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[[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 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.


''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.
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.


Two experimental sub-lines appeared during ''Beast Machines'': the [[Beast Rider]]s, vehicles to scale with the smaller figures that lacked a robot mode and instead converted into an attack mode; and [[Deployer (BM)|Deployers]], beasts that changed to weapons usable by the larger figures. The ''[[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobots]]'' subline also appeared during ''Beast Machines'', consisting of [[redeco]]ed molds from both the Hasbro ''Beast Wars'' and the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (toyline)|Beast Wars Neo]]'' lines; it shipped in the same packaging assortments with the normal figures in the line. Finally, in addition to the ''Dinobots'', Hasbro concurrently released the ''[[Mutant Beast Wars]]'' subline, which itself shipped alongside new redecos of ''Beast Wars'' characters who were featured on the cartoon series (reflecting Fox Kids' running the series prior to and concurrently with its sequel);  all of these redecos featured a promotional tag indicating Fox's airing of ''Beast Wars''.
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...


To say this era was a confusing time to be a collector is '''putting it mildly'''.
Unlike ''Beast Wars'', the line did not run concurrently in Japan, but would get a short run there in 2004.
 
{{TOCclear}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
[[Image:Crosssell-bm.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Freaks of nature]]
''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.
Aesthetically, the smooth, curvaceous designs of the Maximals is a further evolution of the earlier [[Transmetal]] and [[Transmetal 2]] design styles, seamlessly blending the mechanical and the organic. Often the organic parts had hints of the technological (eg. [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor]]'s purple, angular spots) or vice versa (the smooth, rounded "gauntlets" on [[Optimus Primal/toys|Optimus Primal]]'s forearm).
 
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 such as [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]]'s optional uni-wheel or [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]]'s legless hover mode.
 
''Beast Machines'' toys included a marble-sized [[spark crystal]], embedded in a part of the body. Sometimes they had no real importance, though sometimes they played a large part in the aesthetics of the toy, such as [[Geckobot]]'s eye piece.
 
[[Show-accuracy]] was widely variable across the entire toy line. Show production house [[Mainframe Entertainment]] apparently began animating the characters from early concept sketches, designs that of necessity changed a great deal during the translation into toy form. Thus many characters' toy and cartoon depictions bear relatively little resemblance to each other. Some toys were supposed to represent an "evolution" of a previously existing character and thus looked completely different (such as Night Slash Cheetor). The late-arriving [[Motorcycle Drone]] and [[Tank Drone]] toys, both highly show-accurate, may have been an explicit attempt to mitigate this.
 
The characters' show-based [[scale]] was likewise widely variable. While the relative scale of characters has never translated perfectly from toy to show in any ''Transformers'' line, ''Beast Machines'' is especially notorious for it:
 
* [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] is the second-smallest Maximal on the show, yet his toy is a hulking Ultra, making him to scale with only the largest toys (Supreme [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor]] and, perhaps, Air Attack [[Optimus Primal/toys#Robots in Disguise|Optimus Primal]]—the latter of which was not even released 'til well after ''Beast Machines'' ended, and in a [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (franchise)|different franchise]], to boot).
* [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] is the tallest show Maximal, but has the smallest toy.
* Toy-[[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] is a Basic-sized figure, dwarfed by the Maximals; his show portrayal has him as larger than most or all of them.  
* [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]], the largest character of all, was only a modestly sized Mega.
* Toy-[[Rattrap]] is larger than [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], who should be twice his height. 
* Primal came in Deluxe and Mega sizes, with the more widely available Deluxe size being notably different from his show design, and neither reflecting his massive stature relative to the other characters.
 
The line seemed to underperform to expectations (especially coming off of the growing ''Beast Wars'' brand). Combined with Hasbro's financial troubles over excessive product glut in their ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]] Episode 1'' lines, it was decided to cancel the release of the last handful of toys which had been developed—[[Bruticus (RID)|Bruticus]], [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron Megabolt]] and [[Optimus Primal/toys|Air Attack Optimus Primal]]—abandon plans for a sequel series, ''[[Transtech]]'', and [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|re-vamp the franchise from the ground up]]. The Japanese ''Car Robots'' series was quickly ported over as "filler" under the name ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'', giving Hasbro and Takara the time needed to coordinate on the next series. Not ones to waste the effort put into the canceled figures, all three were eventually released as part of the ''Robots in Disguise'' toyline.
 
