Transformers: Cybertron (toyline): Difference between revisions

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Still in-progress. Holy shit none of the store-promo Microns are on here, or Energon. Yikes.
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{{nav-cybertron}}
{{nav-cybertron}}
The '''''Transformers: Cybertron''''' toyline continued many of the design trends of ''Energon''. The line's toys are thematically built around six planets, but feature one unifying [[Gimmick|feature]]: the [[Cyber Key]]. These clear-plastic disks with key-like projections now activate special weapons and hidden features, much like the [[Mini-Con]]s of ''Armada'', even on most figures remolded from previous lines. [[Redeco]]s, like the Cybertron release of [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|''Armada'']]'s [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Super-Con Optimus Prime]], come with remolded keys that have a Mini-Con connector to unlock gimmicks. The gimmicks are less intrusive than ''Armada''; articulation suffers far less for their inclusion, though some lower-priced figures do lack a little when compared to ''Energon''. Combination has largely disappeared — but not completely.


Each toy is assigned a planet. This determines which Cyber Key is included, but also seems to correlate with some design choices, as will be seen below. Each Cyber Key comes with a code printed on the back. For a list of codes, go to [[Cyber Key Codes]].  
The final act of the "[[Unicron Trilogy]]", '''''Transformers: Cybertron''''' vastly expanded the scope of the ''Transformers'' universe, bringing in the theme of "lost colonies" with different styles, while still unifying the toyline under a central play-[[gimmick]], the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s.
{{-}}
 
==Planet theme overviews==
 
;Earth Planet toy
{{TOCclear}}
[[File:Cybertron Red Alert toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Red Alert]]
These generally convert into fairly normal Earth vehicles. Robot modes are angular and normally proportioned for humanoid transformers. Faces are traditionally styled.


{{-}}
==Overview==
;Speed Planet
After ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)| Energon]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s rather muddled [[gimmick]]/theme presentation, Hasbro dialed it back for ''Cybertron'' by sticking with a single unifying play gimmick: the [[Cyber Key]]s. These large discs, with designs based on the planet of their origin, unlocked pop-out weapons and action features in each toy once plugged into the key slot. Any planet's key would work with any toy. With the spring-loaded gimmicks less complex than those in ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)| Armada]]'', they freed up the designs to allow for more robot-mode posability.
[[File:Cyb Override toy.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Override]]
Alternate modes are fantasy racing vehicles, with transparent plastic tires. Vehicle modes are futuristic and occasionally resemble [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]] or the futuristic vehicle modes of some late [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] Transformers. The Speed Planet robots have their own unique body proportions, generally featuring large upper bodies, long thighs, and thin waists. Many of them use twin-barreled blasters or dual cannons in vehicle and robot modes (Brakedown is a notable exception).


{{-}}
Where ''Cybertron'' gets its diversity is in its aesthetics, through the different planets each Transformer could hail from. Each planet has its own theme, with the toy designs reflecting the culture of each world.
;Jungle Planet
[[File:CybertronGF Undermine toy.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Undermine]]
Jungle Planet alternate modes are robotic beasts. Their styling is sometimes very organic in shape and even in texture, but not really to the point of techno-organism. Robot modes and faces are widely varied (although most have two fangs protruding from their lower lip), and hark back to the Beast Era in creative differences from the "standard" humanoid model. Jungle Planet designs are similar to those of the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|''Beast Wars'']] Transmetals or [[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|''Beast Machines'']] Maximals (sharing something of the "liquid metal animal" aesthetic), per the above analogy. They usually wield melee weapons of varying description.


{{-}}
:*'''[[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]''' and '''[[Earth]]''' toys are the most traditional of the series, with future-tech-vehicle and close-to-real-life vehicles respectively, and more "traditional" proportions and detailing.
;Giant Planet
:*The '''[[Velocitron|Speed Planet]]''' toys are naturally all about the fastness. The vehicle modes are futuristic and fantastical, with transparent plastic tires and other accents. Even the bulkier vehicle modes at least look like they were built for raw horsepower. Colors are bright and clashing, the robot modes themselves streamlined. The Cyber Key gimmicks are typically tied to their swing-out blaster weapons.
[[File:MenasorCyb-Toy.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Menasor]]
:*The brutal '''[[Animatron|Jungle Planet]]''' is full of robotic beasts, with deeply-complex, nigh-organic sculpting that brings to mind the [[Transmetal|Transmetal IIs]] of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)| Transformers]]'' or the [[technorganic]] ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)| Transformers]]'' [[Maximal]] toys. Robot modes feature limbs made from beast-bits, clawed hands, and fanged mouths. Melee weapons rule the land, with most Cyber Key gimmicks focused on pop-out blades.
Giant Planet robots transform into a variety of construction vehicles. They are gargantuan in appearance, relying on detail and proportion to create an impression of massive size. The Giant Planet toys are roughly in scale with the Legends of Cybertron figures. Of the Giant Planet toys released, two ([[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]] and [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]]) are almost completely alien in appearance, while [[Quickmix (Cybertron)|Quickmix]] and the [[Giant Planet Mini-Con Team]] are fairly "normal", like everyday (albeit oversized) Earth vehicles.
:*The '''[[Gigantion|Giant Planet]]''' is about heavy machinery. ''Very'' heavy machinery. Though few in number compared to the rest of the planets, they live up to their planet's name by being some of the largest toys in the line. These heavy construction (or ''de''struction) vehicles are bulky and industrial, plus each one has a tiny [[Mini-Con]] partner to operate a work station somewhere on each bot's vehicle or robot mode.
:*'''[[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]]''' bots are similarly few in number. Their only real unifying style is "futuristic danger". The vehicle modes are sleek and deadly-looking, robot modes vicious and pointy.


