As is tradition, we pause with the passing of another year to reflect on the top Transformers of 2013. By all accounts 2013 was an up year for collectors compared to 2012. As evidence of this, the more collector-oriented Generations and Masterpiece lines dominated our staff lists in 2013, as well as releases from fan-favorite series “Beast Wars”. 2013 also saw the remarkable release of not one but two city-formers in Generations Metroplex and Encore Fortress Maximus.
So, which figures did the TFW staff rank as tops in 2013? Is your favorite release represented? Read on to find out more and sound off in the thread to let your opinion be known!
Superquad7
Ah, so you know a little bit of what to expect going into things.
Man, that's a great deal. I bought my Brave Max from Digital-Toys back in the day for $140 shipped, and that was just when prices were starting to climb on it.
Lumpy
I've had Brave Max before, so I've at least had the mold. got lucky on him back in the day, got Brave Max for $100 shipped.
Superquad7
I really hope so, and I hope you thoroughly enjoy it. I'm still surprised that it's gotten a reissue. I never thought I'd see it happen. It really tells me that the sky's the limit. I've actually found myself wanting one as well. The window and the price will have to be just right.
Lumpy
yeah, some people didn't buy him because he's "just another Optimus" so a good repaint making him into someone else would be a great idea because then people who passed because he's Optimus could add them to their collections. That was originally my plan, but after hearing of all the good in that mold, I decided to pick up Orion Pax instead, but i'd still buy a repaint as someone else.
Scypris
My pick would have to be Generations Metroplex. That figure shows that Hasbro can still run strong after 30 years of making toys (well, technically 29, but you get what I mean)
But we also got some good MPs too, it's always hard to pick just one transformer when we had so many good ones.
Optimist Prime
"Optimus stigma"?
Really?
Lumpy
Fort Max didn't make my list cuz I didn't get him Hopefully he'll be in my hand by the end of 2014.
DINOBOTT
I gotta go with springer (and that's saying alot because I don't really like the character).
Superquad7
Encore Fortress Maximus didn't make my list for this very reason, as I own an original. The simple fact it was reissued for under $500 is the stuff of Transformers fans' wishes for the last decade or better. My hat's off to TakaraTomy for that and many more things this past year.
Matty
I'll echo this as well, more so on my 3rd party list but the officially released stuff too.
It was incredibly difficult to decide between Metroplex and Fortress Maximus for example. It was hard to decide who to put ahead, but Metroplex ultimately outweighed Fortress Maximus slightly.
daddytron
These are some good picks and I agree that 2013 was a great year for the hobby. I wouldn't have put Sandstorm quite as high (back heaviness is a big minus IMO) but by and large my top figs run pretty parallel to the staffs' picks.
On a personal note it was blown away by how much I enjoyed Metroplex after finally getting one (actually 2, one for each kid) in hand. I had watched plenty of video reviews but actually fooling with him is entirely different than watching a video. I found the knee and hip ratchets not to be that loose and scrapped my plans to perform Demonss' mod for now. My biggest annoyance is the peeling stickers. I wiped the 2nd one down thoroughly with a hot cloth and stickers are still peeling.
Superquad7
One of the things that's harder to see from my list (and perhaps from others) is just how closely I rank mine. I literally had to wait until I unboxed Metroplex after Christmas to determine whether or not it's #1 or #2. I'd tinkered with it beforehand, bug owning a figure is world's different for me.
Speaking of ownership, I'll only list figure I bought. If I didn't think enough of it to purchase, I've made my decision there. Sorry Rhinox and Waspinator.
smf2045
It's cool to see which figures were most popular amongst those who are in the know, and to see how much they overlap with what I purchased this last year.
I have to agree about Springer. Such an awesome job Hasbro did with that figure. Both alt. modes look very good for a triple changer and you can pose him like a ninja acrobat in robot mode! The car mode was actually an awesome surprise with how good it looks and how distinctive from the helo mode it is.
I have Sandstorm too but I don't like him quite as much, since the big wheels can make it tough to stand him up and pose him. Also, his gun is lame and I'm not a fan of orange.
My faves of 2013 are Gen. Thrilling 30th Springer, FoC Blaster, and Gen. Metroplex. Honorable mentions are Gen. Trailbreaker (-cutter, yeah, yeah, I know) and Thundercracker.
Too poor to afford a bunch of MPs anymore, as getting Metro was difficult. I never saw an MP Soundwave in stores, and I don't wanna pay the scalpers' prices for it. I don't feel like I can play with MPs — they may be technically toys but they still seem like models for the shelf, and I have no shelf space.
Lumpy
I love the Duocons, I've wanted new versions forever. I'd even take then as repaints of Blitzwing and Sandstorm just to have them. Though I'd honestly love new versions in the vein of Energon deluxes, just leave out the individual robot modes and package them together at the voyager price.
hes been on sale on BBTS for awhile, if you've got a POL, add him.
tony77tony77
For my top pick this year… MP Soundwave with cassettes! Everything else is inferior.
Rodimus Mike
Even tho Hasbro brought out some truly EPIC figures this past year I think the one that stands out the most is Generations Metroplex,to me I just can't get over the SIZE,over 25" at his top of his shoulder guns.
Other people criticize Metroplex for his floppy knees and such but considering you get a 2ft. tall,4 or 5 pound GIANT that no one thought would ever happen again I think a minor thing like floppy legs is pointless.Also considering Metroplex could be had for around $100 is a feat in itself (I honestly woulda payed double that gladly for him.So Metro gets my vote for Best Figure Of 2013.
Runners up are Generations Springer & Sandstorm,MP Acid Storm,MP Soundwave,and Generations Hoist & Trailbreaker (yes Trailbreaker)
beigoma
I'm seeing a lot of runner-up votes for Sandstorm here. I never got him because I thought those huge wheels looked silly in car mode. Seeing how many people love him I may have to reconsider.
ZombieBalls
I always enjoy this yearly tradition from the staff. 2013 was a good year for collecting both personally and the variety we all got to choose from. It's cool that Lumpy mentioned new Duocons as a suggestion as I would love to see a modern take on Flywheels, one of my all time favorites.
[Wing_Saber-X]
Generations double dealer and sandstorm
An Army of Bees
Different list! http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/trans…fws-staff-top-3rd-party-toy-picks-2013-a.html