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 main line. While the contemporary main line for this Universe is Transformers Animated, for some reason Hasbro has actually included a few Animated figures in it too.
Hasbro first announced the line at BotCon 2007, stating that it would not have an overall story arc. It comprises several sub-lines, most of which feature toys with "realistic" vehicle modes (a niche left otherwise unfilled after the end of the live-action movie line). Those include:
- Classic Series, continuing the Classics franchise. This is by far the most prevalent sub-line.
- Armada Series, adding to the Armada franchise.
- War Within Series, based on the War Within comic.
- G1 Series, rooted in the original Generation One franchise.
These toys occupy various price-points, and some in the Ultra class feature electronic light and sound.
In addition, some Legends-class toys of Animated characters have gotten their own Universe series, despite their not-so-realistic vehicle modes:
- Animated Series, representing the Transformers Animated franchise.
And just to break the vehicle-mode-based pattern completely, Universe also continues the non-transforming, super-cute Robot Heroes line. These are also divided into "Series," including:
- Generation One Series
- Beast Wars Series
- Beast Machines Series
- Robots in Disguise Series
In January 2008, Hasbro launched a web page for the new Universe line, featuring a preview of the first "Classic Series" wave 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."
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.
Toys[]
General retail[]
Legends Class[]
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[]
- Optimus Prime (Animated Series)
- Bumblebee (Animated Series)
- Prowl (Animated Series)
Wave 4[]
- Beachcomber(G1 Series)
- Bumblebee (G1 Series)
- Brawn (G1 Series)
Wave 5[]
- Autobot Cosmos (Classic Series)
- Rodimus based on earth mode Hot Rod from IDW Transformers arc. (G1 Series)
- Wheelie (G1 Series)
- Warpath (G1 Series)
Deluxe Class[]
Wave 1[]
- Sunstreaker (Classic Series)
- Prowl (Classic Series)
- Tankor (Classic Series; an update of Octane, not named so due to trademark issues)
Wave 2[]
- Galvatron (Classic Series)
- Acid Storm (Classic Series)
Wave 3[]
- Sideswipe (Classic Series)
- Silverstreak (Classic Series, an update of Bluestreak, not named so due to trademark issues
- Ironhide (Classic Series)
Wave 4[]
- Cheetor (Beast Wars Series)
- Autobot Hound with Ravage (Generation One Series)
- Starscream Repaint of Classics Starscream in more G1-toon-accurate colours (Generation One Series)
- Cyclonus with Nightstick (Generation One Series)
Wave 5[]
- Smokescreen (Generation One Series)
- Dinobot (Beast Wars Series)
Wave 6[]
Voyager Class[]
Wave 1[]
- Autobot Blaster with Mini-Con Blockrock (Classic Series)
- Decepticon Heavy Load with Mini-Con Drill Bit (Classic Series)
Wave 2[]
- Decepticon Dropshot (Classic Series)
- Autobot Blades (Classic Series)
Wave 3[]
- Tread Bolt (Classic Series)
Wave 4[]
- Inferno (G2 Series)
- Vector Prime (Cybertron Series)
Wave 5[]
Ultra Class[]
Wave 1[]
- Powerglide (Classic Series)
- Onslaught (Classic Series)
Wave 2[]