{{-}}
The tail-end of the line was again heavy on the [[redeco]]es (by then a practice that had become expected and largely accepted), but also brought micro-play back into the line. Mini-Con two-packs were released to bolster the ranks of the still-popular Mini-Con class. But the history-making addition to the ''Transformers'' franchise was in the [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] toys. These sub-basic, simple and above all inexpensive toys were based on the larger toys of popular/major characters, giving kids the chance to own an Optimus Prime or Megatron they could keep in their pocket. From this point on, Legends-sized toys would continue on through every major ''Transformers'' toyline.
;Planet X
[[File:SidewaysCybertron.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Sideways]]
Alternate modes are usually futuristic jets, with the exception being Unicron (who is a futuristic tank). It's somewhat difficult to draw conclusions when only three toys from this planet were released. In general, these are alien in appearance, even more so than the Speed or Giant Planet toys.


{{-}}
{{-}}
;Cybertron Planet toy overview
==Hasbro ''Cybertron'' toyline==
[[File:Cyb GFVectorPrime toy.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Galaxy Force Vector Prime]]
For Hasbro's line, every Cyber Key has a short alphanumeric code printed on its back. These [[Cyber Key Codes]], when plugged into the official ''Cybertron'' website (now defunct), the codes unlocked design sketches and extra biographical info on each toy.
Cybertron Planet toys are the "everything else" category. There are two distinct Planet Keys for Cybertron: one with an Autobot symbol and the other with a Decepticon insignia. Toys with Cybertron Planet Keys range from normal to futuristic. This category usually represents characters who are either part of the "original" Autobot and Decepticon teams searching for the Planet Keys, or those who never left or have an affinity for Cybertron (such as [[Buzzsaw (Cybertron)|Buzzsaw]] or [[Longrack (Cybertron)|Longrack]]). The unique keys carried by Optimus and Megatron arguably belong in this category, despite being labeled as Earth Planet in their original releases (or Giant and Universal with their respective redecos).
{{-}}


==Toy list==
===General retail===
===General retail===
====Mini-Con Class====
====Mini-Con Class====
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|}
|}


===European market-only releases===
==Hasbro European market-only releases==
'''[[Micromaster#Universe|Micromaster]]s Series III ([[Railbot]]s)'''
'''[[Micromaster#Universe|Micromaster]]s Series III ([[Railbot]]s)'''


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{{note|The six Aerialbots could be merged to form [[Superion (Universe)|Superion]]. While they were available as ''Cybertron''-branded general retail releases in Europe, they were available in ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' packaging in the United States (originally as [[KB Toys]] exclusives, later also at CVS Pharmacy).}}
{{note|The six Aerialbots could be merged to form [[Superion (Universe)|Superion]]. While they were available as ''Cybertron''-branded general retail releases in Europe, they were available in ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' packaging in the United States (originally as [[KB Toys]] exclusives, later also at CVS Pharmacy).}}


===''Galaxy Force'' (Japan)===
==Takara ''Galaxy Force'' toyline==
====Regular retail====
[[File:Galaxy force logo.jpg|left|300px|]]
Premiering roughly half a year before ''Cybertron'' (as Hasbro's lines tended to run approximately 18 months while Takara stuck with 12 months), ''Galaxy Force'' would mostly feature slight alterations from the Hasbro versions. Some of the additions to the line, like the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)| Armada]]'' retools (sold in Vs packs in Japan) would eventually make their way to the States.
 
Store-promo [[Mini-Con]] giveaways returned in a big way, with full teams devoted to some of the major characters in the line.
 
