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'''''The Transformers''''' (retroactively called '''Generation One''' or '''G1''') started as a joint venture between two companies: Hasbro of America and Takara of Japan.  After an idea to rebrand and sell Takara's ''Diaclone'' and ''Microchange'' robot toys as a whole new line with a new concept behind it, Hasbro unknowingly would wind up making what would be one of the longest running toy franchises. Due to products coming from different pre-existing product lines, G1 toys were highly inconsistent in terms of relative [[scale]].
'''''The Transformers''''' (retroactively called '''Generation One''' or '''G1''') started as a joint venture between two companies: Hasbro of America and Takara of Japan.  After an idea to rebrand and sell Takara's ''Diaclone'' and ''Microchange'' robot toys as a whole new line with a new concept behind it, Hasbro unknowingly would wind up making what would be one of its longest running toy [[franchise]]s. 
 
In contrast to today's franchises, which tend by design to run 12 to 18 months, ''Generation 1'' was essentially an unbroken line from 1984 to 1991.  Toys tended to linger longer in the line; a few (Starscream, Bumblebee) were even sold for three years in a row.
 
[[Image:G1Prowl toy.jpg|left|thumb|200px|[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], one of the 1984 line's more iconic toys, was redecorated to make [[Bluestreak (G1)|two other]] characters [[Smokescreen (G1)|as well]].  In today's secondary market, he's usually found with his roof broken off.]]
 
The line began with toys already designed by Takara and other companies, and over time expanded into numerous original designs and concepts.  The line changed direction and focus so many times that a year-by-year breakdown is the only way to get the full picture. 
 
The first two years of ''Transformers'' product in America mostly consisted of toys from the two Takara lines, though the 1985 offerings were padded out with several toys from other companies, marketed as Jetfire, the Deluxe Insecticons and the Deluxe Autobots (which, curiously, were among the few G1 toys with good articulation.) 
 
The early G1 toys were largely marked by attention to vehicle mode detail, rubber tires, frequent use of [[die-cast]] metal (particularly on larger toys), and a lack of posability (not a single one of the Autobot cars had knee joints, and most had feet that were fused together.)  The combination of diecast and the brittle plastics of the time also made many of the toys fragile; toys such as Prowl and Mirage are infamous for winding up broken. Due to products coming from different pre-existing product lines, the early G1 toys were highly inconsistent in terms of relative [[scale]]. Later years would not do much to mitigate this issue.
 
[[Image:G1defensor toy.jpg|right|thumb|150px|1986's [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], the combined form of the five [[Protectobot]]s.  The maroon color of the chest plate indicates the all-plastic version of the toy.]]
 
These first two years were wildly successful, making "Transformers" a household word for the rest of the 1980s and leading to an ever-expanding product line.  1985's offerings more than doubled those of 1984.  A wide range of sizes and price points, from $3 Mini-Vehicles up to larger toys costing $25 or more, ensured that every kid could pick up at least a few Transformers.
 
1986 broke more ground with multiple [[combiner]] teams, two large "city" robots, and a full-length feature film to push a new crop of toys.  By this point, Hasbro was using up the last of the pre-existing Takara designs, mostly in the form of the [[Scramble City]] combiner teams and the two citybots; thus the toys for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' became the first original designs developed by Hasbro.  That year also marked the end of rubber tires and die-cast metal in the toys, as shipping and manufacturing costs dictated an all-plastic approach; many toys from that year were available both with and without rubber and die-cast.  Though many fans regard this as a drop in quality, it had the effect of creating much sturdier toys.
 
[[Image:G1Brainstorm toy.jpg|left|thumb|150px|[[Brainstorm]], a typical Headmaster.]]
 
1987 was dominated by two sublines, the [[Headmaster]]s and [[Targetmaster]]s.  It also marked the peak of the line's ambition, as it introduced the two-foot-tall, nearly $100 [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] toy -- still the largest Transformer ever produced.  At the other end of the price scale, the $3 Mini-Vehicles of previous years were replaced by the [[Throttlebots]].  Apart from them, the line was dominated for the first time by fictional vehicle modes and mechanical monsters and beasts.
 
