Man. Alts Really Screwed Up My Perception Of Tfs.

[SentinelPrime]

Hi there.

 

Alternators are awesome. (I'm good with the obvious...) But, no, they are REALLY awesome. So awesome, in fact, that now like 80% of my other Transformers seem.....well, kinda weak. OK, very weak. By a large margin. There's guys I like on design alone, like say Energon Divebomb, or RID Train Bros. but then, there's the rest. Plasticy, brightly colored, oddly proportioned, weird alt. modes.

 

Now, don't misunderstand. I am not trying to knock any one or anything. I'm not saying a toy you love sucks, nor do you. This is just my perception shifting, actually returning to my original vision for TFs.

 

Which doesn't involve much space travel. Or flying cars. I like the idea of TFs being on Earth, in disguise, hiding, and fighting for what fuel they can. It's small minded, sure, but I really think TFs work best in this setting.

 

Now, this comes full circle, because Alternators brought me back to this clarity. And man, as far as detail and seriousness in design, they trump any TFs out there. (and 20th, of course) Now I feel like most of the other guys are just.....there. I don't seem to have really much connection to Armada or Energon at this point. I don't see them as characters, because the respective stories didn't...."agree" with me. But when I look at my Alt display, with 20th, I get that big kick-in. You know the one.

 

But still, I think it goes back to quality. If the alts were of the same quality as the main line, I doubt I'd be as into them. But other than some....challenging transformations, Alts are sheer TF perfection, representing the true spirit of what TFs were created to be.

[DPrime]

I would have agreed with you 100%, until I saw that picture of "Prowl".

 

I fear that the line has slipped into mediocrity.

[Snow_Serpent]

I fear that the line has slipped into mediocrity.

I don't think one misstep (even if it is that, I've seen the pics and think the whining is a bit overblown), is cause to suggest the line is slipping.

[abraxsis]

Don't really agree that Alt's are a perception changing phenomenon. They are too complex, to the point of having to take them apart or having them fall apart when trying to transform, they are made from very thin, very brittle plastic, and are overpriced at $20 each.

 

They are cool, but they're not the be all and end all of Transformers.

 

Because of the lack of quality in current TF lines I've gone back to the TF roots and am now activly collecting gen01 figures again. Even going for onces that previously held no interest for me, like the Pretenders line.

[Opticon]

I'll agree with Daredrummer, Alts are basically the only TFs i buy these days, except for the occasional robotmaster (small tfs are jsut so damn cool). The complexity is part of what I like about alts. Its what kinda disappoints me about other TFs...move this part, rotate that, pull out the head, done...s'just no fun.

[synch]

All good points on each sides... One of the reasons I like alts its because there not just based on earth veichals, THEY ARE earth veichals! Just like g1 use to be ... for the most part

 

 

quality ... hmmm I think it depends on what you're view of this is really ... to some an quality toy is an toy that can be played with by a kid, & take an heck of an beating, to others, its one finely made & crafted toy that is pleaseing to the eye in both modes...

 

Or a mix of both really... I Look at wsts & I say DANG! everytime just cause of the skill it musta took to make them...

 

& then there are stuff that blows even WST away! Like that HM GF OP figure, fully diecast, & transformable ect... the works!

[SentinelPrime]

I agree they don't make the best "toys" per se. But, they do capture the essence of the style and feel of TFs better than any I've seen to date.

[CkRtech]

Hmm. I think Alternators are pretty lame, myself. There is no fun factor. No catch. The fact that they decided to "update" G1 and then steer the line the way they have is insulting.

 

Contrast that to some of the more recent "main line" Transformers - Armada & Energon. Those transformers are too over the top. They try to do so much with color and paint scheme that the alt mode and robot get lost in the mix.

[Mike]

I like the Binaltech versions, since they have the diecast and are painted. I wish I could afford to collect them, but maybe some day down the road. I think they're the coolest transformers ever to be made. Realistic cars that could pass as models, and they transform to awesome looking robot mods! So the alts have ONE crappy figure (prowl) What transformer toy line DOESN'T have a crappy figure or two?

[SentinelPrime]

I just remember when I saw the first drawings of Dreamwave's G1. I thought "man, I wish I could get TFs that look like THAT!" Of course, I never thought we would.

 

 

We did. THAT'S what I'm trying to say.

[Insane Galvatron]

Why is everyone bashing Prowl? He looks way better than Ravage... Remember how much everyone hated the idea of a robot with a cat head?

 

 

How quickly the fandom forgets and then finds something new to complain about...........

[DPrime]

Why is everyone bashing Prowl? He looks way better than Ravage... Remember how much everyone hated the idea of a robot with a cat head?

