This page contains affiliate links. We may earn commissions when readers interact with or purchase items through these links. For more information, see our affiliate disclosures here.

Identify this transformer. Circa 1989. Toys R Us $70?

Feel free to discuss anything about any of the thousands of Transformer toys here. Anything from Generation 1 all the way to the soon to be released, the never to be released or the hope to be released is fair game! Want to show off your stuff? Please post your's and see others in the Transformers Collections Forum.

Identify this transformer. Circa 1989. Toys R Us $70?

Postby Bonger » Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:28 am

Hi,

It was the summer of 1989. My mom and I were in Toys R Us and as always I was looking at the Transformers aisle when I saw the largest Transformer I had ever seen. MMy memory has it being half as tall as I was, so maybe 2 feet? I wanted it more than anything else that I had ever wanted before.

Much to my chagrin, my mom said no, that it was too expensive. If my memory serves me, I believe it was $70.

Now here is where my memory is foggy. For some reason i remember thinking, "Oooh a spaceship for all my transformers to travel in." Since then, my memory has created this picture of a 2-3 foot long Ark.....

Did such a thing ever exist, especially in 1989. I have looked around a lot and not seen any such item. I am starting to think that my memory of that day is a little off and that i must have seebn a Fortress Maximus. Was Fort. Max. about $70 back then? Is there anyway I could have really seen an Ark or something similar?
Bonger
City Commander
Posts: 3091
Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:25 am

Postby Valandar » Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:09 am

Motto: "It doesn't matter if the glass is half full or half empty, only that you work to make it full."
Weapon: Particle Beam Cannon
It sounds like Fort Max you're talking about, especially since he had a Battle Station mode.

I should note that the ship mode very much resembled the White Base from the original Gundam series...
Valandar
Gestalt
Posts: 2393
Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2005 4:50 pm
Strength: 6
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 10
Endurance: 8
Rank: 8
Courage: 10+
Firepower: 9
Skill: 9

Postby TheMuffin » Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:10 am

Motto: "I still function!"
Weapon: Plasma Beam Rifle
Well I'm not wizard of G1 toy knowledge but there was no Ark created for the line.

Omega Supreme
Fort Max
Metroplex

Those are a few that spring to mind as being pretty big. And being that it was 18 years ago it might have seemed larger than it really was.
Image
User avatar
TheMuffin
Faction Commander
Posts: 4531
News Credits: 38
Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 9:12 am
Location: Ohiooooooo
Strength: 4
Intelligence: 7
Speed: 3
Endurance: 7
Rank: 7
Courage: 5
Firepower: 8
Skill: 7

Postby Bonger » Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:15 am

So noone ever made a big ass Ark huh? Thats too bad.

Hmm, they toy I always wanted....damn it mom, it was just $70 back then. :sad:
Bonger
City Commander
Posts: 3091
Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:25 am

Postby TheMuffin » Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:21 am

Motto: "I still function!"
Weapon: Plasma Beam Rifle
Bonger wrote:So noone ever made a big ass Ark huh? Thats too bad.

Hmm, they toy I always wanted....damn it mom, it was just $70 back then. :sad:


I know how you feel man. Amazing how many times you wouldn't get something as a kid, only to have to pay 4 times that amount on ebay 10-20 years later.
Image
User avatar
TheMuffin
Faction Commander
Posts: 4531
News Credits: 38
Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 9:12 am
Location: Ohiooooooo
Strength: 4
Intelligence: 7
Speed: 3
Endurance: 7
Rank: 7
Courage: 5
Firepower: 8
Skill: 7

Postby Bonger » Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:41 am

Yes, seriously, 4 times as much if I get lucky. I just checked ebay and the buy it now prices are closer to a grand than 500 in most cases.

I might have to settle for an incomplete one for now.

Fortress Maximus is the conclusion I came to as well since it would have been on shelves at about the right time. I saw it the same day I got the Powermaster Optimus. I'm pretty sure Metroplex and Omega Supreme were off the shelves by then.

Ah well, thats too bad. A 2 fot long ark woyuld have been so freakin awesome. I can just see my GF freaking out on me as I carry it into the living room for display.
Bonger
City Commander
Posts: 3091
Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:25 am

Postby Stormrider » Tue Jan 30, 2007 4:36 am

Weapon: Atom-Smasher Cannon
Which is more expensive - Brave Maximus or Fort Maximus?
Image
Stormrider
Guardian Of Seibertron
Posts: 6043
News Credits: 409
Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 5:24 am
Location: USA

Postby Bonger » Tue Jan 30, 2007 5:22 am

They're both pricey on ebay. Judging by ebay, Brave is $100 less. However, I want the original. I'm not crazy about the brightly colored Brave Maximus.

