Triple Takeover Toycast

For this extra-special episode, we dive deep into the Triple Takeover mailbag to answer questions from listeners about Transformers, toy collecting, the podcast itself, and plenty more besides. Covering everything from collecting habits and favourite eras to broader thoughts on the brand, it’s a wide-ranging and relaxed discussion shaped entirely by the community around the show. Along the way, we...

Following on from the highs of Binaltech , TakaraTomy returned to the idea of ‘real car’ Transformers in 2009 with a very different proposition: Alternity . Smaller in scale but far more stylised, the line offered a distinctive reimagining of licensed vehicles through a uniquely Japanese design lens. In this episode, the team take a closer look at the Alternity toy line, examining its repaint-heav...

We’re back for a third round of Transformers ‘hidden gems’, as each member of the team selects two toys from across the brand’s history that they feel never quite received the recognition they deserved. From overlooked releases and quiet successes to figures that may simply have arrived at the wrong moment, we explore why these toys slipped under the radar — and whether they truly were underapprec...

With TFNation 2023 now behind us, we’re joined by organisers Dave Mapes and Billy Stripes to take a look behind the scenes of Europe’s largest Transformers convention. In this episode, we talk about what goes into running an event of this scale, from planning and logistics to the challenges and pressures that come with bringing a huge fan community together. We explore how TFNation has evolved ove...

TFNation 2023 has come and gone, marking another memorable chapter in the UK’s Transformers social calendar. As always, the event brought together the community for a weekend packed with conversation, creativity, and shared enthusiasm for the brand. In this episode, the team reflect on the highlights of the weekend, from panels and catch-ups to the overall atmosphere that makes TFNation such a spe...

How do Transformers fans respond when mysterious new toys start to surface before anything is officially confirmed? Blurry images, half-heard rumours, and rampant speculation can often say as much about the fandom as the product itself. In this episode, the team discuss their reactions to unconfirmed toy images circulating at the time — what would later be revealed as Missing Link Convoy (Optimus...

We’re back on our tour through each year of the classic Transformers toy line, and this time we arrive at 1987 — a period of notable change for the robots in disguise. With chunkier, more ‘blocky’ designs and the introduction of new play patterns through gimmicks like Headmasters and Targetmasters, this was a year that marked a clear shift in how Transformers toys looked and felt. In this episode,...

The robots in disguise return to the big screen, and there’s plenty to unpack in this spoiler-filled discussion of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts . In this episode, the team dive deep into the latest cinematic outing for the franchise, talking through what worked, what didn’t, and how the film fits into the broader Transformers movie landscape. From character moments and action beats to tone, pa...

In a very special episode, Triple Takeover is joined by members of the Hasbro Transformers team for an in-depth conversation about the brand, the toys, and the process behind bringing them to life. We’re delighted to welcome Ben ‘Bmac’ MacCrae, Associate Brand Manager of Global Brand Development & Marketing, alongside Mark Maher, Transformers Generations Lead Product Designer. Together, we tal...

Every toy collector is familiar with that inevitable question from friends or family: why? Why collect toys at all — and why is it Transformers that holds such lasting appeal, both now and back in childhood? In this episode, the team take a more philosophical turn, reflecting on what draws us to collecting in the first place. We talk about nostalgia, creativity, community, and the personal connect...

We often hear from listeners about the ways Triple Takeover has ‘enabled’ their latest toy purchases, thanks to what we’ve discussed on the show. To prove we’re no different, the team turn the focus inward for this episode. Here, we share some very specific examples of self-enablement, looking at toys we’ve talked ourselves into buying over the years. In a deliberate twist, none of them are Transf...

We all love robots in disguise — but what about actual robots? With Robosen already making waves thanks to their fully interactive, self-transforming Optimus Prime, and more projects on the horizon, consumer robotics is beginning to intersect with the world of Transformers collecting in new and interesting ways. In this episode, the team explore how products like these have been received by fans,...

