MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:Pyro (disambiguation)

2023-12-29T15:30:13Z

Kzhe: suggesting remove pyra-pyro redirect

shouldn't Pyra not redirect to this given Pyra is a totally separate word (Pyra is the name of Pyra Magna before the death of Praesidia Magna)[[User:Kzhe|Kzhe]] ([[User talk:Kzhe|talk]]) 10:30, 29 December 2023 (EST)

Talk:United States of America

2021-09-08T18:59:14Z

Kzhe:

Where is SG? --[[User:Kzhe|Kzhe]] 15:00, 8 September 2021 (EDT)

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This article seems to be written to focus on the appearances of Presidents of the United States. There's already an article for those guys, so I think this page needs to be refocused. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 21:21, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

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Umm, the intro is pretty outdated, should it be changed? Because after all, this article is not G1 specific so it shouldn't mention the soviet union....right? --[[User:Skyglide|Skyglide]] 00:42, 25 March 2008 (UTC)

== AAII ==

So in the crossword of The Allspark Almanac 2, it mentions 53 states. And the Burger Bot place mat shows Peurto Ricco and Wales. I see a third on the map and I can't seem to figure out what it is. So what is it? ([[Special:Contributions/184.56.18.164|184.56.18.164]] 17:12, 26 October 2011 (EDT))

Talk:United States of America

2021-09-08T18:58:51Z

Kzhe:

Where is SG? --[[User:Kzhe]] 15:00, 8 September 2021 (EDT)

----

This article seems to be written to focus on the appearances of Presidents of the United States. There's already an article for those guys, so I think this page needs to be refocused. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 21:21, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

----

Umm, the intro is pretty outdated, should it be changed? Because after all, this article is not G1 specific so it shouldn't mention the soviet union....right? --[[User:Skyglide|Skyglide]] 00:42, 25 March 2008 (UTC)

== AAII ==

So in the crossword of The Allspark Almanac 2, it mentions 53 states. And the Burger Bot place mat shows Peurto Ricco and Wales. I see a third on the map and I can't seem to figure out what it is. So what is it? ([[Special:Contributions/184.56.18.164|184.56.18.164]] 17:12, 26 October 2011 (EDT))

Rattrap (BW)/toys

2021-03-26T20:32:41Z

Kzhe: about scale kingdo,,m

{{suite}}
[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Rattrap-art.jpg|thumb|upright=1.88|I'M DA GIANT RAT DAT MAKES ALL OF DA RULES!]]

You may not be able to depend on '''Rattrap'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s courage, but you can depend on him to have a lot of toys.

==Toys==
===''Beast Wars''===
[[File:BW-toy Rattrap.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Less cute than advertised.]]
*'''Rattrap''' (Basic Class, 1996/1997)
**''Takara ID number'': '''C-5'''
**''Accessories'': 2-part [[Fusion weaponry#Fusion pistol|pistol]]

: Part of the first wave of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' Basic toys, Rattrap transforms from a large rat to robot mode with a spring-action, [[Autotransformation|one-step transformation]] activated by pulling up on the base of his tail. His beast mode "shell" halves each hide a part of his handgun.

: Initial release of [[Hasbro]] Rattrap came on a "rocky bubble" style card, which was quickly replaced with a "smooth bubble" style card in wave 2. Rattrap shipped on both styles of card, but the rocky-bubble version is rarer, and commands a higher price on the secondary market, if keeping toys in rare-ish packaging is your particular collecting "thing".

: In Japan, "Rattle" was similarly released in the first wave of product in July 1997, and was basically identical to the Hasbro version. However, in January 1998, many first-wave toys were re-released with altered decoes to make them more show-like. For Rattrap, this mainly meant his robot mode head got a humongous glob of shiny copper paint (that didn't really match his copper plastic in tone). This copper was also used on his hands. His beast mode eyes were changed from yellow to red, and dark gray paint was added to his rat nose, although oddly the [[paint operation]]s on his rodent teeth were dropped altogether.

: This mold was also used to make [[Packrat#Toys|Packrat]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1996/Maximal/Rattrap/rattrap.htm More information on Rattrap at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|VS5}}{{anchor|BasicJ2pack}}
[[File:BW-toy VS05 Rattle Terrorsaurer.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Rocky Mountain hi-YAH!]]
*'''Rocky Mountain Showdown: Rattle VS Terrorsaurer''' (Vs pack, July 1997 / January 1998)
**''ID number'': '''VS-5'''
**''Accessories'': 2-part [[Fusion weaponry#Fusion pistol|pistol]]

: In Japan, Rattrap was available both separately and in a "Rocky Mountain Showdown" (岩山の対決, ''iwayama no taiketsu'') two-pack with the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Terrorsaur (BW)#VS5|Terrorsaur]].

: Two variants of the set exist: the original releases and the 1998 [[redeco]] versions. The toys are identical to their individual releases.

{{-}}{{anchor|TM1}}{{anchor|Transmetal1}}
[[File:BWRattrapTM.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Find one without a chrome shedding problem, win a prize! (''Hasbro version pictured'')]]
[[File:BW-toy Rattrap Metals.jpg|right|thumb|300px|(''Takara version pictured'')]]
*'''Rattrap''' (Deluxe Transmetal, 1998/1999)
**''Takara ID number'': '''C-43'''
**''Accessories'': Tail-whip

: Part of the second wave of Hasbro Deluxe [[Transmetal]]s, Rattrap transforms from semi-organic robot to a robotic rat. He has a third "beast-vehicle" form, folding his hind feet up into the extending rear wheels, flipping up his front legs, and pulling out a pair of [[Anatomic euphemism#Exhaust port|exhaust pipes]] (eyuw, the smell!). His beast mode tail becomes a whip for robot mode. There is a minor variant to this toy: about midway through the production run, a small "catch" was added to the neck's swivel joint to lock his robot head in place in robot mode. This [[retool]]ed version was then used for all subsequent releases of the toy.

: Despite the show's portrayal, his hubcaps are ''not'' removable (well, not in a way that won't break the toy), he does ''not'' have a handgun, and his back kibble does ''not'' rotate 180 degrees.

: This release is one of several toys notorious for severe chrome-flaking issues. Later redecoes -including the Takara release below- do not seem to have this problem (at least, not anywhere as bad or widespread).

: For the Japanese ''Beast Wars Metals'' release of "Metals Rattle" in September 1999, the toy was given a large number of deco changes that, while individually minor, add up to a considerably different-looking, arguably more show-accurate toy (at least in robot mode). The most immediately noticeable is that the "RATTRAP" [[tampograph]] on his beast mode back was changed to "CYBERTRON" with the [[Maximal]] [[Insignia|faction symbol]]. However, his entire color scheme has been slightly altered: his gray-tan plastics and are now more blueish-gray, the champagne-silver paint is now more cold silver, his brown base turned into a very dark pearlescent maroonish-purple, the chrome was given a much more maroon tone, and the bright orange changed to a darker, redder shade. (This version has the neck-catch tooling, in case you were wondering, which you weren't, but we're telling you anyway.)

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1998/Maximal/Rattrap/rattrap.htm More information on Transmetal Rattrap at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|VS43}}{{anchor|MetalsVs}}
[[File:BW-toy RattrapVsTerrorMetals.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Flash Showdown: Metals Rattle VS Metals Terrorsaurer'''
**''ID number'': '''VS-43'''
**''Accessories'': Tail-whip

: In Japan, Transmetal Rattrap was available both as an individual and in a "Flash Showdown" (閃光の対決, ''senkō no taiketsu'') VS pack with [[Terrorsaur (BW)#Transmetal|Transmetal Terrorsaur]]. Both toys are identical to their individual releases.

