Toys of the Year 2011

It was one hell of a year for toys. CollectionDX staff reviewed 154 toys released in 2011 (check them all here). Rather than open it up to a vote, we asked the staff to each name their top 5 toys in 2011. Below you will see their choices but keep in mind each toy had to be released in 2011, but did NOT necessarily have to be reviewed on CDX. Be sure to leave your comments below as to what YOU thought was the toy of the year.

• Gunpla Rob
• VZMKII
• Karakoe Ninja
• AJProDiecast
• Anavel
• Dkun
• The Enthusiast
• VF5SS
• Chachipower
• Atom
• SentaiSeiya
• JoshB
• Prometheum5

Gunpla Rob

With only two choices for my top of 2011 list, its been an obvious slow year for me. With life on the farm taking up my time, my collecting habits are mostly unchanged since I just go for the things I really like, or only looking for certain primary characters with regards to which ones I like versus being a total completest. Being a builder, it seems that by the time I see this year's models come out, I'm still working on kits from over a year ago anyway so I've learned to be patient when it comes to collecting. If it's fresh and burning off the shelves hot, then maybe I'll go for it, but if I know it will be there I'll find it some other time. Right now, I'm watching enamel dry. I've got time.

3. Nanosuit 2 (NECA Crysis 2) - This is what a video game inspired figure should be.

2. DMK-01 Optimus Prime (TF3:DOTM) - I've been working on the DMK-01since I got it for my birthday in late September (Thanks Dad) and I'm taking my time with working on it for a number of reasons I want to address in a future review for CDX.In short so far, the DMK-01 is not recommended for young builders.It's like a half completed Master Grade and a ZOID model wrapped into one. So far so good, great kit... I just need to finish it.

1. HGUC Jesta (Gundam UC) - I got this kit right after it came out and it was one of those fun examples of why non-Gundam suit models are awesome. GMs rule! I really hope Bandai considers this for a Master Grade in the future.

VZMK2

Best robot toy for me was TF DOTM Laserbeak. Besides being well articulated in bird mode, it can unofficially make a nice winged back pack for various Transformers like DOTM Starscream and Shockwave. But I'm going to have to cut way back even more so and focus on just the select figma or low end Sega crane prize figurine I usually order.

Karaoke Ninja

I've largely been collecting vintage toys this year. A lot of the high end toys are so expensive these days it's just about the same price to get the vintage ones, so why not go old school? It takes something pretty special or pretty affordable and cool to get my attention in terms of new toys these days. The only truly expensive one on my list is Rodimus Convoy, but come on, it is really, really rad. Yeah, I could have gotten the cheaper US version, but I have always loved robots that came with a base and the Mobile Defense Station is one of my favorite parts of the (not very impressive) vintage Rodimus. This is bigger and better in every way and I'm still totally pleased with it. If Takara Tomy keeps knocking them out of the park with Masterpiece toys like this, I guess I'll keep making exceptions to my mostly vintage policy.

5. Tyrannosaurus Rex from The Lost World: Jurassic Park (Sci-Fi Revoltech, Kaiyodo) - I'm sure most kids have had dinosaur toys, but have you ever tried to find a really poseable dinosaur toy? Good luck! Fortunately, Kaiyodo finally solved this problem with a highly articulated T. rex. The only real downside is that it is pretty tiny and costs a lot for its size.

4. Sentinel Prime (Kre-O Transformers, Hasbro/Oxford) - I loved Lego when I was a kid growing up and now they are making Lego copycat toys called Kre-O. I wouldn't care, except they are Transformers Kre-O kits, and that is great. I got Ratchet, Starscream, and Sentinel Prime, which is by far the coolest. Only drawback is they
don't transform, you disassemble them and rebuild them but they have surprising articulation thanks to clever ball joints all over the place.

3. Supergirl vs. She-Ra (DC Universe Versus Masters of the Universe, Mattel) - Mattel has been selling their Masters of the Universe Classics toys exclusively in their online store for years, but they've finally begun putting them out at retail. Unfortunately, you have to get a two pack with some garbage DC superhero figure. Throw away Supergirl and keep She-Ra, because she is almost the perfect embodiment of her cartoon model, has nice articulation, and looks tough.

2. Wreck-Gar (Transformers Reveal the Shield, Hasbro) and Junkheap (Transformers Generations, Hasbro) - I've wanted a Wreck-Gar that could ride another Junkion in motorcycle mode since 1986, and now I have it! Watch out for his auto transforming gimmick in his handlebars, though.