While Takara stamps are present on every ''Beast Machines'' toy, Japan did not receive anything relating to the line until 2004, as ''Beast Wars Returns'', and in a very limited manner.
 
==2000==
===Deployers===
*[[Dillo]] (purple armadillo)
*[[Mol]] (brown mole)
*[[Rav (BM)|Rav]] (red raven)


===Beast Riders===
[[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.
*[[Che]] (yellow Maximal cheetah chariot)
*[[Mechatron]] (red Vehicon dragon chariot)


===Basic===
[[Image:BMBattleforthespark.png|right|300px]]
[[File:BM-toy Scavenger.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
'''Wave 1'''
*[[Buzz Saw|Buzzsaw]] (<strike>Predacon</strike> Maximal hornet)
*[[Mirage (BM)|Mirage]] (Vehicon formula racer)
*[[Scavenger (BM)|Scavenger]] (Vehicon construction vehicle)


{{note|Buzzsaw was originally planned to be a heroic Predacon, but this idea was nixed to avoid confusion.}}
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.


'''Wave 2'''
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.
*[[Longhorn (BM)|Longhorn]] (Maximal bull)
*[[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] (Vehicon VTOL plane)


'''Wave 3'''
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.
*[[Geckobot]] (Maximal flying lizard)
*[[Quickstrike (BM)|Quickstrike]] (Maximal wolf)


'''Wave 4'''
==Hasbro ''Beast Machines'' toyline==
*[[Night Viper]] (Maximal cobra)
===Standard retail line===
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (Maximal condor)
<big>'''Basics</big>'''


===Deluxe===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
'''Wave 1'''
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' (December 1999)</u>
*[[Optimus Primal/toys#Beast_Machines|Optimus Primal]] (Maximal gorilla)
<ul class="iconlist">
*[[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]] (Vehicon jet)
{{Bp-m2|[[Buzz Saw (BW)#Beast Machines|Buzzsaw]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Mirage (BM)#Beast Machines|Mirage]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Scavenger (BM)#Beast Machines|Scavenger]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2''' (March 2000)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Longhorn#Beast Machines|Longhorn]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Obsidian (BM)#Beast Machines|Obsidian]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 3''' (June 2000)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Geckobot#Beast Machines|Geckobot]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Quickstrike (BM)#Beast Machines|Quickstrike]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 4''' (August 2000)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{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"|<u>'''Wave 5''' (BftS, January 2001)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Hammerstrike (BM)#Beast Machines|Hammerstrike]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Tank Drone#Beast Machines|Tank Drone]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 6''' (BftS, April 2001)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-vh|[[Cycle Drone#Beast Machines|Motorcycle Drone]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Spy Streak#Beast Machines|Spy Streak]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 7''' (BftS, April 2001)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Battle Unicorn#Beast Machines|Battle Unicorn]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''Canceled'''''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Screechwing#Beast Machines|Screechwing]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Spiketail#Beast Machines|Spiketail]]}}
|}


{{note|Certain assortments included Optimus Primal and Jetstorm alongside various combinations of ''[[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobots]]'' [[Triceradon (BM)|Triceradon]], [[Airraptor]], [[Striker]], and [[Dinotron]].}}
{{-}}
<big>'''Deluxe</big>'''


'''Wave 2'''
: In addition to regular ''Beast Machines'' toys, the Deluxe assortment also included ''[[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobots]]''-branded product.
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (Maximal black widow spider)
*[[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] (Vehicon motorcycle)


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


'''Wave 4'''
{{-}}
*[[Blastcharge (BM)|Blastcharge]] (Vehicon six-wheeled tank)
<big>'''Mega</big>'''
*[[Skydive (BM)|Skydive]] (Maximal ''Quetzalcoatlus'')


'''Wave 5'''
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
*[[Aero Drone|Sonic Attack Jet]] (Vehicon jet, redeco of Jetstorm)
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' (December 1999)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast Machines|Cheetor]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Tankor (BM)#Beast Machines|Tankor]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2''' (August 2000)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-vh|[[Megatron (BW)/toys#Beast Machines|Megatron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 3''' (February 2001)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Rattrap (BW)/toys#BMMega|Rattrap]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 4''' (BftS, May 2001)</u>
<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]]
|}


===Mega===
{{-}}
'''Wave 1'''
<big>'''Ultra</big>'''
*[[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor]] (Maximal cheetah)
*[[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] (<strike>Predacon</strike> Vehicon tank)


{{note|Inexplicably, Tankor's function was given on his package as "Predacon General".}}
:Like the Deluxes, the Ultra assortment also included ''[[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobots]]''-branded stuff.


