Megatron/D-16 [Transformers One/Iacon Race 3-Pack]

Rounding out the Target exclusive Iacon Race 3-Pack is Megatron/D-16. Like the others, Megatron is a retool/repaint of a prior existing One Step Changer from Cyberverse that got a bit of use. The grays are darker, but most noticeably are the new parts for his tank mode. Like Optimus, just a few changed parts easily make the toy look like his new movie counterpart. Pretty neat and the tank honestly looks cool. I wasn't the biggest fan of this mold in Cyberverse after skipping over the first version and getting the Cybertronian tank remold later when I couldn't find Megatron X. The toy was fine, just I had gotten the second One Step Changer Megatron and liked that toy a lot more. So the other one was a little underwhelming personally. A few years later with some cool updates and I'm a bigger fan of it now. I guess the new tank mode really improves it.

As a One Step Changer, Megatron auto-transforms by pushing the purple fin/button on his tank cannon. These are simpler toys where the gimmick is more so the toy than the figure itself. If you can get past that, you're going to enjoy this. If not, then you've already dismissed it. Megatron has simple articulation like the others in this assortment and that just is what it is. Like the others, I enjoy the old school flavor of the toy (outside of the gimmick), so I look past it without a second thought. The chonkiness of this toy is really satisfying and made me want to compare it to various older robot toys. Dorvack maybe. I do wish he had a sword or something, that would top it off nicely. A design element from the Cyberverse toy that I didn't like unfortunately returns here. In robot mode, the tank back end forms a backpack. That in itself isn't bad, but it's pretty loose and moves around much easier than I'd like. If only it would lock into place. It's not only a cosmetic issue, the stability of the robot mode comes into play as it's a part of the spring loaded transformation. Aside from that gripe, the toy is a neat little figure. The tank looks really cool and there's a super robot look to the whole thing. Neat.

Optimus Prime/Orion Pax [Transformers One/Iacon Race 3-Pack]

The Iacon Race continues with our look at Optimus Prime/Orion Pax. This toy is a repaint and retool of a Cyberverse Optimus Prime Turbo Changer that I never got, so it's my first time experiencing the mold. It's mostly the same with a different robot mode chest and vehicle mode front end from what I can tell. This is of course to make him more accurate to his appearance in Transformers One which is a Cybertronian based design. Being that Optimus toys are pretty similar, it clearly didn't take too much to make it work neatly enough. Being a One Step Changer toy, he obviously has a simple spring loaded transformation and very basic articulation. Only his shoulders can move and that's ok. These are meant to be inexpensive toys based around a gimmick. Optimus has his energon axe in place of a left hand and that's neat. Not all of these get weapons.

I like the look of the truck quite a bit. It's big, bulky, and neat looking thanks to the Cybertronian design. It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but not everything has to be. Honestly, there's nothing really extra to say about it. This is an Optimus Prime toy and not much more. I do think in a more interesting set of colors it would look a lot better. Like the 2007 movie Optimus flame pattern would really pop. For some reason I can see Machine Wars Soundwave's colors on it, probably because of the blockiness of the truck. I'd like to think something like that would make for a cool promotional item. Ultimately it's the least interesting of the 3 pack, but I don't mean that in a negative way what so ever. It's a perfectly serviceable Optimus Prime and that's all it's trying to be.

That red does not like having it's picture took.

Autobot Mirage [Transformers One/Iacon Race 3-Pack]

One Step Changers/Turbo Changers are a fun little aside in Transformers toys that I enjoy quite a bit. They're very basic and inexpensive toys that remind of various older toys and are fun to collect. Almost a side quest to the main story of my fandom. This neat Iacon Race 3-Pack exclusive to Target stores features Optimus Prime and Megatron with a Mirage figure. These are remolds and recolors of prior releases that are pretty neat. Since the movie revolves around Optimus and Megatron, it's obvious they'll be dominating much of the merchandise. The inclusion of Mirage in this pack is a fun one that we'll be starting our look at the set with. Mirage uses the Blurr mold from the Robots in Disguise 2015 One-Step Changers line. This was a really likable figure and one of the better One-Step toys of it's time.

