Changes: Transformers Animated (toyline)

Revision as of 03:52, 8 September 2012

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TFAnimated Voyager EarthOptimusPrime toy — Putting the "cool" in "Playskool".

The Transformers Animated toy line merges the more expressive design style of the cartoon with extremely poseable robot forms (to a degree which seemed pleasantly surprising even to Hasbro). Unlike the franchises immediately before it, there is no overarching, line-wide gimmick (such as Mini-Cons or Cyber Planet Keys). Rather, transforming is the gimmick, and the toys have other special features unique and appropriate to the character (such as triple-changing or interchangeable tools). While the designs originated with Hasbro and the Cartoon Network team, TakaraTomy stepped up to the plate to engineer the toys. The line debuted on July 1, 2007, at Hasbro's Future Products panel at BotCon.

Hasbro, citing the strength of the movie toyline, postponed the official release of the Animated toyline to June 22, 2008 in the US. However, some toys began showing up at retailers in the Cincinnati area to coincide with BotCon, followed by wider releases in Canada in May and the U.S. shortly thereafter.

Toys

The core toys of this franchise are available at most of the traditional size classes.

Deluxe Class

Wave 1

Wave 2

Wave 3

Wave 4

Wave 5

Wave 6

Wave 7

Freeway Jazz
Electrostatic Soundwave (includes Ratbat)

Upcoming release

Rodimus Minor

This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available.

Toxic Oil Slick

This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available.

Cybertron Mode Ironhide

This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available.

Fugitive Waspinator

This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available.

Voyager Class

Wave 1

Wave 2

Earth Mode Optimus Prime

Wave 3

Wave 4

Blitzwing

Wave 5

Wave 6

Upcoming release

Goldfire Grimlock

This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available.

Hydrodive Bumblebee

This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available.

Mudbuster Bulkhead

This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available.

Thundercracker

This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available.

Blackout

This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available.

Wingblade Optimus Prime (based on his appearance in the last two episodes)

This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available.

Leader Class

Wave 1

Wave 2

Ultra Magnus

Wave 3

Shadow Blade Megatron

Wave 4

Roadbuster Ultra Magnus (redeco colored as a Roadbuster homage)

Supreme Class

Wave 1

Roll-Out Command Optimus Prime

Entertainment Pack

Wave 1

Optimus Prime vs. Megatron - The Battle Begins

Wave 2

Jetfire & Jetstorm

Activators

The Activators subcategory consists of chunkier, simpler, Scout-class-sized toys with one-touch, spring-loaded transformations.

Wave 1

Wave 2

Wave 3

Wave 4

Wave 5

Wave 6

Wave 7

Bumper Battlers

An expansion on the Cyber Slammers subline from the 2007 live-action movie toys, Bumper Battlers feature "bump-and-transform" action. Hitting the front bumper causes the toy to change into robot mode, and pressing the toy's sigil activates sound effects and speech gimmicks.

Wave 1

Wave 2

Wave 3

Sting Racer Bumblebee (redeco)
Nightwatch Optimus Prime (redeco)

Wave 4

Wave 5

Power Bots

Wave 1

Cyber Speed Bumblebee

Wave 2

Street Patrol Bumblebee (redeco of Cyber Speed Bumblebee)

Exclusives

Toys R' Us

Bulkhead (Leader Class) with Activators Bumblebee

Megatron (Leader Class) with Activators Starscream

Arcee (Deluxe Class)

Cybertron Mode Ratchet (Deluxe Class)

Target

Stealth Lockdown^[1] (Deluxe Class) with Legends Class Bumblebee and Legends Class Optimus Prime

Rescue Ratchet (Deluxe Class) with Legends Class Starscream and Legends Class Prowl

Sunstorm (Voyager class) and Ratchet (Activators)

Shockwave/Longarm Prime (Voyager class) and Bumblebee (Activators)

McDonald's Happy Meal toys

Toys of Animated characters released as part of other lines

Movie (2007)

Wal-Mart exclusives

The Legacy of Bumblebee three-pack (movie-inspired minor redeco of Classic Deluxe Bumblebee, regular Movie Deluxe Class "Premium" Bumblebee and regular Animated Deluxe Class Bumblebee)

Universe (2008)

Legends Class (wave 3)

Hasbro stated at BotCon 2009 that other Animated Toys like Voyager Class Ramjet & Slipstream or Supreme Class Omega Supreme may be released in this line in 2010.

