Transformer Collecting

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Pre-1984
Hasbro secures the rights to many changing/converting robot brands in Japan and creates the umbrella name The Transformers to unite them. Takara, a Japanese toy manufacturer, saw the potential for future Transformers growth and becomes Hasbro's lead partner in the development of new Transformers products. This successful alliance has lasted for more than 20 years.

1984
The Transformers toy line is launched by Hasbro, with a classic theme song that had kids all over the U.S. reciting the refrain "Robots in Disguise." The 21 toys in the original set include Optimus Prime, Megatron, Bumblebee, Jazz and Starscream. This is the beginning of what has come to be known the "Generation: 1" era.

The Transformers animated television series debuts with a mini-series entitled "More than Meets the Eye." New episodes began in September, airing on Saturday mornings. Check out the opening titles:

Marvel Comics releases four-issue Transformers comic series titled "The Transformers."

1985

Hasbro releases a second series of Transformers toys, highlighted by the introduction of Dinobots and Constructicons (the first group of figures that can combine to form a larger robot).

Two Transformers figures are introduced with battery-operated functions: Shockwave has a flashing light and sound effects, and Omega Supreme walks and has a tank with a turret that spins and lights up while rolling around a track.

1986
The animated feature film entitled "Transformers: The Movie " was released in theaters, featuring many of the characters that the new toys were modeled after. It featured the voice talents of Leonard Nimoy, Eric Idle, Judd Nelson, Robert Stack, and Orson Welles and a rock soundtrack.

Speaking of the rock soundtrack, one thing most of us Transformers fans remember is the song "The Touch" by Stan Bush. Here is the clip from the movie featuring the song:

Hasbro introduces cities for both the Autobots and Decepticons: Metroplex for the Autobots and Trypticon for the Decepticons.






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1987
The Headmasters and Targetmasters figures are introduced into the Transformers toy line. Hasbro introduced Fortress Maximus, the largest Transformers figure at the time, measuring a whopping two feet-tall.

1988
Hasbro released the Pretenders, robots that disguise themselves inside an included shell, and Micromasters, very, very small vehicles that change into robots.

Optimus Prime is revived with a new Transformers figure from Hasbro, featuring "Powermaster" technology wherein a smaller robot is used to unlock a special feature on the larger, more deluxe figure.

1989

Hasbro introduces four of the Transformers fans' favorite characters back into the toy line: Bumblebee, Jazz, Grimlock and Starscream.






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1990
Transformers Action Masters are released by Hasbro. These feature action figure versions of both classic and interesting new characters that don't change modes, but have vehicles and partners that do change modes.

1992
Late in the year Hasbro introduces "Transformers: Generation 2." All of these toys are re-colored versions of figures from the early years of Transformers: Jazz, Sideswipe, Inferno, Starscream, Ramjet, Optimus Prime (pictured), the Dinobots, and Constructicons.

There is a Generation 2 Television animated series, which featured all-new CGI graphics.

1993
Hasbro introduces a new Transformers feature into the lineup. Color-change cars have weapons that shoot water and parts that change color when hit by water, creating "battle damage."

Megatron is revived by Hasbro and introduced as a tank with projectile weaponry and electronic sound effects.

As a prelude to the new Transformers comic, Megatron first appears in the G.I. JOE comic series.

1994
The first BotCon, a Transformers fan convention, is held in July in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The annual event has been held every year since, and continues to attract Transformers fans from around the globe!

The Aerialbots and Combaticons Transformers are revived by Hasbro with some new friends, the Laser Rods with light-up engines and weapons, and the Rotor Force with rotor-weapons that can travel across a room.

Hasbro introduces one of its most popular Transformers to date - Dreadwing, a Stealth bomber with three modes.

1995
The animated series titled Transformers: Beast Wars debuts and is an instant hit.

1996
Hasbro releases the Transformers Beast Wars toy line, featuring characters from the animated series. Autobots and Decepticons are replaced by Maximals and Predacons, robots that turn into animals and insects. This line also introduced the first female Transformers figure, Blackarachnia (pictured right).

1998
Hasbro's Transformers Beast Wars line expands with the introduction of Transmetals, figures depicting mechanical animals with chrome-painted features. Some of these figures feature three or four conversion modes.

1999
The Transformers Beast Wars animated series evolves, introducing new characters and taking on the name Transformers Beast Machines.

2000
Transformers Beast Machines figures are released by Hasbro, including new Dinobots and Beast Wars figures with alternate colorations.

2001
Hasbro re-introduces Transformers as Robots in Disguise, returning to the classic concept of robots that change into cars, trucks, and other vehicles. The "Transformers: Robots in Disguise" series debuts.

