*************************************************************************** THAT BIG TRANSFORMERS TOYS LIST Introduction Maintained by M Sipher msipher@mindspring.com http://tatooine.fortunecity.com/simak/109 *************************************************************************** Welcome to the THAT BIG TRANSFORMERS TOYS LIST! Here you'll find the (hopefully) most complete listing of "Transformers"-brand action figures and their Hasbro-owned "cousins" worldwide. CURRENT TALLIES - 1948 Transformers (not including gestalt forms) - 134 Battle Beasts - 17 Animorphs - 187 Tonka GoBots LATEST UPDATES 02/22/03 G1 Autobots [1 & 2], G1 Decepticons [3 & 4], Armada Mini-Cons [13]. 02/15/03 Well hell. Toy Fair brings us not only new information for all Armada sections [11-13] and the Kids' TF section [16], but a brand new TF line: UNIVERSE [15]. There has also been a slight shift in the section numbers to accomodate this new line. 01/26/02 Oh, lots of things. I lost track. 12/29/02 G1 Decepticons [4], Armada Autobots [11], Armada Mini-Cons [13], Kids' TFs [15] 12/14/02 G1 Decepticons [4], BW/BM Maximals and Predacons [7 & 8], Armada Autobots, Decepticons and Mini-Cons [11-13] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE SETUP (YOU NEED THIS) 0) THIS IS *NOT* A "FOR SALE" LIST! Sorry. But I've fended off enough e-mails asking for prices. This is MERELY an informational document. 1) The list is split up into twenty sections.... 01 Autobots A-N (Generation 1) 02 Autobots O-Z (G1) 03 Decepticons A-N (G1) 04 Decepticons O-Z (G1) 05 Autobots (Generation 2 & Machine Wars) 06 Decepticons (G2 & MW) 07 Maximals/Dinobots/Mutants (Beast Wars & Beast Machines) 08 Predacons/Blentrons/Vehicons (BW & BM) 09 Autobots/Maximals (Robots in Disguise & Car Robots) 10 Predacons/Decepticons (RiD & CR) 11 Autobots (Armada) 12 Decepticons (Armada) 13 Mini-Cons (Armada) 14 Expanded Universe (BotCon 2002 & beyond) 15 Transformers Universe 16 Kids' Transformers (Playskool & Tonka) 17 Gestalts (all previous sections) 18 Battle Beasts 19 Animorphs 20 Tonka GoBots All entries in the list are alphabetized by character name. Each entry in the first fifteen sections is set up like this... *************************************************************************** NAME ALTERNATE NAMES TOY TYPE - FUNCTION (CODE NUMBER) 1. DESCRIPTION PARTNERS [RELEASE YEAR] (SPECIAL NOTES) (CROSS-REFERENCES) *************************************************************************** NAME : The name assigned to that particular TF. If it was not assigned one, then the name of the mold (if a recolor of a previous character) or alternate form is given in quotes. Characters who have multiple toys are grouped together, in chronological order of mold release. ALTERNATE NAMES : Many characters have different names in other markets although the toy is unchanged and meant to be the same character. They are listed here for reference. Please note that any name under "European" does not mean that name applied to the whole continent. It's just easier (and less space-consuming) to list them all under "European", instead of separating them by every country to which a certain name was applicable. TOY TYPE : Most of the TFs are grouped together with others who share the same "gimmick" or general toy type. "Autobot" or "Decepticon" means Transformers who belong to no designated subgroup. FUNCTION : That TF's "job" as told in their tech-spec, if they have one. CODE NUMBER : Most of the Transformers released in Japan are given numbers for easier identification. The first year in Japan used plain numbers, but the second year started using the "C(ybertron)-**" and "D(estron)-**" numbers to identify the characters. (Cybertron and Destron are the Japanese terms for Autobot and Decepticon.) Also, if the toy was available only in a multi-pack in Japan, the other toys in the pack are listed here. DESCRIPTION : The colors and alternate (non-robot) mode(s) of the TF. Cassette Transformers have their non-cassette mode listed. "Cybertronian" is just a spiffy word for a TF with a futuristic- looking vehicle mode. In the Animorphs section, this lists both the animal and "human" type. Each variant is numbered. PARTNERS : Several TFs come with vehicles or "sub-characters". For the purposes of this list they are considered to be accessories. Head-, Target-and PowerMaster components, Action Master partners and vehicles, Micro-Master vehicles and bases, Pretender shells, city mini-vehicles, MicroVerse figures and such fall under this category. SPECIAL NOTES : Extra information about a toy or variant or character. Notes "inside" a single entry apply only to that variant, while notes "outside" apply to all variants that share that mold, or even all toys for that character. RELEASE YEAR : The first year that variant was released. Some toys were available without change for multiple years, but this list deals only with the original worldwide release if the toy was unchanged. For simplicity's sake, "preview" toys that come out in December yet are part of the next year's