{{-}}{{anchor|WalMart}}
[[File:Walmartrattrappackrat.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Yoink!]]
*'''Rattrap''' (Deluxe Transmetal, 1999)
**''Accessories'': Tail-whip

: The first store-[[exclusive]] Transformer in the ''Beast Wars'' line, Transmetal Rattrap was given a deep blue color scheme. He was only available as a [[Walmart]] exclusive, even having the Walmart logo emblazoned on the bubble as part of the design.

: This toy was later [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as a Transmetal form for [[Packrat]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1999/Maximal/WalmartRattrap/walrat.htm More information on Walmart Rattrap at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Puzzle}}
[[File:BW-toy RattrapPuzzle.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Rattrap Cheesepants]]
*'''Metals Rattle Special Version''' (Pack-in Deluxe, 1999)
**''Accessories'': Tail-whip

: The Deluxe Transmetal Rattrap toy was given a white and orange deco and packed in with a 500-piece ''Beast Wars Metals'' jigsaw puzzle from Central Hobby.

:Oddly, this toy uses the Hasbro "RATTRAP" tampograph on the rat mode back rather than the Takara "CYBERTRON" and symbol mark. This is likely due to the fact it was released long before Metals was released in Japan.

:This toy was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as the ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' version of [[Rattrap (BWSG)|Rattrap]] and as [[Labrat]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1999/Cybertron/PuzzleRattrap/rattrap.htm More information on puzzle Rattrap at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|FKTM}}
[[File:Rattrap transmetal2000.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''Redrat! Redraaaat!'']]
*'''Rattrap''' (Deluxe Transmetal, 2000)
**''Accessories'': Tail-whip

: As part of the first wave of 2000's "[[Fox Kids]]" Transmetals series, this version of Rattrap was one of the last releases in the original retail ''Beast Wars'' line. The toy got a more primary red color scheme, with bright gray robot bits and deep blue/purplish chrome.

: This toy was released in Japan as part of a [[JafCon]] convention exclusive set (without changes) along with the "Fox Kids" Transmetals versions of [[Airazor (BW)#FKTM|Airazor]] and [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#FKTM|Cheetor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Maximal/FKTMRattrap/rattrap.htm More information on Fox Kids Rattrap at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===''Beast Machines''===
[[File:BMtoy-RattrapMcD.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Is that whiteface?]]
*'''Rattrap''' (Happy Meal, 2000)

: Part of the ''Beast Machines'' McDonald's Happy Meal promotion, Rattrap transforms into a technorganic rat modeled more after the cartoon model than the toy. As such, his robot mode does not have normal legs, only extendable wheels. His toy also features light piping that in theory illuminates the Maximal [[spark]] on his stomach. Being made of softer plastic and having no removable parts, he is very suitable for the younger set.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Maximal/McRattrap/rattrap.htm More information on Beast Machines Rattrap (Mcdonald's) at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|RedRooster}}
[[File:BMtoy-RattrapRedRooster.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Ever want to know what the children would look like?]]
*'''Rattrap''' (Little Red Rooster meal, 2001)

: The McDonald's Happy Meal Rattrap was also released in Australia through the Red Rooster restaurant rai—uh, chain. Like the other three pieces used, it came in four color schemes: the original colors (with opaques replacing the transparents), a reversed red-with-green, a deep blue with very light blue, and a light blue with deep blue.

:These versions of the mold were retooled from the original, removing almost all arm articulation (and a step in the transformation), plugging up the light piping, and reducing the number of parts and plastic colours used by the toy. Oddly, even though Little Red Rooster Meal Rattrap no longer has light piping he has a red paint app (on all 4 versions) on his back to simulate the red circle of translucent plastic on the original's back.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Maximal/RRRattrapRed/rattrap.htm More information on Red Rooster Red Rattrap at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Maximal/RRRattrapBlue/rattrap.htm More information on Red Rooster Deep Blue Rattrap at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Maximal/RRRattrapIce/rattrap.htm More information on Red Rooster Light Blue Rattrap at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BMMega}}
[[File:Rattrapbeastmachinesmega.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Oh shit, it's a rat!]]
*'''Rattrap''' (Mega Class, 2001)
**''Accessories'': Tail-whip

: Rattrap was the last release in the ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' toyline before the change to the "Battle for the Spark" packaging, not appearing on shelves until long after the rest of his Season 1 compatriots. Reportedly, Rattrap was delayed for redesign purposes.

:Rattrap transforms into a large [[technorganic]] rat. In beast mode, turning his tail moves his head and ears. In robot mode, he has a flip-down visor and moving jaw. His robot legs can also fold up so he can use his wheels, which also have flip-out blades. His beast tail becomes a hand-held whip. He possesses an orange spark crystal, concealed within his body, making it visible only in mid-transformation.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Maximal/Rattrap/rattrap.htm More information on Beast Machines Rattrap (Mega) at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars Returns''===
*'''Rattle''' ([[November 18]], [[2004]])
**''ID number'': '''BR-03'''
**''Accessories'': Tail-whip
: The above Mega Class toy was later released by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] as "Rattle" in the [[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|''Beast Wars Returns'' line]], made available only at Japanese Toys"R"Us stores. It appears that there are no notable differences between the Hasbro and Takara versions aside from packaging.

===''Beast Wars 10th Anniversary''===
[[File:BW10th-Rattrap.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Not phallic at all.]]
*'''Rattrap''' (Deluxe Class, 2006)
**''Accessories'': Tail-whip

: Part of the second wave of ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]'' product, the original [[#TM1|Transmetal Rattrap toy]] was given a slight deco modification for better show accuracy: mainly a brighter, more neutral gray plus a Maximal sigil on his chest (the latter ironically making him look ''less'' show accurate). He came with the right arm to the "build-a-bot" [[Transmutate (BW)|Trans-Mutate]], plus a DVD of the episode "[[A Better Mousetrap]]"... an episode that, oddly enough, features Rattrap in his original organic body.

: Rattrap is also the only ''10th Anniversary'' figure that is redeco'd from the Transmetal rather than the organic body, because the original Basic figure's mold was either lost or stolen [[Rattrap (BW)/toys#Vintage Beast Wars|until 2021]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Maximal/Rattrap/rattrap.htm More information on 10th Anniversary Rattrap at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:Timelinestoy-RattrapDoFP.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Mmmm, cheese wheel.]]
*'''Dawn of Future's Past''' (BotCon 2006 boxset)
**''Accessories'': Blaster, "Golden Disk Key"

: ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' "Axalon Rattrap" is a redeco of ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' Scout Class [[Ransack (Cybertron)#Toys|Ransack]], transforming into a Cybertronic motorcycle. Plugging a [[Cyber Planet Key]]—or in this set's case, a [[Golden Disk Key]]—into the rear portion of his bike mode flips out a pair of non-firing guns. This assembly detaches to form a hand-held blaster in robot mode. This is thus far the only version of the ''Cybertron'' Ransack mold to have the "correct" rear wheel assembly position.

: Rattrap came in a boxed 5-pack with "Axalon" versions of [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Timelines|Optimus Primal]], [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Timelines|Cheetor]], [[Rhinox (BW)/toys#Timelines|Rhinox]], and "[[Darksyde (BW)|Darksyde]]" [[Dinobot (BW)/toys#Timelines|Dinobot]]. This set was also made available as a bagged set in more limited numbers.

