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:
Hasbro Transformers Legacy Evolution Deluxe Class Shrapnel Action Figure
Transformers CYBERVERSE Lot Of 7 Scout Class Grimlock, Loose New Complete
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Brand New Sealed DVD Free US Shipping
Transformers The Complete Original Series 15 DVD Box Set BRAND NEW
Transformers Legacy Evolution Commander Armada Optimus Prime Action Figure New
Transformers Bumblebee Studio Series 86-29 Hasbro. Box Not Mint. New and Sealed
TRANSFORMERS STUDIO SERIES 113 SKYWARP
Transformers R.E.D. Optimus Prime Robot Enhanced Design Figure Toys Gift Hasbro
Megatron Arm and Fusion Cannon for Studio Series Optimus Prime *Accessory Only
Transformers Optimus Prime Studio Series Truck Hasbro Action Figure
Wheeljack #81 - Sealed figure - Transformers Generations : Studio Series. MIB
Mattel Transformers Hot Wheels - Optimus Prime Truck - Die-Cast Metal
Transformers Masterpiece MP13 Soundwave Cassette Laserbeak 10" Action Figure Toy
Hasbro Transformers R.E.D. Series Authentic Soundwave Action Figure Toys Gift
Transformers Legacy United Star Raider 7" Converting Robot Toy for Kids 8+ New
Transformers Kickback 5" Action Figure 2022 Deluxe Class Legacy Insecticon MIB
Transformers Cyber Battalion Shockwave Action Figure (7")
Transformers Legacy United Star Raider 7" Converting Robot Toy for Kids 8+
Takara Tomy Hasbro Transformers Studio Series 86-15 Dinobot Sludge Figure New
Transformers Hasbro The Movie Retro Decepticon Skywarp Exclusive Action Figure
OPTIMUS PRIME Transformers: One Studio Series 112 Deluxe 2024 New Mint Condition
Transformers Optimus Prime Studio Series Truck Hasbro Action Figure
Transformers Cyberverse LOT 8 NEW Scout Class FIGURES Loose GRIMLOCK, RATCHET
TAKARA TOMY Transformer Studio Series 96 Buzzworthy Bumblebee NEST Ratchet NEW
TRANSFORMERS: The Movie Studio Series 86 Core Class Autobot Ratchet Free Shippin
Transformers Toys Generations War for Cybertron Commander WFC-S28 Jetfire Action
Transformers Generations Leader Class Combiner Wars Starscream 9" Movie Figure
Transformers Siege War for Cybertron WFC-S8 Cog WFC-S8 Weaponizer Action Figure
Hasbro Transformers Legacy Laser Optimus Prime 7 in Action Figure - F3061
Hasbro Collectibles - Transformers - Movie Masterpiece Series - MPM-12 Optimus P
Hasbro Collectibles - Transformers - Masterpiece Mp-59 Rhinox [New Toy] Action
Transformers Starscream Studio Deluxe SS21 Figure Hasbro New In Stock
Hasbro Transformers Galvatron 1:8 Studio Series 90 Action Figure
NEW! Transformers 40th Anniv HOBBY BLASTER Box (5 Pks & 1 Oversized Card)
Transformers Studio Series: #89 Thundercracker - Bumblebee Movie - Voyager, New
Hasbro Transformers Legacy Deluxe Elita-1 Autobot Action Figure Brand New 🚗🦾
Transformers Toys Studio Series #76 Voyager Class Bumblebee Thrust Action Figure
WHEELJACK transformers bumblebee movie NEW studio series deluxe class 81 figure
Transformers: the Ultimate 5-Movie Collection (DVD, 2018)
Transform G1 Grimlock dinobot reissue brand new action figure Free Shipping
Transformers Studio Series Deluxe 100 Rise of The Beast Bumblebee Action Figure
Transformers Optimus Studio Series Truck Hasbro Action Figure - Kids Toy
Transformers Studio Series 83 Soundwave MISB
Hasbro Transformers Studio Series 91 Leader Transformers: The Fallen (F3202) New
Transformers R.E.D Soundwave Robot Enhanced Design Action Figure Gift Hasbro Toy
Hot Wheels Track Fleet Transformers Optimus Prime Truck Hauler
Takara Tomy Transformers Studio Series 101 ROTB Leader Class Scourge New
Transformers Grimlock Cyberverse Scout class New Minty
Transform G1 Devastator complete reissue brand new WITH BOX free shipping
Transformers Generations Selects Voyager Class Antagony Action Figure
