The Transformers is a successful toy line that features giant robots that transform into various vehicles and creatures. Initially, a Japanese toy-producing powerhouse, Takara, produced the Diaclone toy line. However, when Hasbro bought the license to produce the toys in the west, they reimagined the series as the Transformers.
Following the financial success and the wild reception the toy line received, Hasbro bought the toy line from Takara. So, they became the sole owner of The Transformers toy line. This move also later included the ownership of the entire media franchise.
The Transformers toy line went on to become one of the most successful media franchises in the world. It has animated television series and cartoon shows, comic books, movies, and video games.
The Transformers action figures feature two main factions; The good robots called the Autobots, and the bad robots called the Decepticons. All the Transformers toys transform either from one firm into a robot action figure. This second form tends to be either a vehicle, device, creature, or even an aircraft. However, there have been a few releases, like the Action Masters, which do not feature this transforming action.
Since its inception in 1984, Hasbro has released Transformers toys in series, with many toys and action figures produced and distributed worldwide.
Presenting the top ten Generation 1 Transformers toys
10. Powerglide (1985)
Hasbro released the Powerglide action figure in 1985 as one of the many toys in the second series of Generation 1. The Autobot action figure is one of the first Autobots that converts into a plane, as it transforms into an A-10 Thunderbolt. While in its robotic mode, the Powerglide action figure has up to five points of articulation which includes the head, its shoulders, and elbows. However, it does not enjoy so much articulation while in the aircraft model.
The Powerglide action figure is a mini vehicle because of its size in comparison to the other Transformers vehicles in the series.
9. Bumblebee (1984)
Hasbro released Bumblebee in 1984 as part of the first series of the first generation of Transformers toys. The Autobot action figure was a Volkswagen Beetle mini car transformer that changes into a mini robot. Meanwhile, the action figure features an Autobot sigil on the roof in the car mode then on the chest in the robot mode.
Bumblebee is one of the Transformers action figures with the most variations, including red and blue colors and the popular yellow color. The Bumblebee action figure has limited points of articulation, so it is not very poseable.
8. Cyclonus (1986)
Hasbro released the Cyclonus action figure in 1986 as part of the third series of the first generation of the Transformers toys. Unlike the prior toys from the toy line, the animation team first designed Cyclonus as a Decepticon character in the 1986 Transformers movie. Then, Hasbro took that design to create the action figure that they released in the same year to ensure Transformers fans were familiar with the character.
The action figure could transform into a purple colored Cybertronian fighter jet. The Cyclonus action figure has limited points of articulation, with its most outstanding feature being its foldable back wings.
7. Abominus (1987)
Hasbro released the Abominus action figure in 1987 as part of the fourth series of the first Generation 1 toys. This combiner was one of many that used the scramble city system for assembling the larger figure. These designs featured five robots, with one larger robot set to be the torso, which would form a larger robot.
While the Abominus box set only sold in Japan and Italy, the Decepticon action figures forms when the five Terrorcons, which sold separately, combine. To build the Abominus action figure from the Terrorcons, Hun-Gurr serves as the main body with all the other four Terrorcons forming its limbs; all you must do is attach Abominus’ head, feet, fists, and its absurdly huge chest plate.
Thanks to Hun-Gurrr’s figure, the Abominus action figure is one of the action figures with the most points of articulation and probably the most poseable action figure in the whole of the G1 Transformers.
6. Defensor (1986)
Hasbro released the Defensor combiner set in 1986 as part of the third series of the first generation of the Transformers toys. They released and sold the Defensor action figure both separately and as a box set.
So, the figure could also form through the fusion of five separate Protectobots, including Hot Spot, which serves as the main body. The Blades and First Aid serve as the arms, and then the Groove and Streetwise both serve as the legs. The joining together of all these figures form the Defensor action figure, which has two laser rifles.
The Defensor action figure has a few points of articulation which aids the figure’s ability to pose.
