TRANSFORMERS: THE BASICS on MINI-CONS

[@translego1]

Having grown up with the Unicron Trilogy, I get excited whenever someone says the term "mini-con", and I still want to collect them all.

[@300kyuubi]

translego1 same here

[@TheSharkKing45]

In honesty, Mini-Cons is/are almost the perfect gimmick outside of transformation proper,

[@chaoticevilproductions7303]

Agreed. They just have so many different things that make them fun

[@chaoticevilproductions7303]

bryan diaz varela I’m... I’m not sure that was a proper sentence

[@boeyzhang8565]

Agree

[@stanletters]

bryan diaz varela want to minicon my bad jokes

[@notgray88]

In my opinion, the best gimmick is the brainmasters from Victory ✌

[@ishirotanaka]

Transformers Armada was the very first transformers animated series I ever saw & was the Series that introduced me to The Transformers Franchise. And to this very day 20 years later, Still holds a special place in my heart.

[@RoderickR07]

*_Mini-cons Gotta Catch 'Em All_*

[@liammccann4687]

Nice dimondbolt references

[@boeyzhang8565]

Pokemon of transformer

[@nickp2271]

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

[@eaglehood224]

*LORD MEGATRON I LOVE YOU!*

[@jamiebarba5701]

Pokemon meet Transformer.

[@TYRANTARES]

It's unfortunate you didn't touch on how the original minicon symbol was supposed to subtly refer to unicron's helmet and ring under the disguise of a stylized M in a frame, but I guess people can find that out on their own.

[@letiwijaya1280]

Wow i just realized that

[@boeyzhang8565]

Ikr 😂

[@fivenightsatmimikus7508]

Wow

[@stikmotion2709]

Now everyone who watched this knows

[@larniieplayz6285]

Patrick ..

[@SwedishSeacon]

Ah yes, Armada was that one Transfroemrs show that got me hooked on it in the first place. Shame that I bought only mini-cons. Wouldn't mind owning a Armada Wheeljack and Blurr figure

[@misterbadguy7325]

Those two are the tip of the iceberg, really. Super-Con Optimus, Tidal Wave, Hoist, and Demolishor are all great, and Unicron is such a good mold that retools of him were selling out well into the 2010s.

[@300kyuubi]

I’ve actually gotten back into collecting minicons and armada figures. I just got Skywarp not too long ago

[@TheRezro]

Unicron Trilogy is part of Japanese run of the franchise, what simply was released on west due to general lack of Hasbro's interest in franchise at the time. It never was part of more narratively consistent G1 or Aligned Continuity Family, so basically don't expect anything from that.

[@ReikoAyanamiCh]

Wheeljack was great, Blurr was... eh. Decent.

[@-mcpie-6802]

Same here. I did get some deluxe figures (and one voyager-esque figure who lost his threads) but they didn't belong to the nice ones.

[@sonicguyver7445]

I really loved the mini-cons. they seemed like an evolution of the headmasters and targetmasters I grew up with. Nice work on the Armada breakdown as well. I never really put together the idea that it was the mini-cons contact with the kids in that time travel episode that caused them to become self aware as they did. When I first saw that episode I thought we were going to find out the kids were actually mini-cons that had somehow reincarnated as humans. I had even thought of their mini-con names. Alexis = Axel, Carlos = Char, and Rad = Rad Racer. But I am glad the mini-cons have found a place in the mythos beyond the Unicron Trilogy.

[@dubuyajay9964]

No love for the OG Casettes? :(

[@sonicguyver7445]

@@dubuyajay9964 Of course I love the cassettes. When I got the Fall of Cybertron Soundwave I got both the cassette/disc packs as well. Even tracked down Buzzsaw on eBay to have all six cassette characters from the first two seasons of the cartoon. I guess I just didn't mention them because they were more like regular characters and not augmentation types like the Headmasters and Targetmasters. They can swap between Transformers, but the cassettes are only a perfect fit for Soundwave.