Though, atleast they are a lot less on ebay than Lee's prices, which is a relief.
Bonger
City Commander
Posts: 3091
Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:25 am

Postby Operation Ravage » Tue Jan 30, 2007 6:40 am

I paid a little over $200 for my Brave Max--he's not a bad way to go if you just want to add the Fort Max mold to your collection. I actually prefer the blue and red over Fort Max's original dull grey.
Image
Operation Ravage
Fuzor
Posts: 246
News Credits: 1
Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2004 7:39 am

Postby Bonger » Tue Jan 30, 2007 6:59 am

That sounds about right. There is a Brave MIB on ebay for 350ish right now.
Bonger
City Commander
Posts: 3091
Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:25 am

Postby Riotflea » Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:37 pm

If you're coughing up for a Fortress Maximus, you might want to know of all the different versions out there.
And if anyone sees mistakes, correct me:

--Fortress Maximus (US) - has a large rifle, large gun, 4-piece robot friend, gun for smaller headmaster, radar dish.

--Fortress Maximus (Japan) - same as US version, but has a 3 part sword.

--Grand Maximus (Japan) - Rare. Different colors. Has everything of Japanese Fort Max Japanese release AND a Pretender shell, along with a gun for the Pretender.

--Brave Maximus - Darker version. Missing EVERYTHING but radar dish, gun for larger head robot and both head robots.

(As for his sword, there was a brief promotion in Japan to get his sword during the Brave Maximus release. Likewise, a blue version of the sword, but without the handle to fit it in his fist, came in the Japan-only Toys R Us Super God Fire Convoy clear double set).

I THINK that's all of the regular FMs. Did I mess up?

Keep in mind too, that pieces often missing on loose Maximuses are:

-the 2 giant guns on his legs
-the 2 wrist guns inside his hand compartment
-the 2 rifle barrels on the sides of his waist
-the door to the "jail" in his leg
-the clear door to his chest
-the 2 door flaps to the other side of his chest
-the door / ramp right under his chin
-the 2 ramps, as well as the sections of those ramps for the back of his arms

As for seeing him for $70, that was a damn fine price.
I remember him being on the end cap of the boys aisle at Toys R Us for $99.99.
Last edited by Riotflea on Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:59 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Image
Riotflea
Headmaster Jr
Posts: 529
Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:32 am

Postby God Magnus » Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:51 pm

Motto: "I'd reach for the stars but I can't find my arms."
Weapon: Blue Bolt
I'm surprised nobody metioned Countdown. It's fairly obvious he was talking about Fort Max but Countdown fits the base and spaceship part. Just sayin'.
The Harbinger of Jell-O Puddin' Pops!

Image

If you are flamable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit.
-Mitch Hedberg
My BotCon '08 pics.
User avatar
God Magnus
Godmaster
Posts: 1631
News Credits: 5
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2001 3:04 pm
Location: L-Town, MI
Strength: 7
Intelligence: 10
Speed: 7
Endurance: 10
Rank: 9
Courage: 10
Firepower: 9
Skill: 9

Postby Riotflea » Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:56 pm

God Magnus wrote:I'm surprised nobody metioned Countdown. It's fairly obvious he was talking about Fort Max but Countdown fits the base and spaceship part. Just sayin'.

Ah, maybe. There ARE similarities.

http://www.tfu.info/1989/Autobot/Countd ... ntdown.htm
Image
Riotflea
Headmaster Jr
Posts: 529
Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:32 am

Postby Stormrider » Tue Jan 30, 2007 4:22 pm

Weapon: Atom-Smasher Cannon
I have seen the blue sword that Riotflea describes sell for as much as $200 in Japan. I am astonished the plastic sword by itself can sell for that much money.
Image
Stormrider
Guardian Of Seibertron
Posts: 6043
News Credits: 409
Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 5:24 am
Location: USA

Postby Ninja Sixshot » Tue Jan 30, 2007 6:56 pm

i thught grand max was the rid version( no weapons) and brave max was the guy with the pretender shell. i cant see countdown being $70 though :? . by todays standards $70 back then would probably be about $125
Image
Ninja Sixshot
Matrix Keeper
Posts: 7522
News Credits: 1
Joined: Tue May 30, 2006 9:32 pm
Location: in the zoo, running it

Postby Riotflea » Tue Jan 30, 2007 8:25 pm

stormrider wrote:I have seen the blue sword that Riotflea describes sell for as much as $200 in Japan. I am astonished the plastic sword by itself can sell for that much money.


