If you were to tell me that we'd make a consistent line-up of G1 characters AND have the inclusion of Beast Wars characters at the same time, I'd never believe you! Between how unlikely it initially seemed to revisit G1 characters that were already done before in addition to the fact that Hasbro seemed afraid of going all-in with the Beasties, but what we ended up with was so worth the wait after a year of samey Earthrise releases. The G1 characters feel generally better engineered than some of the Earthrise guys, while the Maximals and Predacons have the perfect balance between cartoon-accuracy and realism for the beast modes. Whatever the line-up had in store, I was generally happy to get the most out of the figures released. And now, it's time to rank just about every release I got in the line. Though there are a few characters that won't be featured either for consistency's sake (no Commanders and Titans, Ravage not excluded), and some figures may be missing from the line-up. But it at least has every new mold that's in the line all around. So let's rank them, but this time, we'll split them up in three groups!
Core Class
The new take on the Legends guys is done up pretty well if I do say so myself. Previously, Legends figures went back and forth on who to represent and how; from Cybertron to the ROTF line, they worked as affordable versions of the main characters. Cyberverse went a step further with the pocket-sized approach of the main cast of characters for Dark of the Moon and Prime, while Thrilling 30 used the Legends name for the Commander-sized toys with Targetmaster partners while Age of Extinction, RID2015, and The Last Knight used the Legion name for all characters. Then the Prime Wars Trilogy used the Legends figures for Minibots and the occasional Decepticons like the Soundwave Cassettes (and by extension, Blaster's) as well as the Insecticons. After 2 years of Micromasters, we've replaced them in the WFC trilogy and the Battlemasters with the Core Class characters, making pocket-sized versions of big name characters in hopes of interacting with the Titan Class figures while the Minibots/Insecticons now serve as part of the main Deluxe line-up. The Studio Series line still has Core Class guys for smaller characters like Ravage and Exosuit Spike, but we'll see how they turn out. For now, let's rank this line!
8. Vertebreak/Dracodon: While ranked at the bottom of the list, that doesn't mean that both toys are awful. Okay, Dracodon is kind of a lame repaint since he's only in a nonsensical neon green with gold highlights, but as far as the mold is concerned, Vertebreak manages to be highly detailed for being such as a tiny toy. Its skeleton is based on a Dracorex, which helps diversify the library of dinosaurs represented in the massive line of Transformers somewhat, and though its transformation is almost predictable for the limbs, I'll always appreciate how much it captures the feel of the skeleton beast mode, to the point where first handling it made me feel like I made a toy out of chicken bones.
7. Hot Rod: Observing this guy for a general close-up when compared to his other offerings feels very strange. So admittedly, there's so much one can do at a budget of $10, but the thing about him that's odd is just how he transforms. His faux chest lacks any synergy with the real one, most of the vehicle mode chunk is on his legs, the stylized look doesn't feel consistent with neither the SS86 nor Kingdom toys, yet he makes for an interesting addition due to how different he is from the Core Class Autocons with how much he deviates from the others in terms of aesthetics and synergy with larger toys of the same character. It's a neat figure to have if you don't mind the deviations he has.
6. Optimus Prime: This guy is so easy to pull off at such a small scale, and while he succeeds in having as much in common with the Earthrise Leader toy in spite of a few proportional differences here and there, he doesn't feel all that innovative. I guess you don't really need that much when we're talking about a G1 Prime figure, but I kind of wish we'd have a few more tricks here and there to make him a little more interesting than what I've come to expect with OP figures this small. It transforms no differently than the Reveal the Shield and Thrilling 30 Legends guys, only his front wheels have the panels that do hang just closely to the knees. That being said, he manages to be a successful Core Class toy that does what it says, but every other offering from here wins immensely.
5. Megatron: The leader of the Decepticons gets himself not a gun but a tank, which I was surprised we'd still have him remain as such, but I guess consistency with at least the Core Class figures made in the main parts of the line work well. Megatron does have a few hollow spots, and he lacks rolling wheels, but at least the figure makes up for it with his reduced reliance on partsforming to only the gun (which is a Walther P-38 like design, btw!). If anything, this figure does not fall short, especially for the paint. He's likely in a similar shade of silver and gray to that of the Walmart Netflix releases, which is something that can't be said for the retail Siege and Earthrise guys.