[@lanibird2182]

I actually have a Armada Megatron but because my grandmother got it from a garage sale it didn't come with the minicon or any other pieces... (with the exception of Megatron's horns) I can still unlock Armada Megatron's secret stuff by shoving a pencil in the peg area XD

[@jojotheswede8444]

I got a busted up energon version of tidal wave i bought of a friend, he doesn't have his minicon and is missing a few small pieces... still transforms tho and he was cheep

[@LanceTheAutobot]

Wen I was little I used minicons for board games like monopoly ( you want to be the race car fine I WILL BE THE TANK)

[@Blstr_CLi]

I WILL CHOSE THE STAR SABER SET SO I CAN SMITE FROM ACROSS THE BOARD!!!

[@serPomiz]

I KNEW I couldn't be the only one that used them this way

[@xRaiofSunshine]

I'm gonna do this one day

[@Klonoahedgehog]

I used them for that too. lol

[@monicat9110]

I might use the new micromasters for that

[@Maswartz226]

Could you do a Basics for the following: Humans- the fleshy pals that tag along for better or for worse The War- why are they fighting in the first place The Insecticons- the ravenous swarm Theme Songs- The songs that tell the story. Flight- Built in power or unique ability? Special Weapons- Unique weapons with names and backstories such as the Star Saber

[@Werezilla]

Heres an idea for next year's April Fools day video: The Basics on Dull Surprise.

[@gavletgablae1382]

Or Religion

[@bumblebot2458]

I'd honestly like to see an episode on Outliers, actually!

[@joelfigueredo957]

Maswartz226 I love you

[@adamshafeeq8685]

I'd like to see a Basics episode for Mass Shifting - How are these giant robots able to grow and/or shrink beyond their set size

[@WolfKang1]

I love this series Chris. I always learn something new from a different continuity

[@jackmastantuono115]

This is one of my favorite series on KZbin! Would love to see a basics on the Wreckers! Keep it up!

[@gushers114]

I second this.

[@OtakuUnitedStudio]

Thirded

[@stevencisneros9306]

It would be pretty cool to have Minicons in future Transformers movies!!

[@300kyuubi]

Agreed

[@prosto-random]

The closest thing we got were freezers in rise of the beasts

[@stevencisneros9306]

@@prosto-random I guess so

[@Protosilver97]

For me the Mini-Cons should be part of the many sub-species, recognizble by being small with different variations: Just a vehicle: Micromaster. Weapon: Targetmaster. Thing that connects with it's partner: Deployer. Head: Headmaster. Thing that gives it's partner an upgrade: Powermaster/Activator.

[@muisverriet]

I loved the Unicron Trilogy Minicons. I still have a box full of them from when i was a kid. They were nice pocket money toys.

[@DonaldWWitt]

Pretty much what makes them such a great addition, they come down to a price point usual Transformers don't do well at.

[@GoGojiraGo]

I love how there's so many types of Transformers these days, various races and species of living machines that fill up and flesh out the Transformers universe, all of them unique in their own ways and with almost infinite possibilities.

[@megagene]

Best Transformers channel on all of KZbin.

[@doctorwhat779]

of course with diamondbold :)

[@missyreed1736]

@@doctorwhat779 he ain't a Transformer Channel anymore:(

[@boeyzhang8565]

Ikr

[@Mechakie]

@@missyreed1736 WHY ?

[@miguelfrancescohogar7501]

The Cyclone Mini-Cons look like Bakugan in their toy forms

[@SciFiFan2012]

I had the G1 stuff, and I pretty much stopped after, just hearing about TF here and there but I had no clue I missed as much as I did. These video basics are great! Kinda want to go back and collect again now lol

[@ronartisjr]

This was the first Transformers series I had seen as a kid! The Mini-Cons bring back memories lol. Great episode, can't wait for the next one!

[@barrybend7189]

I feel this was Hasbro's way of recycling the ideas of the micromaster, power master and Target master into one single toyline.

[@zeterzero4356]

I bought so many of these little bastards.......and I love them all.

