Triple Takeover Toycast

Triple Takeover
  • 0,0 (0)
  • Pasatiempos
  • Quincenal

Welcome to the Triple Takeover Toycast — a fun and informative fortnightly podcast all about Transformers and other amazing toy lines. From vintage rarities and prototypes to modern releases, cartoons, comics, and films, your hosts Sixo, Liam, Jason and Maz dive deep into toy history and pop culture with passion, humour, and plenty of nostalgia — plus the occasional special guest.

  1. Best Transformers of 2026 (So Far)

    23 jun

    Best Transformers of 2026 (So Far)

    Between Hasbro and TakaraTomy, there has been a significant volume of new Transformers product of late — so much so that many collectors are forced to pick and choose through practicality if nothing else. Between mainline Generations, Studio Series, MPG, Missing Link, reissues, Collaborative releases, and much more, it's a great time to be a fan. But what has tickled our fancy more than anything else in the first six months of 2026? Today, we're taking turns to choose one toy — all of which were very definitely released this year! — that we each feel represents the pick of the crop to date, and perhaps best showcases where our own specific collecting tastes currently sit. With three very different selections on the table, it makes for an intriguing snapshot of both the year's output and our individual priorities as collectors. It prompts plenty of chat about expense versus affordability, particularly given the extreme price tag of one example. However, from premium high-end pieces to more accessible mainline fare, our choices reflect the sheer breadth of what's available right now, and the difficult decisions every collector faces when budgets don't stretch to everything. One thing's for sure: the year may only be half done, but there's been plenty going on. — Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear... Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.com Join the conversation with us on Discord Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tripletakeover

    1 h 41 min
  2. Transtech: The Transformers Era That Never Was

    9 jun

    Transtech: The Transformers Era That Never Was

    Imagine a world where Transformers Armada never happened and the brand had gone a completely separate route. Back in the early 2000s, that was almost the case. After the smash success of Beast Wars and the hugely divisive follow-up that was Beast Machines, Hasbro originally planned a third era — one that would build on the existing direction and pave further towards fusing the technological and organic themes prevalent at the time. This was the series that never came to be. This was Transtech. Although never fully realised and ultimately abandoned well before fruition, plenty of details about Transtech have since emerged over the years, including a plethora of concept art and character designs, as well as prototypes for several of the toys. It all paints a wildly distinct picture to where Transformers went instead, with Hasbro changing gears to port over Robots in Disguise 2001 before performing a seismic line-wide reboot with Armada. Yet it's fascinating to now sit and pore through what might have been, particularly given how incredibly creative so many of the Transtech ideas prove to be upon further examination. Featuring a mix of classic and Beast era characters, intricate gimmicks, non-humanoid designs, and vehicle modes unlike anything you've seen elsewhere, this is a window onto the road not travelled at the turn of the century. Had it been taken, Transtech would have sent Transformers on a very different journey for the years that followed — and here we explore exactly what that might have looked like. Patrons can get access to all the artwork and photos discussed in this episode via our Discord here (accessible for just £1 per month): https://discord.com/channels/974758218381287445/1511701662958616777 This episode began life as a Patreon commission by Tarngaryan — thanks for the brilliant suggestion! — Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear... Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.com Join the conversation with us on Discord Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tripletakeover

    2 h 18 min
  3. Missing Link Ironhide: A Bold Reimagining or a Step Too Far?

    26 may

    Missing Link Ironhide: A Bold Reimagining or a Step Too Far?

    With Missing Link Ironhide having just been fully unveiled, there's a lot to talk about. Perhaps more than any other release in the TakaraTomy line, this one has defied fan expectations and delivered something that no one could have predicted by entirely reimagining the classic toy from the ground up. The result feels in the spirit of a vintage design, but much more in the style of the character's fictional portrayals from over the years. But what did we make of it all? On the one hand, it's not hard to see where the inspiration has come from. The original toy was a real hand-me-down oddity from Diaclone, featuring unusual proportions, a separating 'sled' module and, most infamously of all, a very non-traditional stickered seat face set behind its windshield. People have been imagining a suitable 'upgrade' of it ever since the childhood playgrounds of the 1980s, with plenty of custom efforts and add-on kits made available over the years. In that sense, Missing Link Ironhide feels like the culmination of decades of fan desire. However, there's also no doubt that some collectors had a firm idea of what Missing Link was all about — rightly or wrongly — and were hoping for something a little more faithful in terms of overhauling the original, causing palpable disappointment upon reveal. Are those expectations fair, though? And do they sit in line with the core brief of what Missing Link is supposed to be about? We explore whether the line was ever really about pure vintage accuracy, or if it's always been about something more interpretive. This episode was recorded just prior to the subsequent reveal of Missing Link Ratchet, but still, there's plenty of relevant speculation and in-depth discussion about how this latest effort has landed, whether we're excited for it, and just what it might mean for the future of the line. — Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear... Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.com Join the conversation with us on Discord Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tripletakeover

    1 h 52 min
  4. Action Masters: Did Non-Transforming Transformers Kill the Brand?

