2021 Miscellaneous Transformers Purchases Ranked

2021 is quite remarkable! I spent so many Transformers in a single year, and in addition to those, there were plenty of Marvel, DC, and miscellaneous figures to take advantage of. For those who have never seen anything like 2021, I have delved into quite the selection of figures apart from the War for Cybertron and Studio Series gang, from vintage toys to other parts of the Generations line, it's quite remarkable to delve into if you ask me. But while I have ranked the Studio Series line of the year as well as the Masterpiece figures I received in 2021, there is still work to be done with the many figures I got in the year before getting to Kingdom's ranking list. I should mention that G1 Bumblebee and the Micromasters are not included because they're not in a full-sized tear compared to the other toys here. Also, two WFC Trilogy figures we've covered in the list will be brought in for the sake of them being out of the traditional mainline league as well as synergy sake. Any non-WFC and Studio Series figures are added here while the Masterpieces I got this year were already covered on a ranking list; the Cyberverse Deluxes made this year also had a ranking list of their own. So with all that said, let's take a look at what's to come from here!

25 - Generations Nightbeat: I wanted to like this guy because of how Nightbeat's character fascinated me in the comics, and while the vehicle mode might be the best part about this toy (in spite of its connections to Bumblebee), the rest of the toy manages to suck. Transformation is serviceable while the robot mode doesn't feel quite refined as an action figure. The shoulder kibble moving in unison with the arms, especially with the wings involved, makes pulling off good poses challenging, and the knees being faux ratchets combined with clips make them garbage all around. The weapons are also more fitting for Bumblebee, but even they suck for not feeling like proper weapons he could use with his hands or design. Just all around a bad toy, and it's a good thing the Cyberverse version of Bumblebee uses a similar design but with way better results for a robot mode.

24. Power of the Primes Elita-1: While the Netflix Deluxe may be a little closer to a general Elita-1 design, this figure feels more unique all-around due to it having beefier proportions than the norm for a fembot. That being said, it is not a perfect toy due to its lackluster accessories, somewhat mixed stability in robot mode for the backpack, an extremely weak transformation, and a jet mode riddled with two massive issues: the robot's inability to conceal itself, and the stickers applied onto the wings. Also, having the same torso mode Starscream has doesn't quite work because it was moreso meant for the Movie homage, but that won't be needed since I don't plan to get the other fembot Deluxes.

23. Animated Megatron (The Battle Begins): Back in 2018, I got Optimus Prime with some other figures. Not as accurate as the Voyager apart from the weapon, but he is a cool addition to the Optimus/Megatron shrine. However, I could never for the life of me find Megatron at a good price. That is until 2021 when I found a seller willing to send it to me for $15. I already had a feeling of what to expect from the Cybertronian Megatron figures in the Animated line, and I was quite correct on plenty of aspects: weird fusion cannon blades, floppy joints that had to be tightened up, and a bad vehicle mode. I guess I like the more dynamic stance of Optimus, but that's pretty much it compared to his now-reunited packmate.

22. Retro Headmasters Skullsmasher: I'd probably put a Retro Headmasters ranking list but whatever, they can join this list since they don't makeup 10 figures compared to the MPMs and Cyberverse Deluxes. Skullsmasher looks really cool in his alligator mode, and I guess his robot mode is fine as it is.: That being said, he has plenty of issues that push bm back, such as the lack of proper heels in robot mode, the weird lack of proper knee stability, and the rubber cockpit cover. In fact, I am not happy to see that some parts of the toy feel rubbery for some reason. I also find the white plastic to look a little too much like they're prioritizing structure than anything.

21. Power of the Primes/Earthrise Punch/Counterpunch: I finally own the best POTP Deluxe out of the whole line, though at the cost of the colors he has. The POTP version looked much better with the darker shades of blue and yellow in addition to the red-painted rims. I could care less about the stupid Prime Master gimmick because it was actually stupid and I don't care about the Prime Masters. I like that the figure can at least work well in being different enough in either mode with the rearranged parts, but let's be honest: it's about as effective as Clark Kent hiding his identity with his glasses or the subtle differences between Sailor Moon's heroine outfit and her normal school uniform. The weird proportions and somewhat ugly gaps on the knees do distract the look, which further shows how scaled back he feels compared to the other WFC trilogy Deluxes, and his weapon's pathetically small. Now I shall paint those rims red.

20. Retro Headmasters Weirdwolf: This guy feels pretty barebones, what with the typical wolf design and color scheme that, even in spite of being official, feels like a generic animal robot toy that you'd find at Big Lots. Transformation is especially basic, though I could give credit to the collapsing body and the hinging of the shins for the robot legs, but man does he feel undercooked by comparison. Also, mine doesn't have the breakage on the cockpit yet but I know it's bound to happen.

19. Retro Headmasters Mindwipe: Probably the only Decepticon headmaster with a unique transformation out of the fact that the wings become the legs this time around. I'm still not sure if my copy will last because of the recent discovery on the broken hinges, but we'll see what happens. It's amusing that the wings in bat mode are colored differently to match the faux ones while they're purple in robot mode. In any case, these guys are okay but not spectacular as far as engineering is concerned.