It's reuse here works very well. Mirage was given a new, more 'G1' head sculpt and is painted in a deco similar to his classic toy. It looks great in robot mode and outstanding in vehicle mode. That's one sharp car! Transformation is in one step (obviously) as the car opens up into Mirage. It's pretty pleasant. As I've mentioned before, these often remind me of older Transformers figures. Mirage strongly feels like a late Euro G1 or G2 toy. The Machine Wars/RID/Robot Masters race car mold also comes to mind as well (albeit with more articulation) as it began life as a unused G2 mold which is from that same early 90's era. Blurr has limited articulation like some of these older toys too. I know that turns off some people, but in cases like this, it doesn't bother me at all. I do wish Mirage had some sort of weapon. A solid white rifle would just round him out a lot. He's a cool simple little figure that really stands out in the early Transformers One figures I've picked up. He feels like a more special exclusive item that would be available at an event.

Wheeljack (1 Step Flip Changers/EarthSpark)

Getting back to the 1 Step Flip Changers from EarthSpark (because I like them) is today's look at Wheeljack. While I've always I enjoyed 1 Step Transformers for various reasons, it's taken me a minute to figure out what it is about these newer Flip Changer versions that I like. I think for the most part, it's because they remind me of Gobots in a way. Certainly not all of them, but a good bit of them have similar proportions. Obviously Gobots had articulation and had to be manually transformed, this is just a slight similarity. With Wheeljack, I'm reminded of the Machine Robo version of Major Mo a little. Similar car, similar robot (the head obviously isn't the same).

Wheeljack of course transforms automatically, however does so with the "butterfly knife" transformation so many 1 Step Transformers use. It's been almost 10 years of this and I've yet to tire of this simple transformation. Wheeljack, like the other Flip Changers doesn't have any articulation (boo), is pretty pleasant regardless. He's just a likable little toy. I will say some more colors would be great as the little bit looks nice on the mostly all white toy... but also the mostly all white could use some more. I understand that these are inexpensive toys and there's some budgetary trimming... but that's bullshit. Core Class costs the same and are fully functional and colored. These should be cheaper. Aside from that, Wheeljack is a very pleasant little robot. I see that a recolor of this mold as Breakdown is on the way and... while it doesn't look like Breakdown, I do find it pleasant looking. Maybe a Major Mo version could come along just to make me happy.

A day with Shockwave

 

About 2 weeks ago as you're reading this, I finally bought a Turbo Changer Shockwave. I'd been wanting this figure since it came out in Cyberverse and for some reason never got it until recently under it's re release as a Buzzworthy Bumblebee figure. I've made my love for these simple figures know often here, so I'll spare you the details, but he's a pleasantly old school vibe robot toy. A week later after buying him, and a week before you'll read this, I opened him. I've got a pretty good backlog of unopened toys and the bulk of posts here are written in advance. I'm sure I've explained that one here as well, but thought I'd repeat it in case that wasn't clear. 

I've spent all the day with this Shockwave by my side. I work at night (I'm also sure I've said that before), and it was a Monday. I woke up early to see my wife off to work and spent the day doing odd tasks between goofing off and napping. Monday's for night shift folks are like Friday evenings for day shift folks. Shockwave got transformed a million times. If you look at the delightfully buggy alt mode, you'll see those rear legs. Squeeze them to auto-transform him into bot mode, pull them apart to go back. What kind of insect is he supposed to be? Maybe one of those flat grey ones I always see on my porch?

I spent a good deal of time playing Dig Dug 2 on my Switch. By my chair was a TV tray (the one from my Instagram). Shockwave stood there next to my Galaxy Tablet. When I wasn't playing, the pro controller would sit there with the two. I really wish this toy would get re released in different colors as someone else, just so it could get a little more out there. He really feels like a lost Beetras/Deluxe Insecticon. Maybe with a new head or in different colors he could be a new one.

