Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys

Saturday, June 13th, 2015 10:35AM CDT

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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 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys

As Beast Wars fan, I grew up on shellformers. Since an animal is not metallic in nature (they soon found a way around that)it always made sense to me that part of the animal couldn't integrate completely into the robot mode. I only realized later that they got a bad rap and I understand why now: it can yield to very lazy and unattractive designs. Shelformers are a sad sight when you know it's possible for the robot to have some alt mode integration or, even worse, when the character model shows alt mode integration. In that scenario, a fake piece of kibble is made to make up for the shell kibble that they couldn't bother integrating. That's DOUBLE KIBBLE!!!! Before I pull an aneurysm, let's just get to the list...

5. Transformers Dark of the Moon Voyager Sentinel Prime

The extent of how poor a shellformer this is, is entirely due to the contrast against the leader size mold of this character that actually uses the shell in a far more interesting way. For one, this toy doesn't incorporate the shell into the figure in any way. While the leader version uses the front of the firetruck as his chest, this one resorts to leaving the front of the truck to fold on it's back and relies on a fake kibble piece to make up the chest. Also, while the leader figure uses the shell of the truck to create a stylish cape or celestial garment of sorts, the voyager just has the entire truck shell just stay unfolded in it's back making it look like a robot just skinned a truck to wear it like a tortoise shell. It also makes a horrible backpack that is placed far from the figure as if neither modes want anything to do with one another.

4. Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Human Alliance Sideswipe

What did I write above again? Oh, right: Using a shell can result in a very lazy looking and unattractive design. It is made worse when the excess shell kibble results in a massive backpack, which detracts from the sleek robot. Man, Sideswipe here must be studying for all his courses tonight because look at the big backpack he needs to carry all his books!

3. Beast Wars Neo Break

While the Beast Wars Neo line took the idea of a shellformer to a whole other level, the results were usually very intriguing, and sometimes pretty bad ass, making its use of kibble endearing to the line as a whole. But Beast Wars Neo's Break is just too much to bear. While animals disguised as robots may get more of a pass over being a shellformer, due to necessity, this guy just pushes it too far. He looks like a giant kinder surprise egg that someone smash opened to find a robot inside. Without hyperbole, this is the equivalent of a G1 Pretender who's robot mode had pieces of the outer pretender shell glued all over it. That penguin head just sitting there among the debris right in the open is the icing on this terribly tasting cake.

2. Transformers Age of Extinction: Generations First Edition Optimus Prime Amazon Exclusive

You would think that by 2014, robots entirely covered by a shell and just brought to the back would be a thing of the past. But no, they were (are) still alive and well and that year even gave us one of the biggest shellformer offenders. There are even photos all over the internet showing both the robot and truck mode of First Editions AOE Optimus side by side, WHILE USING THE SAME TOY!

1. Transformers Cybertron Thunderblast (Chromia)

This is an extremely inefficient transformer whose body length shell serves as the main disguise to a robot that doesn’t pose at all. It also has barely no alt mode integration (only her feet). The joke of having a robot surprise in a shell that is usually done to poor Break above is brought to the extreme here. The shell is so big and overwhelming that she can’t stand on her own and it limits any motion she might have. If anyone cares, this mini review was quite easy as I simply used something I had written for Beast Wars Cybershark and just wrote the opposite of every positive aspect about that figure. And Thunderblast came out 10 years after that figure! I really could not think of a better toy to show how bad shellforming could be.

Honourable mentions: I didn't want to fill this list entirely with Beast Wars Neo figures for several reasons. Firstly, as mentioned in the intro, the use of a shell for robots disguised as animals makes sense. If you went for total alt mode integration, Long Rack would look like a buffoon (more so). However, as you saw I couldn't resist but include the biggest shellformer offender that line had to offer. I would say Beast Wars Ironhide is probably the most intense shellformer ever but it works for the awesome combined form of Magnaboss and I didn't find it fair to fault him on that.

I would like to thank Cobotron for the image.
In two weeks, the BEST Shellformers. Talk to you then!

