Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)

2008-06-04T00:22:36Z

70.245.233.87:

{{nav-BW}}

With sales of the [[Generation 2]] toyline proving unremarkable by 1995, [[Hasbro]] faced a choice: end the Transformers brand for a second time, or completely revamp the concept. They chose the second option, and '''Beast Wars''' was the result.

The new franchise consisted entirely of robots who transformed into beasts: insects, mammals, and more. The traditional factions of Autobot and Decepticon were replaced with heroic [[Maximal|Maximals]] and evil [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]. Most radically, the beast modes were intended to represent fully natural and organic animals, as opposed to the "mechanical beasts" represented by the likes of G1's Dinobots and Terrorcons.

[[Image:Bwmegatron_toy.jpg|left|thumb|250px|"I can hear you. You're whistling ''Yankee Doodle Dandee''. Which is the theme song to BARNEY THE DINOSAUR!!!"]]

The Beast Wars toyline brought poseability to full fruition. Whereas G2 marketed a handful of toys as "super poseable", Beast Wars made it standard for virtually every toy. Heavy use of ball joints gave the figures unprecedented degrees of freedom -- often greater than that of a normal, non-transforming action figure. Poseability -- a rarity in the days of G1 -- became commonplace and expected after Beast Wars.

Concealed parts and weapons also became standard during Beast Wars. Again, G2 had introduced a number of toys whose [[kibble]] had a place to store when not in use, but it was Beast Wars that made it a universal feature.

[[Image:Airazorbwtoy1.jpg|right|thumb|100px|"I tawt I taw a [[Tigatron|puddy tat.]]"]]

Beast Wars also introduced a standardized system of price points to Transformers: $5 Basics, $10 Deluxes, $15 Megas, and $20 Ultras. The price for Basics eventually rose to $7, but the system remained largely unaltered through the end of Beast Machines. Portions of the system continue to be used today (the Basics were "Scouts" during the Cybertron franchise, and the Mega has been replaced with the $20, slightly-larger "Voyager".) A rarely-seen, extra-large Super class was introduced with the Optimal Optimus toy in 1998, which was also the first Transformer toy to feature a true vehicle mode since the end of G2.

The toyline evolved over its three and a half year run. 1996–97 featured purely-organic beasts exclusively. 1998 was dominated by two sublines: [[Fuzor|Fuzors]], whose beast modes combined aspects of two different animals, and [[Transmetal|Transmetals]], which featured metallic-finished chrome and sleekly mechanical beast modes. In 1999, the Transmetal 2s were the primary offering, featuring asymetrical and often bizarrely patchwork fusions of mechanical and organic in both modes.

[[Image:Transmetal_rhinox_toy.jpg|left|thumb|200px|A kid could [[For safety reasons|poke an eye out]] with that horn.]]

Beast Wars largely ended as a toyline when Hasbro elected to revamp the franchise and re-introduce vehicular Transformers, leading to the [[Beast Machines]] toyline. Though a new franchise, Beast Machines continued many aspects of the Beast Wars toyline including a number of major characters, the Maximal faction, and beast forms that combined mechanical and organic aspects. Furthermore, the Beast Wars title would continue to grace sporadic toys such as store exclusives, convention exclusives, and a [[Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|10th anniversary line]] in 2006. And [[Beast Wars Telemocha Series|another 10th anniversary line]] for Japan in 2007.

== 1996 ==

===Maximal===

'''Basic'''
*[[Armordillo]] (armadillo)
*[[Optimus Primal]] (fruit bat)
*[[Rattrap]] (rat)
*[[Razorbeast]] (razorback)

'''Deluxe'''
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (cheetah)
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (''Velociraptor'')
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (rhinoceros)
*[[Tigatron]] (white tiger)
*[[Wolfang]] (wolf)

'''Mega'''
*[[Polar Claw]] (polar bear)

'''Ultra'''
*[[Optimus Primal]] (gorilla)

'''McDonald's Happy Meal Toys'''
*[[Panther]] (panther)
*[[Rhino]] (rhinoceros)
*[[Under-3]] (lion head)