18. Collaborative X-Men Ultimate X-Spanse: Remember when Marvel toys used to have Transformers of their own in the form of Shape Shifters, then Megamorphs, and officially under Hasbro with the Crossovers? Well, we now have a proper Marvel-themed Transformer that isn't a mechanized character but instead uses one of the vehicles from the X-Men! The Blackbird is a staple from that specific Marvel franchise, which already makes sense for it to be a thing compared to a Spider-Man that turns into a motorcycle, but what we end up with is a decent but not-quite groundbreaking figure. He's certainly Jetfire in his younger days, but I don't quite feel as satisfied with the figure as much as I should, especially considering the articulation he has and the IPs he's based on. Good thing I spent way less on him than the normal retail price. Also the Wolverine and Sabertooth figurines suck for not having stands.

17. Vintage Beast Wars Cheetor: This guy shows his age as do some Beast Wars figures. The cheetah mode isn't quite proportionate for the actual animal due to it prioritizing itself to be other predatory felines, but I'll give credit for the transformation being a little more creative with things like the waist swivel, arms from the back, and the leg transformation having a little more going on. Compare that to the Universe version where the transformation is uncreative. The robot mode ends up being dated due to the huge cheetah head and the gap between it and the rest of the robot torso, and that also counts with the somewhat limited articulation for the hips. Certainly not a terrible Transformer, but not one of the stronger releases in the Beast Era. More on this guy when I review him.

16. Chronicles DOTM Megatron: After owning the Studio Series version for so long and not messing with the original DOTM Voyager afterwards, getting this guy feels rather interesting to revisit. Mostly due to the general fact that he is inaccurate in terms of proportions, has a bad head sculpt, and did not come with a shotgun (which was later made for him courtesy of Evasion Prime. If anything, the figure does have a better deco than the regular version, in addition to him having tighter joints. He's not quite the reason I got the Chronicle set, but hey, you'll see who the real star of the show is in just a moment!

15. Classics Bumblebee: This guy's such a good toy, especially when it comes to how I always wanted a Classics Bumblebee the moment I saw an image of him. The vehicle mode is my favorite part, being a nice modern altmode appropriate for him, and the robot mode, in spite of the arm kibble and limited hip articulation, is a cool design that fits him very well. I don't even mind the jet ski heli-pack because it completes the look in a weird way. Certainly, a fun version of Bumblebee made to this day, but I'd say I'd recommend him in addition to the Earthrise version. One would be perfect for that Sunbow cast while the other goes so well with the updated character display.

14. Collaborative Back to the Future Gigawatt: It was no surprise that we'd get a Transformers/Back to the Future crossover of some kind in an official format since both franchises are typically mashed up as part of the phenomenon that is 80s nostalgia. I did like the trilogy of films, even if not to the same extent as other movies from the time period or films made since then, but I dug the DeLorean all around as a customized car with new features to make it memorable. Admittedly, it's not perfect. I do feel disappointed that it's Sideswipe in gray for the robot mode, but other issues like the lack of a flight stand, the higher price tag that a Deluxe has, and the terrible pegs that help make the chest piece swivel are what keep this toy from being 100% recommended. Maybe at a cheaper price, it works. But not at the current asking price. 

13. Retro Headmasters Highbrow: I was gonna do Galvatron! Then I got Highbrow! I'd do Ironhide if I had time, but then I got Highbrow! I made them a few days later, and I know why brow, hey hey! Cause I got Highbrow! Cus I got Highbrow! I still got my eyebrows! Nah nah nah nah nah nah-this figure is kinda average. Apart from the twin propellers, he's very basic alll around as a Deluxified take on his G1 guy. 

12. Chronicle G1 Megatron: I, too, never thought I'd own a G1 Megatron so quickly in my life. Like, sure, not as soon as I got G1 Optimus Prime, but still, 7 years later I actually got a G1 Megatron! Sure, he's not chromed out and he's missing his accessories, but still better than nothing! And hey, the gray looks pretty good on him without any of the unwanted safety orange that toy guns have to abide with! I will admit that the right arm likes to retract at times, and the right leg is a little wibbly-wobbly when both legs are close but he's weirdly stable when the legs are far apart. Either way, it's an ugly ass toy that I love because of how ambitious it was to take a gun into a humanoid shape.

11. Prime: Robots in Disguise Soundwave/APC Toys Evil Voice: My first ever unofficial Transformer that's set between being a knockoff and a fourth party product. Or is it third party for this type of toy? Anyways, it's an enhanced TFP Soundwave that is upscaled to better scale with the Prime toys, and he also lacks any of the rubberized parts like the fins and hands of the Hasbro version while also having some additional paint apps thrown into the mix. He certainly shows how unique his design is as he's quite the Slendercon. Honestly, I had to get him because he's somehow more affordable than all the eBay listings of the official version on eBay. If you see him for less than $45, GET HIM.