line are given the same year as all the others, espeically since distribution might cause many places to not get them in December. CROSS-REFERENCES : Other characters with toys that use the same or simliar mold, even if modified. The number in brackets indicates which section of the list the cross-reference can be found in. Toys in the same section as the current entry do not have those markers. Individual MicroMasters and Mini-Cons are given separate entries, not grouped as patrols or teams. Here is an example of the entry for a single character with multiple toys and variations... *************************************************************************** BLASTER BROADCAST (J), TEMPO (N) Autobot - Communications (38) 1. Red, gray & black ghetto blaster [1985] 2. Removable battery cover on back [1985] (See also TWINCAST [2]) Action Master - Communications 1. No transformation (red, gray & black ghetto blaster) w/ FLIGHT PACK (AÉRONEF DORSAL -N) blue, yellow & black jetpack/cannon [1990] (Same character as TWINCAST [2]) *************************************************************************** The other lists are arranged similarly... For Gestalts, the description has been replaced with the names of that gestalts' component robots. For Battle Beasts, the "Subgroup" has been replaced with "Autobot", "Decepticon" and "Laser Beast", their allegiances according to the Japanese Battle Beast releases. The "Function" has been replaced with the ID number imprinted on every figure. This number is also imprinted on their corresponding weapons, which are also listed. For Tonka GoBots, "Subgroup" and "Function" have been replaced with the side and ID number of each GoBot. 2) There are some variations this list does not cover. Basically, if the toy itself has not been physically changed, it will not be listed. ANYTHING TO DO WITH PACKAGING: If someone else wants to make a packaging variations list, go right ahead. This list deals solely with the toys themselves, save for names (which are there simply to aid in finding toys.) PRODUCTION MISTAKES: Misapplied stickers, lack of paint, or slight changes in plastic & chrome hue, mismatched parts caused by production mold changes. Only intentional changes are listed. RUB-SIGN VARIATIONS: If a rubsign INDENT has been added or removed from the mold itself, then it's included... if the only difference is if it has a rubsign sticker or not, I don't bother with it. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION STAMP DIFFERENCES: Most of the first-year TFs didn't have Hasbro's copyright/trademark stamp on them, as many were leftover stock from the original Japanese lines. And Japanese toys tend to have different markings than American toys. DECOYS, CANDY TOYS & PVCS: The small rubbery figurines that came with carded TFs back in G1, as well as the many many many many MANY small plastic model kits, figurines and other items sold in Japan. These are all considered to be merchandise. This stands for the recent Super Collection Figure / Heroes Of Cybertron PVC figurine lines as well. NON-TF TAKARA TRANSFORMING TOYS: Even though most of the first two years of the TF line came from Japanese lines like Diakron and Microman, and several Japanese TFs were recolored into "new" toys for post-TF lines, they aren't included. Your best bet for info on these is to post a query on the newsgroups. PRE-GOBOTS BANDAI "MACHINE ROBO" TOYS: For the same reasons that Diakron and Microman etc. aren't listed. UNPRODUCED TFS: I include several TFs that were never released for retail in this list. However, all of these listed made it past prototype stage, and WERE manufactured as complete, functioning toys, even if in very small numbers and without packaging (or in some cases, even names or paint). However, anything that never made it to actual production is not listed. 3) There is a reason that Battle Beasts, Tonka GoBots and Animorphs have their own sections in this TF list. In Japan, Battle Beasts were known as "BeastFormers", and were part of the "HeadMasters" series, even though they became a separate spin-off toy line. For GoBots, Hasbro now owns Tonka. (Which is why you saw "Gobots" and such in G2.) So the Tonka- released GoBots are kind of the TF's step-brothers... or step-machines. (Besides, there had to be a list of 'em SOMEWHERE...) Animorphs, though not a Hasbro-owned property, was marketed and shipped under the "Transformers" banner (in order to get valuable shelf space in stores), so they go in as well. 4) Like Robert Jung's TF list, this list is "American-centric". To put it simply, the TF mythos is mostly the creation of Hasbro and Marvel comics, even if the actual toys from the first two years had existed for years before in Japan. The Transformers line started in America, and moved to other parts of the world. Most of this "core" was available in most of the major markets. Any TF not part of this "core" line (commonly referred to as G1 once Generation 2 started up) has a special designation added to the appropriate entry... (BM) - A TF from the TRANSFORMERS