One thing I loved about Action Master Prowl is that the Turbo Cycle's cowling could be repurposed as wings for the Prowl figure, since the central piece's peg could fit into the screwhole in his back.
I used to have Micromasters and Actionsmasters back then, but I traded them in the late 90ties for 84 and 85 figures. I later in mid 2000 collected Micromasters again, but I ended up selling them again since they didn't really connect with me. Now nearly 44 years old I have collected Micromasters for a third time now and Actionsmasters for the second time, and now they have really grown on me and I like them a lot, and I love making Micromaster cities. Now they are a permanent part of my collection.
Give the Action Masters credit, they’re at least quality action figures that look like the characters they’re meant to represent with very play-focused buddies and vehicles that did the transforming for them. Oh, wait, that last part was the problem. AM Optimus and Megatron getting modern updates that merged them with their vehicles (making them retroactive “first” versions of standard cab OP and tank Megs) would be really fun.
Particularly if a madman at Hasbro could make the cab a triple changer and keep the Attack jet mode, which would also somewhat ressurect the abandoned plan for Powermaster Optimus.
I remember Matchbox CONNECTIBLES because I was into collecting the ROAD BLASTERS line. Now THAT was a cool subline for Matchbox. Also you gotta admit, the commercials for the Action Masters were awesome.
I really enjoy these 'best of the year' videos TJ! Sadly, Transformers died for me in 1990 - and Action Master Optimus Prime was to blame. My mum always struggled to afford transformers for me and when one broke she would always send it back to Hasbro UK's customer services! They were actually very good - they replaced my Metroplex when he snapped in half at that terribly designed joint in the middle with a brand new one. She didn't realise the way they released stuff though and she sent my G1 Prime back to Hasbro because he was so floppy he wouldn't stand. They didn't replace him - G1 Optimus was WELL out of production by then, obviously - so they just sent him back with a letter of apology - and a FREE Action Master Prime. I was SO happy opening the box, thinking he'd be amazing. I must not have seen the catalogue images at that point . . . They also sent AM Devastator and AM Snarl - but I have no recollection of what happened to those. Pretty amazing customer service really - or they wanted to get rid of them because the sales were terrible! lol I was SO disappointed with him. To me aged 12 / 13 in 1990 AM Optimus looked like a playskool or Fisher Price toy. I felt embarrassed to play with him and he was the first big transformer that I got that I didn't go round telling all my friends about. He got thrown in the back of the toy cupboard and I never bought another Transformer until I was about 25. RID Wedge and Grimlock were the next figures I owned. I sold AM Optimus Prime totally complete on Ebay for TWELVE POUNDS! in about 2007. That's about $15 dollars. I don't regret it - but somebody got the deal of a lifetime there! Haven't thought about all this for years! I'm 45 now and have a massive CHUG and Studio Series collection and a few Masterpieces. Not one single action master in my collection though!
Honestly, Mcromaster bases in 9 and 5 place would have made awesome Earthrise Modulator base bots but either Hasbro didn't knew of this or thought "We can milk the molds we made little bit, why spend budget to make new molds."
I’d love an Action Master Prowl repainted from Evolution Animated Prowl. Not only would it make a fun G1 reference, but it could triple as an homage to Animated Prowl’s original colors and Prowl’s design from the “Another Light” TFCC comic storyline.
My only action master was a Shockwave I found at a Kentucky flea market. Incomplete with a different action master's pistol. Considering how rarely Shockwave transformed in G1, I decided I didn't mind. Since I never had the "main" G1 Shockwave, the Action Master was fantastic.
The individual Action Masters weren't bad. There are several I wish had modern transforming versions. I think my favorite might be Bumblebee with his backpack.
After all the really cool early Transformers of the 80's, with all their proper metallic robot-looking ruggedness, sharp lines and edges, the 90's versions never really clicked with me. It's like they were dumbed-down more for kids, with garish colours and a more rounded, chunky look that would appeal more to anyone under 10 years old. I was 13 in 1990, and more into TMNT, Garbage Pail Kids (still) and trying to figure out my recently gifted Atari ST computer.
Worse year for g1 for sure my 10 which wasn't easy would be 10. Astro squad 9. Construction squad 8. Metro squad 7. Battle squad 6. Missed launcher 5. Tanker truck 4. Canon transport 3. Missle Bull 2. Dia Atlas 1. Erector
This year does suck... so I have a Micromasters on my list. 10. Monster Truck Patrol 9. Astro Squad 8. Thunder Arrow 7. Anti-Aircraft Base 6. Missile Launcher 5. Tanker Truck 4. Battlefield Headquarters 3. Roadfire 2. Sonic Bomber 1. Dia Atlas The top 3 were easy picks as the only real major Transformers releases that year. Everything else were Micromaster teams and play sets which I wouldn't even consider any other year cause I'm not a fan of Micromasters or Play Sets but they're still better than Action Masters and I'm not putting those on my list.
