Transformers: Titans Return Topspin

 

If G1 updates happen long enough, one of two things will eventually happen: either all G1 characters will be remade, or only some G1 characters will be remade a seemingly infinite number of times. While it usually does seem that the latter is true, there are signs that, for some reason, there is an effort to achieve the former. The slightly underwhelming yet generally excellent Titans Return Topspin is a testament to that.

The Jumpstarters, Topspin and the coming-soon Twintwist, were generally identical Transformers with a pull back, spring loaded transformation: pull the vehicle mode along a flat surface and release it. It was roll forward until the mechanism inside aligned properly, and then catapult the large and heavy feet of the robot forward, causing the entire figure to launch airborne and land, usually, on its feet. It was a toy that transformed itself. And that was pretty much the end of the appeal of these two toys. The Jumpstarters were also cheap, so if you had early G1 toys as a child, there’s a really good chance you had at least one Jumpstarter. My grandmother bought me two: they were both Topspin. These days, Jumpstarters, like Battlechargers and Firecons and Duocons, can generally be had very cheaply on the secondary market: although, as one last self-reference, at C2E2 last year, I saw a dealer who had a yellowing Topspin with a severely flaking chrome blaster priced at $65. I have no idea who the intended market for this figure was.

Anyway, Titans Return Topspin is a pretty terrific upgrade from the original toy, as is to be expected. Gone, perhaps lamentably, is the spring-loaded gimmickry, and in its place is not only a Titanmaster, but also articulation and a real transformation. So much about Topspin exemplifies some of the best traits of this line, but, like another overall great yet somehow bland figure, Topspin isn’t quite able to make it to the high point that he probably should occupy.

The alt mode is a spaceship type thing, although G1 Topspin’s alt mode was labeled a hovercraft. Truthfully, this updated mode could go either way. It’s whatever you want it to be! It’s cool looking, sleek and high tech. Not to be a real nerd here, but with the wings as small as they are, it’d probably not be a very good idea to trying flying in this craft. It’s also not very aerodynamic, essentially being a square with some pylons on the front. But, whatever it is, and however it would conquer physics, it does look neat, and has four molded engines at the rear to propel it, whatever it travels through. The weapons plug in to the underside of the stubby wings. And that’s about it. It should be a really awesome and impressive vehicle mode, and while it looks cool, that’s pretty much all there is.

Titanmaster Freezeout is a Titanmaster. What else is there to say at this point? The Topspin face sculpt is nice, and looks like the character. This may actually be an opportune moment to make mention of this: over the course of the line, there has been no perceivable drop in Titanmaster quality. Faces have never gotten lazy, there haven’t been any general quality control issues with the actual tiny figures (although neck tightness had/has been/is an issue with the earlier waves of figures), and the paint apps have generally been fine, line wide. The faces may be less than inspiring, depending on the figure, but general condition of the little partners has never faltered. The gimmick has not grown as intrusive as to ruin figures, despite some Internet complaints to the contrary. If the Titanmaster gimmick is really guilty of anything, it’s at this point fatigue. While Titans Return still has a few anticipated figures to offer (Misfire, Slugslinger, Overlord, and fellow Jumpstarter Twintwist), the line has really run its course. It’s time to move on, and it looks like follow up Power of the Primes will be keeping this type of gimmick around a bit longer. The blasters are a bit strange, as they plug together to form this quad barreled thing that, again, a Titanmaster can sit in. It is what it is, but what it is is not very good.

Robot mode on Topspin is, again, fine, and feels like it should be more exciting than it is. It does everything right: cool transformation, good looks. Good posability and range of motion. But that’s all. Like linemate Mindwipe, there’s something that is keeping Topspin from being the real stunning figure that he probably should be. But what that is, is not clear. It may be that the color scheme is a fairly pedestrian white and blue, with some minor color adds here and there. It may be that the figure isn’t much of a character, so there’s not a large pool of fiction or anything to bolster the physical thing with. Topspin has been a Wrecker, if you’re in to the Wreckers, but for the most part Topspin hasn’t had much exposure. He is basically just another ‘warrior’ in the Autobot ranks. This is a good figure, there’s no denying that. It’s just missing something, somewhere, that would push it over into more positive territory.

It is also possible that Topspin is suffering from being by himself for the moment, as fellow Jumpstarter Twintwist is currently missing. Twintwist is coming, in whatever wave number it is that is supposed to be showing up now, in mid-August, alongside fellow remold Misfire. Perhaps together, the real value of the two Jumpstarters will be more apparent. If we hearken back to similarly underwhelming figure Mindwipe that was not the case. Mindwipe should have been great, but even next to teammates Weirdwolf and Skullcruncher, just felt flat. But, unlike the Decepticon Headmasters, the Jumpstarters are more of a two-fer, with many in the fandom knowing what they were but not who they were. While Twintwist himself looks plainer than Topspin, it may be the case that standing side by side, each one ends up being more interesting than they do apart.

Indifference may also be due to line fatigue, as it is right about that time. While the preceding Combiner Wars never really produced that for some fans, Titans Return really does seem to have burned up most of its fuel a while ago, and through the presence of some truly outstanding figures like Triggerhappy and Octane, managed to stick around thanks to the bursts of excitement those sporadic offerings generated. There are still a few gems coming, and the vast majority of the line has been really good, but it may be time to move on, and Topspin may be a casualty of that.

Ultimately, “indifference” is a pretty good way to sum up this figure. It even lacks the urge that Mindwipe brought to like it: with Mindwipe, there was a feeling of doing something wrong that was experienced alongside the mild apathy. Mindwipe was the best figure to that point in the line, but just wasn’t engaging enough. Topspin is a good toy, but isn’t really engaging at all, for reasons unknown. It’s sad to say that, because the figure doesn’t have any glaring or obvious shortcomings. It’s just nice, but not too nice. For whatever reasons, this Topspin-Kup wave is hanging around everywhere, so if you’re after Topspin, you should have no trouble finding one. Anticipation for this figure was fairly high, and the initial reception was positive, but the figure just doesn’t have the staying power. Again, perhaps Twintwist will remedy this, or perhaps after some time away from the Titans Return line, thoughts on it will improve. But at the moment, there seems to be very little difference in enthusiasm between G1 Topspin and Titans Return Topspin.