Ben's Top Ten Transformers Toys of 2025
The end of 2025 has come and what a year it has been for Transformers toys! This year brought us Devastator and Superion as well as a variety of figures from Cyberworld to Studio Series. Here are my Top Ten picks for 2025. Unlike past lists, I'm leaving this wide open. So long as the figure was released in 2025, it is fair game even if it is a redeco. The focus of this list is transforming figures, so the likes of Blokees figures are not part of this list. I also excluded any straight up reissues such as Earthrise Thrust. Where available, I have linked to my reviews of these figures. Remember, your mileage will vary with these choices, and some of them will be unconventional. Enjoy!
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10. Cyberworld Scorponok Strike Battle Set (Amazon | BigBadToyStore | Entertainment Earth)
When I first saw this figure at Toy Fair 2025 I knew it was going to be a fun toy. Nowadays, much emphasis on Transformers toys is placed on show accuracy, articulation and transformation for Generations style figures. Cyberworld Scorponok goes in a different direction, focusing heavily on play value. This is the largest figure in the Cyberworld line (thus far) and he is choc full of features including parts that become a motorcycle, stations for smaller figures to sit in on top of lights and sounds, a rarity nowadays in the Transformers toy line. This may not be the cup of tea for some older fans, but I get a huge kick out of it. This figure is bright, bold and fun.
9. Wild King World Dragnus
Like Cyberworld Scorponok, World Dragnus is an example of a Transformers figure made to focus on play value while delivering some very cool aesthetics at the same time. World Dragnus is part of the Japanese exclusive Wild King toy line released by Takara Tomy. The set includes three figures that combine with one another either in robot or dragon mode. Then on top of that you can combine the set with up to four "Energy Beast" figures, forming a "combiner" style mode. Then on top of that Dragnus can split apart to combine with an Energy Master (such as Megatron)! On top of all that, his styling seems to be partly inspired by Gigatron (aka RiD Megatron) which is a big bonus. From both the perspective of play value and aesthetics this figure is aces in my book.
8. Age of the Primes Fisitron (Amazon)
The character of Fisitron (aka Ironfist) gained popularity during his appearances in IDW Publishing's Transformers comic books, but at the risk of sounding like an "Elder Fan", I was a fan of this character long before his appearance in that comic. During the end of the G1 era that led to G2, Ironfist was released as a "Lightformer". The Autobot was armed with a giant cannon that had a scope you could look through to see an enemy. Move a dial on top of the weapon and it made it look like you were "firing" on the enemy. Even without any lore back in the 90's (when I got my hands on the figure) I loved it and I am super happy we have a modern day version of the character. This figure is also a really well done retool of Hound, reworking several parts to give him a unique look. Yes, you have to get it in a two pack with Carnivac, but Carnivac himself is neat too so it's well worth it!
7. Age of the Primes Sideways
In an era where a lot of gimmicky Transformers features have disappeared, it was refreshing to see a Generations version of the very gimmicky Cybertron Sideways figure that still respected the original figure. Sure this version does not have a functional Cyber Key feature, but the Cyber Key is included and you can switch his faction symbols manually. The figure also looks fantastic and has plenty of play value. The fact that it sold out in one day when it was first posted on Hasbro Pulse and Walmart's site are a testament to the character's popularity.
6. Collaborative Bone Shaker (Amazon | BigBadToyStore | Entertainment Earth)
Most Transformers figures nowadays are some interpretation of a character from previous generations. Optimus Prime and Bumblebee are two pervasive examples so it is really cool when we get something outside of that paradigm. Enter the Hot Wheels/Transformers Collaborative figures. While two were released at the same time, I picked Bone Shaker as one of my favorites because he has an awesome aesthetic based on an actual Hot Wheels car! The skull in the front, his "Rat Racer" aesthetic and flame paint job all really make him a unique looking character in robot mode. Even cooler, his retro vehicle mode helps him fit in with the likes of the G2 Laser Rods, a sub-group of Transformers with retro vehicle modes. While I love new interpretations of classic characters, it is very cool to get a brand new character now and then and Bone Shaker fits the bill perfectly.