It's a shame the modern remake of Dai Atlas and Zone team was of Titans Return figures and didn't turn out the most structually sound. And they're crossed off the list unless they're crazy enough to do them again as a Haslab.
@@EternityKingdomsHeadHoncho I had grown out of Transformers ( or so I thought - LOL ) when they were released, but I picked up a couple of the cyberjets a few years back. Spacecase and the one that turned into an F117. I still have them somewhere! They could absolutely be released these days with barely any tweaking and still be reasonably decent figures, expecially if they weren't too expensive. Really nice figures.
In the last issue of the comics original run. The action master optimus prime was his final body.. He did not have that body long. As well as the G2 Combat hero optimus prime. He got that at the end of G2 comics. So HI- !q totally became a new optimus prime. OH I do have all those toys BTW. in my collection. I got my action master prime for $75. Back in 98 complete.
He's a great figure, especially for G1. I always wanted to own one of those when I started collecting again as an adult, but I live in the UK so he would cost far too much to find and import. Especially complete. I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't released in the UK.
One thing I loved about Action Master Prowl is that the Turbo Cycle's cowling could be repurposed as wings for the Prowl figure, since the central piece's peg could fit into the screwhole in his back.
For 1990 its less best toys and more most adequate toys of the year.
I used to have Micromasters and Actionsmasters back then, but I traded them in the late 90ties for 84 and 85 figures. I later in mid 2000 collected Micromasters again, but I ended up selling them again since they didn't really connect with me. Now nearly 44 years old I have collected Micromasters for a third time now and Actionsmasters for the second time, and now they have really grown on me and I like them a lot, and I love making Micromaster cities. Now they are a permanent part of my collection.
Give the Action Masters credit, they’re at least quality action figures that look like the characters they’re meant to represent with very play-focused buddies and vehicles that did the transforming for them. Oh, wait, that last part was the problem. AM Optimus and Megatron getting modern updates that merged them with their vehicles (making them retroactive “first” versions of standard cab OP and tank Megs) would be really fun.
they where also the first ones to look like the cartoon versions.
Particularly if a madman at Hasbro could make the cab a triple changer and keep the Attack jet mode, which would also somewhat ressurect the abandoned plan for Powermaster Optimus.
I remember Matchbox CONNECTIBLES because I was into collecting the ROAD BLASTERS line. Now THAT was a cool subline for Matchbox. Also you gotta admit, the commercials for the Action Masters were awesome.
I really enjoy these 'best of the year' videos TJ!
Sadly, Transformers died for me in 1990 - and Action Master Optimus Prime was to blame. My mum always struggled to afford transformers for me and when one broke she would always send it back to Hasbro UK's customer services! They were actually very good - they replaced my Metroplex when he snapped in half at that terribly designed joint in the middle with a brand new one.
She didn't realise the way they released stuff though and she sent my G1 Prime back to Hasbro because he was so floppy he wouldn't stand. They didn't replace him - G1 Optimus was WELL out of production by then, obviously - so they just sent him back with a letter of apology - and a FREE Action Master Prime. I was SO happy opening the box, thinking he'd be amazing. I must not have seen the catalogue images at that point . . . They also sent AM Devastator and AM Snarl - but I have no recollection of what happened to those. Pretty amazing customer service really - or they wanted to get rid of them because the sales were terrible! lol
I was SO disappointed with him. To me aged 12 / 13 in 1990 AM Optimus looked like a playskool or Fisher Price toy. I felt embarrassed to play with him and he was the first big transformer that I got that I didn't go round telling all my friends about. He got thrown in the back of the toy cupboard and I never bought another Transformer until I was about 25. RID Wedge and Grimlock were the next figures I owned.
I sold AM Optimus Prime totally complete on Ebay for TWELVE POUNDS! in about 2007. That's about $15 dollars. I don't regret it - but somebody got the deal of a lifetime there!
Haven't thought about all this for years! I'm 45 now and have a massive CHUG and Studio Series collection and a few Masterpieces. Not one single action master in my collection though!
Honestly, Mcromaster bases in 9 and 5 place would have made awesome Earthrise Modulator base bots but either Hasbro didn't knew of this or thought "We can milk the molds we made little bit, why spend budget to make new molds."
1:00
They just gave us some fun designs, hello Banzaitron.
Any chance that Action Master Prowl bike inspired Animated Prowl's vehicle mode in any way? It looks similar.
I’d love an Action Master Prowl repainted from Evolution Animated Prowl. Not only would it make a fun G1 reference, but it could triple as an homage to Animated Prowl’s original colors and Prowl’s design from the “Another Light” TFCC comic storyline.
@@EternityKingdomsHeadHoncho hi dude how are you
My only action master was a Shockwave I found at a Kentucky flea market. Incomplete with a different action master's pistol. Considering how rarely Shockwave transformed in G1, I decided I didn't mind. Since I never had the "main" G1 Shockwave, the Action Master was fantastic.
