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Death/Archive

2010-01-07T01:08:04Z

121.45.206.93: /* Animated */

{{note|This older version has been superceded by the current [[Death]] page, and is presented here for archival purposes.}}

[[Image:Battleofautobotcity.jpg|right|300px|thumb|And the sounds of a million fanboys' cries were heard across the land.]]

''Transformers'' is a children's franchise, but at its core, it's a story of war. This means that the '''death''' of major and minor characters sometimes figures into the fiction.

Given the ambiguous nature of Transformer physiology, there is very little consistency regarding what is fatal to a Transformer, even within a single storyline. Damage that one Transformer might shrug off can prove fatal to another, or even to the same character in a different story. It does not take a terribly cynical viewer to conclude that the threshold of survival is generally determined by the needs of the plot.

The out-of-universe reasons for a character's death can vary from plot development to the arrival of [[To sell toys|new toys]]. Conveniently enough for writers who are beholden to the whims of a toy company, the majority of Transformers characters are machines, which means that death isn't necessarily permanent. Across the various universes, characters that appear to have been killed have been known to pop up alive again at a later date, or go through some sort of resurrection.

{{quote|"How can you all be so cold and unfeeling? He died a hero!" 
"Don't you even have mechanical hearts?" 
"The humans don't understand! Our form of life is vastly different from theirs!"|[[Spider-Man]], [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]|"[[Prisoner of War!]]"}}

==Generation 1==
===Marvel comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}

Right from the beginning, the Marvel Comics made it clear that Transformers could die. The first issue mentions that "billions" of Autobots were slaughtered in the initial Decepticon assaults on Cybertron. Various battle scenes in the same issue show anonymous characters getting blown to bits.

Equally evident, however, was the fact that Transformers could survive and recover from massive damage. The combatants aboard the ''Ark'' survived crashing headlong into the planet Earth; although they were all knocked offline, the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s computer was eventually able to restore them all to full functionality. This additionally demonstrated a Transformer's ability to lay in stasis for incredibly long periods of time -- four million years, in this case. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)}}

Transformers' capacity for taking damage was highlighted by the plight of Gears, who plummets to his "death" from a towering mountain. Though rendered inoperative by the impact, Ratchet is soon able to piece him back together to a minimally operative status. Optimus Prime explains to several observing humans that the damaged Gears is not alive, "but neither is he what you would consider dead! {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}} Two issues later, nearly all the Autobots are knocked offline again, either through fuel deprivation or after being blasted by Shockwave. {{storylink|The Last Stand}} Again, Ratchet is eventually able to restore most of them to life, {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}} apart from the especially-damaged Sunstreaker {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}}

With the battle resumed on Earth, ''the first true casualties were the [[Navigator]] and his guardian, the so-called "[[Man of Iron]]", both sent to find the missing crew of the ''Ark''. The Man of Iron died from the weapons of a Decepticon, while Navigator was incinerated by an unwitting Jazz along with his ship. Man of Iron's death involved a huge fiery explosion which blew him into burning component pieces; Navigator's demise was less explicitly portrayed. Both established that the weapons carried by everyday Transformers could in fact be lethal to other Transformers (despite Trailbreaker, Thundercracker, and Skywarp all taking almost equally severe damage during the same story and surviving.)'' {{storylink|Man of Iron!}}

The Man of Iron story highlighted a disconnect particular to ''Transformers'': named characters, especially those with toys, are a lot less likely to die than ones without toys. In fictional terms, it's hardly ever explained. The Marvel Comics' first issue mentions that the crew of the ''Ark'' is drawn from the Autobots' most powerful warriors, perhaps explaining some of their resiliency, but these characters rarely fare much better or worse than numerous others who come later.

The Marvel book's varying treatment of human characters perhaps illustrates the differences in sensibilities between the US and the UK at the time. Outright human death was almost never shown for most of the Marvel US run, though it surely had to be a result of numerous battles (such as the Army taking on the Decepticons in "[[Prisoner of War!]]".) The UK book, by contrast, killed off its first confirmed human in #45, where [[Professor Morris]] used a brainwashed [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] to accidentally murder a security guard. {{storylink|The Icarus Theory}} Earlier stories implied human death as well; [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] runs a car off the road causing it to explode with its driver screaming in UK #14, whilst in the same issue [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] blew up several human jets in mid-air. {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}}

Outright Transformer death would be seen in the first story set on Cybertron. The story opens with a Decepticon killing civilians only for [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] to kill ''it''; [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]], current commander of the Decepticons, was constantly throwing hordes of Transformers to their deaths in his [[smelting pool]]; and Blaster's ally [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]] died a quite brutal death. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}} Furman notably pre-empted this some time earlier with the deaths of [[Earthquake (G1)|Earthquake]] and [[Tornado]] in a flashback sequence. {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}}

Soon death would be seen again and again, particularly in Furman's UK strips—generally these deaths would be of original characters who lacked toys, such as [[Impactor]]. {{storylink|Target: 2006}} This was a useful way of getting across a sense of genuine war and build reader tension, while simultaneously leaving the toy characters untouched.

[[Image:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|left|175px|thumb|Gears died as he lived—not being on-panel.]]
[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] himself would end up outright dying to clear the way for new characters—following immediately on, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] was killed in a [[Space Bridge]] accident. {{storylink|Afterdeath!}} {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}} The following issue would have the Transformers holding a funeral for Optimus, {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} while a crossover story unceremoniously bumped off [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]. {{storylink|Ashes, Ashes...}} This kill-spree was slightly undermined by [[Bob Budiansky]] leaving himself a get-out clause, and showing the reader that a back-up copy of Optimus Prime's mind could exist. Megatron, meanwhile, would turn up alive in Marvel UK so they could sneak around the US stories without contradicting their plots (he'd later be retconned as a clone). {{storylink|Ancient Relics!}}

Marvel UK stories set in the post-movie future got to be even more kill-happy—as they didn't have to bother meshing with the present day continuity, any character could be killed off. As well as minor ones such as [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], this would also include major character Shockwave. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

Soon, Transformers was saddled with a large number of characters who no longer had toys—to thin the crowd, both [[Simon Furman]] and Budiansky began repeated cullings so the newer toys could get more "screen time". In Marvel UK, most of the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]], [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (and previously [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]), and a few little-seen Decepticons would all be slaughtered. {{storylink|Time Wars}} That paled before the most grandiose of slaughters, the [[Underbase Saga]], where a super powered [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] destroyed/deactivated dozens of Transformers, [[Autobot]] and [[Decepticon]] alike. ''Conveniently'', only those with organic bits ([[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]], [[Pretender|Pretenders]] et al) could survive the [[Underbase]]. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}} Many of these characters would remain dead until the climax of the Unicron saga, when they were revived by [[Nucleon]]; at the same time, the Unicron battle would kill off scores of characters who'd survived the Underbase! {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}

The experience of having been dead does not seem to bother most Transformers who were resurrected. One exception is Optimus Prime; due to his time spent as a computer-game character (no, really), he was separated emotionally from his past life and lost interest in Earth. This was soon cured. {{storylink|Cold Comfort and Joy!}} Another exception is if a Transformer has suffered a humiliating death or rebirth; their confidence will end up weakened. {{storylink|Fallen Star!}}

===American cartoon continuity===
[[Image:Tftm1986a.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Who knew Autobots could be killed by shooting their [[shoulder]]s?]]

''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' is infamous for the slaughter of a large number of season 1 and 2 characters, especially the likes of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Starscream (G1)| Starscream]]. The reason for this was the upcoming season 3 toy line. Some would die without getting a chance to say anything or even being ''named''. 'Bots dying in the movie include [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], Optimus Prime, and Starscream.

In this continuity, dead Transformers can still exist as ghosts. These ghosts are capable of possessing the forms of living Transformers. {{storylink|Starscream's Ghost}} Or at least Starscream can; there's no evidence of any other Transformers being able to do the same.

When [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] bearers die, their wisdom and spirits remain within the Matrix. A near-death experience allows the current Matrix bearer to make contact with these spirits. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

===Japanese cartoon continuity===
The Japanese continuity did not skimp on showing death as a part of war. Aside from numerous generic robots (for example, the prison guards from ''[[Victory (cartoon)|Victory]]''), notable characters were also killed. The most famous victim of this tendency was [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], who died in battle against [[Sixshot]] in ''[[The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]''. In ''[[Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'', [[Sixknight]] was killed by [[Devil Z]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]] perished in the finale along with the Decepticon Emperor.

However, Transformers that have been mortally wounded can be rebuilt into new forms, as happened with [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave/Soundblaster]] and [[Ginrai]]/[[Victory Leo]]. Also, because of a different approach to censorship, human death was not unheard of. While not present in the first two seasons (which were simply translated from the American version) nor the following ''Headmasters'' cartoon, plenty of humans became unlucky collateral damage from ''Masterforce'' onwards. Besides victims such as [[Professor Gō]] early in the series, the Decepticons often slaughtered people in the course of their activities. [[Giga]], for example, destroyed a passing airliner (presumably killing all aboard) simply to test his new [[Deathball]] toys. In ''Victory'', Earth was spared much destruction until the latter half of the series, when [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]]'s forces began attacking in earnest (killing countless human soldiers in the process). In addition, [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]]'s adopted son, [[Jean Minakaze]], was the sole survivor of a Decepticon attack.

