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Knockoff

2024-07-21T11:07:40Z

Kalyoth: /* Manufacturing and distribution */

[[File:Bootleg.jpg|right|273px|thumb|Super Combination Robot B/O 17-in-1. One sold for $350 on eBay. Feel free to throw up in your mouth a little.]]

A '''knockoff''' is a product similar or identical to a product of one company, but made by another without the authorization of the original maker. In the ''Transformers'' fandom, the term is commonly abbreviated '''KO'''. The term '''bootleg''' is also sometimes used as a synonym.

{{bigquote|I hate cheap knockoffs.|[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Transformers: Age of Extinction]]''}}

==What's a knockoff?==
Not all transforming robots from makers other than [[Hasbro]], [[TakaraTomy]], [[Bandai]], or other major toy makers are knockoffs, but those toys which wholly or partly duplicate pre-existing designs are well-qualified for the term. The term is also applied by fans, however, to some robots whose design was entirely original with the manufacturer, if said manufacturer is commonly associated with knockoffs, or if this maker's products are often sold in company with knockoffs. Original designs based on Hasbro characters, commonly referred to as "third party toys", have their own page under "[[IP theft]]".

Whether an original design, modified, or slavishly copied, knockoffs are often cheaper than the products of major toymakers. However, the quality of knockoffs is often poorer than that of the originals, including bad plastic quality, bad sticker application, and bad paint applications. Odd colors, excess chrome, resizings, and modifications are common. The world of knockoffs is a strange land of gigantic chromed swords, Gundam/[[Brave (franchise)|Brave]] card art, and wacky packaging translations.

==History of knockoffs==

===Pre-movie knockoffs===
[[File:JBootleg.jpg|right|thumb|On your knees, Jumpstarters! Kneel before your living GOD!]]
Knockoffs were a real problem in the mid-1980s. ''[[Diaclone]]'' and ''[[Micro Change]]'' toys had bootlegs of several highly popular releases including MC-01 Micross, MC-02 Jaguar, MC-03 Condor, MC-10 Cassette Man. This was a very organized & global issue as they were released in up to six different package & production variations. The Construction Team in both individual member boxes & later Build Combination 6 Figure Set also appeared across Italy via several companies.

As the majority of the line came from ''[[Diaclone]]'' and ''[[Micro Change]]'' toys that had been released in Japan a year or two earlier, Taiwan & Hong Kong bootleggers had plenty of time to copy the molds. Because of this, there were bootlegs on the shelf at the same time as their legitimate Hasbro counterparts. Some bootlegs even preceded their ''Transformers'' counterparts like [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]. To combat this, the [[rubsign]] was developed, made with a patented technology that was difficult (at that time) to forge. There was also an accompanying TV ad campaign in which Optimus Prime and Megatron stress brand loyalty by stating, "We are the only ones that have the right to wear [ [[Autobot]] & [[Decepticon]] [[Insignia|symbols]]]."

Through most of the [[1990]]s, knockoffs were relatively difficult to find in the West. Many fans had luck finding them at flea markets, hole-in-the-wall non-chain toy stores, or discount stores like {{w|Big! Lots|Big Lots}}. Some knockoff transforming robot toys did show up in chain toy stores, such as the Convert-A-Bots [[Sky Garry (G1)|Sky Garry]] and Tek Toys ''Voltron'' I—both widely available at Toys"R"Us—but they were few and far between.

In the 2000s, knockoffs became more accessible. The Kidi Toys gestalt knockoffs were widely available at Family Dollar and [[KB Toys|Kay Bee]] Toy Liquidator stores, and saturated [[eBay]]. Happy Well knockoffs took up shelf space next to ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' toys at [[Walmart]]. And of course, the realistic counterfeit G1 toys were also widely available on eBay from any number of different sellers.

===High-quality Generation 1 counterfeits===
Starting around [[2005]], high-quality Generation 1 knockoffs began to appear on eBay. Originating from a company called Zhong Jin in China, both the packaging and toy of the knockoffs look nearly identical to the original. Unlike normal knockoffs, these sell for remarkably high prices. Since 2005, many counterfeit Generation 1 products have surfaced from Zhong Jin, including Optimus Prime, Minibots, Cassettes, Autobot cars, Devastator, Dinobots, and Gnaw. Zhong Jin also has produced many color and plastic variants of their knockoffs, such as translucent versions, which were never previously released (and some of which that were, like Jafcon Black Optimus Prime). A second knockoff company, Kidi Toys, briefly produced high end G1 knockoffs as well.

The counterfeit Generation 1 toys remain extremely controversial because they are virtually indistinguishable from the originals. This situation raises concerns about unscrupulous dealers selling bootlegs as genuine articles and scrupulous ones unknowingly doing the same. It's also a further infringement on Hasbro's intellectual property rights, since these fakes infringe not only the copyrights on the toys, but also the trademarks on the packaging.

Counterfeit Generation 1 parts, stickers, and boxes have appeared from Zhong Jin as well, including many that have not had a corresponding whole knockoff released, including [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] sticker sheets.

The counterfeit Generation 1 toys are often confused with the legitimate [[The Transformers (Chinese toyline)|Hasbro-made re-releases for the Chinese market produced from 1989 through 1995]].

===Post-movie knockoffs===
[[File:TFA Prime KO.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Hey, I'm not the knockoff, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|he]] is!]]
Since the release of the [[Transformers (film)|2007 ''Transformers'' movie]], a flood of bootlegged figures entered the market, with some movie line figure knockoffs appearing within a month of the official product's debut. The figures ranged from high-quality clones to ''very'' low-quality copies and strange variations, such as random Generation 1 figures being redone in movie paint decos (usually [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]]'s flame scheme or [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]]'s yellow with black stripes).

One notable release was a knockoff of ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'' Voyager Class [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|Optimus Prime]], which came out in China several weeks ''before'' the release of the original in the United States! The reason this occurred is that Hasbro shelved their already-manufactured ''Animated'' toys for several months in order to extend selling their popular movie line. Thus, finished ''Animated'' toys were able to leak out of factories and into the hands of bootleggers long before they were to finally be released.

With the release of the [[2009]] ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toyline various knockoff toys also emerged. These included oversized versions of the new Scout Class sculpts, redecoes of new Deluxe sculpts and sculpts from other lines redecoed to more closely resemble new characters (for instance the ''Animated'' Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] sculpt recolored to look like [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]], complete with door detailing).

A newer twist in the knockoff toys saga is companies creating high-quality knockoffs aimed specifically at collectors. These include the "KOLD" ("Knock Off Lucky Draw") bootlegs sold through kotoys.com, which attempt to imitate [[Lucky Draw figure|Lucky Draw]] and other rare ''Transformers'' toys. There have also been high-quality knockoffs of ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Starscream]] and the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] in their ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei]]'' decos (plus other redecos such as [[Sunstorm (G1)#Machine Wars|Sunstorm]] and the generic "[[Air Warrior]]s", who didn't get an official release from this sculpt until [[BotCon 2013|much later]]), as well as ''Classics''/''Henkei'' [[Mirage (G1)#Classics 2|Mirage]] in several of his rarer color schemes. However, the "high-quality" part often turned out to be in concept only, with the execution failing to live up to the promise.

Knockoffs of the ''[[Transformers Device Label|Device Label]]'' computer accessories, in particular the [[Ravage (G1)/toys#Device Label|Ravage flash drive]] and its redecos, have also been spotted online. In a frightening example of how bad knockoffs can be, the fake drives outnumber the real ones on a number of sites, and many have been reported as containing malware in addition to an equally bootlegged copy of the "desktop pet" software from the real ones. Who actually manufactures them can be difficult to discern, since they tend to come loose-packed without any manufacturing marks.

[[File:KO AOE Optimus Prime.jpg|Now this would be hard to tell without scale references wouldn't it?|upright=1.25|thumb]]

A rather sneaky, as well as persistent, knockoff of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] [[Devastator (ROTF)#Legends Class toys|Constructicon Devastator]] has reportedly fooled many a fan, coming in a replica of the Hasbro packaging but sporting the additional red paint operations for the head of TakaraTomy's release. Several years later, it reappeared in the deco of TakaraTomy's ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)#Movie Advanced Series|Movie Advanced Series]]'' version, and eventually ditched the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' packaging in favor of a very deceptive variation of the packaging for TakaraTomy's ''Movie Advanced Series'' version, with all the additional Japanese texts of the genuine version being omitted and several graphics, logos and other elements (such as "Google Play" and "App Store" buttons) commonly found on official Hasbro packaging added.

Following the launch of the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' line, reports of knockoff [[Dino|Mirage]] seen in alleged ''Dark of the Moon'' packaging with [[MechTech]] weapons appeared many, many months before [[Dino#Cyberverse|any ''actual'' Mirage]] ever hit the shelves. It was, however, a cleverly retooled and enlarged knockoff of Legends Class [[Barricade (Movie)/toys#Legends Class toys|Barricade]] released alongside equally upsized versions of ''Movie'' Legends Class Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and a mostly unaltered version of Barricade himself. The packaging design was styled after the ''Dark of the Moon'' look down to use of the "MechTech" logo, but changing the name of the "line" from ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' to "''Distortion Android: The New Deformation Robot Movie 3''", with the figures themselves sporting "creative" names such as "Super Racing", "Justice Leader", "Justice Warrior" and "Evil Demons". Nearly two years later, knockoffs of Voyager Class Optimus Prime and Deluxe Class Bumblebee began to show up in China as well.

Knockoffs of ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|Age of Extinction]]'' figures included [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#First Edition toys|"First Edition" Optimus Prime]] downscaled to Voyager size, with an additional "variant" that swapped out the red and blue colors. Yet another Bumblebee knockoff, as well as several other unidentifiable "Transformers", showed up as well. As is often the case, the packaging imitated the font used for the real thing, only having the words altered.

===High-quality ''Masterpiece'' knockoffs===
Starting in [[2012]], the ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' line has became noted for inspiring large numbers of high-quality, nearly indiscernible knockoffs (the [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|MP-12 Lambor]] sculpt being the first and therefore one of the more notorious examples). Many such knockoffs look identical to their original counterparts at first sight and can only be distinguished by the quality of the box graphics (especially the gradient in the background and the lighter black color), slight sculpting differences, and rare differently colored [[paint operation]]s. Many theories have been proposed as to where they came from, from being cleverly reverse-engineered, to (the most popularly suggested) factory rejects being found and sold. Fortunately, there are numerous reviewers and websites dedicated to pointing out the differences.

In addition to this, some high-quality ''Masterpiece'' knockoffs have even tried to expand beyond the reach of toy-replication, to adding additional changes to the molding and/or finding ways to streamline the original toy's look by adding hinges, panels and other bits and pieces that couldn't be added to the official version due to budget constraints or safety standards, to further appeal to collectors searching for the "perfect" representation of a character on their shelf. In another collector grab attempt, some companies have even gone so far as to take iconic audio clips from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1]] and ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoons to replace the Japanese voice actor recordings given to the toys with sound boxes, in order to appeal more to the Western fans who have more of a connection to actors like [[David Kaye]] over [[Shigeru Chiba]]. When it comes to [[fandom]] classification of these retooled knockoffs, a common term thrown around aside from "KO" is "'''fourth party'''", which is usually to differentiate it from the standard bootleg and counterfeit knockoffs, as well as keeping it separate from the original-mold "[[IP infringement|third party]]" toys made by companies outside of Hasbro and TakaraTomy.

==Manufacturing and distribution==
[[File:SENDTHEBOOKS.jpg|thumb|SEND THE BOOKS!]]
===Countries and Regions that produce or once produced knockoffs===
Most knockoffs originate outside of North America and Europe. Although most knockoff-producing countries have joined the Berne Convention and have thus obligated themselves to protect the copyrights of other countries, lax enforcement has allowed manufacturers in many foreign countries, such as China, to continue to produce knockoffs. However, manufacturers in other countries like South Korea, which was once a huge source of knockoff ''Transformers'', have in the last decade made efforts to legitimize themselves by buying the rights to produce official Korean versions of the toys they had long been copying.

* [[China]] — The main source of the world's Transformers knockoffs and notorious for their use of gigantic blister cards. Although they are typically low quality, such as the combiner gift sets produced by Kidi Toys, it is also the home of Playcenter, the high quality counterfeit Generation 1 toy manufacturer. China has signed the Berne Convention obligating them to protect foreign copyrights, and has enacted legislation to do so, but their enforcement remains at a pitifully weak level.

* [[South Korea]] — Was once a hotbed of Transformers knockoff activity. It was not uncommon in South Korea for there to even be animated series, like ''[[Inferno (G1)|Phoenix King]]'', that incorporated multiple knocked-off properties, such as [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] fighting a Gundam or any other number of famous characters. Hilariously, "Gundam" was so embedded in the South Korean public psyche as a synonym for "giant robot" via these different bootleg outlets that the ''Gundam'' property owner Sunrise's attempts to [[trademark]] the word were entirely rejected by the courts.<ref>[http://www.comipress.com/article/2006/10/28/938 "Gundam and Giant Robots in South Korea"]</ref> Some Korean knockoff manufacturers took great liberties with Transformers molds, such as significantly increasing their size,<ref>[http://www.pleasesavemerobots.com/scrambledcity/skorbia/skorbydestrong.html South Korean Combatron / Combaticon bootlegs] at Skorbia</ref> and/or retooling their [[alternate mode]]s to resemble completely different vehicles.<ref>[http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=17850203&uid=5138952] ''(dead link)''</ref> South Korea is known for such knockoffs as oversized Combaticons, Overlord with Starsaber's face, multiple Power Master Optimus cab knockoffs, and the white Oversized ''Generation 2'' Optimus Prime (the legitimacy of which has been debated). Since the mid-/late-1990s, South Korea has begun enforcing foreign copyrights and is no longer a major source of knockoff Transformers toys.

* Taiwan — Known for knockoffs with a lot of English text on them and higher quality than other knockoffs. Many Taiwanese knockoffs found their way into Italy in the 1980s and 1990s and can often be spotted on Italian eBay. [[GiG]], the official ''Transformers'' licensee in Italy, even imported a Taiwanese knockoff [[Shockwave (G1)/toys|Shockwave]]. One of GiG's competitors in Italy, Globo Giocattoli, imported for distribution a knockoff of the six individually boxed (No. 1 through 6) Diaclone Construction Team & No. 600 Team Set from Taiwan. They also had a repackaged Transformers Knockoff line, titled Meta Morphs, that covered several G1 toys including the six individually boxed Takara Constructicons complete with UPCs to scan from Taiwan. Like South Korea, Taiwan is no longer a major source of knockoffs.

===Knockoff companies===
Certain knockoff companies have become notable over the years for one reason or another:

====1980s - 1990s====

* '''Four Star''' - One of the earliest progenitors of the Transformers knockoff scene, Four Star were known during the 1980s for taking any number of ''[[Diaclone]]''-descendant [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1 molds]] and making massive [[retool]]s of them, usually changing 75% of the mold or more. They are especially known for "Mr. Hardhat", a [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] imitation that is made up of six entirely changed [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] that combine in an entirely different way.<ref>[http://toys.tfw2005.com/mr-hard-hat-four-star-combiner-4967 Mr Hard Hat gallery] on TFW2005</ref> The fully combined form uses [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'s head, and weapons for the smaller robots included unchromed grey versions of Starscream's launchers (non-firing), Mirage missiles, retooled Soundwave missiles, and the three Omnibot guns. Despite only being known to exist during the '80s, previously unknown Four Star bootlegs seem to appear every few years, bringing into question exactly how many figures they retooled and how these figures were distributed to stay hidden for so long.

* '''Tek Toys''' - A North American company that appeared in the early to mid-1990s and did business almost exclusively through Toys"R"Us. They pioneered the combination card/windowless box design used by many, many bootlegs to this day. Tek Toys also used a distinctively plain graphics style on their packaging, eschewing the usual random ''Gundam'' and Generation 1 graphics for new airbrushed art or, surprising for a knockoff company, CGI models, almost always against a plain white background. Tek Toys also worked in extremes, either having recolored copies of existing figures or all new original figures that may or may not have been procured from smaller Asian companies (oftentimes Leader Shine). In a bold move, Tek Toys had their office address printed on later boxes. Their new box graphics are still recycled by other knockoff companies to this day. [[File:TrendmastersMasterbotix.jpg|right|thumb|AND I'LL FORM THE HE—oh, wait.]]

* '''Leader Shine''' (AKA Champion Crown) - Known during the 1990s for bootlegging the living hell out of the [[Jumpstarter]] molds, producing clones, minor retools, major retools, and almost unrecognizable retools. They also produce "original" toys whose transformation schemes are derived from either ''Transformers'', the ''Brave'' series, or ''Power Rangers''. They still release new and varied Jumpstarters to this day. Leader Shine is also responsible for the very [[Dalung Master|Godzilla-themed knockoff of Grimlock]] that reappears every few years. They also have an amusing habit of putting "Pat. P." (Patent Pending) on almost all of their packages in spite of whether their product is a direct copy or completely changed. However under the trade names "Leader Shine" and "Champion Crown" there are no patents held.

* '''B & J Toys''' - [http://www.bjtoys.co.uk/index.html] - based in Ireland, UK - pride themselves on providing pocket money toys. Their products are traditionally manufactured in China & imported for resale as stand displays. Most recognizable product sold for 99p are the carded, oversize G1 Cassettes of the 5 in 1 line named "Robotic Transform Cassette", represented by knockoff's of Micross (Rumble/Frenzy), Jaguar (Ravage), Ramhorn, Steeljaw & Squawktalk in multiple colors.

* '''Citi Toys''' - Based in Thailand, the same company that was producing toys for McDonald's Happy Meals was also producing knockoffs of transforming robots in the late 1990s, albeit mostly ''Brave'' and ''Power Rangers''. After news leaked out that they used child labor, new knockoffs with their "CT" logo stopped appearing, which suggests that the child labor scandal caused them to shut down.

* '''Agglo''' - A Hong Kong-based company that has produced numerous Transformers knockoffs over the years. Their products have ranged from knockoffs of Generation 1 figures, to ''Beast Wars'' and Japanese Beast Wars characters and even ''Robot Masters'' and ''Generation 2'' Cyberjets. They are notable for giving their lines rather long names, one of their Beast Wars KO lines being "Space Warriors Transformable Beast Tech Fighter". They are one of the primary suppliers to the American ''Big Lots!'' stores and generally use their toy molds until they are virtually destroyed, as evidenced by their bootlegs of a number of Leader Shine products which have been retooled to have fewer and fewer parts as time goes by.

====2000s - Present day ====

* '''Happy Well''' - One of the most prominent knockoff companies from the mid-2000s, Happy Well was bold enough to strike a contract with [[Walmart]], CVS Pharmacies, and Walgreens, making them possibly the first company to have a knockoff "name brand", namely the ''Galaxy Defender'' series. Though most of their knockoffs were based on ''Brave'', this did not stop Happy Well from occasionally bootlegging Transformers, most notably; with their upscaled and extensively remolded version of [[Megatron (Armada)/toys|Armada Megatron]] in tan and grey camouflage. Happy Well uses relatively high-quality materials, and most of their products are boxed rather than being sold on blister cards: some even come with sticker sheets and [[die-cast]] parts! They have since created their own properties and now mostly shy away from bootlegs. Their ''Roadbot'' line was the only direct competitor to the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' line of licensed scale transforming cars.

* '''Zhong Jin, aka Playcenter'''<ref>Zhong Jin/Playcenter was first identified as the manufacturer of the knockoffs in September 2007, when fans noticed pictures of most of the current counterfeit G1 knockoffs on their [http://web.archive.org/web/20080329180144/http://china.alibaba.com/company/detail/playcenter.html Alibaba supplier website], including then-upcoming counterfeits like Warpath. Apparently aware of this, Zhong Jin took down images of all their counterfeit Transformers from the website in October or November.</ref> - The first and primary manufacturer of the high-quality counterfeit Generation 1 knockoffs. Zhong Jin has been making their counterfeit Transformers since 2005, starting with [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], but in 2007 began greatly increasing their range of counterfeit Generation 1 knockoffs, which now includes at least 47 different G1 Transformers, filling in many of the gaps left by the official reissues. They have also done many plastic/paint variants of their knockoffs, including many clear plastic versions.[[File:PolyfectCombiners.jpg|right|thumb|225px|POV: You are a zillennial in the mid 2000s and this is your first contact with G1 Transformers toys.]]

* '''Kidi Toys'''<ref>[http://www.toysghost.cn Kidi Toys' web site]</ref> - Perhaps best known as the manufacturer of the many low-quality Generation 1 gestalt gift sets. Following Zhong Jin's lead, they briefly produced a couple realistic counterfeit Generation 1 knockoffs ([[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]], and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]). Among their other notable knockoffs are [[Transformers: Alternators|Alternator]] figures with new or copied paint schemes of reasonable quality. They are the knockoff company responsible for the infamous fake Metroplex Encore Reissues, which deceived major online Transformers stores.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/199973-what-heck-encore-12-metroplex-i-got-tfsource-fake.html</ref>

* '''Polyfect Toys''' - A company based in Quangdong, China, which has produced a staggering amount of Transformers knockoffs over the years - the most notorious of these easily being their extensive series of downscaled G1 combiner teams (as well as Fortress Maximus and a few other downscaled ''Brave'' figures) that were commonly found on retail the 2000s, although they also used to venture into bootlegging newer toylines like ''Beast Wars'', ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' and the inevitable oversized ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' Minicons under the "Quick Change Transforming System" brand. Polyfect's products were commonly found in Family Dollar, Tuesday Morning, and Big Lots among other stores, although contemporarily, you are instead more likely to see their bootlegs in online retailers like AliExpress. Their combiner teams were produced in three sizes: as full-scale sets (albeit only Devastator and the Scramble City-type combiners got this treatment), at a medium-sized scale close to 7 inches (ironically, this making the Micromaster combiners released within that scale more or less full-sized) and, most famously, at a "[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]"-type scale at only around 5 inches. Considering how sets on the first two scales can still be frequently found in stock on online retailers, it appears that these are still being churned out of a factory somewhere, but surprisingly, the later and generally more esteemed 5 inch figures do not seem to have been made at any time since the 2000s, leaving these to sometimes fetch surprising prices on the aftermarket. The plastic quality on these figures is notoriously cheap, and they often simplify some aspects of the molds to keep manufacturing costs down - something perhaps not as noticeable in the underscaled sets, but very much visible in the full-scaled ones when compared to their original counterparts. The packaging for these figures was adorned with plagiarized artwork and random nonsensical English phrases, such as "FREIGHTERPAN" to refer to their KO Menasor (which, by the way, includes Nosecone and Afterburner instead of Dead End and Wildrider) and featuring the brand's own custom insignia, a sort-of Decepticon symbol with a crown within it that is applied to all toys in the place of usual Autobot / Deception logos.

* '''CoolChange''' - A more recent company that focuses exclusively on high-quality knockoffs of [[Combiner Wars (franchise)|Combiner Wars]] figures, sometimes in their original scales and sometimes downsized or upscaled. Interestingly, they use the same custom insignia featured in the aforementioned Polyfect combiners - which begs the question; is CoolChange a rebranding of Polyfect or is it a separate company paying homage to their combiner bootlegging ancestors? You decide!

* '''iGear''' - A more high end producer of down-sized and retooled knockoffs of Masterpiece Transformers toys, particularly the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] and [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]] molds, usually costing as much as the original full sized toys themselves. They have slowly transitioned into creating original molds, producing original designs such as [[Ironhide (G1)/toys|Weapons Specialist]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Rager]]. Unlike the others listed here, iGear products can't be found on western store shelves and are known for their online presence.

* '''CHMS''' - Mostly specializing in knocking off the Classics [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] mold in any number of colors and varieties, CHMS appeared roughly around 2008 and tend to copy not only the toy but the entire style of packaging as well, usually of the Henkei exclusive variety. Like iGear, they are known to western consumers mainly through the internet.

===Transitional companies===
Although remarkably rare, some knockoff companies eventually venture into legitimate toy design territory. One such example is Trendmasters, which started out (arguably) as a knockoff manufacturer before eventually legally securing the ''{{w|Voltron}}'' license. Happy Well has also shifted its focus from knockoffs to original Transforming robots in their Roadbots, X-Bot and V-Create lines.

Another such company was Korean knockoff manufacturer Academy. Academy is known for releasing the Overlord knockoff with Star Saber's head as well as the huge, up-sized ''Gundam'' Cloth MK-II. In the world of plastic scale models, they were also known for producing low-quality knockoffs of Japanese manufacturer Tamiya's kits with copied box art. Academy has since gone legit, legally acquiring such licenses as ''Gundam'', ''Naruto'', ''Tom and Jerry'', and ''[[Zoids]]''.<ref>[http://www.academy.co.kr/5c/5c_main.asp Character products page] at academy.co.kr</ref>

Perhaps the most baffling example might be the Simba Dickie Group, a popular German toy manufacturer (perhaps best known for being the parent company of notorious railway model manufacturer Märklin) that once released multiple generic transformable robots under their 2007 "''Planet Fighter''" series of assorted sci-fi budget toys - amongst these being various straight-up knockoffs of Jumpstarters, oversized Mini-Cons, and even a regional European release of the aforementioned Happy Well Armada Megatron. Bizarrely enough, not even a decade later, they would go on to actually produce official Transformers merchandise for Hasbro, [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/merchandise#Dickie Toys|starting with replica and remote controlled cars]] for ''Robots in Disguise'' and later expanding towards die cast figurines for ''The Last Knight'' and ''Bumblebee''.

The opposite direction is also possible: [[GiG]] acquired a license from [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] for distributing ''[[Diaclone]]'' toys in Italy before Hasbro even launched their ''Transformers'' line. Subsequently, they obtained a second license from Hasbro to distribute ''Transformers'' toys proper, which they did all the way up until 1997. By 1998, Hasbro abandoned GiG as their Italian license in favor of their own, newly formed Italian Hasbro branch. Subsequently, GiG released several knockoffs, such as off-color versions of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s.

It's also sometimes claimed (though never sufficiently proven) that at least some of the high quality ''Generation 1'' counterfeits mentioned above are actually being manufactured by the same Chinese factories that had produced the originals for Hasbro, using the original toolings, which would explain why some of these toolings are "lost" as far as Hasbro is concerned.

==Law and copyright infringement==
===Legal analysis of knockoffs===
[[File:DOTM.MIRAGEKO.jpg|upright=1.00|thumb|Were you fooled by this in 2011? Don't be shy, we were [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|fooled too]].]]Despite myths to the contrary, most ''Transformers'' knockoffs are illegal. In ''HASBRO BRADLEY, INC. v. SPARKLE TOYS, INC.'', 780 F.2d 189 (2nd Cir. 1985), the Second Circuit granted an injunction on Sparkle Toys' [[Jumpstarter]] knockoffs, where Hasbro showed a likelihood of success for infringement of their copyright in the Jumpstarters toys.<ref name="sparkle">[http://www.law.cornell.edu/copyright/cases/780_F2d_189.htm HASBRO BRADLEY, INC. v. SPARKLE TOYS, INC.] at the Legal Information Institute</ref> For those not law literate, this basically means that (A) Hasbro held a valid [[copyright]] in the Jumpstarters, and (B) Hasbro had a strong enough case that this would have gone to a jury, which would ultimately decide whether there was infringement.

Although Hasbro and Takara's design patents on ''Transformers'' toys expire after 14 years from issuance, their copyright in ''Transformers'' toys lasts for 95 years from publication, i.e., sale to the public. Thus, while the design patents on some ''Transformers'' toys have expired, the copyright protection on all ''Transformers'' toys is still in effect. For useful articles, such as a reconfigurable toy, copyright protects only those expressive elements that are separable from the function. While a transformation is probably not protectable because it is functional, the overall look of the robot or alternate mode is protectable. Thus, while a heavily retooled knockoff that only retains the [[transformation]] of the original toy may avoid infringement, a toy that is only resized or is only painted in different colors would infringe on Hasbro and Takara's copyright regardless of the slight modification.

In a second case, ''WALES INDUS. INC. v. HASBRO BRADLEY, INC.'', 612 F.Supp. 510 (1985), Wales Industrial attempted legal steps ''against Hasbro'' to ''stop them from taking legal steps against Wales'' for selling knockoffs of Hasbro's ''Transformers'' toys, arguing that Hasbro was not the copyright holder, but merely a licensee, and the original Takara versions of the toys were lacking copyright stamps, thus making the toys fall into public domain. The court shot down the case by declaring that through their contract with [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], Hasbro was legally authorized to represent them as copyright holder; the lack of copyright stamps on Japanese releases of the toys was irrelevant due to different domestic laws, as what mattered was that the toys had copyright stamps when they were released to the United States market; and Wales Industrial had even acted in full knowledge of a potential copyright conflict by having their knockoff toys slightly modified as to not be exact carbon copies of Hasbro's versions.<ref name="wales1">[https://casetext.com/case/wales-indus-inc-v-hasbro-bradley-inc-2 WALES INDUS. INC. v. HASBRO BRADLEY, INC.] and [https://casetext.com/case/wales-indus-inc-v-hasbro-bradley-inc supplementary item] at Case Text.com.</ref>
{{-}}

===Hasbro's intervention (or lack thereof)===
[[File:Knockoff advertisement.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.7]]
To date, Hasbro apparently has taken few actions against knockoff manufacturers. Only the above cases of Hasbro shutting down a ''Transformers'' knockoff operation in the 1980s exist, and no such cases exist from the 1990s onward. Hasbro's ''Transformers'' design director [[Aaron Archer]] was once quoted as making a comment at [[BotCon]] implying that Hasbro was unconcerned with knockoffs.{{fact}} Strangely, Hasbro recently contacted small online toy store AgesThreeAndUp and told them to take down their knockoff listings. At [[BotCon 2008]], [[Greg Lombardo]] read an official Hasbro policy discouraging fans from purchasing knockoffs—even in the main dealer room just a few yards away—and vaguely threatening future legal action against their producers. In May 2008, eBay began taking down auctions for knockoff Transformers (the high end counterfeits in particular), but it's unclear whether this was Hasbro's doing or not.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/other-news-20/knockoff-transformers-auctions-being-pulled-from-ebay-165004/</ref>

===Myths about knockoffs===
Over the years, there have been a lot of widespread myths about knockoffs. Perhaps the most preposterous myth is that knockoffs are legal. See the Legal Analysis section above for why this theory is incorrect. Although few proponents of this theory exist, those that do claim vigorously that the presence of knockoffs on Family Dollar or Wal-Mart's shelves means that those products must be legitimate. The flaw in the reasoning here is that it assumes big chain stores would never do anything ignorantly or illegally, which is certainly [http://www.google.com/search?q=walmart+lawsuit not the case].

One long-held myth among fans (due to a general lack of information), is that the Generation 1 ''Transformers'' with Chinese stickers in the corner are high-quality counterfeits. After all, they look just like the original Generation 1 releases, but with some very small differences and oftentimes slightly inferior plastic quality. Recently, though, it's come out that these were, in fact, [[The Transformers (Chinese toyline)|re-releases for the Chinese market produced from 1989 through 1995]], not unlike their Chinese ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' counterparts from around the same period. Ironically, high-quality counterfeit Generation 1 toys from China would eventually come out, but it wouldn't be until 2005, a decade later.

Numerous international releases based on licenses [[pre-Transformer#Licensed international releases of pre-Transformers|predating the success of the ''Transformers'' brand]] (some of them available concurrently with their ''Transformers'' counterparts) have also been mistaken for knockoffs. The fact that ''actual'' knockoffs of these figures (and even knockoffs of ''these very licensed versions'') exist doesn't exactly help matters.

==So, are knockoffs worth buying?==
As a final consideration, you might be wondering if purchasing a knockoff figure is actually worth your money or not. Here are some factors you might want to consider:

===Pros===
* Unsurprisingly, knockoffs are generally far cheaper than their official counterparts. This is obviously balanced by the generally lower quality, but there are still some pretty intuitive advantages in getting a copy of a figure for a fraction of its original price, especially in cases where a buyer might not have the money to purchase an official version. This is further substantiated by the few knockoffs that actually do have surprisingly good quality and can easily pass for original collector-grade items, like the aforementioned Generation 1 and Masterpiece counterfeits. In the end, when a rare figure like the 2014 gold version of Masterpiece Megatron can often cost past the $600 mark on eBay, getting the mass manufactured reproduction that looks virtually indistinguishable from the original for $60 might not sound completely unreasonable. Most recently, there has even been an onslaught of fan-oriented KOs designed to not just copy the originals but also to surpass them with improved sculpts and paintjobs, like the repainted and slightly remolded movie figures of WeiJiang.
[[File:AlphaBaseRobot.jpg|right|thumb|Oh, hi. I cost more than a [[Mint in sealed box|MISB]] ''G1'' Overlord. Want to touch me?]]

* Surprisingly enough, some older knockoffs do have collectible value, especially those produced in Taiwan and South Korea during the 1980s. As an example, the pre-transformer version of Shockwave (originally manufactured in grey by Toy Co as a figure called "Astro-Magnum") was the victim of multiple knockoff copies which are now actually more valuable than an original Generation 1 Shockwave. The bizarre Academy version of Overlord is another example in the same vein.

===Cons===

*As a rule, knockoffs are generally inferior to their original versions. Keep in mind that the previously mentioned WeiJiangs and Masterpieces are only rare exceptions amongst the usual pile of counterfeit junk, the vast majority of KOs you'll find in dollar stores are nowhere near the level of an official Hasbro or Takara product. These are often conceived with the most rudimentary plastic that can be shunned out at the most affordable rate, with little to no [[quality control]] behind their manufacturing, and in numerous occasions without even featuring any paint operations besides the actual color of the plastic they're molded in.

*As already previously explained, knockoffs are illegally produced copies of Transformers designs. This might not be too much of a detractor for collectors, especially considering how little Hasbro and Takara themselves seem to care about modern knockoffs, but it does imply that, by purchasing a fake figure over a genuine one, you are not monetarily contributing to the team that actually designed and engineered that original figure.

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] referred to the [[Starscream clone (Animated)|Starscream clones]] as "an army of cheap knockoffs". {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
"Knockoff" was considered an offensive epithet against Transformers who were [[Reproduction#2005 IDW continuity|"constructed cold."]] {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}}

===''Age of Extinction'' film===
After defeating [[Stinger (AOE)|Stinger]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] smugly referred to his defeated doppelganger as a "cheap knockoff." {{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction}}

==External links==
*[http://highendtfs.com/?q=node/17 HighEndTFs' ID Guide for high quality counterfeit Generation 1 Transformers]
*[http://www.actionfigurechecklist.com/Images/Album/index.php?v=list&i=0&p=Transformers_KnockOff_KO Action Figure Checklist's Transformer Knock-Off Photo Album]
*[http://www.reocities.com/TelevisionCity/3230/tfother.html All Things Transformers - Other Transforming Toys]
*[http://www22.pos.to/~butto/ttot.html Butto's Other Transforming Toys (Japanese)]
*[http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~m-akao/GALLERY/fakehp.html Fake Toy Gallery (Japanese)]
*[http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/listing/user/bootlegs Hatch's Bootleg Transformers]
*[http://www.geocities.ws/kidk0rrupt/ Kid K0rrupt's Bootleg Gallery]
*[http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/mmkos/index.html Rob's Pile of Transformers: Micromaster Knockoffs]
*[http://www.tfarchive.com/toys/gallery.php?g2_itemId=7302 TFArchive.com's Bootleg Gallery]
*[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-3rd-party-discussion/191817-knock-off-transformers-thread.html TFW2005 Ongoing Knock-Off Transformers Thread]
*[http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/Knockoffs/Genertaion1KnockOffs.html Toyarchive.com's Gallery of Generation 1 Knockoffs]
*[http://zobovor.20megsfree.com/knockoffs_archive.html Zobovor's Knockoff Toys Archive (text)]
*[http://pleasesavemerobots.com/scrambledcity/skorbia/index.html SKORBIA-Crazysteve's South Korean Bootleg Information Archive]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Toys]]

Knockoff

2024-06-28T18:06:40Z

Kalyoth: /* Pre-movie knockoffs */

[[File:Bootleg.jpg|right|273px|thumb|Super Combination Robot B/O 17-in-1. One sold for $350 on eBay. Feel free to throw up in your mouth a little.]]

A '''knockoff''' is a product similar or identical to a product of one company, but made by another without the authorization of the original maker. In the ''Transformers'' fandom, the term is commonly abbreviated '''KO'''. The term '''bootleg''' is also sometimes used as a synonym.

{{bigquote|I hate cheap knockoffs.|[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Transformers: Age of Extinction]]''}}

==What's a knockoff?==
Not all transforming robots from makers other than [[Hasbro]], [[TakaraTomy]], [[Bandai]], or other major toy makers are knockoffs, but those toys which wholly or partly duplicate pre-existing designs are well-qualified for the term. The term is also applied by fans, however, to some robots whose design was entirely original with the manufacturer, if said manufacturer is commonly associated with knockoffs, or if this maker's products are often sold in company with knockoffs. Original designs based on Hasbro characters, commonly referred to as "third party toys", have their own page under "[[IP theft]]".

Whether an original design, modified, or slavishly copied, knockoffs are often cheaper than the products of major toymakers. However, the quality of knockoffs is often poorer than that of the originals, including bad plastic quality, bad sticker application, and bad paint applications. Odd colors, excess chrome, resizings, and modifications are common. The world of knockoffs is a strange land of gigantic chromed swords, Gundam/[[Brave (franchise)|Brave]] card art, and wacky packaging translations.

==History of knockoffs==

===Pre-movie knockoffs===
[[File:JBootleg.jpg|right|thumb|On your knees, Jumpstarters! Kneel before your living GOD!]]
Knockoffs were a real problem in the mid-1980s. ''[[Diaclone]]'' and ''[[Micro Change]]'' toys had bootlegs of several highly popular releases including MC-01 Micross, MC-02 Jaguar, MC-03 Condor, MC-10 Cassette Man. This was a very organized & global issue as they were released in up to six different package & production variations. The Construction Team in both individual member boxes & later Build Combination 6 Figure Set also appeared across Italy via several companies.

As the majority of the line came from ''[[Diaclone]]'' and ''[[Micro Change]]'' toys that had been released in Japan a year or two earlier, Taiwan & Hong Kong bootleggers had plenty of time to copy the molds. Because of this, there were bootlegs on the shelf at the same time as their legitimate Hasbro counterparts. Some bootlegs even preceded their ''Transformers'' counterparts like [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]. To combat this, the [[rubsign]] was developed, made with a patented technology that was difficult (at that time) to forge. There was also an accompanying TV ad campaign in which Optimus Prime and Megatron stress brand loyalty by stating, "We are the only ones that have the right to wear [ [[Autobot]] & [[Decepticon]] [[Insignia|symbols]]]."

Through most of the [[1990]]s, knockoffs were relatively difficult to find in the West. Many fans had luck finding them at flea markets, hole-in-the-wall non-chain toy stores, or discount stores like {{w|Big! Lots|Big Lots}}. Some knockoff transforming robot toys did show up in chain toy stores, such as the Convert-A-Bots [[Sky Garry (G1)|Sky Garry]] and Tek Toys ''Voltron'' I—both widely available at Toys"R"Us—but they were few and far between.

In the 2000s, knockoffs became more accessible. The Kidi Toys gestalt knockoffs were widely available at Family Dollar and [[KB Toys|Kay Bee]] Toy Liquidator stores, and saturated [[eBay]]. Happy Well knockoffs took up shelf space next to ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' toys at [[Walmart]]. And of course, the realistic counterfeit G1 toys were also widely available on eBay from any number of different sellers.

===High-quality Generation 1 counterfeits===
Starting around [[2005]], high-quality Generation 1 knockoffs began to appear on eBay. Originating from a company called Zhong Jin in China, both the packaging and toy of the knockoffs look nearly identical to the original. Unlike normal knockoffs, these sell for remarkably high prices. Since 2005, many counterfeit Generation 1 products have surfaced from Zhong Jin, including Optimus Prime, Minibots, Cassettes, Autobot cars, Devastator, Dinobots, and Gnaw. Zhong Jin also has produced many color and plastic variants of their knockoffs, such as translucent versions, which were never previously released (and some of which that were, like Jafcon Black Optimus Prime). A second knockoff company, Kidi Toys, briefly produced high end G1 knockoffs as well.

The counterfeit Generation 1 toys remain extremely controversial because they are virtually indistinguishable from the originals. This situation raises concerns about unscrupulous dealers selling bootlegs as genuine articles and scrupulous ones unknowingly doing the same. It's also a further infringement on Hasbro's intellectual property rights, since these fakes infringe not only the copyrights on the toys, but also the trademarks on the packaging.

Counterfeit Generation 1 parts, stickers, and boxes have appeared from Zhong Jin as well, including many that have not had a corresponding whole knockoff released, including [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] sticker sheets.

The counterfeit Generation 1 toys are often confused with the legitimate [[The Transformers (Chinese toyline)|Hasbro-made re-releases for the Chinese market produced from 1989 through 1995]].

===Post-movie knockoffs===
[[File:TFA Prime KO.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Hey, I'm not the knockoff, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|he]] is!]]
Since the release of the [[Transformers (film)|2007 ''Transformers'' movie]], a flood of bootlegged figures entered the market, with some movie line figure knockoffs appearing within a month of the official product's debut. The figures ranged from high-quality clones to ''very'' low-quality copies and strange variations, such as random Generation 1 figures being redone in movie paint decos (usually [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]]'s flame scheme or [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]]'s yellow with black stripes).

One notable release was a knockoff of ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'' Voyager Class [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|Optimus Prime]], which came out in China several weeks ''before'' the release of the original in the United States! The reason this occurred is that Hasbro shelved their already-manufactured ''Animated'' toys for several months in order to extend selling their popular movie line. Thus, finished ''Animated'' toys were able to leak out of factories and into the hands of bootleggers long before they were to finally be released.

With the release of the [[2009]] ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toyline various knockoff toys also emerged. These included oversized versions of the new Scout Class sculpts, redecoes of new Deluxe sculpts and sculpts from other lines redecoed to more closely resemble new characters (for instance the ''Animated'' Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] sculpt recolored to look like [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]], complete with door detailing).