Well, that's what happens when Takara GUTS a toy of all it's weapons. :D

To make it worse, all the preliminary photos and I think even the Robots In Disguise collection notes showed him with his rifle and gun.
Yeah, I was pissed when I finally got my $175 import of him from Japan.
Even better, he was missing his ear stickers. >__<

You have to admit though... the blue sword was so much cooler, what with it's "Till All Are One" sticker written in a funky font at the base of it.
Image
Riotflea
Headmaster Jr
Posts: 529
Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:32 am

Postby Bonger » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:18 am

Oh Thanks, thats really good info on the different Maximus's.

I'm going to go for the G1 US release as every other member of my collection is G1 US.

As far as countdown goes, how tall would he have been in a package and what year was he released in. I can't seem to find any info on him.
Bonger
City Commander
Posts: 3091
Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:25 am

Postby God Magnus » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:30 am

Motto: "I'd reach for the stars but I can't find my arms."
Weapon: Blue Bolt
If I remember right Countdown was about a 18" by 12" or so and it was released in '89, I believe.
The Harbinger of Jell-O Puddin' Pops!

Image

If you are flamable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit.
-Mitch Hedberg
My BotCon '08 pics.
User avatar
God Magnus
Godmaster
Posts: 1631
News Credits: 5
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2001 3:04 pm
Location: L-Town, MI
Strength: 7
Intelligence: 10
Speed: 7
Endurance: 10
Rank: 9
Courage: 10
Firepower: 9
Skill: 9

Postby Bonger » Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:25 am

Hmm, Myabe it was countdown then. This incident in the Toystore was in the summer of 1989. And my memory from almost 20 years ago was a spaceship. Maybe it just seemed HUGE as I was a kid and much smaller.

Anyone remember the opriginal MSRP on Countdown?
Bonger
City Commander
Posts: 3091
Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:25 am

Postby Jelze Bunnycat » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:16 pm

Motto: "The only good is knowledge, and the only evil is ignorance."
Bonger wrote:Hmm, Myabe it was countdown then. This incident in the Toystore was in the summer of 1989. And my memory from almost 20 years ago was a spaceship. Maybe it just seemed HUGE as I was a kid and much smaller.

Anyone remember the opriginal MSRP on Countdown?


I've looked over every single helpfull post, and none of them have links to images of the toys! Time to remedy that:

Fortress Maximus
Grand Maximus
Brave Maximus
Countdown with Rocket Base

And everyone forgot:

Skystalker with Space Shuttle

The last one is the toy I think you saw.
The resident Rewind... well, half of one :lol:

- Jelze Bunnycat =:3

Looking for:
- TR Furos (Hardhead's head) and Crashbash (lost him :()
- PotP Punch head
- TR Galvatron right arm (the gun one)
- CW Brake-Neck/UW Wildrider, CW Offroad
- TR Twinferno & Grotusque
- Greenlight, Lancer and PotP Elita-1 (plus repro Victorion hands and feet?)
User avatar
Jelze Bunnycat
God Of Transformers
Posts: 19364
News Credits: 241
Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2005 5:45 am
Location: McKinney, Texas, USA; Delft, the Netherlands
Strength: 5
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 8
Endurance: 7
Rank: 1
Courage: 8
Skill: 5

Postby Dagon » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:25 pm

Motto: "Ain't nobody got time fo dat....."
Weapon: Null-Ray Rifle
What's the deal with the pretender shell for Grand Maximus? Never saw that before......
Dagon
Faction Commander
Posts: 4758
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:52 am
Buy from Dagon on eBay
Strength: 8
Intelligence: 10+
Speed: 2
Endurance: 7
Rank: 8
Courage: 10
Firepower: 10
Skill: 10+

Postby Redimus » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:26 pm

Motto: "Better than Michael Bay..."
Weapon: Null-Ray Rifle
Dagon wrote:What's the deal with the pretender shell for Grand Maximus? Never saw that before......


Probably an atempt to keep him in line with one of the main focuses of the line at the time.
Image
Duly Appointed Representative in Chief of the Decpeticon Coprophage Accord.
Second class scavenger.
Better RED than DEAD!
Better still
RDD!
User avatar
Redimus
Guardian Of Seibertron
Posts: 5729
News Credits: 1
Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2005 5:44 am
Location: Neo Kaon, planing the domination of HMW:GD.
Strength: 6
Intelligence: 10
Speed: 6
Endurance: 7
Rank: 7
Courage: 8
Firepower: 6
Skill: 10

Postby Dagon » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:21 pm

Motto: "Ain't nobody got time fo dat....."
Weapon: Null-Ray Rifle
Redimus wrote:
Dagon wrote:What's the deal with the pretender shell for Grand Maximus? Never saw that before......


Probably an atempt to keep him in line with one of the main focuses of the line at the time.