4. Buzzworthy Bumblebee: At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this guy at all because I was happy with the Netflix WFC Trilogy version of Bumblebee. I thought the proportions were bad and the toy was poorly made, but there's some stuff that's actually surprising about this guy. From the fact that he has a wee bit more engineering implemented to him for the transformation and thigh swivels, to the pinned wheels and the plastic quality used for the wheels actually being made to help him roll nicely, and even the sculpt work that heightens the quality of the toy, like the back of the vehicle mode, makes him higher quality than expected. That being said, there is one reason why he's given a $5 markup, and it has to do with the inclusion of a not-really-that-good Spike Witwicky Exosuit. Yeah, before we got the Studio Series 86 guy, 2021 had to contend with a figurine that had even less articulation than a Titan Master with the but flap being the main difference for mode conversion as well as a pre-posed Danny Exosuit that looked worse than Wheelie. Ignoring Spike, at least Bumblebee is cool.
3. Starscream: The Core Class take on the Seekers is one I didn't expect to be better in some ways than the Voyager from Earthrise. The transformation is more unique than before, with the torso not doing the same thing that the Classics guy did but with weird-ass tabs that made things worse, no stupid skirt panel that inhibited articulation, and the option to leave the null-rays in the shoulders while the figure transforms. The only issue I have with this guy is that the head swivel is a little inhibited while the null-rays suck at staying in their spots. It may be a design error but otherwise, I am happy to have Skywarp and look forward to Thundercracker.
2. Soundwave: A small part of me wishes the Netflix Voyager had more of the refined look of this guy without any of the awkward leftovers of the Siege figure. From the proper proportions to the more consistent parts, Core Class Soundwave does not fall short in just about everything except for maybe the feet being on ball joints for no good reason, the skirt panel, and the feet sticking out slightly. That being said, Soundwave is a spectacular release with lots of paint, articulation, and a satisfying level of engineering implemented to make him worthy of any collection. He even has a tiny Laserbeak for his chest!
1. Rattrap: The dirty Maximal best known for being told to shut up as well as utter "we're all gonna die" gets another new figure in the Core Class line-up. I kind of wish he was a small Deluxe since he wasn't that short, but regardless, he makes for a spectacular addition to the line thanks to the remarkable engineering for this transformation, a solid amount of texturing for the beast mode in addition to the dedication of making it look realistic, and a strong balance between Generations-stylings and cartoon-accuracy that I love from the WFC trilogy. They make stronger figures for the effort put into them compared to the more expensive yet visually less-impressive Masterpiece line.
Autobots/Decepticons
Now then, we've had quite the selection of Autobots and Decepticons to cover in Kingdom, and while they don't take up as much space this time to make room for the Beasties, there are still gaps filled for characters that needed new figures or never had updates until now. Thankfully, the choices for most of the Bots and Cons feel better done than the Earthrise guys, in that they don't feel as boring. But with that said, let's get straight to the rankings!
10. Slammer: The last Autobot Deluxe mold of the Kingdom line, this guy is also the weakest. Granted, he's not as awful as Arcee or boring as Refraktor, but this guy has some issues of his own that are worth mentioning. For example, the turret section has all these pegs but the stability fod the barrel and the arms is not the best. In robot mode, the peg meant to double as a waist swivel is a wee bit too loose, while the forearms could stay on a little better. I also find the ankle pivots to be the least well-made since they don't really feel like they'd hold a pose at times. I dig the robot design and his tank tread chain saw, and hey the robot design feels like a weird mix between G2 Megatron and Tailgate, but he's kind of mediocre in an otherwise awesome toyline.
9. Ultra Magnus: The Siege version is admittedly better due to its vehicle mode being made with the right amount of synergy when put alongside the engineering of the toy, and the aesthetics make for a much more convincing altmode. This guy was a case where they had the right ideas on paper yet the execution did not work as planned, resulting in a weirder cab mode, a trailer that tried to be like the G1 version but not quite, and while the upper torso looks cartoon-accurate, the legs still look more or less the same. Either way, I appreciate the effort they went in making it look as good for the Earth mode as humanely possible. It's just a shame that what we ended up with isn't the best in some ways.
8. Tracks: I got this guy twice in the line. First copy broke on me when I tried to tighten up the loose hinges for the leg transformation, and this is the second copy that currently doesn't have any significant issues. To be quite honest with you, I didn't expect this guy to feel cheap in some areas. The legs don't like to stay together that well, the white plastic feels thin and flexible, the clear plastic back pack is concerning, but at the very least, the transformation, car mode, and most of the robot mode do look solid enough while also lacking any of the baggy elements that were left on the original Reveal the Shield version. I do wish the car mode deco was better done because that red splotch of paint trying to pass of as flames are an indicator of Sunbow Stupidity.