5. Menasor (1986)
Hasbro released the Decepticon combiner set, Menasor, in 1986 as part of the third series of the first generation of the Transformers action figures. This toy comes with many accessories to aid the box set figures to transform into the Menasor. These accessories include a scout car that becomes the breastplate, waist armor, a cyclone rifle, a sword with the action figure’s mask, and other accessories.
Menasor could also form by gathering all the Stunticons individually and joining them together with Motormaster serving as the main body. All the other Stunticons adds up to the limps to form the Menasor.
Menasor possesses a few points of articulation which makes the action figure quite poseable.
4. Fortress Maximus (1987)
The Fortress Maximus action figure is an Autobots action figure. It is also the biggest figure produced in the first generation of the Transformers toy series. Hasbro released this figure in 1987 as part of the fourth series of the Transformers action figure series.
The action figure comes with many accessories, including multiple laser rifles, two laser cannons, a Radar Scope, Photon Rifle, Grommet, Gasket, a Spike Headmaster unit, and Cerebros Headmaster unit. Unfortunately, two of his accessories are region-specific. First, the Japanese release came with both the Master sword and Cerebro’s sword.
This huge action figure can transform into a battle station and back to an action figure. The Fortress Maximus consists of many pop-up gadgets and guns strategically hidden in various parts of the action figure. The action figure also has a working elevator that can transport small action figures up and down from the central ramp.
Both Cerebros and Spike Headmaster units combine along with Gasket and Grommet vehicles to form Fortress Maximus
3. Shockwave (1985)
Hasbro released the Shockwave action figure in 1985 as part of the second series of Generation 1 Transformers toys. The Decepticon action figure comes with only a Magnetic Impulse diffuser barrel which serves as the accessory. The Shockwave action figure transforms into a huge Cybertronian handgun.
This action figure is one of the few Transformers action figures that have electronic light and sound effects. To activate the electronics, the user must pull on the figure’s trigger in the Cybertronian gun mode. A 9-volt battery powers this effect, and the figure consists of only two distinct blaster sounds.
The Shockwave action figure while a robot features multiple points of articulation, making the action figure very poseable.
2. Megatron (1984)
Hasbro released the Megatron action figure in 1984 as part of the first series of the first generation of Transformers toys. The Decepticon leader comes packed with some accessories, including a silencer, a stock, a telescopic sight that also serves as a fusion cannon, and an infrared laser cannon.
This Megatron action figure is a Gun Robo – P38 weapon, which can transform into Megatron and vice versa. The silencer, stock, and telescopic sight all complement the figure while it is a Gun Robo. However, when the action figure transforms into a robot, the trigger becomes positioned at a very questionable spot on the action figure.
Megatron’s action figure received a high rating on this list not because of the awesomeness of the action figure but because of the character’s sterling roles in all the later media.
1. Optimus Prime (1984)
Hasbro released the Optimus Prime action figure in 1984 as one of the many action figures released in the very first series of Transformers toys. The action figure has the most variations of all the Transformers figures because of the character’s popularity as the brave and fierce leader of the Autobots.
The Optimus Prime action figure comes with a laser blaster, two fists, four deplorable rockets, a fuel pump and nozzle, and a trailer that also serves as a Combat deck. It consists of two missile launchers, a rotating radar dish, a rising repairing pod, and a launchable scout vehicle that releases from a spring-loaded ramp.
The action figure can transform into the truck cab and vice versa. While the action figure is in its robotic form, Optimus Prime consists of a few points of articulation which limits the figures posing options.
Final Thoughts
With the success of Generation 1 in all formats, from comics to cartoons to toys, there are hundreds of Transformers toys to choose from. The franchise is still going strong and producing excellent toys even to this day.
Did your favorite G1 Transformers toys make it to our list? Let us know what your favorite toys were.
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About the author
Author: Chris Ingledue
Contact: email
Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their own versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!