A newer twist in the knockoff toys saga is companies creating high-quality knockoffs aimed specifically at collectors. These include the "KOLD" ("Knock Off Lucky Draw") bootlegs sold through kotoys.com, which attempt to imitate [[Lucky Draw figure|Lucky Draw]] and other rare ''Transformers'' toys. There have also been high-quality knockoffs of ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Starscream]] and the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] in their ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei]]'' decos (plus other redecos such as [[Sunstorm (G1)#Machine Wars|Sunstorm]] and the generic "[[Air Warrior]]s", who didn't get an official release from this sculpt until [[BotCon 2013|much later]]), as well as ''Classics''/''Henkei'' [[Mirage (G1)#Classics 2|Mirage]] in several of his rarer color schemes. However, the "high-quality" part often turned out to be in concept only, with the execution failing to live up to the promise.

Knockoffs of the ''[[Transformers Device Label|Device Label]]'' computer accessories, in particular the [[Ravage (G1)/toys#Device Label|Ravage flash drive]] and its redecos, have also been spotted online. In a frightening example of how bad knockoffs can be, the fake drives outnumber the real ones on a number of sites, and many have been reported as containing malware in addition to an equally bootlegged copy of the "desktop pet" software from the real ones. Who actually manufactures them can be difficult to discern, since they tend to come loose-packed without any manufacturing marks.

[[File:KO AOE Optimus Prime.jpg|Now this would be hard to tell without scale references wouldn't it?|upright=1.25|thumb]]

A rather sneaky, as well as persistent, knockoff of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] [[Devastator (ROTF)#Legends Class toys|Constructicon Devastator]] has reportedly fooled many a fan, coming in a replica of the Hasbro packaging but sporting the additional red paint operations for the head of TakaraTomy's release. Several years later, it reappeared in the deco of TakaraTomy's ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)#Movie Advanced Series|Movie Advanced Series]]'' version, and eventually ditched the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' packaging in favor of a very deceptive variation of the packaging for TakaraTomy's ''Movie Advanced Series'' version, with all the additional Japanese texts of the genuine version being omitted and several graphics, logos and other elements (such as "Google Play" and "App Store" buttons) commonly found on official Hasbro packaging added.

Following the launch of the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' line, reports of knockoff [[Dino|Mirage]] seen in alleged ''Dark of the Moon'' packaging with [[MechTech]] weapons appeared many, many months before [[Dino#Cyberverse|any ''actual'' Mirage]] ever hit the shelves. It was, however, a cleverly retooled and enlarged knockoff of Legends Class [[Barricade (Movie)/toys#Legends Class toys|Barricade]] released alongside equally upsized versions of ''Movie'' Legends Class Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and a mostly unaltered version of Barricade himself. The packaging design was styled after the ''Dark of the Moon'' look down to use of the "MechTech" logo, but changing the name of the "line" from ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' to "''Distortion Android: The New Deformation Robot Movie 3''", with the figures themselves sporting "creative" names such as "Super Racing", "Justice Leader", "Justice Warrior" and "Evil Demons". Nearly two years later, knockoffs of Voyager Class Optimus Prime and Deluxe Class Bumblebee began to show up in China as well.

Knockoffs of ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|Age of Extinction]]'' figures included [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#First Edition toys|"First Edition" Optimus Prime]] downscaled to Voyager size, with an additional "variant" that swapped out the red and blue colors. Yet another Bumblebee knockoff, as well as several other unidentifiable "Transformers", showed up as well. As is often the case, the packaging imitated the font used for the real thing, only having the words altered.

===High-quality ''Masterpiece'' knockoffs===
Starting in [[2012]], the ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' line has became noted for inspiring large numbers of high-quality, nearly indiscernible knockoffs (the [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|MP-12 Lambor]] sculpt being the first and therefore one of the more notorious examples). Many such knockoffs look identical to their original counterparts at first sight and can only be distinguished by the quality of the box graphics (especially the gradient in the background and the lighter black color), slight sculpting differences, and rare differently colored [[paint operation]]s. Many theories have been proposed as to where they came from, from being cleverly reverse-engineered, to (the most popularly suggested) factory rejects being found and sold. Fortunately, there are numerous reviewers and websites dedicated to pointing out the differences.

In addition to this, some high-quality ''Masterpiece'' knockoffs have even tried to expand beyond the reach of toy-replication, to adding additional changes to the molding and/or finding ways to streamline the original toy's look by adding hinges, panels and other bits and pieces that couldn't be added to the official version due to budget constraints or safety standards, to further appeal to collectors searching for the "perfect" representation of a character on their shelf. In another collector grab attempt, some companies have even gone so far as to take iconic audio clips from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1]] and ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoons to replace the Japanese voice actor recordings given to the toys with sound boxes, in order to appeal more to the Western fans who have more of a connection to actors like [[David Kaye]] over [[Shigeru Chiba]]. When it comes to [[fandom]] classification of these retooled knockoffs, a common term thrown around aside from "KO" is "'''fourth party'''", which is usually to differentiate it from the standard bootleg and counterfeit knockoffs, as well as keeping it separate from the original-mold "[[IP infringement|third party]]" toys made by companies outside of Hasbro and TakaraTomy.

==Manufacturing and distribution==
[[File:SENDTHEBOOKS.jpg|thumb|SEND THE BOOKS!]]
===Countries and Regions that produce or once produced knockoffs===
Most knockoffs originate outside of North America and Europe. Although most knockoff-producing countries have joined the Berne Convention and have thus obligated themselves to protect the copyrights of other countries, lax enforcement has allowed manufacturers in many foreign countries, such as China, to continue to produce knockoffs. However, manufacturers in other countries like South Korea, which was once a huge source of knockoff ''Transformers'', have in the last decade made efforts to legitimize themselves by buying the rights to produce official Korean versions of the toys they had long been copying.

* [[China]] — The main source of the world's Transformers knockoffs and notorious for their use of gigantic blister cards. Although they are typically low quality, such as the combiner gift sets produced by Kidi Toys, it is also the home of Playcenter, the high quality counterfeit Generation 1 toy manufacturer. China has signed the Berne Convention obligating them to protect foreign copyrights, and has enacted legislation to do so, but their enforcement remains at a pitifully weak level.

* [[South Korea]] — Was once a hotbed of Transformers knockoff activity. It was not uncommon in South Korea for there to even be animated series, like ''[[Inferno (G1)|Phoenix King]]'', that incorporated multiple knocked-off properties, such as [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] fighting a Gundam or any other number of famous characters. Hilariously, "Gundam" was so embedded in the South Korean public psyche as a synonym for "giant robot" via these different bootleg outlets that the ''Gundam'' property owner Sunrise's attempts to [[trademark]] the word were entirely rejected by the courts.<ref>[http://www.comipress.com/article/2006/10/28/938 "Gundam and Giant Robots in South Korea"]</ref> Some Korean knockoff manufacturers took great liberties with Transformers molds, such as significantly increasing their size,<ref>[http://www.pleasesavemerobots.com/scrambledcity/skorbia/skorbydestrong.html South Korean Combatron / Combaticon bootlegs] at Skorbia</ref> and/or retooling their [[alternate mode]]s to resemble completely different vehicles.<ref>[http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=17850203&uid=5138952] ''(dead link)''</ref> South Korea is known for such knockoffs as oversized Combaticons, Overlord with Starsaber's face, multiple Power Master Optimus cab knockoffs, and the white Oversized ''Generation 2'' Optimus Prime (the legitimacy of which has been debated). Since the mid-/late-1990s, South Korea has begun enforcing foreign copyrights and is no longer a major source of knockoff Transformers toys.

* Taiwan — Known for knockoffs with a lot of English text on them and higher quality than other knockoffs. Many Taiwanese knockoffs found their way into Italy in the 1980s and 1990s and can often be spotted on Italian eBay. [[GiG]], the official ''Transformers'' licensee in Italy, even imported a Taiwanese knockoff [[Shockwave (G1)/toys|Shockwave]]. One of GiG's competitors in Italy, Globo Giocattoli, imported for distribution a knockoff of the six individually boxed (No. 1 through 6) Diaclone Construction Team & No. 600 Team Set. Like South Korea, Taiwan is no longer a major source of knockoffs.

===Knockoff companies===
Certain knockoff companies have become notable over the years for one reason or another:

====1980s - 1990s====

* '''Four Star''' - One of the earliest progenitors of the Transformers knockoff scene, Four Star were known during the 1980s for taking any number of ''[[Diaclone]]''-descendant [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1 molds]] and making massive [[retool]]s of them, usually changing 75% of the mold or more. They are especially known for "Mr. Hardhat", a [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] imitation that is made up of six entirely changed [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] that combine in an entirely different way.<ref>[http://toys.tfw2005.com/mr-hard-hat-four-star-combiner-4967 Mr Hard Hat gallery] on TFW2005</ref> The fully combined form uses [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'s head, and weapons for the smaller robots included unchromed grey versions of Starscream's launchers (non-firing), Mirage missiles, retooled Soundwave missiles, and the three Omnibot guns. Despite only being known to exist during the '80s, previously unknown Four Star bootlegs seem to appear every few years, bringing into question exactly how many figures they retooled and how these figures were distributed to stay hidden for so long.

* '''Tek Toys''' - A North American company that appeared in the early to mid-1990s and did business almost exclusively through Toys"R"Us. They pioneered the combination card/windowless box design used by many, many bootlegs to this day. Tek Toys also used a distinctively plain graphics style on their packaging, eschewing the usual random ''Gundam'' and Generation 1 graphics for new airbrushed art or, surprising for a knockoff company, CGI models, almost always against a plain white background. Tek Toys also worked in extremes, either having recolored copies of existing figures or all new original figures that may or may not have been procured from smaller Asian companies (oftentimes Leader Shine). In a bold move, Tek Toys had their office address printed on later boxes. Their new box graphics are still recycled by other knockoff companies to this day. [[File:TrendmastersMasterbotix.jpg|right|thumb|AND I'LL FORM THE HE—oh, wait.]]

* '''Leader Shine''' (AKA Champion Crown) - Known during the 1990s for bootlegging the living hell out of the [[Jumpstarter]] molds, producing clones, minor retools, major retools, and almost unrecognizable retools. They also produce "original" toys whose transformation schemes are derived from either ''Transformers'', the ''Brave'' series, or ''Power Rangers''. They still release new and varied Jumpstarters to this day. Leader Shine is also responsible for the very [[Dalung Master|Godzilla-themed knockoff of Grimlock]] that reappears every few years. They also have an amusing habit of putting "Pat. P." (Patent Pending) on almost all of their packages in spite of whether their product is a direct copy or completely changed. However under the trade names "Leader Shine" and "Champion Crown" there are no patents held.

* '''B & J Toys''' - [http://www.bjtoys.co.uk/index.html] - based in Ireland, UK - pride themselves on providing pocket money toys. Their products are traditionally manufactured in China & imported for resale as stand displays. Most recognizable product sold for 99p are the carded, oversize G1 Cassettes of the 5 in 1 line named "Robotic Transform Cassette", represented by knockoff's of Micross (Rumble/Frenzy), Jaguar (Ravage), Ramhorn, Steeljaw & Squawktalk in multiple colors.

* '''Citi Toys''' - Based in Thailand, the same company that was producing toys for McDonald's Happy Meals was also producing knockoffs of transforming robots in the late 1990s, albeit mostly ''Brave'' and ''Power Rangers''. After news leaked out that they used child labor, new knockoffs with their "CT" logo stopped appearing, which suggests that the child labor scandal caused them to shut down.

* '''Agglo''' - A Hong Kong-based company that has produced numerous Transformers knockoffs over the years. Their products have ranged from knockoffs of Generation 1 figures, to ''Beast Wars'' and Japanese Beast Wars characters and even ''Robot Masters'' and ''Generation 2'' Cyberjets. They are notable for giving their lines rather long names, one of their Beast Wars KO lines being "Space Warriors Transformable Beast Tech Fighter". They are one of the primary suppliers to the American ''Big Lots!'' stores and generally use their toy molds until they are virtually destroyed, as evidenced by their bootlegs of a number of Leader Shine products which have been retooled to have fewer and fewer parts as time goes by.

====2000s - Present day ====

* '''Happy Well''' - One of the most prominent knockoff companies from the mid-2000s, Happy Well was bold enough to strike a contract with [[Walmart]], CVS Pharmacies, and Walgreens, making them possibly the first company to have a knockoff "name brand", namely the ''Galaxy Defender'' series. Though most of their knockoffs were based on ''Brave'', this did not stop Happy Well from occasionally bootlegging Transformers, most notably; with their upscaled and extensively remolded version of [[Megatron (Armada)/toys|Armada Megatron]] in tan and grey camouflage. Happy Well uses relatively high-quality materials, and most of their products are boxed rather than being sold on blister cards: some even come with sticker sheets and [[die-cast]] parts! They have since created their own properties and now mostly shy away from bootlegs. Their ''Roadbot'' line was the only direct competitor to the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' line of licensed scale transforming cars.

* '''Zhong Jin, aka Playcenter'''<ref>Zhong Jin/Playcenter was first identified as the manufacturer of the knockoffs in September 2007, when fans noticed pictures of most of the current counterfeit G1 knockoffs on their [http://web.archive.org/web/20080329180144/http://china.alibaba.com/company/detail/playcenter.html Alibaba supplier website], including then-upcoming counterfeits like Warpath. Apparently aware of this, Zhong Jin took down images of all their counterfeit Transformers from the website in October or November.</ref> - The first and primary manufacturer of the high-quality counterfeit Generation 1 knockoffs. Zhong Jin has been making their counterfeit Transformers since 2005, starting with [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], but in 2007 began greatly increasing their range of counterfeit Generation 1 knockoffs, which now includes at least 47 different G1 Transformers, filling in many of the gaps left by the official reissues. They have also done many plastic/paint variants of their knockoffs, including many clear plastic versions.[[File:PolyfectCombiners.jpg|right|thumb|225px|POV: You are a zillennial in the mid 2000s and this is your first contact with G1 Transformers toys.]]

* '''Kidi Toys'''<ref>[http://www.toysghost.cn Kidi Toys' web site]</ref> - Perhaps best known as the manufacturer of the many low-quality Generation 1 gestalt gift sets. Following Zhong Jin's lead, they briefly produced a couple realistic counterfeit Generation 1 knockoffs ([[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]], and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]). Among their other notable knockoffs are [[Transformers: Alternators|Alternator]] figures with new or copied paint schemes of reasonable quality. They are the knockoff company responsible for the infamous fake Metroplex Encore Reissues, which deceived major online Transformers stores.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/199973-what-heck-encore-12-metroplex-i-got-tfsource-fake.html</ref>

* '''Polyfect Toys''' - A company based in Quangdong, China, which has produced a staggering amount of Transformers knockoffs over the years - the most notorious of these easily being their extensive series of downscaled G1 combiner teams (as well as Fortress Maximus and a few other downscaled ''Brave'' figures) that were commonly found on retail the 2000s, although they also used to venture into bootlegging newer toylines like ''Beast Wars'', ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' and the inevitable oversized ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' Minicons under the "Quick Change Transforming System" brand. Polyfect's products were commonly found in Family Dollar, Tuesday Morning, and Big Lots among other stores, although contemporarily, you are instead more likely to see their bootlegs in online retailers like AliExpress. Their combiner teams were produced in three sizes: as full-scale sets (albeit only Devastator and the Scramble City-type combiners got this treatment), at a medium-sized scale close to 7 inches (ironically, this making the Micromaster combiners released within that scale more or less full-sized) and, most famously, at a "[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]"-type scale at only around 5 inches. Considering how sets on the first two scales can still be frequently found in stock on online retailers, it appears that these are still being churned out of a factory somewhere, but surprisingly, the later and generally more esteemed 5 inch figures do not seem to have been made at any time since the 2000s, leaving these to sometimes fetch surprising prices on the aftermarket. The plastic quality on these figures is notoriously cheap, and they often simplify some aspects of the molds to keep manufacturing costs down - something perhaps not as noticeable in the underscaled sets, but very much visible in the full-scaled ones when compared to their original counterparts. The packaging for these figures was adorned with plagiarized artwork and random nonsensical English phrases, such as "FREIGHTERPAN" to refer to their KO Menasor (which, by the way, includes Nosecone and Afterburner instead of Dead End and Wildrider) and featuring the brand's own custom insignia, a sort-of Decepticon symbol with a crown within it that is applied to all toys in the place of usual Autobot / Deception logos.

* '''CoolChange''' - A more recent company that focuses exclusively on high-quality knockoffs of [[Combiner Wars (franchise)|Combiner Wars]] figures, sometimes in their original scales and sometimes downsized or upscaled. Interestingly, they use the same custom insignia featured in the aforementioned Polyfect combiners - which begs the question; is CoolChange a rebranding of Polyfect or is it a separate company paying homage to their combiner bootlegging ancestors? You decide!

* '''iGear''' - A more high end producer of down-sized and retooled knockoffs of Masterpiece Transformers toys, particularly the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] and [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]] molds, usually costing as much as the original full sized toys themselves. They have slowly transitioned into creating original molds, producing original designs such as [[Ironhide (G1)/toys|Weapons Specialist]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Rager]]. Unlike the others listed here, iGear products can't be found on western store shelves and are known for their online presence.

* '''CHMS''' - Mostly specializing in knocking off the Classics [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] mold in any number of colors and varieties, CHMS appeared roughly around 2008 and tend to copy not only the toy but the entire style of packaging as well, usually of the Henkei exclusive variety. Like iGear, they are known to western consumers mainly through the internet.

===Transitional companies===
Although remarkably rare, some knockoff companies eventually venture into legitimate toy design territory. One such example is Trendmasters, which started out (arguably) as a knockoff manufacturer before eventually legally securing the ''{{w|Voltron}}'' license. Happy Well has also shifted its focus from knockoffs to original Transforming robots in their Roadbots, X-Bot and V-Create lines.

Another such company was Korean knockoff manufacturer Academy. Academy is known for releasing the Overlord knockoff with Star Saber's head as well as the huge, up-sized ''Gundam'' Cloth MK-II. In the world of plastic scale models, they were also known for producing low-quality knockoffs of Japanese manufacturer Tamiya's kits with copied box art. Academy has since gone legit, legally acquiring such licenses as ''Gundam'', ''Naruto'', ''Tom and Jerry'', and ''[[Zoids]]''.<ref>[http://www.academy.co.kr/5c/5c_main.asp Character products page] at academy.co.kr</ref>

Perhaps the most baffling example might be the Simba Dickie Group, a popular German toy manufacturer (perhaps best known for being the parent company of notorious railway model manufacturer Märklin) that once released multiple generic transformable robots under their 2007 "''Planet Fighter''" series of assorted sci-fi budget toys - amongst these being various straight-up knockoffs of Jumpstarters, oversized Mini-Cons, and even a regional European release of the aforementioned Happy Well Armada Megatron. Bizarrely enough, not even a decade later, they would go on to actually produce official Transformers merchandise for Hasbro, [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/merchandise#Dickie Toys|starting with replica and remote controlled cars]] for ''Robots in Disguise'' and later expanding towards die cast figurines for ''The Last Knight'' and ''Bumblebee''.

The opposite direction is also possible: [[GiG]] acquired a license from [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] for distributing ''[[Diaclone]]'' toys in Italy before Hasbro even launched their ''Transformers'' line. Subsequently, they obtained a second license from Hasbro to distribute ''Transformers'' toys proper, which they did all the way up until 1997. By 1998, Hasbro abandoned GiG as their Italian license in favor of their own, newly formed Italian Hasbro branch. Subsequently, GiG released several knockoffs, such as off-color versions of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s.

It's also sometimes claimed (though never sufficiently proven) that at least some of the high quality ''Generation 1'' counterfeits mentioned above are actually being manufactured by the same Chinese factories that had produced the originals for Hasbro, using the original toolings, which would explain why some of these toolings are "lost" as far as Hasbro is concerned.

==Law and copyright infringement==
===Legal analysis of knockoffs===
[[File:DOTM.MIRAGEKO.jpg|upright=1.00|thumb|Were you fooled by this in 2011? Don't be shy, we were [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|fooled too]].]]Despite myths to the contrary, most ''Transformers'' knockoffs are illegal. In ''HASBRO BRADLEY, INC. v. SPARKLE TOYS, INC.'', 780 F.2d 189 (2nd Cir. 1985), the Second Circuit granted an injunction on Sparkle Toys' [[Jumpstarter]] knockoffs, where Hasbro showed a likelihood of success for infringement of their copyright in the Jumpstarters toys.<ref name="sparkle">[http://www.law.cornell.edu/copyright/cases/780_F2d_189.htm HASBRO BRADLEY, INC. v. SPARKLE TOYS, INC.] at the Legal Information Institute</ref> For those not law literate, this basically means that (A) Hasbro held a valid [[copyright]] in the Jumpstarters, and (B) Hasbro had a strong enough case that this would have gone to a jury, which would ultimately decide whether there was infringement.

Although Hasbro and Takara's design patents on ''Transformers'' toys expire after 14 years from issuance, their copyright in ''Transformers'' toys lasts for 95 years from publication, i.e., sale to the public. Thus, while the design patents on some ''Transformers'' toys have expired, the copyright protection on all ''Transformers'' toys is still in effect. For useful articles, such as a reconfigurable toy, copyright protects only those expressive elements that are separable from the function. While a transformation is probably not protectable because it is functional, the overall look of the robot or alternate mode is protectable. Thus, while a heavily retooled knockoff that only retains the [[transformation]] of the original toy may avoid infringement, a toy that is only resized or is only painted in different colors would infringe on Hasbro and Takara's copyright regardless of the slight modification.

In a second case, ''WALES INDUS. INC. v. HASBRO BRADLEY, INC.'', 612 F.Supp. 510 (1985), Wales Industrial attempted legal steps ''against Hasbro'' to ''stop them from taking legal steps against Wales'' for selling knockoffs of Hasbro's ''Transformers'' toys, arguing that Hasbro was not the copyright holder, but merely a licensee, and the original Takara versions of the toys were lacking copyright stamps, thus making the toys fall into public domain. The court shot down the case by declaring that through their contract with [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], Hasbro was legally authorized to represent them as copyright holder; the lack of copyright stamps on Japanese releases of the toys was irrelevant due to different domestic laws, as what mattered was that the toys had copyright stamps when they were released to the United States market; and Wales Industrial had even acted in full knowledge of a potential copyright conflict by having their knockoff toys slightly modified as to not be exact carbon copies of Hasbro's versions.<ref name="wales1">[https://casetext.com/case/wales-indus-inc-v-hasbro-bradley-inc-2 WALES INDUS. INC. v. HASBRO BRADLEY, INC.] and [https://casetext.com/case/wales-indus-inc-v-hasbro-bradley-inc supplementary item] at Case Text.com.</ref>
{{-}}

===Hasbro's intervention (or lack thereof)===
[[File:Knockoff advertisement.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.7]]
To date, Hasbro apparently has taken few actions against knockoff manufacturers. Only the above cases of Hasbro shutting down a ''Transformers'' knockoff operation in the 1980s exist, and no such cases exist from the 1990s onward. Hasbro's ''Transformers'' design director [[Aaron Archer]] was once quoted as making a comment at [[BotCon]] implying that Hasbro was unconcerned with knockoffs.{{fact}} Strangely, Hasbro recently contacted small online toy store AgesThreeAndUp and told them to take down their knockoff listings. At [[BotCon 2008]], [[Greg Lombardo]] read an official Hasbro policy discouraging fans from purchasing knockoffs—even in the main dealer room just a few yards away—and vaguely threatening future legal action against their producers. In May 2008, eBay began taking down auctions for knockoff Transformers (the high end counterfeits in particular), but it's unclear whether this was Hasbro's doing or not.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/other-news-20/knockoff-transformers-auctions-being-pulled-from-ebay-165004/</ref>

===Myths about knockoffs===
Over the years, there have been a lot of widespread myths about knockoffs. Perhaps the most preposterous myth is that knockoffs are legal. See the Legal Analysis section above for why this theory is incorrect. Although few proponents of this theory exist, those that do claim vigorously that the presence of knockoffs on Family Dollar or Wal-Mart's shelves means that those products must be legitimate. The flaw in the reasoning here is that it assumes big chain stores would never do anything ignorantly or illegally, which is certainly [http://www.google.com/search?q=walmart+lawsuit not the case].

One long-held myth among fans (due to a general lack of information), is that the Generation 1 ''Transformers'' with Chinese stickers in the corner are high-quality counterfeits. After all, they look just like the original Generation 1 releases, but with some very small differences and oftentimes slightly inferior plastic quality. Recently, though, it's come out that these were, in fact, [[The Transformers (Chinese toyline)|re-releases for the Chinese market produced from 1989 through 1995]], not unlike their Chinese ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' counterparts from around the same period. Ironically, high-quality counterfeit Generation 1 toys from China would eventually come out, but it wouldn't be until 2005, a decade later.

Numerous international releases based on licenses [[pre-Transformer#Licensed international releases of pre-Transformers|predating the success of the ''Transformers'' brand]] (some of them available concurrently with their ''Transformers'' counterparts) have also been mistaken for knockoffs. The fact that ''actual'' knockoffs of these figures (and even knockoffs of ''these very licensed versions'') exist doesn't exactly help matters.

==So, are knockoffs worth buying?==
As a final consideration, you might be wondering if purchasing a knockoff figure is actually worth your money or not. Here are some factors you might want to consider:

===Pros===
* Unsurprisingly, knockoffs are generally far cheaper than their official counterparts. This is obviously balanced by the generally lower quality, but there are still some pretty intuitive advantages in getting a copy of a figure for a fraction of its original price, especially in cases where a buyer might not have the money to purchase an official version. This is further substantiated by the few knockoffs that actually do have surprisingly good quality and can easily pass for original collector-grade items, like the aforementioned Generation 1 and Masterpiece counterfeits. In the end, when a rare figure like the 2014 gold version of Masterpiece Megatron can often cost past the $600 mark on eBay, getting the mass manufactured reproduction that looks virtually indistinguishable from the original for $60 might not sound completely unreasonable. Most recently, there has even been an onslaught of fan-oriented KOs designed to not just copy the originals but also to surpass them with improved sculpts and paintjobs, like the repainted and slightly remolded movie figures of WeiJiang.
[[File:AlphaBaseRobot.jpg|right|thumb|Oh, hi. I cost more than a [[Mint in sealed box|MISB]] ''G1'' Overlord. Want to touch me?]]

* Surprisingly enough, some older knockoffs do have collectible value, especially those produced in Taiwan and South Korea during the 1980s. As an example, the pre-transformer version of Shockwave (originally manufactured in grey by Toy Co as a figure called "Astro-Magnum") was the victim of multiple knockoff copies which are now actually more valuable than an original Generation 1 Shockwave. The bizarre Academy version of Overlord is another example in the same vein.

===Cons===

*As a rule, knockoffs are generally inferior to their original versions. Keep in mind that the previously mentioned WeiJiangs and Masterpieces are only rare exceptions amongst the usual pile of counterfeit junk, the vast majority of KOs you'll find in dollar stores are nowhere near the level of an official Hasbro or Takara product. These are often conceived with the most rudimentary plastic that can be shunned out at the most affordable rate, with little to no [[quality control]] behind their manufacturing, and in numerous occasions without even featuring any paint operations besides the actual color of the plastic they're molded in.

*As already previously explained, knockoffs are illegally produced copies of Transformers designs. This might not be too much of a detractor for collectors, especially considering how little Hasbro and Takara themselves seem to care about modern knockoffs, but it does imply that, by purchasing a fake figure over a genuine one, you are not monetarily contributing to the team that actually designed and engineered that original figure.

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] referred to the [[Starscream clone (Animated)|Starscream clones]] as "an army of cheap knockoffs". {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
"Knockoff" was considered an offensive epithet against Transformers who were [[Reproduction#2005 IDW continuity|"constructed cold."]] {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}}

===''Age of Extinction'' film===
After defeating [[Stinger (AOE)|Stinger]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] smugly referred to his defeated doppelganger as a "cheap knockoff." {{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction}}

==External links==
*[http://highendtfs.com/?q=node/17 HighEndTFs' ID Guide for high quality counterfeit Generation 1 Transformers]
*[http://www.actionfigurechecklist.com/Images/Album/index.php?v=list&i=0&p=Transformers_KnockOff_KO Action Figure Checklist's Transformer Knock-Off Photo Album]
*[http://www.reocities.com/TelevisionCity/3230/tfother.html All Things Transformers - Other Transforming Toys]
*[http://www22.pos.to/~butto/ttot.html Butto's Other Transforming Toys (Japanese)]
*[http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~m-akao/GALLERY/fakehp.html Fake Toy Gallery (Japanese)]
*[http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/listing/user/bootlegs Hatch's Bootleg Transformers]
*[http://www.geocities.ws/kidk0rrupt/ Kid K0rrupt's Bootleg Gallery]
*[http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/mmkos/index.html Rob's Pile of Transformers: Micromaster Knockoffs]
*[http://www.tfarchive.com/toys/gallery.php?g2_itemId=7302 TFArchive.com's Bootleg Gallery]
*[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-3rd-party-discussion/191817-knock-off-transformers-thread.html TFW2005 Ongoing Knock-Off Transformers Thread]
*[http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/Knockoffs/Genertaion1KnockOffs.html Toyarchive.com's Gallery of Generation 1 Knockoffs]
*[http://zobovor.20megsfree.com/knockoffs_archive.html Zobovor's Knockoff Toys Archive (text)]
*[http://pleasesavemerobots.com/scrambledcity/skorbia/index.html SKORBIA-Crazysteve's South Korean Bootleg Information Archive]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Toys]]

Knockoff

2024-06-28T15:40:46Z

Kalyoth:

[[File:Bootleg.jpg|right|273px|thumb|Super Combination Robot B/O 17-in-1. One sold for $350 on eBay. Feel free to throw up in your mouth a little.]]

A '''knockoff''' is a product similar or identical to a product of one company, but made by another without the authorization of the original maker. In the ''Transformers'' fandom, the term is commonly abbreviated '''KO'''. The term '''bootleg''' is also sometimes used as a synonym.

{{bigquote|I hate cheap knockoffs.|[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Transformers: Age of Extinction]]''}}

==What's a knockoff?==
Not all transforming robots from makers other than [[Hasbro]], [[TakaraTomy]], [[Bandai]], or other major toy makers are knockoffs, but those toys which wholly or partly duplicate pre-existing designs are well-qualified for the term. The term is also applied by fans, however, to some robots whose design was entirely original with the manufacturer, if said manufacturer is commonly associated with knockoffs, or if this maker's products are often sold in company with knockoffs. Original designs based on Hasbro characters, commonly referred to as "third party toys", have their own page under "[[IP theft]]".

Whether an original design, modified, or slavishly copied, knockoffs are often cheaper than the products of major toymakers. However, the quality of knockoffs is often poorer than that of the originals, including bad plastic quality, bad sticker application, and bad paint applications. Odd colors, excess chrome, resizings, and modifications are common. The world of knockoffs is a strange land of gigantic chromed swords, Gundam/[[Brave (franchise)|Brave]] card art, and wacky packaging translations.

==History of knockoffs==

===Pre-movie knockoffs===
[[File:JBootleg.jpg|right|thumb|On your knees, Jumpstarters! Kneel before your living GOD!]]
Knockoffs were a real problem in the mid-1980s. As the majority of the line came from ''[[Diaclone]]'' and ''[[Micro Change]]'' toys that had been released in Japan a year or two earlier, Hong Kong bootleggers had plenty of time to copy the molds. Because of this, there were bootlegs on the shelf at the same time as their legitimate Hasbro counterparts. Some bootlegs even preceded their ''Transformers'' counterparts like [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]. To combat this, the [[rubsign]] was developed, made with a patented technology that was difficult (at that time) to forge. There was also an accompanying TV ad campaign in which Optimus Prime and Megatron stress brand loyalty by stating, "We are the only ones that have the right to wear [ [[Autobot]] & [[Decepticon]] [[Insignia|symbols]]]."

Through most of the [[1990]]s, knockoffs were relatively difficult to find in the West. Many fans had luck finding them at flea markets, hole-in-the-wall non-chain toy stores, or discount stores like {{w|Big! Lots|Big Lots}}. Some knockoff transforming robot toys did show up in chain toy stores, such as the Convert-A-Bots [[Sky Garry (G1)|Sky Garry]] and Tek Toys ''Voltron'' I—both widely available at Toys"R"Us—but they were few and far between.

In the 2000s, knockoffs became more accessible. The Kidi Toys gestalt knockoffs were widely available at Family Dollar and [[KB Toys|Kay Bee]] Toy Liquidator stores, and saturated [[eBay]]. Happy Well knockoffs took up shelf space next to ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' toys at [[Walmart]]. And of course, the realistic counterfeit G1 toys were also widely available on eBay from any number of different sellers.

===High-quality Generation 1 counterfeits===
Starting around [[2005]], high-quality Generation 1 knockoffs began to appear on eBay. Originating from a company called Zhong Jin in China, both the packaging and toy of the knockoffs look nearly identical to the original. Unlike normal knockoffs, these sell for remarkably high prices. Since 2005, many counterfeit Generation 1 products have surfaced from Zhong Jin, including Optimus Prime, Minibots, Cassettes, Autobot cars, Devastator, Dinobots, and Gnaw. Zhong Jin also has produced many color and plastic variants of their knockoffs, such as translucent versions, which were never previously released (and some of which that were, like Jafcon Black Optimus Prime). A second knockoff company, Kidi Toys, briefly produced high end G1 knockoffs as well.

The counterfeit Generation 1 toys remain extremely controversial because they are virtually indistinguishable from the originals. This situation raises concerns about unscrupulous dealers selling bootlegs as genuine articles and scrupulous ones unknowingly doing the same. It's also a further infringement on Hasbro's intellectual property rights, since these fakes infringe not only the copyrights on the toys, but also the trademarks on the packaging.

Counterfeit Generation 1 parts, stickers, and boxes have appeared from Zhong Jin as well, including many that have not had a corresponding whole knockoff released, including [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] sticker sheets.

The counterfeit Generation 1 toys are often confused with the legitimate [[The Transformers (Chinese toyline)|Hasbro-made re-releases for the Chinese market produced from 1989 through 1995]].

===Post-movie knockoffs===
[[File:TFA Prime KO.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Hey, I'm not the knockoff, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|he]] is!]]
Since the release of the [[Transformers (film)|2007 ''Transformers'' movie]], a flood of bootlegged figures entered the market, with some movie line figure knockoffs appearing within a month of the official product's debut. The figures ranged from high-quality clones to ''very'' low-quality copies and strange variations, such as random Generation 1 figures being redone in movie paint decos (usually [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]]'s flame scheme or [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]]'s yellow with black stripes).

One notable release was a knockoff of ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'' Voyager Class [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|Optimus Prime]], which came out in China several weeks ''before'' the release of the original in the United States! The reason this occurred is that Hasbro shelved their already-manufactured ''Animated'' toys for several months in order to extend selling their popular movie line. Thus, finished ''Animated'' toys were able to leak out of factories and into the hands of bootleggers long before they were to finally be released.

With the release of the [[2009]] ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toyline various knockoff toys also emerged. These included oversized versions of the new Scout Class sculpts, redecoes of new Deluxe sculpts and sculpts from other lines redecoed to more closely resemble new characters (for instance the ''Animated'' Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] sculpt recolored to look like [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]], complete with door detailing).

A newer twist in the knockoff toys saga is companies creating high-quality knockoffs aimed specifically at collectors. These include the "KOLD" ("Knock Off Lucky Draw") bootlegs sold through kotoys.com, which attempt to imitate [[Lucky Draw figure|Lucky Draw]] and other rare ''Transformers'' toys. There have also been high-quality knockoffs of ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Starscream]] and the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] in their ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei]]'' decos (plus other redecos such as [[Sunstorm (G1)#Machine Wars|Sunstorm]] and the generic "[[Air Warrior]]s", who didn't get an official release from this sculpt until [[BotCon 2013|much later]]), as well as ''Classics''/''Henkei'' [[Mirage (G1)#Classics 2|Mirage]] in several of his rarer color schemes. However, the "high-quality" part often turned out to be in concept only, with the execution failing to live up to the promise.

Knockoffs of the ''[[Transformers Device Label|Device Label]]'' computer accessories, in particular the [[Ravage (G1)/toys#Device Label|Ravage flash drive]] and its redecos, have also been spotted online. In a frightening example of how bad knockoffs can be, the fake drives outnumber the real ones on a number of sites, and many have been reported as containing malware in addition to an equally bootlegged copy of the "desktop pet" software from the real ones. Who actually manufactures them can be difficult to discern, since they tend to come loose-packed without any manufacturing marks.

[[File:KO AOE Optimus Prime.jpg|Now this would be hard to tell without scale references wouldn't it?|upright=1.25|thumb]]

A rather sneaky, as well as persistent, knockoff of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] [[Devastator (ROTF)#Legends Class toys|Constructicon Devastator]] has reportedly fooled many a fan, coming in a replica of the Hasbro packaging but sporting the additional red paint operations for the head of TakaraTomy's release. Several years later, it reappeared in the deco of TakaraTomy's ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)#Movie Advanced Series|Movie Advanced Series]]'' version, and eventually ditched the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' packaging in favor of a very deceptive variation of the packaging for TakaraTomy's ''Movie Advanced Series'' version, with all the additional Japanese texts of the genuine version being omitted and several graphics, logos and other elements (such as "Google Play" and "App Store" buttons) commonly found on official Hasbro packaging added.

Following the launch of the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' line, reports of knockoff [[Dino|Mirage]] seen in alleged ''Dark of the Moon'' packaging with [[MechTech]] weapons appeared many, many months before [[Dino#Cyberverse|any ''actual'' Mirage]] ever hit the shelves. It was, however, a cleverly retooled and enlarged knockoff of Legends Class [[Barricade (Movie)/toys#Legends Class toys|Barricade]] released alongside equally upsized versions of ''Movie'' Legends Class Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and a mostly unaltered version of Barricade himself. The packaging design was styled after the ''Dark of the Moon'' look down to use of the "MechTech" logo, but changing the name of the "line" from ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' to "''Distortion Android: The New Deformation Robot Movie 3''", with the figures themselves sporting "creative" names such as "Super Racing", "Justice Leader", "Justice Warrior" and "Evil Demons". Nearly two years later, knockoffs of Voyager Class Optimus Prime and Deluxe Class Bumblebee began to show up in China as well.

Knockoffs of ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|Age of Extinction]]'' figures included [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#First Edition toys|"First Edition" Optimus Prime]] downscaled to Voyager size, with an additional "variant" that swapped out the red and blue colors. Yet another Bumblebee knockoff, as well as several other unidentifiable "Transformers", showed up as well. As is often the case, the packaging imitated the font used for the real thing, only having the words altered.

===High-quality ''Masterpiece'' knockoffs===
Starting in [[2012]], the ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' line has became noted for inspiring large numbers of high-quality, nearly indiscernible knockoffs (the [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|MP-12 Lambor]] sculpt being the first and therefore one of the more notorious examples). Many such knockoffs look identical to their original counterparts at first sight and can only be distinguished by the quality of the box graphics (especially the gradient in the background and the lighter black color), slight sculpting differences, and rare differently colored [[paint operation]]s. Many theories have been proposed as to where they came from, from being cleverly reverse-engineered, to (the most popularly suggested) factory rejects being found and sold. Fortunately, there are numerous reviewers and websites dedicated to pointing out the differences.

In addition to this, some high-quality ''Masterpiece'' knockoffs have even tried to expand beyond the reach of toy-replication, to adding additional changes to the molding and/or finding ways to streamline the original toy's look by adding hinges, panels and other bits and pieces that couldn't be added to the official version due to budget constraints or safety standards, to further appeal to collectors searching for the "perfect" representation of a character on their shelf. In another collector grab attempt, some companies have even gone so far as to take iconic audio clips from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1]] and ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoons to replace the Japanese voice actor recordings given to the toys with sound boxes, in order to appeal more to the Western fans who have more of a connection to actors like [[David Kaye]] over [[Shigeru Chiba]]. When it comes to [[fandom]] classification of these retooled knockoffs, a common term thrown around aside from "KO" is "'''fourth party'''", which is usually to differentiate it from the standard bootleg and counterfeit knockoffs, as well as keeping it separate from the original-mold "[[IP infringement|third party]]" toys made by companies outside of Hasbro and TakaraTomy.

==Manufacturing and distribution==
[[File:SENDTHEBOOKS.jpg|thumb|SEND THE BOOKS!]]
===Countries and Regions that produce or once produced knockoffs===
Most knockoffs originate outside of North America and Europe. Although most knockoff-producing countries have joined the Berne Convention and have thus obligated themselves to protect the copyrights of other countries, lax enforcement has allowed manufacturers in many foreign countries, such as China, to continue to produce knockoffs. However, manufacturers in other countries like South Korea, which was once a huge source of knockoff ''Transformers'', have in the last decade made efforts to legitimize themselves by buying the rights to produce official Korean versions of the toys they had long been copying.

* [[China]] — The main source of the world's Transformers knockoffs and notorious for their use of gigantic blister cards. Although they are typically low quality, such as the combiner gift sets produced by Kidi Toys, it is also the home of Playcenter, the high quality counterfeit Generation 1 toy manufacturer. China has signed the Berne Convention obligating them to protect foreign copyrights, and has enacted legislation to do so, but their enforcement remains at a pitifully weak level.

* [[South Korea]] — Was once a hotbed of Transformers knockoff activity. It was not uncommon in South Korea for there to even be animated series, like ''[[Inferno (G1)|Phoenix King]]'', that incorporated multiple knocked-off properties, such as [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] fighting a Gundam or any other number of famous characters. Hilariously, "Gundam" was so embedded in the South Korean public psyche as a synonym for "giant robot" via these different bootleg outlets that the ''Gundam'' property owner Sunrise's attempts to [[trademark]] the word were entirely rejected by the courts.<ref>[http://www.comipress.com/article/2006/10/28/938 "Gundam and Giant Robots in South Korea"]</ref> Some Korean knockoff manufacturers took great liberties with Transformers molds, such as significantly increasing their size,<ref>[http://www.pleasesavemerobots.com/scrambledcity/skorbia/skorbydestrong.html South Korean Combatron / Combaticon bootlegs] at Skorbia</ref> and/or retooling their [[alternate mode]]s to resemble completely different vehicles.<ref>[http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=17850203&uid=5138952] ''(dead link)''</ref> South Korea is known for such knockoffs as oversized Combaticons, Overlord with Starsaber's face, multiple Power Master Optimus cab knockoffs, and the white Oversized ''Generation 2'' Optimus Prime (the legitimacy of which has been debated). Since the mid-/late-1990s, South Korea has begun enforcing foreign copyrights and is no longer a major source of knockoff Transformers toys.