1. MP-09 Rodimus Convoy (Transformers Masterpiece, Takara Tomy) - I don't care if others disagree: I love Rodimus. This toy looks exactly like Rodimus from the '80s toon, has cool gimmicks (two vehicle modes, sunglasses, saw arm, welding arm, combining guns), and I dig his trailer full of love. And by love, I mean an enormous gun emplacement. It's complicated to transform, but you eventually get the hang of it. A number of people reported quality control errors, but the only problem with mine is that he can't hold his handgun very well, which hardly matters to me when he has a massive weapon in his Mobile Defence Station. Rodimus is awesome, even if his name is stupid.

AJPro Diecast

Overall I have refined my collection into quality over quantity... for me. I love the accuracy of the look of modern items over the tough play-ability of the old. I also like things in pristine condition, so new helps that need. I buy items that look closest to how the object/robot/ship looked and worked in the cartoon, tv show, or movie. So I have sold off small or more "toyish" collectibles, vs. things that display well and look cool. My collection is not for everybody, but ends so many childhood wants (i.e. Shogun Poseidon vs. SOC Poseidon.) Finally, I try to get into nothing new, and stick to things from the 80's that I loved ...which has been more than enough. Of course, I decided nothing cloth and only occasional plastic (IG-88 and Iron Man figures)...but as my name says I keep things die-cast to help focus my collection.

5. Max-Factory Big O - Great amount of metal and the look is incredible, would have like some more options/pose-ability. Still wonderful.

4. Hot Toys Iron Man Mk VI - The triangle power center reminded me of the 80's uniform, the quality and accessories made me love it, even though it has no die-cast.

3. Fewture Energer 1969 - a common mold but when I opened and reviewed the look and paint scheme blew me away.

3. Fewture Shin Getter - Waited so long and do love it, the accessories and look is awesome, the price and the issues with the wings dropped it to number two.

1. Bandai SOC Andromeda - Bought (and sold after SOC release) the Marmit Andromeda to have that beloved ship and the SOC does everything I always dreamed.

Anavel

5. Laputa: Castle in the Sky Robot Soldier (Fine Molds) - A excellent model kit of a classic and well loved Miyazaki character.

4. MP10 Masterpiece Convoy (Takara Tomy) - Not for everybody,but a great rendition of Prime and a good "anime accurate" update to MP-01 (despite the smaller size and lack of metal).

3. GX-60 God Sigma (Bandai Tamashii) - C'mon its God Sigma. Who doesn't love a giant combining blocky robot.

2. S.A.F.S. Space Type Fireball Ghoul Skeleton Ver. (SEN-TI-NEL CO,.LTD) - A wonderful piece from a relative newcomer to the toy making scene. A great take on the design and a toy I always wanted.

1.VF-19 Custom Fire Valkyrie (Yamato) - The toy Macross 7 fans have been waiting for for years. Amazingly solid. A perfect 10.

DKun 

5. Reveal the Shield Perceptor - For some inexplicable reason, Perceptor has recently become one of my favourite Transformers characters. Coincidentally this was timed just near perfectly with Botcon 2010 when they announced that a Classics version of Perceptor was on the way. I nearly squealed in excitement. Once I got the toy in my hands I was absolutely ecstatic. And then my toy broke. Perceptor’s one of those toys that is far from perfect. He has a lot of flaws in his construction and is incredibly fiddly. Yet regardless of all of his faults, my anticipation and love for this character make me still have a large soft spot for this lovable nerdy Autobot.

4. S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider New Den-O - All feelings towards Kamen Rider Den-O aside, this figure is absolutely brilliant. The detail is spot on. The accessories are plentiful. The articulation is a refreshing breath of air from the time when it seemed like Bandai was going to cheapen the S.H. Figuarts line. I know I say a lot of good things about a lot of S.H. Figuarts, but New Den-O really stands on top of the rest this year.

3. Figma KOS-MOS V.4 - As the sole person on the internet who has played all three of the Xenosaga games, it’s no surprise that I am a big fan of the character designs as well, especially the titular battle android KOS-MOS. In the final Xenosaga game KOS-MOS gets her final upgrade form known as KOS-MOS V.4, and it’s one heck of an awesome design and for the longest time I wanted a toy of it. Not just a statue, but of it. Alter had announced that they were going to do a poseable KOS-MOS V.4, but were quiet for almost two years after. During that time Good Smile Company not only announced, but also put out their own version of KOS-MOS in their Figma line before Alter’s KOS-MOS came out. This figure can do just about every single attack and special move KOS-MOS is famous for and it’s one heck of a fantastic figure. Now all I need is a Figma T-ELOS and I will be a happy Xenosaga fan.

