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

Aug 31, 2021 · 2 hr 17 min
Transformers (2007): A Turning Point for the Brand
The 2007 live-action movie marked a seismic shift for Transformers, reshaping both the toy line and the fandom in ways that are still felt today. In this episode, the team look back at the build-up to Transformers (2007) and the reaction to Michael Bay’s first big-screen outing for the robots in disguise. We discuss the film’s impact across multiple fronts, including the soundtrack, cast, and accompanying toys, as well as how it changed perceptions of the brand at the time. It’s a reflective discussion of a landmark moment in Transformers history, and how its influence continues to ripple through the franchise. — 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
Aug 17, 2021 · 2 hr 39 min
Transformers 1985: Defining the Line
1985 marked the second year of the Transformers toy line, and it was a period packed with figures that would go on to become true icons of the franchise. In this episode, the team explore the Generation 1 releases from 1985, discussing standouts such as Shockwave, Jetfire, Devastator, the Dinobots, and more. We also take a closer look at the toys that didn’t originate from Diaclone or Micro Change, examining how these unique additions helped broaden the scope and identity of Transformers in its formative years. It’s a deep dive into a pivotal year that helped define what Transformers would become. — 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
Aug 3, 2021 · 2 hr 36 min
Transformers Masterpiece — The Early Years
The Transformers Masterpiece line took collectors of robots in disguise to new heights when it launched in 2003, redefining expectations for accuracy, engineering, and presentation. In this episode, the team look back at the early years of Masterpiece, articulating the sense of wonder these releases inspired and discussing why they felt so significant at the time. From ambitious design choices to the growing pains of a line finding its identity, we explore how those first figures helped shape what Masterpiece would eventually become. This episode may have taken longer to put together than the design of MP-5 Megatron — but some things are worth the wait. — 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 20, 2021 · 2 hr 47 min
Transformers Beast Wars: Reinventing the Brand
Release the inner beast as the Triple Takeover team turn their attention to the original Transformers: Beast Wars toy line that burst onto the scene in the 1990s. In this episode, we put figures like Optimus Primal and Megatron under the microscope, discussing how the Beast Wars toys challenged expectations and redefined what Transformers could be at the time. From bold aesthetics and integrated gimmicks to innovative engineering and ball-jointed articulation, we explore why this line proved so influential — and why it continues to inspire strong opinions among collectors. It’s a maximised deep dive into one of Transformers’ most important toy-line reinventions. That’s just prime! — 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 6, 2021 · 1 hr 26 min
Toy Packaging: Living in a Cardboard Box (Part 2)
Toy packaging can capture the imagination like nothing else, often leaving just as strong an impression as the toys themselves. In part two of this two-part discussion, the team continue their exploration of toy packaging, covering more classic examples from Transformers, M.A.S.K., Starcom, Masters of the Universe, and beyond. We expand on why packaging has such lasting power, the memories it evokes, and how its importance has changed over time. Welcome to part two of living in a box, living in a cardboard box! — 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 29, 2021 · 2 hr 16 min
Toy Packaging: Living in a Cardboard Box (Part 1)
Toy packaging can capture the imagination like nothing else, often leaving just as strong an impression as the toys themselves. In part one of this two-part discussion, the team dive into the world of toy packaging, exploring everything from classic Transformers box art to M.A.S.K., Starcom, Masters of the Universe, and more. We talk about why packaging mattered so much, how it shaped childhood memories, and the role it plays in collecting today. Welcome to part one of living in a box, living in a cardboard box! — 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 15, 2021 · 2 hr 37 min
Toy Photography: Seeing Your Collection Differently
The very subject that originally brought the Triple Takeover hosts together: toy photography. In this episode, we focus in on how photographing your toy collection can influence, enhance, and even reshape your experience of the hobby. From composition and lighting to storytelling and presentation, we discuss why toy photography resonates so strongly with collectors and how it can change the way you engage with the toys you own. It’s a thoughtful and personal conversation about creativity, connection, and seeing your collection through a different lens. — 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 1, 2021 · 1 hr 52 min
