History of Transformer Toys
Transformer action figures have been a part of pop culture for over 20 years now. Throughout that time there have been many transformations. Here are some of the different kinds of Transformers that have come out:
Generation 1 Transformers – Considered by die-hard transformer fans as the only generation that mattered. Released in 1984, it was an instant hit with kids. It led to the animated TV series that every child ran home from school to catch, as well as the 1986 Feature length animated movie.
The real draw for children was that the robots could transform into modern day machines. For instance, they transformed into cars, tanks, radio, etc…
Innovations such as the Constructions showed how ahead of the curve these toys were. With the Constructicons, all 6 action figures were able to transform into one big Action figure called Devastator. Obviously it made sense from a marketing aspect, because children would want to collect the entire set.
It really shattered any kind of competition that there was in the robot-toy marketplace. Toy lines like Go Bots and Voltron just couldn’t compare.
Generation one would end in 1990, due to severe changes in the storylines of the TV show and the toy lines.
Generation 2 Transformers – Hasbro launched the franchise again in 1993. The toy line would be retroactively called Generation 2. The basic concept behind G2 transformers was basically to take the same molds of the action figures from generation 1 and alter them a little bit. They changed the colors and gave the toys different weapons than they originally had.
Needless to say it was not a success, as Hasbro pulled the plug on it in 1995.
Beast Wars – Started in 1996 after the demise of Generation 2, Hasbro decided to try something a little different this time. Instead of robots transforming into different kinds of machines, they would transform into animals.
Along with the new toy line came a new TV series that took advantage of the latest technology in CGI.
The action figures were very detailed and they showed nice attention to detail. They were a solid success as the line lasted about 6 years, before it was over.
It’s regarded as the most successful variation of the franchise with the obvious exception of the original.
Robots in Disguise – In 2000, the series tried to get back to the original concept, with the Robots in Disguise series. Optimus Prime and Megatron were redesigned again. Although the toys were extremely well made, it just lacked the proper marketing needed for it to really take off.
Armada – Armada toys came with a new animated series. The series came up with the great innovation of Mini-Cons. Mini-Cons were very small robots that could be used to serve some purpose for the larger robots. For instance one of them could attach to a larger transformer and create a new weapon. It really gave collectors incentive to purchase as the Mini-Cons were cheaper in price as well as being sold in packs of 3.
The History of Transformer Toys has been a long and exhaustive one. But, just like most franchises, the majority of the fans always prefer the original. Being someone who was pre-pubescent child of the 80s, it’s hard for me to disagree.
