Transformers Retro: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Retro-toy HotRod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|A hot pink Hot Rod.  And it only took 37 years!]]
[[File:Retro-toy HotRod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|A hot pink Hot Rod.  And it only took 37 years!]]


Beginning in [[2023]], '''''Transformers Retro''''' is another in a [[Generation 1 reissues|long line of reissue series]] designed to get toys from the [[The Transformers (toyline)|original ''The Transformers'' toyline]] into the hands of kids and collectors, but with a twist: these original toy molds are presented in decos based on their [[show-accuracy|animated appearances]], some for the first time ever. Chrome parts of the original figures are replaced by pale grey plastic, and [[Tampograph|tampographs]] take the place of the original stickers.
Beginning in [[2023]], '''''Transformers Retro''''' is another in a [[Generation 1 reissues|long line of reissue series]] designed to get toys from the [[The Transformers (toyline)|original ''The Transformers'' toyline]] into the hands of kids and collectors, but with a twist: these original toy molds are presented in lavish [[redeco|deco]]s based on their [[show-accuracy|animated appearances]], some for the first time ever. [[Vacuum metallizing|Chrome]] parts of the original figures are replaced by pale grey plastic, and [[Tampograph|tampographs]] take the place of the original [[sticker]]s.
 
In [[2025]], the line flipped the script entirely: instead of cartoon-accurate redecos of vintage toys, it consisted of vintage toy-accurate redecos of modern cartoon-accurate ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Transformers: Generations]]'' toys.


''Transformers Retro'' toys are [[exclusive]] to [[Walmart]] and [[Hasbro Pulse]] in the United States.  The packaging designs for these toys make no reference to "Retro," with that naming coming from the Walmart and Pulse product listings.  
''Transformers Retro'' toys are [[exclusive]] to [[Walmart]] and [[Hasbro Pulse]] in the United States.  The packaging designs for these toys make no reference to "Retro," with that naming coming from the Walmart and Pulse product listings.  
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==Toys==
==Toys==
===''The Transformers: The Movie''===
===''The Transformers: The Movie''===
The first four waves, released throughout 2023, were packaged in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''-themed boxes.
The first four waves, released throughout 2023, were themed around ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Sadly, the paltry number of G1 [[mold]]s still usable after 39 years meant only one of the toys used was actually designed for the film, with most of the characters really only having bit parts in the story—c'est la vie. [[Package art]]ist [[Marcelo Matere]] produced new illustrations for the plastic-free boxes, curiously taking reference from recent modern figures of the characters for the most part, rather than the G1 toys in the box! Accounting for their small size, the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s were sold at a slightly lower price point than the rest of the figures.


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===''The Transformers''===
===''The Transformers''===
For the occasion of the ''Transformers'' franchise's 40th anniversary, 2024's two waves of product instead sported packaging inspired by original ''The Transformers'' toyline's initial look.
To mark the ''Transformers'' franchise's 40th anniversary, 2024's two waves of product instead sported packaging inspired by original ''The Transformers'' toyline's initial look. The toys themselves carried on with the same cartoon-accurate style. Bombshell filled the same price point as before by being packed alongside Ramhorn, while Blaster and Soundwave were slightly more expensive to account for their included [[Mini-Cassettes]], with Optimus Prime being sold at his own higher-still price point.


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===''Generations'' stylee===
===''Generations''===
Beginning with 2025's offerings, the line switched from cartoon-accurate redecos of vintage figures to vintage-toy-inspired redecoes of modern ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Transformers: Generations]]'' toys instead, while still keeping the previous year's 1980s inspired package design.
Although the line's direction pivoted towards ''Generations''-style figures for [[2025]], the previous year's 1980s-inspired package design continued to be used.


{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"

Revision as of 17:48, 9 June 2025

This article is about . For other uses of "Retro", see Retro (disambiguation)|The name or term "Retro" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Retro (disambiguation).}}
A hot pink Hot Rod. And it only took 37 years!

Beginning in 2023, Transformers Retro is another in a long line of reissue series designed to get toys from the original The Transformers toyline into the hands of kids and collectors, but with a twist: these original toy molds are presented in lavish decos based on their animated appearances, some for the first time ever. Chrome parts of the original figures are replaced by pale grey plastic, and tampographs take the place of the original stickers.

In 2025, the line flipped the script entirely: instead of cartoon-accurate redecos of vintage toys, it consisted of vintage toy-accurate redecos of modern cartoon-accurate Transformers: Generations toys.

Transformers Retro toys are exclusive to Walmart and Hasbro Pulse in the United States. The packaging designs for these toys make no reference to "Retro," with that naming coming from the Walmart and Pulse product listings.

Toys

The Transformers: The Movie

The first four waves, released throughout 2023, were themed around The Transformers: The Movie. Sadly, the paltry number of G1 molds still usable after 39 years meant only one of the toys used was actually designed for the film, with most of the characters really only having bit parts in the story—c'est la vie. Package artist Marcelo Matere produced new illustrations for the plastic-free boxes, curiously taking reference from recent modern figures of the characters for the most part, rather than the G1 toys in the box! Accounting for their small size, the Insecticons were sold at a slightly lower price point than the rest of the figures.

Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3 Wave 4
Retro Autobot Hound

The Transformers

To mark the Transformers franchise's 40th anniversary, 2024's two waves of product instead sported packaging inspired by original The Transformers toyline's initial look. The toys themselves carried on with the same cartoon-accurate style. Bombshell filled the same price point as before by being packed alongside Ramhorn, while Blaster and Soundwave were slightly more expensive to account for their included Mini-Cassettes, with Optimus Prime being sold at his own higher-still price point.

Wave 5 Wave 6
Retro Optimus Prime

Generations

Although the line's direction pivoted towards Generations-style figures for 2025, the previous year's 1980s-inspired package design continued to be used.

Wave 7
Retro Autobot Gears