The Transformers (toyline)/Europe

Originally, European countries got the same Transformers toys Hasbro had previously released in the USA, although different countries got different toys - and sometimes, the toys sported noticeable differences from their US counterparts. Initially, various sub-contracted companies were responsible for releasing the toys in the individual European countries (which involved language variations on the packaging), but over the time, they were either bought out by Hasbro or simply dropped in favor of a more and more unified European market. After Generation One ended in the US, the line continued in Europe until it was canceled in 1993 in favor of the Generation 2 Line.

UK
Little is known about the earliest toys released in the UK. The common consensus is that they supposedly came in English-only US packaging. Recounts of which toys were and which weren't available in the UK vary depend on who you ask. Probably the most well-known UK release is an (almost) unique version of Optimus Prime with red instead of blue feet. The packaging is almost identical to the US version, but sports an additional copyright note linking this release to Ceji Revell (misspelled as "Revel"), which was owned by the same company as Joustra. It's possible that the other initial UK releases were also distrbuted by Ceji, but at the current point of time, there's no evidence supporting this theory.

Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain
The earliest toys released in continental Europe (minus Italy) were distributed by Milton Bradley, which was in the process of being taken over by Hasbro at that point. There's no solid evidence that all the MB toys were available in all these countries, but the packaging is sporting the four languages German, French, Dutch and Spanish. Therefore, MB covered the markets where Joustra's Diaclone toys were previously available, with the addition of Spain. Known MB releases are:

Autobot Leaders Autobot Cars Autobot Mini-Vehicles Jumpstarters Autobot Communicator Autobot Deluxe Vehicles '''Dinobots Decepticon Leader Decepticon Laser Gun Decepticon Planes Decepticon Communicator Decepticon Cassettes Decepticon Triple Changers Insecticons Deluxe Insecticons Constructicons
 * Jetfire
 * Optimus Prime
 * Prowl
 * Tracks
 * Wheeljack
 * Ratchet
 * Mirage
 * Jazz
 * Windcharger
 * Warpath
 * Cosmos
 * Beachcomber
 * Seaspray
 * Gears
 * Powerglide
 * Topspin
 * Twin Twist
 * Blaster
 * Roadbuster
 * Whirl
 * Grimlock
 * Slag
 * Snarl
 * Sludge
 * Megatron
 * Shockwave
 * Starscream
 * Thundercracker
 * Dirge
 * Ramjet
 * Thrust
 * Soundwave
 * Ravage
 * Blitzwing
 * Astrotrain
 * Kickback
 * Bombshell
 * Shrapnel
 * Venom
 * Barrage
 * Ransack
 * Chop Shop
 * Bonechrusher
 * Scavenger
 * Scrapper
 * Hook
 * Long Haul
 * Mixmaster
 * Devastator (giftset)

Italy
GiG had originally released toys based on their Diaclone license from Takara under the name "Trasformer", occasionally sporting color schemes only found on Hasbro's Transformers versions. Eventually, Hasbro cracked down on GiG and made them acquire a second license from them as well. In 1985, GiG launched their own version of the Transformers line, with the toys often sporting original Italian names (for example, the Autobots became "Autorobots", and the Decepticons "Distructors"). A small remainder of the old "Trasformer" logo would remain on the packaging until 1989. Known GiG Transformers releases are:

Autorobot Leader Autorobot Cars Dinorobots (Dinobots) Distructor Triple Changers Distructor Planes Escavators (Constructicons)
 * Commander (Optimus Prime)
 * Tigre (Jazz)
 * Freccia (Sideswipe)
 * Mistero (Mirage)
 * Canguro (Hound)
 * Saetta (Wheeljack)
 * Alert (Red Alert)
 * Inferno
 * Gancio (Grapple)
 * Tiran (Grimlock)
 * Triplex Uno (Astrotrain)
 * Triplex Due (Blitzwing)
 * Astrum (Starscream)
 * Vampiro (Thundercracker)
 * Corvo (Skywarp)
 * Scudo (Bonecrusher)
 * Braccio (Scavenger)
 * Ringhio (Scrapper)
 * Rostro (Hook)
 * Macigno (Long Haul)
 * Rollo (Mixmaster)
 * Devastator (giftset)

