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Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.

Top 5 Transformers toys sold at retail but NOT in the US

I live in Canada and I can say that the US is one of the best places in the world to be a Transformers fan. Transformers usually cost less there than almost anywhere else in the world. Not only that, but the US has a greater access to exclusive Hasbro Transformers such as the SDCC and Botcon sets. Even lines which were found elsewhere first, like GDO, Masterpiece and Prime First Edition, eventually find their way to US retail. However, a few figures sometimes fall in the cracks and never make their way. Either Hasbro wont pick up distribution of particular Takara products or a particular figure will simply never be spotted. Even laws can come into play. These are a handful of such cases, just to give an idea of the variety of stuff that was found elsewhere throughout the years, and I didn't want to just stick to G1. Let us know which toys you would have loved to find in stores but never did.


5. The Transformers Alternity Line

For some reason, there is a bunch of criticism over the Alternators line and I don't understand it. This was a great project from Hasbro and Takara, going back to the Diaclone roots of favoring the alt mode and making perfect model cars that can fit with other lines from different companies. Except the technology changed and you could get more articulated robot modes by then. I thought it was an incredible line and I still think so. In any case, the alternators line lost some steam in the US and when Japan came up with the follow up Alternity line featuring a 1:32 scale (rather than 1:24), Hasbro didnt pick it up. That is too bad because it had some very cool ideas, like having the seekers be cars with the car's shell forming the robot wings. Like that they keep their distinctive seeker motif while also having an alt mode that stray from tradition (which would still scale with the rest of the line). They also featured die cast parts, rubber tires and style money can't buy (check out that Megatron below!). There were only a handful of original molds but they all exuded style and are the most minute toys ever made. And they were never distributed outside Japan.





Transformers Alternity Banzai-Tron (Crystalo Black) Gallery


Transformers Alternity Optimus Prime (Vibrant Red) (Convoy (Vibrant Red)) Gallery

4. Transformers Arms Micron War Breakdown

From the beginning, the Prime line and the States were at odds. The First Edition figures were available worldwide aside from the US at first for quite a while. Instead, they had the less accurate and less detailed Robots in Disguise subline toys in stores. Sure, some were fine (like Vehicon and Arcee) but for a while, it seemed the collector oriented First Edition line would never see the light of day. Eventually though, every toy found its way to Toysrus though not every location got them and there were not too many to go around. Worse, by that time, many fans had already paid a premium to get these toys they thought they would not see at retail.

That was not the end of woes with the Prime line though. While there were a bunch of fun redecos like the seekers and Transformers Arms Micron Ironhide (who was supposed to be the original version of the Kup mold Hasbro released, just look at that head) found in the Takara line that Hasbro never distributed, none of those decisions hurt more than not distributing Breakdown. Unlike most other toys never gotten in the US, this was an actual show character. Someone who simply wanted to have the Decepticon team on his shelf just couldn't depend on retail releases. And unlike the Unicron mold that was also Japan exclusive, this was a phenomenal mold. I can't confirm that though since none of the other uses of that mold (such as Swerve and Silas Breakdown) were distributed by Hasbro either. While he leaves the biggest gap in the Prime line, there were other cool releases for the line that never came to the states, and actually were distributed by Hasbro, such as Beast Hunters Cyberverse Ultra Magnus, Unicron Megatron (both the Construct bot and the Cyberverse toy) and freaken BLUDGEON!








3. MP-5 Destron Leader Megatron (Masterpiece)

This is the only mold from the Masterpiece line that is guaranteed to NEVER EVER be released in the US, due to toy gun laws. And it happens to be Megatron, the main antagonist in all the Transformers brand. Your Walmart 20th Anniversary Optimus is thus left rivaless unless you import him. You would think that this alone would propel him to the top spot but he is held down a bit by a week design. While it is impressive that he was designed in two weeks, the thin legs and ultra fiddly transformation do give a hint at the rushed process. However, the engineering present here is utterly insane, by far one of Takara's most complex transformers ever engineered. While the toy has its faults, its take on the transformation is so smart that this has been the default guide for companies trying to make their own unofficial version years later.