'''Wave 2'''
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
*[[Megatron (BW)/toys|Megatron]] (Predacon Vehicon dragon)
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' (July 2000)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-vh|[[Jetstorm (BM)#BMUltra|Jetstorm]]}}
{{Bp-bd|[[T-Wrecks#Beast Machines|T-Wrecks]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2''' (September 2000)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Nightscream (BM)#Beast Machines|Nightscream]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''Canceled'''''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-vh|[[Megatron (BW)/toys#BMCanceled|Megatron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:BM ultra Jetstorm toy.jpg|thumb|250px|Ultra Jetstorm]]
|}


{{note|Megatron's on-package function was "Predacon Vehicon Leader". Alrighty then.}}
{{-}}
<big>'''Super</big>'''
:<u>'''Wave 1''' (July 2000)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
: {{Bp-m2|[[Primal Prime#Beast Machines|Primal Prime]]}}


===Ultra===
{{-}}
'''Wave 1'''
<big>'''Supreme</big>'''
*[[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]] (Vehicon jet)


{{note|Certain assortments shipped Jetstorm alongside ''[[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobots]]'' [[T-Wrecks]], who was also in assortments that contained both Jetstorm and Nightscream.}}
: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%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' (July 2000)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMSupreme|Cheetor]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''Canceled''''' ([[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|used later]])</u>
{{Bp-m2|[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Air Attack Optimus Primal]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:BM Supreme Cheetor.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Supreme Cheetor]]
|}


'''Wave 2'''
{{-}}
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] (Maximal vampire bat)
<big>'''Deployers</big>'''


===Super===
:A Basic price point, the [[Deployer (BM)|Deployer]]s are small robo-beasts to turn into weapon emplacements with spring-loaded transformations. The Wave 2 [[variant|running change]] [[redeco]]es were originally meant to be renamed as new characters: these names were revealed through retail listings<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20001206140100/http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/news.asp</ref> as "Trench," "Burro," and "[[Chro|Cro]]", with the latter eventually being [[repurposing|repurposed]] as a new character.
*[[Primal Prime]] (Transmetal Maximal multi-changer, redeco of ''Beast Wars'' [[Optimus Primal|Optimal Optimus]])


===Supreme===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
*[[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Supreme Cheetor]] (Maximal cheetah)
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' (August 2000)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Dillo#Beast Machines|Dillo]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Mol#Beast Machines|Mol]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Rav (BM)#Beast Machines|Rav]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2''' (redecos, January 2001)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Dillo#red|Dillo]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Mol#green|Mol]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Rav (BM)#Blue|Rav]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:BeastMachinestoy-Mol.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Deployers Mol]]
|}


{{-}}
<big>'''Beast Riders</big>'''
: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%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' (August 2000)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Che#Beast Machines|Che]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Mechatron#Beast Machines|Mechatron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 2''' (redecoes, December 2000)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Che#Black|Che]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Mechatron#Purple|Mechatron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:BM-toy Che v1.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Beast Rider Che]]
|}
{{--}}
{{--}}
===[[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobots]]===
====Deluxe====
'''Wave 1'''
*[[Airraptor]] (''Archaeopteryx'', redeco of ''Beast Wars Neo'' [[Archadis]])
*[[Triceradon (BM)|Triceradon]] (''Triceratops'', redeco of ''Beast Wars Neo'' [[Guiledart]])
'''Wave 2'''
*[[Dinotron]] (''Pachycephalosaurus'', redeco of ''Beast Wars Neo'' [[Hardhead (BWN)|Hardhead]])
*[[Striker]] (''Stegosaurus'', redeco of ''Beast Wars Neo'' [[Saberback]])
{{note|Various combinations of the ''Beast Machines'' Dinobots shipped alongside [[Optimus Primal]] and [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]].}}
====Ultra====
*[[T-Wrecks]] (''Tyrannosaurus rex'', redeco of ''Beast Wars'' Ultra [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]])
{{note|T-Wrecks shipped alongside Jetstorm, and then Jetstorm and [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]], in various assortments.}}


