Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline): Difference between revisions

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{{Nav-Universe}}
{{Nav-universe2003}}
The original '''''Transformers: Universe''''' toyline, launched in 2003, was originally conceived as a line entirely made up of [[Redeco|redecos]] (and occasionally [[Retool|retools]]) of toys from older lines.
[[File:Universe2003toy-Primal.jpg|upright=2.33|thumb|''Universe'' [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Universe (2003)|Optimus Primal]]. Yes, you are seeing that correctly.]]


Even though the line was effectively cancelled in its original form after a little more than a year, it still continued in other forms (such as [[rebranding|rebranded]] toys from older lines) for nearly three more years, coupled with the occasional delayed release from its original run.
The original '''''Transformers: Universe''''' toyline, launched in 2003, was a line (almost) entirely made up of [[redeco]]s (and occasionally [[retool]]s) of toys from older lines, in order to quickly (as quickly as a massive multinational corporation can, at any rate) capitalize on the success of ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)| Armada]]'' and the demand for more ''Transformers'' product that line created.


The second [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|''Universe'' line]] launched in 2008 shares its name with the old line, but originally had a different underlying concept (but eventually turned into a fully-fledged successor of the first ''Universe'' line).
And in many ways, it did its job a bit ''too'' well. After a considerable flood of products and a huge number of store [[exclusive]]s, the line was effectively dead after a little over one year. However, it continued in other forms, such as an outlet for [[rebranding|rebranded]] toys to smaller retailers, for nearly three more years, coupled with the occasional delayed release from its original run.


==History and overview==
Importantly, ''Universe'' really cemented the re-use of years-old molds at retail for Hasbro, and while they would never ''quite'' do it as extensively as they had this time, the practice would live on... especially in the second [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|''Universe'' line]], launched in 2008, which was mainly all-new toys, but made pretty extensive use of older molds at its larger price points and for its many store exclusives.
===Precursors===
Historically, 1997's ''[[Machine Wars]]'' was the first ''Transformers'' toy line made up entirely of redecos.  


In terms of immediate succession, the ''Universe'' line was a continuation of sorts of the extended ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' line, which also consisted of redecos of toys from older lines, most of which were available as store [[Exclusive|exclusives]].
{{TOC}}
 
The [[Walmart]] exclusive ''[[Transformers: Dinobots|Dinobots]]'' mini-line that was available concurrently with the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' line was also a precursor of the ''Universe'' line in some ways.
 
Lastly, the name of the line originated with the [[BotCon 2002]] exclusive toys, which were branded with the title ''[[Transformers: Expanded Universe]]''.


==History and overview==
===Initial conception and original run===
===Initial conception and original run===
The ''Universe'' line was originally intended to run concurrently with the main ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' line and the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' and ''[[Commemorative Series]]'' lines and consisted of the mass retail [[Size class|price points]] "Deluxe" ($10USD) and "Ultra" ($20USD). In addition, an unusually huge number of store [[exclusive]] single toys and multi-packs (often with additional [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]] or Mini-Con teams) was released as well. Some of those multi-packs were even available at lower prices than the original releases of those molds combined. The [[OTFCC 2003]] and [[OTFCC 2004|2004]] exclusives were also branded "Universe".
[[File:TFU03-toy Reptilion.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|[[Reptilion#Toys|Reptilion]], in all his... glory.]]
The ''Universe'' line was intended to run concurrently with and supplement the main kid-aimed ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' line, with $10 "Deluxe" and $20 "Ultra" [[Size class|price points]]. Due to this more limited range of price points, toys that didn't really stack up to one of these were supplemented with other toys, such as a "Basic" toy and added [[Mini-Con]] sold as a Deluxe, or a "Mega" toy with a "Basic" sold as an Ultra class set. In addition, an unusually huge-for-the-time number of store [[exclusive]] toys and multi-packs was released as well. Some of those multi-packs were even available at lower prices than the original releases of those molds combined. The [[OTFCC 2003]] and [[OTFCC 2004|2004]] exclusives were also branded "Universe".


The molds used for the ''Universe'' line spanned from as far back as late-[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] to the most recent lines. Molds from ''[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' were particularly common in the line. Some molds that had previously only been available in Japan (such as [[Big Convoy]] or the [[Micromaster]] [[Combiner|Sixcombiner]] teams) were also made available to Hasbro's target audience for the first time that way.
The molds used for the ''Universe'' line spanned from as far back as late-era [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] to the most recent lines, with molds from ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' being particularly common—though initially, the idea was to lean more on Beast Era toys to distinguish the line from ''Armada''.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=In this case for this ''Universe'' segment, we definitely were wanting to stay away from things that were ''Armada''-like. We didn't want to be redundant completely. Again, we had just brought cars back for ''RID [Robots in Disguise]'' and now we're doing cars in ''Armada''. It's also an opportunity, if you're going to get more shelf space, to provide a different type of product. So that's why there's a lot of ''Beast Wars'' characters in there, ''Beast Machines'', to provide a different look in that little stripe of that now-three-foot area. You want it to call itself out. Maybe you'll get a whole new segment collector, or someone will just like that stuff more, for various reasons. They like beasts, or they like the sophisticated coloring or the story, what- you know, whatever.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE-MKJDLkNc&t=408s|name=Aaron Archer|site=''The Toy Armada''|title=22 - The CREATION of Transformers Universe|year=2025|month=07|day=09}}</ref> Some molds that had previously only been available in Japan (such as [[Big Convoy (BW)#Toys|Big Convoy]] or the [[Micromaster]] [[Combiner|Sixcombiner]] teams) were also made available to Hasbro's target audience for the first time that way. Notably, many of these toys now had... ''unconventional'' decos. These were the work of Hasbro designer [[Brian Parrish]], who lead designer [[Aaron Archer]] poached from the ''Star Wars'' team, and as a result they ended up using much more sophisticated [[Paint operation|paint application]]s than were typically seen on ''Transformers''.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So Brian Parrish is a good friend of mine. Certainly gets his praises sung in the ''Star Wars'' world, and now ''Rescue Bots'' world, but yeah he was involved with ''Universe'' all the way back here. And so he came from ''Star Wars'' and that's why a lot of these have these sophisticated colors—because if you think of the color palette and tonality of ''Star Wars'' coloring, on spaceships and stuff, and then look at the ''Universe'' segment, you'll you'll start to go, "Oh, okay! That's why these look a little different than the crazy colors Aaron would use." He came from that, you know, ''blast effects'' and ''scorch marks'' and all that kind of stuff that you see on those vehicles. And he really challenged Takara to change their painting game! Because the things we could get done in our HFE [Hasbro Far East] factory partners, Takara wasn't as interested in trying? Because it's... more inconsistency, you know, when you have a free floating plate? You know, you might have one that goes three centimeters, and you might have one that goes two and a half centimeters. To the Americans, we're like, "Oh, that's a cool burn." To the Japanese, it's like, "That's ''wildly'' inconsistent." So they they did ''not'' like what we were doing there, but again, it wasn't their problem because they weren't going to put these out in their market. So they just kind of dealt with it.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE-MKJDLkNc&t=1709s|name=Aaron Archer|site=''The Toy Armada''|title=22 - The CREATION of Transformers Universe|year=2025|month=07|day=09}}</ref> Early ''Universe'' toys had silver "energon surge" paint simulating power flashes, but this was dropped fairly shortly, even if the fantastically gaudy base color choices carried on.


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


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


===Discontinuation and continuation===
===Discontinuation and continuation===
The ''Universe'' line effectively died as a mass retail line when Wal-Mart decided to discontinue the Ultra Class assortment in late 2004 due to low sales. Earlier that year, Wal-Mart had already stocked half a dozen of exclusive Universe toys, which had also ended up as [[Shelfwarmer|shelfwarmers]]. The Deluxe assortment was cancelled by Hasbro shortly afterwards.
[[File:TFU03-toy CybBackstop.jpg|upright=1|thumb|Repackaged and unchanged ''Cybertron'' Backstop]]
 
''Universe'' effectively died as a mass retail line when [[Walmart]] decided to discontinue the Ultra Class assortment in late 2004 due to low sales. Earlier that year, Walmart had already stocked half a dozen exclusive ''Universe'' toys, which had also ended up as [[shelfwarmer]]s. The Deluxe assortment was cancelled by Hasbro shortly afterwards.
Two more KB Toys exclusive Deluxe toys (in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]''-esque packaging) followed in 2005, as well as two more KB Toys exclusive [[Micromaster]] waves in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Furthermore, three Ultra two-packs that had already been produced before the Ultra assortment was cancelled eventually ended up as Target exclusives, also in 2006.
 
Aside from those delayed releases of already planned toys (except for the KB Deluxes), the ''Universe'' line continued for nearly ''four'' more years (!) following the cancellation of the mass retail assortments, but now only in the form of [[rebranding|rebranded]] toys from more recent lines such as ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'', ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'', with no [[Redeco|redecos]] whatsoever. Those toys were mostly available from liquidator stores such as Dollar General, Family Dollar or Tuesday Morning. Even a new mold, which was available as a Chevrolet online store exclusive in 2008, used the old ''Universe'' logo in its instruction sheet.
 
===Legacy and successors===
After the ''Universe'' line had ended as a mass retail line, the short-lived 2006 ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' line briefly served as an all-encompassing line that contained a few redecos of toys from older lines (most notably [[Legends Class|Legends of Cybertron]] figures) in addition to new molds.