We’re putting the unofficial third-party Transformers scene to the test and asking whether the toys in question are ‘heaven or hell’. Covering everything from Masterpiece-style releases to Generations and Legends scale figures, we share our best and worst experiences with third-party toys. From impressive designs that rival official releases to frustrating missteps and disappointments, it’s a wide...

The Transformers Retro reissue line got off to a memorable start with the iconic pink Hot Rod, and it now promises to offer collectors some genuinely unexpected new takes on classic Generation 1 toys. With figures like Hound and Thundercracker on shelves at the time of recording, the team discuss what the Retro line is aiming to achieve and how these reissues differ from more traditional updates....

Anyone who grew up with Transformers in the ’80s or ’90s will remember the allure of the prototypes pictured in catalogues of the era — often hinting at toys that looked noticeably different from the ones we eventually held in our hands. In this episode, we’re joined by special guest Ras, a vintage prototype enthusiast with what is believed to be the largest known collection of pre-production Tran...

We’re back for a second round of Transformers ‘hidden gems’, as each member of the team selects two toys from across the brand’s history that they feel never quite received the recognition they deserved. From overlooked releases to figures that may simply have arrived at the wrong time, we explore why these toys slipped under the radar — and whether they truly were underappreciated in the first pl...

Triple Takeover marks its 50th episode by turning its attention to one of the most iconic moments in Transformers history — The Transformers: The Movie . Released in 1986, the film left a huge impression on a generation of fans, blending bold creative choices, unforgettable music, and some genuinely shocking moments that still hit hard decades later. In this episode, the team take a deep dive into...

Hasbro and Kenner’s 1997 Transformers: Machine Wars is about as niche as it gets within the world of robots in disguise, occupying a strange and often overlooked corner of the brand’s history. In this episode, the team take a closer look at the line’s unusual premise, which saw familiar characters like Optimus Prime, Starscream, and Soundwave re-emerge as store-exclusive repaints of classic Genera...

Among the many oft-forgotten toy lines of the 1980s, Starcom holds a special place in the hearts of many collectors — and for good reason. In this episode, the team take a closer look at what made Starcom so distinctive, from its clever magnetic play pattern and intricate detailing to its sleek, spacefaring vehicle designs. We explore why the line stood out at the time, how it was received, and wh...

We’re going back to where it all began, exploring the pre-Transformers era through the Diaclone Car Robots sub-line. In this episode, the team take a closer look at the original Diaclone releases that would later be known as some of the most recognisable robots in disguise. We discuss the designs, play patterns, and ideas present in the Car Robots line, and consider how these toys laid the groundw...

As the year draws to a close, it’s time to take stock and reflect on some of the standout Transformers toys we picked up over the past twelve months. In this episode, the team share their personal picks for the best releases of the year, discussing what made these figures special — whether through design, engineering, play value, or simply the joy they brought to our collections. Rather than chasi...

It’s time to court controversy once again, as the team return for a third round of discussion around some of the most hotly-debated topics in Transformers history. This time, we turn our attention to some particularly divisive subjects, such as non-transforming Transformers toys, and the long-running debate around ‘Masterpiece vs mainline’. Rather than simply picking sides, we explore why these to...

Sometimes, all a good Transformers toy design needs is a few thoughtful tweaks to become something truly special. In this episode, the team discuss some of their favourite retooled moulds from across the brand’s history, exploring how small changes in engineering, aesthetics, or character choices can dramatically reshape a figure. Along the way, we consider what actually makes a retool successful,...

This episode is all about Transformers ‘hidden gems’ — toys that we adore in our collections, but which never quite seem to receive the recognition they deserve within the wider fandom. Here, the team each pick out a selection of personal favourites, spanning both vintage releases and more modern toys. We discuss what makes these figures special, why they may have been overlooked, and whether thei...

The Transformers franchise has a long and varied history with mailaway items, stretching back to the earliest days of the brand with releases like the Omnibots, Reflector, and Time Warrior. In this episode, the team look back at some of the most memorable mailaway Transformers from across the years, discussing how they were obtained, why they felt so special at the time, and what made them stand o...