10. Retro Headmasters Hardhead: I kinda like how this guy turned out as far as the vehicle mode is concerned, though the robot mode proportions do feel a little lanky for his vehicle type. Still fitting to an extent given how he's not as much of a bigger bot compared to, say, G2 Megatron. His arms do feel longer than they should be, and the transformation is quite simplistic, but I'd say he at least doesn't feel as predictable as Highbrow is. And hey, you can always have his head on the neck socket at all times if you want to go for some lols. That being said, I do kind of want a Tankor repaint out of this toy.

9. Classics Megatron: This guy is so fun to revisit...especially when I made a repaint out of my first copy...with Sharpie...it looked cool from a distance but not so much up close. Anyways, Classics Megatron may not be as faithful to the G1 design as his WFC Trilogy counterparts, but goddamnit, that doesn't stop him from looking cool in terms of design, and I like the colors that he has. Weirdly reminds me of Buzz Lightyear with the gray, neon green, and purple, and you know how much I love Buzz Lightyear. While he is a shellformer due to his big Nerf gun wings, he at least makes it look integrated to his robot mode unlike, say, Earthrise Arcee or TLK Bumblebee. Oh, and how can I possibly forget those beautiful ratchet joints. Music to my ears!

8. Retro Headmasters Chromedome: This figure has quite a bit in common with the Combiner Wars Dead End figure, but trading the integral combiner parts with his Titanmaster-related gimmicks. The colors aren't my favorite combo, but he does make it work well as like some ice cream mix. Chocolate and vanilla. Still, I like owning a Chromedome, since he was pretty cool in Headmasters and in IDW, and now I can play with him while using Hank Hill's voice! Perfect! Still could use some added articulation.

7. Beast Wars Megatron: Yesssss!!! You'll see what I think about the Kingdom version in another post (PLEASE ARRIVE ASAP, BLASTER, CORE CLASS HOT ROD, AND TERRORSAUR). However, I'll go over my thoughts on this guy as a sneak peek for his review as was the case with Cheetor. This guy amazingly has quite the character that he has in the show even before the show aired! While the Kingdom version feels more refined in terms of balancing the proper look of the beast mode and the show accuracy of the robot mode, the original figure makes up for it with some gimmicks that a modern Transformer wouldn't really have today, from the water squirter to the claw arm (which works a little weirdly for this guy as I'm used to the claws being used to grab instead of attack), and the hip anchor cannons. Also, one plus to this guy that the Kingdom version lacks is the inclusion of ratchet joints! What he lacks in show-accuracy, he makes up for with chunky fun!

6. Retro Headmasters Brainstorm: One of the best Titans Return figures made to this day, Brainstorm is undoubtedly a popular mold to revisit, especially when it comes to how it was used for Blurr, Nautica, and Arcee! Plus, Brainstorm's lucky enough to have FOUR DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF HIMSELF! Whichever version of the character you get, this guy's so well done, from the sleek spaceship mode to the really fun transformation, a sleek robot mode, and pretty solid articulation with only the ankle pivots missing, you got yourself a remarkable Deluxe Transformer and the second-best figure in the lien as far as Deluxes are concerned...but he's about to be trumped by a specific Decepticon Targetmaster in the near future.

5. War For Cybertron Trilogy Covert Agent Ravage: If you told me back when I discovered Beast Wars that Hasbro would make a modern Beast Wars revival line, with entirely new molds to boot, I'd never believe you! Not only did Kingdom win me over with the Beast Wars cast joining the already awesome War for Cybertron trilogy toys, but it also made a spectacular Ravage figure! He's a heavy retool of Cheetor, and while the Beast mode definitely isn't as much of a priority as the robot mode, they went quite the mile to ensure the robot mode was quite the astounding display that he had in the show (except for the robot feet being inaccurate). He's not 100% perfect, though, as the arms may be a little too narrow in addition to having tight AF bicep swivels, but the price for a slightly bigger Deluxe with a Studio Series backdrop and a G1 Ravage is a little too steep, but hey, props to Hasbro for actually making the figure have lots of quantity in stock within Hasbro Pulse alone.

4. Movie Advanced Revenge Optimus Prime: I previously owned a version of this mold (the DOTM Walmart version with the unmasked head, hooks, and moon deco), but I wasn't a fan of the powder white and inaccurate colors that he had. So I was happy to get the TakaraTomy Movie Advanced repaint with the premium paint apps. This guy cost me the same money that the average Studio Series figure went for, but it is worth mentioning that he comes from China. So as you might expect, this is a case where it's either a high quality knockoff or unsold stock of the toy (which both this guy and the metallic Battle Blade Bumblebee both had) transferred to Chinese sellers. Unlike the APC Toys Evil Voice, which is clearly a reverse-engineered version of the original PRID Soundwave with various differences, this guy is spot on to the official toy if he's a KO. The gold chrome gas tank guns are not easy to pull out, any my copy has a weird fade for the flame decals as well as me having to replace the sole chrome sunvisor with painted replacements from the DOTM version, but this guy has plenty of pros compared to the Studio Series version. The SS figure has a more proportioned robot mode, better articulation, a less annoying transformation, and better weapons, but I'll give credit to this figure for having the screen-accurate transformation, having both guns and swords, a Matrix of Leadership, and a sexy truck mode. I think this guy will be used in truck mode while Studio Series will be used in robot mode for any stop motions.