At the same time, supernatural forces irrefutably exist in this universe and are capable of reversing the process of death. Optimus Prime died a second time {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}} but was brought back by [[Zodiac]] energy as Star Convoy {{storylink|The Battlestars (story page)|The Battlestars}}; the evil entity [[Dark Nova]] took Galvatron's remains and reformatted them as Super Megatron. The demonic being [[Violen Jygar]] was composed of the "angry souls" of dead Decepticons, and seemingly resurrected BlackZarak to serve as one of his Demon-Generals. {{storylink|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!}}

The [[Kiss Player|Kiss Players]], infected by Galvatron's cells, are capable of resurrecting dead Transformers like Optimus by kissing him and channelling the cells into him; however, once the cells were taken out, Optimus died again. {{storylink|Kiss Players (manga)|Kiss Players}}

==Generation 2==
The ''Generation 2'' comic had less oversight from Hasbro, a whole lot of inherited characters that didn't have toys, and an existence in the ''extreeeeeme'' and violent 1990s US comic industry. The result was the Transformer equivalent of the Battle of the Somme—almost every issue would have a known Transformer or three being killed off. Even the crossover with [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], setting up Megatron's new toy, killed off four. {{storylink|Final Transformations|Final Transformations}}

[[Image:Blades1.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Blades in Generation 2: a violent, gritty, pointlessly graphic nightmare… in Generation 2.]]
Even characters who had previously been major ones in the Marvel Comics would be killed, with [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] all dying alongside lesser-seen characters like [[Skullgrin]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]. Amusingly, some of these characters (such as Dirge, [[Joyride (Autobot)|Joyride]] and [[Quake (G1)|Quake]]) had died in earlier G1 issues and had returned from the dead without explanation ''solely to be bumped off''. [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], a 1985 Autobot car, even made his ''very first'' clear appearance in the US comics in one issue, only to be immediately killed off after giving his first (and last) line of dialogue. {{storylink|Devices and Desires!|Devices and Desires!}}

In addition, the Transformers would slaughter large numbers of [[Cybertronian Empire]] soldiers, and many alien planets were shown being exterminated. [[Earth]] didn't escape unscathed either, with widespread devastation, open slaughter of humans and the obliteration of [[San Francisco]]. Oh, and Prime dies and comes back ''again''.
{{-}}
==Beast Wars==
[[Image:BW Scorponok Terrorsaur deaths.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Even having a new toy couldn't save Terrorsaur!]]
''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', being a CGI cartoon, could not afford to have too many characters in the show at any one time—once they reached seven-a-side by Season 1, any new character coming in would mean an old one going out. This led to some quite arbitrary deaths, such as [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] falling into lava and going unmourned, or [[Tigatron]] and [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] suddenly being dragged into space by the [[Vok]]. [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], by contrast, had an episode devoted to his heroic sacrifice and his death served as the end to his plot arc for that season, and has become one of the most popular episodes. {{storylink|Code of Hero|Code of Hero}}

One problem ''Beast Wars'' had with killing characters is that every character on the show would be blown up real good during the series, only to be put back together again—this would mean when they were actually being killed, they'd sometimes be suffering less damage than they had in battles where they lived. In addition, [[Optimus Primal]] and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] both died and came back with brand new bodies, showing death to be a potential revolving door. At one point, [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] was clearly vaporised in an explosion—but, because it was decided not to kill him when Season 3 started, he was suddenly merely a bit singed. {{storylink|Optimal Situation|Optimal Situation}}

[[Image:Dinobot2beastmode.JPG|left|200px|thumb|We're not using the Z word!]]
The character of [[Dinobot II]] presents interesting questions about Transformer death. While cloned from the original Dinobot and possessing the same voice, same look (albeit an eerie skeletal version) and same skills, he had a different personality & memories and was clearly a different character, even carrying a different Spark (half of [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]]'s). However, in the season finale, the destruction of Rampage caused him to gain an increasing number of Dinobot's memories that he could not have and start gaining Dinobot's personality. He also viewed his Spark as being "different… at last complete". {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2|Nemesis Part 2}} How all this occurred was not explained; based on the visual of him turning into the original Dinobot & back again when Rampage was destroyed, {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1|Nemesis Part 1}} it could be assumed the original was influencing him.

The final three episodes would kill seven characters, including the majority of the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] and two of the Maximals—-including [[Tigerhawk]], who only appeared two episodes before his death—-to pave the way for ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''. In order of their passing, the unlucky 'bots were [[Tarantulas]], [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]], [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]], [[Tigerhawk]], [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]], [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]], and [[Dinobot II]], but not, surprisingly, [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], who ended up becoming 'happy at last'.

===IDW comics continuity===
IDW's ''Beast Wars'' comics would introduce a large number of unused toys into the fiction—a large number of which were then massacred in the second miniseries. Many of them had hardly got a chance to show any characterization. The exception is [[Razorbeast]], who had been the main character in the previous story and had to be euthanised by one of his friends. {{storylink|The Ascending|The Ascending}}

==Beast Machines==
[[Image:Fallout title.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Primal's diet had gone horribly wrong.]]
The premise of ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' was that [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] had taken over Cybertron and removed the [[Spark|Sparks]] from everyone, leaving massive graveyards across the planet. However, this hadn't actually ''killed'' anyone—as long as the Sparks survived, they could be put in a new body and live again, and everyone was restored at the end of the series. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future|Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future}}

The series would also introduce the concept of the [[Allspark]]—a dimension composed of Transformer Sparks, the home of every one that will or can ever be. When a Transformer dies, their Spark returns to it and all of their knowledge and life experience is added to the Allspark. [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]'s spirit would be seen within in it, advising Optimus Primal to move on.

Optimus Primal was outright killed, but would come back to life again after deciding not to join with the Allspark but continue his mission {{storylink|Fallout|Fallout}}; this could be seen an in-universe explanation for why some Transformers return to life while others stay dead. Primal would die ''properly'' later on, taking Megatron with him.

The original [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]] generals contained the Sparks of existing ''Beast Wars'' characters but possessed completely different personalities—most notably [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]], the brooding, loyal and fearless general who had ''[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]]'s'' Spark. Overriding the general's shell programs to bring back the original characters could be seen as killing the Vehicons.

===Singularity Ablyss===
Megatron would also have the opportunity to allow himself to pass on and rejoin the Allspark. However, his repeated returns to life (during "[[Spark of Darkness]]") convinced him he could still achieve godhood and so he rejected passing on. He also ''erased Rhinox's Spark'', showing that even the dead can be killed. {{storylink|Singularity Ablyss}}<ref>However, due to an editorial caveat in the foreword, all the prose stories in ''[[Transformers Legends]]'' are "What If?" stories that are not to be considered as actually occurring in the continuities they are based on. As a result, the events depicted in "[[Singularity Ablyss]]" technically belong to a [[Micro-continuity]] and are therefore not canon for the mainstream ''Beast Machines'' continuity.</ref>

==Robots in Disguise==
The ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise is unique in that almost nobody dies. The exception is [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]]—he was completely destroyed, but then reborn as Galvatron due to the [[Orb of Sigma]] and energy drained from Predacon [[sparks]]. {{storylink|Peril from the Past|Peril from the Past}} While possessing the same voice, personality and general form of Megatron, Galvatron declares himself to be a different person and his former self to be dead. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges|Maximus Emerges}}

==Universe==
[[Image:Wreckers Mutants.jpg|left|150px|thumb|The shocking death of the barely-seen guys with hardly any lines!]]
The [[BotCon]] comic ''The Wreckers'' would use death quite a lot in its second issue, for one very specific reason—they'd brought in too many bloody characters in the ''first'' issue. A few massacres later and the cast was down to a more manageable level. {{storylink|Betrayal|Betrayal}}

''Universe'''s multiverse-spanning story allows for a lot of death in character backstories—[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] is killed by [[Smokescreen (Armada)|another Smokescreen]], Unicron's generals all killed [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] in their home dimensions, and [[Megazarak]] has killed everyone on his Cybertron. {{storylink|Shell Game (3H)|Shell Game}} Conversely, it also allowed for a whole load of character ''resurrections''—[[Optimus Primal]], [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]], [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] and [[Tarantulas]] all returned from the dead. One of the Wreckers, meanwhile, is a revived [[Tigatron]].
{{-}}

==Unicron Trilogy==
===Cartoon===
Optimus died holding back the [[Hydra Cannon]], the damage causing him to [[:Image:Sshot-arm-39-4.jpg|crumble to dust]]. {{storylink|Crisis|Crisis}} Through the power of the [[Matrix]], he was resurrected by the [[Mini-Cons]] shortly afterward. {{storylink|Miracle|Miracle}}

[[Image:Armada 52 - Prime hangon to Galvatron.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Galvatron died to save everyone and came back ''twice''—you lose, [[Jesus]]!]]

Both [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] {{storylink|Mortal Combat|Mortal Combat}} and [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] {{storylink|Cramp|Cramp}} would make heroic sacrifices in ''Armada'' to stop Unicron—only to return from the dead for the ''Energon'' cartoon. And then sacrificed themselves again at the end of that one {{storylink|The Sun|The Sun}}—and came back again for the next cartoon!

Some characters would be severely injured and seemingly killed, but would survive by being rebuilt into a new character—[[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] became Hoist, [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] became Mirage, etc.