* Taiwan — Known for knockoffs with a lot of English text on them and higher quality than other knockoffs. Many Taiwanese knockoffs found their way into Italy in the 1980s and 1990s and can often be spotted on Italian eBay. [[GiG]], the official ''Transformers'' licensee in Italy, even imported a Taiwanese knockoff [[Shockwave (G1)/toys|Shockwave]]. One of GiG's competitors in Italy, Globo Giocattoli, imported for distribution a knockoff of the six individually boxed (No. 1 through 6) Diaclone Construction Team & No. 600 Team Set. Like South Korea, Taiwan is no longer a major source of knockoffs.

===Knockoff companies===
Certain knockoff companies have become notable over the years for one reason or another:

====1980s - 1990s====

* '''Four Star''' - One of the earliest progenitors of the Transformers knockoff scene, Four Star were known during the 1980s for taking any number of ''[[Diaclone]]''-descendant [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1 molds]] and making massive [[retool]]s of them, usually changing 75% of the mold or more. They are especially known for "Mr. Hardhat", a [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] imitation that is made up of six entirely changed [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] that combine in an entirely different way.<ref>[http://toys.tfw2005.com/mr-hard-hat-four-star-combiner-4967 Mr Hard Hat gallery] on TFW2005</ref> The fully combined form uses [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'s head, and weapons for the smaller robots included unchromed grey versions of Starscream's launchers (non-firing), Mirage missiles, retooled Soundwave missiles, and the three Omnibot guns. Despite only being known to exist during the '80s, previously unknown Four Star bootlegs seem to appear every few years, bringing into question exactly how many figures they retooled and how these figures were distributed to stay hidden for so long.

* '''Tek Toys''' - A North American company that appeared in the early to mid-1990s and did business almost exclusively through Toys"R"Us. They pioneered the combination card/windowless box design used by many, many bootlegs to this day. Tek Toys also used a distinctively plain graphics style on their packaging, eschewing the usual random ''Gundam'' and Generation 1 graphics for new airbrushed art or, surprising for a knockoff company, CGI models, almost always against a plain white background. Tek Toys also worked in extremes, either having recolored copies of existing figures or all new original figures that may or may not have been procured from smaller Asian companies (oftentimes Leader Shine). In a bold move, Tek Toys had their office address printed on later boxes. Their new box graphics are still recycled by other knockoff companies to this day. [[File:TrendmastersMasterbotix.jpg|right|thumb|AND I'LL FORM THE HE—oh, wait.]]

* '''Leader Shine''' (AKA Champion Crown) - Known during the 1990s for bootlegging the living hell out of the [[Jumpstarter]] molds, producing clones, minor retools, major retools, and almost unrecognizable retools. They also produce "original" toys whose transformation schemes are derived from either ''Transformers'', the ''Brave'' series, or ''Power Rangers''. They still release new and varied Jumpstarters to this day. Leader Shine is also responsible for the very [[Dalung Master|Godzilla-themed knockoff of Grimlock]] that reappears every few years. They also have an amusing habit of putting "Pat. P." (Patent Pending) on almost all of their packages in spite of whether their product is a direct copy or completely changed. However under the trade names "Leader Shine" and "Champion Crown" there are no patents held.

* '''B & J Toys''' - [http://www.bjtoys.co.uk/index.html] - based in Ireland, UK - pride themselves on providing pocket money toys. Their products are traditionally manufactured in China & imported for resale as stand displays. Most recognizable product sold for 99p are the carded, oversize G1 Cassettes of the 5 in 1 line named "Robotic Transform Cassette", represented by knockoff's of Micross (Rumble/Frenzy), Jaguar (Ravage), Ramhorn, Steeljaw & Squawktalk in multiple colors.

* '''Citi Toys''' - Based in Thailand, the same company that was producing toys for McDonald's Happy Meals was also producing knockoffs of transforming robots in the late 1990s, albeit mostly ''Brave'' and ''Power Rangers''. After news leaked out that they used child labor, new knockoffs with their "CT" logo stopped appearing, which suggests that the child labor scandal caused them to shut down.

* '''Agglo''' - A Hong Kong-based company that has produced numerous Transformers knockoffs over the years. Their products have ranged from knockoffs of Generation 1 figures, to ''Beast Wars'' and Japanese Beast Wars characters and even ''Robot Masters'' and ''Generation 2'' Cyberjets. They are notable for giving their lines rather long names, one of their Beast Wars KO lines being "Space Warriors Transformable Beast Tech Fighter". They are one of the primary suppliers to the American ''Big Lots!'' stores and generally use their toy molds until they are virtually destroyed, as evidenced by their bootlegs of a number of Leader Shine products which have been retooled to have fewer and fewer parts as time goes by.

====2000s - Present day ====

* '''Happy Well''' - One of the most prominent knockoff companies from the mid-2000s, Happy Well was bold enough to strike a contract with [[Walmart]], CVS Pharmacies, and Walgreens, making them possibly the first company to have a knockoff "name brand", namely the ''Galaxy Defender'' series. Though most of their knockoffs were based on ''Brave'', this did not stop Happy Well from occasionally bootlegging Transformers, most notably; with their upscaled and extensively remolded version of [[Megatron (Armada)/toys|Armada Megatron]] in tan and grey camouflage. Happy Well uses relatively high-quality materials, and most of their products are boxed rather than being sold on blister cards: some even come with sticker sheets and [[die-cast]] parts! They have since created their own properties and now mostly shy away from bootlegs. Their ''Roadbot'' line was the only direct competitor to the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' line of licensed scale transforming cars.

* '''Zhong Jin, aka Playcenter'''<ref>Zhong Jin/Playcenter was first identified as the manufacturer of the knockoffs in September 2007, when fans noticed pictures of most of the current counterfeit G1 knockoffs on their [http://web.archive.org/web/20080329180144/http://china.alibaba.com/company/detail/playcenter.html Alibaba supplier website], including then-upcoming counterfeits like Warpath. Apparently aware of this, Zhong Jin took down images of all their counterfeit Transformers from the website in October or November.</ref> - The first and primary manufacturer of the high-quality counterfeit Generation 1 knockoffs. Zhong Jin has been making their counterfeit Transformers since 2005, starting with [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], but in 2007 began greatly increasing their range of counterfeit Generation 1 knockoffs, which now includes at least 47 different G1 Transformers, filling in many of the gaps left by the official reissues. They have also done many plastic/paint variants of their knockoffs, including many clear plastic versions.[[File:PolyfectCombiners.jpg|right|thumb|225px|POV: You are a zillennial in the mid 2000s and this is your first contact with G1 Transformers toys.]]

* '''Kidi Toys'''<ref>[http://www.toysghost.cn Kidi Toys' web site]</ref> - Perhaps best known as the manufacturer of the many low-quality Generation 1 gestalt gift sets. Following Zhong Jin's lead, they briefly produced a couple realistic counterfeit Generation 1 knockoffs ([[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]], and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]). Among their other notable knockoffs are [[Transformers: Alternators|Alternator]] figures with new or copied paint schemes of reasonable quality. They are the knockoff company responsible for the infamous fake Metroplex Encore Reissues, which deceived major online Transformers stores.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/199973-what-heck-encore-12-metroplex-i-got-tfsource-fake.html</ref>

* '''Polyfect Toys''' - A company based in Quangdong, China, which has produced a staggering amount of Transformers knockoffs over the years - the most notorious of these easily being their extensive series of downscaled G1 combiner teams (as well as Fortress Maximus and a few other downscaled ''Brave'' figures) that were commonly found on retail the 2000s, although they also used to venture into bootlegging newer toylines like ''Beast Wars'', ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' and the inevitable oversized ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' Minicons under the "Quick Change Transforming System" brand. Polyfect's products were commonly found in Family Dollar, Tuesday Morning, and Big Lots among other stores, although contemporarily, you are instead more likely to see their bootlegs in online retailers like AliExpress. Their combiner teams were produced in three sizes: as full-scale sets (albeit only Devastator and the Scramble City-type combiners got this treatment), at a medium-sized scale close to 7 inches (ironically, this making the Micromaster combiners released within that scale more or less full-sized) and, most famously, at a "[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]"-type scale at only around 5 inches. Considering how sets on the first two scales can still be frequently found in stock on online retailers, it appears that these are still being churned out of a factory somewhere, but surprisingly, the later and generally more esteemed 5 inch figures do not seem to have been made at any time since the 2000s, leaving these to sometimes fetch surprising prices on the aftermarket. The plastic quality on these figures is notoriously cheap, and they often simplify some aspects of the molds to keep manufacturing costs down - something perhaps not as noticeable in the underscaled sets, but very much visible in the full-scaled ones when compared to their original counterparts. The packaging for these figures was adorned with plagiarized artwork and random nonsensical English phrases, such as "FREIGHTERPAN" to refer to their KO Menasor (which, by the way, includes Nosecone and Afterburner instead of Dead End and Wildrider) and featuring the brand's own custom insignia, a sort-of Decepticon symbol with a crown within it that is applied to all toys in the place of usual Autobot / Deception logos.

* '''CoolChange''' - A more recent company that focuses exclusively on high-quality knockoffs of [[Combiner Wars (franchise)|Combiner Wars]] figures, sometimes in their original scales and sometimes downsized or upscaled. Interestingly, they use the same custom insignia featured in the aforementioned Polyfect combiners - which begs the question; is CoolChange a rebranding of Polyfect or is it a separate company paying homage to their combiner bootlegging ancestors? You decide!

* '''iGear''' - A more high end producer of down-sized and retooled knockoffs of Masterpiece Transformers toys, particularly the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] and [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]] molds, usually costing as much as the original full sized toys themselves. They have slowly transitioned into creating original molds, producing original designs such as [[Ironhide (G1)/toys|Weapons Specialist]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Rager]]. Unlike the others listed here, iGear products can't be found on western store shelves and are known for their online presence.

* '''CHMS''' - Mostly specializing in knocking off the Classics [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] mold in any number of colors and varieties, CHMS appeared roughly around 2008 and tend to copy not only the toy but the entire style of packaging as well, usually of the Henkei exclusive variety. Like iGear, they are known to western consumers mainly through the internet.

===Transitional companies===
Although remarkably rare, some knockoff companies eventually venture into legitimate toy design territory. One such example is Trendmasters, which started out (arguably) as a knockoff manufacturer before eventually legally securing the ''{{w|Voltron}}'' license. Happy Well has also shifted its focus from knockoffs to original Transforming robots in their Roadbots, X-Bot and V-Create lines.

Another such company was Korean knockoff manufacturer Academy. Academy is known for releasing the Overlord knockoff with Star Saber's head as well as the huge, up-sized ''Gundam'' Cloth MK-II. In the world of plastic scale models, they were also known for producing low-quality knockoffs of Japanese manufacturer Tamiya's kits with copied box art. Academy has since gone legit, legally acquiring such licenses as ''Gundam'', ''Naruto'', ''Tom and Jerry'', and ''[[Zoids]]''.<ref>[http://www.academy.co.kr/5c/5c_main.asp Character products page] at academy.co.kr</ref>

Perhaps the most baffling example might be the Simba Dickie Group, a popular German toy manufacturer (perhaps best known for being the parent company of notorious railway model manufacturer Märklin) that once released multiple generic transformable robots under their 2007 "''Planet Fighter''" series of assorted sci-fi budget toys - amongst these being various straight-up knockoffs of Jumpstarters, oversized Mini-Cons, and even a regional European release of the aforementioned Happy Well Armada Megatron. Bizarrely enough, not even a decade later, they would go on to actually produce official Transformers merchandise for Hasbro, [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/merchandise#Dickie Toys|starting with replica and remote controlled cars]] for ''Robots in Disguise'' and later expanding towards die cast figurines for ''The Last Knight'' and ''Bumblebee''.

The opposite direction is also possible: [[GiG]] acquired a license from [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] for distributing ''[[Diaclone]]'' toys in Italy before Hasbro even launched their ''Transformers'' line. Subsequently, they obtained a second license from Hasbro to distribute ''Transformers'' toys proper, which they did all the way up until 1997. By 1998, Hasbro abandoned GiG as their Italian license in favor of their own, newly formed Italian Hasbro branch. Subsequently, GiG released several knockoffs, such as off-color versions of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s.

It's also sometimes claimed (though never sufficiently proven) that at least some of the high quality ''Generation 1'' counterfeits mentioned above are actually being manufactured by the same Chinese factories that had produced the originals for Hasbro, using the original toolings, which would explain why some of these toolings are "lost" as far as Hasbro is concerned.

==Law and copyright infringement==
===Legal analysis of knockoffs===
[[File:DOTM.MIRAGEKO.jpg|upright=1.00|thumb|Were you fooled by this in 2011? Don't be shy, we were [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|fooled too]].]]Despite myths to the contrary, most ''Transformers'' knockoffs are illegal. In ''HASBRO BRADLEY, INC. v. SPARKLE TOYS, INC.'', 780 F.2d 189 (2nd Cir. 1985), the Second Circuit granted an injunction on Sparkle Toys' [[Jumpstarter]] knockoffs, where Hasbro showed a likelihood of success for infringement of their copyright in the Jumpstarters toys.<ref name="sparkle">[http://www.law.cornell.edu/copyright/cases/780_F2d_189.htm HASBRO BRADLEY, INC. v. SPARKLE TOYS, INC.] at the Legal Information Institute</ref> For those not law literate, this basically means that (A) Hasbro held a valid [[copyright]] in the Jumpstarters, and (B) Hasbro had a strong enough case that this would have gone to a jury, which would ultimately decide whether there was infringement.

Although Hasbro and Takara's design patents on ''Transformers'' toys expire after 14 years from issuance, their copyright in ''Transformers'' toys lasts for 95 years from publication, i.e., sale to the public. Thus, while the design patents on some ''Transformers'' toys have expired, the copyright protection on all ''Transformers'' toys is still in effect. For useful articles, such as a reconfigurable toy, copyright protects only those expressive elements that are separable from the function. While a transformation is probably not protectable because it is functional, the overall look of the robot or alternate mode is protectable. Thus, while a heavily retooled knockoff that only retains the [[transformation]] of the original toy may avoid infringement, a toy that is only resized or is only painted in different colors would infringe on Hasbro and Takara's copyright regardless of the slight modification.

In a second case, ''WALES INDUS. INC. v. HASBRO BRADLEY, INC.'', 612 F.Supp. 510 (1985), Wales Industrial attempted legal steps ''against Hasbro'' to ''stop them from taking legal steps against Wales'' for selling knockoffs of Hasbro's ''Transformers'' toys, arguing that Hasbro was not the copyright holder, but merely a licensee, and the original Takara versions of the toys were lacking copyright stamps, thus making the toys fall into public domain. The court shot down the case by declaring that through their contract with [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], Hasbro was legally authorized to represent them as copyright holder; the lack of copyright stamps on Japanese releases of the toys was irrelevant due to different domestic laws, as what mattered was that the toys had copyright stamps when they were released to the United States market; and Wales Industrial had even acted in full knowledge of a potential copyright conflict by having their knockoff toys slightly modified as to not be exact carbon copies of Hasbro's versions.<ref name="wales1">[https://casetext.com/case/wales-indus-inc-v-hasbro-bradley-inc-2 WALES INDUS. INC. v. HASBRO BRADLEY, INC.] and [https://casetext.com/case/wales-indus-inc-v-hasbro-bradley-inc supplementary item] at Case Text.com.</ref>
{{-}}

===Hasbro's intervention (or lack thereof)===
[[File:Knockoff advertisement.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.7]]
To date, Hasbro apparently has taken few actions against knockoff manufacturers. Only the above cases of Hasbro shutting down a ''Transformers'' knockoff operation in the 1980s exist, and no such cases exist from the 1990s onward. Hasbro's ''Transformers'' design director [[Aaron Archer]] was once quoted as making a comment at [[BotCon]] implying that Hasbro was unconcerned with knockoffs.{{fact}} Strangely, Hasbro recently contacted small online toy store AgesThreeAndUp and told them to take down their knockoff listings. At [[BotCon 2008]], [[Greg Lombardo]] read an official Hasbro policy discouraging fans from purchasing knockoffs—even in the main dealer room just a few yards away—and vaguely threatening future legal action against their producers. In May 2008, eBay began taking down auctions for knockoff Transformers (the high end counterfeits in particular), but it's unclear whether this was Hasbro's doing or not.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/other-news-20/knockoff-transformers-auctions-being-pulled-from-ebay-165004/</ref>

===Myths about knockoffs===
Over the years, there have been a lot of widespread myths about knockoffs. Perhaps the most preposterous myth is that knockoffs are legal. See the Legal Analysis section above for why this theory is incorrect. Although few proponents of this theory exist, those that do claim vigorously that the presence of knockoffs on Family Dollar or Wal-Mart's shelves means that those products must be legitimate. The flaw in the reasoning here is that it assumes big chain stores would never do anything ignorantly or illegally, which is certainly [http://www.google.com/search?q=walmart+lawsuit not the case].

One long-held myth among fans (due to a general lack of information), is that the Generation 1 ''Transformers'' with Chinese stickers in the corner are high-quality counterfeits. After all, they look just like the original Generation 1 releases, but with some very small differences and oftentimes slightly inferior plastic quality. Recently, though, it's come out that these were, in fact, [[The Transformers (Chinese toyline)|re-releases for the Chinese market produced from 1989 through 1995]], not unlike their Chinese ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' counterparts from around the same period. Ironically, high-quality counterfeit Generation 1 toys from China would eventually come out, but it wouldn't be until 2005, a decade later.

Numerous international releases based on licenses [[pre-Transformer#Licensed international releases of pre-Transformers|predating the success of the ''Transformers'' brand]] (some of them available concurrently with their ''Transformers'' counterparts) have also been mistaken for knockoffs. The fact that ''actual'' knockoffs of these figures (and even knockoffs of ''these very licensed versions'') exist doesn't exactly help matters.

==So, are knockoffs worth buying?==
As a final consideration, you might be wondering if purchasing a knockoff figure is actually worth your money or not. Here are some factors you might want to consider:

===Pros===
* Unsurprisingly, knockoffs are generally far cheaper than their official counterparts. This is obviously balanced by the generally lower quality, but there are still some pretty intuitive advantages in getting a copy of a figure for a fraction of its original price, especially in cases where a buyer might not have the money to purchase an official version. This is further substantiated by the few knockoffs that actually do have surprisingly good quality and can easily pass for original collector-grade items, like the aforementioned Generation 1 and Masterpiece counterfeits. In the end, when a rare figure like the 2014 gold version of Masterpiece Megatron can often cost past the $600 mark on eBay, getting the mass manufactured reproduction that looks virtually indistinguishable from the original for $60 might not sound completely unreasonable. Most recently, there has even been an onslaught of fan-oriented KOs designed to not just copy the originals but also to surpass them with improved sculpts and paintjobs, like the repainted and slightly remolded movie figures of WeiJiang.
[[File:AlphaBaseRobot.jpg|right|thumb|Oh, hi. I cost more than a [[Mint in sealed box|MISB]] ''G1'' Overlord. Want to touch me?]]

* Surprisingly enough, some older knockoffs do have collectible value, especially those produced in Taiwan and South Korea during the 1980s. As an example, the pre-transformer version of Shockwave (originally manufactured in grey by Toy Co as a figure called "Astro-Magnum") was the victim of multiple knockoff copies which are now actually more valuable than an original Generation 1 Shockwave. The bizarre Academy version of Overlord is another example in the same vein.

===Cons===

*As a rule, knockoffs are generally inferior to their original versions. Keep in mind that the previously mentioned WeiJiangs and Masterpieces are only rare exceptions amongst the usual pile of counterfeit junk, the vast majority of KOs you'll find in dollar stores are nowhere near the level of an official Hasbro or Takara product. These are often conceived with the most rudimentary plastic that can be shunned out at the most affordable rate, with little to no [[quality control]] behind their manufacturing, and in numerous occasions without even featuring any paint operations besides the actual color of the plastic they're molded in.

*As already previously explained, knockoffs are illegally produced copies of Transformers designs. This might not be too much of a detractor for collectors, especially considering how little Hasbro and Takara themselves seem to care about modern knockoffs, but it does imply that, by purchasing a fake figure over a genuine one, you are not monetarily contributing to the team that actually designed and engineered that original figure.

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] referred to the [[Starscream clone (Animated)|Starscream clones]] as "an army of cheap knockoffs". {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
"Knockoff" was considered an offensive epithet against Transformers who were [[Reproduction#2005 IDW continuity|"constructed cold."]] {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}}

===''Age of Extinction'' film===
After defeating [[Stinger (AOE)|Stinger]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] smugly referred to his defeated doppelganger as a "cheap knockoff." {{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction}}

==External links==
*[http://highendtfs.com/?q=node/17 HighEndTFs' ID Guide for high quality counterfeit Generation 1 Transformers]
*[http://www.actionfigurechecklist.com/Images/Album/index.php?v=list&i=0&p=Transformers_KnockOff_KO Action Figure Checklist's Transformer Knock-Off Photo Album]
*[http://www.reocities.com/TelevisionCity/3230/tfother.html All Things Transformers - Other Transforming Toys]
*[http://www22.pos.to/~butto/ttot.html Butto's Other Transforming Toys (Japanese)]
*[http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~m-akao/GALLERY/fakehp.html Fake Toy Gallery (Japanese)]
*[http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/listing/user/bootlegs Hatch's Bootleg Transformers]
*[http://www.geocities.ws/kidk0rrupt/ Kid K0rrupt's Bootleg Gallery]
*[http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/mmkos/index.html Rob's Pile of Transformers: Micromaster Knockoffs]
*[http://www.tfarchive.com/toys/gallery.php?g2_itemId=7302 TFArchive.com's Bootleg Gallery]
*[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-3rd-party-discussion/191817-knock-off-transformers-thread.html TFW2005 Ongoing Knock-Off Transformers Thread]
*[http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/Knockoffs/Genertaion1KnockOffs.html Toyarchive.com's Gallery of Generation 1 Knockoffs]
*[http://zobovor.20megsfree.com/knockoffs_archive.html Zobovor's Knockoff Toys Archive (text)]
*[http://pleasesavemerobots.com/scrambledcity/skorbia/index.html SKORBIA-Crazysteve's South Korean Bootleg Information Archive]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Toys]]

Knockoff

2020-12-15T17:00:54Z

Kalyoth: /* Knockoff companies */

[[File:Bootleg.jpg|right|273px|thumb|Super Combination Robot B/O 17-in-1. One just sold for $350 on eBay. Feel free to throw up in your mouth a little.]]

A '''knockoff''' is a product similar or identical to a product of one company, but made by another without the authorization of the original maker. In the ''Transformers'' fandom, the term is commonly abbreviated '''KO'''. The term '''bootleg''' is also sometimes used as a synonym.

{{bigquote|I hate cheap knockoffs.|[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Transformers: Age of Extinction]]''}}

==What's a knockoff?==
Not all transforming robots from makers other than [[Hasbro]], [[TakaraTomy]], [[Bandai]], or other major toy makers are knockoffs, but those toys which wholly or partly duplicate pre-existing designs are well-qualified for the term. The term is also applied by fans, however, to some robots whose design was entirely original with the manufacturer, if said manufacturer is commonly associated with knockoffs, or if this maker's products are often sold in company with knockoffs. Original designs based on Hasbro characters, commonly referred to as "third party toys", have their own page under "[[IP theft]]".

Whether an original design, modified, or slavishly copied, knockoffs are often cheaper than the products of major toymakers. However, the quality of knockoffs is often poorer than that of the originals, including bad plastic quality, bad sticker application, and bad paint applications. Odd colors, excess chrome, resizings, and modifications are common. The world of knockoffs is a strange land of gigantic chromed swords, Gundam/[[Brave (franchise)|Brave]] card art, and wacky packaging translations.

==History of knockoffs==

===Pre-movie knockoffs===
[[File:JBootleg.jpg|right|thumb|On your knees, Jumpstarters! Kneel before your living GOD!]]
Knockoffs were a real problem in the mid-1980s. As the majority of the line came from [[Diaclone]] and [[Micro Change]] toys that had been released in Japan a year or two earlier, Hong Kong bootleggers had plenty of time to copy the molds. Because of this, there were bootlegs on the shelf at the same time as their legitimate Hasbro counterparts. Some bootlegs even preceded their Transformers counterparts like [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]. To combat this, the [[rubsign]] was developed, made with a patented technology that was difficult (at that time) to forge. There was also an accompanying TV ad campaign in which Optimus Prime and Megatron stress brand loyalty by stating, "We are the only ones that have the right to wear [ [[Autobot]] & [[Decepticon]] [[Insignia|symbols]]]."

Through most of the 1990s, knockoffs were relatively difficult to find in the West. Many fans had luck finding them at flea markets, hole-in-the-wall non-chain toy stores, or discount stores like {{w|Big! Lots|Big Lots}}. Some knockoff transforming robot toys did show up in chain toy stores, such as the Convert-A-Bots [[Sky Garry (ROC)|Sky Garry]] and Tek Toys ''Voltron'' I—both widely available at Toys"R"Us—but they were few and far between.

In the 2000s, knockoffs became more accessible. The Kidi Toys gestalt knockoffs were widely available at Family Dollar and [[KB Toys|Kay Bee]] Toy Liquidator stores, and saturated [[eBay]]. Happy Well knockoffs took up shelf space next to Transformers Armada toys at [[Walmart]]. And of course, the realistic counterfeit G1 toys were also widely available on eBay from any number of different sellers.

===High quality Generation 1 counterfeits===
Starting around 2005, high quality Generation 1 knockoffs began to appear on eBay. Originating from a company called Zhong Jin in China, both the packaging and toy of the knockoffs look nearly identical to the original. Unlike normal knockoffs, these sell for remarkably high prices. Since 2005, many counterfeit Generation 1 products have surfaced from Zhong Jin, including Optimus Prime, Minibots, Cassettes, Autobot cars, Devastator, Dinobots, and Gnaw. Zhong Jin also has produced many color and plastic variants of their knockoffs, such as translucent versions, which were never previously released (and some of which that were, like Jafcon Black Optimus Prime). A second knockoff company, Kidi Toys, briefly produced high end G1 knockoffs as well.

The counterfeit Generation 1 toys remain extremely controversial because they are virtually indistinguishable from the originals. This situation raises concerns about unscrupulous dealers selling bootlegs as genuine articles and scrupulous ones unknowingly doing the same. It's also a further infringement on Hasbro's intellectual property rights, since these fakes infringe not only the copyrights on the toys, but also the trademarks on the packaging.

Counterfeit Generation 1 parts, stickers, and boxes have appeared from Zhong Jin as well, including many that have not had a corresponding whole knockoff released, including [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]] boxes and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] sticker sheets.

The counterfeit Generation 1 toys are often confused with the legitimate [[The Transformers (Chinese toyline)|Hasbro-made re-releases for the Chinese market produced from 1989 through 1995]].

===Post-movie knockoffs===
[[File:TFA Prime KO.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Hey, I'm not the knockoff, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|he]] is!]]
Since the release of the [[Transformers (film)|2007 ''Transformers'' movie]], a flood of bootlegged figures entered the market, with some movie line figure knockoffs appearing within a month of the official product's debut. The figures ranged from high-quality clones to ''very'' low-quality copies and strange variations, such as random Generation 1 figures being redone in movie paint decos (usually [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]]'s flame scheme or [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]]'s yellow with black stripes).

One notable release was a knockoff of ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Transformers Animated]]'' Voyager Class Earth mode [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|Optimus Prime]], which came out in China several weeks ''before'' the release of the original in the United States! The reason this occurred is that Hasbro shelved their already-manufactured ''Animated'' toys for several months in order to extend selling their popular movie line. Thus, finished ''Animated'' toys were able to leak out of factories and into the hands of bootleggers long before they were to finally be released.

With the release of the 2009 [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie line]] various knockoff toys also emerged. These included oversized versions of the new Scout class sculpts, redecoes of new Deluxe sculpts and sculpts from other lines redecoed to more closely resemble new characters (for instance the ''Animated'' Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] sculpt recolored to look like [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]], complete with door detailing).

A newer twist in the knockoff toys saga is companies creating high quality knockoffs aimed specifically at collectors. These include the "KOLD" ("Knock Off Lucky Draw") bootlegs sold through kotoys.com, which attempt to imitate [[Lucky Draw figure|Lucky Draw]] and other rare Transformers. There have also been high quality knockoffs of ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Starscream]] and the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] in their ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei]]'' decos (plus other redecos such as [[Sunstorm (G1)#Machine Wars|Sunstorm]] and the generic "[[Air Warrior]]s", who didn't get an official release from this sculpt until [[BotCon 2013|much later]]), as well as ''Classics''/''Henkei'' [[Mirage (G1)#Classics 2|Mirage]] in several of his rarer color schemes. However, the "high quality" part often turned out to be in concept only, with the execution failing to live up to the promise.

Knock offs of the ''[[Transformers Device Label|Device Label]]'' computer accessories, in particular the [[Ravage (G1)/toys#Device Label|Ravage flash drive]] and its redecoes, have also been spotted online. In a frightening example of how bad knock offs can be, the fake drives outnumber the real ones on a number of sites, and many have been reported as containing malware in addition to an equally bootlegged copy of the "desktop pet" software from the real ones. Who actually manufactures them can be difficult to discern, since they tend to come loose-packed without any manufacturing marks.

[[File:KO AOE Optimus Prime.jpg|right|Now this would be hard to tell without scale references wouldn't it?|upright=1.25|thumb]]

A rather sneaky, as well as persistent, knockoff of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] [[Devastator (ROTF)#Legends Class toys|Constructicon Devastator]] has reportedly fooled many a fan, coming in a replica of the Hasbro packaging but sporting the additional red paint operations for the head of TakaraTomy's release. Several years later, it reappeared in the deco of TakaraTomy's ''[[Movie Advanced Series]]'' version, and eventually ditched the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' packaging in favor of a very deceptive variation of the packaging for TakaraTomy's ''[[Movie Advanced Series]]'' version, with all the additional Japanese texts of the genuine version being omitted and several graphics, logos and other elements (such as "Google Play" and "App Store" buttons) commonly found on official Hasbro packaging added.

Following the launch of the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' line, reports of knockoff [[Dino|Mirage]] seen in alleged ''Dark of the Moon'' packaging with [[MechTech]] weapons appeared many, many months before [[Dino#Cyberverse|any actual Mirage]] ever hit the shelves. It was, however, a cleverly retooled and enlarged knockoff of Legends Class [[Barricade (Movie)/toys#Legends Class toys|Barricade]] released alongside equally upsized versions of ''Movie'' Legends Class Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and a mostly unaltered version of Barricade himself. The packaging design was styled after the ''Dark of the Moon'' look down to use of the "MechTech" logo, but changing the name of the "line" from ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' to "Distortion Android: The New Deformation Robot Movie 3", with the figures themselves sporting "creative" names such as "Super Racing", "Justice Leader", "Justice Warrior" and "Evil Demons". Nearly two years later, knockoffs of Voyager Class Optimus Prime and Deluxe Class Bumblebee began to show up in China as well.

Knockoffs of ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|Age of Extinction]]'' figures included [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#First Edition toys|"First Edition" Optimus Prime]] downscaled to Voyager size, with an additional "variant" that swapped out the red and blue colors. Yet another Bumblebee knockoff, as well as several other unidentifiable "Transformers", showed up as well. As is often the case, the packaging imitated the font used for the real thing, only having the words altered.

===High quality Masterpiece knock-offs===

Starting in 2012, the ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' line has became noted for inspiring large numbers of high quality, nearly indiscernible knockoffs (the [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|MP-12 Lambor]] sculpt being the first and therefore one of the more notorious examples). Many such knockoffs look identical to their original counterparts at first sight and can only be distinguished by the quality of the box graphics (especially the gradient in the background and the lighter black color), slight sculpting differences, and rare differently colored [[paint operation]]s. Many theories have been proposed as to where they came from, from being cleverly reverse-engineered, to (the most popularly suggested) factory rejects being found and sold. Fortunately, there are numerous reviewers and websites dedicated to pointing out the differences.

==Manufacturing and distribution==
[[File:SENDTHEBOOKS.jpg|left|thumb|SEND THE BOOKS!]]
===Countries that produce or once produced knockoffs===
Most knockoffs originate outside of North America and Europe. Although most knockoff-producing countries have joined the Berne Convention and have thus obligated themselves to protect the copyrights of other countries, lax enforcement has allowed manufacturers in many foreign countries, such as China, to continue to produce knockoffs. However, manufacturers in other countries like South Korea, which was once a huge source of knockoff ''Transformers'', have in the last decade made efforts to legitimize themselves by buying the rights to produce official Korean versions of the toys they had long been copying.

* [[China]] — The main source of the world's Transformers knockoffs and notorious for their use of gigantic blister cards. Although they are typically low quality, such as the combiner gift sets produced by Kidi Toys, it is also the home of Playcenter, the high quality counterfeit Generation 1 toy manufacturer. China has signed the Berne Convention obligating them to protect foreign copyrights, and has enacted legislation to do so, but their enforcement remains at a pitifully weak level. China is currently the main source of the world's Transformers knockoffs.

* [[South Korea]] — Was once a hotbed of Transformers knockoff activity. It was not uncommon in South Korea for there to even be animated series, like ''[[Inferno (G1)|Phoenix King]]'', that incorporated multiple knocked-off properties, such as [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] fighting a Gundam or any other number of famous characters. Hilariously, "Gundam" was so embedded in the South Korean public psyche as a synonym for "giant robot" via these different bootleg outlets that the ''Gundam'' property owner Sunrise's attempts to [[trademark]] the word were entirely rejected by the courts.<ref>[http://www.comipress.com/article/2006/10/28/938 "Gundam and Giant Robots in South Korea"]</ref> Some Korean knockoff manufacturers took great liberties with Transformers molds, such as significantly increasing their size,<ref>[http://www.pleasesavemerobots.com/scrambledcity/skorbia/skorbydestrong.html South Korean Combatron / Combaticon bootlegs] at Skorbia</ref> and/or retooling their [[alternate mode]]s to resemble completely different vehicles.<ref>[http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=17850203&uid=5138952] ''(dead link)''</ref> South Korea is known for such knockoffs as oversized Combaticons, Overlord with Starsaber's face, multiple Power Master Optimus cab knockoffs, and the white Oversized ''Generation 2'' Optimus Prime (the legitimacy of which has been debated). Since the mid-/late-1990s, South Korea has begun enforcing foreign copyrights and is no longer a major source of knockoff Transformers toys.

* Taiwan — Known for knockoffs with a lot of English text on them and higher quality than Chinese knockoffs. Many Taiwanese knockoffs found their way into Italy in the 1980s and 1990s and can often be spotted on Italian eBay. [[GiG]], the official ''Transformers'' licensee in Italy, even imported a Taiwanese knockoff [[Shockwave (G1)/toys|Shockwave]]. Like South Korea, Taiwan is no longer a major source of knockoffs.

===Knockoff companies===
Certain knockoff companies have become notable over the years for one reason or another:

* Four Star - Known during the 1980s for taking any number of ''[[Diaclone]]''-descendant [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1 molds]] and making massive [[retool]]s of them, usually changing 75% of the mold or more. They are especially known for "Mr. Hardhat", a [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] imitation that is made up of six entirely changed [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] that combine in an entirely different way.<ref>[http://toys.tfw2005.com/mr-hard-hat-four-star-combiner-4967 Mr Hard Hat gallery] on TFW2005</ref> The fully combined form uses [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'s head, and weapons for the smaller robots included unchromed grey versions of Starscream's launchers (non-firing), Mirage missiles, retooled Soundwave missiles, and the three Omnibot guns. Despite only being known to exist during the '80s, previously unknown Four Star bootlegs seem to appear every few years, bringing into question exactly how many figures they retooled and how these figures were distributed to stay hidden for so long.

* Tek Toys - A North American company that appeared in the early to mid-1990s and did business almost exclusively through Toys"R"Us. They pioneered the combination card/windowless box design used by many, many bootlegs to this day. Tek Toys also used a distinctively plain graphics style on their packaging, eschewing the usual random ''Gundam'' and Generation 1 graphics for new airbrushed art or, surprising for a knockoff company, CGI models, almost always against a plain white background. Tek Toys also worked in extremes, either having recolored copies of existing figures or all new original figures that may or may not have been procured from smaller Asian companies (oftentimes Leader Shine). In a bold move, Tek Toys had their office address printed on later boxes. Their new box graphics are still recycled by other knockoff companies to this day.

* Leader Shine (AKA Champion Crown) - Known during the 1990s for bootlegging the living hell out of the [[Jumpstarter]] molds, producing clones, minor retools, major retools, and almost unrecognizable retools. They also produce "original" toys whose transformation schemes are derived from either ''Transformers'', the ''Brave'' series, or ''Power Rangers''. They still release new and varied Jumpstarters to this day. Leader Shine is also responsible for the very ''[[Godzilla]]''-themed knockoff of [[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]] that reappears every few years. They also have an amusing habit of putting "Pat. P." (Patent Pending) on almost all of their packages in spite of whether their product is a direct copy or completely changed. However under the trade names "Leader Shine" and "Champion Crown" there are no patents held.

* Happy Well - One of the most prominent knockoff companies from the mid-2000s, Happy Well was bold enough to strike a contract with [[Walmart]], CVS Pharmacies, and Walgreens, making them possibly the first company to have a knockoff "name brand", namely the ''Galaxy Defender'' series. Happy Well uses relatively high-quality materials, and most of their products are boxed. Some even come with sticker sheets and [[die-cast]] parts. They have since created their own properties and shy away from bootlegs. Their ''Roadbot'' line was the only direct competitor to the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' line of licensed scale transforming cars.

* B & J Toys - [http://www.bjtoys.co.uk/index.html] - based in Ireland, UK - pride themselves on providing pocket money toys. Their products are traditionally manufactured in China & imported for resale as stand displays. Most recognizable product sold for 99p are the carded, oversize G1 Cassettes of the 5 in 1 line named "Robotic Transform Cassette", represented by knockoff's of Micross (Rumble/Frenzy), Jaguar (Ravage), Ramhorn, Steeljaw & Squalktalk in multiple colors.

* Zhong Jin, aka Playcenter<ref>Zhong Jin/Playcenter was first identified as the manufacturer of the knockoffs in September 2007, when fans noticed pictures of most of the current counterfeit G1 knockoffs on their [http://web.archive.org/web/20080329180144/http://china.alibaba.com/company/detail/playcenter.html Alibaba supplier website], including then-upcoming counterfeits like Warpath. Apparently aware of this, Zhong Jin took down images of all their counterfeit Transformers from the website in October or November.</ref> - The first and primary manufacturer of the high-quality counterfeit Generation 1 knockoffs. Zhong Jin has been making their counterfeit Transformers since 2005, starting with [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], but in 2007 began greatly increasing their range of counterfeit Generation 1 knockoffs, which now includes at least 47 different G1 Transformers, filling in many of the gaps left by the official reissues. They have also done many plastic/paint variants of their knockoffs, including many clear plastic versions.

* Kidi Toys<ref>[http://www.toysghost.cn Kidi Toys' web site]</ref> - Perhaps best known as the manufacturer of the many low-quality Generation 1 gestalt gift sets. Following Zhong Jin's lead, they briefly produced a couple realistic counterfeit Generation 1 knockoffs ([[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]], and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]). Among their other notable knockoffs are [[Transformers: Alternators|Alternator]] figures with new or copied paint schemes of reasonable quality. They are the knockoff company responsible for the infamous fake Metroplex Encore Reissues, which deceived major online Transformers stores.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/199973-what-heck-encore-12-metroplex-i-got-tfsource-fake.html</ref>

* Citi Toys - Based in Thailand, the same company that was producing toys for McDonald's Happy Meals was also producing knockoffs of transforming robots in the late 1990s, albeit mostly ''Brave'' and ''Power Rangers''. After news leaked out that they used child labor, new knockoffs with their "CT" logo stopped appearing, which suggests that the child labor scandal caused them to shut down.

* Agglo - A Hong Kong-based company that has produced numerous Transformers knockoffs over the years. Their products have ranged from knockoffs of Generation 1 figures, to ''Beast Wars'' and Japanese Beast Wars characters and even ''Robot Masters'' and ''Generation 2'' Cyberjets. They are notable for giving their lines rather long names, one of their Beast Wars KO lines being "Space Warriors Transformable Beast Tech Fighter". They are one of the primary suppliers to the American ''Big Lots!'' stores and generally use their toy molds until they are virtually destroyed, as evidenced by their bootlegs of a number of Leader Shine products which have been retooled to have fewer and fewer parts as time goes by.

* iGear - A more high end producer of down-sized and retooled knockoffs of Masterpiece Transformers toys, particularly the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] and [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]] molds, usually costing as much as the original full sized toys themselves. They have slowly transitioned into creating original molds, producing original designs such as [[Ironhide (G1)/toys|Weapons Specialist]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Rager]]. Unlike the others listed here, iGear products can't be found on western store shelves and are known for their online presence.

* CHMS - Mostly specializing in knocking off the Classics [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] mold in any number of colors and varieties, CHMS appeared roughly around 2008 and tend to copy not only the toy but the entire style of packaging as well, usually of the Henkei exclusive variety. Like iGear, they are known to western consumers mainly through the internet.[[File:TrendmastersMasterbotix.jpg|right|thumb|AND I'LL FORM THE HE—oh, wait.]]

* Polyfect Toys - A company based in Quangdong, China, who are notorious for slightly-downscaled G1 and Micromaster combiner teams and downscaled Brave figures under their "Super Change" and "Quick Change" brands of KO robots. Their products are common in Family Dollar, Tuesday Morning, and Big Lots among other stores. They often retool and simplify molds to keep manufacturing costs down. They often package items on large blister cards with plagiarized artwork and random nonsensical English phrases, such as "FREIGHTERPAN" to refer to their KO Menasor (which, by the way, includes Nosecone and Afterburner instead of Dead End and Wildrider).