3. Classics Optimus Prime: I still own the AOE Evolution version of this toy with the toy-accurate deco, and while that one is the best-looking version, I will admit that the tolerances of that toy show their age considering how often that figure was used. So I went for a Classics version of Prime instead, the original release. I have to admit that while the deco isn't my favorite of the mold, it's got the nicest joints all around in exchange of some playwear that this figure got. Whoever previously owned it showed how much they loved playing with this toy because aside from the scratches and paint chipping, this figure is nice, chunky, and still fun all around. Sure, the Earthrise and Siege figures have the more definitive designs and improved articulation, this guy has what those two other figures lack: creativity, especially with that badass truck mode and the neat use of weapons.

2. Vintage Optimus Primal: Another Optimus on the list?! Yes, but this one's just prime! In all seriousness, Primal's my favorite Beast Wars toy that I own so far. The gorilla mode has some mean personality to him with the snarling face and the chest-beating gimmicks on the arms. The transformation is kinda lame but at least the face panel come robot chest, shoulder pads, waist swivel, and robot feet make him more interesting a la Punch/Counterpunch. Robot mode is so perfect, being a hefty Ultra Class toy with great articulation for a 90s figure on-par with Laser Prime, and with ratchet joints for the arms and some big ball joints for the hips, this guy is stable AF. The gimmicks are where they make him so good; you got some of the meh ones like the mutant mask and the somewhat short mace, but the left arm becoming the double-barrel cannon, the shoulder cannons, the twin swords being either dual-wielded or dual-bladed in one hand, and the option to have the swords spin for a more dynamic attack with the same lever, this guy rules! Even his pre-TV show head looks good!

1. Kingdom Rodimus Prime: He may not be with the other WFC toys, but this guy is still on the number 1 spot anyhow. Rodimus Prime is my first ever experience with the Commander Class price point in that line, but I'd say he's worth it overall. Vehicle mode looks quite good as a beefier version of the classic G1 alt mode with the extra details that both go well with the Winnebago as well as being in-line the heavily sculpted WFC toys. Transformation is a perfectly upgraded version of the SS86 Voyager with better clearance and nicer plastic. Robot mode is outright remarkable and comes with a Matrix chamber, weapon storage, articulated hands in addition to the already poseable figure, and tons of accessories for him or the trailer to use. That's right, from all of the weapon ports to the effect pieces he comes with, this guy makes for a versatile toy to display. The only issues I have with this release is the way the trailer has a small gap for no reason as well as the lack of painted rims. But beyond that, this is such a remarkable release, and it has made me no longer need any other version of Hot Rodimus Prime anytime soon. 

And that covers everything! It's quite a blast to make such a list that had figures that aren't part of an entirely covered line, but be on the lookout for when I make a proper Kingdom review. Until then, be on the lookout for my review on Vintage Beast Wars Cheetor.

Transformers Vintage Beast Wars Optimus Primal review

While Beast Wars is loved by tons of fans today, it's interesting to hear of a time where it was hated severely by fans. While Transformers fans are known to be hypocritical in addition to toxic at times, I can sort of see why they would display such behavior since this series was nothing like what they had before. The deviation from vehicles to organic animals was an entirely drastic one, especially compared to anything else that came out since then. However, if one were to look past that and the TRUKK NOT MUNKY shenanigans that happened at the time, what they have here might be a rather fun toyline to go over. Unlike G1 and the first half of G1, which consisted of rebranded toys, bricks, and kind of worthless gimmick shits compared to the earlier Minibots, Beast Wars was given fresh, new ideas to explore, taking any animal in the real world and making a robot out of it. One of those was Optimus Primal, who was initially a new version of the Autobot leader (with a previous bat figure) before he became his own character. Let's see how this great gorilla holds up.

Here is Primal in his beast mode. It's quite the silverback gorilla he's known for, albeit with some toyetic influences that are quite different from the Beast Wars CGI model. Do keep in mind these toys were made before the show was in production, and the show itself had its own liberties taken to deviate itself from the intent of the toyline initially being a continuation of the Autobot-Decepticon war instead of it being characters from the future who are sent to the past. Optimus Primal doesn't quite look as naturalistic to the actual beast mode due to the exposed robot parts, though the biceps at least have some sculpted fur details to make them somewhat blend in. In spite of those and hinges, gaps, and toyetic parts of the beast mode, he doesn't feel compromised compared to most other early Beast Wars toys. His articulation is very limited, with the arms having front and back movement as well as in and out in spite of the shoulder kibble folded down. The biceps ratchet around, and the elbows bend. The legs can be strengthened so you can then pose him for a chest-beating gimmick by pulling down a lever from the back after adjusting his arms. It's a little hard to get the gimmick working if the gears aren't set in the right spots, but it's manageable.