[[Alpha Quintesson]] and Unicron possessed the ability to create new Transformers—[[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcons]] and [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]]—out of the remains of the dead. Scorponok was an odd case: it was originally presented that he was a recreated version of an inhabitant of Alpha Q's homeworld, but later retconned that he was, in fact, merely created in that being's image, and actually animated by the Spark of a dead Decepticon. This retcon, however, did not make it into the ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'', since the [[Return! Our Scorponok|episode]] featuring it was not dubbed. Scorponok was later killed, but in both the fan club comics and ''Cybertron'' toy tech specs, he became an undead monster.

In the Unicron Trilogy cartoons, resurrection often altered the basic personality of a Transformer. Tidal Wave became more intelligent as Mirage, as well as gaining a crush on Galvatron; [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] devolved in intelligence and became more ape-like; the morally conflicted Starscream, who sacrificed himself for the greater good, would became an ambitious power-hungry traitor like [[Starscream (G1)|those]] [[Starscream (Animated)|other]] Starscreams. This has not occurred in other canons, where death and rebirth rarely seems to cause any real problems for anyone.

===Comic===
While it can be safely assumed people ''did'' die in the Autobot-Decepticon war, it was only shown on panel when the [[Unicron]] plotline took over. {{storylink|Worlds Collide|Worlds Collide}} In addition, Unicron was shown to be able to kill and rebuild Transformers into his loyal servants, doing it to [[Rhinox (Armada)|Rhinox]] and his [[Terrorsaur (Armada)|fellow]] [[Airazor (Armada)|Beast]] [[Cheetor (Armada)|Warriors]]. {{storylink|This Evil Reborn|This Evil Reborn}} While his body had died, Megatron's consciousness remained within Unicron's spark core, and from here was able to return to life with a new body.

==Live-action film series==
===Films===
The live-action movie would feature death galore in its climactic battle scenes, with almost every [[Decepticon]] being wiped out and [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] being killed in battle. Not to mention the humans; [[SOCCENT Forward Operations Base]] is wiped out by [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]]; [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]] just loves his stabbing; possible demises caused by [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] on [[Air Force One]]; [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] hatefully sweeping away traffic; and countless possible casualties in [[Mission City]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|''Transformers'' (2007)}}

Thankfully, the second film does not kill off the primary six returning robots to make way for a new cast. Unfortunately, the only new Decepticon who seems to survive is [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] dies but comes back, while only [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and an [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] component die among the Autobot ranks. [[NEST]]'s casualties are emphasized in an early scene where coffins are displayed prominently in a single shot, and there are major civilian and military casualties during [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]]'s rampage and [[The Fallen]]'s arrival (estimated at a toll of 7000), but the main humans get off scott free (even [[Sam Witwicky]] cheats death). ''{{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}''

===IDW Publishing===
[[Image:RoS2Salazarpopt.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Comic books can get away with this, while PG-13 movies can't]]
[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] blew up an [[F-22 Raptor]] to obtain his alternate mode. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Prime Directive (IDW) issue 4}} He kills countless [[Sector 7]] soldiers when searching for [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]]'s body in the [[Hoover Dam]], and takes a [[Salazar|human]] along while leaving Earth to see if he can survive the trip. He doesn't. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 2|The Reign of Starscream issue 2}} When Starscream returns to [[Earth]], many die in his battle with [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]], including [[Professor Vine]]. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}} [[NEST]] naturally loses soldiers in their battles with the Decepticons, most prominently [[Salani]] during the battle with [[Jetstorm (Movie)|Jetstorm]]. {{storylink|Alliance issue 4}}

On the Transformers side, a whole lot of toy-only characters die bloody in the runup to ''Revenge of the Fallen'', coincidentally after they'd been on the shelves for a while. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream}} {{storylink|Transformers: Alliance|Alliance}}

===Titan Magazines===
{{notetitantlg}}
From [[Transformers Comic issue 9|the ninth issue]] of ''Transformers Comic'', the movie-based comic strip took place in an alternate universe where the Decepticons won in the film. As a result, human casualties are quite high; thousands of [[NATO]] sailors are killed in battle, [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] bombs humans to spread terror, and [[Sam Witwicky]] is established to have died.

Shockingly for a [[Rhythms of Darkness!|Furman-written alternate universe]], Transformer deaths have so far been few. No Autobots are yet confirmed as dead, while Decepticon casualties so far include [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]], [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] following the initial story. Many Decepticon drones, however, are wiped out by the heroes.

[[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] actually came ''back'' from the dead, resurrection being a property of the All Spark. However, anything done to the All Spark will affect the resurrectee; corrupt the All Spark, as Megatron did, and you end up with a corrupt, amoral Transformer. {{storylink|Dark Spark|Dark Spark}}

Megatron also came back from the dead (of ''course'' he did) by having downloaded his consciousness into another vessel, showing that (ala ''Afterdeath!'' and ''Rock and Roll Out!'') Transformers can be backed up. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

==Animated==
[[Image:TFAnimated transformandrollout DEATH.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Death — the Optimus version of a power nap.]]
Severe physical damage does not kill Transformers in the ''Animated'' universe — [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] survived despite being reduced to a severed head, while [[Lugnut]] and [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] remained conscious despite being in bits {{storylink|Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found}} and [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]] continued to function after its brutal dismemberment. {{storylink|Sound and Fury|Sound and Fury}}

Transformer death is, however, possible — a combination of physical damage and AllSpark energy outright killed [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]]. He was resurrected immediately afterward by the [[AllSpark Key]], which, uniquely, channelled the energy of the AllSpark directly (as opposed to the energy stored inside it) for the purpose. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out|Transform and Roll Out}}

Starscream also was killed {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2}} only to be brought back to life by AllSpark energy. In his case, despite his Spark being extinguished, an AllSpark shard has embedded in his head and makes him immortal — kill him, and he'll just come back two minutes later. This has possibly made him the most tenacious (and annoying) Starscream to date. To [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], anyway. {{storylink|Mission Accomplished|Mission Accomplished}}

[[Image:Afterburn_GOOOOOMPH.JPG|right|200px|thumb|But how can Bumblebee ''see it''?]]

Similarly, [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] had died long ago saving Cybertron in the Great War, but with AllSpark energy he was able to be revived. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}} To prevent him dying, he was placed into modified stasis in his spaceship mode in order to stave off ''total'' death until a cure could be found. In an interesting look at [[Transformer funerary practices]], the Autobots then used him ''as'' a spaceship with seemingly no qualms. {{storylink|Transwarped}}

It is possible to be a living Transformer ''without'' a Spark. Two [[Starscream clone|of the Starscream clones]] lacked Sparks, as did [[Afterburn]] in spin-off material. When they ''die'', however, their being Spark-less means nobody cares. Nobody even commented on the demise of the clones {{storylink|A Fistful of Energon|A Fistful of Energon}} and both Megatron ''and'' Optimus outright stated that Afterburn wasn't a ''real'' person because he'd lacked a Spark {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Megatron's Revenge}}.

It is possible to avert death by transferring a spark into a [[blank]] [[protoform]]. A number of robots, however, view this as appalling as it sacrifices everything that protoform could have been. {{storylink|Five Servos of Doom}}

[[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] has a habit of scavenging parts of his victims to use as "upgrades", a habit that sickens other Transformers.

''Animated'' featured relatively few deaths; however, a [[Blurr (Animated)|popular recurring character]] and [[Starscream (Animated)|two popular]] [[Prowl (Animated)|''main'' characters]] both bought it within the course of the series.

==Footnotes==
<references />

==See also==

* [[Endspark]]

* [[Transformer funerary practices]]

* Those who die a lot
** [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime]]
** [[Dirge (G1)]] — the unlucky guy who gets [[:Image:Dirge DeathSerpentor.jpg|killed]] [[:Image:Dirge DeathSwarm.jpg|off]] [[:Image:Dirge DeathTimelines.jpg|in]] [[:Image:Dirge DeathUnicron.jpg|many]] [[:Image:Dirge DeathArmada.jpg|continuities]] (but less than [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]]).
** [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] — the unlucky guy who gets killed over and over in the same continuity, but doesn't seem to mind.
** [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] — the unlucky guy from ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' who gets sliced, diced, and fricasseed every other episode only to be fully functional in time to get [[Slag (slang)|slagged]] ''again''.
** [[Cy-Kill (disambiguation)|Cy-Kill]], a Go-Bots character transferred to many Transformers comics just to be killed off violently. For no other reason than the lolz of ending his toyline, his universe, and finally his life...repeatedly.
** [[Sentinel Prime (G1)]] — the unlucky [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] [[:Image:Sentinel prime lou.jpg|who]] [[:Image:Sentinel prime dw.jpg|must]] [[Megatron Origin issue 4|die]].

* [[To sell toys]]

Call of the Primitives

2010-01-04T06:30:39Z

121.45.206.93: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=91
|series2=2010
|ep2=26
|image=PrimitiveCall.jpg
|caption=Prim and Proper
|title="Call of the Primitives"
|production code=700-112
|airdate=[[November 18]], 1986
|written by=[[Donald F. Glut]]
|production company=Unknown
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''All Transformers with animal modes are summoned to battle a being called Tornedron, the little brother of Unicron.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 原始の呼び声 (''Genshi no Yobigoe'', "Primeval Call")
:''German title:'' '''Das geheimnisvolle Orakel''' ("The Mysterious Oracle")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:AutobotsCall.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Having your energy drained changes your paint job.]]