7. Warpath: I was at first interested in getting the original Generations version of the guy since he looked really awesome while still looking like G1 Warpath enough, but I never got around to it. The Kingdom version lacks the awesome design yet still manages to be as good of that figure, with slightly better articulation, a design that still balances being cool and cartoon-accurate, and having a pretty neat transformation that feels like Warpath. I wouldn't mind getting another repaint from this mold if it was Treds, one of the Gobot guys from that G1 eHobby set, similar to Bug Bite and Road Ranger from Earthrise and also Kingdom. That would then leave Small Foot, Bad Boy, and Path Finder to be made, but we first need at least Gears, Powerglide, and Cosmos to be made in Legacy first!
6. Mirage: After the Siege version was made and we hadn't seen anything for Earthrise, I assumed that would be it for Mirage untuil the Kingdom line surprised everyone with Amaon sets giving Earth modes for him and Mirage with two Beastie repaints with new noggins. While Sideswipe's most obvious difference comes from the windshield color compared to the subtle retooling and white parts, Mirage has a striking contrast compared to the Siege version, having a leaner robot mode, a better integration of the arms for the engine, no transparent legs, aaaaaaaand the removal of the shoulder cannon option. Apart from that one issue I have with the retool, Kingdom Mirage makes for a surprisingly good take on the character.
5. Blaster: Another transition figure going from Kingdom to Legacy, Blaster does feel weird in some spots, from the way his plastic quality feels compared to other Kingdom Voyagers to his cassette parter being transparent instead of opaque, and the aesthetics feeling a little more on-par with SS86 than Kingdom, but he's certainly the best mainline Blaster in terms of articulation, scale, and accuracy, and it's pretty neat that he doesn't just act as a shrunken down Titans Return guy.
4. Huffer/Pipes: These two make for an impressive Minibot and my favorite mold so far from the Autobot subgroup that isn't a Bumblebee-related character. The truck modes are adorable and badass at the same time, the different accessories help them stand out beyond the deco and arms, the transformations are pretty neat, and the added swivel for the truck hood on Pipes adds so much to the retool. He could have easily be a straight repaint of Huffer with a new head and some vague guns, but Popes ends up being a shockingly awesome retool of an already neat Huffer.
3. Origin Bumblebee: Another Bumblebee figure that actually surprised me! While he did feel kind of cheap and my copy has an issue with one of the parts being the wrong side for the left foot with the kibble, this guy makes for a really solid take on the saucer altmode he had back in G1 while still not being a kibbly mess like the third party figures were. Doctor Lockdown was not wrong when he said that this guy was like the Siege Seekers, and while the kibble management on Bumblebee is a little worse, he still does a much better job at avoiding becoming a shellformer when he has a decent backpack, uses his chest for the front of the altmode, and even uses his legs for part of the transformation. If anything, that is what Earthrise Arcee COULD have done if it weren't for the diehard attempt at being G1 accurate which resulted in the stupid partsforming and the lousy backpack made from a barsoap altmode.
2. Galvatron: Certainly the best Galvatron mold we have gotten in a CHUG line, even though it was no contest if we're being honest. Obviously, Universe Galvy sucked ass while Titans Return Galvatron was almost there. This guy does lean hard into the Sunbow accuracy while still maintaining a good amount of engineering and plastic to make him feel complete without any of the crappy hollow parts. His accessories are decently plentiful, too. here are some things that would justify him being a Leader Class if they were added, like articulated fingers, but at least the figure doesn't have much that ruins him. Even the slightly disassembled shoulders on the original run isn't enough to stop me from liking it, though it and the battle damage were rectified on the Legacy variant. Selects Galvatron's also pretty cool with his toy-accurate deco and optional stickers, though don't count on me to get the clear purple Behold guy anytime soon. IDC if he has the accurate Revenge ship.
1. Cyclonus: This guy right here is the best AutoCon we've gotten in the Kingdom line. From a clean and sleek jet mode to a transformation that feels like black magic with the torso and a dynamic robot mode that doesn't look as embarrassing as the SS86 guys, Cyclonus does not disappoint as a Transformer. I thought the Universe version was going to be as good as it gets, but this guy proved me wrong in the best way possible. Now that we're getting another reuse again in the Legacy line with a Nightstick and in the toy colors, I can't wait to get that repaint...and get a stupid ass Sweep, too...