Wow, how very corporate of them......
Dagon
Faction Commander
Posts: 4758
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:52 am
Buy from Dagon on eBay
Strength: 8
Intelligence: 10+
Speed: 2
Endurance: 7
Rank: 8
Courage: 10
Firepower: 10
Skill: 10+

Postby Supreme Convoy » Wed Jan 31, 2007 6:36 pm

God Magnus wrote:I'm surprised nobody metioned Countdown. It's fairly obvious he was talking about Fort Max but Countdown fits the base and spaceship part. Just sayin'.


:BOT: I don't remember that costing $70. (If it were, my parents wouldn't have bought me it!). For some reason, I remember it as $20.

On a side note, this got me thinking about GI Joe's Defiant playset. I'd kill to own that thing. But I don't have the space for it. :CON:
User avatar
Supreme Convoy
Gestalt
Posts: 2167
News Credits: 34
Joined: Sun Jun 02, 2002 12:23 am

Postby Dr. Caelus » Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:00 pm

:-? My first thought was actually Skylynx. I remember seeing one in Toy Circus when I was little and thinking it was gigantic. Plus, it would be more recognizable as a spaceship to a little kid than Fort Max.
Check out my books, Titanomachies and Divine Retribution, on my blog!
Dr. Caelus
Faction Commander
Posts: 4632
News Credits: 6
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2003 10:32 pm
Location: Knoxville, TN

Next

Return to Transformers Toys Discussion

Transformers and More @ The Seibertron Store

Visit our store on eBay
These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "VOID RIVALS #2 6th ptg Image Comics 2024 0124IM897 (CA) Lullabi (W) Kirkman"
NEW!
VOID RIVALS #2 6th ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "THE TRANSFORMERS #9 1st ptg Marvel Comics 1985 (CA) Manley (W) Budiansky 230915B"
THE TRANSFORMERS # ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "THE TRANSFORMERS #11 Marvel Comics 1985 (A/CA) Trimpe (W) Budiansky 230926E"
THE TRANSFORMERS # ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers REIGN STARSCREAM #5 RI 1:10 IDW Comics 2008 Movie Sequel 5RI 230323"
Transformers REIGN ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers OPTIMUS PRIME #23 Cover B IDW Comics 2018 23B "Unicron is here""
Transformers OPTIM ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TRANSFORMERS ARMADA #1 FCBD Dreamwave Comics 2003 Free Comic Book Day (CA) Raiz"
TRANSFORMERS ARMAD ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers MOVIE ADAPTATION #3 RI 1:25 IDW Comics 2007 3RI (CA) photo 230323"
Transformers MOVIE ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers SHATTERED GLASS #2 RI 1:10 IDW Comics 2021 2RI (CA) Pitre-Durocher"
Transformers SHATT ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers ROBOTS IN DISGUISE #1 2nd ptg IDW Comics 2012 (CA) Griffith"
Transformers ROBOT ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TRANSFORMERS #36 Cvr B IDW Comics 2021 AUG210581 36B (CA) Powell"
TRANSFORMERS #36 C ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers MOVIE PREQUEL #1 Cvr A IDW Comics 2007 1A (CA) Figeruoa 230323A"
Transformers MOVIE ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers MOVIE PREQUEL #1 FCBD IDW Comics 2007 (CA) Figueroa 200530A"
Transformers MOVIE ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "THE TRANSFORMERS #7 1st ptg Marvel Comics 1985 (CA) Bright (W) Budiansky 230915V"
THE TRANSFORMERS # ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TRANSFORMERS #1 Cvr C Image Comics 2023 0823IM288 1C (CA) Johnson"
TRANSFORMERS #1 Cv ...
* Price and quantities subject to change. Shipping costs, taxes and other fees not included in cost shown. Refer to listing for current price and availability.
Find the items above and thousands more at the Seibertron Store on eBay
Transformers Podcast: Twincast / Podcast #346 - Gas Station Jamboree
Twincast / Podcast #346:
"Gas Station Jamboree"
MP3 · iTunes · RSS · View · Discuss · Ask
Posted: Saturday, March 23rd, 2024

Featured Products on Amazon.com

These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Buy "Transformers Generations Exclusive Cyber Battalion Class Shockwave Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Studio Series 13 Voyager Class Movie 2 Megatron" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Masterpiece Movie Series Barricade MPM-5" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Solus Prime Prime Master" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Deluxe 20 Mercenary Action Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Power of The Primes Deluxe Class Sinnertwin" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Quintus Prime Prime Master" on AMAZON
Buy "Cyberverse Warrior Class Windblade" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Studio Series 02 Deluxe Class Movie 3 Decepticon Stinger" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Legends Class Skrapnel and Reflector Figures" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Devastator Figure Set(Discontinued by manufacturer)" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Attacker 8 Newman Action Figure" on AMAZON