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Because I got an unusually high amount of older figures this year, I'm going to split my top ten into two - top ten vintage figures I received and top ten 2022 figures I received.

My vintage list:
10) Cybertron Lugnutz - I had very few Decepticons from the show originally, so Lugnutz was a great addition to balance out my Cybertron cast, although his backpack does make him a little fiddly.

9) Beast Wars Razorclaw - A neat little Predacon to bolster the ranks against my non-show Maximals. I like his crab mode, too. Seafood is my favourite.

8 ) Cybertron Leobreaker - Nice to finally have another main cast member, an imposing design even if the execution was compromised.

7) Movie Payload - I finally reunited with this figure after my original broke long ago. Great looking robot mode that blends really well with the aesthetic of the films. Good range of posability and an uncommon altmode.

6) Cybertron Mudflap - Another Cybertron Decepticon, and an excellent figure with great gimmick integration and playability. The unique transformation is very fun to do.

5) RTS Windcharger - This guy was great to finally get my hands on. It has been high on my grail list for so long. The superior modern-day Windcharger. Fits in well with WFC-onwards figures.

4) Cybertron Crumplezone - Not only another core 'Con from the series, but the final Velocitron-themed character from the cast now in my collection. Barium Bazookas are really satisfying to deploy and the vehicle mode is weighty so that it actually rolls really well.

3) Cybertron Crosswise - Another long-time grail item checked off of the list, and completely unexpectedly, too! Great design and really cool looking toy in both modes.

2) RTS Perceptor - Perceptor's one of my favourite characters, and his G1 toy is one of the best. As other modern-day takes on the character have basically retraced the G1 figure, Reveal The shield's unique take on his design and altmode continued to stand out to me throughout the years. Finally getting him this year was an absolute treat. He's a great figure.

1) Cybertron Soundwave (and Laserbeak!) - Besides the Cybertron Leaders, this was the highest item on my holy grail list. I finally sprung for him at the beginning of the year. It was a dream come true to finally handle this figure in person. It's so extravagantly detailed and a perfect example of bringing something new to a classic design. The altmode is nice and hefty and fits the character so well. Laserbeak is also by extension a great take and one of the best iterations of the condor. Definitely went straight up my list of favourite figures of all time and owned the top spot on this list from the moment he arrived.


Honourable mentions - Beast Wars Reissue Cybershark and Wolfang - I really like both of these figures, and I think it's great the reissue line is giving people the chance to own older figures that aren't just the cast. As reissues, though, these technically aren't vintage purchases

I'll keep my best of 2022 list for the year in review article, but I will say that this has been the greatest year of collecting for me both in terms of the quantity of TFs I got (45!) and the magnitude of the ones I did get. I doubt I'll be able to match the extent of collection growth and completion I achieved this year, but I'm still looking forward to what 2023 has in store.

This wasn't an easy list to make, especially in terms of ranking them...

10. Legacy Galvatron
Between liking the character and getting the fixed shoulders, scrapping the battle damage paint apps, and the fact that I scored this figure for just over $30, even unopened this guy makes my list.


9. SS86 Wreck-gar
I don't even love this character, but this is one of those figures that's so well done imo, specifically the bot mode, that he deserves making the cut.


8. Legacy Wild Rider
Most TF figures have some sort of issue with the bot proportions. But not this guy.
I also think his vehicle mode was really well done.


7. Legacy Kickback
He's my least favorite of the 3, but I've waited so, so long to get deluxe scale Insecticons; I still remember how excited I was to get this guy in-hand. He may never make another top 10 list for me again, especially once Shrapnel and Bombshell join my collection, but for now, he's definitely in.


6. Legacy Jhiaxus
Out of nowhere came this badass figure... Sure, his ship is borderline clown vibes, but his bot mode is incredibly good. He is right up there with Kingdom Cyclonus for me in terms of quality and just a solid, well done figure. If I had any real love for this character, he'd be top 4.


5. Legacy Blitzwing
Even with a janky jet mode, I look at this guy's bot mode, and it seriously makes me happy.
I think the tank mode is plenty good, and I personally love that they followed the weird animation model. But on bot mode looks alone, I love this figure.


4. Legacy Motormaster
I still remember how excited I first was about the UW version... I could easily look past the proportion issues and never really expected anything better. Hats-off to Hastak on this figure; considering it basically has to be a well-functioning triple changer, this guy should be on everyone's top 10 list.



3. SS86 Slag
He has issues. He's missing a portion of his tail, and I really dislike it being compromised for weapon storage. Yet the bot mode (even with a couple issues) is another one that just makes me happy to see. This is also one of those where I've been waiting for a legit, animation accurate, in-scale figure for what feels like a ridiculously long time.

2. SS86 Sludge
He also has issues. A lot of the dino mode isn't great. But again, the bot mode (of course as we know with a couple QC issues) in terms of appearance is so on point. With each one of these SS86 Dinobot releases, I'm just more excited for the next.


