Prowl (G1)/toys

Let's see what you can see...

This article is in need of images.

Specifics: many of the toys

Prowl has many toys! All of them are pricks.

Toys

Generation 1

I ain't fallin' for no banana in the tailpipe...

Prowl (Autobot Car, 1984/1985/1990/2002/2003)
- Japanese ID number: 09, TFC-02
- Accessories: "Acid pellet gun", left & right missile launchers, 3 "wire-guided missiles"

Prowl was part of the first series of Autobots released in 1984, reusing a mold originally developed for a Diaclone Datsun Fairlady Z (280 ZX) police car, with his decals altered to remove the "Diaclone" marks. (The European "Classic Heroes" re-release retained the Diaclone stickers, for unknown reasons).

In 1985, Mexico imported Transformers, but there were some notable changes on numerous toys. Prowl's helmet, arms, and boots turned black, plus his "POLICE" decals became "POLICIA". There was also a widely available running change variant (or just factory error) that left out the black paint on his car hood.

The same mold was used for Bluestreak and Smokescreen.

Prowl (Action Master Blaster, 1990)
- Accessories: Turbo Cycle, small cannon, 2 x missiles, 2 x engine covers (left & right), shield/gas tank cover

A non-transforming action figure, Action Master Prowl is modeled after his cartoon model with a few toy-based liberties taken. He came with his Turbo Cycle vehicle, though the main figure was compatible with all other Action Master vehicles and weapons.

Beast Wars

Prick with claws. Gitit, gitit, huh huh huh?

Magnaboss (Ultra, 1997)
- Accessories: Tail

Prowl transforms from a lion into a robot, with his cat-butt turning into a "cyber tail claw" weapon. He is able to combine with Ironhide and Silverbolt, his package buddies, into Magnaboss. Prowl transforms into magnaboss' head.

This mold was used to make Lio Junior.

The Magnaboss toy included no information about its 3 components beyond their names. The character was finally established by IDW to be Generation 1 Prowl a decade after its release in 2007.

Machine Wars

File:Mwprowl.jpg

Do you have any idea how fast you were going?

Prowl (Basic, 1997)
- Accessories: Gun (gun body & barrel)

Sharing a mold with Machine Wars Mirage, Prowl transforms into a Formula-1 race car, and converts to robot mode with a spring-loaded, one-step transformation. His rifle-halves store in his legs in car mode. He—and the entire Machine Wars line—was available only at Kay-Bee stores.

Prowl's usual function is strategist, but, in an ironic twist, in this first non-police car form he's described as chief of security.

This mold was also used to make Robots in Disguise Skid-Z.

Transformers Collection

Prowl (2002)
- Japanese ID number: 02 (or No. 02)

In 2002, the original 1984 Prowl toy was re-released by Takara as part of the Transformers Collection series in Japan. This version has slightly-altered decals, and fully-functional spring-loaded missile launchers.

Commemorative Series

Prowl (Commemorative Series IV, 2002)

In 2003, Hasbro released their own reissue of Generation 1 Prowl as part of the Toys"R"Us exclusive "Commemorative Series" line in the US. This version of Prowl used a softer, unchromed black plastic for his rifle and missiles owing to breakage issues, plus his launchers are completely non-firing. He uses the same decals as the Japanese Transformers Collection release.

Smallest Transforming Transformers

Prowl (2003)
- Japanese ID number: GTF-09

Released in Wave 2 of Smallest Transforming Transformers, this Prowl is the smallest possible transforming toy based upon the original Prowl toy. He faithfully reproduces the transformation sequence for the most part, but due to parts-cost limitations, he has little articulation, his legs cannot separate and his wheels do not roll.

This mold was also used to make the Smallest Transforming Transformers version of Bluestreak.

Alternators/Binaltech

Prowl (Alternator, 2005/2006)
- Alternator ID number: 16
- Japanese ID number: BT-15
- Accessories: Engine/gun, traffic direction baton

Alternators Prowl transforms into a fully-licensed 1:24-scale Acura RSX with police lights, opening doors, hood and trunk. His engine becomes a (non-firing) gun, while a clear-plastic nightstick is hidden under his car-mode rear section. He was among the last of the "red box" Alternators, but was included in new "white box" assortments in 2006. The "white box" version of Prowl has additional Acura logos on the rear of the car that the "red box" version did not.

For his standard Japanese Binaltech release, Prowl got a different vehicle mode deco based on a real Japanese police car (the Hasbro version's deco being based more on the original Generation 1 toy), a different spoiler mold, different rims, right-side steering, a Japanese police cherry blossom emblem instead of an Acura logo, and gray plastic instead of stony-blue. He was also labeled as a "Honda Integra Type-R", the model's make in Japan.

Prowl Vivid Blue Pearl Edition (Binaltech, 2005)
- Japanese ID number: BT-15
- Accessories: Engine/gun, traffic direction baton

Like Meister, Prowl got two different Binaltech decos released in equal numbers. The second version, known as Vivid Blue Pearl Prowl, is a civilian version with no police lights, a mostly blue interior, a Honda logo (instead of the cherry blossom emblem) on the grill, and a solid blue car-shell. His robot-mode parts remained mostly the same color, however.

This mold (the Japanese blue Prowl variant, combined with parts from American police Prowl) was used to make Alternators Camshaft.

Prowl Satellite Patrol Edition (Binaltech "USA Edition", 2005?)
- Accessories: Engine/gun, traffic direction baton

The Hasbro version of Prowl, using the Hasbro red box packaging, was supposed to have been released in Japan as an exclusive "USA Edition" to a satellite TV provider named Takarand. The only notable difference from the Hasbro version was the "Satellite Patrol" (spelled "satillite" in official preview photos) markings on his doors. It is unknown if this toy was ever actually released, however.