Greece
A company named El Greco released a small number of Transformers toys to the Greek market. The Autobots were called Αυτορομπότ (Autorobots). The only known El Greco releases include seven Autobot Mini-Vehicles and two combiner giftsets. Known 1985 releases are:

Classic Heroic (Autobot Mini-Vehicles)
 * Αχτύπητος (Ahtipitos = Warpath)
 * Κυρίαρχος (Kiriarhos = Cosmos)
 * Αγγελιοφόρος (Agelioforos = Beachcomber)
 * Εγκέφαλος (Egefalos = Βrawn)
 * Γίγαντας (Gigantas = Huffer)
 * Κεραυνός (Keravnos = Powerglide)
 * Θαλασσόλυκος (Thalassolikos = Seaspray)

UK, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain
Presumably, Transformers didn't sell well in Germany in 1985, therefore German was dropped as a language from the packaging until Generation 2. Instead, Hasbro (who had finished taking over MB) consolidated the UK market with the rest of Europe (except for Italy, again). The 1986 releases that were now available in packaging with Hasbro rather than MB logos sported the four languages English, French, Dutch and Spanish (the order between English and French could occasionally be swapped). Confirmed European Hasbro releases from 1986 are:

Autobot Leader Autobot Cars Autobot Mini-Vehicles Triple Changers Protectobots Combaticons Stunticons Decepticon Planes
 * Optimus Prime
 * Tracks
 * Red Alert
 * Inferno
 * Grapple
 * Hoist
 * Smokescreen
 * Pipes
 * Broadside
 * Streetwise
 * Groove
 * Blades
 * First Aid
 * Hot Spot
 * Brawl
 * Swindle
 * Blast Off
 * Vortex
 * Onslaught
 * Dead End
 * Breakdown
 * Wildrider
 * Drag Strip
 * Motormaster
 * Scourge

Italy
Known Italian releases of 1986 toys are:

Aerialbots Protectobots Autorobot City Autorobot City Commander Stunticons Combaticons Distructor City Predacons
 * Tornado (Air Raid)
 * Log (Skydive)
 * Optor (Fireflight)
 * Vertic (Slingshot)
 * Radiant (Silverbolt)
 * Pentajet (Superion giftset)
 * Phantom (Streetwise)
 * Chips (Groove)
 * Rasor (Blades)
 * Sirena (First Aid)
 * Drago (Hot Spot)
 * Defensor (giftset)
 * Guardian (Metroplex)
 * Convoy (Ultra Magnus)
 * Cobra (Dead End)
 * Caimano (Breakdown)
 * Squalo (Wildrider)
 * Iguana (Drag Strip)
 * Barracuda (Motormaster)
 * Pentacar (Menasor giftset)
 * Bomber (Blast Off)
 * Crasher (Swindle)
 * Exploder (Blast Off)
 * Vortex
 * Destroyer (Onslaught)
 * Multiforce (Bruticus giftset)
 * Tripticon (Trypticon)
 * Zannar (Razorclaw)
 * Felin (Rampage)
 * Torox (Tantrum)
 * Rinox (Headstrong)
 * Falcon (Divebomb)

Greece
Aside from the seven Autorobot Mini-Vehicles, El Greco apparently only released two combiner giftsets before going bankrupt in the mid-Eighties. Known El Greco releases from 1986 are:

Combiner giftsets
 * Excavator (Devastator)
 * Defensor

UK, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain
Apparently realizing that tech specs in four different languages aren't exactly the optimal choice, Hasbro started breaking up the languages again. The UK got toys in English packaging only, France, Belgium and the Netherlands got toys in bilangual French/Dutch packaging, and Spain got toys in Spanish-only packaging. Germany only got the English and French/Dutch versions with safety warning stickers in German. Presumably, all toys were available in all language variants, but without solid evidence, this is pure speculation. Known European toys from 1987 in French/Dutch packaging are:

Decepticon City Commander Duocons
 * Galvatron
 * Battletrap
 * Flywheels

Italy
Known Italian toys from 1987 are:

Autorobot Headmasters Tecnobots (Technobots) Monsterbots Racerbots (Throttlebots) Duoform (Clones) Distructor Headmasters Sixchanger Terrorbots (Terrorcons)
 * Duobot (Chromedome)
 * Cruiserbot (Highbrow)
 * Goblin (Brainstorm)
 * Blindobot (Hardhead)
 * Radarbot (Afterburner)
 * Argobot (Nosecone)
 * Rocketbot (Strafe)
 * Starbot (Lightspeed)
 * Scatterbot (Scattershot)
 * Computron (giftset)
 * Drekbot (Doublecross)
 * Tigerbot (Grotusque)
 * Wagenbot (Goldbug)
 * Scoutbot (Chase)
 * Saterbot (Freeway)
 * Trollbot (Rollbar)
 * Strobobot (Searchlight)
 * Rollerbot (Wideload)
 * Booster/Gemini (Fastlane/Cloudraker)
 * Roboclon/Rapax (Pounce/Wingspan)
 * Duobot (Chromedome)
 * Cruiserbot (Highbrow)
 * Goblin (Brainstorm)
 * Blindobot (Hardhead)
 * Tifon (Snapdragon)
 * Tagor (Apeface)
 * Iperbot Sei Azioni (Sixshot)
 * Crudelbot (Cutthroat)
 * Battlebot (Rippersnapper)
 * Spectrobot (Blot)
 * Bifronbot (Sinnertwin)
 * Grifobot (Hun-Gurrr)
 * Tundertron (Abominus giftset)

UK, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain
Toys were still available in English-only, French/Dutch and Spanish-only packaging.

Known European toys from 1988 in French/Dutch packaging are:

Powermasters Sparkabots Firecons
 * Getaway
 * Slapdash
 * Joyride
 * Fizzle
 * Sizzle
 * Guzzle
 * Cindersaur
 * Flamefeather
 * Sparkstalker

Italy
Known Italian releases from 1988 are:

Pretenders Triggerbots Triggercons
 * Falcon (Waverider)
 * Korno (Skullgrin)
 * Furio (Override)
 * Orage (Dogfight)
 * Bitume (Backstreet)
 * Rafale (Windsweeper)
 * 4x4 (Crankcase)
 * Rallye (Ruckus)

UK, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain
Known European toys from 1989 are (F/NL = French/Dutch packaging; E = Spanish packaging):

Micromaster Patrols Micromaster Bases
 * Air Strike Patrol (F/NL)
 * Patrouille Tous Terrains/Patrouille Terreinwagens (Off-Road Patrol; F/NL)
 * Groundshaker (E)

Italy
Known Italian toys from 1988 are:

Small Pretenders Pretender Monsters Set Commandos (Classic Pretenders/Legends) Microtransformers Pattuglias (Micromaster Patrols) Microtransformers Deluxes (Micromaster Transports) Microtrasformer Stations (Micromaster Stations) Microtransformer Bases (Micromaster Bases)
 * Biclonius (Doubleheader)
 * Medusa (Octopunch)
 * Spettro (Bristleback)
 * Raptor (Scowl)
 * ? (Icepick)
 * ? (Birdbrain)
 * ? (Wildfly)
 * ? (Slog)
 * Saetta, Folgore, Drago & Tornado (Bumblebee, Jazz, Grimlock & Starscream set)
 * Expeditors (Off-Road Patrol)
 * Sprintforce (Race Car Patrol)
 * Interceptors (Air Strike Patrol)
 * Pattuglia Soccorso (Battle Patrol)
 * Pattuglia Guastatori (Sports Car Patrol)
 * Tractor (Erector)
 * Radar (Ironworks)
 * Argon (Hot House)
 * Assalt (Greasepit)
 * Lancer (Airwave)
 * Titano (Groundshaker)

Unofficial Mexican imports
Additionally to the regular toys released by Hasbro and GiG, Europe was also hit by a flood of Transformers toys imported from Mexico. While these toys had been officially produced by IGA with the intention to release them on the Mexican market, a large unsold stock remained that was eventually imported to Europe without Hasbro's involvement. The toys were available in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Romania, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. This created a strange situation where unofficially imported (bot officially produced) toys competed with official European releases. These toys are considered official for Mexico but unofficial for Europe.