1. Maketoys Reflector
Not even one of my favorite Decepticon characters. But after being unhappy enough with the Siege versions to pass on those, and never having these guys in my collection, they are really sweet figures. It helps that they compliment my favorite figure so well. It was also really nice to get these from TFSource on a major sale. Love these 3 little guys!



Honorable Mentions (in no real order):

SS86 Ironhide: even though I don't have him in-hand yet, I've watched enough reviews to know I'm down with this version over the others.

Selects Behold Galvatron: This variant makes really good use of a monochromatic color scheme, as well as the tiny painted accent lines.

SS86 Kup: Surprisingly much better than the original version, and is what an SS86 figure should be.

SS86 Cliffjumper: Same reasons as Kup. The animation accurate paint job is glorious.

SS86 Arcee: Still unopened, but I really slacked off initially in even trying to see the improvements. And they're definitely there. Glad I got her on sale, but a solid addition for sure.

SS86 Junkheap: Also still unopened. But in some ways, I like this mold better than Wreck-gar's.

SS86 Perceptor: Overall just really well done. It's not that I love him, but he's definitely good enough to where I'm very glad I have him.

Velocitron Cosmos: Can't believe I forgot about this guy... It's partly because he's not opened yet. This is partly because yeah, he's pretty rare. But I love that this guy is different from all of the other Autobots that are cars and trucks, and the icing is that he was done well.

G1 Shockwave (filled a major hole in the collection)
G1 Computron
Legacy Motormaster
Lego Optimus Prime
Jada RC transforming Optimus Prime
Holiday Optimus Prime
SS core DotM Laserbeak
SS86 Coronation Starscream
HISS Megatron
Wreck n' Rule Impactor

Honorable mention: AWE Striker Bumblebee, G1 Scourge, G1 Gnaw, G1 Targetmaster Blurr w/Haywire, Siege Reflector three-pack, Super7 Ultimates Ghost Starscream (on super sale)

In no particular order...

-SS Soundwave (Bumblebee): True, the alt-mode is rather lackluster, but the robot mode is a really nice translation of the G1 design through a real-world lens. I also prefer the bulkier limbs over the slimmer extremities of his recent WFC toys.

-SS86 Arcee: After a few almost-but-not-quite attempts, HasTak has finally produced a G1 Arcee that actually transforms AND manages to retain visual accuracy.

-Shattered Glass Wheeljack/Decepticon Slicer: An inspired deco turns a bland mold into a versatile and legitimately fun toy.

-Wreck'n'Rule Diaclone Twin Twist: I actually encountered the original TR release a handful of times, but the muted colours made him a pass. I love the vibrant red and navy deco, and he's a bittersweet reminder of how substantial Deluxe figures felt just a few short years ago.

-Legacy Tarantulas: Simply perfect. Makes me want a Transmetal version REAL bad.

-Legacy Armada Starscream: I loved the engineering of the Deluxe figure from 2014, but I always hated that Hasbro cheaped out and gave us a wall of reddish orange instead of the animation-accurate deco of Takara's much pricier release. While I prefer the missile launchers of the Deluxe, the new Voyager is a huge visual improvement over its predecessor.

-Legacy (Core) Shockwave: I'm a just a sucker for Shockwave. I was more than satisfied with the Legends-size TR figure, but I really like the scaled-down version of his Leader-class Siege form.

-Velocitron Speedia 500 Override: For all its drawbacks, I really liked the old Cybertron Deluxe, and I'm thrilled that she got a modern update. I'm hoping for a repaint in her GTS colours at some point down the road.

-Velocitron Speedia 500 Clampdown: Not the most exciting deco for this mold, but after picking up all the other WFC releases of Sideswipe, Red Alert, et al, he was a must-have. Given his status as a short-packed exclusive, finding him in-store made me appreciate him all the more.

-Selects Black Zarak: Regal and imposing, and a very cool update to one of the line's rarest and most valuable figures. As a matter of money and space, I typically don't bother with the Titans, but I got him for a discount at San Diego Comic-Con. I'm still not sure what to do with him (he doesn't fit in my display), but I couldn't be happier to have him.

Most of mine have been covered in detail here, so rather than re-review those, I'll add to Giant Purple Griffin and say that HISS Megatron is definitely on my list. Yes, it made a lot of compromises to fit and use 3.75" figures, but accepting that trade-off, it's a great toy. I'm not into vintage and retro in general, but other toy lines have figures like MotU Origins that provide nostalgia and contemporary play value, and Megatron hit that sweet spot for me. I swapped the modern retro Cobra Commander for the included O-ring Baroness figure, so my shelves have some good Now representation now.

The other toy I'll call out is Earthspark Twitch, who will hopefully land on others' 2023 lists.