1988 introduced a new logo design and tagline (More... MUCH more than meets the eye), but otherwise continued the directions of 1987, with a new line of Headmasters and the new Powermaster gimmicks, and a mixture of realistic and fanciful vehicle forms.  It also introduced the [[Pretenders]], bringing for the first time non-transforming figures into the line. The Pretenders tended to have ''very'' simplified transformations and often unconvincing vehicle modes, though their designs make them among the most well-articulated of all G1 toys.  The outer shells by contrast rarely featured articulation beyond a swivel joint at the shoulders.  Other sublines of note included the [[Triggercon]]s and [[Triggerbot]]s, which took the Throttlebots' place as the line's low-end offerings.
 
[[Image:G1Bomb-Burst toy.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Bomb-Burst]], a typical Pretender.]]
 
G1 tended to be extremely non-self referential; until 1988, only one character, Bumblebee, had ever received more than one toy.  That year, however, Hasbro seemingly began to realize the strength of the characters they had developed, as the line featured the return of Optimus Prime in Powermaster form following his death in ''Transformers: The Movie'' two years prior.  The following two years would see more older characters return in Pretender and Action Master form.
 
1989 was dominated by the Pretenders, which expanded to include [[Pretender Monster|a combiner team]] and robots with multiple shells, some of which could transform themselves and even combine with their inner robots.  The year also saw the introduction of the 1-inch-tall [[Micromaster]] tos, capitalizing on the popularity of the Micro Machine toyline.  Micromasters tended to have realistically styled vehicle forms, with an extremely standardized transformation scheme. 
 
[[Image:Actionmaster Jazz.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Action Master [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], reintroducing a character from the line's early years.]]
 
1990 consisted of two categories: the vastly-expanded Micromasters, and the non-transforming [[Action Master]] figures.  The Micromasters came both in the $5 carded patrols and with transforming bases, some of which were quite large.  The Actionmasters likewise came as carded figures with small transforming partners, and also with larger boxed vehicles. 
 
Waning popularity led to the line's cancellation at this point; ''Transformers'' disappeared from shelves for two years, not returning until the debut of ''[[Generation 2]]''.
{{-}}




Revision as of 15:26, 29 December 2007

The Transformers (retroactively called Generation One or G1) started as a joint venture between two companies: Hasbro of America and Takara of Japan. After an idea to rebrand and sell Takara's Diaclone and Microchange robot toys as a whole new line with a new concept behind it, Hasbro unknowingly would wind up making what would be one of its longest running toy franchises.

In contrast to today's franchises, which tend by design to run 12 to 18 months, Generation 1 was essentially an unbroken line from 1984 to 1991. Toys tended to linger longer in the line; a few (Starscream, Bumblebee) were even sold for three years in a row.

Prowl, one of the 1984 line's more iconic toys, was redecorated to make two other characters as well. In today's secondary market, he's usually found with his roof broken off.

The line began with toys already designed by Takara and other companies, and over time expanded into numerous original designs and concepts. The line changed direction and focus so many times that a year-by-year breakdown is the only way to get the full picture.

The first two years of Transformers product in America mostly consisted of toys from the two Takara lines, though the 1985 offerings were padded out with several toys from other companies, marketed as Jetfire, the Deluxe Insecticons and the Deluxe Autobots (which, curiously, were among the few G1 toys with good articulation.)

The early G1 toys were largely marked by attention to vehicle mode detail, rubber tires, frequent use of die-cast metal (particularly on larger toys), and a lack of posability (not a single one of the Autobot cars had knee joints, and most had feet that were fused together.) The combination of diecast and the brittle plastics of the time also made many of the toys fragile; toys such as Prowl and Mirage are infamous for winding up broken. Due to products coming from different pre-existing product lines, the early G1 toys were highly inconsistent in terms of relative scale. Later years would not do much to mitigate this issue.