1990
By 1990, Hasbro had mostly streamlined their European markets. Presumably, all toys that came out in one country were also available everywhere else. Even the Italian releases now sported a uniform look with the toys that were available elsewhere in Europe (even though they still sported a "GiG" logo and Italian names) - with one exception. Also, with Hasbro cancelling the Transformers line in the USA for the time being, the European Hasbro branches continued releasing news toys which the USA would never get.

Micromasters
Known European Micromaster releases are (F/NL = French/Dutch packaging; E = Spanish packaging; I = Italian packaging with alternate names):

Micromaster Patrols Micromaster Combiner Squads (Microtransformers Combin in Italy) Micromaster Combiner Transports (Microcombiners in Spain)
 * Air Patrol (E)
 * Construction Patrol (E)
 * Hot Rod Patrol (I: Pattuglia Inseguitori)
 * Military Patrol (I: Pattuglia Militare)
 * Monster Truck Patrol (I: ?)
 * Race Track Patrol (E)
 * Astro Squad (I: Squadriglia Interstellare)
 * Metro Squad (I: Squadriglia Metropolis)
 * Battle Squad (I: Squadra Combattenti)
 * Constructor Squad (I: Squadra Demolitori)
 * Cannon Transport (E: Remolque de Cañon)

Action Masters
Presumably, Germany got the UK versions of the 1990 Action Masters in English-only packaging. Also, GiG supposedly gave the Action Masters toys that were based on older characters the original Italian names again, unlike with the "Set Commandos", although the only known packaged example so far is Wheeljack, with the name being impossible to make out.

European "Classics"
Possibly taking a cue from the popularity of the Classic Pretenders, Hasbro started re-releasing original toys from 1984-1987 in "gold" packaging based on the Classic Pretenders' boxes. It's impossible to determine whether this was an idea Hasbro had originally intended for the US market that fell victim to the cancellation of the line in the USA and which therefore only came out in Europe, or whether Hasbro was trying to fulfil the demand for original toys/characters, possibly in an attempt to react to the imported Mexican toys that flooded European shelves. Known European "Classic" releases from 1990 are (UK = English packaging; F/NL = French/Dutch packaging; E = Spanish packaging; I = Italian packaging with alternate names):

Classic Aerialbots Classic Stunticons Classic Heroes Autobots
 * Air Raid (UK)
 * Skydive (UK)
 * Fireflight (UK)
 * Slingshot (UK)
 * Silverbolt (UK; E)
 * Dead End (UK; I: Cobra)
 * Breakdown (UK)
 * Wildrider (UK)
 * Drag Strip (UK; I: Iguana)
 * Motormaster (UK; E)
 * Inferno (UK; E)
 * Ironhide (UK)
 * Jazz (UK; E)
 * Prowl (UK; E)
 * Sunstreaker (UK)
 * Wheeljack (UK; E)

Italian exclusives
As a last glimmer of GiG's unique relationship with Takara, Galaxy Shuttle, which was originally released as part of Takara's Victory line, was available in Italy. The Italian packaging was loosely based on the original Japanese packaging, buth with a lot of twists taken from the European releases at that time. The Japanese "C-326" number was omitted from the packaging this time around.

1991
Hasbro continued releasing new toys to the European market. Those included new Action Masters that never came out in the USA, entirely new Action Master concepts, more "Classic" re-releases of older toys and even toys that were originally only available in Japan, slightly redecoed for the European market. Known European toys from 1991 are (UK = English packaging; F/NL = French/Dutch packaging; E = Spanish packaging; I = Italian packaging with alternate names):