Somewhere, an energy creature begins feeding off other forms of energy—slowly, at first. Then his creator gives him an [[energon cube]]. The creature grows and spreads out into the universe. Soon, it attacks [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. The [[Autobot]]s attack it, but it simply drains their energy from them. The creature's creator is pleased with him, saying he's done better than his predecessor, [[Unicron]].

[[Image:Ejectcall.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Sorry, I ejected too soon]]

On [[Earth]]'s [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] is leading a group of Autobots against the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. However, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], and the animal-form [[Mini-Cassette]]s are all summoned by a mysterious voice. They leave the battle, and [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] orders a retreat. Suddenly, the energy creature arrives and drains the energy from both the Autobots and Decepticons (including Rodimus Prime and Galvatron), as well as Earth and the Moon and Cybertron.

Most of the departed Transformers are riding Trypticon. Naturally, tempers flare after [[Headstrong]] picks a fight with the Dinobots by insulting [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], so [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] suggests they stomp him. The Preds stick with their teammate and fight the Dinobots, and the Terrorcons decide to fight everyone. At Sky Lynx's suggestion, Trypticon shakes himself and causes his passengers to stop fighting. They arrive on an ancient planet near the center of the galaxy. After touching down, Sky Lynx assumes command of the group, despite the objections of [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] and [[Hun-Gurrr]]. Finding a cave, they encounter [[Oracle (G1)|a strange entity]]. He explains that he summoned the [[Primitive|Primitives]], all animal-based Transformers, to come to fight Tornedron, the energy being who was created by [[Primacron]]. The entity, who was once Primacron's assistant, explains how Primacron created Unicron but was nearly destroyed by his creation. After Unicron's defeat, Primacron created Tornedron as a replacement. Primacron's assistant hopes that the Primitives' simple instincts will allow them to defeat Primacon's complex plans.

[[Image:Terrorconcall.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Ptooie]]

Suddenly, Tornedron arrives and drains Trypticon of his energy. Trypticon crashes, and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] is believed destroyed. Sky Lynx attacks, only to have his energy drained as well. [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] leads the Dinobots in retreat, while the other Primitives split up. Tornedron separates into four parts to track them down. He easily dispatches the Mini-Cassettes, chewing on [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] in the process. Headstrong declares that it would be better to [[Furmanism|fight and die]], and the Predacons form [[Predaking]]. Their energy is sucked away as well. The Terrorcons try to fight back, but are also drained. The Dinobots ambush Tornedron, but they too are dispatched. Unknown to Tornedron and Primacron, however, Grimlock has survived, and he follows them.

[[Image:Tornedroncall.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Two scoops of raisins]]

At his base, Primacron is having trouble controlling Tornedron. Tornedron declares that he intends to feed on Primacron, and that all of Primacron's failsafes have failed. Grimlock breaks into Primacron's lab to find that Primacron is a tiny little alien...thing. Grimlock orders Primacron to reverse his damage, but Primacron declares that he's tried everything. Grimlock fixes things easily: He throws the reverse switch, which reverses Tornedron's energy polarity, restoring the energy to the drained Transformers and planets. In celebration, Grimlock destroys Primacron's lab, declaring it the smartest thing he's ever done.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (15)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (16)
* [[Rodimus Prime (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (17)
* [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (19)
* [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (20)
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (21)
* [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (22)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (23)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (25)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (26)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (27)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (28)
* [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (29)
* [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (30)
* [[Slingshot]] (31)
* [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (32)
* [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (36)
* [[Ramhorn]] (42)
* [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] (43)
|c2=
* [[Sweep]]s (3)
* [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (4)
* [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (5)
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (6)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (7)
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (8)
* [[Hun-Gurrr]] (9)
* [[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] (10)
* [[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]] (11)
* [[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (12)
* [[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (13)
* [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (14)
* [[Tantrum]] (18)
* [[Headstrong]] (24)
* [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] (33)
* [[Predaking]] (34)
* [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (35)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (37)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (38)
* [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (39)
* [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]] (40)
* [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]] (41)
|c4=
* [[Primacron]] (1)
* [[Tornedron]] (2)
* [[Oracle (G1)|The Oracle]] (44)
* [[Unicron]] (45)
}}

==Quotes==
"Now remember, before you do anything, think, 'Is this what Sky Lynx would do in my position?', and you will not go far wrong."
:—'''Sky Lynx's''' sensible instructions to the rest of the Primitives.

"I have summoned you here to tell you a tale of long ago." 
"Oh, me Grimlock love long ago tale!" 
"Then allow me to tell it."
:—The '''Oracle''' slaps '''Grimlock''' into place.

"Suffer my rage, monster! I will show you no mercy! You will rue the day you crossed Sky—aaahhh!"
:—'''Sky Lynx'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s righteous fury at the deaths of Trypticon and Grimlock.

'''Headstrong''': Sky Lynx is destroyed! Who will lead us now? 
'''Slag''': I, Slag, lead Dinobots away, till I get better idea. 
'''Hun-Gurrr''': Best idea yet! We run too!
:—Strategy is not their strong suit.

'''Headstrong''': I detest fleeing, I would rather die fighting! 
'''Razorclaw''': He is right! Predacons, unite! 
''[The Predacons combine.]'' 
'''Predaking''': Tornedron... face Predaking! To the end!
:—The Predacons decide that [[Furmanism|it is better to fight and die than live with the knowledge that they ran]].

"Only you can save the world now, Grimlock." 
"Me Grimlock feel important!"
:—The '''Oracle''' rests the fate of... erm, the universe, on '''Grimlock's''' shoulders.

'''Grimlock''': ''[chuckles]'' "''You'' are creator?" 
'''Primacron''': "Unfortunately....yes." 
'''Grimlock''': "Grimlock laugh at little wimp who cause big trouble!"
:—'''Grimlock''', about to give '''Primacron''' a wedgie.

'''Primacron''': We are ''finished''!! I've amplified the energy parameters, minimized the drivormenter, redirected the ion flow! I've tried EVERYTHING! 
'''Grimlock''': Me Grimlock solve problem! Wuh! 
''[Reaches over and pushes switch]'' 
'''Primacron''': Of course, the '''reverse switch!''' Why didn't ''I'' think of that?!
:—The universe's greatest genius gets one-upped by....'''Grimlock'''. Wait. What?!

'''Grimlock''': Grimlock saved universe! Grimlock hero! [Grimlock stomps in victory, causing the place to begin to collapse] 
'''Primacron''': Stop it! You stupid—! 
'''Grimlock''': Why you call Grimlock stupid? 
'''Primacron''': You've ruined my lab! 
'''Grimlock''': Me Grimlock think that is smartest thing I ever done!
:—You know, that probably ''is'' the smartest thing he's ever done.

==Notes==
[[Image:Unicroncall.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Where am I from?]]
* The art style in this episode is very different from all others in the Generation 1 series, with stylized "anime-like" character models and proportions. In fact, the [[Character model|character models]] for this episode are based on the [[Studio Ox]] designs rather than the standard animation models used for the other episodes of the series. It is widely believed that this lone episode was animated by [[Tokyo Movie Shinsha]], though little evidence has been found to confirm this.
*In Japanese continuity, the scene where the Primitives encounter the [[Oracle (G1)|Oracle]] is set in the past; apparently, the Primitives arrived there via time travel. This is done to accommodate the idea that the Oracle later evolved into [[Vector Sigma]] and later [[Primus]].

===Animation or technical glitches===
* When the Dinobots are being summoned, [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] is referred to as [[Sweep]].
*When the Oracle is beginning to talk, Snarl is colored red and yellow.

===Continuity errors===
[[Image:TVMagazineOverkill.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Eject—operation: Understudy."]]
[[Image:Windcharger-COTP01.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Look alive, people! Uh, no offense, Windcharger."]]
* When summoning the Primitives, they forgot all about[[Laserbeak (G1)| Laserbeak]] and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]! Instead, Soundwave unleashes two new cassette Decepticons: [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]] and [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]]...who are then never seen again. Gee. This didn't stop [[TV Magazine]] from proudly displaying them as if they were the stars of the episode though.
* [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] is seen running around on Cybertron, despite having been killed in [[The Transformers: The Movie|the Transformers movie]]. But hey, that [[Carnage in C-Minor|happens]] [[Wheeljack (G1)|all]] [[Prowl (G1)|the]] [[Ironhide (G1)|time]].

===Transformers references===
* This episode marks the last appearance of the Dinobots, Trypticon, Ravage, and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] in the western cartoon...bummer.
{{-}}

===Trivia===
[[Image:Firecall.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Me Grimlock like Predacons and Terrorcons Cajun style]]
* Unicron's origin is a bit...random.
* When Grimlock uses his [[flame breath]] on the Predacons and Terrorcons, they start to ''cough''...cause that's what you do when you're being hit with fire reaching several hundred degrees.
*This episode seems to resolidify the Dinobots' position as freakishly powerful (which took a beating in Season 3), as Grimlock alone seems to be a match for three Terrorcons and two Predacons, and the only Autobot sent flying is Swoop, who takes a blast to the chest early on. Also, the Dinobots seem to handle Tornedron with the most finesse.

==External links==
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/call_of_the_primitives.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

Human Error, Part I

2010-01-04T06:08:46Z

121.45.206.93: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=TFA Human Error Part 1 Automen.jpg
|caption=''Humans Animated'' is a very popular show on Cybertron.
|ep=37
|title="Human Error, Part I"
|airdate=[[April 18]], 2009
|written by=[[Henry Gilroy]]
|directed by=[[Kalvin Lee]] [[Christopher Berkeley]] [[Naoto Hashimoto]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
}}
'''With the Christmas season upon them, the Autobots are not quite themselves following a run-in with Porter C. Powell's new mass-produced Soundwave action figures.'''