2. S.I.C. Kamen Rider Skull - If you’re like me, then you are already well aware that getting your hands on an articulated version of Kamen Rider Skull is an absolute pain. Between both of the S.H. Figuarts of Kamen Rider Skull being Tamashii Web Exclusives, it’s no wonder that I believed I would never be able to easily get my hands on one of the coolest Kamen Riders from Kamen Rider W. Then came along the S.I.C. version. I like this version of Skull so much, that I think I may prefer him to even the original non-stylized figures of him. This figure just oozes with style, grit, hardboiled-ness, and I love every bit of it. 

1. S.I.C. Kiwami Tamashii Kamen Rider Agito and Machine Tornader - I know listing two toys in the same spot is kind of cheating, but these two were really meant to be together. Kamen Rider Agito is the most detailed, poseable, and all around awesome 1/18 scale figure I’ve pretty much ever seen. Just by himself he’s an awesome figure that fits in almost perfectly with your GI Joe's or Marvel Universe displays. Adding the Machine Tornader to that combination is the icing on the cake by giving Agito a hefty awesome ride that fits perfectly with Agito in so many ways. Plus, it’s a motorcycle that turns into a hovercraft-jet-skateboard. Come on.

The Enthusiast

2011: For me a cautious year, a return to first principles. Fewer pieces, cheaper pieces, more concentrated funk. I continue to follow and cover contemporary collector releases, but my heart, as always, drifts towards obscurities, obscurities which are rapidly dwindling by their very nature. China's emerging popular culture stirs at the margins, though. 

5. Transformers: Reveal the Shield Wreck-Gar - Everything that is great about modern Transformers. Technically adept while retaining and amplifying the soul of the crappy original.

4. Outer Space Men - Four Horsemen's lovingly realized rebirth of an iconic but largely forgotten sixties property manages to improve upon the original. Glyos compatibility elevates the Outer Space Men far beyond kitsch novelty.

3. Masterpiece Rodimus Prime - A quality realization of the long-gestating fever dreams of the G1 fanboy. Flawed in execution, but undeniably beautiful. An engineering marvel with impeccable proportions and an uncanny 80's- retro funk.

2. Shogun Warriors Go Lion/Dairugger XV - You know what a love letter is? A bullet, straight from a gun! A gun of seventies robot nostalgia. Toynami's neo-jumbo duo scratched a deep and profound robo-nerd itch in stylish fashion. 

1. Max Gokin Big O - A rich, decadent slab of pre-recession gokin which happened to be released in a tough year for toys and wallets alike. Outsized. For most of us, lovely in a distant, hypothetical sense - like an EX Gokin or a Bugatti Veyron.

Bonus:

Conversion Tractor: I, for one, welcome our new Chinese overlords. This goofy thing is a promising harbinger of the future of our hobby. 

VF5SS

I have some picks

5. Rainbow Dash - Because friendship is priceless.

4. Revoltech MiG-21 - A very cool and basic robot that is a well executed Revoltech figure. It's simple and fun and it's got a knife so it doesn't need the gun.

3. Super Robot Chogokin Alteisen - The Alteisen has been deserving of a definitive robot toy for quite some time. With the fledgling Super Robot Chogokin line look to prove its worth, there's was no better subject than the fan favourite Super Robot Wars character. Alteisen is a powerful robot that is an equally powerful toy.

2. VF-19 Fire Valkyrie - Yamato took it to the next level with this outstanding piece representing this iconic Valkyrie from Macross 7. The Fire Valkyrie looks perfect and is an incredibly solid toy.

1. VF-17S Diamond Force Color - After the success of the Macross 7 VF-19 toys, the VF-17S became a
highly anticipated release. It was a long time coming for fans, but the resulting toy brought a unique Valkyrie design into the modern toy world with uh-maze-ing results.

Chachipower

For me 2011 was a quick transition into the 1/6 scale world starting with the Hot Toys Golgo 13 but really kicking off when I received the Hot Toys Superman and Blitzway Scarface. I continued my ES Gokin collecting which is a change for me since I was never into SD figures. 2011 also marked my venture into finally picking up some more Valkyries instead of drooling from afar. I made the transition from official Transformers items into the dark world of third party figures. My collecting grew roots into many other areas in 2011 although robots remain my center of attention. 

5. Hot Toys Christopher Reeve Superman - Very hard for me to place this last, but robots before Super Heroes for me. It is in my opinion the definitive Superman figure hands down. Sculpt and paint apps are great. Gives me goose bumps looking at it.

