Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)

2009-11-22T21:42:15Z

86.156.13.139: /* Other store exclusives */

{{Nav-Universe}}
The original '''''Universe''''' toyline, launched in 2003, was originally conceived as a line entirely made up of [[Redeco|redecos]] (and occasionally [[Retool|retools]]) of toys from older lines.

Even though the line was effectively cancelled in its original form after a little more than a year, it still continued in other forms (such as rebranded toys from older lines) for nearly three more years, coupled with the odd delayed release from its original run.

The second [[Universe (2008 franchise)|''Universe'' line]] launched in 2008 shares its name with the old line, but originally had a different underlying concept (but eventually turned into a fully-flledged successor of the first ''Universe'' line).

==History and overview==
===Precursors===
Historically, 1997's ''[[Machine Wars]]'' was the first ''Transformers'' toy line made up entirely of redecos.

In terms of immediate succession, the ''Universe'' line was a continuation of sorts of the extended ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' line, which also consisted of redecos of toys from older lines, most of which were available as store [[Exclusive|exclusives]].

The [[Walmart]] exclusive ''[[Dinobots (toyline)|Dinobots]]'' mini-line that was available concurrently with the ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' line was also a precursor of the ''Universe'' line in some ways.

Lastly, the name of the line originated with the [[BotCon 2002]] exclusive toys, which were branded with the title ''[[Expanded Universe]]''.

===Initial conception and original run===
The ''Universe'' line was originally intended to run concurrently with the main ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' line and the ''[[Alternators]]'' and ''[[Commemorative Series]]'' lines and consisted of the mass retail [[Size class|price points]] "Deluxe" ($10USD) and "Ultra" ($20USD). In addition, an unusually huge number of store [[exclusive]] single toys and multi-packs (often with additional [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]] or Mini-Con teams) was released as well. Some of those multi-packs were even available at lower prices than the original releases of those molds combined. The [[OTFCC 2003]] and [[OTFCC 2004|2004]] exclusives were also branded "Universe".

The molds used for the ''Universe'' line spanned from as far back as late-[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] to the most recent lines. Molds from ''[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' and ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' were particularly common in the line. Some molds that had previously only been available in Japan (such as [[Big Convoy]] or the [[Micromaster]] [[Combiner|Sixcombiner]] teams) were also made available to Hasbro's target audience for the first time that way.

The first wave of toys came with a [[Pack-in material|pack-in]] [[Universe CD-ROM|CD-ROM]] featuring related stories and games.

The line was officially only available on the American market, although some toys (the aforementioned Micromasters, in particular) were released in some European countries in ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' packaging, coupled with a few American imports (such as the [[Battle in a Box]] sets) that were sold by online retailers and specialty stores.

===Discontinuation and continuation===
The ''Universe'' line effectively died as a mass retail line when Wal-Mart decided to discontinue the Ultra Class assortment in late 2004 due to low sales. Earlier that year, Wal-Mart had already stocked half a dozen of exclusive Universe toys, which had also ended up as [[Shelfwarmer|shelfwarmers]]. The Deluxe assortment was cancelled by Hasbro shortly afterwards.

Two more KB Toys exclusive Deluxe toys (in ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]''-esque packaging) followed in 2005, as well as two more KB Toys exclusive [[Micromaster]] waves in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Furthermore, three Ultra two-packs that had already been produced before the Ultra assortment was cancelled eventually ended up as Target exclusives, also in 2006.

Aside from those delayed releases of already planned toys (except for the KB Deluxes), the ''Universe'' line was still continued for nearly ''four'' more years (!) following the cancellation of the mass retail assortments, but now only in the form of rebranded toys from more recent lines such as ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'', ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'', with no [[Redeco|redecos]] whatsoever. Those toys were mostly available from liquidator stores such as Dollar General, Family Dollar or Tuesday Morning. Even a new mold, which was available as a Chevrolet online store exclusive in 2008, used the old ''Universe'' logo in its instruction sheet.

===Legacy and successors===
After the ''Universe'' line had ended as a mass retail line, the short-lived 2006 ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' line briefly served as an all-encompassing line that contained a few redecos of toys from older lines (most notably [[Legends Class|Legends of Cybertron]] figures) in addition to new molds.