==Synopsis==

[[Image:TFAni Human Error Part 1 Powell Soundwave.jpg|thumb|left|180px|He's actually worse than [[wikipedia:Vince Offer|Vince Offer]].]]
It's [[Christmas]] in Detroit, but [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] is not in a festive mood. The hottest toy of the year is [[Sound Wave]], being marketed by [[Porter C. Powell]], who acquired the schematics and patent when he ran [[Sumdac Systems]]. Observing a commercial for the new toy, Optimus notices one of the small robots running across the plaza near the trains. Trying to follow it, he is nearly run over by a train and finally decides that he may be obsessing.

At the plant, [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] are interested in what they got for Christmas, but [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]] tells them that [[Santa Claus]] will know if they try to peek. As the two help Sari decorate, a Sound Wave toy breaks out of the present and does something to the [[oilnog]] that Sari made for the Autobots. The toy is barely able to hide as Optimus, [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]], and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] weigh in on Santa's ability to deliver presents to all the children. Sari tells them to just accept the holiday magic and be thankful for what they have, like family, leading to a toast of the spiked oil. Soon, the Autobots all begin to feel tired and decide to call it a night, as Sari heads back to [[Sumdac Tower]].

[[Image:TFAni Human Error Part 1 Optimus Human.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Who would want to be a human in ''Transformers''? The [[Fandom|fans]] all hate them.]]
The next morning, Optimus wakes up, still woozy, and discovers something frightening: his hands are made of flesh! Falling off his bed in shock, Prime's eyes fall upon a mirror, and he discovers the horrifying truth—He's become a human! Optimus hears Bumblebee and Bulkhead cry out, and discovers that all the other Autobots are human as well. Optimus is convinced that there must be a reason, but a few scans by Ratchet are unable to determine the cause of the change. Looking for Prowl, the Autobots head outside, where they find the ninja is mostly at home with the situation, except he feels that something is wrong. Since they're unable to contact Sari, the Autobots decide to [[roll out|<s>roll ou—</s>]] er, walk to Sumdac Tower.

[[Image:TFA Human Error Sumdac dance.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Truly fun for all ages.]]
The Sumdacs, meanwhile, are exchanging Christmas presents, although Sari is less than impressed with the Soundwave toy she receives, having less-than-fond memories of her previous experience with the musical menace. The next present, a scooter, likewise fails to excite, until her father reveals that it also transforms into a jetpack! Thrilled at the gift, Sari takes off to show the Autobots, leaving her dad dancing and singing along with Sound Wave.

On their way to Sumdac Tower, the Autobots stop at [[Burger Bot]] when Bulkhead experiences the odd sensation of "hunger". Before long, he is also experiencing the thrills and spills of "the bathroom", while Prowl makes the most of his new human form, having a salad and playing peek-a-boo with a greatly amused [[Nancy Witwicky|baby]]. The light-heartedness is brought to an end by a sudden explosion outside, and the Autobots race onto the street to see an armada of airborne [[Decepticon]]s, with [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] in the lead, opening fire on the city! As chaos erupts around them, more Decepticons led by [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] come stomping up the street . A blast from Shockwave sets a nearby building on fire, and Prime orders the Autobots into action despite their frail new forms. While Bulkhead and Bumblebee fight the fire, Prime and Ratchet rescue a woman, and Prowl heads upstairs to save her [[Gary|son]]. At the last minute, Prowl dives out a window several stories up with the boy in his arms and lands with ease, prompting Bulkhead to wonder exactly how he accomplished such a seemingly impossible feat. Before any thought can go into the matter, Starscream transforms to robot mode and lands in front of them!

Carried by her new jetpack to the Autobot plant, Sari is surprised to discover it locked up tight, and even more surprised when the Autobots don't respond to her knocking. She flies into the plant through a skylight, but the whole building seems deserted, so she uses the computer to scan for the Autobots' energy signatures, which turn out to be coming from...inside the plant?

[[Image:TFAni Human Error Part 1 Starscream Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|180px|GET IT OFF GET IT OFF GET IT OFF!]]
As Starscream tears up the street and sends humans scattering in fear, Bulkhead and Bumblebee rather foolishly attempt to attack him, and the results are rather predictable. When Optimus tries slashing the Decepticon with an axe, Starscream backhands him into a wall, breaking his leg. Hearing the Autobots refer to each other by name, Starscream realizes who his opponents are, but is so busy smirking over things that he loses sight of them and finds that he can't tell one human from another! Dismissing them, he departs for more destruction elsewhere, leaving the Autobots to have their injuries tended to by paramedics. Requiring some of Professor Sumdac's technology to fight the Decepticons, the Autobots board a bus to get to the tower quickly.

Back at the Autobots' plant, Sari is still searching for her friends, when suddenly, a [[Laserbeak (Animated)|large, robotic bird]] flies out of a shaft in the floor, followed by a small army of Sound Wave action figures! Sari blasts the evil toys and heads down the shaft to investigate.

[[Image:TFAni Human Error Part 1 Bumblebee vs Blitzwing.jpg|thumb|180px|left|''You spin my head right 'round, right 'round''.]]
At the foot of Sumdac Tower, the Autobots have just stepped off the bus when suddenly, a huge shadow falls over Detroit. Looking up, the stunned Autobots see the entire planet of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] itself hanging in the sky. Sumdac tower is obliterated by a huge planetary laser weapon, and a full-scale Decepticon invasion force swarms the sky, led by [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] himself! The Decepticons are just as surprised by the Automens' appearance as they are, but Megatron decides to take advantage by destroying them last, so that they may watch their adopted home be destroyed. The sheer impossibility of everything that is happening finally hits Optimus Prime and Prowl, who realize that whatever may be happening to them, none of it is real. Megatron seizes Prowl, but amazingly, the Autobot breaks free of his grip, and with a single swipe of his hand, severs Megatron's arm. Blitzwing attempts to crush Prowl beneath his foot, but Bulkhead runs forward and smashes straight through the [[Triple Changer]]'s leg. As Bumblebee pummels Blitzwing's faces and Prowl knocks out Starscream by phasing into his head, Optimus Prime beats Megatron with his own arm, then hurls his axe into the barrel of the Decepticon leader's cannon, causing it to explode. As the dust cloud fades, Cybertron and all of the Decepticons have vanished, and the Autobots come to the realization that they are trapped in some kind of virtual reality.

[[Image:TFA Human Error Part 1 Soundwave Superior.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Giant virtual "Shattered Glass" ''Animated'' Soundwave?]]
Sari makes the same discovery as the Autobots when she reaches the bottom of the secret shaft and discovers their bodies, plugged into machinery being operated by the full-size [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]], who is planning to use the illusion to reprogram the Autobots into Decepticons. Within the virtual world, the Autobots are able to will themselves back into robotic form (although Bulkhead has a little trouble), but before they can take any further actions, a gigantic arm bursts out of the ground beneath them, scooping them up in its hand. Soundwave's giant face looks down upon the Autobots, declaring escape impossible and shocking them all with blasts of purple energy. Soundwave also has his hands full in the real world, as Sari blasts a chunk out of his shoulder with one of her energy-balls,. Soundwave summons Laserbeak, the robotic bird Sari saw earlier, into his arms, where it transforms into a guitar and hits Sari with a powerful sonic shock wave. The wounded Sari retreats, promising to come back for her friends and leaving Soundwave to resume the final phase of his Autobot reprogramming with [[Ratbat (Animated)|another musical instrument]] that bathes the heroic robots in waves of sonic energy. As Soundwave gloats, Optimus Prime's optics activate and begin glowing Decepticon-red...

[[Human Error, Part II|To be continued...]]

==Featured characters==
{{note|Characters in italics appear only as part of Soundwave's virtual reality scenario.}}
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (2)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (3)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (4)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (9)
|c2=
*[[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]] (5)
*''[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]'' (12)
*''[[Lugnut]]'' (13)
*''[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]]'' (14)
*''[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]]'' (15)
*''[[Strika (Animated)|Strika]]'' (16)
*''[[Oil Slick (Animated)|Oil Slick]]'' (17)
*''[[Spittor (Animated)|Spittor]]'' (18)
*''[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]'' (23)
*[[Laserbeak (Animated)|Laserbeak]] (24)
*[[Ratbat (Animated)|Ratbat]] (25)
|c3=
*[[Porter C. Powell]] (6)
*[[Isaac Sumdac]] (7)
*''[[Nancy Witwicky]]'' (10)
*''[[Carly Witwicky (Animated)|Carly Witwicky]]'' (11)
*''[[Daniel Witwicky (Animated)|Daniel Witwicky]]'' (19)
*''[[Spike Witwicky (Animated)|Spike Witwicky]]'' (20)
*''[[Gary]]'' (21)
*''[[Hydra (Masterforce)|Hydra]]'' (22)
*''[[Marty Isenberg]]'' (23)
*''[[Cancer]]'' (24)
|c4=
*[[Sari Sumdac]] (8)
}}

==Quotes==

"That toy rightfully belongs to me, Powell! You are a thieving crook!" 
"And a Merry Christmas to you too, Professor Sumdac, but I acquired your toy's patents fair and square when I owned your company. Now I'm sharing Sound Wave with the entire world, for only $19.99 each." 
"$19.99? ''How does he do it''?!" 
:—'''Professor Sumdac''' unwittingly provides PR for '''Porter C. Powell's''' products. Say that three times fast.