===Predacon===

'''Basic'''
*[[Iguanus (BW)|Iguanus]] (frilled lizard)
*[[Insecticon (BW)|Insecticon]] (stag beetle)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (crocodile)
*[[Snapper]] (snapping turtle)
*[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] (''Pteranodon'')

'''Deluxe'''
*[[Blackarachnia]] (black widow spider)
*[[Buzz Saw (BW)|Buzz Saw]] (hornet)
*[[Tarantulas]] (tarantula)
*[[Waspinator]] (wasp)

'''Mega'''
*[[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] (scorpion)

'''Ultra'''
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (''Tyrannosaurus rex'')

'''McDonald's Happy Meal Toys'''
*[[Beetle]] (beetle)
*[[Manta Ray (BW)|Manta Ray]] (manta ray)

==1997==
===Maximal===

'''Basic'''
*[[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] (falcon)
*[[Claw Jaw]] (Humboldt squid)
*[[Snarl (BW)|Snarl]] (Tasmanian Devil)
*[[Optimus Primal|Convobat]] (fruit bat)

'''Deluxe'''
*[[Bonecrusher (BW)|Bonecrusher]] (American bison)
*[[Cybershark]] (hammerhead shark)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (''Velociraptor'')
*[[K-9]] (German Shepherd)

'''Mega'''
*[[B'Boom]] (mandrill)
*[[Grizzly-1|Barbearian]] (grizzly bear)

'''Ultra Combiner [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]]'''
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (African elephant)
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (lion)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (bald eagle)

'''Microverse'''
*[[Orcanoch]] (orca whale/Maximal base)

'''Egg Beasts'''
*[[Eggbird]] (egg/bird)
*[[Eggbot]] (egg)
*[[Eggleo]] (egg/lion)

===Predacon===

'''Basic'''
*[[Drill Bit (BW)|Drill Bit]] (Boll weevil)
*[[Lazorbeak]] (''Pteranodon'')
*[[Powerpinch]] (earwig)
*[[Razorclaw (BW)|Razorclaw]] (fiddler crab)
*[[Spittor]] (poison arrow frog)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megalligator]] (alligator)

'''Deluxe'''
*[[Jetstorm (BW)|Jetstorm]] (dragonfly)
*[[Manterror]] (praying mantis)
*[[Retrax]] (pill bug)
*[[Shadow Panther]] (black jaguar)

'''Mega'''
*[[Double Punch (BW)|Double Punch]] (scorpion)
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (fire ant)
*[[Transquito]] (mosquito)

'''Ultra Combiner [[Tripredacus]]'''
*[[Cicadacon]] (cicada)
*[[Ram Horn (BW)|Ram Horn]] (rhinoceros beetle)
*[[Sea Clamp]] (lobster)

'''Microverse'''
*[[Arachnid]] (spider/Predacon base)

'''Egg Beasts'''
*[[Dark Eggbird]] (egg/bird)
*[[Dark Eggbot]] (egg)
*[[Dark Eggleo]] (egg/lion)

==1998==

===Maximal===

'''Basic'''
*[[Air Hammer]] (hammerhead shark/ hawk [[Fuzor]])
*[[Bantor]] (baboon/ tiger Fuzor)
*[[Noctorro]] (bull/ bat Fuzor)

'''Deluxe'''
*[[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] ([[Transmetal]] falcon)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (Transmetal cheetah)
*[[Rattrap]] (Transmetal rat)
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (Transmetal rhinoceros)
*[[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]] (wolf/ eagle Fuzor)
*[[Torca]] (orca whale/ elephant Fuzor)

'''Mega'''
*[[Optimus Primal]] (Transmetal gorilla)

'''Ultra'''
*[[Depth Charge]] (Transmetal manta ray)

'''Super'''
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimal Optimus]] (Transmetal gorilla)

'''McDonald's Happy Meal Toy'''
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (Transmetal ''Velociraptor'')

