Next up in our series of Transformers toy galleries, we’ve got a look at all four of the Wave 1 Titan Masters from Titans Return. The set of four – Crashbash, Terri-Bull, Nightbeat, and Loudmouth – each include a mini-figure Titan Master who can form an extra head for the larger Titans Return toys, and a vehicle which the Titan Master can interact with.
The four Titan Masters are all a lot of fun. The mini-figures are nice, but have minimal paint, and as heads they have nice sculpts. The vehicles are quite simplistic, but they are fun. They switch between two different modes – one which the Titan Master can ride on, and one where the Titan Master can merge with the vehicle. The vehicles can also turn into guns which can be attached to the larger toys as a weapon.
Of the four, Crashbash has the best way of combining the Titan Master with the accessory, though the dragon mode wings feel very flimsy. Terri-bull has one of the better vehicles, with a fun jet and a cool anti-air tank, though the weapon mode is a bit weak. Nightbeat is the weakest of the four, with a weird expression on his head, and the vehicle modes looking very similar. Lastly Loudmouth has a pair of great vehicle modes, but a weird weapon mode. The one thing all four have in common is that they are all a lot of fun to pick up and fiddle with – and that’s the point of the toys, really. Take a look at the galleries to see for yourself.
Titans Return Loudmouth gallery
Titans Return Nightbeat gallery
Titans Return Crashbash gallery
Titans Return Terri-bull gallery
Cybertronian
Long story short, "Titan Masters" = "Headmasters".
Most of them are based on the 10 (5 Autobot, 6 Decepticon minus Lord Zarak/Scorponok) 1987 Headmasters, with 4 (2 Autobots minus Hosehead, 2 Decepticons minus Fangry) 1988s thrown in for good measure. The remainder are former 1987-88 Targetmasters (Blurr, Scourge) and Powermasters (Optimus Prime), and other G1 classics (Wheelie, Galvatron, Sentinel Prime) who weren't adequately made into figures during 30A/Generations, or Combiner Wars.
Next year there are plans to make additional figures, using the same criteria (Fangry, Getaway, Triggerhappy). I wish they'd release Daniel Witwicky as a standalone, or with a repainted Wheelie. (Something with Alpha Trion's HM's lower legs and Spike/"The Emissary"'s small head, maybe?)
Noideaforaname
The comics swapped Nightbeat and Siren's head designs around, so I guess Hasbro's trying to swap them back… despite making one a loud mouth.
Which reminds me, the idea that they'd release Deluxe Nightbeat and Siren with the opposite heads totally did NOT pan out. Oh well.
Cybertronian
I've been looking at Nightbeat and Loudmouth (look, it's Siren. Quit playing.), and it seems obvious that someone changed their (U.S.) personas late in the design phase. Why else would "Nightbeat's" face have its mouth open like it's shouting? (Sadly, I think this is why the Japanese version is called "Nightbeat", as opposed to "Minelba"/Minerva.)
If I have an opportunity to get one or two (each) of these guys, I'm outfitting a 30A Nightbeat with a TR conversion kit, and making him a head using TR Nightbeat's arms, TR Loudmouth's back/"face", and most likely a Stylor/Haywire torso & leg combo, then painting it to match Nightbeat (and Muzzle). (I wish I could afford to use Infinitus's head and/or Fracas's lower legs, but I'll manage with whatever parts swaps are easily achievable.)
— Cybertronian.
jamarmiller
I noticed that my takara skull cruncher legs are not pinned in at the hips, they are on pegs that can easily slip off for customizing
Do these have pins in the hips or are they pegged so you can take them off for customizing ?
jaws
Bummed: ordered Wave 1 and 2 from an ebay seller, got 2 each of Wave 1
gbm
Can someone give me the quick run down on how these little guys work, or better put, who they're supposed to be?
When in head mode, they are supposed to be a take on the G1 Character of the same, or similar name; right?
But, what about in small robot mode? Who are they a homage to then?
Aurawind
Yep, I thought they would all work together, but once I got them, it was clear that the Titan Masters were designed to swap with the deluxes, their faces and eyes are so small compared to Voyager/Leader ones. From what I've seen from pics, Voyager and Leader headmasters should be able to work well together since their faces and eyes are bigger.
Here's what they look like with Powermaster Prime's helmet:
PredaConvoy
Apeface and Weirdwolf were my Con Headmasters as a kid, so I'm really looking forward to TM Apeface, and getting Takara Weirdwolf cos he comes with Bananabot!
Glad you like my sig, it was the first thing I thought when I saw his derpy face!
Smitty.1981
I'm really looking forward to the titan Masters. mostly Apeface. Love the sig BTW.
PredaConvoy
Got all four and Scourge at Roll Out Roll Call, would have got wave 2 as well but they sold out in seconds! I really like them. Nightbeat is getting repainted (and a resculpted mouth if I can manage it) as Minerva when I get the Takara version of him with Wheelie. They're really fun little guys. Also, I'm impressed with Hasbro Scourge (he'll be my Sweep) due to the nice glittery blue metallic plastic he's cast in, which has never shown up as good in photos.
Titans Return is Go, and in style!
Autovolt 127
They're pretty neat to say the least.
Though I'm Not sure if I'll get any.
Smitty.1981
Galvatron's Titan Master has a metal pin through his knees so that would require more that just cutting.
Louise Belcher
Indeed, I love how tiny they're, it's like having TF Mighty Max/ Dino riders*-*! Hasbro should focus more on their standalone play value and create more playsets and vehicles for them, I think there is enough adult collectors and kids who crave for playsets and such, now when the market for these barely exist, maybe Hasbro could take advantage of that. My elder brother owns a few Micromasters , but he doesn't have any playsets for them.
These are my two favorites as well^^, I definitely plan to get them, hopefully Amazon will have them soon.
I prefer their current leg articulation, it's very reminiscent of the vintage Micromasters.
Maximo Prime
I don't think it's worth it, theres really not a whole lot of standing positions these things can take even if they did have separate legs.
N_M_S
I saw a pic where someone had given these independent leg articulation, but now I can't find it and I didn't do a proper inspection at the time to see how it was done.
Could you just slice through the leg and pin with a cutting wheel?
Soundwinder
With redecos and everything, I think the only one I'm going to get from this wave is Terri-bull.
Originally I was pretty much down for them all, but then I decided I don't care much for Siren's vehicle, I really don't like Nightbeat's face (comics Nightbeat-ness aside, I plain don't like the eyes and mouth on this one), and while I really like Crashbash and his deco, I dislike his face and will just get Clobber.
Smitty.1981
I do want a Titan Master for Wheelie. I'll consider Clober, but I'de like to know what wave 3 has in store for us.
payres
It wangs chung in hand though. V difficult to get the head to combine with the drill to form the cannon, even more difficult to get it out again.
Loudmouth is surprisingly fun, some clever design work.
All the weapons modes are great in hand.
But Crashbash is awesome. If you get ONE Titanmaster make it Crashbash (or Clobber, his repaint)
Review http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-feedback/1074117-titans-return-crashbash.html
Acteon
They're cool but seem a bit of an odd idea. It's not like they'll release deluxe bodies with no heads, so I'm a bit lost on what the actual point of these really is.
Also, in the UK they seem to be hitting about £6 each, which seems steep.
Jalaguy
Yeah, we've heard so many leaked Deluxes that Titans Return would have to continue into 2018 to fit in "full" versions of the single-packed Titan Masters.
Which is possible, but I think it's more likely that TR will run for 18 months, like Thrilling 30 and Combiner Wars before it.