The year 2015 is behind us now and to mark the year that was, the TFW2005 Staff has compiled our favorite toys from the third party collecting scene that were released the past 12 months! Year after year, collectors often question how long third party companies can keep this pace up, when will the bubble burst? 2015 saw yet another stellar year for third party companies with no signs of slowing down. Our Staff alone selected 84 different figures in their top lists! After the jump you will find a recap of the year and TFW’s Staff top third party toy picks.
If you’re looking for TFW2005’s Official Transformers Staff picks, jump right here.
In addition to our Staff picks, please take a look at TFW2005 member CZ Hazard’s fantastic write up of the 2015 third party year, as voted by our very own members.
Over the course of 2015, many trends in the third party hobby were evident, but most obvious was the impact third party toys continue to make on our collections. Our third party forum remains one of the most active sub-forums on TFW and the products released in 2015 generated much discussion. Among our Staff picks, products and companies were well represented, but Fans Toys (19), Mastermind Creations (16), MakeToys (10), and X-Transbots (9) were our top represented companies. From the 84 different figures nominated among our Staff, those 2015 trends emerged that many have been discussing all year.
“I only collect Masterpiece.”
With the continued success of Takara’s Masterpiece line, it has come as no surprise that nearly all third party companies wanted a piece of the action. Many companies began shifting their resources to producing Masterpiece styled toys that collectors continuously ate up, a shift we’ve been seeing gradually happen for two years now.
Companies such as Fans Toys (receiving the most representation overall at 19 total nominations) continued their trend setting releases by giving collectors the well received Sever (receiving 7 total votes with 3 of them being first place), while X-Transbots shocked the world by releasing their most ambitious project to date: Apollyon (6 total votes, 2 first place).
The next two top vote getters were also Masterpiece inspired, being Fans Toys Grenadier (5 total Staff votes, 1 first place) and MakeToys Cupula (4 total votes, 3 first place). These Masterpiece styled toys undoubtedly left their mark on our hobby and are here to stay, don’t expect 2016 to slow down at all!
The “Classics” Still Function
Masterpiece styled figures are now the focus of third party, but that doesn’t mean “Classics” inspired figures went completely to the wayside. With Staff votes going towards stunning figures such as Mastermind Creations Spartan, Mastermind Creations Anarchus, and Maketoys Rear-End, the Classics enthusiasm still remains. How much longer will Classics stay relevant? Perhaps the key for third party companies it to target the comic inspired characters, such as the More Than Meets The Eye crew. 2016 boasts an impressive Classics line up with more DJD and MTMTE characters planned, so for now it’s safe to say the Classics still function.
The Combiner Wars STILL Fight On …
Although it’s at a much decreased pace and enthusiasm, third party companies are STILL battling it out by releasing / revealing combiner teams projects. New company Generation Toy made a splash with their massive Devastator project, one that will stand eye to eye with any Transformer. Generation Toy Scraper received Staff acknowledgement as a top 2015 toy, while other combiner limbs such as Fansproject Tricerabot, Unique Toys Siegfried, and ToyWorld Muddy also received Staff picks. 2016 will see the combiners race heat up again, with companies finishing release schedules and companies looking to enter the combiner wars.
Calabask
I personally feel like UT Abominus is over hyped. Once they did troll like all originality went to the way side and the bots copied each other. I was really hoping that Abominus was going to be my Abominus but I couldn't bring myself to buy the other bots as I was not impressed with the full figure. Troll is totally worth picking up on his own though.
Matty
I personally do not. However, check out their respected threads for any info you may need:
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/trans…1256-uniquetoys-o-04-siegfried-hun-gurrr.html
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/trans…s-dinoking-combiner.html?highlight=Tricerabot
We decided to keep Staff picks as purely the top figures we all bought, no categories. I'd highly suggest reading CZ Hazard's write up if you're interested in seeing more of a breakdown. He does fantastic work and it's voted on by TFW members.
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/trans…n/1058211-third-party-year-review-2015-a.html
For what it's worth, Windsaber made my top list
Calabask
I vote for what I bought and while I loved Windsaber, Nemesis and Cynicus were just my all around favorites. I honestly expected Commotus to take the top spot for me, but in the end Cynicus and Nemesis won out. However, expect that at least one staff member doesn't really collect Masterpiece so keep a light on for me!
MartyFeeb
Nice choices and write-ups all around, guys!
My only suggestion would be to set up proper categories. I suppose there aren't enough releases?
Which is best Legends scale? Best deluxe scale? Best MP scale?
Best villain release? Hero?
Best obscure character? Most revisited?
