Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline): Difference between revisions

From MediaWiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
AzimuthAcolyte (talk | contribs)
m Magmatron -> Magmatron (BW) update
 
(69 intermediate revisions by 26 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{nav-BM}}
{{nav-bm}}
[[File:Crosssell-bm.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Freaks of nature]]
[[File:Crosssell-bm.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Freaks of nature.]]


'''Beast Machines''' was the toyline successor to ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'', running from ''very'' late 1999 to early 2001. It featured the [[Maximal]]s as smoothly [[Technorganic|techno-organic]] beasts, pitted against the futuristic war machines of the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]]. ''Beast Machines'' signaled the full-fledged return of vehicular Transformers, after an absence of nearly four years.
'''Beast Machines''' was the toyline successor to ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'', running from ''very'' late 1999 to early 2001. It featured the [[Maximal]]s as smoothly [[Technorganic|techno-organic]] beasts, pitted against the futuristic war machines of the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]]. ''Beast Machines'' signaled the full-fledged return of vehicular Transformers, after an absence of nearly four years.


Though ''Beast Machines'' was the primary series in 2000, [[Hasbro]] continued to release ''Beast Wars'' case assortments, whose contents ranged from new redecos to promote [[Fox Kids]] running the series, to the new-mold ''[[Mutant Beast Wars]]'' figures, to straight-up re-releases of [[Transmetal 2]] toys.
Though ''Beast Machines'' was the primary series in 2000, [[Hasbro]] continued to release ''Beast Wars'' case assortments, whose contents ranged from new redecos to promote [[Fox Kids]] running the series, to the new-mold ''[[Mutant (BW)#Toys|Mutant Beast Wars]]'' figures, to straight-up re-releases of [[Transmetal 2]] toys.


The line seemed to underperform to expectations, and combined with Hasbro's financial troubles (primarily due to excessive ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]] Episode 1'' product glut), and the second year of ''Beast machines'' product was cut short to make way for another heavy reworking of the ''Transformers'' concept...
The line seemed to underperform to expectations, and combined with Hasbro's financial troubles (primarily due to excessive ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]] Episode I'' product glut), the second year of ''Beast Machines'' product was cut short to make way for another heavy reworking of the ''Transformers'' concept...


Unlike ''Beast Wars'', the line did not run concurrently in Japan, but would get a short run there in 2004.
Unlike ''Beast Wars'', the line did not run concurrently in Japan, but would get a short run there in 2004.
Line 13: Line 13:


==Overview==
==Overview==
''Beast Machines'' continued many of its predecessor's elements, retaining the Maximal faction and a number of its main characters. Both factions tended toward unorthodox designs; the toys also made frequent use of translucent plastic and chrome finishes. [[Spark crystal]]s appeared on most toys. Aesthetically, the smooth, curvaceous designs of the Maximals is a further evolution of the earlier [[Transmetal]] design styles, seamlessly blending the mechanical and the organic. The Vehicons had emphatically Cybertronian vehicle forms, often with articulated "sensors". They likewise featured some unorthodox robot modes, often with inhuman faces, odd-shaped limbs, and unusual forms of locomotion.
''Beast Machines'' continued many of its predecessor's elements, retaining the Maximal faction and a number of its main characters, but now pitted against the new Vehicon faction. Both sides tended toward unorthodox designs; the toys also made frequent use of translucent plastic and chrome finishes. A concerted push was made towards giving the figures more character-centric internal action features as opposed to the missile launchers or simpler spring-loaded weaponry that defined [[Beast Wars (toyline)|''Beast Wars'']], going so far as moving eyes or jaws. [[Spark crystal]]s carried over from ''Beast Wars'', eventually becoming central to the final gimmick in the line. Aesthetically, the smooth, curvaceous designs of the Maximals is a further evolution of the earlier [[Transmetal]] design styles, seamlessly blending the mechanical and the organic, often hiding mechanical detailing behind transparent panels. In contrast, the Vehicons had emphatically Cybertronian vehicle forms with visible machinery, often with certain character flourishes in vehicle mode like swiveling cockpits or a moving eye inside a tank turret. Both factions featured some unorthodox robot modes, with the Vehicons erring on the side of inhuman faces, weaponized limbs, and unusual forms of locomotion, while the Maximals tended towards more conventional yet exaggerated humanoid proportions.


[[Show-accuracy]] (including inter-character [[scale]]) was widely variable across the entire toy line. Show production house [[Mainframe Entertainment]] apparently began animating the characters from early concept sketches, designs that by necessity changed a great deal during the translation into toy form. Thus many characters' (initial) toy and cartoon depictions bear relatively little resemblance to each other.
[[Show-accuracy]] (including inter-character [[scale]]) was widely variable across the entire toy line. Show production house [[Mainframe Entertainment]] apparently began animating the characters from early concept sketches, designs that by necessity changed a great deal during the translation into toy form. Thus many characters' (initial) toy and cartoon depictions bear relatively little resemblance to each other.