The 2007 [[Movie (toyline)|live-action Movie toyline]] also contained a considerable number of redecos of toys from older lines, starting with the Target exclusive Scout Class assortment, later followed by other store [[exclusive]] redecos of toys from the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'', ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'', ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' and ''Classics'' lines.
Two more [[KB Toys]] exclusive Deluxe toys (in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]''-esque packaging) followed in 2005, as well as two more KB Toys exclusive [[Micromaster]] waves in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Furthermore, three Ultra two-packs that had already been produced before the Ultra assortment was cancelled eventually ended up as [[Target]] exclusives, also in 2006.


Hasbro ultimately launched a [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|"new" ''Universe'' line]] in 2008 which combined the predominant "new molds" aspect of the ''Classics'' line with the "redeco" aspect of the old ''Universe'' line. The widely accepted way to distinguish between toys from the two ''Universe'' lines (it's unclear whether Hasbro officially thinks of them as one and the same, or as two lines using the same name) is the different logo. The old ''Universe'' logo was last used for [[Swerve (Chevy)|Swerve]], the aforementioned Chevrolet exclusive.
Aside from those delayed releases of already planned toys (except for the KB Deluxes), the ''Universe'' line continued for nearly ''four'' more years (!) following the cancellation of the mass retail assortments, but now only in the form of [[rebranding|rebranded]] toys from more recent lines such as ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'', ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'', and ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'', with no [[redeco]]es whatsoever. Those toys were mostly available from liquidator stores such as Dollar General, Family Dollar, or Tuesday Morning. Even a new mold, which was available as a Chevrolet online store exclusive in 2008, used the old ''Universe'' logo in its instruction sheet.


==Universe toys==
{{-}}
==Toys==
===The redeco line (2003 - 2006)===
===The redeco line (2003 - 2006)===
====Tiny Tins (mass retail)====
====<u>Retail releases</u>====
'''Wave 1 (March 2004)'''
;Tiny Tins
An odd exception to the "redeco" rule of the early ''Universe'' line, these three Mini-Cons, released individually with additional [[Tiny Tins]], were unchanged from their original releases as part of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' Race Mini-Con Team
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' (03-2004)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Dirt Boss (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Dirt Boss]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Downshift (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Downshift]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Mirage (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Mirage]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}{{-}}


* [[Dirt Boss (Armada)|Dirt Boss]]
;Deluxes
* [[Downshift (Armada)|Downshift]]
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
* [[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]]
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' (06-2003)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Reptilion#Toys|Reptilion]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Silverbolt (Fuzor)#Universe (2003)|Silverbolt]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Snarl (BM)#Universe (2003)|Snarl]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2''' (08-2003)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#Universe (2003)|Blackarachnia]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Striker#Universe (2003)|Dinobot Striker]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 3''' (10-2003)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Inferno (BW)#Universe (2003)|Inferno]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Ratchet (Universe)#Toys|Autobot Ratchet]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 4''' (01-2004)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Triceradon (BM)#Universe (2003)|Dinobot Triceradon]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Skywarp]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:TFU03-toy Ratchet.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Deluxe [[Ratchet (Universe)#Toys|Autobot Ratchet]]]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 5''' (03-2004)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Skydive (BM)#Universe (2003)|Skydive]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 6''' (08-2004)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Fireflight (Universe Deluxe)#Universe (2003)|Fireflight]]<br>with [[Firebot (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Firebot]] & [[Thunderwing (Armada)#UniverseFireflight|Thunderwing]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Strika (BM)#Universe (2003)|Nemesis Strika]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 7''' (10-2004)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Air Raid (G1)#Universe (2003)|Air Raid]] & [[Wind Sheer (Universe)#Universe (2003)|Wind Sheer]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Swerve (Universe)#Universe (2003)|Swerve]] with [[Roadhandler (Universe)#Universe (2003)|Roadhandler]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 8''' (02-2005)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Universe (2003)|Night Slash Cheetor]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Frostbite (Universe)#Universe (2003)|Frostbite]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Ramulus#Universe (2003)|Longhorn]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 9''' (04-2005)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Blastcharge (BM)#Universe (2003)|Blastcharge]]}}
|}{{-}}


{{note|An odd exception to the "redeco" rule of the early ''Universe'' line, these three Mini-Cons, released individually with additional Tiny Tins, were unchanged from their original releases as part of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' Race Mini-Con Team.}}
;Ultras<br>
====Deluxes (mass retail)====
An oddity of the Ultra assortment (one that would also manifest in the eventually-concurrently-running [[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|''Energon'' toyline]]) is the ".5" assortments. Basically, the contents of a wave would be revised mid-run, with new product added to the mix, but none of the "tracking" information changed. As far as the stores were concerned, it was all the same stuff.
'''Wave 1 (June 2003)'''


*[[Reptilion]]
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]]
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' (07-2003)</u>
*[[Snarl (BM)|Snarl]]
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Universe (2003)|Optimus Primal]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Razorclaw (Universe)#Universe (2003)|Razorclaw]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1.5''' (10-2003)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Tankor (BM)#Universe (2003)|Tankor]] & [[Obsidian (BM)#Universe (2003)|Obsidian]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2''' (11-2003)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Depth Charge (BW)#Universe (2003)|Depthcharge]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2.5''' (03-2004)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[King Atlas#Toys|King Atlas]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:Uni03-toy KingAtlas.jpg|right|thumb|250px|[[King Atlas#Toys|King Atlas]], one of the oldest molds used in ''Universe''.]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 3''' (08-2004)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Stockade (Universe 2003)#Toys|Stockade]] & [[Magna Stampede#Toys|Magna Stampede]]<br>with [[Prowl (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Prowl]] & [[Terradive (Armada)#UniverseStockade|Terradive]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Whirl (Universe)#Toys|Autobot Whirl]]<br>with [[Gunbarrel (Armada)#UniverseWhirl|Gunbarrel]] & [[Makeshift (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Makeshift]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 3.5''' (10-2004)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Soundwave]] & [[Space Case (G2)#Universe (2003)|Space Case]]}}
|}
{{note|A fully-fledged fourth mass retail wave was planned; but ultimately the new toys that would have been included with it ended up as [[Target]] [[exclusive]]s (see below).}}
{{-}}


'''Wave 2 (August 2003)'''
====<u>Exclusives</u>====
[[Image:TFU03-toy_Striker.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Dinobot Striker, a Wave 2 Deluxe toy]]
Well after the normal retail line ended, ''Universe'' continued on as a series of store [[exclusive]]s.
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]
*[[Striker|Dinobot Striker]]


'''Wave 3 (October 2003)'''
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Kmart''' (07-2004)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Crystal Widow#Toys|Crystal Widow]] vs. [[Oil Slick (Universe)#Toys|Oil Slick]] with [[Search and Destroy Robot]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''"[[Market six]]"''' (10-2004)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Smokescreen (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Smokescreen]] with [[Liftor#Universe (2003)|Liftor]] VS. [[Ransack (Universe 2003)#Toys|Ransack]] with [[Refute (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Refute]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Ultra Magnus (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Ultra Magnus]] with [[Over-Run (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Over-Run]] VS. [[Treadshot (Universe 2003)#Toys|Treadshot]] with [[Nightbeat (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Nightbeat]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Sam's Club'''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (RID)#Universe (2003)|Optimus Prime]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Universe (2003)|Ultra Magnus]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[Target]]'''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Nemesis Prime (Universe)#Universe (2003)|Nemesis Prime]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Overbite (G1)#Universe (2003)|Overbite]] with [[Repugnus (G1)#Universe (2003)|Repugnus]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Long Haul (Universe Ultra)|Long Haul]] & [[Hightower (Universe Ultra)|Hightower]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Bonecrusher (Universe Ultra)|Bonecrusher]] & [[Scavenger (Universe Ultra)#Toys|Scavenger]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:TFU03-toy Ramjet.jpg|thumb|250px|Toys"R"Us exclusive [[Ramjet (Universe)#Toys|Ramjet]], with [[Thunderclash (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Thunderclash]], [[Gunbarrel (Armada)#UniverseRamjet|Gunbarrel]], [[Terradive (Armada)#UniverseRamjet|Terradive]], and [[Thunderwing (Armada)#UniverseRamjet|Thunderwing]]]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[Toys"R"Us]]'''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Ramjet (Universe)#Toys|Ramjet]] with [[Thunderclash (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Thunderclash]], [[Gunbarrel (Armada)#UniverseRamjet|Gunbarrel]], [[Terradive (Armada)#UniverseRamjet|Terradive]], and [[Thunderwing (Armada)#UniverseRamjet|Thunderwing]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[Walmart]]'''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (RID)#WMBasic|Optimus Prime]] with [[Prowl (RID)#WMSC|Prowl]] [[Spychanger]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Prowl (RID)#Universe (2003)|Prowl]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Side Burn (RID)#Universe (2003)|Side Burn]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Ultra Magnus (RID)#WMBasic|Ultra Magnus]] with [[Ironhide (RID)#Universe (2003)|Ironhide]] Spychanger}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<br>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Ruination (RID)#Universe (2003)|Ruination]]<br>([[Armorhide (RID)#Universe (2003)|Armorhide]], [[Mega-Octane#Universe (2003)|Mega-Octane]], [[Movor#Universe (2003)|Movor]], [[Ro-Tor (RID)#Universe (2003)|Ro-Tor]], [[Rollbar (RID)#Universe (2003)|Rollbar]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Sunstorm (Universe)#Toys|Sunstorm]] with [[Inferno (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Inferno]] and [[Street Action Mini-Con Team#Universe (2003)|Street Action Mini-Con Team]] ([[Perceptor (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Perceptor]] – [[Sureshock (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Sureshock]], [[High Wire (Armada)#Universe (2003)|High Wire]], [[Grindor (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Grindor]])}}
|}


