Generation 1 TOYLINE overview

Who would have ever thought that years later the Transformers we grew up with would be considered "Generation 1"? I would have never imagined that the TF Universe would expand so much in later years that the originals were considered classics. However, nobody can forget the figures that started it all. They were original, sleek in design, and bring a tear to many who remember them again for the first time.

There were about 25 in the first batch of figures. They included some of the main characters we had grown to love such as Optimus Prime, Prowl, Bluestreak, Megatron, etc. These figures were extremely popular (with help from the new television series and comic book). This popularity led to a second wave of figures which added another excellent batch to the toyline. These included more Autobot cars, Jetfire, Omega Supreme, and others. The second year was also successful and this proved that the Transformers definitely had become a winning toyline.

Then Hasbro decided to change what we knew as Transformesr a little bit. With the release of the motion picture in summer of 1986, the Transformers turned futuristic with the story taking place in the years 2005 and beyond. The figures from the third year were futuristic cars, jets, bases, and much more. Most of them were based on the motion picture (and also season three of the television series). These figures included major hits such as Hot Rod, Cyclonus, Scourge, Galvatron, etc. Once again, the Transformers proved unstoppable.

Then Hasbro socked us with another change. They took these regular transformable vehicles and stuff we had grown to love and made them "masters". I don't mean leaders and such. But a sub-line which would carry on until the figure's demise. The fourth year brought about the Headmasters. These were figures who transformed like always but would have a removeable head as well. The robot's head would pop off and transform into another ( very small) robot. This year also brought about the Targetmasters where the weapons of the robots transformed. We also got such hits as Fortress Maximus (the two foot tall base), Scorponok, Clones, and much more. The television series ended in season four (with a three parter called "Rebirth" being the only episodes produced) and the Headmasters/Targetmasters were introduced before it's cancellation. The comic book was still in production.

After the fourth year it seemed the Transformers started going into a decline. With no television show and a comic book that was losing readers, Hasbro tried it's best to keep the interest in the figures. This is also around the year when I got away from them and looked into something different. They continued the Headmasters/Targetmaster theme and also introduced many other unique figures.

The fifth year and sixth year brought about more change even though the toyline was in a major downfall. These changes include Micromasters (to battle the Micro Machines), Action Masters (action figure like renditions of the Transformers), Pretenders (robots with outer shell designs), and K-Mart Legends. These changes unfortunately didn't work and the line was canceled after it's sixth year in 1990. The comic book was also canceled around the same time (even though it had done a complete turnaround and was better than ever).

The Transformers had an interesting and excellent run. Unfortunately they got a bit too altered for their own good and this lead to it's downfall. The memories we take away from those years are more precious than anything from many of our childhoods. Keep it alive.......and now......let's roll out!!