===Transitional companies===
Although remarkably rare, some knockoff companies eventually venture into legitimate toy design territory. One such example is Trendmasters, which started out (arguably) as a knockoff manufacturer before eventually legally securing the ''{{w|Voltron}}'' license. Happy Well has also shifted its focus from knockoffs to original Transforming robots in their Roadbots, X-Bot and V-Create lines.

Another such company was Korean knockoff manufacturer Academy. Academy is known for releasing the Overlord knockoff with Star Saber's head as well as the huge, up-sized ''Gundam'' Cloth MK-II. In the world of plastic scale models, they were also known for producing low-quality knockoffs of Japanese manufacturer Tamiya's kits with copied box art. Academy has since gone legit, legally acquiring such licenses as ''Gundam'', ''Naruto'', ''Tom and Jerry'', and ''[[Zoids]]''.<ref>[http://www.academy.co.kr/5c/5c_main.asp Character products page] at academy.co.kr</ref>

Perhaps the most baffling example might be the Simba Dickie Group, a popular German toy manufacturer (perhaps best known for being the parent company of notorious railway model manufacturer Märklin) that once released multiple generic transformable robots under their 2007 "''Planet Fighter''" series of assorted sci-fi budget toys - amongst these being various straight-up knockoffs of Jumpstarters, oversized Mini-Cons, and even a marginally upscaled version of [[Megatron (Armada)/toys|Armada Megatron]] in tan and grey camouflage. Bizarrely enough, not even a decade later, they would go on to actually produce official Transformers merchandise for Hasbro, [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Dickie Toys|starting with replica and remote controlled cars]] for ''Robots in Disguise'' and later expanding towards die cast figurines for ''The Last Knight'' and ''Bumblebee''.

The opposite direction is also possible: [[GiG]] acquired a license from [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] for distributing ''[[Diaclone]]'' toys in Italy before Hasbro even launched their ''Transformers'' line. Subsequently, they obtained a second license from Hasbro to distribute ''Transformers'' toys proper, which they did all the way up until 1997. By 1998, Hasbro abandoned GiG as their Italian license in favor of their own, newly formed Italian Hasbro branch. Subsequently, GiG released several knockoffs, such as off-color versions of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Construticon]]s.

It's also sometimes claimed (though never sufficiently proven) that at least some of the high quality ''Generation 1'' counterfeits mentioned above are actually being manufactured by the same Chinese factories that had produced the originals for Hasbro, using the original toolings, which would explain why some of these toolings are "lost" as far as Hasbro is concerned.

==Law and copyright infringement==
===Legal analysis of knockoffs===
[[File:DOTM.MIRAGEKO.jpg|upright=1.00|thumb|left|Were you fooled by this in 2011? Don't be shy, we were [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|fooled too]].]]Despite myths to the contrary, most ''Transformers'' knockoffs are illegal. In ''HASBRO BRADLEY, INC. v. SPARKLE TOYS, INC.'', 780 F.2d 189 (2nd Cir. 1985), the Second Circuit granted an injunction on Sparkle Toys' [[Jumpstarter]] knockoffs, where Hasbro showed a likelihood of success for infringement of their copyright in the Jumpstarters toys.<ref name="sparkle">[http://www.law.cornell.edu/copyright/cases/780_F2d_189.htm HASBRO BRADLEY, INC. v. SPARKLE TOYS, INC.] at the Legal Information Institute</ref> For those not law literate, this basically means that (A) Hasbro held a valid [[copyright]] in the Jumpstarters, and (B) Hasbro had a strong enough case that this would have gone to a jury, which would ultimately decide whether there was infringement.

Although Hasbro and Takara's design patents on ''Transformers'' toys expire after 14 years from issuance, their copyright in ''Transformers'' toys lasts for 95 years from publication, i.e., sale to the public. Thus, while the design patents on some ''Transformers'' toys have expired, the copyright protection on all ''Transformers'' toys is still in effect. For useful articles, such as a reconfigurable toy, copyright protects only those expressive elements that are separable from the function. While a transformation is probably not protectable because it is functional, the overall look of the robot or alternate mode is protectable. Thus, while a heavily retooled knockoff that only retains the [[transformation]] of the original toy may avoid infringement, a toy that is only resized or is only painted in different colors would infringe on Hasbro and Takara's copyright regardless of the slight modification.

In a second case, ''WALES INDUS. INC. v. HASBRO BRADLEY, INC.'', 612 F.Supp. 510 (1985), Wales Industrial attempted legal steps ''against Hasbro'' to ''stop them from taking legal steps against Wales'' for selling knockoffs of Hasbro's ''Transformers'' toys, arguing that Hasbro was not the copyright holder, but merely a licensee, and the original Takara versions of the toys were lacking copyright stamps, thus making the toys fall into public domain. The court shot down the case by declaring that through their contract with [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], Hasbro was legally authorized to represent them as copyright holder; the lack of copyright stamps on Japanese releases of the toys was irrelevant due to different domestic laws, as what mattered was that the toys had copyright stamps when they were released to the United States market; and Wales Industrial had even acted in full knowledge of a potential copyright conflict by having their knockoff toys slightly modified as to not be exact carbon copies of Hasbro's versions.<ref name="wales1">[https://casetext.com/case/wales-indus-inc-v-hasbro-bradley-inc-2 WALES INDUS. INC. v. HASBRO BRADLEY, INC.] and [https://casetext.com/case/wales-indus-inc-v-hasbro-bradley-inc supplementary item] at Case Text.com.</ref>
{{-}}

===Hasbro's intervention (or lack thereof)===
[[File:Knockoff advertisement.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.7]]
To date, Hasbro apparently has taken few actions against knockoff manufacturers. Only the above cases of Hasbro shutting down a ''Transformers'' knockoff operation in the 1980s exist, and no such cases exist from the 1990s onward. Hasbro's ''Transformers'' design director [[Aaron Archer]] was once quoted as making a comment at [[BotCon]] implying that Hasbro was unconcerned with knockoffs.{{fact}} Strangely, Hasbro recently contacted small online toy store AgesThreeAndUp and told them to take down their knockoff listings. At [[BotCon 2008]], [[Greg Lombardo]] read an official Hasbro policy discouraging fans from purchasing knockoffs — even in the main dealer room just a few yards away — and vaguely threatening future legal action against their producers. In May 2008, eBay began taking down auctions for knockoff Transformers (the high end counterfeits in particular), but it's unclear whether this was Hasbro's doing or not.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/other-news-20/knockoff-transformers-auctions-being-pulled-from-ebay-165004/</ref>
{{-}}

===Myths about knockoffs===
Over the years, there have been a lot of widespread myths about knockoffs. Perhaps the most preposterous myth is that knockoffs are legal. See the Legal Analysis section above for why this theory is incorrect. Although few proponents of this theory exist, those that do claim vigorously that the presence of knockoffs on Family Dollar or Wal-Mart's shelves means that those products must be legitimate. The flaw in the reasoning here is that it assumes big chain stores would never do anything ignorantly or illegally, which is certainly [http://www.google.com/search?q=walmart+lawsuit not the case].

One long-held myth among fans (due to a general lack of information), is that the Generation 1 ''Transformers'' with Chinese stickers in the corner are high-quality counterfeits. After all, they look just like the original Generation 1 releases, but with some very small differences and oftentimes slightly inferior plastic quality. Recently, though, it's come out that these were, in fact, [[The Transformers (Chinese toyline)|re-releases for the Chinese market produced from 1989 through 1995]], not unlike their Chinese ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' counterparts from around the same period. Ironically, high-quality counterfeit Generation 1 toys from China would eventually come out, but it wouldn't be until 2005, a decade later.

Numerous international releases based on licenses [[pre-Transformer#Licensed international releases of pre-Transformers|predating the success of the ''Transformers'' brand]] (some of them available concurrently with their ''Transformers'' counterparts) have also been mistaken for knockoffs. The fact that ''actual'' knockoffs of these figures (and even knockoffs of ''these very licensed versions'') exist doesn't exactly help matters.

==So, are knockoffs worth buying?==
As a final consideration, you might be wondering if purchasing a knockoff figure is actually worth your money or not. Here are some factors you might want to consider:

===Pros===

*Unsurprisingly, knockoffs are generally far cheaper than their official counterparts. This is obviously balanced by the generally lower quality, but there are still some pretty intuitive advantages in getting a copy of a figure for a fraction of its original price, especially in cases where a buyer might not have the money to purchase an official version. This is further substantiated by the few knockoffs that actually do have surprisingly good quality and can easily pass for original collector-grade items, like the aforementioned Generation 1 and Masterpiece counterfeits. In the end, when a rare figure like the 2014 gold version of Masterpiece Megatron can often cost past the $600 mark on eBay, getting the mass manufactured reproduction that looks virtually indistinguishable from the original for $60 might not sound completely unreasonable. Most recently, there has even been an onslaught of fan-oriented KOs designed to not just copy the originals but also to surpass them with improved sculpts and paintjobs, like the repainted and slightly remolded movie figures of WeiJiang.
[[File:AlphaBaseRobot.jpg|right|thumb|Oh, hi. I cost more than a [[Mint in sealed box|MISB]] ''G1'' Overlord. Want to touch me?]]

*Surprisingly enough, some older knockoffs do have collectible value, especially those produced in Taiwan and South Korea during the 1980s. As an example, the pre-transformer version of Shockwave (originally manufactured in grey by Toy Co as a figure called "Astro-Magnum") was the victim of multiple knockoff copies which are now actually more valuable than an original Generation 1 Shockwave. The bizarre Academy version of Overlord is another example in the same vein.

*Some knockoffs might end up providing unique variants of toys that never had an official release. This is pretty common when it comes to manufacturers like iGear that deliberately copy and modify molds to specifically appeal to collectors, but similar items can be found in a few "vulgar" knockoff lines. The aforementioned Polyfect downscaled G1 combiners, for example, are often treated by fans as unofficial ''[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]'' equivalents of their original figures, to the point where some of them have even received third party stickers inspired by the decals on the original toys.

*Modifying commonly found knockoffs might be a cheaper alternative to modifying original figures for [[customizing]]. While using an official toy can be seen as a sacrifice of sorts, especially if the figure is rare or isn't bought from a junk lot, building your own creation from a cheap reproduction of that mold might be preferable over discarding a genuine valuable Transformer. Dismantling an original Masterpiece Optimus Prime for whatever frankenstein you're trying to create doesn't sound like the most economically viable idea, but doing so with a generic Chinese ripoff labelled as a "''Conversions Metals Car''"<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQOb4j72BCg</ref> might be a plausible prospect.

*Likewise, some knockoffs might be usable as spare part donors for original figures. This is not always feasible since most commonly available KOs do not have the same size and sculpt accuracy of their official counterparts, but when they do, it might well be a viable process for toy maintenance.

===Cons===

*Per rule, knockoffs are generally far inferior to their original versions. Keep in mind that the previously mentioned WeiJiangs and Masterpieces are only rare exceptions amongst the usual pile of counterfeit junk, the vast majority of KOs you'll find in dollar stores are nowhere near the level of an official Hasbro or Takara product. These are often conceived with the most rudimentary plastic that can be shunned out at the most affordable rate, with little to no [[quality control]] behind their manufacturing, and in numerous occasions without even featuring any paint operations besides the actual color of the plastic they're molded in. As such, unsurprisingly, not just are knockoffs usually aesthetically unappealing and hardly comparable with their original counterparts on looks and function alone, but they're also often more flimsy and prone to damage than some figures with [[Gold Plastic Syndrome|gold plastic syndrome]].

*As already previously explained, knockoffs are illegally produced copies of Transformers designs. This might not be too much of a detractor for collectors, especially considering how little Hasbro and Takara themselves seem to care about modern knockoffs, but it does imply that, by purchasing a fake figure over a genuine one, you are not monetarily contributing to the team that actually designed and engineered that original figure. This might be seen as a refutable point by arguing that the Transformers series, being a multi-billion dollar franchise, probably isn't suffering any significant economical losses as a result of knockoffs, but still, if you assume a Kantian approach to ethics, you might find it unethical to purchase them: the categorical imperative implies that, if everyone bought counterfeits instead of original figures, then it would become nonviable for Hasbro and Takara to produce any original figures in the first place. Still, you might be a consequentialist instead, in which case we can't really blame you.

*Most modern knockoffs, even the highly accurate Masterpieces and Generation 1 reproductions, are also inevitably bound to have little to no resale value in the near future. The older 1980s KOs became valuable precisely because of how limited they were, with the very few that were around directly trying to compete with Hasbro, but alas, contemporary knockoffs have almost formed an entire parallel market of their own that Hasbro doesn't seem to particularly care about. As for the cheaper dollar store ones, it might be needless to say that the resale value for a flimsy oversized Legends class figure will probably never be all that great in the first place. Furthermore, in conjunction with the previous point, reselling them is also theoretically illegal.

*At last, while legality is hardly a detractor for most consumers, you might want to seriously consider the manufacturing backgrounds of most of these figures. Keep in mind that the working conditions in China, where the predominant amount of knockoffs come from, are easily amongst the most miserable and inhumane for modern developed economies, to the point where some manufacturers like the aforementioned Citi Toys have even been investigated for accusations of child labor. The Chinese government does attempt to enforce several rigorous labor laws, but alas, the minimum wage for most undeveloped regions is still incredibly low and therefore, if even massive multinational corporations like Nike and Apple have been strongly criticized for their labor practices in China, it seems fair to assume that the schedules and wages demanded for illegal counterfeit products are probably even more immoral and inhumane. Once again, this does not necessarily apply to every single manufacturer, but if you're buying a legally shady product then it might very likely also have a morally shady manufacturing process behind it.

==In fiction==
===2005 IDW continuity===
"Knockoff" was considered an offensive epithet against Transformers who were [[Reproduction#2005 IDW continuity|"constructed cold."]] {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}}

===''Age of Extinction'' film===
After defeating [[Stinger (AOE)|Stinger]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] smugly referred to his defeated doppelganger as a "cheap knockoff." {{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction}}

==External links==
*[http://highendtfs.com/?q=node/17 HighEndTFs' ID Guide for high quality counterfeit Generation 1 Transformers]
*[http://www.actionfigurechecklist.com/Images/Album/index.php?v=list&i=0&p=Transformers_KnockOff_KO Action Figure Checklist's Transformer Knock-Off Photo Album]
*[http://www.reocities.com/TelevisionCity/3230/tfother.html All Things Transformers - Other Transforming Toys]
*[http://www22.pos.to/~butto/ttot.html Butto's Other Transforming Toys (Japanese)]
*[http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~m-akao/GALLERY/fakehp.html Fake Toy Gallery (Japanese)]
*[http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/listing/user/bootlegs Hatch's Bootleg Transformers]
*[http://www.geocities.ws/kidk0rrupt/ Kid K0rrupt's Bootleg Gallery]
*[http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/mmkos/index.html Rob's Pile of Transformers: Micromaster Knockoffs]
*[http://www.tfarchive.com/toys/gallery.php?g2_itemId=7302 TFArchive.com's Bootleg Gallery]
*[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-3rd-party-discussion/191817-knock-off-transformers-thread.html TFW2005 Ongoing Knock-Off Transformers Thread]
*[http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/Knockoffs/Genertaion1KnockOffs.html Toyarchive.com's Gallery of Generation 1 Knockoffs]
*[http://zobovor.20megsfree.com/knockoffs_archive.html Zobovor's Knockoff Toys Archive (text)]
*[http://pleasesavemerobots.com/scrambledcity/skorbia/index.html SKORBIA-Crazysteve's South Korean Bootleg Information Archive]

==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:Toys]]

Blaster (G1)/toys

2020-09-14T01:43:04Z

Kalyoth: /* Vintage G1 */

{{suite}}
{{picsneeded|Kre-O figure}}
[[File:G1 packagingart Blaster.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]

'''Blaster''' doesn't share as many toys with [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]] as you might think.

==Toys==
===The Transformers===
[[File:G1 Blaster toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|]]
*'''Blaster''' (Autobot, 1985/1986/1990)
**''Takara ID number:'' '''38'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Electro-scrambler|Electro-scrambler gun]]

: Rather huge by the typical standards of Generation 1 Transformers, Blaster transforms into a miniature [[Non-vehicle non-beast alternate modes|"ghetto blaster" boombox]]. He features spring-loaded buttons: when pressed, his "start" button stays in the depressed position until his "stop" button is pressed, while pressing the "eject" button pops open his tape door, which can store a single [[Mini-Cassette]] Transformer. Due to what was presumably a common internal misassembly issue, many original Blasters had doors which would not open when the eject button is pressed, nor would the other buttons work. Blaster has rather limited useful articulation, located in his neck and shoulders.

: Early versions of Blaster have a back panel that can be removed (with great difficulty) to reveal an empty compartment that originally stored the tape on his Microman source, as the chest door contained the radio. Many reissues retain this while some have omitted it.

:Blaster was [[Classics (Europe)|reissued in his original packaging in Australia]] in 1990. Other reissues with different packaging would follow, and are listed below.

::*''[http://www.transformerland.com/wiki/toy-info/transformers-g1-communicators-blaster/420/ Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Blaster at Transformerland.com]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Blaster/blaster.htm More information on Blaster at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

{{anchor|TwincastG1}}
[[File:G1toy twincast.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Twincast''' (Autobot, 1987)
**''ID number:'' '''C-116'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]], Electro-Scrambler Gun

:For this Japanese-exclusive release, Blaster was [[redeco]]ed into a new blue, yellow, and red color scheme vaguely remincient of the mold's original ''[[Microman]]'' release (see "Notes" below). Like his contemporary redeco [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#SoundblasterG1|Soundblaster]], his chest door was [[retool]]ed in order to accommodate two cassettes at once, and changed from colorless clear plastic to translucent red as part of a gimmick with his pack-in partner, Steeljaw. This version of Steeljaw sports a new decal depicting [[Scorponok (G1)/toys|Scorponok]], which reveals the Decepticon's weak spot when placed behind Twincast's red door, working in the same manner as a [[Tech Spec]]s decoder.

:Twincast was reissued as an [[e-HOBBY]] [[exclusive]] in 2006 (see below).
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Cybertron/Twincast/twincast.htm More information on Twincast at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

{{anchor|ActionMaster}}
[[File:G1-toy Blaster AM.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Rocket-packing to the top of the charts!]]
*'''Blaster with Flight-Pack''' (Action Master, 1990)
**''Accessories:'' "Flight-Pack" backpack, "tractor beam electron gun"

: Part of the second wave of individually-carded [[Action Master]]s, Action Master Blaster (not to be confused with the "Action Master Blasters" price-point) is a 3 3/4-inch non-transforming action figure compatible with any other Action Master vehicle or accessory. His design is based largely on his cartoon model, with elements from the toy added (most notably his eyeguard).

: He came with the "[[Flight Pack|Flight-Pack]]" accessory, which converts from a winged jetpack to a massive "electro-scrambler" cannon.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1990/Autobot/Blaster/blaster.htm More information on Action Master Blaster at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Binaltech Asterisk===
[[File:Bta broadblast.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|They see me rollin', they hatin'.]]
*'''Broadblast meets Lumina''' (Binaltech, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BTA03'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/gun, Lumina Hoshi with stand, driving arms and driving legs

:A redeco of ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' [[Skids (G1)#Alternators|Skids]], Broadblast transforms into a 1:24 scale Toyota bB, aka the {{w|Scion xB}}. He has working doors, hood, and trunk, plus his engine becomes a non-firing weapon. He also comes with an extra decal sheet, which includes signs for "TBN" which ''possibly'' stands for "Transformers Broadcast Network" or some such; there is Japanese text on the labels as well, but it's really tiny and hard to make out.

:He came with a PVC-plastic figurine of the [[human]] newsgirl [[Lumina Hoshi]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Cybertron/Broadblast/broadblast.htm More information on Binaltech Asterisk Blaster at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===The Transformers Collection===
[[File:G1toy TFC blaster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Broadcast''' (reissue, 2006)
**''ID number:'' '''21'''
**''Accessories:'' Steeljaw, Electro-scrambler gun, cassette case

:Blaster's first reissue was the final instalment in Takara's ''[[The Transformers Collection]]'' line of re-released Generation 1 toys. He features no notable changes from his original release, save for the fact that he comes packaged with Steeljaw, where his original release had gone without any pack-in partners.
{{-}}

===Collector's Edition===
[[File:G1toy twincast reissue.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Twincast''' (2006)
**''ID number:'' '''C-116'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Flip Sides (G1)|Flip Sides]], Electro-scrambler gun, cassette case

:Twincast's first reissue was available as part of the [[Collector's Edition]] line exclusively through online retailer e-HOBBY, designed, as most e-HOBBY [[exclusive]]s were at the time, to accompany the mass-release of the standard reissue of the original Blaster. Though Twincast was unusual in that he was a pre-existing character, where the previous few years' worth of e-HOBBY exclusive redecos had been new characters, he did come packaged with a new partner: a redeco of the Eject/Rewind mold named [[Flip Sides (G1)|Flip Sides]]. The notable difference from the original Twincast was the absence of an Autobot sigil on his left upper arm. At the time, rather than feature unique packaging, all e-HOBBY exclusives came in a generic box in Autobot red or Decepticon purple; oddly, Twincast came in a Decepticon box, but since Flip Sides was characterized as a Decepticon sleeper agent, it just about made sense.
{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[File:Blasteruniversetoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Preparations for the military strike, dubbed Operation Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication Storm, are already underway.]]
*'''Autobot Blaster with Blockrock Mini-Con!''' (Voyager, 2008)
**''Series:'' '''Classic Series'''
**''Accessories:'' Tri-barrel "particle feedback blaster"/bomb, double-barrel "harmonic wave cannon"/bomb, Cybertron Autobot Cyber Key

:Blaster is a redeco of ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Soundwave (Cybertron)#Toys|Soundwave]], transforming into a Cybertronic stealth bomber vaguely like an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|F-117A Nighthawk prototype]], the {{w|Have Blue}}. He comes with three hexagonal prism "bombs"; one converts into his partner [[Blockrock#Toys|Blockrock]], the other two unfold into non-firing blaster weapons. Any one of these "bombs" can be stored in his [[robot mode]] chest, which opens by plugging a [[Cyber Key]] into him; Blaster comes with a translucent black, gunmetal-bordered [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]-style Autobot key, in contrast to the [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] key that came with Soundwave. The other two bombs store in indents on the underside of his wings.

:His packaging art shows him with only half of his chest-door as clear-blue, emulating the original toy design's tape-window, but the final product (and stock photography) show the blue all the way across. However, his visor ''does'' have red paint to simulate the "goggle visor" look of the [[#Generation 1|original toy]] and Marvel comics model.

:This mold was also used to make ''Galaxy Force'' [[Logos Prime#Toys|Soundblaster]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TFUBlaster/blaster.htm More information on Classics Blaster at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Hasbroreissue}}
[[File:Universe2008 SDCC G1Blaster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Autobot Blaster''' (2010)
**''Series:'' '''G1 Series'''
**''Accessories:'' Electro-Scrambler Gun
:This reissue of Blaster comes with [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]], [[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]], and [[Eject (G1)|Eject]]. Released as part of the [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'' toyline]], the packaging also has a special foil-detailed outer slip case. Blaster is technically a slight [[redeco]], having metal-flake beige legs instead of metallic-swirl silver.

:This set was officially a [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] [[exclusive]] and was, in typical tradition, first made available at the Hasbro Toy Shop booth at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2010 and subsequently also sold via the Hasbro Toy Shop website. In addition, it was also made available at the Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong Fair 2010, and was later released at FanExpo Canada 2010.
{{-}}

===Device Label===
[[File:DL-toy BroadBlast.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Ten million stickers for the back of the monitor portion not included.]]
*'''Broad Blast''' ([[July 24|7/24]]/2010)
**''Accessories:'' USB cable

:''[[Transformers Device Label|Device Label]]'' "Broad Blast" (renamed for reasons unknown) transforms into a replica Toshiba Qosmio laptop computer, complete with flip-up screen. In both modes(!) he is a fully functional USB hub (USB 1.1-2.0 compatible), with four "Type A" ports, and a single "Mini A" port. He comes with an ''exceedingly'' short Mini-A-to-Type-A cable, which you're probably gonna want to replace if you're gonna use him with a desktop computer setup.

: In robot mode, his chest is designed to accommodate the original [[Mini-Cassette]] toys, though they cannot stay in there in laptop mode, due to Broad Blast's head being inside his chest in this form. He has [[5 mm post|5 mm fist holes]], which means he can use the original Blaster toy's rifle if you so wish.

: Early stock imagery [[:File:Device Label Broadcast.jpg|showed him with a Windows XP home screen]] on his monitor portion, but the final toy instead uses a red screen with the Autobot symbol.

:Originally scheduled for release in late [[2009]], Broad Blast was delayed until July 2010. According to a report from getnews.jp at the Tokyo Toy Show 2010, the delay was due to the discovery of a connection cut-off problem after the toy/USB hub is transformed into robot mode. TakaraTomy redesigned the entire lower body to fix this problem.<ref>[http://getnews.jp/archives/68064 Get News.jp report on Device Label Broadblast]</ref>

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2010/Cybertron/DLBroadBlast/broadblast.htm More information on ''Device Label'' Broad Blast at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Encore===
[[File:Encoretoy-Twincast.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Twincast''' (2012)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''22'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Nightstalker (G1)|Nightstalker]], [[Stripes]], [[electro-scrambler]], two mini-cassette cases

:Twincast was available again as part of TakaraTomy's ''[[Transformers Encore]]'' series of reissues. For this release of Twincast, the techno detailing of his door is smoothed over for cartoon accuracy. Also to add to cartoon accuracy, his face is colored in a metallic yellow with metallic light blue eyes instead of silver with gold eyes. All of the original Twincast's stickers have been replaced with tampographed detailing for this release, including a large Autobot symbol on his chest (where the techno detail was present on previous releases). Twincast also features a darker blue from the previous releases as well as a different shade of yellow for his tape deck door.

:Twincast came with Nightstalker and Stripes.

:This toy was redecoed into ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Blaster (SG)|Blaster]].{{-}}

===Generations===
====Fall of Cybertron====
[[File:Generationstoy-FOCBlaster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
*'''Autobot Blaster''' (Voyager Class, 2012)
**''Series / Number:'' '''1 / 004'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TG17'''
**''Accessories:'' Steeljaw/data disc, rifle
{{note|Fall of Cybertron Blaster was [[repurposing|repurposed]] as ''[[Transformers Cloud|Cloud]]'' Blaster.}}

:Part of the second wave of [[2012]] Voyager Class ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]] [[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]'' toys, "Autobot Blaster" is a [[redeco]] and [[retool]] of ''Fall of Cybertron'' [[Soundwave (WFC)#GenerationsVoyager|Soundwave]], with a new, grinning head, as well as a new chest, wheels, and weapon. He transforms into an SUV-style "communications truck", and comes with a rifle which is based on Generation 1 Blaster's [[electro-scrambler]]. The rifle can peg (via [[5 mm post]]) into his hands, right shoulder, and roof/back, and the rifle itself features a peg-hole on each side.

:He also comes with [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] [[Steeljaw (FOC)#Generations|Steeljaw]], who is a redeco/retool of [[Ravage (WFC)#Generations|Ravage]], and utilizes Blaster's main [[gimmick]], which is that he is capable of storing and launching Steeljaw and other "[[data disc]]" minions. When a button to the left of his head is pressed, his spring-loaded chest compartment is opened, allowing up to three data discs to be stored inside. When the disc/s is/are stored, his back panel/roof now acts as a plunger, and pushing/sliding on this plunger in either mode launches the disc/s out of his chest compartment, wherein they will land on and depress the buttons on their undersides, thus triggering their [[Flipchanger|spring-loaded transformation mechanisms]] and springing them into action! ...Hopefully.

:As an undocumented feature, the seat on his vehicle roof holds ''[[Diaclone]]'' drivers (and by virtue of similar sizes, ''[[Star Wars Transformers]]'' pilots). Additionally, Blaster's trigger finger is molded into his left hand, presumably so he can push his own eject button.

:His chest [[insignia]] is the [[live-action film series]] "angry eyes" Autobot symbol. Also, his [[stock photography]] depicts him with black antennae that are red on the final product, while his [[instructions]] reuse Soundwave's image for the "completed" robot mode.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/FOCBlaster/blaster.htm More information on Blaster at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|IntelOps}}
====Platinum Edition====
[[File:Generations-Platinum-Edition-Autobot-Intel-Ops-Blaster.jpg|thumb|upright=2.5]]
*'''Autobot Intel Ops''' (2015)
**''Accessories'': Concussion rifle, missile launcher, 3 missiles, 6 slides, slide holder

:Hasbro again released Blaster in 2015 as part of the [[Transformers: Platinum Edition|''Platinum Edition'']] toyline. He was co-packed with [[Perceptor (G1)/toys#IntelOps|Perceptor]], [[Eject (G1)#Generations|Eject]], [[Ramhorn (G1)#Generations|Ramhorn]], and [[Steeljaw (G1)#Generations|Steeljaw]] in a box with an opening front cover. Like the [[#Hasbroreissue|''Universe'' reissue]], Blaster features metal-flake beige legs.

:In the United States, this set was officially a [[Target]] exclusive, though it was initially only ever found at a single Target store, otherwise only available via the company's website. It was later revealed that multiple Target stores had kept it in their stockroom and eventually put it out on instant clearance many months later. However, it was also stocked by US-based online retailers [[BigBadToyStore]] and TFSource, who supposedly obtained it as an import from Asia. It was available in several of Hasbro's Asian markets (namely Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore; it's currently unknown whether it was exclusive to any particular stores there or not). In Australia, it was sold at [[Toys"R"Us]] stores.

:In the United Kingdom, it was both sold at [[Toys"R"Us]] stores and officially available via the UK division of [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]], making this the first official UK release of all the toys contained within! In Spain, it was officially available via the Spanish division of Amazon. In Germany, it was originally available via Bankroft, an online retailer that otherwise specializes in [[Nerf]] blasters and accessories, as part of a special "Fan Edition" arrangement through Hasbro Germany, with the help of several German [[fandom|fan]] sites. Due to low sales, the unsold stock was later sold to Actionfiguren24, a German online retailer that specializes in imported toys, who was able to lower its price for its existing stock of imported Autobot Intel Ops sets as a result.
{{-}}

====Titans Return====
{{anchor|TitansReturn}}
[[File:Transformers-Generations-Titans-Return-Leader-Class-Blaster.jpg|upright=1.55|thumb|Transforms from innocent radio into Autobot communicator into concert stage and back!]]
*'''Twin Cast & Autobot Blaster''' (Leader Class, 2016)
**''Accessories:'' [[Twin Cast#Toys|Twin Cast]] Titan Master partner, rifle, "rocket-sled"/remote control

:Blaster is part of the first wave of Leader Class ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' figures, and comes with his [[Titan Master]] partner, [[Twin Cast]], who transforms into his head. In addition to his classic robot and boombox alternate modes, he can also transform into a base mode that can link up to the other base modes in the toyline, and features numerous 5 mm mounting points for weapons and Titan Master vehicles and turrents, as well as tiny pegs to accommodate many other Titan Master figures. He includes a "rocket-sled" that is stylized to look like a remote for when Blaster is in boombox mode; it comes with a seat for a Titan Master pilot which forms the topmost turret of his base mode. The sled stores inside Blaster's chest compartment in other modes; a notch is cut into its underside to store Twin Cast while Blaster is in boombox mode. Blaster's chest compartment is also capable of holding Legends Class 'spy-tablet' figures, although this negates the ability to store Twin Cast in Boombox mode. He has several (non-functional) ports molded into his back and legs capable of accommodating real-life USB cables, headphone jacks, and power cables.

:Blaster's helmet, modeled after the Marvel comics design, is made of translucent plastic, which is painted everywhere except the visor. Despite this, the visor's placement does not vertically align with Twin Cast's eyes in head mode, leaving his brow the only thing visible. This was apparently done to evoke the appearance of black "shades".

:He was later [[redeco]]ed and [[retool]]ed into ''Titans Return'' [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Soundwave]] and ''[[Transformers: Bumblebee (toyline)|Bumblebee]]'' [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#Bumblebee|Soundwave]]. He is mis-transformed in both his stock photography and in-package: his radio handle isn't collapsed down.

:Hilariously, one of the Chinese-English bilingual instructions showcasing [[Nemesis Command]] had Blaster's name written as "汽车人的枪“, which literally translates as "'''Autobot's Gun'''".

{{-}}

===Masterpiece===
[[File:MP25-Raoul and Blaster accessories.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
* '''Tracks''' (2015)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-25'''

:''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' [[Tracks (G1)#Masterpiece|Tracks]] comes with a non-transforming Blaster boombox accessory in homage to the two Autobots' team-up in "[[Auto-Bop]]".

:This mold was also used to make ''Masterpiece'' [[Loudpedal]]'s [[Sound Warrior]].

{{-}}{{anchor|MP26}}
[[File:MP26-Twincast and nose gun accessories.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
* '''Road Rage''' (2015)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-26'''

:''Masterpiece'' [[Road Rage (G1)#Masterpiece|Road Rage]], a retool of Tracks, comes with a blue Twincast redeco of the boombox accessory.
{{-}}

===Kre-O===
{{anchor|SDCC2015}}
*'''Kreon Class of '85''' (Kreon figure set, 2015)
**''Set number'': '''B5152'''
**''Voted'': Most Popular
**''Accessories'': Large rifle

: ''[[Kre-O]]'' Blaster is a small brick-built [[Kreon]] figure, using the 2015-style construction with raised hands and the sturdier "peg-in-peg" torso/waist connection. His body [[tampograph]]s are heavily toy-based, but he has a cartoon-based face design.

: He was only available as part of the [[San Diego Comic-Con]]-[[exclusive]] "[[Kreon Class of '85]]" 30-Kreon set. This set was also sold online through [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] after the show.

{{-}}

===Legends===
[[File:TF-Legends-LG27-Blaster.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"Ladies & Gentlemen, I bring you: Billy the Broadcaster!]]
*'''Broadcast (Blaster)'''<ref>The packaging says "ブロードキャスト" (Broadcast) in Japanese, but the accompanying English subtitle is "Blaster".</ref> (2016-[[September 24|09-24]])
**''ID number:'' '''LG27'''
**''Accessories'': Headmaster, rifle, spotlight/rocket-sled

:''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' Broadcast is a redeco of [[#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' Leader Class Blaster]], and features a deco based on both his toy and cartoon appearances. Notably, his small Headmaster form's colors are based on Twincast, his rebuilt form, which results in a blue visor in robot mode.

::*''[http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-2688.html Legends Broadcast at Alfes's Blog]''

{{-}}

===Vintage G1===
*'''Blaster''' (October 2020)
**''Accessories'': Electro-Scrambler Gun #2
[[File:VintageG1-Blaster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
:''[[Vintage G1]]'' Blaster is a cassette-less reissue of the [[#The Transformers|Generation 1 toy]], packaged in a nostalgic Generation 1-styled box. Unique to this release, the box better reflects traditional ''Vintage G1'' boxes vs. more modern, thicker cardboard & features a plastic tray. This release appears to use bronze/beige coloring to the legs, as seen in the previous ''[[#Hasbroreissue|Universe (2008)]]'' and ''[[#Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'' releases. Unlike [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Vintage G1|''Vintage G1'' Soundwave]], Blaster includes a [[rubsign]]. This release also reflects production in Vietnam with a new mold reflecting this in addition to modern black ink markings. Electro-Scrambler Gun is a reuse of the #2 mold & is difficult to tell apart from its vintage counterpart.

:Blaster prevailed over [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] in a Hasbro poll to choose a second ''Vintage G1'' release to follow after [[Astrotrain (G1)/toys#Vintage G1|Astrotrain]], winning with 56% of the vote.

:In the United States and Canada, this figure, like all ''Vintage G1'' releases, will be exclusive to [[Walmart]].
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers Gum===
[[File:TFgum blaster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Broadcast''' (model kit, 1986)
**''Accessories:'' Electro-scrambler gun

:A snap-together model kit of Blaster was released by [[Kabaya]] as part of their ''[[Transformers Gum]]'' line of candy toys. Released in the third wave of the line and sculpted from red, grey and black plastic with a few stickers for detail, Blaster is broadly identical to his larger figure, right down to the moulded-in left-over details from his ''MicroChange'' release like his power switch and dials . There is one major difference: his chest does not open, so he can't store any of the tapes from Kabaya's smaller ''[[Transformers Choco]]'' line the way the ''Transformers Gum'' Soundwave can.

::*''[http://www.tfw2005.com/resources/g1-kabaya-cybertrons-441/broadcast-gum-3398/ More information on Transformers Gum Broadcast at TFW2005.com]''
{{-}}

===Decoy===
[[File:Decoy blaster.jpg|thumb]]{{anchor|TakaraDecoy}}
*'''Cybertron Hero Collection 22''' (multi-pack, 1986)
:Blaster was among the many characters rendered by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] as part of their series of 1.5" ''keshigomu'' figurines. Like all the Autobots in the series, Blaster was molded in soft red rubber, and featured a number sculpted into his back that was the sum total of his [[Tech Spec]]s, for use in the various games that could be played with the figurines.
:Blaster was available as part of a 22-piece box set of Autobot figures, in a variety of colours through "gachapon" capsule machines, and later, in a peach coloration randomly packed as part of various other box sets distributed by [[Seven]].

{{anchor|HasbroDecoy}}
*'''Blaster''' (Decoy, 1987)
**''Decoy number'': '''29'''
:The figurine was later brought over to [[Hasbro]] markets as part of the [[Decoy]] promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]]

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Decoys/Blaster/blaster.htm More information on Decoy Blaster at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Attacktix===
[[File:Blaster-atx.jpg|thumb|Have some NON-EXISTENCE, courtesy of FLAGGING SALES!]]
*'''Blaster''' (Booster, <s>2007</s>)

:Blaster was likely to have been one of several ''Transformers [[Attacktix]]'' Booster pieces, using a powerful spring-loaded "blaster" missile launcher attack. Though displayed as part of the ''Attacktix'' display at the ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' "Celebration IV" convention, he —and all the other pieces revealed at the show— were ultimately never released.

{{canceledattacktix}}
{{-}}

===Robot Heroes===
[[File:Robotheroesblasterthrust.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Waiting futilely for Robot Heroes Scrounge.]]
*'''Blaster and Thrust''' (2008)

:Part of the third wave of ''Universe'' ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'', "Generation 1 Series" Blaster comes packaged with [[Thrust (G1)/toys|Thrust]]. He has the standard shoulders-and-neck articulation. His headsculpt is more toy-based than cartoon-based, featuring his "goggles" (even though his eyes kind of pop out from them).

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/RHBlaster/blaster.htm More information on Robot Heroes Blaster at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===G.I. Joe and the Transformers===
*'''''The Epic Conclusion!'' box set''' (2013)
:An [[exclusive]] release for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2013, this is a non-transforming Blaster boombox with cassette pieces representing [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]], [[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]], and [[Eject (G1)|Eject]]. The set also comes with a retooled [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Skystriker]] representing [[Jetfire (G1)/toys|Jetfire]], a G.I. Joe [[VAMP]] redecoed into [[Hound (G1)/toys|Hound]], a new [[Snake-Eyes]] figure bearing an Autobot symbol, a [[Baroness]] figure with [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]] on a leash, and a "samurai robot warrior" based on [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]].

:The box set was announced via a ''USA Today'' [http://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/life/2013/06/05/hasbro-2013-comic-con-exclusives/2392295/ article] on June 5, 2013, along with Hasbro's other Comic-Con exclusives.

{{-}}
===Tiny Titans===
[[File:TinyTitans Blaster.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|]]
*'''Autobot Blaster''' (Tiny Titans, 2016)
**''Series'': '''5'''
**''Number'': '''2/12'''

: Part of the fifth assortment of ''[[Tiny Titans]]'' [[blindpacking|blindpacks]], this version of Blaster is a very small, soft-plastic figure of him in robot mode.

: He includes a collectible card that renders him in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|2015 ''Robots in Disguise'']] styling. The card includes a scan-badge for the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game]], which unlocks a random amount of Energon "currency" and a randomized bonus power-up item.

{{-}}

===Transformers Trading Card Game===
[[File:Blaster35A.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Blaster, Communications''' (2019)
**'''Blaster vs. Soundwave: 35th Anniversary Edition'''
**''Rarity: '''''SRT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T01/T08'''
**''Stars: ''10

:Blaster, Communications was released in the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]] Blaster vs. Soundwave box set. The box also includes the character cards [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], Communications, [[Eject (G1)|Eject]], Electronic Surveillance, [[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]], Warrior, [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]], Tracker, [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], Spy, [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], Warrior, and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], Saboteur, along with two ready to play 40 card battle decks themed around both Blaster and Soundwave.

:The first release of this set was a 35th Anniversary Edition was initially released at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2019 alongside the TCG's [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibot]] Convention Pack, and later available online on [[Hasbro Pulse]]. The 35th Anniversary Edition features throwback artwork, with the original G1 Blaster packaging art on the Bot Mode side, and original artwork matching the G1 packaging art aesthetic for Alt Mode. This original Alt Mode artwork was drawn by [[Marcelo Matere]] and colored by [[Brian Valeza]].
{{-}}
[[File:BvSBlaster.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Blaster, Communications''' (2019)
**'''Blaster vs. Soundwave'''
**''Rarity: '''''SRT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T01/T08'''
**''Stars: ''10

:This version of Blaster, Communications was released as part of the general retail version of the Transformers Trading Card Game Blaster vs. Soundwave box set.

