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Lugnut (TF 2010)

2010-10-26T11:20:27Z

72.153.191.12: /* Transformers (2010) */

{{faction|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Lugnut}}
:''Lugnut is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'' toyline.]]''

[[Image:TF2010toy-Lugnut.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Atomic robo.]]

'''Lugnut''' is a Decepticon bomber. He is [[Lugnut (Animated)|GLORIOUS]]!

==Toys==
===''Transformers'' (2010)===
*'''Lugnut''' (Voyager Class, 2011)
:Part of wave 4 of the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'' toyline]], Lugnut transforms into an amalgamation of various World War II-era bombers, and has a shark-tooth deco on the cabin similar to ''Animated'' Atomic Lugnut. As he is part of the "[[Reveal the Shield]]" promotion, he also has a [[rubsign]]. His tail has a spring loaded missle launcher. Each arm is equipped with an extending section allowing him to perform the [[Punch of Kill Everything]] with both arms simultaneously. This is awesome.

{{comingsoontoy}}

===''United''===
*'''Lugnut''' (Voyager Class, 2011)

: ''Transformers'' Lugnut will be released in Japan in the ''[[United (toyline)|Transformers United]]'' toyline, with a more detailed paint deco scheme. Notably, he has extensive use of metallic purple paint, to better match the Japanese release of ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Transformers Animated]]'' [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]], though, for some reason Lugnut's head is purple instead of green.

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
* Lugnut's design, we're sure you're astounded to find, is heavily influenced by [[Lugnut (Animated)|his namesake]].

[[Category: Decepticons]]
[[Category: Upcoming toy releases]]
[[Category: Transformers 2010 toyline characters]]
[[Category: Toy-only characters]]
[[Category:United]]

5 mm post

2010-10-02T21:51:45Z

72.153.191.12: /* Notes */

[[Image:5mmpostmainpic_001.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Weapons for everybody!]]
One of the simplest innovations in [[toy|Transformers toys]], using universally sized posts for accessories, weapons and figures is something that has characterised several Transformers lines throughout the years. The most common universal post and port size is the '''5-millimetre (5mm) post'''. This size was used throughout [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]], ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'', and almost universally throughout ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'', ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]''.

Using a single, universal size of weapon post allows Transformers toys to swap weapons between one another. During most Transformers toy lines, this interchangeability was seldom advertised as a feature of the toys, but during ''Armada'', that changed. The introduction of the [[Mini-Con]]s gave 5mm posts an entirely new purpose: A hollow 5mm post could now become a mounting point for a Mini-Con. The interchangeability suddenly became an advertised feature of the toys.

Since the end of the "[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]" toy line, the 5mm post hole has become far less ubiquitous, though it's making a comeback in a big way with [[Power Core Combiners]], and some of the later ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toys.

==Functionality==
===Backwards compatibility===
[[Image:Primesharingguns.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Dude, you're right. Guns with their posts in the right place '''rock!'''"]]
Probably the biggest, most meaningful aspect of using a universal fist size is compatibility between toys. You can share your accessories or Mini-Cons or even some integral parts of toys around to other toys from the same line. Even better for long-term fans of the franchise is that the continuous use of 5mm posts from Generation 1 onwards into modern lines means that toys are actually backwards-compatible with the accessories from older toys. As well as delightful opportunities for mixing and matching, this means that characters who get new toys can use accessories from their old toys. Even if you don't like [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Classics|"Classics" Optimus Prime's]] rifle, you can always just give him [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|Powermaster Optimus Prime's]] rifle, or [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Return of Convoy|Star Convoy's]].

This compatibility works both ways, allowing you to use ''Armada'', ''Energon'' and even Power Core Combiners weapons with old [[Micromaster]] Bases or [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]s toys.

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===A matter of tolerance===
Despite the fact that 5mm posts are supposed to be universally the same size, this isn't always the case. Sometimes, due to play wear or simply to slight (very slight) differences in tooling, some posts are tighter or looser than others. This can mean that sometimes a toy will hold a gun loosely, or that a weapon will be too tight to fit into another toy's hand.

Generally, this is only a problem on toys or toolings that have seen a lot of use. A Generation 1 toy like [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Soundwave]] that was produced for several years and re-released many times might actually show a difference in tolerance between different samples of the toy. Similarly, toolings which see a lot of use, such as [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Classics|"Classics" Starscream]], can begin to show mould wear. There are many reports of later ''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' versions of the mould not being able to hold their weapons correctly because tolerances are poor.

If a toy sees a lot of play, especially if weapons are being removed and replaced repeatedly, a hole (or sometimes a post) can wear down, making the weapons looser. It's possible to increase this problem while swapping weapons between different toys. If a gun post from a [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Pretender|Pretender Bumblebee]] is slightly smaller than the post from [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Pretender|Pretender Grimlock]], then Grimlock's gun might actually ''stretch'' Bumblebee's fists. This could result in Bumblebee no longer being able to hold his own gun firmly. It's advisable when swapping guns between different toys to be aware of the slight differences in tolerances between toys.

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===Multiple posts and double posting===
[[Image:Swindlerifle_doublepostdemo.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Pssst—hey, bud!" "WHO, ME?!" "Shhhhhh!" "Who, me?" "Riiiiiiiiight."]]
Some Transformers toys come with multiple figures, such as a [[Pretender]] shell and its inner robot. Other toys are small and merge with bigger toys to become still larger. Other toys come with a trailer or base which has larger weapons than the core robot. Because of the size difference between the two components, two different weapon post sizes are required.

The early Pretenders usually handle this by simply giving the gun two different posts: a larger 5mm post for the outer shell, and a smaller post for the inner robot. The result is that the two figures hold the same gun in different ways. For the purposes of this article, we'll refer to these as "multiple-post weapons".

Another solution, one often used with combiners, is simply to have the two posts one on top of the other—the smaller post on the bottom and the larger post on the top, both forming the same handle of the gun. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s accessories are one of the earliest examples (albeit unintentional), with rings or ridges widening the pegs to 5mm. The problem with this solution is that, when one gives weapons to unrelated toys, Transformers with fist holes that don't go all the way through the hands (such as [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Armada|''Armada'' Hot Shot]]) often can't hold these guns. We'll call that "double-posting" or "double-posted weapons" for the purposes of this article.

===5mm Screw Holes===
Many Transformers over the years have indented holes to allow screws to hold two pieces of the toy together. These screw holes come in all shapes and sizes but often they are also 5mm ports. Sometimes this is intentional, and the screw hole is deliberately moulded to 5mm to give the toy more functionality. Most of the time though, they aren't intentionally 5mm ports and are either very tight or slightly loose.

5mm screw holes can add functionality to many toys which otherwise aren't 5mm compatible, especially if a fan is creative. However, we have only included 5mm screw holes in the compatibility list below if they are particularly notable. So if you suspect a toy's screw holes are 5mm and he's not on the list, at least give it a try.

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===Powerlinx Ports===
[[Image:Armadagalvatron_5mmoverload.jpg|right|250px|thumb|I want it all, and I want it now!]]

During the [[Armada (toyline)|''Armada'' toy line]], a new spin on the 5mm post and port was developed: the [[Mini-Con]] [[Powerlinx]]. Using hollow 5mm posts with a "trigger" contained inside, Mini-Cons could activate the [[gimmick]]s of other toys or simply mount on other toys. Because the Mini-Cons use a special kind of port, they cannot be mounted on 5mm posts that aren't hollow. In theory, this means only toys with specific Powerlinx ports can hold Mini-Cons. In ''practice'', this isn't the case at all.

Throughout the history of the ''Transformers'' franchise, for one reason or another, toys have come with 5mm posts which are hollow, creating a kind of unintentional back-compatibility with many Mini-Cons. We'll list this back-compatibility in individual toy entries further down the page.

The other significant aspect of the Powerlinx ports is that they act like regular 5mm posts too. This means that you can use them to mount any weapons or accessories that are designed to mount on 5mm posts. Does mounting a bunch of miniature cars on [[Starscream (Armada)#toys|''Armada'' Starscream's]] arms seem silly to you? Maybe it's time to use the guns from the [[Micromaster]] [[Anti-Aircraft Base]].
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==Generation 1==
In the first few years of the toy line, partly because of the mix-and-match nature of the line itself, ''Transformers'' didn't have very standardised fist sizes. The ''[[Diaclone]]''-descended toys usually had no single standard, with only the toys with the biggest weapons or fists having 5mm posts. The ''[[Micro Change]]''-descended toys were much more consistent about post size, using 5mm posts on almost all of the toys with weapons or accessories.

As Generation 1 evolved 5mm posts and ports became nearly universal. Only the switch to smaller toys with [[Action Master]]s changed this — a new, smaller, universal post size was used for that line. These smaller sized posts carried over into the UK Transformers, while in [[Japan]] the rise of Micromasters lead to 5mm staying predominant throughout the line.

===1984===
'''AUTOBOTS'''
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] — The only Autobot this year to use 5mm posts, Prime's main rifle sadly has a terrible design flaw (that has '''never''' been corrected, despite all the reissues) which makes it much less interchangeable with other toys. The gun's handle is moulded in the wrong place, and there's a false handle where the real one should be. Prime has actually been retooled to allow him to hold the rifle better — by increasing the size of the rims on his fists. Too bad they didn't just put the rifle's handle post in the right place. In addition to the rifle, [[Roller]]'s fuel pump is also a 5mm post. It's possible to use this to either give the pump to other toys, or to pump up Roller with some heavy weaponry.)

'''DECEPTICONS'''

All the 1984 Decepticons use 5mm posts in some capacity.
*[[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]]
[[Image:Ravage5mmcompatibility.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Shattered Glass Ravage prefers flowers.]]
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]] — Due to the post holes in their bodies, they can be pegged onto Mini-Con ports, or similar 5mm posts.

*[[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]],[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] — Their wings ''and'' their weapons have 5mm posts.

*[[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]] — Most notably his large chrome rifle has a 5mm post on it, allowing it to be given to other toys.

===1985===
'''AUTOBOTS'''
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] — Grimlock's fist holes are smaller than 5mm (being the size of Rhisling's lower hilt), but ridges on the upper sections of his launcher and sword's pegs and a ring on the upper part of the gun's peg make them 5mm.

*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]

*[[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] and [[Twin Twist]] — These toys do NOT have 5mm post holes, but their rifles have a 5mm base to the gun peg, effectively creating a very shallow double-peg that allows their guns limited inter-changeability with toys with 5mm fists.

*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]

'''DECEPTICONS'''
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] — Devastator's is a classic double-posted rifle. Devastator's fists are 5mm holes, but he shares his rifle with [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] and his tiny, tiny fists.

*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]

*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] — The strange construction of Blitzwing's weapons and fists makes interchangability ... awkward, as his fist holes are on the sides instead of the top; the weapons are sculpted to still look like he's holding them normally. Of course, if you're a fan of punch daggers, or Blitzwing holding someone else's guns 'gangsta-style', then more power to you.

===1986===
1986 saw the introduction of the Transformers Special Teams, or "[[Scramble City]]" combiners. All of these combiners used 5mm posts as standard to peg in their fists and feet in combined mode, meaning you could swap these parts between any of the combiners. The fists of the combined forms almost universally used 5mm holes (all except [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]]) and almost all the leaders of the teams (except [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]) used 5mm posts for their fists.

The smaller members of the Special Teams almost all had small pistols or rifles that used variably compatible smaller posts, and larger alt mode weapons that used 5mm posts — often taking advantage of post holes used for the combined form's fists or feet. The earlier toys often used weapons with 5mm ports which would peg onto the robot — allowing those weapons to be pegged onto Mini-Con ports and other similar 5mm posts. The later toys tended to use 5mm posts which peg into ports on the toy.

'''AUTOBOTS'''
[[Image:Outback5mmcompatibility.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Where the bloody hell am I? Right here, mate. Right here!]]
*[[Outback]] — The only [[Mini Vehicle]] with a weapon at all, Outback sports a 5mm post that lets him use all kinds of crazy weapons.

*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] and [[Ramhorn]] — But '''not''' [[Rewind]] or [[Eject]], strangely. Ramhorn's peg holes are very loose.

*[[Superion (G1)|Superion]] — Barely. The [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s are the only Special Team whose leader doesn't use 5mm posts, and who have no members with larger vehicle weapons which use 5mm posts. Superion doesn't have 5mm fists either. Only the posts and ports for the combined form's hands and feet are 5mm posts. Superion even has what looks like a hollow 5mm peg on the underside of his combined form's chest plate — however this peg is just slightly too big to be of use.

*[[Protectobot (G1)|The Protectobots]] — In the standard style of the Scramble City teams, described above.

*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]

*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys|Ultra Magnus]] — Most of Magnus' accessories use 5mm posts. Interestingly enough his rifle has two ways of being held — the large robot uses a larger peg than the small inner robot's 5mm post. So you can only let other toys hold the gun in the same way as Magnus' inner robot.

*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] — Uses 5mm posts for his weapons, and his fists. He can happily wear any Scramble City fists instead of his own. [[Six-Gun]] and [[Scamper]] do not use 5mm pegs for their weapons, however [[Slammer]] does. His turret is on a hollow 5mm post so it can be mounted on (or rather under, most of the time) Mini-Cons!

'''DECEPTICONS'''
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]

*[[Stunticon (G1)|The Stunticons]] — In the standard style of the Scramble City teams, described above.

*[[Combaticon (G1)|The Combaticons]] — In the standard style of the Scramble City teams, described above.

*[[Predacon (G1)|The Predacons]] — Unlike the Scramble City toys, all the Predacons use 5mm posts as standard, with no accessories at all with smaller pegs, making all their weapons usable by [[Predaking]].

*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] — Only his head-mounted gun, his rifle uses a smaller peg.

*[[Galvatron (G1)/toys|Galvatron]] — However remember, [[Nightmare_Planet|Galvatron's weapons pegs can be any size he wants!]]

*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] — [[Full-Tilt]] does ''not'' use 5mm posts. On the other hand the [[Brunt (G1)|Brunt's]] tank turret ''does'' use them. It's completely possible to mount the turret as an arm cannon for an ''Armada'' toy, or anyone else with 5mm posts.

===1987===
By 1987 5mm posts had become almost universal. Only some smaller toys, and those toys without weapon accessories didn't have them.

'''AUTOBOTS'''
*[[Technobot (G1)|The Technobots]] — In the standard style of the Scramble City teams, described in the 1986 section above.

*[[Fastlane]] & [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]]

*[[Punch (G1)|Punch-Counterpunch]]

*The [[Monsterbot]]s

*The [[Targetmaster]]s — [[Kup (G1)#Targetmaster|Kup]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Hot Rod]] and [[Blurr (G1)#Targetmaster|Blurr]] were [[retool]]ed to be 5mm peg compatible so that they could use [[Targetmaster]]s this year. The other Targetmaster moulds were all made with 5mm pegs in mind.

*The [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] — [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Toys|Fortress Maximus]] was the only Headmaster not to use 5mm pegs exclusively. Nearly all his accessories and the weapons for his smaller components were 5mm pegs. However his larger rifles were so huge they used much, much larger peg sizes which are not compatible with any other Transformers mould.

'''DECEPTICONS'''
*[[Terrorcon (G1)|The Terrorcons]] — [[Blot (G1)#Toys|Blot]] and [[Cutthroat (G1)#Toys|Cutthroat]] are the only small Special Teams members outside the Aerialbots not to have alt mode weapons with 5mm posts. Blot has a backpack, and Cutthroat has a transforming tail weapon, instead.

*[[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]] & [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]]

*[[Pounce]] & [[Wingspan]]

*[[Sixshot]]

*The [[Targetmaster]]s — [[Cyclonus (G1)#Targetmaster|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)#Targetmaster|Scourge]] were retooled to be able to use the 5mm pegs associated with Targetmasters and released again as part of this range.

*The [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] — Scorponok is the only Decepticon Headmaster not to use 5mm pegs universally. Most of his accessories use them, except for his four large double-barrelled cannons and his shield, which has a slightly wider peg hole. The shield does have a hollow 5mm peg on it, though, allowing you to mount a Mini-Con on the shield. Sweet! Oh yeah, that does mean, by the way, that his tremendously enormous rifle does use both 5mm pegs and 5mm peg holes. Fasttrack doesn't use 5mm pegs for his hands, but his arms are mounted on 5mm pegs, so you can give him all sorts of crazy gun arms.

===1988===
[[Image:Pretender5mmcompatibility.jpg|right|250px|thumb|5mm pegs on Pretenders: A demonstration.]]
1988 introduced a new line dependent on the 5mm peg, the Pretenders. As mentioned above, in the section on multiple posts and double posts, the Pretender shells all had 5mm pegs, while their robots had smaller (less universally sized) pegs. Pretenders usually had at least one weapon (sometimes more) that was meant for both the shell and the inner robot. For the 1988 Pretenders, these weapons had multiple pegs on them, allowing different components to hold them in different ways. These weapons were also usually a part of the Pretender's vehicle mode, and mounted on them in that mode using 5mm pegs.

Later Pretenders used double-posting instead of multiple-posting, so that the inner robots often lacked the 5mm compatibility in their vehicle modes that earlier Pretenders enjoyed. But for 1988 it was 5mm compatible city!

'''AUTOBOTS'''
*[[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]] & [[Raindance]]

*The [[Targetmaster]]s

*The [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] — Unlike in 1987, the 1988 Autobot Headmasters had two sets of weapons with different post sizes. There was a single main rifle for the main robot with a 5mm post, and two smaller pistols that were both vehicle mode weapons and antennae for the robots' head.

*The [[Powermaster]]s. — [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|Powermaster Prime]] in particular is notable because his weapons are massive, badass and freakin' awesome. You know they are. Admit it.

*[[Quickswitch]]

*The [[Pretender]]s — Including the regular Pretenders, [[Pretender Beast]]s and [[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]], the [[Pretender Vehicle]].

'''DECEPTICONS'''
[[Image:Skalor5mmcompatibility.jpg|right|250px|thumb|That gun mode stinks!]]
*[[Seacon (G1)|The Seacons]] — Because of his Targetmaster gimmick, [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]] is one of only two (the other being Superion, the piker) Generation 1 combiner robot without 5mm post hole fists. Instead he has special ports for the square pegs which are used as part of the Special Teams style combination. Each of the five smaller Seacons also come with a special Targetmaster stand which allows them to use their gun forms independent of Piranacon. The stand is divided into three parts, a connector, a post and a base. The post is moulded to look like a large rifle and has multiple pegs on it (of different sizes) letting it be held as a weapon both by the small Seacons and by anyone with a 5mm fist. The connector is even cooler, since it has a 5mm post hole and can be used to mount the Seacons on Mini-Con ports or other similar gun posts when in gun mode. It can also be used to make any Scramble City style combiner limb 5mm post compatible, so any of them can become a giant Mini-Con. How awesome is that?

*[[Squawktalk]] & [[Beastbox (G1)|Beastbox]]

*The [[Targetmaster]]s

*The [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] — The small Decepticon Headmasters did not have two sets of weapons like their Autobot counterpart and relied entirely on 5mm posts.

*The [[Powermaster]]s — Doubledealer came with a special Powermaster Engine cover with a 5mm post on it. The post is hollow, allowing you to mount a Mini-Con on it.

*The [[Pretender]]s — Including the regular Pretenders, [[Pretender Beast]]s and [[Roadgrabber]], the [[Pretender Vehicle]].

===1989===
This year introduced the [[Micromaster]]s, as well as introducing a truck load more Pretenders. The Micromasters emphasised inter-compatibility in a way Transformers hadn't really done before. All the bases were able to connect through special ramps, and all the weapons for the bases used 5mm posts. The Micromasters themselves all had small post holes in their feet that corresponded to small posts all over the bases — letting you stand them freely. The Micromasters' association with 5mm pegs would continue through into the Japanese toy lines, and would be reflected in the Mini-Cons who would come down the pipeline many years later.

As we mentioned above the Pretenders this year were a little less 5mm compatible. While the first year Pretenders generally had 5mm ports on their vehicle modes as well as their Pretender shells, those 5mm posts disappeared on most of the inner robots for this year. Instead of using multiple posts on the same weapon more toys this year used a double-post.

'''AUTOBOTS'''

Literally all the Autobot Pretenders from this year used 5mm posts. All of the Micromaster bases and transports except for Overload and [[Hot House]] used 5mm posts for their weapon accessories. Hot House and Overload don't really have any accessories, so that's understandable.
*[[Pincher]], [[Doubleheader]] and [[Longtooth]]
*[[Classic Pretender]]s — [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]], [[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]] and [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]]. These toys were re-released without their shells as [[Legends (G1)|Legends]]. They only came with their smaller weapons, which are double-posted. While the inner robots can't hold 5mm weapons their weapons can be used with other toys. Bumblebee and Jazz's guns were switched for the Legends release, so if you're pedantic about continuity feel free to give Jazz's gun to Classics Bumblebee without feeling guilty.
*[[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]] and [[Vroom]]
* [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]]

*[[Erector]] and his [[Crane]] — Erector's weapons are all 5mm posts. While Erector's trailer hitch is not a 5mm post it is hollow and works as a 5mm port, allowing Erector to connect to other TFs and bases like a Mini-Con.
*[[Ironworks]]'s [[Construction station]] — In station mode, Ironworks's base has two hollow 5mm posts on its scaffolding section. These are completely compatible with Mini-Cons. In windmill... errr... radar tower mode these two pegs are used to mount the scaffolding to the tower, so aren't accessible.
* [[Groundshaker]]'s [[ATV]] and [[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]]'s [[Rocket Base|Rocket base]]

'''DECEPTICONS'''

All the Decepticon Micromaster bases and transports were 5mm compatible this year in some capacity. The Pretenders also, except for the Monster Pretenders.
*[[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] — As with nearly all combiners, Monstructor uses 5mm fist holes. However none of the individual Monster Pretenders do. Their shell covers sometimes have relatively inaccessible 5mm posts or ports for Monstructor's accessories, but that is more-or-less the extent of their compatibility.
* [[Octopunch]], [[Stranglehold]] and [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]
*[[Classic Pretender]]s [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]] — Also available as a Legends figure without any of the 5mm compatibility conferred by his shell.
* [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]
* [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]]

* [[Flattop (Decepticon)|Flattop]]'s [[Aircraft carrier]] and [[Roughstuff]] and his [[Military transport]] — Roughstuff's are the only large Micromaster weapons without 5mm posts, making him far less compatible with other toys than he should be. However his trailer hitch is a 5mm post and port. That might be of... some use.
* [[Greasepit (G1)|Greasepit]]'s [[Gas station]] and [[Airwave]]'s [[Airport]] — Greasepit has a host of little 5mm post accessories that aren't weapons like a set of petrol pumps and a street sign. Airwave's compatibility is limited to having several 5mm ports on the top of his base's station mode.
* [[Skyhopper]]'s [[Helicopter]] and [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]]'s [[Interstellar shuttle]]

===1990===
[[Action Master]]s dropped the 5mm posts in favour of a smaller standard-sized peg for hand-held weapons, obviously due to the smaller size of the figures' fists. However, the backpack accessories for the individually carded figures use 5mm pegs to attach to the screw-holes in the figures' backs, making them compatible with weapons for larger toys. Some of the bases use 5mm posts for their weapon systems as well. But for the most part, this was the end of 5mm pegs being universal in Transformers for a very long time; it wouldn't happen again until the [[Unicron Trilogy]], almost a decade later.

'''AUTOBOTS'''
[[Image:Lionizer5mmdemo.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Another example of why beards freakin' rock.]]
* [[Lionizer]]. Because of his beard, he actually has a double-post, so he has a 5mm post, though it's very tight.

* [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Action Master|Prowl]]'s [[Turbo Cycle]]. — His engine intakes have a 5mm port, so they can be mounted on Mini-Con pegs if you'd like, and his wheel section has a 5mm post. The rest of his accessories use the more standard smaller pegs used by Action Masters.
* [[Over-Run (G1)|Over-Run]]. — While both he and his helicopter aren't really 5mm compatible, he ''does'' have hand-held missile launchers with 5mm post ''holes'' on them. They can be mounted on Mini-Con ports, or you can mount 5mm guns on top of them while Over-Run is holding them — but good luck keeping his arms up. There's a couple of posts on the back of his helicopter as well.
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#AM|Optimus Prime's]] [[Armored Convoy]] — Has a bunch of black guns and orange guns with 5mm posts. Yes, you can give all these weapons to Classics Primes. The black guns have hollow posts and so can be mounted on Mini-Cons. The entire Armored Convoy, both cab and trailer, is littered with 5mm ports.

* [[Missile Launcher]] (with [[Retro]] & [[Surge]]) and [[Tanker Truck]] (with [[Pipeline]] & [[Gusher]]) — Both bases have a new mould Micromaster ramp with a double-peg on it. Unfortunately it's very hard to access, and not very effective as a shield for other toys The combiner bases also extensively use 5mm ports and pegs for all their weapons, and even their main combining pegs. This means they can be connected to each other, or to any other 5mm pegs or ports.
* [[Battlefield Headquarters]] with [[Full-Barrel]] & [[Overflow]]

'''DECEPTICONS'''
* [[Megatron (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Megatron's]] [[Neutro-Fusion Tank]]
* [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]]'s [[Stratotronic Jet]] — His missiles have 5mm post holes, rather than 5mm posts. This means you can mount his missiles on mini-con ports or other similar 5mm posts.

[[Image:Anti-aircraftbase_multiconfig.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Blackout and shout!]]
* [[Cannon Transport]] with [[Terror-Tread]] & [[Cement-Head]] — Features the same 5mm compatibility as the Autobot Combiner Transports.
* [[Anti-Aircraft Base]] with [[Blackout (G1)|Blackout]] & [[Spaceshot]] — Is one of the most versatile 5mm-compatible toys of all time. All up the base features eight 5mm ports, seven 5mm posts and a variety of different accessories. The base's main guns are designed to peg onto 5mm posts so can be used with mini-con ports. The base's radar equipment and additional weapons are all designed with 5mm posts. Even the base's ramp features a 5mm port, rather than the limited 5mm post of the Micromaster Combiner Transports. The four 5mm posts on the base proper are hollow, also allowing them to be used as mini-con ports.

==UK Generation 1==
After Generation 1 ended in the US it continued in the UK unabated. Well, a little bit abated. It wasn't as big as it was. The UK line at first consisted of redecos of Japanese toys and Action Masters that hadn't made it to America. After that they continued to produce their own toys. Okay... but what does that have to do with 5mm pegs? Well, sadly, not much. The UK lines did not make extensive use of 5mm pegs, even when they really should have (we're looking at you, Predator jets). The compatibility of these toys is incredibly limited.

===1991===
The Action Masters from this year didn't use 5mm pegs at all, meaning that there were only three toys this year with 5mm pegs.