2002

The "Transformers Armada" animated series debuts. Hasbro also launches the Armada toy line, featuring Minicons, which connect to larger figures to enable new features. Minicons were a big hit with a new generation of young fans.

Hasbro re-issues Transformers Generation: 1 toys exclusively at Toys R Us.

2003
Hasbro introduces the first-ever Transformers Unicron toy based on one of the most evil Transformers characters ever! Unicron is also voted one of the top 12 toys of the year by Toy Wishes.

Transformers Alternators toy line is introduced, featuring authentic-looking licensed vehicles that change into familiar characters.

2004
Transformers celbrates its 20th anniversary.

From Hasbro's action figures to the animated series, comic books, and video games, a new generation of kids have discovered the thrills of the Transformers saga.

The Transformers Energon theme is introduced, along with new Transformers Alternators vehicles and new toys from the Transformers Universe line, a collection of the best Transformers toys from years past. Want the theme? Here it is:

Hasbro introduces a 20th Anniversary special version of the heroic Optimus Prime robot as a fan-requested tribute to the original 1984 toy.

2005
The Transformers Cybertron line is introduced by Hasbro, featuring Cyber Keys that unlock weapons and new features within each figure.

Hasbro announces that together with DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures, they will bring the Transformers saga to the big screen.

New comic book licensee, IDW Publishing, re-launches a new line of Transformers comics.

2006
Production begins on the live action feature film

You'll see people use the following acronyms/words when referring to items they are looking for or selling (they are listed in alphabetical order).

.000, .001, .002

This is similar to the SKU number, but refers to an assortment. When figures are released and coded for sale to retail markets, they are part of an "assortment." The assortment number is a long number followed by a decimal point and a 000, 001, or 002 (etc.) suffix. Sometimes the same figure is retooled, recolored, or even unchanged and released again in a new batch, or assortment. The completist collectors will often search for the first assortment release (.000), or perhaps a change was made to the figure and the changed version is released in limited quantities, making the 0002 or 0003 (or whatEVER) the "hot" item.

+ (plus sign):

This is just to indicate that an item being rated in terms of condition (usually via the C-scale) could be in better condition than the rating states. For instance, a C-8 figure is an 8 out of 10, but a C-8+ figure is even better, but probably not as good as C-9. Most people use decimals to be more specific (like C-8.2 or C-8.5). Sometimes the "+" is added as a type of exclamation about how perfect a C-10 figure is (C-10++!!).

Backing:

Any supportive or decorative surface to which a toy is affixed in some way for display in the retail market. For the earlier Transformers figures, the piece of cardboard that the figure was sealed to in the bubble is the backing. This is not typically the "card" of carded figures, but rather some secondary packaging inside a main box.

Blister:

One of the common ways for toy companies to package their wares for display in the retail market is to use a clear plastic shell that is affixed via some sort of adhesive to a cardboard backing. This is most often referred to as the "Bubble," but many people use "Blister" as well. It enables buyers to see the item for sale without being able to touch it before purchase.

Bubble: See Blister.

C-1 (or C-2, C-3, etc. up to C-10):

This is a basic rating scale used to describe the condition of figures or their boxes, packaging, etc. It's no more than a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best. It is generally assumed that the "C" just stands for "Condition." While everyone's definition is different (see General Advice for using or interpreting the C scale), C-10 generally means in perfect condition, as if the figure has just been taken out of a sealed box; no scratches, looseness, no flaws whatsoever. C-1 would be a figure that is more than likely broken in some way, with dirt, scratches, bends, stress/tooth marks, total looseness, etc. The same applies to boxes; a C-10 box looks as if it just came off the belt at the factory; no creases, dents/dings in the acetate windows (or what have you), no corner wear, etc. Every item can be judged in its own way; the C-scale is just a way for us as collectors and sellers to standardize how to quickly present the gist of an item's condition.

Card:

The most common ways for toy companies to package their figures are in boxes or on Cards. Cards are the types of packages hung on hooks in stores instead of stacked on shelves. In the U.S., the deluxe-sized Beast Wars figures were all on cards, as are most of the standard-sized Star Wars figures.

Case Fresh:

This means that the packaging is in perfect shape, and usually also means it's sealed and in untouched condition. It's as if the figure was just pulled from a case that was shipped to the retailer by the toy company. Similar to MIMSB.

Factory (or Factory Applied):

Most figures have some detail applied at the factory that made them, often a certain set of stickers. If a figure only has the factory-applied stickers, it means the stickers that are already applied when the figure is removed from its original packaging.

Insert:

Almost all toys are packaged with some secondary materials besides the figure itself and its accessories; there are usually promotional brochures, catalogs of similar toys available for sale, etc. These are often referred to as "inserts."