2. Transformers Victory Liokaiser


G1's best combiner never came to the US. He was part of the Victory line where quite a few other molds never came (that could be a list of it's own)and he is the very first combiner to integrate the fists and feet with the components. This is something Hasbro couldn't even pull off with Titan Devastator in 2015. All you needed to keep was his combiner head. But beyond that, there is a lot to love in this toy. The design itself was totally unique at the time, with an animal themed combiner while none of the alt modes were animals. Instead, the individual robots had shamanistic helmets representing their animal link as well as a breastplate which could transform into an animal and serve as a gun. Don't be surprised if you see this guy again on a list of most needed reissues.








1. Transformers Super God Masterforce Overlord

This number one is almost by default. This is one of the bigger G1 Transformers sets, with three modes (like G1 Scorponok) and made up of a bunch of parts including two seperate alt modes. It was available in Japan, Europe and Australasia. However, unless the planets align and some miracle like an "encore" happens, it will never come out in the North America, let alone the US. Instead of feeling sad (please don't check EBay), just sit back and bask in his glory:









Honourable mentions: SO MANY. Let's see, there's G1 Thunderclash, Binaltech Arcee, the Action Masters Elite (at least those somewhat transformed), BWN Chorada, the G1 Predators, G1 Star Saber and so much more. It would be easier saying which ones we'd rather not get (like the Big Rescue Force) so let us know in the comments which ones you wished came out in the US. Or even better, let us know which ones you wished came to your country.

Why is Mp Star Saber on the cover picture but not in the actual list?




But as for the toy I want in the US, Unite Warriors Groove. Not because I'm a Geewunner or anything (I actually kinda prefer the newer characters like Offroad), but because he just looks so awesome.

Decepticon Sunstorm wrote:Why is Mp Star Saber on the cover picture but not in the actual list?




But as for the toy I want in the US, Unite Warriors Groove. Not because I'm a Geewunner or anything (I actually kinda prefer the newer characters like Offroad), but because he just looks so awesome.

He's in the honourable mentions It always works that way like that I dont spoil the list while giving an idea of what will be talked about.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Liokaiser in the Victory line, not Masterforce?

As always, I love the feature. Keep it going!!!

Not sure all would agree but what about the Robotmasters Starscream/seeker mold? The robot mode might be a little wimpy but the jet mode is more accurate to an F-15 than the Classics seeker mold, which was clearly inspired by the Robotmasters one. Also it has proper landing gear and a cockpit that opens. I thought it was a clever update to the G1 seeker design that retained the basic transformation but was less of a partsformer.

Along those same lines, how about Robotmasters "G1" Convoy? Okay the truck isn't great, but I still prefer this mold to the awful Classics multi-pack Optimus, which also seemed to take cues from the Robotmasters version.

In the age of internet everything is available in the US. I look at this topic as being more of a blast from the past than an issue thats relevant to hardcore collectors.

Liokaiser is definitely awesome, and I'd be all over a reissue or neo-classics version. He's one of two G1 toys that I'd be highly interested in if it got reissued well.

As for Overlord, while it may not be the most imposing toy, I thought the Kabaya version was pretty good, and his wavemates Blacker, Laster, and Braver make a Road Caesar which is FAR superior to the original G1 version in everything but size, if you ask me.

This is my kind of list! I couldn't agree more on the top 2.

It's hard for me to care about a figure that wasn't released in the US since that means he probably doesn't appear in TV or comic books. Therefore I really have no emotional attachment to them. Masterpiece Megatron, however, will probably fit that bill. Though I did manage to acquire him within a week of his release through the w it's hard for me to care about a figure that wasn't released in the US since that means he probably doesn't appear in TV your comic books. Therefore I really have no emotional attachment to them. Masterpiece Megatron, however, will probably fit that bill. Though I did manage to acquire him within a week of his release through the wonders of eBay. Sold him within a month after that too.