The 2007 [[Movie (toyline)|live-action Movie toyline]] also contained a considerable number of redecos of toys from older lines, starting with the Target exclusive Scout Class assortment, later followed by other store [[exclusive]] redecos of toys from the ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'', ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'', ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' and ''Classics'' lines.

Hasbro ultimately launched a [[Universe (2008 franchise)|"new" ''Universe'' line]] in 2008 which combined the predominant "new molds" aspect of the ''Classics'' line with the "redeco" aspect of the old ''Universe'' line. The widely accepted way to distinguish between toys from the two ''Universe'' lines (it's unclear whether Hasbro officially thinks of them as one and the same, or as two lines using the same name) is the different logo. The old ''Universe'' logo was last used for [[Swerve (Chevy)|Swerve]], the aforementioned Chevrolet exclusive.

==Universe toys==
===The redeco line (2003 - 2006)===
====Tiny Tins (mass retail)====
'''Wave 1 (March 2004)'''

* [[Dirt Boss (Armada)|Dirt Boss]]
* [[Downshift (Armada)|Downshift]]
* [[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]]

{{note|An odd exception to the "redeco" rule of the early ''Universe'' line, these three Mini-Cons, released individually with additional Tiny Tins, were unchanged from their original releases as part of the ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' Race Mini-Con Team.}}
====Deluxes (mass retail)====
'''Wave 1 (June 2003)'''

*[[Reptilion]]
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]]
*[[Snarl (BM)|Snarl]]

'''Wave 2 (August 2003)'''

*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]
*[[Striker|Dinobot Striker]]

'''Wave 3 (October 2003)'''

*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]]
*[[Ratchet (Universe)|Ratchet]]

'''Wave 4 (January 2004)'''

*[[Triceradon (BM)|Dinobot Triceradon]]
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]

'''Wave 5 (March 2004)'''

*[[Skydive (BM)|Skydive]]

'''Wave 6 (August 2004)'''

*[[Fireflight (Universe)|Fireflight]] with Mini-Cons [[Firebot (Armada)|Firebot]] and [[Thunderwing (Armada)|Thunderwing]]
*[[Nemesis Strika]]

'''Wave 7 (October 2004)'''

*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] & [[Wind Sheer (Universe)|Wind Sheer]] two-pack
*[[Swerve (Universe)|Swerve]] with Mini-Con [[Roadhandler (Universe)|Roadhandler]]

'''Wave 8 (February 2005)'''

*[[Longhorn (Universe)|Longhorn]]
*[[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Night Slash Cheetor]]
*[[Frostbite]]

'''Wave 9 (April 2005)'''

*[[Blastcharge (BM)|Blastcharge]]

====Ultras (mass retail)====
'''Wave 1 (July 2003)'''

*[[Optimus Primal/toys|Optimus Primal]]
*[[Razorclaw (Universe)|Razorclaw]]

'''Wave 1.5 (October 2003)'''

*[[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] & [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] two-pack

'''Wave 2 (November 2003)'''

*[[Depth Charge (BW)|Depthcharge]]

'''Wave 2.5 (March 2004)'''

*[[King Atlas]]

'''Wave 3 (August 2004)'''

*[[Whirl (Universe)|Whirl]] with Mini-Cons [[Makeshift (Armada)|Makeshift]] and [[Gunbarrel (Armada)|Gunbarrel]]
*[[Stockade (Universe)|Stockade]] & [[Magna Stampede]] two-pack with with Mini-Cons [[Terradive (Armada)|Terradive]] and [[Prowl (Armada)|Prowl]]

'''Wave 3.5 (October 2004)'''

*[[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]] and [[Space Case]]

{{note|A fully-fledged fourth mass retail wave was planned; but ultimately the new toys that would have been included with it ended up as Target exclusives.}}
====KB Toys exclusive Micromasters====
'''Series I (Protectobots - May 2004)'''

*[[First Aid (Universe)|First Aid]]
*[[Groove (Universe)|Autobot Groove]]
*[[Hot Spot (Universe)|Hot Spot]]
*[[Prowl (Universe Micromaster)|Prowl]]
*[[Red Alert (Universe)|Red Alert]]
*[[Streetwise (Universe)|Streetwise]]