:Gameplay-wise the card is identical to the 35th Anniversary Edition of the set, and features different artwork reused from the [[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]] mobile game. The line-art for this version was drawn by [[Guido Guidi]].
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:MicroChangeRadiCassRobo.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*Blaster began life as the ''[[Micro Change]]'' "Radi-Casse Robo" ("radio-cassette", you see), which was actually a functional AM radio. Though this feature was gutted from Blaster when he was released as part of the ''Transformers'' toyline, the original toy's power switch (on his right leg), earphone jack (on the back of his left leg) and tuning dial (on his chest) still remain, now as moulded, non-moving details. Even the toy's electro-scrambler gun is designed to serve as storage for the mono earphone which came with the toy, with the plug inserting into the stock, the cord winding around it, and the earphone itself tucking into the hole in the gun's main body. It was not the toy itself which was the radio; rather, the radio was a small "micro-cassette" which plugged into the toy's internal wiring when inserted into its chest, allowing it to play through the speakers in its legs in either mode. As the electronic equipment in the chest meant that the figure could not hold normal ''Micro Change'' cassettes there, it featured a compartment on its back which could hold a single tape instead. This compartment could still be found on some early releases of Blaster, though it was often mistaken by fans as a vestigial battery compartment, which was actually originally located in the toy's right leg.
{{-}}

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Attacktix]]
[[Category:Binaltech Asterisk characters]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:E-Hobby]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Masterpiece]]
[[Category:Platinum Edition]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:SDCC exclusives]]
[[Category:Titans Return Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

The Transformers (European toyline)

2020-01-23T05:07:26Z

Kalyoth: /* 1985 */

{{nav-G1}}

Originally, European countries got the same '''''The Transformers''''' toys [[Hasbro]] had previously released in the USA, although different countries got different toys (with the occasional noticeable [[variant]]). Initially, numerous sub-contracted companies were responsible for releasing the toys in the individual European countries (which involved [[multilingual packaging|language variations]] on the [[packaging]]), but over time, they were either bought out by Hasbro or simply dropped in favor of a more and more unified European market.

After [[The Transformers (toyline)|the original ''The Transformers'' toyline]] ended in the US, the line continued in Europe until it was renamed into ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)#|Generation 2]]'' in 1994.
{{picsneeded|European-release toys in-package, GiG cars with ridiculous "bopper" missiles}}

==1984==
While ''The Transformers'' would not reach most of Europe until 1985, a number of the toys from the 1984 US line were also available in the UK the same year. Given that the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|Marvel UK comic]] launched in September '84 (complete with advertisements touting that the toys were "In the shops now!") it seems likely that they were on-sale by mid-summer at the latest, only a few months after the line's US launch.

Little is known about the earliest toys released in the UK. Common consensus is that they came in English-only packaging virtually indistinguishable from the US packaging. Recounts of which toys were and weren't available in the UK vary depending on who you ask. A surprising confirmed omission from the initial wave of 1984 toys is [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]], whose absence on the shelves was even noted in the letters page of the Marvel UK comic. Also of note is that the line's UK tag-line initially was "''Warrior'' Robots in Disguise", seen in the comic and on much of the early ancillary merchandise.

The assortment names used below are those seen in the leaflet which accompanied the 1984 range.

{{-}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Mini Cars'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Brawn (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Brawn]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Bumblebee]] (yellow/red)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Cliffjumper]] (red/yellow)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Gears (G1)#The Transformers|Gears]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Huffer (G1)#The Transformers|Huffer]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Windcharger (G1)#The Transformers|Windcharger]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Spy-Cassetes'''{{sic}}
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Ravage (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Ravage]] / [[Rumble (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Rumble]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Frenzy (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Frenzy]] / [[Laserbeak (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Laserbeak]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Robot Cars'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Toys|Bluestreak]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Hound (G1)/toys#Toys|Hound]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Jazz (G1)/toys#Toys|Jazz]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Mirage (G1)/toys#Toys|Mirage]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Ratchet (G1)/toys#Toys|Ratchet]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Toys|Sideswipe]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Cassete Man'''{{sic}}
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Toys|Soundwave]] / [[Buzzsaw (G1)/toys#Toys|Buzzsaw]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:G1sideswipe.jpg|200px|thumb|Robot Car Sideswipe]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Strike Planes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Toys|Skywarp]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Starscream (G1)/toys#Toys|Starscream]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Toys|Thundercracker]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Leader Truck'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|Optimus Prime]]}}
|}
{{note|Cliffjumper and Bumblebee were both available in red and yellow in 1984, and again in 1985, this time with rubsigns. Cliffjumper appears in yellow in the 1984 catalogue, but this was corrected for the following year's photos.}}

==1985==
The ''Transformers'' toy line officially started in most European countries in 1985. It should be noted, though, that various European companies had already released licensed versions of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''[[Diaclone]]'' and ''[[Microman]]'' toys domestically prior to that (''[[Trasformer]]'' by [[GiG]] in Italy; ''Diaclone'' by [[Joustra]] in France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands; Takara themselves released ''Diaclone'' in Finland). Some of the toys in those lines sported Hasbro-series changes, including color schemes and even Autobot symbols(!), as Takara was already shifting production of the toys from ''Diaclone'' to their own domestic release of ''Transformers''. But it wasn't until 1985 that ''Transformers'' toys were ''officially'' introduced to the various European markets under that name.

<big>'''United Kingdom'''</big>

All 1984 toys were still available in 1985, now with the addition of [[rubsign]]s. They were joined by the figures that had initially been omitted, namely the remaining Autobot cars and Megatron, who was reported by Hasbro to be available from around Easter. Alongside with a variation of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] that sported red instead of blue feet, Megatron was manufactured by French company Ceji as part of a deal with Hasbro, and the red-footed version of Optimus Prime was also released by [[Milton Bradley]] in mainland Europe (see below).<ref name="redfoot1">[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/eurous_frame.php?art=redfoot "Red Footed Optimus Prime"] at TF-1.com</ref><ref name="mbjoustra">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/mb-transformers-part-4/ "The MB & Joustra Connection"] at 20th Century Toy Collector</ref>

Oddly, numerous toys were left out of the UK range, never to see official release: notably [[Swoop (G1)#Toys|Swoop]], [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Toys|Shockwave]] and [[Blaster (G1)/toys#Toys|Blaster]]. The [[Constructicon (G1)#Toys|Constructicon]]s were also missing; in the early 90s they got a semi-official import release, and a de-combiner'ed [[redeco]] release (see "1992" below). Some of the non-Takara sculpts were likely dropped due to licensing arrangements ([[Omega Supreme (G1)#Toys|Omega Supreme]], for example, was available as part of the competing Grandstand ''Convertors'' line around this time as "Omegatron"). Due to his absence from the 1985 Hasbro [[catalog]], [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Toys|Jetfire]] has long been believed to have been held over until the 1986 range, but he was featured in the Autumn 1985 Argos catalog.<ref name="argos85">[http://issuu.com/retromash/docs/argos-no24-1985-autumn Fall 1985 Argos catalog] at Issuu.com.</ref>)

{{-}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Mini-Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Beachcomber (G1)#Toys|Beachcomber]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Cosmos (G1)#Toys|Cosmos]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Powerglide (G1)#Toys|Powerglide]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Seaspray (G1)#Toys|Seaspray]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Warpath (G1)#Toys|Warpath]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Insecticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bombshell (G1)#Toys|Bombshell]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Kickback (G1)#Toys|Kickback]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Shrapnel (G1)#Toys|Shrapnel]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Robot Cars'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Grapple (G1)#Toys|Grapple]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hoist (G1)#Toys|Hoist]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Inferno (G1)#Toys|Inferno]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Toys|Ironhide]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Prowl (G1)/toys#Toys|Prowl]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Red Alert (G1)#Toys|Red Alert]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Skids (G1)#Toys|Skids]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Smokescreen (G1)#Toys|Smokescreen]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Sunstreaker]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tracks (G1)#Toys|Tracks]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Trailbreaker]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Toys|Wheeljack]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:G1Megatron toy.jpg|200px|thumb|Megatron, imported by Ceji]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Jumpstarters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Topspin (G1)#Toys|Topspin]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Twin Twist#Toys|Twin Twist]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Dinobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Toys|Grimlock]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Slag (G1)#Toys|Slag]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sludge (G1)#Toys|Sludge]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Snarl (G1)#Toys|Snarl]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Strike Planes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Dirge (G1)/toys#Toys|Dirge]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Ramjet (G1)/toys#Toys|Ramjet]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Thrust (G1)/toys#Toys|Thrust]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Megatron (G1)/toys#Toys|Megatron]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Jetfire'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Toys|Jetfire]]}}
|}
{{-}}

<big>'''Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain'''</big>

The earliest toys released in continental Europe (minus Italy) were distributed by [[Milton Bradley]], which was in the process of being taken over by Hasbro at that point. There's no solid evidence that all the MB toys were available in all these countries, but the packaging is sporting German, French, Dutch and Spanish text. Therefore, MB covered the markets where Joustra's ''Diaclone'' toys were previously available, with the addition of Spain. The first wave of MB-branded toys was a rather odd selection, a result of Joustra holding the rights to many of the remaining toys, among them [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|Optimus Prime]]. As a consequence, [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Toys|Jetfire]] was initially marketed as Autobot leader. Following a deal between Hasbro Bradley and Joustra's struggling parent company Ceji, a large amount of unsold Joustra toys were ''literally'' repackaged and released as the second wave of MB ''Transformers''.<ref name="mbjoustra"/>

Special Note: the tech specs feature inconsistencies for the Dutch (Functie / Funktie) & Spanish (Función / Cometido) across the line. Usage appears to be figure consistent, meaning you will only see use of one or the other within the wave.

{{-}}
:'''Wave 1'''
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Mini Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Beachcomber (G1)#Toys|Beachcomber]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Cosmos (G1)#Toys|Cosmos]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Powerglide (G1)#Toys|Powerglide]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Seaspray (G1)#Toys|Seaspray]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Warpath (G1)#Toys|Warpath]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Constructicons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bonecrusher (G1)#Toys|Bonecrusher]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Hook (G1)#Toys|Hook]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Long Haul (G1)#Toys|Long Haul]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Mixmaster (G1)#Toys|Mixmaster]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scavenger (G1)#Toys|Scavenger]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scrapper (G1)#Toys|Scrapper]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Insecticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bombshell (G1)#Toys|Bombshell]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Kickback (G1)#Toys|Kickback]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Shrapnel (G1)#Toys|Shrapnel]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Jumpstarters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Topspin (G1)#Toys|Topspin]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Twin Twist#Toys|Twin Twist]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:Jetfireg1toy.jpg|200px|thumb|Jetfire, the new Autobot leader]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Triple Changers'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Astrotrain (G1)/toys#Toys|Astrotrain]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Blitzwing (G1)/toys#Toys|Blitzwing]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Dinobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Toys|Grimlock]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Slag (G1)#Toys|Slag]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sludge (G1)#Toys|Sludge]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Snarl (G1)#Toys|Snarl]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Deluxe Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Roadbuster (G1)#Toys|Roadbuster]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Whirl (G1)#Toys|Whirl]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Deluxe Insecticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Barrage (Insecticon)#Toys|Barrage]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Chop Shop (G1)#Toys|Chop Shop]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Ransack (G1)#Toys|Ransack]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Venom (G1)#Toys|Venom]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Communicator'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Toys|Soundwave]] and Condor Cassette: [[Buzzsaw (G1)/toys#Toys|Buzzsaw]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Communicator'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blaster (G1)/toys#Toys|Blaster]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Aeroplanes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Dirge (G1)/toys#Toys|Dirge]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Ramjet (G1)/toys#Toys|Ramjet]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Thrust (G1)/toys#Toys|Thrust]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Megatron (G1)/toys#Toys|Megatron]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Laser Gun'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Toys|Shockwave]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Toys|Jetfire]]}}
|}
{{Note|[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] is listed under his own number in the MB dealer catalog, but thus far, no evidence of an MB Devastator [[giftset]] has surfaced.}}

{{-}}
:'''Wave 2'''
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Mini Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Brawn (G1)#Toys|Brawn]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Gears (G1)#Toys|Gears]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Huffer (G1)#Toys|Huffer]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Windcharger (G1)#Toys|Windcharger]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Cassettes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Laserbeak (G1)/toys#Toys|Laserbeak]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Ravage (G1)/toys#Toys|Ravage]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Robot Cars'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Jazz (G1)/toys#Toys|Jazz]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Mirage (G1)#Toys|Mirage]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Prowl (G1)/toys#Toys|Prowl]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Ratchet (G1)/toys#Toys|Ratchet]]}}
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|"Sideswipe" (actually [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Sunstreaker]])}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tracks (G1)/toys#Toys|Tracks]] (red)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Trailbreaker]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Toys|Wheeljack]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:G1toy optimus prime variants and running changes.jpg|thumb|200px|Optimus Prime Ceji variant]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Planes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Starscream (G1)/toys#Toys|Starscream]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Toys|Thundercracker]] (in Starscream packaging)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Commander'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|Optimus Prime]]}}
|}

{{-}}
<big>'''Italy'''</big>

[[GiG]] ("Geegh", but sometimes misspelled "GiGi") originally released licensed ''Diaclone'' toys under the name "[[Trasformer]]", occasionally sporting color schemes only found on Hasbro's Transformers versions (very likely because Takara was shifting production of the toys from ''Diaclone'' to ''Transformers'' at the time). Whether it was pressure from Hasbro or a mere marketing decision, GiG eventually acquired an additional license from Hasbro and launched their own version of the ''Transformers'' line, with the toys often sporting original Italian names (for example, the Autobots became "Autorobots", and the Decepticons "Distructors").<ref name="chicken">[http://tfsource.com/blog/the-chicken-or-the-gig-part-1/ "The Chicken or the Gig?", Part 1] and [http://tfsource.com/blog/the-chicken-or-the-gig-part-2/ Part 2] at TFSource</ref> In addition to the official ''Transformers'' logo, a small remainder of the old ''Trasformer'' logo would remain on the packaging until 1987.

Speaking of ''Trasformer'' remnants, the "Autorobot Cars" and the "Distructor Planes" all sported unique "safety" missiles with large rubber boppers on the end instead of the individual missiles the versions released everywhere else had.

The [[Mini Vehicle|Autobot Minicars/Mini Vehicles]] were apparently never released by GiG. The Italian names for their characters come from the Italian dub of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|animated series]].

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Escavators'''' (Constructicons)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Braccio ([[Scavenger (G1)#Toys|Scavenger]])}}
{{bp-d1|Macigno ([[Long Haul (G1)#Toys|Long Haul]])}}
{{bp-d1|Ringhio ([[Scrapper (G1)#Toys|Scrapper]])}}
{{bp-d1|Rollo ([[Mixmaster (G1)#Toys|Mixmaster]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{bp-d1|Rostro ([[Hook (G1)#Toys|Hook]])}}
{{bp-d1|Scudo ([[Bonecrusher (G1)#Toys|Bonecrusher]])}}
{{bp-d1|[[Devastator (G1)#Toys|Devastator]] (giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autorobot Cars'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Canguro ([[Hound (G1)/toys#Toys|Hound]])}}
{{bp-a1|Freccia ([[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Toys|Sideswipe]])}}
{{bp-a1|Gancio ([[Grapple (G1)#Toys|Grapple]])}}
{{bp-a1|Giaguaro/Alert ([[Red Alert (G1)/toys#Toys|Red Alert]])}}
{{bp-a1|[[Inferno (G1)/toys#Toys|Inferno]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{bp-a1|Lince ([[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Sunstreaker]])}}
{{bp-a1|Mistero ([[Mirage (G1)/toys#Toys|Mirage]], "Ligier" markings)}}
{{bp-a1|Saetta ([[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Toys|Wheeljack]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tigre ([[Jazz (G1)/toys#Toys|Jazz]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Distructor Triple Changers'''
{{bp-d1|Triplex Uno ([[Astrotrain (G1)/toys#Toys|Astrotrain]])}}
{{bp-d1|Triplex Due ([[Blitzwing (G1)/toys#Toys|Blitzwing]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Dinorobots''' (Dinobots)
{{bp-a1|Bronto ([[Sludge (G1)#Toys|Sludge]])}}
{{bp-a1|Reptilo ([[Swoop (G1)#Toys|Swoop]])}}
{{bp-a1|Stego ([[Snarl (G1)#Toys|Snarl]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tiran ([[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Toys|Grimlock]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tricex ([[Slag (G1)#Toys|Slag]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Distructor Planes'''
{{bp-d1|Astrum ([[Starscream (G1)/toys#Toys|Starscream]])}}
{{bp-d1|Corvo ([[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Toys|Skywarp]])}}
{{bp-d1|Vampiro ([[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Toys|Thundercracker]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autorobot Leader'''
{{bp-a1|Commander ([[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]], has plastic variant)}}
|}
{{picsneeded|Autobot with the big hilarious bopper missile}}
{{-}}

==1986==
<big>'''UK, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain'''</big>

Presumably, ''Transformers'' didn't sell well in Germany in 1985, as German was dropped as a language from the packaging until ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)| Generation 2]]''. Instead, Hasbro (who had finished taking over MB) consolidated the UK market with the rest of Europe (except for Italy, again). The 1986 releases that were now available in packaging with "Hasbro" rather than "MB" logos sported the four languages English, French, Dutch and Spanish (the order between English and French could occasionally be swapped).

Confirmed European Hasbro releases from 1986 are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Mini-Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Toys|Bumblebee]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hubcap (G1)#Toys|Hubcap]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Outback (G1)#Toys|Outback]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Pipes (G1)#Toys|Pipes]] (inc. "Puffer" variant)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Swerve (G1)#Toys|Swerve]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wheelie (G1)#Toys|Wheelie]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Aerialbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Air Raid (G1)#Toys|Air Raid]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Fireflight (G1)#Toys|Fireflight]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Silverbolt (G1)#Toys|Silverbolt]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Toys|Skydive]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Slingshot (G1)#Toys|Slingshot]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Protectobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blades (G1)#Toys|Blades]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[First Aid (G1)#Toys|First Aid]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Groove (G1)#Toys|Groove]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Spot (G1)#Toys|Hot Spot]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Streetwise (G1)#Toys|Streetwise]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Constructicons''' (yellow)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bonecrusher (G1)#Toys|Bonecrusher]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Hook (G1)#Toys|Hook]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Long Haul (G1)#Toys|Long Haul]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Mixmaster (G1)#Toys|Mixmaster]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scavenger (G1)#Toys|Scavenger]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scrapper (G1)#Toys|Scrapper]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=4|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Stunticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Breakdown (G1)#Toys|Breakdown]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Dead End (G1)#Toys|Dead End]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Drag Strip (G1)#Toys|Drag Strip]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Motormaster (G1)#Toys|Motormaster]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Wildrider (G1)#Toys|Wildrider]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Combaticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Blast Off (G1)#Toys|Blast Off]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Brawl (G1)#Toys|Brawl]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Onslaught (G1)#Toys|Onslaught]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Swindle (G1)#Toys|Swindle]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Vortex (G1)#Toys|Vortex]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Battlespringers''' (Battlechargers)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Runabout (G1)#Toys|Runabout]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Runamuck (G1)#Toys|Runamuck]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Triple Changers'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Broadside (G1)#Toys|Broadside]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Octane#Toys|Octane]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sandstorm (G1)#Toys|Sandstorm]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Springer (G1)/toys#Toys|Springer]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Vehicles''' (Autobot Cars)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blurr (G1)/toys#Toys|Blurr]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Grapple (G1)#Toys|Grapple]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hoist (G1)/toys#Toys|Hoist]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Hot Rod]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hound (G1)/toys#Toys|Hound]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Inferno (G1)/toys#Toys|Inferno]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Kup (G1)/toys#Toys|Kup]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Red Alert (G1)/toys#Toys|Red Alert]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Toys|Sideswipe]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Smokescreen (G1)/toys#Toys|Smokescreen]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Trailbreaker]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tracks (G1)/toys#Toys|Tracks]] (now blue)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Planes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Cyclonus (G1)/toys#Toys|Cyclonus]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scourge (G1)/toys#Toys|Scourge]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot City'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Metroplex (G1)#Toys|Metroplex]]}}

|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Communicator'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Toys|Soundwave]] and Condor Cassette: [[Buzzsaw (G1)/toys#Toys|Buzzsaw]]}}
|

|}

{{note|An instruction sheet for Scourge exists sporting the languages French, English, Dutch and Spanish. No packaged sample has surfaced thus far.}}

{{-}}
<big>'''Italy'''</big>

[[GiG]] was still doing their own thing at this point, with a bit of mix of Hasbro and Takara-style packaging. Notably, GiG's versions of the Aeriabolts, Protectobots, Stunticons and Combaticons came in boxes based on the Takara versions (including prominent "C" and "D" numbers and "Takara" instead of "Hasbro" logos), just like the previous year's Constructicons. This only applied to the combiner limbs, though; the leaders/torsos came in boxes based on the Hasbro versions, including "A5", "P5", "S5" and "D5" numbers.

Known Italian releases of 1986 toys are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Aerialbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Log ([[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Toys|Skydive]])}}
{{bp-a1|Optor ([[Fireflight (G1)#Toys|Fireflight]])}}
{{bp-a1|Radiant ([[Silverbolt (G1)#Toys|Silverbolt]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tornado ([[Air Raid (G1)#Toys|Air Raid]])}}
{{bp-a1|Vertic ([[Slingshot (G1)#Toys|Slingshot]])}}
{{bp-a1|Pentajet ([[Superion (G1)#Toys|Superion]] giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Protectobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Chips ([[Groove (G1)#Toys|Groove]])}}
{{bp-a1|Drago ([[Hot Spot (G1)#Toys|Hot Spot]])}}
{{bp-a1|Phantom ([[Streetwise (G1)#Toys|Streetwise]])}}
{{bp-a1|Rasor ([[Blades (G1)#Toys|Blades]])}}
{{bp-a1|Sirena ([[First Aid (G1)#Toys|First Aid]])}}
{{bp-a1|[[Defensor (G1)#Toys|Defensor]] (giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Stunticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Barracuda ([[Motormaster (G1)#Toys|Motormaster]])}}
{{bp-d1|Caimano ([[Breakdown (G1)#Toys|Breakdown]])}}
{{bp-d1|Cobra ([[Dead End (G1)#Toys|Dead End]])}}
{{bp-d1|Iguana ([[Drag Strip (G1)#Toys|Drag Strip]])}}
{{bp-d1|Squalo ([[Wildrider (G1)#Toys|Wildrider]])}}
{{bp-d1|Pentacar ([[Menasor (G1)#Toys|Menasor]] giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Combaticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Bomber ([[Brawl (G1)#Toys|Brawl]])}}
{{bp-d1|Crasher ([[Swindle (G1)#Toys|Swindle]])}}
{{bp-d1|Destroyer ([[Onslaught (G1)#Toys|Onslaught]])}}
{{bp-d1|Exploder ([[Blast Off (G1)#Toys|Blast Off]])}}
{{bp-d1|[[Vortex (G1)#Toys|Vortex]]}}
{{bp-d1|Multiforce ([[Bruticus (G1)#Toys|Bruticus]] giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:Superion toy.jpg|thumb|200px|Pentajet]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Predacons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Falcon ([[Divebomb (G1)#Toys|Divebomb]])}}
{{bp-d1|Felin ([[Rampage (G1)#Toys|Rampage]])}}
{{bp-d1|Rinox ([[Headstrong (G1)#Toys|Headstrong]])}}
{{bp-d1|Torox ([[Tantrum (G1)#Toys|Tantrum]])}}
{{bp-d1|Zannar ([[Razorclaw (G1)#Toys|Razorclaw]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Distructor Planes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Ciclone ([[Cyclonus (G1)#Toys|Cyclonus]])}}
{{bp-d1|Sheriff ([[Scourge (G1)#Toys|Scourge]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autorobot City Commander'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Convoy ([[Ultra Magnus (G1)#Toys|Ultra Magnus]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autorobot City'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Guardian ([[Metroplex (G1)#Toys|Metroplex]])}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Distructor City'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Tripticon ([[Trypticon (G1)#Toys|Trypticon]])}}
|}

{{-}}
<big>'''Greece'''</big>

[[El Greco]] released a small number of ''Transformers'' toys to the Greek market. The Autobots were called Αυτορομπότ (Autorobots). The only known El Greco releases include seven Autobot Mini-Vehicles (which all have minor coloration differences) and two combiner giftsets. The cards the toys were available on were based on the Hasbro cards and sported Hasbro logos in addition to the "El Greco" logo.

It's not entirely clear when exactly the following toys were first available in Greece; however, they couldn't have been released before 1986, since they depict the "[[Decipher the Decepticon]]" poster artwork on the back of their cards.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Heroic''' (Autobot Mini Vehicles)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Akhtipitos ([[Warpath (G1)/toys#Toys|Warpath]])}}
{{bp-a1|Agelioforos ([[Beachcomber (G1)#Toys|Beachcomber]])}}
{{bp-a1|Egefalos ([[Brawn (G1)/toys#Toys|Βrawn]])}}
{{bp-a1|Gigantas ([[Huffer (G1)#Toys|Huffer]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{bp-a1|Keravnos ([[Powerglide (G1)/toys#Toys|Powerglide]])}}
{{bp-a1|Kiriarkhos ([[Cosmos (G1)#Toys|Cosmos]])}}
{{bp-a1|Thalassolikos ([[Seaspray (G1)#Toys|Seaspray]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Giftsets'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Defensor (G1)#Toys|Defensor]]}}
{{bp-d1|Excavator ([[Devastator (G1)#Toys|Devastator]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
</ul>

==1987==
<big>'''UK, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium'''</big>

Apparently realizing that tech specs in four different languages aren't exactly the optimal choice, Hasbro started breaking up the languages again. The UK got toys in English-only packaging, whereas France, Belgium, and the Netherlands got toys in bilingual French/Dutch packaging. Germany only got the English versions with safety warning stickers in German. Presumably, all toys were available in all language variants, but without solid evidence, this is pure speculation.
Known European toys from 1987 in French/Dutch packaging are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Technobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Afterburner (G1)#Toys|Afterburner]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)#Toys|Lightspeed]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Nosecone (G1)#Toys|Nosecone]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Scattershot (G1)#Toys|Scattershot]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Strafe (G1)#Toys|Strafe]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Computron (G1)#Toys|Computron]] (giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Duocons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Battletrap#Toys|Battletrap]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Flywheels#Toys|Flywheels]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Headmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Brainstorm (G1)#Toys|Brainstorm]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Chromedome (G1)#Toys|Chromedome]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hardhead (G1)#Toys|Hardhead]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Highbrow (G1)#Toys|Highbrow]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Targetmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blurr (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Blurr]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Crosshairs (G1)#Toys|Crosshairs]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Hot Rod]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Kup (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Kup]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Pointblank#Toys|Pointblank]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sureshot (G1)#Toys|Sureshot]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:G1 Galvatron toy.jpg|thumb|200px|Galvatron]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Headmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Apeface#Toys|Apeface]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Mindwipe (G1)#Toys|Mindwipe]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scorponok (G1)/toys#Toys|Scorponok]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Skullcruncher (G1)#Toys|Skullcruncher]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Snapdragon (G1)#Toys|Snapdragon]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Weirdwolf (G1)#Toys|Weirdwolf]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Targetmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Cyclonus (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Cyclonus]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Misfire (G1)#Toys|Misfire]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scourge (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Scourge]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Slugslinger (G1)#Toys|Slugslinger]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Triggerhappy (G1)#Toys|Triggerhappy]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#G1RodimusPrime|Rodimus Prime]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot City Commander'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Ultra_Magnus_(G1)/toys#Toys|Ultra Magnus]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon City Commander'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Galvatron (G1)/toys#Toys|Galvatron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Space Shuttle'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Sky Lynx (G1)#Toys|Sky Lynx]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon City'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Trypticon (G1)#Toys|Trypticon]]}}
|}
{{Note|An instruction sheet for Galvatron exists which only sports the languages French and Dutch. It is therefore assumed that he was available later than Scourge, whose instruction sheet still sported texts in English and Spanish as well.}}

{{-}}
<big>'''Italy'''</big>

[[GiG]] continued to have their own slightly-different take on ''Transformers'', mainly in packaging; the "Racerbots" (Throttlebots), "Tecnobots" and "Terrorbots" (it should be obvious) came in Takara-styled boxes complete with Japanese ID numbers. "Tundertron" (Abominus) was available as a giftset even though Hasbro hadn't released the toys in that form in the USA; the box layout was again based very closely on the standard Hasbro combiner giftsets at that time, but lacking the Hasbro logo, and sporting the toys' Takara ID numbers. The Monsterbots' boxes were based on the Hasbro versions, but sported "Takara" instead of "Hasbro" logos and Takara ID numbers.

Known Italian toys from 1987 are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Racerbots''' (Throttlebots)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Rollerbot ([[Wideload (G1)#Toys|Wideload]])}}
{{bp-a1|Saterbot ([[Freeway (G1)#Toys|Freeway]])}}
{{bp-a1|Scoutbot ([[Chase (G1)#Toys|Chase]])}}
{{bp-a1|Strobobot ([[Searchlight (G1)#Toys|Searchlight]])}}
{{bp-a1|Trollbot ([[Rollbar (G1)#Toys|Rollbar]])}}
{{bp-a1|Wagenbot ([[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Goldbug|Goldbug]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Tecnobots''' (Technobots)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Argobot ([[Nosecone (G1)#Toys|Nosecone]])}}
{{bp-a1|Radarbot ([[Afterburner (G1)#Toys|Afterburner]])}}
{{bp-a1|Rocketbot ([[Strafe (G1)#Toys|Strafe]])}}
{{bp-a1|Scatterbot ([[Scattershot (G1)#Toys|Scattershot]])}}
{{bp-a1|Starbot ([[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)#Toys|Lightspeed]])}}
{{bp-a1|[[Computron (G1)#Toys|Computron]] (giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Terrorbots''' (Terrorcons)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Battlebot ([[Rippersnapper (G1)#Toys|Rippersnapper]])}}
{{bp-d1|Bifronbot ([[Sinnertwin (G1)#Toys|Sinnertwin]])}}
{{bp-d1|Crudelbot ([[Cutthroat (G1)#Toys|Cutthroat]])}}
{{bp-d1|Grifobot ([[Hun-Gurrr (G1)#Toys|Hun-Gurrr]])}}
{{bp-d1|Spectrobot ([[Blot (G1)#Toys|Blot]])}}
{{bp-d1|Tundertron ([[Abominus (G1)#Toys|Abominus]] giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Duoform''' (Clones)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Booster/Gemini ([[Fastlane#Toys|Fastlane]]/[[Cloudraker (G1)#Toys|Cloudraker]])}}
{{bp-d1|Roboclon/Rapax ([[Pounce#Toys|Pounce]]/[[Wingspan#Toys|Wingspan]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autorobot Headmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Blindobot ([[Hardhead (G1)#Toys|Hardhead]])}}
{{bp-a1|Cruiserbot ([[Highbrow (G1)#Toys|Highbrow]])}}
{{bp-a1|Duobot ([[Chromedome (G1)#Toys|Chromedome]])}}
{{bp-a1|Goblin ([[Brainstorm (G1)#Toys|Brainstorm]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Monsterbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Drekbot ([[Doublecross#Toys|Doublecross]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tigerbot ([[Grotusque#Toys|Grotusque]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Distructor Headmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Tagor ([[Apeface#Toys|Apeface]])}}
{{bp-d1|Tifon ([[Snapdragon (G1)#Toys|Snapdragon]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Sixchanger'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Iperbot Sei Azioni ([[Sixshot#Toys|Sixshot]])}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Citybot'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Scorpion ([[Scorponok (G1)/toys#Toys|Scorponok]])}}
|}
{{-}}

==1988==
<big>'''UK, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium'''</big>

Toys were still available in English-only and French/Dutch packaging. The UK toys started sporting a yellow "Original HASBRO Transformers" sticker on their packaging, possibly as a reaction to the sudden flood of Mexican toys (although those didn't come out in Europe until late 1988/early 1989). This sticker is also the only way to tell a European toy in English packaging apart from its US counterpart, as the packaging itself appears to be identical. 1988 toys were available in Germany in English-only packaging including the "Original HASBRO Transformers" sticker, with additional safety warning stickers in German.

Known European toys from 1988 are (all of the toys on this list have been found in both English stickered packaging and French/Dutch packaging):

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Sparkabots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Fizzle#Toys|Fizzle]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Guzzle (G1)#Toys|Guzzle]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sizzle (G1)#Toys|Sizzle]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Firecons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Cindersaur (G1)#Toys|Cindersaur]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Flamefeather (G1)#Toys|Flamefeather]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Sparkstalker#Toys|Sparkstalker]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Triggerbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Backstreet (G1)#Toys|Backstreet]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Dogfight (G1)#Toys|Dogfight]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Override (G1)#Toys|Override]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Triggercons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Windsweeper#Toys|Windsweeper]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Ruckus (G1)#Toys|Ruckus]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Crankcase (G1)#Toys|Crankcase]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Seacons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Overbite (G1)#Toys|Overbite]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Nautilator#Toys|Nautilator]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Seawing (G1)#Toys|Seawing]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Skalor#Toys|Skalor]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Snaptrap (G1)#Toys|Snaptrap]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Tentakil (G1)#Toys|Tentakil]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Double Targetmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Landfill (G1)#Toys|Landfill]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Needlenose (G1)#Toys|Needlenose]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Quake (G1)#Toys|Quake]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Quickmix (G1)#Toys|Quickmix]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Scoop (G1)#Toys|Scoop]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Spinister (G1)#Toys|Spinister]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Powermasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Darkwing (G1)#Toys|Darkwing]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Doubledealer#Toys|Doubledealer]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Dreadwind (G1)#Toys|Dreadwind]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Getaway#Toys|Getaway]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Joyride (G1)#Toys|Joyride]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|Optimus Prime]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Slapdash (G1)#Toys|Slapdash]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Six Changer'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Quickswitch#Toys|Quickswitch]]}}
|}
{{-}}
<big>'''Italy'''</big>

Starting with the Pretenders, [[GiG]] finally dropped the small remainder of the old ''Trasformer'' logo from their packaging. The most interesting releases this year are the "Grandi Set Transformers" (also called "Superset Transformers" in the 1988 Christmas catalog), re-releases of the prior Combiner giftsets with a pack of five random "Exogini Transformers" ([[Decoy]]s) as a freebie.

Known Italian releases from 1988 are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Triggerbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Bitume ([[Backstreet (G1)#Toys|Backstreet]])}}
{{bp-a1|Furio ([[Override (G1)#Toys|Override]])}}
{{bp-a1|Orage ([[Dogfight (G1)#Toys|Dogfight]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Triggercons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|4x4 ([[Crankcase (G1)#Toys|Crankcase]])}}
{{bp-d1|Rafale ([[Windsweeper#Toys|Windsweeper]])}}
{{bp-d1|Rallye ([[Ruckus (G1)#Toys|Ruckus]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Pretenders Autorobot'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Falcon ([[Waverider#Toys|Waverider]])}}
{{bp-a1|Febos ([[Landmine (G1)#Toys|Landmine]])}}
{{bp-a1|Felin ([[Groundbreaker#Toys|Groundbreaker]])}}
{{bp-a1|Rotor ([[Sky High (Pretender)#Toys|Sky High]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Squalos (Splashdown)}}
{{bp-a1|Super Commander (Cloudburst)}}
{{bp-a1|Ursus (Chainclaw)}}
{{bp-a1|Zanna (Catilla)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Pretenders Distructor'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Ghigno (Carnivac)}}
{{bp-d1|Insector (Bugly)}}
{{bp-d1|Korno (Skullgrin)}}
{{bp-d1|Lobos (Bomb-Burst)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Razzak (Finback)}}
{{bp-d1|Reptilo (Submarauder)}}
{{bp-d1|Squamos (Iguanus)}}
{{bp-d1|Verros (Snarler)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Grandi Set/Superset Transformers'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Computron}}
{{bp-a1|Defensor}}
{{bp-d1|Devastator}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Multiforce (Bruticus)}}
{{bp-a1|Pentajet (Superion)}}
{{bp-d1|Tundertron (Abominus)}}
|}

==1989==
<big>'''UK, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain'''</big>

In 1989, all releases received French names, but not Dutch names. Spain started getting toys in Spanish-only packaging (which are not to be confused with the unofficially imported Mexican toys by [[IGA]]). The smaller Pretenders, the Classic Pretenders, the Micromaster Stations and the Micromaster Transports were once again available in Germany in English packaging.

Confirmed releases include:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK''': English packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''S''': Spanish packaging}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Small Pretenders'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bludgeon (G1)#Toys|Bludgeon]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Doubleheader#Toys|Doubleheader]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Longtooth#Toys|Longtooth]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Octopunch (G1)#Toys|Octopunch]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Pincher (G1)#Toys|Pincher]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Stranglehold#Toys|Stranglehold]] (UK, F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Patrols'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Air Strike Patrol#Toys|Air Strike Patrol]] (F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Battle Patrol#Toys|Battle Patrol]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Off Road Patrol#Toys|Off-Road Patrol]] (F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Race Car Patrol#Toys|Race Car Patrol]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Rescue Patrol (G1)#Toys|Rescue Patrol]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Sports Car Patrol#Toys|Sports Car Patrol]] (F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Transports'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Erector (G1)#Toys|Erector]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Flattop (Decepticon)#Toys|Flattop]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Overload (G1)#Toys|Overload]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Roughstuff#Toys|Roughstuff]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Bases'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Groundshaker#Toys|Groundshaker]] (F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Skyhopper#Toys|Skyhopper]] (F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{-}}
<big>'''Italy'''</big>

Known Italian toys from 1989 are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Pretender Monsters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Artiglio ([[Slog (G1)#Toys|Slog]])}}
{{bp-d1|Avvoltoio ([[Birdbrain#Toys|Birdbrain]])}}
{{bp-d1|Pipistrello ([[Icepick (G1)#Toys|Icepick]])}}
{{bp-d1|Raptor ([[Scowl (G1)#Toys|Scowl]])}}
{{bp-d1|Spettro ([[Bristleback#Toys|Bristleback]])}}
{{bp-d1|Vampiro ([[Wildfly#Toys|Wildfly]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Small Pretenders'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Tenax ([[Pincher (G1)#Toys|Pincher]])}}
{{bp-a1|Ferox ([[Longtooth#Toys|Longtooth]])}}
{{bp-a1|Biclonius ([[Doubleheader#Toys|Doubleheader]])}}
{{bp-d1|Demon ([[Stranglehold#Toys|Stranglehold]])}}
{{bp-d1|Medusa ([[Octopunch (G1)#Toys|Octopunch]])}}
{{bp-d1|Teskior ([[Bludgeon (G1)#Toys|Bludgeon]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Microtransformers Pattuglias''' (Micromaster Patrols)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Expeditors ([[Off Road Patrol#Toys|Off Road Patrol]])}}
{{bp-d1|Interceptors ([[Air Strike Patrol#Toys|Air Strike Patrol]])}}
{{bp-a1|Pattuglia Soccorso ([[Battle Patrol#Toys|Battle Patrol]])}}
{{bp-d1|Pattuglia Guastatori ([[Sports Car Patrol#Toys|Sports Car Patrol]])}}
{{bp-a1|Sprintforce ([[Race Car Patrol#Toys|Race Car Patrol]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Microtransformers Deluxes''' (Micromaster Transports)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Tornado ([[Roughstuff#Toys|Roughstuff]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tractor ([[Erector (G1)#Toys|Erector]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Microtrasformer{{sic}} Stations''' (Micromaster Stations)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Argon ([[Hot House#Toys|Hot House]])}}
{{bp-d1|Assalt ([[Greasepit (G1)#Toys|Greasepit]])}}
{{bp-d1|Lancer ([[Airwave (G1)#Toys|Airwave]])}}
{{bp-a1|Radar ([[Ironworks (Micromaster)#Toys|Ironworks]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Microtransformer Bases''' (Micromaster Bases)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Rotor ([[Skyhopper#Toys|Skyhopper]])}}
{{bp-a1|Titano ([[Groundshaker#Toys|Groundshaker]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Set Commandos''' (Classic Legends)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1d1|Saetta / Folgore / Drago / Tornado ([[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Hero Set|Bumblebee]], [[Jazz (G1)/toys#HeroSet|Jazz]], [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#HeroSet|Grimlock]] & [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Heroset|Starscream]] (respectively) set)}}
|}
{{-}}

<big>'''Unofficial Mexican imports'''</big>

In addition to the regular toys released by Hasbro and GiG, [http://www.tfarchive.com/toys/articles/mexican_invasion.php Europe was also hit by a flood of Transformers toys imported from Mexico]. While these toys had been officially produced by [[IGA]] with the intention to release them on the Mexican market, a large unsold stock remained that was eventually exported to Europe without Hasbro's involvement. The toys were available in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Romania, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. This created a strange situation where unofficially imported (but officially produced) toys competed with official European releases. These toys are considered official for Mexico but unofficial for Europe.

==1990==
By 1990, Hasbro had mostly streamlined their European markets. Presumably, all toys that came out in one country were also available everywhere else. Even the Italian releases now sported a uniform look with the toys that were available elsewhere in Europe (even though they still sported a "[[GiG]]" logo and Italian names), with one exception. Also, with Hasbro cancelling the ''Transformers'' line in the USA for the time being, the European Hasbro branches continued releasing new toys which the USA would never get. By this time, [[Australia]] also was receiving releases, re-releases and exclusives in a pattern similar (if not exactly the same) to that of the European market; this would continue at least as far as ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]''.

Presumably, Germany got the UK versions of the 1990 [[Action Master]]s in English-only packaging. Also, GiG gave at least some of the Action Masters toys that were based on older characters the original Italian names again.