: This mold was also the model for non-toy characters [[Quickslinger (Cybertron)|Quickslinger]] and the "[[Theft of the Golden Disk]]" video incarnation of [[Tarantulas (BW)#Timelines|Tarantulas]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Maximal/BCRattrap/rattrap.htm More information on Axalon Rattrap at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Generations''===
====''Thrilling 30''====
[[File:Generationstoy-Rattrap.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|At long last, I can finally move my legs!]]
*'''Rattrap''' (Deluxe Class, 2014)
**''Series / Number'': '''02 / #017'''
**''Accessories'': 2 blasters, demolition charge

:Part of the ninth wave of 2012-onwards ''[[Transformers: Generations#Thrilling 30|Generations: Thrilling 30]]'' Deluxe Class toys, Rattrap is a new mold that reattempts the original toy but at a larger size and with a more complicated transformation. He has two blasters which can combine to form a larger rifle, and his left forearm opens to reveal a demolition charge. The blaster can be stored securely in a slot between the robot's back and the backpack to simulate Rattrap reaching behind his head to draw it. Additionally, he is jointed so that he can be standing upright in rat mode, much like he did in the television show, and extra fur-textured plastic is placed at the back of his neck so that it can close up the gap when his rat head is facing downwards. His tail is rubberized with a wire running through it, allowing it to be posed. Though, like most Deluxe Class ''Generations'' toys, he is tooled to have lightpiped eyes, his eyes are painted over in red.

:He suffers from a design flaw in which an overly tight transformation joint in the shins can crack the legs or cause stress marks. This can be fixed with careful trimming of the back of the joint.<ref>[https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/generations-rattrap.985384/page-6#post-11166033 Post by optimusfan at TFW2005]</ref>

:He comes with a copy of "[[Finest Hour: Dark Cybertron Chapter 5|Finest Hour]]", which places its pages massively out of order and does not actually feature Rattrap.

:Notably, the photo on the back of the box depicts him with a large Maximal logo on his right robot mode leg that is not present on the actual toy.

:This mold was redecoed into [[BotCon 2015]] [[Packrat#Timelines|Packrat]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Maximal/Rattrap/rattrap.htm More information on ''Generations'' Rattrap at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

====''War for Cybertron: Kingdom''====
[[File:WFC-Kingdom Core Rattrap.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''Rats! We're rats! We're dah rats!'']]
*'''Rattrap''' (Core Class, [[2020]])
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''WFC-K2'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''KD-02'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[March 27]], 2021
**''Accessories'': Fusion blaster

: Part of the first wave of ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'' Core Class toys, Rattrap is a 3-inch-tall toy that transforms from a robot mode based heavily on his ''Beast Wars'' cartoon appearance into a significantly more realistic organic rat than his ''Thrilling 30'' toy. However, his robot mode fists stick out in a ''very'' <s>realistic</s> unfortunate position in rat mode.

: He comes with a "fusion blaster" based on Rattrap's weapon from the cartoon, which can be tabbed onto his back in robot mode, or on his left haunch in rat mode.

: As part of the Core Class, the reveal press release describes him as "a mini version of the iconic character to pose out with other RATTRAP toys at larger scales", though the toy is already meant to scale with other ''Kingdom'' toys, even if a bit small.

{{-}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy''====
[[File:WFCNetflixtoy-Maximal-Rattrap.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Maximal Optimus Primal''' (Battle 2-pack, 2021)
: Netflix Rattrap is a minor redeco of the above Kingdom toy, with a darker gunmetal grey. He comes packaged with a similarly redecoed [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Optimus Primal]] figure. However, his nose paint seems to be unchanged in shade, leading it to be far less subtle than on the normal release.

: A hilarious note is the absolutely ''horrendous'' photoshop job on some of his stock photos at the time of reveal.
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:Kreon Rattrap.JPG|thumb|upright=1.66]]
{{anchor|BotCon2014}}
*'''Kreon Rattrap''' (Kreon Souvenir Figure Set, 2014)
**''Accessories'': Dual blaster, hardhat.

: "Kreon Rattrap" is based on the [[BotCon 2006]] Rattrap figure. He can have his parts rearranged into a Cybertronian motorcycle. He comes with a gray hardhat part that you could switch with his helmet to better resemble his look in the comic.

: He was only available as part of a [[BotCon 2014]] ''Kre-O'' six-pack, including [[Breakdown (G1)#BotCon2014|Breakdown]], [[Fractyl#Kre-O|Fractyl]], [[Overlord (Masterforce)#Kre-O|Gigatron]], [[Landshark (G1)#Kre-O|Landshark]], and [[Rodimus (SG)#Kre-O|Shattered Glass Rodimus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Maximal/BCKre-ORattrap/rattrap.htm More information on Rattrap at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Legends''===
[[File:Legendstoy-Rattle.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Just like the other one, but tanner.]]
*'''Rattle''' ('''Rattrap''') ([[October 25]], [[2014]])
**''ID number:'' '''LG01'''
**''Accessories'': 2 blasters, "bomb part"
:''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' Rattle is a redeco of ''Generations'' Deluxe Class Rattrap with yellow robot parts, slightly beiger fur and some new paint apps, such as red rat eyes and a painted-in mouth in robot mode. He comes with a leaflet featuring a character profile, tech specs, and the [[Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 1|''Legends'' Bonus Edition Volume 1]] mini-comic.

{{-}}{{anchor|LGEX}}
[[File:TF-Legends-LG-EX-Rattrap.jpg|thumb|300px]]
*'''Rattle''' ('''Rattrap''') ([[May 7]], [[2016]])
**''ID number:'' '''LG-EX'''
**''Accessories'': 2 blasters, "bomb part"
:LG-EX Rattle is another redeco of ''Generations'' Rattrap, exclusive to [[Transformers Fes2016]]. It's almost identical to the first ''Legends'' Rattle, but with some slight color differences such as beige robot parts, black rat eyes, and a darker shade of brown in the fur. His packaging features the confused sentence "rat to rattorp" instead of "rat to robot".
{{-}}

===''Vintage Beast Wars''===
*'''Rattrap''' ([[2021]])
**''Accessories'': 2-part [[Fusion weaponry#Fusion pistol|pistol]]
:In celebration of the 25th anniversary of ''Beast Wars'', the original 1996 Basic Class Rattrap was reissued under the ''[[Vintage Beast Wars]]'' lineup. Rattrap features all the same accessories and functionality as the original toy but differs slightly in plastic coloration, having a deeper brown, a browner shade of gray and a different shade of pink. His beast mode eyes have also been painted black instead of the original's yellow.

