Battle Beasts was an action figure line released in the U.S. by Hasbro beginning in 1985. They were originally produced for the Japaanese market by Takara, where they were called BeastFormers. What many American collectors don't realize is that Battle Beasts are connected to the popular Transformers toy line, which was also originally produced in Japan by Takara. The first wave of BeastFormers had Autobot/Decepticon stickers, rather than the Elemental signs that came later in the line (and appeared in the American release). Each character was an anthropomorphic creature wearing battle armor and carrying a weapon of some kind. On the Beasts chest was a heat sensitive sticker (similar to the"secret symbol"that the original US Transformer line had) that, when rubbed, would reveal a symbol of wood, fire, water or (on rare occasions) the Sunburst. The figures were intended to be used as a variant of the old rock-paper- scissors game with fire beating wood, wood beating water, and water beating fire. The Sunburst would beat them all. Each figure and weapon were numbered, making identification extremely easy. The number on the weapon corresponded to the number on the Beast it belonged to. There was a total of 76 figures released in the U.S.: 28 in Series 1, 24 in Series II, and 24 in Series III. Each series can be told apart by the locations and existance of its number and copyright information. A figure from Series 1 had its number and copyright on itís back or its head. Series II had numbers on the back, but the copyright info was on the bottom of it ís feet and it had a peg-hole in its left foot. A figure from Series III had its copyright markings on the bottom of its right foot, and its number and peg-hole on the bottom of its left foot. There were also several vehicles released. Vehicles came in two varieties: smaller Battle Chariots, and larger Transport Stations. Each one came with a figure (not exclusive to the vehicle). Japan also saw the release of Laser Beasts (aka Shadow Warriors, the name the line would have been released under in American had it continued.) in which the rubsigns were replaced by clear spheres within each Beasts body that revealed their insignias when held up to the light.There where 36 figures in this series.In Japan there is a 10 pack also , which includes a see though #15 Alligator. He was random and is very expensive if found (runs about $70). In the set is a Sunburst ( RARE In America) and is the white lion. Also in Japan they packeged all BB 1-112 in individual boxes which run $6-10 each now, and are selling like mad.
Click here to see my collection of Battle Beasts, so far.
Thanks to Jeff Cope for the info above.