Confirmed releases include:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK''': English packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''S''': Spanish packaging, '''I''': Italian packaging with alternate names}}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Patrols'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Air Patrol#Toys|Air Patrol]] (S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Construction Patrol#Toys|Construction Patrol]] (S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Rod Patrol#Toys|Hot Rod Patrol]] (F/NL, S, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Military Patrol#Toys|Military Patrol]] (F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Monster Truck Patrol#Toys|Monster Trucks Patrol]] (UK, F/NL, S, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Race Track Patrol#Toys|Race Track Patrol]] (S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Combiner Squads'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Astro Squad#Toys|Astro Squad]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Battle Squad#Toys|Battle Squad]] (I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Constructor Squad#Toys|Constructor Squad]] (UK, S, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Metro Squad#Toys|Metro Squad]] (I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Combiner Transports'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Cannon Transport#Toys|Cannon Transport]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Missile Launcher#Toys|Missile Launcher]] (S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tanker Truck#Toys|Tanker Truck]] (UK, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Combiner Autobot Battlefield Headquarters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Battlefield Headquarters#Toys|Battlefield Headquarters]] (S, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:G1-toy CannonTransport.jpg|thumb|200px|Cannon Transport]][[File:G1 Overrun toy.jpg|thumb|200px|Attack Copter with Over-Run]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Action Master Figures'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blaster (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Blaster]] with [[Flight Pack]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Bumblebee]] with [[Heli-pack]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Devastator (G1)#ActionMaster|Devastator]] with [[Scorpulator#Toys|Scorpulator]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Grimlock]] with [[Anti-tank cannon]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Jackpot (G1)#Toys|Jackpot]] with [[Sights (G1)#Toys|Sights]] (I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Jazz (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Jazz]] with [[Turbo Board]] (I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Mainframe (G1)#Toys|Mainframe]] with [[Push-Button#Toys|Push-Button]] (I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Rad (G1)#Toys|Rad]] with [[Lionizer (G1)#Toys|Lionizer]] (I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Rollout (G1)#Toys|Rollout]] with [[Glitch (G1)#Toys|Glitch]] (I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Shockwave (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Shockwave]] with [[Fistfight (G1)#Toys|Fistfight]] (UK)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Soundwave (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Soundwave]] with [[Wingthing (G1)#Toys|Wingthing]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Snarl (G1)#ActionMaster|Snarl]] with [[Tyrannitron#Toys|Tyrannitron]] (UK)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Treadshot (G1)#Toys|Treadshot]] with [[Catgut#Toys|Catgut]] (I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Action Master Action Blasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Attack Copter]] with [[Over-Run (G1)#Toys|Over-Run]] (F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Action Master Action Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Starscream (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Starscream]] / [[Turbo Jet#Toys|Turbo Jet]] (I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Wheeljack]] / [[Turbo Racer#Toys|Turbo Racer]] (I)}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Galaxy Shuttle'''
{{bp-a1|[[Galaxy Shuttle#Toys|Galaxy Shuttle]] (I)}}
|}
{{note|Galaxy Shuttle is originally from the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1989 (Victory)|Victory]]'' line. The Italian GiG release is the only non-Takara release of the toy. How/why is anyone's guess.}}

{{-}}
[[File:EuroClassicsOnslaughtBattle.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Transformers: Classics|Not]] [[2006]].]]
<big>'''"Classics" (Europe & Australasia)'''</big>

Possibly taking a cue from the popularity of the Classic Pretenders, Hasbro started re-releasing original toys from 1984-1987 in "gold" packaging based on the Classic Pretenders' boxes, under the name "[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]". Germany got the "Classics" toys in English packaging. Unlike the English and French/Dutch versions, the Italian and Spanish "Classics" don't actually say "Classic" anywhere on the packaging. The toys themselves are functionally identical to their original releases, complete with [[rubsign]]s. (Some toys released this year were altered the following year, but we'll talk about the details of that then.)

''Why'' this line happened is currently unknown, but there are several possibilities. It is known that the ''Transformers'' line was only ''just'' starting up in China (thanks to some legal shenanigans), and it appears the "Classics" toys were produced in the same Chinese factories, so the molds suddenly being available for production presented possibilities. It is unknown if Hasbro had originally intended for the toys to be released in the US market as well as in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, but the line's cancellation in the US killed that. It's also possible "Classics" was a response to the unofficially-imported Mexican toys that flooded European and Australasian shelves with classic characters at the time, and therefore had never intended to be released in the US.

Confirmed European/Australasian "Classic" releases from 1990<ref>http://www.fredsworkshop.com/veurolist.html</ref>:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK''': English packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''S''': Spanish packaging, '''I''': Italian packaging with alternate names}}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Aerialbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Air Raid (G1)#Toys|Air Raid]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Fireflight (G1)#Toys|Fireflight]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Silverbolt (G1)#Toys|Silverbolt]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Slingshot (G1)#Toys|Slingshot]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Toys|Skydive]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Stunticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Breakdown (G1)#Toys|Breakdown]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Dead End (G1)#Toys|Dead End]] (UK, F/NL, S, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Drag Strip (G1)#Toys|Drag Strip]] (UK, F/NL, S, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Motormaster (G1)#Toys|Motormaster]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Wildrider (G1)#Toys|Wild Rider]]{{sic}} (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Heroes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Inferno (G1)/toys#Toys|Inferno]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Toys|Ironhide]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Jazz (G1)/toys#Toys|Jazz]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{bp-a1|[[Prowl (G1)/toys#Toys|Prowl]] (sticker variant) (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Sunstreaker]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Toys|Wheeljack]] (UK, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:G1toy ClassicHeroProwl.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Classic Hero Prowl]]
|}

{{-}}

==1991==
Although ''Transformers'' had come to a stop in the US, Hasbro continued releasing new toys to the European and Australasian markets. Those included numerous Action Masters, more "Classic" re-releases of older toys, and even toys that were originally only available in Japan, slightly redecoed for the European market. Again, Action Masters were available in English packaging in Germany.

Confirmed releases include:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK''': English packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''S''': Spanish packaging, '''I''': Italian packaging with alternate names}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Action Master figures'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bombshell (G1)#ActionMaster|Bombshell]] with [[Needler (G1)#Toys|Needler]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Charger#Toys|Charger]] with [[Fire Beast]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Powerflash#Toys|Powerflash]] with [[Road Rocket (G1)#Toys|Road Rocket]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Sideswipe]] with [[Vanguard]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Take-Off#Toys|Take-Off]] with [[Screech (Action Master)#Toys|Screech]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tracks (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Tracks]] with [[Basher]] (UK, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Action Master Exo-suit|Exo-Suit]] Action Masters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Circuit (G1)#Toys|Circuit]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Thundercracker]] (UK, F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Motorized Exo-Suit Action Masters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Rumbler (G1)#Toys|Rumbler]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Slicer (Decepticon)#Toys|Slicer]] (UK)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Action Master Elites'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Double Punch#Toys|Double Punch]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Omega Supreme (G1)#omegaspreem|Omega Spreem]]{{sic}} (UK)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Turbo Master#Toys|Turbo Master]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Windmill (G1)#Toys|Windmill]] (UK)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=4|[[File:G1-toy DoublePunch.jpg|thumb|200px|Action Master Elite Double Punch]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Motorvators'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Flame (Motorvator)#Toys|Flame]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Gripper (G1)#Toys|Gripper]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Lightspeed (Motorvator)#Toys|Lightspeed]] (UK, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Others'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Overlord (Masterforce)#Toys|Overlord]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
|}

{{-}}
<big>'''Classics'''</big>

Again, Classics toys were available in English packaging in Germany. However, the Classic Combaticons might have not been available in Germany, due to the unpopular "war" theme. Also, again, the Italian and Spanish Classics don't say "Classic" anywhere on the packaging, unlike the English and French/Dutch versions. The rubsign indents on the Classic Protectobots, Combaticons, Throttlebots, and Triple Changers Springer and Octane, were filled in. As the rubsigns were the ''only'' faction symbols on the Throttlebots, they were replaced with paper Autobot symbol stickers.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Throttlebots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Chase (G1)#Toys|Chase]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Freeway (G1)#Toys|Freeway]] (UK, I Saterbot)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Goldbug|Goldbug]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Rollbar (G1)#Toys|Rollbar]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Searchlight (G1)#Toys|Searchlight]] (UK, I Strobobot)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wideload (G1)#Toys|Wideload]] (UK, I Rapidbot)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Protectobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blades (G1)#Toys|Blades]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[First Aid (G1)#Toys|First Aid]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Groove (G1)#Toys|Groove]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Spot (G1)#Toys|Hot Spot]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Streetwise (G1)#Toys|Streetwise]] (UK, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Combaticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Blast Off (G1)#Toys|Blast Off]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Brawl (G1)#Toys|Brawl]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Onslaught (G1)#Toys|Onslaught]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Swindle (G1)#Toys|Swindle]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Vortex (G1)#Toys|Vortex]] (UK, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Triple Changers'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Astrotrain (G1)#Toys|Astrotrain]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Octane#Toys|Octane]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sandstorm (G1)#Toys|Sandstorm]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Springer (G1)/toys#Toys|Springer]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:G1toy Classics FirstAid.JPG|right|thumb|150px|Classics First Aid]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Dinobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Grimlock]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sludge (G1)#Toys|Sludge]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Snarl (G1)#Toys|Snarl]] (UK, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Heroes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Toys|Sideswipe]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tracks (G1)/toys#Toys|Tracks]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Combiner giftsets'''
{{bp-d1|[[Devastator (G1)/toys#Toys|Devastator]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Defensor (G1)#Toys|Defensor]]}}
|}
{{note|The Combiner giftsets were released only in Greece by GiG under the brand name "El Greco". These versions also came with a Classic Dinobot attached on the back or front of the box.}}
{{-}}

==1992==
[[File:G1Stalker toy.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Predator Stalker (with Snare attached in the lower-right)]]
'92 is when the European ''Transformers'' line really began to kick into high gear, even if the amount of product was a little on the light side. Hasbro produced new toys exclusively designed for the European market (though some did get imported to Japan), which had a far more cohesive design aesthetic than... well, the line ever had in its past. The Autobots trended towards brighter colors and generally had more "human" faces, and each one used bright-magenta translucent plastic for vehicle-mode windscreens and a new innovation in the line, [[light-piping|light-piped]] eyes which appear to "glow" when light shines through them from behind. The Decepticons trended towards darker, cooler colors, their faces much more "robotic" (usually with facemasks and visor-eyes), and using bright-green translucent plastic for their canopies/optics. Both sides also included spring-loaded missile launchers, a [[gimmick]] that had been all but abandoned in Hasbro's markets due to more stringent [[for safety reasons|safety regulations for projectiles]] in the US.

Rounding out the year's product are a strange pair of re-released combiner teams ''lacking'' their combining ability... or individual names.

After this year, Hasbro decided European sales were good enough to [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|try to revive ''Transformers'' in the US again]].<ref>[http://www.tfarchive.com/fandom/interviews/george_dunsay/george_dunsay_interview.php George Dunsay interview at TFArchive]: "At the time it was discontinued in the US, it was not a temporary decision. It is only after the success in Europe that the US people decided to reintroduce it"</ref>

In terms of languages, English and Spanish were now merged into bilingual English/Spanish packaging for the British, Spanish, Australian, and New Zealand markets, whereas France, Belgium, and the Netherlands still got toys in bilingual French/Dutch packaging, but now with alternate (English) names as well, and Italy still got toys in Italian-only packaging from GiG.

Confirmed releases include:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK/S''': English/Spanish packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''I''': Italian packaging with alternate names}}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Turbomasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Boss (G1)#Toys|Boss]] (UK/S, F/NL, I}}
{{bp-a1|[[Flash (G1)#Toys|Flash]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hurricane#Toys|Hurricane]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Rotorstorm (G1)#Toys|Rotorstorm]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Scorch (G1)#Toys|Scorch]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Thunder Clash#Toys|Thunder Clash]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Predators'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Falcon (G1)#Toys|Falcon]] (UK/S, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Skydive (Predator)#Toys|Skydive]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Skyquake (G1)#Toys|Skyquake]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Snare#Toys|Snare]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Stalker (G1)#Toys|Stalker]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Talon (G1)#Toys|Talon]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Rescue Force'''
{{bp-a1|"[[Rescue Force 2#Toys|Rescue Force buggy]]"}}
{{bp-a1|"[[Rescue Force 3#Toys|Rescue Force drill]]"}}
{{bp-a1|"[[Rescue Force (individual)#Toys|Rescue Force jet]]"}}
{{bp-a1|"[[Rescue Force 1#Toys|Rescue Force tank]]"}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Constructicons'''
{{bp-d1|"[[Bonecrusher (G1)#1992yellow|Bonecrusher]]"}}
{{bp-d1|"[[Hook (G1)#1992yellow|Hook]]"}}
{{bp-d1|"[[Long Haul (G1)#1992yellow|Long Haul]]"}}
{{bp-d1|"[[Mixmaster (G1)#1992yellow|Mixmaster]]"}}
{{bp-d1|"[[Scavenger (G1)#1992yellow|Scavenger]]"}}
{{bp-d1|"[[Scrapper (G1)#1992yellow|Scrapper]]"}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:G1-toy Flash.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Turbomaster Flash]]
|}
{{-}}

==1993==
[[File:G1-toy-Ironfist.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Lightformer Ironfist]]
While Hasbro rolled out the new ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' toyline in the US, the European line continued under the original branding, with a slew of new all-new-mold toys with a variety of gimmicks… though curiously with the "Generation 2" Autobot and Decepticon symbols applied to them. (A popular [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers#Generation 2|rumor]] claims that this was due to the international licence for the original symbols having expired, which sounds highly dubious.) Some toys even got the "Autobot/Decepticon" text-stamp that was added to every ''Generation 2'' toy in the US.

On top of all these new molds, last year's Turbomasters, Predators, Rescue Force and Constructicons were still shipping to stores, making for quite a full assortment of toys for the final year of the original ''Transformers'' toyline globally. ''Salut!''

Many fans consider this year a sort of "Generation 1.5", further buoyed by the fact that all of the new molds got re-released in 1994 under the ''Generation 2'' branding in European markets.

Confirmed releases include:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK/S''': English/Spanish packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''I''': Italian packaging with alternate names}}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Axelerator]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Turbofire#Toys|Hotrider]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Rapido#Toys|Rapido]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Skram (G2)#Toys|Skram]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Windbreaker#Toys|Zap]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Skyscorcher]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Eagle Eye (G2)#Toys|Hawk]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Afterburner (G2)#Toys|Snipe]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Terradive (G2)#Toys|Terradive]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Windrazor (G2)#Toys|Tornado]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Aquaspeeder]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Aquafend#Toys|Aquafend]] (UK/S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Deluge (G1)#Toys|Deluge]] (UK/S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Jetstorm (G1)#Toys|Jetstorm]] (UK/S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Speedstream#Toys|Speedstream]] (UK/S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Stormtrooper (G1)|Stormtrooper]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Aquablast#Toys|Aquablast]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Drench (G1)#Toys|Drench]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Hydradread#Toys|Hydradread]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Rage (G1)#Toys|Rage]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:G2-toy Clench.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Obliterator Clench]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Lightformer]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Deftwing#Toys|Deftwing]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Ironfist (G1)#Toys|Ironfist]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Trakkon]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Calcar#Toys|Calcar]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Fearswoop (G1)#Toys|Fearswoop]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Obliterator]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Clench (G1)#Toys|Clench]] (UK/S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Pyro (G1)#Toys|Pyro]] (UK/S)}}
|}
{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1 toylines|European]]

The Transformers (European toyline)

2020-01-23T05:04:30Z

Kalyoth: /* 1985 */

{{nav-G1}}

Originally, European countries got the same '''''The Transformers''''' toys [[Hasbro]] had previously released in the USA, although different countries got different toys (with the occasional noticeable [[variant]]). Initially, numerous sub-contracted companies were responsible for releasing the toys in the individual European countries (which involved [[multilingual packaging|language variations]] on the [[packaging]]), but over time, they were either bought out by Hasbro or simply dropped in favor of a more and more unified European market.

After [[The Transformers (toyline)|the original ''The Transformers'' toyline]] ended in the US, the line continued in Europe until it was renamed into ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)#|Generation 2]]'' in 1994.
{{picsneeded|European-release toys in-package, GiG cars with ridiculous "bopper" missiles}}

==1984==
While ''The Transformers'' would not reach most of Europe until 1985, a number of the toys from the 1984 US line were also available in the UK the same year. Given that the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|Marvel UK comic]] launched in September '84 (complete with advertisements touting that the toys were "In the shops now!") it seems likely that they were on-sale by mid-summer at the latest, only a few months after the line's US launch.

Little is known about the earliest toys released in the UK. Common consensus is that they came in English-only packaging virtually indistinguishable from the US packaging. Recounts of which toys were and weren't available in the UK vary depending on who you ask. A surprising confirmed omission from the initial wave of 1984 toys is [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]], whose absence on the shelves was even noted in the letters page of the Marvel UK comic. Also of note is that the line's UK tag-line initially was "''Warrior'' Robots in Disguise", seen in the comic and on much of the early ancillary merchandise.

The assortment names used below are those seen in the leaflet which accompanied the 1984 range.

{{-}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Mini Cars'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Brawn (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Brawn]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Bumblebee]] (yellow/red)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Cliffjumper]] (red/yellow)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Gears (G1)#The Transformers|Gears]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Huffer (G1)#The Transformers|Huffer]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Windcharger (G1)#The Transformers|Windcharger]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Spy-Cassetes'''{{sic}}
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Ravage (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Ravage]] / [[Rumble (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Rumble]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Frenzy (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Frenzy]] / [[Laserbeak (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Laserbeak]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Robot Cars'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Toys|Bluestreak]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Hound (G1)/toys#Toys|Hound]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Jazz (G1)/toys#Toys|Jazz]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Mirage (G1)/toys#Toys|Mirage]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Ratchet (G1)/toys#Toys|Ratchet]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Toys|Sideswipe]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Cassete Man'''{{sic}}
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Toys|Soundwave]] / [[Buzzsaw (G1)/toys#Toys|Buzzsaw]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:G1sideswipe.jpg|200px|thumb|Robot Car Sideswipe]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Strike Planes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Toys|Skywarp]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Starscream (G1)/toys#Toys|Starscream]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Toys|Thundercracker]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Leader Truck'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|Optimus Prime]]}}
|}
{{note|Cliffjumper and Bumblebee were both available in red and yellow in 1984, and again in 1985, this time with rubsigns. Cliffjumper appears in yellow in the 1984 catalogue, but this was corrected for the following year's photos.}}

==1985==
The ''Transformers'' toy line officially started in most European countries in 1985. It should be noted, though, that various European companies had already released licensed versions of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''[[Diaclone]]'' and ''[[Microman]]'' toys domestically prior to that (''[[Trasformer]]'' by [[GiG]] in Italy; ''Diaclone'' by [[Joustra]] in France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands; Takara themselves released ''Diaclone'' in Finland). Some of the toys in those lines sported Hasbro-series changes, including color schemes and even Autobot symbols(!), as Takara was already shifting production of the toys from ''Diaclone'' to their own domestic release of ''Transformers''. But it wasn't until 1985 that ''Transformers'' toys were ''officially'' introduced to the various European markets under that name.

<big>'''United Kingdom'''</big>

All 1984 toys were still available in 1985, now with the addition of [[rubsign]]s. They were joined by the figures that had initially been omitted, namely the remaining Autobot cars and Megatron, who was reported by Hasbro to be available from around Easter. Alongside with a variation of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] that sported red instead of blue feet, Megatron was manufactured by French company Ceji as part of a deal with Hasbro, and the red-footed version of Optimus Prime was also released by [[Milton Bradley]] in mainland Europe (see below).<ref name="redfoot1">[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/eurous_frame.php?art=redfoot "Red Footed Optimus Prime"] at TF-1.com</ref><ref name="mbjoustra">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/mb-transformers-part-4/ "The MB & Joustra Connection"] at 20th Century Toy Collector</ref>

Oddly, numerous toys were left out of the UK range, never to see official release: notably [[Swoop (G1)#Toys|Swoop]], [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Toys|Shockwave]] and [[Blaster (G1)/toys#Toys|Blaster]]. The [[Constructicon (G1)#Toys|Constructicon]]s were also missing; in the early 90s they got a semi-official import release, and a de-combiner'ed [[redeco]] release (see "1992" below). Some of the non-Takara sculpts were likely dropped due to licensing arrangements ([[Omega Supreme (G1)#Toys|Omega Supreme]], for example, was available as part of the competing Grandstand ''Convertors'' line around this time as "Omegatron"). Due to his absence from the 1985 Hasbro [[catalog]], [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Toys|Jetfire]] has long been believed to have been held over until the 1986 range, but he was featured in the Autumn 1985 Argos catalog.<ref name="argos85">[http://issuu.com/retromash/docs/argos-no24-1985-autumn Fall 1985 Argos catalog] at Issuu.com.</ref>)

{{-}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Mini-Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Beachcomber (G1)#Toys|Beachcomber]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Cosmos (G1)#Toys|Cosmos]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Powerglide (G1)#Toys|Powerglide]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Seaspray (G1)#Toys|Seaspray]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Warpath (G1)#Toys|Warpath]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Insecticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bombshell (G1)#Toys|Bombshell]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Kickback (G1)#Toys|Kickback]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Shrapnel (G1)#Toys|Shrapnel]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Robot Cars'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Grapple (G1)#Toys|Grapple]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hoist (G1)#Toys|Hoist]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Inferno (G1)#Toys|Inferno]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Toys|Ironhide]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Prowl (G1)/toys#Toys|Prowl]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Red Alert (G1)#Toys|Red Alert]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Skids (G1)#Toys|Skids]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Smokescreen (G1)#Toys|Smokescreen]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Sunstreaker]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tracks (G1)#Toys|Tracks]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Trailbreaker]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Toys|Wheeljack]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:G1Megatron toy.jpg|200px|thumb|Megatron, imported by Ceji]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Jumpstarters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Topspin (G1)#Toys|Topspin]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Twin Twist#Toys|Twin Twist]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Dinobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Toys|Grimlock]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Slag (G1)#Toys|Slag]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sludge (G1)#Toys|Sludge]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Snarl (G1)#Toys|Snarl]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Strike Planes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Dirge (G1)/toys#Toys|Dirge]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Ramjet (G1)/toys#Toys|Ramjet]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Thrust (G1)/toys#Toys|Thrust]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Megatron (G1)/toys#Toys|Megatron]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Jetfire'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Toys|Jetfire]]}}
|}
{{-}}

<big>'''Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain'''</big>

The earliest toys released in continental Europe (minus Italy) were distributed by [[Milton Bradley]], which was in the process of being taken over by Hasbro at that point. There's no solid evidence that all the MB toys were available in all these countries, but the packaging is sporting German, French, Dutch and Spanish text. Therefore, MB covered the markets where Joustra's ''Diaclone'' toys were previously available, with the addition of Spain. The first wave of MB-branded toys was a rather odd selection, a result of Joustra holding the rights to many of the remaining toys, among them [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|Optimus Prime]]. As a consequence, [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Toys|Jetfire]] was initially marketed as Autobot leader. Following a deal between Hasbro Bradley and Joustra's struggling parent company Ceji, a large amount of unsold Joustra toys were ''literally'' repackaged and released as the second wave of MB ''Transformers''.<ref name="mbjoustra"/>

Of Special Note: the tech specs feature inconsistencies for the Dutch (Functie / Funktie) & Spanish (Función / Cometido) across the line. The usage appears to be figure consistent, meaning you will only see use of one or the other within the line.

{{-}}
:'''Wave 1'''
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Mini Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Beachcomber (G1)#Toys|Beachcomber]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Cosmos (G1)#Toys|Cosmos]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Powerglide (G1)#Toys|Powerglide]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Seaspray (G1)#Toys|Seaspray]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Warpath (G1)#Toys|Warpath]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Constructicons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bonecrusher (G1)#Toys|Bonecrusher]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Hook (G1)#Toys|Hook]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Long Haul (G1)#Toys|Long Haul]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Mixmaster (G1)#Toys|Mixmaster]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scavenger (G1)#Toys|Scavenger]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scrapper (G1)#Toys|Scrapper]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Insecticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bombshell (G1)#Toys|Bombshell]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Kickback (G1)#Toys|Kickback]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Shrapnel (G1)#Toys|Shrapnel]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Jumpstarters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Topspin (G1)#Toys|Topspin]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Twin Twist#Toys|Twin Twist]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:Jetfireg1toy.jpg|200px|thumb|Jetfire, the new Autobot leader]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Triple Changers'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Astrotrain (G1)/toys#Toys|Astrotrain]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Blitzwing (G1)/toys#Toys|Blitzwing]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Dinobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Toys|Grimlock]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Slag (G1)#Toys|Slag]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sludge (G1)#Toys|Sludge]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Snarl (G1)#Toys|Snarl]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Deluxe Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Roadbuster (G1)#Toys|Roadbuster]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Whirl (G1)#Toys|Whirl]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Deluxe Insecticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Barrage (Insecticon)#Toys|Barrage]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Chop Shop (G1)#Toys|Chop Shop]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Ransack (G1)#Toys|Ransack]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Venom (G1)#Toys|Venom]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Communicator'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Toys|Soundwave]] and Condor Cassette: [[Buzzsaw (G1)/toys#Toys|Buzzsaw]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Communicator'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blaster (G1)/toys#Toys|Blaster]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Aeroplanes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Dirge (G1)/toys#Toys|Dirge]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Ramjet (G1)/toys#Toys|Ramjet]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Thrust (G1)/toys#Toys|Thrust]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Megatron (G1)/toys#Toys|Megatron]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Laser Gun'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Toys|Shockwave]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Toys|Jetfire]]}}
|}
{{Note|[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] is listed under his own number in the MB dealer catalog, but thus far, no evidence of an MB Devastator [[giftset]] has surfaced.}}

{{-}}
:'''Wave 2'''
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Mini Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Brawn (G1)#Toys|Brawn]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Gears (G1)#Toys|Gears]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Huffer (G1)#Toys|Huffer]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Windcharger (G1)#Toys|Windcharger]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Cassettes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Laserbeak (G1)/toys#Toys|Laserbeak]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Ravage (G1)/toys#Toys|Ravage]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Robot Cars'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Jazz (G1)/toys#Toys|Jazz]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Mirage (G1)#Toys|Mirage]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Prowl (G1)/toys#Toys|Prowl]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Ratchet (G1)/toys#Toys|Ratchet]]}}
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|"Sideswipe" (actually [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Sunstreaker]])}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tracks (G1)/toys#Toys|Tracks]] (red)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Trailbreaker]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Toys|Wheeljack]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:G1toy optimus prime variants and running changes.jpg|thumb|200px|Optimus Prime Ceji variant]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Planes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Starscream (G1)/toys#Toys|Starscream]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Toys|Thundercracker]] (in Starscream packaging)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Commander'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|Optimus Prime]]}}
|}

{{-}}
<big>'''Italy'''</big>

[[GiG]] ("Geegh", but sometimes misspelled "GiGi") originally released licensed ''Diaclone'' toys under the name "[[Trasformer]]", occasionally sporting color schemes only found on Hasbro's Transformers versions (very likely because Takara was shifting production of the toys from ''Diaclone'' to ''Transformers'' at the time). Whether it was pressure from Hasbro or a mere marketing decision, GiG eventually acquired an additional license from Hasbro and launched their own version of the ''Transformers'' line, with the toys often sporting original Italian names (for example, the Autobots became "Autorobots", and the Decepticons "Distructors").<ref name="chicken">[http://tfsource.com/blog/the-chicken-or-the-gig-part-1/ "The Chicken or the Gig?", Part 1] and [http://tfsource.com/blog/the-chicken-or-the-gig-part-2/ Part 2] at TFSource</ref> In addition to the official ''Transformers'' logo, a small remainder of the old ''Trasformer'' logo would remain on the packaging until 1987.

Speaking of ''Trasformer'' remnants, the "Autorobot Cars" and the "Distructor Planes" all sported unique "safety" missiles with large rubber boppers on the end instead of the individual missiles the versions released everywhere else had.

The [[Mini Vehicle|Autobot Minicars/Mini Vehicles]] were apparently never released by GiG. The Italian names for their characters come from the Italian dub of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|animated series]].

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Escavators'''' (Constructicons)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Braccio ([[Scavenger (G1)#Toys|Scavenger]])}}
{{bp-d1|Macigno ([[Long Haul (G1)#Toys|Long Haul]])}}
{{bp-d1|Ringhio ([[Scrapper (G1)#Toys|Scrapper]])}}
{{bp-d1|Rollo ([[Mixmaster (G1)#Toys|Mixmaster]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{bp-d1|Rostro ([[Hook (G1)#Toys|Hook]])}}
{{bp-d1|Scudo ([[Bonecrusher (G1)#Toys|Bonecrusher]])}}
{{bp-d1|[[Devastator (G1)#Toys|Devastator]] (giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autorobot Cars'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Canguro ([[Hound (G1)/toys#Toys|Hound]])}}
{{bp-a1|Freccia ([[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Toys|Sideswipe]])}}
{{bp-a1|Gancio ([[Grapple (G1)#Toys|Grapple]])}}
{{bp-a1|Giaguaro/Alert ([[Red Alert (G1)/toys#Toys|Red Alert]])}}
{{bp-a1|[[Inferno (G1)/toys#Toys|Inferno]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{bp-a1|Lince ([[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Sunstreaker]])}}
{{bp-a1|Mistero ([[Mirage (G1)/toys#Toys|Mirage]], "Ligier" markings)}}
{{bp-a1|Saetta ([[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Toys|Wheeljack]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tigre ([[Jazz (G1)/toys#Toys|Jazz]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Distructor Triple Changers'''
{{bp-d1|Triplex Uno ([[Astrotrain (G1)/toys#Toys|Astrotrain]])}}
{{bp-d1|Triplex Due ([[Blitzwing (G1)/toys#Toys|Blitzwing]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Dinorobots''' (Dinobots)
{{bp-a1|Bronto ([[Sludge (G1)#Toys|Sludge]])}}
{{bp-a1|Reptilo ([[Swoop (G1)#Toys|Swoop]])}}
{{bp-a1|Stego ([[Snarl (G1)#Toys|Snarl]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tiran ([[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Toys|Grimlock]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tricex ([[Slag (G1)#Toys|Slag]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Distructor Planes'''
{{bp-d1|Astrum ([[Starscream (G1)/toys#Toys|Starscream]])}}
{{bp-d1|Corvo ([[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Toys|Skywarp]])}}
{{bp-d1|Vampiro ([[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Toys|Thundercracker]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autorobot Leader'''
{{bp-a1|Commander ([[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]], has plastic variant)}}
|}
{{picsneeded|Autobot with the big hilarious bopper missile}}
{{-}}

==1986==
<big>'''UK, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain'''</big>

Presumably, ''Transformers'' didn't sell well in Germany in 1985, as German was dropped as a language from the packaging until ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)| Generation 2]]''. Instead, Hasbro (who had finished taking over MB) consolidated the UK market with the rest of Europe (except for Italy, again). The 1986 releases that were now available in packaging with "Hasbro" rather than "MB" logos sported the four languages English, French, Dutch and Spanish (the order between English and French could occasionally be swapped).

Confirmed European Hasbro releases from 1986 are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Mini-Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Toys|Bumblebee]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hubcap (G1)#Toys|Hubcap]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Outback (G1)#Toys|Outback]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Pipes (G1)#Toys|Pipes]] (inc. "Puffer" variant)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Swerve (G1)#Toys|Swerve]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wheelie (G1)#Toys|Wheelie]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Aerialbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Air Raid (G1)#Toys|Air Raid]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Fireflight (G1)#Toys|Fireflight]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Silverbolt (G1)#Toys|Silverbolt]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Toys|Skydive]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Slingshot (G1)#Toys|Slingshot]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Protectobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blades (G1)#Toys|Blades]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[First Aid (G1)#Toys|First Aid]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Groove (G1)#Toys|Groove]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Spot (G1)#Toys|Hot Spot]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Streetwise (G1)#Toys|Streetwise]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Constructicons''' (yellow)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bonecrusher (G1)#Toys|Bonecrusher]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Hook (G1)#Toys|Hook]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Long Haul (G1)#Toys|Long Haul]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Mixmaster (G1)#Toys|Mixmaster]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scavenger (G1)#Toys|Scavenger]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scrapper (G1)#Toys|Scrapper]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=4|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Stunticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Breakdown (G1)#Toys|Breakdown]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Dead End (G1)#Toys|Dead End]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Drag Strip (G1)#Toys|Drag Strip]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Motormaster (G1)#Toys|Motormaster]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Wildrider (G1)#Toys|Wildrider]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Combaticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Blast Off (G1)#Toys|Blast Off]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Brawl (G1)#Toys|Brawl]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Onslaught (G1)#Toys|Onslaught]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Swindle (G1)#Toys|Swindle]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Vortex (G1)#Toys|Vortex]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Battlespringers''' (Battlechargers)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Runabout (G1)#Toys|Runabout]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Runamuck (G1)#Toys|Runamuck]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Triple Changers'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Broadside (G1)#Toys|Broadside]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Octane#Toys|Octane]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sandstorm (G1)#Toys|Sandstorm]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Springer (G1)/toys#Toys|Springer]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Vehicles''' (Autobot Cars)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blurr (G1)/toys#Toys|Blurr]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Grapple (G1)#Toys|Grapple]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hoist (G1)/toys#Toys|Hoist]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Hot Rod]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hound (G1)/toys#Toys|Hound]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Inferno (G1)/toys#Toys|Inferno]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Kup (G1)/toys#Toys|Kup]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Red Alert (G1)/toys#Toys|Red Alert]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Toys|Sideswipe]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Smokescreen (G1)/toys#Toys|Smokescreen]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Trailbreaker]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tracks (G1)/toys#Toys|Tracks]] (now blue)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Planes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Cyclonus (G1)/toys#Toys|Cyclonus]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scourge (G1)/toys#Toys|Scourge]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot City'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Metroplex (G1)#Toys|Metroplex]]}}

|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Communicator'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Toys|Soundwave]] and Condor Cassette: [[Buzzsaw (G1)/toys#Toys|Buzzsaw]]}}
|

|}

{{note|An instruction sheet for Scourge exists sporting the languages French, English, Dutch and Spanish. No packaged sample has surfaced thus far.}}

{{-}}
<big>'''Italy'''</big>

[[GiG]] was still doing their own thing at this point, with a bit of mix of Hasbro and Takara-style packaging. Notably, GiG's versions of the Aeriabolts, Protectobots, Stunticons and Combaticons came in boxes based on the Takara versions (including prominent "C" and "D" numbers and "Takara" instead of "Hasbro" logos), just like the previous year's Constructicons. This only applied to the combiner limbs, though; the leaders/torsos came in boxes based on the Hasbro versions, including "A5", "P5", "S5" and "D5" numbers.

Known Italian releases of 1986 toys are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Aerialbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Log ([[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Toys|Skydive]])}}
{{bp-a1|Optor ([[Fireflight (G1)#Toys|Fireflight]])}}
{{bp-a1|Radiant ([[Silverbolt (G1)#Toys|Silverbolt]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tornado ([[Air Raid (G1)#Toys|Air Raid]])}}
{{bp-a1|Vertic ([[Slingshot (G1)#Toys|Slingshot]])}}
{{bp-a1|Pentajet ([[Superion (G1)#Toys|Superion]] giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Protectobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Chips ([[Groove (G1)#Toys|Groove]])}}
{{bp-a1|Drago ([[Hot Spot (G1)#Toys|Hot Spot]])}}
{{bp-a1|Phantom ([[Streetwise (G1)#Toys|Streetwise]])}}
{{bp-a1|Rasor ([[Blades (G1)#Toys|Blades]])}}
{{bp-a1|Sirena ([[First Aid (G1)#Toys|First Aid]])}}
{{bp-a1|[[Defensor (G1)#Toys|Defensor]] (giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Stunticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Barracuda ([[Motormaster (G1)#Toys|Motormaster]])}}
{{bp-d1|Caimano ([[Breakdown (G1)#Toys|Breakdown]])}}
{{bp-d1|Cobra ([[Dead End (G1)#Toys|Dead End]])}}
{{bp-d1|Iguana ([[Drag Strip (G1)#Toys|Drag Strip]])}}
{{bp-d1|Squalo ([[Wildrider (G1)#Toys|Wildrider]])}}
{{bp-d1|Pentacar ([[Menasor (G1)#Toys|Menasor]] giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Combaticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Bomber ([[Brawl (G1)#Toys|Brawl]])}}
{{bp-d1|Crasher ([[Swindle (G1)#Toys|Swindle]])}}
{{bp-d1|Destroyer ([[Onslaught (G1)#Toys|Onslaught]])}}
{{bp-d1|Exploder ([[Blast Off (G1)#Toys|Blast Off]])}}
{{bp-d1|[[Vortex (G1)#Toys|Vortex]]}}
{{bp-d1|Multiforce ([[Bruticus (G1)#Toys|Bruticus]] giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:Superion toy.jpg|thumb|200px|Pentajet]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Predacons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Falcon ([[Divebomb (G1)#Toys|Divebomb]])}}
{{bp-d1|Felin ([[Rampage (G1)#Toys|Rampage]])}}
{{bp-d1|Rinox ([[Headstrong (G1)#Toys|Headstrong]])}}
{{bp-d1|Torox ([[Tantrum (G1)#Toys|Tantrum]])}}
{{bp-d1|Zannar ([[Razorclaw (G1)#Toys|Razorclaw]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Distructor Planes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Ciclone ([[Cyclonus (G1)#Toys|Cyclonus]])}}
{{bp-d1|Sheriff ([[Scourge (G1)#Toys|Scourge]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autorobot City Commander'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Convoy ([[Ultra Magnus (G1)#Toys|Ultra Magnus]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autorobot City'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Guardian ([[Metroplex (G1)#Toys|Metroplex]])}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Distructor City'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Tripticon ([[Trypticon (G1)#Toys|Trypticon]])}}
|}

{{-}}
<big>'''Greece'''</big>

[[El Greco]] released a small number of ''Transformers'' toys to the Greek market. The Autobots were called Αυτορομπότ (Autorobots). The only known El Greco releases include seven Autobot Mini-Vehicles (which all have minor coloration differences) and two combiner giftsets. The cards the toys were available on were based on the Hasbro cards and sported Hasbro logos in addition to the "El Greco" logo.

It's not entirely clear when exactly the following toys were first available in Greece; however, they couldn't have been released before 1986, since they depict the "[[Decipher the Decepticon]]" poster artwork on the back of their cards.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Heroic''' (Autobot Mini Vehicles)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Akhtipitos ([[Warpath (G1)/toys#Toys|Warpath]])}}
{{bp-a1|Agelioforos ([[Beachcomber (G1)#Toys|Beachcomber]])}}
{{bp-a1|Egefalos ([[Brawn (G1)/toys#Toys|Βrawn]])}}
{{bp-a1|Gigantas ([[Huffer (G1)#Toys|Huffer]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{bp-a1|Keravnos ([[Powerglide (G1)/toys#Toys|Powerglide]])}}
{{bp-a1|Kiriarkhos ([[Cosmos (G1)#Toys|Cosmos]])}}
{{bp-a1|Thalassolikos ([[Seaspray (G1)#Toys|Seaspray]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Giftsets'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Defensor (G1)#Toys|Defensor]]}}
{{bp-d1|Excavator ([[Devastator (G1)#Toys|Devastator]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
</ul>

==1987==
<big>'''UK, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium'''</big>

Apparently realizing that tech specs in four different languages aren't exactly the optimal choice, Hasbro started breaking up the languages again. The UK got toys in English-only packaging, whereas France, Belgium, and the Netherlands got toys in bilingual French/Dutch packaging. Germany only got the English versions with safety warning stickers in German. Presumably, all toys were available in all language variants, but without solid evidence, this is pure speculation.
Known European toys from 1987 in French/Dutch packaging are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Technobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Afterburner (G1)#Toys|Afterburner]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)#Toys|Lightspeed]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Nosecone (G1)#Toys|Nosecone]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Scattershot (G1)#Toys|Scattershot]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Strafe (G1)#Toys|Strafe]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Computron (G1)#Toys|Computron]] (giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Duocons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Battletrap#Toys|Battletrap]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Flywheels#Toys|Flywheels]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Headmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Brainstorm (G1)#Toys|Brainstorm]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Chromedome (G1)#Toys|Chromedome]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hardhead (G1)#Toys|Hardhead]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Highbrow (G1)#Toys|Highbrow]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Targetmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blurr (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Blurr]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Crosshairs (G1)#Toys|Crosshairs]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Hot Rod]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Kup (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Kup]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Pointblank#Toys|Pointblank]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sureshot (G1)#Toys|Sureshot]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:G1 Galvatron toy.jpg|thumb|200px|Galvatron]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Headmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Apeface#Toys|Apeface]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Mindwipe (G1)#Toys|Mindwipe]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scorponok (G1)/toys#Toys|Scorponok]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Skullcruncher (G1)#Toys|Skullcruncher]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Snapdragon (G1)#Toys|Snapdragon]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Weirdwolf (G1)#Toys|Weirdwolf]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Targetmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Cyclonus (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Cyclonus]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Misfire (G1)#Toys|Misfire]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scourge (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Scourge]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Slugslinger (G1)#Toys|Slugslinger]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Triggerhappy (G1)#Toys|Triggerhappy]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#G1RodimusPrime|Rodimus Prime]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot City Commander'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Ultra_Magnus_(G1)/toys#Toys|Ultra Magnus]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon City Commander'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Galvatron (G1)/toys#Toys|Galvatron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Space Shuttle'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Sky Lynx (G1)#Toys|Sky Lynx]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon City'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Trypticon (G1)#Toys|Trypticon]]}}
|}
{{Note|An instruction sheet for Galvatron exists which only sports the languages French and Dutch. It is therefore assumed that he was available later than Scourge, whose instruction sheet still sported texts in English and Spanish as well.}}

{{-}}
<big>'''Italy'''</big>

[[GiG]] continued to have their own slightly-different take on ''Transformers'', mainly in packaging; the "Racerbots" (Throttlebots), "Tecnobots" and "Terrorbots" (it should be obvious) came in Takara-styled boxes complete with Japanese ID numbers. "Tundertron" (Abominus) was available as a giftset even though Hasbro hadn't released the toys in that form in the USA; the box layout was again based very closely on the standard Hasbro combiner giftsets at that time, but lacking the Hasbro logo, and sporting the toys' Takara ID numbers. The Monsterbots' boxes were based on the Hasbro versions, but sported "Takara" instead of "Hasbro" logos and Takara ID numbers.