Action Masters
Action Masters figures Exo-Suit Action Masters Motorized Exo-Suit Action Masters Action Master Elites
 * Powerflash (UK; F/NL)
 * Sideswipe (UK; F/NL)
 * Tracks (UK; I: Puma)
 * Bombshell (UK; F/NL)
 * Charger (UK; F/NL)
 * Take-Off (UK; F/NL)
 * Circuit (UK)
 * Thundercracker (UK)
 * Rumbler (UK; F/NL)
 * Slicer (UK)
 * Omega Spreem (similar to Omega Supreme)
 * Windmill (similar to Ultra Magnus)
 * Double Punch (similar to Black Zarak)
 * Turbo Master (head and torso are very similar to Bruticus)

Classics
Classic Throttlebots (Motorizatti Rollerbots in Italy) Classic Dinobots Classic Triple Changers Classic Protectobots Classic Combaticons Classic Heroes
 * Chase (UK; I: Scoutbot)
 * Freeway (UK; I: Saterbot)
 * Goldbug (UK; I: Maggionlino)
 * Rollbar (UK; I: Trollbot)
 * Searchlight (UK; I: Strobobot)
 * Wideload (UK; I: Rapidbot)
 * Grimlock (UK)
 * Sludge (UK; I: Bronto)
 * Snarl (UK; I: Stego)
 * Sandstorm (UK; E)
 * Springer (UK; E)
 * Astrotrain (UK; E)
 * Octane (UK; E)
 * Streetwise (UK; E)
 * Groove (UK; E)
 * Blades (UK; E)
 * First Aid (UK; E)
 * Hot Spot (UK; E)
 * Brawl (UK; F/NL; E)
 * Swindle (UK; F/NL; E)
 * Vortex (UK; E)
 * Blast Off (UK; E)
 * Onslaught (UK; F/NL; E: Oslat)
 * Sideswipe (UK; E)
 * Tracks (UK; E)

Other Classics

 * Optimus Prime (UK; E)

Imported Japanese toys
Motorvators (Super Autorobots in Italy) Others
 * Flame (UK; I: Ghibli)
 * Gripper (UK; I: ?)
 * Lightspeed (UK; I: Starbot)
 * Overlord (UK; F/NL)

Turbomasters
Autobots
 * Boss
 * Flash
 * Hurricane
 * Rotorstorm
 * Scorch
 * Thunder Clash

Predators
Decepticons
 * Falcon
 * Skydive
 * Skyquake
 * Snare
 * Stalker
 * Talon

Rescue Force
The Rescue Force were recolors of four members of the Breastforce, with new weapons replacing the partners. Names are in quotes because no offical names were given. Some parts were remolded such as the gun for Killbison now being a set of crane arms. These were not intended to replace the partners. These toys were also released with both red and gray weapons.

Note that these toys still combine but lack the head included with the japanese Leozak (and the two arms).

Autobots
 * "Drillhorn"
 * "Jaruga"
 * "Killbison"
 * "Leozak"

Constructicons
There are the European yellow G1 constructicons. These are diffrent from the yellow G2 Constructicons, as the purple parts were the darker G1 shade, the soft plastic parts were gray, no combiner parts were included, and there was no G2 stamp. Figure names are in quotes because these figures were not officaly named.

Decepticons
 * "Bonecrusher"
 * "Hook"
 * "Long Haul"
 * "Mixmaster"
 * "Scavenger"
 * "Scrapper"

1993
The Turbomasters and Predators were re-released. All new toys were rereleased in 1994 under the Generation 2 line in Europe, and were identical to the G1 release. The G2 symbol was created for this year's releases as the licence for the G1 symbols to Hasbro Intl. had expired. Some releases of these figures also had the "G2 Stamp" placed somewhere on the figure.

Obliterators
Autobots
 * Pyro

Decepticons
 * Clench

Axelerators
Autobots
 * Hotrider
 * Rapido
 * Skram
 * Zap

Skyscorchers
Decepticons
 * Hawk
 * Snipe
 * Terradive
 * Tornado

Aquaspeeders
Autobots
 * Aquafend
 * Deluge
 * Jetstorm
 * Speedstream

Stormtroopers
Decepticons
 * Aquablast
 * Drench
 * Hydradread
 * Rage

Lightformers
Autobots
 * Deftwing
 * Ironfist

Trakkons
Decepticons
 * Calcar
 * Fearswoop