It'd be interesting to see some of that, broken down, and I'm sure the 3P companies would be interested in the results if the voting were opened up to the TFW members.
For example, no one really mentioned Iron Factory or DX9's Legends toys. They gave us some great figures in 2015, but the MP-bots completely overshadowed them in your votes, and that's a real shame.
tongshen88
I have both too & I have to agree that sever feels more thought out. It's just that people with either one likes to think that they've got the better superior version. Now shall we invent a cure for this disease?
Curium
Matty, do you have any pics of Tricerabot's and Sigfried's limb modes?
DogFriedRice
The "Stop disliking what I like" disease is a lot worse.
Turakonin Prime
Well this helps in my definitive answer to which dinobots and chromedome to get. I agree with apollyon being among the top. Truly was a blessing to the toy community. Thanks for the thoughts
divinecomedy
It's the usual TFW's "Stop liking what I don't like" disease.
chip1123
Guttur was top 5. So was Sever. It's ok to like both. I have both figures and enjoy both, but probably prefer Sever over Guttur. Just wish I would stop seeing the bickering back and forth about these two. Just enjoy that we have two great choices!
CZ Hazard
I think the fan votes and nominations very much reflected the popularity of Guttur.
SmokePants
GP Guttur was arguably as good or better than FT Sever, yet it didn't get so much as an honorable mention, while the FT figure racked up a bunch of top spots. Not that I care about arbitrary year-end lists — I just hope no one tries to use this as a buying guide for 3rd party.
Onslaught24
You'd be surprised at what Jacer can fit in that Tricerabot of his.
peddlerofwine
Fansproject Triceratops can conceal carry? Holy shit! Didn't plan on getting the set, but that is pretty neat.
Goaliebot
2015 Loser of the Year: our wallets.
Nice write ups folks!
Matty
The year 2015 is behind us now and to mark the year that was, the TFW2005 Staff has compiled our favorite toys from the third party collecting scene that were released the past 12 months! Year after year, collectors often question how long third party companies can keep this pace up, when will the bubble burst? 2015 saw yet another stellar year for third party companies with no signs of slowing down. Our Staff alone selected 84 different figures in their top lists!
Over the course of 2015, many trends in the third party hobby were evident, but most obvious was the impact third party toys continue to make on our collections. Our third party forum remains one of the most active sub-forums on TFW and the products released in 2015 generated much discussion. Among our Staff picks, products and companies were well represented, but Fans Toys (19), Mastermind Creations (16), MakeToys (10), and X-Transbots (9) were our top represented companies. From the 84 different figures nominated among our Staff, those 2015 trends emerged that many have been discussing all year.
“I only collect Masterpiece.”
With the continued success of Takara’s Masterpiece line, it has come as no surprise that nearly all third party companies wanted a piece of the action. Many companies began shifting their resources to producing Masterpiece styled toys that collectors continuously ate up, a shift we’ve been seeing gradually happen for two years now.
Companies such as Fans Toys (receiving the most representation overall at 19 total nominations) continued their trend setting releases by giving collectors the well received Sever (receiving 7 total votes with 3 of them being first place), while X-Transbots shocked the world by releasing their most ambitious project to date: Apollyon (6 total votes, 2 first place).
The next two top vote getters were also Masterpiece inspired, being Fans Toys Grenadier (5 total Staff votes, 1 first place) and MakeToys Cupula (4 total votes, 3 first place). These Masterpiece styled toys undoubtedly left their mark on our hobby and are here to stay, don’t expect 2016 to slow down at all!
The “Classics” Still Function
Masterpiece styled figures are now the focus of third party, but that doesn’t mean “Classics” inspired figures went completely to the wayside. With Staff votes going towards stunning figures such as Mastermind Creations Spartan, Mastermind Creations Anarchus, and Maketoys Rear-End, the Classics enthusiasm still remains. How much longer will Classics stay relevant? Perhaps the key for third party companies it to target the comic inspired characters, such as the More Than Meets The Eye crew. 2016 boasts an impressive Classics line up with more DJD and MTMTE characters planned, so for now it’s safe to say the Classics still function.
The Combiner Wars STILL Fight On …
Although it’s at a much decreased pace and enthusiasm, third party companies are STILL battling it out by releasing / revealing combiner teams projects. New company Generation Toy made a splash with their massive Devastator project, one that will stand eye to eye with any Transformer. Generation Toy Scraper received Staff acknowledgement as a top 2015 toy, while other combiner limbs such as Fansproject Tricerabot, Unique Toys Siegfried, and ToyWorld Muddy also received Staff picks. 2016 will see the combiners race heat up again, with companies finishing release schedules and companies looking to enter the combiner wars.