Known Italian toys from 1987 are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Racerbots''' (Throttlebots)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Rollerbot ([[Wideload (G1)#Toys|Wideload]])}}
{{bp-a1|Saterbot ([[Freeway (G1)#Toys|Freeway]])}}
{{bp-a1|Scoutbot ([[Chase (G1)#Toys|Chase]])}}
{{bp-a1|Strobobot ([[Searchlight (G1)#Toys|Searchlight]])}}
{{bp-a1|Trollbot ([[Rollbar (G1)#Toys|Rollbar]])}}
{{bp-a1|Wagenbot ([[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Goldbug|Goldbug]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Tecnobots''' (Technobots)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Argobot ([[Nosecone (G1)#Toys|Nosecone]])}}
{{bp-a1|Radarbot ([[Afterburner (G1)#Toys|Afterburner]])}}
{{bp-a1|Rocketbot ([[Strafe (G1)#Toys|Strafe]])}}
{{bp-a1|Scatterbot ([[Scattershot (G1)#Toys|Scattershot]])}}
{{bp-a1|Starbot ([[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)#Toys|Lightspeed]])}}
{{bp-a1|[[Computron (G1)#Toys|Computron]] (giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Terrorbots''' (Terrorcons)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Battlebot ([[Rippersnapper (G1)#Toys|Rippersnapper]])}}
{{bp-d1|Bifronbot ([[Sinnertwin (G1)#Toys|Sinnertwin]])}}
{{bp-d1|Crudelbot ([[Cutthroat (G1)#Toys|Cutthroat]])}}
{{bp-d1|Grifobot ([[Hun-Gurrr (G1)#Toys|Hun-Gurrr]])}}
{{bp-d1|Spectrobot ([[Blot (G1)#Toys|Blot]])}}
{{bp-d1|Tundertron ([[Abominus (G1)#Toys|Abominus]] giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Duoform''' (Clones)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Booster/Gemini ([[Fastlane#Toys|Fastlane]]/[[Cloudraker (G1)#Toys|Cloudraker]])}}
{{bp-d1|Roboclon/Rapax ([[Pounce#Toys|Pounce]]/[[Wingspan#Toys|Wingspan]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autorobot Headmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Blindobot ([[Hardhead (G1)#Toys|Hardhead]])}}
{{bp-a1|Cruiserbot ([[Highbrow (G1)#Toys|Highbrow]])}}
{{bp-a1|Duobot ([[Chromedome (G1)#Toys|Chromedome]])}}
{{bp-a1|Goblin ([[Brainstorm (G1)#Toys|Brainstorm]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Monsterbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Drekbot ([[Doublecross#Toys|Doublecross]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tigerbot ([[Grotusque#Toys|Grotusque]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Distructor Headmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Tagor ([[Apeface#Toys|Apeface]])}}
{{bp-d1|Tifon ([[Snapdragon (G1)#Toys|Snapdragon]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Sixchanger'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Iperbot Sei Azioni ([[Sixshot#Toys|Sixshot]])}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Citybot'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Scorpion ([[Scorponok (G1)/toys#Toys|Scorponok]])}}
|}
{{-}}

==1988==
<big>'''UK, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium'''</big>

Toys were still available in English-only and French/Dutch packaging. The UK toys started sporting a yellow "Original HASBRO Transformers" sticker on their packaging, possibly as a reaction to the sudden flood of Mexican toys (although those didn't come out in Europe until late 1988/early 1989). This sticker is also the only way to tell a European toy in English packaging apart from its US counterpart, as the packaging itself appears to be identical. 1988 toys were available in Germany in English-only packaging including the "Original HASBRO Transformers" sticker, with additional safety warning stickers in German.

Known European toys from 1988 are (all of the toys on this list have been found in both English stickered packaging and French/Dutch packaging):

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Sparkabots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Fizzle#Toys|Fizzle]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Guzzle (G1)#Toys|Guzzle]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sizzle (G1)#Toys|Sizzle]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Firecons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Cindersaur (G1)#Toys|Cindersaur]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Flamefeather (G1)#Toys|Flamefeather]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Sparkstalker#Toys|Sparkstalker]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Triggerbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Backstreet (G1)#Toys|Backstreet]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Dogfight (G1)#Toys|Dogfight]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Override (G1)#Toys|Override]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Triggercons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Windsweeper#Toys|Windsweeper]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Ruckus (G1)#Toys|Ruckus]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Crankcase (G1)#Toys|Crankcase]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Seacons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Overbite (G1)#Toys|Overbite]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Nautilator#Toys|Nautilator]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Seawing (G1)#Toys|Seawing]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Skalor#Toys|Skalor]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Snaptrap (G1)#Toys|Snaptrap]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Tentakil (G1)#Toys|Tentakil]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Double Targetmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Landfill (G1)#Toys|Landfill]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Needlenose (G1)#Toys|Needlenose]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Quake (G1)#Toys|Quake]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Quickmix (G1)#Toys|Quickmix]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Scoop (G1)#Toys|Scoop]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Spinister (G1)#Toys|Spinister]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Powermasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Darkwing (G1)#Toys|Darkwing]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Doubledealer#Toys|Doubledealer]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Dreadwind (G1)#Toys|Dreadwind]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Getaway#Toys|Getaway]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Joyride (G1)#Toys|Joyride]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|Optimus Prime]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Slapdash (G1)#Toys|Slapdash]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Six Changer'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Quickswitch#Toys|Quickswitch]]}}
|}
{{-}}
<big>'''Italy'''</big>

Starting with the Pretenders, [[GiG]] finally dropped the small remainder of the old ''Trasformer'' logo from their packaging. The most interesting releases this year are the "Grandi Set Transformers" (also called "Superset Transformers" in the 1988 Christmas catalog), re-releases of the prior Combiner giftsets with a pack of five random "Exogini Transformers" ([[Decoy]]s) as a freebie.

Known Italian releases from 1988 are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Triggerbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Bitume ([[Backstreet (G1)#Toys|Backstreet]])}}
{{bp-a1|Furio ([[Override (G1)#Toys|Override]])}}
{{bp-a1|Orage ([[Dogfight (G1)#Toys|Dogfight]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Triggercons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|4x4 ([[Crankcase (G1)#Toys|Crankcase]])}}
{{bp-d1|Rafale ([[Windsweeper#Toys|Windsweeper]])}}
{{bp-d1|Rallye ([[Ruckus (G1)#Toys|Ruckus]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Pretenders Autorobot'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Falcon ([[Waverider#Toys|Waverider]])}}
{{bp-a1|Febos ([[Landmine (G1)#Toys|Landmine]])}}
{{bp-a1|Felin ([[Groundbreaker#Toys|Groundbreaker]])}}
{{bp-a1|Rotor ([[Sky High (Pretender)#Toys|Sky High]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Squalos (Splashdown)}}
{{bp-a1|Super Commander (Cloudburst)}}
{{bp-a1|Ursus (Chainclaw)}}
{{bp-a1|Zanna (Catilla)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Pretenders Distructor'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Ghigno (Carnivac)}}
{{bp-d1|Insector (Bugly)}}
{{bp-d1|Korno (Skullgrin)}}
{{bp-d1|Lobos (Bomb-Burst)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Razzak (Finback)}}
{{bp-d1|Reptilo (Submarauder)}}
{{bp-d1|Squamos (Iguanus)}}
{{bp-d1|Verros (Snarler)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Grandi Set/Superset Transformers'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Computron}}
{{bp-a1|Defensor}}
{{bp-d1|Devastator}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Multiforce (Bruticus)}}
{{bp-a1|Pentajet (Superion)}}
{{bp-d1|Tundertron (Abominus)}}
|}

==1989==
<big>'''UK, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain'''</big>

In 1989, all releases received French names, but not Dutch names. Spain started getting toys in Spanish-only packaging (which are not to be confused with the unofficially imported Mexican toys by [[IGA]]). The smaller Pretenders, the Classic Pretenders, the Micromaster Stations and the Micromaster Transports were once again available in Germany in English packaging.

Confirmed releases include:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK''': English packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''S''': Spanish packaging}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Small Pretenders'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bludgeon (G1)#Toys|Bludgeon]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Doubleheader#Toys|Doubleheader]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Longtooth#Toys|Longtooth]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Octopunch (G1)#Toys|Octopunch]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Pincher (G1)#Toys|Pincher]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Stranglehold#Toys|Stranglehold]] (UK, F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Patrols'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Air Strike Patrol#Toys|Air Strike Patrol]] (F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Battle Patrol#Toys|Battle Patrol]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Off Road Patrol#Toys|Off-Road Patrol]] (F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Race Car Patrol#Toys|Race Car Patrol]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Rescue Patrol (G1)#Toys|Rescue Patrol]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Sports Car Patrol#Toys|Sports Car Patrol]] (F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Transports'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Erector (G1)#Toys|Erector]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Flattop (Decepticon)#Toys|Flattop]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Overload (G1)#Toys|Overload]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Roughstuff#Toys|Roughstuff]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Bases'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Groundshaker#Toys|Groundshaker]] (F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Skyhopper#Toys|Skyhopper]] (F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{-}}
<big>'''Italy'''</big>

Known Italian toys from 1989 are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Pretender Monsters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Artiglio ([[Slog (G1)#Toys|Slog]])}}
{{bp-d1|Avvoltoio ([[Birdbrain#Toys|Birdbrain]])}}
{{bp-d1|Pipistrello ([[Icepick (G1)#Toys|Icepick]])}}
{{bp-d1|Raptor ([[Scowl (G1)#Toys|Scowl]])}}
{{bp-d1|Spettro ([[Bristleback#Toys|Bristleback]])}}
{{bp-d1|Vampiro ([[Wildfly#Toys|Wildfly]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Small Pretenders'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Tenax ([[Pincher (G1)#Toys|Pincher]])}}
{{bp-a1|Ferox ([[Longtooth#Toys|Longtooth]])}}
{{bp-a1|Biclonius ([[Doubleheader#Toys|Doubleheader]])}}
{{bp-d1|Demon ([[Stranglehold#Toys|Stranglehold]])}}
{{bp-d1|Medusa ([[Octopunch (G1)#Toys|Octopunch]])}}
{{bp-d1|Teskior ([[Bludgeon (G1)#Toys|Bludgeon]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Microtransformers Pattuglias''' (Micromaster Patrols)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Expeditors ([[Off Road Patrol#Toys|Off Road Patrol]])}}
{{bp-d1|Interceptors ([[Air Strike Patrol#Toys|Air Strike Patrol]])}}
{{bp-a1|Pattuglia Soccorso ([[Battle Patrol#Toys|Battle Patrol]])}}
{{bp-d1|Pattuglia Guastatori ([[Sports Car Patrol#Toys|Sports Car Patrol]])}}
{{bp-a1|Sprintforce ([[Race Car Patrol#Toys|Race Car Patrol]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Microtransformers Deluxes''' (Micromaster Transports)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Tornado ([[Roughstuff#Toys|Roughstuff]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tractor ([[Erector (G1)#Toys|Erector]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Microtrasformer{{sic}} Stations''' (Micromaster Stations)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Argon ([[Hot House#Toys|Hot House]])}}
{{bp-d1|Assalt ([[Greasepit (G1)#Toys|Greasepit]])}}
{{bp-d1|Lancer ([[Airwave (G1)#Toys|Airwave]])}}
{{bp-a1|Radar ([[Ironworks (Micromaster)#Toys|Ironworks]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Microtransformer Bases''' (Micromaster Bases)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Rotor ([[Skyhopper#Toys|Skyhopper]])}}
{{bp-a1|Titano ([[Groundshaker#Toys|Groundshaker]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Set Commandos''' (Classic Legends)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1d1|Saetta / Folgore / Drago / Tornado ([[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Hero Set|Bumblebee]], [[Jazz (G1)/toys#HeroSet|Jazz]], [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#HeroSet|Grimlock]] & [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Heroset|Starscream]] (respectively) set)}}
|}
{{-}}

<big>'''Unofficial Mexican imports'''</big>

In addition to the regular toys released by Hasbro and GiG, [http://www.tfarchive.com/toys/articles/mexican_invasion.php Europe was also hit by a flood of Transformers toys imported from Mexico]. While these toys had been officially produced by [[IGA]] with the intention to release them on the Mexican market, a large unsold stock remained that was eventually exported to Europe without Hasbro's involvement. The toys were available in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Romania, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. This created a strange situation where unofficially imported (but officially produced) toys competed with official European releases. These toys are considered official for Mexico but unofficial for Europe.

==1990==
By 1990, Hasbro had mostly streamlined their European markets. Presumably, all toys that came out in one country were also available everywhere else. Even the Italian releases now sported a uniform look with the toys that were available elsewhere in Europe (even though they still sported a "[[GiG]]" logo and Italian names), with one exception. Also, with Hasbro cancelling the ''Transformers'' line in the USA for the time being, the European Hasbro branches continued releasing new toys which the USA would never get. By this time, [[Australia]] also was receiving releases, re-releases and exclusives in a pattern similar (if not exactly the same) to that of the European market; this would continue at least as far as ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]''.

Presumably, Germany got the UK versions of the 1990 [[Action Master]]s in English-only packaging. Also, GiG gave at least some of the Action Masters toys that were based on older characters the original Italian names again.

Confirmed releases include:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK''': English packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''S''': Spanish packaging, '''I''': Italian packaging with alternate names}}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Patrols'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Air Patrol#Toys|Air Patrol]] (S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Construction Patrol#Toys|Construction Patrol]] (S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Rod Patrol#Toys|Hot Rod Patrol]] (F/NL, S, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Military Patrol#Toys|Military Patrol]] (F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Monster Truck Patrol#Toys|Monster Trucks Patrol]] (UK, F/NL, S, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Race Track Patrol#Toys|Race Track Patrol]] (S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Combiner Squads'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Astro Squad#Toys|Astro Squad]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Battle Squad#Toys|Battle Squad]] (I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Constructor Squad#Toys|Constructor Squad]] (UK, S, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Metro Squad#Toys|Metro Squad]] (I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Combiner Transports'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Cannon Transport#Toys|Cannon Transport]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Missile Launcher#Toys|Missile Launcher]] (S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tanker Truck#Toys|Tanker Truck]] (UK, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Combiner Autobot Battlefield Headquarters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Battlefield Headquarters#Toys|Battlefield Headquarters]] (S, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:G1-toy CannonTransport.jpg|thumb|200px|Cannon Transport]][[File:G1 Overrun toy.jpg|thumb|200px|Attack Copter with Over-Run]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Action Master Figures'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blaster (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Blaster]] with [[Flight Pack]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Bumblebee]] with [[Heli-pack]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Devastator (G1)#ActionMaster|Devastator]] with [[Scorpulator#Toys|Scorpulator]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Grimlock]] with [[Anti-tank cannon]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Jackpot (G1)#Toys|Jackpot]] with [[Sights (G1)#Toys|Sights]] (I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Jazz (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Jazz]] with [[Turbo Board]] (I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Mainframe (G1)#Toys|Mainframe]] with [[Push-Button#Toys|Push-Button]] (I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Rad (G1)#Toys|Rad]] with [[Lionizer (G1)#Toys|Lionizer]] (I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Rollout (G1)#Toys|Rollout]] with [[Glitch (G1)#Toys|Glitch]] (I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Shockwave (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Shockwave]] with [[Fistfight (G1)#Toys|Fistfight]] (UK)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Soundwave (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Soundwave]] with [[Wingthing (G1)#Toys|Wingthing]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Snarl (G1)#ActionMaster|Snarl]] with [[Tyrannitron#Toys|Tyrannitron]] (UK)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Treadshot (G1)#Toys|Treadshot]] with [[Catgut#Toys|Catgut]] (I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Action Master Action Blasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Attack Copter]] with [[Over-Run (G1)#Toys|Over-Run]] (F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Action Master Action Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Starscream (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Starscream]] / [[Turbo Jet#Toys|Turbo Jet]] (I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Wheeljack]] / [[Turbo Racer#Toys|Turbo Racer]] (I)}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Galaxy Shuttle'''
{{bp-a1|[[Galaxy Shuttle#Toys|Galaxy Shuttle]] (I)}}
|}
{{note|Galaxy Shuttle is originally from the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1989 (Victory)|Victory]]'' line. The Italian GiG release is the only non-Takara release of the toy. How/why is anyone's guess.}}

{{-}}
[[File:EuroClassicsOnslaughtBattle.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Transformers: Classics|Not]] [[2006]].]]
<big>'''"Classics" (Europe & Australasia)'''</big>

Possibly taking a cue from the popularity of the Classic Pretenders, Hasbro started re-releasing original toys from 1984-1987 in "gold" packaging based on the Classic Pretenders' boxes, under the name "[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]". Germany got the "Classics" toys in English packaging. Unlike the English and French/Dutch versions, the Italian and Spanish "Classics" don't actually say "Classic" anywhere on the packaging. The toys themselves are functionally identical to their original releases, complete with [[rubsign]]s. (Some toys released this year were altered the following year, but we'll talk about the details of that then.)

''Why'' this line happened is currently unknown, but there are several possibilities. It is known that the ''Transformers'' line was only ''just'' starting up in China (thanks to some legal shenanigans), and it appears the "Classics" toys were produced in the same Chinese factories, so the molds suddenly being available for production presented possibilities. It is unknown if Hasbro had originally intended for the toys to be released in the US market as well as in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, but the line's cancellation in the US killed that. It's also possible "Classics" was a response to the unofficially-imported Mexican toys that flooded European and Australasian shelves with classic characters at the time, and therefore had never intended to be released in the US.

Confirmed European/Australasian "Classic" releases from 1990<ref>http://www.fredsworkshop.com/veurolist.html</ref>:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK''': English packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''S''': Spanish packaging, '''I''': Italian packaging with alternate names}}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Aerialbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Air Raid (G1)#Toys|Air Raid]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Fireflight (G1)#Toys|Fireflight]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Silverbolt (G1)#Toys|Silverbolt]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Slingshot (G1)#Toys|Slingshot]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Toys|Skydive]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Stunticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Breakdown (G1)#Toys|Breakdown]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Dead End (G1)#Toys|Dead End]] (UK, F/NL, S, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Drag Strip (G1)#Toys|Drag Strip]] (UK, F/NL, S, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Motormaster (G1)#Toys|Motormaster]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Wildrider (G1)#Toys|Wild Rider]]{{sic}} (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Heroes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Inferno (G1)/toys#Toys|Inferno]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Toys|Ironhide]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Jazz (G1)/toys#Toys|Jazz]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{bp-a1|[[Prowl (G1)/toys#Toys|Prowl]] (sticker variant) (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Sunstreaker]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Toys|Wheeljack]] (UK, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:G1toy ClassicHeroProwl.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Classic Hero Prowl]]
|}

{{-}}

==1991==
Although ''Transformers'' had come to a stop in the US, Hasbro continued releasing new toys to the European and Australasian markets. Those included numerous Action Masters, more "Classic" re-releases of older toys, and even toys that were originally only available in Japan, slightly redecoed for the European market. Again, Action Masters were available in English packaging in Germany.

Confirmed releases include:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK''': English packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''S''': Spanish packaging, '''I''': Italian packaging with alternate names}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Action Master figures'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bombshell (G1)#ActionMaster|Bombshell]] with [[Needler (G1)#Toys|Needler]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Charger#Toys|Charger]] with [[Fire Beast]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Powerflash#Toys|Powerflash]] with [[Road Rocket (G1)#Toys|Road Rocket]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Sideswipe]] with [[Vanguard]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Take-Off#Toys|Take-Off]] with [[Screech (Action Master)#Toys|Screech]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tracks (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Tracks]] with [[Basher]] (UK, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Action Master Exo-suit|Exo-Suit]] Action Masters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Circuit (G1)#Toys|Circuit]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Thundercracker]] (UK, F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Motorized Exo-Suit Action Masters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Rumbler (G1)#Toys|Rumbler]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Slicer (Decepticon)#Toys|Slicer]] (UK)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Action Master Elites'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Double Punch#Toys|Double Punch]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Omega Supreme (G1)#omegaspreem|Omega Spreem]]{{sic}} (UK)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Turbo Master#Toys|Turbo Master]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Windmill (G1)#Toys|Windmill]] (UK)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=4|[[File:G1-toy DoublePunch.jpg|thumb|200px|Action Master Elite Double Punch]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Motorvators'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Flame (Motorvator)#Toys|Flame]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Gripper (G1)#Toys|Gripper]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Lightspeed (Motorvator)#Toys|Lightspeed]] (UK, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Others'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Overlord (Masterforce)#Toys|Overlord]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
|}

{{-}}
<big>'''Classics'''</big>

Again, Classics toys were available in English packaging in Germany. However, the Classic Combaticons might have not been available in Germany, due to the unpopular "war" theme. Also, again, the Italian and Spanish Classics don't say "Classic" anywhere on the packaging, unlike the English and French/Dutch versions. The rubsign indents on the Classic Protectobots, Combaticons, Throttlebots, and Triple Changers Springer and Octane, were filled in. As the rubsigns were the ''only'' faction symbols on the Throttlebots, they were replaced with paper Autobot symbol stickers.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Throttlebots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Chase (G1)#Toys|Chase]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Freeway (G1)#Toys|Freeway]] (UK, I Saterbot)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Goldbug|Goldbug]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Rollbar (G1)#Toys|Rollbar]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Searchlight (G1)#Toys|Searchlight]] (UK, I Strobobot)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wideload (G1)#Toys|Wideload]] (UK, I Rapidbot)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Protectobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blades (G1)#Toys|Blades]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[First Aid (G1)#Toys|First Aid]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Groove (G1)#Toys|Groove]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Spot (G1)#Toys|Hot Spot]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Streetwise (G1)#Toys|Streetwise]] (UK, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Combaticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Blast Off (G1)#Toys|Blast Off]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Brawl (G1)#Toys|Brawl]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Onslaught (G1)#Toys|Onslaught]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Swindle (G1)#Toys|Swindle]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Vortex (G1)#Toys|Vortex]] (UK, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Triple Changers'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Astrotrain (G1)#Toys|Astrotrain]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Octane#Toys|Octane]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sandstorm (G1)#Toys|Sandstorm]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Springer (G1)/toys#Toys|Springer]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:G1toy Classics FirstAid.JPG|right|thumb|150px|Classics First Aid]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Dinobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Grimlock]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sludge (G1)#Toys|Sludge]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Snarl (G1)#Toys|Snarl]] (UK, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Heroes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Toys|Sideswipe]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tracks (G1)/toys#Toys|Tracks]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Combiner giftsets'''
{{bp-d1|[[Devastator (G1)/toys#Toys|Devastator]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Defensor (G1)#Toys|Defensor]]}}
|}
{{note|The Combiner giftsets were released only in Greece by GiG under the brand name "El Greco". These versions also came with a Classic Dinobot attached on the back or front of the box.}}
{{-}}

==1992==
[[File:G1Stalker toy.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Predator Stalker (with Snare attached in the lower-right)]]
'92 is when the European ''Transformers'' line really began to kick into high gear, even if the amount of product was a little on the light side. Hasbro produced new toys exclusively designed for the European market (though some did get imported to Japan), which had a far more cohesive design aesthetic than... well, the line ever had in its past. The Autobots trended towards brighter colors and generally had more "human" faces, and each one used bright-magenta translucent plastic for vehicle-mode windscreens and a new innovation in the line, [[light-piping|light-piped]] eyes which appear to "glow" when light shines through them from behind. The Decepticons trended towards darker, cooler colors, their faces much more "robotic" (usually with facemasks and visor-eyes), and using bright-green translucent plastic for their canopies/optics. Both sides also included spring-loaded missile launchers, a [[gimmick]] that had been all but abandoned in Hasbro's markets due to more stringent [[for safety reasons|safety regulations for projectiles]] in the US.

Rounding out the year's product are a strange pair of re-released combiner teams ''lacking'' their combining ability... or individual names.

After this year, Hasbro decided European sales were good enough to [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|try to revive ''Transformers'' in the US again]].<ref>[http://www.tfarchive.com/fandom/interviews/george_dunsay/george_dunsay_interview.php George Dunsay interview at TFArchive]: "At the time it was discontinued in the US, it was not a temporary decision. It is only after the success in Europe that the US people decided to reintroduce it"</ref>

In terms of languages, English and Spanish were now merged into bilingual English/Spanish packaging for the British, Spanish, Australian, and New Zealand markets, whereas France, Belgium, and the Netherlands still got toys in bilingual French/Dutch packaging, but now with alternate (English) names as well, and Italy still got toys in Italian-only packaging from GiG.

Confirmed releases include:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK/S''': English/Spanish packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''I''': Italian packaging with alternate names}}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Turbomasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Boss (G1)#Toys|Boss]] (UK/S, F/NL, I}}
{{bp-a1|[[Flash (G1)#Toys|Flash]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hurricane#Toys|Hurricane]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Rotorstorm (G1)#Toys|Rotorstorm]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Scorch (G1)#Toys|Scorch]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Thunder Clash#Toys|Thunder Clash]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Predators'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Falcon (G1)#Toys|Falcon]] (UK/S, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Skydive (Predator)#Toys|Skydive]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Skyquake (G1)#Toys|Skyquake]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Snare#Toys|Snare]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Stalker (G1)#Toys|Stalker]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Talon (G1)#Toys|Talon]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Rescue Force'''
{{bp-a1|"[[Rescue Force 2#Toys|Rescue Force buggy]]"}}
{{bp-a1|"[[Rescue Force 3#Toys|Rescue Force drill]]"}}
{{bp-a1|"[[Rescue Force (individual)#Toys|Rescue Force jet]]"}}
{{bp-a1|"[[Rescue Force 1#Toys|Rescue Force tank]]"}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Constructicons'''
{{bp-d1|"[[Bonecrusher (G1)#1992yellow|Bonecrusher]]"}}
{{bp-d1|"[[Hook (G1)#1992yellow|Hook]]"}}
{{bp-d1|"[[Long Haul (G1)#1992yellow|Long Haul]]"}}
{{bp-d1|"[[Mixmaster (G1)#1992yellow|Mixmaster]]"}}
{{bp-d1|"[[Scavenger (G1)#1992yellow|Scavenger]]"}}
{{bp-d1|"[[Scrapper (G1)#1992yellow|Scrapper]]"}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:G1-toy Flash.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Turbomaster Flash]]
|}
{{-}}

==1993==
[[File:G1-toy-Ironfist.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Lightformer Ironfist]]
While Hasbro rolled out the new ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' toyline in the US, the European line continued under the original branding, with a slew of new all-new-mold toys with a variety of gimmicks… though curiously with the "Generation 2" Autobot and Decepticon symbols applied to them. (A popular [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers#Generation 2|rumor]] claims that this was due to the international licence for the original symbols having expired, which sounds highly dubious.) Some toys even got the "Autobot/Decepticon" text-stamp that was added to every ''Generation 2'' toy in the US.

On top of all these new molds, last year's Turbomasters, Predators, Rescue Force and Constructicons were still shipping to stores, making for quite a full assortment of toys for the final year of the original ''Transformers'' toyline globally. ''Salut!''

Many fans consider this year a sort of "Generation 1.5", further buoyed by the fact that all of the new molds got re-released in 1994 under the ''Generation 2'' branding in European markets.

Confirmed releases include:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK/S''': English/Spanish packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''I''': Italian packaging with alternate names}}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Axelerator]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Turbofire#Toys|Hotrider]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Rapido#Toys|Rapido]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Skram (G2)#Toys|Skram]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Windbreaker#Toys|Zap]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Skyscorcher]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Eagle Eye (G2)#Toys|Hawk]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Afterburner (G2)#Toys|Snipe]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Terradive (G2)#Toys|Terradive]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Windrazor (G2)#Toys|Tornado]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Aquaspeeder]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Aquafend#Toys|Aquafend]] (UK/S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Deluge (G1)#Toys|Deluge]] (UK/S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Jetstorm (G1)#Toys|Jetstorm]] (UK/S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Speedstream#Toys|Speedstream]] (UK/S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Stormtrooper (G1)|Stormtrooper]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Aquablast#Toys|Aquablast]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Drench (G1)#Toys|Drench]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Hydradread#Toys|Hydradread]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Rage (G1)#Toys|Rage]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:G2-toy Clench.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Obliterator Clench]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Lightformer]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Deftwing#Toys|Deftwing]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Ironfist (G1)#Toys|Ironfist]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Trakkon]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Calcar#Toys|Calcar]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Fearswoop (G1)#Toys|Fearswoop]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Obliterator]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Clench (G1)#Toys|Clench]] (UK/S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Pyro (G1)#Toys|Pyro]] (UK/S)}}
|}
{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1 toylines|European]]

The Transformers (European toyline)

2020-01-23T04:37:23Z

Kalyoth: /* 1986 */

{{nav-G1}}

Originally, European countries got the same '''''The Transformers''''' toys [[Hasbro]] had previously released in the USA, although different countries got different toys (with the occasional noticeable [[variant]]). Initially, numerous sub-contracted companies were responsible for releasing the toys in the individual European countries (which involved [[multilingual packaging|language variations]] on the [[packaging]]), but over time, they were either bought out by Hasbro or simply dropped in favor of a more and more unified European market.

After [[The Transformers (toyline)|the original ''The Transformers'' toyline]] ended in the US, the line continued in Europe until it was renamed into ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)#|Generation 2]]'' in 1994.
{{picsneeded|European-release toys in-package, GiG cars with ridiculous "bopper" missiles}}

==1984==
While ''The Transformers'' would not reach most of Europe until 1985, a number of the toys from the 1984 US line were also available in the UK the same year. Given that the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|Marvel UK comic]] launched in September '84 (complete with advertisements touting that the toys were "In the shops now!") it seems likely that they were on-sale by mid-summer at the latest, only a few months after the line's US launch.

Little is known about the earliest toys released in the UK. Common consensus is that they came in English-only packaging virtually indistinguishable from the US packaging. Recounts of which toys were and weren't available in the UK vary depending on who you ask. A surprising confirmed omission from the initial wave of 1984 toys is [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]], whose absence on the shelves was even noted in the letters page of the Marvel UK comic. Also of note is that the line's UK tag-line initially was "''Warrior'' Robots in Disguise", seen in the comic and on much of the early ancillary merchandise.

The assortment names used below are those seen in the leaflet which accompanied the 1984 range.

{{-}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Mini Cars'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Brawn (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Brawn]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Bumblebee]] (yellow/red)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Cliffjumper]] (red/yellow)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Gears (G1)#The Transformers|Gears]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Huffer (G1)#The Transformers|Huffer]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Windcharger (G1)#The Transformers|Windcharger]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Spy-Cassetes'''{{sic}}
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Ravage (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Ravage]] / [[Rumble (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Rumble]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Frenzy (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Frenzy]] / [[Laserbeak (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Laserbeak]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Robot Cars'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Toys|Bluestreak]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Hound (G1)/toys#Toys|Hound]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Jazz (G1)/toys#Toys|Jazz]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Mirage (G1)/toys#Toys|Mirage]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Ratchet (G1)/toys#Toys|Ratchet]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Toys|Sideswipe]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Cassete Man'''{{sic}}
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Toys|Soundwave]] / [[Buzzsaw (G1)/toys#Toys|Buzzsaw]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:G1sideswipe.jpg|200px|thumb|Robot Car Sideswipe]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Strike Planes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Toys|Skywarp]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Starscream (G1)/toys#Toys|Starscream]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Toys|Thundercracker]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Leader Truck'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|Optimus Prime]]}}
|}
{{note|Cliffjumper and Bumblebee were both available in red and yellow in 1984, and again in 1985, this time with rubsigns. Cliffjumper appears in yellow in the 1984 catalogue, but this was corrected for the following year's photos.}}

==1985==
The ''Transformers'' toy line officially started in most European countries in 1985. It should be noted, though, that various European companies had already released licensed versions of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''[[Diaclone]]'' and ''[[Microman]]'' toys domestically prior to that (''[[Trasformer]]'' by [[GiG]] in Italy; ''Diaclone'' by [[Joustra]] in France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands; Takara themselves released ''Diaclone'' in Finland). Some of the toys in those lines sported Hasbro-series changes, including color schemes and even Autobot symbols(!), as Takara was already shifting production of the toys from ''Diaclone'' to their own domestic release of ''Transformers''. But it wasn't until 1985 that ''Transformers'' toys were ''officially'' introduced to the various European markets under that name.

<big>'''United Kingdom'''</big>

All 1984 toys were still available in 1985, now with the addition of [[rubsign]]s. They were joined by the figures that had initially been omitted, namely the remaining Autobot cars and Megatron, who was reported by Hasbro to be available from around Easter. Alongside with a variation of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] that sported red instead of blue feet, Megatron was manufactured by French company Ceji as part of a deal with Hasbro, and the red-footed version of Optimus Prime was also released by [[Milton Bradley]] in mainland Europe (see below).<ref name="redfoot1">[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/eurous_frame.php?art=redfoot "Red Footed Optimus Prime"] at TF-1.com</ref><ref name="mbjoustra">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/mb-transformers-part-4/ "The MB & Joustra Connection"] at 20th Century Toy Collector</ref>

Oddly, numerous toys were left out of the UK range, never to see official release: notably [[Swoop (G1)#Toys|Swoop]], [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Toys|Shockwave]] and [[Blaster (G1)/toys#Toys|Blaster]]. The [[Constructicon (G1)#Toys|Constructicon]]s were also missing; in the early 90s they got a semi-official import release, and a de-combiner'ed [[redeco]] release (see "1992" below). Some of the non-Takara sculpts were likely dropped due to licensing arrangements ([[Omega Supreme (G1)#Toys|Omega Supreme]], for example, was available as part of the competing Grandstand ''Convertors'' line around this time as "Omegatron"). Due to his absence from the 1985 Hasbro [[catalog]], [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Toys|Jetfire]] has long been believed to have been held over until the 1986 range, but he was featured in the Autumn 1985 Argos catalog.<ref name="argos85">[http://issuu.com/retromash/docs/argos-no24-1985-autumn Fall 1985 Argos catalog] at Issuu.com.</ref>)

{{-}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Mini-Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Beachcomber (G1)#Toys|Beachcomber]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Cosmos (G1)#Toys|Cosmos]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Powerglide (G1)#Toys|Powerglide]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Seaspray (G1)#Toys|Seaspray]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Warpath (G1)#Toys|Warpath]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Insecticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bombshell (G1)#Toys|Bombshell]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Kickback (G1)#Toys|Kickback]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Shrapnel (G1)#Toys|Shrapnel]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Robot Cars'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Grapple (G1)#Toys|Grapple]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hoist (G1)#Toys|Hoist]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Inferno (G1)#Toys|Inferno]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Toys|Ironhide]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Prowl (G1)/toys#Toys|Prowl]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Red Alert (G1)#Toys|Red Alert]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Skids (G1)#Toys|Skids]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Smokescreen (G1)#Toys|Smokescreen]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Sunstreaker]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tracks (G1)#Toys|Tracks]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Trailbreaker]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Toys|Wheeljack]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:G1Megatron toy.jpg|200px|thumb|Megatron, imported by Ceji]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Jumpstarters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Topspin (G1)#Toys|Topspin]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Twin Twist#Toys|Twin Twist]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Dinobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Toys|Grimlock]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Slag (G1)#Toys|Slag]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sludge (G1)#Toys|Sludge]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Snarl (G1)#Toys|Snarl]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Strike Planes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Dirge (G1)/toys#Toys|Dirge]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Ramjet (G1)/toys#Toys|Ramjet]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Thrust (G1)/toys#Toys|Thrust]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Megatron (G1)/toys#Toys|Megatron]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Jetfire'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Toys|Jetfire]]}}
|}
{{-}}

<big>'''Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain'''</big>

The earliest toys released in continental Europe (minus Italy) were distributed by [[Milton Bradley]], which was in the process of being taken over by Hasbro at that point. There's no solid evidence that all the MB toys were available in all these countries, but the packaging is sporting German, French, Dutch and Spanish text. Therefore, MB covered the markets where Joustra's ''Diaclone'' toys were previously available, with the addition of Spain. The first wave of MB-branded toys was a rather odd selection, a result of Joustra holding the rights to many of the remaining toys, among them [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|Optimus Prime]]. As a consequence, [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Toys|Jetfire]] was initially marketed as Autobot leader. Following a deal between Hasbro Bradley and Joustra's struggling parent company Ceji, a large amount of unsold Joustra toys were ''literally'' repackaged and released as the second wave of MB ''Transformers''.<ref name="mbjoustra"/>

{{-}}
:'''Wave 1'''
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Mini Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Beachcomber (G1)#Toys|Beachcomber]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Cosmos (G1)#Toys|Cosmos]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Powerglide (G1)#Toys|Powerglide]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Seaspray (G1)#Toys|Seaspray]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Warpath (G1)#Toys|Warpath]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Constructicons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bonecrusher (G1)#Toys|Bonecrusher]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Hook (G1)#Toys|Hook]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Long Haul (G1)#Toys|Long Haul]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Mixmaster (G1)#Toys|Mixmaster]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scavenger (G1)#Toys|Scavenger]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scrapper (G1)#Toys|Scrapper]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Insecticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bombshell (G1)#Toys|Bombshell]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Kickback (G1)#Toys|Kickback]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Shrapnel (G1)#Toys|Shrapnel]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Jumpstarters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Topspin (G1)#Toys|Topspin]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Twin Twist#Toys|Twin Twist]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:Jetfireg1toy.jpg|200px|thumb|Jetfire, the new Autobot leader]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Triple Changers'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Astrotrain (G1)/toys#Toys|Astrotrain]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Blitzwing (G1)/toys#Toys|Blitzwing]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Dinobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Toys|Grimlock]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Slag (G1)#Toys|Slag]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sludge (G1)#Toys|Sludge]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Snarl (G1)#Toys|Snarl]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Deluxe Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Roadbuster (G1)#Toys|Roadbuster]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Whirl (G1)#Toys|Whirl]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Deluxe Insecticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Barrage (Insecticon)#Toys|Barrage]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Chop Shop (G1)#Toys|Chop Shop]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Ransack (G1)#Toys|Ransack]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Venom (G1)#Toys|Venom]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Communicator'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Toys|Soundwave]] and Condor Cassette: [[Buzzsaw (G1)/toys#Toys|Buzzsaw]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Communicator'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blaster (G1)/toys#Toys|Blaster]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Aeroplanes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Dirge (G1)/toys#Toys|Dirge]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Ramjet (G1)/toys#Toys|Ramjet]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Thrust (G1)/toys#Toys|Thrust]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Megatron (G1)/toys#Toys|Megatron]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Laser Gun'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Toys|Shockwave]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Toys|Jetfire]]}}
|}
{{Note|[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] is listed under his own number in the MB dealer catalog, but thus far, no evidence of an MB Devastator [[giftset]] has surfaced.}}

{{-}}
:'''Wave 2'''
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Mini Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Brawn (G1)#Toys|Brawn]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Gears (G1)#Toys|Gears]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Huffer (G1)#Toys|Huffer]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Windcharger (G1)#Toys|Windcharger]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Cassettes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Laserbeak (G1)/toys#Toys|Laserbeak]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Ravage (G1)/toys#Toys|Ravage]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Robot Cars'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Jazz (G1)/toys#Toys|Jazz]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Mirage (G1)#Toys|Mirage]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Prowl (G1)/toys#Toys|Prowl]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Ratchet (G1)/toys#Toys|Ratchet]]}}
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|"Sideswipe" (actually [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Sunstreaker]])}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tracks (G1)/toys#Toys|Tracks]] (red)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Trailbreaker]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Toys|Wheeljack]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:G1toy optimus prime variants and running changes.jpg|thumb|200px|Optimus Prime Ceji variant]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Planes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Starscream (G1)/toys#Toys|Starscream]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Toys|Thundercracker]] (in Starscream packaging)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Commander'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|Optimus Prime]]}}
|}

{{-}}
<big>'''Italy'''</big>

[[GiG]] ("Geegh", but sometimes misspelled "GiGi") originally released licensed ''Diaclone'' toys under the name "[[Trasformer]]", occasionally sporting color schemes only found on Hasbro's Transformers versions (very likely because Takara was shifting production of the toys from ''Diaclone'' to ''Transformers'' at the time). Whether it was pressure from Hasbro or a mere marketing decision, GiG eventually acquired an additional license from Hasbro and launched their own version of the ''Transformers'' line, with the toys often sporting original Italian names (for example, the Autobots became "Autorobots", and the Decepticons "Distructors").<ref name="chicken">[http://tfsource.com/blog/the-chicken-or-the-gig-part-1/ "The Chicken or the Gig?", Part 1] and [http://tfsource.com/blog/the-chicken-or-the-gig-part-2/ Part 2] at TFSource</ref> In addition to the official ''Transformers'' logo, a small remainder of the old ''Trasformer'' logo would remain on the packaging until 1987.

Speaking of ''Trasformer'' remnants, the "Autorobot Cars" and the "Distructor Planes" all sported unique "safety" missiles with large rubber boppers on the end instead of the individual missiles the versions released everywhere else had.

The [[Mini Vehicle|Autobot Minicars/Mini Vehicles]] were apparently never released by GiG. The Italian names for their characters come from the Italian dub of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|animated series]].

