Transformers Titan Masters & why I think they are awesome

Wait- I know what you are saying:

"Chris, this is the OBSCURA Toy Files, covering obscure, unique and un-liscensed toys! Why are you talking about Transformers Titans Return toys???"

That is true, but we cover all toys that are unique & unlicensed as well. So, as technically Transformers is an in-house property created by Hasbro in the 1980's, they are permitted.

Yes Hasbro has done Headmasters before, so this itself is not completely unique, but this time they gave it a little twist. By including additional parts that combine with the smaller Headmaster style robots, they merged the features of 3 different types of transformers.

How so you ask? Let's take a look....

• Titan Masters Essentially Have Mega Pretender Shells. Now, they are not exactly Pretenders, but in concept and function they are. Each $4.99 Titan Master comes with what is in all essence a pretender shell with a robotic look taking place of an organic one. Sawback (aka Lione from the Japanese Headmaster Series) is the name of the Titan Master, not the Triple-Changer Beast/Weapon/Vehicle it comes with. The only other time we see this is with Pretenders; the name of the Pretender Transformer defined both the inner robot and the outer shell. Add to this the ability to become a vehicle the Titanmaster can ride, makes it much more versitle and just like a Mega Pretender.

• Titanmasters are Triplechangers.
Each Pretender shell can transform into 3 modes: Beast or Vehicle/Ride-On/Weapon.

Sawback inside his Exo-Suit Shell in Lion Mode
and Fangry in his shell in Winged Wolf Mode

Sawback riding in his Attack Craft vehicle
and Fangry riding atop his Dragon Battle Steed

This allows them to be formidable forces in combat despite their small size as well as great allies to larger Transformers as battle partners or as their Targetmaster style weapons (more on that below).

• Titanmasters are Targetmaster Partners.
Much like the companions that came with all single-carded Action Master Transformers in 1990, all Titan Masters can transform into a weapon available for any transformer with a 5mm hand grip in need of armament.

Sawback in Shield mode and
Fangry in Triple-Barrel Blaster Mode

That is a pretty fun-cross play feature and really adds extra value to them if you have a lot of Transformers lacking weapons. Your Bumblebee and Cliffjumper from Classics have no weapons? No problem! Pair them up with a Titan Master and they are good to go.

Yes the colors may clash, but even Hound
can't argue with how awesome having a shield
can be in a fire fight.

Plus, since the outer shell can transform into weapon mode with the inner robot still inside, you do not even need to acknowledge the Titan Master gimmick at all. With Sawback, Ptero & Fangry, I could leave the little Titan Masters inside all the time and you really do not loose anything by doing so.

Their weapon mode is even more useful if the Titan Master hijacks another Transformer's body with no weaponry: the shell can still turn into the weapon mode to always provide the robot with offensive capabilities.

Sawback goes for the Head-Shot-Swap Manover
by crashing his Exo-Suit Shell into Triggerhappy's
head,..
Fangry: ".......ah slag, that is not good."

...and takes Blowpipe's place as the head for
Triggerhappy. Now, Sawback has control over
this body and covers his Exo-Suit into Shield mode.
Sawback: "How's it going down their pip-squeeks?"
Fangry: "Be gentle."

This can be a lot of fun and I thoroughly enjoy doing this with my small collection.

What do I really think about them?
When I discovered all of the cool possibilities of these tiny $4.99 robots, suddenly THEY became the main characters in my adventures with the larger transformers being more or less vehicles, play sets or exo-suits to them to partner with or a valuable resource to fight over.

I find myself having battles where, the Decepticons kidnapped Stylor so Chromedome can't turn into robot mode. This leaves the other Autobot Titan Masters to take turns powering up Chromedome as a robot in the fight to find their friend.

An opening chest cockpit for vehicle mode
becomes a handy prison for enemy Titan
Masters. 

Triggerhappy: "You want some Hound?? Even that
Sawback shield of yours is no match for my blasters,
Fangry & Overload's Targetmaster weapons! Your
done Autobot! Hahaha!!"
Hound: "The downside to all that firepower Triggerhappy, is if all your Titan Master buddies are in your hands...who is watching your back?"

Ptero: "Grab some sky Decepticreep, or I'll
use my Energy-Bolt Bow to blast your
head right off your shoulders!"
Triggerhappy: "What!? DIE Autobot!!"

Ptero: "Alrighty, you asked for it.."
*Ka-Blammmo!*

Triggerhappy: "......uhhhh..."
Ptero: "I warned him.."
Hound: "Triggerhappy is not the sharpest knife in
in the Decepticon drawer either."
Stylor: "whoo-hoo I'm free! Move over
Ptero, I'm coming in!"

Chromedome, Hound and the other
Autobot Titan Masters: Victorious!

I feel a lot of the real fun with this series of Transformers comes from using your imagination a little bit. If you just buy them for what they are, they can be a little drab. But really start playing around with them and you unlock their true fun and enjoyment.

Series 3 is out now with Autobots Ptero and Sawback vs Decpticons Fangry & Overload. All are great with only Overboard being the weakest out of comparison to the other 3.

Go buy some of these, grab a few of the larger sets and have a blast. Hasbro really did a good job this time on their Generations TF line and I plan on buying many more Titanmaster $4.99 packs when they come back. Drop 5 bucks on one of these, you will not be disappointed.