Triple Takeover Toycast

Triple Takeover

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.

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134 episodes
Updated July 21

Episodes134

Newest first

Mar 5, 2024 · 1 hr 59 min
40 Years of Megatron Alternate Modes - Ranked!
Unlike his nemesis Optimus Prime, Transformers’ most maniacal villain has never settled on a single alternate form. Over the years, Megatron has been a gun, a tank, a jet, a car — and just about everything in between. In this episode, the team attempt the impossible: delivering their definitive* ranking of every** Megatron alternate mode ever. From iconic classics to more unexpected reinventions, we weigh up what works, what doesn’t, and which modes best capture the character across the franchise’s many eras. Equal parts serious debate and shameless nitpicking, this is a spirited discussion that’s guaranteed to spark disagreement — and that’s exactly the point. (*debatable / **also debatable) — 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
Feb 20, 2024 · 2 hr 7 min
Supreme Class Transformers — Scale, Spectacle, and Ambition
Before Titans became the ultimate expression of scale in Transformers, the toys offering the biggest bang for your buck were often found in the Supreme class. Larger than life and packed with play features, these figures were designed to impress — and they rarely did things by halves. In this episode, the team take a look back at the history of Supreme-class Transformers, exploring the oversized gimmicks, ambitious engineering, and sometimes baffling design choices that defined them. From genuinely impressive centrepieces to gloriously strange experiments, there’s no shortage of weird and wonderful examples to discuss. It’s a celebration of a class that embraced excess, ambition, and personality — and a reminder of a time when bigger really did mean bolder. — 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
Feb 6, 2024 · 2 hr 3 min
Transformers Animated — The Voyager and Leader Class Toys
One of the most popular and enduring Transformers toy lines of all time, 2007’s Transformers Animated marked a bold shift in both design and storytelling for the brand. Its stylised aesthetic, strong characterisation, and cohesive vision helped it stand apart from anything that had come before. In this episode, we take a closer look at the Animated toy line, with a particular focus on the Voyager and Leader class releases. We discuss what made these figures so enjoyable to handle and display, how closely they captured the spirit of the cartoon, and why they continue to hold up so well today. It’s a nostalgic but thoughtful celebration of a line that dared to do things differently — and one whose influence can still be felt across Transformers media. — 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
Jan 23, 2024 · 2 hr 6 min
Transformers and Clear Plastic — Design, Durability, and Debate
Clear plastic has long been one of the most notorious pain points for toy collectors, often mentioned in the same breath as gold plastic syndrome (GPS) and discolouration. It’s a material that can inspire dread — and for good reason. In this episode, the team take a balanced look at clear plastic in Transformers toys, discussing when and why it causes problems, as well as the times it’s been used effectively to enhance a figure’s design. From structural weaknesses to striking visual flourishes, we cover the full spectrum of its successes and failures. By exploring the good, the bad, and the ugly, this is a thoughtful discussion about a much-maligned material — and a reminder that context and execution matter just as much as the plastic itself. — 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
Jan 9, 2024 · 2 hr 7 min
Transformers 2024 — What Lies Ahead
As we step into 2024, we’re also celebrating the 40th anniversary of Transformers, with plenty of exciting new toys and developments on the horizon. It’s a year full of promise, with fresh takes on familiar characters and innovative new designs set to captivate collectors old and new. In this episode, the team look ahead to what the anniversary year has in store, from the upcoming releases that have caught our eye to the trends and themes we’re most excited to see unfold. We discuss what’s making the buzz, what we’re hoping for, and how the legacy of Transformers continues to evolve as it marks its 40th year. It’s a look forward at a year packed with possibilities, and a celebration of everything that makes Transformers such an enduring and exciting brand. — 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
Dec 25, 2023 · 1 hr 55 min
Transformers 2023 — Standout Toys of the Year
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, which means it’s time to look back at the Transformers toys that defined 2023 for us. From standout releases to unexpected highlights, this episode is all about celebrating the figures that brought the most joy over the past twelve months. In this festive chat, the team reflect on what made certain releases shine, whether through clever engineering, strong design choices, or simply capturing the right feeling at the right time. We discuss the toys that delighted us most — naughty or nice — and what they say about the year as a whole. It’s a relaxed end-of-year conversation, full of favourites, reflections, and a bit of seasonal cheer, as we wrap up another busy year of Transformers collecting. — 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
Dec 12, 2023 · 2 hr 45 min
Beast Wars II — A New Breed of Maximal
We’re heading back to the Beasts — but this time, we’re off to Japan for one of the most colourful and distinctive chapters of late ’90s Transformers: Beast Wars II. In this episode, Sixo introduces Liam and Jason to Takara’s 1998 Maximal lineup, a toy range bursting with bold designs and unusual character choices. From lions and insects to a truly unforgettable giant octopus, we explore how Beast Wars II carved out its own identity, distinct from its Western counterpart. It’s a lively tour through a corner of the franchise that doesn’t always get the spotlight, and a reminder of just how experimental — and delightfully strange — Transformers could be during this era. — 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
Nov 28, 2023 · 2 hr 16 min
Beginning Skybound’s Energon Universe — Transformers and Void Rivals
It’s still early days for Skybound’s new Energon Universe, but there’s already plenty to unpack as Transformers makes its return to comics in a bold new form. In this episode, the team kick off an ongoing discussion by examining the first two issues of Daniel Warren Johnson’s acclaimed Transformers series, alongside Robert Kirkman’s Void Rivals. We talk first impressions, tone, visual identity, and what these opening chapters suggest about the shared universe Skybound is building. This episode serves as the starting point for a wider conversation that continues beyond this initial release, as the series develops and expectations begin to take shape. Spoilers abound — and it all begins here. Further episodes in this Skybound comics discussion continue as part of our Patreon-exclusive miniseries: https://www.patreon.com/collection/331175 — 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