===Exclusives===
===Exclusives===
* [[Apelinq]] (''Beast Machines'' Maximal Transmetal gorilla, redeco of Transmetal [[Optimus Primal]], [[BotCon 2000]])
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
* [[Magmatron]] ([[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobots]] Maximal ''Giganotosaurus''/''Elasmosaurus''/''Quetzalcoatlus'', [[Target]])
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[Target]]''' (October 2000)</u>
 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-bd|[[Magmatron (BW)#Beast Machines|Magmatron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[BotCon 2000]]''' ([[July 28]], 2000)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Apelinq (BM)#Beast Machines|Apelinq]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{--}}
{{--}}
==2001==
The second half of the Beast Machines toyline featured the subtitle "[[Battle for the Spark]]", reflecting the storyline of the cartoon.
===Deployers===
*[[Dillo]] (redeco, blue armadillo)
*[[Mol]] (redeco, green mole)
*[[Rav (BM)|Rav]] (redeco, purple raven; [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as [[Chro]])


{{note|The running-change redecoes of the Deployers were originally meant to be renamed as new characters, but ultimately came out with their original names. These names were revealed through retail listings<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20001206140100/http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/news.asp</ref> as "Trench," "Burro," and "Cro." What happened is unknown, but the name for the Rav redeco, "Cro", was [[Canon|canonized]] as "Chro" in the [[3H Productions|3H]] [[Transformers: Universe (comic)|''Wreckers'' comics]].}}
===Fast food promotions===
<big>'''McDonald's</big>'''


===Beast Riders===
:[[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]]'')
*[[Che]] (redeco, black Maximal cheetah chariot)
*[[Mechatron]] (redeco, purple Vehicon dragon chariot)


===Basic===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
[[File:BM SpyStreak-toy.jpg|thumb|300px]]
|width="20%" valign="top"|The line-up:
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#BMMcD|Blackarachnia]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMMcD|Cheetor]]}}
{{Bp-vh|[[Jetstorm (BM)#McDonalds|Jetstorm]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<br>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-vh|[[Megatron (BW)/toys#McDonald.27s|Megatron]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Nightscream (BM)#McD|Nightscream]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<br>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#McDonaldsBM|Optimus Primal]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Rattrap (BW)/toys#Beast Machines|Rattrap]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<br>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{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]]
|}


'''Wave 5''' (Battle for the Spark wave 1)
{{-}}
*[[Cybershark|Hammerstrike]] (Maximal hammerhead shark)
<big>'''Red Rooster</big>'''
*[[Tank Drone]] (Vehicon tank)
[[File:BMtoy-RattrapRedRooster.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]


'''Wave 6''' (Battle for the Spark wave 2)
: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.
*[[Motorcycle Drone]] (Vehicon motorcycle)
*[[Spy Streak]] (Vehicon recon jet)


'''Wave 7''' (Battle for the Spark wave 3)
: {{Bp-m2|Nightscream (actually the [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Red Rooster|Megatron]] mold)}}
*[[Battle Unicorn]] (Maximal unicorn)
: {{Bp-vh|[[Jetstorm (BM)#RedRooster|Jetstorm]]}}
: {{Bp-m2|[[Rattrap (BW)/toys#RedRooster|Rattrap]]}}
: {{Bp-vh|[[Tankor (BM)#RedRooster|Tankor]]}}


===Deluxe===
{{-}}
'''Wave 6''' (Battle for the Spark wave 1)
<big>'''Jollibee</big>'''
*[[Noble|Beast Changer]] (Noble wolf/Savage dragon)
[[File:Jollibeebm1.jpg|thumb|250px|right]]


{{note|Beast Changer shipped alongside ''[[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobots]]'' [[Rapticon]] and [[Terranotron (BM)|Terranotron]].}}
: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.
 
