Triple Takeover Toycast

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...

1986 is one of the most memorable years in Transformers history, but it’s not just the headline movie releases that deserve attention. In this episode, the team shine a light on some of the unsung heroes of the year, looking beyond the obvious and discussing figures like Sky Lynx, the Battlechargers, the Triple Changers, and more. We explore what made these toys stand out at the time, how they wer...

Even decades on, Beast Machines remains one of the most polarising chapters in Transformers history, inspiring a level of debate and disagreement that few other eras can match. In this episode, the team dive into the 1999/2000 toy line with varying degrees of familiarity and affection, exploring what made Beast Machines so controversial at the time and why it continues to divide opinion. From radi...

Micromasters are one of the most celebrated parts of the Generation 1 Transformers line, delivering classic robots in disguise fun in miniature form. But what’s better than lots of little Transformers? How about little Transformers that combine to form even bigger ones? That’s exactly what the Micromaster Sixcombiners offer. In this episode, the team explore the various releases in this sub-line,...

As part of TFNation 2022, the team were delighted to attend a panel with Andy Couzens, formerly Head of Boys Toys for Hasbro Europe and a key figure in the development of the European-exclusive era of Transformers from 1991 onwards — often referred to by fans as Generation 1.5. Following the panel, we were able to spend some additional time speaking with Andy, gaining further insight into how this...

The party’s over and it’s time to head home… but at least we’ve got a sack full of new toys to help soften the comedown. With convention season wrapped up, this episode sees the team looking back at dealer room hauls from events past, revisiting some of our proudest purchases alongside a few that perhaps didn’t live up to expectations. We talk about what made certain finds feel special at the time...

Convention season is upon us, making it the perfect time to talk about what, for many collectors, is the highlight of the toy collecting year. In this episode, the team explore what makes conventions such a special part of the hobby, from guests and panels to dealer rooms, displays, cosplay, artwork — and, of course, the inevitable late nights and hangovers. Whether you’re a seasoned convention-go...

Many collectors remember the period between 2011 and 2015 as the peak of the Transformers Masterpiece line, when TakaraTomy seemed to deliver one standout release after another. Much of this era is closely associated with celebrated toy designer Shogo Hasui, whose work during these years helped define what Masterpiece could be and cemented his reputation within the fandom. In this episode, the tea...

Today’s episode is all about stickers — one of the most deceptively stressful aspects of vintage Transformers collecting. The team dive into the giddy highs and frustrating pitfalls of keeping vintage Transformers stickers looking as presentable as possible, from application and preservation to the hard truths of wear, age, and regret. Along the way, we discuss why stickers provoke such strong fee...