1986's Defensor, the combined form of the five Protectobots. The maroon color of the chest plate indicates the all-plastic version of the toy.

These first two years were wildly successful, making "Transformers" a household word for the rest of the 1980s and leading to an ever-expanding product line. 1985's offerings more than doubled those of 1984. A wide range of sizes and price points, from $3 Mini-Vehicles up to larger toys costing $25 or more, ensured that every kid could pick up at least a few Transformers.

1986 broke more ground with multiple combiner teams, two large "city" robots, and a full-length feature film to push a new crop of toys. By this point, Hasbro was using up the last of the pre-existing Takara designs, mostly in the form of the Scramble City combiner teams and the two citybots; thus the toys for The Transformers: The Movie became the first original designs developed by Hasbro. That year also marked the end of rubber tires and die-cast metal in the toys, as shipping and manufacturing costs dictated an all-plastic approach; many toys from that year were available both with and without rubber and die-cast. Though many fans regard this as a drop in quality, it had the effect of creating much sturdier toys.

File:G1Brainstorm toy.jpg
Brainstorm, a typical Headmaster.

1987 was dominated by two sublines, the Headmasters and Targetmasters. It also marked the peak of the line's ambition, as it introduced the two-foot-tall, nearly $100 Fortress Maximus toy -- still the largest Transformer ever produced. At the other end of the price scale, the $3 Mini-Vehicles of previous years were replaced by the Throttlebots. Apart from them, the line was dominated for the first time by fictional vehicle modes and mechanical monsters and beasts.

1988 introduced a new logo design and tagline (More... MUCH more than meets the eye), but otherwise continued the directions of 1987, with a new line of Headmasters and the new Powermaster gimmicks, and a mixture of realistic and fanciful vehicle forms. It also introduced the Pretenders, bringing for the first time non-transforming figures into the line. The Pretenders tended to have very simplified transformations and often unconvincing vehicle modes, though their designs make them among the most well-articulated of all G1 toys. The outer shells by contrast rarely featured articulation beyond a swivel joint at the shoulders. Other sublines of note included the Triggercons and Triggerbots, which took the Throttlebots' place as the line's low-end offerings.

Bomb-Burst, a typical Pretender.

G1 tended to be extremely non-self referential; until 1988, only one character, Bumblebee, had ever received more than one toy. That year, however, Hasbro seemingly began to realize the strength of the characters they had developed, as the line featured the return of Optimus Prime in Powermaster form following his death in Transformers: The Movie two years prior. The following two years would see more older characters return in Pretender and Action Master form.

1989 was dominated by the Pretenders, which expanded to include a combiner team and robots with multiple shells, some of which could transform themselves and even combine with their inner robots. The year also saw the introduction of the 1-inch-tall Micromaster tos, capitalizing on the popularity of the Micro Machine toyline. Micromasters tended to have realistically styled vehicle forms, with an extremely standardized transformation scheme.

Action Master Jazz, reintroducing a character from the line's early years.

1990 consisted of two categories: the vastly-expanded Micromasters, and the non-transforming Action Master figures. The Micromasters came both in the $5 carded patrols and with transforming bases, some of which were quite large. The Actionmasters likewise came as carded figures with small transforming partners, and also with larger boxed vehicles.

Waning popularity led to the line's cancellation at this point; Transformers disappeared from shelves for two years, not returning until the debut of Generation 2.


1984

Autobots

Autobot Mini-Cars

Although the official catalogs and the box artwork depict Bumblebee in yellow and Cliffjumper in red, both toys were actually available in both colors. Additionally, a third toy of a similar design was also available in yellow, and sold on Cliffjumper cards. That toy was not officially marketed by Hasbro as a separate character, but was later dubbed "Bumblejumper" by fans, which was shortened to just "Bumper" by the time he was officially integrated into the fiction as a character in his own right.

