Generation
One U.S. Reissues (Toys "R" Us Exclusives)
Ah, the original Transformers.
Brings back memories, doesn't it? If it doesn't, then you've either been
living in a cave all your life (in which case you aren't reading this),
or you weren't around during the 1980s. Regardless, due to a burgeoning
'80s nostalgia craze and increasing Transformers sales, Hasbro decided
to begin re-releasing the original "Generation 1" Transformers in late
summer of 2002. They were released in much smaller amounts than they had
been originally, however, for obvious reasons, and as such, they are sold
only at Toys "R" Us stores, as exclusives.
To be honest, however, these
toys are not true reissues. Most of these have been remolded slightly to
fit the more strict safety standards that have been placed on toys today-
i.e., making the missiles longer, blunting sharp edges, etc. This, coupled
with the inclusion of diecast metal (which is more expensive nowadays than
it was back then) and an overall greater toy complexity, also led to highly
inflated prices for the reissues- in some cases, as much as 300%! This
was not all Hasbro's fault, however- Toys "R" Us was the main culprit in
upping the prices so much. Although the high prices didn't affect the sales
of more popular characters, like Optimus Prime, they really started to
take their toll as the line continued, and Toys "R" Us canned the line
in late 2004, with a few sporadic releases showing up as exclusives in
later years.
(RATINGS NOTE: I am not an
expert at sticker applications, nor do I pretend to be. Thus, some of the
toy pictures may have some small stickers slightly off-center or even missing
altogether. Sorry, but when I can't get 'em on, I can't get 'em on. Also,
an extra "stat"- how hard it is to apply the toy's stickers- is included
in these reviews as well. For hard sticker applications, I recommend using
the tip of a missile to help apply the stickers to their proper places.
Price will also factor into a toys' rating, but I will go easy on them
when it comes to articulation and detailing, seeing how old these toys
are.)
Series I
Optimus
Prime
Rodimus
Major
Ultra
Magnus
Series II
Powermaster
Optimus Prime
Starscream
Series III
Autobot
Jazz
Silverstreak
Thundercracker
Series IV
Prowl
Red
Alert
Skywarp
Series V
Autobot
Tracks
Hoist
Inferno
Series VI
Autobot
Grapple
Smokescreen
Series VII
Dirge
Rodimus
Prime
Series VIII
Autobot
Skids
Side
Swipe (Toys "R" Us AND KB Toys Exclusive)
Series IX
Astrotrain
(Hasbrotoyshop.com Exclusive)
Ricochet
w/ Nightstick
Pepsi
Optimus Prime (Botcon 2007/Hasbrotoyshop.com Exclusive)
Soundwave
w/ Laserbeak & Ravage
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