'''Wave 7''' (Battle for the Spark wave 2)
*[[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Night Slash Cheetor]] (Maximal cheetah)
*[[Strika (BM)|Strika]] (Vehicon 6-wheeler)
 
{{note|When Night Slasher Cheetor and Strika were phased in, Terranotron was dropped from the assortment, but Rapticon continued to ship.}}
 
===Mega===
'''Wave 3''' (Battle for the Spark wave 1)
*[[Rattrap]] (Maximal rat)
 
'''Wave 4''' (Battle for the Spark wave 2)
*[[Optimus Primal/toys|Blast Punch Optimus Primal]] (Maximal gorilla)
 
===Dinobots===
====Deluxe====
'''Wave 3'''
*[[Rapticon]] (''Velociraptor'', redeco of ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Dinobot II]])
*[[Terranotron (BM)|Terranotron]] (''Pteranodon'', redeco of ''Beast Wars'' Transmetal [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]])
 
{{note|Rapticon and Terranotron shipped in an assortment that included Thrust, Beast Changer, and Sonic Attack Jet. When it was revised to include Night Slash Cheetor and Strika, Terranotron was dropped, and Blackarachnia was shuffled back in.}}


: {{Bp-m2|[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Jollibee|Optimus Primal]]}}
: {{Bp-vh|[[Megatron (BW)/toys#Jollibee|Megatron]]}}
: {{Bp-m2|[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Jollibee|Cheetor]]}}
{{--}}
{{--}}
==2004 (''Beast Wars Returns'')==
===Wave 1: 11/17/2004===
[[File:Blackarachniabeastwarsreturnstoy.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
* '''BR-01''' [[Optimus Primal/toys#Beast Machines|Convoy]] - Blast Punch Optimus Primal
* '''BR-02''' [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetus]] - ''Beast Machines'' Mega Cheetor
* '''BR-03''' [[Rattrap|Rattle]] - ''Beast Machines'' Rattrap
* '''BR-04''' [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackwidow]] - Redeco of ''Beast Machines'' Blackarachnia
* '''BR-05''' [[Megatron (BW)/toys|Megatron]] - ''Beast Machines'' dragon Megatron


{{--}}
==Takara ''Beast Wars Returns'' toyline==
==2005 (''Beast Wars Returns'')==
{{anchor|Japan}}{{nav-bwReturns}}
===Wave 2: 3/26/2005===
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.
* '''BR-06''' [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] - ''Beast Machines'' Nightscream
* '''BR-07''' [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] - Redeco of ''Beast Machines'' Silverbolt
* '''BR-08''' Vehicon [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]] - Redeco of ''Beast Machines'' Ultra Jetstorm
* '''BR-09''' Vehicon [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] - Redeco of ''Beast Machines'' Motorcycle Drone
* '''BR-10''' Vehicon [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] - Redeco of ''Beast Machines'' Tank Drone


===Wave 3: 4/2005===
The toys have been redecoed to (theoretically) better match the show models, some more extensively than others.
* '''BR-11''' [[Noble|Noble Savage]] - Redeco of ''Beast Machines'' Beast Changer
* '''BR-12''' Megahead Megatron - Redeco of ''Robots in Disguise'' Megatron Megabolt
* '''BR-13''' Vehicon [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] - Redeco of ''Beast Machines'' Strika
* '''BR-14''' Vehicon [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] - Redeco of ''Beast Machines'' Obsidian


{{note|BR-11 to BR-14 shipped at some point in the middle of April.}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Wave 1''' ([[November 18|11-18]]-[[2004]])</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|BR-01 [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Returns|Convoy]]}}
{{Bp-m2|BR-02 [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Returns|Cheetus]]}}
{{Bp-m2|BR-03 [[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"|<u>'''Wave 2''' ([[March 31|3-31]]-[[2005]])</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-vh|BR-06 [[Tankor (BM)#Beast Wars Returns|Vehicon Tankor]]}}
{{Bp-vh|BR-07 [[Jetstorm (BM)#Beast Wars Returns|Vehicon Jetstorm]]}}
{{Bp-vh|BR-08 [[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"|<u>'''Wave 3''' ([[April 14|4-14]]-2005)</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|BR-11 [[Noble (BM)#Beast Wars Returns|Noble Savage]]}}
{{Bp-vh|BR-12 [[Megatron (BW)/toys#MegaheadMegatron|Megahead Megatron]]}}
{{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"|<u>'''Lucky draw'''</u>
<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]]
|}
{{--}}
{{--}}
==Unreleased==
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, there were several tail-end and unreleased ''Beast Machines: Battle for the Spark'' toys mentioned as well.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20001206140100/http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/news.asp</ref>
'''Basic'''
*[[Screechwing]]
*[[Spiketail]]