===Predacon===

'''Basic'''
*[[Buzzclaw (BW)|Buzzclaw]] (praying mantis/ lizard Fuzor)
*[[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] (scorpion/ cobra Fuzor)
*[[Terragator]] (alligator/ terrapin Fuzor)
*[[Vice Grip]] (earwig)

'''Deluxe'''
*[[Injector]] (lionfish/hornet Fuzor)
*[[Sky Shadow (BW)|Sky Shadow]] (iguana/ dragonfly Fuzor)
*[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (Transmetal tarantula)
*[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] (Transmetal Pteranodon)
*[[Waspinator]] (Transmetal wasp)

'''Mega'''
*[[Antagony]] (fire ant)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (Transmetal Tyrannosaurus rex)
*[[Scavenger (BW)|Scavenger]] (Transmetal fire ant)

'''Ultra'''
*[[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] (Transmetal crab)

'''McDonald's Happy Meal Toys'''
*[[Blackarachnia]] (Transmetal black widow spider)
*[[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] (Transmetal scorpion)

==1999==

===Maximal===

'''Basic'''
*[[Night Glider]] (Transmetal 2 flying squirrel)
*[[Optimus Minor]] ([[Transmetal 2]] spider monkey)
*[[Sonar (BW)|Sonar]] (Transmetal 2 bat)
*[[Stinkbomb]] (Transmetal 2 skunk)

'''Deluxe'''
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (cheetah, [[Fox Kids]] redeco)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (Transmetal cheetah, Fox Kids redeco)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (Transmetal 2 cheetah)
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (''Velociraptor'', Fox Kids redeco)
*[[Jawbreaker]] (Transmetal 2 spotted hyena)
*[[Prowl (BW)|Prowl]] (Transmetal 2 owl)
*[[Ramulus]] (Transmetal 2 ibex)
*[[Rattrap]] (Transmetal rat, Wal-Mart exclusive)
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (black rhinoceros, Fox Kids redeco)
*[[Windrazor]] (wolf/eagle Fuzor)

'''Mega'''
*[[Blackarachnia]] (Transmetal 2 black widow spider)
*[[Cybershark]] (Transmetal 2 great white shark)

'''Ultra'''
*[[Tigerhawk]] (Transmetal 2 tiger/ falcon Fuzor)

===Predacon===

'''Basic'''
*[[Scarem]] (Transmetal 2 stag beetle)
*[[Spittor]] (Transmetal 2 poison arrow frog)

'''Deluxe'''
*[[Dinobot II|Dinobot]] (Transmetal 2 ''Velociraptor'')
*[[Iguanus (BW)|Iguanus]] (Transmetal 2 frilled lizard)
*[[Scourge (BW)|Scourge]] (Transmetal 2 locust)
*[[Tarantulas]] (Transmetal tarantula, Fox Kids redeco)
*[[Waspinator]] (hornet, Fox Kids redeco)

'''Mega'''
*[[Sandstorm (BW)|Sandstorm]] (scorpion)

'''Ultra'''
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (Transmetal 2 dragon)

==2000==

===Maximals===

'''Deluxe'''
*[[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] ([[Transmetal]] falcon, Fox kids redeco)
*[[Rattrap]] (Transmetal rat, Fox Kids redeco)
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (Transmetal rhinoceros, Fox Kids redeco)

'''Mega'''
*[[Apelinq]] (Transmetal gorilla)

===Predacon===

'''Deluxe'''
*[[Waspinator]] (Transmetal hornet, Fox Kids redeco)

'''Ultra'''
*[[Shokaract]] (Transmetal crab)

===Mutants===

'''Deluxe'''
*[[Icebird]] (polar bear/ snowy owl [[Mutant (BW)|Mutant]])
*[[Poison Bite]] (barracuda/ scorpion Mutant)
*[[Razor Claw (Mutant)|Razor Claw]] (''Velociraptor''/ wolverine Mutant)
*[[Soundwave (BW)|Soundwave]] (alligator/ bat Mutant)

==2001==

===Predacon===
'''Deluxe'''
*[[Ravage (G1)|Tripredacus Agent]] (Transmetal 2 black jaguar, Wal-Mart exclusive)

[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Beast Wars| ]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Dinoforce

2008-06-03T23:42:02Z

70.245.233.87: /* Trivia */

:''The Dinoforce are a [[Decepticon]] subgroup from the [[Victory (franchise)|Victory]] portion of [[Generation 1]].''