{{note|The six Protectobots could be merged to form [[Defensor (Universe)|Defensor]]. The toys were also available as non-exclusive releases on ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' cards in Europe.}}

'''Series II (Constructicons - October 2004)'''

*[[Bonecrusher (Universe Micromaster)|Bonecrusher]]
*[[Buckethead]]
*[[Hightower (Micromaster)|Hightower]]
*[[Long Haul (Universe Micromaster)|Long Haul]]
*[[Quickmix (Universe)|Quickmix]]
*[[Scavenger (Universe Micromaster)|Scavenger]]

{{note|The six Constructicons could be merged to form [[Constructicon Devastator (Micromaster)|Constructicon Devastator]]. The toys were also available as non-exclusive releases on ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' cards in Europe.}}

'''Series III (Railbots - September 2005)'''

*[[Midnight Express (Universe)|Midnight Express]]
*[[Overload (Railbot)|Overload]]
*[[Railspike (Universe)|Railspike]]
*[[Rapid Run (Universe)|Rapid Run]]
*[[Swindle (Universe)|Swindle]]
*[[Tankor (Micromaster)|Tankor]]

{{note|The six Railbots could be merged to form [[Rail Racer (Universe)|Rail Racer]]. The toys were also available as non-exclusive releases on ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' cards in Europe, even ''before'' the US versions came out, with the first sighting hailing from the Netherlands in August 2005. The ''Universe'' versions were also available from Australian online retailer Casefresh since July 2005, and at Australian KMart stores since August 2005.}}

'''Series IV (Aerialbots - September 2006)'''

*[[Air Raid (Universe)|Air Raid]]
*[[Fireflight (Micromaster)|Fireflight]]
*[[Ro-Tor (Universe)|Ro-tor]]
*[[Skydive (Universe)|Skydive]]
*[[Silverbolt (Universe)|Silverbolt]]
*[[Storm Jet (Universe)|Storm Jet]]

{{note|The six Aerialbots could be merged to form [[Superion (Universe)|Superion]]. The toys were also available as non-exclusive releases on ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' cards in Europe, even ''before'' the US versions came out, first being stocked by UK-based online retailer The Entertainer in March (!) of 2006. In the USA, the ''Universe'' versions were later also found at CVS Pharmacy stores.}}

====Other store exclusives====
'''[[KB Toys]] exclusives (September 2005)'''

*[[Cyclonus (Armada)|Snow Cat]]
*[[Downshift (Energon)|Downshift]]

{{note|The packaging for these two toys was odd insofar as it featured ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]''-specific logos and other design elements. In addition, the assortment number (27271) was identical to that of the KB Toys exclusive ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' redecos of ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] and [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]], which were released a year earlier, a rare instance where an assortment number was carried over from one toyline to another one.}}

'''Kmart exclusives (July 2004)'''

*[[Crystal Widow]] vs. [[Oil Slick (Universe)|Oil Slick]] ([[Battle in a Box]] two-pack)

'''"Market Six" exclusives (October 2004)'''

*[[Smokescreen (Universe)|Smokescreen]] vs. [[Ransack (Universe)|Ransack]] with Mini-Cons & [[Liftor]] & [[Refute]] ([[Battle in a Box]] two-pack)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Universe Two-Pack)|Ultra Magnus]] vs. [[Treadshot (Universe 2003)|Treadshot]] with Mini-Cons [[Over-Run (Universe)|Over-Run]] & [[Nightbeat (Universe)|Nightbeat]] ([[Battle in a Box]] two-pack)

{{note|These two-packs were available from stores such as Kohl's, Meijer, Menards and ShopKo. A third two-pack was also planned, but ultimately never released.}}

'''Sam's Club exclusives (September 2003)'''

*[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] (RID redeco)
*[[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] (RID redeco)

'''[[Target]] exclusives'''