'''Ratchet''': And I'm telling you, there is no way that this "Santa Claus" could deliver billions of presents in one night. 
'''Prowl''': I can think of at least one way. Ho. Ho. Ho. 
''[Prowl projects holograms of himself]'' 
'''Optimus''': A sound theory, Prowl. I did see multiple Santas in the shopping district tonight.
:—The Autobots weigh in on the debate of how Santa does his job.

"We need to get to Sumdac Tower. Auto—uh, men. Transfo—er, uh, roll—er, uh, oh, let's...let's just go."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' has a few slips on his "[[roll out]]" command.

"Why would ze Autobots choose to be human?" 
"Not for the fashion sense, I can tell you that. A-ha-ha-ha!"
:—'''Icy Blitzwing''' and '''Random Blitzwing''', the next [[wikipedia:Tim Gunn|Tim Gunn]].

"Not a creature was stirring, not even a—''[Laserbeak flies out of the Autobrand on the floor]'' creepy robot bird?" 
:—'''Sari Sumdac''' adds a new twist to a classic Christmas tale.

"Oh, look! I have a hole in my rocket!"
:—Even horrible injury cannot faze '''Random Blitzwing'''.

"Hey, we're baaaaack!" 
"Not all of us!" 
"It might help you if you make the noise with your mouth like this: ''Choo-chuh-chah-chik''!" 
"Sounds silly... But, okay. Choo-chuh-chah-chah-chik! ''Choo-chuh-chah-chah-chik''!"
:— '''Bumblebee''' and '''Bulkhead''', making the transformation noise like so many of us do—DID. As children. Yeah.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical errors===
* When Bulkhead sets down his Christmas present, the box is missing the horizontal ribbon it has in the preceding and following shots.
* When Ratchet scans Optimus, all the equipment is human-sized, instead of the much larger, Transformer-scaled size. Of course, it's not actually ''real'', but still.
[[Image:HumanError-DanielSpike.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The popular "Invisible Booster Seat" image from Lolbots.com.]]
* In the bus tram scene, Daniel is shown levitating over his seat.
* We first see [[Nancy Witwicky|Jennifer Witwicky]] for a few frames in the background next to a mom who isn't Carly. She's Carly later, though.
* After the explosion is heard outside the Burger Bot, Bulkhead's previously half-eaten burger is now whole.
* Bulkhead punches Starscream with his right hand...then screams and clutches his ''left'' hand...then after a scene cut, he is shown clutching his ''right'' hand...and later he gets a bandage put on his ''left'' hand. Of course, it's...oh, you get the idea.
* Of course, if this was real, we'd point out that the force with which Starscream smashed Optimus into the wall should probably have killed him, or at least caused a lot more damage than a broken leg. Good thing it's not, then.
* The elevator platform in the Autobots' base shrinks from Autobot-sized at the top (such that Sari is shown to be tiny in comparison to it) to human-sized at the bottom (such that Laserbeak couldn't fit through the door even if it had been open).
* Blitzwing's face changes from Icy to Random when he lifts up his leg, only to be Icy again when he's looking through the hole after the shot changes.
* When Optimus beats Megatron with his own severed arm, the arm is ''freaking colossal'', nearly as big as the rest of Megatron's body (Megatron's face also goes significantly off-model in the same scene). It is also hollow but that is what virtual things look like on the inside.
* When Optimus commands the 'Automen' to transform, one of his human irises are bigger than the other.
* When being held by the giant Soundwave, Prowl is briefly missing his armor.
* The hole Sari blows in Soundwave's backpack comes and goes. Hey, this bit is real!

===Continuity errors===
* Where did Soundwave get images of the Decepticons? In particular, since there are several conceivable ways to get the Earth Decepts' images, what are [[Team Chaar]] and [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] doing there, none of which have been to Earth? [Even if you somehow presume the Autobots themselves generated the images, only Oil Slick—per ''The Arrival'' comic—and Shockwave's head have been seen by any of Optimus' team.]
* Where did Sari's jetpack go while she was on the lift? (For that matter, why did she transform out of her robot mode at all?)
* Lugnut disappears with the other Decepticons, despite the fact none of the Autobots fought him.
* As the giant Soundwave holds the Autobots Prowl is missing his armour in one shot.

===Transformers references===
* [[Derrick Wyatt]] stated this episode was a partial homage to a [[Only Human|"classic" Generation 1 episode]].
* Sari's transforming scooter-jetpack was an early idea that didn't make it into the series, but which was featured in a promotional reel for the ''Animated'' series (seen on the convention circuit in mid-2007 and featured on the DVD included with the "Optimus Prime and Megatron: The Battle Begins" action figure set). The version introduced with this episode is somewhat different from the original concept, which was a pedal-powered tricycle that transformed using the power of the [[AllSpark Key]].
* The scooter's jetpack form is, in turn, based on the backpacks worn by the Acroyear/Acroyer, the villains from Takara's [[Microman]] toyline.
[[Image:HydraMartyCancer.jpg|right|thumb|150px|This is a winning sitcom concept right here.]]
* The [[Burger Bot]] patrons include series head writer [[Marty Isenberg]], [[Carly Witwicky (Animated)|Carly Witwicky]], her baby daughter [[Nancy Witwicky|Nancy]] (who was close to being born during the Season 2 episode "[[Garbage In, Garbage Out]]"), and ''Animated'' homages to the ''[[Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' characters [[Cancer]] and [[Hydra (Masterforce)|Hydra]]. Hydra, Marty, and Cancer are sitting together at one table, indicating a very interesting family.
* Speaking of Masterforce, this episode also features [[Pretender|Transformers turning into people & back]], though in this case it actually makes some kinda sense.
* Starscream's missiles feature the shark-toothed smiley faces sculpted into his Voyager-class toy's missile accessories.
* Cybertron was brought into Earth orbit twice in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1]] series: first in the multipart episode "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 1|The Ultimate Doom]]", and then in the series finale, "[[The Rebirth, Part 3]]".
* Soundwave's declaration of "Autobots inferior; Soundwave superior" is a paraphrase of his Generation 1 namesake's famous line of dialogue from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'': "Soundwave superior, Constructicons inferior."
* The colors on the giant Soundwave in the virtual world come from Takara's "Sonic White" Soundwave MP3 player.
* Prowl had already chopped off Megatron's arm in the [[Transform and Roll Out!|pilot episode]].

===Real-world references===
* Appropriately enough, the first act of this episode incorporates traditional Christmas songs "[[Wikipedia: Carol of the Bells|Carol of the Bells]]", [[Wikipedia: Jingle Bells|Jingle Bells]]" and "[[Wikipedia:God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen|God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen]]" into the background music.
* When Sari's searching the Autobot base for her friends, at one point her jetpack sounds like a [http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Podracer podracer] from ''[[Star Wars]] Episode I: The Phantom Menace''.
* Sari quotes from the Christmas poem, "[[Wikipedia: A Visit from St. Nicholas|A Visit from St. Nicholas]]" (more commonly known as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"), replacing the word "mouse" with "[[Laserbeak (Animated)|creepy robot bird]]".
* When Laserbeak chases Sari into the elevator, he makes sounds like a seagull.
* Bumblebee says "We're not in Detroit anymore," which is another twist on an oft-paraphrased line from ''The Wizard of Oz''.
* The scene of Cybertron blowing up [[Sumdac Tower]] is straight out of the mid-90s summer blockbuster ''Independence Day'', in which an alien mothership blows up the White House in a similar manner while using the [[Death Star]] sound effect from ''Star Wars''.
* The whole idea of the heroes acting in a virtual world where only those aware of its true nature can break the laws of physics is similar to [[Wikipedia: The Matrix (series)|the ''Matrix'' series]].
* Prowl going in to the burning building to save the child is highly resembling to a scene in ''Spider-Man 2'', where Peter Parker does the same thing, and both were stripped of their "suit" (if one counts the Autobot shells as a suit).

===Trivia===
* This episode features an unusually high amount of [[stock footage]] by ''Animated'' standards. Starscream's sequence is a few seconds longer than when it was last seen in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 1]]". Of course, all the sequences of the "human" Autobots transforming have been re-edited.
* Apparently, in future Detroit, you are allowed to use public transportation while bearing a giant axe. Well, it ''is'' Detroit...
* Back in "[[Sound and Fury]]", Soundwave's voice was modulated using only one tone, meaning it never rose or fell. With this episode, more tones are introduced into his voice, allowing it to rise and fall in the same manner as his [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Soundwave (G1)|counterpart]].
* Sari's abilities include being capable of holding a full barrel of oil on each hand and surviving getting slammed into a wall by Laserbeak and Soundwave. Plus she makes a mean oilnog.
* Man, Professor Sumdac sure can ''dance''.
* Now in his Samurai armor, Prowl can make two or more holographic projections of himself, wheras he could only make one at a time before getting his new armor. It's ''that'' awesome!
* Technically, since most of this episode wasn't real, most of the errors above can be dismissed. So nyah!
* This isn't the [[Bee in the City|first time]] Bumblebee has a taste of human food.
* Considering the presence of snow at the end of the first season, and now again here, it seems fairly obvious that it's been well over a year since the Autobots awoke from their stasis under Lake Erie. Additionally, while "[[Along Came a Spider]]" explicitly showed the Autobots' first Halloween, this is never said to be their first Christmas.
* Just when you thought he couldn't get any more awesome, Prowl becomes a Ghost/Cop/Ninja.