The '''Dinoforce''' has the combined brainpower of a melon. A very, very stupid melon. They are looked down upon by the other Decepticons, most notably the [[Breastforce]], because they're just so darn stupid. Despite being dinosaurs, they are not very strong and resort to combining into [[Dinoking]] in a tight spot. The [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] they ain't.

Rather uniquely, the Dinoforce's Pretender shells appear to have some level of independent thought; when the Dinoforce aren't merged with them, they can think and act on their own, though usually simply doing whatever they were told to do by their robot masters. In fact, team leader [[Goryu]] rides around on on the back of his shell rather than within it. Another odd thing is that the Dinoforce rarely—possibly never—seem to convert into their "monster" alternate modes when outside of their shells.

The Dinoforce consist of:

*[[Goryu]] (leader)
*[[Kakuryu]]
*[[Gairyu]]
*[[Yokuryu]]
*[[Rairyu]]
*[[Doryu]]

They can combine to form [[Dinoking]].

:'''Crackhead English-Malay dub name:''' ''The Dinosaur Regiment''

==Fiction==
===Victory cartoon===
The Dinoforce was frequently used by [[Deathsaurus]], likely because he didn't have any other troops other than the Breast Force at his disposal, and thus if he got rid of them before the series started, then he wouldn't have had any troops ''at all''. The bumbling idiots miserably failed every mission they were given, and about their only purpose to the plot other than comic relief is that an attack by them killed [[Jean Minakaze]]'s parents. Presumably, the parents laughed themselves to death, either at the sight of the Dinofarce in action, or else at Star Saber's melodramatic dialogue. Eventually, when Deathsaurus raided the energy from [[Atlantis]], he abandoned the Dinoforce to die, despite their blind loyalty to him. Out of resentment for being betrayed, they supplied the information that Deathsaurus's giant fortress had a weak point. When last seen, the Dinoforce appeared to have turned good. Or they may simply have been confused. As their possible ancestors [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] and [[Sludge|Sludge]] once discussed: "Which ones friends?" "The ones with face like this, I think."

===Victory manga===

==Toys==
===Victory===
*'''Dinoking''' (Multi-pack, 1989)
:''Japanese ID number'': '''D-328'''

: The Dinoforce toys share the same robot molds as the [[Hasbro]] [[Pretender Monster]]s, but their [[Pretender]] shells are modeled after dinosaurs with cyborg armor attachments rather than monsters. Each one transforms into a small monster-robot, plus has a third mode as part of the combiner robot Dinoking.

: The entire team was available both as six individually packaged pieces and in a big six-bot set as Dinoking.

==Trivia==
* The Dinoforce shells are notable for developing a green patina on the painted-gold portions, as well as a slimy texture over their whole surface over time. What causes this is unknown, but ''ick''. Even previously unopened samples will develop this nastiness. While some water and a little bit of hand-soap should take care of the slime, there's not much to be done about the green discoloration.

* Note that although "Dinoforce" is spelled out in English on the toy packaging, the group breaks Japanese ''Transformers'' convention by not actually being referred to by their English name in the animated series. Instead, they are identified as the "''Kyoryu Sentai''", literally, the "'''Dinosaur War Squad'''".

* Despite their comical nature, the Dinoforce are among the few Decepticons that have been seen to kill humans.

* As opposed to the Pretenders in [[Super-God Masterforce]], the Dinoforce follows a concept that is much closer to the American version in that the robot and the shell can operate as separate units.

{{stub}}
[[Category: Combiner teams]]
[[Category: Decepticon subgroups]]
[[Category: Japanese-original characters]]
[[Category: Pretenders]]
[[Category: Victory]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

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Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)

Dinoforce