Robots in disguise! Transformers are probably one of the most “toyetic” characters and creations in the history of Western cartoons, which is saying a lot considering what the 1980’s churned out in terms of media-driven animation.
The robots who could change, or, transform into cars, trucks and the like started out as a marketing ploy and quickly grew into legacy that helped define a generation.
Transformers Toys for Sale
Thanks to Michael Bay’s affinity for the Pentagon, Transformers have remained popular even after the era of Saturday morning cartoons. These toys and cartoons helped to define an entire generation, so perhaps it is no wonder that they remain a part of modern popular culture. Here are Transformers toys available for sale right now:
Transformers Prime R.E.D. Robot Enhanced Design Megatron Exclusive Figure RARE
Transformers CYBERVERSE Lot Of 7 Scout Class Grimlock, Loose New Complete
Transformers The Complete Original Series 15 DVD Box Set BRAND NEW
Transformers R.E.D. Megatron Robot Enhanced Design Action Figure Gift Hasbro Toy
Transformers R.E.D. Optimus Prime Robot Enhanced Design Exclusive Figure RARE
Transformers Legacy Evolution Commander Armada Optimus Prime Action Figure New
TRANSFORMERS #15 Cvr A Image Comics 2024 Skybound 1024IM428 15A (CA) Johnson
Hot Wheels Transformers Optimus Prime 1:64 Scale Diecast Metal Truck by Mattel
Transformers Studio Series Commander Optimus Prime 86-31 New Ready to Ship USA
Transformers Studio Series Deluxe 100 Rise of The Beast Bumblebee Action Figure
OPTIMUS PRIME Transformers: One Studio Series 112 Deluxe 2024 New Mint Condition
Transformers - Shattered Glass Collection Grimlock - Reissue Authentic
TRANSFORMERS STUDIO SERIES 113 SKYWARP
Transformers Studio Series 51 Deluxe Class Dark of the Moon Soundwave Figure
Transformers Bumblebee Studio Series 86-29 Hasbro. Box Not Mint. New and Sealed
Transformers Generations Leader Class Combiner Wars Starscream 9" Movie Figure
Takara Tomy Hasbro Transformers Studio Series 86-15 Dinobot Sludge Figure New
Transformers Hot Wheels Optimus Prime Truck 1:64 Scale Die-Cast Metal by Mattel
HASBRO TRANSFORMERS STUDIO SERIES DELUXE ONE SS-114 MEGATRON ACTION FIGURE
TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS LEGACY DELUXE DEAD END ACTION FIGURE NEW/SEALED!
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts [2023, DVD] NEW 💿
Takara Tomy Transformers Studio Series 101 ROTB Leader Class Scourge New
Transformation Robot Car Toys Studio Series Truck Hasbro Action Figure
Transformers Cyberverse LOT 8 NEW Scout Class FIGURES Loose GRIMLOCK, RATCHET
Hasbro Transformers Studio Series Starscream #21 SS21 Voyager Class Movie Figure
Megatron Arm and Fusion Cannon for Studio Series Optimus Prime *Accessory Only
Wheeljack #81 - Sealed figure - Transformers Generations : Studio Series. MIB
Transformers Toys Generations War for Cybertron Commander WFC-S28 Jetfire Action
Transformers Generations Selects Voyager Class Antagony Action Figure
Transformers Toys Studio Series 86-11 Deluxe Class The The Movie Perceptor...
SOUNDWAVE Transformers Studio Series SS 83 Bumblebee Movie voyager Class
Transformers R.E.D. Megatron & Optimus Prime 6" Action Figures Bundle Hasbro New
On Sale!!! Transformers Studio Series #12 BRAWL SS12 Voyager Decepticon Figure
Transformers R.E.D. Optimus Prime Robot Enhanced Design Figure Toys Gift Hasbro
Transformers Masterpiece MP13 Soundwave Cassette Laserbeak 10" Action Figure Toy
Transformers Hasbro The Movie Retro Decepticon Skywarp Exclusive Action Figure
TUBBZ Boxed EDITION transformers, Optimus prime Collectible Duck Figure JEEP
*Damaged PKG* Hasbro Transformers Last Knight MEGATRON Leader Class 9" Figure
TRANSFORMERS: The Movie Studio Series 86 Core Class Autobot Ratchet Free Shippin
TRANSFORMERS 40TH ANNIVERSARY BOMBSHELL & RAMHORN
Hasbro G0153 Transformers Retro: G1 Optimus Prime Figure
Transformers R.E.D. Series G1 6" MEGATRON Action Figure Hasbro - BRAND NEW
[USA] Yolopark TRANSFORMERS ONE AMK Series MEGATRON D-16 Cog-less 14cm *NEW*
Transformers Studio Series Deluxe Class - Concept Art Sunstreaker #111
Transformers Toys Studio Series #76 Voyager Class Bumblebee Thrust Action Figure
Transform G1 Grimlock dinobot reissue brand new action figure Free Shipping
Transformers Legacy United Leader Class G1 Universe Soundwave Action Figure
Transformers Deception Communicator Soundwave Action Figure, 40th Anniversary
Transformers: The Ultimate 5-Movie Collection (DVD SET) Brand New & Sealed
Hasbro Collectibles - Transformers - Masterpiece Mp-59 Rhinox [New Toy] Action
Transformers: the Ultimate 5-Movie Collection (DVD, 2018)
Transformers Studio Series 86-31 Transformers: The Movie Optimus Prime (New)
Transformers Retro 40th Anniversary G1 Soundwave Laserbeak Ravage NIB
Funko Pop! Vinyl: Transformers - Optimus Prime #120 Lights and Sounds, New
Transform G1 Optimus prime metal reissue MISB Improved Version with 2 Big Guns!
