They're just there for looks ... which is odd since neither really enhances the toy looks-wise. I seem to recall the hook for Rodimus was a design choice, but it's an odd one. The truck mode has rocket boosters - wouldn't that incinerate the trailer? That's what I couldn't help but think when I saw that hook.
Similarly Classics Prime's connecter port was put to good use by many 3P companies, but I can't help but wonder at the design choice there. It hints at functionality that just couldn't have been intended. But, instead of getting a more realistic sculpted trailer hatch you get this toyetic block for a trailer that was never planned. It's weird.
Edit: Another toy with vestigial parts that was actually disappointing just hit me: World's Smallest Megatron. His toy hinted at being able to accommodate a stock and silencer (and I think I saw prototypes for those somewhere), but those were never released. I'm glad someone else made attachments for that but still.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934796)
Posted by COMMANDER on January 30th, 2018 @ 12:13pm CST
Posted by COMMANDER on January 30th, 2018 @ 12:13pm CST
I really enjoyed this list. While I am probably dating myself 
, I'd like to offer a correction in regards to Perceptor's tank mode. While not listed on the packaging, there were several U.S marketing media releases that mention Perceptor as having a "tank-mode" equipped with a "Light Cannon." Those same releases also stated that this was a "...choice of last resort as Perceptor eschewed use" of this mode because as a scientist he felt violence was not a solution. I will do some digging to find out if I still have any of the documents to scan in. @ Yotsuyasan I read the same/similar article about Galvatron not originally being intended as part of the CW/TR/PoP line-up, but can't remember where. I also, remember that it mentioned the spring-loaded action was part of an auto-transformation gimmick that would allow a full head, not just a helmet, to "spring" into place. I would much rather have had that version, as I feel the Headmaster gimmick was played out by both Takara and Hasbro 
. "GIVE ME SOME TARGET MASTER's!!" Okay, I am done with my rant.
, I'd like to offer a correction in regards to Perceptor's tank mode. While not listed on the packaging, there were several U.S marketing media releases that mention Perceptor as having a "tank-mode" equipped with a "Light Cannon." Those same releases also stated that this was a "...choice of last resort as Perceptor eschewed use" of this mode because as a scientist he felt violence was not a solution. I will do some digging to find out if I still have any of the documents to scan in. @ Yotsuyasan I read the same/similar article about Galvatron not originally being intended as part of the CW/TR/PoP line-up, but can't remember where. I also, remember that it mentioned the spring-loaded action was part of an auto-transformation gimmick that would allow a full head, not just a helmet, to "spring" into place. I would much rather have had that version, as I feel the Headmaster gimmick was played out by both Takara and Hasbro . "GIVE ME SOME TARGET MASTER's!!" Okay, I am done with my rant.
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934799)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on January 30th, 2018 @ 12:48pm CST
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on January 30th, 2018 @ 12:48pm CST
You know that thing you said about Hasbro being opposed to any sort of piloting? They certainly were on many occasions (Headmasters, Crossovers, and Human Alliance being rare exceptions) and I think that's why they didn't include Perceptor's tank mode - it was designed as a mode for Microman figures to ride.
As for the Dinobots' cockpits... I don't know. The Dinobots are very obviously robots built in the image of dinosaurs, not robots trying to disguise as dinosaurs, so it's not as jarring to see such a hatch as it would be on something trying to pass itself off as an organic beast. Beyond that, Grimlock's is the only one that really stands out so I don't know how much you can apply this item to the whole group (especially Swoop!). And from a Transformers standpoint the cockpits could be thought of as "Means of carrying human allies", not that that was ever put into action. That's my take on it, at least. *shrug*
As for the Dinobots' cockpits... I don't know. The Dinobots are very obviously robots built in the image of dinosaurs, not robots trying to disguise as dinosaurs, so it's not as jarring to see such a hatch as it would be on something trying to pass itself off as an organic beast. Beyond that, Grimlock's is the only one that really stands out so I don't know how much you can apply this item to the whole group (especially Swoop!). And from a Transformers standpoint the cockpits could be thought of as "Means of carrying human allies", not that that was ever put into action. That's my take on it, at least. *shrug*
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934821)
Posted by TK415 on January 30th, 2018 @ 2:46pm CST
Posted by TK415 on January 30th, 2018 @ 2:46pm CST
Great list WJ. Educational and interesting. Thanks!
Re: Top 5 Most Confusing Vestigial Parts in Transformers Toys (1934841)
Posted by william-james88 on January 30th, 2018 @ 4:19pm CST
Yeah, interesting point about the Headmasters though. I think they actually are proof that they really avoid non sentient mechs since their interpretation of headmasters avoids the transtector.
Takara is totally fine with the piloting mech concept since it brings the toys back to their original Diaclone roots
Thank you so much !
That would be cool to see, though something tells me that it might simply be the mobile laboratory mode called a "tank mode" rather than the actual tank mode.
Posted by william-james88 on January 30th, 2018 @ 4:19pm CST
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:You know that thing you said about Hasbro being opposed to any sort of piloting? They certainly were on many occasions (Headmasters, Crossovers, and Human Alliance being rare exceptions) and I think that's why they didn't include Perceptor's tank mode - it was designed as a mode for Microman figures to ride.
Yeah, interesting point about the Headmasters though. I think they actually are proof that they really avoid non sentient mechs since their interpretation of headmasters avoids the transtector.
Takara is totally fine with the piloting mech concept since it brings the toys back to their original Diaclone roots
TK415 wrote:Great list WJ. Educational and interesting. Thanks!
Thank you so much !
COMMANDER wrote: While not listed on the packaging, there were several U.S marketing media releases that mention Perceptor as having a "tank-mode" equipped with a "Light Cannon." Those same releases also stated that this was a "...choice of last resort as Perceptor eschewed use" of this mode because as a scientist he felt violence was not a solution. I will do some digging to find out if I still have any of the documents to scan in.
That would be cool to see, though something tells me that it might simply be the mobile laboratory mode called a "tank mode" rather than the actual tank mode.
