The toy and packaging variation oddity, mystery and discovery thread
- Thread starter Nevermore
- Start date
Another rehash of something I posted on the old pre-crash Allspark forums: The Toys"R"Us exclusive "Commemorative Series" reissues have several international packaging variants and re-releases that are apparently confusing to some people.
For clarification, we are talking about four different versions:
Series I Optimus Prime, United States 2002:
Series I Optimus Prime, United Kingdom 2002:
Series I Optimus Prime, Hasbro Asia 2012:
Series I Rodimus Major, United States 2002:
Series I Rodimus Major, United Kingdom 2002:
Series I Ultra Magnus, United States 2002:
Series I Ultra Magnus, United Kingdom 2002:
Series I Ultra Magnus, Hasbro Asia 2012:
Series II Starscream, United States 2002:
Series II Starscream, United Kingdom 2002:
For clarification, we are talking about four different versions:
- English only (United States, Australia and, surprisingly, Canada)
- English, French, Dutch, German, Italian and Spanish (United Kingdom; Series I, II and III released concurrently with the United States)
- English only (United Kingdom; Series IV and V released in 2006, after the line had already run its course in the United States)
- English only (Hasbro's Asian markets; released in 2012)
Series I Optimus Prime, United States 2002:
Series I Optimus Prime, United Kingdom 2002:
Series I Rodimus Major, United States 2002:
Series I Rodimus Major, United Kingdom 2002:
Series I Ultra Magnus, United States 2002:
Series I Ultra Magnus, United Kingdom 2002:
Series II Starscream, United States 2002:
Series II Starscream, United Kingdom 2002:
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Series II Powermaster Optimus Prime, United States 2002:
Series II Powermaster Optimus Prime, United Kingdom 2002:
Series II Powermaster Optimus Prime, Hasbro Asia 2002:
Series III Autobot Jazz, United States 2003:
Series III Autobot Jazz, United Kingdom 2003:
Series IV Prowl, United States 2003:
Series IV Prowl, United Kingdom 2006:
Series IV Red Alert, United States 2003:
Series IV Red Alert, United Kingdom 2006:
Series II Powermaster Optimus Prime, United Kingdom 2002:
Series III Autobot Jazz, United States 2003:
Series III Autobot Jazz, United Kingdom 2003:
Series IV Prowl, United States 2003:
Series IV Red Alert, United States 2003:
Series IV Skywarp, United States 2003:
Series IV Skywarp, United Kingdom 2006:
Series V Inferno, United States 2003:
Series V Inferno, United Kingdom 2006:
Series V Autobot Tracks, United States 2003:
Series V Autobot Tracks, United Kingdom 2006:
Series VII Rodimus Prime, United States 2004:
Series VII Rodimus Prime, Hasbro Asia 2012:
Series V Inferno, United States 2003:
Series V Autobot Tracks, United States 2003:
Series VII Rodimus Prime, United States 2004:
Series VII Rodimus Prime, Hasbro Asia 2012:
Series VIII Side Swipe, United States 2004/2005:
Series VIII Side Swipe, Hasbro Asia 2012:
Series IX Astrotrain, United States 2005:
Series IX Decepticon Astrotrain, United States 2005:
Classics "Commemorative Edition" Soundwave, United States 2006:
Classics "Commemorative Edition" Soundwave, Hasbro Asia 2012:
Also, contrary to popular belief, Side Swipe was available at Toys"R"Us stores in the United States, albeit only in very low quantities before TRU decided to pull the plug on the line, and the unsold stock eventually ended up at KB Toys instead.
Series VIII Side Swipe, Hasbro Asia 2012:
Series IX Astrotrain, United States 2005:
Classics "Commemorative Edition" Soundwave, United States 2006:
Classics "Commemorative Edition" Soundwave, Hasbro Asia 2012:
Also, contrary to popular belief, Side Swipe was available at Toys"R"Us stores in the United States, albeit only in very low quantities before TRU decided to pull the plug on the line, and the unsold stock eventually ended up at KB Toys instead.
Originally from this TFW2005 review: Robots in Disguise (2001) Destructicon Bludgeon in European packaging!
Update: Destructicon Scourge as well! Multiples of both, even!