Universe (2003)

Prowl (Autobot Spy Changer, 2005)
- Accessories: Gun

A redeco of the Robots in Disguise Prowl 2 mold, Universe Prowl transforms into a modified Chevrolet Caprice police car with through-axle construction for super-speedy rolling on smooth surfaces. His gun hides as his car mode's tailpipe. Originally only available at Kay-Bee stores in packaging with no sub-line markings, his entire assortment was later repackaged under the Universe banner and sold through "dollar store" chains like Family Dollar.

This mold was also used to make another Prowl for Universe, who is neither Robots in Disguise "Prowl 2" or Generation 1 Prowl. Confused yet?

Attacktix

Prowl (Booster)
- Accessories: Missile

Planned to be in part of the Series 2 wave of Attacktix, Prowl is a Captain class unit with the special ability to stun an opposing player unit. His sculpt is based upon his Generation 1 cartoon model with some additional details. His weapon is a hugely oversized version of his rifle, capable of firing a large silver projectile.

Your bargaining posture is highly dubious.

Proceed on your way to oblivion.
This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.

Universe (2008)

Classic Series

Prowl (Deluxe, 2008)
- Accessories: Gun

Prowl transforms into a modified Nissan 350Z similarly to Prowl's appearance in IDW Publishing's Generation 1 comics. Like previous Generation 1 Prowl toys, his paint job is based upon that of a Japanese police car. The prototype and pre-production versions of Prowl featured a traditional American-style rectangular light bar, but the production toy features a swept-back modern light bar.

Many buyers have reported that after repeated handling of the toy, the paint on the pieces of Prowl molded from translucent plastic (his doors, his roof, the sides of his hood and front bumper) quickly becomes sticky to the touch and begins to smear and rub off. Presumably, this owes something to the plastic and paint failing to bond properly, although what allowed the toy to leave factories with this flaw undetected is unknown. Sticky paint has not been reported on every Prowl; there is some suggestion that temperature and humidity play a role in whether or not it occurs. It has been suggested that the problem only affects the first run of Prowl figures, but sticky figures have been purchased at retail when the line was launched in the United Kingdom just over a month after its American debut. Also, on a lot of the UK release toys, all the pieces that are molded white plastic have a very faint pink tinge.

This mold was retooled to make Universe Silverstreak and Smokescreen.

Henkei! Henkei!

Prowl (Deluxe, 2008)
- Japanese ID number: C-08
- Accessories: Gun

The Japanese Henkei! Henkei! Prowl is a retool and partial redeco of Universe Prowl, changing the swept-back American light bar with a more rounded Japanese lightbar, and having a more consistent coating of white paint. He also features vacuum-metallized silver parts such as his gun, Acid Blasters and his vehicle mode spoiler. Universe Prowl's orange Autobot symbol was changed to the more standard red for the Henkei release.

Soon after his release, some customers have reported that Henkei Prowl suffers from the same sticky paint problem that plagued many Universe Prowls.

Titanium Series

War Within Prowl (2008)
- Accessories: Display stand

This version of Prowl transforms into a Cybertronic hovercar, based on his design from the Dreamwave The War Within comics. Initially canceled due to the end of the Titanium Series line, Hasbro eventually released this figure as a Toys "R" Us exclusive in the fall of 2008.

The vehicle mode as pictured on the packaging for this toy contains two transformation errors (compared to the instructions). His toes (sticking up at the rear of the vehicle) should be folded back, revealing small red and blue emergency lights. Also, the left and right sides of the vehicle should be slid outwards, turning them into nacelles rather than integral parts of the main body.

Merchandise

Decoy

Cybertron Hero Collection 22 (Decoy multi-pack, 1985)

In Japan, a red rubber mini-figure of Prowl was available in part of a massive multi-pack of similar mini-figurines. The number etched into his back is the sum total of his tech spec ratings, as these figurines were used as game pieces for a variety of Transformers board games in which this number had some meaning to how the game was played or something.

Prowl (Decoy, 1987)
- Decoy number: 19

The Hasbro Decoy release of the Prowl game piece is almost identical to the Japanese version, except the number on his back is a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded Throttlebots, Aerialbots, Protectobots and Technobots.

Hard Hero

Prowl (2002)

A cold-cast porcelain bust labelled as number 3 in Hard Hero's series of Transformers busts, Prowl is six inches tall with a seven-inch wide "wingspan" and wielding his acid pellet gun in his left hand. 100 copies of this product were signed by sculptor Jason Ray.

3D Battle-Card Game

Prowl (2007)

A 25-point "uncommon" character in the 3D Battle-Card Game's "Energon Wars" expansion, Prowl "transforms" into a black and white police car that vaguely resembles a Nissan Z. He uses the same parts layout as Movie Barricade and Bumblebee.

Transformers - Mini Bust

Prowl (Diamond Select, 2009)

Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2009, Prowl was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 250 pieces. Prowl, along with his "brothers" Bluestreak and Smokescreen, is exclusive to online retailer Toyrocket.com. The bust features Prowl's acid pellet gun and twin missile launchers. The missile launchers can be attached via magnets on either side of his head.

Robot Heroes

He's smiling—must have his DVDs alphabetized.

Prowl and Laserbeak (2009)

Robot Heroes Prowl would have been a happy little non-transforming figure. The figure has the standard swiveling head and arms, and in a bizarre sculpting oddity, has a wheel well on one foot but not the other. He would have come in a two-pack with Laserbeak, but the Generation 1-themed portion of the Robot Heroes line was canceled before they saw release.