Transformers 5 Ways G1 Is The Best Generation (& 5 Better Alternatives)
Transformers: 5 Ways G1 Is The Best Generation (& 5 Better Alternatives)
Some might say G1 is the absolute best generation but there are at least 5 better alternatives.
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Since the 1980s, Transformers has continually re-invented itself in order to appeal to the contemporary audience. But not all reboots are considered equal and sometimes, the original really is the best. However, when it comes to long-running television shows, that isn’t always the case.
The original Transformers cartoon, referred to as Generation 1 (G1), is still beloved by anyone who grew up with it. In fact, most of the newer toy lines have gone back to the G1 aesthetic since many older fans prefer the old look versus whatever new show is airing. However, this doesn’t mean the new shows are bad. In fact, some of them are considered better.
Here are 5 ways G1 is the best Transformers generation and 5 better alternatives.
10 Establishing Canon
G1 is where everything started and was successful enough to spawn a franchise spanning over 35 years. The creative minds behind G1 had to not only create a fresh new world and new characters, but adhere to the most important rule of all: sell toys.
With only the foundation of robots that turn into vehicles, the creative team could’ve easily put zero effort into the project. Instead, they made the robots aliens, created an entire civil war grounded in a lack of resources, and managed to make Optimus Prime the ultimate father figure.
9 Alternative – Beast Wars
Credited with reinvigorating the franchise after a period of near decline, Transformers Beast Wars created a brand new gimmick: transforming robot animals. But that’s not all Beast Wars brought to the table. With a much more mature story and fewer characters than G1, Beast Wars wasn’t afraid to explore the darker aspects of a war story.
Unlike most other generations, Beast Wars did directly link back to G1 and technically takes place in the same universe. The biggest downside in the modern age is that it was one of the first television series to be fully CGI, meaning that the animation can be really hard to watch. However, for anyone interested, the story more than makes up for that.
8 The Characters
Fundamentally, G1 represents the purest forms of each Transformers character. Bumblebee could actually speak and he was really sassy. Ratchet apparently liked to party. Arcee was less ruthless than her current portrayals, but no less effective in battle.
G1 created the foundations for these iconic characters and based on that alone, they could arguably be called the best portrayal overall.
7 Alternative – Animated
Considered something of a black sheep of the Transformers franchise, Transformers Animated doesn’t completely focus on the Cybertronian civil war. In fact, in this universe, the war ended and became a part of history. The characters we see are the result of an Autobot victory, though they’re pretty much a band of misfits who go on to achieve greatness.
Though Animated is a lighthearted, humorous series overall, it has its dark moments and it’s not afraid to bring them up. The entire series has this overall atmosphere of something evil lurking under the surface. The Autobot faction isn’t necessarily good and digging into the lore, this Cybertron is a bit of a dystopia.
6 Optimus Prime
Yes, G1 Optimus deserves his own spot. Over the years, Optimus has transformed into this godly figure of wisdom and stoicism. However, the main point of Optimus Prime’s character in G1 was that he was just an average guy before having greatness thrust upon him. He was a dock worker named Orion Pax and just so happened to step up to the occasion.
G1 Optimus also tends to show more emotion than more recent incarnations. He plays basketball, he has a sense of humor (like his “delicate lock picking technique”), and he doesn’t take himself too seriously. But when it’s time for action, he becomes the heroic figure who leads the Autobots to victory.
5 Alternative – Cyberverse
Transformers: Cyberverse is the most current series on network television. Aired on Cartoon Network as well as Hasbro’s YouTube channel, Cyberverse is a great blend of the G1 atmosphere combined with newer lore and characters.
Though it rehashes some exhausting tropes and Transformers lore, it very quickly becomes its own story and escalates into something really great. The series is charming, quirky, and runs with its origins. Cyberverse is incredibly self-aware and doesn’t take itself too seriously without sacrificing its story. Arguably, it’s the closest spiritual successor to G1 out of any of the other generations.
4 The Absurdity
There’s something amazing about 8ft tall robots wearing human lab coats or an alien robot falling in love with a magical alien mermaid. Yes, these are things that happen in G1. For anyone who didn’t grow up with G1, this may be really off-putting. However, this is just the Transformers vibe and as the series goes on, it becomes more expected.
Smokescreen gambled all of his friends away and got them back through gambling again. A human tries to play a round of The Most Dangerous Game by hunting Optimus Prime. Some weird stuff happens in G1, but it’s all in good fun and it’s something that can’t really be found in any other generation.
3 Alternative – Prime
Probably the most well-known of the newer cartoons, Transformers: Prime was first intended to be a miniseries. Due to great success and popularity, it became a full-fledged series. Taking visual inspiration from the live-action movies over G1, Prime gives a perfect blend of the G1 aesthetic mixed with updated designs that sort of make sense when translated to toy transformations.
Prime remains a big favorite among younger fans. It can be heartlessly brutal as well and tends to get really depressing around the season finales. But Prime maintains a mindset of optimism in the face of extreme adversity. No spoilers, but don’t worry, this series does not have a complete downer ending.
2 The Creativity
Needless to say, nobody behind G1 ever expected Transformers to last over 35 years, let alone become a part of American popular culture. As absurd as some of the episodes can be, they all have something unique to them.
After all these years, the fundamental story hasn’t changed and neither have the characters. Throwaway elements from G1 have been explored in later series and the lore expanded upon, but the Autobots always fight the Decepticons. Cybertron always goes through a civil war. Optimus always dies and comes back to life. Almost all aspects of later series can be traced back to G1.
1 Alternative – War For Cybertron (Siege Trilogy)
As the first big Transformers series aimed towards adults, Transformers: War for Cybertron had a lot to live up to. After the disappointment of the Prime Wars Trilogy, War for Cybertron had massive pressure on it to be good. If a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes is anything to go by, it definitely succeeded.
Admittedly, enjoyment may vary depending on the audience. For any casual or new Transformers fan, it’s a cohesive story that manages to successfully echo the darker concepts and themes from every other generation and go farther than daytime television would allow. For longtime fans, it can be a hit or a miss. Something about it doesn’t quite feel like Transformers, but then again, Transformers has never tried to cater to the adult demographic before. With only 6 episodes at a half-hour each, it’s an easy binge without feeling overwhelming.
Link Source : https://screenrant.com/transformers-g1-alternatives-best-worst/
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