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Transformers G1 (Europe)

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As Transformers Generation 1 exploded in popularity, Hasbro decided to export the licenses for the iconic toys to Europe. Hasbro Europe continued to market new Transformers designs after G1’s cancellation in the US, as well as bring back old designs.

Right from the beginning, the history of Transformers in Europe looks completely mottled compared to Japanese or even American releases. Until the coalescence of Hasbro Europe, many countries received their Transformers branded by local licensees like Italy’s GiG (pronounced “Zheegh”), France’s Joustra, or even Hasbro subsidiary Milton Bradley. Each nation or region received a different selection based on local tastes, economics, or licensing laws. This toy guide seeks to document those toys which were entirely exclusive to one or more European markets.

Despite several unique variants and releases early on, most toys released in Europe were essentially the same as those in the US… until 1990. The first big break from the standard Western lineup was the Classics line, noted for its shiny gold packaging. These toys were all versions of popular toys from earlier in G1. Some were altered from their original releases, while others were indistinguishable outside their packaging. The primary driving force for this massive re-release of toys was sudden competition from gray-market imports of classic character toys from Mexico’s Plasticos IGA (which are covered separately in Latin American G1).

After this crisis passed, however, Hasbro’s US line was out of production, despite continuing demand in Europe. Throughout the period between US G1 and US G2, a fair number of toys were released in Europe including redecoes of US and Japanese toys, and new designs that were perhaps already in various design stages by US G1’s cancellation.

Noted primarily for their bright colors and light-piping hot pink and lime green eyes, many of these toys would be rolled into US G2 upon its debut. In fact, the toys bore the new angular faction symbols invented because of a lapse of trademarks on the classic logos. Several subgroups of these toys were also selected for re-issue in European G2 in 1994, following the US Hasbro Toys division re-entering the fray.

To clarify our choices on what to include in this list, the following items are covered here: unique designs or major variations that were not available simultaneously in the United States Generation 1, including toys also released in the US but sold in a year considerably later than their US release. The items that do NOT appear on this list are: toys produced in Mexico or other markets and imported to Europe, toys available simultaneous to their US counterparts, and pre-transformers produced by licensees (e.g. GiG or Joustra Diaclone, or GiG “Trasformer” toys sold prior to 1985). All names are given in their English or multi-national form, eschewing non-English names unless the toy was unique only to a non-English speaking country.

A brief list of European nations and their licensees or Hasbro divisions responsible for Transformers during Generation 1:

  • United Kingdom: Hasbro UK 1984-1993 (marked simply ‘Hasbro’)
  • Germany: Milton Bradley 1985, Hasbro UK (as Hasbro in English-only packaging) 1986-1993
  • France, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain: Milton Bradley 1985, Hasbro UK (as Hasbro) 1986-1993
  • Italy: GiG 1985-1993 (in Italian-only packaging, including Italian names)
  • Greece: El Greco 1986 (in all-Greek packaging with Greek names), GiG (as El Greco, in Greek-language packaging) 1990-1991
 

Action Master Elites

Double Punch

Omega Spreem

Turbo Master

Windmill

Action Master Exo-Suits

4WD All-Terrain Vehicle with Rumbler

4WD Assault Vehicle with Slicer

Solo Mission Jet Plane with Thundercracker

Supersonic Racing Car with Circuit

Action Masters

Bombshell with Needler

Charger with Firebeast

Powerflash with Road Rocket

Sideswipe with Vanguard

Take-Off with Screech

Tracks

Aquaspeeders

Aquafend

Deluge

Jetstorm
In Stock
Speedstream

Autobot Cars

Tracks
Joustra

Axelerators

Hotrider

Rapido

Skram

Zap

Combiners

Air Raid
Classics

Blades
Classics

Blast Off
Classics

Brawl
Classics

Breakdown
Classics

Dead End
Classics

Defensor
Classics

Drag Strip
Classics

Fireflight
Classics

First Aid
Classics

Groove
Classics

Hot Spot
Classics

Motormaster
Classics

Onslaught
Classics

Silverbolt
Classics

Skydive
Classics

Slingshot
Classics

Streetwise
Classics

Superion

Swindle
Classics

Vortex
Classics

Wildrider
Classics

Constructicons

Bulldozer (Bonecrusher)

Crane (Hook)

Dump Truck (Long Haul)

Excavator (Scavenger)

Loader (Scrapper)

Mixer (Mixmaster)

Dinobots

Grimlock
Classics

Sludge
Classics

Snarl
Classics
In Stock

Heroes

Inferno
Classics

Ironhide
Classics

Jazz
Classics

Prowl
Classics

Sideswipe
Classics

Sunstreaker
Classics

Tracks
In Stock
Wheeljack
Classics

Leaders

Optimus Prime
Classics

Optimus Prime
French Exclusive

Lightformers and Trakkons

Calcar

Deftwing

Fearswoop

Ironfist

Mini Vehicles

Pipes (blue Huffer)

Motorvators

Flame

Gripper

Lightspeed

Obliterators

Clench

Pyro

Other

Galaxy Shuttle
GiG

Overlord

Predators

Falcon

Skydive

Skyquake

Snare

Stalker

Talon

Rescue Force

Crane

Drill Tank

Dune Buggy

F-14 Jet

Skyscorchers

Hawk

Snipe

Terradive

Tornado

Stormtroopers

Aquablast

Drench

Hydradread

Rage

Throttlebots

Chase
Classics

Freeway
Classics

Goldbug
Classics

Rollbar
Classics

Searchlight
Classics

Wideload
Classics

Triple Changers

Astrotrain
Classics

Octane
Classics
In Stock
Sandstorm
Classics

Springer
Classics
In Stock

Turbomasters

Boss

Flash

Hurricane

Rotorstorm

Scorch

Thunder Clash