Collecting Completionism: When Enough Is Never Enough
Few robot toy enthusiasts are strangers to goal-based collecting, and in this episode the team turn their attention to the phenomenon of completionism in Transformers and other toy lines. We discuss the appeal of roster-building, the satisfaction of ticking boxes, and the pressures that can come with chasing completeness — whether driven by nostalgia, fear of missing out, or self-imposed rules. Along the way, we reflect on how completionism can shape collecting habits, for better and for worse. Our hosts are very much in this picture… and they don’t like it. — 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 18, 2021 · 2 hr 42 min
Alternators & Binaltech — When Transformers Became Collector-Focused
Binaltech and Alternators were among the most exciting and ambitious Transformers toy lines of the early 2000s, emerging at a time when the brand was exploring new directions for adult collectors. In this episode, the team look back at the rise and fall of this highly realistic, vehicle-focused era of Transformers, discussing how Binaltech and Alternators offered a very different approach to collecting alongside the early Masterpiece releases. From 1:24 scale licensed car modes and premium presentation to the challenges that ultimately brought the line to an end, we explore what made these toys feel so special — and why the concept proved difficult to sustain. It’s a reflective look at a distinctive chapter in the evolution of robots in disguise. — 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 4, 2021 · 2 hr 27 min
Transformers Combiners: An Enduring Play Pattern
Combiners have always been one of the most popular and enduring elements of the Transformers toy line. In this episode, the team take a detailed look at combiners across multiple eras, covering everything from their roots in Diaclone through Generation 1 Transformers, Beast Wars, Robots in Disguise, and beyond. We discuss how the concept has evolved over time, why combiners hold such appeal for collectors, and the different ways the idea has been interpreted across the franchise’s history. It’s a wide-ranging discussion of one of Transformers’ most iconic play patterns — and why it continues to resonate so strongly. — 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
Apr 20, 2021 · 2 hr 5 min
Collection Displays: Living With Your Toys
If you’re a toy collector, chances are you’ve faced the eternal dilemma: display or storage? In this episode, the team discuss the challenges and compromises involved in showing off a collection versus packing it away safely, from shelving and space management to rotation and long-term storage. Prompted by the arrival of the colossal HasLab Transformers Unicron, the conversation naturally turns to how truly large-scale pieces can completely reshape a display — and force some tough decisions. Whether your collection is proudly on show or carefully boxed up, this is a relatable discussion about the realities of living with robots (and action figures) at home. — 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
Apr 6, 2021 · 2 hr 22 min
Transformers 1984: Where It All Began
It’s back to where it all began for Transformers as the team explore the very first year of the franchise. This 1984 special covers the debut of iconic characters such as Optimus Prime and Megatron, alongside the wider line-up of early robots in disguise that helped define the brand. We discuss the toys themselves, their origins, and why these earliest releases continue to hold such a powerful appeal for collectors and fans alike. A foundational episode looking at the roots of Transformers — and why it all started so strong. — 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
Mar 23, 2021 · 2 hr 8 min
What Makes a Transformers Holy Grail?
What qualifies as a 'holy grail' in toy collecting? Is it rarity, price, nostalgia, or something else entirely? Liam, Sixo, and Maz explore the many ways collectors define a holy grail, sharing personal examples from their own Transformers collections. From long-sought pieces finally tracked down to elusive robots that continue to haunt want-lists, this episode digs into what makes a grail meaningful — and why that definition can be so different from one collector to the next. — 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
Mar 9, 2021 · 1 hr 55 min
Transformers Gimmicks: Play Features That Defined the Brand
Episode 1 of the brand-new Triple Takeover Toycast kicks things off by asking a deceptively big question: what are the very best gimmicks in Transformers toy history? Liam from Toybox Soapbox, Sixo, and Maz from TFSquareOne delve deep into both vintage and modern Transformers lines, exploring the play features and ideas that made certain toys truly memorable. From Headmasters and Micromasters to base modes, Cyber Planet Keys and even unreleased curiosities, this episode is a broad tour through nearly four decades of robot gimmickry — and why these features mattered so much to the experience of the toys. — 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