Maximals/Predacons
And now, for the moment you've all been waiting for, we'll be ranking the Maximals and Predacons this time! Finally, after the constant missed opportunities for mainine updates to Beasties in the Generations line, Kingdom more than makes up for the small specks left by POTP Optimal Optimus and Cyberverse's own Cheetor by giving us at least the Season 1 characters with some surprise additions here and there. We even get Fossilizers that have their own quirks! There are some repaints I didn't get, but for the most part, they're even better than the AutoCon repaints! So with all that said, let's take a look and see what the offerings each have in store for us.
14. Wingfinger: The weakest spot goes to Wingfinger himself, who sort of feels similar to fellow partsformer Slammer. His dino head likes to spin freely, the articulation feels weird, the stability isn't the best, and the dino mode could be a little more solid here and there. At the very least, they do both have a pretty cool use of weapon modes, and the ninja theme of this guy is a pretty awesome idea to distinguish him from the more monstrous Fossilizers who are also Predacons.
13. Ractonite: A character design inspired somewhat by Guiledart from Beast Wars Neo, this character design has bokers proportions, a lot of horns that come off, and no real hands. The dino mode itself is pretty awesome, and I do like how the chalky white contrasts from the colors of the other two guys without being too obvious (makes you wonder why that wasn't the case for the AOE Dinobots). I do wish the frill didn't wiggle slightly while the dino mode had slightly better articulation, but otherwise, he's pretty neat, and hey, you can recreate the dino head shoulder of the Dino Charge Megazord as I accidentally did.
12. Waspinator: This guy is a pretty neat take on the beloved punching bag, though he's pretty flawed in certain areas. I don't mind the purple wings, and the robot mode looks pretty solid, though the actual solidity of the toy is not that great for the torso, the wasp head, the and the waist swivel being obscured by the wasp mandibles is annoying, I do wish the wasp legs were more manageable since they get in the way. somewhat and almost take up some space. Also, his gun is 50% missing and reminds me of when they take a chunk of an altmode and use it for a weapon like Classics Mirage. So a decent figure but maybe don't get it if you like the Thrilling 30 guy more.
11. Scorponok: While he doesn't feel as cheap as Waspinator, Scorponok does sacrifice a few things here and there. His beast mode looks a little awkward in terms of proportions while the robot torso feels blocker than I'd like. The way the legs transform is pretty uncommon and reminds me of Spinister, though Spinister never had a lazy torso transformation like Scorpy does. Also I'm going to be honest and say that not only are the claws a little weird for looking more like pihrana plants, but the stinger looks like a penis tip while the face looks more lika a walrus. Sure, he's cartoon accurate and has a few nice features, but the kibble management and weird proportions make him a mizxed bag. Much like Waspinator, if this guy doesn't win you over, there is a better option; we recently got a Vintage Beast Wars reissue of the original guy, who I think looks way better overall.
10. Terrorsaur: Do excuse the inconsistent background for this guy, but Terrorsair is a case where he's generally solid but still has plenty of issues to bring up. I have to greatly commend the designers for turning a bird into a pteradactyl while still making them not feel like retools, but I have to admit that Terrorsaur has some problems of his own, from the even clunkier undercarriage to the wings being cheap and the ball jointed ankles being too loose. I kind of wish the red plastic didn't look as cheap since he did have a striking appearance, though maybe it's the silver feeling washed out. Whatever the case may be, let's hope the toy deco improves the quality control.
9. Paleotrex/Transmutate: This is undeniably the best of the Fossilizer mold, with Paleotrex having such a badass design that weirdly makes me think of Movie Starscream with the proportions while Transmutate can replicate her weird design with the alternate part configuration. While not 1:1, the ability to place parts elsewhere on her helps her feel different enough in robot mode to distinguish herself from the more ferocious Predacon. Also dig how Paleotrex's head can be removed and serv as a mace homage for Optimus Primal.
8. Rhinox: This guy got some flack for a couple of reasons, mainly the fact that his transformation seemed a little muddy in terms of what parts go where as well as how hollow he seemed. While the Thrilling 30 figure did feel more filled in and did have a somewhat clearer transformation, this guy at least doesn't have any loose joints and better captures the look of the cartoon design in terms of the bulk, especially with the faux chest. It does suck that the Chain Guns of Doom don't spin and look puny, but at least they're painted nicely and can utilize the blast effects. So not a perfect figure but far from the worst in my opinion.
7. Cheetor/Shadow Panther: After years of having a shitty ass Universe Deluxe, Kingdom fixes things pretty well by not making the robot mode look hideous! The engineering put in the character design is done up very well, especially for a Deluxe figure with its price tag. I do feel that both figures are a little cheap in terms of plastic quality, especially with the tabs shaving off a little too easily, but if you're careful, you should be fine. Cheetor himself could use for better colors to make him feel less cheap than he currently is, and while the Kingdom version fixes the blue, hte legs now look naked. Also, the tail weapon could have turned into a rump gun (though the homage to the Transmetal whip is appreciative, I suppose).