Desslok2201 wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Liokaiser in the Victory line, not Masterforce?

As always, I love the feature. Keep it going!!!

Thanks for catching that, it's why I need you people

RhA wrote:This is my kind of list! I couldn't agree more on the top 2.

Oh trust me, if I wasn't trying to make it more well rounded it would have been all G1. But that lets me have a list of Top G1 toys which need reissues, the same 2 might show up again of course

And yeah Rated X, this was more of a blast from the past and I am hoping people can share which toys they wish were available to them back in the day. Although, with the current internet age, the top 2 are still very hard to get.

I went to Australasia once, but the darn ninja kangaroos were too much of a hassle to deal with.

All jokes aside, I do enjoy these lists quite a bit. Nice work!

Eh, I dunno. None of these are particularly worth complaining about. Overlord was kinda cool when I was a kid here in the UK but he's not much to look at now. MP Megatron is terrible (recent Leader tank figure blows it away and makes more sense). Liokaiser was one of the worst looking combiners ever made. And Alternity are just as dull and clunky as the Alternators.

Us here in the UK sure missed out a lot more cooler toys the US did get like Shockwave, Swoop, Omega Supreme, Fortress Maximus and so on which were not only fun toys but very much part of the comic storylines we had here.

The Transformers Prime 1st edition Cliffjumper was sold in the US. I purchased the regular one, and the terrorcon version, at Toys R Us, here in Tucson, Az

william-james88 wrote:(everything in the original article)

I only have a few of the toys on that list...

It is always nice to see Masterpiece Megatron get some recognition. Is he a perfect toy? No. But he's still a damn fine one. And while I'd be happy to be proven wrong, he's probably the best Masterpiece Megatron we will see from an official toy. Would I love it if Takara took another crack at him, as they did for Optimus with MP-10? Sure. But until then, I'll continue to love the one I have.

Just transformed him for the first time in a little while the other day. Still an impressive if fiddly process. He's spot on in gun mode. (Especially with a bit of third party help to give him his stock and barrel extensions!) And his robot mode, while a little gangly, definitely says Megatron.

If Takara did ever take another crack at him, perhaps they could even get the gun mode to be the proper scale, instead of slightly larger then actual size. After all, they did that so that he'd stand the same height as MP-1 in robot mode. But now, they'd be trying to match the shorter MP-10.

The other toy on the list I have is one of the Alternity line. Specifically, I have that line's Convoy/Optimus Prime. He's a decent enough toy, and certainly looks good in both modes. And I am happy to have him. But honestly, he's not one of my favorites. I find him a pain to transform, to be honest. Hell, I'd rather transform Masterpiece Megatron.

Decepticon Sunstorm wrote:...as for the toy I want in the US, Unite Warriors Groove.

To paraphrase the great Wayne Campbell, "He will be mine. Oh yes, he will be mine." I was all set to get the U.S. version and be happy with Legends Groove because, after all, at least he was still on the team. Then Takara had to finally reveal him and suddenly I was all, "Well, time to cancel my existing preorders and preorder that, instead!"

thesiege_2005 wrote:Not sure all would agree but what about the Robotmasters Starscream/seeker mold? The robot mode might be a little wimpy but the jet mode is more accurate to an F-15 than the Classics seeker mold, which was clearly inspired by the Robotmasters one. Also it has proper landing gear and a cockpit that opens. I thought it was a clever update to the G1 seeker design that retained the basic transformation but was less of a partsformer.

Along those same lines, how about Robotmasters "G1" Convoy? Okay the truck isn't great, but I still prefer this mold to the awful Classics multi-pack Optimus, which also seemed to take cues from the Robotmasters version.

If a line as a whole were to be included on the original list, I'd have thought that the Robotmasters line might have been a better choice than the Alternity line. In a way, Robotmasters was Classics before there was Classics! New takes on the toys of classic characters but with modern engineering of the time. I only have Convoy/Optimus Prime from that line, but he is a pretty good version of the character! If that line had been released domestically, I'm sure I'd have snatched them all up.



