#revolmini

but this one probably wasn’t the best introduction. While it does a lot of creative rejiggering to go from one mode to the next, it cost them dearly in the balance department. Every photo with this one was an absolute chore to keep Steeljaw from toppling over. And I’m not just talking about dynamic or taxing poses either...I just wanted him to stand and he can barely do that on his own. Tolerances all around seem to be out of whack with this one. The sliding mechanic to reveal the arms in robot mode end up acting as the elbow joints as well. Depending on your luck, your Steeljaw may even have a hard time holding his claw weapon due to that sliding pin also acting as an elbow joint...Steeljaw should probably be lower on this list but I am just too into the design and aesthetics of this character to budge.

4. Transformers Age of Extinction Deluxe Class Slash - When it comes to the Dinobot crew from AoE, Slash really drew the short straw when it came to robot mode. All of the Dinobots in dinosaur mode are fantastic in their own rights but not all of them are made equally in robot mode. I think the best way to put it is like this: When I look at Transformers, I treat all modes outside of Robot Mode as static vehicles. Even when their disguise is a rhino or a tyrannosaurs rex, I don’t expect those modes to be as playable as their Robot Mode. It’s always a nice bonus if the “animal mode” plays nicely and can emote, but I don’t expect it from this budget of toy line. I don’t mean that as a jab to Transformers, that’s just how I view them at their price point. But I do mean this as a jab, Slash is more emotive in his Raptor mode. He is absolutely static and boring in robot mode. I can’t take him seriously, especially when standing among the rest of the Dino Crew in robot mode. I’m glad to have him, for the Dinobot set but outside of that, I wouldn’t recommend going to great lengths to get this one.

3. revolMiNi Ex - 002 MGSV: TPP Soviet Soldier - This is not a revolMiNi or revoltech whatsoever. This is more or less a He-Man toy from the 80′s when it comes to pose-able action figures. He-Man toys may even be more pose-able in some ways... Anyways, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I knew what I was getting into before these even came out but nonetheless I am still kind of bummed these soldier’s couldn’t get the full treatment like Goodsmile Company is giving to the Gurlukovich soldiers from MGS2. I would love to recommend this toy to fans but I can’t help but feel like I’m just recommending weapon accessories (which this one has a plethora of) to further compliment your RM Venom Snake rather than the toy soldier itself. If you can find it at retail or lower and want to give Venom Snake someone to choke, then I cannot stress enough to research what you’re buying at that price. If you have to pay more on the second hand market, please try to ignore this one. You’re fine without it.

2. Transformers Generations Deluxe Class Rattrap - Sadly, the only reason this one is on my list is because of Rhinox (who happened to be one of my Toys of the Year back in 2013). Rhinox was an amazing updated toy representation of his on screen self. Rattrap is also a fantastically detailed and updated version of his old Beast Wars self. Rhinox was also very pose-able or at least he could do everything I wanted to do with him. In no way was I restricted or ever felt like I hard a time getting him into emotive positions. Rattrap as a deluxe Transformer is a beautiful representation of his on screen self but I can’t say I enjoy him past that. I feel like if I had got Rattrap before Rhinox, this wouldn’t be as big of a disappointment, but it is what it is. I love this toy, but I don’t enjoy posing him or even messing around with him. I can’t wait to have a shelf to put him on but as of right now he is going to be put in storage in the mean time. And if I hadn’t been anticipating Rattrap for nearly two years, this wouldn’t sting as bad..

1. Transformers Combiner Wars Legends Class Bombshell - I just didn’t enjoy Bombshell at all. The Combiner Wars Legends Class has absolutely spoiled me when it comes to Legends Class figures. In some cases, not only do they transform into their expected robot and disguise mode - but also serve as accessories to the gestalt bots. Not only are they doing all this but they are also fully fleshed figures that are the equivalent of the Legends Class surprise that was Cliffjumper back in the Prime days. Bombshell transformers from a rhinoceros beetle (which I happen to really enjoy), and a not so great robot mode. I really don’t like anything about this one outside of his insect mode. The robot mode looks bad, and not even in a cute way. Like if I were Bombshell’s parent - I’d be extremely concerned, kind of way. So once you’re in robot mode, you realize he is limited in a Legends Class sort of way (that is fine at that price point), but he is so awkward looking you can’t help but feel bad for even attempting to play with him and make him look good doing it. And if that weren’t enough, he isn’t even fun to transform... I felt really mean typing this one out but damn, I just don’t like this one.