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1990 Transformers Toys

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In 1990, the bells of low sales tolled for The Transformers for the final time. The series finished its US release still divided between two strangely irreconcilable themes, the Micromasters carried in from 1989 and the Action Masters, taking over the slot of larger toys from the Pretenders. By the year's end, there were no further plans Transformers in the United States.

The Micromasters of 1990 were an expansion of those from the previous year, introducing six-robot teams with interchangeable vehicle combinations. The playsets also adopted the combiner feature in different ways. The bulk of the line was made up of Action Masters, non-transforming action figures based in part on 3 ¾” G.I. Joe design. The Action Masters included many popular characters, and each figure included either a simple transformable partner, or a larger vehicle.

Japan's 1990 series was Zone, which focused entirely on Micromasters, or Micro Transformers as they were known in Takara markets. Zone included most of Hasbro's Micromasters from 1989 and '90 as well as a number of larger figures that transformed into bases or weapons for the Micro Transformers. Zone included only a couple toys not directly associated with the Micro Transformers. Action Masters were conspicuous in their absence.

Europe's 1990 releases again mimicked the US releases. However, Hasbro's European division introduced Classics, a line of reissues of 1984 and 1985 characters in swanky-looking gold packaging. This was intended as a countermeasure to the truckloads of unlicensed Mexican Plasticos IGA Transformers that were exported to Europe starting in 1989. Hasbro reasoned that by offering legitimate, licensed releases of old characters, they would stamp out the market for the cheap, lower-quality Central American imports.

Despite continuing demand on some level in Europe and Japan, Transformers ended in 1990 with the final shipment being, fittingly, Optimus Prime with Armored Convoy.

 

Trainbots (Raiden, Zone)

Getsuei

Kaen

Seizan

Shouki

Suiken

Yukikaze

G1

Action Masters

Armored Convoy with Optimus Prime

Attack Cruiser with Sprocket

Banzai-Tron with Razor-Sharp

Blaster with Flight-Pack

Bumblebee with Heli-Pack

Devastator with Scorpulator

Grimlock with Anti-Tank Cannon

Helicopter with Over-Run

Inferno with Hydro-Pack

Jackpot with Sights

Jazz with Turbo Board

Kick-Off with Turbo-Pack

Krok with Gatoraider

Mainframe with Push-Button

Neutro-Fusion Tank with Megatron

Off-Road Cycle with Axer

Rad with Lionizer

Rollout with Glitch

Shockwave with Fistfight

Skyfall with Top-Heavy

Snarl with Tyrannitron

Soundwave with Wingthing

Stratotronic Jet with Gutcruncher

Treadshot with Catgut

Turbo Cycle with Prowl

Turbo Jet with Starscream

Turbo Racer with Wheeljack

Micromasters

Air Patrol

Anti-Aircraft Base with Blackout and Spaceshot

Astro Squad

Battle Squad

Battlefield Headquarters with Full-Barrel and Overflow

Cannon Transport with Cement-Head and Terror-Tread

Construction Patrol

Constructor Squad

Hot Rod Patrol

Metro Squad

Military Patrol

Missile Launcher with Retro and Surge

Monster Truck Patrol

Race Track Patrol

Tanker Truck with Pipeline and Gusher

G1 (Europe)

Combiners

Air Raid
Classics

Breakdown
Classics

Dead End
Classics

Drag Strip
Classics

Fireflight
Classics

Motormaster
Classics

Silverbolt
Classics

Skydive
Classics

Slingshot
Classics

Superion

Wildrider
Classics

Heroes

Inferno
Classics

Ironhide
Classics

Jazz
Classics

Prowl
Classics

Sunstreaker
Classics

Wheeljack
Classics

Other

Galaxy Shuttle
GiG

G1 - Zone

Micro Transformer Bases

Landshaker with Gunrunner

Rocket Base with Rescue Patrol and Moonradar

Sky Hyper with Deadwheeler

Thunder Arrow
Mail-Away Exclusive

Micro Transformer Stations

Airport Base with Overair

Build Base with Ironworks

Fire Base with Hot House

Gasoline Base with Glasspit

Micro Transformer Teams

Battle Patrol Team

Build Patrol Team

Jet Patrol Team

Off Road Patrol Team

Race Car Patrol Team

Race Track Patrol Team

Rescue Patrol Team

Sky Patrol Team

Super Car Patrol Team

Micro Transformer Transports

Cragun

Missile Bull

Roadjet

Skywave

Other

Metrotitan with Metrobomb

Powered Masters

Big Powered

Dai Atlas

Roadfire

Sonic Bomber

Video Pack-Ins

Rabbicrater