[[Image:BMBattleforthespark.png|right|300px|]]
[[Image:BMBattleforthespark.png|right|300px]]


The ''[[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobots]]'' subline, consisting of [[redeco]]ed molds from both the Hasbro ''Beast Wars'' and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (toyline)|Beast Wars Neo]]'' lines, shipped in the same packaging assortments with the normal figures.
The back end of the ''Beast Machines'' toyline, starting in 2001, featured the first full-on [[subline imprint]] for ''Transformers'', called "''Battle for the Spark''", reflecting the storyline of the cartoon's second season. This also tied in with a unifying theme for the new-mold toys, where action features are activated by pressing on the [[spark crystal]]s. By this time, many toys were designed to emulate their show models, and did so to an impressive degree. The more complex action features also led to the first price hike since the Transformers toyline had switched to standardized [[size class|price classes]] at the start of Beast Wars, with the Basics class increasing from US$4.99 {{w|List price|MSRP}} to $6.99.  


The back end of the ''Beast Machines'' toyline, starting in 2001, featured the first full-on [[subline imprint]] for ''Transformers'', called "''Battle for the Spark''", reflecting the storyline of the cartoon's second season. This also tied in with a unifying theme for the new-mold toys, where action features are activated by pressing on the [[spark crystal]]s. By this time, many toys were designed to emulate their show models, and did so to an impressive degree.
The final releases of ''Beast Wars'' overlapped on the shelves with the start of Beast Machines, which was taken into account as some events from Beast Machines are directly referenced on the packaging of the ''[[Mutant (BW)|Mutants]]''. The ''[[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobots]]'' subline, consisting of [[redeco]]ed molds from both the Hasbro ''Beast Wars'' and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars (Japanese toyline)#1999 (Beast Wars Neo)|Beast Wars Neo]]'' lines, shipped in the same packaging assortments with the normal figures.


Due to apparent under-selling (plus they had hit the sixth year of "Beast" product), it was decided to cancel the last few waves in development, abandon plans for the sequel series ''[[Transtech]]'', and [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|re-vamp the franchise from the ground up]]. Takara's ''Car Robots'' series was quickly ported over as "filler" under the name ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'', giving Hasbro and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] the time needed to coordinate on the next series. Not ones to waste the effort put into the canceled figures, all three finished-yet-unreleased toy molds were eventually released as part of the ''Robots in Disguise'' toyline.
Due to underwhelming sales, usual toyline fatigue, a particularly dark story, and internal Hasbro/Kenner shakeups,<ref>"For a long time, it had been sequential, so there was ''Beast Wars'', and then ''Beast Machines'' came along—that wasn't performing as well, it was a little more... odd vehicle forms, or even beast forms. ''Beast Wars'' was great, you could tell what things were, even when they were hybrid or Fuzors, you could kind of tell what they were. If you look at ''Beast Machines'', it's kind of like 'a truck thing' or 'a flying thing' or- so that alienated a certain amount of audience, so sales were going down. It got a little dark in the storyline at that same time. They were developing ''Transtech'', but that was very short-lived. [...] That would have been the successor but because it was going down this dark road of ''Beast Machines'' and that wasn't working, obviously the sequel to that wasn't going to happen."—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNgWvNmMJfE&t=323s Aaron Archer on ''The Toy Armada'', 2021/12/14]</ref> it was decided to cancel the last few waves in development, abandon plans for the sequel series ''[[Transtech]]'', and [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|re-vamp the franchise from the ground up]]. Takara's ''Car Robots'' series was quickly ported over as "filler" under the name ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'', giving Hasbro and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] the time needed to coordinate on the [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|next series]]. Not ones to waste the effort or cost put into the canceled figures, all three finished-yet-unreleased toy molds were eventually released as part of the ''Robots in Disguise'' toyline.


{{-}}
==Hasbro ''Beast Machines'' toyline==
==Hasbro ''Beast Machines'' toyline==
===Standard retail line===
===Standard retail line===
Line 31: Line 30:


{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' (December 1999)</u>
* [[Buzz Saw (BW)#Beast Machines|Buzzsaw]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Mirage (BM)#Toys|Mirage]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Buzz Saw (BW)#Beast Machines|Buzzsaw]]}}
* [[Scavenger (BM)#Toys|Scavenger]]
{{Bp-vh|[[Mirage (BM)#Beast Machines|Mirage]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Scavenger (BM)#Beast Machines|Scavenger]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2''' (March 2000)</u>
* [[Longhorn#Toys|Longhorn]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Obsidian (BM)#Toys|Obsidian]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Longhorn#Beast Machines|Longhorn]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Obsidian (BM)#Beast Machines|Obsidian]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 3'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 3''' (June 2000)</u>
* [[Geckobot#Toys|Geckobot]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Quickstrike (BM)#Toys|Quickstrike]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Geckobot#Beast Machines|Geckobot]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Quickstrike (BM)#Beast Machines|Quickstrike]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 4'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 4''' (August 2000)</u>
* [[Night Viper#Toys|Night Viper]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Silverbolt (BW)#Beast Machines|Silverbolt]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Night Viper#Beast Machines|Night Viper]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Silverbolt (Fuzor)#Beast Machines|Silverbolt]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:BM Longhorn-toy.jpg|thumb|250px|Basic Longhorn]]
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:BM Longhorn-toy.jpg|thumb|250px|Basic Longhorn]]
|-
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 5''' (BftS)</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 5''' (BftS, January 2001)</u>
* [[Hammerstrike (BM)#Beast Machines|Hammerstrike]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Tank Drone#Basic|Tank Drone]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Hammerstrike (BM)#Beast Machines|Hammerstrike]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Tank Drone#Beast Machines|Tank Drone]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 6''' (BftS)</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 6''' (BftS, April 2001)</u>
* [[Motorcycle Drone#Toys|Motorcycle Drone]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Spy Streak#Toys|Spy Streak]]
{{Bp-vh|[[Cycle Drone#Beast Machines|Motorcycle Drone]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Spy Streak#Beast Machines|Spy Streak]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 7''' (BftS)</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 7''' (BftS, April 2001)</u>
* [[Battle Unicorn#Toys|Battle Unicorn]]
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Battle Unicorn#Beast Machines|Battle Unicorn]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''Canceled'''''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''Canceled'''''</u>
* [[Screechwing]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Spiketail]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Screechwing#Beast Machines|Screechwing]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Spiketail#Beast Machines|Spiketail]]}}
|}
|}