[@sethleoric2598]

IDW's whole the Mini-Cons are an entirely seperate race of alien robots, who also happen to have their own version of Autobots and Decepticons,with their own Optimus Prime, in their own horrific millions old war, who also happen to be combiners really opens up so many questions.

[@maskedriderweaver4122]

Very nice, another great video. When Armada first came out, I was fascinated by the idea of a third faction. I originally thought of the MiniCons as a cross between the Micro Masters series and the Head, Target, and especially Power masters. I knew the idea had taken root into the transformers franchise, but I had no idea that it had spread so far. Thanks again for enlightening me to another interesting facet of Transformers.

[@thelicensednerd1626]

Nice work dude I loved this because my cousin gave some armada minions when I didn't know what they were. All I knew was the were cool pocket size TRANSFORMERS!

[@OtakuUnitedStudio]

Thank you for bringing back Saturday Morning Cartoons for me. Also, when are we getting a toy for Nickle? There needs to be one. She's such a good character, her design in the comic makes her transformation scheme obvious, and we're in a golden age of having female character toys that actually sell well.

[@300kyuubi]

I would love to have a minicon Nickle. As well as a transformer that turns into a whole sniper rifle

[@codrinm.mitrofan5869]

The Cassete Masters (Soundwave, Blaster, Soundblaster & Twincast) are also Deployers (like RID Drift, Fracture, Overload & Crazybolt).

[@TheNewYorker7899]

Armada was my childhood hope to see a movie based on them.

[@proxy1359]

This is helpful, as I'm making my first fanmade Transformer, a very small deception - minicon named Sleight. (His main form is an AIR PIX drone)

[@300kyuubi]

Ohhh I like it

[@lesserz6310]

Gez, I was hooked on this Armada minicons. When there were no new figures on the pegs at Toys R Us, I bought a few minicons. Was looking at them the other night, pretty much have three or more sets of each group and tons of recolors. I doubt Seige will go all in with micromasters, but I'm buying those. Can only hope we see a revise of the the micro playsets too.

[@ninjadanny628]

Can you do the basics on the character Star Saber

[@gushers114]

I'm so happy that you did a Basics on this. :D Since you didn't mention it, did you know that the Mini-Con symbol was designed to look like Unicron's face (Like how the Autobot symbol is Prowl's, or the Decepticon symbol is Soundwave's)?

[@johngolles342]

gushers114 the autobot symbol is meant to be prowl?

[@Hektols]

According to more modern incarnations, the Autobot symbol is based on Vector Prime's face.

[@gushers114]

You would be correct if you mean in terms of lore, but I was referring to how back before G1, the insignia's design was based off of how Prowls head looked when he (and his brothers) were brought over from Diaclone.

[@kinggrimlock4073]

No tarn has it more accurate

[@TheOneTrueDragonKing]

In G1 there was a phrase that indicated "mini-con" was a unit of measurement. "If you advance one mini-con..." uttered by Megatron.

[@Skullgrin140]

Wonderful video as ever Chris, a rather interesting look on these little guys too. It's rather amazing to see them still playing an important part in the Transformers series the more it evolves.

[@chumbusi8147]

3 words to describe the the Minicons in RID 2015: Protect them *PLZ.*

[@torinodeguzman4243]

Mini-cons during Armada when you're too broke to buy the big guys, but have enough Pocket change to buy the little ones and a crap ton of them at that.

[@elizabethcoen]

Personally, I think Mini-cons are the cutest things in the galaxy. Jolt from Transformers Cybertron is one of my faves. But if I could kiss any Mini-Con on a dare, it would be Jetstorm and Slipstream from Transformers RID 2015. They seem like the kind of bots who would easily save a damsel in distress and get a cheek kiss in return.

[@megatron2171]

Transformers cybertron: guys guys we need to find the minicons

[@dudunikolaishvili8096]

No that's Armada, Cybertron would be: guys guys we need to find the cyber battle keys

[@megatron2171]

Dudu Nikolaishvili in the end its just collecting things

[@djst4rf1re9]

Optimus: Ugh Mini-cons Autobots, we need to get all the Mini-cons. We, we gotta get all the Mini-cons Autobots...