*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]]
{{-}}
*[[Ratchet (Universe)|Ratchet]]
;[[KB Toys]]
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''MicroMaster Series I''' (05-2004)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[First Aid (Universe)|First Aid]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Groove (Universe)|Autobot Groove]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Hot Spot (Universe)|Hot Spot]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Prowl (Universe)|Prowl]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Red Alert (Universe)|Red Alert]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Streetwise (Universe)|Streetwise]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''MicroMaster Series II''' (10-2004)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Buckethead#Universe (2003)|Buckethead]] (1 of 6)}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Quickmix (Universe)#Universe (2003)|Quickmix]] (2 of 6)}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Scavenger (Universe Micromaster)#Universe (2003)|Scavenger]] (3 of 6)}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Bonecrusher (Universe Micromaster)#Universe (2003)|Bonecrusher]] (4 of 6)}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Long Haul (Universe Micromaster)#Universe (2003)|Long Haul]] (5 of 6)}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Hightower (Universe Micromaster)#Universe (2003)|Hightower]] (6 of 6)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''MicroMaster Series III''' (09-2005)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Railspike (Universe)|Railspike]] (1 of 6)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Overload (Universe)|Overload]] (2 of 6)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Tankor (Universe)|Tankor]] (3 of 6)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Midnight Express (Universe)|Midnight Express]] (4 of 6)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Swindle (Universe)|Swindle]] (5 of 6)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Rapid Run (Universe)|Rapid Run]] (6 of 6)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''MicroMaster Series IV''' (09-2006)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Fireflight (Universe Micromaster)|Fireflight]] (1 of 6)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Silverbolt (Universe)|Silverbolt]] (2 of 6)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Skydive (Universe)|Skydive]] (3 of 6)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Storm Jet (Universe)|Storm Jet]] (4 of 6)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Air Raid (Universe 2003)|Air Raid]] (5 of 6)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Ro-Tor (Universe)|Ro-Tor]] (6 of 6)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:TFU03-toy RedAlertMicro.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Micromaster Protectobot [[Red Alert (Universe)|Red Alert]]]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Deluxes''' (09-2005)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Cyclonus (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Snow Cat]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Downshift (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Downshift]]}}
|}
{{note|The MicroMaster Protectobots were not individually numbered. The Protectobots and Constructicons were also available as non-exclusive releases on ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' cards in Europe, and the Railbots and Aerialbots on ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' cards, the ''Cybertron'' releases even ''before'' the U.S. versions, with the first sighting of the Railbots hailing from the Netherlands in August 2005. The ''Universe'' versions were also available from Australian online retailer Casefresh since July 2005, and at Australian KMart stores since August 2005.}}


'''Wave 4 (January 2004)'''
;[[Transformers Collectors' Club]]
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[OTFCC 2003]]''' (07-2003)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Shadow Striker (Universe)#Toys|Shadow Striker]] / [[Roulette (Universe)#Toys|Roulette]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Sideswipe]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Sunstreaker]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[OTFCC 2004]]''' (07-2004)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Megazarak (Universe)#Toys|Megazarak]] with [[Caliburn (Universe)#Toys|Caliburn]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sentinel Maximus#Toys|Sentinel Maximus]] with [[Apelinq (BM)#Universe (2003)|Ape-Linq]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:TFU03-toy SideswipeOTFCC.jpg|right|thumb|200px|OTFCC 2003 Sideswipe]]
|}


*[[Triceradon (BM)|Dinobot Triceradon]]
{{-}}
*[[Skywarp (G1)/toys|Skywarp]]


'''Wave 5 (March 2004)'''
===Rebranding and other odds and ends (2005 - 2008)===
 
At this point, ''Universe''-branded product was almost entirely repackagings of toys released in other lines without changes (aside from the packaging, obviously), put out through "discount" chains in ''extremely'' staggered release. And the one truly new toy in the series was one you were ''highly'' unlikely to see through normal shopping...
*[[Skydive (BM)|Skydive]]
 
'''Wave 6 (August 2004)'''
 
*[[Fireflight (Universe)|Fireflight]] with Mini-Cons [[Firebot (Armada)|Firebot]] and [[Thunderwing (Armada)|Thunderwing]]
*[[Strika (BM)|Nemesis Strika]]
 
'''Wave 7 (October 2004)'''
 
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] &amp; [[Wind Sheer (Universe)|Wind Sheer]] two-pack
*[[Swerve (Universe)|Swerve]] with Mini-Con [[Roadhandler (Universe)|Roadhandler]]
 
'''Wave 8 (February 2005)'''
 
*[[Longhorn (Universe)|Longhorn]]
*[[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Night Slash Cheetor]]
*[[Frostbite]]
 
'''Wave 9 (April 2005)'''
 
*[[Blastcharge (BM)|Blastcharge]]
 
====Ultras (mass retail)====
[[Image:Depthcharge-universe.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Depthcharge, a Wave 2 Ultra toy]]
'''Wave 1 (July 2003)'''
 
*[[Optimus Primal/toys|Optimus Primal]]
*[[Razorclaw (Universe)|Razorclaw]]
 
'''Wave 1.5 (October 2003)'''
 
*[[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] &amp; [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] two-pack
 
'''Wave 2 (November 2003)'''
 
*[[Depth Charge (BW)|Depthcharge]]
 
'''Wave 2.5 (March 2004)'''
 
*[[King Atlas]]
 
'''Wave 3 (August 2004)'''
 
*[[Whirl (Universe)|Whirl]] with Mini-Cons [[Skysickle|Makeshift]] and [[Thunderstick|Gunbarrel]]
 
*[[Stockade (Universe 2003)|Stockade]] & [[Magna Stampede]] two-pack with Mini-Cons [[Terradive (Armada)|Terradive]] and [[Prowl (Armada)|Prowl]]
 
'''Wave 3.5 (October 2004)'''
 
*[[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]] and [[Space Case (G2)|Space Case]]
 
{{note|A fully-fledged fourth mass retail wave was planned; but ultimately the new toys that would have been included with it ended up as Target exclusives.}}
 
====KB Toys exclusive Micromasters====
'''Series I (Protectobots - May 2004)'''
[[Image:TFU03-toy RedAlertMicro.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Red Alert, a Series I Micromaster toy]]
*[[First Aid (Universe)|First Aid]]
*[[Groove (Universe)|Autobot Groove]]
*[[Hot Spot (Universe)|Hot Spot]]
*[[Prowl (Universe Micromaster)|Prowl]]
*[[Red Alert (Universe)|Red Alert]]
*[[Streetwise (Universe)|Streetwise]]
 
{{note|The six Protectobots could be merged to form [[Defensor (Universe)|Defensor]]. The toys were also available as non-exclusive releases on ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' cards in Europe.}}
 
'''Series II (Constructicons - October 2004)'''
 
*[[Bonecrusher (Universe Micromaster)|Bonecrusher]]
*[[Buckethead]]
*[[Hightower (Micromaster)|Hightower]]
*[[Long Haul (Universe Micromaster)|Long Haul]]
*[[Quickmix (Universe)|Quickmix]]
*[[Scavenger (Universe Micromaster)|Scavenger]]
 
{{note|The six Constructicons could be merged to form [[Constructicon Devastator (Micromaster)|Constructicon Devastator]]. The toys were also available as non-exclusive releases on ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' cards in Europe.}}
 
'''Series III (Railbots - September 2005)'''
 
*[[Midnight Express (Universe)|Midnight Express]]
*[[Overload (Universe)|Overload]]
*[[Railspike (Universe)|Railspike]]
*[[Rapid Run (Universe)|Rapid Run]]
*[[Swindle (Universe)|Swindle]]
*[[Tankor (Micromaster)|Tankor]]
 
{{note|The six Railbots could be merged to form [[Rail Racer (Universe)|Rail Racer]]. The toys were also available as non-exclusive releases on ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' cards in Europe, even ''before'' the US versions came out, with the first sighting hailing from the Netherlands in August 2005. The ''Universe'' versions were also available from Australian online retailer Casefresh since July 2005, and at Australian KMart stores since August 2005.}}
 
'''Series IV (Aerialbots - September 2006)'''
 
*[[Air Raid (Universe 2003)|Air Raid]]
*[[Fireflight (Micromaster)|Fireflight]]
*[[Ro-Tor (Universe)|Ro-tor]]
*[[Skydive (Universe)|Skydive]]
*[[Silverbolt (Universe)|Silverbolt]]
*[[Storm Jet (Universe)|Storm Jet]]
 
{{note|The six Aerialbots could be merged to form [[Superion (Universe)|Superion]]. The toys were also available as non-exclusive releases on ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' cards in Europe, even ''before'' the US versions came out, first being stocked by UK-based online retailer The Entertainer in March (!) of 2006. In the USA, the ''Universe'' versions were later also found at CVS Pharmacy stores.}}
 
