Transformers Battle Universe

"... for all four of you that bought one of these!"

Transformers Battle Universe was a fighting game for Hasbro's proprietary Net Jet "instant online game system." Its roster included ten characters and various locations from Generation 1, Beast Wars, the 2007 movie, and Animated.

The Net Jet system was discontinued by Hasbro on December 31, 2009, rendering the game unplayable, but in 2017, playability was restored through the efforts of fans.

Characters

Autobots & Maximals	Decepticons & Predacons
Bumblebee Optimus Prime Optimus Prime G1 Optimus Primal Animated Prime	Starscream G1 Megatron G1 Megatron Dino Megatron Animated Megatron

• 
  My arms attach at the bottom of my ribcage!
• 
  My arms attach at a normal place!
• 
  Yeeeah boyyyeeee!

Items

• Matrix of Leadership

I sound like Beast Wars!

The Matrix appears when an opponent has been defeated in Adventure Mode. Picking it up summons the next opponent. When it appears, a short clip of choral music from Beast Wars's score plays.

• Green faction symbol

Restores player's health

• Purple faction symbol

Restores player's special attack meter

• Yellow faction symbol

adds 500 points to your score

Locations

There are five total locations to fight in, with the latter three needing to be unlocked:

• Ark Crash Site
• Metro City
• Cybertron
• Space bridge
• Future Detroit

Alt modes

During most of the modes of play, the only alternate mode that you get is a brief one or two second change before transforming back to robot mode — just enough to get off an attack. It's an effective way to get your opponent to back off and gets you more points than a punch or a kick.

However, during the Adventure mode, which pits you against five opponents one-at-a-time, you can use the transformation button between opponents to get extended use of the alternate mode. You won't change back until you hit the button again. If you get the Matrix before transforming back, then the battle will start with both of you in alternate mode. This can actually be disadvantageous though, especially if you choose the beasts or G1 Megatron. Primal and Dino Megatron have no attacks when in beast mode; the only damage they can do is by running into their opponent. G1 Megatron is on a fixed pedestal, which means the opponent can strike from any angle, but Megatron can't move to get out of the way. Still, it is fun, even if it's not an effective way to fight!

Notes

• Despite the opening animation using Paul Oakenfold's Cybertron theme song, the game itself does not feature any characters from that show, or the Unicron Trilogy in general.
• A bundle including the Net Jet controller and the Battle Universe game key was released.
• Generation 1 Starscream is based on Hasbro's Masterpiece Starscream toy.

External links

• Absolute Textures interview with TBU background designer
• Transformers Battle Universe intro on youtube