[@ravenfal1496]

+DJ ST4F1RE Diamondbolt reference?

[@OtakuUnitedStudio]

Armada: guys guys we need to find the Minicons, they unlock new powers Cybertron: guys guys we need to find the Cyber Planet keys, they unlock new powers Energon: guys guys, we need to find the Energon, it... Um. It clips on a round thing?

[@sivanlevi3867]

While this may be unrelated, the Arms Micron (Minicons) from the Aligned continuity just brought to my mind the Project ARMS anime, where 4 humans are give mechanical implants that grant fantastic powers they call upon to fight their enemies.

[@HayabusaTaichou]

I never got any of the main Armada toys but I got a shitton of the Minicons, tiny transformers you could switch quickly were really appealing to me then (plus you could get a bunch for cheap).

[@rogtronius]

Can we just appreciate the speed of speech at 5:53

[@vonlok67]

Optimus:We catch minicon to defeat Decepticons . Megatron:We use minicon to destroy Autobots. Soundwave:I am wanna be a every best, like no one ever was.

[@TheGenuineDWNUT]

I am more fond of the original take on Mini-Cons as seen in Armada. At least they, unlike modern versions seen in TV, can take on vehicle forms individually.

[@300kyuubi]

Agreed

[@sivanlevi3867]

I'm featuring Mini-cons in my fanfiction, reimagined as just regular Transformers with a quirk in the spark that makes them small, Mini-con and Micromaster used interchangeably (the latter being slang for them), Micronus Prime being the first, some having power boosts and some not.

[@TheGenuineDWNUT]

Very interesting. Half this stuff I didn't know! I'm more of a Unicron Trilogy Mini-Con fan though. The new ones aren't Mini-Cons in my eyes.

[@300kyuubi]

Same here, the original minicons will always be a favorite in my eyes

[@teridax4]

The destroyer is coming! The end of IDW is upon us! It’s time for a basics episode on Unicron!

[@scrapmetal37]

3:46 Wanna make somethin' of it?

[@TheBeef89]

After watching this, it just makes me want a video on the Cyber Keys from the Unicron series

[@avery9627]

the fact that Unicrons creations turned on him due coming in contact with humans is both funny and sad, at least to me.

[@themostbritishpersonalive868]

Primus and Unicron are the god's of transformers but humans They are NOT the god's of humans

[@megathot3734]

6:21 the best Transformers show ever created

[@TheRealDustinNunn]

The Unicron Trilogy series needs some toy-accurate rebooted TV shows.

[@CasualRonin]

I'm glad my comment got chosen from last week. Kinda feel honored. Thanks very much for giving us more details on these tiny transformers.

[@Ironman99-c8e]

Waiting so long for this

[@mangamegs]

You're a saint, may the blessings of megatronus be upon you.

[@Bakuganever]

Do the basics waspinator

[@diegos7337]

Cool video! I think the Armada concept of minicons is still the best, even though it was not handled that well. It is better hadled in Micron Legend, the apanese version of Armada.

[@justinpayne4734]

What an interesting concept. Good work! 🤖🤖🤖🤖

[@luiscortazar6291]

I'd like to See Soundwave's Minicons combine into a Soundblaster double of him. I've always wanted to see that.

[@playlistarchivist4783]

Could you do a basics video on some of these options ? : 1. The basics on the Wings Universe. 2. The basics on the Cloud universe. 3. The basics on the 3H Comics.

[@concept5631]

6:43 Seriously, how did they not see him.

[@djst4rf1re9]

I've got this Transformers toy that I'm guessing is from the first or second Transformers live action movies. I don't know what his name is but I call him Salvo because he turns into a truck with a missile launcher on it. I know he's not a Mini-con but I like to think of him as a Mini-con because of how small he is.