Below are our TFW Staff picks! If you’re looking for TFW2005’s Official Transformers Staff picks, jump right here.
In addition to our Staff picks, please take a look at TFW2005 member CZ Hazard’s fantastic write up of the 2015 third party year, as voted by our very own members.
*****
Sentinel
Fans Toys Sever
I've always been a sucker for the big, brutish characters as well as a big fan of cartoon-accurate and well-engineered figures. FansToys Sever fits the bill on all counts. FansToys knocked it out of the park with a cleverly crafted and engineered figure that does a fantastic job of ingeniously hiding the alt-mode legs during transformation while still allowing for some really impressive articulation in both bot and alt-modes. Sever's bot-mode is appropriately big and hulking and to me truly captures the G1 character perfectly. The figure boasts some truly excellent quality control and sports some of the most impressive bling (aka gold chrome) to come out on any figure this year. Pairing the deco consisting of the perfectly applied chrome and paint apps along with high density and durable plastics and you have an absolute winner for Third-Party Figure of the Year.
Runners up: Fans Toys Grenadier, X-Transbots Apollyon, X-Transbots Andras, Keith's Fantasy Club Transistor, BadCube Wardog
Onslaught24
Fans Toys Sever
Super accurate sculpting with just the right amount of detail and paint apps that don't make his design feel overwhelming. Beautiful articulation and sturdy joints all around allowing for tons of poseability and play. Like other FT releases, Sever also has a brilliant transformation that's incredibly fun to do repeatedly. To top it off, he's got just the right amount of diecast, giving him the perfect weight that isn't intense to the point where he can't stand.
Runners up: Fans Toys Soar, Warbotron The Brute, Planet X Quirinus, X-Transbots Apollyon
Bruticon
Fans Toys Grenadier
What can I write about this figure that those who have him doesn't already know? Nothing I'd imagine, as those that have this figure knows exactly how indescribably awesome this figure is. When I first seen and handled an early production sample my mind was just blown away at just how well articulated, and designed this figure was. When I finally received the final product it did not fail to exceed my already high expatiations. Such a quality build, perfect paint applications, additional accessories to make it more G1 cartoon and toy accurate, just an over all an astonishing figure.
Runners up: Fans Toys Server, BadCube Sunsurge, X-Transbot Andras, Fans Toys Soar, BadCube Wardog
Razerwire
Maketoys Cupola, Maketoys Gundog, Mastermind Creations Anarchus, Mastermind Creations Cynicus & Mastermind Creations Commotus
This has been a great year for 3P figures. So much so that it's a FIVE way tie for me between those listed above. Just superb in every way. It's amazing how good 3P can be if all the right elements fall in to place. We as a fandom are very lucky to be collecting during these times.
Runners up: Fans Toys Grenadier, Fans Toys Sever, Mastermind Creations Sphinx, Fans Toys Tesla, Fansproject Crox, Mastermind Creations Cynicus, Unique Toys Provider
ORIO
Mastermind Creations Spartan
I'm almost as big of a fan of the Wreckers as Ironfist, so after several almost decent versions of this character were teased/released, we finally got a figure that lives up to the character himself. Spartan is big, intimidating, hefty and FUN. A nice solid transformation and very satisfying one at that too. I highly recommend picking up Spartan for your Wreckers shelf or even if you just like big heroic tanks with drill hands.
Runners Up: Mastermind Creations Sphinx, Mastermind Creations Cynicus, Iron Factory Leo Treble & Rhino Bass
Jacer
Fansproject Tricerabot
This guy is huge and hollow. He was many purposes which I found out and posted a number of my findings on twitter. Manly, he can hold his robot inner, Dinoichi, but he can also hold just about any deluxe, some voyagers, and at one point, I got 32 mini-cons to fit in him. He can be used as a trendy candy dish, or be a secret hiding spot for a compact pistol. Tricerabot is a unique 3rd party toy that's never been done before and a great display piece. If you love Transformers and vinyl toys, you should pick him up.
Runners Up: Planet X Quirinus, Iron Factory Evil Lord, Mastermind Creations Anarchus
Superquad7
X-Transbots Apollyon – X-Transbots Andreas – Fans Toys Tesla
This was a VERY difficult for me to pick…so much, in fact, that I'm really conflicted enough to call it a three-way tie between these choices here.
X-Transbots Apollyon: Created to resemble our favorite evil leader, this figure nails it. It's very complex in its transformation, while capturing the cartoon look of both modes. It comes with a ton of extra accessories, and even the packaging is super slick. While several have complained about their copies of Apollyon, I've had two in my hands; version 1 I held to a fellow board member while he moved, and version 2 is my copy – neither of which have had any issues. From my vantage point, it's quite the figure.