====Other store exclusives====
'''[[KB Toys]] exclusives (September 2005)'''
[[Image:TFU03-toy_SnowCat.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Snow Cat, a KB Toys exclusive]]
*[[Cyclonus (Armada)|Snow Cat]]
*[[Downshift (Energon)|Downshift]]
 
{{note|The packaging for these two toys was odd insofar as it featured ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]''-specific logos and other design elements. In addition, the assortment number (27271) was identical to that of the KB Toys exclusive ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' redecos of ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] and [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]], which were released a year earlier, a rare instance where an assortment number was carried over from one toyline to another one.}}
 
'''Kmart exclusives (July 2004)'''
 
*[[Crystal Widow]] vs. [[Oil Slick (Universe)|Oil Slick]] ([[Battle in a Box]] two-pack)
 
'''"Market Six" exclusives (October 2004)'''
 
*[[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] vs. [[Ransack (Universe 2003)|Ransack]] with Mini-Cons & [[Liftor]] & [[Refute]] ([[Battle in a Box]] two-pack)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Universe Two-Pack)|Ultra Magnus]] vs. [[Treadshot (Universe 2003)|Treadshot]] with Mini-Cons [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] & [[Nightbeat (Universe)|Nightbeat]] ([[Battle in a Box]] two-pack)
 
{{note|These two-packs were available from stores such as Kohl's, Meijer, Menards and ShopKo. A third two-pack was also planned, but ultimately never released.}}
 
'''Sam's Club exclusives (September 2003)'''
 
*[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] (RID redeco)
*[[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] (RID redeco)


'''[[Target]] exclusives'''
Interestingly, the new packaging omitted any references to combiner toys' combining abilities.


*[[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|Nemesis Prime]] (August 2004)
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
*[[Overbite (Universe)|Overbite]] &amp; [[Repugnus (Universe)|Repugnus]] two-pack (March 2006)
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Spy Changers Wave 1''' (02-2005)</u>
*[[Long Haul (Universe Ultra)|Long Haul]] & [[Hightower (Universe Ultra)|Hightower]] two-pack (March 2006)
{{note|Redecoes of Spychangers in new Generation 1-themed colour schemes.}}
* [[Bonecrusher (Universe Ultra)|Bonecrusher]] & [[Scavenger (Universe Ultra)|Scavenger]] two-pack (March 2006)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Hoist (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Hoist]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Jazz (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Autobot Jazz]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Optimus Prime]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Prowl (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Prowl]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Silverstreak]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Wheeljack]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Spy Changers Wave 2''' (08-2006)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{note|Rebranded versions of previous KB Toys exclusive translucent decos.}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Camshaft (G1)#Universe (2003)|Autobot Camshaft]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Hoist (G1)/toys#Uni2|Hoist]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Mirage (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Mirage]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Basics Wave 1''' (08-2005)</u>
{{note|Rebranded ''Energon'' Energon Class figures.}}
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Arcee (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Arcee]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Doom-Lock (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Doom-Lock]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Insecticon (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Insecticon]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Perceptor (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Perceptor]]<br>([[Grindor (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Grindor]], [[High Wire (Armada)#Universe (2003)|High Wire]], [[Sureshock (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Sureshock]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Strongarm (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Strong Arm]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Windrazor (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Windrazor]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Basics Wave 2''' (10-2006)</u>
{{note|Rebranded ''Energon'' Energon Class figures.}}
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Cruellock#Universe (2003)|Cruellock]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Energon Saber#Universe (2003)|Energon Saber]]<br>([[Scattor (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Scattor]], [[Skyboom (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Skyboom]], [[Wreckage (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Wreckage]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Signal Flare (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Signal Flare]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Terradive (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Terradive]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Treadshot (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Treadshot]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Wideload (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Wideload]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=3|[[File:Hoist-Uni03SC1.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Spy Changer Hoist]][[File:TFU03-toy Sharkticon.jpg|250px|thumb|Repackaged ''Energon'' Sharkticon]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Basics Wave 3''' (10-2007)</u>
{{note|Rebranded ''Cybertron'' Scout Class figures.}}
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Backstop (Cybertron)#Universe (2003)|Backstop]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Brakedown (Cybertron)#Universe (2003)|Brakedown]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Brushguard#Universe (2003)|Brushguard]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Lugnutz#Universe (2003)|Lugnutz]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Scattorshot (Cybertron)#Universe (2003)|Scattorshot]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Undermine (Cybertron)#Universe (2003)|Undermine]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Deluxes Wave 1''' (10-2005)</u>
{{note|Rebranded ''Energon'' Combat Class figures.}}
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Barricade (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Barricade]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Sharkticon (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Sharkticon]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Steamhammer (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Steamhammer]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Storm Jet (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Storm Jet]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Multi-packs'''</u>
{{note|Rebranded ''Classics'' two-pack.}}
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|The Ultimate Battle ([[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#UltimateBattle|Optimus Prime]] vs. [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Megatron]])}}
|}


{{note|The three two-packs above were originally planned to be released as wave 4 of the Universe Ultra assortment. However, when Wal*Mart decided to cancel the Universe Ultra assortment, the toys, which had already been produced by that point, were put on hold, and were ultimately released as Target exclusives more than a year later than originally intended.}}
====Exclusives====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[Walmart]]''' (11-2007)</u>
{{note|Rebranded ''Cybertron'' Deluxe Class figures.}}
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|Opposites Attack<br>([[Excellion (Cybertron)#Universe (2003)|Excellion]] vs. [[Thundercracker (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Thundercracker]])}}
{{Bp-a1d1|Search for the [[Barbarossa|Pirate Moon]]<br>([[Downshift (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Downshift]] vs. [[Cannonball (Cybertron)#Universe (2003)|Cannonball]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Chevrolet Store''' (10-2008)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Swerve (Chevy)#Universe (2003)|Swerve]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:TFU03-toy SwerveChevy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Chevrolet Swerve, the final toy in the line and a real bear to obtain.]]
|}


'''[[Toys"R"Us]] exclusives (March 2004)'''
===Unreleased toys===
A great many more toys were planned for ''Universe'' that ultimately never made it out the door. In early 2004, a large number of stolen samples of toys intended for the line appeared on [[eBay]]; all of them were later officially revealed by Hasbro one way or another. Many of these toys' decos would be the inspiration for other characters altogether, often through [[Fun Publications]] as club and convention exclusives.


*[[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]] with Mini-Cons [[Thunderclash (Armada)|Thunderclash]], [[Gunbarrel (Armada)|Gunbarrel]], [[Terradive (Armada)|Terradive]] and [[Thunderwing (Armada)|Thunderwing]]
[[File:Spacewarp-r.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Ultra-sized [[Spacewarp#Toys|Spacewarp]], [[Comettor (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Comettor]], and the [[Space Mini-Con Team#Universe (2003)|Space Team]], intended for  Toys"R"Us]]
[[File:Leatherhide.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Deluxe-sized [[Leatherhide (Universe)#Toys|Leatherhide]], intended for Walmart]]
[[File:Defensorotfcc.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Super-sized [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Hot Spot / Defensor]], intended for OTFCC 2005]]


'''[[Walmart]] exclusives (February 2004)'''
* '''[[Toxitron (Universe)#Toys|Toxitron]]''' — Seemingly set for regular retail release, this was a "toxic"-themed redeco of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' Super-sized [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#|Laser Optimus Prime]]. It was ''incredibly'' popular immediately. Fun Publications investigated the possibility of releasing this toy as a Club exclusive, but was told the tooling was too expensive.


*[[Ultra Magnus (Universe Spychanger)|Ultra Magnus]] & [[Ironhide (Universe)|Ironhide]] two-pack (Spychangers)
* '''[[Jetstorm (BM)#Universe (2003)|Jetstorm]] (?)''' — An unreleased deco revealed in Hasbro's [[BotCon 2007]] display. No name was assigned for this Ultra Class toy, so we're listing it as Jetstorm.
*[[Optimus Prime (Universe)|Optimus Prime]] & [[Prowl (Spychanger)|Prowl]] two-pack (Spychangers)
*[[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] (Deluxe)
*[[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]] (Deluxe)
*[[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]] five-pack ([[Armorhide (RID)|Armorhide]], [[Mega-Octane]], [[Movor]], [[Ro-Tor (RID)|Ro-Tor]] and [[Rollbar (RID)|Rollbar]])
*[[Sunstorm (Universe)|Sunstorm]] with Mini-Cons [[Inferno (Universe Mini-Con)|Inferno]] and Street Action Team ([[Sureshock (Universe)|Sureshock]], [[High Wire (Universe)|High Wire]] and [[Grindor (Universe)|Grindor]])


====OTFCC exclusives====
* A Chinese distributor list leaked to the internet in 2004 contained the names of four more toys listed under the mass-retail Deluxe assortment, namely "Sonar", "Optimus Primal", "Optimus Minor", and "Thrustor". It's unclear whether there were ever any concrete plans behind those names, or whether they were merely placeholders.
'''OTFCC 2003 (July 2003)'''
[[Image:UniverseSideswipe toy.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Sideswipe, an OTFCC 2003 exclusive toy]]
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]
*[[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]] and [[Shadow Striker (Universe)|Shadow Striker]] two-pack


'''OTFCC 2004 (July 2004)'''
* '''[[Smokescreen (Cybertron)#Toys|Smokescreen]] with [[Jolt (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Jolt]] VS. [[Drench (Universe)|Drench]] with [[Wind Sheer (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Wind Sheer]]''' — Confirmed by Hasbro as an intended third "[[Battle in a Box]]" two-pack that would have been available from [[Target]], this set was to include the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' Deluxe-sized [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Hot Shot]] and [[Wheeljack (Armada)#Toys|Wheeljack]] molds (and their Mini-Cons, of course) redecoed like [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Drench (G2)|Drench]] (but as a Decepticon like "Euro" [[Drench (G1)|Drench]]), respectively.
: While Smokescreen still hasn't seen a release, a "Drench"-based redeco of the Wheeljack mold was later released—with slight modifications—by the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] as the [[BotCon 2008]] exclusive ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Sideswipe (SG)#Toys|Sideswipe]] toy.


