|name=
|class= assortment or size class (deluxe autobots, decepticon planes, ultra, micromaster squad, penbots... etc. Identify the peer group)
|year= year sold
|year2= another year solid
|msrp= price($?)
|line=toyline
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|accessories= Text description threreof
|country-exclusive? (us-only, jp-only, uk-only, eu-only)
|special= color changing, glow-in-the-dark, sounds, lights, motorized, exclusive, mail-away
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* Duel of the Universe: Big Convoy VS Magmatron (Vs pack, 1999)
o Japanese ID number: VS-35
As with most Japanese Transformers of the time, Big Convoy was also available in a Versus pack with his chief adversary, Magmatron. Both toys were unchanged from the regular releases.
We wouldn't have to steal photos of this guy if any of us could find all his errant kibble.
Nemesis Prime is a redeco of Big Convoy, released as a Target exclusive in 2004 as part of the Universe line. He transforms into a woolly mammoth, with a "third mode" composed of robot weaponry emerging from the mammoth's hide. Concealed in the mammoth's head and back are a plasma pulse cannon and a semi-automatic fusion rocket launcher. His arms conceal blood-red painted battle tonfas, and his hips house variable-frequency Gatling lasers. Attached to his ankles are a pair of ordnance launchers, the quarrels of which Nemesis Prime has also used in melee combat. The front of the chest folds down to reveal the Dead Matrix, which can be removed and pegged into Nemesis Prime's hands.
The instruction booklet had the transformation sequence going from beast mode to robot mode while the toy itself was packaged in robot mode. This, along with the fact that several parts were turned backwards to better fit into the box, made it a tad difficult to correctly transform for inexperienced Transformers fans.
A repaint of the standard Seeker Heroes of Cybertron figure, this was available in triplicate as part of an army-builder pack with Starscream, Thundercracker, and Skywarp. This set was offered by 3H at OTFCC 2003 and elsewhere. For some reason, they lacked the molded plastic insert that normally held Heroes figures in place, so they tended to fall apart in the package. While this was normal for the toy and not a defect, they appeared "broken" at a glance.
The Astro Squad was sold as a carded pack of three vehicles, themed around space exploration. Each vehicle splits into two robots. Any squad member can combine in vehicle mode with any other, or with any other Micromaster Combiner. The team shares a common color palette of red, light gray, white and light blue.
Stockade & Magna Stampede with Prowl & Terradive (Ultra, 2004)
Accessories: Axe/mane, tail
A redeco of Battle Unicorn, Magna Stampede transforms into a technorganic unicorn. A dial on his beast mode's left shoulder activates an "attack" gimmick, moving his head up and down. He was available only in a multi-pack with Stockade and the Mini-ConsProwl and Terradive.
A redeco of the Generation 2Go-BotsGearhead mold, WARS transforms into a Ford Thunderbird NASCAR stock car. He features a through-axle construction that allows him to zip quickly along smooth surfaces in car mode, and is compatible with many "Hot Wheels" and "Matchbox" racetracks. His silver windshield has heat-sensitive paint that reveals an Autobot insignia, in a method similar to the original rubsigns.
This mold was also used to make the Generation 2 Go-Bot version of Soundwave, and UniverseCamshaft (see below). It was planned for use as Generation 2Greasepit, but that toy was ultimately canceled.
All six Spy Changers were not only sold as individuals in Japan, but in a six-piece gift set as well. Each one was identical to their individual release.
Wars clear version (Spy Changer, 2000)
Accessories: Rifle
An exclusiveredeco of WARS in clear-red and clear-yellow plastics, this version was only available from JUSCO stores in Japan as a direct-mail premium to members of their "Peppy Kids Republic" (元気キッズ共和国, Genki Kidzu Kyōwakoku), a sort of subsidiary/offshoot for selling baby goods and children's clothing. Since membership was open only to kids 12 and under and this version was shipped blind-packed, getting the entire set of six was extremely difficult.
Available only in a two-pack with Crosswise, the Hasbro version of W.A.R.S. replaces the heat-sensitive insignia with a normal Autobot insignia tampograph on the roof of the car. The window-paint was changed to metallic-flake blue, and yellow stripes were added to the bottom edge of the vehicle sides.
The initial releases of this set have W.A.R.S. packaged in robot mode with Crosswise in vehicle mode, pointed straight upward. Later releases have both toys in vehicle mode, tilted to a 1 o'clock position.