He was by my side as I finished the current (and sadly last) season of Pacific Rim: The Black. Overlooked the making of my lunch that consisted of some tortilla pizzas and grapes. What's a tortilla pizza? It's a little pizza you make on a tortilla instead of a crust. I'm on a low sodium diet. With the right sauce, cheese, and tortillas, a pretty easy lunch that's tasty and also nothing to worry about. He found it logical to add some Mrs Dash prior to cooking. I thought it was a pretty good idea myself. 

During another round of Dig Dug 2... have you played it? It's really fun, I like it a lot better than regular Dig Dug. But anyways, while playing I found myself thinking Shockwave would be at home in an old 8 or 16-bit video game. Probably as a bad guy in some space shooter, his design would make for an excellent general soldier. I can really see him on the cover in that old school painted art style. If this really was an old toy, he might have actually popped up in one. Unofficially of course, but there he'd be. 

I'm at work now as I write this. Just sitting at my desk working, typing out a few lines here and there between working. Sipping on my water flavored with orange-vanilla Mio. About to eat my little Ziploc baggy full of low salt Ritz crackers that I'll dip into a cup of peanut butter. It's the simple kid, not much sodium. Kind of wish I'd have brought Shockwave with me. Not sure why I didn't, there's been plenty a work night with a Bumblebee nearby. I'm not sure if you're interested in getting this Shokwave toy, but he's good company.

Hey Megatron, Nice Fusion Mega Shot

Turbo Changers, I love them. Old school robot toys sold to smaller children under the guise of 'simple'. For not a whole lot of money you can usually get a pretty great little toy that's fun to fidget with. Robot mode, tank mode. Tank mode, robot mode. 

When I saw this newer Turbo Changer Megatron toy, well I first passed. I was holding out for the black version soon to show up. Then I decided to go ahead and grab this one just case I never see the black one. If I do, then I'll just have both. That was a filler paragraph. If you like what I do, please consider ... just kidding. 

This version of Megatron turns into a Cybertronian tank as it's intended to represent him back home on Cybertron. It's kinda a typical spacey hover tank looking design. Not too bad, does kind of remind me of a door jam. A door jam with guns, gently remove it from under the door. Don't just kick it. It's got guns.

 

Turbo Changer is the newer more cool sounding name for One Step Changers. Named so because they transform in one step (give or take a few adjustments), Megaton here does just that. Simply spread his legs (don't be weird) and he unpacks into a squat, but traditional looking Megatron.

All jokes about door stops aside, it's a pretty sharp looking tank. If I had some Diaclone drivers, I'd be tempted to see if one could pilot it.

 

The action gimmick of this particular toy is the Fusion Mega Shot. Which means positioning the tanks cannon over his shoulders. I know, insane right?  It's not really bad, but seems like another name would have fit better. There's a very basic amount of articulation here, as should be expected. His arms move, that's it. These are simple toys and really it's a pleasant simple. I haven't tried it, but I'm tempted to give him a weapon. He could hold one. 

My only complaint might be limited to my figure, others may have better luck. His left leg tended to sag in robot mode not really locking into place. I found myself positioning the cannons to hold him up when taking that picture above. I'm not sure if it's a wide spread issue. Maybe.

If you don't like One Step/Turbo Changers, then you're not going to like this one. If you do, you might. It's not the best one I've had... but not the worst either. Maybe if I ever find that black one, it'll have better legs. That would improve it a lot. He looks good, it's a neat toy. A simple Megatron that looks like Megatron for not a lot of money. Not bad.

Turbo Stepping Young Punk

Can we talk Turbochangers for a minute? I mean, I'm going to anyway, but that's generally the way you start out when talking outside the status quo. I've never made my love for Turbochangers/One Step Transformers toys a secret. They're just the right amount of throwback to older super robot toys. Add in the low price and you've got something fun to collect casually. I buy regular modern Transformers still (I don't exactly make that a secret either), but variety y'all. It's a good thing.