BEAST MACHINES line, a semi-sequel to BEAST WARS that started in late '99 and ended in mid-2001. Consists almost totally of new molds with a few recycled older molds (mostly in the "Dinobots" sub-group). (E) - A TF primarily from the EUROPEAN market, which includes the UK, mainland Europe, and Australia (simply because they got most of the same toys). A handful of toys from this market were also available in Canada and Japan, but are still considered "European" in origin for simplicity's sake. It should be noted that anything marked with an (E) does NOT mean this variant or name applied to EVERY European country. (J) - A TF or variation available primarily in the JAPANESE market, which also includes mainland Asia. This line ran largely parallel to the main US/European line, with occasional filler and tangent lines. While each year's line has a different title (MASTERFORCE, VICTORY, BEAST WARS NEO etc.), for simplicity's sake they're not separated as such. (MW) - A TF from the Kay-Bee Exclusive TRANSFORMERS MACHINE WARS line, which started appearing on shelves in early '97. The TFs in this line feature some totally new molds that were slated for G2 release, plus some recolored and re-named "European" TF molds. (N) - A TF or variation from NORTH AMERICA excluding the US (Canada and Mexico). While this primarily applies to names, there are some toy variants found only in these areas. (S) - A TF or variation available only in the SOUTH AMERICAN market (primarily Brazil and Argentinia), which appears to have only been available in early G1 (roughly 1985). Some interesting color variations on molds we got, plus a few new guys. Some entries are marked with combinations of these designations... for example, "E G2" is a GENERATION 2 item only available in the European market. The majority of the American line was avaialable in most major markets. In the early 90's, a few previously European-only items were available in Japan. All entries are marked by their ORIGINAL release market. 5) At several places I have "(* unknown)" after an entry. These are usually a specific vehicle model (I don't know from car & jet makes), but are sometimes colors to toys I've never seen or only have black & white pictures of. Also, there are sometimes question marks in the place of a TF's Function. If you have the information that should be there, PLEASE E-MAIL me with the info I need. This also goes with any variations you know of that I have missed, or any corrections, typos, and such. Just be aware that when it comes to new variations, I like to be able to verify them myself, see a picture of it, or also hear of the same variation from another person... so a variation you report may not show up in the next version of the List. Please be patient... I try to investigate each one. 6) This list is intended for checklist purposes and general identification purposes only. If you want a description of the toys' gimmicks and more information on the state of the TF lines over the toy line's lifespan, check out Robert Jung's TF List. If you want the complete tech-specs of many of these TFs, there are a number of on-line resources for them. Jon & Karl Hartman's International Tech-Spec Archive 7) The current battle plan is to post the List to the USENET newsgroup alt.toys.transformers every alternate Wednesday. (Of course, whether or not this actually happens is another matter entirely. Sh!t happens.) If you do not see all the parts on the list on your server, wait a few days to see if it has picked them up yet. Please do not ask for missing sections via e-mail. The List is available for download at 8) "Transformers", "Transformers Generation 2", "Transformers Beast Wars", "Transformers Machine Wars", "Transformers Beast Machines", "Transformers Robots in Disguise", "Battle Beasts", "GoBots", "Autobot", "Decepticon", "Maximal", "Predacon", "Vehicon", "Dinobot", "Cybertron", "Destron", "MicroVerse", "My First Transformer", "1-2-3 Transformers" and all other related indicatia are the trademarks of Hasbro/Tonka/Playskool and Takara. "BotCon" is the trademark of 3H Enterprises. "Animorphs" and all related indicatia are the trademarks of Scholastic Inc. This list is in no way intended to be an infringement of those copyrights and trademarks. All other company and/or product names are the trademarks of their respective owners. 9) "That Big Transformers Variations List" is a King Weasel Production, maintained and copyrighted by M Sipher. 10) There are quite a few people I'd like to thank... Robert Jung, Hex, Ben "Wonko the Sane" Yee, Darren "Dirge" Cilenti, Doug Dlin, The Weeter, LrdSith, Gyumaoh, Don Fergeson, Will Humphrey, Jon & Karl Hartman, Rugby Starbase, Raksha, Fred's Workshop, Hydra D340 M "I Am Not Your Broom, I Am Not Your Broom, I've Had Enough, I'm Throwing Off My Chains Of Servitude" Sipher -- King Weasel Productions - home of the productions of King Weasel! Transformers, RockMan, original art, the solutions to all life's problems and other crap! Home of the giant MegaMan/RockMan Toy & Merchandise Archive!