All six original Spy Changers were redecoed in clear plastics (keeping their normal paint applications, though), and released on individual cards through KB Toys chains. W.A.R.S. was decoed similarly to the Jusco except that the clear yellow was changed to clear orange.
The normal Hasbro version of W.A.R.S. was released as part of the first assortment of Tiny Tins Transformers, coming with a carrying tin.
Now you see me, now you don't... if you close your eyes.
Super Wars (Spy Changer, 2003)
Accessories: Rifle
Long after the Robots in Disguise line ended in Japan, Takara put out individually-boxed redecoes of the Spy Changers. Wars was decoed grey and dark blue.
In each case of twelve Super Spy changers, two were all-clear-plastic versions (but keeping their paint applications). All six Spy Changers had a clear variant, but the toys were packaged in such a way that you did not know which two molds were "chase" versions until you opened them up.
A second round of KB Toys exclusive Spy Changers was released on individual cards. This time around, he was done in clear-purple and clear-orange. This was the only deco of W.A.R.S. without his name (in either Japanese or English) on his body.
This toy was re-released unmodified in a new packaging as UniverseCamshaft. It's a good thing he didn't have "W.A.R.S." on him, isn't it? Much later, it was repurposed as "Shattered Glass" Camshaft.
With my camouflaged wings, I'll appear to be merely a fuselage flying through the sky!
Starscream (Decepticon Jet, 1993)
Accessories: Left & right fists, left & right wings, left & right tail fins, left & right tail wings, landing gear, 2 missile launchers, 3 missiles, sound/light energy unit
Starscream's Generation 2 release is a slight retool of his original toy, armed with new, functional spring-loaded launchers and missiles, and an electronic light-and-sound "energy unit" in the shape of a tank. The electronic box lights up with the press of either button, and emits electronic "machine gun" or "jet engine" noises. In robot mode, the box attaches to Starscream's back; in jet mode, it plugs into his tail-end.
The new accessories were also used, in different colors, for Generation 2 Ramjet.
A planned-but-canceled redeco of Generation 2Dreadwing, "Advancted Tactical Bomber" Megatron would have come with Starscream, a redeco of Dreadwing's partner Smokescreen. The pair could combine into the "flying wing" Advanced Tactical Bomber, while Starscream coud detach to become a smaller solo jet, leaving Megatron to transform into a treaded tank mode. According the Toy Fair 1995 Transformers presentation, the toy's missiles were intended to glow in the dark.
This toy's deco (but not the glow-in-the-dark missiles) was used to make Beast Wars II's BB and Starscream out of the same mold-set. This mold was also used to make Robots in DisguiseDreadwind and Smokejumper, while Starscream's mold was sold separately during the Robotmasters line as Smokesniper.
This small purple rubber figurine of Starscream was released in Japan as part of a large multi-pack of similar figures, which were used as playing pieces for Transformers board games. The figure features a number etched into its back which is the sum total of Starscream's Tech Spec ratings, which served some function in the gameplay the figures were used for.
Starscream (1987)
Decoy number:35
The Starscream 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 (35, in Starscream's case). Like all Decepticon Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded Throttlebots, Stunticons, Combaticons and Terrorcons, and was, very early on in the promotion, available in an alternate red coloration that was only packed in with the Throttlebots. Unsurprisingly, this red figurine is much rarer.
Accessories: 2 null rays, 2 missile podsI have thighs?
Starscream's Robotmasters toy is a re-imagining of the original Generation 1 figure, retaining its basic transformation scheme, but designed to be closer to the animation model, with greater articulation and integrated parts that do not require detachment during transformation. The only pieces that now need to be removed are Starscream's null ray rifles, which move from his wings to his arms. He has three peg-holes on each arm, allowing the null rays to be mounted on his shoulders, on his forearms, or in his fists. These holes are also designed to accomodate the generic spring-loaded missile launcher weapon included with RobotmastersG1 Convoy, Beast Convoy and Beast Megatron.
Starscream came with two "missile pods" based on weapons Starscream used but once, in the Generation 1 cartoon episode "Fire on the Mountain". These chromed accessories plug into the square holes in Starscream's chest, and feature opening covers that reveal (non-firing) missiles within.
Available only via mail-order through Figure King magazine, the "Limited Black Version" of Starscream is just that: a straight black redeco of the Starscream toy, replacing the original toy's blue, red and the grey of his wings with black. He comes with all his original accessories, as well as a gold-chromed version of the "Jamming Trident" Solitarium weapon that came with Wingstun.