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Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1697996)
Posted by Lockdownhunter on June 13th, 2015 @ 11:12am CDT

FE OP looks like he just enrolled in the ARMY.Such a big backpack.Or,He is so bad in academics,he needs to take daily courses and has a LOT of books.Fortunately,Armor knight OP saves the day(although he is kibbletastic)

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1697997)
Posted by Super Megatron on June 13th, 2015 @ 11:12am CDT

I would had put Big Convoy from the Beast War Neo line as #1 instead of Thunderblast. It's a robot bending down with mammoth shell parts around him. Nuff said.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698009)
Posted by RhA on June 13th, 2015 @ 12:03pm CDT

Best list ever! That Sentinel is TRAGIC.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698016)
Posted by Windsweeper on June 13th, 2015 @ 12:33pm CDT

I like shell formers. I'll take one any day over an overly complicated mess like rotf Mixmaster.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698017)
Posted by william-james88 on June 13th, 2015 @ 12:45pm CDT

Windsweeper wrote:I like shell formers. I'll take one any day over an overly complicated mess like rotf Mixmaster.

Dont you worry, ROTF Mixmaster will get his day on these lists too

And I like shellformers too, hence why next week will show the best of their kind.

And as for BWN Big Convoy, we will be seeing him very soon.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698020)
Posted by Megatron Wolf on June 13th, 2015 @ 12:57pm CDT

most of the AoE toyline could be put on this list

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698021)
Posted by dragons on June 13th, 2015 @ 12:58pm CDT

She'll formers I misread it I almost add bumblee to list shelfwarmer

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698030)
Posted by ultramadness on June 13th, 2015 @ 1:12pm CDT

While I have no particular love for that Voyager Sentinel Prime (the facial sculpt is especially heinous) I feel that I must point out the pictures show the backpack with a very large and easily removable Mech-tech weapon attatched.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698031)
Posted by welcometothedarksyde on June 13th, 2015 @ 1:13pm CDT

This was a fun list

Are to thinking of making the worst Shelfwarmers?
I nominate Tuner Mudflap...

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698036)
Posted by Carnivius_Prime on June 13th, 2015 @ 1:32pm CDT

Windsweeper wrote:I like shell formers. I'll take one any day over an overly complicated mess like rotf Mixmaster.

What? I loved that figure. Looked creepy, liked his colour scheme and was highly posable. I don't finding him that complicated.

Not a fan of 'shellformers' at all. Some get a pass though for some reasons like AoE voyager Galavtron (due to him not having a normal transformation) and I suppose AoE deluxe Crosshairs may count as one (but I love the duster look, it's so damn cool). Others are just generally lazy but at least a couple on this list have superior alternate options like Sentinel Prime's Leader in favour of the Voyager here so that's not too bad.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698043)
Posted by william-james88 on June 13th, 2015 @ 1:56pm CDT

Megatron Wolf wrote:most of the AoE toyline could be put on this list

Are they worst than the ones listed?

ultramadness wrote:While I have no particular love for that Voyager Sentinel Prime (the facial sculpt is especially heinous) I feel that I must point out the pictures show the backpack with a very large and easily removable Mech-tech weapon attatched.

Good point, but this was more about how removed the shell was from the robot as opposed to how big the backpack was. And those were the best pics I found to illustrate the dissonance.

welcometothedarksyde wrote:This was a fun list Are to thinking of making the worst Shelfwarmers?
I nominate Tuner Mudflap...

Thats a great list to do and I have not thought of it yet. Will probably start a thread to ask you guys since I have not been an active collector for as long as others.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698051)
Posted by munkimus prime on June 13th, 2015 @ 2:28pm CDT

How about any version AOE Crosshairs. I like the car as a cape idea but the toys don't pull it off to well.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698052)
Posted by MightyMagnus78 on June 13th, 2015 @ 2:30pm CDT

AOE voyager Galvatron?

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698057)
Posted by shajaki on June 13th, 2015 @ 2:42pm CDT

Great list as always Will ;)^

For how much hate he gets (don't worry, you'll always have my heart

) I'm surprised this fella ain't listed.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698059)
Posted by Barricade.it on June 13th, 2015 @ 2:49pm CDT

Megatron Wolf wrote:most of the AoE toyline could be put on this list

I totally agree! As I've seen AOE characters I've said "The only way to get these into toys is shellformers". Shellformer is mandatory wneh robot mode o alt mode is too anthro (like AOE) or... organic (Beast).