Line 72: Line 79:


{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' (December 1999)</u>
* [[Optimus Primal/toys#Beast Machines|Optimus Primal]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Jetstorm (BM)#Toys|Jetstorm]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Machines|Optimus Primal]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Jetstorm (BM)#Beast Machines|Jetstorm]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2''' (March 2000)</u>
* ''Dinobots'' [[Airraptor#Toys|Airraptor]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* ''Dinobots'' [[Triceradon (BM)#Toys|Triceradon]]
{{Bp-bd|[[Airraptor#Beast Machines|Airraptor]]}}
{{Bp-bd|[[Triceradon (BM)#Beast Machines|Triceradon]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 3'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 3''' (March 2000)</u>
* ''Dinobots'' [[Dinotron#Toys|Dinotron]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* ''Dinobots'' [[Striker#Toys|Striker]]
{{Bp-bd|[[Dinotron (BM)#Beast Machines|Dinotron]]}}
{{Bp-bd|[[Striker#Beast Machines|Striker]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 4'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 4''' (April 2000)</u>
* [[Blackarachnia (BW)#Beast Machines|Blackarachnia]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Thrust (BM)#Toys|Thrust]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#Beast Machines|Blackarachnia]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Thrust (BM)#Beast Machines|Thrust]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:BM-toy Thrust.jpg|thumb|250px|Deluxe Thrust]]
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:BM-toy Thrust.jpg|thumb|250px|Deluxe Thrust]]
|-
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 5'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 5''' (June 2000)</u>
* [[Snarl (BM)#Toys|Snarl]]
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Snarl (BM)#Beast Machines|Snarl]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 6'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 6''' (September 2000)</u>
* [[Blastcharge (BM)#Toys|Blastcharge]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Skydive (BM)#Toys|Skydive]]
{{Bp-vh|[[Blastcharge (BM)#Beast Machines|Blastcharge]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Skydive (BM)#Beast Machines|Skydive]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 7'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 7''' (October 2000)</u>
* [[Aero Drone#Toys|Sonic Attack Jet]]
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-vh|[[Aero Drone#Beast Machines|Sonic Attack Jet]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 8''' (BftS)</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 8''' (BftS, February 2001)</u>
* [[Noble (BM)#Toys|Beast Changer]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* ''Dinobots'' [[Rapticon#Toys|Rapticon]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Noble (BM)#Beast Machines|Beast Changer]]}}
* ''Dinobots'' [[Terranotron (BM)#Toys|Terranotron]]
{{Bp-bd|[[Rapticon (BM)#Beast Machines|Rapticon]]}}
{{Bp-bd|[[Terranotron (BM)#Beast Machines|Terranotron]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|-
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 9''' (BftS)</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 9''' (BftS, March 2001)</u>
* [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMNSC|Night Slash Cheetor]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Strika (BM)#Toys|Strika]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMNSC|Night Slash Cheetor]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Strika (BM)#Beast Machines|Strika]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''Canceled''''' (used later)</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''Canceled''''' ([[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|used later]])</u>
* [[Bruticus (RID)#Toys|Cerberus]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Megatron (RID)#Megabolt|Megatron]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Bruticus (RID)#Robots in Disguise .282001.29|Cerberus]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Megatron (RID)#Megabolt|Megatron Megabolt]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''Totally canceled'''''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''Totally canceled'''''</u>
* [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]]
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-vh|[[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]]}}
|}
|}


Line 123: Line 141:


{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' (December 1999)</u>
* [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast Machines|Cheetor]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Tankor (BM)#Toys|Tankor]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast Machines|Cheetor]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Tankor (BM)#Beast Machines|Tankor]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2''' (August 2000)</u>
* [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Beast Machines|Megatron]]
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-vh|[[Megatron (BW)/toys#Beast Machines|Megatron]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 3''' (BftS)</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 3''' (February 2001)</u>
* [[Rattrap (BW)#BMMega|Rattrap]]
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Rattrap (BW)/toys#BMMega|Rattrap]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 4''' (BftS)</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 4''' (BftS, May 2001)</u>
* [[Optimus Primal/toys#BlastPunch|Blast Punch Optimus Primal]]
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#BlastPunch|Blast Punch Optimus Primal]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:BMtoy-MegatronMega.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Mega Megatron]]
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:BMtoy-MegatronMega.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Mega Megatron]]
Line 145: Line 167:


{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' (July 2000)</u>
* [[Jetstorm (BM)#Toys|Jetstorm]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* ''Dinobots'' [[T-Wrecks#Toys|T-Wrecks]]
{{Bp-vh|[[Jetstorm (BM)#BMUltra|Jetstorm]]}}
{{Bp-bd|[[T-Wrecks#Beast Machines|T-Wrecks]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2''' (September 2000)</u>
* [[Nightscream (BM)#Toys|Nightscream]]
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Nightscream (BM)#Beast Machines|Nightscream]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''Canceled'''''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''Canceled'''''</u>
* [[Megatron (BW)/toys#BMCanceled|Megatron]]
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-vh|[[Megatron (BW)/toys#BMCanceled|Megatron]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
Line 162: Line 187:
{{-}}
{{-}}
<big>'''Super</big>'''
<big>'''Super</big>'''
:<u>'''Wave 1'''</u>
:<u>'''Wave 1''' (July 2000)</u>
:*[[Primal Prime#Toys|Primal Prime]]
<ul class="iconlist">
: {{Bp-m2|[[Primal Prime#Beast Machines|Primal Prime]]}}


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


:A new price point for the line, the Supreme class featured the biggest/tallest ''Transformers'' toys since 1987's [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Toys|Fortress Maximus]] (if not the most massive).
:A new price point for the line, the Supreme class featured the biggest/tallest ''Transformers'' toys since 1987's [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Beast Machines|Fortress Maximus]] (if not the most massive).
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' (July 2000)</u>
*[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMSupreme|Cheetor]]
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMSupreme|Cheetor]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''Canceled''''' (used later)</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''Canceled''''' ([[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|used later]])</u>
* [[Optimus Primal/toys#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Air Attack Optimus Primal]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Air Attack Optimus Primal]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
Line 189: Line 216:


{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' (August 2000)</u>
* [[Dillo#Toys|Dillo]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Mol#Toys|Mol]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Dillo#Beast Machines|Dillo]]}}
* [[Rav (BM)#Toys|Rav]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Mol#Beast Machines|Mol]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Rav (BM)#Beast Machines|Rav]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2''' (redecos)</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2''' (redecos, January 2001)</u>
* [[Dillo#red|Dillo]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Mol#green|Mol]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Dillo#red|Dillo]]}}
* [[Rav (BM)#Blue|Rav]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Mol#green|Mol]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Rav (BM)#Blue|Rav]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
Line 210: Line 239:
:An unusual addition to the line, [[Beast Rider]]s are combat chariots that can carry Basic-class figures, and convert into an attack mode. Like the Deployers, the Beast Riders got new decos for a second ([[Shelfwarmer|pegwarming]]) round.
:An unusual addition to the line, [[Beast Rider]]s are combat chariots that can carry Basic-class figures, and convert into an attack mode. Like the Deployers, the Beast Riders got new decos for a second ([[Shelfwarmer|pegwarming]]) round.
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' (August 2000)</u>
* [[Che#Toys|Che]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Mechatron#Toys|Mechatron]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Che#Beast Machines|Che]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Mechatron#Beast Machines|Mechatron]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2''' (redecoes)</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2''' (redecoes, December 2000)</u>
* [[Che#Black|Che]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Mechatron#Purple|Mechatron]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Che#Black|Che]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Mechatron#Purple|Mechatron]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
Line 222: Line 253:
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:BM Che toy.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Beast Rider Che]]
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:BM-toy Che v1.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Beast Rider Che]]
|}
|}
 
{{--}}
{{-}}


===Exclusives===
===Exclusives===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[Target]]'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[Target]]''' (October 2000)</u>
:* ''Dinobots'' [[Magmatron#Toys|Magmatron]]
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-bd|[[Magmatron (BW)#Beast Machines|Magmatron]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[BotCon 2000]]'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[BotCon 2000]]''' ([[July 28]], 2000)</u>
* [[Apelinq (BM)#Toys|Apelinq]]
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Apelinq (BM)#Beast Machines|Apelinq]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
Line 241: Line 273:
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
|}
{{--}}


{{-}}
===Fast food promotions===
===Fast food promotions===
<big>'''McDonald's</big>'''
<big>'''McDonald's</big>'''


:[[McDonald's]] ran a ''Beast Machines'' promotion in 2000. It came in two different cardboard "Happy Meal" boxes (which were co-branded with ''[[Hello Kitty]]'')
:[[McDonald's]] ran a ''Beast Machines'' promotion in August 2000. It came in two different cardboard "Happy Meal" boxes (which were co-branded with ''[[Hello Kitty]]'')