:Much like ''[[Vintage G1]]'', Rattrap is packaged in a "rock bubble" blister card styled after the original ''Beast Wars'' toy packaging, [[package art]] and all. Also similar to ''Vintage G1'', the time disparity since the original release has the toy set at quadruple the price of the toy's 1996 release and is exclusive to [[Walmart]] in the United States.
{{Comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Beast Wars Movie Coin''===
*'''Beast Wars Movie Coin''' (1997)

:Released only in Japan, Rattrap was one of three characters from ''Beast Wars'' to receive a movie coin, the other two being Rhinox and Scorponok.
::*''[http://www.tfmuseum.com/tf-02112.html Rattrap Movie Coin at TFMuseum.com]''
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars'' magnet set===
*'''Beast Wars magnet set''' (1997)

: The original cast of ten from the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon was rendered in adorable [[Super deformed|super-deformed]] style for a set of magnets. Awwwww.
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars Transformers Mutating Card Game''===
[[File:Rattrapmutatingcard.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|His special move, as is his least favorite roller-coaster ride, is the Fiery Fist of Doom.]]
*'''Beast Wars Transformers Mutating Card Game''' (1997)
:Rattrap was one of the 24 beast warriors to receive a battle card representation for the ''Beast Wars'' [[Beast Wars Transformers Mutating Card Game|card game]].
{{-}}

===Kabaya===
[[File:BWchoco rattrap.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Rattle vs Terrorsaurer''' (candy toy, 1997)
**''ID number:'' '''5'''

:Part of [[Kabaya]]'s ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Choco|Beast Wars Choco]]'' line of [[candy toy]]s, this small soft-rubber figurine of Rattrap—known in Japan as a ''keshigomu''—came in a set with a similar figure of Terrorsaur, along with a bio card and candy-covered chocolates. The figures were available in either translucent purple or smoky grey rubber.
{{-}}

[[File:BwgumDX rattrap.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|DX indeed.]]
*'''Rattle''' (candy toy kit, 1997)
**''ID number:'' '''3'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Fusion weaponry#Fusion pistol|Gun]]

: Part of a set of four Kabaya [[candy toy]]s, the ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Gum|Beast Wars Gum]]'' version of Rattrap is an unpainted and unassembled plastic kit that "transforms"—that is to say, breaks down into its component parts and is rebuilt in a different configuration— from rat to robot mode. Although based closely on [[#Basic1|the original toy]], it is much smaller (and cheaper, of course), featuring only a few sparse [[sticker]]s for details. It is cast entirely in grayish-tan and pale yellow plastics, as are the other three toys in the set: [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor]], and [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]].
{{-}}

[[File:Bwramune rattrap.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Rattle''' (candy toy, 1997)
**''ID number:'' '''5'''

: A tiny plastic Rattrap figurine molded onto an irregularly-shaped stand was released by Kabaya as part of the ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Ramune|Beast Wars Ramune]]'' line. Labeled toy 5 of 6, the other characters in his wave were Dinobot, Cheetor, Megatron, Optimus Primal, and Rhinox. As always, terrible candy is included.
{{-}}

[[File:Metallicbeastramune rattrap.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Rattle''' (candy toy kit, 1999)
**''ID number:'' '''2'''
**''Accessories:'' Tail-whip

:Kabaya decided against producing transforming model kits to tie in with ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Metals (franchise)|Beast Wars Metals]]'', instead releasing the ''[[Metallic Beast Ramune]]'' kits: hollow non-transforming figures partially made of colorless, translucent plastic, inside which chromed plastic pieces were placed for that familiar shiny Transmetal look. Rattrap was one of the four characters released in this series, and was available with either blue or golden chrome parts, including a chromed version of his tail-whip weapon.
{{-}}

*'''Rattle''' (candy toy, 1999)

:Like their earlier ''Beast Wars Ramune'' line, Kabaya's ''[[Metal Hero Ramune]]'' series consisted of non-transforming figures of the ''Beast Wars'' cast, now in their Transmetal bodies. Rattrap was one of seven figures available in the wave, cast as a hollow PVC figurine attached to a base.

===''Robot Heroes''===
[[File:Robotheroesmegatronrattrap.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|More creepy than cute.]]
*'''Rattrap vs. Megatron''' (2008)

: Part of the "Beast Wars Series", Rattrap comes packaged with [[Megatron (BW)/toys|Megatron]]. Like most of the ''Robot Heroes'' line, his design is a mix between the toy and cartoon depictions, notably having a grayish rather than copper-colored head. He has the standard shoulders-and-neck articulation.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Maximal/Rattrap/rattrap.htm More information on Robot Heroes Rattrap at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Notes==
* A proposed BotCon concept by [[Fun Publications]] was a redeco of [[#Transmetal1|Transmetal Rattrap]] into a beast form of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Generation 1 Rodimus Prime]], named either "[[Rodimus Primal]]" or "Rodimouse", to match [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#AmazonConvobat|Convobat]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Timelines|Ultra Mammoth]].<ref>[http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc14/bc14br.html BotCon 2014 attendee report]</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]
[[Category:BotCon exclusives]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:E-Hobby]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Maximals]]
[[Category:McDonald's exclusives]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Toys"R"Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Kingdom Maximals]]

Slipstream (Cyberverse)

2021-02-21T14:23:33Z

Kzhe: added info about design

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Slipstream}}
:''Slipstream is a [[Decepticon]] [[Seeker (Cyberverse)|Seeker]] from the [[Transformers: Cyberverse (franchise)|Cyberverse]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:SlipstreamCyberversePromo.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|''I admit that in the past I've been a nasty.<br>They weren't kidding when they called me, well, a witch.'']]
As the captain of an elite [[Seeker (Cyberverse)|Seeker]] unit (and later the commander), '''Slipstream''' is really good at bossing others around and even better at thinking up ways to destroy the [[Autobot]]s. Even [[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]] finds her leadership skills to be effective.<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/cyberverse Character bios] at the official ''Cyberverse'' website</ref>

She ''really'' doesn't like [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]].

==Fiction==
===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
[[File:Slipstream - Cyberverse - Whiteout.jpg|thumb|200px|''Soon I'll have that little Windblade,<br>and the planet will be mine!'']]
{{Voiceactor|[[Lianne Marie Dobbs]] (English), [[Akeno Watanabe]] (Japanese)|[[Luisa Ziliotto]] (Italian), [[Éléonore Meeùs]] (French), [[Anna Dramski]] (German), [[Liliana Barba]] (Latin-American Spanish)}}
[[File:Slipstream's altmode (Cyberverse - Terminal Velocity).jpg|thumb|left|300px|''And I fortunately know a little magic;<br>It's a talent that I always have possessed.'']]
When the [[Decepticon]]s tracked the [[AllSpark]] to [[Earth]], [[Starscream (Cyberverse)|Starscream]] sent Slipstream to scout the organic planet while he gathered his fleet. {{storylink|Fractured}} In their early clashes with the Autobots, Slipstream accompanied [[Thundercracker (Cyberverse)|Thundercracker]] and [[Nova Storm (Cyberverse)|Nova Storm]] in locating [[Decepticon scout ship|their stolen ship]], which was currently in the possession of the Autobots Bumblebee and [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]]. The three Seekers were eventually defeated and buried in snow by Windblade. {{storylink|Whiteout}}

When the Decepticons caught up with their shuttle, Slipstream engaged it in a dogfight only to be shot down. {{storylink|Terminal Velocity}} Using her own ship, Slipstream had another go at it. During the fight, Bumblebee jumped onto Slipstream's craft and blasted the cockpit with a [[triple-barrel ion shoulder cannon]] sending the Seeker spiralling towards Earth. {{storylink|Maccadam's}}
[[Shockwave (Cyberverse)|Shockwave]] eventually interfered, trapping Bumblebee in a fake memory and telling Slipstream to retrieve the stolen ship. With the vessel now under her remote control, Slipstream used it to harass Windblade before Bumblebee triggered its self-destruct and allowed the Autobot duo to escape. {{storylink|Sabotage}}

