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Alternate mode

2011-02-27T17:30:11Z

75.142.145.7: /* Prime cartoon */

An '''alternate mode''' (commonly shortened to "'''altmode'''," "'''alt mode'''," or "'''alt-mode'''," also known as a '''"trans-form"''', a '''"transform"''' or a '''"changeform"''') is a term used to describe a Transformer's non-robot form, whether it be vehicle, animal, or otherwise. Various, more specific, terms are also sometimes used—vehicle mode, gun mode, tank mode, etc.

Some Transformers don't have a humanoid form, so in those special cases, the altmode is perceived to be the mode which is more geared towards utility or disguise while their [[robot mode]] is the one geared more towards interaction with other Transformers. For example, for the G1 characters [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], their animal forms are their primary mode, and the cassettes their alternate modes. Even [[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]] and [[Raindance]], who transform from cassettes to vehicles, would be thought of as having a cassette alternate mode, as their vehicle forms—while not humanoid or animalistic—are at least self-mobile.

Transformers with more than two modes are usually considered to have multiple altmodes. ([[Punch (G1)|Punch/Counterpunch]] on the other hand has one altmode and two robot modes.)

In the cartoon episode "[[The Killing Jar]]," the Quintesson scientist refers to the Quintesson guard's transformation as his alternate mode, the first such use of this term in the official fiction.

The earliest recorded use in the fandom of the shortened term "alt mode" is an [[alt.toys.transformers]] post from March 1994.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/dcddbf79b470731c alt.toys.transformers, Fanfic: GoTP Plot Blurb!]</ref> From the context, it appears that the term was already understood by fans at that time, as the post's author does not explain what he means.

==Beast mode==
{{main|Beast mode}}

==Fiction==
When a Transformer takes on an alternate mode for the purpose of disguise, they are ''mimicking'' that form, they don't actually ''become'' what that form represents. They are "robots in disguise". To accomplish this, they physically alter their forms, and when necessary, use [[hologram]]s to help maintain the disguise illusion, especially when battle damage might otherwise give them away.<ref>This is true across all [[continuities]]. [[Hasbro Q&A/August 2009: Answers]].</ref>
===Generation 1 cartoon===
[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] reversed the polarity of his windshield to clear his vision during a bad thunderstorm, indicating he sees out of his windows. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}}
===Marvel comics continuity===
[[Getaway]] lost complete vision in his right headlights and partial vision in his left headlights during the [[Armornecking Incident]]. {{storylink|Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Getaway's ''Universe'' profile}}
===''Prime'' cartoon===
[[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], a legendary warrior from Cybertron, "has not yet taken an alternate mode." Neither has [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]. This implies that the Transformers in this continuity only use alt-modes on Earth.

These people are ''trying'' to create continuity errors with ''[[War for Cybertron]]'', man.

==References==
<references/>

==See also==
*[[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes]]
*[[Popular beast alternate modes]]
*[[Non-vehicle non-beast alternate modes]]
*[[Licensed vehicle alternate modes]]

[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Transformer anatomy]]

Alternate mode

2011-02-27T17:29:53Z

75.142.145.7: /* Fiction */

An '''alternate mode''' (commonly shortened to "'''altmode'''," "'''alt mode'''," or "'''alt-mode'''," also known as a '''"trans-form"''', a '''"transform"''' or a '''"changeform"''') is a term used to describe a Transformer's non-robot form, whether it be vehicle, animal, or otherwise. Various, more specific, terms are also sometimes used—vehicle mode, gun mode, tank mode, etc.

Some Transformers don't have a humanoid form, so in those special cases, the altmode is perceived to be the mode which is more geared towards utility or disguise while their [[robot mode]] is the one geared more towards interaction with other Transformers. For example, for the G1 characters [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], their animal forms are their primary mode, and the cassettes their alternate modes. Even [[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]] and [[Raindance]], who transform from cassettes to vehicles, would be thought of as having a cassette alternate mode, as their vehicle forms—while not humanoid or animalistic—are at least self-mobile.

Transformers with more than two modes are usually considered to have multiple altmodes. ([[Punch (G1)|Punch/Counterpunch]] on the other hand has one altmode and two robot modes.)

In the cartoon episode "[[The Killing Jar]]," the Quintesson scientist refers to the Quintesson guard's transformation as his alternate mode, the first such use of this term in the official fiction.

The earliest recorded use in the fandom of the shortened term "alt mode" is an [[alt.toys.transformers]] post from March 1994.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/dcddbf79b470731c alt.toys.transformers, Fanfic: GoTP Plot Blurb!]</ref> From the context, it appears that the term was already understood by fans at that time, as the post's author does not explain what he means.