For a vintage vs Kingdom comparison, it's night and day in terms of proportions, realism, and engineering. One feels rigid while the other feels more organic. One prioritized the gimmicks while the other had the beast mode be A priority but not THE priority, which results in a great balance between it, the transformation, and robot mode. Also, the sizes are way different for the both of them, but that's because Ultras were pretty much chunky Voyagers from probably the pre-2010s while Primal specifically is a Voyager that sacrificed its size for finger and butterfly joint articulation and some of the gimmicks like the shoulder cannons and his arm blasters. Either way, the original version doesn't look too shabby as a gorilla in this mode.

Transformation is very basic. You literally stand the toy up, straighten the arms, and reveal a new head. That on its own would already make for an uninteresting transformation, but thankfully, Optimus Primal takes a few good traits from Punch/Counterpunch by virtue of using a few tricks to make the transformation a little more interesting than it could normally be, such as having the shoulder pads fold up, using the waist swivel in addition to straightening the feet, folding the feet down with pistons of their own after replacing the beast toes on the back, and turning the gorilla face into the robot mode chest by flipping it around to reveal the robot details. We'll see another Transformer take that sort of design philosophy and make it work in a way that a good majority of Beastformers fail to take advantage of, but for now, we'll say that Primal's transformation is at least salvaged by those transformation steps. As for his robot mode, it's very good! The proportions, while still gorilla-like, are perfect to the general character design, and while he may be bulkier than he normally is, it fits his otherwise powerful design. Optimus Primal takes advantage of not being a truck by being a hefty muscle bot that may break someone's skull because of how dense he feels. Sure, the back does have most of the gorilla junk unchanged, especially the gorilla butt, but that's nothing to get upset about on a limited yet still awesome toy.

The head sculpt is awesome! Sure, he lacks the mouth that the cartoon had, and while this was made before the cartoon, it still feels very Primal with the red eyes and the stylized antennae. Hell, it's not only the best old-school Prime head that beats the G1 and some G2 versions of Optimus, but it was a thing that briefly appeared on the cartoon for his Season 1 design. I do wish that the forehead wasn't scratched at the part where the red's exposed, though. Also, speaking of red, there is some peeking out from the ack, as we'll get to. His articulation is pretty much better than the beast mode articulation. His robot mode head can look left and right on either the swivel or in unison with the back piece on another panel. The arms have even more articulation this time while the waist swivels, the hips move around on these big ball joints, and the knees bend.

He has plenty of gimmicks to make up for his simple transformation. If you open up the right arm, you'll find a mace that has a skull at one end! It's attached to a piece of string for some swinging attacks, and it was the inspiration for the mutant head of Paleotrex in the Kingdom line when giving his head to Primal. On the other hand, you can pull on the tab, and out comes a spring-loaded missile launcher! It's different from how the show did it because instead of a whopping double-barrel arm cannon, it's integrated from the forearms and doesn't leave the arm dangling from the back. The missiles stored on the back can be used for this weapon, though because they're needed to be the same length as the ones used for another gimmick, they do look overly long on this weapon. Is that not enough for you? He has shoulder-mounted cannons that are spring-loaded as far as deploying them is concerned while they reveal twin Cyber Swords that can either be held on both hands or dual-bladed a la Darth Maul but predating him by 3 years. And to top it all off, if you lift the lever on the buttons, they activate a new feature for the lever on the back: spinning the forearms for new sword attacks instead of having the arms move in and out. How they were able to make that work on such a toy surprised me. He also has a mutant mask that was never in the show and is kinda reminiscent of a bat. Almost like a reference to the Basic Class toy that was made of the character in a two-pack with an Alligator Megatron with an included comic where the fiction of Beast Wars was entirely different from the cartoon. Some have decided to remove the mask, which is quite a rare thing for most old Beast Wars toys due to them being integrated into the robot heads. Megatron and Dinobot, to my knowledge, are the only toys to have them as separate pieces.

As far as repaints are concerned, you may notice that Optimus Primal's not quite like the original toy from the 90s. See, the original figure had red paint apps for the robot chest, a normal shade of blue for the swords, missiles, and robot head paint, the back of the robot head was not painted blue, the red eyes were brighter, and the blue paint apps were not metallic like on the Vintage release. Beyond that, there's no real significance in differences in terms of tooling.

There were some Lucky Draw releases of Prime, the likes of which were very much milked to a degree because Takara sure loved to make Lucky Draws whenever there is a new line to put focus on for one year only. However, these exist so far as JPEGs that the rest of the world generally has access to, but it's still better than owning an NFT.

There was also a clear red version that is in (hopefully) chunky translucent materials. It's meant to represent his powered-up appearance in the Beast Wars II movie. Only his robot head and hands are colored differently.

The Universe line brought the mold back into use after years of Primal having new bodies in the rest of the Beast Era. This repaint represents a corrupted version of the character under Unicron's influence. Between the different beast mode colors and the red Prime head almost feeling like Star Saber, this guy sure has a very distinct vibe compared to the traditional Primal colors.