5. Age of the Primes Horri-Bull
When the Titans Return line was released, almost every character suddenly became a Headmaster (or Titan Master if you prefer). That series managed to release all the 1987 Headmasters in new forms, but it would take years for the Headmasters that came in 1988 to be released in new forms. With the release of Horri-Bull in a Target exclusive 4-Pack, fans are one step closer to having a complete set of the 1988 Headmasters (aka the "Headmaster Juniors"). Horri-Bull is a follow up to both Fangry and Squeezeplay, so now the Decepticon "Headmaster Juniors" are finally complete! Now we just need Hasbro to begin releasing Nightbeat, Siren and Hosehead as Headmasters. In the meantime I'm going to be super happy about this figure even existing!
4. Age of the Primes Sky Byte (Amazon | BigBadToyStore)
Sky-Byte is a beloved character who originated in the Robots in Disguise series. While he has not popped up in every show, he is currently in the Cyberworld show, a cartoon released over twenty years after the character's first introduction! His quirky personality made him a fan favorite and it's great we have a new version of him. Also, the Beast Wars Cybershark sculpt (which was redeco'd as Sky-Byte) could be very fiddly in the transformation department while this version is a bit cleaner in the transformation department. I'm also a big fan of adding beast-based Transformers to the line so this is a welcome addition to the Age of the Primes.
3. Age of the Primes Onyx Prime (Amazon | BigBadToyStore)
The Age of the Primes toy line has given us some very unique Transformers figures. When it comes to the Thirteen Primes, each one has its own unique look that sometimes defy the typical Transformers aesthetic. One such figure is Onyx Prime, who was the Prime that originated the "Beasts" in the Transformers race. The figure has a very unique set of modes. His robot mode still looks very animalistic and his alt-modes include a cool "centaur" mode. The detailing and deco on this figure is striking and his unique modes make him a super cool figure in my book.
2. Age of the Primes Big Convoy (Amazon | BigBadToyStore | Entertainment Earth)
The original Big Convoy toy was released in 1999 and I remember waiting with baited breath for mine to arrive. When it finally came in I absolutely fell in love with the toy. Having a modern version of the character based on his cartoon appearance is super cool. This version is not the perfect toy, but it incorporates enough of the features found on the original figure that I'm very happy with it. I also think it's great that there is a version of this character fans can get at modern retail prices instead of having to pay for the original on the secondary market. Of course, if you're like me you'll want to own both! I love this figure enough that I'm hoping we get redecos as Nemesis Prime and Ultra Mammoth. Fingers crossed!
1. Age of the Primes Star Optimus Prime (Amazon | BigBadToyStore)
I was gifted the original Star Convoy in 1992 by an Uncle of mine. It was my "joint" Birthday and Christmas present. I had no idea what the lore of the character was but I knew it was a "futuristic Optimus Prime" and that was enough for me. The idea of an Optimus Prime who can transform into a Micromaster base (I love Micromaster bases) and the Micromaster Hot Rod included with the figure were huge selling points for me. Then add in motorized features?! I was in love and to this day Star Convoy remains one of my most beloved G1 Transformers ever. When I found out we were getting a new version of the character I was all in. Once I got my hands on it I loved it. To me it is basically the original without the motorized features and more articulation. Now, I know, the figure is rather divisive. Some fans have described it to me as too "kiddy" feeling and looking. To me however, its aesthetic is part of its charm. I agree some of the plastic could have been a bit thicker, but I suspect it was made to flex to prevent breakage (I'll get into that more in my eventual review). When it comes to play value, aesthetics and yes, a healthy heaping of nostalgia, Star Optimus Prime wins as my number one figure for the year.
Honorable Mentions: Studio Series 86 Devastator & Age of the Primes Superion
So I'm guessing some readers will have looked at this list and wondered "Where are Superion and Devastator?!". Welp, here they are! I put these two bad boys down here in "Honorable Mentions" because these did not come out as sets at mass retail and the individual fingers would just wind up overwhelming this entire list. I really enjoyed the cartoon aesthetic of these figures, giving us an alternative to the Combiner Wars aesthetics. Once combined, the two Combiners are really solid, chonky and heavy which is what I wanted from Devastator and Superion. Some fans may not like the "Combiner Frame" transformation for Superion but I personally have no issue with it. It gives me a cartoon/comic book accurate Superion so I'm happy. These sets are fantastic and I think every fan should get them!