'''AUTOBOTS'''
[[Image:Flame5mmdemo.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Ready for a Flame war!]]
*[[Flame (Motorvator)|Flame]], [[Gripper (G1)|Gripper]], [[Lightspeed (Motorvator)|Lightspeed]]. — The [[Motorvator]]s, being recycled Japanese toys, used 5mm pegs as standard for their weapons. Their weapons had two sets of pegs letting them be held as swords or guns.

===1992===
This year introduced the Turbomasters and Predators. Even though both sets of toys (who all have massive guns) would have benefitted from 5mm posts, only two toys out of the entire line have them.

'''AUTOBOTS'''
*[[Rotorstorm]]

[[Image:Stalker_variousconfigs.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Stalk 'er? I hardly knew 'er.]]
'''DECEPTICONS'''
*[[Stalker (G1)|Stalker]] — Unlike Rotorstorm his hands are not 5mm pegs. Instead the ports on his shoulders are 5mm pegs — his massive missile and his radar dish are on 5mm posts. His lack of 5mm hands is made up for by two screw holes on his wrists which are 5mm holes, allowing him to hold guns there.

===1993===
'''AUTOBOTS'''
*[[Pyro]]

'''DECEPTICONS'''
*[[Clench (G1)|Clench]]
{{-}}

==Japanese Generation 1==
There's not a lot to say about Japanese Generation 1. The main thing is that there are more Micromasters. More Micromasters means more 5mm pegs.

The first few lines that the Japanese marketed independently were mostly reuses of American moulds, with only a few differences. Basically if the American version can use 5mm pegs, so can the Japanese version. In these cases there's only a handful of toys that need pointing out as independent and unique but the overall line was generally a mess of 5mm pegs everywhere.

===Headmasters===
Most of this line was just American release toys repackaged. Basically all of them were 5mm compatible. Almost all of the moulds unique to the Japanese line were also 5mm compatible.

'''CYBERTRONS'''
*[[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Stepper]] and [[Artfire (Headmasters)|Artfire]]. — Jazz and Inferno, two previously non-compatible toys, were retooled and redecoed in Headmasters and used as Targetmasters. Artfire's fists are expanded to allow him to hold his targetmaster gun [[Nightstick (Artfire)|Nightstick]]. Stepper meanwhile has Jazz's missile launcher replaced by a plug-in port to allow him to use his Targetmaster unit [[Nightstick (Ricochet)|Nebulon]] as a shoulder cannon.
*<strike>Billy</strike> <strike>Blaster</strike> [[Blaster (G1)|Twincast]] — Redeco and slight retool of G1 Blaster.

*[[Graphy]], [[Noise]], [[Dial]] and [[Saur]]
*[[Raiden]] — Like Devastator before him (well, sorta), Raiden can use 5mm weapons while his components cannot.

'''DESTRONS'''
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundblaster]] — Redeco and slight retool of G1 Soundwave.

===Masterforce===
Again, Masterforce is almost entirely American moulds, but this time there's more redecos. There's a few retools, and a handful of new moulds too, with 5mm compatibility.

'''CYBERTRONS'''
*[[Metalhawk]] — He's a Pretender. And what have we learned so far? That's right: Pretenders are 5mm compatible.

*[[Ginrai|Super Ginrai]] and [[Godbomber]] — Ginrai is a retool of Powermaster Optimus Prime, with brand new hands. Brand new retractable 5mm hands! (To replace his old unretractable 5mm hands!) Godbomber is designed to be compatible with Ginrai, to use his accessories and to merge with him, so he gets to be 5mm compatible too. Sweet.
*[[Grand Maximus]] — Fortress Maximus with a new deco and some new accessories. He's compatible with 5mm pegs in the same way as Fortress Maximus, and his new parts are mostly a Pretender shell with some extra weapons. Pretender shell? Well, we know what that means!

'''DESTRONS'''
*[[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] — Does not have 5mm pegs for his hands, but has limited compatibility thanks to a handful of 5mm holes and some 5mm pegs on his smaller accessories. This toy was also released in Europe in 1992.
*[[Browning]] — As well as multiple sets of fists, Browning also has 5mm post holes on his shoulders for added shoulder cannon action.

*[[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]] — A retool of G1 Scorponok with a new robot mode head and some new weapons. He's 5mm compatible in the same ways as Scorponok, but with updated [[Gold Plastic Syndrome]] compatibility to boot.

===Victory===
Victory was radically different from the American toy line of the time. Most of the toys were unique to Japan, and most of them had 5mm compatibility to some extent.

'''CYBERTRONS'''
*[[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]], [[Victory Leo]] and their combined form Victory Saber
*[[Blacker]], [[Laster]], [[Braver]] and their combined form [[Road Caesar]]
*[[Landcross (Victory)|Landcross]] — While the individual components are not generally 5mm compatible, Landcross has 5mm fists. Some of his components have 5mm holes on their vehicle modes for storing merge parts.
*[[Galaxy Shuttle]] — Dude's basically a Micromaster toy, of course he's 5mm compatible.

*[[Greatshot]] — A retool and redeco of Sixshot.

'''DESTRONS'''
*[[Liokaiser]] — As with most every merge group, Liokaiser's fists are 5mm pegs. His individual components are mostly not 5mm compatible. [[Leozack]] has 5mm ports, and [[Gaihawk]] and [[Hellbat]] have 5mm posts, used in merging. [[Killbison]]'s tank mode guns are on a 5mm plug, which becomes Liokaiser's hand-held weapons. None of these ports and plugs are particularly accessible or useful. Unless you want to give Leozack gun knees, which... who wouldn't want to?

*[[Dinoking]] — A redeco of Monstructor with new Pretender shells, he's 5mm compatible in exactly the same way.
*[[Black Shadow]] and [[Blue Bacchus]] — Retools and redecos of Crossblades and Thunderwing.

===Zone===
Zone is basically the Japanese equivalent of the American Micromasters line. Most of the toys were straight repackagings of the American releases, with basically no changes. The rest were either new Micromaster bases (with 5mm weapons) or redecos of American bases. 5mm compatibility had been more or less the norm for Japanese Generation 1, and Zone would cement their place with only the individual Micromasters not being fully 5mm compatible.

'''CYBERTRONS'''
*[[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]], [[Sonic Bomber]], [[Road Fire]] and their merged form [[Big Powered]]
*[[Landshaker]] and [[Sky Hyper]] — Redecos of Groundshaker and Sky Hopper's bases with new pilots and the same ole weapons.

'''DESTRONS'''
*[[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]] — Dude, a crazy Decepticon redeco of Metroplex. Just as compatible with 5mm pegs as Metroplex ever was. But more blue.

===Return of Convoy===
[[Image:Microtrailer_versatility.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Is there nothing they can't do?!]]
Yup, Optimus Prime got a new toy this year. Yawn. What we're really interested in is two brand new concepts. First of all all the Micromaster patrols were re-released this year, and packaged with brand new Micro Trailers. Secondly we were introduced to six-member Micromaster combiner teams which merge more traditionally than the American Micromaster combiners.

The Micro Trailers were simple launchers for the Micromasters, and there were (including the three packaged with the bulks from this year) 14 in all. From a 5mm compatibility point of view these things are incredible. They're designed to combine, pegging into each other. The result is two hollow 5mm posts, and two 5mm ports on each little trailer. You can load them up with weapons, plug Mini-Cons into them or just have larger robots hold them as weapons. Just to add to it they've got ports for American Micromaster Combiners to tow them with, connectors for Micromaster ramps, and a tab to let Sky Garry carry them. Interactivity? You freakin' bet.

The six member combiners are significant because they are the first (and to date '''only''') combiner teams to use 5mm pegs to connect actual robots together. The six Micromasters in each team combine around a frame that makes up the torso, head and thighs of the robot. The shoulders of this frame use hollow 5mm pegs to connect its arms. It's significant because it means that the arm components for all the six member Micromaster combiners have large 5mm ports, allowing them to peg onto 5mm posts — like Mini-Con pegs, for example.

'''CYBERTRONS'''
*[[Grandus (ROC)|Grandus]], [[Sky Garry (ROC)|Sky Garry]], and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Star Convoy]]
*[[Micro Trailer]]s #0 to 12, and Star Convoy's Micro Trailer.
[[Image:Micromerge5mmcompatibility.jpg|right|250px|thumb|]]
*[[Sixliner]] — Sixliner was the first of the six member Micromaster combiner teams. He had 5mm compatible fists, a 5mm compatible gun (with two hollow 5mm pegs on the side) and oddly enough 5mm compatible toes. His combiner parts can all become carriages for the train modes of his individual Micromasters. His main torso section has three hollow 5mm posts on it, allowing it to mount Mini-Cons, or to be held by larger robots as a strange gun (which you can then mount Mini-Cons on). Sixliner's arms, [[Leaf]] and [[Alan]] connect to him via 5mm ports that can be used to peg them on any 5mm posts.

===Operation Combination===
The last gasp of Generation 1 in Japan. This line was a mish-mash of new moulds, redecos of old moulds and UK imports.

The most important part of the line from our point of view right now is the new six member Micromaster combiners. There was a retool of Sixliner, and 3 entirely new mould teams. The three new teams use a generic body frame which uses far more 5mm pegs than the Sixliner body. The head and feet, as well as the shoulders, now connect by 5mm posts. This new versatility meant that four members of the team, not just two, could peg onto 5mm posts. The parts of these new combiners could also merge into a jet — but if you merge them into a jet you can't use the parts as weapons for larger robots, and who wants that? No one.

'''CYBERTRONS'''
*[[Sixturbo]] — His arms and legs, [[Circuit (OC)|Circuit]], [[Neo-Wheel]], [[Discharge]] and [[Sireen]] all have 5mm ports.
*[[Sixbuilder]] — His arms and legs, [[Digger]], [[Iron Lift]], [[Mixing]] and [[Treader]] all have 5mm ports.
*[[Sixwing]] — His arms and legs, [[Falcon (OC)|Falcon]], [[Flanker]], [[Raker]] and [[Supersonic]] all have 5mm ports.

*[[Guard City]] — A redeco, barely, of Generation 1 Defensor. Compatible in exactly the same way as the original mould.
*[[Sixtrain]] — A retool of Sixliner. His arms [[Atlan]] and [[Raise]] have 5mm ports.

'''DESTRONS'''
*[[Battle Gaia]] — A redeco of Generation 1 Bruticus. Compatible in exactly the same way as the original mould.
{{-}}

==Generation 2==
Come 1993 and ''Transformers'' was given a rebirth, both in the US (who hadn't had toys on the shelves since 1990) and in the rest of the world, called ''Generation 2''. This toyline was a mixture of vintage Generation 1 ''[[Diaclone]]''-based toys, redecos of toys released in the UK and later on a whole slew of brand new moulds created just for that line.

''Generation 2'' was only moderately 5mm-friendly. The old moulds retained their old compatibilities, and the new moulds tended to be much smaller toys that weren't able to have large fist holes. Still, there are a handful of new and interesting toys with 5mm compatibility, and many of them would go on to be prominent toys in later lines as well.

===1993===

'''AUTOBOTS'''
*[[Optimus_Prime_(G1)/toys#Generation_2|Optimus Prime]] — This toy is a redeco and retool of Generation 1 Optimus Prime. The main difference now is the addition of a voice pack with two 5mm post holes on it and the addition of two brand-new hand-held missile launchers with 5mm posts. This added versatility has basically never been carried forwards to other re-releases of the mould.
*[[Jazz_(G1)/toys#Generation_2|Jazz]] and [[Sideswipe_(G1)#Generation_2_2|Sideswipe]] — These two (redecos of the g1 toys) are NOT 5mm compatible, but their missile launchers have a double-post, making their '''guns''' 5mm compatible.

'''DECEPTICONS'''
*[[Devastator_(G1)#Generation_2|Devastator]] — This toy was released twice in two different new decos, but it's still the same tooling as the Generation 1 toy with the same compatibilities.
*[[Ramjet_%28G1%29#Generation_2_2|Ramjet]] and [[Starscream_(G1)/toys#Generation_2|Starscream]] — Redecos of the Generation 1 toys with the same compatibilities. They also have new missile launchers (that actually launch!) and a new sound box, but neither of these really adds any new compatibility to the toys.
*[[Megatron_(G1)/toys#Generation_2|Megatron]] — This is the first new Gen2 exclusive mould created for the American toy line. It's also the first new mould with 5mm fists.

===1994===

'''AUTOBOTS'''
*[[Superion_(G1)#Generation_2|Superion]] — A redeco of the Generation 1 toy, with the same very very limited compatibility, but with the added bonus of Gold Plastic Syndrome.
*[[Silverbolt_(G1)#Generation_2_2|Silverbolt]] — A redeco of the Generation 1 toy, unlike the original toy this Silverbolt is retooled to have 5mm post holes on his wings, for a pair of new missile launchers. Silverbolt's launchers are the same basic mould as those used by the Skyraiders, but were retooled to have a double-post so that Superion could hold them. Because he doesn't have 5mm fists. Because Superion is a poopy-head.

*[[Optimus_Prime_(G1)/toys#Generation_2|Hero Optimus Prime]]
*[[Electro#Generation_2_2|Electro]] and [[Volt#Generation_2_2|Volt]].

'''DECEPTICONS'''
*[[Bruticus_(G1)#Generation_2|Bruticus]] and the [[Combaticon_(G1)|Combaticons]] — A slightly retooled and extensively redecoed version of the original toy with the same basic compatibilities. [[Onslaught_(G1)#Generation_2_2|Onslaught]] also has a new missile launcher which is 5mm compatible.

*[[Megatron_(G1)/toys#Generation_2|Hero Megatron]]
*[[Sizzle_(G2)#Generation_2_2|Sizzle]] and [[Jolt_(G2)#Generation_2_2|Jolt]]

===1995===
The last year of ''Generation 2'' was getting more and more experimental, with toys with all kinds of different gimmicks, all kinds of brand new features. Unfortunately this year also saw a severe downsizing of the toys — smaller toys became the standard. That left room for only one toy this year with 5mm fists and accessories.

'''AUTOBOTS'''
*[[Optimus_Prime_(G1)/toys#Generation_2|Laser Optimus Prime]] — Probably because of a decided downturn in the ''size'' of individual toys in 1995, Laser Optimus Prime is the '''only''' toy this year with 5mm pegs. His sword, laser cannon, and missile launcher have 5mm handles.

==Beast Wars==
[[Image:Optimusprimal5mmposts.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Share and share alike.]]

After ''Generation 2'', 5mm posts took a pasting. Suddenly they just weren't standard any more. If ''Generation 2'' was experimental in its last days, then ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' was even more experimental. There were basically no singular standards for this line. Characters were completely self-contained play patterns, based around their animal modes. As the line evolved general gimmicks, again based on the aesthetics of the toy rather than their play pattern, began to dominate. The only place that 5mm post holes were generally universal were the larger scale Ultra toys who mostly featured 5mm hands.

Tolerances are a big issue with ''Beast Wars'' toys with 5mm posts, the following list is as comprehensive as it can be, but you might find you struggle to use the 5mm compatibility on some of your toys. In the testing phase different samples ranged from impossibly tight, to perfect, to really loose.

===1996===
'''MAXIMALS'''
*[[Dinobot_(BW)#Toys|Dinobot]] — Dinobot's weapons and accessories and hands are all 5mm posts. This is great, seeing as this mould was released again, and again, and again. His famous [[Cyber-slash tail weapon|rotating blade]] weapon has a 5mm post hole in it that allows it to mount on a 5mm post on his dinosaur mode back. This is especially useful for mounting the tail weapon on his back in robot mode.
*[[Polar Claw]]
*[[Optimus_Primal/toys#Beast_Wars|Ultra Optimus Primal]]
*[[Wolfang (Maximal)|Wolfang]] Has 5mm screw holes in his robot back, and a non-screw 5mm hole in his head — these are almost useless. However, his waist kibble has [[Mini-Con]]-compatible pegs, as does the front of his shield.

===1997===
'''MAXIMALS'''
*[[Grimlock_(G1)/toys#Beast_Wars|Grimlock]] — A [[redeco]] of the ''Beast Wars'' Dinobot mould with the same compatibility.
*[[Ironhide_(G1)/toys#Beast_Wars|Ironhide]] and [[Magnaboss#Beast_Wars|Magnaboss]] — [[Silverbolt (G1)#Beast Wars|Silverbolt]] and [[Prowl (G1)#Beast Wars|Prowl]] are not 5mm compatible, but Ironhide, Magnaboss' sword, and Magnaboss are. The small hollow pegs on Ironhide's elephant shell halves are ''not'' 5mm, but the size of the inner hole is such that they ''do'' grip Mini-Cons.
*[[B'Boom]]

'''PREDACONS'''
* [[Ram Horn#Toys|Ram Horn]] and [[Tripredacus#Toys|Tripredacus]] — Ramhorn has 5mm hands, giving Tripredacus one 5mm hand too. The other members of the team are not 5mm compatible.
*[[Inferno_(BW)#Toys|Inferno]]

===1998===
'''MAXIMALS'''
*[[Cheetor_(BW)/toys#Beast_Wars|Transmetal Cheetor]] — His fists are an unconventional shape, but hold 5mm weapons just fine.
*[[Optimus_Primal/toys#Beast_Wars|Transmetal Optimus Primal]]
*[[Optimus_Primal/toys#Beast_Wars|Optimal Optimus]] — While he doesn't have 5mm peg holes for his fists, he does have 5mm pegs on his wrists, (on angles, so their use is limited) and he ''does'' have hollow 5mm pegs (perfect for Mini-Cons) on his rifle! On his shoulders are a couple of other 5mm pegs too.

*[[Torca]]

'''PREDACONS'''
*[[Megatron_(BW)/toys#Beast_Wars|Transmetal Megatron]]
*[[Rampage_(BW)#Beast_Wars|Transmetal Rampage]]
*[[Antagony#Beast_Wars|Botcon Antagony]]

===1999===

'''MAXIMALS'''
*[[Optimus Minor#Toys|Optimus Minor]] — On his own, Optimus Minor is not 5mm compatible. However, his tail weapon uses two different 5mm pegs — one of which is hollow, perfect for Mini-Cons! The allows him to hold a Mini-Con in robot mode.
*[[Tigerhawk#Toys|Tigerhawk]]

'''PREDACONS'''
*[[Megatron_(BW)/toys#Beast_Wars|Transmetal II Megatron]]

===Beast Wars II===
''[[Beast Wars II (toyline)|Beast Wars II]]'' was a Japanese only line capitalizing on the success of ''Beast Wars''. It's mostly a [[redeco]] line, with a handful of brand new toys or moulds. There's a bunch of old toys in this line with 5mm compatibility, and a few retools and redecos. There's only one new mould. Lio Convoy looks like he should have them, but his fists are actually a bit bigger than the 5mm standard.

'''CYBERTRONS'''
Santon and Magnaboss — Redecos of Beast Wars Ironhide and Magnaboss.

'''DESTRONS'''
*Autolauncher
*Megastorm
*Gigastorm
*Thrustor
*God Neptune — A Redeco of the Seacons minus Nautilator, with most of the same 5mm compatibilities as the original group. They were released in a gift set, and also lacked the individual gun stands that the original Seacons had. Man... sucky.
*Galvatron

===Beast Wars Neo===
'''CYBERTRONS'''
*Big Convoy — Includes a 5mm peg-compatible Matrix.
*Longrack

'''DESTRONS'''
*Hardhead
*Elephorca

==Beast Machines==
Beast Machines saw the almost complete abandonment of the 5mm peg for its toys. The introduction of uniquely moulded hands and toys with few if any accessories meant that 5mm peg holes were no longer needed. In fact, in all of Beast Machines, there is only one toy with deliberate 5mm peg holes for hands. There's others with 5mm screw holes or 5mm peg holes that can be used to make them compatible with older weapons, but for the most part, Beast Machines emphasised completely self-contained toys.

On the flip side, Beast Machines was one of the first Transformers lines to introduce vehicles and separately sold weapon-accessories for other toys, in the form of the Beast Riders and Deployer assortments. These toys, while emphasising interactivity with other toys, did so without the use of pegging.

===2000===
'''VEHICONS'''
*[[Megatron_(BW)/toys#Beast_Machines|Megatron]] — The only toy in the entire line that's deliberately 5mm compatible, the Mega-sized Megatron toy has 5mm fists in robot mode. Wow, Beast Machines, way to drop the ball!

==Robots in Disguise==
Unlike the much more focused and consistently designed Beast Machines, Robots in Disguise was an absolute hodge-podge of a line. It used a combination of new moulds, vintage moulds, and contemporary redecos that saw toys from all over the place incorporated into the line. This was both good and bad for 5mm peg enthusiasts—mostly bad, since the majority of the redecos came from G2 Gobots or Beast Wars and Beast Machines toys.

The handful of brand new toys in the line didn't really emphasise interactivity through compatibility of accessories. Instead they emphasised interactivity through figure combination. Still, there's a handful of stuff there worthy of inclusion here.

===2001===
'''AUTOBOTS'''
*[[Wedge]], [[Heavy Load (RID)|Heavy Load]], [[Hightower (RID)|Hightower]], [[Grimlock (RID)|Grimlock]] and Landfill — Grimlock is the only member of the team lacking 5mm fists, but fortunately he makes up for it in combined form where he forms a part with 5mm compatible hands (well, claws) for Landfill. In fact all of Landfill's configurations are 5mm compatible. Woo!

*[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] — Both use 5mm posts extensively. Only the smaller, non-super-mode Prime actually has 5mm FISTS. Prime's super mode lacks 5mm fists, or fists at all. Omega Prime's and Ultra Magnus's hands do have 5mm holes on the palms, and Magnus's thumbs have 5mm posts. Prime is also covered in a bunch of hollow 5mm posts that can be used as mini-con ports, and both have 5mm posts and holes out the wazoo.

'''DECEPTICONS/PREDACONS'''
*[[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]] — Ruination is a redeco and slight retool of the Generation 1 Combaticons. Initially, in Robots in Disguise, all five components were released separately, though later on they were released only as gift sets. The main difference to the moulds is that the Combaticons' weapons were retooled so they could create two super weapons for Ruination. These super weapons are 5mm compatible.
*[[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] and [[Megatron (RID)|Galvatron]]

===2002===
'''DECEPTICONS/PREDACONS'''
*[[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]] — A redeco of Beast Wars Transmetal 2 Megatron, has 5mm fists just the same.
*[[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] — A redeco of Generation 2 Laser Optimus Prime with all his compatibilities.

===2003===
'''AUTOBOTS'''
*[[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]] — Same compatibilities as ever, but now in yellow! Plus, it's a gift set!

'''DECEPTICONS'''
*[[Scourge (RID)|Destructicon Scourge]] — A redeco of Generation 2 Combat Optimus Prime.
*[[Bludgeon (RID)|Destructicon Bludgeon]] — A redeco of Generation 2 Combat Megatron.
*[[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]] — Same as before, but now more urban! And in a gift set!

==Armada==
For 5mm peg addicts, the Unicron Trilogy was a godsend. It was the first Transformers toyline not only to feature 5mm pegs as standard on nearly every single toy, but also to advertise this interactivity. It's all down to one thing: Mini-Cons. Mini-Cons and their contribution are covered a bit earlier in this article, but it's important here to mention their... well...importance.

Mini-Cons each came with a 5mm peg hole, with a smaller (1mm?) peg imbedded inside it. Mini-Cons could then plug onto hollow (but NOT solid) 5mm pegs, usually referred to as Mini-Con hardpoints. Some of these hardpoints included small triggers which were pushed down by the smaller peg inside the Mini-Con's 5mm post hole. This activated gimmicks on the larger toys, and is why the Mini-Con don't simply have 5mm post holes.

The inclusion of Mini-Cons as a set of figures compatible with all larger Armada figures saw an overnight change. Suddenly 5mm pegs were the standard again and all but the roleplay toys in the Armada line have 5mm pegs. However, carrying on from Beast Machines and Beast Wars, many Armada toys had unique or oddly moulded hands, and 5mm fists would not make their complete comeback until Energon.

===2003===
'''MINI-CONS'''

The Mini-Cons are all 5mm-compatible in the same way: All Mini-Cons can peg onto '''any''' hollow 5mm pegs. Specific toys that can use them which aren't part of the Unicron trilogy are discussed all through this article, including RiD Optimus Prime, the Micromaster Anti-Aircraft Base, and Beast Wars K-9. Listed below are specific Mini-Cons with unique 5mm compatibilities not covered by straightforward Powerlinking.

*[[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] and [[Run-Over]] — Transform into guns with 5mm-compatible handles.
*[[Rollout (Armada)|Rollout]] — He has a 5mm-compatible trailer hitch that can be used as a Mini-Con port, allowing other Mini-Cons to peg onto him!
*[[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]] and [[Clench (Armada)|Clench]] — Both have 5mm-thick arms, allowing them to become 5mm-compatible guns.

*[[Sonar (Armada)|Sonar]] and the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]] — The Air Defence Team merges to become the Star Saber sword. The sword can be held by any toys with 5mm fists or pegged onto Mini-Con compatible posts. Of the three members of the team, only Sonar has an extra feature. He has a 5mm post accessible mostly in shuttle mode, allowing him to be held in other figures' hands (as well as allowing him to be the base of the Star Saber sword).
*[[Maverick]] and the [[Vorpal Saber|Dark Saber]]

*[[Prowl (Armada)|Prowl]] — Prowl transforms into a 5mm-compatible gun.

*[[Dirt Boss (Armada)|Dirt Boss]] and the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom Shield]] — The Race Mini-Con Team merge into an enormous shield designed for use with larger toys with 5mm-compatible fists. Dirt Boss has a 5mm-compatible head because of this. Yeah, you heard right, his head is a 5mm post.

*[[Payload (Armada)|Payload]], [[Sky Blast]] and the [[Requiem Blaster]] — The Space Team merge into the Requiem Blaster, a super-gun meant for use by toys with 5mm-compatible fists. Payload has the 5mm peg that becomes the handle for the blaster, so he can be hand-held. Sky Blast also has a 5mm peg, this one hollow so that you can mount other Mini-cons on top of the Requiem Blaster and power it up even MORE. Yeah. Insane, right? It also means Sky Blast can be hand-held or merge with Energon weapons, etc.

* [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] — In skateboard mode, he has a Mini-Con compatible peg on top of him, allowing other Mini-cons to be plugged into him.

'''AUTOBOTS'''
*[[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]], [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] and [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Hoist]] — None of these three moulds sport 5mm hands. Smokescreen has a 5mm screw hole on his arms just below his fists which can be used as a kind of 5mm fist, but neither Blurr nor Hoist have 5mm fists at all.
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Powerlinx Hot Shot]], and [[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]] — All feature standard 5mm fists. Side Swipe even has a 5mm-compatible gun. In Japan, Hot Shot was given an LED in one hand to allow him to light up 5mm-compatible translucent weapons.