HasTak later made a special 2-pack for the faction leaders of the Beast Era for Toys R Us in the US and most of the rest of the world, as part of the Beast Wars 10th Anniversary 2-pack. While the other toys were essentially repainted to better match the cartoon in addition to coming with pieces for the character Transmutate, Optimus Primal and Megatron have closer cartoon decoes as well as retooled robot heads that ditch the mutant head and go for show-accuracy all around. Primal takes this a step further by having the gorilla head and robot chest retooled to better match the cartoon design. He thankfully has all of the gimmicks that were already there, and this guy as well as Megatron look quite astounding in their retooled states as precursors to the more definitive versions in the Masterpiece and Kingdom lines.

All that would be perfect had it not been for the fact that Takara somehow thought it'd be a great idea to not reuse the retooled parts for the Telemocha line and essentially make a more screen-accurate deco for the toy at the same time. Sure, the gorilla head better matches the 10th-anniversary version, but that head sculpt isn't the one we just got in the show! Maybe it was their way of encouraging fans to get the more definitive versions but they have to get another toy, too.

And then Takara made a special repaint of Primal with the retooled parts for the Legends line. The details are crisper than before, though now he's got a somewhat different deco for the beast mode fur while the face and organic skin on the beast mode are a matte version of the gray that was on the previous screen-accurate attempts. 

For another size comparison, here he is with his Kingdom counterpart. Yes, both of them are different in terms of design traits, articulation, accuracy, size, but they're still both good in their own rights. Much like how the Kingdom version is great for a display as well as having improved engineering and articulation, Vintage Primal makes for a great toy due to its size, gimmicks, and chunky plastic. Even without the retooled parts, he still makes for a great purchase, especially if you got him for basically Cyberverse Warrior Class money before Christmas! Even if you don't get him at that price, he's still more worth the money than most modern Leader Class figures due to his heft and gimmicks. This Primal is going to be a better purchase than Studio Series 86 Coronation Starscream, that's for sure.

Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ and a half out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Transformers Masterpiece Movie figures ranked

If you were to tell me in 2012 that we'd get a Masterpiece line devoted to the Bayverse Transformers, I'd never believe you! Between the mainline nature of the series and the priority of the Masterpiece line being the G1 cast at the time, it was not something we'd expect to happen in any way, shape, or form! Plus, also, additionally, they only did two repaints for the bigger fellas of Hunt for the Decepticons, like how they kept repainting premium versions of the ROTF Leader Optimus! But five years ago, the subline was brought back months after we got releases meant for Beast Wars, and it was very exciting to see what we'd get out of the non-G1 guys, especially when Bumblebee turned out to be a spectacular reveal! And fast forward to today, we have had 10 new releases to enjoy overall, so why not we rank them from worst to best? This will be my personal list, so keep that in mind.

Let's get these two out of the way. At the bottom of the barrel is the MPM-02 version of Bumblebee. This guy isn't a bad toy, per see, because Battle Ops Bumblebee feels like a smaller yet more refined version of the Ultimate Bumblebee figure. That being said, however, the toy is more reliant on gimmicks that don't quite make it qualify for a Masterpiece release. Between the lack of wheel integration, the right arm having the articulation hindered by the gimmick, and the general use of lights and sounds that fit for a Leader Class toy more than a Masterpiece, he just feels like he's a Masterpiece in name only. Lots of nice paint apps, but definitely the weakest (not worst because the toy doesn't suck) of the line.

Next, it's the MPM-01 version of Starscream. The figure is a repaint of the already impressive Hunt for the Decepticons Leader Class figure in the MV1 colors, which is already awesome because the previous version was in the Revenge of the Fallen tattoos. The jet mode lacks the color variety of the ROTF figure but the MV1 version has the better-painted robot mode. That being said, he still ranks at the bottom of the list because in spite of being more of a Masterpiece than Battle Ops Bumblebee, he's still a Leader Class figure first and was meant to be as such. Sure, he and ROTF Optimus are worthy of the titles, but they don't have the same amount of steps, engineering, and articulation that would make them make the cut.

Those last two releases have their own category of toys that were made for one line in mind. I do own Leaderscream and did play with Battle Ops Bee, and while they were good toys, they aren't proper Masterpiece releases. But these next guys do as we're about to delve into. Up next, it's Optimus Prime from the Bumblebee movie, 2021's only Masterpiece toy. I'mma be honest and say that this guy is the worst of the new molds, and for plenty of reasons! One reason revolves around the way his transformation and alt mode line up with the robot mode. For a tl;dr version of it, most of the Cybertronian designs didn't have altmodes nor transformations made so they had to come up with them. Optimus Prime, however, did have a Studio Series figure that used a transformation and a truck mode that, while never shown on-screen for the former and is inaccurate for the latter, at least made for a successful toy. This guy, in spite of all the premium bells and whistles, is inferior to the mainline Transformer! Sure, the robot mode's closer to the CGI model, but the transformation is too easy for a figure of this price, and the truck mode not only looks like a 75% complete result but is riddled with design problems, like the gap for the sun-visor, the clunky rear portion, and the cat ears, but it's all around WORSE than the Studio Series version! Also, we get a Matrix of Leadership included yet I'd sacrifice that for a better-engineered toy. 