{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|The line-up:
|width="20%" valign="top"|The line-up:
* [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#BMMcD|Blackarachnia]]}}
* [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMMcD|Cheetor]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Jetstorm (BM)#McDonalds|Jetstorm]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<br>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<br>
* [[Megatron (BW)/toys|Megatron]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]]
{{Bp-vh|[[Megatron (BW)/toys#McDonald.27s|Megatron]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Nightscream (BM)#McD|Nightscream]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<br>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<br>
* [[Optimus Primal/toys#Beast Machines|Optimus Primal]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]]
{{Bp-m2|[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#McDonaldsBM|Optimus Primal]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Rattrap (BW)/toys#Beast Machines|Rattrap]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<br>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<br>
* [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]]
{{Bp-vh|[[Tankor (BM)#McD|Tankor]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Thrust (BM)#McDonalds|Thrust]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:BMtoy-NightscreamMcD.jpg|thumb|250px|McDonald's Nightscream]]
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:BMtoy-NightscreamMcD.jpg|thumb|250px|McDonald's Nightscream]]
Line 271: Line 307:
{{-}}
{{-}}
<big>'''Red Rooster</big>'''
<big>'''Red Rooster</big>'''
[[File:BMtoy-RattrapRedRooster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|]]
[[File:BMtoy-RattrapRedRooster.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]


:In 2001, four of the McDonald's molds were [[retool]]ed to be simpler (which is hard to imagine but there you go) and [[redeco]]ed by the Australian chain [[List of Transformers restaurant promotions|Red Rooster]] for their "Little Red Rooster" meals. Each one came in four different colorations: red & green, blue & light blue, and color-swaps of those two.
:In 2001, four of the McDonald's molds were [[retool]]ed to be simpler (which is hard to imagine but there you go) and [[redeco]]ed by the Australian chain [[List of Transformers restaurant promotions|Red Rooster]] for their "Little Red Rooster" meals. Each one came in four different colorations: red & green, blue & light blue, and color-swaps of those two.


:* [[Nightscream (BM)#RedRooster|Nightscream]] (actually the [[Megatron (BW)/toys|Megatron]] mold)
: {{Bp-m2|Nightscream (actually the [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Red Rooster|Megatron]] mold)}}
:* [[Jetstorm (BM)#RedRooster|Jetstorm]]
: {{Bp-vh|[[Jetstorm (BM)#RedRooster|Jetstorm]]}}
:* [[Rattrap (BW)/toys#RedRooster|Rattrap]]
: {{Bp-m2|[[Rattrap (BW)/toys#RedRooster|Rattrap]]}}
:* [[Tankor (BM)#RedRooster|Tankor]]
: {{Bp-vh|[[Tankor (BM)#RedRooster|Tankor]]}}


{{-}}
{{-}}
Line 286: Line 322:
:In 2009, Philippine fast food chain Jollibee sold three ''Beast Machines'' figures as part of their "Jollibee Kids Meals", each one based on their original mainline toys. That was kind of weird.
:In 2009, Philippine fast food chain Jollibee sold three ''Beast Machines'' figures as part of their "Jollibee Kids Meals", each one based on their original mainline toys. That was kind of weird.


:* [[Optimus Primal/toys#Jollibee|Optimus Primal]]
: {{Bp-m2|[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Jollibee|Optimus Primal]]}}
:* [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Jollibee|Megatron]]
: {{Bp-vh|[[Megatron (BW)/toys#Jollibee|Megatron]]}}
:* [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Jollibee|Cheetor]]
: {{Bp-m2|[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Jollibee|Cheetor]]}}
 
{{--}}
{{-}}


==Takara ''Beast Wars Returns'' toyline==
==Takara ''Beast Wars Returns'' toyline==
In Japan, ''Beast Machines'' did not see release until 2004 (the only figure to make it to Japan during the series' lifespan was [[Primal Prime#Toys|Primal Prime]]). The entire line was [[Toys"R"Us|ToysЯUs]]-[[exclusive]], and limited to about 3,000-4,000 units apiece. As such, some of these items command high prices on the secondary market, especially [[tail-ender|tail-end]] items.
{{anchor|Japan}}{{nav-bwReturns}}
In Japan, ''Beast Machines'' did not see release until 2004 (the only figure to make it to Japan during the series' lifespan was [[Primal Prime#Beast Machines|Primal Prime]]). The entire line was [[Toys"R"Us]]-[[exclusive]], and limited to about 3,000-4,000 units apiece. As such, some of these items command high prices on the secondary market, especially [[tail-ender|tail-end]] items.


The toys have been redecoed to (theoretically) better match the show models, some more extensively than others.
The toys have been redecoed to (theoretically) better match the show models, some more extensively than others.


{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1''' ([[November 18|11-18]]-[[2004]])
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' ([[November 18|11-18]]-[[2004]])</u>
* [[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Returns|Blackwidow]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Returns|Cheetus]]
{{Bp-m2|BR-01 [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Returns|Convoy]]}}
* [[Optimus Primal/toys#BlastPunch|Convoy]]
{{Bp-m2|BR-02 [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Returns|Cheetus]]}}
* [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Returns|Megatron]]
{{Bp-m2|BR-03 [[Rattrap (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Returns|Rattle]]}}
* [[Rattrap (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Returns|Rattle]]
{{Bp-m2|BR-04 [[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Returns|Blackwidow]]}}
{{Bp-vh|BR-05 [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Returns|Megatron]]}}
 