Autobot Cars

Autobot Commander

Decepticons

Decepticon Cassettes

Another Decepticon Cassette, Buzzsaw, was available with Soundwave.

Decepticon Planes

Decepticon Communications

Decepticon Leader

1985

Autobots

Autobot Mini-Vehicles

The "Mini-Cars" were renamed into "Mini-Vehicles" beginning with 1985. The 1984 Mini-Cars/Mini-Vehicles were re-released. 1985 Mini-Vehicles were briefly available with extra Mini-Spies, later replaced the Autobot symbols with rubsigns like the ones first featured on the Mini-Spies, and later shipments of the rubsign versions were available with iron-on patches. The versions of Bumblebee and Cliffjumper that came with the Mini-Spies were available in both yellow and red; the rubsign versions still featured color variants. The Bumper mold was no longer available.

Autobot Cars

The 1984 Autobot Cars were re-released. All 1985 Autobot Cars sported rubsigns. The European version of Tracks released by Milton Bradley was originally available in red.

Dinobots

Jumpstarters

Autobot Deluxe Vehicles

Autobot Air Guardian

Autobot Communicator

Autobot Scientist

Autobot Motorized Defense Base

Powerdashers

  • "Drill Type"
  • "F-1 Type"
  • "Jet Type"
The Powerdashers were only available via mail order. Figure names are in quotes because these figures were not officaly named. Names are taken from the Diaclone versions.

Omnibots

The Omnibots were only available via mail order.

Promotional toys

  • "Pepsi" Optimus Prime
A limited edition variant of Optimus Prime was available with additional "Pepsi" stickers on the trailer. The Canadian version sported yet another variant with a large sticker covering the entire side of the trailer.
  • "Cookie Crisp" Jazz
A variant of the Jazz toy was available as a Cookie Crisp promotional premium via mail order. Unlike the regular version, the "Martini" decals are missing from the doors.

Notes

  • The Optimus Prime toy was still available in 1985, now also sporting a rubsign.

Decepticons

Insecticons

Deluxe Insecticons

Note: the Deluxe Insecticons were not featured in the animated series.

Constructicons

Triple Changers

Decepticon Planes

Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp were re-released. All 1985 Decepticon Planes sported rubsigns.

Decepticon Military Operations Commander

Notes

  • Megatron, Soundwave and the Decepticon Cassette two-packs (now named "Mini-Cassettes") of Frenzy/Laserbeak and Rumble/Ravage were still available in 1985, now also sporting rubsigns.
  • The deluxe Insectcons made no appearences in the animated series.

1986

Starting with 1986, the first Transformers toys - the Mini-Cassettes, the Triple Changers, the newly introduced Special Teams Mini-Vehicles and the Special Teams Large Vehicles - were available in mixed assortments that contained both Autobot and Decepticon characters. The 1986 toys are still listed as Autobots and Decepticons for simplicity's sake.

Autobots

Autobot Mini-Vehicles

Bumblebee, Beachcomber, Seaspray, Cosmos, Powerglide and Warpath were re-released. All twelve 1986 Mini-Vehicles were alternatively available with or without an iron-on patch.

Autobot Mini-Cassettes

Aerialbots

Protectobots

The smaller Aerialbots and Protectobots were alternatively available with or without an iron-on patch. Silverbolt and Hot Spot have never been found with a poster.

Triple Changers

All 1986 Triple Changers were alternatively available with or without a poster.

Autobot Cars

All three 1986 Autobot Cars were alternatively available with or without a poster.

Heroes

Autobot City Commander

A variant version of Ultra Magnus was available exclusively from KB Toys stores, replacing the diecast parts and rubber tires with plastic parts and sporting unpainted heads.