- Silverbolt (Classic Series)
Wave 3[]
- Storm Cloud (Classic Series)
Wave 4[]
Hasbro More Than Meets the Eye 25th Anniversary Pack[]
Robot Heroes[]
Wave 1[]
- Rattrap vs. Megatron (Beast Wars Series)
- Cheetor vs. Blackarachnia (Beast Wars Series)
- Sunstreaker vs. Galvatron (Generation One Series)
- Hound vs. Blitzwing (Generation One Series)
Wave 1.5[]
- Arcee vs. Decepticon Rumble (Generation One Series)
- Rhinox vs. Waspinator (Beast Wars Series)
- Optimus Primal vs. Predacon Tarantulas (Beast Wars Series)
Wave 2[]
- Autobot Blaster vs. Thrust (Generation One Series)
- Ironhide vs. Kickback (Generation One Series)
- Silverbolt vs. (Transmetal) Megatron (Beast Wars Series)
Wave 3[]
- Snarl (G1 Slag) vs. Sharkticon (Generation One Series)
- Cheetor vs. Tankor (Beast Machines Series)
- Perceptor vs. Hardshell (G1 Bombshell) (Generation One Series)
Cancelled[]
Wave 4[]
- Optimus Prime vs. Megatron (Robots in Disguise Series)
- Prowl vs. Laserbeak
Wave 5?[]
- Optimus Primal vs. Jetstorm
- Victory Saber vs. Dessaras (Generation One Series)
Mighty Muggs[]
Wave 1[]
Wave 2[]
- Grimlock (G1 Version)
- Starscream (G1 Version)
Uncertain Items[]
"Dollar Store" Exclusive Mini-Con class (Big Lots)[]
"Dollar Store" exclusive Scout class (?)[]
- Brushguard
- Brakedown
- Backstop
Universe Special Edition[]
Hasbro Toy Shop[]
Cancelled Items[]
Universe Commemorative Edition[]
Toys'R'Us[]
Single Packs[]
Hasbro Toy Shop (Available at San Diego Comic-Con 2008[]
- Nemesis Prime (Classic Series)
Toys'R'Us[]
Target[]
- Optimus Prime (Titanium Series)
- Thrust (Titanium Series)
- Hot Zone (Titanium Series)
- Leo Prime (white)
Wal*Mart[]
Diamond Select/Toys'R'Us[]
- Autobot Jazz (Mighty Mugg,G1 Version)
- Shockwave (Mighty Mugg,G1 Version)
- Optimus Prime (Mighty Mugg, Movie Version)
- Bumblebee (Mighty Mugg, Movie Version)
Coming Soon (Unknown Store)[]
- Shockwave?
Other exclusive multi-packs[]
Costco[]
- Ultra Twin-Pack (Optimus Prime & Crumplezone (Cybertron)
Hasbro Toy Shop (available at San Diego Comic-Con 2009[]
K-Mart[]
- Mini-Con 12-Pack (Backstop, Heavytread, Knockdown, Blight, Bodyblock, Makeshift, Boltflash, Brimstone, Skyhammer, Cloudraker, Flatfoot & Suppressor
K-Mart & Meijer[]
- Mini-Con 10-Pack (Windrazor, Ransack, Stockade, Overcharge, Sky Shadow, Scavenger, Longview, Snow Cat, Treadshot & Crosshairs)
Sam's Club[]
Target[]
- Autobot Ambush (Roadbuster (G1)|Autobot Roadbuster]] vs. Dirge)
- Standoff Beneath the Streets (Springer vs. Ratbat
- Aerial Rivals (Thrust, Ramjet, Autobot Blades, Air Raid & Skydive)
- Special Team Leaders (Razorclaw, Hun-Gurrr, Autobot Hot Zone, Scattorshot & Silverbolt)
Walgreens[]
- Warriors From Three Worlds (Ransack GTS, Scattorshot & Repugnus)
Wal*Mart[]
- War of the Waves (Air Raid vs. Storm Surge
- The Data War (Clocker vs. Hardtop
Foreign Market Exclusives[]
Foreign Market exclusive multi-packs[]
United Kingdom[]
Australia & Singapore[]
- Superion (Silverbolt, Air Raid (ROTF), Fireflight, Skydive & Airazor)
- Bruticus Maximus (D1 Blast Off, D2 Vortex, D3 Decepticon Brawl, D4 Swindle & D5 Onslaught)
Foreign Market Exclusive Robot Heroes[]
- Tigatron (BW Version) vs. Inferno
- Riochet (G1 Version) vs. Predaking (G1 Version)