Usually when bringing up a Turbochanger, you get some flack. Though there's plenty of folks who get it and just enjoy having  fun with their hobby. Oddly enough, some of the flack you'll get is folks saying they don't sell and are a failure... but they've been steadily on the shelves since 2014. I may buy a lot of these things, but not enough for six steady years of retail presence.

I remember initially being disappointed that they weren't smaller. Somehow I thought they were the size of Hot Wheels. When I picked up Drift and realized they were bigger, I was surprised. Then the little shit somehow went everywhere I went for a week or two. Kept him in my cup holder. That's ridiculous. I keep hoping for G1 ones, because I think that'd be perfect and Cyberverse is pretty close. The Tiny Turbo Changers are pretty close to that smaller toy I initially hoped for with smaller ones.

Thinking about what else I'd like in the format. Pretenders would be neat, especially Deluxe Pretenders. I think about these guys and wish Euro G1 bots would get worked in. G2 stuff also, they're too close in construction for it not to work. I don't know how to end this post, so I'll just stop here.

My Cyberverse Coat Of Many Colors

Sometime last night a siren rang out the most wonderful news, a song of new Cyberverse box sets. Not long ago I talked about the newer Warrior Class Starscream that seemingly transformed into the Vic Viper. As I said then and have said since, I'm not a seeker completist. Somewhere during the SCF/Heroes of Cybertron and Classics run... I had my fill. Though also like I said, this mold in multiple colors would change my mind. I'm very glad they're not 100% traditional in their colors.

Variety is the spice of life and man look at those seasoned space jets! I think Thrust and Skywarp are my favorite so far. They just pop. Thundercraker and Starscream ain't too shabby themselves. I kind of wish they were all new characters since the colors on the mold make them look like new characters. It's not a major gripe though. I'm just going to post that Gradius commercial again for good measure.

I am so bad at that game, but I love playing it.

Another bit of wonderful news from yesterday, is the sightings of a Repugnus box set. From the episodes with the swarm of Repugnus bugs on Cybertron is this set of various members of that swarm. That beautiful green Repugnus is a recolor of the Turbo Changer I raved about not long ago and man is is sharp looking! The other members of the swarm (Pesticons!) are tiny new molds, not unlike the Sharkticons from the prior Hot Rod set. They may be from Tiny Turbo Changer origins, but the Sharkticons were a hard plastic and not rubbery. These look a little bigger as well, so I'm not sure. Maybe.

Regardless of mold origin, the multiple colors are absolutely wonderful. I love the Cyberverse rendition of Repugnus and am looking forward to adding more of him to the shelf my current one will eventually sit on. I just moved last month, I'm getting there. Since this one is so similar to the Hot Rod, I'm assuming it'll cost around $20. The seeker pack... that was an ebay leak, so who knows? I kinda imagine it's a Christmas item and wagering around $40-$50. Hoping they're easy to get as I must own these.

Bludgeon And His Creepy Looking Ass

Like Repugnus yesterday, I got Bludgeon a month ago... but I'm like doing a thing here. Bludgeon is a Transformers Cyberverse Turbo Changer that 100% proves everything I've been saying about these toys. Pure old school super robot toy with a simple gimmick transformation. I had noted Repurnus needs a gun, since he could hold one. Bludgeon's known for his sword, and comes with one that he can hold! A Turbo Changer that comes with a traditional weapon!

Turbo Changers lately have been coming with an additional play gimmick and Bludgeon technically does as well. If holding the sword in his left hand, you can activate his WHIRLWIND SLASH! Basically, You spin his hand right round, baby. Right round like a box fan, baby. Right round round round. Transformation is turbo changing by pushing/pulling his legs and adjusting them arms. The sword stows between the tank turrets. Or you can stick it in one of the barrel for some wacky ammunition. Imagine getting a sword shot out of a cannon at you. Bludgeon really wants you dead, specifically by sword. Dammit Bludgeon, calm the fuck down.