    12 may

    Action Masters: Did Non-Transforming Transformers Kill the Brand?

    Released at a time when Transformers were already firmly on the wane after six years on toy shelves, 1990's Action Masters were Hasbro's attempt at 'rebooting' the line by bringing back familiar A-list characters and delivering them in more 'action figure' style. The concept was inherently divisive from the start: they're Transformers that don't transform. For a brand built entirely around transformation, this felt to some like abandoning the core premise. Soon seen as having killed the franchise after they proved to be the last year of original series product in North America (even though it continued elsewhere in the world), Action Masters have never quite shaken the infamy ever since. The very mention of them online typically triggers passionate reactions about how they represent everything wrong with late-G1 desperation, a fundamental misunderstanding of what made Transformers special. However, there are also collectors who have given them a sharp reappraisal in more recent times, finding a lot to admire about these admittedly clunky efforts to deliver something different — even if the flaws are there for all to see. Today we give this derided roster another look, taking in the vintage charm these surprisingly unposeable specimens possess, alongside the goofiness of the accompanying accessories and vehicles they were packaged with. We discuss what Action Masters were trying to achieve, why the concept failed so spectacularly with fans, and whether modern collectors approaching them without the baggage of 1990 can find merit in their quirky existence. Did they really deserve the hate, or were they simply the wrong idea at the wrong time? The action is alive — whether you want it to be or not. — Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear... Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.com Join the conversation with us on Discord Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tripletakeover

    1 h 51 min
  5. Transformers Big Stinkers: Do They Deserve a Second Chance?

    28 abr

    Transformers Big Stinkers: Do They Deserve a Second Chance?

    This episode is the opposite of our Hidden Gems discussion. Rather than bigging up amazing Transformers toys that nobody mentions, we're re-assessing former releases which are already well known — but not in a good way. These are the perceived stinkers, the Renford Rejects, the real bottom-of-the-barrel stuff. The toys that as soon as they're mentioned online, everyone will quickly jump in to give them a major kicking, swiftly pointing out in elaborate detail why they are just plain bad. And it's not so much that we disagree with a lot of the points commonly made — it's more that we think the toys we're putting in the spotlight maybe have more going on beyond their all-too-often highlighted flaws. Sometimes a toy can be a bit of a letdown but still offer something that makes it otherwise enjoyable, or perhaps it just doesn't deserve the harsh reaction it so typically garners. Maybe the hate is justified, or maybe time and perspective reveal redeeming qualities that got lost in the initial backlash. That's what we're evaluating here, as we each choose a toy from Transformers history to sit in the dock and be judged all over again. We examine why these figures earned their reputations, what they actually get right despite their failings, and whether the community's collective memory is fair or simply piling on. Some might still be irredeemable disasters, but others might surprise you with hidden merit that's been overshadowed by swift judgement. Do they deserve the hate? There's only one way to find out. — Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear... Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.com Join the conversation with us on Discord Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tripletakeover

    1 h 50 min
  6. Q-Transformers: Takara's Adorable Choro-Q Homage

    14 abr

    Q-Transformers: Takara's Adorable Choro-Q Homage

    Q-Transformers is a 2014 Japanese exclusive line centred around being both a homage to and a spin-off from Takara's own classic Choro-Q line of super-deformed cars (known as Penny Racers in the West). Except here, the central gimmick isn't a pull-back-and-go mechanism but the ability to transform from licensed-but-chibified real world vehicles into familiar robots in disguise characters. Plus, as the name suggests, they're super cute! We examine what makes this line a real sleeper hit for collectors. Despite their tiny size and unparalleled accessibility on the aftermarket, the toys boast impressive levels of detail and paint far beyond what you might expect. With a wide range of desirable and often unusual car model choices employed — from classic sports cars to obscure Japanese market vehicles — there's plenty here for Transformers fans and petrolheads alike to appreciate. We also unpick the origins behind the execution of the toys, comparing them to vintage Choro-Q design and indeed the Micro-Change-inherited minibots from Transformers' earliest years. There's a surprising amount of heritage baked into these diminutive figures, connecting them to decades of Takara's toy design philosophy. The enthusiasm at play in this episode is palpable throughout. This one started as a Patreon commission by our patron John Pearl, but we thought it was so deserving of the full episode treatment that here we are. Fair warning: this is peak enablement territory. — Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear... Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.com Join the conversation with us on Discord Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tripletakeover

    1 h 25 min
  7. Transformers Aftermarket Prices: When Did It Get This Expensive?