The Seekers soon came across [[Teletraan-X (Cyberverse)|Teletraan-X]] and used the drone to bait a trap for the Autobots. Unfortunately for them, the drone's protocols led to it attacking them allowing Bumblebee, the only one who could access Teletraan, to escape. Undeterred, Slipstream ordered Windblade restrained. {{storylink|Teletraan-X (episode)|Teletraan-X}}

[[File:Slipstream after looking through Windblade's memories.jpg|thumb|300px|"Triton's daughter will be mine, and then I'll make him writhe. I'll see him wriggle like a worm on a hook!"]]
Using a [[cortical psychic patch]], Slipstream tried to gain useful information from Windblade to avail, only succeeding in triggering a power surge that knocked out all the Decepticons. When Slipstream awoke, she found Starscream and Shockwave waiting for her. While the former had rallied the [[Decepticon fleet]] and was on his way, the latter directed Slipstream to repair Earth's [[space bridge]]. {{storylink|Siloed}}

When Shockwave arrived, he dressed down Slipstream before revealing his plan to use [[magnetic disruptor]]s to destroy Earth's geomagnetic field and cleanse the planet of organic life. Slipstream led the ship operating at the [[Arctic|North Pole]] only for the Autobots, now bolstered by [[Grimlock (Cyberverse)|Grimlock]] to destroy the craft. {{storylink|The Extinction Event}}

It wasn't all bad though. One of [[Shockwave's drones]] had managed to tail the Autobots, leading the Decepticons to [[Mount St. Hilary]], the [[Ark (Cyberverse)|''Ark'']]<nowiki>'</nowiki>s resting point. After receiving another beat down from Windblade, Starscream called to let her know the fleet was approaching Earth only for Slipstream to reveal Shockwave had already arrived much to the Air Commander's ire. {{storylink|Awaken Sleeping Giants}}

After some more failed melee combat, the Decepticons tried to use the last magnetic disruptor to destroy the ''Ark'' only for the vessel to be reactivated in time to defend itself. With the crew awoken, the Earth-bound Decepticons regrouped with Starscream's fleet. {{storylink|Eruption}}

Some time later, the Decepticons attempted to turn a [[Moon (moon)|moon]]-based [[Planet Smasher]] on Earth, the Seekers serving as the air defence for the weapon before Grimlock tossed them around. Despite [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] calling Starscream for air support, the SIC led the group beneath the Planet Smasher's [[force field]], hoping that the Autobots would destroy the warlord, only to find he'd survived. When Starscream tried to blame Slipstream for his lack of his reinforcements, Megatron backhanded him and named Slipstream the new leader of the Seekers. {{storylink|Sea of Tranquility}}

When the Planet Smasher was destroyed, the Decepticons fled to an underground bunker where Shockwave activated a set of [[planetary engine]]s, intending to slam the moon into the Earth so they could fish the AllSpark out of the debris field. As Megatron attempted to order Slipstream to guard the [[Nemesis (Cyberverse)|''Nemesis'']], his injured leg caused him to collapse. Before aid could be rendered, Starscream mercilessly attacked Megatron, seemingly killing him and declaring himself [[Decepticon leader]], ordering a retreat back to the ''Nemesis'' when the Autobots neared the control room. Aboard ship, Slipstream remained in the hangar bay with her troops before Starscream crashed through the wall, hurled by a furious and still alive Megatron who killed the traitor and dumped his corpse on the lunar surface before ordering the ''Nemesis'' elsewhere. {{storylink|Bad Moon Rising}}

Shortly after, the Decepticons held a ceremony eulogizing Starscream for the benefit of the people of Earth, which was directly followed by Megatron offering the now vacant position of second-in-command to whoever could bring him the head of Optimus Prime. As the other Decepticons hurried off the bridge, Megatron briefly detained Slipstream to remind her of how useful and valuable leadership of the Seekers could be, along with a pointed reminded not to squander the opportunity. The message loud and clear, Slipstream hurried to the hangar bay to issue marching orders, only to discover the bay was empty except for Thundercracker. Slipstream then spent most of the day searching the ship for her missing troops until she finally discovered a group of them carrying [[Vector Sigma]] out of Shockwave's lab. As she was demanding an explanation, the Autobot [[Hot Rod (Cyberverse)|Hot Rod]] bowled her over as he escaped the ''Nemesis'', and by the time she recovered the Seekers were gone.
{{storylink|Bring Me The Spark Of Optimus Prime}}

Annoyed by this, Slipstream pursued the Seekers by following their tracker chips' signal. She was briefly thrown off the trail when she discovered they'd discarded the trackers, but caught the trail of their energon signatures instead, leading her to the silo they'd previously used to hold Windblade captive. She threatened to execute the lot of them and demanded to know what was going on, only to be met by their true leader: Starscream, having just returned from seizing the AllSpark! {{storylink|Trials}}

Falling back in line with the others, Slipstream listened to Starscream's claims of having journeyed to the AllSpark and back following his death at the hands of Megatron. She was much less enthused when Starscream revealed his endgame: by liberating all sparks from all combatants so they could become one with the AllSpark for eternity, he would bring an end to the Autobot/Decepticon war. Her appeals to the other Seekers that he'd gone mad went unheard, even more so when he used the AllSpark to create [[spark armor]] for himself. She resorted to trying to steal the AllSpark while Starscream was distracted, but he quickly knocked her aside. Rather than finish her, Starscream offered his hand instead, asking her to wait and see what he could do with the AllSpark. Any lingering trust or belief she had in him was finally extinguished when he used Vector Sigma and the AllSpark to create [[Scraplet|monstrosities]]. {{storylink|Dark Birth}}

When Starscream addressed several of the newly created monsters as [[Solus Prime]], [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] and [[Zeta Prime (Cyberverse)|Zeta Prime]], that was the last straw. Assuring Starscream she would share the truth of his insanity with the world, Slipstream fled the silo with both creatures and Seekers in pursuit. Despite her arm being disabled by a savage bite from one of the monsters, she successfully escaped. Returning to the ''Nemesis'', Slipstream approached Soundwave to warn him of the threat, but Soundwave, thinking her to be a traitor like the other Seekers, attacked her instead. She managed to fight him off and flee, looking for someone else to warn. Eventually meeting her old enemy Windblade, her desperate plea was enough to move Windblade into believing her. Tragically, before they can do anything else, she was stabbed in the back by [[Bludgeon (Cyberverse)|Bludgeon]], triggering a short but sharp battle that derailed the peace talks that were ongoing at the time. As the ''Nemesis'' departed and the peace talks lay in ruin, Slipstream's wounds proved fatal and she perished. {{storylink|Parley}}

Windblade attempted to avenge Slipstream by trying to assassinate Bludgeon, but she nearly lost her own life before a last-minute rescue by [[Wheeljack (Cyberverse)|Wheeljack]]. {{storylink|Secret Science}} Slipstream was eventually avenged when Windblade and Wheeljack used weaponized [[Transwarp|unspace]] material to imprison Bludgeon between universes along with Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Battle For Cybertron IV}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Battlegrounds''===
{{voiceactor|[[Erin Yvette]] (English)|[[Marie Zidi]] (French), [[Anna Dramski]] (German), [[Eva Padoan]] (Italian), [[Antía Álvarez]] (Spanish)}}
{{charfictionstub|{{storylink|Transformers: Battlegrounds}}}}

==Toys==
===Cyberverse===
[[File:Cyberverse-Scout-Class-Slipstream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Poor unfortunate soul.]]
*'''Slipstream''' (Scout Class, [[2018]])
**''Action Attack'': "Wing Slice"

:''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]]'' Scout Class Slipstream is a straight redeco of [[Starscream_(Cyberverse)#Scout_Class|Starscream]], and converts from robot to <s>Gerwalk mode</s> jet with limbs, officially called a "transformational mode", and back. Her wings swing around in a spring loaded "Wing Slice" attack attached to her waist, which can be locked in using the landing gear. In transformational mode, Slipstream can fold her legs up to approximate a more "complete" jet mode.