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2''' ([[March 31|3-31]]-[[2005]])
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2''' ([[March 31|3-31]]-[[2005]])</u>
* [[Jetstorm (BM)#Beast Wars Returns|Vehicon Jetstorm]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Nightscream (BM)#Beast Wars Returns|Nightscream]]
{{Bp-vh|BR-06 [[Tankor (BM)#Beast Wars Returns|Vehicon Tankor]]}}
* [[Silverbolt (BW)#Beast Wars Returns|Silverbolt]]
{{Bp-vh|BR-07 [[Jetstorm (BM)#Beast Wars Returns|Vehicon Jetstorm]]}}
* [[Tankor (BM)#Beast Wars Returns|Vehicon Tankor]]
{{Bp-vh|BR-08 [[Thrust (BM)#Beast Wars Returns|Vehicon Thrust]]}}
* [[Thrust (BM)#Beast Wars Returns|Vehicon Thrust]]
{{Bp-m2|BR-09 [[Nightscream (BM)#Beast Wars Returns|Nightscream]]}}
{{Bp-m2|BR-10 [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)#Beast Wars Returns|Silverbolt]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 3''' ([[April 14|4-14]]-2005)
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 3''' ([[April 14|4-14]]-2005)</u>
* [[Megatron (BW)/toys#MegaheadMegatron|Megahead Megatron]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Noble (BM)#Beast Wars Returns|Noble Savage]]
{{Bp-m2|BR-11 [[Noble (BM)#Beast Wars Returns|Noble Savage]]}}
* [[Obsidian (BM)#Beast Wars Returns|Vehicon Obsidian]]
{{Bp-vh|BR-12 [[Megatron (BW)/toys#MegaheadMegatron|Megahead Megatron]]}}
* [[Strika (BM)#Beast Wars Returns|Vehicon Strika]]
{{Bp-vh|BR-13 [[Strika (BM)#Beast Wars Returns|Vehicon Strika]]}}
{{Bp-vh|BR-14 [[Obsidian (BM)#Beast Wars Returns|Vehicon Obsidian]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Lucky draw'''
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Lucky draw'''</u>
* [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMJBlack|Cheetus]] Black Version (aka "Perfect Choice Cheetus")
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMJBlack|Cheetus Black Version]] (Perfect Choice exclusive)}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Blackarachniabeastwarsreturnstoy.jpg|thumb|250px|''Beast Wars Returns'' Blackwidow]]
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Blackarachniabeastwarsreturnstoy.jpg|thumb|250px|''Beast Wars Returns'' Blackwidow]]
|}
|}
{{--}}


{{-}}
==Post-''Beast Machines'' releases==
==Post-''Beast Machines'' releases==
Even after the original ''Beast Machines'' toyline ended, several cast members saw new toys released in other ''Transformers'' lines.
Even after the original ''Beast Machines'' toyline ended, several cast members saw new toys released in other ''Transformers'' lines.
Line 330: Line 371:
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[Titanium Series]]'''''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[Titanium Series]]'''''</u>
* [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Titanium Series|Cheetor]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Primal Prime#Titanium Series|Primal Prime]] (''canceled'')
{{Bp-m2|[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Titanium Series|Cheetor]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Primal Prime#Titanium Series|Primal Prime]] (''canceled'')}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|''Universe'' (2003)]]'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|''Universe'' (2003)]]'''</u>
* [[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#Universe (2003)|Blackarachnia]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Blastcharge (BM)#Universe (2003)|Blastcharge]]
{{Bp-d1|[[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#Universe (2003)|Blackarachnia]]}}
* [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Universe (2003)|Night Slash Cheetor]]
{{Bp-d1|[[Blastcharge (BM)#Universe (2003)|Blastcharge]]}}
* [[Snarl (BM)#Universe (2003)|Snarl]]
{{Bp-a1|[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Universe (2003)|Night Slash Cheetor]]}}
* [[Skydive (BM)#Universe (2003)|Skydive]]
{{Bp-a1|[[Snarl (BM)#Universe (2003)|Snarl]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Skydive (BM)#Universe (2003)|Skydive]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<br>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<br>
* [[Strika (BM)#Universe (2003)|Nemesis Strika]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Striker#Universe (2003)|Dinobot Striker]]
{{Bp-d1|[[Strika (BM)#Universe (2003)|Nemesis Strika]]}}
* [[Tankor (BM)#Universe (2003)|Tankor]] & [[Obsidian (BM)#Universe (2003)|Obsidian]]
{{Bp-a1|[[Striker#Universe (2003)|Dinobot Striker]]}}
* [[Triceradon (BM)#Universe (2003)|Dinobot Triceradon]]
{{Bp-d1|[[Tankor (BM)#Universe (2003)|Tankor]] & [[Obsidian (BM)#Universe (2003)|Obsidian]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Triceradon (BM)#Universe (2003)|Dinobot Triceradon]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'''''</u>
* [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Robot Heroes|Cheetor]] & [[Tankor (BM)#Robot Heroes|Tankor]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Optimus Primal/toys#Robot Heroes|Optimus Primal]] & [[Jetstorm (BM)#Robot Heroes|Jetstorm]] (''Canceled'')
{{Bp-m2vh|[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#RHTankor|Cheetor]] & [[Tankor (BM)#Robot Heroes|Tankor]]}}
{{Bp-m2vh|[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#RHJetstorm|Optimus Primal]] & [[Jetstorm (BM)#Robot Heroes|Jetstorm]] (''Canceled'')}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:Generationstoy-Tankor.jpg|thumb|250px|''Generations'' Tankor]]
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:Generationstoy-Tankor.jpg|thumb|250px|''Generations'' Tankor]]
|-
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[BotCon 2013]]'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[BotCon 2013]]'''</u>
* [[Obsidian (BM)#Timelines|Obsidian]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Strika (BM)#Timelines|Strika]]
{{Bp-a1|[[Obsidian (BM)#Timelines 2|Obsidian]]}}
* [[Blastcharge Strika Drone#Toys|Blastcharge Strika Drone]]
{{Bp-a1|[[Strika (BM)#Timelines|Strika]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Blastcharge Strika Drone#Timelines|Blastcharge Strika Drone]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[Transformers Collectors' Club]]'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[Transformers Collectors' Club]]'''</u>
* [[Thrust (BM)#Timelines|Thrustinator]]
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-p1|[[Thrust (BM)#Timelines|Thrustinator]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'''''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'''''</u>
* [[Tankor (BM)#Generations|Tankor]]
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-vh|[[Tankor (BM)#Generations|Tankor]]}}
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[BotCon 2014]]'''</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[BotCon 2014]]'''</u>
* [[Apelinq (BM)#Timelines|Knight Apelinq]]
<ul class="iconlist">
* [[Primal Prime#Timelines|Primal Prime]]
{{Bp-a1|[[Apelinq (BM)#Timelines|Knight Apelinq]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Primal Prime#Timelines|Primal Prime]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=4|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'''''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Platinum Edition|Optimus Primal]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[Tiny Titans]]'''''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Tiny Titans|Cheetor]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[Transformers Encore|Encore]]'''''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Encore|Returns Convoy]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]'''''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m1|WFC-K37 [[T-Wrecks#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Maximal T-Wrecks]]}}
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'''''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Legacy|Cheetor]]}}
|}
|}
{{-}}
{{-}}