*[[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]] with Mini-Con [[Caliburn]]
* '''[[Spacewarp#Toys|Spacewarp]]''' with '''[[Comettor (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Comettor]]''' and '''[[Space Mini-Con Team#Universe (2003)|Space Mini-Con Team]]''' — Originally intended for [[Toys"R"Us]], this was a redeco of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' Ultra-sized [[Jetfire (Armada)#Toys|Jetfire]], including redecos of his Mini-Con companion [[Comettor (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Comettor]] and a new-deco version of the [[Space Mini-Con Team#Toys|Space Mini-Con Team]] ([[Astroscope#Universe (2003)|Astroscope]], [[Sky Blast (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Sky Blast]], and [[Payload (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Payload]]). As with other Mini-Cons in the ''Universe'' line, Comettor and the Space Team would presumably have retained their original toy names and not have been new characters.
*[[Sentinel Maximus]] with Mini-Con [[Apelinq|Ape-Linq]]
: The Transformers Collectors' Club later released the toy in a slightly modified version of this deco, sporting a new head sculpt, as [[Astrotrain (Cybertron)#Toys|Astrotrain]]. While the Comettor redeco (now named [[Starcatcher (Cybertron)#Toys|Starcatcher]]) was included, the Space Team redecos were replaced by redecos of the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Giant Planet Mini-Con Team#Toys|Giant Planet Mini-Con Team]] as the [[Sabotage Team]], as the Space Team molds had degraded beyond use by that time.


{{note|Only Megazarak was actually available at the convention itself. Sentinel Maximus was delayed and was later shipped out by Hasbro themselves in November 2004, following the bankruptcy of [[3H Productions]].}}
* '''[[Leatherhide (Universe)#Toys|Leatherhide]] VS. [[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#UnUni|Blackarachnia]]''' / '''[[Nightprowler#Toys|Nightprowler]] VS. [[Waspinator (BW)/toys#Uinverse (2003)|Waspinator]]''' — Intended to be [[Walmart]]-exclusive "Halloween [[Horrorcon (Universe)|Horrorcon]]" two-packs, these toys were mysteries until two years after their appearance on ebay, when an odd checklist update on Hasbro's public ''Transformers'' website (which was "fixed" days later) revealed their names and planned outlet. Leatherhide is a redeco of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Mutant (BW)|Mutant]] [[Soundwave (BW)#Toys|Soundwave]], pitted against a redeco of the [[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|original Blackarachnia toy]]. Nightprowler is a redeco of the original ''Beast Wars'' [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|Cheetor]], packed with a redeco of [[Transmetal]] [[Waspinator_(BW)/toys#TM1|Waspinator]].


===Rebranding and other odds and ends (2005 - 2008)===
: For [[BotCon 2015]], the Waspinator deco was used on the ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' Deluxe Class [[Waspinator (BW)/toys#Generations|Waspinator]] mold as the [[Waruder]] "[[Parasite#Toys|Parasite]]" drone, which was later [[repurposing|repurposed]] as the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Skywasp]]. In [[2022]], [[Skywasp#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Skywasp got a new toy]], a Target-exclusive redeco of ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'' Deluxe Class [[Waspinator (BW)/toys#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Waspinator]] in a ''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' "Beasts Collide" four-pack.
====Spy Changers====
'''Wave 1 (February 2005)'''


*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
* '''[[Piranacon (G1)#Timelines|Piranhaking]]''' — Redecos of the [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] [[Seacon (G1)#Toys|Seacons]], now named the "Piranhacons", in a Walmart-exclusive Ultra-sized giftset. Even though the aforementioned checklist on Hasbro's public website confirmed them as having been intended for the ''Universe'' line, Hasbro themselves stated at [[OTFCC 2004]] that Walmart had asked them to release them under the ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' banner instead. Either way, Walmart later decided to back out of the deal. Instead, the Seacons (now under their original Generation 1 names again) were released via the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] in 2008.
*[[Jazz (G1)/toys|Autobot Jazz]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]]
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Silverstreak]]
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/toys|Wheeljack]]


{{note|These Spy Changers, found at Dollar General and Family Dollar stores, were unchanged from the "G1" Spy Changers exclusively available from KB toys a year earlier. The only change was the packaging.}}
* '''[[Menasor (G1)#Universe (2003)|Menasor]]''' — The ''[[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]]'' Ultra-sized [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Machine Wars|Optimus Prime]] tooling of Generation 1 [[Thunder Clash#Toys|Thunder Clash]] was planned for a store exclusive redeco as "Menasor", as "[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]" was unavailable as a [[trademark]] at the time. This redeco got as far as a prototype and received packaging art before being canceled.<ref>[http://www.iaconone.com/datatrax/datatrax_002.php ]</ref>


'''Wave 2 (August 2006)'''
* The [http://www.allspark.com/ Allspark] fansite also received details about planned <strike>[[BotCon]]</strike> OTFCC 2005 exclusives following the bankruptcy of [[3H Productions]]. As with [[OTFCC 2003]] and [[OTFCC 2004|2004]], these figures would presumably have been labeled as part of the ''Universe'' line. With the exception of [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Hot Spot/Defensor]], who was shown as a prototype, none of the other ideas made it beyond the design stage.


*[[Camshaft (G1)|Autobot Camshaft]]
:* '''[[Brawn (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Brawn]]''' and '''[[Roadbuster (G1)#Universe (2003)|Roadbuster]]''' — ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' Basic-sized [[Strongarm (Energon)#Toys|Strongarm]] was planned as a redeco and new-head retool pair
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]


{{note|The second wave, found at Family Dollar, Roses and Dollar General stores, mixed Optimus Prime, Prowl and Autobot Jazz from the first wave with the new additions Autobot Camshaft, Hoist and Mirage...which were unchanged from the second version of the KB Toys exclusive clear redecos of the ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Spy Changers [[W.A.R.S.]], [[Ironhide (RID)|Ironhide]] and [[Mirage (RID)|Mirage]], respectively, other than the names and the packaging.}}
:* '''[[Devcon (G1)#Universe (2003)|Devcon]]''' — ''Energon'' Deluxe-sized [[Slugslinger (Energon)#Toys|Slugslinger]] was intended for a new-head retool as the first toy of the Generation 1 cartoon character, who had previously [[Devcon (G1)#Expanded Universe|lost a vote]] to become a [[BotCon 2002]] toy.


====Basics====
:* '''[[Megatron (BW)/toys#Universe (2003)|Megatron]]''' — ''Robots in Disguise'' Ultra Class [[Megatron (RID)#Toys|Megatron]] was planned for a new toy of ''Beast Wars'' Megatron's [[Transmetal 2]] dragon form, possibly characterized as a "Transmetal 3" upgrade in a post-''Beast Machines'' setting. This Megatron concept was actually [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Combiner Wars|revived]] a decade later and released at [[BotCon 2016]].
'''Wave 1 (August 2005)'''


*[[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] ([[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]], [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] & [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]])
:* '''Hot Spot''' / '''[[Defensor (OTFCC)#Toys|Defensor]]''' — ''Robots in Disguise'' Super Class [[Optimus Prime (RID)#Toys|Optimus Prime]] was intended to be used for a new form of Generation 1 [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], but as one figure with a super mode instead of five figures together as the Combiner. This figure would have retained the small mode Optimus head for Hot Spot mode but received a newly-tooled head as super mode Defensor. To offset the costs of producing such a large toy, there was also a "Midnight Shield Defensor" black redeco planned.
*[[Insecticon (Energon)|Insecticon]]
*[[Arcee (Energon)|Arcee]]
*[[Strongarm (Energon)|Strong Arm]]
*[[Windrazor (Energon)|Windrazor]]
*[[Doom-Lock]]


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


'''Wave 2 (October 2006)'''
==Post-''Universe'' releases==
As, ultimately, a short-lived footnote in the overall ''Transformers'' franchise, ''Universe'' has not had a huge impact on later nostalgia-driven series. Most of the callbacks to it are more in the form of [[homage]], and mostly to unreleased toys, as noted many times above, but a handful of characters have actually made their way into other lines with new, updated toys.