I totally hate shellformers. They're neither tranformers, they're plastic pop-up.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698061)
Posted by Flashwave on June 13th, 2015 @ 2:56pm CDT

This whole time I way reading this list I was thinking of Thunderblast. But in her favor, one can easily remove that one pin holding her boat to her back. It makes a lovely turret, and the pegs all it to reintevrate firmly., either as a fligbt pack, or for her boat mode.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698064)
Posted by william-james88 on June 13th, 2015 @ 3:09pm CDT

shajaki wrote:Great list as always Will

For how much hate he gets (don't worry, you'll always have my heart ) I'm surprised this fella ain't listed.

Then I guess my next list will be super controversial

(I use the same picture too)

MightyMagnus78 wrote:AOE voyager Galvatron?

I fail to see how they could have designed that toy better than they did. Unlike Thunderblast (for instance), movie designs are made before and not by toy developers and thus toy makers have this hard reverse engineering task to perform. I think they pulled it off well since the toy should have 0 alt mode integration. It doesnt mean I like the design, I think its a horrible way to design a transformer, but I cant fault the toy for executing the task it was asked to do.The toy also has a really cool ease and grace to his transformation which means the shellforming at least had an advantage

munkimus prime wrote:How about any version AOE Crosshairs. I like the car as a cape idea but the toys don't pull it off to well.

I find him to be a worse AOE toy than Galvatron but once again, it was based on a predone design. But even though the toy makers were forced to mimic what was seen onscreen, it wasnt done elegantly (still could be worse, look at the movie figures on this list). And I think they didnt pull the cape off well either and the transfoamrtion is finicky. But at least there was effort and I wouldnt call the toy too lazy, at least compared to the others on this list.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698068)
Posted by jay5 on June 13th, 2015 @ 3:27pm CDT

Man, Sideswipe here must be studying for all his courses tonight because look at the big backpack he needs to carry all his books!

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698073)
Posted by Rated X on June 13th, 2015 @ 3:33pm CDT

At a quick glance on my cell phone, I thought the topic was "shelf warmers" and was about to say wheres bumblebee until I noticed it was "shellformers". Anyways, Im not
sure how AOE Galvatron didnt make the list. Another shellformer is WFC Bumblebee/Cliffjumper although the shell folds up to a devree of complexity leaving not much kibble.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698076)
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on June 13th, 2015 @ 3:40pm CDT

Rated X wrote:At a quick glance on my cell phone, I thought the topic was "shelf warmers" and was about to say wheres bumblebee until I noticed it was "shellformers". Anyways, Im not
sure how AOE Galvatron didnt make the list. Another shellformer is WFC Bumblebee/Cliffjumper although the shell folds up to a devree of complexity leaving not much kibble.

I think "Shellformers with the most useless kibble in robot mode" is what they were going for. Galvatron has some, but not as much as the ones in the list.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698077)
Posted by Cobotron on June 13th, 2015 @ 3:43pm CDT

I've never really had a problem with shellforming. I just have a problem with the movie designs, period. I just see shellforming as another way to get the job done. Some are done better than others of course. As long as the kibble doesn't impede articulation, it works for me.
Maybe I'm tolerant of it due to my love for all things Beast Era.

I would also like to note, contributing the photo of Break to the "worst" list is not a reflection of my opinion of him. I rather like the lil' fella.

Good list Will. Fun read. Can't wait for "best" shellformers.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698079)
Posted by william-james88 on June 13th, 2015 @ 3:44pm CDT

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Rated X wrote:At a quick glance on my cell phone, I thought the topic was "shelf warmers" and was about to say wheres bumblebee until I noticed it was "shellformers". Anyways, Im not
sure how AOE Galvatron didnt make the list. Another shellformer is WFC Bumblebee/Cliffjumper although the shell folds up to a devree of complexity leaving not much kibble.

I think "Shellformers with the most useless kibble in robot mode" is what they were going for. Galvatron has some, but not as much as the ones in the list.

Yup and since he came up in the discussion a lot I answered more elaborately with more posts above. Also, what I get from the feedback from these lists is that a lot of people have a recency bias. It makes sense to have that since figures just came out and are more prominent in our minds but I try to make lists that will last a while and not just made for the moment.