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

The Transformers (G1 PS2)

2010-01-03T08:04:00Z

121.45.206.93: /* Non-player characters */

{{disambig2|the Japanese PS2 game|the English PS2 game|Transformers (Melbourne House)}}
{{cleanup|August 2009|Decepticon story section needs general cleanup.}}
[[Image:TF tatakai.jpg|right|200px|thumb|My CG cinematic sequences are about as good as [[Transformers (Melbourne House)|your]] in-game graphics!]]
'''''Transformers''''' (also known under the name ''Transformers Tatakai'') is a Japanese video game for the Sony Playstation 2 based on the ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''Transformers'' series]]. It was developed by Winkysoft and published by Atlus on October 30th, 2003. After choosing a side, you can take a squad of three Transformers on action missions, gathering numerous new troops along the way.

Even though all of the dialog in the game is in English with an option to set all of the text in the game to English as well, this game was never released in America. The two most likely reasons are [[Hasbro]]'s lack of involvement with the title, and the game's apparent unanimous panning by critics in Japan.

You know things are messed up when ''[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s'' voice actor pulls off a better [[Peter Cullen]] than the actor who plays [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]].

==Gameplay==
[[Image:Ps2tatakai gamemechanics.jpg|right|180px|thumb|]]
{{bigquote|The invisible wall seems to have disappeared. Looks like we can't get rid of that wall unless we take care of all of them.|[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]}}

Gameplay consists of punching and kicking your way through canyons, hillsides, and roadways where legions of cloned opponents await you. There is very little in the way of creative gameplay and everything gets very repetitive very fast. The environments are very small and closed in, so don't expect to go roaming around on any wayward adventure. You're there to duke it out with the enemy, and that's it.

==Setting==
[[Image:Ps2tatakai callofthefuture.jpg|right|180px|thumb|]]
The game's story takes its cue from the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] continuity, even specifically referring to the events of several episodes, such as "[[Fire on the Mountain]]". It is (presumably) set in 2003, the year it was released, but , via [[time travel]], also features characters from an alternate future which branched off from cartoon continuity in late 2010 (after the events of [[Webworld]]", but before "[[The Return of Optimus Prime]]"). It does not seem to be officially considered part of the [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]], however; it features several anachronistic appearance by characters who are ''not'' time-travelling (the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]], for instance, are shown to be working with their respective factions, when they will not leave their homeworld to do so until 2011), and its events were not included in the painfully comprehensive [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|2007 timeline]].

==Story==
[[Image:Ps2tatakai shockwave2.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Shockwave's reign of terror and destruction!]]
In the year 2010, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], who has grown disgruntled with Galvatron's abusive leadership, discovers the [[Zel Quartz]] on [[Zel Samine]]. Realizing that it is a power source even greater than the [[Heart of Cybertron]], Shockwave implants the Quartz into himself. He stages a one-robot coup and becomes the leader of the Decepticons...until the surging power load fries his systems and he malfunctions, running amok. He destroys much of both the Autobot and Decepticon armies and eventually destroys [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] itself before setting out to raze many innocent planets.

Unable to stop Shockwave in the present, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] allies with the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]] to send an elite cadre back in time to destroy the Quartz before Shockwave discovers it.

In 2003, both the Autobots and Decepticons detect an explosion caused by the arrival of visitors from the future over Zel Samine and send teams to investigate. Both sides lose contact with their teams. The Autobots send another team consisting of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] to investigate, but their shuttle crashes, and Wheeljack learns that an abnormality in Zel Samine's sun causes electromechanical systems to malfunction and drains them of their power. The Decepticons likewise send [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] arriving later by [[Space Bridge]], a very bumpy ride).

The Space Bridge malfunctions, causing significant damage to the Decepticon ship. The Decepticons lure the Autobots away from their own shuttle in order to steal their supply of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] and use it to repair their own shuttle. Afterwards, both sides skirmish over a series of local power sources, including the wind-power facility on [[Mount Jaad]], the [[Ranpas Geothermal Plant]], and the [[Mongan Hydroelectric Power Station]]. Along the way, both sides encounter members of their missing reconnaissance teams.

Both sides also encounter their counterparts from the future: the Autobots Rodimus Prime, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]; and the Decepticons [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]. Galvatron reveals his identity to Megatron, but lies to him about the Zel Quartz, claiming he rules the universe in the future and it is part of an Autobot doomsday weapon that must be destroyed.

Pursuing stories of items that may be the Zel Quartz, both sides clash over the [[Gem of Mystery]] at the [[Lazalt Ruins]], a superhard mineral in a drill bit at [[Karzite Mine]], and a giant crystal formation at the [[Atalstan gem mine]]. None of those leads pay off, but the planet's central archive includes reference to a "Zel Stone" which is part of the [[ELTA]] power transmission array, matching descriptions of the Zel Quartz exactly.

Both sides stage a climactic confrontation at ELTA (which is either destroyed or kept intact, depending on the winner) to capture the Quartz. After the battle is done, Starscream, who has overheard Galvatron and Cyclonus discussing the Quartz's true nature, rushes in to steal the Quartz for himself, jetting off into space with it.

Unbeknownst to Starscream, the physical structure of the quartz requires the atmospheric and electromagnetic properties of [[Zel Samine]] to maintain its integrity. Because he has fled into space rather than installing the Quartz on the planet as Shockwave had (and thus protecting it), the Quartz immediately degrades and becomes powerless. Outside of the atmosphere, exposed to the effects of Zel Samine's star without the Quartz's power to protect him, Starscream drifts powerless, left to contemplate his mistakes.

Their own timeline averted, the future Autobots and Decepticons vanish into sparkles of light, and Optimus Prime and Megatron are left to contemplate what they've learned from the experience.

===Autobot Story===
{{stub}}

===Decepticon Story===
Starscream and Soundwave are in the shuttle, which has crash-landed in a cave on Zel. Megatron is absent, as he is on the Space Bridge. There were many instabilities in the route, but they believed it would work. However, when they tried it again, the Space Bridge was broken. Starscream, not wanting to wait for repairs, decides to go where Megatron was supposed to be and find him.

However, when they arrive at his estimated rendezvous point, there is no one there. They are a bit confused, but nevertheless, Starscream decides to pass the time and make himself new leader of the Decepticons. At that very moment, Megatron appears from out of nowhere. He announces that he went off-course, but found that the Autobots were here as well. Megatron then calls Optimus, Wheeljack, and Jazz, and announces that the Decepticons will arrive at their shuttle to destroy them once and for all. However, Wheeljack warns him that they will have to deal with ''him'' first. Starscream is confused as to why Megatron alerted the Autobots to their attack. Megatron just states that the Autobots won't try anything tricky if they fight fairly. He then asks if Starscream would like to become an Autobot, as he believes Starscream doesn't trust him. Starscream refuses, stating he'd "rather die". He also suggests that they pick a team and formation for the attack, and Megatron agrees.

Their initial progress across the planet is hindered by an invisible wall, however. Within its confines, they encounter Ironhide and two other Autobots. After the Autobots are defeated, the invisible wall disappears, and the Decepticons realize the direct causal connection: Defeat Autobots, and the invisible walls go away. Following more skirmishes, they encounter Wheeljack. After a long battle, he loses and withdraws, and the trio continue their route.

However, they see a mine field, possibly made by Wheeljack. They manage to get through it safely, scrap some Autobots and look good all at the same time.

After traveling a great distance, they encounter Optimus Prime. This leads to a long, tough brawl for the Decepticons, but they manage to defeat Prime and the Autobots. Megatron is on the verge of destroying Prime, but the Autobot retreats. Megatron is outraged, but decides to take the energon cubes instead.

Soundwave and Megatron later discuss their views on a U.F.O. Soundwave asks Megatron if he has felt something particularly odd since arriving on the planet. Megatron acknowledges he has, and Soundwave relates the unusual events that have occurred since arriving there. It's almost as if something was trying to cause them problems, so he made a study of the planet. According to his findings, the planet's sun is very dangerous to Transformers. It is constantly beaming electro-magnetic rays which can harm them greatly and cause their energon to evaporate when they are at high altitudes. To complete the repairs on the shuttle, they need to get some energy.

The Decepticons decide to go to the Jaad wind power plant. Starscream believes the mission to be absurd and a waste of time, but Soundwave explains it is not. He also notes the Autobots are already there, but Starscream says this will be no problem: He'll just blast them away. Soundwave, however, shows Starscream how a real subordinate should behave. Starscream eases off for now, believing he'll take care of Megatron soon enough. Soundwave suggests they select a team and formation for the mission.

They head for the power plant. Along the way, they encounter the Autobot Headmaster Brainstorm. Brainstorm retreats after they defeat him and a lot of other Autobots, but once the Decepticons arrive at the main station, they also encounter Hound. They then defeat him and take all the energy. While leaving with it, they encounter the Decepticon Headmaster Snapdragon, part of the exploration team. He joins the team, much to Megatron's enthusiasm. If the player goes through a second time, however, they encounter Weirdwolf, instead.