Hasbro Transformers Studio Series 91 Leader Transformers: The Fallen (F3202) New
Transformers Studio Series # 110 Shockwave 7” Voyager Class Figure Bumblebee New
Transformers Optimus Studio Series Truck Hasbro Action Figure - Kids Toy
Transformers Cyberverse Starscream Scout Class New
Transformers Toys EarthSpark Deluxe Class Terran Twitch
Transformers Legacy United Gears Deluxe Class – NEW SEALED, IN HAND
New Blokees Transformers Classic Class Movie Optimus Prime Model Kit
Transform G1 Devastator complete reissue brand new WITH BOX free shipping
Hasbro Collectibles - Transformers - Movie Masterpiece Series - MPM-12 Optimus P
Hasbro Collectibles - Transformers Collaborative - G.I. Joe x Transformers Autob
Transformers: The Movie Retro Autobot Hot Rod Collectible Action Figure
Transformers GALVATRON Studio Series SS-90 Age of Extinction Movie Hasbro 2022
18cm Transformers Dark of The Moon MEGATRON voyager complete dotm No Box
Hasbro Transformers Legacy Evolution Buzzworthy Bumblebee Action Figure #327
Transformers Siege War for Cybertron WFC-S8 Cog WFC-S8 Weaponizer Action Figure
Transformers Prime R.E.D. Thundercracker Robot Enhanced Design Exclusive Figur
TRANFORMERS PRIME R.E.D. KNOCK OUT Action Figure by Hasbro New in Box
Hasbro Transformers Megatron Studio Series 54 Deluxe Action Figure
Transformers Optimus Studio Series Truck Hasbro Action Figure - Kids Toy
Hot New Bumblebee Autobot Knight Actions Figure Deluxe Deformabl Robot Toys Gift
Steeljaw Hasbro Transformers The Movie Studio Series Steeljaw CASE FRESH
Transformers Decepticons Scrapmetal Studio Series (✨50%OFF)
2024 Optimus Prime Transformers Die-Cast Hot Wheels 1/64 Track Fleet Series MOC!
New Transformers Nemesis Prime Studio Truck Hasbro Action Figure Kids Toy Brand
Transformers Titans Return Seaspray Legends Class Action Figure Hasbro Toys NEW
Transformers Buzzworthy Bumblebee Studio Series Deluxe N.E.S.T. Autobot Ratchet
Transformers Legacy United Titan Class Armada Universe Tidal Wave
Transformers Toys Legacy Evolution Deluxe Autobot Devcon Toy Action Figure 5.5"
Transformers Studio Series #75 - Deluxe Class - JOLT
Hasbro Transformers Legacy Velocitron Speedia 500 Scourge Figure Exclusive Toy
Transformers WFC Kingdom Deluxe Class RED ALERT. Brand New
Transformers Legacy United Star Raider 7" Converting Robot Toy for Kids 8+
Transformers Grimlock Cyberverse Scout class New Minty
TRANSFORMERS: The Movie Studio Series Core Class Autobot Wheelie Free Shipping
2022 Transformers Buzzworthy Bumblebee Studio Series 70-BB B-127 Damaged Package
Transformers Starscream Studio Deluxe SS06 Figure Hasbro Official In Stock
HASBRO TRANSFORMERS TOYS LEGACY EVOLUTION VOYAGER CLASS NACELLE 7" ACTION FIGURE
Hasbro Transformers Bumblebee Thundercracker 1:8 Studio Series 89 Action Figure
⚡️Netflix Transformers War for Cybertron Sparkless Seeker Action Figure
New Transformation Toy Mirage CY-01 KO Movie 7 SS105 Autobot Action Figure Toy
[USA] Yolopark TRANSFORMERS ONE AMK OPTIMUS PRIME Cog-less Orion Pax 14cm *NEW*
Transformers Cyber Commander - Optimus Prime 11-inch Figure (DAMAGED BOX)
Transformation Robot Car Toys Studio Series Truck Hasbro Action Figure
Hot New Bumblebee Autobot Knight Actions Figure Deluxe Deformabl Robot Toys Gift
Transformers Starscream Studio Deluxe SS21 Figure Hasbro New In Stock
History of Transformers
Transformers toys got their start in the 1980’s, of course, but there history isn’t as straightforward as you might think. A line of toys called Takera Toys entered the market in 1980. Hasbro picked up the brand in 1982 and renamed them Transformers. These early toys were the start of the franchise, because they were basically the original Transformers in terms of design and toy functionality.