{{-}}
===Regular retail===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1''' ([[2004]]-[[December 28|12-28]])
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1''' ([[2004]]-[[December 28|12-28]])
Line 444: Line 437:
{{-}}
{{-}}


====Exclusives====
===Exclusives===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''Dengeki Hobby'' magazine'''
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''Dengeki Hobby'' magazine'''
Line 469: Line 462:
*[[Scourge (Cybertron)#SkyLynxEdition|Flame Convoy]] Sky Lynx Edition
*[[Scourge (Cybertron)#SkyLynxEdition|Flame Convoy]] Sky Lynx Edition
*[[Megatron (Armada)/toys#CybGoldGalv|Gold Master Galvatron]]
*[[Megatron (Armada)/toys#CybGoldGalv|Gold Master Galvatron]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''???'''</u>
*[[Micron Booster]] Ver.3<br>([[Bit]], [[Grip-Lock|Clamp]], [[Dead End Drone|Bug Drone]], [[Dead End General|Bug General]], [[Dice (GF)|Dice]], [[Jack (GF)|Jack]], [[Skidmark (GF)|Gauge]], [[Plier]], [[Plug]], [[Socket]], [[Heavy Barrel (GF)|Trigger]], [[Wrench]])
|}
|}


===''Galaxy Force'' (Korea)===
==Mocom Toy ''Galaxy Force'' toyline==
TakaraTomy/Hasbro licensee [[Mocom Toy]] released a selection of ''Cybertron''/''Galaxy Force'' toys in Korea, under the name '''''Transformers: Galaxy Force''''' (트랜스포머 갤럭시포스).
TakaraTomy/Hasbro licensee [[Mocom Toy]] released a selection of ''Cybertron''/''Galaxy Force'' toys in Korea, under the name '''''Transformers: Galaxy Force''''' (트랜스포머 갤럭시포스).


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*[[Runamuck (Cybertron)|Runabout]] vs. [[Longrack (Cybertron)|Longrack]]
*[[Runamuck (Cybertron)|Runabout]] vs. [[Longrack (Cybertron)|Longrack]]


==Innovations and lasting effects==
{{-}}
*''Cybertron'' introduced the [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]], which, in many cases, contains smaller toys of some of the series' "main" characters which are also available as larger toys.
==Post-''Cybertron'' releases==
*The [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'' toyline]] includes toys marked as "Cybertron series".


==Notes==
*The [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'' toyline]] includes toys marked as "Cybertron series".


{{DEFAULTSORT:Cybertron (toyline)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cybertron (toyline)}}
[[Category:Cybertron franchise| Cybertron (toyline)]]
[[Category:Cybertron franchise| Cybertron (toyline)]]
[[Category:Unicron Trilogy toylines]]
[[Category:Unicron Trilogy toylines]]

Revision as of 07:04, 12 November 2016
Unicron Trilogy continuity family
« Cybertron

The final act of the "Unicron Trilogy", Transformers: Cybertron vastly expanded the scope of the Transformers universe, bringing in the theme of "lost colonies" with different styles, while still unifying the toyline under a central play-gimmick, the Cyber Planet Keys.


Overview

After Energon's rather muddled gimmick/theme presentation, Hasbro dialed it back for Cybertron by sticking with a single unifying play gimmick: the Cyber Keys. These large discs, with designs based on the planet of their origin, unlocked pop-out weapons and action features in each toy once plugged into the key slot. Any planet's key would work with any toy. With the spring-loaded gimmicks less complex than those in Armada, they freed up the designs to allow for more robot-mode posability.

Where Cybertron gets its diversity is in its aesthetics, through the different planets each Transformer could hail from. Each planet has its own theme, with the toy designs reflecting the culture of each world.

  • Cybertron and Earth toys are the most traditional of the series, with future-tech-vehicle and close-to-real-life vehicles respectively, and more "traditional" proportions and detailing.
  • The Speed Planet toys are naturally all about the fastness. The vehicle modes are futuristic and fantastical, with transparent plastic tires and other accents. Even the bulkier vehicle modes at least look like they were built for raw horsepower. Colors are bright and clashing, the robot modes themselves streamlined. The Cyber Key gimmicks are typically tied to their swing-out blaster weapons.
  • The brutal Jungle Planet is full of robotic beasts, with deeply-complex, nigh-organic sculpting that brings to mind the Transmetal IIs of Transformers or the technorganic Transformers Maximal toys. Robot modes feature limbs made from beast-bits, clawed hands, and fanged mouths. Melee weapons rule the land, with most Cyber Key gimmicks focused on pop-out blades.
  • The Giant Planet is about heavy machinery. Very heavy machinery. Though few in number compared to the rest of the planets, they live up to their planet's name by being some of the largest toys in the line. These heavy construction (or destruction) vehicles are bulky and industrial, plus each one has a tiny Mini-Con partner to operate a work station somewhere on each bot's vehicle or robot mode.
  • Planet X bots are similarly few in number. Their only real unifying style is "futuristic danger". The vehicle modes are sleek and deadly-looking, robot modes vicious and pointy.