I really dont think anyone has mentioned any other transfomrer worse than the ones mentionned so far. Especially using the criteria I wrote in the intro. I really define the worst as in the laziests designs that really kill the aesthetic.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698080)
Posted by RK_Striker_JK_5 on June 13th, 2015 @ 3:47pm CDT

Awesome list, Will. I agree with all five of these as being awful. HA Sideswipe breaks my heart since most of the other HA toys are pretty damned good. IMHO

shajaki wrote:Great list as always Will

For how much hate he gets (don't worry, you'll always have my heart ) I'm surprised this fella ain't listed.

Eh... for my money, he's not too bad. The shell is only partial, and forms some cool wings. The robot does some neat transformation and integration with the alt mode overall. My two cents, at least.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698092)
Posted by Cobotron on June 13th, 2015 @ 4:15pm CDT

william-james88 wrote:He looks like a giant kinder surprise egg that someone smashed opened to find a robot inside.

I always thought Break reminded me of these, but way cooler.

Anybody remember these? He was a Bandai toy from the '80s. Don't know the name. (Jelze, any insight?)
I don't remember if they even got a Western release. I picked this up as an import at a comic shop when I was a kid.

But, talk about shellformer? WHAT AN EGGHEAD! :lol:

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698098)
Posted by william-james88 on June 13th, 2015 @ 4:23pm CDT

Cobotron wrote:
But, TALK ABOUT SHELLFORMER!

I raise you:

Or would these only be halfshellformers ? :lol:

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698103)
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on June 13th, 2015 @ 4:43pm CDT

Cobotron wrote:Anybody remember these? He was a Bandai toy from the '80s. Don't know the name. (Jelze, any insight?)

You just had to pull me away from YouTube, huh?

You're in luck, as I found the series they're from: Tamagoras by Bandai. There were several of them, current animals and prehistoric, as well as skeletons. The only foreign releases I've found are from Italy (not really surprised there, it's a hot spot for Japanese imports) called I Monstruovi, or Monstruovoli ("Monster Eggs"), by Giochi Preziosi.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698105)
Posted by Optimum Supreme on June 13th, 2015 @ 4:50pm CDT

My first thought was Galvatron, but that Optimus looks like a much better example from the line, and as you bring up about Beasts, obviously you don't want to clog up the article with too many from one particular line.

william-james88 wrote:
Cobotron wrote:
But, TALK ABOUT SHELLFORMER!

I raise you:

Or would these only be halfshellformers ?

Just in case you didn't know, that's a new take on an old line.

http://www.tmnttoys.com/92figures/mutations1/5221.htm

Same transformation conversion and everything, but if they're the same mold at all they've done some massive retooling to Nickify them.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698122)
Posted by Cobotron on June 13th, 2015 @ 5:34pm CDT

william-james88 wrote:Or would these only be halfshellformers ?

Ya only half shell.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:You just had to pull me away from YouTube, huh?

Sorry, but what could possibly be more important than this?

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:You're in luck, as I found the series they're from: Tamagoras by Bandai.

Thanks, you're the best.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698129)
Posted by BERSEKAEL on June 13th, 2015 @ 5:51pm CDT

I think the people "designing" this back packs are the same team over and over... :BANG_HEAD:

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698152)
Posted by Agregor on June 13th, 2015 @ 6:24pm CDT

Then you realize, Thunderblast is show accurate. Backpack included

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698158)
Posted by Zeedust on June 13th, 2015 @ 6:36pm CDT

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Cobotron wrote:Anybody remember these? He was a Bandai toy from the '80s. Don't know the name. (Jelze, any insight?)

You just had to pull me away from YouTube, huh?

You're in luck, as I found the series they're from: Tamagoras by Bandai. There were several of them, current animals and prehistoric, as well as skeletons. The only foreign releases I've found are from Italy (not really surprised there, it's a hot spot for Japanese imports) called I Monstruovi, or Monstruovoli ("Monster Eggs"), by Giochi Preziosi.

The Tamagoras molds were also used for the Meteorbs from Mattel's "Masters of the Universe" line.

william-james88 wrote: And I like shellformers too, hence why next week will show the best of their kind.