*[[Airazor (Armada)|Airazor]], [[Cheetor (Armada)|Cheetor]], and [[Rhinox (Armada)|Rhinox]] — Three redecos of Beast Wars toys, they were retooled so they would have Mini-Con hardpoints. They were not retooled to have 5mm compatible fists, however, so neither Rhinox nor Air Razor can use 5mm-compatible weapons. Cheetor still can, though.

*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] and [[Red Alert (Armada)|Powerlinx Red Alert]] — Red Alert is 5mm compatible out the wazoo. He has Mini-Con pegs all over, plus a 5mm fist, a 5mm port on his shoulder for shoulder cannons, a 5mm compatible rifle... oh yeah, and interchangeable tool hands which plug in using a 5mm peg.
*[[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] — He doesn't have 5mm-compatible hands. But he does have big, stompy feet, so we forgive him.
*[[Overload (Armada)|Overload]], [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetfire (Armada)|Powerlinx Jetfire]] — Both moulds have 5mm fists, though Overload's are very limited due to his enormously high wrists. Overload also has a 5mm-compatible port as his trailer hitch so he can be towed by Optimus Prime or his Mini-Con.

*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Supercon Optimus Prime]], [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Super Optimus Prime]] and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Powerlinx Optimus Prime]] — Both the large and small Optimus Prime toys have 5mm fists. Even in his Super Mode, Prime has 5mm fists. The hitch used to pull Prime's trailer is a 5mm post, shared by both the large and small versions of the toys. This means that the small Prime can pull the larger toy's trailer, or either of them can pull Armada Overload. You can also use this hitch as a mount for 5mm compatible weapons.

'''DECEPTICONS'''
*[[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]], [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Powerlinx Cyclonus]], [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]], [[Demolishor (Armada)|Powerlinx Demolishor]], [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and [[Thrust (Armada)|Powerlinx Thrust]] — Do not have 5mm compatible fists. They do have plenty of Mini-Con ports, though.

*[[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]] — The only Supercon Decepticon with 5mm-compatible fists. He also has missiles that he uses as clubs (well, in the fiction he uses them as guns...sorta...), and they're 5mm compatible too.

*[[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|Nemesis Prime]] — A redeco of Supercon Optimus Prime. He has all the same compatibilities, including being able to pull the Super Prime's trailer.

*[[Terrorsaur (Armada)|Terrorsaur]] — A redeco and retool of Beast Wars Transmetal Terrorsaur. The retooling gives him Mini-Con pegs, but not 5mm-compatible fists.
*[[Predacon (Armada)|Predacon]] — A redeco and retool of Beast Wars TM Megatron. Like the original version of the mould, he has 5mm fists and a 5mm tail weapon, but now he also sports four brand new Mini-Con pegs.

*[[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], [[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] — All have 5mm hands in addition to their Mini-Con pegs.

*[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] — Doesn't have 5mm fists, even if he is loaded with an unbelievable number of Mini-Con ports.

*[[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] and [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] — They traded useless knees for unreasonable numbers of Mini-Con hardpoints. Their insane number of Mini-Con pegs makes them one of the most 5mm compatible moulds in history. The toy is perfect for overloading with weapons in either robot or tank mode, and in robot mode, he even gets a 5mm-compatible fist (only the one, because the other hand is concealing a knife).

*[[Unicron]] - In total, the planet-eater has 27 Mini-Con-compatible pegs in planet mode and 30 in robot mode — 32 if you count the two conveniently shaped pegs on the back of his right hand. Of those, 24 are situated on his wings/planet ring.

==Energon==
[[Image:Energonweapon_demo_001.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Now his shot's 6 times as hot!]]
With ''Transformers Energon'', the 5mm golden age continued. Mini-Cons were dropped in favour of a return to the basic price point, but Energon figures still retained their 5mm compatibility and their Mini-Con hardpoints. The line introduced new translucent weapons called energon weapons. The energon weapons were versatile, often multi-part weapons which frequently had both traditional 5mm posts and ports and Mini-Con-style 5mm posts and ports. They could be mounted on Mini-Con pegs, used to activate Mini-Con gimmicks on Armada toys, and merged together to create insanely over-the-top super weapons.

There were two distinct types of energon weapons. There were the multi-part accessories packed with the Omnicons, which often had 3 or 4 distinct components. Strictly speaking these (and a few weapons of larger toys) were the weapons advertised officially as [[Energon weapon]]s. There were also the more static and traditional rifles and missile launchers packed with the larger ''Energon'' toys, even these weapons usually still had multiple posts and ports, including Mini-Con posts and ports, allowing them to be merged with other Energon weapons. As the series progressed, a third type of energon weapon was added: the multi-configuration weapons included with the Energon quintro-combiners, which were designed to be feet and hands for the large ''Energon'' combiner robots, as well as weapons for the component robots.

''Energon'' was really the first Transformers toy line to emphasise and advertise swapping and trading weapons as a pattern of play, despite the fact that Transformers toy lines had been capable of this play pattern since nearly the beginning. Over in Japan, this was emphasised even more with energon weapons from Omnibots given away, sold as separate units, or included as bonuses with redecos.

===2004===
'''MINI-CONS'''

Not many Mini-Cons were produced during ''Energon''. There was only one entirely new team and a handful of redecos. They are all 5mm-compatible, as is standard for Mini-Cons. Those Mini-Cons of special interest are listed below.

*[[Skyboom (Energon)|Skyboom]] and the [[Energon Saber]] — Retooled from Armada's Star Saber, they have the same basic compatibilities.
*[[Knock Out (Energon)|Knock Out]] — A redeco of Armada Rollout with all the same compatibilities.
*[[Payload (Armada)|Payload]], [[Sky Blast]] and the [[Requiem Blaster]] — A redeco of the Requiem Blaster from Armada, with the same basic compatibilities.

'''AUTOBOTS'''

The listing below describes, for the most part, the individual robots. Keep in mind that each toy also came with a gun, usually a transluscent energon weapon with multiple ports and pegs, and even Mini-con compatibility. Even toys without Mini-con plugs of their own often had them on their guns.

* The Omnicons, [[Offshoot (Energon)|Offshoot]], [[Signal Flare (Energon)|Signal Flare]], [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]], [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]], and his redeco [[Strongarm (Energon)|Energon Strongarm]] — The Omnicons were Basic-sized toys, the first toys featured at this price point to have 5mm fists. Each came with an energon weapon, as described above, made up of several components, and an energon star meant to fit over spark crystal of ''Energon'' toys.

*[[Arcee (Energon)|Arcee]] — Arcee is the only Omnicon without 5mm fists. She has 5mm post holes in her arms meant to stand in for 5mm fists, but her actual hands are eenie-weenie.

*[[Sky Shadow (Energon)|Sky Shadow]], [[Treadshot (Energon)|Treadshot]], [[Terradive (Energon)|Terradive]] and [[Windrazor (Energon)|Windrazor]] — The limb components of Superion Maximus. They had standard 5mm compatibility and unique transformable energon weapons that became "hands" and "feet" for Superion Maximus.

*[[Downshift (Energon)|Downshift]] — Downshift features a spoiler that becomes a unique platform for holding both his guns or any other energon weapons.
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Energon Hot Shot]] and [[Prowl (Energon)|Prowl]]
*[[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]], [[Roadblock (Energon)|Roadblock]] and [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]] — In addition to standard ''Energon'' compatibility, these toys retain the Mini-Con ports from ''Transformers: Armada''. Rodimus has one, Inferno and Roadblock each have two.
*[[Tow-Line (Energon)|Tow-Line]] — Unlike the other Combat-Class ''Energon'' toys, Tow-Line was actually made up of two components which combine to form his vehicle mode, a robot and a battle platform. The robot is fairly standard for Energon toys, with many post holes for 5mm weapons of all sorts, some of them in rather unusual places. The battle platform in particular, though, is basically designed as a showcase for Energon weapons, making a perfect platform for building insane or over-the-top energon weapon combinations.

*[[Beachcomber (Energon)|Beachcomber]] and [[Cliffjumper (Energon)|Cliffjumper]] — This mould has a Mini-con port on its shoulder pad. Unlike most other ''Energon'' Autobots their weapons, while 5mm compatible, are not designed after the ''Energon'' weapon style. They don't have any extra posts or ports, and aren't made of translucent plastics. They're just simple hand-held guns.
*[[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]] and [[Ironhide (Energon)|Energon Ironhide]] — One of a handful of ''Energon'' moulds without its own hand-held rifle. Has a Mini-Con port on his right forearm.
*[[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and [[Overcast (Energon)|Overcast]] — The Mini-Con ports on their shuttle mode become their toes in robot mode so... uhhh... good luck with that. The rifle that comes with this mould, despite being translucent is effective not an Energon weapon. It has two gun posts, but no other compatibility. It may have been intended to, though. On top of the rifle is a piece of moulding that looks exactly like a Mini-Con post, including their unique base... but it's teeny tiny and undersized.

*[[Treadbolt]] — A redeco of ''Armada'' Scavenger with all his compatibilities.
*[[Wing Saber]] — He has no hand-held rifle, but he does have a Mini-Con port on his left forearm.

*[[Bulkhead (Energon)|Bulkhead]] and [[Quickstrike (Energon)|Quickstrike]], [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] and [[Landquake (Energon)|Landquake]] — Both these moulds are littered with 5mm ports and pegs. The Bulkhead mould also has a Mini-Con peg on his helicopter tail, while the Landmine mould has two Mini-Con ports on his large cannon for his Brute mode.

*[[Ultra Magnus (Energon)|Ultra Magnus]] — A redeco of ''Armada'' Overload.

*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Optimus Prime]] — Prime has 4 Mini-Con pegs in vehicle mode: 2 on his trailer, and 2 on his cab. In robot mode his trailer becomes a base and is still Mini-Con compatible, but the Mini-Con ports are hidden in Prime's robot mode, sadly. Prime's gun is just a standard rifle, not an energon weapon.
*[[Omega Sentinel (Energon)|Omega Sentinel]] and [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|Omega Supreme]] — This mould has 4 Mini-Con ports on his shoulders, front and back, and a handful of 5mm posts. Still, considering its size it's not enormously versatile at using 5mm compatible weapons.

'''DECEPTICONS'''
*[[Battle Ravage]], [[Command Ravage]], [[Cruellock]], [[Doom-Lock]] and [[Insecticon (Energon)|Insecticon]] — All the Energon Terrorcons have 5mm fists as standard. In addition to his Energon weapon Ravage also has a tail mace.
*[[Divebomb (Energon)|Divebomb]] — Divebomb's wing-mounted weapons come in two variants. The first variant has only one 5mm post on the base of the two-part weapon. The second variant was retooled to have two posts, one at either end of his weapon.

*[[Bonecrusher (Energon)|Bonecrusher]], [[Duststorm (Energon)|Duststorm]], [[Sledge (Energon)|Sledge]], and [[Wideload (Energon)|Wideload]] — The limbs of Constructicon Maximus. Each of them has 5mm fists as standard. The Duststorm/Wideload mould also has a Mini-Con peg on its crane arm.
*[[Steamhammer (Energon)|Steamhammer]] — Steamhammer loves Mini-Cons. In both robot and vehicle modes he has 5 Mini-Con posts. That's a lot, even for an Armada toy, allowing him to hold a partner Mini-Con, an entire Mini-Con team and have one left over for an Energon weapon. Too bad he doesn't have a Mini-Con partner. (Oh yeah, he's got a bunch of 5mm post holes too.)
*[[Constructicon Maximus]] — He retains six Mini-Con pegs, four from Steamhammer and two from Dust Storm and Wideload, though Steamhammer's aren't particularly accessible. He doesn't have 5mm peg hole hands.

*[[Blackout (combiner)|Blackout]], [[Stormcloud (Energon)|Stormcloud]] — This mould has two 5mm posts on each arm in robot mode.
*[[Blight (Energon)|Blight]], [[Kickback (Energon)|Kickback]] — The tank mould technically has three Mini-con ports on his weapon, though only one is accessible in vehicle mode, and in robot mode one of them has to form the handle for the gun. In pratical terms you're probably only going to get one Mini-con on there.
*[[Barricade (Energon)|Barricade]] — Barricade likes Mini-cons too, but not as much as Steamhammer. He's got three Mini-con posts in robot mode and two in vehicle mode.
*[[Bruticus Maximus (Energon)|Bruticus Maximus]] — Thanks to Barricade he has two Mini-con ports on his thighs. He doesn't have 5mm post holes for hands, but he does have Mini-con ports on his thumbs when using the tank as an arm, or on his heels if using the tank as a leg.

*[[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] — In addition to his 5mm fists he has four Mini-con posts, though generally speaking only two are accessible in either mode. Because the posts are on a hinged piece it is possible to expose and use all four at once. His missiles can also fit into his hands, but aren't particularly effective because he holds them at about the mid-point on the missile.
*[[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] and [[Starscream (Armada)|Energon Starscream]] — Based conceptually on the G2 Smokescreen mould, unlike that mould Starscream is highly 5mm compatible. He has a crazy Energon weapon, with multiple configurations and mini-con ports, so the gun section of the weapon can be used a Mini-con. He has Mini-con pegs on his wings that are accessible in both modes. Oh yeah, and the heads of his missiles are 5mm, so he can use them as swords if he gets tired of his giant Energon sword.
*[[Rapid Run (Energon)|Rapid Run]] — A redeco of Armada Sideways.
*[[Sharkticon (Energon)|Sharkticon]], [[Slugslinger (Energon)|Slugslinger]], [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Snow Cat]] — In addition to 5mm fists, they all have Mini-con ports on the kibble on their forearms. Snow Cat only has a port on his left arm.

*[[Dreadwing (Energon)|Dreadwing]] and [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Mirage]] — This mould loves 5mm pegs. Including fists each arm has three 5mm peg holes, as well as a Mini-con port. The toy's missiles are also 5mm wide, letting him hold them as swords. Oh yeah, and he has 5mm posts on the insides of his knees.
*[[Shockblast (Energon)|Shockblast]] and [[Six Shot]] — Doesn't have traditional hands, but has plenty of 5mm post holes.

*[[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] — Doesn't have traditional hands, but has plenty of 5mm post holes. Has some very inaccessible Mini-con pegs on the missile launchers on his claws.
*[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] — An awesome redeco of Armada Tidal Wave.

*[[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] and [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] — This same basic design was released twice at two different size scales. They're all 5mm compatible. The larger version has 6 Mini-con ports in jet mode, and two in robot mode. His tank accessory also has

*[[Alpha Quintesson]] — While he doesn't transform, Alpha Quintesson is positively brimming with 5mm posts. He has a 5mm post missile launcher too.

==Notes==
*Due to [[Takara]]'s [[Brave (franchise)|Brave]] series toys sharing many of the same designers from the latter days of G1, a great many of the figures utilize 5mm weaponry pegs. This, of course, can give even the smallest 5mm compatible Transformer the ability to carry 5" chrome swords and gigantic guns of [[Burning Justice]].
*The 5mm post/hole system is also used extensively by companies such as Bandai and Tomy. The Machine Robot Rescue (not to be confused with the trademark-interfering [[Machine Robo Rescue]]), Mugenbine and Zoid Blox lines all utilize it.

[[Category:Toys]][[Category:Gimmicks]]

Transformers: Alternators

2010-09-13T14:23:06Z

72.153.191.12: /* Notes */

[[Image:AlternatorsLogo.jpg|center]]
{{-}}
'''''Alternators''''' ('''''Binaltech''''' in Japan) is a line of Transformers that started in late 2003. The toys in this series transform into [[Licensed vehicle alternate modes|fully-licensed]], 1:24-[[scale]] accurate representations of real cars from automobile manufacturers around the globe, complete with opening doors, hoods, trunks, plus "realistic" open driver/passenger compartments.

==Car licenses and character selection==
[[Image:BTSmokescreenRakuten.jpg|left|150px|thumb|This photo resulted in collective drooling.]]
At one point in 2003, [[Hasbro]] stated that the ''Alternators'' line would consist of "six 'hot' contemporary cars".<ref>[http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/3305.html Report about Hasbro's statements regarding the Alternators line from Wizard World Chicago 2003, at Internal Correspondence version 2]</ref> The first six models were based on a [[Wikipedia:Subaru_Impreza|Subaru Impreza]], a [[Wikipedia:Dodge_Viper|Dodge Viper]], a [[Wikipedia:Jeep_Wrangler|Jeep Wrangler]], a [[Wikipedia:Chevrolet_Corvette"|C5 Chevrolet Corvette]], a [[Wikipedia:Mazda_RX-8|Mazda RX-8]], and a [[Wikipedia:Ford_Mustang|Ford Mustang]]. Even before the line was launched, though, new licenses were already pursued by Hasbro and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], with the first new mold that was not part of the "original six" anymore being based on a [[Wikipedia:Honda_S2000|Honda S2000]]. More and more models and manufacturers joined the line over its run. Nearly all of these models are from either American or Japanese manufacturers, with the only exception being the [[Wikipedia:Jaguar_XK|Jaguar XK]], which is originally a European car.

Character-wise, Hasbro and Takara initially started out with better-known [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] characters from the 1984-85 era that had originally transformed into cars. [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] started the line, with his extensive [[paint operation]]s and [[tampograph]]ed sponsor logos meant to show the level of detail put into the line. For budget reasons, Hasbro and Takara decided very early on that [[redeco]]s/[[retool]]s were necessary even more than they were in other lines, thus retools of the first three molds were already available by the time the last of the "original six" molds came out. Initially, Hasbro and Takara intended to keep the retools rooted in Generation 1 whenever possible, thus the retool of Smokescreen became [[Bluestreak]] (renamed into "Silverstreak" for [[trademark]] reasons). Though the line was originally meant to be just [[Autobot]]s, it was later decided to release [[Decepticon]]s as part of the line, which took the form of retools of existing Autobot toys, hence the [[Sideswipe (G1)|Side Swipe]] retool ended up as [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] rather than [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], and the intended [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] retool of [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] ultimately became [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] instead.

Over the time, the selection was expanded to include characters which had not originally transformed into vehicles (such as [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] aka "Shockblast", or [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] aka "Battle Ravage"). The first character difference between the ''Alternators'' and ''Binaltech'' versions of the line occurred when Hasbro named a toy that was designed to resemble the Omnibot [[Overdrive]] (who the toy was released as in Japan) after the [[Mini Vehicle]] [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] instead, presumably due to [[trademark]] reasons (a constant thorn in the side). As the two lines progressed, they diverged more, both in terms of different decos and the addition of third-stringer characters (mostly on Hasbro's end). Even characters that had no root in Generation 1 at all would eventually be added, namely [[Decepticharge]] and [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]]. Interestingly, the first molds to ''start out'' as Decepticons rather than Autobots, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and a second [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]] toy, would ultimately also be the last new molds of the line released by Hasbro.

==Alternators==
[[Image:MazdaRX-8.jpg|right|170px|thumb|Who is the Mazda RX-8 Transformer? Who? WHO?]]
In the USA, the '''''Alternators''''' line was launched in December 2003, with the toys being made entirely out of plastic (with the exception of the rubber tires). The first wave consisted ''only'' of Smokescreen, who shipped in a case all by himself. The second wave mixed Smokescreen and Side Swipe in a 50:50 ratio, with new toys being introduced in the following waves (but Smokescreen choked shelves like crazy). Over the time of its original run, the ''Alternators'' line was particularly notorious for including toys that were extremely hard to find due to only shipping in one or two waves (Meister, Tracks, Decepticharge, Swerve), whereas others shipped for multiple waves, despite having already been [[Shelfwarmer|shelfwarmers]] (Swindle, in particular).

In 2005, Wal*Mart decided to drop the ''Alternators'' assortment due to poor sales. As a result, Hasbro relaunched the line with a new assortment in late 2005, featuring completely new packaging, a mix of new molds, redecos of older toys and re-releases of highly sought-after rarities such as Tracks or Meister, prompting Wal-Mart to pick the line up again. In a twist of irony, those "rare" toys re-released ended up as shelfwarmers this time around.

As sales for the second assortment were not particularly stellar either, Hasbro eventually decided to drop the ''Alternators'' as a mass retail line altogether. A Nemesis Prime redeco of the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] mold was released as a [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] [[exclusive]] that was originally offered at San Diego Comic-Con 2006, with poor handling and limited availability resulting in a lot of frustrated fans. Meanwhile, the toy was warming shelves in Asia, where it had been released at mass retail. Following Nemesis Prime, the last two new molds that had been far into development at the time it was decided to discontinue the line, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]], were released as Wal*Mart exclusives in Spring 2007. The last new release after that was [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Rodimus]], a retool of [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], again available as a Hasbro Toy Shop/San Diego Comic-Con exclusive.

Distribution in other countries was oftentimes even worse: Canadian stores already dropped the line after the first four or five waves and didn't really pick it up again until the launch of the second assortment; in New Zealand, Meister shipped in a solid case assortment (similar to Smokescreen before him), thereby almost killing the line there; Australian stores dropped the line during its second year, making it effectively an online retailer exclusive for the most part there from that point on (on the upside, Australia also got Nemesis Prime and Rodimus, albeit only as store-initiated imports); and Europe got a borderline random selection of toys, with different toys being available in different countries (and some toys not being released ''anywhere'' in Europe). However, as if Jaguar-Ravage wasn't already exceptional enough, the toy was also available in various European countries several months ''before'' he came out in the USA.

The future of the ''Alternators'' line is highly questionable right now, and not very bright. Following the [[Movie (toyline)|2007 movie toyline]], the second ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, launched in 2008, partly filled the gap for "realistic vehicles", primarily by having unlicensed approximations of vehicles in the ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' style.

In addition, at [[BotCon 2007]], Hasbro staffers (notably [[Greg Lombardo]]) said that many of the licenses they had acquired to make ''Alternators'' had expired. They were hoping to make a few more exclusive redecoes using the remaining licenses (like Rodimus) before those expired in 2008, but were unsure of the available venues, noting that future retail releases—even as exclusives—was unlikely.

At the New York International Toy Fair 2008, Hasbro stated that they might bring the Alternators line back. However, no news has come out of this thus far.

The [[Human Alliance]] assortment from the 2009 ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' movie toy line can be considered as a spiritual successor of the ''Alternators'' line: Licensed vehicle modes roughly at a 1:24 scale (but taking more liberties compared to the ''Alternators'' toys) with interiors that can even hold (included) figures of human characters from the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|movie]]''.

==Binaltech==
[[Image:SunstreakerComparison.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Hasbro vs. Takara - can you guess which one is which?]]
In Japan, the line was known as '''''Binaltech''''', with the primary difference being that ''Binaltech'' figures are more "collector"-oriented, featuring fully-painted car bodies and [[die-cast]] metal parts, in comparison to ''Alternators''' color-molded plastic construction. Additionally, various ''Binaltech'' figures have same-character variants, usually released concurrently with the "regular" version in a 50:50 ratio per case (as Japanese toys usually ship in solid cases), that Hasbro did not release (though there are numerous redecoes and remolds in ''Alternators'' that never saw release in ''Binaltech'').

The mass retail ''Binaltech'' line was officially cancelled (or, to put it politely, put on "indefinite hiatus") in early 2006 after the release of [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], apparently due to slow sales. Reportedly two more releases were cancelled; "[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Black Widow]]" (a silver and purple redeco of [[Decepticharge]] as the ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' femme fatale, better known as Blackarachnia outside Japan) and [[Ginrai]] ([[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s ''[[Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' look-alike) had been solicited, but only the first was shown in any capacity. The latter would ultimately end up as the first release of Takara's short-lived replacement for the ''Binaltech'' line, ''[[Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Convoy]], whereas the Blackarachnia concept eventually evolved into ''Binaltech'' [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] much, much later (see below).

In 2007, the ''Binaltech'' line got resurrected in a way similar to the state Hasbro's version was in at that point. The two new molds that had previously been intended to be released prior to the cancellation of the mass retail line were now released as redecos of the ''Kiss Players'' toys, with Black Convoy (exclusively available at the Wonder Festival 2007 Winter convention, and later at [[e-Hobby]]) being Takara's counterpart of the Hasbro Toy Shop/San Diego Comic-Con Nemesis Prime redeco of Optimus Prime/Convoy, whereas "Rijie" (Mirage), a redeco of the Ford GT mold which Takara had previously released as ''Kiss Players'' [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rodimus]], was only released as a clear e-Hobby exclusive variant, using the same head sculpt as Hasbro's Alternators Mirage version. Therefore, Rijie was the only ''Binaltech'' toy that didn't contain any [[die-cast]] parts. Thus far, Takara have shown no indication of intending to release the new Rumble or Ravage molds; however, four new [[redeco]]s of older toys were released in 2008, all of them once again available at mass retail. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Convoy]] was released as the latest addition to this resurrected ''Binaltech'' line, featuring slightly different colouring from its previous Kiss Player Convoy counterpart.

Following this, Takara replaced ''Binaltech'' with a new toy line following a similar overall concept (licensed vehicle mode, diecast parts) at a smaller scale (1/32), under the new name ''[[Alternity (toyline)|Alternity]]''. At time of writing, one toy has been released and another is slated for a release in 2009, both in several color variants.

===Binaltech Asterisk===
In late 2005 (not too long before it went on "indefinite hiatus"), ''Binaltech'' gained a sub-series called '''''Binaltech Asterisk''''', using old molds in new decos as previously-unreleased Autobots, but also including small PVC figurines of human girls, each one based on a female human character from a previous ''Transformers'' series. These figurines had alternate arms and lower bodies so they could "drive" the Autobots in car mode. These toys were also packaged in robot mode as opposed to the normal car mode (presumably to encourage transformation to car mode so the girls could drive). Reportedly, the addition of the PVCs was to try and reach a broader market to help the line's flagging sales... though the ''higher price tag'' probably didn't help. This series only had three releases before it was canceled; a "Black Convoy w/ [[Marissa Faireborn|Marissa]]" (spelled "Melissa") set was solicited as the fourth set but never released as originally planned... it got changed for the latest incarnation of the 1:24 line, ''[[Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]''.

==Fiction==
===Binaltech===
{{main|Story of Binaltech}}
''Binaltech'' has its own storyline written by [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]] called simply ''[[Story of Binaltech]]'', though it is only told in small text chunks within each toy's instruction booklet (during the original run of the series) or on the toys' packaging itself (for the toys released in 2007 and 2008). Supplemental information was also included in the characters' [[bio]]s and [[Tech Spec]]s, also included in the books and on the packaging. The story of ''Binaltech'' later continued with the advent of the ''[[Alternity (toyline)|Alternity]]'' toyline.