Motorized Autobot Space Shuttle

Autobot City

Notes

  • A limited edition version of Optimus Prime was available with a "Movie Edition" certificate.
  • Sunstreaker, Mirage, Ratchet and Wheeljack, none of which were shipping to regular stores anymore by this point, were made available again via mail order.

Decepticons

Decepticon Mini-Cassettes

  • Ratbat & Frenzy (available as a two-pack)
Frenzy was a re-release of the 1986 Decepticon Cassette, now available as a two-pack with the new mold Ratbat rather than with Laserbeak. The two-pack of Ravage and Rumble was also re-released.

Stunticons

Combaticons

While packaged samples might exist, Bruticus was presumably never officially released in giftset form in the USA.
The smaller Stunticons and Combaticons were alternatively available with or without an iron-on patch. Motormaster and Onslaught have never been found with a poster.

Predacons

Predaking was never available in giftset form outside of Japan.

Sharkticons

All five Predacons as well as Gnaw were alternatively available with or without a poster.

Triple Changers

Blitzwing and Astrotrain were re-released. All 1986 Triple Changers were alternatively available with or without a poster, and Astrotrain and Blitzwing are very difficult to find.

Decepticon Planes

Starscream, Dirge, Ramjet and Thrust were re-released. Only Scourge and Cyclonus have been found with or without a poster. The other four jets in the asortment have never been found with a poster.

Battlechargers

Decepticon City Commander

Motorized Decepticon City

Others

Reflector was only available via mail order.

Notes

  • A limited edition version of Megatron was available with a "Movie Edition" certificate.
  • Thundercracker, who was no longer shipping to regular stores by this point, was made available again via mail order.

1987

Autobots

Technobots

The Aerialbots and Protectobots were also re-released. All individual Aerialbots, Protectobots and Technobots were alternatively available with or without a rubber decoy.

Throttlebots

The Throttlebots were alternatively available with or without a rubber decoy.

Autobot Clones

Autobot Doubly Spy

Monsterbots

Large Targetmaster Autobots

Large Headmaster Autobots

Headmaster Autobot Base

Notes

Metroplex, Rodimus Prime, Wreck-Gar, Ultra Magnus and Sky Lynx were also still available. The Autobot Mini-Cassette two-packs of Rewind/Steeljaw and Ramhorn/Eject were re-released.

Decepticons

Terrorcons

Abominus was never officially released in giftset form in the USA.
The Stunticons and Combaticons were also re-released. All individual Stunticons, Combaticons and Terrorcons were alternatively available with or without a rubber decoy.

Decepticon Mini-Cassettes

The two-pack of Ratbat and Frenzy was also re-released.

Duocons

Decepticon Clones

Decepticon Six Changer

Large Targetmaster Decepticons

Large Headmaster Decepticons

Headmaster Horrorcons

Headmaster Decepticon Base

Notes

Galvatron, Trypticon, the Predacons and the Sharkticon figure Gnaw were also still available.

1988

Autobots

Sparkabots

Triggerbots

Autobot Cassettes

The Rewind/Steeljaw and Ramhorn/Eject two-packs were also re-released once again.

Small Targetmaster Autobots

The Large Targetmaster Autobots Pointblank, Sureshot and Crosshairs were also still available.

Small Headmaster Autobots

The Large Headmaster Autobots Chromedome, Hardhead, Brainstorm and Highbrow and the Headmaster Autobot Base Fortress Maximus were also still available.

Powermaster Autobots

Powermaster Autobot Leader

Autobot Six Changer

Large Autobot Pretenders

Autobot Pretender Beasts

Autobot Pretender Vehicles

Notes

The Autobot Doubly Spy Punch-Counterpunch, the Autobot Clones two-pack of Fastlane/Cloudraker and the Monsterbots Grotusque, Doublecross and Repugnus were also still available. The Technobots were re-released.

Decepticons

Firecons

Seacons

The Piranacon giftset only included five of the six individual Seacons; Nautilator was left out for reasons unknown.
The Terrorcons were also re-released.