*[[Terradive (Energon)|Terradive]]
{|style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
*[[Treadshot (Energon)|Treadshot]]
*[[Wideload (Energon)|Wideload]]
*[[Energon Saber]] ([[Scattor (Energon)|Scattor]], [[Skyboom (Energon)|Skyboom]] and [[Wreckage (Energon)|Wreckage]])
*[[Cruellock]]
*[[Signal Flare (Energon)|Signal Flare]]


{{note|These "Basics", which were found at Dollar General stores, were all unchanged from the ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' Energon Class toys of the same names other than the packaging. Terradive, Treadshot and Wideload's packaging all omitted any references to their [[combiner]] abilities.}}
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'''''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Nemesis Prime (Universe)#Alternity 2|Convoy [Super Black]]]<br>(aka Nemesis Prime)}}


'''Wave 3 (October 2007)'''
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' / [[BotCon 2011]]'''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Toxitron (Animated)#Toys|Toxitron]]}}


*[[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]]
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''Timelines'' / [[BotCon 2015]]'''</u>
*[[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]]
<ul class="iconlist">
*[[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]]
{{Bp-multi|Waruder Marauders<br>([[Parasite]])}}
*[[Undermine (Cybertron)|Undermine]]
*[[Brushguard]]
*[[Lugnutz]]


{{note|These "Basics", which were found at Dollar General stores, were all unchanged from the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' Scout Class toys of the same names other than the packaging.}}
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''Timelines'''''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Ramjet (Universe)#Timelines|Ramjet]]}}


====Deluxes====
|
'''Wave 1 (October 2005)'''
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:TF-Legacy-Toxitron-Collection-Toxitron.jpg|250px|thumb|''Legacy'' [[Toxitron (Universe)#Legacy|"G2 Universe" Toxitron]]]]
|-


*[[Storm Jet (Energon)|Storm Jet]]
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>''' ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' / [[BotCon 2016]]'''</u>
*[[Barricade (Energon)|Barricade]]
<ul class="iconlist">
*[[Steamhammer (Energon)|Steamhammer]]
{{Bp-p1|[[Megatron (BW)/toys#Combiner Wars|Megatron]]}}
*[[Sharkticon (Energon)|Sharkticon]]


{{note|These Deluxes, which were found at Big Lots, Tuesday Morning and KB Toys stores, were all unchanged from the ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' Combat Class toys of the same names other than the packaging. Storm Jet, Barricade and Steamhammer's packaging all omitted any references to their [[combiner]] abilities.}}
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>''' ''Combiner Wars'' / [[Transformers Figure Subscription Service|TFSS]] 4.0'''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Toxitron (Universe)#Combiner Wars|Wrecker Toxitron]]}}


====Multi-packs====
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>''' ''Combiner Wars'' / TFSS 5.0'''</u>
'''Walmart exclusives (November 2007)'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Spacewarp#Combiner Wars|Spacewarp]]}}


*Opposites Attack ([[Excellion (Cybertron)|Excellion]] vs. [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]])
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'''''</u>
*Search for the [[Pirate Moon]] ([[Downshift (Energon)|Downshift]] vs. [[Cannonball (Cybertron)|Cannonball]])
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|Botropolis Rescue Mission<br>([[Phaser (G1)#Botropolis|Fuzer]] & [[Blast Master#Botropolis|Autobot Blast Master]])}}


{{note|The toys in these two-packs were unchanged from the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' Deluxe Class toys of the same names. Both packs were originally available as non-exclusive mass retail releases in the Philippines in September 2007, and were later available as [[Walmart]] [[exclusive]] [[Black Friday (event)|Black Friday]] releases in the United States in November of the same year.}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|
|-


'''Other (September 2007/July 2008)'''
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'''''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Nightprowler#Legacy|Autobot Nightprowler]]}}


*The Ultimate Battle ([[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] vs. [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]])
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' / ''Legacy'''''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-multi|Creatures Collide<br>([[Skywasp#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Skywasp]])}}


{{note|The toys in this two-pack, originally found at Dollar General stores in September 2007 and later also at KB Toys stores in July 2008, were unchanged from the two-pack of the same name originally released as part of the ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' line other than the packaging.}}
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy: Evolution]]'''''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d2|[[Toxitron (Universe)#Legacy|G2 Universe Toxitron]]}}


====New molds====
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[Transformers: Age of the Primes|Age of the Primes]]'''''</u>
'''Chevrolet Store exclusive (March 2008)'''
<ul class="iconlist">
[[Image:Swerveaveorobot.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Chevrolet Swerve]]
{{Bp-d1|[[Razorclaw (Universe)#Age of the Primes|Razorclaw]]}}
*[[Swerve (Chevy)|Swerve]]


{{note|Samples of this toy originally popped up in China in August 2007, coupled with rumors about it being some kind of Chevrolet promotional item. To this very day, there is no evidence that Swerve has ever been ''officially'' available in China. Hasbro also told a story at [[BotCon 2008]] about the toy having been intended for a Chevy promotion in ''Europe''; but again, there's no evidence that this promotion has ever actually happened. The first ''confirmed'' official release of Swerve was via the Chevrolet online store in March 2008.}}
|}
 
==Unreleased toys==
In early 2004, a large number of stolen samples of toys intended for the ''Universe'' line appeared on [[eBay]]. Even though none of those toys were ultimately released, all of them were later officially revealed by Hasbro one way or another. Also, many of them later ''did'' see a release through other outlets than originally intended:
 
* Redecos of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' Super-Cons [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Hot Shot]] and [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]] as ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Drench (G2)|Drench]] (but as a Decepticon like "Euro" [[Drench (G1)|Drench]]), respectively, including their respective [[Mini-Con]] partners [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] and [[Wind Sheer (Armada)|Wind Sheer]]. These were confirmed by Hasbro as an intended third [[Battle in a Box]] two-pack that would have been available from [[Target]]. While the "[[Smokescreen (unreleased)|Smokescreen]]" redeco of the Hot Shot mold still hasn't seen a release, the "[[Drench (SG)|Drench]]" redeco of the Wheeljack mold was later released—with slight modifications—by the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] as the [[BotCon 2008]] exclusive ''[[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Sideswipe (SG)|Sideswipe]]'' toy.''
* A redeco of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' Giga-Con [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], including redecos of his Mini-Con companion [[Comettor (Armada)|Comettor]] and the Space Mini-Con Team ([[Astroscope]], [[Sky Blast]] and [[Payload (Armada)|Payload]]). A listing found in a [[Toys"R"Us]] computer confirmed this as an intended exclusive named "Spacewarp", which was ultimately never released. However, the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] later released the toy in a slightly modified version of this deco, sporting a new head sculpt, as [[Astrotrain (Timelines)|Astrotrain]]. While the Comettor redeco (named [[Starcatcher]]) was included, the Space Team redecos were replaced by redecos of the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' Giant Planet Mini-Con Team.
* Redecos of the ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' Deluxe toys [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor]], [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]]/[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], [[Transmetal]] [[Waspinator]] and [[Mutant (BW)|Mutant]] [[Soundwave (BW)|Soundwave]]. More than two years later, an odd checklist update on Hasbro's public Transformers website (which was "fixed" days later) revealed what appeared to be the intended names for those toys, as well as their intended purpose: [[Leatherhide]] (Soundwave) vs. Blackarachnia and [[Nightprowler]] (Cheetor) vs. Waspinator were apparently intended to be two Wal-Mart-exclusive "Halloween [[Horrorcon (Universe)|Horrorcon]]" two-packs. While the Cheetor and Tarantulas/Blackarachnia molds were later used again as part of the ''[[Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]'' and ''[[Beast Wars Telemocha Series|Beast Wars Telemocha]]'' lines, none of these specific decos have been officially released thus far.
* Redecos of the ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] that were supposed to be available as a Wal-Mart-exclusive giftset, named "Piranhacons", with the combined form named "Piranhaking". Even though the aforementioned checklist on Hasbro's public website confirmed them as having been intended for the ''Universe'' line, Hasbro themselves stated at [[OTFCC 2004]] that Wal-Mart had asked them to release them under the ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' banner instead. Either way, Wal-Mart later decided to back out of the deal. Instead, the Seacons (now under their original ''Generation 1'' names again) were released via the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] in 2008.
* In addition, a Chinese distributor list leaked to the internet in 2004 contained the names of four more toys listed under the mass-retail Deluxe assortment, namely "Sonar", "Optimus Primal", "Optimus Minor" and "Thrustor". It's unclear whether there were ever any concrete plans behind those names, or whether they were merely placeholder names.
* The [http://www.allspark.com/ Allspark] fansite also received details about planned OTFCC 2005 exclusives following the bankruptcy of [[3H Productions]]. These included retools/redecos of ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]] as [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]], ''Energon'' [[Slugslinger (Energon)|Slugslinger]] as [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]], ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise ]]'' [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] as ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Transmetal 2]] [[Megatron (BW)/toys|Megatron]] and ''Robots in Disguise'' [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] as ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]]/[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. With the exception of [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Hot Spot/Defensor]], who was shown as a prototype, none of the other ideas made it beyond the design stage.