===Alternators===
<strike>Unlike ''Binaltech'', there is no actual fiction for the ''Alternators'' line, and it is highly unlikely there ever will be, the line's questionable future regardless.</strike> According to [[Hasbro]] representatives, they never pursued the licensing rights for "2D" representations of the car models. Though the reasons were never stated, it is not hard to extrapolate numerous reasons not to; additional costs for securing rights for an indefinite period, debatable ability to utilize those rights in a timely manner, plus clearing whatever fictional portrayal is made with every car company involved (see [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]'s page for more on ''that''), which would have massively bogged down any publication.

However, a few chunks of Takara's ''Binaltech'' story have made it to the Western market nonetheless: A promotional website set up by Mazda's USA branch in early 2004, offering the first hint at what would ultimately end up as the Alternators Meister toy, featured a brief summary of the original setting for the Binaltech story, including mention of the Cosmic Rust. More than two years later, a bio for the Hasbro Toy Shop/San Diego Comic-Con exclusive Nemesis Prime toy, written by [[Forest Lee]], directly referred to the Binaltech story, including the names of Doctor Arkeville and his employer, the "[[Concurrence]]". For reasons unknown, though, the story was never officially released, and only found its way to the public through websites with access to Hasbro's official library for promotional material intended for retailers, later also to be featured by [[Ben Yee]] in his review for the toy. Interestingly enough, the story for Takara's Black Convoy version of Nemesis Prime, as well as a related revelation from the subsequent chapter that came with the e-Hobby exclusive Rijie toy, appear to be based around the bio for the Alternators toy.

===Binaltech Asterisk===
:''Main article:'' [[Binaltech Asterisk (online comic)|Binaltech Asterisk online comic]]

''Binaltech Asterisk'' has its own fiction, a series of online comics, that are largely unconnected to any other Transformers timeline, or even itself, being mostly short vignettes free of Decepticon troubles. However, the official [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|Japanese G1 timeline]] places it within the same fiction and period of time as Binaltech.

==Toys==
===Alternators===
{{note|Although most ''Alternators'' ''did'' come out in waves, the number of actually new toys was limited to two or three per season; as a result, they're simply listed ordered by number, even though some of them (notably Dead End/Tracks and Decepticharge/Swerve) were released in reversed order at general retail.}}
*01. [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (Subaru Impreza WRC 2003)
*02. [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (Dodge Viper SRT-10)
*03. [[Hound (G1)|Autobot Hound]] (Jeep Wrangler Sport)
*04. [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*05. [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*06. [[Tracks (G1)|Autobot Tracks]] (Chevrolet Corvette Z06)
*07. [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Meister]] (Mazda RX-8)
*08. [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom)
*09. [[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]] (Ford Mustang GT)
*10. [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Battle Ravage]] (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible)
*11. [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (Honda S2000)
*12. [[Shockwave (G1)/toys|Shockblast]] (Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version II)
*13. [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (2005 Ford Mustang Street Tuning)
*14. [[Decepticharge]] (Mugen Honda S2000)
*15. [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (Chevrolet Corvette Z06)
*16. [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]] (Acura RSX)

{{note|The mass retail Alternators line was officially released in two subsequent assortments in North America. The first one ran from Smokescreen to Prowl, whereas the second one ran from Prowl (who was carried over from the first assortment) to Autobot Camshaft, including re-releases of Autobot Tracks and Meister. European releases, on the other hand, were a lot more complicated (if not to say outright confusing).}}
*17. [[Skids (G1)|Autobot Skids]] (Scion xB)
*18. [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*19. [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]] (Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom)
*20. [[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*21. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] (Dodge Ram SRT-10)
*22. [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (Ford GT)
*23. [[Camshaft (G1)|Autobot Camshaft]] (Acura RSX)
*24. [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] (Dodge Ram SRT-10, [[Hasbro Toy Shop]]/San Diego Comic-Con exclusive)

{{note|Nemesis Prime shipped all by himself and wasn't part of ''any'' assortment as such. He was was also available as a non-exclusive mass retail release in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, and as a Mr Toys Toyworld exclusive in Australia.}}
*24. (25.) [[Rumble (G1)|Decepticon Rumble]] (Honda Civic Si, [[Walmart]] exclusive)

{{note|Rumble and Ravage were available in a Wal*Mart exclusive assortment of their own, although Rumble was also available as a non-exclusive mass retail release in some Asian countries. Also note that, while Rumble's official number on the packaging is 24, common consensus among fans is that this is an error, seeing as Nemesis Prime had aleady sported that number, and there is no ''Alternators'' toy numbered 25.}}
*26. [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]] (Jaguar XK, Walmart exclusive)

{{note|Ravage was also available as a non-exclusive mass retail release in several European countries (among them Germany, making him the ''first'' Alternators toy to be officially released there) and in some Asian countries, also in [[Multilingual packaging|European packaging]].}}
*27. [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Rodimus]] (Ford GT, Hasbro Toy Shop/San Diego Comic-Con exclusive)

{{note|Rodimus shipped all by himself and wasn't part of ''any'' assortment as such. He was was also available as a non-exclusive mass retail release in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, and as a Mr Toys Toyworld exclusive in Australia.}}

===Binaltech===
*BT-01. Smokescreen (Subaru Impreza WRC 2003 #7 version)
*BT-01. Smokescreen (Subaru Impreza WRC 2003 #8 version)
*BT-02. [[Sideswipe (G1)|Lambor]] (Dodge Viper SRT-10)
*BT-03. [[Bluestreak|Streak]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*BT-04. [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (Jeep Wrangler Sport)
*BT-05. Dead End (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*BT-06. Tracks (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 yellow version)
*BT-06. Tracks (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 blue version)

{{note|Blue ''Binaltech'' Tracks was the only "variant" version of a ''Binaltech'' toy (the yellow version was originally considered the "regular" version by Takara, which got retroactively changed later) that was ''not'' shipped together with the "regular" version in a 50:50 ratio per case. Instead, Blue Tracks was shipped several months after the release of the yellow version, at the same time Swindle was released.}}
*BT-07. Smokescreen GT (Subaru Impreza WRC 2004 #1 version)
*BT-07. Smokescreen GT (Subaru Impreza WRC 2004 #2 version)
*BT-08. [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Meister]] (Mazda RX-8 white version)
*BT-08. Meister "Velocity Red Mica Edition" (Mazda RX-8 red version, aka [[Zoom-Zoom]])
*BT-09. Swindle (Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom)
*BT-10. Grimlock (Ford Mustang GT)
*BT-11. Ravage (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible)
*BT-12. [[Overdrive]] (Honda S2000)
*BT-13. [[Shockwave (G1)/toys|Laserwave]] (Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version II)
*BT-14. Wheeljack (2005 Ford Mustang Street Tuning)
*BT-15. Prowl "Patrol Type" (Honda Integra Type-R police version)
*BT-15. Prowl "Vivid Blue Pearl Edition" (Honda Integra Type-R blue version)
*BT-16. Skids (Toyota bB)
*BT-17. [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Black Convoy]] (Dodge Ram SRT-10, Wonder Festival 2007 Winter exclusive)
*BT-18. [[Mirage (G1)|Rijie]] "Electro Disrupter Mode" (Ford GT, e-Hobby exclusive clear version)
*BT-19. [[Bluestreak]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*BT-20. Argent Meister (Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version II)
*BT-21. [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (Honda S2000)
*BT-22. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Convoy]] (Dodge Ram SRT-10)

===Binaltech Asterisk===
*BTA01. [[Red Alert (G1)|Alert]] meets [[Ai Kuruma|Ai]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*BTA02. [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] meets [[Junko Shiragami|Junko]] (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*BTA03. [[Blaster (G1)|Broadblast]] meets [[Lumina Hoshi|Lumina]] (Toyota bB)

==Pre-release development==
[[Image:PorscheMiniSubaru.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You'll never ever find us in stores.]]It's not certain what exactly originally led Hasbro and Takara to the concept of a line of Transformers based on licensed vehicles. An interview with Takara's development team<ref>[http://tfarchive.com/fandom/interviews/alternators_binaltech/takara_binaltech_interview_translation.php interview with Takara's Binaltech development team, English translation at TF Archive]</ref> confirmed that both companies initially had different ideas (for example, a different intended scale for the toys) that ultimately resulted in a compromise. It's possible that Hasbro's motivation stemmed from the ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' line, where they were required to alter [[X-Brawn]]'s headlights in order to avoid legal trouble with Mercedes, and had to acquire a license from Dodge for all iterations of the [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] mold beginning with the "Super Side Burn" redeco.
* The first toy planned for the line was Jazz (probably to be named "Autobot Jazz" for [[trademark]] reasons) as a Porsche 986. A prototype was made, but Porsche refused to grant Hasbro and Takara the license, stating that "Transformers are not worthy [of] carrying the Porsche trademark. They are war machines and the toyline in no way represents the lifestyle and ideas which Porsche represents."<ref>[http://www.tfarchive.com/community/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24622 Former Porsche employee Addl recounting an informal inquiry with Porsche's licensing department at TF Archive]</ref> As a consequence, the toy ultimately never went into production. Photos of the prototype were depicted in the Japanese book ''[[The Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide]]'', and Hasbro later also displayed the prototype during the BotCon 2007 Hasbro Tour.

* The second prototype produced was Tracks as a Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Although the toy eventually came out, Chevrolet initially denied Hasbro and Takara the license as well, presumably fearing that "having these car panels that separate apart conveys an image of being broken".<ref>[http://toyboxdx.com/phorum/read.php?3,97799,97800 interview with Binaltech designer Hironori Kobayashi, English translation at the Toybox DX forums]</ref> This led Hasbro and Takara to conceive an alternate concept for Tracks as another "well-known American sports car", namely a Dodge Viper. Ultimately, though, Chevrolet would later have a change of mind, which allowed Hasbro and Takara to start production on Corvette-Tracks after all, whereas the Viper ended up as Side Swipe instead.

* The third design was for [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] as a [[Wikipedia:Volkswagen_New_Beetle|Volkswagen New Beetle]], with [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] as the redeco. Unfortunately, VW had similar concerns as Porsche, what with not wanting to be associated with "war toys", therefore the design never made it past the control drawing stage. [[Control drawing]]s for both Bumblebee and Cliffjumper have been published in the aforementioned Japanese BT guide book.

* Another prototype, which was apparently created before the final scale for the line was settled on, was a smaller version of [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], displayed by Hasbro as part of the BotCon 2007 Hasbro Tour. <ref>[http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-gallery/convention-photographs/238/convention-photographs/BotCon+2007+Hasbro+Tour.html Photos from the BotCon 2007 Hasbro Tour at Transformers @ The Moon]</ref> Oddly enough, though, the prototype is a different scale than the one Takara claimed having initially pursued in their interview in the ''Binaltech'' guide book; furthermore, the small Subaru prototype was stated to be the second prototype after the Porsche version of Jazz (which was displayed next to him), which also appears to contradict the Takara interview; and lastly, the Subaru prototype mixes a Smokescreen head sculpt and a WRC (Smokescreen) front bumper with a WRX ([[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]]) rear spoiler.

* The 1:24 scale Subaru Impreza mold was apparently the first design that went without any major difficulty at any stage in its production process, if one ignores the smaller scale prototype. Silverstreak (the WRX street model) was originally designed first, with Smokescreen (the WRC rally model) being intended as the redeco, but Takara's marketing department decided to reverse the release order of the two versions, thinking that the rally model would have "more visual impact" as the first release of the line.

* Many other toys later down the line also went through various changes prior to being released. More details can be found on the individual pages for [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]], [[Camshaft (G1)|Camshaft]], [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], [[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]], [[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]], [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Overdrive]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Decepticharge]], [[Wildrider]], [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]], [[Ginrai]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rod]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] and [[Bluestreak]].

==Innovations and lasting effects==
*''Alternators'' was the first line to consist primarily of newly designed toys clearly intended as new versions of classic [[character]]s from the [[The Transformers (toyline)|original series]], rather than mere design homages or new sculpts directly based on the designs of the original toys and/or the [[character model|animation model]] from the original [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]] with modern technology.

==Notes==
* Hasbro originally intended to use real branded tires such as Bridgestone, Michelin or Goodyear (evidence can be found on early, "leaked" [[Prototype|test shots]] for Smokescreen, Side Swipe and Meister, and in the Japanese ''[[The Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide]]'' book). However, all the final ''Alternators'' and ''Binaltech'' toys either use the fictious brand [[Cybertronian Radial]] for their tires, or sport no brand markings on their tires at all.

* In early 2004, a trade publication named ''Brandweek'' reported that Hasbro was negotiating with Dodge about the licenses for a Dodge Ram pickup truck and a Dodge Neon. While the former ultimately ended up as Optimus Prime, the latter vehicle was never actually turned into an Alternator.

* In mid-2004, several online stores solicited an upcoming ''Binaltech'' toy based on a MINI Cooper alongside the newly confirmed Swindle and Grimlock. The preorders were later canceled, which, coupled with conflicting statements from Hasbro and MINI prior to that, resulted in quite a lot of confusion among fans. To this day it's not certain whether the preorders were premature and solely based on an advertising campaign MINI had been running during that time, or whether such a ''Binaltech''/''Alternators'' toy was actually in the works. Rumors of an existing prototype could never be verified. Some of the confusion may have resulted from a separate, non-transforming figure produced by MINI which resembled a robot transformed from a Cooper.

* In late 2004, store listings revealed an entry for an upcoming Alternators toy based on an unspecified Mitsubishi vehicle, listed alongside an Acura which would later turn out to be Prowl. Ultimately, the Mitsubishi would never materialize, and the only other concrete piece of information was a rumor that ''predated'' the store listing, suggesting that an Alternators toy based on a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was in the pipeline. Happy Well Toys' competing toyline, RoadBots, later picked up the Mitsubishi license, and made their own Lancer transforming robot.

* Another new mold, a Cadillac XLR convertible, was also planned. According to Hasbro at BotCon 2006, the toy would have been [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]], but when it was decided to put the Alternators line on an indefinite hiatus, the Cadillac Megatron plans never went beyond the early planning stages. It would have had Oregon license plates.

* In early 2006, Wal-Mart store and website listings included another release of the Scion and Mustang molds, in addition to mass retail releases of Rumble, Jaguar Ravage, and the aforementioned Cadillac Megatron. The Mustang and Scion never got far enough along in development to be assigned characters.

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.oafe.net/articulation/0602.php English translation of the Binaltech story, with images and footnotes]
* [http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread.php?threadid=41133 English translation of the BT-18 chapter] (from BT-18 Rijie)

[[Category:Alternators| ]]
[[Category:Franchises]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Transformers: Alternators

2010-09-13T14:21:16Z

72.153.191.12: /* Notes */

[[Image:AlternatorsLogo.jpg|center]]
{{-}}
'''''Alternators''''' ('''''Binaltech''''' in Japan) is a line of Transformers that started in late 2003. The toys in this series transform into [[Licensed vehicle alternate modes|fully-licensed]], 1:24-[[scale]] accurate representations of real cars from automobile manufacturers around the globe, complete with opening doors, hoods, trunks, plus "realistic" open driver/passenger compartments.

==Car licenses and character selection==
[[Image:BTSmokescreenRakuten.jpg|left|150px|thumb|This photo resulted in collective drooling.]]
At one point in 2003, [[Hasbro]] stated that the ''Alternators'' line would consist of "six 'hot' contemporary cars".<ref>[http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/3305.html Report about Hasbro's statements regarding the Alternators line from Wizard World Chicago 2003, at Internal Correspondence version 2]</ref> The first six models were based on a [[Wikipedia:Subaru_Impreza|Subaru Impreza]], a [[Wikipedia:Dodge_Viper|Dodge Viper]], a [[Wikipedia:Jeep_Wrangler|Jeep Wrangler]], a [[Wikipedia:Chevrolet_Corvette"|C5 Chevrolet Corvette]], a [[Wikipedia:Mazda_RX-8|Mazda RX-8]], and a [[Wikipedia:Ford_Mustang|Ford Mustang]]. Even before the line was launched, though, new licenses were already pursued by Hasbro and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], with the first new mold that was not part of the "original six" anymore being based on a [[Wikipedia:Honda_S2000|Honda S2000]]. More and more models and manufacturers joined the line over its run. Nearly all of these models are from either American or Japanese manufacturers, with the only exception being the [[Wikipedia:Jaguar_XK|Jaguar XK]], which is originally a European car.

Character-wise, Hasbro and Takara initially started out with better-known [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] characters from the 1984-85 era that had originally transformed into cars. [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] started the line, with his extensive [[paint operation]]s and [[tampograph]]ed sponsor logos meant to show the level of detail put into the line. For budget reasons, Hasbro and Takara decided very early on that [[redeco]]s/[[retool]]s were necessary even more than they were in other lines, thus retools of the first three molds were already available by the time the last of the "original six" molds came out. Initially, Hasbro and Takara intended to keep the retools rooted in Generation 1 whenever possible, thus the retool of Smokescreen became [[Bluestreak]] (renamed into "Silverstreak" for [[trademark]] reasons). Though the line was originally meant to be just [[Autobot]]s, it was later decided to release [[Decepticon]]s as part of the line, which took the form of retools of existing Autobot toys, hence the [[Sideswipe (G1)|Side Swipe]] retool ended up as [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] rather than [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], and the intended [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] retool of [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] ultimately became [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] instead.

Over the time, the selection was expanded to include characters which had not originally transformed into vehicles (such as [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] aka "Shockblast", or [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] aka "Battle Ravage"). The first character difference between the ''Alternators'' and ''Binaltech'' versions of the line occurred when Hasbro named a toy that was designed to resemble the Omnibot [[Overdrive]] (who the toy was released as in Japan) after the [[Mini Vehicle]] [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] instead, presumably due to [[trademark]] reasons (a constant thorn in the side). As the two lines progressed, they diverged more, both in terms of different decos and the addition of third-stringer characters (mostly on Hasbro's end). Even characters that had no root in Generation 1 at all would eventually be added, namely [[Decepticharge]] and [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]]. Interestingly, the first molds to ''start out'' as Decepticons rather than Autobots, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and a second [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]] toy, would ultimately also be the last new molds of the line released by Hasbro.

==Alternators==
[[Image:MazdaRX-8.jpg|right|170px|thumb|Who is the Mazda RX-8 Transformer? Who? WHO?]]
In the USA, the '''''Alternators''''' line was launched in December 2003, with the toys being made entirely out of plastic (with the exception of the rubber tires). The first wave consisted ''only'' of Smokescreen, who shipped in a case all by himself. The second wave mixed Smokescreen and Side Swipe in a 50:50 ratio, with new toys being introduced in the following waves (but Smokescreen choked shelves like crazy). Over the time of its original run, the ''Alternators'' line was particularly notorious for including toys that were extremely hard to find due to only shipping in one or two waves (Meister, Tracks, Decepticharge, Swerve), whereas others shipped for multiple waves, despite having already been [[Shelfwarmer|shelfwarmers]] (Swindle, in particular).

In 2005, Wal*Mart decided to drop the ''Alternators'' assortment due to poor sales. As a result, Hasbro relaunched the line with a new assortment in late 2005, featuring completely new packaging, a mix of new molds, redecos of older toys and re-releases of highly sought-after rarities such as Tracks or Meister, prompting Wal-Mart to pick the line up again. In a twist of irony, those "rare" toys re-released ended up as shelfwarmers this time around.

As sales for the second assortment were not particularly stellar either, Hasbro eventually decided to drop the ''Alternators'' as a mass retail line altogether. A Nemesis Prime redeco of the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] mold was released as a [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] [[exclusive]] that was originally offered at San Diego Comic-Con 2006, with poor handling and limited availability resulting in a lot of frustrated fans. Meanwhile, the toy was warming shelves in Asia, where it had been released at mass retail. Following Nemesis Prime, the last two new molds that had been far into development at the time it was decided to discontinue the line, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]], were released as Wal*Mart exclusives in Spring 2007. The last new release after that was [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Rodimus]], a retool of [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], again available as a Hasbro Toy Shop/San Diego Comic-Con exclusive.

Distribution in other countries was oftentimes even worse: Canadian stores already dropped the line after the first four or five waves and didn't really pick it up again until the launch of the second assortment; in New Zealand, Meister shipped in a solid case assortment (similar to Smokescreen before him), thereby almost killing the line there; Australian stores dropped the line during its second year, making it effectively an online retailer exclusive for the most part there from that point on (on the upside, Australia also got Nemesis Prime and Rodimus, albeit only as store-initiated imports); and Europe got a borderline random selection of toys, with different toys being available in different countries (and some toys not being released ''anywhere'' in Europe). However, as if Jaguar-Ravage wasn't already exceptional enough, the toy was also available in various European countries several months ''before'' he came out in the USA.

The future of the ''Alternators'' line is highly questionable right now, and not very bright. Following the [[Movie (toyline)|2007 movie toyline]], the second ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, launched in 2008, partly filled the gap for "realistic vehicles", primarily by having unlicensed approximations of vehicles in the ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' style.

In addition, at [[BotCon 2007]], Hasbro staffers (notably [[Greg Lombardo]]) said that many of the licenses they had acquired to make ''Alternators'' had expired. They were hoping to make a few more exclusive redecoes using the remaining licenses (like Rodimus) before those expired in 2008, but were unsure of the available venues, noting that future retail releases—even as exclusives—was unlikely.

At the New York International Toy Fair 2008, Hasbro stated that they might bring the Alternators line back. However, no news has come out of this thus far.

The [[Human Alliance]] assortment from the 2009 ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' movie toy line can be considered as a spiritual successor of the ''Alternators'' line: Licensed vehicle modes roughly at a 1:24 scale (but taking more liberties compared to the ''Alternators'' toys) with interiors that can even hold (included) figures of human characters from the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|movie]]''.

==Binaltech==
[[Image:SunstreakerComparison.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Hasbro vs. Takara - can you guess which one is which?]]
In Japan, the line was known as '''''Binaltech''''', with the primary difference being that ''Binaltech'' figures are more "collector"-oriented, featuring fully-painted car bodies and [[die-cast]] metal parts, in comparison to ''Alternators''' color-molded plastic construction. Additionally, various ''Binaltech'' figures have same-character variants, usually released concurrently with the "regular" version in a 50:50 ratio per case (as Japanese toys usually ship in solid cases), that Hasbro did not release (though there are numerous redecoes and remolds in ''Alternators'' that never saw release in ''Binaltech'').

The mass retail ''Binaltech'' line was officially cancelled (or, to put it politely, put on "indefinite hiatus") in early 2006 after the release of [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], apparently due to slow sales. Reportedly two more releases were cancelled; "[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Black Widow]]" (a silver and purple redeco of [[Decepticharge]] as the ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' femme fatale, better known as Blackarachnia outside Japan) and [[Ginrai]] ([[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s ''[[Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' look-alike) had been solicited, but only the first was shown in any capacity. The latter would ultimately end up as the first release of Takara's short-lived replacement for the ''Binaltech'' line, ''[[Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Convoy]], whereas the Blackarachnia concept eventually evolved into ''Binaltech'' [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] much, much later (see below).

In 2007, the ''Binaltech'' line got resurrected in a way similar to the state Hasbro's version was in at that point. The two new molds that had previously been intended to be released prior to the cancellation of the mass retail line were now released as redecos of the ''Kiss Players'' toys, with Black Convoy (exclusively available at the Wonder Festival 2007 Winter convention, and later at [[e-Hobby]]) being Takara's counterpart of the Hasbro Toy Shop/San Diego Comic-Con Nemesis Prime redeco of Optimus Prime/Convoy, whereas "Rijie" (Mirage), a redeco of the Ford GT mold which Takara had previously released as ''Kiss Players'' [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rodimus]], was only released as a clear e-Hobby exclusive variant, using the same head sculpt as Hasbro's Alternators Mirage version. Therefore, Rijie was the only ''Binaltech'' toy that didn't contain any [[die-cast]] parts. Thus far, Takara have shown no indication of intending to release the new Rumble or Ravage molds; however, four new [[redeco]]s of older toys were released in 2008, all of them once again available at mass retail. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Convoy]] was released as the latest addition to this resurrected ''Binaltech'' line, featuring slightly different colouring from its previous Kiss Player Convoy counterpart.

Following this, Takara replaced ''Binaltech'' with a new toy line following a similar overall concept (licensed vehicle mode, diecast parts) at a smaller scale (1/32), under the new name ''[[Alternity (toyline)|Alternity]]''. At time of writing, one toy has been released and another is slated for a release in 2009, both in several color variants.

===Binaltech Asterisk===
In late 2005 (not too long before it went on "indefinite hiatus"), ''Binaltech'' gained a sub-series called '''''Binaltech Asterisk''''', using old molds in new decos as previously-unreleased Autobots, but also including small PVC figurines of human girls, each one based on a female human character from a previous ''Transformers'' series. These figurines had alternate arms and lower bodies so they could "drive" the Autobots in car mode. These toys were also packaged in robot mode as opposed to the normal car mode (presumably to encourage transformation to car mode so the girls could drive). Reportedly, the addition of the PVCs was to try and reach a broader market to help the line's flagging sales... though the ''higher price tag'' probably didn't help. This series only had three releases before it was canceled; a "Black Convoy w/ [[Marissa Faireborn|Marissa]]" (spelled "Melissa") set was solicited as the fourth set but never released as originally planned... it got changed for the latest incarnation of the 1:24 line, ''[[Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]''.

==Fiction==
===Binaltech===
{{main|Story of Binaltech}}
''Binaltech'' has its own storyline written by [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]] called simply ''[[Story of Binaltech]]'', though it is only told in small text chunks within each toy's instruction booklet (during the original run of the series) or on the toys' packaging itself (for the toys released in 2007 and 2008). Supplemental information was also included in the characters' [[bio]]s and [[Tech Spec]]s, also included in the books and on the packaging. The story of ''Binaltech'' later continued with the advent of the ''[[Alternity (toyline)|Alternity]]'' toyline.

===Alternators===
<strike>Unlike ''Binaltech'', there is no actual fiction for the ''Alternators'' line, and it is highly unlikely there ever will be, the line's questionable future regardless.</strike> According to [[Hasbro]] representatives, they never pursued the licensing rights for "2D" representations of the car models. Though the reasons were never stated, it is not hard to extrapolate numerous reasons not to; additional costs for securing rights for an indefinite period, debatable ability to utilize those rights in a timely manner, plus clearing whatever fictional portrayal is made with every car company involved (see [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]'s page for more on ''that''), which would have massively bogged down any publication.

