Tommy, you’ve likely played everything on this list, but just in case.
Of the responsives I’ve tried, I rank my top 10 like this. It’s honestly the only ten I can remember playing, my memory sucks, their was likely more.
I am probably way off base here, but as I remember it, the Flying V came out before 0A kind of reinvented responsive play.
If you want to do stalls and all that jazz, the V is ok, but I always looked at it as the best TK yo-yo that TK never made. I always play mine responsive, and it is tons of fun for doing old style tricks with if you can’t throw a 15 second smoking hot buzzsaw sleeper like Ed.
Some of the lighter throws are ways less intimidating to do STM with, and probably easier for the flips and such.
Sadly until recently I hadn’t thrown a Moonshine or a Confusion and I still haven’t thrown an Ally Cat or an OG Moonshine. I just got a Moonshine 2. Its a real Hoss. Do you prefer the OG Ally Cat or the 650lb? Same on the Moonshine. Why the preference for the OG?
The alleycat I had was the 650, never tried the OG. I was not a fan. Some people love it, I’ll never try and get another, and I sold the one I had
Never tried the Moonshine 2, my buddy loves his. The OG Moonshine is fantastic. It is the yoyo I wish I had in 1999.
I have many of the ones mentioned. I would say I’ve made many of my favorites fixed for the fun of it. My confusion, el mijo Al, Duncan imperial Al, and bumblebee.
I gravitate toward my rbc, weekender, Kasm and polycarb el mijo the most for proper modern fixed. Plastics usually come out if I’m planning to be over hard floors and concrete.
Often I grab wood when I’m playing modern responsive usually the no jive or john gates se. I’m excited when I get home to see how my wildwoods gnomads are.
Honorable mentions go to the Origen which is super cheap but a great workhorse and dedicated responsive 5a throw.
Also enter rotation occasionally is the deepstate with a half c and shims.
I like my Janus but it’s often left unresponsive and my slim Jim, nude trump and various cheaper plastic responsive rarely come out. I’m positive I’m forgetting sone but I’m not home to look at the wall of yo.
Also I’m eventually looking to get a daytripper but money and availability don’t seem to align lol
I think the Bumblebee and Cold fusion are really underrated. They tune easily with the friction stickers and spin forever. .
The Freehand One is also a great responsive. I’ve got a plastic one with some fat string on it that is a blast to throw. I’ve ended up with all three iterations of the AL. I like them all but for me the small bearing is best.
You are so right Seth. @Captrogers had mentioned it too. I throw mine most every day. It hits right in my new sweet spot for weight. And like you said, for $20 its a steal.
I love it. I think the MR87 bearing is the best responsive bearing there is. I do wish this had higher walls but honestly it plays so good. Kinda makes me feel like I can be good at responsive 
There are so many Yoyos recently in this style.
Few Thoughts;
Origen - $20 MR85 - great entry choice for anyone curious.
Moonshine vs. Moonshine 2; Two different yoyos. If you like “Wider” Moonshine 2 is great.
G2 Respawn is gorgeous and fun player.
Confusion OG vs. Confusion 2022- Again 2 different yoyos. The OG is wider and more akin to 1A Butterfly style play.
Deep/Deeper State - Always Great fun.
El Mojo (Poly or Aluminum) Cant go wrong with either.
RBC - Still my #1. This hits on so many levels for me.
Duncan Cold Fusion - We currently dont Agree with each other.
Duncan Bumblebee- Work in progress.
One of my latest go toos over the last two months has actually been the YYF Turbo Grind Machine. I always find myself reaching for it.
Hoping one day to try the Alley Cat among some of the others I havent been able to track down yet.
Most all are fun. Some just click with me better than others.
I think the best MR85 yoyo you have is the Harbinger proto.
While I Agree whole heartedly, I was trying to be considerate.
I was listing Yoyos others actually have access too and can play.
The Metal Harbinger IS Amazing but unavailable.
You are not off base.
When we released the Flying V, it was a total anomaly and a big risk for Steve. That was why it was important for us to make it so that it could be setup responsive or unresponsive (although imo it was way better in the former config). I was doing all kinds of stall tricks and stop n go’s, but most of my responsive play back then was about the challenge of hitting technical tricks with aggressive response. This was a couple years before Drew hit the Kickflip which is when we realized that MOST of the significant parts of the trick could actually happen mid-stall.
I still really love the V.
(And yes @AaronW that is defintely the same yo-yo! I loved that one, and I’m glad you have it!)
I know you know this means the world to me (and what your yo-yoing meant to the development of mine). I would literally have never moved past Double Or Nothing if I hadn’t seen your video almost 20 years ago. And I have played every day since. So whatever my style became, it would never have existed without you, brother.
I am going to step out on a limb and guess nobody else saw the three wonderful color options when the Origen was released and dreamed that one day they would own all three. Well with the support of friends and family my dream has come true.
PS: I really did want all of them the first time I saw them.
Super boomer
I have a black and 1 and a half blue ones (lost half of my first blue one to the under-the-porch monster) I want a red one real bad. I didn’t even hear about these until they had been out for a bit and the reds were gone with the wind by the time I got there.
Very nice. I’m allot less interested in color than type of throw. I like to add new and overall different yo-yos and am disappointed when I realize a yo-yo is similar to another. Except loopers. I just keep buying loopers and so many are nearly identical.
I had a blue and wanted the others but felt they would be available for a while. When the red disappeared I thought my dreams were crushed but a dear friend hooked me up. I panic bought the black one.
Anyway if you’re looking to try out modern responsive play I think this is the best $20 you can spend. And they may not be here forever.
I have so many Loop 720’s and 720 clones. I absolutely buy them for color. Most people probably don’t find the beauty of plastic yoyos but I sure do.
