USA Edition
USA Editions are American Transformers toys that are released in Japan as exclusives through special outlets.
They are typically released in American boxes with a sticker containing Japanese legal information, possibly with the figure's name. Sometimes there are minor variations between the USA Edition and the US release, such as slightly different paint or plastic color, but this is rare. The most notable exceptions were Powerlinx Thrust, which was sold in modified packaging in a color scheme that never received an American release (but did come out in Europe), and Cryotek, which featured a new "spark pilot" figure inside the cockpit. The Japanese mass retail release of Energon Unicron, which was the Hasbro version in the original Micron Densetsu Unicron's packaging, is also officially considered a "USA Edition".
Many USA Editions are redecos that were released in the US, but not in the main Japanese line, such as Powerlinx Cyclonus, Powerlinx Jetfire, and the Armada Beast Wars redecos. Some are also indended-as-US-exclusive molds, like Energon Sharkticon and Tow-Line, while others, such as Cybertron Menasor and Quickmix, were initially planned for a regular Takara release but ultimately only saw limited release as USA Editions.
Most USA Editions are available either at e-Hobby or the Japanese branch of Toys "R" Us. Other stores carrying USA Editions in the past were Jusco, Laox, Toy's Dream Project/Toycard and selected stores participating in the "TF Station" program.
Other toys are released in similar fashion, such as Gnaw, the European Motorvators, Thunder Clash, and Skyquake.
List of USA Editions
- Optimus Primal (Toys "R" Us Japan)
- Cryotek (mass retail)
- Sideways vs. Axer (Toys "R" Us Japan) [Wal-Mart exclusive in the USA]
- Storm Jet (Toys "R" Us Japan)
- Cybertron 3-Guy Set: Nightcruz, Mirage GT & Scavenger (Toys "R" Us Japan)
- Air Attack Optimus Primal (Toys "R" Us Japan)
- Megatron Megabolt (Toys "R" Us Japan) [KB Toys exclusive in the USA]
- Optimus Prime [Spychanger] (mass retail)
- Ultra Magnus [Spychanger] (mass retail)
- X-Brawn & Scourge [Spychangers] (mass retail)
- Dreadwind & Smokejumper(Toys "R" Us Japan) [Target exclusives in the USA]
- Destructicon Scourge (Toys "R" Us Japan) [KB Toys exclusive in the USA]
- Destructicon Bludgeon (Toys "R" Us Japan) [KB Toys exclusive in the USA]
- Ruination (Toy's Dream Project, available at members store Toycard) [Wal-Mart exclusive in the USA]
- Rhinox (Jusco)
- Terrorsaurer/Terrorsaur (Jusco)
- Airazor (Toys "R" Us Japan)
- Skywarp (Toys "R" Us Japan)
- Cheetor (Toys "R" Us Japan, available at website only)
- Predacon (Toys "R" Us Japan, available at website only)
- Powerlinx Thrust [gold version] (Laox)
- Cyclonus (Laox)
- Jetfire (Toys "R" Us Japan, website only)
- Powerlinx Thrust [red version] (Toy's Dream Project, available at members store Toycard)
- Unicron (mass retail)
- Strongarm (TF Station stores)
- Signal Flare (Gamers, available at Tokyo Character Show 2004)
- Ultra Magnus (Toy's Dream Project)
- Sharkticon (Toy's Dream Project)
- Stormjet (Toy's Dream Project)
- Optimus Primal (e-Hobby)
- Razorclaw (e-Hobby)
- Silverbolt (e-Hobby)
- Snarl (e-Hobby)
- Reptilion (e-Hobby)
- Tankor & Obsidian (e-Hobby)
- Blackarachnia (e-Hobby)
- Dinobot Striker (e-Hobby)
- Depthcharge (e-Hobby)
- Autobot Ratchet (e-Hobby)
- Inferno (e-Hobby)
- Dinobot Triceradon (e-Hobby)
- King Atlas (e-Hobby)
- Skydive (e-Hobby)
- Stockade & Magna Stampede (e-Hobby)
- Fireflight (e-Hobby)
- Autobot Whirl (e-Hobby)
- Nemesis Strika (e-Hobby)
- Soundwave & Space Case (e-Hobby)
- Air Raid & Wind Sheer (e-Hobby)
- Swerve (e-Hobby)
- Nemesis Prime (Laox) [Target exclusive in the USA]
- Skywarp (TF Station stores)
Masterpiece/20th Anniversary
- Convoy/Optimus Prime (e-Hobby)[1]
- Starscream (mass retail)<ref name="hasbro">
- Hardtop (e-Hobby)
- Super Starscream [Supreme Class Starscream] (Toys "R" Us Japan)
- Armada Convoy [Deluxe Class Armada Super-Con Optimus Prime redeco] (Toy's Dream Project, available at members store Toycard)
- Primus with Unicron head (e-Hobby) [2]
- Blender/Quickmix (e-Hobby)
- Moldedive/Menasor (e-Hobby)
Footnotes