4. Gundam GFFMC RX-78-02 Origin - My favorite Gundam and it feels solid and very high end... finish is great. Well done.

3. Masterpiece Convoy - Very expensive but possibly the best rendition of Prime yet... So long as diecast isn't a primary factor.

2. SOC Daltanious - I like this character more than God Sigma since original holds childhood memories, just not as "wow" in toy form as God Sigma. Execution was almost perfect. Solidly built and looks great.

1. SOC God Sigma - No connection to me at all but just an amazing robot. Three cool robots that form into a bigger robot? Yes please. Feels like a brick and just as poseable. Wins by size and sheer presence.

Atom

This year I found myself buying a lot less. The shelves are getting crowded and the feeling it was overtaking my life definitely shaped my own personal purchases this year. 

Now that I am an Uncle and see the nephews often I find myself moving more and more towards toys that feature high amounts of playability vs expensive and unplayable for younger ones. But it’s not all Fisher-Price for me this year. :)

5. MP-10 Convoy - This may very well be the last Transformer I ever buy. A solid cartoon accurate version of this classic character and a fantastic and highly pose-able figure. Not only does it look good but it’s loaded with gimmicks. The Trailer converts to a base and includes a Diaclone scale Spike figure. Love this piece!

4. Gundam the ORIGIN RX-78-02 - I am not even a Gundam fan and this piece blew me away when I had the chance to fiddle with it for a few days. It exemplifies everything we have come to expect from Japan in the higher end toy lines. TONS of die-cast in the underframe and quality plastics for the outer part leave this feeling great in the hands. The overload of accessories is a bit much for me but die-hard Gundam fans.

3. Max Gokin The Big O - So over the top in Gokin goodness it’s not even funny.  Read Josh’s review for all the what-not's. In short, this is hands-down the finest piece out of Japan this year if not in years. But for me it’s not #1 “toy” of the year.

2. Outer Space Men Wave 1 & 2 - I have been gushing about this strange little line of outer-spaced themed figures all year. A Four Horsemen remake of the 60’s toy line originally created Mel Birnkrant that is also compatible with the CDX favorite toy-line, Glyos. You can mix and match to your hearts content. These are just a lot of fun to fiddle with. To top it all off this line is packed in “collector friendly” blister cards leaving you with a nice retro work of art to pin to your wall. Check Josh’s and The Enthusiast's reviews for the full skinny on my favorite new “toy-line” around.

1. Star Wars The Old Republic (Collector’s Edition) - My number #1 ‘toy” this year. While I may have been light on things I put on my shelf this year I have been collecting adventures and experiences in a galaxy, far, far away. Having been invited to beta testing in August, the last half of 2011 was consumed with Star Wars The Old Republic. Bioware leverages compelling story telling in an open and explorable Star Wars  universe that is set 3000 years before A New Hope when Sith and Jedi where many and in my opinion this is turning out to be the best Star Wars game ever.

For the collector spin get the Collector's Edition. Not only does it include various digital items for your characters in game but a beautiful Gentle Giant statue of the games primary villain, Darth Malgus.

SentaiSeiya

After not buying any toys for a few years, my toy collecting kicked into full gear in 2010 when my friend gave me a Soul of Chogokin Mazinger Z. That snowballed into an obsession over Saint Cloth Myth that remained strong in 2011. I also watched Shinkenger in late 2010/ early 2011, which got me into Super Sentai; which is how I got into collecting Megazords and Super Sentai toys. So to sum up my collecting for 2011: Sentai  & Seiya.

5. S.H. Figuarts Shinken Red - for the simple fact that I bought it at Toys R Us. I was blown away by the fact that Power Rangers Samurai had hit such a level of popularity that Toy R Us was actually willing to carry the S.H. Figuarts Shinken Red and Gold.

4. SRC Dekaranger Robo - By far my favorite of the SRC Super Sentai figures.

3. Saint Cloth Myth Shaina - The release of Shaina shows that Bandai still has some things in store for the regular Saint Cloth Myth line. The newly designed female Saint body not only works great with Shaina, but brings with it the promise that Bandai will release Eagle Marin, Mermaid Thetis and Athena in her God Cloth.

2. S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Ryuki - One of the best S.H. Figuarts in terms of value. I mean you get Ryuki and Dragreder! And it’s not a web shop exclusive!

1. Saint Cloth Myth Gemini EX - As annoyed as I was with Bandai re-releasing the Gold Saints in a new line, the Gemini EX figure quickly won my heart over and subdued any anger I had towards Bandai.