15:50 OK, we need a repaint of optimus prime as this truck as like a 4th of july special edition or something. and give him a big uncle sam top hat
Please TJ make a video about the foreign names of the Energon cartoon!
The individual Action Masters weren't bad. There are several I wish had modern transforming versions. I think my favorite might be Bumblebee with his backpack.
Thank you! I was trying for ever to remember that Matchbox line. Go figure a Transformers video would give me my answer lol
After all the really cool early Transformers of the 80's, with all their proper metallic robot-looking ruggedness, sharp lines and edges, the 90's versions never really clicked with me. It's like they were dumbed-down more for kids, with garish colours and a more rounded, chunky look that would appeal more to anyone under 10 years old.
I was 13 in 1990, and more into TMNT, Garbage Pail Kids (still) and trying to figure out my recently gifted Atari ST computer.
I'm glad i wasn't born yet for this year
I have that Micromaster tank. Complete. With box and insert
Yall crazy 90 was a banger. Lionizer is the best pack in ever. Wheeljack with awesome car, microbase fire base. Action masters were awesome.
Yea I feel like he went a little hard with the bit here. Out of the plastic addict character it feels off to put on that bit.
It'd be interesting to see a modern Diatlas.
When I got my first Action Master, I was not happy.
We did get an SR-71 as a Micromaster combiner team.
1990 was the reissue year where we got 1984, 1985 and 1986 toys.
Very enjoyable video
I personally would've gone with Action Master Shockwave instead of Action Master Prowl.
Worse year for g1 for sure my 10 which wasn't easy would be 10. Astro squad 9. Construction squad 8. Metro squad 7. Battle squad 6. Missed launcher 5. Tanker truck 4. Canon transport 3. Missle Bull 2. Dia Atlas 1. Erector
Battlefield Headquarters looks like Evel-Knievelmus Prime.
Oh hey, Connectables, I had one of them.
This year does suck... so I have a Micromasters on my list.
10. Monster Truck Patrol
9. Astro Squad
8. Thunder Arrow
7. Anti-Aircraft Base
6. Missile Launcher
5. Tanker Truck
4. Battlefield Headquarters
3. Roadfire
2. Sonic Bomber
1. Dia Atlas
The top 3 were easy picks as the only real major Transformers releases that year. Everything else were Micromaster teams and play sets which I wouldn't even consider any other year cause I'm not a fan of Micromasters or Play Sets but they're still better than Action Masters and I'm not putting those on my list.
Was I the only one expecting at least ONE Beast Wars toy on this list??
This was 1990. Beast Wars didn't begin until 1996.
@@TJOmega My bad, I thought it was a 90S list, as in the entire 90s decade
It's a shame the modern remake of Dai Atlas and Zone team was of Titans Return figures and didn't turn out the most structually sound. And they're crossed off the list unless they're crazy enough to do them again as a Haslab.
1990s did have some historical TF figures.
Gutcruncher.
Best. Decepticon. Name. EVER.
i like the megatron one cuz his tank can become a giant robot my cousin showed me
beast wars were the best toys of the 90s no doubt
also Laser Prime
Cyberjets? Dreadwing and Smokescreen? Combat Optimus and Megatron?
@@EternityKingdomsHeadHoncho I had grown out of Transformers ( or so I thought - LOL ) when they were released, but I picked up a couple of the cyberjets a few years back. Spacecase and the one that turned into an F117. I still have them somewhere!
They could absolutely be released these days with barely any tweaking and still be reasonably decent figures, expecially if they weren't too expensive. Really nice figures.
Does Sonicbomber remind anyone of Energon Megatron?
In the last issue of the comics original run. The action master optimus prime was his final body.. He did not have that body long. As well as the G2 Combat hero optimus prime. He got that at the end of G2 comics. So HI- !q totally became a new optimus prime. OH I do have all those toys BTW. in my collection. I got my action master prime for $75. Back in 98 complete.
I'm confused is a this review about Transformers: micromasters, action masters, or minicons?
No Galaxy Shuttle? Sure he originated from Japan in 1989. However, he came out for Italy in 1990. He's easily better than nearly all of these guys.
He's a great figure, especially for G1. I always wanted to own one of those when I started collecting again as an adult, but I live in the UK so he would cost far too much to find and import. Especially complete. I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't released in the UK.
Metro Titan came out in 1990
One of the rules for TJ's lists is no repaints.
I feel like the dislike for Action Masters is kind of a bit much. 😅
I was 15 in 1990, but I just had to get Action Master Shockwave. They had some other cool looking figures, but that one was amazing.
Dai Atlas got a newer toy recently, didn't he?
Yeah... as a retool of Titans Return Sky Shadow. He's only available in the Big Powered three-pack.
What about erector.
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