However, a few chunks of Takara's ''Binaltech'' story have made it to the Western market nonetheless: A promotional website set up by Mazda's USA branch in early 2004, offering the first hint at what would ultimately end up as the Alternators Meister toy, featured a brief summary of the original setting for the Binaltech story, including mention of the Cosmic Rust. More than two years later, a bio for the Hasbro Toy Shop/San Diego Comic-Con exclusive Nemesis Prime toy, written by [[Forest Lee]], directly referred to the Binaltech story, including the names of Doctor Arkeville and his employer, the "[[Concurrence]]". For reasons unknown, though, the story was never officially released, and only found its way to the public through websites with access to Hasbro's official library for promotional material intended for retailers, later also to be featured by [[Ben Yee]] in his review for the toy. Interestingly enough, the story for Takara's Black Convoy version of Nemesis Prime, as well as a related revelation from the subsequent chapter that came with the e-Hobby exclusive Rijie toy, appear to be based around the bio for the Alternators toy.

===Binaltech Asterisk===
:''Main article:'' [[Binaltech Asterisk (online comic)|Binaltech Asterisk online comic]]

''Binaltech Asterisk'' has its own fiction, a series of online comics, that are largely unconnected to any other Transformers timeline, or even itself, being mostly short vignettes free of Decepticon troubles. However, the official [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|Japanese G1 timeline]] places it within the same fiction and period of time as Binaltech.

==Toys==
===Alternators===
{{note|Although most ''Alternators'' ''did'' come out in waves, the number of actually new toys was limited to two or three per season; as a result, they're simply listed ordered by number, even though some of them (notably Dead End/Tracks and Decepticharge/Swerve) were released in reversed order at general retail.}}
*01. [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (Subaru Impreza WRC 2003)
*02. [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (Dodge Viper SRT-10)
*03. [[Hound (G1)|Autobot Hound]] (Jeep Wrangler Sport)
*04. [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*05. [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*06. [[Tracks (G1)|Autobot Tracks]] (Chevrolet Corvette Z06)
*07. [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Meister]] (Mazda RX-8)
*08. [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom)
*09. [[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]] (Ford Mustang GT)
*10. [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Battle Ravage]] (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible)
*11. [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (Honda S2000)
*12. [[Shockwave (G1)/toys|Shockblast]] (Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version II)
*13. [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (2005 Ford Mustang Street Tuning)
*14. [[Decepticharge]] (Mugen Honda S2000)
*15. [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (Chevrolet Corvette Z06)
*16. [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]] (Acura RSX)

{{note|The mass retail Alternators line was officially released in two subsequent assortments in North America. The first one ran from Smokescreen to Prowl, whereas the second one ran from Prowl (who was carried over from the first assortment) to Autobot Camshaft, including re-releases of Autobot Tracks and Meister. European releases, on the other hand, were a lot more complicated (if not to say outright confusing).}}
*17. [[Skids (G1)|Autobot Skids]] (Scion xB)
*18. [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*19. [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]] (Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom)
*20. [[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*21. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] (Dodge Ram SRT-10)
*22. [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (Ford GT)
*23. [[Camshaft (G1)|Autobot Camshaft]] (Acura RSX)
*24. [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] (Dodge Ram SRT-10, [[Hasbro Toy Shop]]/San Diego Comic-Con exclusive)

{{note|Nemesis Prime shipped all by himself and wasn't part of ''any'' assortment as such. He was was also available as a non-exclusive mass retail release in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, and as a Mr Toys Toyworld exclusive in Australia.}}
*24. (25.) [[Rumble (G1)|Decepticon Rumble]] (Honda Civic Si, [[Walmart]] exclusive)

{{note|Rumble and Ravage were available in a Wal*Mart exclusive assortment of their own, although Rumble was also available as a non-exclusive mass retail release in some Asian countries. Also note that, while Rumble's official number on the packaging is 24, common consensus among fans is that this is an error, seeing as Nemesis Prime had aleady sported that number, and there is no ''Alternators'' toy numbered 25.}}
*26. [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]] (Jaguar XK, Walmart exclusive)

{{note|Ravage was also available as a non-exclusive mass retail release in several European countries (among them Germany, making him the ''first'' Alternators toy to be officially released there) and in some Asian countries, also in [[Multilingual packaging|European packaging]].}}
*27. [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Rodimus]] (Ford GT, Hasbro Toy Shop/San Diego Comic-Con exclusive)

{{note|Rodimus shipped all by himself and wasn't part of ''any'' assortment as such. He was was also available as a non-exclusive mass retail release in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, and as a Mr Toys Toyworld exclusive in Australia.}}

===Binaltech===
*BT-01. Smokescreen (Subaru Impreza WRC 2003 #7 version)
*BT-01. Smokescreen (Subaru Impreza WRC 2003 #8 version)
*BT-02. [[Sideswipe (G1)|Lambor]] (Dodge Viper SRT-10)
*BT-03. [[Bluestreak|Streak]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*BT-04. [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (Jeep Wrangler Sport)
*BT-05. Dead End (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*BT-06. Tracks (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 yellow version)
*BT-06. Tracks (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 blue version)

{{note|Blue ''Binaltech'' Tracks was the only "variant" version of a ''Binaltech'' toy (the yellow version was originally considered the "regular" version by Takara, which got retroactively changed later) that was ''not'' shipped together with the "regular" version in a 50:50 ratio per case. Instead, Blue Tracks was shipped several months after the release of the yellow version, at the same time Swindle was released.}}
*BT-07. Smokescreen GT (Subaru Impreza WRC 2004 #1 version)
*BT-07. Smokescreen GT (Subaru Impreza WRC 2004 #2 version)
*BT-08. [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Meister]] (Mazda RX-8 white version)
*BT-08. Meister "Velocity Red Mica Edition" (Mazda RX-8 red version, aka [[Zoom-Zoom]])
*BT-09. Swindle (Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom)
*BT-10. Grimlock (Ford Mustang GT)
*BT-11. Ravage (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible)
*BT-12. [[Overdrive]] (Honda S2000)
*BT-13. [[Shockwave (G1)/toys|Laserwave]] (Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version II)
*BT-14. Wheeljack (2005 Ford Mustang Street Tuning)
*BT-15. Prowl "Patrol Type" (Honda Integra Type-R police version)
*BT-15. Prowl "Vivid Blue Pearl Edition" (Honda Integra Type-R blue version)
*BT-16. Skids (Toyota bB)
*BT-17. [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Black Convoy]] (Dodge Ram SRT-10, Wonder Festival 2007 Winter exclusive)
*BT-18. [[Mirage (G1)|Rijie]] "Electro Disrupter Mode" (Ford GT, e-Hobby exclusive clear version)
*BT-19. [[Bluestreak]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*BT-20. Argent Meister (Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version II)
*BT-21. [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (Honda S2000)
*BT-22. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Convoy]] (Dodge Ram SRT-10)

===Binaltech Asterisk===
*BTA01. [[Red Alert (G1)|Alert]] meets [[Ai Kuruma|Ai]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*BTA02. [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] meets [[Junko Shiragami|Junko]] (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*BTA03. [[Blaster (G1)|Broadblast]] meets [[Lumina Hoshi|Lumina]] (Toyota bB)

==Pre-release development==
[[Image:PorscheMiniSubaru.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You'll never ever find us in stores.]]It's not certain what exactly originally led Hasbro and Takara to the concept of a line of Transformers based on licensed vehicles. An interview with Takara's development team<ref>[http://tfarchive.com/fandom/interviews/alternators_binaltech/takara_binaltech_interview_translation.php interview with Takara's Binaltech development team, English translation at TF Archive]</ref> confirmed that both companies initially had different ideas (for example, a different intended scale for the toys) that ultimately resulted in a compromise. It's possible that Hasbro's motivation stemmed from the ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' line, where they were required to alter [[X-Brawn]]'s headlights in order to avoid legal trouble with Mercedes, and had to acquire a license from Dodge for all iterations of the [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] mold beginning with the "Super Side Burn" redeco.
* The first toy planned for the line was Jazz (probably to be named "Autobot Jazz" for [[trademark]] reasons) as a Porsche 986. A prototype was made, but Porsche refused to grant Hasbro and Takara the license, stating that "Transformers are not worthy [of] carrying the Porsche trademark. They are war machines and the toyline in no way represents the lifestyle and ideas which Porsche represents."<ref>[http://www.tfarchive.com/community/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24622 Former Porsche employee Addl recounting an informal inquiry with Porsche's licensing department at TF Archive]</ref> As a consequence, the toy ultimately never went into production. Photos of the prototype were depicted in the Japanese book ''[[The Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide]]'', and Hasbro later also displayed the prototype during the BotCon 2007 Hasbro Tour.

* The second prototype produced was Tracks as a Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Although the toy eventually came out, Chevrolet initially denied Hasbro and Takara the license as well, presumably fearing that "having these car panels that separate apart conveys an image of being broken".<ref>[http://toyboxdx.com/phorum/read.php?3,97799,97800 interview with Binaltech designer Hironori Kobayashi, English translation at the Toybox DX forums]</ref> This led Hasbro and Takara to conceive an alternate concept for Tracks as another "well-known American sports car", namely a Dodge Viper. Ultimately, though, Chevrolet would later have a change of mind, which allowed Hasbro and Takara to start production on Corvette-Tracks after all, whereas the Viper ended up as Side Swipe instead.

* The third design was for [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] as a [[Wikipedia:Volkswagen_New_Beetle|Volkswagen New Beetle]], with [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] as the redeco. Unfortunately, VW had similar concerns as Porsche, what with not wanting to be associated with "war toys", therefore the design never made it past the control drawing stage. [[Control drawing]]s for both Bumblebee and Cliffjumper have been published in the aforementioned Japanese BT guide book.

* Another prototype, which was apparently created before the final scale for the line was settled on, was a smaller version of [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], displayed by Hasbro as part of the BotCon 2007 Hasbro Tour. <ref>[http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-gallery/convention-photographs/238/convention-photographs/BotCon+2007+Hasbro+Tour.html Photos from the BotCon 2007 Hasbro Tour at Transformers @ The Moon]</ref> Oddly enough, though, the prototype is a different scale than the one Takara claimed having initially pursued in their interview in the ''Binaltech'' guide book; furthermore, the small Subaru prototype was stated to be the second prototype after the Porsche version of Jazz (which was displayed next to him), which also appears to contradict the Takara interview; and lastly, the Subaru prototype mixes a Smokescreen head sculpt and a WRC (Smokescreen) front bumper with a WRX ([[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]]) rear spoiler.

* The 1:24 scale Subaru Impreza mold was apparently the first design that went without any major difficulty at any stage in its production process, if one ignores the smaller scale prototype. Silverstreak (the WRX street model) was originally designed first, with Smokescreen (the WRC rally model) being intended as the redeco, but Takara's marketing department decided to reverse the release order of the two versions, thinking that the rally model would have "more visual impact" as the first release of the line.

* Many other toys later down the line also went through various changes prior to being released. More details can be found on the individual pages for [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]], [[Camshaft (G1)|Camshaft]], [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], [[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]], [[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]], [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Overdrive]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Decepticharge]], [[Wildrider]], [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]], [[Ginrai]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rod]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] and [[Bluestreak]].

==Innovations and lasting effects==
*''Alternators'' was the first line to consist primarily of newly designed toys clearly intended as new versions of classic [[character]]s from the [[The Transformers (toyline)|original series]], rather than mere design homages or new sculpts directly based on the designs of the original toys and/or the [[character model|animation model]] from the original [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]] with modern technology.

==Notes==
* Hasbro originally intended to use real branded tires such as Bridgestone, Michelin or Goodyear (evidence can be found on early, "leaked" [[Prototype|test shots]] for Smokescreen, Side Swipe and Meister, and in the Japanese ''[[The Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide]]'' book). However, all the final ''Alternators'' and ''Binaltech'' toys either use the fictious brand [[Cybertronian Radial]] for their tires, or sport no brand markings on their tires at all.

* In early 2004, a trade publication named ''Brandweek'' reported that Hasbro was negotiating with Dodge about the licenses for a Dodge Ram pickup truck and a Dodge Neon. While the former ultimately ended up as Optimus Prime, the latter vehicle was never actually turned into an Alternator.

* In mid-2004, several online stores solicited an upcoming ''Binaltech'' toy based on a MINI Cooper alongside the newly confirmed Swindle and Grimlock. The preorders were later canceled, which, coupled with conflicting statements from Hasbro and MINI prior to that, resulted in quite a lot of confusion among fans. To this day it's not certain whether the preorders were premature and solely based on an advertising campaign MINI had been running during that time, or whether such a ''Binaltech''/''Alternators'' toy was actually in the works. Rumors of an existing prototype could never be verified. Some of the confusion may have resulted from a separate, non-transforming figure produced by MINI which resembled a robot transformed from a Cooper.

* In late 2004, store listings revealed an entry for an upcoming Alternators toy based on an unspecified Mitsubishi vehicle, listed alongside an Acura which would later turn out to be Prowl. Ultimately, the Mitsubishi would never materialize, and the only other concrete piece of information was a rumor that ''predated'' the store listing, suggesting that an Alternators toy based on a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was in the pipeline.

* Another new mold, a Cadillac XLR convertible, was also planned. According to Hasbro at BotCon 2006, the toy would have been [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]], but when it was decided to put the Alternators line on an indefinite hiatus, the Cadillac Megatron plans never went beyond the early planning stages. It would have had Oregon license plates.

* In early 2006, Wal-Mart store and website listings included another release of the Scion and Mustang molds, in addition to mass retail releases of Rumble, Jaguar Ravage, and the aforementioned Cadillac Megatron. The Mustang and Scion never got far enough along in development to be assigned characters.

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.oafe.net/articulation/0602.php English translation of the Binaltech story, with images and footnotes]
* [http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread.php?threadid=41133 English translation of the BT-18 chapter] (from BT-18 Rijie)

[[Category:Alternators| ]]
[[Category:Franchises]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Hardtop (Cybertron)

2010-09-13T14:10:50Z

72.153.191.12: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig2|the Cybertron-series Decepticon|the live-action-movie-series Decepticon|Hardtop (Movie)}}
:''Hardtop is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]] portion of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Hardtop-card.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Best. Sniper. Ever.]]
Meticulous and precise, '''Hardtop''' is a top sniper among the Decepticon ranks. His acute sight and hearing, combined with incredible patience, makes him not only an excellent hit man, but also perfect for keeping tabs on the treacherous [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] for his commander [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]. In almost every way, he's the exact opposite of his brother [[Swindle (Cybertron)|Swindle]].

Hardtop's orderly personality also manifests itself in his hobby: comic books. He's got a vast, pristine collection of pulp entertainment from numerous worlds and civilizations, a collection easily within the realm of "excessive" and "obsessive". When he's not got an Autobot in his sights, he's out hunting for the latest [[Galactic Guardians]] issue or carefully thumbing through his stash.

==Fiction==
===Cybertron cartoon continuity===

Hardtop and his brother [[Swindle (Cybertron)|Swindle]] were assigned to the ''[[Upstart]]'' by [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], operating under [[Brushguard]]'s command while they searched the galaxy for more [[Cyber Planet Key]]s. He groused loudly about the assignment, lamenting about how [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] and [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] got to jaunt around the universe using space warps while they were stuck in a decommissioned [[dropship]], essentially going "door-to-door" asking each planet if their haystack had a needle in it. Swindle and Brushguard were about ready to torch his graphic novel collection when the ''Upstart'' got an alert—the Autobots had found a colony world.

Once they made planetfall, Brushguard sent Hardtop off to locate the Autobot ship. During his search, Hardtop spotted an old [[Cyber Key]] sticking out from a crevice atop a cliff. Surging at the idea of having TWO Cyber Keys to call his own (and at rubbing Swindle's face in it), Hardtop attempted to pull the key loose from its resting place. In a sudden jolt, he succeeded...only to fall backwards over the cliff and land in a heap at the bottom. To add insult to injury, the impact was enough to disintegrate the fragile old Cyber Key totally, leaving him with no prize at all. Despite being well versed in comic book lore, Hardtop couldn't stop himself from mumbling aloud that fateful phrase, ''"At least things can't get any worse."'' Moments later, the ground gave way underneath him, and Hardtop was in for another long, painful fall.

Perhaps the universe didn't ''totally'' hate Hardtop, though, for his latest fall had deposited him in front of a doomsday arsenal ripe for the Decepticons to harvest. When they finally encountered the Autobots, the 'Cons were backed by an army of newly minted [[Decepticlone]]s, along with many more exciting new weapons. Taking to the high ground as a sniper, Hardtop helped defeat both [[Checkpoint]] and the local [[Combatron|Combatronian]] [[Whirl (Universe)|Whirl]], blowing up the latter's missile fire as it was leaving his gun. Best. Sniper. Ever. Capturing most of the Autobots, the Decepticons were on the verge of victory before some local [[Mini-Con]]s stole their shuttle...and the missing Autobot [[Armorhide (Cybertron)|Armorhide]] crashed ''their'' shuttle straight down on the Decepticon position. Hardtop and the other Decepticons were left behind on Combatron for three weeks waiting for pick-up. Hardtop generously allowed his fellow Decepticons to peruse his graphic novel collection, although he was keen on getting [[Heavy Barrel]] to turn the pages for [[Skidmark]]—no chance of passing off a copy as Near Mint if it has tire treads on the pages. {{storylink|Force of Habit}}

==Toys==
===Cybertron===
*'''Hardtop''' (Scout class, 2005)

[[Image:CYB hardtop withalt.jpg|right|250px|thumb|CAMPER!]]
: Hardtop transforms into a dune buggy of indeterminate (and probably made-up) model. He features a rear-mounted gun, which becomes a hand-held weapon for his robot mode. In either mode, plugging a [[Cyber Planet Key]] into the butt of the rifle flips out an extended barrel for a "sniper" mode. He came with a silver-bordered [[Earth]]-style Cyber Planet Key with the [[Cyber Key Codes|Cyber Key Code]] "'''s4mm'''" stamped on the back.

: Hardtop is one of several ''Cybertron'' toys that were not also released under Japan's ''[[Galaxy Force]]''.

: This mold was [[redeco]]ed to make his brother Swindle, and the [[Transformers (2007)|live-action-movie-series]] [[Hardtop (Movie)|Hardtop]], which was later repurposed as [[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]] [[Beachcomber (SG)|Beachcomber]].

{{-}}
*'''Megatron''' (Leader class, 2006)

: Wal-Mart stores carried [[exclusive]] versions of the original Leader-class ''Cybertron'' toys late in the line's run. The toys themselves were unchanged, but came with a free Scout-class toy attached to a bubble on the top of the box. An un-altered version of Hardtop came with the "Bonus Buy" version of Megatron.

{{-}}
===Universe (2008)===
====Cybertron Series====
[[Image:Hardtop-Movietoy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|]]
*'''The Data War''' (Multi-pack, 2009)
: For [[Black Friday (event)|Black Friday]] 2009, Wal-Mart stores received exclusive two-packs containing Scout class figures identical to the previously [[Target]] exclusive [[Movie (toyline)|movie]] releases. Hardtop was packaged with [[Clocker (Cybertron)|Clocker]].

{{-}}

==Notes==
* Hardtop's transformation is almost identical to that of the ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Sledge (Energon)|Sledge]] and [[Bonecrusher (Energon)|Bonecrusher]] mold. Hey, it works. Despite rumors, however, it is not a [[remold]].

==External Links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Decepticon/Hardtop/hardtop.htm Hardtop at TFU.info]

[[Category:Cybertron characters]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Spies]]
[[Category:Trackers]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

Retool

2010-09-13T14:05:58Z

72.153.191.12: /* Gang-molded alternate parts */

[[Image:Retoolbumblebee.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The original Bumblebee toy has been retooled in major ways twice, first to accommodate a keychain (right) and second with a more show-accurate head.]]
A '''retool''' is a newer version of an existing [[Toy|''Transformers'' toy]] which has had parts either added, removed, or resculpted. This can be as simple as changing a single part to provide stability or ease of transformation, or as complex as altering a large percentage of the toy's appearance or [[Gimmick|gimmickry]]. In [[Pipes (G1)|rare]] [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|cases]], extensive retooling even changes some aspects of a toy's transformation.

An alternate term that's common among [[fandom|fans]] is "'''remold'''", but "retool" is the term actually used by the people who design and produce the toys.

It should be noted that the general fandom's conception of "retools" differs from the definition used by [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]]'s designers. To them, only actual physical alterations of an existing tooling qualify as a "retool". There are, however, other methods used to achieve the same results (i.e. a new toy based on an existing sculpt with physical differences to the original release), which are also commonly referred to as "retools" by fans, lacking knowledge of the specific process employed in each individual case.

==Technical process==
"Retooled" toys can be achieved in several different ways.
===Modified toolings===
''Genuine'' retooling is a permanent alteration of an existing tooling, i.e. a modification of the plastic injection [[mold]]. Since the change is permanent, this is usually limited to cases where the change objectively improves a toy, usually in the form of [[variant|running change variants]] where [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] have little desire to revert the change at some point in the future.

For example, Deluxe Class Concept Camaro [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]] from the [[Movie (toyline)|2007 Movie toyline]] was given sculpted pupils inside his eyes (which was an aesthetic improvement) and additional tabs on his hip panels (which improved the stability of his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]) in later shipments. Those changes were kept for all subsequent releases and [[redeco]]s of the sculpt (until the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' line gave him an entirely new head sculpt). Likewise, following the initial release of Deluxe Class [[Jazz (Movie)|Autobot Jazz]] from the same line, the toy's forearm joint hinges were shortened (which improved the forearms' stability in robot mode) for all subsequent releases and variations of the sculpt.

===New parts===
A more common procedure involves the creation of one or more new plastic injection molds for new parts based on the existing sculpt. This is usually done in the case of changes that merely alter the appearance of a toy in order to make a [[redeco]] look more interesting by adding physical modifications. One of the most common examples would be a new head sculpt that replaces the original release's head. Hasbro will look into making as many of the new parts from the same mold as possible, which is why all the new parts are usually cast in the same one or two plastic colors.

For example, [[Jazz (Movie)|Final Battle Jazz]] from the [[Movie (toyline)|2007 ''Movie'' toyline]] was given new parts for his hips, shins/knees and the head, all with sculpted battle damage, as well as an entirely new weapon accessory. None of the existing toolings were permanently altered (save for the aforementioned improved shorter forearm joint hinge), since Hasbro was later able to release several variants of the Jazz sculpt (such as the [[Premium Series]] redeco) without sculpted battle damage. However, all the new parts were presumably made from the same two molds (gray and clear turquoise plastic), since all of the non-damaged releases of Jazz included the original version's weapon. By manufacturing the Final Battle version's Crescent Cannon, Hasbro would have also ended up with excess stock of the battle damaged body parts.

However, in very ''very'' rare instances has a new release of a sculpt mix-matched parts from the original release with parts of a retool: [[BotCon 2006]] [[Darksyde]] [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] combined the retooled [[Cyber Key]]-activated arm gimmick of ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Longrack (Cybertron)|Longrack]] with the original head sculpt of ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Hoist]], and ''[[Alternators|Binaltech]]'' [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Argent Meister]] sported the head sculpt and left hand of the original ''Binaltech'' Meister release but had the retooled "Mazdaspeed Version II" RX-8 car shell of the ''Binaltech'' [[Shockwave (G1)|Laserwave]] version of the sculpt.

Sometimes the creation of new parts may require [[paint operation|painting over]] one or more of the new parts, such as the modified roof panel on Premium Series Leader Class [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]] from the ''Movie'' line, which was cast in red plastic on the original Leader Class Optimus Prime toy, but was cast in blue plastic together with the new head sculpt and the sword accessory for the Premium version, and therefore had to be painted over in red.

In some instances, Hasbro and Takara will create new toolings for a lot of new parts. One of the most well-known examples is ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Dark Crumplezone]], who sports an extensively modified body as compared to the initial Crumplezone release. Again, Hasbro created new toolings rather than permanently altering the existing molds, since they later re-released the original non-"Dark" Crumplezone version in its original colors under the ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' banner. Another extreme example is ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Cannon Bumblebee]], who uses the same ''legs'' as ''Movie'' Deluxe Class Concept Camaro Bumblebee and his (comparably minor) ''Revenge of the Fallen'' retool, "Preview" Bumblebee... but is an ''entirely new sculpt'' from the crotch up.

===Gang-molded alternate parts===
In some instances, Hasbro and Takara plan a retool of a toy even before they start production of the initial release. If the changes to the overall toy are minor (such as a new head sculpt and nothing else), they may cast the original part and the new part from the same tooling via [[gang-molding]]. As a consequence, both parts will be produced on the same sprue, but only one will end up being used, while the other one is discarded as an excess part.

One of the most well-known examples of this procedure is ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal]], whose head was produced on the same sprue as the [[Cobybot]] head, even though the latter was originally only used by Takara. Fans learned of the gang-molded nature of the two head sculpts when they attended the [[BotCon 2006]] Custom Class, where the toys used for customization, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]], which were based on the Scrapmetal/Cobybot sculpts, had both heads on the same sprue (Rumble was supposed to sport the Cobybot head, while Inferno was supposed to sport the regular Scrapmetal head). Odds are, the unused Cobybot heads for the thousands of Scrapmetals released got recycled with all the other plastic that goes unused when parts sprues are cast.

Despite the simplicity of this method, it was only fairly recently that it saw widespread use. While some ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toys made use of the tactic, it is particularly prevalent in the ''[[Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' series, with most of that line's new molds having an alternate head plotted out from the beginning. The instructions for [[Hunt For The Decepticons]] [[Terradive]] and [[Tomahawk]] were printed up with the alternate heads instead of the actual ones.

Depending on the number of parts to be replaced, it's also possible to plan the mold layout so that all the parts that will have alternate versions are made from the same one or two toolings, and the alternate versions are made from separate toolings, thus avoiding the necessity of having to recycle excess parts altogether.

===''Not'' actually a retool===
[[Image:SmokesniperStarscream.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Nope, this is an entirely new sculpt.]]
Over the course of the various ''Transformers'' toylines, quite a few toys that are similar in appearance have been [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|mistakenly assumed]] to be "retools" by fans, even though the toys in question often only have superficial similarities, or are merely based around the same basic concept.

