The Original Transformers

This article is about the Rhino Entertainment DVD release. For the first Transformers created by Primus, see thirteen original Transformers.

The Original Transformers is the name used by Rhino Entertainment to market its VHS tapes and Region 1 DVDs of the The Transformers

VHS

Four sets of three VHS tapes were released, followed by three individual VHS releases. The tapes released in threes could be purchased individually or in sleeved "Paks" of three.

Volume 1

Not the best introduction....

• Volume 1: Prime Threat
  • This tape contains two episodes with the theme of Optimus Prime being used against his own troops.
    • A Prime Problem
    • City of Steel
  • Release date: September 21, 1999.

• Volume 2: Revenge of the Decepticons
  • This tape contains two episodes with the theme of crappy stuff happening to Optimus Prime, maybe?
    • The Search for Alpha Trion
    • Dark Awakening
  • Release date: September 21, 1999.

• Volume 3: Programmed for Evil
  • This tape contains two episodes with the (loose) theme of Transformers' brains.
    • Starscream's Brigade
    • Auto Berserk
  • Release date: September 21, 1999.
• The box art features Rodimus Prime and Galvatron... neither of whom are in either of the episodes on the tape. Both episodes in fact pre-date those two characters' debut.

Volume 2

I am the Keymaster!

• Volume 4: The Key to Vector Sigma
  • This tape contains both episodes of the multi-part story that introduced the Stunticons and Aerialbots.
    • The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1
    • The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2
  • Release date: February 22, 2000.
• This is the first of the Kid Rhino releases to use "new" artwork for the packaging rather than already-existing artwork from the 80s.

Nom nom nom.

• Volume 5: Return to Cybertron
  • This tape contains two episodes with the theme of Cybertron's ancient past.
    • War Dawn
    • Forever Is a Long Time Coming
  • Release date: February 22, 2000.

Evolution, Schmevolution.

• Volume 6: Evolution Revolution
  • This tape contains two episodes with the theme of new types of Decepticons.
    • Heavy Metal War
    • The Insecticon Syndrome
  • Release date: February 22, 2000.

Volume 3

• Volume 7: The Return of Optimus Prime
  • This tape contains both episodes of the multi-part finale to Season 3.
    • The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1
    • The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2
  • Release date: June 20, 2000.

• Volume 8: Evil Experiments
  • This tape contains two episodes with the theme of imprisonment and experimentation.
    • The Killing Jar
    • Webworld
  • Release date: June 20, 2000.

• Volume 9: Grimlock the Hero
  • This tape contains two episodes with Grimlock being a main focus.
    • Madman's Paradise
    • Grimlock's New Brain
  • Release date: June 20, 2000.

Volume 4

• Volume 10: Megatron's Master Plan
  • This tape contains both parts of the titular episode.
    • Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1
    • Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2
  • Release date: November 7, 2000.

Scourge is behind you.

• Volume 11: The Decepticon Possession
  • This tape contains two episodes with the theme Scourge getting possessed somehow.
    • Ghost in the Machine
    • The Burden Hardest to Bear
  • Release date: November 7, 2000.

Thrust agrees.

• Volume 12: Size Matters
  • This tape contains two episodes with the theme Transformers being out of scale with their surroundings.
    • Child's Play
    • Microbots
  • Release date: November 7, 2000.

Other Releases

• More than Meets the Eye
  • This tape was a Blockbuster exclusive release.
    • More than Meets the Eye, Part 1
    • More than Meets the Eye, Part 2
    • More than Meets the Eye, Part 3
  • Release date: ???

• Villains: The Ultimate Doom
  • This tape was simultaneously released on DVD and is the companion release to Heroes: The Rebirth.
    • The Ultimate Doom, Part 1
    • The Ultimate Doom, Part 2
    • The Ultimate Doom, Part 3
  • Release date: May 8, 2001.

• Heroes: The Rebirth
  • This tape was simultaneously released as a DVD and is the companion release to Villains: The Ulitimate Doom.
    • The Rebirth, Part 1
    • The Rebirth, Part 2
    • The Rebirth, Part 3
  • Release date: May 8, 2001.
• A problem with the early pressings of the DVD resulted in the discs being exact copies of the Villains DVD. Kid Rhino offered disc replacements to correct the problem.