X-Transbots Andreas: How does one make a flying bathtub cool? Let Andreas take you to school! The space hovercraft really calls out to the Masterpiece Seekers while holding its own. The transformation is simple, yet clever and involved. The robot is menacing, and spot on to its cartoon counterpart. Any QC issues X-Transbots may have had in the past, this figure aims to take care of.
Fans Toys Tesla: Known for their quality, the popular company continues to deliver (just check out my Runner's Up list!) with Tesla. There is something more to this figure than some of the other releases this year – it has a certain charm that comes straight from the translation from original cartoon design to this toy. It's simple, yet elegant in everything it achieves!
Runners up: Maketoys Cupola, Fans Toys Grenadier, Fans Toys Sever, Keith's Fantasy Club Transistor with HiFI, Keith's Fantasy Club Doubledeck with Mandy and Stinger, Keith's Fantasy Club Fader, Keith's Fantasy Club Rover
Vangelus
Mastermind Creations Anarchus
Some toys stand out for single remarkable qualities, but Anarchus stacks a few cherries on top of his main achievement – being a lanky robot that transforms into a torture chair. That alone is pretty badass, but then you get a few extra touches, like a large range of neck balljoint emotion & a transformation that manages to fold a ton of stuff up into a nicely compact backpack. After that, you get a rather fun little 6-legged insectoid pet, who is honestly a lot more fun on his own than attached to his master. And finally, there's a third 'scorpion' mode that is far more solid than it probably should be. All of this is held together by the confident build quality I've come to expect from the Reformatted series, with MMC's DJD-alikes quickly pulling a rebound after the somewhat-more-finnicky Cynicus.
Also, his function is "Journalist", and he turns into a torture device. Anarchus made my unofficial transforming robot year, just barely eking out ahead of other strong experiences like Vulcun and Rear-End.
Runners up: Badcube Claymore, Planet X Vulcun, Mastermind Creations Commotus, Maketoys Rear-End, Generation Toy Scraper
optimusfan
Mastermind Creations Spartan
Mastermind Creations Spartan was a late-2015 pickup for me. I had initially passed on preorders despite the figure looking gorgeous, but following release and review I decided I could no longer resist. I'm certainly glad I caved as this figure embodies a company and designer at the top of their respective games. Sculpting is excellent, and obviously much more comic accurate than the supposed "official" version. Build quality is top notch, as is articulation. The transformation is sufficiently complex to be satisfying, yet simple and intuitive enough that I was able to quickly decipher it out without instructions. The only other third party company currently firing on all cylinders like Mastermind is Fans Toys, with Grenadier coming in a close second.
Runners up: Fans Toys Grenadier, Fans Toys Sever, X-Transbots Apollyon, Maketoys Rear-End,
Fans Toys Soar
ServO
X-Transbots Apollyon
I'm not sure why…or how even, but I believe I only purchased one new third party figure this year, and it was Apollyon.
I wanted a Megatron to stand in scale with the amazing MP-10, so when I saw Apollyon, I knew he was the one for my Detolf.
Sure, he can be fiddly…and do we replace the ball joints or no? WHO CARES! He looks AWESOME!
Runners up: I can't put any runners up here since I didn't have any others in my possession to make a fair assessment. However, I was thinking about maybe purchasing a DX9 Carry, and the PE Leonidas…we'll see.
Seawing
Maketoys Cupola
Of the various G1 "toy gimmicks" that were released over the years, I really only like a few. Combiners/gestalts have always been my favorite but another concept I really enjoy are the Headmasters. While Hasbro will be revisiting them in next year's Titans Return line, I was curious to see how Maketoys' version of the Headmaster Chromedome would turn out. I already had FansProject's Function X-1 Code and was really impressed with that figure. As apparent with this write up, I was really pleased with Cupola. The design and materials are top quality. The die-cast parts give the figure a nice weight without being too heavy and the paint on my specimen is near flawless. Changing from bot to car and back is fun and as a bonus the car mode has a passenger seat for a second Headmaster so Cupola won't be lonely as he cruises around town. If you like Headmasters and want a high quality figure that fits perfectly with your Master Piece collection, then look no further than Cupola.
Runners up: FansProject Crox, Maketoys Visualizers, Maketoys Rover, Unique Toys Siegfried, Toy World Muddy
C310 Ginrai
Maketoys Cupola
First of all, full disclosure. Generation 1 Chromedome was the toy that I spent the most time with. It's the one figure that I look at with a pair of heavily tinted nostalgia glasses. So imagine my excitement when Fans Project announced Code, then multiply that excitement ten fold when MakeToys announced Cupola.