==Notes==
==Notes==
* The [[Grimlock (Energon)|Grimlock]] &amp; [[Swoop (Energon)|Swoop]]/[[Mega-Dinobot]] [[combiner]] was originally intended for the ''Universe'' line, which would have made it the first newly created mold(s) to be initially released as part of the line. However, Hasbro ultimately decided to release it as a two-pack in the ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' line instead. As a consequence, Chevrolet [[Swerve (Chevy)|Swerve]] was the first (and only) new mold to be released under the original ''Universe'' banner...in 2008, shortly before the ''second [[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' line was launched.
* The [[Grimlock (Energon)#Toys|Grimlock]] & [[Swoop (Energon)#Toys|Swoop]]/[[Mega-Dinobot]] [[combiner]] was originally intended for the ''Universe'' line, which would have made it the first newly created mold(s) to be initially released as part of the line. However, Hasbro ultimately decided to release it as a two-pack in the ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' line instead. As a consequence, Chevrolet [[Swerve (Chevy)|Swerve]] was the first (and only) new mold to be released under the original ''Universe'' banner... in 2008, shortly before the ''second [[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' line was launched. The toy would have used branding from the first live-action movie, but as a one-of-a-kind promotional item commissioned by Chevrolet, Hasbro didn't want to pay the licensing fee—so here it ended up!<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So this ties in a little bit to movie stuff... but it is kind of separate, and that's why it wasn't in the movie packaging. That would have incurred a bunch more royalties that we didn't need to pay for a promotional item. So, that's why I think it ended up in ''Universe''. So, what that was, was... Chevy was working with Michael Bay—and thus Hasbro—on the movie stuff, at least in early discussions, and somebody in the marketing department thought it would be a great idea to promote their new car that's coming out in Europe with a Transformer toy! And to your point, it went through many iterations as far as how it got released in various markets. But what I can tell you is that item was a exclusive, paid-by-Chevy toy to get made for their needs. And that is why to this day you haven't seen it redecored. Hasbro/Takara doesn't own the tooling for that item. For them to get the volume they wanted, and have the control that they wanted, they wanted to buy the tooling. So that they essentially made a boutique toy for themselves. It started you had to really like... I think ''buy'' an Aveo, test-drive and buy an Aveo, then it just kept backing off from there. [...] Yeah. I think they committed to a certain production run, and then it was up to them to distribute it, and all of that. So, you know I think in hindsight we all know that car didn't become a... daily driver epic brand kind of car. [...] So, I can only imagine that the promotion didn't work the way they had initially thought it was going to work. So, I'm sure they had plenty of them. [...] So, for us, that was always the way it was, it was always going to be shipped to them in a bag with instructions, there was never a backer card or nothing. Any of that. That was it was a very unique promotional item. I mean, that's how Hasbro looked at it. It was a promotional tie-in.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE-MKJDLkNc&t=2145s|name=Aaron Archer|site=''The Toy Armada''|title=22 - The CREATION of Transformers Universe|year=2025|month=07|day=09}}</ref>
* On their official Transformers website, Hasbro listed several combo-packs of ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Mini-Con]] teams (Adventure Team/Sea Team, Road Wrecker Team/Night Attack Team, Race Team/Space Team) under "Universe". The actual toys, however, whch were available from Toys"R"Us and Wal-Mart stores and were unchanged from their ''Armada'' releases other than the packaging, came on ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' rather than ''Universe'' cards.
* On their official Transformers website, Hasbro listed several combo-packs of ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Mini-Con]] teams (Adventure Team/Sea Team, Road Wrecker Team/Night Attack Team, Race Team/Space Team) under "Universe". The actual toys, however, which were available from Toys"R"Us and Wal-Mart stores and were unchanged from their ''Armada'' releases other than the packaging, came on ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' rather than ''Universe'' cards.


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


{{DEFAULTSORT:Universe (2003 toyline)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Universe (2003 toyline)}}
[[Category:Toylines]]
[[Category:Toylines]]
[[Category:Universe (2003)]]
[[Category:Universe (2003)| ]]

Latest revision as of 20:12, 17 April 2026
Generation 1 continuity family
« Universe (2003)
Retail »
BotCon »
Universe Optimus Primal. Yes, you are seeing that correctly.

The original Transformers: Universe toyline, launched in 2003, was a line (almost) entirely made up of redecos (and occasionally retools) of toys from older lines, in order to quickly (as quickly as a massive multinational corporation can, at any rate) capitalize on the success of Armada and the demand for more Transformers product that line created.

And in many ways, it did its job a bit too well. After a considerable flood of products and a huge number of store exclusives, the line was effectively dead after a little over one year. However, it continued in other forms, such as an outlet for rebranded toys to smaller retailers, for nearly three more years, coupled with the occasional delayed release from its original run.

Importantly, Universe really cemented the re-use of years-old molds at retail for Hasbro, and while they would never quite do it as extensively as they had this time, the practice would live on... especially in the second Universe line, launched in 2008, which was mainly all-new toys, but made pretty extensive use of older molds at its larger price points and for its many store exclusives.

History and overview

[edit]

Initial conception and original run

[edit]
Reptilion, in all his... glory.

The Universe line was intended to run concurrently with and supplement the main kid-aimed Energon line, with $10 "Deluxe" and $20 "Ultra" price points. Due to this more limited range of price points, toys that didn't really stack up to one of these were supplemented with other toys, such as a "Basic" toy and added Mini-Con sold as a Deluxe, or a "Mega" toy with a "Basic" sold as an Ultra class set. In addition, an unusually huge-for-the-time number of store exclusive toys and multi-packs was released as well. Some of those multi-packs were even available at lower prices than the original releases of those molds combined. The OTFCC 2003 and 2004 exclusives were also branded "Universe".

The molds used for the Universe line spanned from as far back as late-era Generation 1 to the most recent lines, with molds from Beast Machines and Armada being particularly common—though initially, the idea was to lean more on Beast Era toys to distinguish the line from Armada.[1] Some molds that had previously only been available in Japan (such as Big Convoy or the Micromaster Sixcombiner teams) were also made available to Hasbro's target audience for the first time that way. Notably, many of these toys now had... unconventional decos. These were the work of Hasbro designer Brian Parrish, who lead designer Aaron Archer poached from the Star Wars team, and as a result they ended up using much more sophisticated paint applications than were typically seen on Transformers.[2] Early Universe toys had silver "energon surge" paint simulating power flashes, but this was dropped fairly shortly, even if the fantastically gaudy base color choices carried on.

The first wave of toys came with a pack-in CD-ROM featuring related stories and games.

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


Discontinuation and continuation

[edit]
Repackaged and unchanged Cybertron Backstop

Universe effectively died as a mass retail line when Walmart decided to discontinue the Ultra Class assortment in late 2004 due to low sales. Earlier that year, Walmart had already stocked half a dozen exclusive Universe toys, which had also ended up as shelfwarmers. The Deluxe assortment was cancelled by Hasbro shortly afterwards.

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

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


Toys

[edit]

The redeco line (2003 - 2006)

[edit]

Retail releases

[edit]
Tiny Tins

An odd exception to the "redeco" rule of the early Universe line, these three Mini-Cons, released individually with additional Tiny Tins, were unchanged from their original releases as part of the Armada Race Mini-Con Team

Wave 1 (03-2004)


Deluxes
Wave 1 (06-2003) Wave 2 (08-2003) Wave 3 (10-2003) Wave 4 (01-2004)
Deluxe Autobot Ratchet
Wave 5 (03-2004) Wave 6 (08-2004) Wave 7 (10-2004) Wave 8 (02-2005)
Wave 9 (04-2005)


Ultras

An oddity of the Ultra assortment (one that would also manifest in the eventually-concurrently-running Energon toyline) is the ".5" assortments. Basically, the contents of a wave would be revised mid-run, with new product added to the mix, but none of the "tracking" information changed. As far as the stores were concerned, it was all the same stuff.

Wave 1 (07-2003) Wave 1.5 (10-2003) Wave 2 (11-2003) Wave 2.5 (03-2004)
King Atlas, one of the oldest molds used in Universe.
Wave 3 (08-2004) Wave 3.5 (10-2004)
A fully-fledged fourth mass retail wave was planned; but ultimately the new toys that would have been included with it ended up as Target exclusives (see below).


Exclusives

[edit]

Well after the normal retail line ended, Universe continued on as a series of store exclusives.

Kmart (07-2004) "Market six" (10-2004) Sam's Club Target
Toys"R"Us exclusive Ramjet, with Thunderclash, Gunbarrel, Terradive, and Thunderwing
Toys"R"Us Walmart


KB Toys
MicroMaster Series I (05-2004) MicroMaster Series II (10-2004) MicroMaster Series III (09-2005) MicroMaster Series IV (09-2006)
Micromaster Protectobot Red Alert
Deluxes (09-2005)
The MicroMaster Protectobots were not individually numbered. The Protectobots and Constructicons were also available as non-exclusive releases on Energon cards in Europe, and the Railbots and Aerialbots on Cybertron cards, the Cybertron releases even before the U.S. versions, with the first sighting of the Railbots hailing from the Netherlands in August 2005. The Universe versions were also available from Australian online retailer Casefresh since July 2005, and at Australian KMart stores since August 2005.
Transformers Collectors' Club
OTFCC 2003 (07-2003) OTFCC 2004 (07-2004)
OTFCC 2003 Sideswipe


Rebranding and other odds and ends (2005 - 2008)

[edit]

At this point, Universe-branded product was almost entirely repackagings of toys released in other lines without changes (aside from the packaging, obviously), put out through "discount" chains in extremely staggered release. And the one truly new toy in the series was one you were highly unlikely to see through normal shopping...

Interestingly, the new packaging omitted any references to combiner toys' combining abilities.

Spy Changers Wave 1 (02-2005)
Redecoes of Spychangers in new Generation 1-themed colour schemes.
 Spy Changers Wave 2 (08-2006) Basics Wave 1 (08-2005)
Rebranded Energon Energon Class figures.
 Basics Wave 2 (10-2006)
Rebranded Energon Energon Class figures.
Spy Changer Hoist
Repackaged Energon Sharkticon
Basics Wave 3 (10-2007)
Rebranded Cybertron Scout Class figures.
 Deluxes Wave 1 (10-2005)
Rebranded Energon Combat Class figures.
 Multi-packs
Rebranded Classics two-pack.

