2009 saw the revival of the popular Transformers series with the release of a new movie, Revenge of the Fallen. Accompanying the movie is a new line of updated Transformers 2 toys, action figures and other merchandise. They now feature motorised parts, lights and movie sound effects. The popular characters are still featured – Optimus Prime, the silver and red truck, Bumblebee, the yellow Camaro sports car and the leader of the baddies, Megatron, the battle tank. The ability of these toys to transform from vehicle to robot action figure is what makes them fun and exciting and they are already storming the toy sales charts. There is a huge range of Transformer 2 toys available so this top 5 list should give you a clue as to which type of toy to buy.

Top 3 Transformers 2 Toys

#1 Transformers Deluxe Class
#2 Transformers Voyager Class
#3 Transformers Human Alliance Bumblebee & Sam

#1 Transformers Deluxe Class

Transformers Toys Deluxe Bumblebee

  • Well made and realistic to the movie characters
  • Satisfying transformation with 15 + movements required
  • Excellent articulation in robot mode

For around £13 you can recreate exciting movie scenes with a Transformers 2 Deluxe Figure that converts with a few twists and turns into a cool vehicle and comes with a missile accessory.

Our thoughts

These 19cm figures are realistic to the well loved movie characters, well made and come with an impressive amount of detail. The transformation is perfect for Transformers fans – it is complex and involved, so not too easy but not too fiddly either. There are 15 or more movements to move the figure from vehicle to robot, so you will be satisfied when it is done, but may need to help younger children. If you think you may find the transformation too difficult, try the Fast Action Battlers which were specifically designed to have a quicker and easier transformation. They are less accurately detailed though. The robot modes are excellent, with at least 14 points of articulation making the figures able to achieve a range of poses. These Deluxe Transformers will offer hours of fun for children.

There a couple of downsides to these toys – being Transformers toys in general rather than this Deluxe class especially. These are (1) the very poor instructions for transformation and (2) the fluctuating prices. Within the Deluxe class of toys, you may find that some vehicle modes are less interesting than others.

or compare prices for each character.

#2 Transformers Voyager Class

Transfromers Toys Voyager Prime

  • Large scale replica of the movie characters
  • Features Mech Alive technology so you can see internal gearing
  • Also includes a vehicle attack mode

For around £23 you can buy a large scale (28cm) replica of a movie character being the Transformers 2 Voyager Figure. They include realistic styling and detailed conversion from vehicle to robot mode. They feature Mech Alive technology meaning their internal gears are shown when certain parts of the toy are moved and they are armed with missiles ready for battle.

Our thoughts

This class of Transformers 2 toy is priced mid way between the Deluxe and the Leader classes. The vehicle mode is nicely detailed and the robot mode is well articulated and moves cleanly. Well built joints and cleverly designed feet, enable many poses to be achieved. The representation to the movie characters is good. Transforming between modes is a little tricky and slightly awkward to start off with but practice makes perfect. Once in robot mode, with a few more twists, you can get a vehicle attack mode where the weapons are used. Do not think this is triple transforming toy though as the attack mode is more of a small extra. For value for money, the Deluxe class may be a better bet.

or compare prices for each character.

#3 Transformers Human Alliance Bumblebee & Sam

Transformers Toys Human Alliance

  • Large with huge amounts of detail
  • Includes a Sam action figure to create hours of fun
  • Exceptional articulation

For around £30 you get a Sam action figure and a Bumblebee robot-to-vehicle transformer. In robot mode, Bumblebee has a flip-out cannon and in the Camaro vehicle mode you can fit two human ally figures inside (although additional figures are sold separately).

Our thoughts

Bumblebee is a popular choice in the Transformers Revenge Of The Fallen toy range as he is so adorable. This representation is large at 33cm and very accurately detailed – the cannon is great and he even comes with a battle mask. This bigger, more detailed version even includes an interior to the car, including seats and a steering wheel, back bumpers that become knee caps and a chest that has two rotating sections. The articulation is also out of this world with over 30 movable joints. It is very well made but it is quite tricky to transform. This does mean, however, that both vehicle mode and robot mode are of a good standard. Once you get the hang of it, it does become much easier but it may be better suited to slightly older children. The inclusion of a 6cm Sam action figure is a great bonus as it makes Bumblebee more interactive and fun to play with. Sam is cool in his own right and there a few standing or sitting areas where he can ride on Bumblebee and some guns for him to use. The price may seem high but you do get what you pay for.

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#4 Transformers Leader Class

Transformers Toys Leader Class

  • Large scale, but not heavy, action figures
  • Features Mech Alive technology so you can see internal gearing
  • Electronic speech and lighting up eyes and chest

Costing around £45, the Transformers Optimus Prime, Megatron and Jetfire Leader class figures are 30cm, large scale action figures with realistic styling and detail. They are made using ‘Mech Alive’ technology which means their moving armour panels and internal gears are shown when certain parts of the toy are moved. They also feature electronic speech, lighting up eyes and chest and snap–out swords. As with most other Transformer toys, the robot form transforms into a vehicle form.

Our thoughts

Children will love them, especially the popular Transformers 2 Optimus Prime toy, as they are large scale (but not heavy), have great film sounds, are sturdy, colourful and well made. The figures’ joints are of the ‘pop off’ variety to avoid breakages so are easily reattached. They are accurate to the movie characters and are well articulated so you can stand them in many positions. As with all action figures, they encourage imaginative play.

The main downside of the Movie Leader figures is the transformation process. Transformers fans rate the transformation as anywhere from “a little tricky to transform” to “completely impossible”. It is definitely thought to be one of the hardest and most challenging Transformers figures yet. As such younger fans will need a lot of help with this process and may get very frustrated. If they are happy to play with it in robot or vehicle mode then your life will be easier. The age of 5 years and up is definitely inappropriate if you are planning on this toy keeping a 5 year old quiet on their own. The Transformers Movie Leader Megatron is supposedly a bit easier to transform but for younger fans, stick with the smaller ranges or perhaps try the #2 hot toy this Christmas – the Bumblebee Helmet.

or compare prices for each character.

#5 Transformers Scout Figures

Transformers Toys Scout Rollbar

  • Small and portable but still transform
  • Very detailed and realistic to the movie characters
  • Some articulation

For around £8 you can buy these 14cm Transformers 2 Scout Figures that convert from realistic movie vehicles to awesome robots. They are highly detailed and articulated.

Our thoughts

Scout figures are perfect Transfomers for their size. They have everything they need but are not overloaded with excesses. The detailing is very good considering this class of Transformer toy is quite small. The transformation to robot mode can be a bit fiddly at first as parts pop off quite easily but overall is simple and fun. The articulation is not remarkable but good enough for its size and there is plenty to play with. As for downsides, in robot form this toy is pretty fragile and it doesn’t stand up very well.

or compare prices for each character.

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