>>6321982During ROTF, transformations got too complex for kids (that exact Leader Optimus was one of the key culprits) and parents complained to Hasbro. This led to a dumbing down of transformations and cutting of articulation points that we likely won't ever dig our way out of. I hate it too, but I DO understand--some ROTF transformations seemed overly complex even for me, so I can't imagine kids had a very good time with them.
Well, actually...look up a video review of the new movie Kup figure. It looks nearly ROTF-level in both transformation and articulation. So maybe there's a small glimmer of hope for the future.