[@chainsawgood1]

Hmm... Scattorshot? Small, movie-style, turns into a truck with anti-air guns... tfwiki.net/wiki/Scattorshot_(ROTF)

[@ShadowWingTronix]

I've always felt the classic Mini-Cons weren't marketed right. They're just power boosters that can occasionally alter the larger robot's body with new weapons. Look at the toys though. You have tanks and missile trucks that could be weapons even before the Mini-Cons that turned into mounted weaponry were created. Some could be armor, some could offer gadgets or jet boosters (probably just powerful enough to boost a jump rather than outright fly), even the cars could offer their headlights as mounted flashlights. That offers more play value than "power boost" does once the Armada flip-out weapon gimmicks were dropped.

[@judai24]

I remember when I was a kid I always would pretend the minicons were like bot suits that would merge with mechs to fight other mechs

[@300kyuubi]

Interesting idea

[@Des-rh9zn]

I always loved mincons for some reason

[@TheCastellan]

I think the Armada pegs were inspired by the pegs seen in the Transformers 2000: Carobots toys, which had a lot of pegs, especially Fire Convoy, Magnus and I Think Gigatron.

[@JimmyGrimes_yyc]

Donovan has asked me to send a comment. He would like you to know we watched the minicon episode again, and it's his favorite episode. Cheers Chris. Thanks for The Basics.

[@alexlemonds2838]

Love how Jim Sorenson opted to reuse numerous Minicons as Micromasters for BW Uprising.

[@grandadmiralthrawn92]

Here's an idea for a story: The basics on Black Arachnia/ Airachnid?

[@almightytowerdiveking4636]

I like "minicon" as a nickname but they messed up by not giving them the ability to buff other transformers.

[@joesantos7085]

Man I remember trying to get the minicons the turn into that sword when I was a kid I think it was the star saber watching your vids make me want to rewatch it.

[@gojirafan0577]

Tbh I always thought the minicons in armada were just hasbro trying to cash in on pokemon but other than that I really like minicons I think their really underrated I think my favourite portrayal of them would have to be how idw portrayed them

[@kinnikuman-devilman_fan_2002]

Finally, I'm not the only one that likes the Mini-Cons and the Micromasters :D

[@Cole_Clawheart-Clips]

I only really remember the mini-cons from the Unicron trilogy, so when I think “Mini-con” I just think of a power boost

[@Rinku588]

I do like how Micronus has the circular peg on his chest to pay homage to the Mini-Cons power link roots

[@legomancb12]

6:32 10/10 disguise

[@Agrimir]

I still crack when Frenzy flips the bird upon entering Barricade’s door.

[@blairtimusprime8770]

My favourite kind of Minicons would have to be from the Transformers Armada series. Those little guys looked so adorable how they communicated by their beeps and whistles

[@ReligiousPrime]

Personally, I prefer the idea that mini-vons are just smaller transformers that are human-sized. Not necessarily to link up for a power boost, but just smaller than the rest. Whether it's serving decepticons, like Lazerbeak, Ravage, and Rumble in G1; or helping autobots, like Fix-It in Robots In Disguise; they're just smaller than the rest.

[@theeyeoftheyinyangs]

I only knew three groups of Mini-Cons. Star Saber group. Dark Saber group. Requiem Blaster group. When I first saw Requiem Blaster in action, I thought that was the coolest thing I’ve seen in my childhood. Those were the days.

[@evangoulios9820]

Firstly: you’re amazing. Secondly, I love Deepdive

[@jamsjams1111]

The original DLC

[@waterup380]

Jim Conrad HAD a voice that was cool in explaining in the very first episode of that show

[@sivanlevi3867]

Micron, the Japanese word for the Mini-cons, would be repurposed into the name of a world in the Galactic Odyssey Collection of the War for Cybertron Earthrise toyline, essentially an English market version of the planet Micro from Transformers Zone, home of the Micromasters.

[@Anonomous518]

I think a good idea would be that Headmasters, Targetmasters, Powermasters Micromasters and maybe even Titanmasters could be just different kinds of Mini-Cons

[@MrDoctorVK]

During TF Armada time here: I mostly scored 6 Mini-con three pack teams and Smokescreen.