The tail-end of the line was again heavy on the redecoes (by then a practice that had become expected and largely accepted), but also brought micro-play back into the line. Mini-Con two-packs were released to bolster the ranks of the still-popular Mini-Con class. But the history-making addition to the Transformers franchise was in the Legends Class toys. These sub-basic, simple and above all inexpensive toys were based on the larger toys of popular/major characters, giving kids the chance to own an Optimus Prime or Megatron they could keep in their pocket. From this point on, Legends-sized toys would continue on through every major Transformers toyline.


Hasbro Cybertron toyline

For Hasbro's line, every Cyber Key has a short alphanumeric code printed on its back. These Cyber Key Codes, when plugged into the official Cybertron website (now defunct), the codes unlocked design sketches and extra biographical info on each toy.

General retail

Mini-Con Class

Wave 1
(Sky Attack Team vs. Air Defense Team) 		Wave 2
(Lunar Assault Team vs. Exploration Team) 		Wave 3
(Sky Terror Team vs. Council of Sages) 		Wave 4
(Deep Space Team vs. Street Action Team)


Legends of Cybertron

Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3 Wave 4
Waves 1 and 2 were only available at smaller retailers and specialty stores. Waves 3 (including carry-overs from wave 2) and 4 were also available at Toys"R"Us and Kmart.


Scout Class

Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3 Wave 4
Hardtop
Wave 5 Wave 6 Wave 7 Wave 8
Wave 9 Wave 10


Deluxe Class

Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3 Wave 3.5
File:Hotshotcybertrontoy.jpg
Hot Shot
Wave 4 Wave 5 Wave 6 Wave 7
Wave 8 Wave 9


Voyager Class

Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3 Wave 4
Quickmix & Stripmine
Wave 5 Wave 6 Wave 7 Wave 8


Ultra Class

Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3 Wave 4
Wave 5 Wave 6


Leader Class

Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3 Wave 4


Supreme Class

Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3
We're calling these "waves" for the sake of convenience. Unlike the other size classes, Starscream and Primus (without the Unicron head) both shipped in their own assortments, and Primus with the Unicron head wasn't officially part of any assortment at all.

Exclusives

BotCon 2005 Costco San Diego Comic-Con 2005 ToysЯUs
Target Walmart

Hasbro European market-only releases

Micromasters Series III (Railbots)

The six Railbots could be merged to form Rail Racer. While they were available as Cybertron-branded general retail releases in Europe, they were available in Universe packaging in the United States (as KB Toys exclusives) and Australia.

Micromasters Series IV (Aerialbots)

The six Aerialbots could be merged to form Superion. While they were available as Cybertron-branded general retail releases in Europe, they were available in Universe packaging in the United States (originally as KB Toys exclusives, later also at CVS Pharmacy).

Takara Galaxy Force toyline

File:Galaxy force logo.jpg

Premiering roughly half a year before Cybertron (as Hasbro's lines tended to run approximately 18 months while Takara stuck with 12 months), Galaxy Force would mostly feature slight alterations from the Hasbro versions. Some of the additions to the line, like the Armada retools (sold in Vs packs in Japan) would eventually make their way to the States.

Store-promo Mini-Con giveaways returned in a big way, with full teams devoted to some of the major characters in the line.


Regular retail

Wave 1 (2004-12-28)
Wave 2 (2005-01-20) Wave 3 (2005-02-10)
Starscream
Wave 4 (2005-02-24) Wave 5 (2005-03-17) Wave 6 (2005-03-31) Wave 7 (2005-04-14)
Wave 8 (2005-04-28) Wave 9 (2005-06-09) Wave 10 (2005-06-23) Wave 11 (2005-07-14)
File:Bluescrapmetaltoy.jpg
Blue Rumble
Wave 12 (2005-07-28) EZ Collection (2005-08-25) Wave 13 (2005-08-22)

Wave 14 (2005-08-29)


Exclusives

Dengeki Hobby magazine Galaxy Force DVDs Toy's Dream Project ToysЯUs
File:GF-Ransack-police.jpg
ToysЯUs-exclusive Gasket Police-Type
TV Magazine ???

Mocom Toy Galaxy Force toyline

TakaraTomy/Hasbro licensee Mocom Toy released a selection of Cybertron/Galaxy Force toys in Korea, under the name Transformers: Galaxy Force (트랜스포머 갤럭시포스).

Cybertron

Destron

Other

Multipack


Post-Cybertron releases

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