{{-}}{{anchor|Ultra}}
[[File:Cyberverse-Ultra-Class-Slipstream-Toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Life's full of tough choices, innit?"]]
*'''Slipstream''' (Ultra Class, [[2019]])
**''Action Attack'': "Sonic Swirl"

:Ultra Class Slipstream is an all-new roughly Voyager-sized mold. As this toy is the first ''Cyberverse'' Slipstream toy to ''not'' share a mold with Starscream, it is also the first toy of the character to feature show-accurate robot and jet modes. She features a "Sonic Swirl" Action Attack, which unfurls a large free-spinning rotor setup from her wings to the back of her jet mode when her left arm is pushed in. As this is not sculpted to resemble some kind of energy effect or in-motion part like other Action Attacks in the line, it comes across more as an odd form of propulsion for her jet mode.

:In an odd quality control error, Slipstream's packaging refers to her with the feminine inflections of "Seeker" in Spanish and Portuguese but the masculine inflection in French.<ref>[http://bwtf.com/toyreviews/cyberverse/ultra/slipstream BWTF photo review of ''Cyberverse'' Ultra Class Slipstream, 14 May 2019]</ref>

{{-}}{{anchor|Warrior}}
[[File:TF-Cyberverse-Warrior-Slipstream.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''Yes I’ve had the odd complaint,<br> but on the whole I’ve been a saint.'']]
*'''Slipstream''' (Warrior Class, 2019)
**''Action Attack'': "Sonic Swirl"

:''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]]'' Warrior Class Slipstream is a redeco of Warrior Class [[Starscream (Cyberverse)#Warrior Class|Starscream]] and converts from robot to jet and back. Her Action Attack gimmick is activated by winding up a spring in her waist and releasing the upper part of the figure, allowing it to spin and flip out its spring-loaded wing blades with centrifugal force. The waist can be locked in place by pegging her landing gear onto a peg on her backside. Additionally, she has non-firing Null Ray blasters molded into her forearms with [[5 mm post]] hole hands.

:While her arms have articulation comparable to other ''Cyberverse'' Warrior Class toys, this mold has the unusual distinction of having its hip swivels molded together, meaning the front-to-back movement is in tandem. She also lacks knees, likely due to the entirety of the legs being cast from the same cyan plastic. Despite this otherwise restricted movement, she can splay her legs out to the sides due to hinges on her hips, allowing splits and high kicks.

:Warrior Class Slipstream is exclusive to [[Target]] stores in the United States and [[Toys"R"Us]] stores in Canada and is part of the ''[[Power of the Spark]]'' subline.

:This mold was also redecoed into [[Thundercracker (Cyberverse)#Cyberverse|Thundercracker]] and [[Acid Storm (Cyberverse)#Cyberverse|Acid Storm]].
{{--}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Tiny Turbo Changers}}
*'''Slipstream''' (Tiny Turbo Changer, 2020)
**''Series'': '''4'''
**''Bag code'': '''H'''

:Released in the fourth series of ''Cyberverse'' [[Tiny Turbo Changers]], Slipstream is a recolor of Starscream from series 1. She changes from futuristic fighter jet to robot and back in a few simple steps.

:This mold was also used to make [[Acid Storm (Cyberverse)|Acid Storm]].

==Notes==
She and the rest of the seekers do not share a design with Starscream in the show.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Slipstream''' (スリップストリーム ''Surippusutorīmu'')

==See also==
{{OtherVersions
|charname=Slipstream
|disambig=Slipstream (disambiguation)
|body=
*[[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]], the female [[Starscream clone (Animated)|clone of Starscream]] from [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|''Animated'']].
*[[Slipstream (WFC)|Slipstream]], the Decepticon Seeker from the [[Aligned continuity family]].
*[[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]], the Decepticon from [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]].}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Cyberverse Seekers]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]

For safety reasons

2021-01-03T18:21:13Z

Kzhe: Added info about small guns

{{disambig2|why you can't have that awesome toy|the Autobot from ''Operation Combination''|Safety}}
[[File:TF-Commemorative-Series-Megatron.jpg|upright=2|thumb|This was deemed insufficiently safe for release in the mid-2000s. Think about that.]]

Toys should not hurt people. If a child is injured (or, heaven forbid, killed) by use or abuse of a toy, that child's parents are very likely to sue the toy manufacturer. Plus there is the cavalcade of bad press and word-of-mouth that will accompany the suit, ruining a toymaker's reputation. On top of, of course, ''injured kid. That's bad.''

As such, [[Hasbro]] puts its toys through rigorous testing and design work '''for safety reasons'''. Sometimes, a [[Toy|Transformers toy]] has to be [[design change|altered from the original design]] in order to maintain safety standards; some of these standards are self-imposed, while others are mandated at the state or national level. These also often change with the times, and vary from country to country, or even within different regions of a single country. Since Hasbro and [[TakaraTomy]] want to sell their toys in as many markets as possible, all of these standards must be taken into account when creating a new ''Transformers'' toy.

{{TOCclear}}

==Safety issues and ''Transformers''==
===Toxic materials===
One of the earliest safety standards involves the banning of toxic materials in toys, such as lead-based paints. Though this predates ''Transformers'' by a considerable amount of time and was pretty much not an issue in most major markets by the 1980s, it actually ''was'' an issue with the short-lived [[The Transformers (toyline)#Mexican & South American Transformers|Mexican ''The Transformers'' line]], when those toys somehow ended up being dumped into various European markets years later, where it was discovered that yes, they used lead paint. Yikes!

{{-}}
===Breakage issues===
[[File:DVD 20thPrime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Stubbimus Prime]]
Obviously, toys ostensibly for children should not break easily. More importantly, they should not break in a way as to create sharp or jagged pieces that can cause lacerations. This makes what materials the toys are made out of vitally important. Long, thin parts potentially prone to breakage may end up being made with a softer, more pliable plastic than the base toy, such as the wings and sword of ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Vector Prime#Cybertron|Vector Prime]], or the permanently-attached-to-the-roof long gunbarrels of ''[[Studio Series]]'' [[Topspin (DOTM)#Studio Series|Topspin]] (which are notoriously rubbery). One trade-off to this technique is that most of these materials are "[[Unpaintable plastic|unpaintable]]", thus they can only be one single, solid color.

Or, those elements might be made of the normal, paintable, harder plastic, but also be shortened enough so that there is not enough leverage to "reliably" break the piece. This has been the case with ''many'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime toys]] over the years, as many of these toys featured shortened smokestacks in the U.S. (it's a common mistake to assume this started in 1988 with the [[Powermaster]] version;<ref>For one thing the pegs on Powermaster Prime's shoulder-cannons were brittle as hell!</ref> however, it was actually the Japanese [[Ginrai (human)|Super Ginrai]] version that had the shorter stacks, not the Hasbro Optimus Prime version). Not every long/thin piece needs to be made of softer plastic, mind; most toys' weapons are not permanently attached to the toys, and are far more likely to pop out of the attachment socket than break should the toy be dropped. Speaking of dropped...