[@300kyuubi]

Not bad, I got Primus, armada SkyWarp, hot shot, hoist, Blurr, demolisher, and sideways this year

[@TransmitHim]

Really great video, Chris (as is the whole series) but I think there's one notable omission here: the Armada video game by Melbourne House, which presented the Mini-cons differently to the cartoon and comic. There, they were mute collectables, similar to the cartoon, but instead of powerlinxing to unlock built in weaponry, they were essentially transferable utilities. So one was a cloaking device, one was a glider, I think (been a while since I've played it). Not only did that make more sense in gameplay terms but, to me at least, it seemed a more reasoned take on the concept than "mini helicopter plugs into a car and brings out a cannon".

[@netherwalker1762]

That symbol will always be a bit of a wasted opportunity to me. An actual, persistent third faction in TF would have been amazing, if they had pulled it off right. Ah well. I can dream of Mini-con uprisings.

[@kinnikuman-devilman_fan_2002]

People say that like Mini-Cons being my favorite is a bad thing for me, I wish they would all shut up.

[@netherwalker1762]

@@kinnikuman-devilman_fan_2002 Um... Was this for me... Oooor?

[@kinnikuman-devilman_fan_2002]

@@netherwalker1762 Everyone else.

[@netherwalker1762]

@@kinnikuman-devilman_fan_2002 Gotcha, thanks for clarifying! :D

[@cipherthedemonlord8057]

Loved the little toys from Armada.

[@crystalias2546]

The basics on Energon (not the tv show, the stuff they consume)

[@anginormicasupreme2161]

My favourite Mini-Cons are the ones who formed the STAR SABER in the ARMADA toy line.

[@codrinm.mitrofan5869]

As you confessed: Minicons appeared, like the full-size ones, in G1 as Mini-Cassetes, Targetmasters & Micromasters.

[@p4p3rl1ght3]

Minicons gotta catch them all (pokemon theme song)

[@rodimus7926]

I miss the Minicoms, I miss so much the special or secret features the minicoms had, now there are no such things in Transformers

[@TheRezro]

I have theory that minicons are simpler in design to proper Cybertronian, which is why they need proper partner to operate efficiently. Sharing some systems with they operator. Which is why they tend to have low intelligence due to smaller brain modules (with exceptions). At the same time, because they still have regular sparks and less parts to move, they can deliver noticeable power output, which is why they tend to serve as weapons and upgrades. Over time more efficient minicon designs were developed, which allow them operate efficiently with small size, giving birth to Maximals and new Predacons. They lost ability to operate with high energon output, like they predecessors though.

[@destronlaserwave9566]

THE BASICS on DREAMWAVE COMICS

[@adamxue6096]

3:01 I am like 90% sure that it was later stated in Armada(Close to the end) that, Minicons COULD speak, but it consumes a shit crap tons of energy and they are not willing to do it unless absolutely necessary.

[@overdalcy]

minicons in armada was a kind of god master revamp, but they doesn't change to an engine, I like them more like deployer "pokemon like" partners, the main problem is that small transformers works better as animals and weapons than mini vehicles, plug an cannon on a thank looks like give more power than a mini drone car, also plug vehicles fit more if they are combining vehicles, everytime we played with minicons looks like they arent small but the full size were oversized, and play become a mess when you have normal, mini and titans, for a combiner g1 megatron is just a target master!

[@rknic01]

Love this video, great job! All your vids are so informative and explained very well :) What about Basics on the Wreckers?

[@jonathanpabon4477]

I played the PS2 Transformers game that had the exact same characters from the series and their minicons as a kid that was a fun game.

[@Peteman]

Gotta go with the classics, even if they were retconned into being them. Ravage, Laserbeak and Rumble. Yes, I am not including Frenzy, he wasn't really a presence in the original cartoon.

[@codrinm.mitrofan5869]

Prime Minicons (japanese counterpart: Arms Micron) & Minicon Activators (RID, Chapter: Combiner Force) can be also added in this subject.