Universe (2008 franchise)



The 2008 Universe is the second Transformers franchise to use the name. Like the previous franchise, this line is intended to be something of a catch-all for toys that don't fit in the Transformers Animated line, currently the brand's flagship franchise.

Hasbro first announced the line at BotCon 2007, stating that it would not have an overall story arc. The line's primary (but not only) focus will be on "realistic" vehicles, filling a gap left by the ending of the live-action movie line. The line's first offerings in 2008 will be a set of Generation 1- and Beast Wars-inspired Robot Heroes, and a continuation of the Classics toyline, now dubbed the Classic Series, in Deluxe and Ultra price points, with Legends and Voyager classes to follow. In 2009, the packaging will gain a "25 Years" corner logo to commemorate Transformers ' 25th anniversary, as the toyline's offerings expand to include updates of key characters from every franchise.

In January 2008, Hasbro launched a web page for the new Universe line, featuring a preview of the first wave of new Classics and a CGI reimagining of the battle between Megatron and Optimus Prime from the original animated Transformers movie. The tagline for the video, in keeping with the toyline's theme, was "They were always real to me."

Many of the figures in the Ultra price point will feature electronic light and sound. Each figure will come with the required batteries.

Wave 1

 * Onslaught (Classic Series)
 * Red Alert (Classic Series)
 * Starscream (Classic Series)

Wave 2

 * Autobot Hound (Classic Series)
 * Autobot Jazz (Classic Series)
 * Megatron (G2) (Classic Series)

Wave 3

 * Bumblebee (Animated Series)
 * Optimus Prime (Animated Series)
 * Prowl (Animated Series)

Future waves

 * Autobot Brawn (Classic Series)
 * Beachcomber (Classic Series)

Wave 1

 * Prowl (Classic Series)
 * Sunstreaker (Classic Series)
 * Tankor (Classic Series; an update of Octane, not named so due to trademark issues)

Wave 2

 * Acid Storm (Classic Series)
 * Galvatron (Classic Series)

Wave 3

 * Ironhide (Classic Series)
 * Sideswipe (Classic Series)
 * Silverstreak (Classic Series, an update of Bluestreak, not named so due to trademark issues)

Future waves

 * Autobot Hound with Ravage (25th Anniversary Series)
 * Cheetor (25th Anniversary Series)
 * Cyclonus with Nightstick (25th Anniversary Series)
 * Hot Shot with Jolt (25th Anniversary Series)

Wave 1

 * Autobot Blaster with Mini-Con Blockrock (Classic Series)
 * Decepticon Heavy Load with Mini-Con Drill Bit (Classic Series)

Wave 2

 * Autobot Blades (Classic Series)
 * Decepticon Dropshot (Classic Series)

Wave 3

 * Tread Bolt (Classic Series)

Wave 1

 * Onslaught (Classic Series)
 * Powerglide (Classic Series)

Wave 2

 * Silverbolt (Classic Series)

Wave 3

 * Storm Cloud (Classic Series)

Wave 1

 * Rattrap & Megatron (Beast Wars Series)
 * Cheetor & Blackarachnia (Beast Wars Series)
 * Sunstreaker & Galvatron (Generation 1 Series)
 * Hound &  Blitzwing (Generation 1 Series)

Wave 2

 * Arcee & Rumble (Generation 1 Series)
 * Rhinox & Waspinator (Beast Wars Series)
 * Optimus Primal & Predacon Tarantulas (Beast Wars Series)

Wave 3

 * Blaster & Thrust (Generation 1 Series)
 * Ironhide & Kickback (Generation 1 Series)
 * Silverbolt & Transmetal Megatron (Beast Wars Series)

Future waves

 * Cheetor & Tankor (Beast Machines Series)
 * Optimus Prime & Megatron (Robots in Disguise Series)

Other

 * 25th Anniversary Optimus Prime Pack (25th Anniversary Series)

Hasbro Toy Shop/San Diego Comic-Con exclusives

 * Nemesis Prime (Classic Series)

Kmart exclusives

 * Mini-Con 12-Pack (Armada Series), contains:
 * Safeguard Team
 * Flatfoot
 * Heavytread
 * Makeshift
 * Overcast Team
 * Boltflash
 * Cloudraker
 * Skyhammer
 * Landslide Team
 * Backstop
 * Bodyblock
 * Knockdown
 * Ransack Team
 * Blight
 * Brimstone
 * Supressor

Target exclusives
Legends 5-packs
 * Aerial Rivals (Classic Series), contains:
 * Air Raid
 * Autobot Blades
 * Ramjet
 * Skydive
 * Thrust


 * Leadership Team (Classic Series), contains:
 * Autobot Hot Zone (an update of Hot Spot, not named so due to trademark issues)
 * Hun-Grrr
 * Razorclaw
 * Scattorshot (an update of Scattershot, not named so due to trademark issues)
 * Silverbolt

Voyager Deluxe Comic 2-packs
 * Dirge vs. Autobot Roadbuster (G1 Series)


 * Springer vs. Ratbat (War Within Series)

Trivia
The Ultra class (not counting the TRU exclusives) returns for the first time since Cybertron.