Transformers Studio Series War For Cybertron Gamer Edition Cliffjumper
Transformers: 7-Movie Collection [New Blu-ray] Boxed Set, Gift Set, Slipsleeve
Transformers Titans Return Seaspray Legends Class Action Figure Hasbro Toys NEW
*Damaged PKG* Hasbro Transformers Last Knight MEGATRON Leader Class 9" Figure
[USA] Yolopark TRANSFORMERS ONE AMK Series MEGATRON D-16 Cog-less 14cm *NEW*
Transformers Decepticons Scrapmetal Studio Series (✨50%OFF)
Studio Series SS 114 Megatron Cannon Upgrade Kit Transformers One
Hot Wheels 1:64 2024 Track Fleet Transformers Optimus Prime
[USA] Yolopark TRANSFORMERS ONE AMK OPTIMUS PRIME Cog-less Orion Pax 14cm *NEW*
Transformers Studio Series Commander Optimus Prime 86-31 New Ready to Ship USA
Transformers Studio Series 110 Bumblebee Movie: Shockwave Voyager Class SS110
Transformers Optimus Studio Series Truck Hasbro Action Figure - Kids Toy
Transformers - Shattered Glass Collection Grimlock - Reissue Authentic
Transformers Starscream Studio Deluxe SS06 Figure Hasbro Official In Stock
Transform G1 Optimus prime metal reissue MISB Improved Version with 2 Big Guns!
Transformers Retro 40th Anniversary G1 Soundwave Laserbeak Ravage NIB
Transformers Studio Series 86 Frenzy (Not Rumble)! Core Class! New In Box!
Hasbro Transformers Generations Ghostbusters Ectotron Ecto-1 Heroic Autobot
Transformers Metalhawk Legacy Evolution Voyager Class Generations Figure Hasbro
Transformers Silver Knight Optimus Prime 10" Action Figure Toys Gift NEW BOX
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts [2023, DVD] NEW 💿
Transformers Toys Studio Series 86-11 Deluxe Class The The Movie Perceptor...
Transformers: the Ultimate 5-Movie Collection (DVD, 2018)
SOUNDWAVE Transformers Studio Series SS 83 Bumblebee Movie voyager Class
Hasbro Studio Series 36 Transformers Autobot Drift Deluxe Action Figure Official
Transformers Generations Legacy Deluxe Class Wild Rider MISB (2/5 Menasor)
Hasbro Transformers Starscream Studio Series SS06 Deluxe Action Figure Official
TRANSFORMERS One BRAND NEW DVD, 2024 Pre-Sale Order Ships 12-26-2024
Transformers Legacy United Gears Deluxe Class – NEW SEALED, IN HAND
Transformers Studio Series #75 - Deluxe Class - JOLT
Transformers Studio Series Core Class RAVAGE 3.5" FIGURES MINTY NEW
18cm Transformers Dark of The Moon MEGATRON voyager complete dotm No Box
Hasbro Transformers Legacy Velocitron Speedia 500 Scourge Figure Exclusive Toy
Blokees Hasbro Transformers Galaxy Defenders Full Case Sealed 12pc Blind 2.2"
TRANSFORMERS One (DVD, 2024) NEW‼️🔊 Pre-Sale Order Ships🚨 12-26-2024💯
Hasbro G0153 Transformers Retro: G1 Optimus Prime Figure
Transformers Toys Heroes and Villains Optimus Prime and Megatron F5442 (NEW)
Transformers Studio Series # 110 Shockwave 7” Voyager Class Figure Bumblebee New
Takara Tomy Transformers Studio Series 101 ROTB Leader Class Scourge NEW (READ)
Lego Optimus Prime 1508PCS Transformers Free Shipping Not Lego Replica Brand new
Transformers Netflix War for Cybertron Walmart Deluxe Autobot Wheeljack - New
⚡️Netflix Transformers War for Cybertron Sparkless Seeker Action Figure
Transformers Studio Series Core Class 86 Autobots Ratchet and Wheelie New
Hasbro Collectibles - Transformers Legacy United - Voyager Class Cybertron Unive
Hasbro Transformers Studio Series Starscream #21 SS21 Voyager Class Movie Figure
Transformers G1 AUTOBOT MINI-BOT BUMBLEBEE Retro Walmart Exclusive Figure New
Hasbro Collectibles - Transformers Collaborative - G.I. Joe x Transformers Autob
Box (15 Booster Packs) Transformers Trading Card Game TCG Wave 1 Factory Sealed
Transformers Siege War for Cybertron Leader WFC-S13 ULTRA MAGNUS. New
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.