 

I can forgive Ravage because that body wasn't really intended to be his - they just wanted to do a remold to get some extra revenue. Since we weren't likely to actually get a cat Ravage in this line I didn't really care.

 

But to make a completely new mold, and not have it look like the G1 Prowl at all, when they have a perfectly good Subaru mold that would suit him PERFECTLY - I mean, why? And honestly, at least the Tracks/Ravage mold is pleasing to the eye - that new Prowl would look ugly even in the Energon lineup!

 

(Not that I'm bashing Energon - it just seemed to come out that way...)

[amd098]

lol i loved energon

alts are good, yet the kwality of meister/shocky let me down

[slippy]

i absolutely agree

when alts came out they put all my other bots to shame, even g1 reissues, which cost the same

now alts are my main focus

[SKYWARP]

I love the Alts. too. Only real problem I have with them is being able to find them. It seems like the Walmarts and Targets near me are loaded down with Hounds, Swindle's and Sideswipes. With all that I think it will be a while before I can find Shockblast or anybody else new.

 

Other thing to note is I went to a Target today and they have completely removed there Alt. section. I asked a guy working in the toy section about it (not that he would really know anything) but he told me that for some reason or another they weren't getting any more Alternators. He also said that it surprised him because he always thought they sold well. So I don't know what to make of that. Now just as long as all the other Targets don't stop then everythings good.

[Ren]

I agree, I collect G! for nostalgia, and I collect Alts cause they rock, Armada and Energon are for my kids to stuff in the toilet and flush.

[Mike]

Armada and Energon are for my kids to stuff in the toilet and flush.

@loll@ @loll@

[Doom Saber]

Why is everyone bashing Prowl? He looks way better than Ravage... Remember how much everyone hated the idea of a robot with a cat head?

 

 

How quickly the fandom forgets and then finds something new to complain about...........

I agree, Insane Galvatron.

 

People bash Prowl since his robot mode doesn't remember his g1 counterpart. What I realize is that no matter what new Bt/Alt the fandom sees, they complain about it, regardless. Like everything else made in this planet, you can't expect every figure to be "better" than the next. They are going to be some you'll hate and some you'll love.

 

As for Prowl, I really have no problem. If we gotten a remold of the Wrx, people are going to complain that they are too cheap to give us a new mold and will still say that the line is going down the toilet. I think we should stop the B#%$*ing for a TF not looking g1 accurate(hell, we recently found out from Lazerwave's bio that the binaltech series is an alternate present altered by Ravage) and just be happy we are getting a well made line for adults.

[Doom Saber]

Also, people forget that Alt/Bt is a line for adults and not for kids, hence the realism and complex transformation. It is for the ppl who grew up with G1 since those who grew up watching Beast Wars may thinks robots turning to vechicles is dumb.

[synch]

People like ravage more now, the same thing will happen with prowl once he comes out most likely...

[Bluestreak]

People like ravage more now, the same thing will happen with prowl once he comes out most likely...

Exactly.. And let's be honest, if Prowl was going to be a WRX, people would be whining and crying that he was just another remold and not a new mold.

 

I think he's going to be just fine and all the complainers will all of the sudden like him.

[CHA]

But to make a completely new mold, and not have it look like the G1 Prowl at all, when they have a perfectly good Subaru mold that would suit him PERFECTLY - I mean, why?

Personally I think 2 of each mold/car (be it autobot and decepticon) is fine. More than that and its overkill. 2 Characters of each car and thats it. If they woulda made Prowl another repaint of SS/Smokescreen, I woulda given up on this line cause to me thats what is making this line mediocre. Repaints and different heads is starting to get old.

 

I like new characters in new molds. If they start re-releasing old modes as new characters, I'm letting my kid flush them down the toilet.

[Interpol]

Alternators really aren't that great in my opinion. I stopped getting them after Dead End. They just hold no interest with me any more. Give me Cybertron, Energon, Armada, anything over them.

[Starscream49]

Alts are eye candy but have NO PLAYABILITY. If you ask me, you get more for you money out of the regular TFs.

 

Plus who wants to spend 10 minutes changing a TF.

[SentinelPrime]

Alts are eye candy but have NO PLAYABILITY. If you ask me, you get more for you money out of the regular TFs.

 

Plus who wants to spend 10 minutes changing a TF.

Well, I don't "play" with my toys these days.

 

Besides, I think it's worth the big 5 minute investment to get a car that looks exactly like a model/real car.

 

Attention spans these days. Jeez. @smilepunch@

 

 

I will say this: Galaxy Force Starscream is STILL one of my all time favorites. So all is not lost on alts.!