==Beast mode==
{{main|Beast mode}}

==Fiction==
When a Transformer takes on an alternate mode for the purpose of disguise, they are ''mimicking'' that form, they don't actually ''become'' what that form represents. They are "robots in disguise". To accomplish this, they physically alter their forms, and when necessary, use [[hologram]]s to help maintain the disguise illusion, especially when battle damage might otherwise give them away.<ref>This is true across all [[continuities]]. [[Hasbro Q&A/August 2009: Answers]].</ref>
===Generation 1 cartoon===
[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] reversed the polarity of his windshield to clear his vision during a bad thunderstorm, indicating he sees out of his windows. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}}
===Marvel comics continuity===
[[Getaway]] lost complete vision in his right headlights and partial vision in his left headlights during the [[Armornecking Incident]]. {{storylink|Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Getaway's ''Universe'' profile}}
===''Prime'' cartoon===
[[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], a legendary warrior from Cybertron, "has not yet taken an alternate mode." Neither has [[Wheeljack (Prie)|Wheeljack]]. This implies that the Transformers in this continuity only use alt-modes on Earth.

These people are ''trying'' to create continuity errors with ''[[War for Cybertron]]'', man.

==References==
<references/>

==See also==
*[[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes]]
*[[Popular beast alternate modes]]
*[[Non-vehicle non-beast alternate modes]]
*[[Licensed vehicle alternate modes]]

[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Transformer anatomy]]

Transformers: Generations (toyline)

2010-12-10T21:11:57Z

75.142.145.7: /* Notes */

{{disambig3|Generations}}
'''''Generations''''' is a line of [[size class|Deluxe Class]] figures launched in 2010. Like the earlier 2006 ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' and 2008 [[Universe (2008 toyline)|''Universe'']] lines, along with much of the 2010 [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'']] line, it aims to recreate older Transformers characters as new toys and celebrate the history of the brand. Unlike ''Universe'', there are no series or other indications on the toys' [[packaging]] regarding which [[continuity]] the characters hail from. This seems to follow Hasbro's recent trend of leaving as much of that kind of information as possible up to the imagination of the purchaser.

The range includes designs from the video game ''[[War for Cybertron]]'' with the ambiguous prefix "Cybertronian".

Early releases advertised for [[The Hub]].

==Toys==
===General retail===
====Wave 1====
[[Image:Generations Drift toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|RETRIBUTION!]]
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Cybertronian Bumblebee]]
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Cybertronian Optimus Prime]]
* [[Drift (G1)|Drift]]
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]

{{note|Toys R Us received special cases containing only Cybertronian Optimus Prime and Cybertronian Bumblebee as a promotional tie in for the release of the War for Cybertron video game before the general release of the ''Generations'' toyline.}}
{{--}}

====Wave 2====
[[Image:Generationstoy-CybertronianMegatron.jpg|right|thumb|250px|I'm just a miner.]]
* [[Megatron (Prime)|Cybertronian Megatron]]
* [[Straxus (G1)|Darkmount]]

====Wave 3====
* [[Soundwave (Prime)|Cybertronian Soundwave]]
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
====Wave 4====
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (retool/redeco of Drift)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]
{{--}}

====Wave 5====
[[Image:Generationstoy-Thunderwing.jpg|right|thumb|250px|And that's when Hasbro ran out of 1984 Decepticons.]]
* [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] (retool/redeco of Cybertronian Bumblebee)
* [[Skullgrin]] (retool/redeco of Darkmount)
* [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]

====Wave 6====
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]
* [[Kup (G1)|Sergeant Kup]]

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:TF2010 deluxe SpecialOpsJazz.jpg|thumb|right|150px||[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|I don't belong here]]!]]
* Clicking "War For Cybertron Toys" on Hasbro's [http://www2.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/movie-news/Transformers-War-for-Cybertron.cfm War For Cybertron] webpage brings up the whole "Generations" toyline. Looking for War For Cybertron toys? Here you go.
* Since all the toys in the Generations toyline are Deluxe-sized, the Difficulty Level bar on the front packaging (which indicates how hard it is to convert a toy from mode to mode) now denotes each individual toy's challenge level (Cybertronian Bumblebee, for example, is a Level 4, while Thrust is a Level 2).
* The plastic-coated wire twist-ties, which were normally used to secure a toy in its packaging in past toylines, have been replaced with rattan tie-downs. The paper based tie-downs are also used in the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 Transformers]] toyline.
* The 2010 Transformers toyline contains several toys with a design aesthetic similar to the Generations line. This led to confusion when fan expectations were contradicted by official Hasbro announcements.
**Said figures are actually part of the "Reveal The Shield" promotion, meaning they were possibly meant to be released in the "Generations" toyline before idea for the promotion came about.
*Several toys in this line have a uniform clip system that allows weapons to be rearranged in various places, and even on different toys. This is clearly intended to be like the over-arching gimmicks of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] era. The problem is, since the clip system is not present on any of the four ''War for Cybertron'' toys, redecos from other lines, or Drift, and decidedly not on any of the main-line 2010 Transformers, the gimmick arches over about five figures.