Bludgeon is just the toy to fiddle with while you watch tv or ... what was that? Ya'll here something? Looking at Bludgeons skeleton face for so long can give you the creeps huh... wait... Ok, maybe I've spent to much time isolated in the house but... I swear I hear something.

Repugnus And His Gruesome Chomp

I had gotten Repugnus last month, but since I talked Whirl yesterday... I thought I'd just follow his lead. Repugnus is a damn treat. As you can see above in his monster mode... he's just adorable and wants to give you a hug. His clawed arms are decently articulated and by pushing the lever behind his head, you'll get a GRUESOME CHOMP! What the hell is that? It's his play feature frankly, but also it means those two tusks on the side of his mouth close.

As the norm for a Turbo Changer, transformation is simple making Repugnus's robot mode unfold from the monster form. He looks like his G1 toy quite a bit here, just a bit smaller. The arm articulation carries over here and it's a shame Repugnus doesn't have a gun or anything as he sure could pack one. He's a simple bot and that's part of where the fun is. With Turbo Changers the aneurysm from a piece of kibble blocking a basic joint needed is gone.

Simple is not a bad thing as he's chock full of character and charm. This is a cool toy and would fit right on in next to Whirl by your Genesis Mini while you work through that game of Streets of Rage 2. Perfect for fiddling with during a needed break after a drink from that ice cold beverage slowly saturating everything around it with moisture form the melting ice. Damn man, turn a fan on or something.

Whirl And His Turbo Talon

While out getting groceries, I was fortunate to stumble upon the new Turbo Changer Whirl. I had been looking forward to getting this toy and after Shawn showed me his, definitely wanted to pick one up. I don't know if Whirl will get any other size class release in Cyberverse (aside from a Tiny Turbo Changer), but honestly am pretty happy with this one. Every positive thing I've been saying about Turbo Changers in Cyberverse is true with Whirl. Very old school style super robot toy, in a  small easy to transform figure. I love the blue colors used. Sure, it's traditional Whirl colors... but they look great.

Whirl turns into a helicopter as usual. I'm honestly surprised just how much he looks like his old Dorvack roots while still being a new toy. Transformation is done by moving the cockpit down and adjusting the parts, in reverse for helicopter mode. His right arm is molded to portray one of Whirl's classic hand mounted guns, while the left has his tried and true claws. This is where the Turbo Talon gimmick comes in with a lever allowing you to open and close said claw. I'm not sure what makes this a Turbo Talon, but I guess it's a better name than 'move switch talon'.

Whirl is pretty simple, what you see is what you get. Though as Shawn pointed out, it's nice how his helicopter blades lock in place in robot mode onto the tail end of that copter. He's a good figure to fiddle with while watching TV or stand next to your Genesis Mini during a game of Land Crusader. Part of me wishes somebody would turn the toy into a Pretender. I want to believe it could compactly fit into a shell. I do believe it could. I uh... somebody do that... k?

Dang, that's neat

サイバーバース：1ステップチェンジャー2020年向け商品の店頭発見報告。なぜかシリーズロゴが2種確認。
https://t.co/xvP2dxExDA pic.twitter.com/T1ufuQ8pDX

— オートベース愛知 (@autobase_aichi) November 6, 2019

Cyberverse: A one-step changer 2020 product discovery report. For some reason, two series logos have been confirmed. http://snakas.blog95.fc2.com/blog-entry-734

スーパー7製「リ・アクション」トランスフォーマーシリーズ第一弾商品画像 https://t.co/IaHXIsosZR pic.twitter.com/z6CsIjwiK6

— オートベース愛知 (@autobase_aichi) November 6, 2019

Super 7 “Re-Action” Transformers series first product image http://snakas.blog95.fc2.com/blog-entry-734

I'm your Tubro Beetle

It's been so long since I've talked about robot bugs that I feel like I owe it too myself as much as I owe it to you all to talk about robot bugs. Not to mention it's been awhile since I've pointed out the whole 'today's more simple toys are throwbacks to older toys' thing I never seem to shut up about. Up above this paragraph is a picture of Beetras, I've made a few posts before about Beetras (follow the tags below to see) and man don't they look great? Just great old school robots from a time that seems forgotten despite it being homaged so much with various high end and regular retail releases. As the Deluxe Insecticons, Convertors, odd bootleg toys, or even in their original release, Beetras are just awesome robot toys. I really wish there was a new Beetras style figure so I wasn't continually living in the past and had something new... wait..