Direct comparison: KB Toys exclusive US packaging version with texts in three languages (English, French and Spanish) left, European packaging version with texts in six languages (English, French, Dutch, German, Spanish and Italian) right.
Also, the Dreadwind & Smokejumper two-pack as well!
As it turns out, all three were available as Toys"R"Us exclusives in the UK in May (Dreadwind & Smokejumper) and September (Bludgeon, Scourge) of 2003:
This makes Bludgeon, Scourge and the Dreadwing & Smokejumper two-pack the only known releases under the 2001 Robots in Disguise branding besides the "Tiny Tins" versions of the Spy Changers that were released European packaging after the launch of the Armada line, which had added texts in Spanish and Italian back to multilingual European packaging (most RID figures came in packaging featuring only four languages, namely English, French, Dutch and German).
Update: Destructicon Scourge as well! Multiples of both, even!
Direct comparison: KB Toys exclusive US packaging version with texts in three languages (English, French and Spanish) left, European packaging version with texts in six languages (English, French, Dutch, German, Spanish and Italian) right.
Also, the Dreadwind & Smokejumper two-pack as well!
As it turns out, all three were available as Toys"R"Us exclusives in the UK in May (Dreadwind & Smokejumper) and September (Bludgeon, Scourge) of 2003:
Dreadwing, Smokejumper & Storm Jet in the UK
Just a word to all uk cybertronians, have a look in your local toysrus, found the rid Storm Jet and Dreadwing & Smokejumper in my local stor
tformers.com
This Week's Haul 5/25 - 5/31
Post your TF hauls for this week Good luck and I hope you get all the TF's you're looking for
forums.toynewsi.com
UK Destructicons & Armada Thrust & Sideswipe
Loads of new bots in shops this week, firstly as has been mentioned powermaster prime & Jazz, but also Toysrus in Basildon Essex had scourge
tformers.com
This makes Bludgeon, Scourge and the Dreadwing & Smokejumper two-pack the only known releases under the 2001 Robots in Disguise branding besides the "Tiny Tins" versions of the Spy Changers that were released European packaging after the launch of the Armada line, which had added texts in Spanish and Italian back to multilingual European packaging (most RID figures came in packaging featuring only four languages, namely English, French, Dutch and German).
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Nevermore,
This entire thread is spectacular. Thank you for assembling everything here.
Many moons ago, we discussed on “another” message board, the rare English only package variation of the first 3 micromaster patrols released in the US (Sports Car Patrol, Off Road Patrol, and Air Strike Patrol) released in 1989 in Europe in the “2nd style” of Micromaster patrol packing.
Is that something to be revisited here, or are you limiting these discussions to G2 era and after?
Again, THANK YOU for giving a home to all of these discussions.
Karl
This entire thread is spectacular. Thank you for assembling everything here.
Many moons ago, we discussed on “another” message board, the rare English only package variation of the first 3 micromaster patrols released in the US (Sports Car Patrol, Off Road Patrol, and Air Strike Patrol) released in 1989 in Europe in the “2nd style” of Micromaster patrol packing.
Is that something to be revisited here, or are you limiting these discussions to G2 era and after?
Again, THANK YOU for giving a home to all of these discussions.
Karl
Hey there, new member!
So this is another repeat from the pre-crash Allspark forums.
In the United States, the Air Strike Patrol, Off Road Patrol and Race Car Patrol were released in very late 1988 as one of the first 1989 assortments. Their packaging differed from that of all the subsequent 1989 releases by still being based on the 1988 template, and featuring a unique "Micro Transformers" logo:
The same happened in Canada:
As far as I can tell, neither the United States nor Canada ever saw these three sets in the later full-on 1989 packaging design.
In Europe, however, things went a little different. These are UK releases of the Air Strike Patrol and Off Road Patrol in 1989 "Micromaster" packaging. They're in English-only packaging (which was used for the United Kingdom from 1984 through 1991). Several of them feature "Hasbro Bradley UK" stickers, and two even still have Woolworth price stickers in pounds!
Oh no, I've already featured the Euro Classics, so everything is fair game here!
So this is another repeat from the pre-crash Allspark forums.