*[[Nemesis Prime (Universe 2003)|Nemesis Prime]] (August 2004)
*[[Overbite (Universe)|Overbite]] & [[Repugnus (Universe)|Repugnus]] two-pack (March 2006)
*[[Long Haul (Universe Ultra)|Long Haul]] & [[Hightower (Universe Ultra)|Hightower]] two-pack (March 2006)
* [[Bonecrusher (Universe Ultra)|Bonecrusher]] & [[Scavenger (Universe Ultra)|Scavenger]] two-pack (March 2006)

{{note|The three two-packs above were originally planned to be released as wave 4 of the Universe Ultra assortment. However, when Wal*Mart decided to cancel the Universe Ultra assortment, the toys, which had already been produced by that point, were put on hold, and were ultimately released as Target exclusives more than a year later than originally intended.}}

'''[[Toys"R"Us]] exclusives (March 2004)'''

*[[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]] with Mini-Cons [[Thunderclash (Armada)|Thunderclash]], [[Gunbarrel (Armada)|Gunbarrel]], [[Terradive (Armada)|Terradive]] and [[Thunderwing (Armada)|Thunderwing]]

'''[[Walmart]] exclusives (February 2004)'''

*[[Ultra Magnus (Universe Spychanger)|Ultra Magnus]] & [[Ironhide (Universe)|Ironhide]] two-pack (Spychangers)
*[[Optimus Prime (Universe Spychanger)|Optimus Prime]] & [[Prowl (Spychanger)|Prowl]] two-pack (Spychangers)
*[[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] (Deluxe)
*[[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]] (Deluxe)
*[[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]] five-pack ([[Armorhide (RID)|Armorhide]], [[Mega-Octane]], [[Movor]], [[Ro-Tor (RID)|Ro-Tor]] and [[Rollbar (RID)|Rollbar]])
*[[Sunstorm (Universe)|Sunstorm]] with Mini-Cons [[Inferno (Universe Mini-Con)|Inferno]] and Street Action Team ([[Sureshock (Universe)|Sureshock]], [[High Wire (Universe)|High Wire]] and [[Grindor (Universe)|Grindor]])

====OTFCC exclusives====
'''OTFCC 2003 (July 2003)'''

*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]
*[[Roulette]] and [[Shadow Striker]] two-pack

'''OTFCC 2004 (July 2004)'''

*[[Megazarak]] with Mini-Con [[Caliburn]]
*[[Sentinel Maximus]] with Mini-Con [[Apelinq|Ape-Linq]]

{{note|Only Megazarak was actually available at the convention itself. Sentinel Maximus was delayed and was later shipped out by Hasbro themselves in November 2004, following the bankruptcy of [[3H Enterprises]].}}

===Rebranding and other odds and ends (2005 - 2008)===
====Spy Changers====
'''Wave 1 (February 2005)'''

*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
*[[Jazz (G1)/toys|Autobot Jazz]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]]
*[[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]]
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]

{{note|These Spy Changers, found at Dollar General and Family Dollar stores, were unchanged from the "G1" Spy Changers exclusively available from KB toys a year earlier. The only change was the packaging.}}

'''Wave 2 (August 2006)'''

*[[Camshaft (G1)|Autobot Camshaft]]
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]

{{note|The second wave, found at Family Dollar, Roses and Dollar General stores, mixed Optimus Prime, Prowl and Autobot Jazz from the first wave with the new additions Autobot Camshaft, Hoist and Mirage...which were unchanged from the second version of the KB Toys exclusive clear redecos of the ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Spy Changers [[W.A.R.S.]], [[Ironhide (RID)|Ironhide]] and [[Mirage (RID)|Mirage]], respectively, other than the names and the packaging.}}

====Basics====
'''Wave 1 (August 2005)'''

*[[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] ([[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]], [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] & [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]])
*[[Insecticon (Energon)|Insecticon]]
*[[Arcee (Energon)|Arcee]]
*[[Strongarm (Energon)|Strong Arm]]
*[[Windrazor (Energon)|Windrazor]]
*[[Doom-Lock]]

{{note|These "Basics", which were found at Family Dollar, Dollar General and Ocean State Job Lot stores, were all unchanged from the ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' Energon Class toys of the same names other than the packaging, with the exception of "Strong Arm", who was renamed (sorta) from the "Energon Strongarm" redeco from the ''Energon'' line, but otherwise unchanged as well. Windrazor's packaging omitted all references to his [[combiner]] abilities.}}