Criticisms

Since the first wave of Animated toys were released, there have been multiple complaints of poor quality paint applications, sloppy paint applications, and very greasy ball and hinge joints. There are also complaints over certain breakage issues, such as Lockdown's wrists, and toy functionality being limited by support struts added to prevent breakage, such as with Voyager Megatron's cannon and Bumblebee's stingers being unable to position properly.

Most of these issues can be fixed with relative ease.^[2]

The less easily solved problem with the Animated toys seems to be that some of the toys are very much out of scale with the series, not only in vehicle mode (which is relatively normal) but also in robot mode. Lanky characters like Deluxe Lockdown have a tendency to end up much taller than squatter figures like Voyager Bulkhead, when they should be the same height or shorter.

References

↑ Hasbro's Collector's List has the Lockdown figure in this set listed as "Active Camo Lockdown", but the instructions uploaded to Hasbro's website, as well as official Hasbro stock photos of the toy in packaging, state the name as "Stealth Lockdown". Considering this isn't the first time the Hasbro website checklist has featured outdated information, this name has a much better chance of being the final one.
↑ Animated Fixes on AllSpark.com

[1] Hasbro's Collector's List has the Lockdown figure in this set listed as "Active Camo Lockdown", but the instructions uploaded to Hasbro's website, as well as official Hasbro stock photos of the toy in packaging, state the name as "Stealth Lockdown". Considering this isn't the first time the Hasbro website checklist has featured outdated information, this name has a much better chance of being the final one.