Exclusives

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Walmart (11-2007)
Rebranded Cybertron Deluxe Class figures.
 Chevrolet Store (10-2008)
Chevrolet Swerve, the final toy in the line and a real bear to obtain.

Unreleased toys

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A great many more toys were planned for Universe that ultimately never made it out the door. In early 2004, a large number of stolen samples of toys intended for the line appeared on eBay; all of them were later officially revealed by Hasbro one way or another. Many of these toys' decos would be the inspiration for other characters altogether, often through Fun Publications as club and convention exclusives.

Ultra-sized Spacewarp, Comettor, and the Space Team, intended for Toys"R"Us
Deluxe-sized Leatherhide, intended for Walmart
Super-sized Hot Spot / Defensor, intended for OTFCC 2005
  • Toxitron — Seemingly set for regular retail release, this was a "toxic"-themed redeco of Generation 2 Super-sized Laser Optimus Prime. It was incredibly popular immediately. Fun Publications investigated the possibility of releasing this toy as a Club exclusive, but was told the tooling was too expensive.
  • Jetstorm (?) — An unreleased deco revealed in Hasbro's BotCon 2007 display. No name was assigned for this Ultra Class toy, so we're listing it as Jetstorm.
  • A Chinese distributor list leaked to the internet in 2004 contained the names of four more toys listed under the mass-retail Deluxe assortment, namely "Sonar", "Optimus Primal", "Optimus Minor", and "Thrustor". It's unclear whether there were ever any concrete plans behind those names, or whether they were merely placeholders.
While Smokescreen still hasn't seen a release, a "Drench"-based redeco of the Wheeljack mold was later released—with slight modifications—by the Transformers Collectors' Club as the BotCon 2008 exclusive Shattered Glass Sideswipe toy.
The Transformers Collectors' Club later released the toy in a slightly modified version of this deco, sporting a new head sculpt, as Astrotrain. While the Comettor redeco (now named Starcatcher) was included, the Space Team redecos were replaced by redecos of the Cybertron Giant Planet Mini-Con Team as the Sabotage Team, as the Space Team molds had degraded beyond use by that time.
For BotCon 2015, the Waspinator deco was used on the Thrilling 30 Deluxe Class Waspinator mold as the Waruder "Parasite" drone, which was later repurposed as the Predacon Skywasp. In 2022, Skywasp got a new toy, a Target-exclusive redeco of Kingdom Deluxe Class Waspinator in a Buzzworthy Bumblebee "Beasts Collide" four-pack.
  • Piranhaking — Redecos of the Generation 1 Seacons, now named the "Piranhacons", in a Walmart-exclusive Ultra-sized giftset. Even though the aforementioned checklist on Hasbro's public website confirmed them as having been intended for the Universe line, Hasbro themselves stated at OTFCC 2004 that Walmart had asked them to release them under the Energon banner instead. Either way, Walmart later decided to back out of the deal. Instead, the Seacons (now under their original Generation 1 names again) were released via the Transformers Collectors' Club in 2008.
  • The Allspark fansite also received details about planned BotCon OTFCC 2005 exclusives following the bankruptcy of 3H Productions. As with OTFCC 2003 and 2004, these figures would presumably have been labeled as part of the Universe line. With the exception of Hot Spot/Defensor, who was shown as a prototype, none of the other ideas made it beyond the design stage.
  • Megatron — Robots in Disguise Ultra Class Megatron was planned for a new toy of Beast Wars Megatron's Transmetal 2 dragon form, possibly characterized as a "Transmetal 3" upgrade in a post-Beast Machines setting. This Megatron concept was actually revived a decade later and released at BotCon 2016.
  • Hot Spot / Defensor — Robots in Disguise Super Class Optimus Prime was intended to be used for a new form of Generation 1 Hot Spot and Defensor, but as one figure with a super mode instead of five figures together as the Combiner. This figure would have retained the small mode Optimus head for Hot Spot mode but received a newly-tooled head as super mode Defensor. To offset the costs of producing such a large toy, there was also a "Midnight Shield Defensor" black redeco planned.


Post-Universe releases

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As, ultimately, a short-lived footnote in the overall Transformers franchise, Universe has not had a huge impact on later nostalgia-driven series. Most of the callbacks to it are more in the form of homage, and mostly to unreleased toys, as noted many times above, but a handful of characters have actually made their way into other lines with new, updated toys.

Alternity Timelines / BotCon 2011 Timelines / BotCon 2015 Timelines
Legacy "G2 Universe" Toxitron
Combiner Wars / BotCon 2016 Combiner Wars / TFSS 4.0 Combiner Wars / TFSS 5.0 Earthrise
Legacy Buzzworthy Bumblebee / Legacy Legacy: Evolution Age of the Primes

Notes

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  • The Grimlock & Swoop/Mega-Dinobot combiner was originally intended for the Universe line, which would have made it the first newly created mold(s) to be initially released as part of the line. However, Hasbro ultimately decided to release it as a two-pack in the Energon line instead. As a consequence, Chevrolet Swerve was the first (and only) new mold to be released under the original Universe banner... in 2008, shortly before the second Universe line was launched. The toy would have used branding from the first live-action movie, but as a one-of-a-kind promotional item commissioned by Chevrolet, Hasbro didn't want to pay the licensing fee—so here it ended up![4]
  • On their official Transformers website, Hasbro listed several combo-packs of Armada Mini-Con teams (Adventure Team/Sea Team, Road Wrecker Team/Night Attack Team, Race Team/Space Team) under "Universe". The actual toys, however, which were available from Toys"R"Us and Wal-Mart stores and were unchanged from their Armada releases other than the packaging, came on Energon rather than Universe cards.

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "In this case for this Universe segment, we definitely were wanting to stay away from things that were Armada-like. We didn't want to be redundant completely. Again, we had just brought cars back for RID [Robots in Disguise] and now we're doing cars in Armada. It's also an opportunity, if you're going to get more shelf space, to provide a different type of product. So that's why there's a lot of Beast Wars characters in there, Beast Machines, to provide a different look in that little stripe of that now-three-foot area. You want it to call itself out. Maybe you'll get a whole new segment collector, or someone will just like that stuff more, for various reasons. They like beasts, or they like the sophisticated coloring or the story, what- you know, whatever."—Aaron Archer, The Toy Armada, "22 - The CREATION of Transformers Universe", 2025/07/09
  2. ↑ "So Brian Parrish is a good friend of mine. Certainly gets his praises sung in the Star Wars world, and now Rescue Bots world, but yeah he was involved with Universe all the way back here. And so he came from Star Wars and that's why a lot of these have these sophisticated colors—because if you think of the color palette and tonality of Star Wars coloring, on spaceships and stuff, and then look at the Universe segment, you'll you'll start to go, "Oh, okay! That's why these look a little different than the crazy colors Aaron would use." He came from that, you know, blast effects and scorch marks and all that kind of stuff that you see on those vehicles. And he really challenged Takara to change their painting game! Because the things we could get done in our HFE [Hasbro Far East] factory partners, Takara wasn't as interested in trying? Because it's... more inconsistency, you know, when you have a free floating plate? You know, you might have one that goes three centimeters, and you might have one that goes two and a half centimeters. To the Americans, we're like, "Oh, that's a cool burn." To the Japanese, it's like, "That's wildly inconsistent." So they they did not like what we were doing there, but again, it wasn't their problem because they weren't going to put these out in their market. So they just kind of dealt with it."—Aaron Archer, The Toy Armada, "22 - The CREATION of Transformers Universe", 2025/07/09
  3. ↑ [1]
  4. ↑ "So this ties in a little bit to movie stuff... but it is kind of separate, and that's why it wasn't in the movie packaging. That would have incurred a bunch more royalties that we didn't need to pay for a promotional item. So, that's why I think it ended up in Universe. So, what that was, was... Chevy was working with Michael Bay—and thus Hasbro—on the movie stuff, at least in early discussions, and somebody in the marketing department thought it would be a great idea to promote their new car that's coming out in Europe with a Transformer toy! And to your point, it went through many iterations as far as how it got released in various markets. But what I can tell you is that item was a exclusive, paid-by-Chevy toy to get made for their needs. And that is why to this day you haven't seen it redecored. Hasbro/Takara doesn't own the tooling for that item. For them to get the volume they wanted, and have the control that they wanted, they wanted to buy the tooling. So that they essentially made a boutique toy for themselves. It started you had to really like... I think buy an Aveo, test-drive and buy an Aveo, then it just kept backing off from there. [...] Yeah. I think they committed to a certain production run, and then it was up to them to distribute it, and all of that. So, you know I think in hindsight we all know that car didn't become a... daily driver epic brand kind of car. [...] So, I can only imagine that the promotion didn't work the way they had initially thought it was going to work. So, I'm sure they had plenty of them. [...] So, for us, that was always the way it was, it was always going to be shipped to them in a bag with instructions, there was never a backer card or nothing. Any of that. That was it was a very unique promotional item. I mean, that's how Hasbro looked at it. It was a promotional tie-in."—Aaron Archer, The Toy Armada, "22 - The CREATION of Transformers Universe", 2025/07/09
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