Alright, now that licensed TFs are knocked out, it’s time to get down and dirty with my top ten third party (unlicensed) Transformers figures! I’m a huge third party fan, so this was really tough to narrow down.
Number 10: Mastermind Creations’ Cyclops
Mastermind Creations (M.M.C.) continued their Hearts of Steel (steampunk-styled) Transformers line, with what is still one of the biggest non-combined figures from a third party company to date. Featuring a lot of fine detailing that M.M.C. would begin to become known for, the only thing that keeps this figure from being top-three is quality control (q.c.) issues throughout the production wrong such as floppy elbows and hip joints. Fortunately though, M.M.C. was great about sending people replacement parts to alleviate these issues.
Number 9: HeadRobots’ Blood DX Upgrade Kit
This upgrade for the ROTF deluxed-classed Bludgeon toy is pretty much a smaller replica of the one that came out for the voyager version of Bludgeon in 2011. What makes this one stand out is the fact that you now had a Bludgeon that’s not only upgraded, but scales well with the deluxed-sized prentender updates in Hasbro’s “Generations” toy line, like Thunderwing and Skullgrin.
Number 8: TFC Toys’ Hercules
Although the individual bots started being released in 2011, the final one, and the ability to complete the combined Transformers Devastator homage came in 2012. With an incredible size, and virtually limitless options in terms of upgrades available, this toy officially fueled the fire for full-scaled combiners made by third parties. Unfortunately, there are major q.c. issues throughout this set which keep the combined mode from being very playable.
Number 7: Perfect Effect P.E. D.X. 01 R.C.
Perfect effect’s first deluxe-scaled figure was just incredible. An awesome IDW-inspired aesthetic, and some of the best poseability I’ve seen on a Transformers toy EVER makes this a must-have for collectors, even if the motorcycle alternate-mode keeps it from being your definitive Arcee on your shelf.
Number 6: Beezelboss’ Heroic Duo Upgrade Kit
This set features upgrades for Hasbro Classics/”Generations” Sideswipe and Red Alert. The Red Alert upgrades are what shines about this set, though. The long-overdue new head, gun, and rocket launcher made this go from possibly my least favorite classics-styled Transformers figures to an instant favorite on my shelf.
Number 5: Fansproject’s Assaulter
This homage to Transformers’ “Broadside” character brings it hard in every way. A great, updated (more comic accurate) look, along with a huge size and a whopping FOUR modes to transform into, makes this toy a steal at retailing below $100.
Number 4: MakeToys Green Giant
MakeToys was a company that debuted in 2011 with a few mini figures and an upgrade kit. Even though these were all FANTASTIC, it was a bit of a surprise that they jumped from projects of that scale, to jumping into the combiner-ring with their homage to Transformers Devastator. Using a scale that was directly in-line with Fansproject’s Colossus and Aerial Appendage upgraded Bruticus and Superion along with a very similar aesthetic, they knocked it out of the park with a virtually q.c. issue free piece of art, with awesome poseability and a good amount of extras included in the boxset. On top of that, this released at a retail price of almost half of what Hercules did!
Number 3: Fansproject Steel Core
Fansproject truly delivered with their bold move into releasing the first of their transformers characters that aren’t in actual Transformers fiction. This actually consists of two characters: A smaller robot, Steel, who becomes a chest plate for the larger, transforming robot named Core. Using the same aesthetic styling that Fansproject had been known for, this character is an easy fit with your existing classics-styled Transformers collection. On top of that: It’s just an incredible toy!
Number 2: Mastermind Creations’ Eliminators
M.M.C. became a household name to third party supports with these H.O.S.-styled homages to the Transformers “Seeker” characters (Starscream, Thudnercracker, and Skywarp). A never-before-attempted amount of detailing on a character at this size, right down to internal gears that you see rotating as you move his joints! With a bi-plane alt. mode, this set shows that you can be completely original while homaging characters you didn’t create!
Number 1: Toy World Hegemon
As an entirely new company, Toy World did the unthinkable with their very first release: Outshined current Hasbro releases of a character to the point where their toy can confidently be put on a shelf as the definitive version of that character. For the most part, third party toys have always been fill-ins for characters that Hasbro hadn’t touched, however Hegemon comes on the heels of Hasbro releasing the “United” Megatron, which used the classics voyager-classed mold in G1-accurate colors. The alt. mode, poseability, and even aesthetic of Hegemon surpassed the United one to the point where people who owned the United Megatron were still buying this as a permanent replacement. Well done, Toy World!