[2] Animated Fixes on AllSpark.com

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 The '''Transformers Animated''' toy line merges the more expressive design style of the [[Transformers Animated|cartoon]] with extremely poseable robot forms (to a degree which seemed pleasantly surprising even to [[Hasbro]]). Unlike the [[franchise]]s immediately before it, there is no overarching, line-wide [[gimmick]] (such as [[Mini-Con]]s or [[Cyber Planet Key]]s).  Rather, transforming ''is'' the gimmick, and the toys have other special features unique and appropriate to the character (such as [[Blitzwing (Animated)|triple-changing]] or [[Ratchet (Animated)|interchangeable tools]]). While the designs originated with Hasbro and the [[Cartoon Network]] team, [[TakaraTomy]] stepped up to the plate to engineer the toys.  The line debuted on July 1, 2007, at Hasbro's Future Products panel at [[BotCon 2007|BotCon]].
-Hasbro, citing the strength of the [[Transformers (2007)|movie]] toyline,  [[Ruined FOREVER|postponed]] the official release of the Animated toyline to June 22, 2008 in the US.  However, some toys began showing up at retailers in the Cincinnati area to coincide with [[BotCon 2008|BotCon]], followed by wider releases in Canada in May and the U.S. shortly thereafter.
+Hasbro, citing the strength of the [[Transformers (film)|movie]] toyline,  [[Ruined FOREVER|postponed]] the official release of the Animated toyline to June 22, 2008 in the US.  However, some toys began showing up at retailers in the Cincinnati area to coincide with [[BotCon 2008|BotCon]], followed by wider releases in Canada in May and the U.S. shortly thereafter.
 ==Toys==
@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 * [[Optimus Prime (Animated)#Toys|Cybertron Mode Optimus Prime]]
 * [[Bumblebee (Animated)#Toys|Bumblebee]]
-* [[Lockdown#Toys|Lockdown]]
+* [[Lockdown (Animated)#Toys|Lockdown]]
 * [[Prowl (Animated)#Toys|Prowl]]
 '''Wave 2'''
@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 * [[Oil Slick (Animated)#Toys|Oil Slick]]
 * [[Snarl (Animated)#Toys|Snarl]]
-* [[Soundwave (Animated)#Toys|Soundwave]]
+* [[Soundwave (Animated)#Toys|Soundwave]] (includes [[Laserbeak (Animated)|Laserbeak]])
 '''Wave 4'''
 * [[Swoop (Animated)#Toys|Swoop]]
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 * [[Blurr (Animated)#Toys|Blurr]]
 * [[Swindle (Animated)#Toys|Swindle]]
-* [[Lockdown#Toys (Animated)|Blazing Lockdown]]
+* [[Lockdown (Animated)#Toys (Animated)|Blazing Lockdown]]
 '''Wave 6'''
-* [[Wasp (Animated)#Toys|Waspinator]]
+* [[Wasp#Toys|Waspinator]]
 * [[Prowl (Animated)#Toys|Samurai Prowl]]
 '''Wave 7'''
+* [[Jazz (Animated)#Toys|Freeway Jazz]]
+* [[Soundwave (Animated)#Toys|Electrostatic Soundwave]] (includes [[Ratbat (Animated)|Ratbat]])
+'''Upcoming release'''
+* [[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus Minor]]
+{{Comingsoontoy}}
+* [[Oil Slick (Animated)|Toxic Oil Slick]]
+{{Comingsoontoy}}
+* [[Ironhide (Animated)|Cybertron Mode Ironhide]]
+{{Comingsoontoy}}
+* [[Wasp| Fugitive Waspinator]]
+{{Comingsoontoy}}
 ===Voyager Class===
@@ Line 56: / Line 67: @@
 * [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)#Toys|Wreck-Gar]]
 * [[Lugnut#Toys|Atomic Lugnut]]
-'''Wave 7'''
+'''Upcoming release'''
+* [[Grimlock (Animated)|Goldfire Grimlock]]
+{{Comingsoontoy}}
+* [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Hydrodive Bumblebee]]
+{{Comingsoontoy}}
+* [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Mudbuster Bulkhead]]
+{{Comingsoontoy}}
+* [[Thundercracker (Animated)|Thundercracker]]
+{{Comingsoontoy}}
+* [[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]]
+{{Comingsoontoy}}
+* [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Wingblade Optimus Prime]] (based on his appearance in the last two episodes)
+{{Comingsoontoy}}
 ===Leader Class===
@@ Line 91: / Line 114: @@
 * [[Starscream (Animated) #Starscream (Activators, 2008)|Starscream]]
 '''Wave 2'''
-* [[Lockdown #Lockdown (Activators, 2008)| Lockdown]]
+* [[Lockdown (Animated)#Toys|Lockdown]]
 * [[Optimus Prime (Animated) #Optimus Prime (Activators, 2008)|Optimus Prime]]
 * [[Ratchet (Animated) #Ratchet (Activators, 2008)|Autobot Ratchet]]
@@ Line 98: / Line 121: @@
 * [[Thundercracker (Animated)|Thundercracker]]
 '''Wave 4'''
-* [[Cliffjumper (Animated)|Cliffjumper]]
+* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]
-* [[Megatron (Animated) |Megatron]]
+* [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]]
-* [[Grimlock (Animated) |Grimlock]]
+* [[Lockdown (Animated)|Bandit Lockdown]]
+'''Wave 5'''
-* [[Lockdown | Bandit Lockdown]]
 * [[Dirge (Animated)|Dirge]]
+* [[Cliffjumper (Animated)|Cliffjumper]]
+'''Wave 6'''
+* [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]]
+* [[Grimlock (Animated)|Fireblast Grimlock]]
+'''Wave 7'''
+* [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Battlefield Bumblebee]]
+* [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Armor Up Optimus Prime]]
 ===Bumper Battlers===
@@ Line 116: / Line 146: @@
 * [[Bulkhead (Animated) #Toys|Bulkhead]]
 '''Wave 3'''
-{{Comingsoontoy}}
 * [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Sting Racer Bumblebee]] (redeco)
 * [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Nightwatch Optimus Prime]] (redeco)
+'''Wave 4'''
+* [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]]
+* [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]]
+'''Wave 5'''
+* [[Jazz (Animated)|Stealth Jazz]]
+* [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Workzone Bulkhead]]
 ===Power Bots===
 '''Wave 1'''
-*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Cyber Speed Bumblebee]]
+* [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Cyber Speed Bumblebee]]