***Quick summary of all the "MIMB," "MOC," "MISB," etc.***

M = MINT
I = IN
B = BOX
P = PACKAGE
C = CARD
S = SEALED
O = ON

MIB: Mint In Box. The item in question has its retail packaging. Some people use this to refer only to the presence of the packaging, not the CONDITION of the packaging or of the figure; see the General Advice section for details.

MIMB: Mint In Mint Box. The seller is specifically stating that not only the figure is in Mint condition, but the box that it is packaged in is in Mint condition as well.

Mint: "Perfect" in terms of the condition of a figure or its packaging. For car enthusiasts, a synonym would be "cherry."

MIMP: Mint In Mint Package: Same as MIMB, but perhaps the figure in question was packaged in some way other than in a "box" per se.

MIP: Mint In Package. Same as MIB, but perhaps the figure in question was packaged in some way other than in a "box" per se.

MISB: Mint In Sealed Box. The packaging for the figure in question is unopened. Most toy companies packaged their items in some way as to make this a definable trait. Boxed Transformers had tape holding the opening flaps shut, as well as bubble/backing seals of the actual figure inside. Some people use MISB to refer only to PARTS of the packaging being unopened; see the General Advice section for details.

MISMB: Mint In Mint Sealed Box. Same as MISB, but the seller is specifically stating that the packaging is in perfect condition as well as the figure.

MISP: Mint In Sealed Package. Same as MISB, but perhaps the figure in question was packaged in some way other than in a "box" per se.

MISMP: Mint In Sealed Mint Package. Same as MISP, but the seller is specifically stating that the packaging is in perfect condition as well as the figure.

MOC: Mint On Card. For figures that are packaged on cardbacks instead of in boxes (hung on hooks in stores rather than stacked on shelves). The majority of the Beast Wars figures are packaged this way. It means that the figure is still able to be held to the cardback by the packaging. Not sealed, necessarily, but the cardback should be able to be hung on a hook without the figure falling out.

MOSC: Mint On Sealed Card. Whatever packaging there is that holds the figure to the card (usually a bubble) has not been breached; the figure itself is provably untouched by consumer hands.

MOSMC: Mint On Sealed Mint Card. Same as MOSC, but the seller is specifically stating that the packaging is in perfect condition as well as the figure.

NRFB: Never Removed From Box. Same as MISB.

Paperwork: Included in the packaging for most toys is some amount of documentation, usually instructions on how to use or transform the figure. Most often paperwork refers to the instructions, but some people use it to refer to all paper inserts (catalogs, mail-away offers, promotional items, etc.).

Punched (or Unpunched): For figures that were packaged on cards and hung on hooks for display in retail stores, there was usually a little hole in the top/center of the card where the hook would go through. Sometimes this hole was scored but not punched all the way through by the packaging manufacturers. It's an added feature to a figure's "newness" and "untouched" quality. Doesn't apply so much any more, as most carded figures now have shaped cards that allow for hooks, as opposed to "island" holes that needed to be punched.

Recolor: Toy companies (especially Hasbro) often release an action figure that is identical to an earlier figure, but has a different color scheme. Sometimes they are marketed as separate figures with different names, sometimes they are considered "re-releases."

Re-release (or Re-issue): Because of popularity, or to correct an earlier error/recalled toy, companies may begin selling a figure again that was discontinued. The new figure may have different colors or packaging, but is still considered the same character and has the same name.

Rock Bubble (or Rock Blister): A Beast-Wars specific term; several carded figures were altered in their packaging while still in production. The earlier variations had bubbles on the cards that where molded to look like rocks. The Bubbles were later changed to smooth rounded shapes with no special molding (known as Smooth Bubble or Smooth Blister).

Shelf Wear: General overall minor damage to packaging due to typical shelf activity in a toy stor; being slid along a shelf, or stacked and scuttled along over and over until some whitening appears along corners (for boxed figures), or some flat edges are a little bent and bubbles are a little scuffed (for carded figures).

SKU: In the world of collecting, some people are amazingly complete about getting variations. Sometimes a toy or its packaging is altered in some way while it is still in production, creating two (or more) near-identical toys in the retail market at once. Sometimes the variation is so minor that the only evidence is a different "SKU number." SKU stands for Stock Keeping Unit, and is the bar-coded number on packages that identifies the smallest marketable unit (ie. one action figure) sold by a company. For some reason a SKU number difference can create a lot of excitement for the completist collectors, and so is referred to when describing the figure for sale (like "Transmetal 2 Cybershark, Sku# 0-76281-8054-2!!!!")

Smooth Bubble (or Smooth Blister): See Rock Bubble.

Variation (or Var): Oftentimes a toy company will alter the packaging or a small detail regarding an action figure's components while it is still in production. This creates two items of the same name that are concurrently in product