Look at that glorious robotic sci fi beetle. LOOK AT IT. One again the 'simple' sub lines aimed more at younger children comes through with an extremely old school super robot toy. This is the new Cyberverse Shockwave Turbo Changer/ One Step Changer toy. Inexpensive and quick to transform, Shockwave's weird insect alt mode when reduced to a mode simple form looks like a Takatoku toy lost in time. It's not just limited to alt mode either.

Look at that angry cyloptic menace to the galaxy! Sure it's not exactly a reproduction of the old Beetras, but it's pretty darn close. I wish he came in multiple colors. I can see it in red or green or grey. I want to put a chrome weapon in his hand. Seeings has one hand is already a blaster, maybe a sword. Part of me wants to chrome some of those parts up, but seeing the nature of a Turbo Changers transformation involves lots of folding up... it could scratch off. The similarities are probably coincidental, but I'll take it!

Cyberfire Cogman (turbo changer)

Cogman was introduced in The Last Knight and makes for a great looking Transformers toy. In vehicle mode Cogman is a silver sports car that's very sleek and fast looking. It makes me think of Nightbeat, even though they are different cars. I'm very pleased with this car. I made it drive all over my home while making 'vroom vroom' noises. As a Turbo Changer he transforms in just a few simple steps into a clockwork looking robot.

Cogman is a very solid and pleasant robot. If I had any complaints it's that his bronze colors blend into the light silver too easily. Despite that, he's an ideal simple robot toy. From his proportions to his silhouette, Cogman is a great Transformer. Honestly, he makes me think a lot of G2 Gobots or Spychangers. Aside from his transformation, he's very similar to those. He might be my favorite One Step/Turbo Changer figure to date.

Cyberfire Megatron (turbo changer)

As he appeared in The Last Knight, Megatron is a space jet of sorts. If that what that's called. I mean, it's not an outright jet is it? Or is it a normal jet that just looks awesome? Whatever it is, it's a sharp looking vehicle and in this toy is presented well. He's a Turbo Changer toy, which means transformation is done in just a few steps into his viscous robot mode.

 

Megatron almost looks like he should be another character here. That's a complaint mind you, I just feel like I'm looking at Straxus instead of Megatron when I look at this version. In robot mode Stra... Megatron is powerful looking and imposing. Almost like some statue of a warrior in a Thor movie or some viking themed monster. He only has shoulder articulation, but I don't notice it too much. It's a great design and works well as a Turbo Changer figure.

Cyberfire Scorn (turbo changer)

Scorn is a Spinosarus and a member of the Dinobots first introduced in Age of Extinction and featured in The Last Knight. It's a great design that didn't as much focus as I'd like, though that's a complaint I have with the Dinobots use in the movies. As a Turbo Changer he transforms in a few steps into his very knight like robot mode.

In robot mode, Scorn's tail forms his left arm which resembles a javelin. If you can't tell by the picture, he has shoulder articulation and the dinosaur head swivels to use as a hand. Honestly despite his simple transformation, I found myself getting frustrated trying to transform him. I don't know if it's just mine, but his parts kept locking up against each other. Scorn is a nice looking toy though, just could be a touch better thanks to his transformation.

Beserker (turbo changer)

My love for you is one step truck...

Beserker may look a lot like one of the Dreads from Dark of the Moon, but he's actually a Decepticon from The Last Knight. I say that as I was really looking forward to the Dreads returning and I ended up with a Decepticon who was literally just on screen for a second whom looked like a Dread. In vehicle mode, he's a neat police type truck. As a Turbo Changer toy, he transforms very quickly into a basic robot mode.