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Escavators'''' (Constructicons)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Braccio ([[Scavenger (G1)#Toys|Scavenger]])}}
{{bp-d1|Macigno ([[Long Haul (G1)#Toys|Long Haul]])}}
{{bp-d1|Ringhio ([[Scrapper (G1)#Toys|Scrapper]])}}
{{bp-d1|Rollo ([[Mixmaster (G1)#Toys|Mixmaster]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{bp-d1|Rostro ([[Hook (G1)#Toys|Hook]])}}
{{bp-d1|Scudo ([[Bonecrusher (G1)#Toys|Bonecrusher]])}}
{{bp-d1|[[Devastator (G1)#Toys|Devastator]] (giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autorobot Cars'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Canguro ([[Hound (G1)/toys#Toys|Hound]])}}
{{bp-a1|Freccia ([[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Toys|Sideswipe]])}}
{{bp-a1|Gancio ([[Grapple (G1)#Toys|Grapple]])}}
{{bp-a1|Giaguaro/Alert ([[Red Alert (G1)/toys#Toys|Red Alert]])}}
{{bp-a1|[[Inferno (G1)/toys#Toys|Inferno]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{bp-a1|Lince ([[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Sunstreaker]])}}
{{bp-a1|Mistero ([[Mirage (G1)/toys#Toys|Mirage]], "Ligier" markings)}}
{{bp-a1|Saetta ([[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Toys|Wheeljack]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tigre ([[Jazz (G1)/toys#Toys|Jazz]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Distructor Triple Changers'''
{{bp-d1|Triplex Uno ([[Astrotrain (G1)/toys#Toys|Astrotrain]])}}
{{bp-d1|Triplex Due ([[Blitzwing (G1)/toys#Toys|Blitzwing]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Dinorobots''' (Dinobots)
{{bp-a1|Bronto ([[Sludge (G1)#Toys|Sludge]])}}
{{bp-a1|Reptilo ([[Swoop (G1)#Toys|Swoop]])}}
{{bp-a1|Stego ([[Snarl (G1)#Toys|Snarl]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tiran ([[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Toys|Grimlock]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tricex ([[Slag (G1)#Toys|Slag]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Distructor Planes'''
{{bp-d1|Astrum ([[Starscream (G1)/toys#Toys|Starscream]])}}
{{bp-d1|Corvo ([[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Toys|Skywarp]])}}
{{bp-d1|Vampiro ([[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Toys|Thundercracker]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autorobot Leader'''
{{bp-a1|Commander ([[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]], has plastic variant)}}
|}
{{picsneeded|Autobot with the big hilarious bopper missile}}
{{-}}

==1986==
<big>'''UK, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain'''</big>

Presumably, ''Transformers'' didn't sell well in Germany in 1985, as German was dropped as a language from the packaging until ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)| Generation 2]]''. Instead, Hasbro (who had finished taking over MB) consolidated the UK market with the rest of Europe (except for Italy, again). The 1986 releases that were now available in packaging with "Hasbro" rather than "MB" logos sported the four languages English, French, Dutch and Spanish (the order between English and French could occasionally be swapped).

Confirmed European Hasbro releases from 1986 are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Mini-Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Toys|Bumblebee]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hubcap (G1)#Toys|Hubcap]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Outback (G1)#Toys|Outback]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Pipes (G1)#Toys|Pipes]] (inc. "Puffer" variant)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Swerve (G1)#Toys|Swerve]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wheelie (G1)#Toys|Wheelie]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Aerialbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Air Raid (G1)#Toys|Air Raid]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Fireflight (G1)#Toys|Fireflight]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Silverbolt (G1)#Toys|Silverbolt]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Toys|Skydive]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Slingshot (G1)#Toys|Slingshot]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Protectobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blades (G1)#Toys|Blades]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[First Aid (G1)#Toys|First Aid]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Groove (G1)#Toys|Groove]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Spot (G1)#Toys|Hot Spot]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Streetwise (G1)#Toys|Streetwise]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Constructicons''' (yellow)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bonecrusher (G1)#Toys|Bonecrusher]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Hook (G1)#Toys|Hook]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Long Haul (G1)#Toys|Long Haul]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Mixmaster (G1)#Toys|Mixmaster]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scavenger (G1)#Toys|Scavenger]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scrapper (G1)#Toys|Scrapper]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=4|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Stunticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Breakdown (G1)#Toys|Breakdown]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Dead End (G1)#Toys|Dead End]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Drag Strip (G1)#Toys|Drag Strip]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Motormaster (G1)#Toys|Motormaster]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Wildrider (G1)#Toys|Wildrider]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Combaticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Blast Off (G1)#Toys|Blast Off]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Brawl (G1)#Toys|Brawl]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Onslaught (G1)#Toys|Onslaught]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Swindle (G1)#Toys|Swindle]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Vortex (G1)#Toys|Vortex]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Battlespringers''' (Battlechargers)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Runabout (G1)#Toys|Runabout]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Runamuck (G1)#Toys|Runamuck]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Triple Changers'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Broadside (G1)#Toys|Broadside]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Octane#Toys|Octane]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sandstorm (G1)#Toys|Sandstorm]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Springer (G1)/toys#Toys|Springer]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Vehicles''' (Autobot Cars)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blurr (G1)/toys#Toys|Blurr]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Grapple (G1)#Toys|Grapple]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hoist (G1)/toys#Toys|Hoist]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Hot Rod]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hound (G1)/toys#Toys|Hound]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Inferno (G1)/toys#Toys|Inferno]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Kup (G1)/toys#Toys|Kup]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Red Alert (G1)/toys#Toys|Red Alert]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Toys|Sideswipe]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Smokescreen (G1)/toys#Toys|Smokescreen]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Trailbreaker]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tracks (G1)/toys#Toys|Tracks]] (now blue)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Planes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Cyclonus (G1)/toys#Toys|Cyclonus]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scourge (G1)/toys#Toys|Scourge]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot City'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Metroplex (G1)#Toys|Metroplex]]}}

|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Communicator'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Toys|Soundwave]] and Condor Cassette: [[Buzzsaw (G1)/toys#Toys|Buzzsaw]]}}
|

|}

{{note|An instruction sheet for Scourge exists sporting the languages French, English, Dutch and Spanish. No packaged sample has surfaced thus far.}}

{{-}}
<big>'''Italy'''</big>

[[GiG]] was still doing their own thing at this point, with a bit of mix of Hasbro and Takara-style packaging. Notably, GiG's versions of the Aeriabolts, Protectobots, Stunticons and Combaticons came in boxes based on the Takara versions (including prominent "C" and "D" numbers and "Takara" instead of "Hasbro" logos), just like the previous year's Constructicons. This only applied to the combiner limbs, though; the leaders/torsos came in boxes based on the Hasbro versions, including "A5", "P5", "S5" and "D5" numbers.

Known Italian releases of 1986 toys are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Aerialbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Log ([[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Toys|Skydive]])}}
{{bp-a1|Optor ([[Fireflight (G1)#Toys|Fireflight]])}}
{{bp-a1|Radiant ([[Silverbolt (G1)#Toys|Silverbolt]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tornado ([[Air Raid (G1)#Toys|Air Raid]])}}
{{bp-a1|Vertic ([[Slingshot (G1)#Toys|Slingshot]])}}
{{bp-a1|Pentajet ([[Superion (G1)#Toys|Superion]] giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Protectobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Chips ([[Groove (G1)#Toys|Groove]])}}
{{bp-a1|Drago ([[Hot Spot (G1)#Toys|Hot Spot]])}}
{{bp-a1|Phantom ([[Streetwise (G1)#Toys|Streetwise]])}}
{{bp-a1|Rasor ([[Blades (G1)#Toys|Blades]])}}
{{bp-a1|Sirena ([[First Aid (G1)#Toys|First Aid]])}}
{{bp-a1|[[Defensor (G1)#Toys|Defensor]] (giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Stunticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Barracuda ([[Motormaster (G1)#Toys|Motormaster]])}}
{{bp-d1|Caimano ([[Breakdown (G1)#Toys|Breakdown]])}}
{{bp-d1|Cobra ([[Dead End (G1)#Toys|Dead End]])}}
{{bp-d1|Iguana ([[Drag Strip (G1)#Toys|Drag Strip]])}}
{{bp-d1|Squalo ([[Wildrider (G1)#Toys|Wildrider]])}}
{{bp-d1|Pentacar ([[Menasor (G1)#Toys|Menasor]] giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Combaticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Bomber ([[Brawl (G1)#Toys|Brawl]])}}
{{bp-d1|Crasher ([[Swindle (G1)#Toys|Swindle]])}}
{{bp-d1|Destroyer ([[Onslaught (G1)#Toys|Onslaught]])}}
{{bp-d1|Exploder ([[Blast Off (G1)#Toys|Blast Off]])}}
{{bp-d1|[[Vortex (G1)#Toys|Vortex]]}}
{{bp-d1|Multiforce ([[Bruticus (G1)#Toys|Bruticus]] giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:Superion toy.jpg|thumb|200px|Pentajet]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Predacons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Falcon ([[Divebomb (G1)#Toys|Divebomb]])}}
{{bp-d1|Felin ([[Rampage (G1)#Toys|Rampage]])}}
{{bp-d1|Rinox ([[Headstrong (G1)#Toys|Headstrong]])}}
{{bp-d1|Torox ([[Tantrum (G1)#Toys|Tantrum]])}}
{{bp-d1|Zannar ([[Razorclaw (G1)#Toys|Razorclaw]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Distructor Planes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Ciclone ([[Cyclonus (G1)#Toys|Cyclonus]])}}
{{bp-d1|Sheriff ([[Scourge (G1)#Toys|Scourge]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autorobot City Commander'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Convoy ([[Ultra Magnus (G1)#Toys|Ultra Magnus]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autorobot City'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Guardian ([[Metroplex (G1)#Toys|Metroplex]])}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Distructor City'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Tripticon ([[Trypticon (G1)#Toys|Trypticon]])}}
|}

{{-}}
<big>'''Greece'''</big>

[[El Greco]] released a small number of ''Transformers'' toys to the Greek market. The Autobots were called Αυτορομπότ (Autorobots). The only known El Greco releases include seven Autobot Mini-Vehicles (which all have minor coloration differences) and two combiner giftsets. The cards the toys were available on were based on the Hasbro cards and sported Hasbro logos in addition to the "El Greco" logo.

It's not entirely clear when exactly the following toys were first available in Greece; however, they couldn't have been released before 1986, since they depict the "[[Decipher the Decepticon]]" poster artwork on the back of their cards.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Heroic''' (Autobot Mini Vehicles)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Akhtipitos ([[Warpath (G1)/toys#Toys|Warpath]])}}
{{bp-a1|Agelioforos ([[Beachcomber (G1)#Toys|Beachcomber]])}}
{{bp-a1|Egefalos ([[Brawn (G1)/toys#Toys|Βrawn]])}}
{{bp-a1|Gigantas ([[Huffer (G1)#Toys|Huffer]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{bp-a1|Keravnos ([[Powerglide (G1)/toys#Toys|Powerglide]])}}
{{bp-a1|Kiriarkhos ([[Cosmos (G1)#Toys|Cosmos]])}}
{{bp-a1|Thalassolikos ([[Seaspray (G1)#Toys|Seaspray]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Giftsets'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Defensor (G1)#Toys|Defensor]]}}
{{bp-d1|Excavator ([[Devastator (G1)#Toys|Devastator]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
</ul>

==1987==
<big>'''UK, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium'''</big>

Apparently realizing that tech specs in four different languages aren't exactly the optimal choice, Hasbro started breaking up the languages again. The UK got toys in English-only packaging, whereas France, Belgium, and the Netherlands got toys in bilingual French/Dutch packaging. Germany only got the English versions with safety warning stickers in German. Presumably, all toys were available in all language variants, but without solid evidence, this is pure speculation.
Known European toys from 1987 in French/Dutch packaging are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Technobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Afterburner (G1)#Toys|Afterburner]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)#Toys|Lightspeed]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Nosecone (G1)#Toys|Nosecone]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Scattershot (G1)#Toys|Scattershot]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Strafe (G1)#Toys|Strafe]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Computron (G1)#Toys|Computron]] (giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Duocons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Battletrap#Toys|Battletrap]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Flywheels#Toys|Flywheels]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Headmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Brainstorm (G1)#Toys|Brainstorm]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Chromedome (G1)#Toys|Chromedome]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hardhead (G1)#Toys|Hardhead]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Highbrow (G1)#Toys|Highbrow]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Targetmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blurr (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Blurr]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Crosshairs (G1)#Toys|Crosshairs]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Hot Rod]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Kup (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Kup]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Pointblank#Toys|Pointblank]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sureshot (G1)#Toys|Sureshot]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:G1 Galvatron toy.jpg|thumb|200px|Galvatron]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Headmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Apeface#Toys|Apeface]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Mindwipe (G1)#Toys|Mindwipe]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scorponok (G1)/toys#Toys|Scorponok]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Skullcruncher (G1)#Toys|Skullcruncher]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Snapdragon (G1)#Toys|Snapdragon]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Weirdwolf (G1)#Toys|Weirdwolf]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Targetmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Cyclonus (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Cyclonus]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Misfire (G1)#Toys|Misfire]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Scourge (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Scourge]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Slugslinger (G1)#Toys|Slugslinger]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Triggerhappy (G1)#Toys|Triggerhappy]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#G1RodimusPrime|Rodimus Prime]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot City Commander'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Ultra_Magnus_(G1)/toys#Toys|Ultra Magnus]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon City Commander'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Galvatron (G1)/toys#Toys|Galvatron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Space Shuttle'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Sky Lynx (G1)#Toys|Sky Lynx]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon City'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Trypticon (G1)#Toys|Trypticon]]}}
|}
{{Note|An instruction sheet for Galvatron exists which only sports the languages French and Dutch. It is therefore assumed that he was available later than Scourge, whose instruction sheet still sported texts in English and Spanish as well.}}

{{-}}
<big>'''Italy'''</big>

[[GiG]] continued to have their own slightly-different take on ''Transformers'', mainly in packaging; the "Racerbots" (Throttlebots), "Tecnobots" and "Terrorbots" (it should be obvious) came in Takara-styled boxes complete with Japanese ID numbers. "Tundertron" (Abominus) was available as a giftset even though Hasbro hadn't released the toys in that form in the USA; the box layout was again based very closely on the standard Hasbro combiner giftsets at that time, but lacking the Hasbro logo, and sporting the toys' Takara ID numbers. The Monsterbots' boxes were based on the Hasbro versions, but sported "Takara" instead of "Hasbro" logos and Takara ID numbers.

Known Italian toys from 1987 are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Racerbots''' (Throttlebots)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Rollerbot ([[Wideload (G1)#Toys|Wideload]])}}
{{bp-a1|Saterbot ([[Freeway (G1)#Toys|Freeway]])}}
{{bp-a1|Scoutbot ([[Chase (G1)#Toys|Chase]])}}
{{bp-a1|Strobobot ([[Searchlight (G1)#Toys|Searchlight]])}}
{{bp-a1|Trollbot ([[Rollbar (G1)#Toys|Rollbar]])}}
{{bp-a1|Wagenbot ([[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Goldbug|Goldbug]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Tecnobots''' (Technobots)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Argobot ([[Nosecone (G1)#Toys|Nosecone]])}}
{{bp-a1|Radarbot ([[Afterburner (G1)#Toys|Afterburner]])}}
{{bp-a1|Rocketbot ([[Strafe (G1)#Toys|Strafe]])}}
{{bp-a1|Scatterbot ([[Scattershot (G1)#Toys|Scattershot]])}}
{{bp-a1|Starbot ([[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)#Toys|Lightspeed]])}}
{{bp-a1|[[Computron (G1)#Toys|Computron]] (giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Terrorbots''' (Terrorcons)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Battlebot ([[Rippersnapper (G1)#Toys|Rippersnapper]])}}
{{bp-d1|Bifronbot ([[Sinnertwin (G1)#Toys|Sinnertwin]])}}
{{bp-d1|Crudelbot ([[Cutthroat (G1)#Toys|Cutthroat]])}}
{{bp-d1|Grifobot ([[Hun-Gurrr (G1)#Toys|Hun-Gurrr]])}}
{{bp-d1|Spectrobot ([[Blot (G1)#Toys|Blot]])}}
{{bp-d1|Tundertron ([[Abominus (G1)#Toys|Abominus]] giftset)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Duoform''' (Clones)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Booster/Gemini ([[Fastlane#Toys|Fastlane]]/[[Cloudraker (G1)#Toys|Cloudraker]])}}
{{bp-d1|Roboclon/Rapax ([[Pounce#Toys|Pounce]]/[[Wingspan#Toys|Wingspan]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autorobot Headmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Blindobot ([[Hardhead (G1)#Toys|Hardhead]])}}
{{bp-a1|Cruiserbot ([[Highbrow (G1)#Toys|Highbrow]])}}
{{bp-a1|Duobot ([[Chromedome (G1)#Toys|Chromedome]])}}
{{bp-a1|Goblin ([[Brainstorm (G1)#Toys|Brainstorm]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Monsterbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Drekbot ([[Doublecross#Toys|Doublecross]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tigerbot ([[Grotusque#Toys|Grotusque]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Distructor Headmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Tagor ([[Apeface#Toys|Apeface]])}}
{{bp-d1|Tifon ([[Snapdragon (G1)#Toys|Snapdragon]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Sixchanger'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Iperbot Sei Azioni ([[Sixshot#Toys|Sixshot]])}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Citybot'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Scorpion ([[Scorponok (G1)/toys#Toys|Scorponok]])}}
|}
{{-}}

==1988==
<big>'''UK, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium'''</big>

Toys were still available in English-only and French/Dutch packaging. The UK toys started sporting a yellow "Original HASBRO Transformers" sticker on their packaging, possibly as a reaction to the sudden flood of Mexican toys (although those didn't come out in Europe until late 1988/early 1989). This sticker is also the only way to tell a European toy in English packaging apart from its US counterpart, as the packaging itself appears to be identical. 1988 toys were available in Germany in English-only packaging including the "Original HASBRO Transformers" sticker, with additional safety warning stickers in German.

Known European toys from 1988 are (all of the toys on this list have been found in both English stickered packaging and French/Dutch packaging):

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Sparkabots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Fizzle#Toys|Fizzle]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Guzzle (G1)#Toys|Guzzle]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sizzle (G1)#Toys|Sizzle]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Firecons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Cindersaur (G1)#Toys|Cindersaur]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Flamefeather (G1)#Toys|Flamefeather]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Sparkstalker#Toys|Sparkstalker]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Triggerbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Backstreet (G1)#Toys|Backstreet]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Dogfight (G1)#Toys|Dogfight]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Override (G1)#Toys|Override]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Triggercons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Windsweeper#Toys|Windsweeper]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Ruckus (G1)#Toys|Ruckus]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Crankcase (G1)#Toys|Crankcase]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Seacons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Overbite (G1)#Toys|Overbite]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Nautilator#Toys|Nautilator]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Seawing (G1)#Toys|Seawing]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Skalor#Toys|Skalor]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Snaptrap (G1)#Toys|Snaptrap]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Tentakil (G1)#Toys|Tentakil]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Double Targetmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Landfill (G1)#Toys|Landfill]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Needlenose (G1)#Toys|Needlenose]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Quake (G1)#Toys|Quake]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Quickmix (G1)#Toys|Quickmix]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Scoop (G1)#Toys|Scoop]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Spinister (G1)#Toys|Spinister]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Powermasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Darkwing (G1)#Toys|Darkwing]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Doubledealer#Toys|Doubledealer]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Dreadwind (G1)#Toys|Dreadwind]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Getaway#Toys|Getaway]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Joyride (G1)#Toys|Joyride]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|Optimus Prime]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Slapdash (G1)#Toys|Slapdash]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Six Changer'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Quickswitch#Toys|Quickswitch]]}}
|}
{{-}}
<big>'''Italy'''</big>

Starting with the Pretenders, [[GiG]] finally dropped the small remainder of the old ''Trasformer'' logo from their packaging. The most interesting releases this year are the "Grandi Set Transformers" (also called "Superset Transformers" in the 1988 Christmas catalog), re-releases of the prior Combiner giftsets with a pack of five random "Exogini Transformers" ([[Decoy]]s) as a freebie.

Known Italian releases from 1988 are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Triggerbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Bitume ([[Backstreet (G1)#Toys|Backstreet]])}}
{{bp-a1|Furio ([[Override (G1)#Toys|Override]])}}
{{bp-a1|Orage ([[Dogfight (G1)#Toys|Dogfight]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Triggercons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|4x4 ([[Crankcase (G1)#Toys|Crankcase]])}}
{{bp-d1|Rafale ([[Windsweeper#Toys|Windsweeper]])}}
{{bp-d1|Rallye ([[Ruckus (G1)#Toys|Ruckus]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Pretenders Autorobot'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Falcon ([[Waverider#Toys|Waverider]])}}
{{bp-a1|Febos ([[Landmine (G1)#Toys|Landmine]])}}
{{bp-a1|Felin ([[Groundbreaker#Toys|Groundbreaker]])}}
{{bp-a1|Rotor ([[Sky High (Pretender)#Toys|Sky High]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Squalos (Splashdown)}}
{{bp-a1|Super Commander (Cloudburst)}}
{{bp-a1|Ursus (Chainclaw)}}
{{bp-a1|Zanna (Catilla)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Pretenders Distructor'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Ghigno (Carnivac)}}
{{bp-d1|Insector (Bugly)}}
{{bp-d1|Korno (Skullgrin)}}
{{bp-d1|Lobos (Bomb-Burst)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Razzak (Finback)}}
{{bp-d1|Reptilo (Submarauder)}}
{{bp-d1|Squamos (Iguanus)}}
{{bp-d1|Verros (Snarler)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Grandi Set/Superset Transformers'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Computron}}
{{bp-a1|Defensor}}
{{bp-d1|Devastator}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Multiforce (Bruticus)}}
{{bp-a1|Pentajet (Superion)}}
{{bp-d1|Tundertron (Abominus)}}
|}

==1989==
<big>'''UK, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain'''</big>

In 1989, all releases received French names, but not Dutch names. Spain started getting toys in Spanish-only packaging (which are not to be confused with the unofficially imported Mexican toys by [[IGA]]). The smaller Pretenders, the Classic Pretenders, the Micromaster Stations and the Micromaster Transports were once again available in Germany in English packaging.

Confirmed releases include:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK''': English packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''S''': Spanish packaging}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Small Pretenders'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bludgeon (G1)#Toys|Bludgeon]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Doubleheader#Toys|Doubleheader]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Longtooth#Toys|Longtooth]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Octopunch (G1)#Toys|Octopunch]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Pincher (G1)#Toys|Pincher]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Stranglehold#Toys|Stranglehold]] (UK, F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Patrols'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Air Strike Patrol#Toys|Air Strike Patrol]] (F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Battle Patrol#Toys|Battle Patrol]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Off Road Patrol#Toys|Off-Road Patrol]] (F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Race Car Patrol#Toys|Race Car Patrol]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Rescue Patrol (G1)#Toys|Rescue Patrol]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Sports Car Patrol#Toys|Sports Car Patrol]] (F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Transports'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Erector (G1)#Toys|Erector]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Flattop (Decepticon)#Toys|Flattop]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Overload (G1)#Toys|Overload]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Roughstuff#Toys|Roughstuff]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Bases'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Groundshaker#Toys|Groundshaker]] (F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Skyhopper#Toys|Skyhopper]] (F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{-}}
<big>'''Italy'''</big>

Known Italian toys from 1989 are:

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Pretender Monsters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Artiglio ([[Slog (G1)#Toys|Slog]])}}
{{bp-d1|Avvoltoio ([[Birdbrain#Toys|Birdbrain]])}}
{{bp-d1|Pipistrello ([[Icepick (G1)#Toys|Icepick]])}}
{{bp-d1|Raptor ([[Scowl (G1)#Toys|Scowl]])}}
{{bp-d1|Spettro ([[Bristleback#Toys|Bristleback]])}}
{{bp-d1|Vampiro ([[Wildfly#Toys|Wildfly]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Small Pretenders'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Tenax ([[Pincher (G1)#Toys|Pincher]])}}
{{bp-a1|Ferox ([[Longtooth#Toys|Longtooth]])}}
{{bp-a1|Biclonius ([[Doubleheader#Toys|Doubleheader]])}}
{{bp-d1|Demon ([[Stranglehold#Toys|Stranglehold]])}}
{{bp-d1|Medusa ([[Octopunch (G1)#Toys|Octopunch]])}}
{{bp-d1|Teskior ([[Bludgeon (G1)#Toys|Bludgeon]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Microtransformers Pattuglias''' (Micromaster Patrols)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Expeditors ([[Off Road Patrol#Toys|Off Road Patrol]])}}
{{bp-d1|Interceptors ([[Air Strike Patrol#Toys|Air Strike Patrol]])}}
{{bp-a1|Pattuglia Soccorso ([[Battle Patrol#Toys|Battle Patrol]])}}
{{bp-d1|Pattuglia Guastatori ([[Sports Car Patrol#Toys|Sports Car Patrol]])}}
{{bp-a1|Sprintforce ([[Race Car Patrol#Toys|Race Car Patrol]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Microtransformers Deluxes''' (Micromaster Transports)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Tornado ([[Roughstuff#Toys|Roughstuff]])}}
{{bp-a1|Tractor ([[Erector (G1)#Toys|Erector]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Microtrasformer{{sic}} Stations''' (Micromaster Stations)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|Argon ([[Hot House#Toys|Hot House]])}}
{{bp-d1|Assalt ([[Greasepit (G1)#Toys|Greasepit]])}}
{{bp-d1|Lancer ([[Airwave (G1)#Toys|Airwave]])}}
{{bp-a1|Radar ([[Ironworks (Micromaster)#Toys|Ironworks]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Microtransformer Bases''' (Micromaster Bases)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|Rotor ([[Skyhopper#Toys|Skyhopper]])}}
{{bp-a1|Titano ([[Groundshaker#Toys|Groundshaker]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Set Commandos''' (Classic Legends)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1d1|Saetta / Folgore / Drago / Tornado ([[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Hero Set|Bumblebee]], [[Jazz (G1)/toys#HeroSet|Jazz]], [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#HeroSet|Grimlock]] & [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Heroset|Starscream]] (respectively) set)}}
|}
{{-}}

<big>'''Unofficial Mexican imports'''</big>

In addition to the regular toys released by Hasbro and GiG, [http://www.tfarchive.com/toys/articles/mexican_invasion.php Europe was also hit by a flood of Transformers toys imported from Mexico]. While these toys had been officially produced by [[IGA]] with the intention to release them on the Mexican market, a large unsold stock remained that was eventually exported to Europe without Hasbro's involvement. The toys were available in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Romania, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. This created a strange situation where unofficially imported (but officially produced) toys competed with official European releases. These toys are considered official for Mexico but unofficial for Europe.

==1990==
By 1990, Hasbro had mostly streamlined their European markets. Presumably, all toys that came out in one country were also available everywhere else. Even the Italian releases now sported a uniform look with the toys that were available elsewhere in Europe (even though they still sported a "[[GiG]]" logo and Italian names), with one exception. Also, with Hasbro cancelling the ''Transformers'' line in the USA for the time being, the European Hasbro branches continued releasing new toys which the USA would never get. By this time, [[Australia]] also was receiving releases, re-releases and exclusives in a pattern similar (if not exactly the same) to that of the European market; this would continue at least as far as ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]''.

Presumably, Germany got the UK versions of the 1990 [[Action Master]]s in English-only packaging. Also, GiG gave at least some of the Action Masters toys that were based on older characters the original Italian names again.

Confirmed releases include:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK''': English packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''S''': Spanish packaging, '''I''': Italian packaging with alternate names}}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Patrols'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Air Patrol#Toys|Air Patrol]] (S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Construction Patrol#Toys|Construction Patrol]] (S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Rod Patrol#Toys|Hot Rod Patrol]] (F/NL, S, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Military Patrol#Toys|Military Patrol]] (F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Monster Truck Patrol#Toys|Monster Trucks Patrol]] (UK, F/NL, S, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Race Track Patrol#Toys|Race Track Patrol]] (S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Combiner Squads'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Astro Squad#Toys|Astro Squad]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Battle Squad#Toys|Battle Squad]] (I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Constructor Squad#Toys|Constructor Squad]] (UK, S, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Metro Squad#Toys|Metro Squad]] (I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Combiner Transports'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Cannon Transport#Toys|Cannon Transport]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Missile Launcher#Toys|Missile Launcher]] (S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tanker Truck#Toys|Tanker Truck]] (UK, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster Combiner Autobot Battlefield Headquarters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Battlefield Headquarters#Toys|Battlefield Headquarters]] (S, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:G1-toy CannonTransport.jpg|thumb|200px|Cannon Transport]][[File:G1 Overrun toy.jpg|thumb|200px|Attack Copter with Over-Run]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Action Master Figures'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blaster (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Blaster]] with [[Flight Pack]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Bumblebee]] with [[Heli-pack]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Devastator (G1)#ActionMaster|Devastator]] with [[Scorpulator#Toys|Scorpulator]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Grimlock]] with [[Anti-tank cannon]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Jackpot (G1)#Toys|Jackpot]] with [[Sights (G1)#Toys|Sights]] (I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Jazz (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Jazz]] with [[Turbo Board]] (I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Mainframe (G1)#Toys|Mainframe]] with [[Push-Button#Toys|Push-Button]] (I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Rad (G1)#Toys|Rad]] with [[Lionizer (G1)#Toys|Lionizer]] (I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Rollout (G1)#Toys|Rollout]] with [[Glitch (G1)#Toys|Glitch]] (I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Shockwave (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Shockwave]] with [[Fistfight (G1)#Toys|Fistfight]] (UK)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Soundwave (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Soundwave]] with [[Wingthing (G1)#Toys|Wingthing]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Snarl (G1)#ActionMaster|Snarl]] with [[Tyrannitron#Toys|Tyrannitron]] (UK)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Treadshot (G1)#Toys|Treadshot]] with [[Catgut#Toys|Catgut]] (I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Action Master Action Blasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Attack Copter]] with [[Over-Run (G1)#Toys|Over-Run]] (F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Action Master Action Vehicles'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Starscream (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Starscream]] / [[Turbo Jet#Toys|Turbo Jet]] (I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Wheeljack]] / [[Turbo Racer#Toys|Turbo Racer]] (I)}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Galaxy Shuttle'''
{{bp-a1|[[Galaxy Shuttle#Toys|Galaxy Shuttle]] (I)}}
|}
{{note|Galaxy Shuttle is originally from the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1989 (Victory)|Victory]]'' line. The Italian GiG release is the only non-Takara release of the toy. How/why is anyone's guess.}}

{{-}}
[[File:EuroClassicsOnslaughtBattle.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Transformers: Classics|Not]] [[2006]].]]
<big>'''"Classics" (Europe & Australasia)'''</big>

Possibly taking a cue from the popularity of the Classic Pretenders, Hasbro started re-releasing original toys from 1984-1987 in "gold" packaging based on the Classic Pretenders' boxes, under the name "[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]". Germany got the "Classics" toys in English packaging. Unlike the English and French/Dutch versions, the Italian and Spanish "Classics" don't actually say "Classic" anywhere on the packaging. The toys themselves are functionally identical to their original releases, complete with [[rubsign]]s. (Some toys released this year were altered the following year, but we'll talk about the details of that then.)

''Why'' this line happened is currently unknown, but there are several possibilities. It is known that the ''Transformers'' line was only ''just'' starting up in China (thanks to some legal shenanigans), and it appears the "Classics" toys were produced in the same Chinese factories, so the molds suddenly being available for production presented possibilities. It is unknown if Hasbro had originally intended for the toys to be released in the US market as well as in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, but the line's cancellation in the US killed that. It's also possible "Classics" was a response to the unofficially-imported Mexican toys that flooded European and Australasian shelves with classic characters at the time, and therefore had never intended to be released in the US.

Confirmed European/Australasian "Classic" releases from 1990<ref>http://www.fredsworkshop.com/veurolist.html</ref>:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK''': English packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''S''': Spanish packaging, '''I''': Italian packaging with alternate names}}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Aerialbots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Air Raid (G1)#Toys|Air Raid]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Fireflight (G1)#Toys|Fireflight]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Silverbolt (G1)#Toys|Silverbolt]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Slingshot (G1)#Toys|Slingshot]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Toys|Skydive]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Stunticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Breakdown (G1)#Toys|Breakdown]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Dead End (G1)#Toys|Dead End]] (UK, F/NL, S, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Drag Strip (G1)#Toys|Drag Strip]] (UK, F/NL, S, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Motormaster (G1)#Toys|Motormaster]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Wildrider (G1)#Toys|Wild Rider]]{{sic}} (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Heroes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Inferno (G1)/toys#Toys|Inferno]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Toys|Ironhide]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Jazz (G1)/toys#Toys|Jazz]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{bp-a1|[[Prowl (G1)/toys#Toys|Prowl]] (sticker variant) (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Sunstreaker]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Toys|Wheeljack]] (UK, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:G1toy ClassicHeroProwl.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Classic Hero Prowl]]
|}

{{-}}

==1991==
Although ''Transformers'' had come to a stop in the US, Hasbro continued releasing new toys to the European and Australasian markets. Those included numerous Action Masters, more "Classic" re-releases of older toys, and even toys that were originally only available in Japan, slightly redecoed for the European market. Again, Action Masters were available in English packaging in Germany.

Confirmed releases include:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK''': English packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''S''': Spanish packaging, '''I''': Italian packaging with alternate names}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Action Master figures'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Bombshell (G1)#ActionMaster|Bombshell]] with [[Needler (G1)#Toys|Needler]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Charger#Toys|Charger]] with [[Fire Beast]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Powerflash#Toys|Powerflash]] with [[Road Rocket (G1)#Toys|Road Rocket]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Sideswipe]] with [[Vanguard]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Take-Off#Toys|Take-Off]] with [[Screech (Action Master)#Toys|Screech]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tracks (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Tracks]] with [[Basher]] (UK, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Action Master Exo-suit|Exo-Suit]] Action Masters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Circuit (G1)#Toys|Circuit]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Thundercracker]] (UK, F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Motorized Exo-Suit Action Masters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Rumbler (G1)#Toys|Rumbler]] (UK, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Slicer (Decepticon)#Toys|Slicer]] (UK)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Action Master Elites'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Double Punch#Toys|Double Punch]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Omega Supreme (G1)#omegaspreem|Omega Spreem]]{{sic}} (UK)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Turbo Master#Toys|Turbo Master]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Windmill (G1)#Toys|Windmill]] (UK)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=4|[[File:G1-toy DoublePunch.jpg|thumb|200px|Action Master Elite Double Punch]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Motorvators'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Flame (Motorvator)#Toys|Flame]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Gripper (G1)#Toys|Gripper]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Lightspeed (Motorvator)#Toys|Lightspeed]] (UK, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Others'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Overlord (Masterforce)#Toys|Overlord]] (UK, F/NL, I)}}
|}

{{-}}
<big>'''Classics'''</big>

Again, Classics toys were available in English packaging in Germany. However, the Classic Combaticons might have not been available in Germany, due to the unpopular "war" theme. Also, again, the Italian and Spanish Classics don't say "Classic" anywhere on the packaging, unlike the English and French/Dutch versions. The rubsign indents on the Classic Protectobots, Combaticons, Throttlebots, and Triple Changers Springer and Octane, were filled in. As the rubsigns were the ''only'' faction symbols on the Throttlebots, they were replaced with paper Autobot symbol stickers.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Throttlebots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Chase (G1)#Toys|Chase]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Freeway (G1)#Toys|Freeway]] (UK, I Saterbot)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Goldbug|Goldbug]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Rollbar (G1)#Toys|Rollbar]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Searchlight (G1)#Toys|Searchlight]] (UK, I Strobobot)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Wideload (G1)#Toys|Wideload]] (UK, I Rapidbot)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Protectobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Blades (G1)#Toys|Blades]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[First Aid (G1)#Toys|First Aid]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Groove (G1)#Toys|Groove]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hot Spot (G1)#Toys|Hot Spot]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Streetwise (G1)#Toys|Streetwise]] (UK, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Combaticons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Blast Off (G1)#Toys|Blast Off]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Brawl (G1)#Toys|Brawl]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Onslaught (G1)#Toys|Onslaught]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Swindle (G1)#Toys|Swindle]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Vortex (G1)#Toys|Vortex]] (UK, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Triple Changers'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Astrotrain (G1)#Toys|Astrotrain]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Octane#Toys|Octane]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sandstorm (G1)#Toys|Sandstorm]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Springer (G1)/toys#Toys|Springer]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:G1toy Classics FirstAid.JPG|right|thumb|150px|Classics First Aid]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Dinobots'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Grimlock]] (UK)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Sludge (G1)#Toys|Sludge]] (UK, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Snarl (G1)#Toys|Snarl]] (UK, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic Heroes'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Toys|Sideswipe]] (UK, S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Tracks (G1)/toys#Toys|Tracks]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Leader'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]] (UK, F/NL, S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Combiner giftsets'''
{{bp-d1|[[Devastator (G1)/toys#Toys|Devastator]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Defensor (G1)#Toys|Defensor]]}}
|}
{{note|The Combiner giftsets were released only in Greece by GiG under the brand name "El Greco". These versions also came with a Classic Dinobot attached on the back or front of the box.}}
{{-}}

==1992==
[[File:G1Stalker toy.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Predator Stalker (with Snare attached in the lower-right)]]
'92 is when the European ''Transformers'' line really began to kick into high gear, even if the amount of product was a little on the light side. Hasbro produced new toys exclusively designed for the European market (though some did get imported to Japan), which had a far more cohesive design aesthetic than... well, the line ever had in its past. The Autobots trended towards brighter colors and generally had more "human" faces, and each one used bright-magenta translucent plastic for vehicle-mode windscreens and a new innovation in the line, [[light-piping|light-piped]] eyes which appear to "glow" when light shines through them from behind. The Decepticons trended towards darker, cooler colors, their faces much more "robotic" (usually with facemasks and visor-eyes), and using bright-green translucent plastic for their canopies/optics. Both sides also included spring-loaded missile launchers, a [[gimmick]] that had been all but abandoned in Hasbro's markets due to more stringent [[for safety reasons|safety regulations for projectiles]] in the US.

Rounding out the year's product are a strange pair of re-released combiner teams ''lacking'' their combining ability... or individual names.

After this year, Hasbro decided European sales were good enough to [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|try to revive ''Transformers'' in the US again]].<ref>[http://www.tfarchive.com/fandom/interviews/george_dunsay/george_dunsay_interview.php George Dunsay interview at TFArchive]: "At the time it was discontinued in the US, it was not a temporary decision. It is only after the success in Europe that the US people decided to reintroduce it"</ref>

In terms of languages, English and Spanish were now merged into bilingual English/Spanish packaging for the British, Spanish, Australian, and New Zealand markets, whereas France, Belgium, and the Netherlands still got toys in bilingual French/Dutch packaging, but now with alternate (English) names as well, and Italy still got toys in Italian-only packaging from GiG.

Confirmed releases include:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK/S''': English/Spanish packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''I''': Italian packaging with alternate names}}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Turbomasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Boss (G1)#Toys|Boss]] (UK/S, F/NL, I}}
{{bp-a1|[[Flash (G1)#Toys|Flash]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Hurricane#Toys|Hurricane]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Rotorstorm (G1)#Toys|Rotorstorm]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Scorch (G1)#Toys|Scorch]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Thunder Clash#Toys|Thunder Clash]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Predators'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Falcon (G1)#Toys|Falcon]] (UK/S, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Skydive (Predator)#Toys|Skydive]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Skyquake (G1)#Toys|Skyquake]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Snare#Toys|Snare]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Stalker (G1)#Toys|Stalker]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Talon (G1)#Toys|Talon]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Rescue Force'''
{{bp-a1|"[[Rescue Force 2#Toys|Rescue Force buggy]]"}}
{{bp-a1|"[[Rescue Force 3#Toys|Rescue Force drill]]"}}
{{bp-a1|"[[Rescue Force (individual)#Toys|Rescue Force jet]]"}}
{{bp-a1|"[[Rescue Force 1#Toys|Rescue Force tank]]"}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Constructicons'''
{{bp-d1|"[[Bonecrusher (G1)#1992yellow|Bonecrusher]]"}}
{{bp-d1|"[[Hook (G1)#1992yellow|Hook]]"}}
{{bp-d1|"[[Long Haul (G1)#1992yellow|Long Haul]]"}}
{{bp-d1|"[[Mixmaster (G1)#1992yellow|Mixmaster]]"}}
{{bp-d1|"[[Scavenger (G1)#1992yellow|Scavenger]]"}}
{{bp-d1|"[[Scrapper (G1)#1992yellow|Scrapper]]"}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:G1-toy Flash.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Turbomaster Flash]]
|}
{{-}}

==1993==
[[File:G1-toy-Ironfist.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Lightformer Ironfist]]
While Hasbro rolled out the new ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' toyline in the US, the European line continued under the original branding, with a slew of new all-new-mold toys with a variety of gimmicks… though curiously with the "Generation 2" Autobot and Decepticon symbols applied to them. (A popular [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers#Generation 2|rumor]] claims that this was due to the international licence for the original symbols having expired, which sounds highly dubious.) Some toys even got the "Autobot/Decepticon" text-stamp that was added to every ''Generation 2'' toy in the US.

On top of all these new molds, last year's Turbomasters, Predators, Rescue Force and Constructicons were still shipping to stores, making for quite a full assortment of toys for the final year of the original ''Transformers'' toyline globally. ''Salut!''

Many fans consider this year a sort of "Generation 1.5", further buoyed by the fact that all of the new molds got re-released in 1994 under the ''Generation 2'' branding in European markets.

Confirmed releases include:
{{note|Alternate-language names are not given here to save space. '''UK/S''': English/Spanish packaging, '''F/NL''': French/Dutch packaging, '''I''': Italian packaging with alternate names}}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Axelerator]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Turbofire#Toys|Hotrider]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Rapido#Toys|Rapido]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Skram (G2)#Toys|Skram]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Windbreaker#Toys|Zap]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Skyscorcher]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Eagle Eye (G2)#Toys|Hawk]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Afterburner (G2)#Toys|Snipe]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Terradive (G2)#Toys|Terradive]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Windrazor (G2)#Toys|Tornado]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Aquaspeeder]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Aquafend#Toys|Aquafend]] (UK/S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Deluge (G1)#Toys|Deluge]] (UK/S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Jetstorm (G1)#Toys|Jetstorm]] (UK/S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Speedstream#Toys|Speedstream]] (UK/S)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Stormtrooper (G1)|Stormtrooper]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Aquablast#Toys|Aquablast]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Drench (G1)#Toys|Drench]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Hydradread#Toys|Hydradread]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Rage (G1)#Toys|Rage]] (UK/S, F/NL, I)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:G2-toy Clench.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Obliterator Clench]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Lightformer]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-a1|[[Deftwing#Toys|Deftwing]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Ironfist (G1)#Toys|Ironfist]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Trakkon]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Calcar#Toys|Calcar]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
{{bp-d1|[[Fearswoop (G1)#Toys|Fearswoop]] (UK/S, F/NL)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Obliterator]]s'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-d1|[[Clench (G1)#Toys|Clench]] (UK/S)}}
{{bp-a1|[[Pyro (G1)#Toys|Pyro]] (UK/S)}}
|}
{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1 toylines|European]]