    31 mar

    Transformers Aftermarket Prices: When Did It Get This Expensive?

    The general aftermarket value of second-hand Transformers items has skyrocketed in recent times, driven by what appears to be a collecting boom over the last five years or more. What was once a reasonably accessible hobby has become increasingly pricey, with even previously unloved releases now commanding premium prices. It's a hot topic that affects every collector, regardless of focus or budget. We're here to establish whether such price hikes are justifiable — is this simply the market responding to genuine demand, or is the perceived value of certain items being artificially inflated to take advantage of increased interest? We discuss why some toys become astronomically expensive even when they weren't particularly desirable on initial release, examining the psychology behind grail hunting, and how scarcity (both real and manufactured) affects pricing. There's also the practical question every collector faces: how can we continue to justify a hobby that's becoming ever more eye-wateringly exorbitant? We explore strategies for navigating the current market, from knowing when to walk away to understanding what actually holds value versus what's riding a temporary hype wave. There are definite frustrations to vent along the way, but we're also searching for solace and sensible approaches. With thanks to Moltara Imports for providing key insight on the wholesale and retail side of the equation, helping us understand the bigger picture behind the numbers we see. It's a conversation that needed to happen. Find Moltara at: https://linktr.ee/moltaraimports — Chapters 0:00:00 Intro 0:05:06 Sponsor Segment: Valart & Moltara Imports 0:15:06 The Current State of The Aftermarket 0:28:12 Will The Aftermarket Ever Bottom Out? 0:35:44 Why Condition Matters 0:43:36 Are Vintage Toys Still... Toys? 0:52:29 When Prices Are Artificially Inflated 1:16:31 How Collecting is Becoming Inaccessible 1:25:55 Sponsor Segment: Moltara Imports 1:28:14 Final Thoughts & Patron Questions — Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear... Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.com Join the conversation with us on Discord Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tripletakeover

    1 h 42 min
  8. e-Hobby Exclusives: The Reissues That Became Grails

    17 mar

    e-Hobby Exclusives: The Reissues That Became Grails

    The so-called e-Hobby era has become a landmark of Transformers collecting for many fans. Running predominantly through the 2000s, the TakaraTomy-affiliated online store offered recolours of classic Transformers toys in weird and wonderful colour schemes — sometimes referencing Diaclone or Micro Change releases, occasionally diving into exceptionally niche corners of the brand's lore, and often just embracing pure creative experimentation. What makes this period so fascinating is the dramatic shift in perception over time. Many of these toys weren't particularly appreciated when released, sitting plentifully available online for years before experiencing a swift and surprising renaissance. Today, individual e-Hobby releases can outstrip even the original vintage versions on which they're based, with some specimens commanding immense sums on the aftermarket. It's a remarkable transformation for what were once considered curiosities. Even aside from their current desirability, there's genuine substance here worth celebrating: lush new colour schemes afforded to beloved vintage classics, the sheer unbridled creativity at play, and a willingness to serve the most dedicated collectors with references that rewarded deep knowledge of the franchise. We discuss our favourite releases, the ones that got away, and why certain examples have achieved such legendary status. With Missing Link now promising a return-to-form that feels almost spiritually in-keeping with what the e-Hobby reissues offered, it's the perfect time to look back on what is, for many of us, one of the fondest periods of post-G1 collecting. If only it had gone on longer. — Chapters 0:00:00 Intro 0:06:24 Sponsor Segment: Valart 0:10:14 Introduction to e-Hobby 0:26:23 New Characters From Old Toys 0:35:36 Will They Re-Do Some of These Repaint Ideas Again? 0:42:21 Availability on Release 0:50:01 Why Does e-Hobby Feel 'Exotic'? 1:09:52 Why Do They Still Feel Like Grails Now? 1:19:26 Sponsor Segment: TFSource 1:29:51 Final Thoughts & Patron Questions — Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear... Find show notes at https://www.tripletakeover.com Join the conversation with us on Discord Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tripletakeover

    1 h 51 min
Ver todo (132)

Información

Welcome to the Triple Takeover Toycast — a fun and informative fortnightly podcast all about Transformers and other amazing toy lines. From vintage rarities and prototypes to modern releases, cartoons, comics, and films, your hosts Sixo, Liam, Jason and Maz dive deep into toy history and pop culture with passion, humour, and plenty of nostalgia — plus the occasional special guest.

Ficha técnica

  • Creado por
    Triple Takeover
  • Años en activo
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodios
    132
  • Clasificación
    Explícito
  • Derechos de autor
    © 2024 Triple Takeover Toycast
  • Sitio web del podcast
    Triple Takeover Toycast

Quizá también te guste