Here it goes (alongside the reason why I put them in that order):

10)Henkei Sideswipe (ugly hollows in the legs, fiddly transformation in some parts and some parts do not tab anywhere when this is supposed to be the thing)
9)2007 Allspark Power Crankcase (already had Cannonball, but still pretty nice)
Siege Crosshairs (some mould degradation)
7)ROTF (Back Road Brawl) Mixmaster (A LOT of mould degradation, like 18 lose joints I had to fix, but very cheap price for only missing the missile)
6)DOTM Specialist Ratchet (a childhood favorite, always wanted the normal version though but it is fine)
5)Cybertron Menasor (with Heavyload included) (really meh transformation and Heavyload's plow pops off incredibly easy)
4)HFTD Leader Class Optimus Prime (It's here because of the condition of it, but I desired it so much that I was satisfied anyways)
3)Siege Impactor (hollowness on his legs and the waist peg being too tight for me)
2)Siege Voyager Class Optimus Prime (Alt mode isn't bad, but I prefer others more)
1)DOTM Deluxe Class Topspin (Practically, my biggest childhood dream come true)

I've got a video coming, but my list is nowhere near as eclectic as yours.

10. Legacy Knock Out.
9. SS Brawn.
8. Velocitron Override.
7. Legacy Tarantulas.
6. SS Perceptor.
5. SS Sludge.
4. Pipes.
3. Blitzwing. Don't like the goofy hand things, but the figure itself is great.
2. Slammer. Best weaponizer, in my opinion.
1. Velocitron Cosmos. My favorite figure of 2022!

We didn't have enough time to completely address this on the podcast so I decided that I should add to the discussion--- here are my top 10 purchases in 2022!

10) Velocitron Scourge- What can I say- I am a HUGE fan of 2001 RID. Its always nice to add a new "black convoy" but even better when you get to see Scourge unleash that Sword of Fury!

9) Hero Optimus Prime (G2)- I lucked into a a set of Prime and Megatron with all of their air powered greatness! Its always fun to revisit the older series!

8 ) Leadfoot (Amazon Wreckers)- Again- giving us characters we haven't seen in forever. I was super happy to add him to my classic shelves.

7)Hero Is Born 2 Pack- great remolds of solid figures. I'm still so impressed with how Scourge turned out to Alpha Trion, but I'm super happy I picked up this set.

6)Red Cog- Its nice to get a little buddy for my Grand Maximus. I know he was a troop builder in the Netflix show, however this one is dedicated to Grand.

5) Black Zarak- A repaint of Scorponok, however its nice to know I have one without worry of it crumbling into dust (yet)

4) Starscream (Micron Legend Mega SCF)- This one was filling that open hole in my Mega SCF collection. It took patience, and I was happy to finally find him at a price I was willing to pay.

3)Motor Master- Commander Class continues to impress. This guy is the first time that I got a central bot for a gestalt and was happy to display without his additional limbs!

2) Optimus Prime (Lego)- This came out of left field when it was released. I had been disappointed by the Hasbro building block efforts but was blown out of the water with this self contained- transforming beauty!

1) Car Robots God Fire Convoy (Clear)- This guy has been a grail of mine since I started to collect. He was always just out of grip, until November when he finally came home with me!

My collecting has been reduced quite a bit over the last couple of years with the glut of Beast Wars releases about which I couldn’t care less, but I did pick up a few. This would be my approximate order:
1.) Legacy Motormaster
2.) Studio Series Sludge
3.) Legacy Dragstrip
4.) Legacy Dead End
5.) Legacy Blaster
6.) Studio Series Ironhide
7.) Legacy Kickback
8.) Legacy Wildrider
9.) Studio Series Rumble (Blue) (on preorder)
10.) Legacy Breakdown (on preorder)

Finally got it done -

kuhlio wrote:1) Car Robots God Fire Convoy (Clear)- This guy has been a grail of mine since I started to collect. He was always just out of grip, until November when he finally came home with me!

I heard your story on the show and I have to know, does it have any sign of yellowing at all? These show up on Mandarake all the time and the clear parts are always yellowed. I assumed this was part of the aging plastic, but it would be nice to hear that this isn't the case. This is the only retail released version of FC and GM I don't have.

Emerje

Wow a chance to post!

Kiddo has kept me busy, tired, and kinda out of the loop.

I did make some rather notable purchases, and many more I haven't even gotten around to opening.

Opened that I've had a chance to mess with:
1] G1 Megatron - complete in pretty great condition.
2] ASTRO Magnum - complete, and never thought I'd find one in one piece for what I paid for it
3] G1 Ultra Magnus - got him at the same place as ASTRO Magnum.
4] G1 Blaster - got the Walkman and the boom box now.
5] G1 Metroplex - complete and a steal.
6] G1 Ironhide
7] G1 Inferno
8] G1 Ramjet - completed my set of coneheads with this one.
9] Masterpiece Soundwave - got to get all the pieces, but getting a good condition Soundwave for under $40USD is nothing to complain about.
10] G1 Blurr - missing his gun, but has an unbroken shield.

What I haven't had time to mess with:
Legacy: 4/5 Menasor, Transmetal 2 Megatron, Predacon Inferno, Tarantulus, Kickback, Elita-1, and Terrorsaur
Speedia 500: G2 Roadburn
Takara Nightbird

I'm probably missing a few, but I need to get some zZzs before teething kicks back in.