The only other guy released in the Bumblebee movie so far is, well, Bumblebee. This guy's not the best-looking in robot mode, as he certainly feels more rushed compared to Optimus, as the two of them have different forms of duality. Optimus Prime was pretty much a take on the G1 design with the movie influence but the robot mode was the only priority they had to the point where they forgot how to make the transformation and vehicle mode share the synergy needed. By contrast, Bumblebee's vehicle mode and transformation already make sense, but the robot mode is inaccurate in terms of proportions and design traits, especially with the door wings and wheels being more obvious here than they ever were on the Studio Series design. That being said, Bumblebee's got a few nicer features than Optimus does, from the weapons he comes with to the surprise addition of the chest missiles that better fit a G1 Seeker. They didn't have to include that because it's for the transformation but hey at least it's nonintrusive to the budget compared to me wishing they'd sacrifice the Matrix in favor of a better transformation for MPM-12. So this guy is still not perfect but he's a decent addition.

As you can probably tell from the Beewun duo, I do not own those figures yet. I mean, I wanna, but I don't have the interest in them right now because of the aftermarket prices and them not being worth the money they're going for. I'll talk about how much I got each figure with each character, but these next guys have photos taken by me because I own them! At number 8, it's Barricade, everyone's favorite Decepticop! The proportions, design traits, and screen-accuracy are much better done here than before, and he's certainly got all of the details that make him capture his look wonderfully. HOWEVER, there are a few things that push him back from being the best, from his inner parts of the arms not having any indents or tabs if you were to move them down. I also don't like how his flail weapon integration is half-assed. At least everyone else either had nice tabs or would replace the hand one way or another, but this is worse than any other version of Barricade because of the left hand floating in the back as well as the gap of the forearm left by the windshield. And he could definitely come with a Frenzy minifigure. I know there's a chance he'd be a static figurine that can't fit in his chest, but at least make him a transformable gun! That's what DNA Designs are doing, and I'd appreciate it if Hasbro did the same! Still, he's a remarkable addition to the collection in spite of those issues. I got Barricade as a birthday gift by Illiniguy34 along with Generations Selects Deep Cover and NECA King Kong.

Up next on the list is Ironhide, on the Number 7 spot. This guy is certainly the best-looking Ironhide, and while the Studio Series version is second-best, I'd say this guy gets the proportions right in addition to not having the bumper on the bottom. I love the way he turned out in terms of the visuals, though the transformation is kind of fiddly at times. One problem, however: his stability for the forearm panels and the chest pecs is very poor! The forearms don't tab with the panels that well, the cannons feel loose on the posts, and the chest doesn't like to remain in place. Those are what make the Studio Series figure better overall, even if he's a little less accurate than the Masterpiece. One minor nitpick but I do wish he came with effect pieces since he was released around the time the Siege line began. If you got this guy for a cheap price like $25 at Ross, then you got yourself a Masterpiece figure that cost you less than a Voyager at regular retail! A perfect bargain, though I paid for a little more online, it's a decent deal nonetheless. 

And here we now have Megatron at the Number 6 spot, with a pretty solid figure to go over with some things I don't quite like here and there. We've gotten ourselves our first even toy based on the original Megatron design after years of constant redesigns, and while he is one of the two best iterations of that design, he's not without flaws. The brown plastic is a little out of place, and it makes more sense for a mainline Leader Class toy when they wanted to make the gray Decepticons less monochromatic back in the old days. There are things I like about his transformation, like the way the nose cone flips out and the wingspan of the wings, but I'm not a fan of how half-assed the chest transformation feels. And I do wish he didn't feel on-par with the engineering of a Commander Class or older Leader Class figure. I'm sure there's more that can be done to make his transformation and possibly jet mode even better. That being said, he's a big boy at a taller height than most Leaders, rivaling a Combiner Wars/POTP Gestalt, has quite the amount of articulation, and has some sweet accessories, from the fusion cannon to the whip and even the Allspark! He's quite the heavy lad, too, with tons of die-cast all around! So yeah, he's still a worthy buy if you get him for either $35 or at least waaaaaaay less than $150 (I paid mine for the same price as a commander), though I will admit that the Studio Series figure wins on having a less bulky backpack in addition to the higher use of silver paint and a more unique transformation.