Hasbro's safety testing also extends to toy packaging, ensuring that were a packaged toy to be dropped, said packaging would take the full force of the fall, leaving the toy inside intact. Thus, Hasbro performs the "drop test" on their toys both loose and packaged. As its name implies, this involves dropping a toy from various heights in order to ascertain whether or not said toy will break, where it might, if any of the parts which may have broken loose could potentially injure a child, and if the packaging is insufficient to prevent damage. Failure to pass this test is often cited as the reason the original [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Fortress Maximus]] mold has not been reissued in the United States.

Interestingly, these safety standards ultimately provided a boon to ''Transformers'' toy design, though it would be a good decade-plus before it was realized. During the time Hasbro started to make its own molds to represent characters as toys instead of importing from other toy lines, the safety standards of a toy had to withstand a pulling force of twenty pounds to deem them safe. Because most toys in those days had little to no outward movement in their legs or arms, they could rather quickly break with little force, so most figures were made with fused legs, preventing kids from pulling them apart. Because of this, most of the toys dropped articulation to make the figures stronger, turning a large amount of them into "[[Brick (term)|brick]]s". During the time [[Takio Ejima]] started working on the brand, he noted that they could make the toys safer by the use of [[ball joint]]s, making it easier for the toy to pass the test by simply allowing the limbs to pop free rather than break (and be easily re-attached), and still have full range of motion. This idea saw its first steps in late ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'', and come ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'', would change the standard of articulation both inside and outside the ''Transformers'' brand.

{{-}}
===Blunt force trauma===
[[File:TFU03-toy Movor.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Movor got less pointy over the years.]]
The use of softer materials for key parts also plays into another safety concern, namely "what happens if kid A jabs toy B into person C or self A." Obviously not much can be done about a toy being used as a cudgel, but ''normal play accidents'' should not result in injury. Thus, "flying" toys in particular are subject to much greater design scrutiny than your average car-former. Even as early as 1985, [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Jetfire]] and [[Swoop (G1)#Toys|Swoop]] were altered to have blunted nosecones, and the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] jets had rubber nosecones instead of hard plastic. The ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Starscream (Armada)/toys#Armada|Starscream]] toy was designed with a slight "droop" to its nosecone/cockpit component, so that were a child "flying" it around end up ramming it nose-cone-first into a wall (or sibling), that ever-so-slight droop would more easily cause the force of the impact to push the nosecone down on its transformation hinge, thus better dispersing the force of the blow. As with many safety standards, these are always in a state of flux: [[Movor]]'s toy from 2001 is a redeco of [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]], with no detectable physical changes, but in 2003 another redeco of the same sculpt had to be retooled to round off the nosecone. For the [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'']]/''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Superion (G1)#Universe (2008)|Superion]] [[Superion (ROTF)|giftset]], Hasbro retooled the nosecone of the ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Treadshot (Energon)#Toys|Treadshot]]/[[Windrazor (Energon)#Toys|Windrazor]] sculpt to be less pointy—a sculpt that had originally been released a mere five years earlier.

{{-}}

===Choking hazards===
[[File:G1Thunder clash toy.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|I'm a choking hazard!]]
[[File:MachineWarsPrime.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|I'm not!]]
There are also "choke" laws designed to prevent small parts, '''''especially''''' projectiles, from being lodged in a child's windpipe. Easily the biggest impetus for this came in 1979, when there were [http://theswca.com/textf/toydeath.html multiple instances of children choking on accidentally-fired missiles from a ''Battlestar Galactica'' toy], including one death. This quickly scuppered [[Kenner]]'s plans for a missile-firing ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' [[Boba Fett]] figure, and resulted in a change to how projectiles were developed in toys from then on out. In the original ''Transformers'' toys, this mostly meant just replacing the launchers' springs with incredibly weak springs (providing just enough tension to keep the projectiles locked in place, but not enough to propel them more than a fraction of an inch once released), as the missiles were right in that "small enough to swallow, big enough to potentially get caught on the way down" range. When all-new-mold toys began development, the issue was circumvented almost entirely by simply not giving them projectile launchers in the first dang place.

Come ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)| Generation 2]]'', spring-loaded projectile launchers returned in a big way, quite literally. The missiles for these toys now measured nearly three inches in length, far too long to slip into an esophagus. (A single original-series toy, [[Metroplex (G1)#Toys|Metroplex]], also featured extra-long missiles, but still had his launchers neutered.) Some vintage molds used in the line, like [[Inferno (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Inferno]] and the [[Constructicon (G1)#Generation 2|Constructicons]], had their launchers and missiles extensively altered to remove the launching mechanisms altogether, the "projectiles" now simply pegged into place and held by friction. Disc launchers also came into play; these projectiles were made both wide enough to make swallowing them difficult, and had holes cut through them so air could pass through unobstructed just in case they somehow did get lodged in. These standards are still in effect today, and probably will be indefinitely (even though launching projectiles have been increasingly infrequent in ''Transformers'' toylines in the latter half on the 2010's).

Of course, this is mostly how the U.S. toys needed to be made. The European and Japanese markets had, and still have, considerably laxer standards for projectiles. Thus, the Takara releases of the original ''Transformers'' toys retained their full spring-launching capability, as have every reissue of those molds up to today. The European [[Turbomaster]]s and [[Predator (subgroup)|Predators]] from 1992 (also released in Japan) had spring-fired missiles a mere one inch long. Notably, the larger Turbomasters and Predators were released in the U.S. for the ''[[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]]'' toyline, which took two different approaches to the un-safe missiles: the Autobot toys had their launchers heavily altered to use new, much larger missiles (likely because said launchers were integral to the toys), where the Decepticons simply had their (non-integrated) launchers removed altogether, with [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Machine Wars|Starscream]] keeping the missiles to use the the toy's non-spring-loaded "carpet bombing" gimmick.

{{-}}

===Firearm replicas===
[[File:Megatronclassicstoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|right|Acceptable in 2006... and not a day later.]]
Aaaaaand then there are toy gun laws which are designed to prevent scenarios where police (or others) mistake a "realistic" toy gun, like say, [[Megatron (G1)/toys|the original Megatron]], as an actual firearm and shoot or arrest the person carrying it. U.S. law requires that toy guns have either an orange plug in the barrel, or a barrel made out of unpainted orange plastic.

Some states have even more stringent laws (particularly [[California]], which is such a huge market that it effectively makes those ''nationwide'' standards), which require that toy guns must be brightly colored and must not resemble real-world firearms (such toy guns are almost exclusively water guns, Nerf products, or resemble real firearms but have [[neon]] colors and cartoonish proportions). Some retailers won't even carry realistic toy guns ''anyway'', so that's a double-whammy in some places. Which is why ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' [[Sixshot (G1)#Generations|Sixshot]] doesn't have a "gun" mode, but he ''does'' have a "submarine" mode that ''totally isn't'' the exact same configuration just turned upside-down how could you even think that.

Note that the major federal toy gun law was enacted in 1988, and applies to all toy guns manufactured after May 1989. As such, it is entirely legal for dealers to sell original 1984 Megatron figures, as they are grandfathered in; but any later American release of the toy WOULD have to meet these standards, hence the "Safety/Lava Bath Megatron" toy pictured at the top of this article, which STILL failed to meet these guidelines, as the entire external surface was not (and likely could not be) made from a single color of plastic. As a result, an American reissue of the original Megatron toy has never happened, yet it's been reissued like crazy in Japan, which has very different toy safety laws and doesn't have any restrictions on toy guns.