Nov 14, 2023 · 2 hr 16 min
Inside the Triple Takeover Mailbag
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 reflect on what makes Transformers fandom tick — and why these conversations are worth having. This episode also marks Jason’s first appearance on the podcast, joining the team for a lively and occasionally perilous Q&A session. Whether everyone makes it out alive is another matter entirely. — 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
Oct 31, 2023 · 1 hr 10 min
Transformers Alternity — Innovation or Misstep?
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-heavy roster, ambitious concepts, and often divisive reception among fans. We discuss what TakaraTomy was aiming for with the line, how it was received at the time, and why Alternity continues to provoke such mixed reactions today. It’s a thoughtful look at an unusual chapter in Transformers history — one that sits somewhere between innovation, experimentation, and missed opportunity. — 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
Oct 17, 2023 · 1 hr 38 min
Transformers Hidden Gems Vol. 3
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 underappreciated in the first place. As ever, opinions differ, and definitions of a 'hidden gem' prove to be anything but straightforward. It’s a reflective and occasionally self-questioning discussion that’s less about crowning winners and more about reconsidering how fandom attention shifts over time. — 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
Oct 3, 2023 · 2 hr 3 min
Behind the Scenes at TFNation (with Dave Mapes & Billy Stripes)
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 over the years, what it takes to keep it growing, and what attendees might never see from the show floor. It’s an insightful discussion about fandom, organisation, and the passion required to make a convention like TFNation happen year after year. — 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
Sep 19, 2023 · 2 hr 4 min
TFNation 2023 — The Ultimate Transformers Weekend
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 special event year after year. We talk about the moments that stood out, the discussions that lingered, and what it felt like to be part of the convention once again. Naturally, we also turn our attention to the toys, sharing our TFNation hauls and the pieces we picked up along the way. From long-hunted figures to unexpected finds in the dealer room, it’s a relaxed and celebratory look at how the event fed our collecting habits — and why that’s all part of the fun. — 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
Sep 5, 2023 · 1 hr 48 min
Transformers Missing Link — Rumours, Reactions, and First Impressions
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 Prime) from TakaraTomy. We talk about first impressions, expectations, scepticism, and the excitement that builds when something potentially significant begins to take shape. Recorded before the full details were known, this conversation captures that familiar limbo between rumour and reality — and explores why those early reactions are such a defining part of the modern Transformers collecting experience. — 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 #Transformers #Generation1 #MissingLink Support the Show.
Jul 25, 2023 · 1 hr 47 min
Transformers 1987 — A Year of Change
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, we explore what defined 1987, how it built on what came before, and why it continues to stand out in the minds of collectors. For some, it’s a high point of the original era — and depending on who you ask on this podcast, it might even rank among the very best years of them all. — 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
Jul 11, 2023 · 2 hr 13 min
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts — A Spoiler-Filled Discussion
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, pacing, and creative choices, we explore our reactions in detail — praise and critique in equal measure. It’s an open and thoughtful conversation about where Rise of the Beasts succeeds, where it stumbles, and what it suggests about the future of Transformers on film. Let them come. — 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
Jun 27, 2023 · 2 hr 14 min
Transformers Design and Development (with Hasbro’s Bmac & Mark Maher)
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 talk about their roles within Hasbro, how ideas move from concept to finished product, and what it’s like working on one of the most recognisable toy brands in the world. Covering everything from design philosophy and development challenges to fan engagement and the realities of working within a long-running franchise, this episode offers a rare and insightful look at Transformers from the people helping to shape its future. — 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
Jun 13, 2023 · 1 hr 59 min
Why Transformers?
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 connections people form with their collections over time, exploring why Transformers in particular continues to resonate across generations. It’s a thoughtful discussion about fandom, identity, and the reasons we keep coming back to the robots in disguise, long after we might have been expected to grow out of them. — 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
May 30, 2023 · 1 hr 22 min
The Toys That Enabled Us
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 Transformers-related, offering a broader look at collecting habits beyond our usual focus. It’s a light-hearted and self-aware discussion about influence, impulse, and the simple fact that sometimes, we really do bring it on ourselves. — 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
May 16, 2023 · 1 hr 53 min
Robosen Transformers — Toy, Robot, or Something Else?
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, particularly the debate around what constitutes a ‘traditional’ Transformers toy. From concerns about hands-on transformation to questions of value, purpose, and play, we discuss where these robotic figures sit within the wider collecting landscape. Rather than viewing them as replacements for conventional toys, we consider whether releases like Robosen’s might instead complement the hobby — offering something different for those curious about where Transformers and technology overlap. — 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