==Notes==
==Notes==
[[File:RoverTheHellhound.jpg|thumb|200px|Concept art for "Rover the Hellhound", who would become [[Bruticus (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'' Bruticus]].]]
[[File:BM_Battle_For_The_Spark_Gimmick.jpg|thumb|Sadly, neither [[Spark]] appears to actually [[Sparking gimmick|spark]].]]
* The [[Deployer (BM)|Deployers]] and [[Beast Rider]]s were developed by (now-defunct) [[Hasbro Direct]], [[Hasbro]]'s department normally devoted to store exclusives and other retailer-oriented projects, hence their rather dubious compatibility with the rest of the ''Beast Machines'' line.
* The [[Deployer (BM)|Deployers]] and [[Beast Rider]]s were developed by (now-defunct) [[Hasbro Direct]], [[Hasbro]]'s department normally devoted to store exclusives and other retailer-oriented projects, hence their rather dubious compatibility with the rest of the ''Beast Machines'' line.
* A practice at the time of ''Beast Machines'' was to often have one concept artist design the robot mode and another design the beast/vehicle mode, leading to two forms that are startlingly different from each other... and probably leading to some hellish nightmares for the engineering department.
* A practice unique to ''Beast Machines'' was to often have one concept artist design the robot mode and another design the beast or vehicle mode, leading to two forms that are startlingly different from each other... and leading to some hellish nightmares for the engineering department. Indeed, according to [[Hideaki Yoke]], the difficulty with this method was ''so'' high and work intensive that [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] lost confidence in the line, instead deciding to go back to their roots with the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)#Japanese release|Transformers: Car Robots]] line for the Japanese market.<ref>''[[Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Generations]]'', p. 121</ref> 
* On Takara's end of the design process, some design and engineering work was subcontracted out to the designer [[Junichi Akutsu]], alias BEE-CRAFT.
* A number of robot mode designs appear to have been handled by comic book artist [[Draxhall Jump|Ken Lashley]], who would be retained to handle most of the concepts for the ill-fated [[Transtech]] line.  On Takara's end of the design process, some design and engineering work was subcontracted out to the designer [[Junichi Akutsu]], alias BEE-CRAFT.
* Around December of 2000, the online retailer [[BigBadToyStore]] put up a list of upcoming ''Transformers'' product from Hasbro. Although the main point of interest was a ''[[Transtech]]'' assortment listing, it revealed several tail-end and unreleased ''Beast Machines: Battle for the Spark'' toys.
* Early concepts for the ''Battle for the Spark'' continuation pitched the idea of interchangeable "Spark" accessories, one proposed version being a gearbox that drove complex gimmickry, while another functioned more like a [[Mini-Con]] or [[Cyber Key]] that unlocked spring-loaded features.<ref>''[[Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Generations]]'', p. 117</ref>
 
* Around December 2000, the online retailer [[BigBadToyStore]] put up a [http://web.archive.org/web/20001206140100/http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/news.asp list] of upcoming ''Transformers'' product from Hasbro. Although the main point of interest was a ''[[Transtech]]'' assortment listing, it revealed several tail-end and unreleased ''Beast Machines: Battle for the Spark'' toys.


===Foreign names===
===Foreign names===
*''French:'' '''''Ani Machines''''' (France)
*''French:'' '''''Ani Machines''''' (France), '''''Mécanimaux''''' (Canada)
*''Spanish:'' '''''Mecanibestias''''' (Latin America)


==References==
==References==
Line 385: Line 456:


[[Category:Beast Machines| Beast Machines (toyline)]]
[[Category:Beast Machines| Beast Machines (toyline)]]
[[Category:Beast Wars toylines]]
[[Category:Toylines]]
[[Category:Toylines]]

Latest revision as of 23:21, 4 April 2026

Generation 1 continuity family
« Beast Machines »
Freaks of nature.

