![Stick Out Tongue :p](./images/smilies/tongue.gif)
I've just been looking at the figures I bought that came out in 2023, and well, I've basically bought a bunch of repaints of figures that came out in previous years. At a time when Transformers is recycling old ideas, this feels very apt.
So here's my top ten!
10. Legacy Evolution Leo Prime
Yeah the beast mode does look like a dead eyed ghoul, but the robot mode and transformation are spot on. It's just a big version of the still awesome Robot Masters version of Lio Convoy, but it works!
9. Legacy Evolution Bludgeon
Honestly a figure I just bought as wanted to pick up a new Transformer, and had no burning desire for (and until Hasbro do proper Pretenders again, these modern takes don't quite work for me). However, this has surprised me by being a bloody great action figure. The bright colours sell the mould for me over edge-lord Tarn, and I also like that they come with a sword.
8. Legacy Evolution Dirge
I love the Coneheads and was enormously frustrated that they came out as a bunch of hard to get exclusives during Earthrise, so was far too excitied to be able to easily pick this sourpuss up. Absolutely love this guy, even though I'm not the biggest fan of the boxy Classics-styled design (and lack of landing gear, which was somehow possible back in 2006 at a Deluxe price point, but I digress), the colours are superb and the jet looks great. From above.
7. Legacy Evolution Twincast w/ Rewind
The Blaster mould is great, and whilst this version of the character sacrifices some realism - the bright red speakers instantly mark this out as a toy - it is still a banger. Robot mode is fantastic and well proportioned, Rewind is cute and it's nice having relatively obscure characters like this represented.
6. Legacy Evolution Generations Selects Antagony
The more time I've spent mucking about with this figure, the more I've enjoyed it. The black is lush, and being on a heavily textured figure (unlike fellow black repaint Nemesis Leo Prime), this feels oddly premium. The blood red ant eyes and that fantastic metallic pink on the Gaster make for a sinister looking bug mode. The robot mode perhaps doesn't have enough to distinguish itself from Inferno and I would have preferred a headsculpt based on Don Figueroa's design, rather than Scavenger, but it's still a great great figure.
5. Legacy Evolution Toxitron Collection Grimlock
Cooler fans would say the Trypticon flavoured Shattered Glass Grimlock is the best of the two repaints of the Dinobot leader that came out this year, but this one is just such fun. Looks like Mr Motorvator in robot mode and an enormous angry banana in beast mode. Brilliant.
4. Legacy Evolution Toxitron Collection Jazz
Silly bright orange repaint of the excellent Studio Series 86 mould. Minus points for the extra weapons that he can't do much with and have nowhere to go in vehicle mode.
3. Legacy Evolution Toxitron Collection Toxitron
What an eyesore this is. Absolutely love it. A lurid shade of lime green, with blood reds, purples and silvers bursting out, this is a cartoon toxic spill brought to life. The trailer is still a playset waiting to happen, but at least it looks nicer than that awful box regular Earth mode Optimus carts about. Not a fan of the lollipop axe either. Robot mode and vehicle mode are killer though, daft purple tyres and all.
2. Rise of The Beasts Deluxe Cheetor
Mainline release that looks nothing like the on-screen character and more like his Beast Wars incarnation. As such, it's a better version of Kingdom Cheetor than Kingdom Cheetor. This is a much better realised version of the eager to please kitty cat and it looks great. Except for the big blue Maximal insignia.
1. Rise of The Beasts Deluxe Airazor
An excellent figure that seems to have gone somewhat under the radar, as everyone waited for the proper version in the big boy Studio Series line. This is just great. It's a bit like Energon Divebomb in the way it transforms and different enough from the equally excellent Kingdom version of the character to be worth checking out. The weapon storage is also great and I do like this over the Kingdom figure. As with Cheetor above, it just does things right and looks the business. Fantastic!