Triggercons

Decepticon Cassettes

The Slugfest/Overkill two-pack was also re-released.

Small Targetmaster Decepticons

The Large Targetmaster Decepticons Triggerhappy, Slugslinger and Misfire were also still available.

Small Headmaster Decepticons

The Large Headmaster Decepticons Skullcruncher, Mindwipe and Weirdwolf, the Headmaster Horrorcons Apeface and Snapdragon and the Headmaster Decepticon Base Scorponok were also still available.

Powermaster Decepticons

Powermaster Mercenary

Large Decepticon Pretenders

Decepticon Pretender Beasts

Decepticon Pretender Vehicles

Notes

The Deception Clones two-pack of Pounce/Wingspan and the Decepticon Six Changer Sixshot were also still available.

1989

By 1989, Hasbro's Transformers releases had been effectively split into two almost distinct sub-lines - Pretenders and Micromasters - that were available concurrently, a separation that was stronger from a marketing standpoint than the Autobot/Decepticon distinction from previous years.

Pretenders

Autobots

Small Autobot Pretenders

Autobot Pretender Classics

Autobot Legends

  • Bumblebee
  • Grimlock
  • Jazz
The Legends figures were identical to the Pretender Classics' inner robots, but lacking the Pretender shell. They were exclusively available from KMart stores.

Autobot Mega Pretenders

Autobot Ultra Pretenders

Notes
  • Powermaster Optimus Prime, the Autobot Cassette two-packs of Rewind/Steeljaw, Ramhorn/Eject and Grand Slam/Raindance and the Large Autobot Pretenders were also still available.

Decepticons

Pretender Monsters

Small Decepticon Pretenders

Decepticon Pretender Classics

Decepticon Legends

  • Starscream
The Legends figures were identical to the Pretender Classics' inner robots, but lacking the Pretender shell. They were exclusively available from KMart stores.

Decepticon Mega Pretenders

Decepticon Ultra Pretenders

Notes
  • The Decepticon Cassette two-packs of Slugfest/Overkill and Squawktalk/Beastbox and the Large Decepticon Pretenders were also still available.

Micromasters

Autobots

Micromaster Autobot Patrols

Micromaster Autobot Transports

Micromaster Autobot Stations

Micromaster Autobot Bases

Micromaster Autobot Rocket Base

Decepticons

Micromaster Decepticon Patrols

Micromaster Decepticon Transports

Micromaster Decepticon Stations

Micromaster Decepticon Bases

Micromaster Decepticon Jet Command Center

1990

Like 1989 before, 1990 also effectively saw two almost distinct Transformers sub-lines being available concurrently, this time Micromasters and Action Masters. The European version of the "G1" line, which continued after Hasbro had abruptly cancelled the line in the USA, would furthermore add the "Classics" sub-line to the mix.

Micromasters

Autobots

Micromaster Autobot Patrols

Micromaster Autobot Combiner Squads

Micromaster Autobot Combiner Transports

Micromaster Combiner Autobot Battlefield Headquarters

Notes
  • The Micromaster Transports Overload and Erector, the Micromaster Stations Hot House and Ironworks and the Micromaster Autobot Rocket Base Countdown were also still available.

Decepticons

Micromaster Decepticon Patrols

Micromaster Decepticon Combiner Squads

Micromaster Decepticon Combiner Transports

Micromaster Combiner Decepticon Anti-Aircraft Base

Notes
  • The Micromaster Transports Flattop & Roughstuff, the Micromaster Stations Greasepit and Airwave and the Micromaster Decepticon Jet Command Center Skystalker were also still available.

Action Masters

Autobots

Autobot Action Master Figures

Autobot Action Master Action Blasters

Action Master Autobot Vehicles

Action Master Autobot Armored Convoy

Decepticons

Decepticon Action Master Figures

Decepticon Action Master Action Blasters

Action Master Decepticon Attack Vehicles

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