In the United States, the Air Strike Patrol, Off Road Patrol and Race Car Patrol were released in very late 1988 as one of the first 1989 assortments. Their packaging differed from that of all the subsequent 1989 releases by still being based on the 1988 template, and featuring a unique "Micro Transformers" logo:
The same happened in Canada:
As far as I can tell, neither the United States nor Canada ever saw these three sets in the later full-on 1989 packaging design.
In Europe, however, things went a little different. These are UK releases of the Air Strike Patrol and Off Road Patrol in 1989 "Micromaster" packaging. They're in English-only packaging (which was used for the United Kingdom from 1984 through 1991). Several of them feature "Hasbro Bradley UK" stickers, and two even still have Woolworth price stickers in pounds!
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In the Netherlands, it appears that both packaging versions were available!
"Micro Transformers" Air Strike Patrol, Off Road Patrol and Race Car Patrol:
"Micromaster" Race Car Patrol:
Both versions of the Race Car Patrol were even available at the same chain (Bart Smit)!
Meanwhile, it currently appears that Italy only got the first, "Micro Transformers" versions:
"Micro Transformers" Air Strike Patrol, Off Road Patrol and Race Car Patrol:
"Micromaster" Race Car Patrol:
Both versions of the Race Car Patrol were even available at the same chain (Bart Smit)!
Meanwhile, it currently appears that Italy only got the first, "Micro Transformers" versions:
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Everyone knows the Frenzy/Rumble kerfuffle, but who knew that Italy has a similar conundrum?
Meet Triple Changer Springer, aka Tripla Azione "Ghibli":
Meet Triple Changer Sandstorm, aka Tripla Azione "Bora":
Except.... that's not what they were actually named. In the Italian dub of the cartoon, it was Springer who was named "Bora", whereas Sandstorm was named "Ghibli".
And that's not all.
This Italian ad for the toys backs up the cartoon's naming choice:
And what's even crazier: The toys's instructions agree with the cartoon as well!
Meet Triple Changer Springer, aka Tripla Azione "Ghibli":
Meet Triple Changer Sandstorm, aka Tripla Azione "Bora":
Except.... that's not what they were actually named. In the Italian dub of the cartoon, it was Springer who was named "Bora", whereas Sandstorm was named "Ghibli".
And that's not all.
This Italian ad for the toys backs up the cartoon's naming choice:
And what's even crazier: The toys's instructions agree with the cartoon as well!
So I've been busy... the only thing I have to offer right now to keep this thread alive is something non-Transformers for a change, but still kinda related: M.A.S.K.
In Europe, the packaging design was slightly changed to remove instances of weapons being fired. Compare the US Thunderhawk box to its European counterparts (English, French and Dutch, and German, Spanish and Italian):
The entire artwork is different!
Even weirder was Rhino: Here are the US and Canadian boxes.
Here is an early run European box (German, Spanish and Italian):
Note how the artwork is once again modified to remove all sorts of weapon blasts, including the missile being fired.
Here are later run European boxes: Dutch/English and German.
Now even the "MASK" logo itself has been modified to remove anything resembling "combat"!
What's more, the missile has been recolored. This is not limited to the packaging artwork; the accessory itself has also been changed, including the addition of "TVSAT" markings to make sure it's totally not a missile/bomb, but a harmless satellite:
In Europe, the packaging design was slightly changed to remove instances of weapons being fired. Compare the US Thunderhawk box to its European counterparts (English, French and Dutch, and German, Spanish and Italian):
The entire artwork is different!
Even weirder was Rhino: Here are the US and Canadian boxes.
Here is an early run European box (German, Spanish and Italian):
Note how the artwork is once again modified to remove all sorts of weapon blasts, including the missile being fired.
Here are later run European boxes: Dutch/English and German.
Now even the "MASK" logo itself has been modified to remove anything resembling "combat"!
What's more, the missile has been recolored. This is not limited to the packaging artwork; the accessory itself has also been changed, including the addition of "TVSAT" markings to make sure it's totally not a missile/bomb, but a harmless satellite:
TFw2005 user payres claims that Scourge, Bludgeon and the Dreadwind/Smokejumper two-pack were available at Toys"R"Us in the United Kingdom.