After that, we're in the top 5 stretch, with Ratchet taking up the spot! He's got a solid base to go around with, especially when he's got no engineering borrowed from any previous toy, which was kind of an annoying case for when it came to his Studio Series release being a taller yet cheaper-feeling version of his DOTM toy. This guy's transformation and part-layout feel much closer to the movie design, and thank God, because I was dying to have a more definitive Ratchet at a larger scale. The accessories are nicely done, too, and the paint apps that we do have are appreciative! That being said, I don't like the way most of the alt mode just folds up into a backpack, because while the legs are perfectly proportionate, he ends up being kinda cluttered in the upper torso. Ratchet does have a fairly busy design on his upper body, but not to this extent. And annoyingly, those fenders on the front move around when not tabbed in, and when they are, they inhibit the arm articulation. I thought of wedging them onto the front of the vehicle mode's brush guard, but that ends up scraping some plastic if not done carefully, and I'd rather not do that. In any case, Ratchet is the best version of the character from HasTak, and I don't mind the coloring not being 1:1 to the movie, but I know there's room for improvement.

At the number 4 spot is the Autobot leader himself, Optimus Prime. Honestly, I'm still happy to own this guy in spite of some of his problems. Like, I know he's not the best at capturing his CG model in terms of accuracy and proportions, and the transformation is kind of complicated even when using the ROTF Leader as a base, and the truck mode is kind of inaccurate, but to tell you the truth, there are just as many good things that he brings to the table. From the leaner design to the cleaner backpack, and from some of the new steps added into the mix to the paint job being so good, it makes for a great breath of fresh air for those who might have been tired of the ROTF Leader getting too many repaints. I even like the ideas of the integration of the accessories. The face swap gimmick is a little mixed for me. They're nicely detailed for what they are, but I will admit that they could be replaced with heads that can be swapped if you would just use the neck brace as the base while the heads are on ball joints for a more expressive toy (in addition to having the mouthplated and exposed face options). So yes, not a 100% perfect toy but he's more worthy of a Masterpiece title than his Bumblebee movie counterpart would, any day.

At number 3, it's Starscream! The original HFTD Leader was already an impressive toy to delve into, but the fact that this guy goes a step further in making a more accurate robot mode is brilliant! He's much closer to the CGI model in terms of proportions and part layout, he's got nice paint applications throughout him, and the accessories are wonderfully done all around. The problem is the execution for some of the things that plague this toy. The figure not being entirely painted? No problem. It looks good enough as it is. The butt panel that was fixed on the KO? Sure, it looks a little bad, but it's okay. The transformation, though, is a lot more complex than it really needed to be! It's fine that they made it worth the money but why did it have to be a little too complex for its own good? Granted, not as much as, say, Thunder Leader or MP-52 Starscream, but it's still not as tolerable without instructions. The accessories are very cool to use, but they weigh down the arms because the ratchets aren't as reinforced as they should be. Speakest of the arms, they don't have bicep swivels. HOW?! Why can we not have those on the Masterpiece while the Leader Class figure from a decade ago does?! So a nearly perfect release all around, and I expect to have those new biceps.

At the number 2 spot, it's Jazz! One would assume the Human Alliance guy would win as the definitive experience, but this guy takes it to a whole new level. Firstly, the shiny silver paint looks exquisite with the choice of gray plastic as well as the improved proportions and accuracy compared to the Human Alliance and Studio Series releases. His gun integration's awesome, the transformation is done up quite well, and the visor options is always a great touch. I even like the option to remove the legs from the body with a really neat lock that keeps everything in place solidly. You even get a nice little piece that  The Sam Witwicky figure, while a neat addition, is a little random for someone like Jazz, and he'd better fit Bumblebee overall. I do feel that some parts have a small bit of fragility to them, but it's helpful enough if you're aware of how to transform him. Another nitpick may be the visor not being black, but I think it's at the fault of the gang-molding used for the clear parts. Maybe the windows being a smokier tint would make it work. But either way, an amazing Jazz that amusingly exists while a G1 version doesn't have a proper release.

And at number 1, it's the guy who started the rebirth of the subline! It's everyone's favorite yellow fellow, Bumblebee! This guy does everything right from the start compared to his subsequent line mates. He captures the design perfectly, he possesses a great number of articulation points, his transformation is balanced wonderfully, and he has very few traits of inaccuracies throughout him. Sure, the shade of yellow might be a little too bright, and the rims are a darker shade than they should be, but that doesn't stop him from being the definitive Bumblebee from not just the Movies but in general! The two Masterpiece figures of the G1 guy each had their strengths and weaknesses yet felt a little hindered in some areas (though in the case of the 2.0 version, severely), so it was a miracle that this guy not only made for a slam dunk of a release, but he also presented new features that other Bumblebees would make note of over time, from the new leg transformation integrating the wheels rather than leaving them slapped on the outer sides of the ankles to the mini wings that no other toy of the character attempted until now. The Human Alliance and Battle Blade figures are trumped by this guy so easily. 

And that covers the Masterpiece Movie gang. It's kinda weird how only Optimus Prime was the 2021 release we got when we could have included Blackout, Brawl, or Bonecrusher to feature a Decepticon. Maybe 2022 will give us that, and hopefully, they're more than just Studio Series upscale with enhancements. I haven't seen much about Dream Factory's Bonecrusher so we'll see what happens. Now then, time to find the BB movie duo for cheap prices on eBay.