Generations Rattrap. Calling it.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698164)
Posted by Treetop Maximus on June 13th, 2015 @ 6:57pm CDT

Thunderblast's backpack is on a double-jointed connector that allows it to pull out and give her a full range of motion. Most people don't realize it's there for whatever reason but it is and once she's transformed properly, she even has waist articulation.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698171)
Posted by william-james88 on June 13th, 2015 @ 7:18pm CDT

Treetop Maximus wrote:Thunderblast's backpack is on a double-jointed connector that allows it to pull out and give her a full range of motion. Most people don't realize it's there for whatever reason but it is and once she's transformed properly, she even has waist articulation.

That makes her sound like a pretender who's inner robot doesnt transform.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698193)
Posted by Crimson Prime on June 13th, 2015 @ 8:11pm CDT

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Cobotron wrote:Anybody remember these? He was a Bandai toy from the '80s. Don't know the name. (Jelze, any insight?)

You just had to pull me away from YouTube, huh?

You're in luck, as I found the series they're from: Tamagoras by Bandai. There were several of them, current animals and prehistoric, as well as skeletons. The only foreign releases I've found are from Italy (not really surprised there, it's a hot spot for Japanese imports) called I Monstruovi, or Monstruovoli ("Monster Eggs"), by Giochi Preziosi.

I actually found one of these here in Australia when I was a little kid, not at retail mind you, but in a puddle. It's some sort of crocodile head, legs and tail sticking out of an egg.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698194)
Posted by Cobotron on June 13th, 2015 @ 8:13pm CDT

Nemesis Primal wrote:The Tamagoras molds were also used for the Meteorbs from Mattel's "Masters of the Universe" line.

Ah ha. Muy interesante!

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698195)
Posted by Treetop Maximus on June 13th, 2015 @ 8:16pm CDT

william-james88 wrote:
Treetop Maximus wrote:Thunderblast's backpack is on a double-jointed connector that allows it to pull out and give her a full range of motion. Most people don't realize it's there for whatever reason but it is and once she's transformed properly, she even has waist articulation.

That makes her sound like a pretender who's inner robot doesnt transform.

The shell still remains attached, it's just that it swings back a little to allow room for movement. This is the best pic I could find; I don't have the figure on-hand right now.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698197)
Posted by william-james88 on June 13th, 2015 @ 8:16pm CDT

Cobotron wrote:
Nemesis Primal wrote:The Tamagoras molds were also used for the Meteorbs from Mattel's "Masters of the Universe" line.
Ah ha. Muy interesante!

No wonder I found that statement about these products not coming here odd. I could have sworn I had seen them at a friend's house. And sure enough, I had:

PS: GORE illa is an amazing name.

PPS: Oh man, Seibertron has everything!

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698225)
Posted by Bumblevivisector on June 13th, 2015 @ 10:35pm CDT

william-james88 wrote:
Cobotron wrote:
Nemesis Primal wrote:The Tamagoras molds were also used for the Meteorbs from Mattel's "Masters of the Universe" line.
Ah ha. Muy interesante!

No wonder I found that statement about these products not coming here odd. I could have sworn I had seen them at a friend's house. And sure enough, I had:

PS: GORE illa is an amazing name.

PPS: Oh man, Seibertron has everything!

I'm guessing Bandai owning the designs is almost as insurmountable a hurdle to MOTU Classics Meteorbs as it is to truly updated Gobots in any TF toyline. ("Almost" because they don't have Time Warner making it a 3-way-tug-o-war) Considering Mattel has resorted to superdeformed figs to keep He-Man toys interesting, that's a dang shame. Or, just what was/is the legal situation with Shuffler's egg up there?

Personally, I've always found ThunderChrome's most frustrating design feature to be the Matrix in her chest. Not only did the cartoon show us that it's obscuring some interesting TF anatomy, but there are so many possibilities as to what it means: If it's the Marvel Creation Matrix, does that mean her sluttyness was partly a desire to experiment with procreation? If it was the Sunbow Matrix of Leadership, does that mean her wanting to cozy up to high-ranking Decepticons spilled over to the ghosts of high-ranking Autobots? Is she actually just Scourge if he'd kept the Matrix past the end of The Burden Hardest to Bear and continued mutating? Some Galaxy Force Transformers have been known to spontaneously change sex in an all male environment, given the proper dubbing conditions.

What, there's a new Jurassic Park sequel out, and you thought I'd make that a cheap Bruce Jenner joke? I take my total disinterest in sports seriously!