Those include, but are not limited to:
* [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] ([[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]], on the other hand, ''is'' a retool of Cliffjumper)
* The [[Battlecharger|Battlechargers]] [[Runabout]] and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]]
* The [[Jumpstarter|Jumpstarters]] [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] and [[Twin Twist]] (who, technically, share very, ''very'' few minor parts such as the wheels and engines)
* ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Smokescreen (G2)|Smokescreen]] and ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]
* ''[[Alternators]]'' [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Meister]] (even though the two share the same ''hand'' sculpts)
* ''Energon'' [[Sledge (Energon)|Sledge]]/[[Bonecrusher (Energon)|Bonecrusher]] and ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Hardtop (Cybertron)|Hardtop]]
* [[Movie (toyline)|2007 Movie]] [[Robot Replicas]] [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and the legless Bumblebee figure included with the Screen Battles "Final Stand" set
{{-}}

==Well-known retools==
===Generation 1 (Hasbro)===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|[[Prowl (G1)| Prowl]]
|[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Bluestreak]]
|Prowl and Bluestreak were actually released around the same time.
|-
|[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]
|[[Outback]]
|
|-
|[[Gears (G1)|Gears]]
|[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]
|
|-
|[[Grapple]]
|[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]
|These were actually released around the same time.
|-
|[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
|[[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]]
|
|-
|[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
|[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
|These were actually released around the same time.
|-
|[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]
|[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
|
|-
|[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]
|[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
|
|-
|[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]
|[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]
|Each of the three retooled [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] had new wings. Ramjet and Dirge also had new weapons.
|-
|[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]
|[[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]]
|
|-
|[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
|[[Tailgate]]
|
|}
{{-}}

===Masterforce (Takara-only)===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok/Megazarak]] (Hasbro ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]''/Takara ''[[The Headmasters (toyline)|Headmasters]]'')
|Black Zarak (''[[Super-God Masterforce (toyline)|Masterforce]]'')
|
|}
{{-}}

===Victory (Takara-only)===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|[[Sixshot]] (Hasbro ''Generation 1''/Takara ''Headmasters'')
|[[Greatshot]] (''[[Victory (toyline)|Victory]]'')
|
|-
|[[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] (Hasbro ''Generation 1'')
|[[Black Shadow]] (''Victory'')
|These were actually released around the same time.
|-
|[[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]] (Hasbro ''Generation 1'')
|[[Blue Bacchus]] (''Victory'')
|These were actually released around the same time.
|}
{{-}}

===Beast Wars (Hasbro)===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (Basic alligator)
|[[Iguanus (BW)|Iguanus]]
|These were actually released around the same time.
|-
|[[Wolfang (Maximal)|Wolfang]]
|[[K-9]]
|
|}
{{-}}

===Beast Wars II (Takara-only)===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|[[K-9]] (Hasbro ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'')
|[[BB|Max-B]] (''[[Beast Wars II (toyline)|Beast Wars II]]'')
|
|-
|[[Cybershark]] (''Beast Wars'')
|[[Starscream (BWII)|Hellscream]] (''Beast Wars II'')
|A minor [[redeco]] of Hellscream (omitting a few [[paint operation]]s) was later released by Hasbro as [[Overbite (Universe)|Overbite]] under the ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' banner.
|-
|[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (''Beast Wars'')
|[[Dirge (BWII)|Dirgegun]] (''Beast Wars II'')
|
|-
|[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (''Beast Wars'')
|[[Thrust (BWII)|Thrustor]] (''Beast Wars II'')
|
|-
|[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'')
|[[Megastorm|Gigastorm]] (''Beast Wars II'')
|
|}
{{-}}

===Beast Wars Metals (Takara-only)===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|[[Transmetal]] [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (Hasbro ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'')
|[[Ravage (G1)/toys|Jaguar]] (''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars Metals]])
|Metals Jaguar was later also redecoed into [[BotCon 2001]] [[Tigatron]] for the Western market.
|}
{{-}}

===Armada===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|[[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]
|[[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]]
|New headsculpt, cannons replace the wings alongside the cockpit, newly sculpted horizontal stabilizers, and a completely new Mini-Con.
|-
|[[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]]
|Corona Sparkplug
|
|-
|[[Transmetal]] [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'')
|[[Rhinox (Armada)|Rhinox]] (''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'')
|Added Powerlinx plugs.
|-
|Transmetal [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] (''Beast Wars'')
|[[Terrorsaur (Armada)|Terrorsaur]] (''Armada'')
|Added Powerlinx plugs.
|-
|Transmetal [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] (''Beast Wars'')
|[[Airazor (Armada)|Airazor]] (''Armada'')
|Added Powerlinx plugs and faction sigil.
|-
|Transmetal [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (''Beast Wars'')
|[[Cheetor (Armada)|Cheetor]] (''Armada'')
|Added Powerlinx plugs.
|-
|Transmetal [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (''Beast Wars'')
|[[Predacon (Armada)|Predacon]] (''Armada'')
|Added Powerlinx plugs.
|}
{{-}}

===Universe (2003)===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|[[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] (''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'')
|[[Roulette]]/[[Shadow Striker (Universe)|Shadow Striker]] (''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'')
|New head.
|-
|[[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] or [[Rollout (Armada)|Rollout]] (''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'')
|[[Sentinel Maximus]] or [[Apelinq|Ape-Linq]] (''Universe'')
|The retool is actually limited to the [[Mini-Con]] companion (Rollout for Overload, Ape-Linq in Sentinel Maximus' case), who forms the head of the large robot.
|}
{{-}}

===Energon===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|[[Jetstorm (Armada)|Jetstorm]] (''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'')
|[[Scattor (Energon)|Scattor]] (''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'')
|
|-
|[[Runway]] (''Armada'')
|[[Wreckage (Energon)|Wreckage]] (''Energon'')
|
|-
|[[Sonar (Armada)|Sonar]] (''Armada'')
|[[Skyboom (Energon)|Skyboom]] (''Energon'')
|
|-
|[[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]]
|Roadblock
|
|}
{{-}}

===Alternators/Binaltech===
{{note|Many ''Alternators'' toys also featured sculpt differences from their ''Binaltech'' counterparts. Most notably, [[Hasbro]]'s versions of [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]], [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Meister]], [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockblast]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] had their steering wheels on the right side of their dashboards, whereas their Japanese counterparts had the steering wheels on the left side of their dashboards. Furthermore, ''Binaltech'' [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] sported a slightly retooled neck as compared to his ''Alternators'' counterpart, and ''Alternators'' [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] lacked ''Binaltech'' [[Overdrive]]'s long gun barrel (which was more a case of an "omitted part" and had nothing to do with modified toolings). Since both versions of each toy were released around the same time, they can't really be considered "retools"—they're conscious market-specific sculpt [[variant]]s.}}
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
|[[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]], Smokescreen GT (''[[Alternators|Binaltech]]'' only)
|
|-
|[[Sideswipe (G1)|Side Swipe]]
|[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]]
|
|-
|[[Hound (G1)|Autobot Hound]]
|[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]
|
|-
|[[Jazz (G1)/toys|Meister]]
|[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockblast]], Argent Meister (''Binaltech'' only)
|
|-
|[[Tracks (G1)|Autobot Tracks]]
|[[Ravage (G1)|Battle Ravage]], [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]
|
|-
|[[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]]
|[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]
|
|-
|[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
|[[Decepticharge]]
|
|-
|[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
|[[Camshaft (G1)|Autobot Camshaft]]
|
|-
|[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]
|[[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Rodimus]]
|The Rodimus retool was actually originally released as ''[[Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' Hot Rodimus.
|}
{{-}}

===Cybertron/Galaxy Force===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|[[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]] (''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'')
|[[Runamuck (Cybertron)|Runamuck]] (''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'')
|
|-
|[[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]] (''Armada'')
|[[Blurr (Cybertron)|Blurr]] (''Cybertron'')
|
|-
|[[Smokescreen (Armada)|Hoist]] (''Armada'')
|[[Longrack (Cybertron)|Longrack]] (''Cybertron'')
|
|-
|[[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] (''Armada'')
|[[Buzzsaw (Cybertron)|Buzzsaw]] (''Cybertron'')
|
|-
|[[Spiral]] (''Armada'')
|Spiral (''Cybertron'')
|
|-
|[[Oval]] (''Armada'')
|Oval (''Cybertron'')
|
|-
|[[Backtrack (Armada)|Backtrack]] (''Armada'')
|Backtrack (''Cybertron'')
|
|-
|[[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]]
|Dark Crumplezone
|
|-
|[[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal]]
|[[Cobybot|Coby's exclusive Rumble]] (''Galaxy Force'' only)
|
|-
|[[Firebot (Armada)|Firebot]] (''Armada'')
|[[Graviton (Cybertron)|Graviton]] (''Galaxy Force'' only)
|
|-
|[[Makeshift (Armada)|Makeshift]] (''Armada'')
|[[Bulge]] (''Galaxy Force'' only)
|
|-
|[[Terradive (Armada)|Terradive]] (''Armada'')
|[[Mugen|Caliber Mugen]] (''Galaxy Force'' only)
|
|-
|[[Thunderwing (Armada)|Thunderwing]] (''Armada'')
|[[Ichibi|Caliber Ichibi]] (''Galaxy Force'' only)
|
|-
|[[Gunbarrel (Armada)|Gunbarrel]] (''Armada'')
|[[Hyakurai|Caliber Hyakurai]] (''Galaxy Force'' only)
|
|}
{{-}}

===Timelines===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|[[Tow-Line (Energon)|Tow-Line]] (''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'')
|[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Autobot Ratchet]] (''[[Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'')
|
|-
|[[Arcee (Energon)|Arcee]] (''Energon'')
|[[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], [[Flareup (Timelines)|Flareup]], [[Flamewar]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|[[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] (''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'')
|[[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|[[Clocker (Cybertron)|Clocker]] (''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'')
|[[Cheetor (BW)|Axalon Cheetor]], [[Tigatron|Unit 2/Tigatron]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|[[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] (''Cybertron'')
|[[Optimus Primal|Axalon Optimus Primal]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|[[Red Alert (Armada)|Cybertron Defense Red Alert]] (''Cybertron'')
|[[Megatron (BW)|Darksyde Megatron]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|[[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] (''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'')
|[[Astrotrain (Timelines)|Astrotrain]] (''[[Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'')
|
|-
|[[Slugslinger (Energon)|Slugslinger]] (''Energon'')
|[[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'')
|[[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|[[Vector Prime]] (''Cybertron'')
|[[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (''Classics'')
|[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (''Energon'')
|[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|Hot Shot (''Cybertron'')
|[[Goldbug (SG)|Goldbug]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|[[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]] (''Cybertron'')
|[[Jazz (SG)|Autobot Jazz]], [[Ricochet (SG)|Ricochet]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|[[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] (''Energon'')
|[[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|[[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]] (''Armada'')
|[[Blurr (SG)|Blurr]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|[[Barricade (Energon)|Barricade]] (''Energon'')
|[[Heatwave]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (''Cybertron'')
|[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|[[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Cybertron Defense Scattorshot]] (''Cybertron'')
|[[Flak (G1)|Flak]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|[[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] (''Cybertron'')
|[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], [[Sweep|Sweeps]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|Voyager Class [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]] (''Cybertron'')
|[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'')
|[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (''Timelines''), [[Punch (G1)|Punch/Counterpunch]] (''Timelines'')
|Punch/Counterpunch is a retool seperate of Breakdown with an entirely different head sculpt and production run, they just happen to both use the same base sculpt.
|-
|Ultra Class [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'')
|[[Clench (G1)|Clench]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Sharkticon (Energon)|Sharkticon]] (''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'')
|[[Sky-Byte (Timelines)|Sky-Byte]] (''Timelines'')
|
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'')
|[[Rapido|Rapido]] (''Timelines'')
|
|}
{{-}}

===Binaltech Asterisk (Takara-only)===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|[[Bluestreak|Silverstreak/Streak]] (''[[Alternators|Alternators/Binaltech]]'')
|[[Red Alert (G1)|Alert]] (''Binaltech Asterisk'')
|
|}
{{-}}

===Kiss Players (Takara-only)===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|[[Jazz (G1)/toys|Meister]] (''[[Alternators|Alternators/Binaltech]]'')
|[[Autorooper]] (''[[Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'')
|
|}
{{-}}

===Beast Wars 10th Anniversary===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|Ultra [[Optimus Primal]] (''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'')
|Optimus Primal (''[[Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]'')
|[[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] two-pack with [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]
|-
|Ultra [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (''Beast Wars'')
|Megatron (''Beast Wars 10th Anniversary'')
|Toys"R"Us exclusive two-pack with [[Optimus Primal]]
|}
{{-}}

===Classics (2006)===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]
|[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]
|
|}
{{-}}

===Movie (2007)===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|Leader Class [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]]
|[[Premium Series]] Optimus Prime
|
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Jazz (Movie)|Autobot Jazz]]
|Deluxe Class Final Battle Jazz
|
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]]
|Stealth Bumblebee/Premium Series Bumblebee
|
|-
|Voyager Class [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]]
|Voyager Class Evac
|
|-
|Voyager Class [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]
|[[Target]] [[exclusive]] "G1" Starscream/Voyager Class [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]]
|
|}
{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
|Deluxe Class [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]
|
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
|Deluxe Class [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]], Deluxe Class [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
|
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
|Deluxe Class [[Ratchet (G1)|Autobot Ratchet]]
|
|-
|Voyager Class [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]] (''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'')
|Voyager Class [[Lio Convoy|Leo Prime]] (''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'')
|
|}
{{-}}

===Henkei! Henkei!/Gentei! Gentei! (Takara-only)===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Rodimus]] (''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'')
|[[Wildrider|Stuntron Wildrider]] (''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Gentei! Gentei!]]'')
|
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (''Classics'')
|[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (''Gentei! Gentei!'')
|Different wings than BotCon Dirge.
|-
|Deluxe Class Ramjet (''Classics'')
|[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (''Gentei! Gentei!'')
|Different wings than BotCon Thrust.
|}
{{-}}

===Revenge of the Fallen===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|Voyager Class [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] (''2007 Movie'')
|Voyager Class Ironhide (''Revenge of the Fallen''), Voyager Class Recon Ironhide (''Revenge of the Fallen'')
|The original release of ''Revenge'' Ironhide replaces the 2007 ''Movie'' version's head sculpt and arm cannons with more [[show-accuracy|movie-accurate]] versions. Recon Ironhide replaces the head sculpt again, this time with the "battle mask" seen in both movies, replaces the cannons with an arsenal of new weapons, and extensively modifies the car shell into a heavily armored version.
|-
|Deluxe Class Concept Camaro [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]] (''2007 Movie'')
|Deluxe Class Bumblebee preview figure (''Revenge of the Fallen''), Cannon Bumblebee (''Revenge of the Fallen''), Battlefield Bumblebee ([[NEST]] two-pack with Infiltration [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]])
|The Bumblebee "preview figure" replaces the 2007 Movie toy's right hand with a newly sculpted cannon accessory, features a new head sculpt and sports several minor modifications to the [[alternate mode|Camaro's]] front end. "Cannon Bumblebee" reuses the legs of the old toy, but is an entirely new sculpt from the crotch up. Battlefield Bumblebee is the Cannon Bumblebee version of the sculpt with a new "battle mask" head sculpt similar to Premium Bumblebee from the 2007 ''Movie'' line.
|-
|[[Fast Action Battlers]] Plasma Punch Bumblebee (''2007 Movie'')
|Fast Action Battlers Pulse Blast Bumblebee (''Revenge of the Fallen'')
|
|-
|Ultimate Bumblebee (''2007 Movie'')
|Ultimate Bumblebee Battle Charged (''Revenge of the Fallen'')
|Obligatory minor modifications to the car shell, new head sculpt that can be converted into Bumblebee's "battle mask".
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] (''2007 Movie'')
|Deluxe Class Interrogator Barricade (''Revenge of the Fallen'')
|Replaces the original release's [[gang-molding|gang-molded]] [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] figure with a set of tool arms as seen in the [[Transformers (2007)|first movie]].
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]]
|Deluxe Class [[Dead End (ROTF)|Dead End]]
|
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]]
|Deluxe Class [[Swerve (Movie)|Swerve]]
|
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]]
|Deluxe Class [[Thrust (ROTF)|Thrust]]
|
|-
|Leader Class [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]]
|Buster Optimus Prime (Japan-only)
|
|-
|Voyager Class [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]]
|Mixmaster ([[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] "Back Road Brawl" two-pack with [[Hoist (Movie)|Hoist]]
|Replaces the original Mixmaster toy's head sculpt with the original head design initially planned for the [[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|movie]].
|}

===Transformers (2010)===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|Leader Class [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')
|Leader Class Battle Hooks Optimus Prime (''Transformers'')
|Replaces the arm blades with semi-articulated hooks and sports the same head sculpt as Buster Optimus Prime.
|
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')
|Deluxe Class [[Axor]] (''Transformers'')
|
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Hailstorm (TF 2010)|Hailstorm]]
|Deluxe Class [[Mindset (TF 2010)|Mindset]]
|
|-
|Voyager Class [[The Fallen]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')
|Voyager Class The Fallen (''Transformers'')
|New head sculpt with removable face and new staff accessory.
|}

===Generations===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Original sculpt
!Retool
!Notes
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Drift (G1)|Drift]]
|Deluxe Class [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]
|
|-
|Deluxe Class Cybertronian [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]]
|Deluxe Class Cybertronian [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]]
|
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Straxus (G1)|Darkmount]]
|Deluxe Class [[Skullgrin]]
|
|-
|Deluxe Class [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]
|Deluxe Class [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]
|
|}
{{-}}
[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Gang-molding

2010-09-10T16:02:06Z

72.153.191.12: /* Notable examples of gang-molding */

[[Image:G2GoBots-gangmolding.jpg|right|400px|thumb|Three sets of the same gang-molded toys. The smoky-clear parts in the bottom row are all lavender in the middle row, and all black in the top row. See the pattern of consistent plastic-color changes from row to row across all the toys in each set? This is gang-molding in action. Take note that the rightmost column uses paint applications to drastically change the car panel colors, but the plastic below still conforms to the pattern. (Not shown: The eighty-six other versions of these molds.)]]
'''Gang-molding''' is the practice of using the same plastic mold to simultaneously manufacture different parts for different toys.

Multiple large [[Toy|''Transformers'' toys]] are not typically gang-molded; the procedure is normally used either for a single large toy and a smaller one that is associated with it, such as a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster and its head component]] or a [[Bulk]] and its partner Mini-Con, or for several smaller toys, such as a [[Mini-Con]] team. Sometimes gang-molded toys are sold together, as in these cases, but there have been instances of toys that were sold separately having parts from the same molds, such as the [[Axelerator]]s [[Skram]] and [[Zap]], or either set of [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]] molds.

In most cases, producing one of several toys that are gang-molded together will automatically result in some or all of the parts for the other toys being produced as well. This is why all the toys in certain types of groups tend to get [[redeco]]ed at about the same time--making a toy from ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Firebot (Armada)|Firebot]]'s mold, such as [[Anti-Blaze]], will also create similarly colored versions of [[Makeshift (Armada)|Makeshift]] and [[Prowl (Armada)|Prowl]] (in Anti-Blaze's case, [[Scythe]] and [[Checkpoint (Cybertron)|Checkpoint]] respectively).

Not all toys that are packaged together are gang-molded. The three members of the [[Clear Skies Team|Clear Skies Mini-Con Team]], for example, are molded independently of each other.

In some rare instances, when Hasbro and Takara plan a [[retool]] of a toy even before starting production of the original version, they may also cast the original parts and the new parts from the same mold. The usused parts will then be dumped or recycled. One of the best known examples of this procedure is ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal]], whose head was produced on the same sprue as the [[Cobybot|Coby Sen'yō Rumble]] head, even though the latter was originally only used by Takara.

== Notable examples of gang-molding ==
*The ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and their [[Nebulos|Nebulan]] partners
*The ''Generation 1'' Double [[Targetmaster]]s' Nebulan partners/guns (gang-molded in groups of three, one from each toy per faction)
*The ''Generation 1'' [[Pretender]] Beasts' inner robots (gang-molded in pairs, per faction)
*The ''Generation 1'' Small Pretenders figures' inner robots (gang-molded in groups of three, per faction)
*The ''Generation 1'' [[Pretender Monster|Pretender Monsters']] inner robots (gang-molded across the whole group of six)
*The ''Generation 1'' [[Micromaster]] patrols (gang-molded in pairs, two sets per patrol of four)
*Each of the ''Generation 1'' [[Micromaster Transport]]s (Micromaster figures and their respective trailers)
*The ''Generation 1'' [[Micromaster Combiner]] Squads (gang-molded in groups of six, the whole squad)
*All the ''Generation 1'' [[Action Master]] figures with the exception of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] (gang-molded in pairs, including those that came with vehicles) and the single pack Action Masters' weapons and accessories/partners (gang-molded in groups of six, including the six European market exclusives)
*''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Rotor Force]] (gang-molded in pairs)
*The original six ''Generation 2'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]] (gang-molded across the whole group of six)
*The originally unreleased second batch of ''Generation 2'' Go-Bots (gang-molded across the whole group of six, although some of the [[mold]]s got damaged so two of the toys would end up unusuable when the other four eventually got released for ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'')
*The ''Generation 2'' [[Axelerator]]s (gang-molded in pairs)
*The ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'', ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Mini-Con]] teams (gang-molded in groups of three, the whole team)
*The ''Armada'' [[bulk]]s and their respective Mini-Con partners
*''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal]]'s head and the [[Cobybot|Coby Sen'yō Rumble]] head.
*The [[Recon Mini-Con Team]].

== See Also ==
* [[Redeco]]

[[Category:Toys]]

Transformers: More than Meets the Eye

2010-09-07T13:59:01Z

72.153.191.12: /* Errors and critiques */

{{stub|Omitted Action Master vehicles and accessories; careful check for errors. We're getting close now!}}
{{disambig3|More than Meets the Eye}}
{{disambig2|the Dreamwave-produced bio series|the Marvel-produced bio series|Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)}}
[[Image:Mtmte-oiler.jpg|right|300px|thumb|True to form, [[Oiler]] looks like he's about to pass out.]]
'''''More Than Meets The Eye''''' is the first of a series of profile books published by [[Dreamwave Productions]] in [[2003]]. The book introduced readers to every character within the ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' continuity. A sequel series was published for ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (Armada)|Armada]]'', and the same was planned for ''[[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|Energon]]''.

The series has no known physical weaknesses.

==Overview==
Originally conceived to be a 4-issue series, ''Transformers Profile Book One'' was scheduled to be released in December, [[2002]]. After a name change and a delay of over four months, the series was released as eight issue in 2003. The series was also released as a 2-volume trade paperback edition in December [[2004]], which included introductions by the authors, and bonus artwork, though ''not'' the intro and conclusion story.

The series profiled all characters that were released by Hasbro between [[1984]] and [[1991]], as well as a few characters that appeared only within [[Marvel Comics]]/[[Sunbow Productions]] animated projects between 1984 and [[1987]]. The series also introduces new content in order to establish parameters for stories within the Dreamwave continuity, particularly in the "special topics" issue. A number of personalities were created from scratch for the Micromasters, many of whom were little more than toys and names prior.

The profiles follow the same format as the original 1980s Marvel profile book, ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]''. A characteristic quote leads off each bio, followed by Bio, Weapons/Abilities, and Weaknesses. Many profiles are told from the perspective of another character ("from the [[datatrax]] of"); [[Grapple]], for example, narrates the profile for his friend and associate [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]. Despite initial reports that the profile book would be re-creating the entire Transformers universe from scratch, most established characters stay close to their original profiles, with some [[Thunderwing (G1)|occasional]] [[Carnivac (G1)|massaging]] when a character's popular fictional portrayals [[Bludgeon (G1)|clashed]] with their profile.

Artwork was done by numerous artists. As such, there are stylistic differences among the various profiles. Some of the original art submissions were rejected as not being consistent with the Dreamwave "house style", i.e. that of [[Pat Lee]]. Lee's hand and/or influence is particularly visible on some of the earlier and more popular characters, who often feature his characteristic rounded, swollen limbs, tiny heads, and enormously thickened metal panels. [[Don Figueroa]] drew a huge number of profile entries as well, including many of the best known characters. Lesser known characters were apparently left to other artists, who were allowed a freer hand; however, attempts at conveying a character's personality through their profile art were generally [[Blades (G1)|quashed]].

