Challenge level of robot conversion

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Revision as of 22:54, 29 January 2013 by Ascendron (talk | contribs) (I'm sure I've missed some stuff to be said. Especially pics of infamously easy/frustrating transformations.)
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A toy's Challenge level of robot conversion is an arbitrary measurement of how difficult it is to transform said toy from one or more of its modes to the other(s). This measurement is sometimes represented by a small graph on the toy's packaging, usually containing four different levels (with gradients in between each level): Basic/Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Expert. Each toyline's usually has its own unique design for this graph.

Though there seems to be no fast-and-hard rule to distinguish accurately where a toy will fall in these categories, or what technique is used by who to classify each toy, some basic observations can be made:

  • Smaller toys generally have fewer parts than their larger counterparts, and are thus easier to transform.
  • Toys with multiple modes have a tendency to become more complex the more modes there are. Considering that toys with only two modes are usually a little more intuitive ("This part is obviously meant to change, so by doing so I'm bringing it closer to its other mode"), when multiple modes are involved, it can become more confusing as to whether or not a specific part is supposed to be placed at a specific spot for a specific mode.
  • Gimmicks also usually have an impact on the overall difficulty of transforming a toy, either by being intrusive on the toy's complexity, thus forcing the manufacturors to create a simpler transformation scheme so that the gimmick can be retained. Some gimmicks even transform the toy for you!
  • Most earlier toys were produced before multiple technologies for more elaborate transformations were developped, making older toys (usually) simpler by default versus newer toys, where techniques for more elaborate and creative techniques for transformation was implemented.
  • Certain toylines have an overall easier transformation curves, whereas others the toyline as a whole is more complex on average.
  • Toylines aimed at younger children will invariably be easier to transform than those aimed at older children/collectors.
  • Some toys have several steps in their transformation scheme that are interchageable in terms of which one needs to be done first, second, etc... The more steps need to be done in a specific order, the more difficult transforming that toy will inevitably be.
  • Oftentimes, a toy will need to be more complicated so that either one and/or all of its modes look great.
  • Inevitably, you will deem that certain toy are either rated to high or too low on the difficulty meter.

Thank Primus for instructions.

Information has been saved for the following toy lines.