Along those lines, another whole toy line that is a shame we never got domestically is the Smallest Transforming Transformers. I suspect the obvious reason here is their tiny, swallowable nature. Pity that they couldn't have been marketed as an adult collectable and sold through proper outlets such as comic or movie stores. Much like Alternity and Robotmasters, I only have this line's Convoy/Optimus, and he is a fun toy. And much like the Robotmasters one, if this line had had a domestic release, I'd have bought many more of them.


(Note that mine isn't entirely stock, thanks to Reprolabels and a third party replacement for the artillery robot inside of the combat deck.)

Hmm... Trying to think if I have any other figures that didn't have a domestic release, and I think I'd have to go back to the Convoy/Optimus Prime well. Convoy Jnr., Disney Label Convoy, Choro-Q Convoy, Star Convoy, and G1 Orion Pax. (Although that last one may not count, as we did get that toy in its original use as Kup.) Oh, and soon I'll have Q-Transformers Convoy, and eventually I'll have the Q-Transformers Hello Kitty. (She's kind of a Convoy, if you look at her alt mode!)

Not sure how many of those I'd throw on a top 5 list of my own... But they are all fun toys.

I live in Des moines iowa and i found first edition cliff jumper at the toysrus here. Didn't buy him online, ebay or anything. I found one in the field

A lot of those Japanese Beast Wars (Neo? II? I dunno which is which) figures are pretty interesting, largely since they went with animals the original line wouldn't dare touch. Unapologetic shell-formers, sure, but how could you not want a giraffe or a penguin Transformer?

Also still bitter at how those Beast Hunter Terrorcons never got released here. I'd LOVE to get my hands on Rotgut, the snot green Sinnertwin, and that orange/black Hun-Grrr (Goradora or something?).

Envisaged0ne wrote:The Transformers Prime 1st edition Cliffjumper was sold in the US. I purchased the regular one, and the terrorcon version, at Toys R Us, here in Tucson, Az

Randomhero wrote:I live in Des mounes iowa and i found first edition cliff jumper at the toysrus here. Didn't buy him online, ebay or anything. I found one in the field

Looks like the Top 5 list may need some revision. Not that I would doubt Envisaged0ne's or Randomhero's word, but the TFWiki also seems to support this:

TFWiki wrote:He and the rest of the Transformers: Prime First Edition Wave 1 toys were released far earlier in Asia than the rest of the world. He was initially not released in the US, forcing fans to import him from Canada in order to get the Hasbro version. However, in late 2013, he started showing up at ToysRUs stores in the US, along with First Edition figures of Starscream and Bumblebee.

(Bold added to emphasize the relevant point.)

Titan wars Blaster has a base mode yay...
...we can all dream that we'll get a modern toy form representations of japan only transformers but it rarely happens...

Growing up in the age of Beast Wars, and looking back at it, it should be obvious... but all of the new BWII and BW Neo figures While I could get some of them off various sites, it would have been so much more enjoyable to have gotten them as a kid from a store with eyes full of wonder at them. I just snagged a cohrada 2 pack and stampy 2 pack off bbts, so will soon be recapturing that feeling

I much prefer the Transformers Prime Breakdown mold over FE Cliffjumper. I think that would have been a better choice. And I was able to buy both the GDO variant and the terrorcon variant of FE Cliffjumper in the US, but I had to import the Breakdown mold (I got the Swerve variant).

Yotsuyasan wrote:

Envisaged0ne wrote:The Transformers Prime 1st edition Cliffjumper was sold in the US. I purchased the regular one, and the terrorcon version, at Toys R Us, here in Tucson, Az

Randomhero wrote:I live in Des mounes iowa and i found first edition cliff jumper at the toysrus here. Didn't buy him online, ebay or anything. I found one in the field

Looks like the Top 5 list may need some revision. Not that I would doubt Envisaged0ne's or Randomhero's word, but the TFWiki also seems to support this:

TFWiki wrote:He and the rest of the Transformers: Prime First Edition Wave 1 toys were released far earlier in Asia than the rest of the world. He was initially not released in the US, forcing fans to import him from Canada in order to get the Hasbro version. However, in late 2013, he started showing up at ToysRUs stores in the US, along with First Edition figures of Starscream and Bumblebee.