==Issue #1==
[[Image:DW MTMTE 1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] has the odd feeling of being followed.]]
Issue #1 opens with a one-page intro story in which [[Megatron (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Megatron]] (or the Dreamwave universe's version of him) gains access to [[Vector Sigma]], with the intent of reading all these files. 
'''Originally published:''' [[April 30]], 2003

{{collist|3|
* [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]
** [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]]
** [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]]
** [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]
** [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]]
** [[Slingshot]]
** [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]
* [[Airwave]] and his [[airport]]
* [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]
* [[Apeface]] with [[Spasma]]
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]
* [[Axer]] and his [[Turbo Cycle]]
* [[Backstreet]]
* [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]] with [[Razor-Sharp]]
* [[Barrage (Micromaster)|Barrage]]
* [[Barricade (G1)|Barricade]]
* [[Battletrap]]
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]
* [[Beastbox (G1)|Beastbox]]
* [[Big Daddy (G1)|Big Daddy]]
* [[Big Hauler]]
* [[Big Shot]]
* [[Blackjack]]
* [[Blackout (G1)|Blackout]]
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]
* [[Blast Master]]
* [[Blaze Master]]
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]
* [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (2 pages)
* [[Bluestreak]]
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]
* [[Bomb-Burst]] (2 pages)
* [[Bombshock (G1)|Bombshock]]
* [[Brainstorm]] with [[Arcana]]
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]
* [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]
* [[Bugly]] (2 pages)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]
* [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]
* [[Camshaft (G1)|Camshaft]]
* [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] (2 pages)
* [[Catilla]] (2 pages)
* [[Cement-Head]] with the [[Cannon Transport]]
* [[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]] (2 pages)
* [[Chase (G1)|Chase]]
* [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] with [[Stylor]]
* [[Cindersaur]]
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]
* [[Cloudburst]] (2 pages)
* [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]]
* [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]
** [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]
** [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]
** [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]]
** [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]
** [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]]
** [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]}}

==Issue #2==
[[Image:DW MTMTE 2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Dudes, we're free - FREE!]]
'''Originally published:''' [[May 29]], 2003

{{collist|3|
* [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]:
** [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]]
** [[Hook (G1)|Hook]]
** [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]]
** [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]
** [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]
** [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]
** [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]
* [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]
* [[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]] and his [[Rocket Base|rocket base]] (2 pages)
* [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]]
* [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]] (2 pages)
* [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] with [[Pinpointer (G1)|Pinpointer]]
* [[Crumble]]
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]
* [[Darkwing]] and [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]]
* [[Detour (G1)|Detour]]
* [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]:
** [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (2 pages)
** [[Slag (G1)|Slag]]
** [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]
** [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]
** [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]
* [[Direct-Hit (G1)|Direct-Hit]]
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]
* [[Dogfight]]
* [[Doublecross]]
* [[Doubledealer]] with [[Knok]] and [[Skar]] (2 pages)
* [[Doubleheader]] (2 pages)
* [[Downshift (G1)|Downshift]]
* [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] with [[Hi-Test]]
* [[Dropshot (G1)|Dropshot]]
* [[Eagle Eye (G1)|Eagle Eye]]
* [[Eject]]
* [[Erector]] and his [[crane]]
* [[Excavator (G1)|Excavator]]
* [[Fangry]] with [[Brisko]]
* [[Fastlane]]
* [[Finback]] (2 pages)
* [[Fireshot (G1)|Fireshot]]
* [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]]
* [[Fizzle]]
* [[Flak]]
* [[Flamefeather]]
* [[Flattop (Decepticon)|Flattop]] and his [[aircraft carrier]]
* [[Flywheels]]
* [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] with [[Cog (G1)|Cog/Gasket/Grommet]], [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] (3 pages)
* [[Free Wheeler|Freewheeler]]
* [[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]]
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]
* [[Full-Barrel]]
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (2 pages)
* [[Gears (G1)|Gears]]
* [[Getaway]] with [[Rev]]
* [[Gnaw]]
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]]
* [[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]]}}

==Issue #3==
[[Image:DW MTMTE 3.jpg|right|200px|thumb|By Primus, [[Fandom|they're]] everywhere! Don't let them touch you with their fat greasy hands!]]
'''Originally published:''' [[June 25]], 2003

{{collist|3|
* [[Grapple]]
* [[Greasepit (G1)|Greasepit]] with his [[gas station]]
* [[Greaser]]
* [[Grit (G1)|Grit]]
* [[Grotusque]]
* [[Ground Hog]]
* [[Groundbreaker]] (2 pages)
* [[Groundpounder]]
* [[Groundshaker]] with his [[ATV]]
* [[Growl (G1)|Growl]]
* [[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]] (2 pages)
* [[Gusher]]
* [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] with his [[Stratotronic Jet]]
* [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]]
* [[Half-Track (G1)|Half-Track]]
* [[Hammer (G1)|Hammer]]
* [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Duros]]
* [[Heave]]
* [[Heavy Tread]]
* [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] and [[Gort]]
* [[Highjump (G1)|Highjump]]
* [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
* [[Horri-Bull]] and [[Kreb]]
* [[Hosehead]] and [[Lug]]
* [[Hot House]] with his [[fire station]]
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
* [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]]
* [[Hubs]]
* [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
* [[Hydraulic]]
* [[Hyperdrive (Micromaster)|Hyperdrive]]
* [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] (2 pages)
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]
* [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]:
** [[Barrage (Insecticon)|Barrage]]
** [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]
** [[Chop Shop]]
** [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]
** [[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]]
** [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]
** [[Venom (G1)|Venom]]
* [[Ironworks|Iron Works]] with his [[Construction station|communications station]]
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
* [[Jackpot]] with [[Sights]]
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]
* [[Joyride (Autobot)|Joyride]] with [[Hotwire]]
* [[Kick-Off (G1)|Kick-Off]] with his [[Turbo-Pack]]
* [[Knockout (G1)|Knockout]]
* [[Krok (G1)|Krok]] with [[Gatoraider]]
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]
* [[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]] with [[Silencer]] and [[Flintlock]]
* [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] (2 pages)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]
* [[Longtooth]] (2 pages)
* [[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] with [[Push-Button]]
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (3 pages - includes Cybertronian forms)}}

==Issue #4==
[[Image:DW MTMTE 4.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Attack of the Stay-puffed Transformers]]
'''Originally published:''' [[July 30]], 2003

{{collist|3|
* [[Meltdown (G1)|Meltdown]]
* [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] with [[Six-Gun]], [[Slammer]] and [[Scamper]] (3 pages)
* [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] and [[Vorath]]
* [[Mini-spy|Mini-Spies]] (4 models - 2 pages)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]
* [[Misfire]] and [[Aimless]]
* [[Missile Master]]
* [[Moonrock]]
* [[Motorhead (Decepticon)|Motorhead]]
* [[Mudslinger (G1)|Mudslinger]]
* [[Needlenose]] with [[Sunbeam]] and [[Zigzag]]
* [[Neutro]]
* [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] with [[Muzzle]]
* [[Nightflight (G1)|Nightflight]]
* [[Octane]]
* [[Octopunch]] (2 pages)
* [[Oiler]]
* [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (2 pages)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (2 pages)
* [[Outback]]
* [[Overdrive]]
* [[Overflow]]
* [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]]
* [[Overload (G1)|Overload]] with his [[car carrier trailer]]
* [[Override (G1)|Override]]
* [[Over-Run (G1)|Over-Run]] with his [[Attack Copter]]
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]
* [[Phaser]]
* [[Pincher]] (2 pages)
* [[Pipeline]]
* [[Pipes]]
* [[Pointblank]] with [[Peacemaker]]
* [[Pounce]]
* [[Power Punch (G1)|Power Punch]]
* [[Powerdasher|Powerdashers]] (3 models)
* [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]
* [[Power Run]]
* [[Powertrain]]
* [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]:
** [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]]
** [[Headstrong]]
** [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]]
** [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]]
** [[Tantrum]]
** [[Predaking]]
* [[Pretender Monster|Pretender Monsters]]:
** [[Birdbrain]] (2 pages)
** [[Bristleback]] (2 pages)
** [[Icepick (G1)|Icepick]] (2 pages)
** [[Scowl]] (2 pages)
** [[Slog]] (2 pages)
** [[Wildfly]] (2 pages)
** [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]}}

==Issue #5==
[[Image:DW MTMTE 5.jpg|right|200px|thumb|[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] makes any cover awesome!]]
'''Originally published:''' [[September 4]], 2003

{{collist|3|
* [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]:
** [[Blades (G1)|Blades]]
** [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]
** [[Groove (G1)|Groove]]
** [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]]
** [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]]
** [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
* [[Punch (G1)|Punch/Counterpunch]] (2 pages)
* [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] with [[Tiptop]] and [[Heater]]
* [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] with [[Boomer]] and [[Ricochet (Nebulan)|Ricochet]]
* [[Quickswitch]] (2 pages)
* [[Rad (G1)|Rad]] with [[Lionizer]]
* [[Raindance]]
* [[Ramhorn]]
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]
* [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
* [[Red Hot]]
* [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]:
** [[Spectro]]
** [[Spyglass]]
** [[Viewfinder]]
* [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]]
* [[Retro]]
* [[Rewind]]
* [[Road Hugger (G1)|Road Hugger]]
* [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]] (2 pages)
* [[Roadburner]]
* [[Roadbuster]]
* [[Roadgrabber]] (2 pages)
* [[Roadhandler (G1)|Road Handler]]
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]
* [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]]
* [[Roller Force]]
* [[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]] with [[Glitch]]
* [[Roughstuff]] and his [[military transport]]
* [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]]
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]
* [[Runabout]]
* [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]]
* [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]]
* [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] with [[Holepunch (G1)|Holepunch]] and [[Tracer (Nebulan)|Tracer]]
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] with [[Zarak (Nebulan)|Zarak]] and [[Fasttrack (Scorponok)|Fasttrack]]
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]
* [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]]:
** [[Nautilator]]
** [[Overbite (G1)|Overbite]]
** [[Seawing (G1)|Seawing]]
** [[Skalor]]
** [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]]
** [[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]]
** [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]]
* [[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]]
* [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]]
* [[Seawatch]]
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (2 pages)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]
* [[Sidetrack]]}}

==Issue #6==
[[Image:DW MTMTE 6.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
'''Originally published:''' [[September 24]], 2003

{{collist|3|
* [[Siren]] with [[Quig]]
* [[Sixshot]] (2 pages)
* [[Sizzle (G1)|Sizzle]]
* [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]
* [[Skullcruncher]] with [[Grax]]
* [[Skullgrin]] (2 pages)
* [[Sky High (Pretender)|Sky High]] (2 pages)
* [[Sky High (Micromaster)|Sky High]]
* [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]
* [[Skyfall (G1)|Skyfall]] with [[Top-Heavy]]
* [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]] (2 pages)
* [[Skyhopper]] with his [[helicopter]]
* [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]] with his [[interstellar shuttle]]
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]
* [[Slamdance]]
* [[Sledge (G1)|Sledge]]
* [[Slide]]
* [[Slow Poke]]
* [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]]
* [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] with [[Caliburst (G1)|Caliburst]]
* [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
* [[Snapdragon]] with [[Krunk]]
* [[Snarler]] (2 pages)
* [[Slapdash]] with [[Lube]]
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]
* [[Spaceshot]]
* [[Sparkstalker]]
* [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] with [[Hairsplitter]] and [[Singe]]
* [[Splashdown]] (2 pages)
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]
* [[Sprocket (G1)|Sprocket]] with his [[Attack Cruiser]]
* [[Squawkbox]]
* [[Squawktalk]]
* [[Squeezeplay]] with [[Lokos]]
* [[Stakeout (G1)|Stakeout]]
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]
* [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]]
* [[Stonecruncher (G1)|Stonecruncher]]
* [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]]
* [[Stranglehold]] (2 pages)
* [[Strikedown]]
* [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]:
** [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]]
** [[Drag Strip]]
** [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]]
** [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]
** [[Wildrider]]
** [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]
* [[Submarauder (G1)|Submarauder]] (2 pages)
* [[Sunrunner]]
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
* [[Surge]]
* [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] with [[Spoilsport]]
* [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]
* [[Swindler]]
* [[Tailgate]]
* [[Tailspin]]}}

==Issue #7==
[[Image:DW MTMTE 7.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
'''Originally published:''' [[October 29]], 2003

{{collist|3|
* [[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]]
* [[Takedown]]
* [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]]:
** [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]]
** [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]]
** [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]]
** [[Scattershot]]
** [[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]]
** [[Computron (G1)|Computron]]
* [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]]:
** [[Blot (G1)|Blot]]
** [[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]]
** [[Hun-Gurrr]]
** [[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]]
** [[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]]
** [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]]
* [[Terror-Tread]] with the [[Cannon Transport]]
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]
* [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] (2 pages)
* [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]]
* [[Tote]]
* [[Tracer (Decepticon)|Tracer]]
* [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]
* [[Tread Bolt]]
* [[Treadshot (G1)|Treadshot]] with [[Catgut]]
* [[Triggerhappy]] with [[Blowpipe (G1)|Blowpipe]]
* [[Trip-Up]]
* [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] with [[Full-Tilt]] and [[Brunt (G1)|Brunt]]
* [[Twin Twist]]
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (2 pages)
* [[Vanquish (G1)|Vanquish]]
* [[Vroom]] (2 pages)
* [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]
* [[Waverider]] (2 pages)
* [[Weirdwolf]] with [[Monzo]]
* [[Wheel Blaze|Wheelblaze]]
* [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]
* [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]
* [[Whisper (G1)|Whisper]]
* [[Wide Load|Wideload]]
* [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
* [[Windsweeper]]
* [[Wingspan]]
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] with [[Haywire]]
* Pretender [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (2 pages)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] with [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]]
* Pretender [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (2 pages)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] with [[Firebolt]]
* Pretender [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (2 pages)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] with [[Recoil]]
* Powermaster [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] with [[Ginrai]]
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] with [[Fracas]]
* Pretender [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (2 pages)}}

==Issue #8==
[[Image:DW MTMTE 8.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Oh yea Galvy, you know how I like it!]]
'''Originally published:''' [[December 3]], 2003 
Includes a one-page conclusion to the Megatron story begun in issue 1.

{{collist|3|
* [[Ark (G1)|The ''Ark'']] (2 pages)
* [[Autobot|Autobots]] (3 pages)
* [[Cloning|Cloning Technology]]
* [[Combiner|Combiners]] (2 pages)
* [[CR chamber|CR chambers]] / [[Stasis pod|stasis pods]]
* [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] (6 pages)
** [[Iacon (city-state)|Iacon]]
** [[Kaon]]
** [[Protoform|Protoforms]]
** [[Transformation]]
* Cybertronian martial arts (2 pages):
** [[Circuit-Su]]
** [[Crystalocution]]
** [[Diffusion]]
** [[Metallikato]]
** [[Pit fighting]]
* [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] (3 pages)
* [[Earth]] (2 pages)
* [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]]
* Energon-based weaponry
* [[The Fallen]] (2 pages)
* [[Gladiatorial combat]]
* The [[Great Shutdown]]
* [[Guardian robot|Guardian robots]] (3 pages)
* [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] (2 pages)
* [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]] and [[Junkion (species)|Junkion]] (2 pages)
* The [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] (2 pages)
* [[Micromaster|Micromasters]]
** Autobot [[Battlefield Headquarters]]
** Decepticon [[Anti-Aircraft Base]]
** Autobot [[Missile Launcher]] Transport
* [[Nebulos|Nebulon]]
* [[Nemesis (G1)|The ''Nemesis'']] (3 pages)
* [[Powermaster|Powermasters]]
* [[Pretender|Pretenders]]
* [[Quintessa]] and [[Quintesson|Quintessons]] (2 pages)
* Shockwave's experiments:
** [[Duocon|Duocons]]
** [[Triple Changer|Triple Changers]]
* [[Size changing|Size/mass change]]
* [[Space bridge]]
* [[Spark|Sparks]]
* Special abilities (3 pages)
** [[Laser scalpel|Laser scalpels]]
** [[Teleportation]]
** Chemical spray
** Invisibility
** Telepathy
** [[Force field]]
** [[Null-ray|Null ray]]
** Super-speed
** Common enhancements
* [[Targetmaster|Targetmasters]]
* [[Transwarp Drive]]
* [[Unicron]] (2 pages)
* [[Vector Sigma]]
* [[Wrecker|Wreckers]]
* Glossary (2 pages)}}

==Omissions==
[[Image:WingthingDreamwave.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Don't worry pal, I know who you are."]]
* While ''More Than Meets The Eye'' featured Action Masters, it did not include Action Master versions of pre-1990 characters and therefore also not their [[:Category:Action Master partners|partners]]. Thus the guide omits the following US characters entirely: [[Fistfight]], [[Scorpulator]], ([[Turbo Board]],) [[Tyrannitron]], and [[Wingthing (G1)|Wingthing]]. This becomes goofier with the collected editions; due to their choice of [[20th Anniversary Lithograph|artwork]], Wingthing appears on the back cover but not in the actual books.

* Gasket and Grommet are not shown as separate vehicles, only in their combined form as [[Cog (G1)|Cog]].

* Weapon modes are not shown for [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]]'s Targetmaster partners [[Tracer (Nebulan)|Tracer]] and [[Holepunch (G1)|Holepunch]].

* Combined vehicle modes are not shown for the [[Mega Pretender|Mega Pretenders]] ([[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], [[Vroom]] and [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]]).

* [[Ultra Pretender|Ultra Pretenders]] [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]] and [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]] are both missing their outer vehicular shells, though both are mentioned in the text.

* Base mode is not shown for the [[ATV]].

* Only one-half of the [[Cannon Transport]] is shown (the same half, in mobile artillery mode, is shown with both partners.) Its base and combined transport modes are not shown at all.

* Mobile artillery and combined transport modes are not shown for the [[Missile Launcher]].

* The [[Tanker Truck]] is not shown at all, either with its respective Micromasters or in the Micromasters reference section.

* The [[Anti-Aircraft Base]]'s tank mode is not shown.

* Base and flight modes are not shown for the [[Battlefield Headquarters]].

==Errors and critiques==
[[Image:Eagleeyes.jpg|thumb|200px|The shame of it is, that's perfectly good art of G2 Eagle Eye.]][[Image:Mtmte-yeahright.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Surrrrrre he can turn into that truck.]]
[[Image:RavageCassetteDreamwaveMTMTE.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The perfect disguise: a panther box.]]
[[Image:StarscreamBioPicMTMTEDreamwave.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Pat Lee's Starscream. Wait, why's everyone laughing?]]

*In issue #2, [[Eagle Eye (G1)|Eagle Eye]] was drawn with his [[Hawk (G1)|''Generation 2'' Decepticon namesake]]'s jet mode. For the TPB, the art was edited somewhat to look more like the G1 character.

*In the TPB, the picture of Wingspan in robot mode has an Autobot insignia.

*The character models for Blackout and Spaceshot were reversed, so that Spaceshot was portrayed as the front half of their combined vehicle mode and Blackout as the rear half. This error carried over into the bio text as well, so it is entirely possible that the personality assigned to Spaceshot was intended for Blackout, and vice versa. This error was never corrected, and may account for [[Blackout (Animated)|''Animated'' Blackout]]'s Spaceshotty color scheme.

* Not an error per se, but the alphabetization is inconsistent. Earlier subgroups like the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], and the combiner teams are alphabetized by their subgroup names, while the [[Micromaster]] teams are split up by individuals.

* Likewise, Micromaster bases are inconsistently shown. Some appear with their owners; of these, many are only shown in one configuration. Others only show up in the special topics issue.

* For many characters, the vehicle-mode art was not drawn by the same artist as the robot mode, leading to some glaring incongruities when the two modes appear side-by-side. For example, the angled windshield on [[Oiler]]'s robot-mode chest (pictured at the top of this article) is a nearly-flat windshield on his truck mode. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (pictured above) has a similar problem as well as differently styled windows.

* Artwork for characters' alternate modes is, on occasion, a maddeningly literal drawing based on their toy, instead of any kind of accurate, in-universe representation of the actual object they transformed into. [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]'s tape mode, for instance, is more of a folded-up-robot mode than an actual cassette tape.

* Most of the Pretender shell penciling and colouring is ridiculously basic, but yet the Pretender Monster shells feature highly detailed pencils and colours (though their robot art suffers from the "literally being based on the toy" problem).

* Frustratingly, some of the best-known characters such as Megatron, Fortress Maximus, Jetfire and Octane have some of the poorest artwork.

* In the IDW collected edition, at least, Darkwing's robot mode art has been incorrectly photoshopped with one image over the other, leaving him with an extra-thick torso, too many fins on the back and four arms, amongst other errors.

==Notes==
*''More Than Meets The Eye'' was originally to be outsourced by Dreamwave and meant to be written by [[Destination Entertainment]], under the title of ''Transformers: Profiles''. Destination's rather grandiose original plans involved weaving their own take on the Dreamwave timeline passively throughout all the character profiles, seizing this opportunity to shape some of the then-contemporary fiction since presumably they were being kept well away from contributing anything in the main books. Destination's timeline was to have been a remarkably convoluted creation, having each original year of Transformers characters originating with each millennium of the war (with even the very definition of millennium here being stretched to "every million Cybertronian years"). The 1984 characters would originate in the first millennium, the 1985 ones in the second, and so on, despite this idea ''already'' being contradicted by books Dreamwave [[The War Within|had already published]] at the time.<ref>[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=563 Destination's original interview previewing Profiles at Newsarama]</ref> (and not making even remotely one lick of sense either way, as it would mean that, for instance, Kup would have been younger than Bumblebee). Additionally, explanations as to how characters such Galvatron, Goldbug and Powermaster Optimus Prime could exist at the same time as their original counterparts were not forthcoming. Needless to say, three months later Destination was removed from the project and the entire endeavor was re-solicited as a far more modest and uncomplicated series of ''Transformers: Universe''-style profiles.<ref>[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=711 Newsarama reports that Profiles has "transformed" into More Than Meets The Eye]</ref>

*During the time that the Dreamwave were releasing the individual issues it became known that they only ever had the rights to release Transformers comics in North America. With immediate effect supply of Transformers comics to foreign countries was stopped. This left international Transfans with only a partially completed run of MTMTE, and having to resort to other methods to acquire the remainder.

*Additional profiles for characters such as [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] (rather notably absent in the MTMTE profile books) and the [[Female Autobots]] were to be released in [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|Generation One 2004 Datatracks Annual]]. However, Dreamwave went bankrupt before it would be produced.

*As alluded to below, the covers for the collected editions are... odd. Megatron and Optimus' bios are both in Volume 1, but Megatron is on the cover of Volume 2. However, Optimus ''does'' have a profile in Volume 2 for his Powermaster form. Likely, Optimus was used first for marketing reasons.

==Collections==
[[Image:MTMTECollectionCoversDW.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Unsurprisingly, Megatron's bio is actually in Volume 1.]]
Dreamwave released two trade paperbacks (TPB) of the entire collection. Volume 1 contained issues 1-4, Volume 2 contained issues 5-8. No changes were made to the order of articles, and as such the same criticisms apply. Both volumes are quite rare, and as a result can be expensive to acquire. It is much easier to obtain the original individual issues.

* DW Volume 1: [[October 27]], 2004 (ISBN 0973381760, ISBN 978-0973381764)
* DW Volume 2: [[December 8]], 2004 (ISBN 0973381779, ISBN 978-0973381771)

[[IDW Publishing]] have reprinted the ''Generation 1'' guides. Despite the considerably different IDW-specific plots (such as the [[Dead Universe]], Galvatron's new origin, and the considerably different history, geography and political landscape of Cybertron) the collections have been released unchanged from the Dreamwave originals (and thus reference the DW plots of the Great Shutdown, Shockwave's inventions of the Triple Changers, Duocons etc).

*IDW Volume 1: [[September 29]], [[2008]] (ISBN 1600102506, ISBN 978-1600102509)
*IDW Volume 2: [[December 25]], 2008 (ISBN 1600102956, ISBN 978-1600102950)

==References==
<references/>

==External Links==
*[http://www.tfarchive.com/comics/dreamwave/guide/?s=mtmte Guide at TFArchive.com]

[[Category:Dreamwave titles]]
[[Category:Profile books]]

Transformers: More than Meets the Eye

2010-09-07T13:56:01Z

72.153.191.12: /* Notes */

{{stub|Omitted Action Master vehicles and accessories; careful check for errors. We're getting close now!}}
{{disambig3|More than Meets the Eye}}
{{disambig2|the Dreamwave-produced bio series|the Marvel-produced bio series|Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)}}
[[Image:Mtmte-oiler.jpg|right|300px|thumb|True to form, [[Oiler]] looks like he's about to pass out.]]
'''''More Than Meets The Eye''''' is the first of a series of profile books published by [[Dreamwave Productions]] in [[2003]]. The book introduced readers to every character within the ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' continuity. A sequel series was published for ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (Armada)|Armada]]'', and the same was planned for ''[[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|Energon]]''.

The series has no known physical weaknesses.

==Overview==
Originally conceived to be a 4-issue series, ''Transformers Profile Book One'' was scheduled to be released in December, [[2002]]. After a name change and a delay of over four months, the series was released as eight issue in 2003. The series was also released as a 2-volume trade paperback edition in December [[2004]], which included introductions by the authors, and bonus artwork, though ''not'' the intro and conclusion story.

The series profiled all characters that were released by Hasbro between [[1984]] and [[1991]], as well as a few characters that appeared only within [[Marvel Comics]]/[[Sunbow Productions]] animated projects between 1984 and [[1987]]. The series also introduces new content in order to establish parameters for stories within the Dreamwave continuity, particularly in the "special topics" issue. A number of personalities were created from scratch for the Micromasters, many of whom were little more than toys and names prior.

The profiles follow the same format as the original 1980s Marvel profile book, ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]''. A characteristic quote leads off each bio, followed by Bio, Weapons/Abilities, and Weaknesses. Many profiles are told from the perspective of another character ("from the [[datatrax]] of"); [[Grapple]], for example, narrates the profile for his friend and associate [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]. Despite initial reports that the profile book would be re-creating the entire Transformers universe from scratch, most established characters stay close to their original profiles, with some [[Thunderwing (G1)|occasional]] [[Carnivac (G1)|massaging]] when a character's popular fictional portrayals [[Bludgeon (G1)|clashed]] with their profile.

Artwork was done by numerous artists. As such, there are stylistic differences among the various profiles. Some of the original art submissions were rejected as not being consistent with the Dreamwave "house style", i.e. that of [[Pat Lee]]. Lee's hand and/or influence is particularly visible on some of the earlier and more popular characters, who often feature his characteristic rounded, swollen limbs, tiny heads, and enormously thickened metal panels. [[Don Figueroa]] drew a huge number of profile entries as well, including many of the best known characters. Lesser known characters were apparently left to other artists, who were allowed a freer hand; however, attempts at conveying a character's personality through their profile art were generally [[Blades (G1)|quashed]].