Once again, he's not one of the Dreads somehow, but a very menacing looking robot. He makes me think of Skullgrin in this form and I'm considering another trip to Five Below to pick up an extra to customize into one. There's not a whole lot to say about this toy other than what can be seen in the pictures unfortunately. Turbo Changers are by nature simple figures, and he's pretty simple alright. Still, not bad for what it is and I do like the truck quite a lot.

Robots in Disguise One Step Soundwave

After putting it off forever, I finally bought the One Step Changer Soundwave from Robots in Disguise and boy are my arms tired. Mainly because I've been changing him back and forth over and over. I had been intending to get Heatseeker before Soundwave, but as I never see him anymore, I just grabbed Soundwave and don't regret it at all. Soundwave is a classic Transformers character that's Robots in Disguise design just looks great.

In vehicle mode Soundwave is some sort of boxy truck/SUV/Crossover thing that fits for a modern update. He looks like he'd fit in with late Euro G1 or with most G2 toys. Which I've noted before is my draw to these more simple toys in that they're seemingly lost toys from that era. Soundwave transforms extremely simply (per the gimmick). Just pull the front of the truck over the robot and the parts mostly arrange themselves into place with a small amount of adjustment. They really should call these One Step and a little fiddling Changers, or as they're known these days, Turbo Changers.

Soundwave looks great in robot mode. Like most of these Turbo Changers, he's limited in articulation, really just arms and head. Which is fine as it's a simple toy and like I said... it feels more like an older toy. He's got a decent paint deco going on, looking like classic Soundwave well enough. I can't help but to wish his cannon fired or he had some sort of other weapon. He just needs some big honking accessory to polish off the presentation. Either way, for the price and for just the toy on it's own, it's pretty great.

GiG Predators and Turbomasters commercial

I've made my love of late European G1 to all of G2 Transformers known more than on a single occasion. The design style that started in that nebulous area between the end of G1 in European countries (oh the things we missed out on here in the States) and went through Generation 2 (with those European molds surfacing in Machine Wars and Universe). It's just perfect to me, the ideal evolution of that Diaclone/Microman genesis to original Transformers. Even now with all our fancy engineering in modern Transformers, if something makes me think of that era, I gravitate towards it.

It's a major reason why I like the more simple toys that come from lines intended for smaller children (Turbo Changers, Authentics, Cyber Battalion and so on), it's that they are extremely similar to this era of design and that's just something I love. Take that Authentics Bumblebee, despite all his budget restrictions slapping you in the face, he's got the skeleton of a G2 car bot. The various more simple toys of Robots in Disguise are 100 % seemingly lost in time relics of this era. Hell, there's a couple of 3 Step larger versions of Optimus Prime from RID that would blend right on in with a Victory or Brave figure. Whenever people say they wish Transformers were made like they used to be, all one has to do is point towards those. There was a Fast Action Battler toy from Age of Extinction, Vehicon, who was pretty much a remake of Stormtrooper Rage.

Occasionally I get asked why I like these oddball toys, and I usually just answer that I just like the random stuff (and I do), because sometimes folks just don't get it. They don't have too, it's all subjective and really not important. Everybody enjoys things differently, and this is one of the ways I enjoy things.

Brackets, easy! Lost Age! Series Song

I don't recall if I posted this before or not, but even if I did, I'm doing it again. Because this is amazing. My affinity towards One Step Changers/Turbo Changers is well known, as is my love for commercials. I think my appreciation of silly goofy fun is also pretty well known, I know, I'm such a weirdo. What kind of jerk enjoys himself with his hobbies? So as I'm currently having a stressful week at work, I could use a laugh and this commercial is just so silly. There's a certain charm to watching the cast of Age of Extinction/Lost Age in One Step Changer/Turbo Changer form put on a little song and dance number.

Man, I really need that big Optimus.