The Original Transformers

This article is about the Kid Rhino home video line. For the first Transformers created by Primus, see thirteen original Transformers.

The Original Transformers is the name used by Kid Rhino to market its VHS tapes and Region 1 DVDs of the original The Transformers cartoon.

VHS releases

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.

The Original Transformers — Volume 1: Prime Threat (September 21, 1999)

Contains two episodes with the theme of Optimus Prime being used against his own troops: "A Prime Problem" and "City of Steel".

The Original Transformers — Volume 2: Revenge of the Decepticons (September 21, 1999)

Contains two episodes with the theme of crappy stuff happening to Optimus Prime: "The Search for Alpha Trion" and "Dark Awakening".

The Original Transformers — Volume 3: Programmed for Evil (September 21, 1999)

Contains two episodes with the (loose) theme of Transformers' brains: "Starscream's Brigade" and "Auto Berserk".

The box art features Rodimus Prime and Galvatron despite both episodes pre-dating those two characters' debut.

Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3

The Original Transformers — Volume 4: The Key to Vector Sigma (February 22, 2000)

Contains both episodes of the multi-part story that introduced the Stunticons and Aerialbots: "The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1" and "The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2".

This is the first of the Kid Rhino releases to use "new" artwork for the packaging rather than pre-existing art from the 80s.

The Original Transformers — Volume 5: Return to Cybertron (February 22, 2000)

Contains two episodes with the theme of Cybertron's ancient past: "War Dawn" and "Forever Is a Long Time Coming".

The Original Transformers — Volume 6: Evolution Revolution (February 22, 2000)

Contains two episodes with the theme of new types of Decepticons: "Heavy Metal War" and "The Insecticon Syndrome".

Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6

The Original Transformers — Volume 7: The Return of Optimus Prime (June 20, 2000)

Contains both episodes of the multi-part finale to Season 3: "The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1" and "The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2".

The Original Transformers — Volume 8: Evil Experiments (June 20, 2000)

Contains two episodes with the theme of imprisonment and experimentation: "The Killing Jar" and "Webworld".

The Original Transformers — Volume 9: Grimlock the Hero (June 20, 2000)

Contains two episodes with Grimlock being a main focus: "Madman's Paradise" and "Grimlock's New Brain".

Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9

The Original Transformers — Volume 10: Megatron's Master Plan (November 7, 2000)

Contains both parts of the titular episode: "Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1" and "Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2".

The Original Transformers — Volume 11: The Decepticon Possession (November 7, 2000)

Contains two episodes with the theme Scourge getting possessed somehow: "Ghost in the Machine" and "The Burden Hardest to Bear".

The Original Transformers — Volume 12: Size Matters (November 7, 2000)

Contains two episodes with the theme Transformers being out of scale with their surroundings: "Child's Play" and "Microbots".

The Original Transformers — Exclusively from Blockbuster (Release date unknown)

Contains the three-part series premiere, "More than Meets the Eye", as well as the episodes "Aerial Assault" and "Cosmic Rust".

As the name implies, this tape was sold as an exclusive through Blockbuster rental stores.

Volume 10
Volume 11
Volume 12
Exclusively from Blockbuster

Heroes / Villains

The "Heroes" and "Villains" compilations were released simultaneously on VHS and DVD. A problem with the early pressings of the "Heroes" DVD resulted in it being an exact copy of the "Villains" disc. Kid Rhino offered disc replacements to correct the problem.