'''Wave 2 (October 2006)'''

*[[Terradive (Energon)|Terradive]]
*[[Treadshot (Energon)|Treadshot]]
*[[Wideload (Energon)|Wideload]]
*[[Energon Saber]] ([[Scattor (Energon)|Scattor]], [[Skyboom (Energon)|Skyboom]] and [[Wreckage (Energon)|Wreckage]])
*[[Cruellock]]
*[[Signal Flare (Energon)|Signal Flare]]

{{note|These "Basics", which were found at Dollar General stores, were all unchanged from the ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' Energon Class toys of the same names other than the packaging. Terradive, Treadshot and Wideload's packaging all omitted any references to their [[combiner]] abilities.}}

'''Wave 3 (October 2007)'''

*[[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]]
*[[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]]
*[[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]]
*[[Undermine]]
*[[Brushguard]]
*[[Lugnutz]]

{{note|These "Basics", which were found at Dollar General stores, were all unchanged from the ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' Scout Class toys of the same names other than the packaging.}}

====Deluxes====
'''Wave 1 (October 2005)'''

*[[Storm Jet (Energon)|Storm Jet]]
*[[Barricade (Energon)|Barricade]]
*[[Steamhammer (Energon)|Steamhammer]]
*[[Sharkticon (Energon)|Sharkticon]]

{{note|These Deluxes, which were found at Big Lots, Tuesday Morning and KB Toys stores, were all unchanged from the ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' Combat Class toys of the same names other than the packaging. Storm Jet, Barricade and Steamhammer's packaging all omitted any references to their [[combiner]] abilities.}}

====Multi-packs====
'''Walmart exclusives (November 2007)'''

*Opposites Attack ([[Excellion]] vs. [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]])
*Search for the Pirate Moon ([[Downshift (Energon)|Downshift]] vs. [[Cannonball]])

{{note|The toys in these two-packs were unchanged from the ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' Deluxe Class toys of the same names. Both packs were originally available as non-exclusive mass retail releases in the Philippines in September 2007, and were later available as [[Walmart]] [[exclusive]] [[Black Friday (event)|Black Friday]] releases in the United States in November of the same year.}}

'''Other (September 2007/July 2008)'''

*The Ultimate Battle ([[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] vs. [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]])

{{note|The toys in this two-pack, originally found at Dollar General stores in September 2007 and later also at KB Toys stores in July 2008, were unchanged from the two-pack of the same name originally released as part of the ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' line other than the packaging.}}

====New molds====
'''Chevrolet Store exclusive (March 2008)'''

*[[Swerve (Chevy)|Swerve]]

{{note|Samples of this toy originally popped up in China in August 2007, coupled with rumors about it being some kind of Chevrolet promotional item. To this very day, there is no evidence that Swerve has ever been ''officially'' available in China. Hasbro also told a story at [[BotCon 2008]] about the toy having been intended for a Chevy promotion in ''Europe''; but again, there's no evidence that this promotion has ever actually happened. The only ''confirmed'' official release of Swerve was via the Chevrolet online store in March 2008.}}

==Unreleased toys==
In early 2004, a large number of stolen samples of toys intended for the ''Universe'' line appeared on [[eBay]]. Even though none of those toys were ultimately released, all of them were later officially revealed by Hasbro one way or another. Also, many of them later ''did'' see a release through other outlets than originally intended:

* Redecos of the ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' Super-Cons [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Hot Shot]] and [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]] as ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Drench (Autobot)|Drench]] (but as a Decepticon like "Euro" [[Drench (Decepticon)|Drench]]), respectively, including their respective [[Mini-Con]] partners [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] and [[Wind Sheer (Armada)|Wind Sheer]]. These were confirmed by Hasbro as an intended third [[Battle in a Box]] two-pack that would have been available from [[Target]]. While the "[[Smokescreen (unreleased)|Smokescreen]]" redeco of the Hot Shot mold still hasn't seen a release, the "[[Drench (SG)|Drench]]" redeco of the Wheeljack mold was later released—with slight modifications—by the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] as the [[BotCon 2008]] exclusive ''[[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Sideswipe (SG)|Sideswipe]]'' toy.''
* A redeco of the ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' Giga-Con [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], including redecos of his Mini-Con companion [[Comettor]] and the Space Mini-Con Team ([[Astroscope]], [[Sky Blast]] and [[Payload (Armada)|Payload]]). A listing found in a Toys "R" Us computer confirmed this as an intended TRU exclusive named "Spacewarp", which was ultimately never released. However, the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] later released the toy in a slightly modified version of this deco, sporting a new head sculpt, as [[Astrotrain (Timelines)|Astrotrain]]. While the Comettor redeco (named [[Starcatcher]]) was included, the Space Team redecos were replaced by redecos of the ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' Giant Planet Mini-Con Team.
* Redecos of the [[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]] Deluxe toys [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor]], [[Tarantulas]]/[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], [[Transmetal]] [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and [[Mutant (BW)|Mutant]] [[Soundwave (BW)|Soundwave]]. More than two years later, an odd checklist update on Hasbro's public Transformers website (which was "fixed" days later) revealed what appeared to be the intended names for those toys, as well as their intended purpose: [[Leatherhide]] (Soundwave) vs. Blackarachnia and [[Nightprowler]] (Cheetor) vs. Waspinator were apparently intended to be two Wal-Mart-exclusive "Halloween Horrorcon" two-packs. While the Cheetor and Tarantulas/Blackarachnia molds were later used again as part of the ''[[Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]'' and ''[[Beast Wars Telemocha Series|Beast Wars Telemocha]]'' lines, none of these specific decos have been officially released thus far.
* Redecos of the ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] that were supposed to be available as a Wal-Mart-exclusive giftset, named "Piranhacons", with the combined form named "Piranhaking". Even though the aforementioned checklist on Hasbro's public website confirmed them as having been intended for the ''Universe'' line, Hasbro themselves stated at [[OTFCC 2004]] that Wal-Mart had asked them to release them under the ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' banner instead. Either way, Wal-Mart later decided to back out of the deal. Instead, the Seacons (now under their original ''Generation 1'' names again) were released via the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] in 2008.
* In addition, a Chinese distributor list leaked to the internet in 2004 contained the names of four more toys listed under the mass-retail Deluxe assortment, namely "Sonar", "Optimus Primal", "Optimus Minor" and "Thrustor". It's unclear whether there were ever any concrete plans behind those names, or whether they were merely placeholder names.
* The [http://www.allspark.com/ Allspark] fansite also received details about planned OTFCC 2005 exclusives following the bankruptcy of [[3H Productions]]. These included retools/redecos of ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]] as [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Roadbuster]], ''Energon'' [[Slugslinger (Energon)|Slugslinger]] as [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]], ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise ]]'' [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] as ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Transmetal 2]] [[Megatron (BW)/toys|Megatron]] and ''Robots in Disguise'' [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] as ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]]/[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. With the exception of [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Hot Spot/Defensor]], who was shown as a prototype, none of the other ideas made it beyond the design stage.

==Trivia==
* The [[Grimlock (Energon)|Grimlock]] & [[Swoop (Energon)|Swoop]]/[[Mega-Dinobot]] [[combiner]] was originally intended for the ''Universe'' line, which would have made it the first newly created mold(s) be initially released as part of the line. However, Hasbro ultimately decided to release it as a two-pack in the ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' line instead. As a consequence, Chevrolet [[Swerve (Chevy)|Swerve]] was the first (and only) new mold to be released under the original ''Universe'' banner...in 2008, shortly before the ''second [[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' line was launched.
* On their official Transformers website, Hasbro listed several combo-packs of ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Mini-Con]] teams (Adventure Team/Sea Team, Road Wrecker Team/Night Attack Team, Race Team/Space Team) under "Universe". The actual toys, however, whch were available from Toys"R"Us and Wal-Mart stores and were unchanged from their ''Armada'' releases other than the packaging, came on ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' rather than ''Universe'' cards.

==See also==
*''[[Expanded Universe]]''—a short-lived [[BotCon 2002]] exclusive toyline whose characters appear in the [[Universe (2003 comic)|Universe comic]].

[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Universe (2003)]]

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Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)