I still find the G1 toys as amazing as I did when I was a kid. I attribute this to the fact that I remain fairly unimpressed with poseability. The G1 toys had/have a lot of things going for them in both 1985 and 2005, some things:

 

1. G1 Transformers, particularly years 1984 and 1985, were made to more of an adult standard. They were designed more to the standard of model cars than to action figures. Fine detail, delicate high quality parts, and the like. One of the things that made them so cool when they were new was the fact that the toys were adult compared to other toys of the time. This still holds true today, as the G1 toys have more of an adult, model car quality to them than anything released afterwards, with the possible exception of Takara Binaltech and Masterpiece Prime. They are simply beautiful to look at, and fun to transform. This was their purpose then, and their purpose now.

 

2. Guns, baby. G1 Transformers are more heavily armed than any modern Transformers. This is mostly due to the modern practice of weapon storage. The downside to weapon storage is that most of the time the guns suck. I miss the days of sacrificing weapon storage for having better and more guns.

 

3. The Transformers cartoon, as inconsistent in animation and storyline as it was, was still the best cartoon of its day, and the reason for that was memorable characters. No 80's cartoon ever had characters as memorable as Optimus Prime, Megatron, Starscream, and Soundwave. Modern Transformers, including Beast Wars, have lacked this star quality as well. BW might have better characters, but haven't managed to gain the iconic status of the G1 legends.

 

4. Tech Specs. The G1 tech specs are absolutely fantasitc, complete masterpieces. No tech specs from any line after G1 comes anywhere near the G1 tech specs. BW, RiD, Armada and Energon tech specs are crap compared to G1. The Binaltech bios are interesting, but still lack the magic of the G1 specs. No other toyline can really compare to the tech specs that were released with G1 figures either, though 80's Gi-Joe does come close.

 

5. Crossover appeal. Anyone who has taken regular people to see their collection can understand this. G1 toys are simply more impressive to people who are not us. I can show people my collection, and I can guarantee the first figure they try to grab will be one of three figures: Masterpiece Prime, G1 Megatron or G1 Soundwave. It never fails. I brought alternators Smokescreen, Energon Megatron, and Armada Tidal Wave and some other figures to amuse some kids backstage at a play I was Stage Manager for. All the adults there were mostly only interested in my beat up G1 Soundwave. People will admit Alternators are cool, but still are always more interested in the G1 stuff. Among non-toy collectors, G1 is king.

 

Someone saying that G1 is crap is just funny.

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:pfx

I just don't think articulation is what makes a toy good. Being able to believe a car can turn into a robot. If they actually make it seem possible, then it is probably a good toy. The original G1 figures were awesome in that aspect. We didn't need all that articulation and stuff when we were kids. Nor did we need show accuracy for that matter.

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Granted, it's not the only factor at work in a good figure, but it sure as hell is a big one. :thumb Then again, articulation is only a big deal now because it's a sign of the times. We have the technology and it makes sense to use it. When properly engineered, it makes a handsome shelf guardian as well as an awe inspiring plaything.

 

I was blown away by the super-articulated spidey mold when it first came out. I didn't think it could possibly NEED more articulation. As part of the SM2 line, Toy biz made an 18" Spider-man with 67 points of articulation and after taking him out... I'm still blown away, moreso than by the smaller figures. So much more... However, that doesn't mean I'm throwing the little guys out. I will, however, hide them away in storage :D

 

Articulation doesn't necessarily make a toy good, but when you add MORE it always seems to make the toy better. Right?

I just don't think articulation is what makes a toy good. Being able to believe a car can turn into a robot. If they actually make it seem possible, then it is probably a good toy. The original G1 figures were awesome in that aspect. We didn't need all that articulation and stuff when we were kids. Nor did we need show accuracy for that matter.

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Granted, it's not the only factor at work in a good figure, but it sure as hell is a big one. :thumb Then again, articulation is only a big deal now because it's a sign of the times. We have the technology and it makes sense to use it. When properly engineered, it makes a handsome shelf guardian as well as an awe inspiring plaything.

 

I was blown away by the super-articulated spidey mold when it first came out. I didn't think it could possibly NEED more articulation. As part of the SM2 line, Toy biz made an 18" Spider-man with 67 points of articulation and after taking him out... I'm still blown away, moreso than by the smaller figures. So much more... However, that doesn't mean I'm throwing the little guys out. I will, however, hide them away in storage :D

 

Articulation doesn't necessarily make a toy good, but when you add MORE it always seems to make the toy better. Right?

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No.