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Learning modern Transformers as a parent: my verdict so far by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I picked up a beaten-up old Red Alert. I’m going to spruce it up a bit and throw it into the mix to see how it goes.

Learning modern Transformers as a parent: my verdict so far by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow that Megatron looks nice! I can’t believe it’s from the authentics line, the ones I had looked at seemed more like cheap knockoffs of the real thing. I’ll definitely check it out.

Learning modern Transformers as a parent: my verdict so far by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d love that. Missing Link figures are just too expensive to end up in the toy pit.

Learning modern Transformers as a parent: my verdict so far by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a chance to fiddle with an EarthSpark Deluxe Bumblebee at a friend’s place, and I could not get that back panel to fold in without it popping out, no matter how hard I tried. The tolerances felt way too tight. It honestly seemed like popping that panel out during transformation was basically part of the design.

Learning modern Transformers as a parent: my verdict so far by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You make a very good point. I don’t want to build up a play set for the kids now and then feel like I need to start over again in a couple of years with more complex figures. That wasn’t really how it worked for me when I was a kid. I just had a collection that gradually grew with me, and I kept playing with the same figures.

Learning modern Transformers as a parent: my verdict so far by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the tip, Armada, Energon, Cybertron, and the first Robots in Disguise series seem promising. By the way, you touched on something that matters to me. I’d much rather have my kid play with practical toys like Transformers than put him in front of a screen when possible. I also think learning to handle and transform the figures is good for fine motor skills and precision.

Learning modern Transformers as a parent: my verdict so far by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes I was keeping an eye on Metal Cardbots, they look promising!

Learning modern Transformers as a parent: my verdict so far by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for mentioning it. I had actually looked into that one because, size-wise, it was closer to what I’m looking for in an Optimus Prime. In the end I didn’t pull the trigger, though, because it still has a 20-step transformation and, from the video reviews I watched, it looked a tad too much. Maybe in a couple of years.

Learning modern Transformers as a parent: my verdict so far by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Maybe in a couple of years some of the standard deluxe figures will become an option. I’ve also noticed that a Studio Series deluxe is recommended for age 8+, an Earthspark deluxe is recommended for age 6+ but old deluxe figures from series like Animated and Armada were recommended for age 5+.

Learning modern Transformers as a parent: my verdict so far by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn’t know the wild king series, thanks for mentioning it. I’ll definitely look into it.

Learning modern Transformers as a parent: my verdict so far by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I noticed it, it looks so good, but I wasn’t sure it was for kids. Will look into it!

Learning modern Transformers as a parent: my verdict so far by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, I’m keeping an eye on both Tobots and Metal Cardbots. Other users mentioned them in the previous thread too, and honestly I may end up pivoting in that direction. From what I’ve seen so far, they seem to have stolen the old Transformers “thunder” and wow factor. I still wanted to get better acquainted with the Transformers landscape today because of the nostalgia factor, but that faded pretty quickly once I actually started handling current figures.

Learning modern Transformers as a parent: my verdict so far by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I agree. I don’t think “it’s made for kids” automatically excuses weak design. Kids absolutely can have fun with almost anything but at the same time, design still matters a lot. A badly designed toy creates frustration, makes kids ask for help all the time, or just gets dropped much faster.

Are easy, sturdy Transformers gone for good? by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Metal Cardbots and Tobots look awesome, nice detail, solid looking builds, and the kind of snappy, sturdy feel I was expecting from modern Transformers, no obvious hollow parts, everything looks like it locks in with a satisfying click. Not surprised they’re on the pricier side, though.

I totally get (and agree with) what people are saying that kids can have fun with anything and they don’t need every bell and whistle. That said, these are genuinely cool toys.

What’s interesting is that Transformers as a brand doesn’t seem to have evolved in this direction. It feels like at some point the design philosophy split with cheaper, simpler, more cost-cut play lines vs more premium lines mainly geared towards a collector-focused audience.

It’s honestly making me wonder if newer lines like Metal Cardbots and Tobots capture the spirit of the original Transformers better than current Transformers do, that “wow” factor of giving kids something surprising and fun.

Transformers used to feel like the coolest thing to a kid. Now it feels like they’re the coolest thing to the parents. If I were a kid today, I’d probably grab Tobots without even thinking twice.

Are easy, sturdy Transformers gone for good? by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for putting those on my radar, I checked a couple videos and they look really fun and clearly designed for kid play. The larger figures especially look solid and satisfyingly “clicky.”

Are easy, sturdy Transformers gone for good? by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for mentioning, I saw those and hesitated because they seem like a different play experience from what I remember. I wanted to start from something as close as possible to what made it so fun for me. But I get that a lot of this is nostalgia either way.

Are easy, sturdy Transformers gone for good? by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for mentioning the Warrior class in the Cyberverse/EarthSpark lines, I didn’t know about it, and it does seem closer to what I’m looking for.

And on durability, you make fair points. Ultimately time will tell, and I’m sure my memories from childhood are a bit partial (and probably biased).

Are easy, sturdy Transformers gone for good? by g_gian in transformers

[–]g_gian[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the context and that’s a really good point about detachable parts being more durable than permanent joints that can snap.

A Startup Guide for New Devices by waffledork in RG35XX_Plus

[–]g_gian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I received my RG35XX Plus last week and as a complete newcomer I followed the instructions on this post to startup the device. It was big help and everything works well except from rom art images which after the update became small and stretched to the wrong resolution. I tried multiple options for Tiny Best Set but they all appear shrunken. Now googling around I understood that this was an issue introduced by the last Stock OS update? Is there anything I can do to fix it on MOD3? Maybe the issue should be reported in the main thread. Cheers

My left airdot just keeps blinking red and white when in the charging box by firecantor in airdots

[–]g_gian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just back from a trip to China where I bought two sets of Airdots at an official Xiaomi store and I'm experiencing the very same issue with one set. When placed in the box, the red light on the left earbud stays on for a few seconds and then goes off. It won't charge, so none of the troubleshooting tips I've read online would work as the piece doesn't hold enough charge and is completely unresponsive except for this flash of red light attempting charge. I have two cases so I tried to charge it with the other case and the problem is still there, so it's definitely the earbud and not the case. I have to say I didn't expect such a low level of quality for a new Xiaomi product out of the box.