==Issue #1==
[[Image:DW MTMTE 1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] has the odd feeling of being followed.]]
Issue #1 opens with a one-page intro story in which [[Megatron (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Megatron]] (or the Dreamwave universe's version of him) gains access to [[Vector Sigma]], with the intent of reading all these files. 
'''Originally published:''' [[April 30]], 2003

{{collist|3|
* [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]
** [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]]
** [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]]
** [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]
** [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]]
** [[Slingshot]]
** [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]
* [[Airwave]] and his [[airport]]
* [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]
* [[Apeface]] with [[Spasma]]
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]
* [[Axer]] and his [[Turbo Cycle]]
* [[Backstreet]]
* [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]] with [[Razor-Sharp]]
* [[Barrage (Micromaster)|Barrage]]
* [[Barricade (G1)|Barricade]]
* [[Battletrap]]
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]
* [[Beastbox (G1)|Beastbox]]
* [[Big Daddy (G1)|Big Daddy]]
* [[Big Hauler]]
* [[Big Shot]]
* [[Blackjack]]
* [[Blackout (G1)|Blackout]]
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]
* [[Blast Master]]
* [[Blaze Master]]
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]
* [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (2 pages)
* [[Bluestreak]]
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]
* [[Bomb-Burst]] (2 pages)
* [[Bombshock (G1)|Bombshock]]
* [[Brainstorm]] with [[Arcana]]
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]
* [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]
* [[Bugly]] (2 pages)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]
* [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]
* [[Camshaft (G1)|Camshaft]]
* [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] (2 pages)
* [[Catilla]] (2 pages)
* [[Cement-Head]] with the [[Cannon Transport]]
* [[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]] (2 pages)
* [[Chase (G1)|Chase]]
* [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] with [[Stylor]]
* [[Cindersaur]]
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]
* [[Cloudburst]] (2 pages)
* [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]]
* [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]
** [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]
** [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]
** [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]]
** [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]
** [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]]
** [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]}}

==Issue #2==
[[Image:DW MTMTE 2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Dudes, we're free - FREE!]]
'''Originally published:''' [[May 29]], 2003

{{collist|3|
* [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]:
** [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]]
** [[Hook (G1)|Hook]]
** [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]]
** [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]
** [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]
** [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]
** [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]
* [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]
* [[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]] and his [[Rocket Base|rocket base]] (2 pages)
* [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]]
* [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]] (2 pages)
* [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] with [[Pinpointer (G1)|Pinpointer]]
* [[Crumble]]
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]
* [[Darkwing]] and [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]]
* [[Detour (G1)|Detour]]
* [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]:
** [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (2 pages)
** [[Slag (G1)|Slag]]
** [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]
** [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]
** [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]
* [[Direct-Hit (G1)|Direct-Hit]]
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]
* [[Dogfight]]
* [[Doublecross]]
* [[Doubledealer]] with [[Knok]] and [[Skar]] (2 pages)
* [[Doubleheader]] (2 pages)
* [[Downshift (G1)|Downshift]]
* [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] with [[Hi-Test]]
* [[Dropshot (G1)|Dropshot]]
* [[Eagle Eye (G1)|Eagle Eye]]
* [[Eject]]
* [[Erector]] and his [[crane]]
* [[Excavator (G1)|Excavator]]
* [[Fangry]] with [[Brisko]]
* [[Fastlane]]
* [[Finback]] (2 pages)
* [[Fireshot (G1)|Fireshot]]
* [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]]
* [[Fizzle]]
* [[Flak]]
* [[Flamefeather]]
* [[Flattop (Decepticon)|Flattop]] and his [[aircraft carrier]]
* [[Flywheels]]
* [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] with [[Cog (G1)|Cog/Gasket/Grommet]], [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] (3 pages)
* [[Free Wheeler|Freewheeler]]
* [[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]]
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]
* [[Full-Barrel]]
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (2 pages)
* [[Gears (G1)|Gears]]
* [[Getaway]] with [[Rev]]
* [[Gnaw]]
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]]
* [[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]]}}

==Issue #3==
[[Image:DW MTMTE 3.jpg|right|200px|thumb|By Primus, [[Fandom|they're]] everywhere! Don't let them touch you with their fat greasy hands!]]
'''Originally published:''' [[June 25]], 2003

{{collist|3|
* [[Grapple]]
* [[Greasepit (G1)|Greasepit]] with his [[gas station]]
* [[Greaser]]
* [[Grit (G1)|Grit]]
* [[Grotusque]]
* [[Ground Hog]]
* [[Groundbreaker]] (2 pages)
* [[Groundpounder]]
* [[Groundshaker]] with his [[ATV]]
* [[Growl (G1)|Growl]]
* [[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]] (2 pages)
* [[Gusher]]
* [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] with his [[Stratotronic Jet]]
* [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]]
* [[Half-Track (G1)|Half-Track]]
* [[Hammer (G1)|Hammer]]
* [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Duros]]
* [[Heave]]
* [[Heavy Tread]]
* [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] and [[Gort]]
* [[Highjump (G1)|Highjump]]
* [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
* [[Horri-Bull]] and [[Kreb]]
* [[Hosehead]] and [[Lug]]
* [[Hot House]] with his [[fire station]]
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
* [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]]
* [[Hubs]]
* [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
* [[Hydraulic]]
* [[Hyperdrive (Micromaster)|Hyperdrive]]
* [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] (2 pages)
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]
* [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]:
** [[Barrage (Insecticon)|Barrage]]
** [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]
** [[Chop Shop]]
** [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]
** [[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]]
** [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]
** [[Venom (G1)|Venom]]
* [[Ironworks|Iron Works]] with his [[Construction station|communications station]]
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
* [[Jackpot]] with [[Sights]]
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]
* [[Joyride (Autobot)|Joyride]] with [[Hotwire]]
* [[Kick-Off (G1)|Kick-Off]] with his [[Turbo-Pack]]
* [[Knockout (G1)|Knockout]]
* [[Krok (G1)|Krok]] with [[Gatoraider]]
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]
* [[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]] with [[Silencer]] and [[Flintlock]]
* [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] (2 pages)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]
* [[Longtooth]] (2 pages)
* [[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] with [[Push-Button]]
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (3 pages - includes Cybertronian forms)}}

==Issue #4==
[[Image:DW MTMTE 4.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Attack of the Stay-puffed Transformers]]
'''Originally published:''' [[July 30]], 2003

{{collist|3|
* [[Meltdown (G1)|Meltdown]]
* [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] with [[Six-Gun]], [[Slammer]] and [[Scamper]] (3 pages)
* [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] and [[Vorath]]
* [[Mini-spy|Mini-Spies]] (4 models - 2 pages)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]
* [[Misfire]] and [[Aimless]]
* [[Missile Master]]
* [[Moonrock]]
* [[Motorhead (Decepticon)|Motorhead]]
* [[Mudslinger (G1)|Mudslinger]]
* [[Needlenose]] with [[Sunbeam]] and [[Zigzag]]
* [[Neutro]]
* [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] with [[Muzzle]]
* [[Nightflight (G1)|Nightflight]]
* [[Octane]]
* [[Octopunch]] (2 pages)
* [[Oiler]]
* [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (2 pages)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (2 pages)
* [[Outback]]
* [[Overdrive]]
* [[Overflow]]
* [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]]
* [[Overload (G1)|Overload]] with his [[car carrier trailer]]
* [[Override (G1)|Override]]
* [[Over-Run (G1)|Over-Run]] with his [[Attack Copter]]
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]
* [[Phaser]]
* [[Pincher]] (2 pages)
* [[Pipeline]]
* [[Pipes]]
* [[Pointblank]] with [[Peacemaker]]
* [[Pounce]]
* [[Power Punch (G1)|Power Punch]]
* [[Powerdasher|Powerdashers]] (3 models)
* [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]
* [[Power Run]]
* [[Powertrain]]
* [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]:
** [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]]
** [[Headstrong]]
** [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]]
** [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]]
** [[Tantrum]]
** [[Predaking]]
* [[Pretender Monster|Pretender Monsters]]:
** [[Birdbrain]] (2 pages)
** [[Bristleback]] (2 pages)
** [[Icepick (G1)|Icepick]] (2 pages)
** [[Scowl]] (2 pages)
** [[Slog]] (2 pages)
** [[Wildfly]] (2 pages)
** [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]}}

==Issue #5==
[[Image:DW MTMTE 5.jpg|right|200px|thumb|[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] makes any cover awesome!]]
'''Originally published:''' [[September 4]], 2003

{{collist|3|
* [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]:
** [[Blades (G1)|Blades]]
** [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]
** [[Groove (G1)|Groove]]
** [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]]
** [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]]
** [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
* [[Punch (G1)|Punch/Counterpunch]] (2 pages)
* [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] with [[Tiptop]] and [[Heater]]
* [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] with [[Boomer]] and [[Ricochet (Nebulan)|Ricochet]]
* [[Quickswitch]] (2 pages)
* [[Rad (G1)|Rad]] with [[Lionizer]]
* [[Raindance]]
* [[Ramhorn]]
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]
* [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
* [[Red Hot]]
* [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]:
** [[Spectro]]
** [[Spyglass]]
** [[Viewfinder]]
* [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]]
* [[Retro]]
* [[Rewind]]
* [[Road Hugger (G1)|Road Hugger]]
* [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]] (2 pages)
* [[Roadburner]]
* [[Roadbuster]]
* [[Roadgrabber]] (2 pages)
* [[Roadhandler (G1)|Road Handler]]
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]
* [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]]
* [[Roller Force]]
* [[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]] with [[Glitch]]
* [[Roughstuff]] and his [[military transport]]
* [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]]
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]
* [[Runabout]]
* [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]]
* [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]]
* [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] with [[Holepunch (G1)|Holepunch]] and [[Tracer (Nebulan)|Tracer]]
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] with [[Zarak (Nebulan)|Zarak]] and [[Fasttrack (Scorponok)|Fasttrack]]
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]
* [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]]:
** [[Nautilator]]
** [[Overbite (G1)|Overbite]]
** [[Seawing (G1)|Seawing]]
** [[Skalor]]
** [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]]
** [[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]]
** [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]]
* [[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]]
* [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]]
* [[Seawatch]]
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (2 pages)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]
* [[Sidetrack]]}}

==Issue #6==
[[Image:DW MTMTE 6.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
'''Originally published:''' [[September 24]], 2003

{{collist|3|
* [[Siren]] with [[Quig]]
* [[Sixshot]] (2 pages)
* [[Sizzle (G1)|Sizzle]]
* [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]
* [[Skullcruncher]] with [[Grax]]
* [[Skullgrin]] (2 pages)
* [[Sky High (Pretender)|Sky High]] (2 pages)
* [[Sky High (Micromaster)|Sky High]]
* [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]
* [[Skyfall (G1)|Skyfall]] with [[Top-Heavy]]
* [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]] (2 pages)
* [[Skyhopper]] with his [[helicopter]]
* [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]] with his [[interstellar shuttle]]
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]
* [[Slamdance]]
* [[Sledge (G1)|Sledge]]
* [[Slide]]
* [[Slow Poke]]
* [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]]
* [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] with [[Caliburst (G1)|Caliburst]]
* [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
* [[Snapdragon]] with [[Krunk]]
* [[Snarler]] (2 pages)
* [[Slapdash]] with [[Lube]]
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]
* [[Spaceshot]]
* [[Sparkstalker]]
* [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] with [[Hairsplitter]] and [[Singe]]
* [[Splashdown]] (2 pages)
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]
* [[Sprocket (G1)|Sprocket]] with his [[Attack Cruiser]]
* [[Squawkbox]]
* [[Squawktalk]]
* [[Squeezeplay]] with [[Lokos]]
* [[Stakeout (G1)|Stakeout]]
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]
* [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]]
* [[Stonecruncher (G1)|Stonecruncher]]
* [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]]
* [[Stranglehold]] (2 pages)
* [[Strikedown]]
* [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]:
** [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]]
** [[Drag Strip]]
** [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]]
** [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]
** [[Wildrider]]
** [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]
* [[Submarauder (G1)|Submarauder]] (2 pages)
* [[Sunrunner]]
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
* [[Surge]]
* [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] with [[Spoilsport]]
* [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]
* [[Swindler]]
* [[Tailgate]]
* [[Tailspin]]}}

==Issue #7==
[[Image:DW MTMTE 7.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
'''Originally published:''' [[October 29]], 2003

{{collist|3|
* [[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]]
* [[Takedown]]
* [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]]:
** [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]]
** [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]]
** [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]]
** [[Scattershot]]
** [[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]]
** [[Computron (G1)|Computron]]
* [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]]:
** [[Blot (G1)|Blot]]
** [[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]]
** [[Hun-Gurrr]]
** [[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]]
** [[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]]
** [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]]
* [[Terror-Tread]] with the [[Cannon Transport]]
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]
* [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] (2 pages)
* [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]]
* [[Tote]]
* [[Tracer (Decepticon)|Tracer]]
* [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]
* [[Tread Bolt]]
* [[Treadshot (G1)|Treadshot]] with [[Catgut]]
* [[Triggerhappy]] with [[Blowpipe (G1)|Blowpipe]]
* [[Trip-Up]]
* [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] with [[Full-Tilt]] and [[Brunt (G1)|Brunt]]
* [[Twin Twist]]
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (2 pages)
* [[Vanquish (G1)|Vanquish]]
* [[Vroom]] (2 pages)
* [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]
* [[Waverider]] (2 pages)
* [[Weirdwolf]] with [[Monzo]]
* [[Wheel Blaze|Wheelblaze]]
* [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]
* [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]
* [[Whisper (G1)|Whisper]]
* [[Wide Load|Wideload]]
* [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
* [[Windsweeper]]
* [[Wingspan]]
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] with [[Haywire]]
* Pretender [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (2 pages)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] with [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]]
* Pretender [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (2 pages)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] with [[Firebolt]]
* Pretender [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (2 pages)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] with [[Recoil]]
* Powermaster [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] with [[Ginrai]]
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] with [[Fracas]]
* Pretender [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (2 pages)}}

==Issue #8==
[[Image:DW MTMTE 8.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Oh yea Galvy, you know how I like it!]]
'''Originally published:''' [[December 3]], 2003 
Includes a one-page conclusion to the Megatron story begun in issue 1.

{{collist|3|
* [[Ark (G1)|The ''Ark'']] (2 pages)
* [[Autobot|Autobots]] (3 pages)
* [[Cloning|Cloning Technology]]
* [[Combiner|Combiners]] (2 pages)
* [[CR chamber|CR chambers]] / [[Stasis pod|stasis pods]]
* [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] (6 pages)
** [[Iacon (city-state)|Iacon]]
** [[Kaon]]
** [[Protoform|Protoforms]]
** [[Transformation]]
* Cybertronian martial arts (2 pages):
** [[Circuit-Su]]
** [[Crystalocution]]
** [[Diffusion]]
** [[Metallikato]]
** [[Pit fighting]]
* [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] (3 pages)
* [[Earth]] (2 pages)
* [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]]
* Energon-based weaponry
* [[The Fallen]] (2 pages)
* [[Gladiatorial combat]]
* The [[Great Shutdown]]
* [[Guardian robot|Guardian robots]] (3 pages)
* [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] (2 pages)
* [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]] and [[Junkion (species)|Junkion]] (2 pages)
* The [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] (2 pages)
* [[Micromaster|Micromasters]]
** Autobot [[Battlefield Headquarters]]
** Decepticon [[Anti-Aircraft Base]]
** Autobot [[Missile Launcher]] Transport
* [[Nebulos|Nebulon]]
* [[Nemesis (G1)|The ''Nemesis'']] (3 pages)
* [[Powermaster|Powermasters]]
* [[Pretender|Pretenders]]
* [[Quintessa]] and [[Quintesson|Quintessons]] (2 pages)
* Shockwave's experiments:
** [[Duocon|Duocons]]
** [[Triple Changer|Triple Changers]]
* [[Size changing|Size/mass change]]
* [[Space bridge]]
* [[Spark|Sparks]]
* Special abilities (3 pages)
** [[Laser scalpel|Laser scalpels]]
** [[Teleportation]]
** Chemical spray
** Invisibility
** Telepathy
** [[Force field]]
** [[Null-ray|Null ray]]
** Super-speed
** Common enhancements
* [[Targetmaster|Targetmasters]]
* [[Transwarp Drive]]
* [[Unicron]] (2 pages)
* [[Vector Sigma]]
* [[Wrecker|Wreckers]]
* Glossary (2 pages)}}

==Omissions==
[[Image:WingthingDreamwave.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Don't worry pal, I know who you are."]]
* While ''More Than Meets The Eye'' featured Action Masters, it did not include Action Master versions of pre-1990 characters and therefore also not their [[:Category:Action Master partners|partners]]. Thus the guide omits the following US characters entirely: [[Fistfight]], [[Scorpulator]], ([[Turbo Board]],) [[Tyrannitron]], and [[Wingthing (G1)|Wingthing]]. This becomes goofier with the collected editions; due to their choice of [[20th Anniversary Lithograph|artwork]], Wingthing appears on the back cover but not in the actual books.

* Gasket and Grommet are not shown as separate vehicles, only in their combined form as [[Cog (G1)|Cog]].

* Weapon modes are not shown for [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]]'s Targetmaster partners [[Tracer (Nebulan)|Tracer]] and [[Holepunch (G1)|Holepunch]].

* Combined vehicle modes are not shown for the [[Mega Pretender|Mega Pretenders]] ([[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], [[Vroom]] and [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]]).

* [[Ultra Pretender|Ultra Pretenders]] [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]] and [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]] are both missing their outer vehicular shells, though both are mentioned in the text.

* Base mode is not shown for the [[ATV]].

* Only one-half of the [[Cannon Transport]] is shown (the same half, in mobile artillery mode, is shown with both partners.) Its base and combined transport modes are not shown at all.

* Mobile artillery and combined transport modes are not shown for the [[Missile Launcher]].

* The [[Tanker Truck]] is not shown at all, either with its respective Micromasters or in the Micromasters reference section.

* The [[Anti-Aircraft Base]]'s tank mode is not shown.

* Base and flight modes are not shown for the [[Battlefield Headquarters]].

==Errors and critiques==
[[Image:Eagleeyes.jpg|thumb|200px|The shame of it is, that's perfectly good art of G2 Eagle Eye.]][[Image:Mtmte-yeahright.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Surrrrrre he can turn into that truck.]]
[[Image:RavageCassetteDreamwaveMTMTE.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The perfect disguise: a panther box.]]
[[Image:StarscreamBioPicMTMTEDreamwave.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Pat Lee's Starscream. Wait, why's everyone laughing?]]

*In issue #2, [[Eagle Eye (G1)|Eagle Eye]] was drawn with his [[Hawk (G1)|''Generation 2'' Decepticon namesake]]'s jet mode. For the TPB, the art was edited somewhat to look more like the G1 character.

*In the TPB, the picture of Wingspan in robot mode has an Autobot insignia.

*The character models for Blackout and Spaceshot were reversed, so that Spaceshot was portrayed as the front half of their combined vehicle mode and Blackout as the rear half. This error carried over into the bio text as well, so it is entirely possible that the personality assigned to Spaceshot was intended for Blackout, and vice versa. This error was never corrected, and may account for [[Blackout (Animated)|''Animated'' Blackout]]'s Spaceshotty color scheme.

* Not an error per se, but the alphabetization is inconsistent. Earlier subgroups like the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], and the combiner teams are alphabetized by their subgroup names, while the [[Micromaster]] teams are split up by individuals.

* Likewise, Micromaster bases are inconsistently shown. Some appear with their owners; of these, many are only shown in one configuration. Others only show up in the special topics issue.

* For many characters, the vehicle-mode art was not drawn by the same artist as the robot mode, leading to some glaring incongruities when the two modes appear side-by-side. For example, the angled windshield on [[Oiler]]'s robot-mode chest (pictured at the top of this article) is a nearly-flat windshield on his truck mode. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (pictured above) has a similar problem as well as differently styled windows.

* Artwork for characters' alternate modes is, on occasion, a maddeningly literal drawing based on their toy, instead of any kind of accurate, in-universe representation of the actual object they transformed into. [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]'s tape mode, for instance, is more of a folded-up-robot mode than an actual cassette tape.

* Most of the Pretender shell penciling and colouring is ridiculously basic, but yet the Pretender Monster shells feature highly detailed pencils and colours (though their robot art suffers from the "literally being based on the toy" problem).

* Frustratingly, some of the best-known characters such as Megatron, Fortress Maximus, Jetfire and Octane have some of the poorest artwork.

==Notes==
*''More Than Meets The Eye'' was originally to be outsourced by Dreamwave and meant to be written by [[Destination Entertainment]], under the title of ''Transformers: Profiles''. Destination's rather grandiose original plans involved weaving their own take on the Dreamwave timeline passively throughout all the character profiles, seizing this opportunity to shape some of the then-contemporary fiction since presumably they were being kept well away from contributing anything in the main books. Destination's timeline was to have been a remarkably convoluted creation, having each original year of Transformers characters originating with each millennium of the war (with even the very definition of millennium here being stretched to "every million Cybertronian years"). The 1984 characters would originate in the first millennium, the 1985 ones in the second, and so on, despite this idea ''already'' being contradicted by books Dreamwave [[The War Within|had already published]] at the time.<ref>[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=563 Destination's original interview previewing Profiles at Newsarama]</ref> (and not making even remotely one lick of sense either way, as it would mean that, for instance, Kup would have been younger than Bumblebee). Additionally, explanations as to how characters such Galvatron, Goldbug and Powermaster Optimus Prime could exist at the same time as their original counterparts were not forthcoming. Needless to say, three months later Destination was removed from the project and the entire endeavor was re-solicited as a far more modest and uncomplicated series of ''Transformers: Universe''-style profiles.<ref>[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=711 Newsarama reports that Profiles has "transformed" into More Than Meets The Eye]</ref>

*During the time that the Dreamwave were releasing the individual issues it became known that they only ever had the rights to release Transformers comics in North America. With immediate effect supply of Transformers comics to foreign countries was stopped. This left international Transfans with only a partially completed run of MTMTE, and having to resort to other methods to acquire the remainder.

*Additional profiles for characters such as [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] (rather notably absent in the MTMTE profile books) and the [[Female Autobots]] were to be released in [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|Generation One 2004 Datatracks Annual]]. However, Dreamwave went bankrupt before it would be produced.

*As alluded to below, the covers for the collected editions are... odd. Megatron and Optimus' bios are both in Volume 1, but Megatron is on the cover of Volume 2. However, Optimus ''does'' have a profile in Volume 2 for his Powermaster form. Likely, Optimus was used first for marketing reasons.

==Collections==
[[Image:MTMTECollectionCoversDW.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Unsurprisingly, Megatron's bio is actually in Volume 1.]]
Dreamwave released two trade paperbacks (TPB) of the entire collection. Volume 1 contained issues 1-4, Volume 2 contained issues 5-8. No changes were made to the order of articles, and as such the same criticisms apply. Both volumes are quite rare, and as a result can be expensive to acquire. It is much easier to obtain the original individual issues.

* DW Volume 1: [[October 27]], 2004 (ISBN 0973381760, ISBN 978-0973381764)
* DW Volume 2: [[December 8]], 2004 (ISBN 0973381779, ISBN 978-0973381771)

[[IDW Publishing]] have reprinted the ''Generation 1'' guides. Despite the considerably different IDW-specific plots (such as the [[Dead Universe]], Galvatron's new origin, and the considerably different history, geography and political landscape of Cybertron) the collections have been released unchanged from the Dreamwave originals (and thus reference the DW plots of the Great Shutdown, Shockwave's inventions of the Triple Changers, Duocons etc).

*IDW Volume 1: [[September 29]], [[2008]] (ISBN 1600102506, ISBN 978-1600102509)
*IDW Volume 2: [[December 25]], 2008 (ISBN 1600102956, ISBN 978-1600102950)

==References==
<references/>

==External Links==
*[http://www.tfarchive.com/comics/dreamwave/guide/?s=mtmte Guide at TFArchive.com]

[[Category:Dreamwave titles]]
[[Category:Profile books]]

Robo-chicken

2010-09-03T18:16:04Z

72.153.191.12:

'''Robo-chickens''' are mechanical creatures native to [[Velocitron]] (and possibly [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]) they are notable for their tendency to run around wildly even after the removal of their head-servos. {{storylink|Titans|Titans}}

They frequently cross Velocitron's numerous speedways. Exactly why has yet to be determined.

[[Category:Cybertronic wildlife]]
[[Category:Cybertron]]

Ultra Pretender

2010-08-30T12:05:59Z

72.153.191.12: /* Generation 1 */

:''Ultra Pretenders are Transformers from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:G1Skyhammer boxartsm.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Guys who can essentially be in three places at the same time? Nope, no stories about them. [[Countdown (G1)|More Bumblebee!]] ]]

{{quote|Beyond - beyond - anything you've ever seen before: Transformers Ultra Pretenders!|Mega/Ultra Pretenders commercial jingle}}

The '''Ultra Pretenders''' take the [[Pretender]] concept even further than their [[Mega Pretender]] compatriots. Not only do their Pretender shells hide their inner robot form, not only do the shells transform, but the shells can also conceal themselves within a vehicular outer shell. Outer shell, inner shell, and inner robot can charge into battle alongside one another, creating a literal army of one.

The Ultra Pretenders are:

* The Decepticon [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]]
* The Autobot [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]]

==Fiction==
===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
Roadblock was seen aboard [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]]'s flagship, manning some controls. {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}}

==Commercial appearances==
The Ultra Pretenders shared a [[commercial]] spot with the [[Mega Pretender|Mega Pretenders]]. The animation features Skyhammer strafing Roadblock's vehicle shell. Roadblock's two inner forms then emerge from the shell, transforming alongside each other and firing at the departing Autobot.

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
* '''Ultra Pretenders''' (1989)
** [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]]
** [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]]

:The two Ultra Pretender toys were sold boxed. They are essentially three toys in one; each has a large, non-transformable vehicular outer shell, a medium-sized transforming inner shell, and a small transformable inner robot.

:Both toys have a similar [[play pattern]]. The large shell can encase both smaller shell and inner robot, and can be "piloted" by the inner robot as well, standing behind a set of pop-up guns. All the weapons of the robot and inner shell can attach to the outer shell.

:The small shell can enclose the inner robot while in its humanoid form. Removing the robot allows the inner shell to transform to a vehicular form, with an open-air cockpit allowing the robot to ride as a pilot. The inner shells sport two hand-held guns which can also mount on the shell's vehicle mode or attach to the outer shell.

:The inner robots are tiny, simple, and thin-limbed, a result of having to fit inside a shell that fits inside another shell. Both sport a hand-held weapon which can mount on top of their vehicle mode or attach to the vehicular shell.

:Both toys are extremely susceptible to [[Gold Plastic Syndrome]], with the bottom of Skyhammer's outer shell and Roadblock's inner robot almost entirely made out of the stuff.

[[Category:Pretenders]]

Majin Zarak

2010-08-30T11:42:56Z

72.153.191.12: /* Notes */

:''Majin Zarak is a [[Decepticon]]/[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] from the [[Beast Wars II]] portion of the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Majinzarak robot.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Gonna mess you up...]]
'''Majin Zarak''' (マジンザラック) is a vicious killing monster, feared by [[Maximal|Maximals]], Predacons and whatever else beholds his might. He feels no sympathy, he feels no remorse, he goes about killing as one would go about breathing. He thinks nothing of it. Majin Zarak’s origin is a mystery. He was created centuries ago only to vanish without a trace. Majin Zarak is an unstoppable force equated only to Armageddon; a masterpiece of war.

==Fiction==
===''Beast Wars II'' cartoon===
[[Image:Majinzarak vehicle.jpg|left|240px|thumb|...on land and sea and air!]]
When a mysterious space-time-warping device crash-landed on the Planet [[Gaea]], the [[Maximal|Maximals]], led by [[Lio Convoy]], and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], led by [[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]], raced to be the first to get it. The Predacons got there first and accidentally used its power to summon the mighty Majin Zarak from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s past to aid them in battle.

To counter the threat of the nigh-invincible Majin Zarak, the Maximals summoned [[Optimus Primal]] from the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] of Prehistoric [[Earth]]. Majin Zarak had no trouble defeating the likes of the Maximals due to his massive size, virtual invulnerability and plethora of devastating attacks.

In the end, the Maximals discovered his weak-spot was the third eye on his forehead, which was where all his nerve-endings were clustered. Lio Convoy and Optimus Primal used the combined power of their individual [[Energon Matrix|Energon Matrices]] to transform themselves into Flash Lio Convoy and Burning Convoy. Together, they unleashed the power of their Matrices into a combined attack called the "Double Matrix Blast". The blast struck Majin Zarak in his third eye, killing him on the spot. {{storylink|Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger|Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger}}

==Notes==
*''Majin'' is a Japanese word combining the kanji for ''mashō'', meaning "demonic", and ''jin'', meaning "race of people". "Majin" typically translates to "demon". It is also a pun on the word "machine".
* [[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]] was, in fact, trying to find someone else with the time gate and only summoned Majin Zarak by accident when [[Megastorm]] fouled up the frequency calculations. The being they were actually looking for was Megatron, although [[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger|it is unclear]] whether they were after [[Megatron (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Megatron]] or [[Megatron (G1)|Generation 1 Megatron]]. In any case, Galvatron viewed Majin Zarak's appearance as a thoroughly happy accident, declaring that "we obtained a weapon superior to Megatron."
* Although there is no apparent connection, Majin Zarak shares part of his name with [[Zarak (disambiguation)|some other dudes called Zarak]], most of whom have something to do with [[Scorponok (G1)|the Headmaster Scorponok]].

[[Category:Beast Wars II characters]]
[[Category:Cartoon-only characters]]
[[Category:Japanese-original characters]]