Beast Machines was the toyline successor to Beast Wars, running from very late 1999 to early 2001. It featured the Maximals as smoothly techno-organic beasts, pitted against the futuristic war machines of the Vehicons. Beast Machines signaled the full-fledged return of vehicular Transformers, after an absence of nearly four years.

Though Beast Machines was the primary series in 2000, Hasbro continued to release Beast Wars case assortments, whose contents ranged from new redecos to promote Fox Kids running the series, to the new-mold Mutant Beast Wars figures, to straight-up re-releases of Transmetal 2 toys.

The line seemed to underperform to expectations, and combined with Hasbro's financial troubles (primarily due to excessive Star Wars Episode I product glut), the second year of Beast Machines product was cut short to make way for another heavy reworking of the Transformers concept...

Unlike Beast Wars, the line did not run concurrently in Japan, but would get a short run there in 2004.

Overview

[edit]

Beast Machines continued many of its predecessor's elements, retaining the Maximal faction and a number of its main characters, but now pitted against the new Vehicon faction. Both sides tended toward unorthodox designs; the toys also made frequent use of translucent plastic and chrome finishes. A concerted push was made towards giving the figures more character-centric internal action features as opposed to the missile launchers or simpler spring-loaded weaponry that defined Beast Wars, going so far as moving eyes or jaws. Spark crystals carried over from Beast Wars, eventually becoming central to the final gimmick in the line. Aesthetically, the smooth, curvaceous designs of the Maximals is a further evolution of the earlier Transmetal design styles, seamlessly blending the mechanical and the organic, often hiding mechanical detailing behind transparent panels. In contrast, the Vehicons had emphatically Cybertronian vehicle forms with visible machinery, often with certain character flourishes in vehicle mode like swiveling cockpits or a moving eye inside a tank turret. Both factions featured some unorthodox robot modes, with the Vehicons erring on the side of inhuman faces, weaponized limbs, and unusual forms of locomotion, while the Maximals tended towards more conventional yet exaggerated humanoid proportions.

Show-accuracy (including inter-character scale) was widely variable across the entire toy line. Show production house Mainframe Entertainment apparently began animating the characters from early concept sketches, designs that by necessity changed a great deal during the translation into toy form. Thus many characters' (initial) toy and cartoon depictions bear relatively little resemblance to each other.

The back end of the Beast Machines toyline, starting in 2001, featured the first full-on subline imprint for Transformers, called "Battle for the Spark", reflecting the storyline of the cartoon's second season. This also tied in with a unifying theme for the new-mold toys, where action features are activated by pressing on the spark crystals. By this time, many toys were designed to emulate their show models, and did so to an impressive degree. The more complex action features also led to the first price hike since the Transformers toyline had switched to standardized price classes at the start of Beast Wars, with the Basics class increasing from US$4.99 MSRP to $6.99.

The final releases of Beast Wars overlapped on the shelves with the start of Beast Machines, which was taken into account as some events from Beast Machines are directly referenced on the packaging of the Mutants. The Dinobots subline, consisting of redecoed molds from both the Hasbro Beast Wars and Takara Beast Wars Neo lines, shipped in the same packaging assortments with the normal figures.

Due to underwhelming sales, usual toyline fatigue, a particularly dark story, and internal Hasbro/Kenner shakeups,[1] it was decided to cancel the last few waves in development, abandon plans for the sequel series Transtech, and re-vamp the franchise from the ground up. Takara's Car Robots series was quickly ported over as "filler" under the name Robots in Disguise, giving Hasbro and Takara the time needed to coordinate on the next series. Not ones to waste the effort or cost put into the canceled figures, all three finished-yet-unreleased toy molds were eventually released as part of the Robots in Disguise toyline.

Hasbro Beast Machines toyline

[edit]

Standard retail line

[edit]

Basics

Wave 1 (December 1999) Wave 2 (March 2000) Wave 3 (June 2000) Wave 4 (August 2000)
Basic Longhorn
Wave 5 (BftS, January 2001) Wave 6 (BftS, April 2001) Wave 7 (BftS, April 2001) Canceled


Deluxe

In addition to regular Beast Machines toys, the Deluxe assortment also included Dinobots-branded product.
Wave 1 (December 1999) Wave 2 (March 2000) Wave 3 (March 2000) Wave 4 (April 2000)
Deluxe Thrust
Wave 5 (June 2000) Wave 6 (September 2000) Wave 7 (October 2000) Wave 8 (BftS, February 2001)
Wave 9 (BftS, March 2001) Canceled (used later) Totally canceled


Mega

Wave 1 (December 1999) Wave 2 (August 2000) Wave 3 (February 2001) Wave 4 (BftS, May 2001)
Mega Megatron


Ultra

Like the Deluxes, the Ultra assortment also included Dinobots-branded stuff.
Wave 1 (July 2000) Wave 2 (September 2000) Canceled
Ultra Jetstorm


Super

Wave 1 (July 2000)