Size class
Size class is how Hasbro determines the size and price of a toy. It also determines the amount of budget spent on the production of a toy, such as paint or electronics.
Size class has not been consistent from line to line, with names often changed to affect marketability.
Beast Wars
Beast Wars had five size classes. The cheapest, with the price around US$5, was Basic. Deluxe was the next cheapest, being around US$10 in price. The two smallest classes are sold on cards to this day. The next step is Mega, with a price of US$15. Toys of this size were often shelfwarmers. Only six toys were sold as the next largest size, Ultra, with a price of US$20. The largest size, Super, was only attained by one toy, Optimal Optimus, which was sold for US$35. All of the classes larger than Deluxe were, and are, sold in boxes.
Beast Machines
Beast Machines continued Beast Wars' size classes, but increased the price of Basic to US$7. Supreme was introduced as a US$40 size class; Cheetor was the only Supreme in this line; a Supreme Optimus Primal toy was planned to be in this line, but was moved to Robots in Disguise. Two other size classes were added, Deployers and Beast Riders. The size of Ultra toys were increased while maintaining the price.
Robots in Disguise
Robots in Disguise used the Beast Wars size classes, with an added US$3 price point for individual Spychangers.
Armada
Armada discontinued the Mega size class and gave new names to some size classes. Deluxe was renamed Supercon and Ultra to Maxcon. The US$25 size class was introduced as Gigacon. Basics were replaced with packs of three Mini-Cons. The US$40 class was renamed "Super-Base", and the US$50 class was introduced as "Chaos Bringer". There was also a US$15 price point for the Roleplay Star Saber swords and Laserbeak.
Universe
Universe used the Beast Wars size classes, but only had Deluxe and Ultra. Some exclusive toys, such as Sunstorm with Perceptor, and Ruination were sold in their own size class.
Energon
Energon returned to the Beast Wars naming, and brought Basics back. However, "Supreme" was used for the US$50 class, "Super" for the US$40 class, "Ultra" for the US$25 class, and "Mega" was used for the US$20 size class
Cybertron
Cybertron changed the naming of some size classes, but retained Deluxe, Ultra, and Supreme. Basic was changed to Scout, Mega to Voyager, and Super to Leader. A new class, Mini-Con, was added for the Minicon two-packs, and was set at US$5. The Legends of Cybertron figures are set at US$4 at Toys "R" Us, but varied at the drug stores the figures were first released at.
Classics
Classics is said to only have the Scout, Deluxe and Voyager size classes.