Couldn't find any photos of Dreadwind in European packaging so far, but I did find this old TFormers news post:
Update: Also this Toy News International forum post from two days later:
And here's the confirmation for Scourge and Bludgeon, also from TFormers:
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The markings on the Thrilling 30 Mini-Con Assault Team are all Leetspeak, though one of them is more of an oddball than the other two:
On Windshear, we find "7H37A", or "Theta".
On Runway, we find "VP51LN", or "Upsilon" aka "Ypsilon".
And on Heavytread, we find "TVCB1D6", or... "TUCBIDG"?
Yes. TUCBIDG. Which in turn is an abbreviation for "The UC Band is Damn Good", the slogan of the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands, which makes this the second reference to the Cincinnati Bearcats after Cybertron Hightail.
On Windshear, we find "7H37A", or "Theta".
On Runway, we find "VP51LN", or "Upsilon" aka "Ypsilon".
And on Heavytread, we find "TVCB1D6", or... "TUCBIDG"?
Yes. TUCBIDG. Which in turn is an abbreviation for "The UC Band is Damn Good", the slogan of the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands, which makes this the second reference to the Cincinnati Bearcats after Cybertron Hightail.
This is weird: Apparently, the wave 1 2001 Robots in Disguise Basics released in Europe/the UK were just barely modidied trilingual American cardbacks (with texts in English, French and Spanish), with new European-market age labels, and stickers featuring Hasbro UK contact info on the back. The title is still "Robots in Disguise/Robots Déguisés/Robots Camuflados", and the "trademark" ™ and "registered trademark" ® markings that are typically absent from European packaging are still there. Here are the W.A.R.S./Crosswise, Ironhide/Mirage and Hot Shot/R.E.V. two-packs:
Starting with the wave 2 Basics, Hasbro used genuine European packaging, now featuring texts in four languages (English, French, Dutch and German) and the triple title "Robots In Disguise/Les Robots Mutants/Getarnte Roboter".
Here are the wave 2 Side Burn/Daytonus and Prowl 2/Side Swipe two-packs, wave 3 Armorhide, Movor, and Rollbar and Ro-tor, and wave 4 Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus and the X-Brawn/Scourge two-pack:
Starting with the wave 2 Basics, Hasbro used genuine European packaging, now featuring texts in four languages (English, French, Dutch and German) and the triple title "Robots In Disguise/Les Robots Mutants/Getarnte Roboter".
Here are the wave 2 Side Burn/Daytonus and Prowl 2/Side Swipe two-packs, wave 3 Armorhide, Movor, and Rollbar and Ro-tor, and wave 4 Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus and the X-Brawn/Scourge two-pack:
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Speaking of: The "Combiners" logo on 2001 RID packaging went through some changes.
The first figures to feature the logo were the Team Bullet Train members, which were released as part of wave 2 of the "Mega" assortment. They all featured an English-only "Combiners" logo on their packaging:
On the other hand, the Build Team members and the Commando's leader/torso Mega-Octane (released as waves 3 and 4 of the "Deluxe" assortment, respectively) all featured a trilingual "Combiners/Fusionneurs/Combina" logo.
In between, the Commando limbs were released as wave 3 of the "Basic" assortment, and they were all subject to a running change packaging variant: What I assume to be the original version featured the "Combiners" logo in English only, while the later version featured the trilingual version of the logo.
This didn't apply in Europe, though: European packaging (featuring texts in English, French, Dutch and German rather than the Americas' English, French and Spanish) kept the "Combiners" logo in English only.
The first figures to feature the logo were the Team Bullet Train members, which were released as part of wave 2 of the "Mega" assortment. They all featured an English-only "Combiners" logo on their packaging:
On the other hand, the Build Team members and the Commando's leader/torso Mega-Octane (released as waves 3 and 4 of the "Deluxe" assortment, respectively) all featured a trilingual "Combiners/Fusionneurs/Combina" logo.
In between, the Commando limbs were released as wave 3 of the "Basic" assortment, and they were all subject to a running change packaging variant: What I assume to be the original version featured the "Combiners" logo in English only, while the later version featured the trilingual version of the logo.
This didn't apply in Europe, though: European packaging (featuring texts in English, French, Dutch and German rather than the Americas' English, French and Spanish) kept the "Combiners" logo in English only.