In 1983 Hasbro when to Japan, found more toy lines of a similar vein, and bought the rights and the molds. In order to get the toys to sell, Hasbro decided to get creative and create some lore and backstory to drum up interest and get sales moving. they started this move by going to Marvel and had them set up the lore for all these new cool transforming robot toys. This laid the groundwork for the lore that would be brought to full force throughout the ‘80’s and beyond.
The first released toyline totaled 28 robots, with 18 Autobots and 10 Decepticons. Some of the toys were just reskins with other accessories, but a toyline it was. The next step after lore creation was to get the word out through cartoons. Back then it was a lot easier for companies to hawk their toys to kids with cartoons and the like, so they took full advantage of Saturday morning to get the word out and get sales going.
When it came to the cartoons, Hasbro once again turned to Marvel to help with the writing. This probably helps to explain why Transformers is better remembered and written back in the day than other similar “toyetic” cartoons.
The first Transformer cartoon was a miniseries that released in 1984. This helped start building hype for a thirteen episode series that released the following year. The season aired Saturday mornings, obviously, from October to December. This of course meant it was fresh in the minds of kids, and thus their parents, when it came time for holiday shopping. The timing and inclusion of Marvel helped explain the major success of these early releases and their staying power over the decades.
A second season totaled a hefty forty-nine episodes and tied closely to the toyline and its releases. They did this by heavily featuring certain characters when a new release was imminent, ensuring kids and their parents would have more interest in these toys than older standbys, though they of course still had their fans.
There are reasons companies aren’t allowed to do this anymore, after all. Ethics is a funny thing like that.
Then, in 1986, Transformers released a movie that killed off major characters to clear the line of older models and make way for new ones. The movie was daring in its own right and featured a lot of violence and even swearing, which made it controversial at the time and a reliable cult classic for later decades. It also featured the final role by Orson Welles.
Season three followed after the movie the next year. Over the decades, toys have come and gone, and new series and specials have kept Transformers in people’s minds since those first cartoons. A new generation of toys was released in 1993, and other related materials, now more muted as company’s got told to cool it with the marketing, released as well.
These cartoons were effectively really long commercials, but they continued to be of decent quality and appeal both to new and old fans. Nostalgia is powerful like that. The kids of the 1980’s are now parents and maybe even grandparents in their own right, and that means not only is their nostalgia to consider, but also new generations of potential toy sales.
Of course, the Michael Bay movies, the first of which hit the world in 2007, made sure the toys and their names would remain in people’s minds for some time. Though controversial for their content and Bay’s love for having the Pentagon foot the bill of his films, there’s no denying the massive reach those films had.
Collecting Nostalgia
As one of the most iconic franchises of the 1980’s, and now one of Michael Bay’s biggest cash cows, it’s no surprise that the toys remain popular to collectors and fans old and new alike. People are willing to shell out big bucks for nostalgia, and the older toys especially are highly sought after collector’s items. Both the older toys and newer ones in the line are popular, naturally, but of course finding the older toys can be a lot trickier to find.
Fortunately, collector’s items thrive on secondary markets, and one such market is eBay. eBay is a great place to look up prices and get an idea of availability for collector’s items, especially ones less likely to wind up in an antique store or pawn shop. It can take some digging to find the exact item you want, but for those starting their collection or looking to fill it out, eBay is a great place to start.
It’s hard to think of a more iconic part of the 1980’s and the early twenty-first century than Transformers. Whether it’s grown up kids from the eighties or younger folks curious to see what all the fuss is about, Transformers toys are an extensive toy line with a history far more rich and involved then some people realize.