Being a Masterpiece inspired figure modeled after Generation 1 Chromedome, I believe Cupola captured the character model well in robot mode with its accurate proportion, detailed paint job, and excellent articulation (including ankle tilts!). Transformation between mode is very involved, but not frustratingly complicated. The transfer of mass between modes is smart, which contributes to a very slick vehicle mode that models its Generations 1 counterpart well.
Every part has a tab that lock itself in place in both mode and placement of these tab feels intuitive. Even the headmaster figure is designed to tab solid together while in head mode. The over all fit in vehicle mode does feel slightly off due to the amount of moving part involved though. Perhaps this is unique to my copy of this figure or due to my inexperience in the minute details in the transformation steps.
Being an unofficial figure, it most likely does not have the same budget constraints as its official counterpart. Cupola benefits from this as it incorporates diecast parts and rubberize tires in its construction. I feel that these two features alone elevates the whole experience to another premium level above the official vehicular Masterpiece offerings. In the words of Optimus Primal, "Diecast Construction. It's lost art".
Runners Up: FansProject Crox, FansProject Knight, X-Transbot Apolloyon, Mastermind Creations Salvia Prominon, Iron Factory Windsaber
Matty
Fans Toys Sever
2015 marked a significantly decreased purchase year for third party items in my collection. I shifted from getting a lot of items that were "really cool" to items that fit a Masterpiece inspired focus. That shift meant only a few, but high quality, third party items entered my collection.
Fans Toys Sever continued the outstanding Dibots releases by Fans Toys. Homaging the Dinobot Snarl, this figure is arguably the best Fans Toys figure released so far, blending a wonderful mix of diecast, chrome, and transformation. I eagerly wait to complete the Dibots line.
Runners up: Iron Factory Windsaber, Fans Toys Soar, Mastermind Creations Anarchus, Mastermind Creations Spartan
axiom
Maketoys Gun Dog
I wavered between Gundog and SunSurge for quite a while. In the end, Gundog won out due to it's more solid feel in posing and in transformation. Gundog has a very heavy feel to it. The build quality is top notch and the character representation is perfect (for my tastes). Maketoys basically took the original toy look, reengineered it with a fun and intuitive transformation and added a ton of personality through pose-ability and sculpt. I enjoy the transformation and at no point get nervous that something will break (not including the toy version as it did break on me due to a build QC issue).
Runners up: Badcube SunSurge, Mastermind Creations Sphinx, Badcube Wardog, Voodoo Animus Stealth Mode
Lumpy
Fans Toys G2 Scoria
In a year where I only got two 3rd party figures, there's no doubt in my mind that this figure would be my top pick even if I had grabbed another 100 figures. G2 Slag was my Dinobot when I was a kid, so to get an updated Masterpiece style version is just fantastic. The triceratops has been my favorite dinosaur, and this guy hits every mark I could've wanted from a big, green bruiser like Slag. This was my reward to myself for earning a sizeable raise at work this year, and I don't regret it in the slightest. Even if Takara does they're own take on Slag later, this guy will still have a permanent place in my collection for years to come.
Runner up: Fansproject Cubrar
Calabask
Mastermind Creations Reformatted R-12 Cynicus
Maketoys Nemesis
I know. I know. I'm supposed to choose one. Let's cover Cynicus first. This guy, is flat out awesome. He's our first homage to a member of the Decepticon Justice Division from MTMTE and this guy has personality, style, and badassness in droves. Even from the early pictures this guy spoke to me, and in hand, he does so even more.
Hell, I liked this guy so much I tried lobbying for a Deadpool repaint as he seemed like he had the personality of the Merc with the Mouth, and I could just see him doing all sorts of antics similar to such.
Luckily though, we did get one repaint of him for TFCon, a badass looking black repaint that makes them figure shine even more, and I'm not just saying that because of the glow in the dark paint! He's awesome, just check him out!
Now, let's talk about Maketoys Nemesis. This thing is all sorts of fantastic, he looks absolutely malevolent and the mold suffers from none of the issues that I had with Hyper Novae. He's big, bulky, and looks malevolent as all hell. Truly, this is an impressive figure, especially in looks alone. If you have a metal head in your family, or someone into all things dark, this guy is the toy for them and you, don't pass him up if you can grab him for a decent price, you won't regret it!
Runners up: Mastermind Creations Commotus, Mastermind Creations Salvia Prominion, Mastermind Creations Spartan, Generation Toys Scraper