 '''Wave 2'''
-*Street Patrol Bumblebee (redeco of Cyber Speed Bumblebee)
+* Street Patrol Bumblebee (redeco of Cyber Speed Bumblebee)
-{{comingsoontoy}}
 ===Exclusives===
@@ Line 132: / Line 166: @@
 * [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (Leader Class) with Activators [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]
+* [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] (Deluxe Class)
+* [[Ratchet (Animated)|Cybertron Mode Ratchet]] (Deluxe Class)
 '''Target'''
-*[[Lockdown|Stealth Lockdown]]<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/default.cfm?page=Collectors/Checklist Hasbro's Collector's List] has the Lockdown figure in this set listed as "Active Camo Lockdown", but the [http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/83843.pdf instructions] uploaded to Hasbro's website, as well as [http://www.tfw2005.com/resources/animated-decepticons-191/lockdown-stealth-with-bumblebee-legends-and-optimus-prime-legends-1939/ official Hasbro stock photos of the toy in packaging], state the name as "Stealth Lockdown". Considering this isn't the first time the Hasbro website checklist has featured outdated information, this name has a much better chance of being the final one.</ref> (Deluxe Class) with [[Legends of Cybertron|Legends Class]] [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and Legends Class [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]]
+*[[Lockdown (Animated)|Stealth Lockdown]]<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/default.cfm?page=Collectors/Checklist Hasbro's Collector's List] has the Lockdown figure in this set listed as "Active Camo Lockdown", but the [http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/83843.pdf instructions] uploaded to Hasbro's website, as well as [http://www.tfw2005.com/resources/animated-decepticons-191/lockdown-stealth-with-bumblebee-legends-and-optimus-prime-legends-1939/ official Hasbro stock photos of the toy in packaging], state the name as "Stealth Lockdown". Considering this isn't the first time the Hasbro website checklist has featured outdated information, this name has a much better chance of being the final one.</ref> (Deluxe Class) with [[Legends of Cybertron|Legends Class]] [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and Legends Class [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]]
 * [[Ratchet (Animated)|Rescue Ratchet]] (Deluxe Class) with Legends Class [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] and Legends Class [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]]
@@ Line 140: / Line 178: @@
 *[[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]] (Voyager class) and [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (Activators)
-*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] (purple repaint, Voyager class) and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (Activators)
+*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave/Longarm Prime]] (Voyager class) and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (Activators)
 ===McDonald's Happy Meal toys===
@@ Line 149: / Line 187: @@
 *[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]
 *[[Lugnut]]
-===List of Upcoming Animated Releases===
-*[[Jazz (Animated)#Toys|Freeway Jazz (Deluxe)]]
-*[[Soundwave (Animated)#Toys|Electrostatic Soundwave w/]] [[Ratbat (Animated)|Ratbat(Deluxe)]]
-*[[Arcee (Animated)#Toys|Arcee(Deluxe)]]
-*[[Rodimus Prime (Animated)#Toys|Rodimus Minor(Deluxe)]]
-*[[Ratchet (Animated)#Toys|Cybertron Mode Ratchet(Deluxe)]]
-*[[Ironhide (Animated)#Toys|Cybertron Mode Ironhide (Deluxe)]]
-*[[Waspinator (Animated)#Toys|Fugitive Waspinator (Deluxe)]]
-*[[Grimlock (Animated)#Toys|Goldfire Grimlock(Voyager)]]
-*[[Bumblebee (Animated)#Toys|Hydrodive Bumblebee(Voyager)]]
-*[[Blackout (Animated)#Toys|Blackout (Voyager)]]
-*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)#Toys|Wingblade Optimus Prime (Deluxe)]]
-*[[Thundercracker (Animated)#Toys|Thundercracker (Voyager)]]
-*[[Liar Starscream|Ramjet (Voyager)]]
-*[[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream (Voyager)]]
 ==Toys of ''Animated'' characters released as part of other lines==
@@ Line 198: / Line 206: @@
 Most of these issues can be fixed with relative ease.<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=47309 Animated Fixes on AllSpark.com]</ref>
-The less easily solved problem with the ''Animated'' toys seems to be that some of the toys are very much out of scale with the series, not only in vehicle mode (which is relatively normal) but also in robot mode. Lanky characters like ''Deluxe'' [[Lockdown]] have a tendency to end up much taller than squatter figures like ''Voyager'' [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]], when they should be the same height or shorter.
+The less easily solved problem with the ''Animated'' toys seems to be that some of the toys are very much out of scale with the series, not only in vehicle mode (which is relatively normal) but also in robot mode. Lanky characters like Deluxe [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] have a tendency to end up much taller than squatter figures like Voyager [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]], when they should be the same height or shorter.
 ==References==

Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki

Changes: Transformers Animated (toyline)

Revision as of 03:52, 8 September 2012

Contents

Toys

Deluxe Class

Voyager Class

Leader Class

Supreme Class

Entertainment Pack

Activators

Bumper Battlers

Power Bots

Exclusives

McDonald's Happy Meal toys

Toys of Animated characters released as part of other lines

Movie (2007)

Universe (2008)

Criticisms

References