And I'm calling this the site's best top 5-10 list to date, since I genuinely learned a lot about the Bayniverse toys that I stopped giving a crap about back in 2008. Thanks for reminding me of one big reason why!

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698256)
Posted by primalxconvoy on June 14th, 2015 @ 12:17am CDT

I don't understand these "5 best/worst" articles posted on the main page. Usually they feature obscure groupings and/or poor choices for said groupings.

In this case, it is unanimous that Big Convoy is the most infamous shell-former of them all, yet it was not included. To remedy these poorly written articles, could we either:

- Relegate them to just the forums?
- Get someone else to write them?
- Just stop writing them?
- Conduct forum polls to find out what most people here think would be a good list article, and what should be included in such lists?

Personally, I would be happy for them to just not be on the front page, as they are not really news (and that's the point/reason fo the main page).

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698261)
Posted by Emerje on June 14th, 2015 @ 12:38am CDT

I don't know, this mold still seems pretty worthy of the number one spot to me.

tfu_nemp6.jpg

When the shell can stand alone and basically be a second figure, it's too much shell.

Really want to see Generations Rhinox on the list next week.

Emerje

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698262)
Posted by Cobotron on June 14th, 2015 @ 12:39am CDT

It's an opinion piece. They're meant to generate conversation.

You have an opinion...

primalxconvoy wrote:In this case, it is unanimous that Big Convoy is the most infamous shell-former of them all, yet it was not included.

What are your other four worst offenders of shell-forming?

Or...
You could just skip 'em.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698267)
Posted by Burn on June 14th, 2015 @ 1:39am CDT

primalxconvoy wrote:I don't understand these "5 best/worst" articles posted on the main page. Usually they feature obscure groupings and/or poor choices for said groupings.

In this case, it is unanimous that Big Convoy is the most infamous shell-former of them all, yet it was not included. To remedy these poorly written articles, could we either:

- Relegate them to just the forums?
- Get someone else to write them?
- Just stop writing them?
- Conduct forum polls to find out what most people here think would be a good list article, and what should be included in such lists?

Personally, I would be happy for them to just not be on the front page, as they are not really news (and that's the point/reason fo the main page).

Hey whoah ease up there mate.

Firstly, calling them "poorly written" is harsh and unnecessary. I know William-James puts a lot of time and effort into them.

Secondly, it's an opinion piece intended to generate discussion on the discussion forums. There is nothing that says what's on the front page MUST be news related. There's been plenty of editorial pieces featured on the front page over the years.

Thirdly, if you feel they're "poorly written", then perhaps you'd like to contribute a guest list? Just PM William-James, you wouldn't be the first guest author.

And last but not least, fourthly ... just don't click on the news article if it doesn't interest you.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698268)
Posted by Super Megatron on June 14th, 2015 @ 1:39am CDT

Cobotron wrote:It's an opinion piece. They're meant to generate conversation.

You have an opinion...
primalxconvoy wrote:In this case, it is unanimous that Big Convoy is the most infamous shell-former of them all, yet it was not included.
What are your other four worst offenders of shell-forming?

Or...
You could just skip 'em.

The other four would be G1 Scourge, BW Cybershark (either one), Transformers Age of Extinction: Generations First Edition Optimus Prime Amazon Exclusive, and RID Sideburn/Speedbreaker (I can't believe this one wasn't even mentioned), and of course Beast Wars Neo Big Convoy.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698277)
Posted by Zeedust on June 14th, 2015 @ 2:31am CDT

Emerje wrote:Really want to see Generations Rhinox on the list next week.

I'm not sure he really counts as a shellformer.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698284)
Posted by Emerje on June 14th, 2015 @ 3:55am CDT

Nemesis Primal wrote:
Emerje wrote:Really want to see Generations Rhinox on the list next week.

I'm not sure he really counts as a shellformer.

That's just because he's that good. Most of his rhino mode is a shell, but it all slides and folds so neatly away that it's deceptive. I still think they should reshell it into a new Torca figure.

Emerje

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698306)
Posted by william-james88 on June 14th, 2015 @ 7:42am CDT

Nemesis Primal wrote:
Emerje wrote:Really want to see Generations Rhinox on the list next week.

I'm not sure he really counts as a shellformer.

Yeah he wasn't super obvious to me as a shellformer either. BUT my number 1 pick is along the lines, a shellformer with 0 backpack, can't wait to share it.