Soundwave suggests using the energy to repair the shuttle, while Starscream is still thinking about the mission. Megatron is somehow aware of his thoughts, but not their exact content. He notes that Starscream will never catch him sleeping and begins assigning the Decepticons to their next destination—a geothermal power plant. Starscream complains that it's primitive and, because it's underground, he can't fly within the facility. Then, Laserbeak returns and Soundwave reports that the Autobots are taking up defensive positions around the plant. Megatron decided to select the team and stop the idle chit-chat.

When they arrive, Megatron is surprised at the power. Unfortunately, the door up ahead is locked. They have to destroy the Autobots and blast the generator. They finally do so, but after a while, they encounter Grotusque. They defeat him, he retreats, and they move on, after Megatron insults him as ugly. Hey, who can blame him?

The more they continue fighting the Autobots, the closer they get to the main generator. And the closer they get, the more damage they take due to the magma. They finally makee it to the generator, but then encounter the Monsterbot, Doublecross. They defeat him and began to take the energy from the generator. Then, Blitzwing arrives, scoffing at them that it took them too long to get here, and joins the party. If the player is here a second time, they find Skullcruncher, instead.

They manage to draw out all the energon cubes, but are unable to program as much energy as planned. Soundwave apologizes; Megatron tells him that it was Starscream's fault, as he was doing something with the energon cubes, but Starscream denies it. Then, Laserbeak returns and Megatron notices the resemblance between him and Starscream, such as the ability to fly and the colors. He also points out that Laserbeak is very loyal. It was also Laserbeak who informed to Megatron about Starscream's activities. Starscream dismisses this and goes to get the energon cubes and repair the ship for a while. Megatron also warns him that his temper/fuse is the shortest in the universe. Megs thinks to himself that he might have Starscream destroy Optimus Prime.

Their next objective is to go to a hydroelectric power station. Now it's Soundwave's turn to complain. He, knowing that the Autobots have taken defensive positions around the plant, asks for a less well-guarded person for the job. Megatron is dismayed, believing that he's afraid. He orders to send the troops out and never hear anything like this again. He then calls back to the time they arrived on Earth. Starscream remembers this and decides to teach those tin-minnows another lesson. They choose their team and formation.

They have to get through the forest first, though. And the fog is very dense. Nevertheless, they make their way through and, on the way, defeat Highbrow. They finally arrive at the power plant and defeat some Autobots. It takes a long time, but they reach the main power station, where they are stopped by Bumblebee. They easily defeat him and take most of the energy. Then, they find Astrotrain and he joins the team. If the player goes a second time, they will find Mindwipe, instead.

Later, Soundwave admits he was wrong to criticize the plans and Megatron suggests he shut up and listen to him, from now on.

Later, Laserbeak reports that the Autobots have made contact with the UFO. The Decepticons are in trouble now, but Megatron doesn't realize this. They send a team to their rendezvous point to stop them!

Unfortunately, when they arrive, no one is there. Just then, Rodimus Prime appears. Rodimus is surprised, but remembers it was from ''this'' era. Megatron recognizes him as Hot Rod, but then realizes he isn't. Rodimus remembers that he doesn't know him yet and introduces himself, explaining that he is from the future. He warns that if he destroys all the Autobots in this era, he won't be parting on friendly terms. He defeats him and asked some questions. But at that moment, a figure which looks like Megatron in a few ways appears and blasted Rodimus. It is revealed to be Galvatron. He notices the face resemblance. Galvatron is about to explain, but Rodimus escapes. Galvatron and Megatron are furious, as Megatron needed information. Galvatron knows it was the UFO. He asks him to take him and his companions to the Decepticon Headquarters and then, they can talk.

{{note|The boss is different during the second attempt. Instead, the player faces an army of Megatron clones, made by Wheeljack. After the battle, Wheeljack retreats and drops a capsule. The future Decepticons rejoins the player and Soundwave explains that the capsule contains a message from the Quintessons, which explains why they were here. Then, Dark Hot Rod appears and joins the team.}}

Later, they are talking about the events of the future. He lies about most of it, but revealed that Galvatron is really Megatron's future self. Starscream is very surprised, but Megatron can feel that he's right. Before Galvatron continues, he says to send Shockwave outside, if he's here. Then, they continue.

Meanwhile, at the Autobot Shuttle, Rodimus and his crew are talking of the events of the future. It was revealed that Shockwave, Megatron's faithful servant, turns traitor. He examines Galvatron and his changes in personality very carefully and becomes a one-robot mutiny, as Galvatron started to lose his authority. Rodimus tells Optimus about the story of Shockwave and an item known as Zel Quartz.

''Shockwave discovered that a being born on Cybertron would gain an extra power boost if the Quartz was installed in their body. So, he pulls a "Starscream Move" and makes himself leader of the Decepticons. However, his circuits could not stand the extra power loads and it malfunctioned. He ran amok and was unstoppable! Even the Autobots and Decepticons tried to stop him, but most of them were killed and Cybertron, along with other planets, were destroyed. He would not stop until all the planets were bathed in fire. So the elite of the survivors sought help from the Quintessons. They provided them a shuttle with a TransWarp signature, where they planned on keeping Shockwave from ever finding the Quartz and defeat him, once and for all!''

Unfortunately, a disruption in space-time occurred, as a result, and the forces were scattered. They have been unable to contact their comrades. The Autobots have to destroy the Quartz before the Decepticons do. When Optimus asks where it was.....well, that's the problem.

They don't know. It is called Zel Quartz in the future, but the name in this era is unknown. They tell them that it's material for an Autobot Doomsday Weapon. The Decepticons have to get the Quartz before they do. Galvatron agrees and decidedsto keep quiet about Shockwave and the Quartz's real power for a while, or it will be harder to get the Quartz for himself when the time is right.

Later, Cyclonus coordinates with Soundwave's information and determines three possible locations and tells Galvatron of this. He decides to search them one by one. Cyclonus wonders why they just go through the trouble of finding the Quartz. Galvatron tells him that if the truth was told, Megatron would try to take the Quartz for himself and might be able to defeat Unicron, thus erasing Galvatron, Scourge, and Cyclonus from existence. With that, they leave to tell Megatron of the possible locations. Unfortunately, Starscream overheard the entire conversation. As he suspected, the future Decepticons are up to no good. However, he decides to keep it a secret, as he will get the Quartz for himself!

The first location is the Lazalt Ruins. Starscream suspects that looters probably stole it years ago, even if it was here. However, Cyclonus notes that they were recently discovered. The structures are thought to be built by intelligent life forms from another planet (not unlike the [[Vok]] in Beast Wars and Transformers Animated). There are also rumors that local archaeologists unearthed an unknown crystal known as the "Gem of Mystery". It is a high possibility that it is the Zel Quartz. Confirmation of what Cyclonus says are recent human research. Megatron saw it very familiar to items found in the [[Andes Mountains]] in South America. It would not surprise him if such a thing also exists here. The Autobots, however, anticipated them and posted guards. Galvatron suggests a good team, but Megatron notes that this is ''his'' era and Galvatron will not give orders. They have a little argument about the team selection until Soundwave and Cyclonus are selected.

==Characters==
Below is a list of some of the characters that appear in the game:

===Playable Autobots===
[[Image:Doublecross mb.jpg|right|220px|thumb|Doublecross as seen in the Video game.]]
{{collist|3|
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]]
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]]
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]]
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]
*[[Brainstorm]]
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]]
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]
*[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]]
*[[Grotusque]]
*[[Doublecross]]}}

===Playable Decepticons===
[[Image:Ps2tatakai full-tilt.jpg|right|154px|thumb|I failed to transform in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|TV show]]]]
{{collist|3|
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]
*[[Snapdragon]]
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]
*[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]
*[[Gnaw|Sharkticon]]
*[[Octane]]
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]
*[[Weirdwolf]]
*[[Skullcruncher]]
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]
*[[Dark Hot Rod]]
*[[Apeface]]
*[[Sixshot]]
*[[Full-Tilt]]}}

{{note|Not all the characters are unlocked when you beat a storyline for the first time; they will only go up to Ultra Magnus and Shockwave. This encourages the player to go back and try again to get the rest. There are also some changes made to the story after beating it the first time.}}

===Non-player characters===
====Autobots====
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
* [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]
* [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
* [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]
* [[Raiden]]
* [[Computron (G1)|Computron]]
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]
* [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]]
* [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]]
* [[Pointblank]]
* [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]]
* [[Punch (G1)|Punch/Counterpunch]]
* [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]
*

====Decepticons====
{{collist|3|
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnell]] {{sic}}
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Motormaster]]
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]]
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]]
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]
*[[Predaking]]
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]]
*[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]]
*[[Headstrong]]
*[[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]]
*[[Hun-Gurrr]]
*[[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]]
*[[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]]
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]]
*[[Triggerhappy]]
*[[Misfire|Missfire]] {{sic}}
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundblaster]]
*[[Wingspan]]
*[[Pounce]]
*[[Battletrap]]
*[[Flywheels]]
}}

==External links==
*[http://www.atlus.co.jp/cs/game/takara/gameinfo/charactor/transformer.html ''Transformers'' game page at Atlus.co.jp]
*[http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=Sesq0 Gameplay videos on YouTube]
*Video game site [http://ign.com ''IGN''] did a [http://ps2.ign.com/articles/520/520165p1.html humorous comparison] between the Atlus-developed ''Generation 1'' game and the later [[Melbourne House]]-developed [[Transformers (Melbourne House)|''Armada'' game]] as a "battle between Japan and Australia". Australia won.
* [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/file/917923/27448 GameFAQs' overview of the game]

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[[Category:Generation 1 video games]]