(Bold added to emphasize the relevant point.)

Yeah I'm not trolling or pulling legs, I did find one. same say as when I got FE prime and bulkhead and the vehicons. Personally I think the jet vehicon should be here.

Envisaged0ne wrote:The Transformers Prime 1st edition Cliffjumper was sold in the US. I purchased the regular one, and the terrorcon version, at Toys R Us, here in Tucson, Az

Me too, here in Albany, New York.

Its already been said, but I found FE Cliffy at my local TRU. At one point they had the FE, Terrorcon and the GDO version on pegs next to each other. I'm glad to see Prime Breakdown in the honorable mentions. I'd add Air Vehicon as well. Two bots I hope to get one day.

Yotsuyasan wrote:

Envisaged0ne wrote:The Transformers Prime 1st edition Cliffjumper was sold in the US. I purchased the regular one, and the terrorcon version, at Toys R Us, here in Tucson, Az

Randomhero wrote:I live in Des mounes iowa and i found first edition cliff jumper at the toysrus here. Didn't buy him online, ebay or anything. I found one in the field

Looks like the Top 5 list may need some revision. Not that I would doubt Envisaged0ne's or Randomhero's word, but the TFWiki also seems to support this:

TFWiki wrote:He and the rest of the Transformers: Prime First Edition Wave 1 toys were released far earlier in Asia than the rest of the world. He was initially not released in the US, forcing fans to import him from Canada in order to get the Hasbro version. However, in late 2013, he started showing up at ToysRUs stores in the US, along with First Edition figures of Starscream and Bumblebee.

(Bold added to emphasize the relevant point.)

All of this is covered in the article:

This story is complicated and even wiki denies it but this is why we have a comments section; as far as I know, this is the ONLY toy from the First Edition Prime line to NEVER see US retail.

...

If indeed it did get a retail release in the states, then here is an extra:

Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Cyberverse Ultra Magnus

In the same entry, for those who couldnt find Cliffjuper, Cliffjumper is number 4 For those that did, Ultra Magnus is your number 4 entry The list anticipated and welcomed the any contradictions.

Carnivius_Prime wrote:Us here in the UK sure missed out a lot more cooler toys the US did get like Shockwave, Swoop, Omega Supreme, Fortress Maximus and so on which were not only fun toys but very much part of the comic storylines we had here.

That is definitely more worth complaining about. Poor UK.

StJudeDad wrote:I went to Australasia once, but the darn ninja kangaroos were too much of a hassle to deal with.

All jokes aside, I do enjoy these lists quite a bit. Nice work!

That is so nice of you, thanks!

Yotsuyasan wrote:

Envisaged0ne wrote:The Transformers Prime 1st edition Cliffjumper was sold in the US. I purchased the regular one, and the terrorcon version, at Toys R Us, here in Tucson, Az

Randomhero wrote:I live in Des mounes iowa and i found first edition cliff jumper at the toysrus here. Didn't buy him online, ebay or anything. I found one in the field

Looks like the Top 5 list may need some revision. Not that I would doubt Envisaged0ne's or Randomhero's word, but the TFWiki also seems to support this:

TFWiki wrote:He and the rest of the Transformers: Prime First Edition Wave 1 toys were released far earlier in Asia than the rest of the world. He was initially not released in the US, forcing fans to import him from Canada in order to get the Hasbro version. However, in late 2013, he started showing up at ToysRUs stores in the US, along with First Edition figures of Starscream and Bumblebee.

(Bold added to emphasize the relevant point.)

I wonder why they only mention those three. FE Arcee and Vehicon were also sold at TRU.