6. Blackarachnia: While the Masterpiece version was very impressive overall, this Deluxe gal surprised me even more with how little kibble was left over for the robot mode apart from the usual spider-legs and the backpack (which even that cleans up nicely). Whether she's in the cartoon or toy colors, the effort put into making this the most accessible version of the character while also making it look as nice as the Masterpiece version is always a win in my book. Previously, the Takara Legends version may be the best option for fans due to its heavy retooling from the Animated incarnation, but this one will keep fans more than happy, and I can't wait for Tarantulas to show up.
5. Optimus/Nemesis Primal: We've seen Primal pop up more often in other toylines, from having a remarkable Masterpiece figure to an unexpected addition to the Power of the Prime line with Optimal Optimus, but now the Kingdom series gives us a Primal that's great for the regular retail price. While he's shorter than most Voyagers and has a simple transformation, he more than makes up for it with the articulated fingers, the inclusion of the forearm guns and shoulder cannons, the pistons for the ankles, and the butterfly joints. He does a similar thing to SS86 Hot Rod where he sacrifices size enhanced features elsewhere, though instead of transformation, it's the articulation and features that make him better. Nemesis Primal is even better with his deco in addition to the black paint for his head enhancing the sculpted details. Both of them are great, and it's irritating how the Netflix version changes so little.
4. Dinobot/Grimlock: The second wave gave us one of the best characters in the franchise ever, and I am more than happy to have not just a mold that surpasses the Universe version by a mile but also a surprise repaint based on the original toyline! Dinobot is the better of the two, without question, but Grimlock's new head and slightly less wobbly waist joint does give him some points. Regardless, the mold's sculpted details, engineering, and robot mode articulation combined with a strong use of accuracy make for an astounding figure in the line all around. Maybe the dino legs can have more articulation, but otherwise, it's great to see one of the greatest of Beast Wars get a well made figure.
3. Airazor/Skywarp: The names may not line-up with the order of the figures' positions, but both Airazor and Skywarp make for great uses of an impressive birdformer. The sculpted details for the feature combined with the proportions making the most out of capturing what the real animal looks like, in addition to the paintwork that helps them blend in the parts as smoothly as possible while still delivering on remarkable robot modes, helps these two stand out as the best Deluxe in the line without question. Even some of the little things help them win overall, such as Airazor's golden missiles and the option to display Skywarp differently from Airazor so the to don't feel like the same toy.
2. Tigatron: It's a good thing Hasbro decided to make Tigatron a new mold instead of a repaint of Cheetor with some head retooling here and there, because he benefits greatly from the enhanced best mode articulation, the improved robot mode proportions, and the addition of a gun that, while doesn't integrate into the beast mode that well, at least fits allows him to look right when displayed using it in robot mode instead of having his tail yanked from his beast mode and used as a generic whip. The green paint apps are especially welcoming since they make him look more premium, and I don't mind the slightly yellowed parts on the beast mode since they're intentional and are apparently found on actual white tigers. I wouldn't mind getting the intended orange colors found from Mutant Tigatron.
1. Megatron: Once again, forgive me for not having the consistent background for the images, but this guy kicks ass. The dinosaur mode looks awesome, the transformation is the right amount of complexity for a guy like this, the robot mode looks badass, and the articulation is great all around. The use of rubber parts on him helps heighten the realism of the beast mode while also adding some weight to him, and he makes for the perfect balance of cartoon accuracy and realism that I greatly appreciate on Beastformers. I do hope to get T-Wrecks, but if only he had the alternate head that was intended for that release.
And that ranks the entire line-up for the Kingdom line's molds. Obviously, Ravage and Rodimus Prime were not included since one was an SDCC exclusive that would better off be placed with the miscellaneous ranking while the other might have already won due to his overall qualities surpassing everyone else, and in addition to the fact that I did not cover the other Hasbro Pulse exclusives nor did I go over the other Commander and Titans since I don't own them, but that'll do it for the Kingdom line. Before we go to Legacy, however, why not I take a look at each mold released throughout the line. I do want to mention that any repaints from Buzzworthy Bumblebee and Legacy will be included since any mold that originated from the WFC Trilogy will be focused on, and that includes Blaster and Hot Rod despite those two being made for Legacy in mind.
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