[[Category:Franchises]]
[[Category:Generations| (toyline)]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Transformers: Generations (toyline)

2010-12-10T21:11:31Z

75.142.145.7: /* Notes */

{{disambig3|Generations}}
'''''Generations''''' is a line of [[size class|Deluxe Class]] figures launched in 2010. Like the earlier 2006 ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' and 2008 [[Universe (2008 toyline)|''Universe'']] lines, along with much of the 2010 [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'']] line, it aims to recreate older Transformers characters as new toys and celebrate the history of the brand. Unlike ''Universe'', there are no series or other indications on the toys' [[packaging]] regarding which [[continuity]] the characters hail from. This seems to follow Hasbro's recent trend of leaving as much of that kind of information as possible up to the imagination of the purchaser.

The range includes designs from the video game ''[[War for Cybertron]]'' with the ambiguous prefix "Cybertronian".

Early releases advertised for [[The Hub]].

==Toys==
===General retail===
====Wave 1====
[[Image:Generations Drift toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|RETRIBUTION!]]
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Cybertronian Bumblebee]]
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Cybertronian Optimus Prime]]
* [[Drift (G1)|Drift]]
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]

{{note|Toys R Us received special cases containing only Cybertronian Optimus Prime and Cybertronian Bumblebee as a promotional tie in for the release of the War for Cybertron video game before the general release of the ''Generations'' toyline.}}
{{--}}

====Wave 2====
[[Image:Generationstoy-CybertronianMegatron.jpg|right|thumb|250px|I'm just a miner.]]
* [[Megatron (Prime)|Cybertronian Megatron]]
* [[Straxus (G1)|Darkmount]]

====Wave 3====
* [[Soundwave (Prime)|Cybertronian Soundwave]]
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
====Wave 4====
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (retool/redeco of Drift)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]
{{--}}

====Wave 5====
[[Image:Generationstoy-Thunderwing.jpg|right|thumb|250px|And that's when Hasbro ran out of 1984 Decepticons.]]
* [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] (retool/redeco of Cybertronian Bumblebee)
* [[Skullgrin]] (retool/redeco of Darkmount)
* [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]

====Wave 6====
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]
* [[Kup (G1)|Sergeant Kup]]

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:TF2010 deluxe SpecialOpsJazz.jpg|thumb|right|150px||[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|I don't belong here,]] bitches!]]
* Clicking "War For Cybertron Toys" on Hasbro's [http://www2.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/movie-news/Transformers-War-for-Cybertron.cfm War For Cybertron] webpage brings up the whole "Generations" toyline. Looking for War For Cybertron toys? Here you go.
* Since all the toys in the Generations toyline are Deluxe-sized, the Difficulty Level bar on the front packaging (which indicates how hard it is to convert a toy from mode to mode) now denotes each individual toy's challenge level (Cybertronian Bumblebee, for example, is a Level 4, while Thrust is a Level 2).
* The plastic-coated wire twist-ties, which were normally used to secure a toy in its packaging in past toylines, have been replaced with rattan tie-downs. The paper based tie-downs are also used in the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 Transformers]] toyline.
* The 2010 Transformers toyline contains several toys with a design aesthetic similar to the Generations line. This led to confusion when fan expectations were contradicted by official Hasbro announcements.
**Said figures are actually part of the "Reveal The Shield" promotion, meaning they were possibly meant to be released in the "Generations" toyline before idea for the promotion came about.
*Several toys in this line have a uniform clip system that allows weapons to be rearranged in various places, and even on different toys. This is clearly intended to be like the over-arching gimmicks of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] era. The problem is, since the clip system is not present on any of the four ''War for Cybertron'' toys, redecos from other lines, or Drift, and decidedly not on any of the main-line 2010 Transformers, the gimmick arches over about five figures.

[[Category:Franchises]]
[[Category:Generations| (toyline)]]
[[Category:Toys]]