The range of what is "acceptable" for a gun-toy has also gotten ever-increasingly narrow over the years. ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Megatron]], released in 2006, turns into a weapon heavily inspired by a [[Nerf]] N-Strike Maverick blaster with a bright orange cap on the end of both the scope and the barrel. With Hasbro's ever-more-conservative legal department, even this deco was not deemed sufficient for long. This figure would not see release again in the U.S. for ''ten years'', and when it finally did come out again it was [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Platinum Edition|almost entirely stop-sign red]]. Considering [[wikia:nerf:N-Strike Elite#Blasters|what color schemes]] [[wikia:nerf:Elite XD#Elite XD products|''actual'' Nerf blasters]] released at retail in the interim time have sported, how much of this is ''really'' due to genuine safety concerns and how much is just down to Hasbro's concern for the public perception of the ''Transformers'' brand is anyone's guess. Though given, well, ''the news'', this is probably for the best.

Also note that there's no size limitation anywhere in the legal regulations. As a consequence, even the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] [[Megatron (G1)/toys#2010Legend|Megatron]] had to sport an orange barrel, despite his tiny size. This may have to do with very small [http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a21717/forgotten-weapons-smallest-pistol-in-the-world/#:~:text=The%20world's%20smallest%20production%20firearm,the%20name%20of%20Franz%20Pfannl guns]' existence.

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===Fire!===
[[File:G2-toy Sparkstalker.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Underwear, beware!]]
The [[sparking gimmick]] found in the [[Firecon]]s/[[Sparkabot]]s and [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s would spit "cold" sparks out, simulating fire-breathing or fire-exhaust. In 1991, a "Rollerblade Barbie" doll with a similar action feature reportedly set a child's underwear on fire. [http://diswww.mit.edu/tla/humor/442 No, seriously.] The Barbie doll was quickly recalled due to the potential for lighting flammable things on fire, even though the incident in question also involved hair spray (highly flammable!), but, well, yeah, dolls, hair spray... yeah. Thanks to this instance, sparking toys more or less just stopped happening in the US. Curiously, the European ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' series included recolors of the spark-throwing Firecons and Sparkabots conspicuously absent in the U.S. version of the line.

While sparking eventually returned to America in the form of the ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (franchise)|Age of Extinction]]'' "Dino Sparkers", those toys kept the sparks contained ''within'' the clear-plastic toys rather than spewed out, preventing possible pyrotechnics.

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==Safety standards in other countries==
The USA isn't the only country with rigid toy safety standards that affect Transformers. In fact, some countries have safety standards that are even ''more'' rigid than anything the USA has. Examples:

[[File:GiGmissiles.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|Awww ''come on'', Italy.]]
*In Italy's ''[[Trasformer]]'' {{sic}} line by [[GiG]], many toys' missile launchers didn't have their springs removed, but the missiles ''did'' have comically-huge giant rubber balls attached to the tips. Some of the subsequent, officially-licensed-by-Hasbro ''Transformers'' re-releases of those toys still featured the same kind of missiles. Makes those elongated [[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]] missiles seem not so bad after all, huh?
*Whereas European toy gun laws are more relaxed, hence making the import of [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Generation 1 Megatron]] reissues and ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' Megatron less of a legal hassle, Australia actually has ''harsher'' regulations than the US, officially classifying MP Megatron as a "firearm replica". Some Australian states even consider the ''possession'' of the toy ''illegal'', even if it was painted in bright orange or sported a permanently glued on orange plug. In the state of Queensland the only way to circumvent this problem requires joining some kind of registered ''firearms'' Collectors' Club.<ref>[http://www.csapo.com.au/ttf/TCTF_Club.htm Details about the legal situation concerning the import and possession of Masterpiece Megatron in Australia]</ref>
*Members of the European Union don't consider American safety regulations sufficient, but require their own safety tests, with the toys having to adhere to the European standard EN 71. As a consequence, toys that are perfectly fine to be released in the USA might occasionally not be considered suitable for the European market. And since Hasbro has long since abandoned producing international "variants" of toys beyond mere packaging differences, that would mean those toys simply won't come out in Europe at all. (However, while specific examples are unconfirmed, it's highly doubtful that this affects a large number of toys.)
*Conversely, Japan has comparatively ''lax'' toy safety regulations. The Japanese toy safety standard is called "ST", which can be applied to toys aimed at children under the age of 14; however, that doesn't mean that a toy ''can't'' be sold if it ''doesn't'' sport the "ST" seal. The only difference is that parents will receive a compensation if their child gets injured by playing with an "ST"-approved toy, therefore parents are more likely to buy toys that are "ST"-approved than toys that are not.
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==Notes==
[[File:CommemorativeSeriesIIIStock.jpg|upright=2.0|thumb|Yeah, if only..]]
* At one point Hasbro apparently considered selling the ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]]'' reissues as "adult collectables" to avoid having to adhere to US toy safety standards. [[Stock photography|Stock photos]] for the Series III figures [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Commemorative Series|Thundercracker]], [[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Commemorative Series|Silverstreak]] and [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Commemorative Series|Autobot Jazz]] depict [[prototype#Packaging prototypes|sample packaging]] labeled as "adult collectable", as does a Toys"R"Us print ad published in [[The War Within issue 6|issue 6]] of [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s first ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]'' mini-series,<ref name="truad">[http://www.battlegrip.com/2003-toysrus-transformers-toy-reissue-advertisement/ 2003 ToysRUs Transformers Toy Reissue Advertisement] at Battlegrip.com.</ref> while the final packaging has those labels covered with stickers containing choking hazard safety warnings, in addition to stickers containing "Ages 5+" recommendations. Ultimately, the toys would end up with either functional launchers with extended missiles (looking ridiculous), or original-length missiles with non-functional launchers. (Also noteworthy: many missiles and weapons that were [[Vacuum metallizing|chromed]] in their original releases ended up made from matte, slightly-softer plastic in this series, potentially due to safety/breakage concerns.)
* You know how the original Megatron turns into a realistic-looking handgun? And how there are various laws prohibiting the sale of realistic-looking toy handguns? [http://www.unicron.com/news_item/1877/ Yeah.] C'mon, you knew it was bound to happen sooner or later.

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==External links==
*[http://theswca.com/textf/toydeath.html Page featuring articles on the genesis of the choke-gate test, due to a missile-firing ''Battlestar Galactica'' toy.]
*[http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2011-title15-vol3/xml/CFR-2011-title15-vol3-part1150.xml CFR Title 15, Part 1150, the official federal law on "realistic" toy guns and the markings thereof.]
*[http://www.btha.co.uk/toy-safety/btha-guidance-documents/toy-safety-directive/ Overview on toy safety standards in the UK]
*[http://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/102973/toypremguid04.pdf Pages five and six of this article give a brief summary of the federal safety guidelines regarding breakability testing.] (PDF format.)
*[https://www.theonion.com/fun-toy-banned-because-of-three-stupid-dead-kids-1819565691 ''The Onion'''s slightly snarkier take on the subject, for those who like their snarky snark snarkiness.]
*[http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/leader-of-the-decepticons-yes-replica-firearm-no/article4222576/ Canadian ruling that Masterpiece Megatron does not constitute a "replica firearm" for importing purposes.]

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==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:Toys]]