Also, from the comments I get, people seem to just look at the picture and read the names rather than read the selecting criteria or what the list is about. Because then I dont think Big Convoy (and AOE Galvatron) would be mentionned as often. Yes, they are the biggest shellformer offender but are they bad shellformers/transformers? This list is only about the bad ones, not the most obvious ones. Someone mentioned G1 Scourge, WHAT!? Why would I put him on the WORST list? He's a fun toy and does his job well. Doesnt mean he's the all time best, but I see no reason to put him on a list next to DOTM Voyager Sentinel Prime.

So in the end, this is about bad toys and I really don't see Big Convoy as a bad toy, at all. I think he wears his shell in a very mighty fashion and the fact that most becomes a giant F**K OFF GUN means he has no backpack. It's also one of the best sculpted toys to ever come out of the brand. Once again, it would kill me to see him next to any of these.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698315)
Posted by Va'al on June 14th, 2015 @ 8:06am CDT

primalxconvoy wrote:I don't understand these "5 best/worst" articles posted on the main page. Usually they feature obscure groupings and/or poor choices for said groupings.

In this case, it is unanimous that Big Convoy is the most infamous shell-former of them all, yet it was not included. To remedy these poorly written articles, could we either:

- Relegate them to just the forums?
- Get someone else to write them?
- Just stop writing them?
- Conduct forum polls to find out what most people here think would be a good list article, and what should be included in such lists?

Personally, I would be happy for them to just not be on the front page, as they are not really news (and that's the point/reason fo the main page).

Very well, thank you for your opinion on these editorial articles. We're glad you're joining in the conversation, despite your dislike of the articles.

Seibertron.com provides news, mostly, yes - but we also belong to a wider community of fans and collectors, as well as casual viewers, parents, kids, readers who may not be familiar with the franchise as much as other more invested fans might be. The point of these opinion pieces (much like interviews, round-ups and any other article which is not strictly news) - which have been written and contributed to a number of writers, from both staff and board members, though william-james88 is the main author - is, as Cobotron says, to generate discussion, and capture the attention of those who might not even know what a shellformer is, for example!

Forum polls are extremely time consuming, and most of the conversation would happen during the voting process rather than post-editorial. And, from a views and comments perspective, these pieces have regularly been in our top slots since Will started contributing them. Relegating them to the boards alone would do nothing much for the site.

The point/reason for the front page is whatever the news staff and administration decide it to be, with Seibertron's agreement. I believe I have addressed all your concerns in my reply, though you are welcome to send us an email via the usual channels to express your discontent with the material we provide, of course!

EDIT: I also refer back to Burn's post:

Thirdly, if you feel they're "poorly written", then perhaps you'd like to contribute a guest list? Just PM William-James, you wouldn't be the first guest author.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698329)
Posted by megatronus on June 14th, 2015 @ 8:47am CDT

I'm not very familiar with Beast Wars Neo toys, but I am super happy to see AoE First Edition Leader Prime on this list. That toy defines and brings modern shell-formers to a new generation.

Great list WJ! I'm excited for the corresponding 'best' entry in 2 weeks.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698358)
Posted by no-one on June 14th, 2015 @ 11:47am CDT

william-james88 wrote:
Cobotron wrote:
Nemesis Primal wrote:The Tamagoras molds were also used for the Meteorbs from Mattel's "Masters of the Universe" line.
Ah ha. Muy interesante!

No wonder I found that statement about these products not coming here odd. I could have sworn I had seen them at a friend's house. And sure enough, I had:

PS: GORE illa is an amazing name.

PPS: Oh man, Seibertron has everything!

I have that croc one from when I was carytheweeone. I'll have to drop an image here when I get a chance.

Re: Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys (1698374)
Posted by MrBlack on June 14th, 2015 @ 12:47pm CDT

For what it's worth, I enjoy these articles. They often spotlight more obscure toys I'm not familiar with, and they do lead to some interesting conversations regarding the relative merits of certain toys.

As far as the Big Convoy mold is concerned, he's easily better than any of the figures on this list. The kibble is obvious on the figure, but integrated as weapons, and he ends up having a cool silhouette with the tusks sticking out of his back.

His trunk weapon, on the other hand, is awful.

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