Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)
| The name or term "Universe" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Universe (disambiguation). |
The 2008 Universe is the second Transformers franchise to use the name. Like the previous franchise, this line is intended to be something of a catch-all for toys that don't fit in the Transformers Animated line, currently the brand's flagship franchise.
Hasbro first announced the line at BotCon 2007, stating that it would not have an overall story arc. The line's primary (but not only) focus will be on "realistic" vehicles, filling a gap left by the ending of the live-action movie line. The line's first offerings in 2008 will be a set of Generation 1- and Beast Wars-inspired Robot Heroes, and a continuation of the Classics toyline, now dubbed the Classic Series, in Deluxe and Ultra price points, with Legends and Voyager classes to follow.
In January 2008, Hasbro launched a web page for the new Universe line, featuring a preview of the first wave of new Classics and a CGI reimagining of the battle between Megatron and Optimus Prime from the original animated Transformers movie. The tagline for the video, in keeping with the toyline's theme, was "They were always real to me."
Many of the figures in the Ultra price point will feature electronic light and sound. Each figure will come with the required batteries.
Toys
Classic Series
Legends class
"Aerial Rivals" multipack (Target exclusive)
"Leadership Team" multipack (Target exclusive)
Deluxe class
- Prowl
- Tankor (an update of Octane, not named so due to trademark issues)
- Sunstreaker
- Galvatron
- Sideswipe
- Acid Storm
- Cheetor
- Ironhide
- Silverstreak
- Ratbat (packaged with Voyager-class Springer and a comic as a Target exclusive)
- Autobot Roadbuster (packaged with Voyager-class Dirge and a comic as a Target exclusive)
- Autobot Hound with Ravage
- Cyclonus with Nightstick
Voyager class
- Autobot Blaster with Blockrock Mini-Con!
- Decepticon Heavy Load with Drillbit Mini-Con!
- Autobot Blades
- Decepticon Dropshot
- Springer (packaged with Deluxe-class Ratbat and a comic book as a Target exclusive)
- Dirge (packaged with Deluxe-class Roadbuster and a comic book as a Target exclusive)
Ultra class
Robot Heroes
- G1 Arcee & Rumble
- Beast Wars Cheetor & Blackarachnia
- Beast Wars Optimus Primal & Tarantulas
- G1 Hound & Blitzwing
- Beast Wars Rattrap & Megatron
- Beast Wars Rhinox & Waspinator
- Beast Wars Silverbolt & Megatron
- G1 Sunstreaker & Galvatron