JoshB

This year was an interesting year for me. I found myself buying less new toys and focusing more on the holes in my vintage collection. I also continue to find myself entranced by the bootlegs, off-brand and other oddities on the collecting fringe. One of the biggest thrills for me in this hobby is discovery. That being said, 2011 was a GREAT year for toys, with tons of quality releases. It was hard to narrow down the list to 5, but here goes.

5. Thundercats 6" Lion-O - What a fantastic action figure this was. This is everything a modern domestic action figure should be. Fantastic sculpt, articulation, materials and accessories, all while being reasonably priced. A joy to hold.

4. Soul of Chogokin Andromeda - I've wanted a nice toy of this ship since I first saw StarBlazers as a kid. Bandai did a GREAT job with this fantastic representation of the 2nd coolest ship from one of the most legendary space sagas of all time. Plus, it makes noise and comes with a remote control!

3. Yamato VF-19 Fire Valkyrie - Each Yamato release gets better than the last. Just when you think that they cannot top themselves, they do. Not having the VF-17D yet, this is the pinnacle of Yamato Valkyrie design. Just about perfect in every way.

2. Toynami Jumbo Shogun Warriors Dairugger - While both the Golion and Dairugger are amazing, Dairugger wins out purely by the fact that it exists. It's a Jumbo Vehicle Voltron. It's labeled as Shogun Warriors. It's awesome. My 10 year old self squeals with glee each time I look at it.

1. Max Factory Max Gokin Big O - While not my favorite character ever, the Max Gokin Big O is essentially the perfect modern gokin. Maybe you have to handle one to understand it. The fit and finish, the use of materials, the overall feel of it is astounding. It's not a toy for everyone, and most will balk at the price, but for those who truly appreciate the combination of exquisite craftsmanship and thought-out playability, this is the perfect combination. Every time I handle it I am amazed it exists.

Prometheum5

My Top 5 list is half things nobody on CDX will have heard of, but it was a great year for toys.  I’ve definitely seen some changes in my collecting habits this year, though.  I have been super heavy into vinyl kaiju for a couple years now, but shifts in the community and way those toys are offered have gotten me focusing much more on mecha again.  The Ashley Wood stuff fills my love of stylish character figures and dirty robots, and I’ve picked up a couple of standout vinyl figures, but I also spent a lot of the year playing robot catch up.  I’ve been enjoying lighter fare like Cris Rose’s resin robots, but also went into the back catalog to fill in some gaps like the Yamato 1/60 VF-22S which, while not released this year, is easily one of my top scores of the year.   The super high-end stuff is great, but companies are also doing some really fantastic stuff on the cheaper and smaller scale end as well.  The Robot Spirits Zaku was a late purchase, but quickly turned into one of my favorites once I got it in hand.  I have a couple more Robot Spirits and other Gundam releases on preorder for the beginning of the year that I think will have a big impact on my collecting this year.

5.  Daigomi vinyl kaiju by Guumon - This is a vinyl kaiju made in Japan, but it's actually designed and released by a guy named Brian Mahoney, a highschool art teacher from Massachusetts. It's a fun, chunky design, but also gets used as a way for Brian's art students to play in different mediums and given them a common project to work on for shows and stuff.  It's all very fun and very cool, and a huge departure from the hardcore, hard to get direction many other vinyl makers have gone.

4.  Tomorrow Queen Lolli by 3A - This one is a bit of a departure for me.  It's a girly figure, and I am not ashamed.  The female Ashley Wood character figures have come a long way this year, with a second version body that improves their look and posability immensely.  Many of the TQs are over the top dirty, but they also do a great job of capturing the look of Wood's art.

3.  Nightwatch Heavy Bramble and NOM Commander by 3A - More 3A.  These are a huge pair in 1/6, and a blast to mess around with.  The scale nut in me loves having bots and humans that go together.

2.  Iron Man Mk IV by Hot Toys - This one I actually managed to review this year!  The MkVI has some more option parts, but I did not manage to get that one this year.  Regardless of which version, the Hot Toys Iron Man stuff represents the best Shellhead toys you can buy, bar none.

1.  Robot Spirits Zaku II Hardpoint by Bandai - I'll review this one this weekend, but it is my first foray into the Robot Spirits line and I was blown away.  I have bought many, many Zakus in my time, always looking for the 'right' one.  The HCM-Pro was too small, and had weird ankles.  The EMSIA was too squishy and floppy.  The MGv2.0 is glorious, but not something you can play with every day.  The RS version does everything right, from the great materials to the perfect joints and look.  The extra weapons and modular hardpoint system make it extra special.