[[File:RoverTheHellhound.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
==Post-''Beast Machines'' releases==
'''Deluxe'''
Even after the original ''Beast Machines'' toyline ended, several cast members saw new toys released in other ''Transformers'' lines.
*[[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]]
*Cerberus


{{note|"Cerberus" was released in different colors as as [[Bruticus (RID)|Bruticus]], part of the ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' line.}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[Titanium Series]]'''''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{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>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#Universe (2003)|Blackarachnia]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Blastcharge (BM)#Universe (2003)|Blastcharge]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Universe (2003)|Night Slash Cheetor]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Snarl (BM)#Universe (2003)|Snarl]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Skydive (BM)#Universe (2003)|Skydive]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<br>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Strika (BM)#Universe (2003)|Nemesis Strika]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Striker#Universe (2003)|Dinobot Striker]]}}
{{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>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{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"|<u>'''[[BotCon 2013]]'''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Obsidian (BM)#Timelines 2|Obsidian]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Strika (BM)#Timelines|Strika]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Blastcharge Strika Drone#Timelines|Blastcharge Strika Drone]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[Transformers Collectors' Club]]'''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-p1|[[Thrust (BM)#Timelines|Thrustinator]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'''''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-vh|[[Tankor (BM)#Generations|Tankor]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''[[BotCon 2014]]'''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{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]]}}
|}
{{-}}


'''Ultra'''
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]
'''Supreme'''
*Air Attack Optimus
{{note|Air Attack Optimus Primal was eventually sold as a [[Toys R Us]] exclusive in the ''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' line.}}
{{--}}
==Notes==
==Notes==
*[[McDonald's]] ran a ''Beast Machines'' promotion in 2000. This line-up included: 1 - [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor]] (cheetah), 2 - [[Optimus Primal/toys#Beast_Machines|Optimus Primal]] (gorilla), 3 - [[Megatron (BW)/toys|Megatron]] (dragon), 4 - [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]] (jet), 5 - [[Rattrap]] (rat), 6 - [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (black widow spider), 7 - [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] (motorcycle)
[[File:BM_Battle_For_The_Spark_Gimmick.jpg|thumb|Sadly, neither [[Spark]] appears to actually [[Sparking gimmick|spark]].]]
, 8 - [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] (bat), and 9 - [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] (tank).
* 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 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> 
* 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.
* 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===
==Post cancellation==
*''French:'' '''''Ani Machines''''' (France), '''''Mécanimaux''''' (Canada)
*A new version of BM [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] was released as part of the 6" [[Titanium Series]] "Cybertron Heroes" line.
*''Spanish:'' '''''Mecanibestias''''' (Latin America)
*The [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe (2008) toyline]] includes toys marked as "Beast Machines series": the ''[[Robot Heroes]]'' [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] and [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]]. (A second ''Robot Heroes'' set featuring ''Beast Machines'' [[Optimus Primal]] and [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]] was planned, but didn't see production.)
*A new Deluxe toy of [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]], based on his show robot mode, is due to be released in the ''[[Transformers: Generations]]'' line in 2014.
 
==Innovations and lasting effects==
*''Beast Machines'' introduced the concept of [[subline imprint]]s as a "refresher" for the later part of a long-running toy line (which, in today's economy, means "longer than six months"), in this case "Battle for the Spark".
*The line was also the first to heavily implement articulated hands (and in some cases, fingers) instead of the standard "fist with hole", as well as experimenting with ''facial'' articulation on figures above the Basic size.
 
==Notes==
* The [[Deployer (BM)|Deployers]] and [[Beast Rider]]s were developed by [[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.
* On Takara's end of the design process, some design and engineering work was subcontracted out to the designer [[Junichi Akutsu]], alias BEE-CRAFT.


==References==
==References==
Line 263: 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)
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